Sins of the Father

Chapter 2

"Brian?"

"Hmm?" Brian flipped over onto his stomach to even out.

"I'm going for a swim."

"Okay. Be..."

"Brian," Justin growled out a warning. At thirty-two, he didn't need Brian to mother him.

"Sorry, Sunshine. I worry; it's my job," Brian mumbled drowsily into his towel.

"That's why I love you." Justin smacked Brian lightly on his ass then kissed his shoulder as he plopped the Woody's cap on Brian's head.

"Asshole," Brian grumbled as he heard Justin's giggle then a loud splash signaling his lover's not so graceful plunge into the pool. Brian's slip back into sleep took a slight detour as he heard loud whistles and catcalls. Raising his head and cracking open one eye, Brian saw a parade of six drag queens making their way toward the main building. Their brightly colored outfits were hard to miss, reminding Brian of Halloween costumes, and they were all surprisingly attractive. Not as attractive as Justin was in his Marilyn costume but attractive nonetheless. Brian snorted then put his head down.

"I take it drag queens don't impress you," a deep voice vibrated from Brian's right. Brian turned to face the man attached to the voice. A very large, handsome man smiled at Brian. "Simon," the man said as he held out his hand.

"Brian." Brian shook the man's hand. "Drag queens have their uses."

"But not for you."

"No."

"The pretty blond." Simon nodded toward Justin who was floating on a large tube. "He your boy?"

"No, he's my partner and he's no boy." Brian arched an eyebrow waiting for the proposition.

"You've been together long?"

"I can't remember a time without him. I don't think I want to remember. It seems like my life started the moment we met. Fifteen years, five as a committed couple. We're on our second honeymoon."

"Us too."

"Us?"

"My partner and I. We've been together for twenty years. He'll be back in a minute. Do you have children?"

"Yes, two," Brian answered Simon. Half of Brian listened to Simon as he described his life with his partner and their children, two boys.

Brian nodded as he listened, his mind drifting back to the bright white and gold angel costume Briana insisted on wearing for Halloween. It was her first Halloween that she could understand. The GLC was doing a Halloween party, and Brian relented. It was much safer than walking the cold streets of Pittsburgh doing the trick or treat thing. So Halloween 2014 was spent, much to Brian's chagrin, in the company of Roy and Tannis and the rest of the GLC board members as the Halloween party went into full swing.Brian had begged John to bring Patrick not only for Briana's sake but for Brian's as well. As long as Brian had his own family there he could put up with Tannis and her holier than thou attitude that she still harbored for Brian. Besides, Bree made the perfect angel to Patrick's devil. JR was still young enough to enjoy the festivities and while Gus was too old for such things, he had the greatest time hanging with his dads and uncles. All the kids made out like bandits and a fun time was had by all.

"You said you have two kids, girls, boys?" Simon asked as Brian drifted back to the present. Simon's partner had joined them.

"One of each. My son is fifteen, my daughter three."

"That's some spread." Simon's partner, Ken remarked.

"My best friend wanted children and asked me to donate. He was born the night I met Justin. My daughter, well, after we became a committed couple we decided to hire a surrogate. My partner is the biological father."

"But you adopted her."

"Oh yeah."

"And your son gets along with her?"

"My son is the best with her. They adore each other."

"You sound like a very blessed man," Ken added.

"Yes, I am. I am also getting fried out here. We just flew in this morning and if I'm not careful, I will have one burnt bottom if I don't get him out of that pool." Simon and Ken laughed as Brian groused.

"Well, if you can manage to get your partner out of the pool, join us for dinner. The restaurant here has a passable cuisine and Ken and I would enjoy the company of another 'mature' couple. We'll see you in about an hour." The three men stood up, shook hands and made plans to meet for dinner and drinks. Brian turned to look for Justin in the pool.

"Justin!"

"Right here." A dripping Sunshine was reaching for a towel.

"How was your swim?"

"Very nice. Maybe next time you'll join me."

"Maybe I will. Meet anyone interesting?" They began to gather their belongings to go to their room.

"Plenty. I have never met so many twinks in my whole life and then there was this huge bear of a man. And why are you laughing."

"Because, you still look like a twink. But I know better," Brian quickly added for Justin's delicate ego. "And we've been invited to dinner."

"Oh?" Justin gave Brian a pained look.

"Don't worry, no mention of orgies, just dinner and drinks. Simon and his partner, Ken. They've been together for twenty years, have two kids and are on their second honeymoon too. I thought you'd like to chat with another committed couple."

"You mean other than Mikey's version of committed," Justin added the dig.

"Yes. We don't have to if you'd rather not." Justin stopped and turned to face his lover.

"I'd like to. I really would. I forget how isolated we are sometimes. I'd really like the chance to meet other couples that have shared a history longer than a one night fuck, Brian."

"Then, my dear Sunshine, I guess twenty years with the same partner qualifies. Let's get cleaned up and put on something impressive."

"Brian, we don't have to impress anyone; we're on vacation."

"Okay, how about casual and impressive."

"You're incorrigible."

"Your point, Sunshine?" Justin laughed, nothing was ever going to change Brian Kinney and Justin wouldn't have it any other way. Justin poked Brian in the ribs.

"Come on, you. I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry and if you don't watch what you eat you're going to outgrow your bubble."

"I do watch what I eat."

"Sure you do, Justin. You watch it as you pile it on your plate and as you shovel it into your mouth." The boys paused to swipe the key to let them into their room.

"Brian, do you think I'm getting fat?" Several thin young men ran giggling down the hallway toward the elevator.

"No, Justin, I think you're perfect. But it's never too late to formulate good habits and I want you around for a very long time." Brian cupped Justin's chin to give him a reassuring kiss. "You are the most beautiful man I have ever known," Brian whispered to Justin as they entered their room.

*****

Halloween Night 2014

"Susan, why are we going this way? This is the fag section of town."

"Craig, I wish you wouldn't say things like that. It's not nice; your son is gay."

"I have no son. Now why are we driving on Liberty?"

"Because we're late and this is the quickest way to the Plaza."

"And I suppose it's my fault that we're late."

"I'm not the one who scheduled a five o'clock meeting when you knew we had tickets to the Businessmen's Fancy Dress Ball for seven."

"It's business and besides the food isn't that good. We can mingle over dessert."

"Whatever."

"Susan, pull over."

"What?"

"Pull over; stop the car."

"Why?" Susan Taylor followed her husband's gaze. "Is that Justin? It's hard to tell in this dim light. And who is that beautiful little angel? Oh, Craig, is that...is that your granddaughter? She looks so much like Justin. Craig, look, it's like she's a princess. How can you not want to be a part of that?"

Craig watched as Brian carefully scooped up the little girl into his arms without crushing her angel wings, and gave her and Justin a kiss as they entered the GLC. Right behind them was another couple, two men with a little boy dressed as a devil. They were all smiling, so happy and so in love.

"Drive."

"What?"

"Drive, we're late."

"We were late an hour ago."

"Not now, Susan." Susan Taylor sighed as she drove back out into the road and onto the Plaza. She couldn't understand where the wonderful man she married had gone.

*****

Gay Days

"So Brian, what do you do? That sounds so fucking cliche!" Ken chuckled and they all laughed.

"I'm in advertising," Brian barely admitted. "And you?" Brian gazed at both men as he picked at his salad.

"Nothing as glamorous as advertising, I'm a graphic artist and Simon's in Real Estate. It pays the rent and allows us to live where we choose."

"And that is?" Brian nibbled on a cherry tomato.

"New York, Chelsea to be precise. Simon, he's so organized, so business minded, he takes care of me and the kids." Ken leaned over and gave Simon a kiss. "I have no head for business. I putter with my computer and he takes care of the details."

Brian's eyes met Simon's, silently acknowledging kindred spirits. They smiled as they dug into their salads.

"Justin, do you have a career?" Simon teased. "Or are you at Brian's beck and call?"

"Yes and yes," Justin said without hesitation and a chuckle. Brian looked mortified. "I'm teasing, Bri. But I would do just about anything for him and I think I have. And he's being modest, he's not just in advertising, he owns an agency."

"Justin, they're not that interested. Don't mind him, he rambles." Brian hated bragging.

"Oh my God!" Ken exclaimed. "Simon, that comic that Raymond reads and the movie we went to. You, you're Justin Taylor and Rage."

Justin blushed deeply as Brian caught the waiter's eye and ordered more wine.

"Shhh, baby, keep your voice down. I suspect Brian and Justin are on vacation just like the rest of us and they don't need people pestering them," Simon wisely stated. Brian nodded; Justin was still beet red and not from sunburn.

"We really are on our second honeymoon. This is our first time at Gay Days. Brian's done the white parties but I've never, and we, um, never. And Bri, I'm sorry." Brian was about to tell Justin he had nothing to be sorry about but Ken cut him off.

"No, I'm the one who should apologize. I live in New York City, for fuck's sake. You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a celebrity or two. I'm a fan of your art. I've gone to all of your openings in the city. Our son Ray is gay. Jeffery is straight but it was Jeff that came to us with the comic to explain what Ray was going through. Ray was having trouble dealing with being gay. Your comic helped. The movie helped. Thank you."

The four men became very quiet as the next course was brought to the table.

"I hope we didn't make you two feel uncomfortable," Simon said gently. He saw how introspective Justin had become.

"No, you didn't. Michael and I began Rage so that gay kids would have their own hero to look up to. I'm glad it helped your son. Brian has always been my hero and Michael's; that's why he's Rage." Brian planted a kiss to Justin's temple as the table became quiet again, until Justin spoke up. "Do you have pictures of your children?" They all broke out into laughs as each man reached for his wallet.

The restaurant had a nice romantic patio; the two couples decided to have drinks out there. There were a few chaise lounges and Brian and Justin felt free to cuddle up in one of them. Simon and Ken being slightly bigger men, pulled up two chairs.

"Do you mind if I smoke? It's permitted out here," Simon asked politely.

"We don't mind. Brian still smokes, now and then but he cut down a lot." Simon offered but Brian declined. "I can't believe how hot it is and at night. We were still using our fireplace when we left."

"It was very chilly at night when we left too. The heat came on in the middle of the night. Welcome to Florida," Ken said. Some techno music started blaring through the outdoor speakers. Men and women were dancing everywhere. "Ooo, Simon, honey, let's dance. It's been ages."

"Not right now, baby."

Ken began to pout the minute Simon spoke. Brian saw how crushed Ken became and whispered into Justin's ear then kissed his nose.

"Ken, Brian's not much of a dancer but I like to dance," Justin said sweetly.

"I'd love to; you lead." Ken got up, took Justin by the hand and walked toward where other couples were dancing. Justin let the music take him away and he and Ken were soon having a great time.

"Very smooth, Brian." Simon raised his glass.

"It's the pout; I can't stand the pout. And Justin is an expert." Brian paused. "If you don't mind me asking, twenty years, what's your secret? You two are monogamous?"

"Yes, we are."

"From the beginning?"

"Yes. You?"

"No, I had a bit of a reputation but we've been exclusive for about nine years."

"How do you do it? And he's younger than you. Kenny's only a couple of years younger than me."

"Justin's a little more, a lot more. He's very creative."

"So are you, I wager."

"I guess."

"And you love him, are in love with him."

"Oh yeah!

"And that's the secret." Simon smiled wisely and raised his glass. "A toast to our partners."

Brian raised his glass.

Later that night, the travel weary lovers crawled between the crisp cool sheets of their bed.

"Having fun so far, Bri?"

"Yes."

"Did you say good night to Bree?"

"You know I did."

"I enjoyed dinner with Simon and Ken. Ken reminds me a little of Emmett. He's kind of out there. Simon is more like Ben, level headed, you agree?"

"Yes, I do. You're very perceptive."

"Brian, what should we do tomorrow?"

"Sleep, fuck, sleep some more, fuck some more then work on my tan."

"What about my tan?"

"You don't get one."

"But..."

"Shhh, sleep. Remember the plan."

"Ahh, the plan. What plan?"

"The sleep fuck sleep, plan."

"Ohh! That plan." Justin snuggled into Brian's arms and giggled as he thought about the plan.

"Shh, we're working on the first part of the plan," Brian whispered.

"Okay," Justin whispered back. "I love you, Bri. Happy Anniversary."

"I love you too, Sunshine, Happy Anniversary." Brian hugged Justin closer then the lovers settled in to start the first part of their plan.