Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!
Author’s comments: If you don’t remember the drawing that Justin made of Brian among the rumpled sheets, see Chapter 38 of “Talisman Of Time” to refresh your memory. Chapter 52 – Reunion at Bri-tin Meanwhile at Bri-tin…(Day 47) Brian drove into the driveway at Bri-tin. Brian turned toward the back seat, and much to his surprise, both Gus and Nicky were still awake. Brian helped them both out of the car. Within minutes, Thomas came out of the house to meet him. “Hi Thomas,” Brian said Further greetings were exchanged as Thomas received a hug from Gus and then Nicky. “Thomas, I see that you’ve already met Nicky,” Brian said with a laugh. “Nicky, say hello to Thomas.” “Hello,” Nicky finally said, as he took a step back. “Hello Nicky,” Thomas said, shaking Nicky’s hand. Then Thomas turned his attention to Brian. “Teres has prepared dinner for you. I think your guests are in their room upstairs. And I think that Justin’s in his studio. Everyone has been relaxing and waiting for you and the little ones to get here.” “Thanks,” Brian said, as he reached out to hold Gus and Nicky’s hands as they entered the house. “Your house is really big, Uncle Brian,” Nicky casually mention, causing Brian to smile. Nicky couldn’t resist constantly looking up. They headed to the foyer, where Gus and Nicky immediately started calling for Justin. In fact, Gus and Nicky made enough noise that it echoed off the walls. It became a clarion call, so Paul and Jason instantly knew that Brian had finally arrived. They smiled at each other and started to get ready to leave their room. Gus and Nicky decided that following Brian was the best strategy to find Justin, so they tagged along as Brian headed for Justin’s studio. Gus and Nicky waited patiently while Brian gently knocked on the door. Justin opened the door and quickly stepped into the hallway, Gus and Nicky made a beeline for Justin. “Jus” “Jus” two little voices said in unison. “Take it easy you two,” Brian cautioned…a caution that fell on deaf ears…as Nicky and Gus wrapped themselves around Justin. Justin greeted both Gus and Nicky, kissing them gently on their foreheads. “Hey,” Brian said quietly, leaning down to give Justin a kiss. “Don’t tell me you found time to paint already. I’m so glad that you’re cooperating with my plan,” he teased. “I hate to disappoint you, but my shipment of paintings arrived today. Thomas helped me to get everything unpacked. I was just putting things away,” Justin explained, shaking his head. “Paul and Jason are upstairs.” “So I heard. I’m going to go upstairs and change,” Brian said. “I’ll come with you,” Justin added. “I have to show Nicky and Gus to their new room for the weekend.” “What happened to my room?” Gus asked with some concern. “It’s still there,” Justin teased. “Come with me…you’ll see.” Brian picked up Gus and Justin picked up Nicky in attempt to save time while taking the stairs. Paul and Jason greeted the foursome as they arrive in the upstairs’ hallway. “Hi Brian,” Paul began, “It’s a good thing that you’re here now. I’ve needed you.” “What happened?” Brian asked. “Justin and Jason have been talking art. Please don’t leave me, I need real conversation.” Paul mockingly complained. “I’m sure you’ll be ok now that I’m here,” Brian teased. Brian lowered Gus to the floor. “Ok Gus, go check your room and be sure it’s still there,” Gus immediately made a beeline to his room, and turned on the lights. “Still there, Dad,” he said with a smile. “Imagine that?” Brian quipped. “Would you like to give Nicky and his dads a tour of your room?” Justin suggested. Gus beamed with pride as he nodded yes. Paul and Jason loved the room. Nicky wasn’t that interested in the room; however, his eyes fell immediately on the oversized Teddy Bear on the futon. Brian watched Nicky and smiled. “The bear was gift from Justin,” Brian explained. Paul and Jason complimented Gus on his bedroom. “Gus, I didn’t want to rearrange your bedroom, but I knew that you and Nicky wanted to be together, so I set up a room for the two of you over here,” Justin said as he started to walk toward a lit room across the hall. “What do you think?” he asked hesitantly. Gus and Nicky ran into the room. Each chose a different bed and then pounced on their bed to test it out. “Gus, you and Nicky can use both of these two rooms. I wanted to be sure that you had enough room to play,” Justin added. “I’m sure the steps are going to be a bit tricky for Nicky, but this way you two can still have room to play up here, if you want.” Gus walked over and wrapped his arms around Justin. “Thanks Jus,” he said, giving Justin a big hug. “Well, why don’t you two get washed up for dinner? I’m going to go change,” Brian announced as he headed toward the master bedroom. “Gus you already had sweatpants and sweatshirt here, so I laid out a set for you to change into,” Justin suggested. “Maybe Jason can find a similar outfit of clothes for Nicky. If not, we have an extra set of Gus’ that he can borrow, right Gus?” Gus quickly nodded yes. “No, I have them right here,” Jason said, reaching in the drawer for the necessary outfit and placing it on the foot of Nicky’s bed. “Paul and I unpacked Nicky’s things while we were waiting.” Justin and Paul moved out to the hallway. “Why don’t we meet you down in the living room?” Paul suggested as he now joined him. Paul peeped back into the room to ask, “Nicky, do you need any help?” “No,” Nicky answered, “Gus is helping me.” Paul and Jason looked at each other and shook their heads, trying to dispel the forming images of Nicky and Gus together in an elaborate room, helping each other get dressed. “It’ll be fine,” Justin said with a laugh. “Brian and I will check on them as soon as we get changed.” Justin quickly moved to the master bedroom, and once he entered, Brian pulled Justin down on the bed with him. “This feels good,” he said, reaching over to pull Justin even closer. “Now…now. We don’t have time for that,” Justin teased. “We have guests, and I’m sure dinner must be ready. Teres has been working so hard, it wouldn’t be fair.” Brian groaned, but knew Justin was right. He slowly got up and finished changing into his own sweatpants and sweatshirt with his usual bare feet. “That’s better,” he said, as he looked over and noticed that Justin had now changed into similar outfit. “Let’s go check on the kids.” Brian and Justin went to the guest room and helped Nicky and Gus finish dressing. Gus insisted that he and Nicky remove their shoes, so that they could have bare feet too…like Brian’s. Justin just shook his head. They all headed back downstairs. *** “At last,” Teres said with a smile. “Dinner is ready. Do you want me to stay?” she asked. “No Teres, I think we can handle it from here. But don’t be surprised if you find a mess when you come back,” Justin teased. “I’m not worried,” she said with a laugh. “Somehow I think I’ll manage.” “Did you make enough for you and Thomas?” Justin asked. “After all this hard work, I hate to think that you have to go home and cook.” Brian suddenly appeared behind Justin and wrapped his arms around his partner. “Our dinner is upstairs, Justin. Not to worry. Oh Brian, I made a little dish for you…no carbs,” Teres said with a smile. “And a special dish for the kids. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble telling which is which,” she said with a smile. “Thanks, Teres,” Brian said with a grin. Everyone settled down to enjoy dinner. Brian found his dish of turkey and veggies, while Gus and Nicky had a special macaroni and cheese surprise with veggies and hamburger. Paul, Jason, and Justin had a turkey, rice, and veggies dish. Everyone shared the green salad. “I must remember to thank Teres for all her hard work,” Brian commented, completely thrilled with his dinner, especially since with the all the excitement of the day’s events, he found that he was now hungry. “She did remember to fix something perfect for each of us,” Justin added. “It is good to have another home cooked meal. We have been eating a lot of take out lately…especially while we were in New York.” “Dinner is delicious!” Jason added, “Maybe I can take Teres back to Cincinnati with us. She must need a change of scenery, after all this time,” he teased. “Will you leave Teres alone?” Justin insisted with a laugh. “I don’t know what we would do without her.” The group chatted easily during dinner. “There’s champagne in the refrigerator and sparkling cider for Gus and Nicky for later,” Justin added. “I think I would like to celebrate…just a little with good friends.” “I’m sure that Justin told you our news,” Brian said with a big smile. “And it’s the best news!” Paul added. “We couldn’t be happier,” Jason agreed. *** After dinner, everyone returned to the living room to relax by the fireplace. Paul and Jason retrieved the professional photos of Nicky’s party, and they all gathered around to look at the pictures. Nicky and Gus reminded everyone of everything that had happened that entire day. Brian and Justin loved the pictures. A little while later, as everyone was relaxing, Justin announced, “Gus, I have a surprise for you. Wait here.” Gus waited patiently in the living room, while Justin went to his studio and returned carrying a painting. “Gus, I thought you might like to have this for your room,” Justin said, standing the painting up against a chair. Gus jumped and down with excitement. There was a picture of Brian sitting on a Palomino horse with Gus riding a spotted pony. In the picture they were riding toward each other. Brian picked up Gus and moved closer, so that father and son could look at their images together. Looking at the painting, Brian felt as if he could see the muscles of the horses ripple, as they were captured on canvas mid-stride. He then moved his attention to the riders. Both riders held a tight rein on their horses, as if guiding the horses to a stop. And the riders each had smiles on their faces as they greeted each other. Gus moved now to simply stand by his dad to get an even closer look at his painting. Except for a big smile, Gus didn’t say a word. Father and son couldn’t resist gently touching the painting. Both Brian and Gus were now smiling. But no one said anything. “Will someone say something?” Justin demanded. Now that Brian and Gus had their closer look at the painting, Paul and Jason brought Nicky over for a closer look, too. “Jus, it’s beautiful,” Jason said. “Well Brian, with this picture, you’ll be able to silence all those nay sayers, who doubt that you can ride,” Paul teased. “Justin, I love the way you captured Gus and Brian. It’s a beautiful painting.” Then Brian lifted the painting and placed it on the mantel over the fireplace. Brian took one more look at the painting, and then he reached out and pulled Justin into a hug. “It’s exquisite, Sunshine,” Brian remarked. “I think it’s some of your best work.” “I love it,” Gus finally said, as he ran to Justin and hugged him. “For me!” “I don’t know Gus, I know Justin did the painting for your room, but I think it looks really good over the fireplace,” Brian began. “What do you think? Maybe we should leave it here for a while?” Gus looked at the painting, but didn’t say anything for a while. Then he broke out into his big smile and simply climbed into Brian’s arms. Gus beamed and nodded yes. “But you understand, Gus, the painting belongs to you,” Justin pointed out with a laugh. “You get to decide where it’s to be hung in the house. Ok?” Gus just continued to smile. “Sure Jus, but I like it here.” Brian lifted Nicky up so that he could get a better look at the painting from this view. Nicky’s eyes were still wide with amazement. This was the first time Nicky had seen one of Justin’s paintings, so this was a totally new and wonderful experience for him. Once everyone had admired the painting and settled back into comfortable chatter, Paul suggested, “I guess we should do our toast, before the little ones get too sleepy to join us.” “What’s a toast?” Gus asked. “We want to celebrate,” Brian said with a laugh. “We have something special to celebrate.” “We do?” Gus asked. “What?” Brian picked up Gus and carried him over to one of the oversized chairs. “Justin and I have something to tell you,” Brian began. Justin moved over to the oversized ottoman to join them, while Paul and Jason nestled Nicky in their arms to listen from the other chair. “You do?” Gus asked. “Yes,” Brian said, then pausing to try to find just the right words. “What is it?” Gus asked with impatience, trying to figure out why his father was stalling. Gus thought about it for a minute. Then he remembered the last time that Brian acted like this. Gus immediately felt better, for the last time Brian had told him the secret of how much he loved Justin. Brian had also said that Gus didn’t have to worry because he would also take care of Justin. “Dad?” Gus said, gently reaching up to stroke Brian’s cheek. Brian wrapped one arm around Gus and reached out to Justin with the other. “Gus, this morning Justin and I signed papers, so that now we legally belong to each other. And we’ll belong to each other forever and ever,” Brian said, and then he held his breath waiting for Gus’ reaction. “But Justin has always belonged to US,” Gus explained, trying to figure out why his dad was so confused about the basic facts. Brian made note of the use of the “us” and smiled. “Of course, he’s always belonged to us, but now it’s all legal.” Gus moved from Brian’s lap to Justin’s lap and wrapped his arms around Justin’s neck. “I love you Jus,” Gus quietly said. “I love you too.” Justin responded quietly, kissing Gus. “Now you’ll always be mine,” Gus said. Justin smiled a knowing smile, and Brian tried to contain his laughter. Paul and Jason couldn’t help laughing. “You know Gus, you and I must have a long talk someday about to whom Justin belongs. Now is not the time because obviously you don’t plan to understand things. But when you’re older, we must talk about this,” Brian rattled on, with no one paying any attention to him. Brian opened the champagne and poured the glasses for everyone, while Justin poured glasses of sparkling cider for Gus and Nicky. Paul made a toast to Brian and Justin, wishing them much happiness, and everyone clinked glasses and sipped their drink. Afterwards, Brian made a toast to Paul and Jason and good friends. “I like toasts,” Gus said with a smile, and Nicky heartily agreed by nodding yes. When the toasts were over, they all had ice cream for dessert by the fire. Brian and Justin continued talking easily for a short while with Paul and Jason. Brian and Justin talked about their week in New York, while Paul and Jason brought them up-to-date on everything that happened in Cincinnati during the week. Nicky and Gus made themselves comfortable on Paul and Jason’s lap, for they didn’t want to miss any thing. From time-to-time, the adults made sure to include the kids in their conversation. Eventually, Nicky and Gus started to get really quiet, and everyone realized that it was definitely their bedtime. So Paul and Jason volunteered to get them ready for bed, giving Brian and Justin a few moments alone. Brian and Justin promised they would come in shortly to tuck in Gus and Nicky and to kiss them goodnight. Gus and Nicky happily went with Paul and Jason. Justin gently slid his arm around Brian’s waist. “Come with me,” he said softly. “Where are we going?” Brian asked, allowing himself to follow Justin’s lead. “What are we doing here?” he asked with some confusion when they came to a stop. “I have a present for you, but it’s in here,” Justin said, with a smile as they reached his studio door. “Oh no…no Sunshine, not a painting. You promised. I thought we agreed that if you had something you wanted me to do, that you would just tell me. You promised…no more messages contained in paintings and letters,” Brian teased in mock protest…for he really didn’t mean this. “It’s not that kind of painting. Will you stop being a drama queen? There is no message here. This is simply a gift,” Justin explained, shaking his head at his partner’s antics. “Oh well, that’s different,” Brian remarked with a smile and an immediate change in attitude, “You know how much I love presents...especially since you’re the only one who gives them to me,” he quipped. Justin opened the door to his studio, and there on the easel was the painting of Brian sleeping among the rumpled sheets. The painting was done in varying shades of blue. This was the painting of the recent drawing that Justin had made for him several weeks ago here at Bri-tin. In fact, Brian had found this drawing of himself, resting beside him in bed when he woke up one morning. As much as Brian had loved that drawing, he loved his painting even more. Brian looked at the painting, and it took his breath away. “Magnificent!” was all he could say, as he clutched his hands to his chest. “You know how much I loved the sketch. But, this painting is so much more beautiful even than your sketch,” Brian pointed out, wrapping his arms around Justin. “When exactly did you find time to paint this?” “You know a little time here…a little time there. Do you like it?” Justin asked. “I love it. You know there’s nothing I like better than images of me painted by you,” Brian teased. “I don’t know if you remember, I guess it was back when you and I first met each other,” Justin began to explain. “You mean back during your stalker phase,” Brian interrupted him with a laugh. “Yes, way back then,” Justin said with a laugh. “I did another sketch of you while you were sleeping. I remember that I tried to talk Lindsay out of showing it to you, and you couldn’t figure out when I had done the particular drawing either. Anyway, Lindsay exhibited my sketch in the charity art exhibit for the GLC art show.” “I remember, Mikey thought that you had taken certain liberties in your drawing of me, but I tried to reassure him that you were an artist, and as such, you would only capture accurately what you saw,” Brian teased. “I’m a much better artist now…” Justin admitted. “You weren’t a bad artist then, Sunshine. After all, you managed to get accepted at PIFA,” Brian reminded him. “But then I got bashed, and my art has never been quite the same after that.” “Sunshine, make no mistake. You’re a wonderful artist,” Brian insisted. Justin continued, “I don’t know who bought the original drawing that I did way back then, but I wanted you to have this painting,” Justin explained with a smile. “Now all you have to do is figure out where you want to put it.” “I have to take some time to think about where to hang it,” Brian said, wrapping his arms gently around Justin from behind. “So many places, so little time.” “Take your time,” Justin said with a smile. “So that’s how you see me, is it?” Brian asked, tightening his arms around Justin. “That’s how I see you.” Justin said with a smile. “God I’m beautiful. As long as you see me this way,” Brian said, “That’s all that really matters.” “Well, that’s not all that matters, but I appreciate the sentiment,” Justin said with a smile. “What else could there be?” Brian asked, wrapping Justin in his arms again. “Except maybe the fact that I love you.” “I love you too.” Justin whispered. “You know I was thinking…” Brian began and then paused. Justin patiently waited to hear what was next. “In view of our new status, I think tonight would be the perfect time to fuck you into the mattress. We do need to consummate our legal arrangement.” “What?” “Of course, I think we should start with a turn in the hot tub first.” “I haven’t done anything to warrant a trip to the hot tub,” Justin said in his own defense. “So we’ll use the hot tub upstairs,” Brian suggested. “Just because…” “I like the way you think,” Justin teased. “But Paul and Jason have probably gotten the kids ready for bed. We should probably go and tuck them in first.” “And Paul and Jason probably want to talk for a bit more…so there’s no rush,” Brian pointed out. “I just don’t want you to lose sight of our plans for the night,” he said, leaning down and kissing Justin again. “I think I can remember…” Justin suggested. “Sunshine, thank you for my painting. It’s perfect!” Brian admitted. Brian and Justin wrapped their arms around each other’s waist, as Justin turned out the lights in his studio, and he and Brian headed upstairs to tuck in Gus and Nicky.