Brian held Justin's hand as they walked into the restaurant. Reese was able to talk to Randolph’s son and daughter. Neither was thrilled with their father's new bride. They couldn’t figure out why their father married her since he wasn’t the trophy wife type. They admitted that although Randolph seemed to fawn over Lindsay, he’d been questioning the stories of her plight. Rudolph’s son let Reese know that his father had asked him to look into both Brian and Justin before he called to talk to Brian.
Randolph watched as the two men walked into the restaurant, not seeing the monster Lindsay described in the man who let Justin Taylor use him for strength. Brian didn’t wait for a greeting but got straight to the point.
“What’s the purpose of meeting us?” Brian asked.
“To clear up some confusion about both of you. My new wife came to me confessing about her past, claiming that she wanted to reunite with the son she left with Justin. When I asked to speak to him, only wanting to find out if he was agreeable, she then admitted the son she confessed to loving, she hadn’t seen in five years. Then the story once again changed to you, Brian. Claiming you chased after her, angry that she dared to have your child when SHE was all you wanted. Now, I’m very confused.” Randolph said, looking at their clasped hands.
“I can clear up one thing for you. I have never wanted Lindsay as anything other than a friend. And that ended when she got pregnant without me knowing about it until after she paid someone to get her what she needed. If it helps, I did look for her, but only because I didn’t want my child raised by her. So she did tell you part of the truth, which is more than she seemed capable of.” Brian said, making sure everything was clear as glass.
“My wife would like to at least see the child, and I was hoping that we could find a way to make it possible. From everything she said it sounded like she felt since she and Justin were friends.” Randolph told them.
“I really barely knew her. In fact, the first time I ever really talked to her was when she went into labor. Up until then, I didn’t even know her name.” Justin told him.
“She must have trusted you, she left her son with you,” Randolph told him.
Brian was about to say something but Justin interrupted. “I don’t know if she trusted me or not. What I do know is everything seemed more important to her than being with Gus. Do you think she trusted me? To me, trust means telling the person you trust everything, which she didn’t. Until I met Brian I didn’t even know her real name. I didn’t know where the hell she disappeared to since she packed her shit on Gus’s first birthday and left, saying she’d be back. In essence, she left the child you claim she is so concerned about in the hands of a virtual stranger. I could have been anyone, done anything, but you know, she was so concerned she never once contacted me about Gus. It’s not like I made it hard for her to find him. I stayed in Chicago for only one reason, so if she wanted anything to do with Gus, she could find us. Only she never did, and it reaffirmed to me that just because you give DNA doesn’t make you anything but the person who gives the DNA. Do you know what changed that for me? Brian did. The minute he thought Gus might be his, he made sure his son knew he’d be there. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to be there. Something your wife hasn’t bothered with, pretty much since Gus’s birth. Did she also tell you she didn’t even bother to name him, and practically slept through his first year of life. Letting a man she barely knew, but trusted, make sure Gus was fed, loved, and knew he’d never be fucking alone. So, I’m sorry if you're waiting for me to forget the bullshit she did and just welcome her into his life. It’s not happening unless Gus decides he wants to see her. Are we done?” Justin asked, pissed that she even acted like what she did was out of love for Gus.
“In the end, it’s not your decision anymore, is it? According to what I was able to find out, you renounced your custody to Gus’s natural father.” Randolph inquired at Brian.
“Actually Randy, anything concerning Gus is decided by both of us. We already made plans for Justin to adopt Gus legally. I honestly don’t like the implication that not being one of Gus’s natural parents means Justin wasn’t everything to Gus, and will always be a father to him. At this point, I don’t see that we have any more to discuss with you, because Lindsay gave up the right to play mommy when she walked away from OUR son.” Brian told him, motioning between himself and Justin.
“All I’m asking is to allow her to see Gus, nothing more,” Randolph told them.
“You really believe that’s all she wants?” Brian asked.
“She didn’t ask to see you Brian, just Justin,” Randolph told him.
“Why would she want to see me?” Justin asked.
“Because I thought it was time that you and I talked. Before Brian does something to convince you he’d be the kind of father you are to MY son.” Lindsay said, sitting down next to Randolph.
“So it wasn’t just going to be us,” Brian said to Randolph, pissed at Lindsay’s presence.
“Lindsay you were supposed to stay at your parent’s house.” Randolph scolds, like her father.
“I visited a few old friends. Imagine my surprise that Michael didn’t know about what Brian had been up to.” Lindsay smirked, looking behind Brian.
“Brian we need to talk, RIGHT NOW!” Michael screeched, looking at Brian’s hand in Justin’s.
“No Michael we don’t. And since your wife decided to show up, we are done.” Brian told Randolph.
“I make a bad enemy, Brian,” Randolph told him.
“So do I,” Justin replied to Randolph.
“You really think you could take on my husband?” Lindsay purred.
“You really think I was a poor, starving student?” Justin counters.
“I know you managed to make a living, but nothing compared to what Randolph has,” Lindsay commented.
“I’m assuming you looked into my life, too?” Justin asked Randolph.
“Yes,” Randolph answered, starting to wonder who the woman next to him was.
“Are you willing to go head to head with me?” Justin asked him.
“Or me? See, I know a little about you. And the one thing you don’t seem to like is anyone messing in your private world. While I hate outing anyone, I won’t hesitate to make you a laughing stock to protect Justin or OUR son. Another thing. Ask your wife how she supported herself before you came along.” Brian told him, waiting while Randolph looked at Lindsay, who had suddenly lost her smirk. “While my life wasn’t lily white, prostitution wasn’t part of my resume,” Brian told him, taking off the gloves.
“Justin, whatever Brian told you, he will never settle down,” Lindsay said, trying to get Justin to listen to her.
“He doesn’t do relationships or love,” Michael said, getting angry that Brian was ignoring him.
“Nope, I never did. At least until I met the man who loved Gus for me. One day when Justin’s ready, who knows, maybe he’ll agree to marry me.” Brian told them.
“NO! I spent years waiting for you.” Michael screamed, needing Brian to take it back.
“Lindsay, people are staring at us,” Randolph said, angry at the attention they were attracting.
“If you think Brian is doing anything but using you to get back at me, you’re living in a dream world,” Lindsay told Justin.
“Was that what you were doing with Gus, using him to get back at Brian for not wanting you?” Justin asked.
“BRIAN!” Michael screamed.
“Excuse me, but would you please keep it down.” The hostess told Michael.
“Justin are you ready to go?” Brian asked, ignoring everyone but Justin.
“Before you go; I know what you’re planning, and I’ll make sure neither of you gets it,” Lindsay told them.
“Lindsay, we will talk about this when we are home,” Randolph ordered her.
“Brian, let go of his hand. We need to talk about us.” Michael said, panicking at the way Brian looked at Justin.
“The only thing you need to understand about you and me, Mikey, is that there was never going to be anything more than friendship. Something Lindsay lost the day she paid someone to steal something from me. But maybe I should thank her because, in the end, it gave me Justin and Gus.” Brian told them.
“You think a judge is going to let you and him raise a child together? Remember, I know everything about you.” Lindsay threatened, as Randolph looked on, furious.
“I know everything about you too. You really want to play that game?” Brian told her, staring her down.
“You need to leave,” Michael ordered Justin.
“No sir, YOU need to leave.” The hostess told him, with two waiters in tow.
“Randolph, do something,” Lindsay ordered her husband.
“Justin, do you love Brian?” Randolph asked.
“It’s really none of your business,” Brian told him, not wanting Justin to feel pressured.
“I never really understood love, until the moment they put Gus in my arms. I just knew the minute I held that tiny baby, that nothing in my life mattered anymore, just Gus. I don’t know if I love Brian, but I do know nothing in my life matters any more than Gus and Brian.” Justin told him.
Michael smirked because this was when Brian would finally say one of his famous sayings about love.
“Nothing matters more than you and Gus for me,” Brian told Justin.
“Lindsay we need to go. You were right, Gus was in the best place when you left him with Justin. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and if my wife gives you any problems call me directly and I’ll deal with it.” Randolph told them, handing Brian a card.
Justin and Brian walked out, while Lindsay started arguing loudly with Randolph.
Michael followed them to the parking lot. Brian wasn’t going to get away with ruining all of Michael’s dreams.
“Brian, don’t you fucking do this to us,” Michael shouted.
“Michael, listen. Are you listening? My US is Justin. It’s time for you to look for a life where I don’t star in the role AS your life.” Brian tells him.
“No, no, no…” Michael sobbed, tears streaming down his face.
Michael dried his tears, smiling as Brian came up to him, leaving the blond asshole next to the car. Brian leaned down and whispered, “Bye Mikey, I found out that I do love, just not with you. Go find someone who can love you the way I love Justin.” Kissing the top of Michael’s head the way Deb would.