What a joyful and joy-filled reunion! So happy that Brian and Justin have reconnected in 'their' way, and that they are going to finally going forward with their baby plans. HA! I can just about imagine the mutinous and regretful look on Michael's face at the fact that everything he and Collier tried still didn't stop Brian and Justin from living their best lives.

As for Lindsay, I'm so glad that she's finally gotten the epiphany she so desperately needed in regards to her family's- especially Nancy's- motives. Hurt people HURT people and misery truly loves company. Hopefully, Lindsay will continue to grow as a person as she begins to appreciate the small things that ultimately make up a life well-lived.

Splendid chapter and looking forward to MORE!

HUGS full of WARM FUZZIES,

~Nichelle

Hey SandyBabe!

Another wonderful addition to the series and I'm sooooo looking forward to MORE!

Just goes to show that the saying: When digging one ditch, dig two is TRUE! It was absolutely wonderful to see Little Lord Fauntleroy and Miss wanna be Lady-of-the-Manor get 'pushed in' publicly. Then to have the true facts (and not another installment of Lindsay's Victimhood Chronicles as written by the witch herself) stated in a staff meeting...well I could just about see Lindsay's indignance. No doubt she pulled a Michael, equipped with squinty eyes, pouty lips and folded arms, but no matter. I have a feeling that she'll be out of a job way before Justin's meeting with Sydney.

Great Chapter, Darling!

Happy Writing and HUGS,

~Nichelle00

Stupid Mikey...tricks are for kids! It's obvious that Brian has grown up while Michael is still stuck on the playground. I'm enjoying seeing him being left behind. Can't imagine what it's going to take for Michael to get it through that cement-encased bird brain of his, but I have no doubt it's going to be interesting to watch...sort of like a train wreck you just can't look away from no matter how horrifying and predictable it is. Crash and burn, Mikey! Crash and burn!

WRITE ON, StarBaby!

HUGS,

~Nichelle

So Joanie got arrested...and Brandon is taking care of the arrest. That's PERFECT!!! As always, I wanted to twist myself through a phone line and deck Claire. That entitled little harridan just rubs me the wrong way. She and Joan are cut from the same narrow-minded cloth. How they insult Brian, but then expects them him to bail them out of their mess has always stymied me. Well, let I hope St. Joan enjoys the proof that she's far from perfect with a nice big DUI on her record, and a jacked-up garage whose door probably looks as tore up from the floor up as Joan's drunken butt does.

Mel and Brian getting along is always fun to read. I've always believed that if they could just get passed their differences, they would find a lot more in common than they ever thought possible. I laughed aloud at the reference to the Apocalypse, but I don't think they have anything to worry about yet. Now if Michael actually gets a brain, or at least a clue... well then I would definitely start looking for those horsemen, LOL

Great chapter, Darling, and looking forward to MORE!

HAPPY Writing and HUGS,

~Nichelle

What a BEAUTIFUL and PEACEFUL chapter!! Brian's introspection was spot on. He went from the nightmare that was Joan and Jack to the insanity of Michael of the Complain and Cockblock Express. I loved that he didn't even notice he hadn't heard from Michael. Although I know the little pissant is bound to show up, I hope Brian continues to ignore him.

Emmett's reaction to Brian's phone call, and his reasoning for straddling the matrimonial fence had me laughing. Then Ted calling out Brandon, and his reaction to Blake's comment was all I could have hoped for in that moment. Their banter was so easy and light, proving that the whole 'gang' is already moving passed Michael's continual banality and ready to start living their lives to the fullest. I'm doing my happy dance in my seat at these latest developments!!

WRITE On, Starbaby!!

HUGS,

~Nichelle 

Oh, I want to punch Claire in the mouth, and snatch out her throat. What a wasted use of sperm! However, strange as it may seem, I don't know if I believe that she put her sons up to calling the police to harass Justin. This seems more like a Michael/Claire combo than anything else, since they both have reason to want Justin out of Brian's orbit. It's not hard to imagine both of them joining forces just this once to achieve their expected ends. 

Can't wait to see if I'm right and for more of this story!

HAPPY WRITING and HUGS,

~Chelle

Hey Rody! I really enjoyed this! 

Happy Holidays and HUGS,

~Nichelle

Been Looking forward to this one!! 

HUGS,

~Nichelle

Hi Cathy,

Great update! I can't wait until Brian finds out who the real culprits are! Hopefully, Justin will be able to get a message to Brian some other way, without the yapping shitzu being able to run interference. Looks like Justin has some major decisions and moves to make regardless of having Brian in his life or not. 

Can't wait for the next update!

Happy Writing and HUGS,

~Nichelle

Hey Cathy,

I hope the fact that Michael basically got out of trouble means that there is MORE TROUBLE brewing for him. Lindsay, too! The games they play with people's lives deserve a punch to the throat and some real hard lessons delivered!

As for Justin, I think Daphne would be able to handle the news concerning Michael's threat to her extremely well, and in very efficient ways. Even in this fic (which is also how I LOVE to write her within my own), she's extremely intelligent and does NOT seem easily intimidated. Besides, I think she certainly needs a reason to corner Brian at this point. After all, under what better set of circumstances would Daph have to tell him about the asshole his so-called best friend really is, and to confirm the fact that Justin really DID put the alarm on the loft? Yeah, she needs to be told for so MANY reasons!

I love the addition of Aunt June. She seems real down-to-earth, and the fact that she hates Craig is a BIG PLUS. Too bad Jennifer can't see what an asshole her husband is, and is uncomfortably reminding me of how I viewed Deb, both in the series and while writing. As long as the crap Craig pulls is done to Justin and not her, then she can keep her distance from the situation while continuing to live her very comfortable lifestyle. But as soon as what he does affects her directly, she'll be up in arms and ready to divorce the bastard, when she should have done so in regards to the safety and wellbeing of her son. That whole 'needs of the whole family, not just your desires' thing burned me up at the time, and it still does. How could she not acknowledge the mental and emotional abuse being meted out at Craig's hands in reference to Justin?! But that's just me ranting, so feel free to snap me out of it.

Anyway, hopefully June can help Justin make a life for himself, and his impending foray into fatherhood. I can't say that I feel sorry for Brian, since he really should have checked all the facts, or better yet LISTENED instead of just reacting on a very wrong inclination when he kicked Justin out. But I am looking forward to him finding out that his so-called friends are really his Enslavers, and that despite the circumstances, Justin Taylor will always land on his feet with or without Brian Kinney. He's certainly more MAN than mealy-mouthed Michael!

HUGS and LOVE,

~Nichelle 

So proud of Brian! He's been conquering his demons- those of a mental nature and the human kind. He didn't explode at Michael's constant whining, but Brian still answered Michael with the truth tinged with the annoyance he was no doubt feeling. He maintained the control over his emotions he needed to make conscious and wise choices in his sobriety. I am so PROUD of him!

I am also happy that Debbie didn't push Brian for answers. The assessment he gave to Ted, about Deb's inability to keep her well-meaning mouth closed, was spot-on! Although she wouldn't have been malcious in divulging Brian's personal business, the fact remains that if she knew, Brian would have to worry about so much more than just maintaining his sanity during his personal journey. He was also correct in how the information would be perceived by Lindsay. She would applaud his efforts while carefully twisting the metaphorical knife by withholding his access to Gus. Sadly, although I think that Brian should tell Melanie as opposed to Lindsay, I doubt she would be all that gung-ho for him to succeed. In her mind, he'd be systematically taking all her ammunition against him away, and Mel would throw as big a tantrum about it as Michael and Lindsay are no doubt going to.

However, like Brian, I would like to know what they are doing with the support money for Gus, too. It sure doesn't look like they are hurting any that they should continue to deny Gus the things he wants and needs. What are they using the money for, if not for Gus since they both have jobs? It pissed me off that Mel just outright said 'NO' to Gus requesting a trampoline party, while Lindsay made it clear that she agreed with Mel but buying her some time by saying 'We'll see'. Just about EVERY child knows that when those two words are uttered the automatic answer is a resounding no. I really hope that some answers for Brian are forthcoming from that quarter and soon, whether he chooses to act on the information or not.

Splendid chapter, Sandy! I'm certainly looking forward to MORE!

HUGS,

~Nichelle

Sandy Darling, I LOVE THIS!! You are doing such an amazing job with the subject matter. My eldest sister and brother had addictions for many MANY years, and now well into their 50s they are finally both clean and sober. It is a constant journey, even for those of us who are supporting their efforts.

I really love Ted, who didn't hesitate to share his own struggles with Brian. He's certainly correct in Brian needing to find other ways to fill his time. It's not so much boredom, but that Brian has to give himself permission to reinvent himself. For so many years, he had cultivated an image which Michael and Lindsay- Hell, EVERYBODY- vicariously lived in. He's has to know that it's absolutely acceptable to want to be someone different; to have something else to look forward to rather than simply exists according to everyone else's expectations. That said, I think Brian's assessment of Michael's reaction to his decision is more than a little accurate. Michael would spend every waking moment whining about who Brian is, what he should be concentrating on, who he should be according to Michael's edicts. So I really hope he doesn't find out until Brian is on surefooting.

As for Lindsay: That sanctimonious harridan is such a damn hypocrite since I'm sure she and Melanie have at the very least, WINE with their dinner every night and Gus is present for that. I mean if you're going to tell Brian that it's irresponsible to drink when he has Gus, shouldn't it have been pointed out that she is certainly NOT having coffee, cola, or Kool-Aid all the time when Gus is with HER either? Just saying! Anyway, I'm glad that he told Justin about her, especially because if Brian falls of the wagon, his interactions with Lindsay (who is like a modern day Joan Kinney in my book) would likely be the culprit.

I'm looking forward to more of this amazing story, and the continual journey of Brian and Justin. Simply freaking marvelous, Darling!

HAPPY WRITING and HUGS,

~Nichelle

Great chapter! I like that Brian is really taking note of the things and people in his life, including his reactions to them. Lindsay seriously needs to get put in her place, in more ways than one. I'm also really curious just why it's always a problem when Gus needs something when Brian pays more than enough for Gus' upkeep. I wouldn't be surprised if she's telling Mel she's receiving a signicantly lesser amount from Brian than she really is, and then hiding the excess in an account with only her name attached to it. It sounds just like something she would do, especially with her controlling tendencies.

As for Brian's comparison between Emmett and Michael, I found his assessment of each one spot on. Michael is a blabbermouth (in my Ralph Kramden voice), always braying, badgering, and bitching. He reminds me of what would happen if a sheep and a jackass procreated! Hee-haw-Baaaaaaa, Hee-haw-Baaaaaaaa is all I ever hear when I'm reading or writing about him...SMH Emmett, on the other hand, always possessed some inner-strength and selective wisdom. I say selective only because he picked wisely and chose to use it when it would have the most impact (Vic's run-in with the law). He also possesses a clear and defined sense of right and wrong, much like Brian, which I've always admired and appreciated. As I've always said in reference to Brian, Ted and Emmett, theirs should have been the friendships that were played up in Brian's storyline, while Michael's eternally-inmature ass should have been left behind.

Once again, I want to tell you that you are doing an amazing job with this fic. All of the decisions and introspection Brian is doing is not only well-written, but also poignant and inspiring in its own way- not only because of the subject matter of sobriety, but also because he's redefining himself in such a way where he will have to let go of the dead weights of friendships that are long past their expiration dates, and activities which seek to keep him from growing as a person. You're doing an awesome job conveying that.

HAPPY WRITING and HUGS,

~Nichelle