Chapter 9

Brian and Justin were in the kitchen when Justin’s phone rang.  “Who calls you at 7:00 a.m.? Who thinks we are up this early?”

Justin picked up his phone.  “It’s Mom.  I’ll put her on speaker.” He answered the phone, “Hey, Mom, I have you on speaker.”

“Good morning.  Sorry, I woke you.”

“Mom, we are in the kitchen drinking coffee. Brian is a busy man.” Brian was standing behind Justin, rubbing his crotch against Justin’s ass and Justin laughed.

“Don’t tell me what you two are doing.  I love you both, by the way.” They both responded in kind as she continued. “I want to talk about Molly before she is up. She is so excited and so scared at the same time.  I know everything I have said is going in one ear and out the other.  I can’t push it because I know my feelings will come into it and that’s not fair to her.  I am afraid she will think the same thing if she only hears it from Justin.  Brian, I know how busy you are but do you think….”

“Jennifer, what time is she meeting with him?”

“She is having dinner with him at 6:00.  She will get home from cheer camp about 4:00.”

“We’ll both be there at 4:30?” Brian stated and asked in the same statement.

“Oh, thank you both. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Mom, you never have to worry about that.  We will see you then.”

“She will probably call you, too.”

“That’s fine, Mom.  We will see you this afternoon.”  The call ended and Justin turned to looked at Brian.  He could feel his erection against his own. “How do we tell Molly to watch out for his bullshit?”

“I think we just tell her. But as much as I would like to finish what I started…” he thrust against Justin, who wrapped his arms around Brian’s neck, “I have to get to work if I am taking off at 4:00.  Can you bring me some lunch around 1:00? I am going to have to reschedule a meeting I had this afternoon.” After one long kiss, Brian was gone.

Dani and Justin had a long therapy session that morning.  He still had some frustration while working with her and after a string of profanity he stormed out of the pool house and went directly to his bedroom.  He spent an hour up there, taking a shower and then feeling guilty for his behavior.  He would have sat there longer but he realized he needed to bring lunch into Brian soon so he went down to the kitchen only to find Dani already in there.  

“Am I welcome?” Justin asked sheepishly. 

“Of course you are.”

“Dani, I am so sorry for blowing up.  I don’t….”

“Justin, I know what to expect from my clients.  I will never hold that against you.  You are trying to get back skills you know you did easily.”

“You are too nice.  I promise I would never get that angry with my children.”

“Oh, Justin, I know that. That’s why you got so upset.  You want to be the best you can be for Gus and for this little guy.” The two hugged.

“I need to get some lunch to Brian.  He is working straight through because we have to meet Molly later.”

“Would he be happy with a salad? I have some chicken that could go on it and we have some crusty bread.”

“That will be perfect.”  Ten minutes later Justin was knocking on the office door. “Babe, I have some lunch for you.”

“Come,” Brian’s voice snapped. Justin walked in to find Brian on the phone.  He walked over and set the salad down on the desk.  He kissed Brian’s cheek and started back out the door. “Hold on,” he said into the phone.  “Sunshine, wait.”  Justin stopped.  “I’ll get back to you tomorrow with those revisions.  Have a nice afternoon.” Brian hung up, “Come back here. I need a real kiss.” 

Justin walked over and sat on Brian’s lap.  He brought his mouth down to Brian’s and he felt Brian’s body relax.  When their mouths separated, Justin asked, “Is something wrong?”

“No, this client is just being so unreasonable.  I want to tell him to fuck off!”

“Why don’t you? You’re the boss.  You don’t have to….” Justin stopped for a second.  “Bri, I don’t need to live in a place like this.  I would live in a one room apartment if it meant being with you.”

“No, well, maybe some of that is the reason. Kiss me again so I can think,” Brian smiled at him and Justin obliged. “This is the biggest campaign I have ever come up with and if it goes through, I will feel like I have made it.  This one alone is worth more than anything I have done in the last two years. This will put me on the map and clients will come to me.  I will be able to relax a bit and enjoy life with you.”

“I love you, Brian, no matter what happens.”

“Love you, too, Sunshine.  Thanks for the lunch.  Come get me at 3:30 so I have time to shower and change before we go to your mom’s.” He grabbed Justin’s neck and brought his head down for one more kiss.  “God, what you do to me…. Go before I get any more distracted.” 

Justin walked out with a smile on his face.  He looked at his phone and then saw Dani.  “Dani, can you make sure I am back in this house by 3:50?  I am going out to work on some artwork.”

“Sure, go on.  I’ll set my alarm and make sure you are back inside by then.”

Dani strode out to the pool house a few minutes early.  She wanted to ‘spy’ on Justin for a few minutes.  She was fascinated by his art skills and loved watching him when she was able.  She stood in the doorway silently as Justin touched up a painting.  She had seen it in the corner but had never seen him work on it.  It was of Brian and Justin.  It was so obvious in the portrait that they loved each other. Justin nailed the expression of adoration on his face and Brian’s look was the purest love she had ever seen. She could see the additions he had made today and she didn’t think he could make it any more perfect. 

“Excuse me, Justin but it is time for you to get ready.”

“Oh, thanks.  What do you think? It is my first painting since….”

“It is stunning, Justin.  I mean it is absolutely stunning. I can’t imagine it being any better.”

“I have never shown it to Brian.  I don’t know what he’ll think.”

“He will think he's in love with a very talented man. I mean I loved the sculpture you did of yourself, too, but this shows how close to real you make things look.”

Together they started walking back to the main house, “Dani, please don’t tell him about it.  I want to contribute to this family and I am going to see if Lindsay can get a few of my old and new pieces displayed and maybe sold.  Brian is working so hard for us…”

Dani heard the hitch in his voice, “He wouldn’t do it if he didn’t love you.”

“I know but he’s nearly killing himself for us and a sick Brian isn’t any good to any of us.”

“Brian knows you will help when you can.  Right now you get Brian and you and I will talk about some plans maybe later.  Maybe we can get some of these things sold.”

“Don’t expect us for dinner.  I think James is going to start moving in tonight so maybe text him and find out for sure.  I would feel better knowing someone was here with you, especially with my father out now, although he will be with my sister.”

“I’d be fine but I will check with him.  I could make him dinner if he is going to be out here.”

Justin knocked and walked into the office.  Brian was working on the computer.  “Hey, just about time to get ready to go.  In case you are interested I am going to take a long, hot shower.” he put his head between Brian and the screen and kissed him, inserting his tongue into Brian’s mouth and danced around his mouth for a second.  When Justin tried to break from him, Brian held him there for another moment, this time pressing his tongue into Justin’s.  When Justin managed to stand he was breathless. “Shower,” he said as he stumbled toward the door.

“I’ll be there as soon as I finish this email.” Brian rubbed his crotch, “Oh, hell, I’ll call Ted on the way to your mom’s.  Brian rushed to catch up with him.

Forty-five minutes later they were in the car headed to Jenn and Molly. Justin loved that he could still feel the stretch in his ass from their recent lovemaking. And he loved the fact that Brian looked more relaxed. 

“We should probably have a game plan for this conversation.” Brian said, reaching over and taking Justin’s hand.  “I think you should start but if she started doubting you, I’ll jump in. Sound like a plan?”

“Yes, I have a feeling she will have to hear it from you again.  I know you talked to her earlier but she needs a reminder that she is not going to find the loving father she wants.”

“Do you have any idea who is taking her to his place?” Brian asked.

“Mom didn’t say.”

“Well, let's volunteer to take her.  I know someone is going to be with her in the duplex but I think it will help if she knows someone is just outside, in case she wants to make a quick escape.”

“Brian, thank you.  That’s perfect.”  He brought Brian’s hand to his lips, “I think that will make her feel good and if she doesn’t eat there we can take her out to eat.  I think we both know she isn’t going to eat much with him.”

“If it wasn’t so sad I’d take bets how long it will take to piss her off.  One thing about your sister, she isn’t going to take shit from anyone.  She learned that from you.” Brian said as he pulled up in front of their condo.

“And I learned it from you.”  They kissed before getting out of the Jeep. 

As Jenn opened the door they could hear Molly in her room, “Where is my pink top? I told you I wanted to wear that when I meet daddy!”

“She’s been like this since she got home.” Brian and Justin walked in and both kissed Jenn.

“How long has she been home?” Justin asked.

“Almost an hour and I know she finished her shower but other than that I am not sure what she’s done.” Justin could see how stressed Jenn was.  “And I have to drive her there and sit outside that place knowing…”

“Jenn, we are planning to take her. And she will know we are waiting for her no matter when she is ready to go home.”

“Oh, Brian, Sweetheart,” she turned to Jusitn, “Thank you but are you sure you want to do that? I mean, Justin, he will be right there.”

“Yes, he will, and if he leaves that house the police will be on their way.  We’ll be fine.” Justin said as Molly’s rant got louder. “I’ll try to calm her down.”

“I’ll be right there,” Brian said. As soon as Justin was out of ear shot he continued, “Jenn, Justin will be fine.  He needs a chance to come to terms with some things, too, and I think helping Molly will help him.”

“Brian, you are helping him so much.  Without you….well without you he would still be alone in that crappy apartment getting no therapy and we would still think he was dead.”

Brian hugged Jenn and then moved down the hall.  

Justin was still outside the door.“Mol, come on, let me in.  Brian and I want to talk to you.”

“NO, you are just going to tell me not to trust Daddy and that he doesn’t love me.”

“Mol, I never said that.  In fact, I told you…

Brian walked up and tried the door knob.  The door opened so Justin and Brian walked in.

“Get out of here! I didn’t tell you you could come in.  You will only want to lie to me.  You hate Daddy!”

“Molly Taylor, that is enough,” Brian said sharply.  Your brother loves you and that’s why he cares about you.” Brian’s arm went around Justin.  “Now listen to Justin.  He knows what he is talking about. I will be right outside the door,” he kissed Justin and walked out the door.

Now Molly’s eyes were filled with tears.  “I’m sorry, Justin.  I know what Daddy did and I know how wrong he was to do what he did but he said he wants to see me.  He must love me if he wants to spend time with me.”

“Oh, Mol, like I said a long time ago, he loves you because you're HIS.  Of course he loves you but he doesn’t know how to love like a normal dad does and I know it is my fault. He wouldn’t have done any of this if I hadn’t ….”

“Justin, you were just being who you were and I will tell Daddy that. Do you really think he loves me?”

“He loves you but there will always be strings attached.” Brian was standing in the doorway.

“What do you mean there will be strings attached?” Molly asked Brian.

“He will tell you he loves you more if only….”

“If only what?”

“If only you tell the judge that you are lying.  If only you say he is a wonderful father.  If only you tell your mom he’s changed. If only you tell Justin what a mistake he has made… He will love you if you are his little girl and do what he says.”

“Brian, he won’t do that.” Molly stood with her hands on her hips.

“For your sake I hope you’re right and if I’m wrong, you can tell me so but, Mol, Justin and I are going to drive you.  We will be outside in the car the whole time.  If you stay the full time that is fine, we’ll find something to do.” He kissed Justin. “But if you want to leave for any reason earlier we are fine with that.”

“Ok, when do we need to leave?”

Justin looked at the clock.  “We need to be on the road in 10 minutes.”

“Ok, I’ll be ready in five. Now, get out of here.”

At 5:55 they pulled up in front of Craig’s duplex.  Brian noticed the front door didn’t match the frame around it.  He could still picture how that door shattered the night Craig was arrested.  “Well, someone will be here shortly to go with you into the house.  She is a friend of Mel.  She is just there to make sure your dad doesn’t do anything…” Brian stopped.  “I’m sorry, I know he wouldn’t hurt but you are under 18 and he is under house arrest so it is required by law.”

“I know you think you are looking out for me but I can handle myself. Really.”

Justin smiled at her, “Mollusk, I have no doubt you can.”  Just as he said this a car pulled up and a woman stepped out.  She introduced herself and verified they would be waiting for Molly before leading Molly to the door. “Why do I want to run and grab her like I would if she was in the path of a charging bull?”

Brian pulled Justin nearer to him and he kissed him.  “We have done all we can do right now.”

“I know you’re right but that doesn’t make it any easier.”

The chaperone spoke to Molly outside the door, “Molly, my name is Jane.  I work with your friend Mel.  Do you have any questions about the meeting?”

“I have two questions.”

“Alright, I hope I can answer them.”

“First, can I touch him?  I mean if the mood is right can I give him a hug or do we have to stay separated?”

“You may if you want to.  He has been told that is completely up to you. He may touch your shoulder or hold your hand but if you aren’t comfortable he is not supposed to hold on to you.”

“Ok, that’s good to know.  The other question I have is, I know we are supposed to have dinner together and stay until 7:30 but do I have to stay that long if I’m not comfortable.”

“Molly, you can leave any time you want.  That was your brother out there, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Is he waiting for you?”

“Yes, he and Brian are going to wait for me.”

“So anytime you are ready, you can go. He can’t tell you…”

The front door of the duplex began to open.  Brian noticed it too and he grabbed Justin and literally pulled Justin onto his lap and started kissing him.  He couldn’t help himself.  He had to rub it in Craig’s face.

Molly smiled up at her dad but he wasn’t looking at her.  His focus was on the Jeep for a split second and Molly saw a look cross his face but he quickly brought his attention to his daughter. “Molly, I am so happy you wanted to come.  I hope you still like pepperoni pizza.”

“Yes, I do. Thank you.” Molly said very formally.

Craig rested his hand on her shoulder as they walked into the house. Jane followed behind. Once inside the building, Craig turned and offered his hand to her, “I find this quite silly.  If you don’t want to stay, my daughter is totally safe with me.”

Jane saw the panicked look on Molly’s face and replied, “This was a decision the Judge made so I will be staying around.” 

Craig nodded and turned toward Molly, “You have really grown up.  You are so pretty.  What grade are you in now?”

“I will be in seventh grade,” she said flatly. “Dad, why did you do it?”

“Molly, what would you like to drink? I have some sodas or juice…”

“I’ll have a soda but you didn’t answer my question.  Why did you lie to everyone and tell us Justin was dead?”

“Molly, I was trying to save him from himself.  I saw him out there with Kinney. It’s disgusting!”  as he said it he looked down at Molly’s expression.  “Don’t tell me he has you fooled.”

“Dad, you don’t know what you’re talking about.  While we all thought Justin was dead, Brian was there for Mom and me.  Dad, you deserted me.”

“Oh, Molly, I was busy with your brother. He needed so much care and…

“Dad, I needed you, too.”

“But I knew you were safe and your brother….”

“My brother would have been better if he would have had his family around.  Even Dani said Justin needed….”

“How do you know Dani?”

“She is Justin’s therapist. He needed help and you left him alone in a rundown apartment!” Molly said loudly.

“Molly, you only heard their side of the story.  You haven’t heard it from my point of view.”

“Well, explain it to me, Dad.  Explain to your daughter how you could lie to me and Mom.” Molly grabbed a piece of pizza and took a large bite, looking directly at him.

“Molly, your brother was too young to make the kinds of decisions he was making and Kinney was taking advantage of him. He was….I can’t even think about what he was doing to your brother.”

“You mean loving him? He was there for him, Dad.  I remember when Brian tried to bring Justin home and you wanted Justin to change.”

“Justin never gave the natural thing a try.  I am sure he would have found a sweet girl...maybe someone like Dani.”

“How could you date her?  She is only a little older than Justin!”

“Dani was a full grown woman, not a boy like Justin was when he got involved with Brian.”

“But Dad, Brian has always been there for him.  He was there for us.  You and Mom had broke up but you broke up with me, too?  Why wasn’t I lovable enough?”

“Molly, I know this is hard for you to understand but I needed to spend time with your brother…”

“The brother you were hiding from me.”

“I needed to take care of him. I didn’t feel like anyone could take care of him except me.”

“Brian could.  Brian would do anything for him.”

“Enough about him.” Craig’s patience with this conversation was running thin.  “I thought you wanted to come so you could get to know me again. I thought you wanted to get caught up with me and my life.”

“Dad,” Molly stood up, “I can’t …. Brian…”

“Stop talking about Brian.  What is so special about Brian?”

Tears were collecting in Molly’s eyes and she glanced over her shoulder to see if Jane was still there. Jane smiled at her but didn’t say anything. “Dad, Brian would have said he wanted to know me again.  But he wouldn’t have to ask about me because he would never leave me.  He asked me how I am every time he sees me.  He listens to me and I know he LOVES ME!” Now she was on a roll, “And you know what? He loves me.  He loves Mom.  And,” Jane saw the wind up coming and had to stop herself from laughing.  “He loves Justin….and HE LOVES HIM AS OFTEN AS HE CAN.  Brian is right!  You are a jackass!”  Molly headed directly to the door.

“Molly, come back here.  We haven’t eaten.  I bought you pizza.”

Molly turned around and put her hands on her hips, “Pepperoni was never my favorite.  Sausage and mushrooms has always been my favorite but you would never have known that.”  She swung the door opened and looked back, “Jane, are you coming.”

“Yes, Molly, I’m coming.” She knew she should just leave but she stopped and looked at Craig, “Mr. Taylor, your daughter is a very bright and observant girl.  She must get that from her mother.”  She followed the spunky redhead out the door.

Justin stayed on Brian’s lap.  He loved feeling Brian’s arms around him.  “Do you think she’s alright?”

“Sunshine, we prepared her the best we could and she can handle herself.  She’s been sparring with me for two years.  We did the best we could and we were honest with her. We let her know what to expect.  I hope for her sake we were wrong but I’m afraid we were right.  

“Brian, will you talk to me about the baby?”

“I have a feeling there is nothing to talk about.  I’m not saying I think it is a great idea but I know you won’t let this go and, god, I love Gus so much.  It is almost like we are being given the chance to have a child of our own and although I wish it was a couple years from now, our sons will be able to grow up together. Brothers should be close.”

“Are you serious? You are willing to….” Justin saw Brian looking at something and when he looked toward the house he saw Molly first walking and then running toward them.  They both got out of the Jeep and met her.  

“Get me out of here.  Get me out of here NOW.” Justin started putting his arm around her but she stopped him.

“No, don’t do that.  I don’t want to cry here.

Brian met Jane in the middle of the street. “She is one smart girl and he is one giant asshole.  I’ll give my report to Mel and she will pass it on to you.  Go get that girl something to eat and if she was a few years older I would tell you to get her a double anything but I guess she will have to settle for a shake.”  Brian shook her hand and jogged back to the Jeep, still feeling a twinge from the bruised ribs.

“Justin, how can we be related to that idiot.  How can we….”  as Brian jogged up, Molly fell apart.

The three stood there for several minutes.  Brian and Justin held onto her tightly for several minutes and then she slowly pulled herself together.  “Let’s go eat.  I am really hungry  now.”

“Where would you like to go? You name it!” Brian bent and kissed the top of her head.

“Can we go to Primanti Brothers? Or will it be too busy?” Molly asked.  “I want to go someplace fun. I want to be in a room full of people.”

“Climb into the back.  Let me make a quick call.” Brian walked a few feet away and talked on the phone for a minute.  When he returned he said, “There will be a table for three waiting for us when we get there.”

Molly leaned forward and kissed his cheek.  “I told Dad I could always count on you.”

It was after 10:00 when Brian and Justin dropped Molly off.  They had already texted Jenn to tell her what had happened so when they brought her home, they just waved at her from  the Jeep as Molly ran into the house.

As Brian pulled away Justin looked over at him, “Who did you call to make that happen.  Normally we would have had to wait a couple hours for a table.”

“I worked with the manager on a fundraiser a year or so ago. He’s a great guy and that place does have the best pastrami on rye in the world. I am so full.”

“We may have to go swim a few laps to work off some of those carbs,” Justin commented.

“Oh, I plan to work off the carbs but not in the pool.”

As they headed down the road in the dark, they held hands. “Brian, are you really willing to adopt the baby?”

Brian brought Justin’s hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss on the back of it, “Sunshine, I can’t say no to you and you are going to be such a wonderful father, but we do need to get more help.  It’s not that I don’t trust you but until we know you are over those horrible headaches I don’t want you left alone with him all day. Do you agree?”

“Of course I do.  I only want what is best for him. We will have to talk to Mel about this.  Can we both adopt him if we aren’t married?”

Brian squeezed his hand, “Maybe we don’t have to worry about that?” He pulled into the driveway and parked the Jeep in the garage.  Now they could see each other in the light of the garage. “Justin, let’s go away this weekend.  I was going to surprise you on Friday but I guess I can’t keep a secret. Cynthia’s family have a house on Lake Erie and it will be free this weekend.  Thursday I plan to close this deal and I need to celebrate.  I need to spend one on one time with the man I love. They kissed as they met in front of the Jeep.

“I can’t think of anything I would rather do as long as James will be around for Dani.  I don’t want her to be here alone.”

“Well, we will check first thing in the morning.  Now, let's go burn off those sandwiches and fries.”  Brian smacked Justin’s ass and together rushed up the stairs.

The next three days went quickly.  James promised to stay around for the weekend and Cynthia gave Brian the direction and the keys to her family’s cottage.  Brian had seen pictures of it. It was small but with all the amenities they could want, including a beautiful view and a sandy beach. On Thursday, Brian spent the day in the office.  It was late when Brian finally got home.  Justin had warmed up some soup that Dani had made and Brian looked exhausted when he entered the house.

“Oh, Bri, are you sure we shouldn’t just stay here this weekend? We could just hang around the…” Justin set a bowl of soup down in front of him and Brian pulled him close.

“Absolutely not.  I’ll be ready to go in the morning. I will pack when I get up and we can….”

“I already packed all your basics.  All you will need to do is grab anything I didn’t put in there.  I figure we don’t need a lot of clothes.” Justin kissed him and then stepped back. “Eat your dinner and then we can get some sleep.”

“Fine, we can sleep tonight because I plan to make love all weekend.”

“I love the sound of that, Brian.”

“Sunshine, I wasn’t sure I was going to tell you this but you deserve to know.  Hobbs has petitioned the court to have a retrial.  He can’t be charged with murder anymore.”

Justin looked at him and a flash of fear came across his face.  “As much as I hate to think of him out on the street, it’s true.  He probably will be out soon.  I don’t have to ever see him again and I hope I never do.”  He got silent for a minute, “As much as I hate to say it, he has been in prison for over two years.  That is probably a lot more time than he would have gotten if they thought I had made it. I don’t know how I’ll feel about it until I see him.”

Brian walked around the  counter with  his empty bowl.  He put it in the dishwasher and then took Justin in his arms. “That doesn’t surprise me but I am not so forgiving.  You could have effects for the rest of your life and you are willing….”

Justin put his arms around Brian’s neck, “Just never do anything that will get you locked up.  You promised me we won’t be apart.”

Brian pulled him close, “I’ll try to remember that.” By the time Brian finished kissing Justin he said, “Maybe I do have enough energy to…”

Justin pulled Brian’s hand and they ran upstairs.

When they came downstairs in the morning, Dani had coffee ready for them along with some fresh fruit and toast. “Thanks, Dani.  You didn’t have to do this,” Justin said as he poured them each a cup of coffee.

“Well, you didn’t have to have James promise to be around. I would be fine.”

Brian put an arm around her expanding waist, “This place is a little bigger than your apartment.”

Dani laughed, “That is very true and I am having a hard time seeing my feet, I don’t think I could crawl under the sink to turn off the water. And I really like James. He is so sweet, and I guess if I have to look at him….”

“If I’m honest I have been known to watch him when…” Justin was saying when Brian pulled him backward on the stool and kissed him. By the time he set Justin back up he wouldn’t or couldn’t let go of him.  

“Well, I will be right back.  I am going to make sure James has all the information he needs because I am not sure if we will have cell service. You,” he kissed Justin once more, “throw the food we are taking along in the cooler.” Brian saw the look on Justin’s face knowing that was more an order than he meant it to be.  “Please,” he kissed him again, “I’ll be back in about 10 minutes.”

Once Brian was out of the room, Justin sat down on the stool and rubbed his temple.  “Justin, are you getting a headache?”

“Please don’t tell him.  I took a couple of my pills and I’ll be fine,” Justin said as he put the cooler next to the refrigerator.

“Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself.  You have no reason to stress this weekend.  The man you love is taking you away so relax and if it doesn’t get better take a nap on the road.”

“I will, Dani.  Thanks for getting all this food together for us.  When we get back….”

“Justin, don’t think ahead.  Enjoy the now.”

“I will, Dani.”

“Promise?”

“Promise what?” Brian asked as he walked back into the house.

“Oh, she said we needed to try the pasta dish she made and I said we would.”

“Well, James said he would be around all weekend so just call him if you need anything.” Brian picked up the cooler.  “Did you remember the liquor?”

Justin held up the picnic basket he was carrying. “We should have plenty. Now, let’s get out of here.”

A half hour into the drive Brian stopped talking after telling Justin all about his new client and he realized Justin was sound asleep.  He hadn’t mentioned it but he knew Justin had one of his headaches.  He had seen him take his pills but he understood Justin’s need to just be normal again. This weekend was going to be perfect.  He had made so many plans. it had to be.

They arrived at the cabin around noon and Brian unloaded the food and their clothes before he went out and woke up Justin. He noticed it looked like they were in for a storm.  The sky was getting darker and in the distance he could see lightning. “Hey, Sunshine, it’s time to wake up. We’re here.”

Justin’s eyes fluttered open. “Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to fall asleep and for so long.”

“How’s the headache?”

“You knew? Of course you knew. It’s much better. It’s kind of chilly up here.”

“Yes, but there is lots of firewood and I promise to keep you warm.”

Justin reached down and cupped Brian’s balls. “I am ready to warm up right now.”

“I like this cabin already.  Did I tell you I already started the fire and there is a rug in front of it? And it looks like we better get inside before it starts raining.” Brian slipped his arm around Justin’s waist and walked up the steps together.

They unpacked the cooler together and then set the wine and bourbon on the counter and put the beer in the refrigerator. 

“And now,” Brian ran his hand over Justin’s crotch and then focused on undoing his fly. “Let’s get you out of that clothes,” Justin was naked in seconds and then it was Justin’s turn to take Brian’s clothes off. And then together they sank to the rug.  Brian pinned Justin on the rug and with his mouth crushing Justin’s, his hand stroked and squeezed  Justin’s balls and cock.  At times it was almost painful but it also excited him and when Brian flipped him and pulled him up on all fours he thrust in hard and fast. It only took moments before both of them were crying out.  Brian then brought Justin up and, still joined, he wrapped his arms around Justin’s shoulders just as the world outside exploded.               

“Holy shit! That’s what I call a climax,” Justin said as there was another crash.  He stood and grabbed a quilt off the back of the sofa. “Let’s go sit on the porch and watch the storm roll through. There aren’t any neighbors nearby are there?”

“No, no one nearby. They walked out sharing the quilt and then sat on the swing that looked out over the lake.  The air had gotten much cooler in the short time they had been there and they sat close arms and legs entwined as the thunder rolled. 

The waves on the lake crashed on the shore as the storm rolled through.  They sat in silence until the storm calmed down. “Sunshine, I have something planned for tomorrow, if you agree to it.”

“Brian, what are you talking about?”Cynthia’s uncle is coming by.

“Oh well, sure.  Is he just passing through or something?”

“Justin, her uncle is a judge in Canada.  Remember those papers I had you sign a couple weeks ago?”

“The ones you said were for an insurance policy?”

“Ya well, it wasn’t a total lie.  Her uncle has a boat and he is going to take us into Canadian water and marry us, if you agree. I know it isn’t legal here but it will show our son that his fathers made a commitment to each other.  We want to be a family.  We want to be his family.”

Justin opened his mouth but nothing came out.  He looked at Brian and then at the lake and then back to Brian. He put his hands on Brian’s face and kissed him. “Baby, are you  serious? You and me, we get married? Are you sure?”

“Sunshine the only thing I have been more sure of in my entire life is that I could never live without you and I want to marry you and parent with you.  I love you, Justin Taylor!”

As their lips met there was a break in the clouds and a beam of sunlight came onto the porch. When they separated, Justin said, “I love you, Brian Kinney, but how could you not tell me?  What am I going to wear? This is my wedding.  It should be perfect and all I brought was jeans and T-shirts.”

“Don’t worry.  First of all you would be the most gorgeous man on earth no matter what you wore but I brought something along for you to wear. I actually got us matching outfits.  I know that is really stupid but… You like that idea don’t you because if you don’t, I brought something else I could wear if you don’t want to wear the same….” Justin’s mouth crushed Brian’s. 

It was only a matter of minutes before Justin was straddling Brian and sinking down on Brian’s erection.  “You are the most perfect man!”  With that Justin started the rhythm as Brian sat watching his face, as together their world exploded again, but this time not because of the thunder but because of their love.

Brian and Justin spent the rest of the day just enjoying each other.  As the sun began to set, Justin put the pasta Dani had sent along.  Tomorrow night they would celebrate with steaks and hopefully, the judge would come with the champagne Cynthia promised.  

As they sipped red wine and ate the pesto pasta Dani had made, they talked about the future.  “I have asked Mel and Lindz if we can get regular visitation with Gus.  I know they would never purposely keep him from me but without something in writing it is just too easy to start making excuses again and I want Gus to know his baby brother and I want him to know I love him as much as the baby.”

“Brian, I’ve been thinking about names.  We can’t keep calling him the baby. What do you think of the name Aaron James.  Aaron means brother so it is fitting for my son and James is a family name.  That way he is a Taylor through and through.”

“Actually, we didn’t talk about it but I am hoping he is a Taylor-Kinney through and through.”

“Yes, oh yes!  I love that.”

“I have already started getting the paperwork together for the name change.  That is for you and me.  Aaron will be given the name at birth.”

“I can’t believe all of this is happening.  I…” Justin grabbed his head.  “Damn, not now.  I will not let my headache ruin the best weekend of my life.”

“I’ll go get your pills and you will relax the rest of the night.  Then by the morning you should be feeling better.  No more wine tonight.  You go upstairs to the bedroom and start filling the massive tub I saw.  I put our stuff in the first door on the left.  I will put the food away and come up in a few minutes.  Then you and I can sit there together and plan the rest of our lives.”

By the time Brian had straightened up the kitchen, Justin had gotten into the tub of steaming water.  Brian smelled lavender and mint as he walked in.  Justin lay in the water with his head back. Brian kissed him.  “Scoot up, Sunshine.  Let me in behind you.” Brian sat and wrapped his arms around Justin as Justin’s head dropped on his shoulder.

“Brian, I don’t think I should marry you. You will be stuck with me and these debilitating headaches.  How can I think I could be a father to a baby? I can’t even take care of myself.”

“You don’t have to because there is no longer a you and me.  There is we and we can handle anything together.  Even if you could do nothing else but sit in a chair, you would give that little boy more love than I could dream of.  Our son will always have love.  I can hire help.  I can hire someone to help with his physical needs but you and I can love him like no one else.”

Brian kept talking as he felt Justin’s body relax against him.  He brushed Justin’s hair off his forehead, “I love you, Sunshine.  We can do this.  We can do anything together.”