Chapter 31

Brian was sitting at his desk, looking at the same boards over and over again. Something was just missing, but he couldn't put his finger on what exactly it was. Artistically speaking the ads looked amazing and they were as innovative as any ad Kinnetik had ever produced and yet Brian felt like something was missing. It angered him that he couldn't put his finger on what exactly it was that was missing and he sighed in frustration after he had stared at the boards for another five minutes.

“Fucking fuck!” He exclaimed as he tossed the boards aside and tried to focus on his computer screen instead. Maybe taking his mind off these boards would actually help and researching his newest prospective client seemed like a good enough distraction as any.

“Brian?” Ted asked carefully as he opened the door to Brian's office and looked inside. He had been warned by Cynthia that Brian was in quite a mood and something had obviously pissed him off, only she had no idea what it was.

“What?” Brian bellowed at his longtime CFO and by now best friend.

“Wow, who pissed in your cheerios this morning?” Ted dared to ask as he ventured into the lion's den.

“I don't eat cheerios, so I'd guess no one,” Brian replied deadly serious, glaring at Ted for daring to interrupt his research.

“Is everything alright? I haven't seen you in a mood like this in... I don't know, forever, really.”

Brian sighed, knowing that Ted had a point and leaned back in his chair. “I am fine.”

“You don't sound like it.”

“What are you? My therapist?” Brian snarked and Ted only held his gaze.

“No, but maybe you should give him a call if you feel that unbalanced.”

“Unbalanced? What the fuck?”

“Or whatever you want to call what it is you're doing here. Apparently you've done nothing but snark and bellow at people all day long. And excuse me for saying this, but I've regrettably known you long enough to know that's not your normal modus operandi anymore. Hence me showing up here, asking if you're alright.”

Brian actually looked quite bashful when he nodded. “Yeah, I am alright. Just... I don't know... These boards are missing something,” he said as he picked up the boards he had tossed aside earlier, “and I can't put my finger on what it is. It's driving me mad.”

“And everyone around you as well,” Ted chuckled, taking the boards from Brian and giving them a quick once over. Over the years he had learned quite a thing or two about the advertising business and had done client presentations every once in a while as well. He wouldn't call himself an ad man, but he definitely knew his way around the business. He eyed the boards closely, switching from one to the other, before returning.

“The colour seems off. I don't know, it's supposed to be for a summery product and then it's all blue and cold. I'd go for something more summer-y. Maybe yellow, or orange?”

“Orange is the new blue, huh?” Brian chuckled, not able to help himself as he was reminded of that fateful day so many years ago where Justin had handed his balls to the Eyeconics lady with that very sentence.

Not really understanding why Brian was chuckling like that and why his statement seemed to amuse him that much, Ted just frowned. “If you say so. You're the expert.”

“Well, I'll let the art department give it a try and we'll see if it works better in orange or yellow,” Brian said much calmer as he took the boards back from Ted. He wouldn't admit it, but he actually liked Ted's idea and thought that this might be what would make the boards perfect in his eyes.

“No lunch delight for you today?” Ted raised an eyebrow in confusion as he looked at his watch and saw the time.

“No, not today. I am too busy.”

“Too busy for a lunch break?”

“Nah, too busy for my 'lunch delight' as you call it.”

Ted actually had to snort at that. “Hold the presses. Brian Kinney too busy to fuck. What has the world come to?”

“Ha fucking ha. You should be a comedian, Theodore. Just remember: I am still your boss and I can still fire you.”

“But you would never dare because I know all your deep, dark secrets and you'd be too scared of me exposing them.”

“You wish. I know no shame or embarrassment, Theodore. At times I really have to wonder if you know me at all,” Brian drawled as he got up from his desk and locked his computer screen. “Care to join me for lunch? Knowing you, you haven't taken your break yet, either.”

“And you would be right. My slave master of a boss is just too demanding to think about simple pleasures like lunch.”

Being called a slave master actually gave Brian an image of himself with a whip in his hand, whipping Ted hard to get him to work harder and that image made Brian laugh out loud. When he calmed down, he walked up to Ted's side and threw his arms around his friend's shoulder.

“How about this slave master inviting you for lunch?”

Ted only nodded, a smile playing on his face as well. “Sure. Wanna try that new Indian place two blocks away?”

“I was actually thinking that we could go to the diner,” Brian suggested, not looking at his friend as he spoke.

“The diner? As in the Liberty Diner?”

“Are there any other diners close by?” Brian asked, pretending to be confused.

“It's just that...it's been almost a year since we've last been there and...”

“And maybe Debbie will be working and I am sure she will be delighted to see us,” Brian said silently as he looked at Ted from serious eyes.

All of a sudden Brian's mood made sense to the older man and he understood why Brian had been acting that weird and annoyed all day. He had probably been fighting with himself to decide if he should go to the diner or not, which was probably also the reason for Brian deciding that he was suddenly too busy for his 'lunch delight'. Now it all made sense to Ted and he could only imagine how much his friend had beaten himself up about whether or not he should take this next step in his reconciliation with Debbie or not.

Ted knew that Brian and Debbie had met at Kinnetik three months ago and that they had talked. According to Brian it had been an honest and good talk, but he also knew that they hadn't met again since. Yes, according to Brian they had talked on the phone a couple of times, but they had yet to see each other again face to face.

The accountant knew how hard it was for Brian to forgive Debbie and to move on from the pain she had caused him and he had been present and had seen just how much pain she had caused him. If he was honest with himself, he had never expected Brian to ever talk to Debbie again, but he guessed that Brian had to have loved her more and missed her more than he had expected. In the end, he didn't really have an opinion on whether or not Brian should forgive her or not, he just knew that it made him happy for his friend to see that he had obviously worked through another unresolved issue and was trying to move on from it. He just hoped that one day Brian would finally be a able to experience the happiness that he deserved.

“If you want to go, then that's what we'll do,” Ted replied quietly, nodding at Brian, making it clear that he would be there to support his friend in this next step.

Brian looked at his friend gratefully. “I am sure you must have missed the exceptional food from the diner and can't wait to try it again.”

“More like the exceptional heartburn and congestion,” Ted mumbled as he followed Brian out of the office.

Less than ten minutes later they made their way into the diner, not surprised to see that it was quite empty, them being later than the normal lunch rush.

They made their way over to an empty booth, noting that nothing had changed in the diner since they'd last been there almost a year ago. Then again nothing had changed in the diner ever since they had first started going there regularly, so it was kind of comforting that it hadn't started changing now.

“What can I get you, lads?” Debbie came to their table, clearly not having gotten a proper look at them yet. She had been looking at the cook and had been in a loud conversation with him as she had made her way over to their table and had then immediately taken out her notepad, looking down at it, ready to write down their orders. When she was greeted by silence, she finally looked up and looked at the men sitting in the booth in front of her.

“Brian! Teddy!” She gasped, clutching her hand to her chest in obvious surprise. “What are you two doing here?” She screeched, making her excitement known to the whole diner.

“Trying to order some food,” Brian snarked and Debbie's face fell when she heard Brian's snark. She immediately calmed down and forced herself to be more professional.

“Of course. What can I get you?”

“A chicken breast salad and a diet coke, please,” Ted started, before both he and Debbie turned to Brian.

“And for you?” She asked, looking at Brian with a gentle gaze.

“Turkey,” he started, but never got any further, because Debbie took right over.

“Turkey Breast on wholewheat, hold the mayo,” she finished for him, her eyes shining.

Brian's eyes shone as well as he locked gazes with her and his voice was thick when he replied. “You got it.”

“Honey, you need to eat more. You're way too thin,” she started, but then stopped herself, knowing that it was not her place to berate Brian for his food choices.

Having expected something along the lines of that statement, Brian couldn't help but chuckle. “I might be persuaded to try a lemon bar later,” he offered and Debbie nodded quickly.

“You better!” Then she walked away and placed their orders.

She kept her distance and left Ted and Brian to talk on their own until it was time to deliver their meals to their table.

“Here you go, you two. Enjoy!”

Looking from Brian to Debbie and then back to Brian, noticing his subtle nod, realising that Brian had probably thought along the same lines as he had, Ted spoke up. “Why don't you join us for a couple of minutes, Debbie? It's not that busy right now and I am sure Kiki will be fine on her own for a few minutes.”

“No, I shouldn't. You two enjoy your meal,” she waved off his invitation and was about to walk away when Brian's voice stopped her.

“Sit down, Debbie. Don't make this the first meal I have in this fine establishment where I don't get to enjoy your company,” he said, nodding at the empty seat next to Ted.

“I don't want to impose,” she started weakly, but was once again interrupted by Brian.

“It's not imposing if you're invited,” he said seriously, looking at her with a gentle gaze.

“Alright, but only for a minute,” she nodded in the end and sat down in the booth next to Ted.

“How are you, Debbie?” The accountant asked her, trying to make small talk as he and Brian had their lunch.

“Good. Things have been pretty good recently. Carl took me on a vacation to Las Vegas and it was just lovely. I got to see Elvis fucking Presley!” The woman enthused, making both men laugh at her obvious excitement at what could only have been an impersonator.

“One of two thousand,” Brian mumbled under his breath, making Ted snort out the diet coke he'd just taken a sip from.

“What did you say?” Debbie raised an eyebrow at him sternly, reminding Brian so much of the mother he had felt her to be to him twenty years ago. This was the look she had given him when he had fucked up and it had been clear that she hadn't been pleased with him. Somehow that look was comforting more than anything else at that moment and Brian couldn't help but smile at the memory. After a few seconds, he forced himself to say something nice to Debbie as not to offend her.

“That must have been a one in a thousand experience,” Brian said with as much sincerity as he could muster, putting a fake smile in place.

“Better,” Debbie huffed, making Brian realise that some things never seemed to change and somehow that once again felt very comforting and had a calming effect on him.

“So you and the detective still going strong?” Brian asked, before he took another bite of his sandwich.

“Stronger than ever,” Debbie smiled happily.

From his phone conversations with her and seeing her now, it was obvious to Brian that she and Carl had moved through their rough patch and that the cop wasn't thinking about leaving the redhead any longer. That made him happy for Debbie. After everything and everyone she had already lost, she deserved to be happy with Carl.

A comfortable silence settled around the table while Brian and Ted ate their lunches and Debbie just enjoyed to be in their company. When Brian had cleared away the last of his sandwich, he pulled out his cellphone and handed it to Debbie with a quiet nod.

She frowned as she took the phone and then her eyes grew wide as she looked at the picture that was on display on the phone. “Oh my God, is that...?” she asked and Brian only nodded, knowing that he had done the right thing when he had shown her one of his latest pictures of Gus and Luke playing together.

It had been almost a year since Debbie had last seen his sons and he knew how much she had always loved them. He could only imagine how much she had to have missed them and he was glad he had made this spontaneous call to show her this picture. Really, he hadn't planned on that. After he had been done with his lunch, he had been trying to find a way to start the conversation again and he just couldn't seem to think of something smart to say and in the end he hadn't really thought much as his hands had wandered inside his pockets to pick out his cellphone.

“There are more,” he said quietly as he nodded at his phone and watched as Debbie started wiping on the screen to get to the other pictures.

“I can't believe how much they've grown up. Oh God, just look at Luke. He's walking already,” she enthused, her eyes glassy from her emotions.

“And talking. So much talking,” Brian sighed dramatically, thinking of all the nonsense his small son was spouting. He was sure that it all actually made sense to Luke, but to him only about every fifth word made sense and everything else in between was just babbling and baby gibberish, but that didn't stop his son. From morning to evening, Luke could talk without break, which, if he was honest quite amused Brian. It reminded him of Justin, who had also always been way more talkative than was really bearable to Brian at times. It just proved to him that Luke was indeed Justin's son through and through.

“Well, someone has to teach you Kinney men how it's done,” Debbie snarked, but her voice held a tenderness that both Brian and Ted heard easily.

“That's what Mother Taylor said as well,” Brian chuckled.

“Jennifer? God, how is she?” Debbie asked, looking up at Brian with curious eyes.

“Good. Business is doing well, she loves being a grandmother, does all the crap with Gus and Luke that I can't be bothered to do with them, so it's all working out. She's happy, Gus and Luke are happy, Ted is happy that he gets to see his boss at work regularly. Everyone is happy!”

“Are you?” Debbie eyed him, but then lowered her gaze. “I am sorry. It's none of my business,” she said quietly, handing the phone back to Brian.

“I am working on it. I am getting there,” Brian said honestly, surprising both himself and Debbie that he had actually answered her question.

“That's good, honey. I am glad. You deserve it,” she said seriously, meeting Brian's gaze as she spoke, hoping that he could see the sincerity of her words in her eyes.

When Kiki called out for Debbie, needing her help to serve some new customers, Debbie sighed and got up from the booth. “Well, I better get back to work.”

Brian and Ted nodded and watched as she walked off to serve some customers. When Brian's eyes returned to the table, he frowned when he saw Ted looking at him gently.

“What?”

“That was very nice of you,” the accountant said seriously, nodding at Brian's phone on the table, indicating that he was talking about Brian showing her the pictures of his sons.

“Well, I figured it would make her happy,” Brian shrugged, sounding more nonchalant than he felt.

“It did,” Ted nodded, before he got out his wallet.

“Hey, the slave master said he'd invite you,” Brian waved away Ted's attempt to pay, making the older man chuckle.

“I am not used to this treatment from the slave master. I am a creature of habit, forgive me.”

“Bite me,” Brian just laughed as he put some bills on the table that would cover their bill and leave a hefty tip for Debbie.

“Not in your dreams, Kinney.”

They made their way to the door of the diner, giving Debbie a small nod and wave as they left and just as they had reached the door, Brian stopped and turned to Ted. “Can you give me a second?”

“Sure,” Ted nodded, eyeing Brian in curiousity when he went back into the diner.

Brian walked up to Debbie and gently tapped her on the shoulder.

“Do you have a second?”

“Uhm...sure...yes,” the waitress nodded, following Brian to a quiet corner of the diner.

“I was thinking,” Brian began and he noticed himself how he was actually fidgeting. What the fuck? Why would he fidget? He was Brian Kinney, he didn't fidget, he told himself, forcing himself to focus on what he wanted to say and to get it out.

“I was thinking that it might be nice if you and Carl wanted to join us for dinner on Saturday. We were planning on having a small barbecue at Britin, nothing fancy, but... I guess, if you'd both like to come... that would be nice,” Brian finished, looking at Debbie from uncertain eyes.

“Oh Brian,” the older woman gasped as her eyes filled with tears. It was obvious that she hadn't expected this. “Are you... are you sure?”

Brian only nodded at her, a small smile gracing his lips. “I am sure Gus and Luke would be happy to see you and Carl again,” he said, not admitting that he would be happy to see them again as well. Not that he had to, Debbie had heard the unspoken words anyway.

“If you're sure... yes, we'd love to come,” Debbie said sincerely, smiling widely through her tears.

“Great,” Brian smiled, his voice thick with emotion as he spoke. “We'll...start around five. Just bring some salad or something, if you want.”

Debbie nodded, not able to say any more through her tears.

Brian nodded once more, than engulfed her in a quick hug. “See you on Saturday,” he said quietly, before he turned around and walked out of the diner.

“What just happened there?” Ted frowned, turning to Brian once he saw Kiki walking over to a crying Debbie and taking her in her arms. When he saw unshed tears in Brian's eyes, his brow furrowed in concern. “Brian, is everything okay?”

“I think it might just be,” the younger man nodded, turning towards his friend with a small smile. “We'll have two extra guests for our barbecue on Saturday.”

When Ted understood what Brian meant with that statement, he smiled at his friend and couldn't help but give him an encouraging clap on his shoulder. “I am glad,” he said honestly, before he steered Brian away from the diner and back to Kinnetik, somehow having a feeling that his boss' mood would be way better that afternoon than it had been in the morning.