When Justin opened his eyes, the sun was glaring down on him. It took him a moment to remember where he was, when he didn’t recognize the room.

He spotted Brian on the balcony, his elbows on the railing, smoking and lost in thought.

A look at the phone told Justin it was barely eight, but he felt invigorated.

He wrapped the bedsheet around himself since Brian had the blanket over his shoulders.

Brian glanced back when Justin opened the door.

“The Sleeping Beauty awakes,” he joked. “Never play the ‘I’ll close my eyes for a second’ game with me again.”

“I was tired. Good morning, Grumpy.” Justin stepped in front of Brian, between his chest and the railing, kissing him slowly.

Brian kept an arm around Justin’s neck, turning to look at the mountains. He continued to smoke slowly.

“Everything okay?” Justin asked softly, kissing Brian’s throat.

“Just thinking.”

“About?”

Brian flicked ash on the ashtray on his side. “Us. The future. My insecurities.”

Justin leaned back to look at Brian’s face, and for once the poker face was gone. “Insecurities?” he repeated.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Brian started. “Uh, I’ve decided there are things I have to change in my life.”

“More changes?” Justin whispered, stroking Brian’s cheek with his thumb. “What worries you? I’m the happiest I have ever been,” he promised.

Brian smiled, gazing into Justin’s blue eyes. “So am I. You’re right, I like calling you that horrid pet name which started as a joke. And…” he trailed off, taking one last pull from the cigarette before stubbing it in the ashtray. “…don’t get your panties in a twist. I’ve been thinking of what the fuck am I doing with my life well before you returned in February.”

“Okay?” Justin watched him anxiously, not even allowing himself to rejoice at Brian admitting he liked to use pet names.

“Last night I had an overwhelming urge to do something I had forbidden myself my whole life. You’d have probably fainted if I suggested it when we were in the hot tub.”

They both glanced at the object, but Justin chewed on his lips. He could think only of one thing but that was absurd. Brian would never have the desire to drop the condoms.

“Tell me,” he urged.

Brian clicked his tongue, smirking and holding Justin tightly against his chest. “I want to fuck you raw. I want to feel your tight ass squeezing every last drop of cum from my dick.”

“Christ.” Justin stared with wide eyes at Brian. “We can’t have that.”

“Yeah, I taught you well. Let’s just say I revisited my priorities and I want to leave my past where it belongs. Of course, I’ll understand if you don’t want it or if you still want freedom…but I would like to see if we can do the steady and exclusive thing.”

If Justin wasn’t holding onto Brian, feeling him warm and firm under his fingers, he would have believed it was a mirage talking.

“What do you say?” Brian inquired after a few minutes.

Justin opened his mouth, but only a gasp left his throat. “I’m speechless,” he managed to say after a moment.

Brian smiled softly, pecking Justin’s brow. “I would also want us to consider making this official. And…if you are okay with this, I want to adopt Nick.”

“I need to sit down,” Justin said faintly.

Brian steered him back inside, and Justin fell in the chair by the window. He grabbed Brian’s wrist to prevent him from going anywhere. Brian knelt next to the chair, stroking Justin’s hand.

“You must think I was abducted by the aliens again, but I’ve never felt more myself, more honest to my desires…” Brian continued. “I don’t need a thousand guys to prove anything to anyone. I never did. Sure, it was the thrill, the unknown, the nameless and faceless willing holes, but I’ve outgrown it. Now I know what I need to be happy.”

Justin brought the hand encased in Brian’s hand to his mouth and kissed the top of Brian’s hand. “I love you so much, Brian. You’re the strongest and most selfless person I have ever met.”

“Hardly,” Brian scoffed.

“You are. But I know how the strongest people are also the softest and they have a big heart.”

“I also have a big dick.”

Justin squeezed Brian’s hand. “Don’t ruin this perfect moment. You know I never needed the side-fucks. Like you just said, I liked the thrill but I love you more.”

“So…we’re doing this?”

“Are you sure? It’s a big change, Brian.”

“You know I haven’t had anyone else since January. I told you.”

“Right,” Justin mumbled, playing with Brian’s fingers. “I’m the slut, here.”

“Stop beating yourself up over what you did back in March. It brought us closer.”

“It brought more than our imminent reunion. It brought back my memories,” Justin reminded Brian.

Brian’s eyes filled with tears as he leaned up to kiss Justin. “I love you, Justin.”

Justin was ready to deepen their kiss when Brian’s phone started ringing. Brian scowled, but went to get it.

“Hey,” he said curtly. “What. How the fuck did you manage?” He paced around, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Don’t move. I’ll come and get you. Yeah, share your location.”

“You have to go back?” Justin sprung up, forgetting about his bedsheet which pooled at his feet.

“Mikey got stuck on the road leading to the resort. I wonder what sort of car he rented.”

“Need my help?” Justin joined Brian at the suitcase, looking for clothes.

“Nah. I won’t be long.” He kissed Justin’s cheek.

Brian pulled on a pair of over-washed jeans and a sweater, then stepped into his boots, and hurried out with their rented Jeep’s keys.

Justin stood by the open suitcase, holding a T-shirt, still processing their conversation. Brian had thrown so much news at him, it was hard to believe it had been Brian wanting these things. But at the same time, Justin had never seen Brian speak or look more authentic in his life.

It would be a lie if Justin said he didn’t want everything Brian said, and more. And this time, he believed Brian to be able to give up tricking, to devote his love and time only to Justin, to marry him, to adopt Nick, and have a family together.

#

Justin was in the kitchen of the cabin working on coffee when he saw their rented Jeep with another smaller SUV behind, parking up front.

He grabbed his jacket and stepped into his shoes, throwing the door open.

The first to jump out of Brian’s car was a perfect replica of Brian. Gus grinned and waved at Justin, before running to him.

“Justin!”

Justin stumbled back a step at the force a fifteen year old could have. “Hey, Gus! You’ve grown up.”

“The last time you saw me I was seven,” he pointed out. “You’ve changed too.”

“I have?”

“Yeah, I don’t know…you’re different than I remember, but I was a baby back then.”

“Gus, come help with the bricks you brought with you,” Brian shouted.

“They’re not bricks. It’s my stuff.”

“What the fuck did you bring with you? It’s almost summer and we’re here for two days.”

Justin laughed loudly, patting Gus’s back. “Like father, like son.”

“I heard that, Justin,” Brian called over from the car.

From Michael’s rented car came the rest of the family - Ben, Lindsay, Melanie, and JR.

“Where’s Emmett? Or is he not coming? And Ted and Blake?” Justin asked curiously.

“They’re coming. They left yesterday. Drew is driving. They’re also bringing Debbie and your mom,” Brian explained. He came over, dropping his son’s suitcase at his feet. “Take your bricks to an empty room.”

Justin stared amused at Brian. “What about Nick?”

“Fuck. Yeah, he’s with them. I had this feeling I was forgetting about someone,” Brian said sheepishly.

“Only your future son,” Justin joked, smiling bashfully when Brian stared at him in shock. “Come on. Did you expect me to say no?”

Brian shrugged adorably, hugging him and kissing his temple.

“Stop hogging him!” Melanie chided Brian, pulling Justin into her arms. “Hello, stranger!”

“Hi, Mel,” Justin mumbled, ashamed at how he had cut everyone from his life. He soon moved to hug Lindsay, who started crying into his shoulder.

“Ooookay, enough lesbian slobber on my man,” Brian snapped, taking Justin into his arms.

But Justin squirmed away, going to hug JR and say hello to Michael and Ben.

#

It didn’t take much time to figure out the three bedrooms weren’t enough to host all of them.

Justin was amused at how much Brian had failed at simple math, and he joked that he should have consulted with his accountant on this delicate matter.

After a short debate, it was clear this resort home would host only them, along with the girls, Ben and Michael, and the children. A trip to the main lodgings solved the issue for the others. Since it was off season, they had many empty rooms.

Michael was retelling the story about how they had gotten stuck in snow when the rest of the party arrived.

Justin sprung from the couch, hurrying to open the door.

The large Hummer could have doubled as a second house if they didn’t find beds in the main hotel. But Justin didn’t care much about the macho tank Drew was driving.

He crouched, opening his arms when Nick jumped out of the backseat and started running to his father.

“Hi, honey. I missed you.” Justin snuggled him close, inhaling his scent and loving to hold his son.

“I missed you lots, Daddy!” Nick kissed his cheek. “Where’s Brian?”

Justin laughed, because his son was downright smitten with Brian. He adored him more than Justin could ever hope possible.

“He’s inside. Go and meet his son and the rest of the family. I’ll help with the bags,” Justin instructed, nudging Nick toward the opened door behind him.

“Surprise!” Emmett exclaimed from the back of the car, throwing his arms in the air.

“I can’t believe you. All of you,” Justin demanded.

“It’s a miracle Brian thought to include us, too,” Ted quipped, hoisting a suitcase from the spacious trunk.

Justin rolled his eyes, wishing that one day soon Brian’s friends would see him for the selfless man he was.

“How are you, honey?” Jennifer came closer, wrapping an arm around Justin.

“I’m still surprised this is happening. Where’s Tuck?”

“He couldn’t make it.” She grimaced, rubbing his arm. “He’s on chaperone duties….prom.”

“Must suck to be stuck around a few dozen mischievous teenagers. Did he get the helmets?”

“Yes, actually. They arrived this morning apparently. He called me earlier.”

“Where’s birthday boy?” Debbie asked, joining them.

“Inside, probably held hostage by Nick.”

“Oh, he wouldn’t shut up about Brian,” Jennifer gushed.

“Runs in family, both father and son love Brian,” Debbie said softly.

Justin grinned, remembering all of Brian’s promises. They were really going to be a family.

“Hey, Justin!” Drew came from around the car with Blake.

“Hi!” Blake smiled his way, going to help Ted.

“Right. Don’t bring the bags inside. There’s a change of plans,” Justin said hastily. “This house is too small for all of us, so you’ll sleep in the main hotel.” He pointed to the building visible behind a group of trees.

“Now you tell us?” Ted groaned.

“I didn’t realize,” Justin mumbled. “Next time Brian decides to count, you better hold his hand. I’m not sure how he expected such a large group to fit into a three-bedroom house.”

“When he told us about this resort, I thought he meant the main hotel building. That’s what Cynthia suggested because she spent a week in December here with her boyfriend.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath for another getaway like this,” Debbie said softly. “But knowing Brian did this for you, we never know.”

“Brian did this for both of us. It was already planned for us to meet at our house. You know him better than this, Deb,” Justin said sternly.

She smiled gently. “Of course, Sunshine.”

Justin steered everyone inside.

The scene greeting them in the living area was heart-warming.

Brian was on the couch with Nick in his arms, his body angled toward Gus who sat next to him, showing him something on his phone.

“I’d shake hands but I have a forty pounds leech on me.” Brian raised a hand in salute to the newly arrived.

“I’m not a leech,” Nick protested.

Justin scowled, not a fan of how impolite his son was. “Come on, baby. Get up, and let me show you where you will sleep,” Justin said, beckoning Nick closer.

“But I already know where we sleep, dear,” Brian joked.

The whole room became quiet, and Justin wanted the floor to crack and to be swallowed in the abyss.

“I wanna stay here with Brian,” Nick huffed, wrapping his little arms around Brian’s bicep.

Brian shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

“What do I do with the goodies for the Hush-Hush Project?” Emmett broke the silence.

Brian made a show to put his hands over his ears, making Justin show him the finger, before taking Emmett to the kitchen.

“That was so rude, Daddy!” Nick shouted after him.

Justin palmed his face, making Emmett laugh.

“Did I tell you what a sweetheart your child is?” Emmett gushed, loading food into the refrigerator.

“Do you want him?” Justin joked. “He’s spending way too much time around Brian. After Debbie pointed out how much alike they are, I only see all of Brian’s bad traits reflected in Nick’s behavior. Well…not necessarily bad…more like annoying.”

“I’m sure, baby. Is this kitchen stocked? Can we work on side dishes here?”

“Yeah. I discovered this morning, there’s even an electric kettle and a toaster.”

“That’s great.”

“How did the cake survive the ten hour long trip?” Justin asked, amazed.

“Drew has a large freezer in the back of his car…you know, to keep the beer cool.”

“Of course, he has.”