Brian awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking. He rolled over to see that Justin was out of bed. Well, that explains it. He thought. He turned over and threw his arm over his eyes. Maybe, if he were lucky, Justin would come and wake him up in any number of interesting ways. The thought made Brian smile as he laid spread eagle on the bed. 

"Brian." Justin called from the kitchen. He heard Brian groan. "Wake up sleepy head. Breakfast will be done in a minute." 

"Yeah, Daddy." Gus called. "Wake up." 

Brian took his arm down and sat up. He propped himself up on his elbows and tried to remember when the hell Gus got to the loft. He looked at the clock. It was nearly 10. He rarely slept this late. Well, not when he wasn't hammered from the night before anyway. Shaking his head, he pulled himself up to the side of he bed and pulled his boxers on. He was about to stand and head out to the kitchen when Justin appeared at the door. 

"Are you decent?" Justin called. 

"Depends on your definition of 'decent'." Brian quipped. 

"Ha Ha." Justin called back. "Are you at least covered?" 

"Yeah." Brian muttered. 

Brian heard Justin say okay and then Gus walked into the bedroom unsteadily carrying a tray of food as Justin helped support it. Brian looked at them bewildered. Justin simply smiled at him while Gus looked as if he'd burst with excitement. 

"Happy Father's Day!" Gus shouted. Brian stifled a groan. "We made you breakfast in bed, Daddy." 

"I see that." Brian said as Gus began to explain all the things on the tray. 

"We made all your favorites." Gus said extremely proud of himself. "I made the toast and helped Justin turn the eggs over. He wouldn't let me help with the bacon, though." Gus pouted. 

"Bacon splatters too much, Gus." Justin explained. Gus shrugged causing Brian to chuckle at the familiarity of the gesture. Gus was definitely his father's son. 

"We forgot the juice, Justin." Gus said. "Can I get it?" 

"I'll help." Justin said and they disappeared out the door. 

The delicious smell of the food made Brian's stomach rumble and he started to eat. The food was awesome and he once again thanked whoever was responsible for bringing him a lover who could cook. He was in a much better mood when Justin and Gus reappeared with the juice. He smiled at his Sonny-Boy and winked at Justin making Gus giggle. 

The phone rang and Brian picked up the extension next to the bed. His smile evaporated. Justin looked at him warningly and mouthed the words 'No work'. Brian shook his head and mouthed 'Joanie' before going into the bathroom to talk to his mother. 

"Brian would you want to meet me at your father's grave site today?" Joan Kinney asked. 

"Why?" Brian asked. 

"It's Father's Day, Brian. Not to mention, it's been over 5 years now." Joan began. "Don't you think it's time to forgive him already?" 

"Why?" 

"Because he was your father." 

"Not good enough." Brian said louder than he had wanted to. "Jack Kinney didn't give a shit about me unless he wanted to take his excuse for a life out on me." He said more softly. 

"He loved you, Brian." 

"Bullshit!" 

"Brian, what good are you doing trying to hurt him now? He's dead." Joan let out an exasperated breath. "Okay, have it your way. By the way, Happy Father's Day." 

After the line went dead, Brian stared at the phone for several minutes before disconnecting it and heading back into the bedroom. 



Brian came out of the bathroom to find a gaudily wrapped package sitting on the bed. Gus sat at the end of the bed with a huge smile on his face. Brian smiled back and sat down on the bed with his son. 

"What's this, Sonny-Boy?" Brian teased. 

"It's your Father's Day present." Gus said. 

Brian smirked and picked up the package. He held it next to his ear and gently shook it. "Hmmmm. It's doesn't shake, rattle or roll." Gus put his hand over his mouth to stifle a giggle. "What could it possibly be?" 

"Open it, Daddy." Gus encouraged. 

"Okay." Brian said with a poke to Gus' stomach. 

Brian opened the package slowly enjoying making Gus groan with frustration. He pulled the wrapping paper away and slowly broke the tape holding the box closed. He pulled the top off and saw tissue paper. 

"Tissue paper!" Brian shouted. "Just what I always wanted!" 

"Daddy!" Gus squealed as Brian smiled widely. Justin stood in the doorway rolling his eyes. 

"It's not tissue paper?" Brian asked. 

"Noooooo." Gus whined. "It's inside the tissue paper, silly Daddy!"

"Ohhhhh." Brian said and moved the tissue paper aside. Brian's breath caught in his throat. "Oh my." He breathed. 

Inside the package was a portrait of Gus. In the middle was 5-year-old Gus, but on the border were shattered images of Gus at several stages in his life. Brian was so taken aback her felt the sting of tears in his eyes.

"Don't you like it, Daddy?" Gus asked suddenly serious.

"Yes." Brian said as a single tear tracked down his cheek. "I like it very much." 

"Then why are you crying?" Gus asked. Brian looked to see the boy was also near tears. He pulled the boy into his arms and hugged him tightly. 

"Because this is *the* best present that anyone has ever given me." Brian said as he placed a kiss on top of the boy's head. "Well, second best." Gus frowned. "You were *the* best." Gus grinned from ear to ear making Brian smile, too. 



It was about 5 pm when the three of them got back to the loft. After several hours of 'Father's Day fun', Gus had fallen asleep in his booster seat in the back of Brian's Jeep. Gus had denied he was even tired and offered to help Justin make dinner, too. Brian just smiled at the sleeping image of his son in the rearview mirror and leaned toward Justin.

"Boom, Boom, out go the lights." Brian whispered and Justin turned in his seat. 

"Poor little guy." Justin said. "He's had a big day." Brian smiled and nodded. "What did your mom want?" 

Brian had almost forgotten about the conversation he's had with Joanie earlier in the day. "Not much." Brian said shortly. "She wanted me to go to Jack's grave." 

"Why didn't you?" Justin asked. 

"Forever the optimist, aren't you?" Brian remarked. "Why didn't you go to your father's place?" 

"I asked you first." Justin said mockingly. 

"I know when I'm not wanted." Brian said softly. "My father wouldn't have wanted his 'fag son' there." 

"But, your mom did." 

"So did yours." 

"Okay, it's still early." Justin said knowing he was asking a lot of himself and Brian. "After we drop Gus off, you go to your Dad's grave site and I'll go to my Dad's condo." 

Brian shook his head. "No. We go together or not at all."

Justin smiled. He couldn't believe he had won so easily. "What's the catch?" 

"No catch." Brian said. "I just want you with me." 

"All right then." Justin said. 

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Even Melanie noticed a change in Brian. He didn't pick a fight and even kissed her on the cheek when he left. The same way he always did with Lindsey. 



Brian was unusually quiet as they got closer to the cemetery. Justin was sure that Brian was contemplating turning around several times, but he didn't and in the end they rounded the corner and drove into the opened gates of the cemetery. 

As they approached the head stone, Justin could see a figure standing nearby. Brain laced his fingers with Justin's just before they got to the gravesite. Justin looked up and saw apprehension in the older man's eyes. 

"Mom?" Brian said after a moment's hesitation. 

"Brian." She replied obviously surprised to see them. She saw Justin behind Brian and almost frowned, but stopped herself. "Hello, Justin." 

"Mrs. Kinney." 

"I didn't expect you to come." Joan Kinney said. "You just missed your sister and her boys as a matter of fact." 

Brian didn't say anything at first. He just stood there looking at the small granite headstone with his father's name on it. Joan looked at Justin and then back to Brian. 

"So. . ." She had no idea what to say next. 

"Beloved husband and father." Brian whispered. "Doesn't quite ring true does it, Mom?" Joan shook her head. "Major Prick. Child Abuser. That's more like it. Why didn't you stop him from hurting me?" 

Joan looked like she had been slapped. "I wanted to. I was just afraid." Brian stared at his mother in disbelief. "We were all trapped, Brian. You, me, your sister. All I can do now is say I'm sorry. I don't know if that even means anything to you." Joan touched Brian's arm, but Brian pulled away. 

"I do believe you. I believe that you're sorry." Brian said. "But that doesn't really change a whole lot does it?" 

Justin moved in behind Brian and whispered in his ear. "You aren't the only one hurting, Brian." Brian turned toward Justin sharply, but the anger he felt melted in the tears he saw in the younger man's eyes. He cupped Justin's cheek and brushed their lips together. 

Joan looked on in awe of the two of them. She knew what Brian was. Had known for a couple of years now. She had even prayed for his 'lost soul' a million times. Seeing him now, though, she knew exactly where his soul was along with his heart. It wasn't lost at all, but in the hands of the young man standing next to him. 

What Brian did next startled them all. He moved toward his mother and embraced her. She couldn't believe it at first. Brian remembered how much he had needed the comfort of a mother when Justin was in the hospital. 

Brian and Joan stood together for several minutes after the hug and after several stuttering stops they talked. Really talked for the first time ever. When they were all talked out, Brian stared at his father's headstone for several more minutes before turning to walk away. 

Brian was silent again as they walked to the Jeep. Justin watched him carefully, but didn't sense anger. As Justin started to move around the Jeep to the passenger side, Brian grabbed the younger man's wrist and pulled him into his arms. Justin wrapped his arms around Brian tightly. 

"Thanks." Brian said softly his voice muffled by Justin's coat. 

"For what?" 

"For being an eternal optimist." 

Justin smiled. "Come on." He said. "One more stop." 

Brian nodded and they climbed into the Jeep. 



After Justin's parents divorced, Jennifer and Molly had moved into a smaller house in the same neighborhood so that Molly wouldn't have to change schools. Justin's father, Craig, had moved into a condo close to where he worked. Justin had known his dad's address and even his phone number for a quite some time now. He had just never had any real use for them. Craig was still as against Justin's lifestyle as he had always been. 

Molly had even mentioned to Justin that their dad had asked her on one of her visits if Justin was "still a fag." This had upset Molly very much. Not only did she not really understand what a 'fag' was, but she had felt cheated. It was supposed to be her time with her father and he had all but ruined it for her. She had asked to go home to her mother and Craig had received a lecture from Jennifer for what he had said to Molly. Craig denied that he had meant to hurt Molly, but Jennifer had withheld his visitations for two weeks because of it. 

When Justin mentioned it to Jennifer, he had told his mother not to get mad at Molly for telling him. Jennifer had simply pulled Justin into a hug and apologized for his father's thoughtlessness. Justin had pulled away and told Jennifer to stop apologizing for his father, but to tell Craig that if he wanted to know anything about Justin, he could come and ask himself. 

Now, as Brian and Justin got closer to his father's condo, Justin was growing more and more nervous. He started tapping his fingers on the armrest between he and Brian. Brian took Justin's hand in his and drew it to his mouth. He brushed his lips across Justin's knuckles. 

"It's going to be okay." Brian said. Justin simply nodded and began chewing on the thumbnail of his other hand. 



As Brian pulled his Jeep into the parking lot of Craig Taylor's building, Justin saw that his mother's car was parked a couple spaces over. Good. Justin thought. At least he won't try anything if Molly is here. 

Justin looked at his watch and saw that it was nearly 7:30 pm. His mom and Molly would be on their way home soon, so that Molly could get to bed since she had school the following day. He suddenly felt rushed, but tried to remain calm. 

Craig Taylor lived on the third floor of a four-story building. Even though there was an elevator, Justin turned toward the stairs instead. Brian followed the younger man knowing that Justin was stalling. Once on the third floor, Justin followed the left corridor to the corner apartment. He stood staring at the apartment door for several minutes before Brian took it upon himself to knock. 

Justin heard his mother call out to his father that she would answer the door. It swung open and Jennifer stared at her son for the longest time. Before she could say anything, Craig turned the corner. 

"Jenn?" Craig called. "Who is it?" 

Jennifer moved away from the door and Craig saw Justin standing in the doorway, Brian standing guard behind him. 

"Hello, Dad." Justin said. Craig remained silent. "I wanted to wish you a happy Father's Day." Jennifer smiled at Justin. "I don't really have a present, but I do have a card for you. I was going mail it, but I kind of got talked into coming here to give it to you in person." 

"Justin!" Molly called as she rounded the corner and all but threw herself into her bother's arms. Justin caught her and pulled her into a big hug. 

"Hey, Mollusk." Justin said and kissed the top of Molly's head. 

Craig stared coolly at his son. He said nothing as he watched the interaction of his children. Justin put Molly down and she bounced back into the other room. 

"Can you stay?" Jennifer asked. 

"Well, I. . ." Justin said looking from his father to Jennifer and back. 

"For a little while." Brian said and gently pushed his lover into the apartment passed a fuming Craig Taylor. 

Molly had immediately become interested in a television program and all but ignored the adults. Jennifer was still smiling but Justin wasn't sure if she was smiling because he was there or in an attempt to ease the tension his visit was causing his father. Brain guided Justin into a chair in the living room. He sat on the arm of the chair. Jennifer sat on the couch and Craig sat across from Justin and Brian on a loveseat. 

Justin handed an envelope to Craig. "Happy Father's Day." He said softly. 

Craig took the card begrudgingly and opened it. He looked up at Justin sharply and then back at the card in disbelief. "Justin? Did you draw this yourself?" Justin nodded. Jennifer took the proffered card from Craig. 

"Oh my." Jennifer said. "This is wonderful, Justin." 

"Is this what you've learned at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts?" Craig asked. 

"No." Justin said. "I've been doing this forever. The IFA just helps me do it better." 

Craig just nodded. "So, you're still together?" Justin looked at Brian knowing what his father meant. "Does he love you?" 

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Justin said softly. "He's sitting right here, Dad." 

Craig looked at Brain. Well, 'looked' might be too nice a word. What Craig really did was stare daggers into Brain. Brian sat quietly and refused to be baited in front of Justin's mother or Molly. When Craig finally realized that Brian was not going to be intimidated, he let his gaze drop to his folded hands. 

"You gonna hurt him?" Craig asked Brian. 

"Certainly not on purpose." Brian said. "And, um, by the way, yes, I do love Justin. Very much." Craig pursed his lips before looking up at Brian again. "Actually, he's the one who showed me what love truly is. Your son is a remarkable young man. You should try to get to know him again. He's definitely worth it." 

"I don't need you to tell me that." Craig said harshly. 

"Craig." Jennifer said in a tone of voice that Justin remembered as her 'warning voice'. 

"It's a very nice card, son." Craig said. "So, how have you been?" 

"Good." Justin said. "School's been a challenge what with work and all but graduation is in just a few weeks." 

"You're still working at that God awful diner?" 

"Not for almost a year, now." Justin said. "Actually, I've been interning at Brian's agency." Brian smiled at Justin. "I'm really enjoying it." 

An awkward silence fell over them. Justin didn't really know what to say or do. He laced his hand with Brian's eliciting a frown and a headshake from Craig. 

"Do you have to do that?" Craig asked. 

"Do what?" Justin said confused. Craig pointed toward his and Brian's hands. "Oh, you mean show affection." Craig rolled his eyes. 

"We should probably get going, Babe." Brian said. "You've got an early class tomorrow." Justin nodded as Brian rose from the couch. 

"We'd better get going, too." Jennifer said. "Molly?" Molly looked up. "Get your shoes on, Honey." Molly nodded and walked out into the hall behind Brian.

Justin watched his sister bound down the hallway and smiled. While his back was turned Jennifer gave Craig another 'warning look'. Justin didn't see it, but Brian caught it as he looked in from the hallway. 

"Happy Father's Day, Daddy." Molly called and ran to hug her father. 

"Thank you sweetheart." 

"Happy Father's Day, Dad." Justin said. His voice sounded thin even to himself. 

"Thank you, too, son." 

Without anything else being said, Justin, Brian, Jennifer, and Molly headed out to their respective cars. Craig watched them go from his window. Jennifer hugged Justin as did Molly. Craig watched his ex-wife say something to Brian and then laugh. He had never felt like such an outsider in his entire life. 



Justin sat in his studio at IFA working on a sketch of his easel of all things. Well, Justin thought, the instructor did say to draw something that someone else might dismiss as nothing special. 

He turned to reach for his colored pencils and saw his father standing in the doorway. Craig stared at his son as if he'd never seen him before. Justin set his work aside and walked over to where his father stood. 

"Hello, Dad." Justin said. Craig Taylor looked exceedingly uncomfortable. 

"Hello, Justin." He said softly. 

"What are you doing here?" 

"I thought I'd come see this for myself." Craig said trying to sound disinterested if not callous. "Is this yours?" He asked indicating the studio. 

"The upper class men get their own studio to use." Justin explained. "It's mine until graduation." 

"Are these yours, too?" Craig asked indicating several sketches and paintings on the surrounding walls.

"Yeah." Justin said looking around his studio. "These are the one's I haven't sold already." 

"So, you're successful then?" 

"Somewhat." Justin said. "I get good reviews every time I show my stuff, so, I guess I'm doing okay." 

Craig moved around the studio looking at Justin's work. He saw faces he knew like Jennifer, Molly and Daphne, but there were still more that he didn't. He came to a framed picture sitting on a table next to Justin's easel. The picture was of Justin sitting with Brian a young boy sharing Justin and Brain's lap. 

"Who's that little boy?" Craig asked. 

"Brian's son, Gus." Justin said with a big smile. "Lindsay and Melanie are raising him, but Brian and I get to take him every so often. He's great. He calls me 'My Justin'. We took that at the zoo this past August." 

"Oh." Craig said. "Brian has a child?" Justin nodded. 

"He's even started calling Mom, Grammy Jenn." Justin laughed. "She acts like hates it, but I think she really loves it." 

"Brian was right." Craig said sadly. 

"What?" 

"I honestly don't know you anymore." Craig said. "And, I do know I should get to know you again. I know you're worth it." 

"Dad, I'm not going to change or hide or pretend." Justin said. "If you want to be in my life, you have to at least try and tolerate my life." Craig frowned. "I'm not asking you to accept it completely. Not at first anyway. Just learn to tolerate it." 

Craig stood staring at the picture for several more minutes. He was at a loss for words. He had missed so much. 

"Five years seems like a lifetime." Craig said. "You're so different. And I don't mean because you're gay, I mean you're a different person from the boy who swore he'd never come home again outside that club the night I attacked Brian." Craig sniffed and turned toward Justin. "You managed to grow up without me. I have missed so much." Craig felt tears stinging his eyes. "Justin, I am so sorry for everything I've said, everything I've done. I'm sorry I forced you out of my life. I-I was wrong, Son." Justin stared at his father, speechless. "If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, then, yes, I would like to be in your life again. And, I don't care whom you love or how you live your life. I just miss you, Son." 

Justin stared at his father in disbelief for several moments before crossing to the older man and allowing his father to embrace him for the first time in over 5 years. 



Brian smiled from the doorway of Justin's studio. He didn't go in right away. He didn't want to interrupt. Instead he backed out of the room and stood against the wall waiting. When he heard Justin speak, Brian peeked into the door once again. Justin and his father were no longer hugging, but stood talking. Brian smiled, pulled back from the door once again, and counted to ten before entering the room as if he'd just gotten there. 

"Hi, Bri." Justin said smiling. 

"Hey Baby. You ready to go?" Brain asked. Justin nodded and turned to put his art supplies away. "Mr. Taylor." Craig nodded toward Brian. Brian smiled. "Would you like to join us for dinner? I just got reservations at this wonderful new place. My treat." 

Craig started to say no, but then looked at the smile on Justin's face. He shook his head. "That sounds good actually." Craig said and then cleared his throat. "And, um, call me Craig." Brian nodded as they all walked out together. 

The End.