Prologue CDLWY 10

Where had the two years gone?  Justin and Brian sat on the veranda.  Brian had Gage William on his lap. Taylor stood beside them trying to make her little brother laugh. Justin came out of the house and the little girl ran to him.  “Papa, it’s my birthday tomorrow.” She smiled up at Justin.

“Yes, Sunny, you will be three tomorrow. And your brother will be two in a couple weeks.  Where did the time go?” He picked up the little one named after him.

Brian set Gage down and he waddled away.  They had ‘fenced’ in this area as soon as Taylor started walking so she could roam and now Gage could too, under the watchful eyes of his grandfathers.   The door opened again and this time Brinn walked out. At 14 she was stunning. Brian and Justin were glad they lived on the vineyard where it was difficult for groupies to hang out but Brinn really wasn’t interested anyway.  Most high school boys just didn’t interest her. Although she may think they were cute, they were just too immature for her. She had finished college this year, completing three degrees. She was still not sure what she was going to do in the fall and Brian and Justin weren’t pushing her right now but they knew Brinn needed a goal or trouble of some kind would soon occur..

Chantel, Brinn’s long time best friend was working at a camp for the summer and her oldest brother, Tim, was off to college so Danny was her only friend in the area.  Justin and Brian hadn’t restricted their time together. They trusted both of them. He was the one boy that Brinn had connected with and they were good for each other. Although Danny felt safe and secure in his life with Marcus and Dan, his sexuality was still turbulent for him.  As much as he wanted to explore his homosexuality, it scared him. He had gone through therapy to deal with the pain and fear he had after being used so young but he was always conflicted.

Dan and Marcus nurtured him and he had come a long way. They loved having him in their lives but Marcus wanted a baby in the worst way.  After a failed surrogate attempt and two failed adoptions Marcus told Dan he was done. He couldn’t go through the heartache again. They had their son and he would be enough for them. Dan had actually started backing off at work.  He wasn’t ready to retire but he was ready to have employees do the traveling now.

John and Tony had already lived here for two years and the LIghthouse Inn was a big success.  John was staying busy with day flights but was rarely gone overnight. When he had to be gone it was only for one night.  They had agreed they were meant to be together and they both were working hard at their marriage.

Peter and Becca were playing with the idea of moving to California.  They missed their family. Grandma Claire and her husband, Don, traveled most of the time now that they were retired  so, although they loved living in Britin it might be time to join the family on the West coast. 

Molly and Tyler had finished their house and now Brenda lived in the mother in law suite connected to it.  Tyler was gone from time to time with work so it was great having her around to help with the kids. Molly was busier than she could handle on her own so she had just hired an assistant.  She couldn’t wait to see where the business would go.

The apartment above Wine and Design was getting new occupants.  Molly’s new assistant, Isabella, and her husband, Seth were moving in.  Seth was a musician who did some traveling but he spent a lot of time writing and selling his music.  Gus and Brian had looked into his background and offered him the position as manager of Wine and Design giving him lots of flexibility and he was thrilled to have the opportunity to perform some of his music while still contributing to the family.  

Gus was glad to have the new couple in place.  He loved to go and perform but he didn’t have time to be there every weekend but he was so busy with his construction building. He put his family first in his life.   With a three year old and a two year old in the house, Shelby had her hands full and was so glad to have Gus so committed to their life together. They hadn’t told anyone yet but baby number three was on the way and would be there by Christmas.  

“Papa, I love you!,” Taylor said as she wrapped her arms around Justin’s neck.  

“Oh, Sunny, I love you, too!” Justin handed her to Brian who sat on the bench swing and went to get Gage before he got himself in trouble. He carried the little boy back and sat next to Brian.  There was definitely more silver in Brian’s hair these days but Justin couldn’t keep his fingers out of it, loving the flex that gleamed in the light.

“Why do I feel like I am being devoured right now?” Brian smiled as he pulled Justin in for a kiss.

“Later, I promise.” Justin said as he touched Brian’s cheek.

“Kiss, Papa.  Me kiss.” Gage said and Justin obliged, pulling the little boy close for a second before the boy started wiggling, never wanting to sit still.

Justin said as he  looked at Brian, “What could make life better?”

“As soon as Brinn can find her path, we can all relax.