The pool party had been driven inside by the storm that was moving through, but Justin and Brian moved the grill under a roof a little closer to the house to finish up the food on it while Connie and Sally started laying out the rest of the food. J.Jay and Henry sat on the sofa with Camilla and Rachel joined them, both telling Henry about J. when he was young.
Brian closed the grill and wrapped his arms around Justin who was looking into the house. Justin leaned back against Brian's chest. "Look at them. Camilla is laughing with Henry and Rachel."
"Camilla loves him. She is just torn between her husband and her child."
"I can understand that. As much as I adore our children, you are my breath."
"I think she will be telling her husband that she has room for both in her life, even if he refuses to change." Brian kissed his temple.
"Oh, did you happen to see Rachel with the kids? I have no idea what her background with kids is, but it is obvious she is good with them and she and Sonya seem to really enjoy each other."
"And you think they would be great to take along to Ireland."
"I do! Sonya has education training so she can tutor Gus and then help out with the other two part time."
"We will talk to them before they leave tonight. But right now we need to get this into the house. Maybe we can talk to them both during dinner. Do you think we can handle two women in the house? They are younger than most of our female hires."
"They will have each other, and they will have each other to explore with when they have time off." Brian let Justin go and, with Justin holding two plates and a third one on the side of the grill, Brian took everything off and they carried the plates into the house.
An hour later everyone was full and all the children were napping except Gus, who was playing Go Fish with Kevin and the two art students. Although it was still raining it was calming down, and while Justin slipped an arm around Sonya and led her to the deck Brian did the same with Rachel.
"Ladies, have a seat," Brian motioned to the chairs Justin was drying off.
"Did we do something wrong? I know we kind of took over with the kids earlier," Sonya said, looking at Justin.
"You didn't do anything wrong but what we want to talk to you about is the kids." Justin and Brian held hands once they sat down.
Brian began by saying, "Rachel, I hear you have a job that you hate."
"I wouldn't say I hate it. Well, I hate where I work but not what I do, but I would like to do something else for a while since I am still young."
Brian looked at Justin and started laughing. "Who does she sound like?"
"Daph when she was younger."
"Daph?" Rachel questioned.
"Daph was my best friend for years. She is still a good friend but someone else kind of took over the best friend part." Justin brought Brian's hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I think you both have heard we are going to Ireland for at least a couple months. Our return date hasn't been set." Both women nodded.
Brian continued. "We would like to invite you to come with us. Sonya, I understand you have a teaching degree."
"Yes, I do!"
"We would like you to be Gus' tutor and work with Aaron a bit."
"And, Rachel," Justin started, "we loved the way you interacted with the kids today and we would like you to be our nanny. You will both have time to do other things. Sonya, I know you will enjoy exploring all the folkart I hear they have."
"What do you think?" Brian asked. "Oh, and Rachel, when we get back, whenever that is, I will help you get a job. If you want to come to Pittsburgh, I can find a place for you to fit and if you want to come back to Atlanta, I have contacts here too. We won't leave you unemployed."
The women looked at each other and at the same time they said, "YES!"
Brian stood, "We'll get details in place later but right now..." Brian looked at the sky, "We need to put on our suits. The sun will be out in a few minutes." As if he had power over the weather, a beam of sunlight came down and lit Justin's golden hair. Brian stood and pulled Justin up and kissed him, "As if you weren't beautiful enough."
The remainder of the day people swam and drank and ate. As the afternoon began to end, people started packing up. Camilla was the first to leave, giving both J.Jay and Henry a hug and kiss before leaving. Rachel invited Sonya and the other artists to go out to a nightclub. They all piled into Rachel's compact and were off to see the city.
Brian walked over to Sally, who was putting a sleeper on a very tired Kelin, and put an arm around her, kissing her cheek. "I am so glad to see you looking so happy the last couple weeks."
"Thanks, Bri. I'm not there yet, but with a loving wife and a good counselor, and the most beautiful child in the world, I am getting there."
"I'm proud of you. And Dad is so relieved." He gently lifted Kelin whose caramel complexion against the pale green sleeper made her look like a baby doll. He cradled her bringing her up so he could kiss her warm cheek.
"Are you ready, Sal?" Brandy came up and pulled her wife close, kissing her with some force.
"If that is a prelude to when we get home, I am definitely ready." Sally claimed their daughter and the little family waved at everyone. Justin opened the door for them and walked out with them, opening the car door so Sally could put her in the car seat.
Justin whispered to Brandy, "You look happy. You both do."
Brandy hugged him tight. "We are. Thank you for always being here for us. You and Bri... I don't know what we would have done..."
"You would have worked it out. You are like Brian and me, you can't live without each other."
"You are so right, Justin," Sally said as she shut the door where Kelin sat. "This woman is my heart and soul. And as much as I love your soul, it's the body I am ready for now."
"Fuck! Don't mean to rush off but we need to go." Brandy opened Sally's door and once Justin took hold of the door Brandy rushed around to her door while Justin shut Sally's. Justin waved at them as they pulled away and as Brian's arms went around him.
Justin turned and kissed him, "You have extremely smart sisters. They are going home to make love."
"I think they have the right idea. Henry and J.Jay are putting the boys down and Jessi is sleeping in Connie's room. Dad decided to crash in the pool house. He is calling an old friend that lives in Australia in the middle of the night and didn't want to wake any of us. James and Em have gone to bed. The kitchen has been cleaned and since that earlier storm seems to have cooled the evening off, I think you and I should slip into that hot tub and..."
"I have a better idea." Justin brought his teeth up to Brian's ear and bit the lobe hard enough to be a bit uncomfortable. "I think you should take me up to our room and after you fuck me hard and fast and then we can sit in that big tub and make love as long as we can stay awake."
"Damn, I love the way you think." Brian took his hand and they walked into the house, locked up, and moved down the hall. Before they opened the door, Brian shoved Justin against the door frame with a loud thud and claimed Justin's mouth as his hand went down to Justin's crotch and grabbed harder than he normally would.
"Oh, god," Justin managed to get out when Brian left his mouth to bite his neck. "Fuck me!"
Brian managed to open the door and they fell through it and landed on the floor, "Shit," Brian looked out the door and didn't see anyone so he quickly shut the door. "What the hell has gotten into you tonight?"
"Nothing yet, but I hope you plan to change that."
Brian growled low in his throat as Justin dropped his shorts and then his briefs. He turned his back to him and bent over the bed, letting his ass stick high in the air. Brian dropped his pants and, after stepping out of them, he moved to Justin and, grabbing his hips began to thrust. Justin moaned out from the shock of the pain, but then it turned to pleasure and within moments, Justin cried out as he climaxed and fell onto the bed.
Brian dropped next to him, "Shit... it's been a long time since..." Brian looked at Justin who wasn't moving, "Sunshine? You okay?" He reached over and shook him a bit. "Justin?"
"That was fuckin' amazing. I mean it is always good but... I saw flashes of light and then I may have passed out for a second."
"Sunshine," Brian reached for him, "You're going to the emergency room! You passed out and..."
Justin leaned over and kissed Brian, "Darling, I am fine. You fucked the hell out of me and I was just overcome. Actually I am still over cum." Justin laughed at his own joke.
"Oh, anyone who tells that bad a joke really does need help," Brian groaned.
"Bri, I promise if I feel dizzy or get a bad headache I promise I will tell you. Now, I think you said we could do one more thing tonight."
"I'll fill the tub. You grab a bottle of Jack." Brian stood and pulled Justin up against him. The heat of their love-warmed skin passed from one to the other." By the time they separated, they were both aroused again.
"Don't lose that!" Justin patted Brian's cock and kissed his cheek before grabbing a robe to round up a bottle of whiskey. He went to the kitchen and opened a cabinet door and when he closed it he jumped to find James standing there. He let out a soft noise of surprise.
"Sorry, Justin. I didn't mean to scare you."
"I have never figured out how a guy your size can move silently. Did you need something?"
"I was just grabbing a couple bottles of water."
"I'm so glad you two are here. I missed you and Amelia is growing so fast."
James' face changed at the sound of his daughter's name. "She is, and I can't imagine life without her. I don't know if I would have ever gone for having kids if I hadn't gotten to know yours."
"Sunshine, you coming?" Brian's voice came from down the hall.
"Be right there!" Justin said. "James, is everything alright?" Justin looked into his eyes.
"Ya, fine." James kissed Justin's cheek. "I'm glad we have a few more days and it is a down week for you."
Justin had an odd feeling that James wasn't telling him something, but when he saw Brian silhouette standing in the doorway, lit from behind, all other thoughts went out of his mind.
Too soon it was time for James and Em to head back to Pittsburgh. Brian and Justin drove them to the airport and had started planning the possibility of having them fly to Ireland for a visit in the fall. Justin had never had a chance to talk to James alone but the smile on his face when he looked at his little girl made Justin realize if something was wrong, it couldn't be too serious.
Justin and Brian had four days until Justin had a new group of students come in and since Sonya was now an employee she moved into the pool house and had started helping out with the kids already. She would also help with the new art students coming in over the weekend.
When Brian and Justin arrived home, Kevin, J.Jay, Henry, Connie, and Sonya were standing in a row in the kitchen along with all the kids. Brian looked at the line of people and then looked over at Justin before looking back at the line. "Did we miss something? Are we supposed to inspect the staff or what?"
"Daddy and Daddy J. we all decided you need time away." Gus looked over at Connie to make sure he was saying it right. Connie nodded to encourage him.
"Daddies, go bye-bye," Aaron said.
"Aaron, I'm supposed to talk." Gus glared at his little brother until Justin cleared his throat. "Oh, ya, Grandpa and Connie say you are going on vacation."
"Vacation?" Justin looked at Brian and then at the line of people.
Connie took a step forward. "You two need some time alone. There is a plane at the small airport getting ready. You are going to Hawkin's private island. A friend of mine owns it and is gone the remainder of the week. Throw some shorts and t-shirts in a bag. There is a small town near the compound and there is a nice restaurant, but that would be the only time you need to worry about clothes."
"You're serious?" Brian asked.
"Son, do you see all of us? We can take care of the kids. The plane will bring you back on Saturday evening."
Jessi crawled over and pulled herself up on Brian's pants who picked her up. She waved her hand. "Well, I guess even Jessi wants us to go."
"Bye-bye, Daddies." Aaron ran over and flung himself at Justin. He was lifted into his arms and he kissed Justin. "I miss you."
"Oh, I'll miss you, too."
Two hours later, Brian and Justin sat on a small plane, holding hands. "Did you know anything about this, Brian?"
"Don't you think I would have given you a little warning, Sunshine? I can't wait to..."
"Do we have to?"
"Do we have to what?"
"Wait?" Justin's hand moved to Brian's crotch. "As soon as we are in the air.."
Brian turned Justin as much as he could while they were both in seatbelts and pulled him into his arms. "I didn't know how much I needed to be alone with you until we walked up those steps. How long has it been since we had a few days alone? You know how much I love our kids but we need this."
"I couldn't agree more. I can't believe in three hours we will be watching the sunset on our private beach." They kissed and both sat back in their seats as the plane began to move down the tarmac.
The plane landed on the small island half past 5:00. A very attractive teenage boy walked up to them. In the afternoon sun his ebony skin glowed and his big smile would draw anyone to him. He said, "Hi, I'm Daniel. I'll drive you to the compound. My dad is the caretaker and my mom is the house manager. I'm supposed to tell you their phone numbers are on the bulletin board. They do not plan to be at the house unless you call them. Mom can cook for you if you want her to. She's a great cook. In fact, she was just finishing up a seafood dinner for you when I left." He took a deep breath. "Sorry, I'm talking too much and too fast."
"Nice to meet you, Daniel," Justin said, as he watched the young man reached for the overnight bags they each carried. "I'm Justin and this is my husband, Brian."
"You're an artist, right?" I really like your style."
"If someone your age recognises art my guess is you are an artist?"
"I don't know if I would say I'm an artist, but I am interested in folkart. My grandma got me into it a long time ago." By now the three had gotten into a jeep and were pulling onto an empty street.
"I'd love to see your work. I'll give you my phone number. Maybe you could bring some of your work over for me to see."
"Na, it's not that good but thanks." Daniel said modestly.
"So is there anything to do around here?" Brian finally spoke, "Not that we can't entertain ourselves." He pulled Justin close and nuzzled his neck.
"Every morning there is the market. Mom has the place stocked with food but there is a lot of other stuff there."
"Are there toys?" Justin asked. "Well, anything kids would like?"
"Oh, ya. All kinds of stuff. Do you have kids?"
"Three," Brian responded. "Gus is six and a half, Aaron is two and Jessi just turned one."
Daniel pulled into a driveway and pressed a code in at the gate. "The code will be on the bulletin board in the kitchen. They have more information about the market up there, too." He pulled up to a small, low profile home with a circular drive. They could hear the ocean but at the moment it was blocked by the house and a fence. "I'll bring these in for you and show you where the basics are."
Brian and Justin followed Daniel through the double doors of the entry and both of them froze in their steps. In front of them was the most stunning image they had ever seen. In front of them was a descending staircase that led to the open floor plan home and out glass doors to the beach and the endless sea. The sun was low on the horizon sending shimmering beams across the water and into the house.
"Brian, it is so...."
"I know, right? I have been here hundreds of times and I still have that reaction. Justin, I bet you could do a lot of art projects here." Daniel had moved toward a door to the right and came back without the bags while Brian and Justin had made it down the stairs and opened the doors. "The bedroom is through that door." Brian and Justin stood half in and half out of the house and by now were in each other's arms, kissing. "Well, I am sure you two will figure out where everything is. Call if you need anything." And with that, Daniel turned and walked out the front door.
Brian and Justin had eventually roamed around the house and saw that the views were the same in every room. Justin read through the notes left by Daniel's mom, Rose, while Brian let Kevin know they had made it safely. "The kids are fine. I have a feeling they are going to wish we would stay away longer." He watched Justin as he pulled containers out of the refrigerator.
"Bri, could you put the plates on the table out on the deck and then come back for some of the food."
Brian walked up to him and kissed him, "Are you sure we need to eat? I would rather feast on you." Brian pulled Justin's shirt off.
"We have four days, I think we will need a little fuel to keep us together." Justin said as he ran his hands under Brian's shirt and yanked it off. "Only fair."
Together they watched the sun set as they ate gazpacho that was the best they had ever tasted as an appetizer. There was a roasted vegetable salad and swordfish for the main course along with a crusty baguette and an herb butter that could go on everything. The sky had turned to shades of orange and red as they walked to the edge of the water and wrapping their arms around each other, they watched the water turn to flames as the sun disappeared below the horizon. They strolled on the sand for several minutes before moving back toward the house.
"Shall we have dessert or leave that until later?" Justin asked as Brian's hands moved into his shorts. "Okay, dessert can wait." They dropped onto a lounger and were soon naked in the light of the moon as they caressed each other's skin. After making love they took a quick dip in the ocean, and then, after a quick shower outside on the deck, they slipped into robes and then Justin pulled the dessert out of the fridge while Brian opened a bottle of champagne. For dessert there was one dish that had a light fluffy mousse with caramel swirled through it and then it was topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
By the time they had finished, they had nearly licked the bowl clean but surprisingly it had been very light and as they drained the bottle of sparkling wine and stretched out on the lounger, pulling a light blanket over themselves and slipping out of the robes so they could freely explore each other's body. They talked about the kids and the trip to Ireland. They talked about their friends and family and then they fell asleep to the sound of the waves.
"Sunshine, there's a storm moving in. We need to get inside." Brian gently shook Justin's shoulder.
He sat up groggily but soon he was wide awake. They sat and watched the lightning filled sky among the clouds until they could hear the rain on the water. Then they moved into the bedroom and dozed off as the storm crashed on the shore.
Brian woke to the smell of coffee. He stumbled out of the bedroom naked to find Justin standing in the kitchen speaking to an attractive 40-something woman. "Shit, sorry." Brian moved back out of the kitchen.
The woman smiled at Justin, "He may be sorry but I'm not. Your husband is a fine looking man."
Justin chuckled, "Yes, he is and he was surprisingly modest this morning."
"Too bad for me," she laughed.
"Brian, come meet Daniel's mom."
Brian walked out of the bedroom with swim trunks and an open tropical print shirt on. He moved across the room and extended his hand. "I wasn't expecting company," he said a little too bruskly.
"I'm Alesandra. You didn't have to dress on my account." Her eyes scanned the full length of Brian's body boldly. "I would have not stopped by unannounced but the storm did damage to several homes on the shore so I stopped by to check all was well here."
"She also dropped by these amazing breakfast rolls." Justin said before tilting his mouth up to Brian for a kiss.
"I take it that everything is good?"
"It is and I will be on my way. You are here to be alone. Daniel said you were talking about going to the Market. I would wait until tomorrow. After the storm things will be tossed around today. By tomorrow all will be well." With that she turned and waved as she walked out the door.
"Bri, she also brought us some swizzle."
"Swizzle?"
"It is a local rum punch. I got the idea that it has quite the kick."
"Well, then we will hold off drinking it until at least noon." Brian moved close to Justin and, putting his hand on the back of his neck, he lowered his head to Justin's and their tongues intertwined. They were both a little breathless when they separated. "Let's get some breakfast, Sunshine, before taking a swim."
After eating the buttery pastry and fruit, along with a couple cups of coffee, they headed out to the beach. After a quick swim, they applied suntan lotion on every inch of the others' body so by the time they dropped onto the large blanket, they were both ready for more.
They spent the day on the beach. They went into the house mid-afternoon and had fresh fruit and the first of the swizzle. "I think I know why this stuff is dangerous." Justin commented as he had emptied his first glass of the rum punch. "It tastes like the stuff my mom bought when I was a kid. You can't tell there is any alcohol in it."
"Well, my mom only had the powdered stuff in the house and I had to make it myself but, you're right. The booze taste is nonexistent. Maybe we should call the kids before we drink anymore of that."
Justin added, "Let's go inside to make the call and maybe rehydrate with some water. We can decide what we want for dinner while we are in there."
Alesandra had instructions for all the ingredients she had in the fridge. They decided on Spiny lobster tonight that had been prepared and just needed a quick dip in boiling water to rewarm it. There were side dishes already prepared so it would only take them a couple minutes to get ready when they were hungry.
"I wonder how Connie found this place?" Brian asked after they had talked to Gus and were sitting in the cool interior of the home.
"Do you think Alesandra might have worked for her?"
"Why would you think that?"
"It was something she said while you were still sleeping. It was obvious she knew someone that had worked for Connie, but it could have been a friend or family member, too. She said she owed Connie a lot."
"It doesn't really matter. This place is like a hidden jewel. I mean, remember what we thought when we pulled up?"
"It looks like a shack."
"And it was hiding this. I was thinking, maybe we could go into town tomorrow. You heard Gus asking about getting something, although he did it sneakily." Brian laughed thinking about how Gus had asked if they had stores there.
"I was thinking maybe Daniel could show us around. Locals always know the best places."
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
"I'll tell him to be here at 10:00. That way we could take a swim if we wanted to before."
After Brian verifying that would work for Daniel, they went back out with another glass of punch each and when they had finished that they both fell asleep in the shade of a large awning attached to the house. They awoke, and, while Justin started dinner, Brian disappeared for a while. When Justin nearly had the food ready he called out, "Bri, did you fall asleep again? The food is almost ready."
"I'll be right there." His voice came from the patio off the bedroom and he walked into the house.
"Can you set the table out there?"
"Let's eat inside tonight. We can move the table so we can see the beach and water."
"Well, if you want to, sure."
Brian put out napkins and lit candles while Justin plated the lobster and the vegetable salad that had been left for them. There were also crusty rolls to put the buttered lobster on. Both Brian and Justin loaded the buttery lobster onto the rolls and as they bit into it they both sighed.
"That has to be one of the best things I have ever tasted," Justin said as he wiped butter off his chin.
"And even that salad. What is in that dressing? It mainly tastes like the purest tomatoes I have ever tasted."
"Ya, with the basil... damn, if we stayed here longer than four days I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe."
"Maybe we could just move the kids here and none of us would have to wear clothes at all."
"You do realize we have a daughter, right?"
"Well, maybe for a year?"
Justin walked around the table and sat on Brian's lap. "I think we just need to enjoy our time here."
"Oh, I plan to." He kissed Justin. "If you don't mind putting this away," he nodded toward the food, "I will finish my surprise."
"Surprise?" Justin wiggled on Brian's lap, making him take a deep breath.
"Behave!" He pushed him to his feet. "Give me five minutes and ditch your clothes before you come into the bedroom."
"Five minutes." Justin watched Brian walk toward the bedroom, first taking off his shirt and then dropping his trunks at the doorway before shutting the door.
Five minutes later, after clearing the table and taking off his clothes Justin knocked on the door. "Are you ready for me?"
"I'm always ready for you. Come in."
Justin opened the door and lost his breath. There was a trail of flower petals leading from the door to the open patio doors. On either side of the petals were a trail of candles. As he got to the door he saw Brian rushing onto the garden stones from the room he had just left holding the pitcher of rum punch. "What is all this? How did you..."
"Talking to Daniel this afternoon he mentioned there was more back here than we knew." Brian took his hand and, after a long kiss, he led him around the corner.
"How did we not see this?"
"We never opened this gate." They stood in what could only be called a fairy garden. There was a table with two glasses where Brian had set the pitcher of the punch. In the center of the area was a wooden tub. It was larger than their slipper tub back in Pittsburgh. It was big enough for the two of them to move freely and to do anything they wanted to do. Brian led him to the opposite side where there were steps into the shiny, silky smooth basin.
"This looks like it was made from..." Justin walked up the steps and stepped into the water.
"One piece of wood? It is. The legend has it..." Brian joined him.
"When did you have time to find out about the legend?"
"You know how fast Daniel talks. And while you were putting dinner together I did a little research. This very tree washed onto shore after a hurricane. I forget the exact type of wood it is, but it is rare and isn't grown anywhere within a thousand miles from here. An artist found it and..."
"He or she did this to it. It is amazing."
There were built in impressions that made it comfortable to sit in and it had been carved so the back was perfectly angled for comfort. They both relaxed side by side as the water gently swirled around them. As the water caressed their skin, they caressed each other.
An hour later, they got out of the tub and slipped on robes before sitting down on a small bench and drank the punch. "Brian, I love you."
"I love you, too."
"You take care of me and the kids. I never have to wonder if something is going to get done. And then you take time to do something like this."
"Justin," Brian's voice cracked. "There were almost two years you were dead, or I thought you were, and now that I have you, we have two more kids, and I still remember how alone I was when I thought you were dead." And then Brian kissed him for the millionth time and the fireworks still went off and it was like the first time all over again.