The house had never looked so inviting as it did when Jennifer pulled into the drive. Brian smiled to himself and shook his head. He looked up to see Justin staring at him intently. “What?” He asked. “Nothing.” Brian said. “Just glad to be home.” “You and me both.” Justin agreed. “Big bed here we come.” “Oh, I meant to ask, what are you going to do about John?” Jennifer asked. “I could go and get him if you want.” “No, he’s going to stay with Mel and Linz for one more night.” Brian said. “We’ll call him to let him know we’re home and that I’m okay, but I’m not up to the question marathon that would ensue.” Jennifer nodded. “I’m too tired for that just yet. He’ll come home after school tomorrow.” After helping carry Brian and Justin’s bags into the house, Jennifer ushered Molly back to the car and off to their own house. They waved as Jennifer backed out into the street. In no time they had disappeared down the street and out of sight. Brian took a deep breath and let it slowly. He looked at the clock and saw that it was nearly seven. “We’d better call John.” He said. “You know he’ll be waiting.” Justin nodded. They went into the kitchen and as Justin looked for something to eat, Brian dialed Lindsay’s number. “Hey, Linz.” He said. “Yeah, we just got here . . . okay . . . hey John . . . yeah, I’m okay . . . yeah Justin’s okay, too. We’re just really tired. Huh? I won’t know ‘til Monday. I know it sucks, but can’t do anything about it. That’s right, you’ll come home from school tomorrow . . . sure you can ride with Greg’s mom if you want.” Justin marveled for about the millionth time about Brian’s ability to talk to John in a way that quelled his fears. “Okay. We’ll see you then. He’s looking for something to eat. Yeah. Well, if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black. You’re a bottomless pit yourself.” Brian laughed and Justin smiled. “Okay, yeah. All right. Tell Lindsay I’ll talk to her tomorrow, too. Bye.” “We’ve got cold cuts and bread, so that should work.” Justin said looking in the fridge. “What do you want to drink?” “Juice.” “All we have is Sunny D.” “That’ll have to do.” Justin made them both sandwiches and split the juice between them. Brian watched as Justin devoured the large sandwich he made for himself gulping down juice between bites. Brian ate only half of his much smaller sandwich and downed the Sunny D in one gulp. He was a lot more thirsty than hungry anyway. “I half expected to come home to a house full of people.” Brian said. “Well, you did make it pretty clear that wanted to be alone unless we asked for help.” Justin said. “Maybe they got the message.” “My guess is that Ben hog tied Michael and Debbie to a chair somewhere.” Brian said with a smile. “Kinky.” Justin said grinning. “Well, you know they’re going to be here bright and early tomorrow.” Justin sighed. “Probably.” Brian said. “Tired?” Justin asked as he put the food away and started putting the used dishes in the dishwasher. “Yeah.” Brian said yawning. “Pretty sad, huh? Tired and the sun’s still up.” “Not considering you just had surgery yesterday.” Justin reasoned. “Come on. Let’s go lay down.” Brian nodded and allowed Justin to take his hand and lead him up the stairs and into their bedroom. The big bed looked even more inviting than the house had. Brian stripped down to his underwear letting his clothes fall anywhere they landed. He slid into his side of the bed lying on his back and let out a short satisfied sigh. “You want a pain killer?” Justin asked. Brian shook his head. “Okay, well, I’ll put them on the bathroom counter just in case.” Justin padded naked into the bathroom for a split second before returning and sliding into bed next to Brian. “You tired, too, Sunshine?” Brian asked as Justin snuggled up to his side. “A little.” Justin yawned. “That fold out bed in the hospital was okay, but I don’t sleep very well unless you’re lying next to me.” Brian smiled. The same was true for him, but he didn’t say anything. “Well, sleep tight, Sunshine.” Brian said. Justin nodded against his chest. Brian felt himself drifting off to sleep. There is no place like home was his last thought before sleep took him completely. -- Brian and Justin were awakened the next morning by the sound of someone ringing the doorbell while simultaneously pounding on the front door. He lifted his head from the pillow then let out a heavy sigh as he dropped it back down. “Fuck.” He breathed then turned to see Justin staring back at him. “We’d better get down there before they break down the door.” Justin reasoned. Brian nodded and they both pulled themselves up. “Wow, is it really 11 am?” Brian said looking at the bedside clock. “Looks like.” Justin said looking at his wristwatch. Brian just shook his head and pulled a pair of baggy sweatpants out of his dresser drawer. After pulling them on, he grabbed a T-shirt and pulled it over his head. By then Justin had pulled on his jeans from the day before and blue sweatshirt he had taken with him to Baltimore, but hadn’t had the opportunity to wear. “Ready?” Brian asked. “Yeah.” The knocking and doorbell ringing got louder and more incessant as they started down the stairs. “Yeah, yeah, we hear you.” Brian called. He opened the door to reveal not only Michael and Debbie, but also Ben, Lindsay, Melanie, Emmett and Ted. They were all carrying serving trays or casserole dishes filled with God knew what all. “Surprise.” Debbie said. “Right.” Brian said as he motioned for them to come in. They all headed to the kitchen and Debbie began to set up the food. “What’s all this?” Brian asked. “You have to eat good so you can keep your strength up, so -.” Debbie began. “So, you thought you’d make us enough food to last for 6 months?” Brian scoffed. “We just wanted you to know how much we love you.” Lindsay offered as she snagged a slice of apple from the serving platter she was carrying. “Food equals love?” Brian asked. “Stop.” Justin said nudging his lover in the ribs. “Thanks Deb. But, you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble.” “Of course, I did.” Debbie countered. “I have to make sure my boys take care of themselves.” “Where’s Gus?” Brian asked. “Preschool.” Melanie answered around a mouthful of food. “We don’t have to pick him up until two o’clock.” Brian nodded. “So?” Debbie asked. “So what?” “What’d the doctor say?” “I don’t get the results until Monday.” Brian explained. “Well, that’s bullshit.” Debbie huffed as she passed around plates loaded with food. “This is your life we’re talking about and those fucking doctors make you wait like that.” “The tests aren’t instantaneous, Deb.” Brian said. “Well, still.” “Dr. Rabinowitz from the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center is supposed to call with my results and then discuss follow up treatment if it’s needed.” Brian continued. “Radiation.” Ben said grimly. Brian nodded. “Will you lose you hair?” Emmett asked. “Probably not.” Brian said. “The doctor said that chemo is what usually causes hair loss.” “Well, good.” Emmett said visibly relieved. “I can’t even imagine a bald Brian.” “Emmett.” Michael scolded. “It’s okay Mikey.” Brian said chuckling. “I really don’t want to be bald.” Michael rolled his eyes. “Well, Boy Wonder, if you need any help taking Brian to his treatments, you let me know.” Michael said as if Brian weren’t standing right next to him. “Either one of us can take him.” He looked to Ben for confirmation who smiled and nodded. “‘He’s’ standing right here, Mikey.” Brian said pointing to himself. “And, if there’s a problem, I told you, we’ll call.” “Yeah, well -.” Michael said with shrug. “Besides, you might be otherwise involved considering the pending ‘blessed event’.” Brian said nodding his head in Melanie’s direction. “How is the baby, by the way?” Justin asked. “Active as hell.” Melanie grumped. “And, sitting directly on my bladder. Speaking of which.” She said making a gesture toward the door before she made her way to the downstairs bathroom. “Come on.” Debbie said handing out plates. “Eat up.” Grudgingly Brian took the plate. Debbie proceeded to load it with tons of food. Brian frowned. “What are you trying to do turn me into, Debbie, a pudgy queen.” He said as he scraped a goodly portion of the food back into the serving dishes. “You have to eat to keep your strength up.” Debbie said trying to put the extra food back on Brian’s plate. “I have plenty of strength.” Brian said pulling his plate out of Debbie’s reach. He took the spoon out of her hand and set it purposely back into the dish. “I’m fine.” He said. Debbie smiled sadly and nodded before cupping his cheek. “I just want to make sure, Kiddo.” “I know, Ma.” Brian said. Debbie smiled as tears welled in her eyes. She playfully slapped Brian as she pulled her hand away. -- “Uncle Bri!” John shouted as he crashed through the front door four hours later. “Justin!” He called when he didn’t get an answer from his uncle. “Where are you guys?!” “I’m in here.” Justin shouted from his studio. John set his backpack on the floor by the coat tree and headed in the direction of Justin’s voice. “Hey Justin.” He said as he entered the studio. “Where’s Uncle Bri?” “He’s taking a nap.” Justin said. John watched as Justin moved his paintbrush over the canvas on the easel. “Napping?” John said surprised. “Yeah, he’s still tired from the procedure.” Justin explained. “He should be up soon, though.” Justin set the brush down and stepped back to look at the picture in front of him. “How was school?” “Fine.” John said. “I got a B on my science test. We’re doing word problems in algebra.” John wrinkled his nose at that. “And, Kathleen Holmes wants me to ask her to the dance next week.” “Are you going to ask her?” Justin asked as he worked on cleaning his brushes. “Maybe.” John said. “It’s just, well, I don’t know how to dance.” “Not to worry.” Brian said from the doorway. “We’ll take you to Babylon. You can see the real thing.” “Uncle Bri.” He said as he hurried over to hug him. Brian bent down a little and made a noise as if he were in pain. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” “No.” Brian said. “I’m fine. Just a little tender.” He turned to Justin. “Where are my pain killers?” “Kitchen cabinet.” Justin said. “I’m really glad you’re home.” John said following Brian into the kitchen. “I mean, I like Melanie and Lindsay okay, and Gus is a lot of fun, but I like being in my own room.” “I know what you mean.” Brian said taking the pill bottle from the cabinet. He shook two pills into his palm before crossing to the fridge. “We’re going to need juice.” He called to Justin as the other man turned the corner. “Already on the list.” Justin said pointing to a piece of paper under a magnet on the front of the fridge. “So, what do you say, John?” Brian said teasingly. “You up for a Babylon dance lesson.” “Brian.” Justin warned. “I doubt the school would approve of the dance steps John might learn at Babylon.” Brian snorted a laugh. John laughed, too. “So, you got any homework?” “A couple of math problems and some reading for history.” John said. “What’s for dinner?” “Debbie brought over some food for us, so that’s what we’re having.” Justin said. “And, what we will be having for months.” Brian muttered under his breath. John smiled. “Call me when dinner’s ready then.” John said as he bounded up the stairs two at a time. “You okay?” Justin asked Brian. Brian nodded. “Well, why don’t you go sit on the couch and watch TV?” “Okay, on one condition.” Justin looked up questioningly. “You come keep me company.” Justin smiled and nodded. -- Monday came as usual. And, Brian got up and got ready for work as usual. The only difference today was the presence of Justin in the kitchen fussing over breakfast. He had opted not to go in for the early morning shift at the diner so he could help get Brian and John off to work and school. “You’re going to spoil us, Sunshine.” Brian said as he pulled a huge muffin apart and began to eat it. “Not that we’re complaining.” John said elbowing his uncle in the ribs. “These muffins are awesome.” “Thanks.” Justin said. “But, the praise goes to the bakery around the corner.” John just shrugged. “Who cares where they came from?” John said. “It’s better then cold cereal and frozen waffles.” “But, you like frozen waffles.” Brian countered. “Well, yeah.” John admitted. “But it’s kinda cool to eat together in the morning like this.” John shrugged and Brian ruffled his hair playfully. “You’re right about that.” Brian said nodding. “Maybe we could set aside one day a week and have breakfast like this together. We could do it here or even at the diner.” “I think we could swing that.” Justin said with a smile. “We’d better get a move on.” Brian said looking at his watch. “We don’t all want to be late now do we?” Brian dropped John off first before heading to the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art. He pulled to the front door and coasted to a stop. “Promise me,” Justin said looking serious and concerned, “that if you start to get really tired that you’ll call it a day.” “Promise.” Brian said crossing his heart mockingly. “I’m serious, Brian.” Justin scolded. “Don’t push yourself. You just had surgery and -.” “I know, Sunshine.” Brian said cutting him off. “I know. And, I promise not to push myself.” Justin pursed his lips. “Besides with both Theodore and Cynthia keeping an eye on me, even if I tried to work too hard, they’d tattle to you.” Justin smiled as Brian leaned over to capture his lips. “Now, go to school.” “I love you.” Justin said. Brian nodded smiled softly before putting the Corvette into gear and pulling away from the curb. End chapter 5.