Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest!
Chapter 59 – Afternoon’s Delight Saturday about Noon…(Day 48)
Brian, Justin, Paul, Jason, Gus, Nicky, Lindsay, Melanie, and Molly
By the time that Brian had finally parked the car in front of the house, the ever-present Thomas was there to greet them as they exited. Brian couldn’t help smiling as he greeted Thomas and introduced him to Gus’ mothers, Melanie and Lindsay. Once all the introductions were out of the way, they headed inside. Paul, once again, resumed his role as official tour guide. “Now as you enter the foyer, take another moment to pause before you actually enter the hallway,” Paul suggested with a smile. “Paul, I thought you were done,” Brian quipped. “I was done with the exterior…but I’m just getting started inside,” Paul answered innocently, smiling at Brian for good measure. Melanie and Lindsay burst out laughing. “You have to allow me to be the tour guide…you and Justin take the house for granted. I’m here so Melanie and Lindsay can properly experience the mansion and have their chance to gush at everything. Now will you leave me to my work?” he insisted with a smirk. Brian walked ahead of the group, just shaking his head. He did, however, have to smile as he heard the oohs and aahs from Lindsay and Melanie as they moved from the foyer to the hallway. While hanging their coats on the nearby rack in the hall, Brian heard approaching footsteps. Nicky and Gus ran ahead of Justin. Gus quickly greeted both his mommies with hugs and kisses. Nicky accepted hugs from his new ‘aunts’, but he was really glad to be picked up by Paul. Brian immediately, leaned down to give Justin a gentle kiss. “What are you doing out of your studio?” Brian quietly asked. “I got hungry,” Justin admitted, “Especially when the aroma of whatever Teres was preparing for lunch filtered under my studio door. I couldn’t work any longer.” Then Justin greeted Mel and Lindsay with hugs and kisses. “ I’m glad you’re finally here. Welcome to Bri-tin,” he added. “Bri-tin,” Melanie repeated the name and laughed. “Yes, well every good estate must have a name. Everybody knows that!” Lindsay teased with a smile. “Surely you remember Wuthering Heights.” “Gheez Lindsay, you could have picked a more cheerful example like Longbourne or Pemberley…did you not read Jane Austin along with your Emily Bronte?” Paul teased back. “When I read Pride and Prejudice, I guess I wasn’t into mansions,” Lindsay remarked. “No, but I’m sure you remember Mr. Darcy,” Melanie teased. “Who could forget Mr. Darcy,” Lindsay affirmed wistfully. “I’m sure in Wuthering Heights, you were probably enraptured by the brooding Heathcliff,” Melanie added with a laugh, “The perfect archetype for Brian. No surprise there,” she quipped. “I heard that!” Brian scowled. Lindsay turned to Justin to make apologies for her partner. “I’m sorry, Justin. You know how Melanie is whenever she and Brian are in the same room. She really doesn’t mean it. Now, I think it’s just force of habit,” she added with a deep sigh. “Sparring Partners?” Justin said with a laugh to Melanie. “Just like my painting,” Melanie agreed with a corresponding laugh. Then she took a step towards Brian and smiled at him strangely. “I’ve missed you, Brian,” she said, trying to slide an arm around his shoulders. “Oh, that’s just great!” Brian responded, moving far away from Melanie and hiding behind Justin for protection. Paul decided the moment had come for him to take charge again. “Now I recommend that we have lunch before we start to explore the mansion,” Paul suggested, once again returning to his role as tour-guide. “Because the mansion is so immense, you’ll definitely require sustenance before the long sojourn,” he continued, “I don’t want you dying of starvation in the middle of my tour,” he continued to tease. “So if you will follow me, I’ll show you where you can freshen up,” Paul finally said, leading Melanie and Lindsay away. “Paul?” Brian called after him to no avail. “What was that all about?” Justin pointedly asked Brian. “Paul has decided that he wants Melanie and Lindsay to have a chance to ‘gush’ over the house…so he’s appointed himself as official tour guide. I think he’s lost it. He’s over the top. In fact, he’s as over the top about this as you were about Nicky’s party,” Brian said with a laugh. “Brian!” Justin said, in protest, hitting Brian in the chest for that remark. Brian realized that he probably deserved the hit…even if what he said was true. Brian and Justin started to move in the direction of the dining room. “How did things go with Michael?” Justin quietly asked, now that he and Brian were alone. “Let’s just say, at the moment, he’s not too happy with me,” Brian pointed out. “I’m sorry. You just have to give him some time. You know how he is.” Justin said reassuringly. “Sometimes Michael doesn’t take change very well, but I’m sure he’ll come around in time. Are you going to be ok?” he finally asked gently. “I’m going to be fine,” Brian responded confidently. “I really don’t care what any of them think,” he added. Justin heard what Brian just said, but secretly he hoped that Michael would come around soon. For he knew that best friends are hard to come by, and Justin couldn’t help thinking of Daphne, and how much he missed her. *** When everyone arrived in the dining room, Jason and Molly greeted them. “Wait until you see what Teres has prepared for lunch,” Jason teased everyone. “Of course, Molly and I helped, didn’t we Molly?” he continued. Molly just smiled. “Well, I must admit, I’m impressed.” Brian teased. “Ok Teres, what smells so good?” “I made soup to go with the sandwiches. Gus and Nicky taste-tested the potato leek soup, and they said it was ok. But I also made a simple vegetable soup, just in case,” Teres explained with a smile. Everyone began to prepare their bowls and plates and seated themselves at the dining room table. By the time that Lindsay was about to prepare a plate for Gus, she found that Gus and Nicky had already settled down on either side of Justin. Although Gus and Nicky had their own personal bowls of soup, both of them were already eyeing whatever Justin had planned on his plate. Without even thinking, Justin allowed Gus and Nicky to enjoy morsels from his sandwich. This was a rather contented threesome, and Lindsay took notice with a smile. Brian looked at Justin with Gus and Nicky and thought to himself, ‘Gus and Nicky really don’t have a clue to whom Justin belongs,’ and then he just laughed to himself. Paul looked at the contented trio of Gus and Nicky and Justin, and he couldn’t help wondering how long it would be before Brian and Justin were full-time parents to children of their own…in spite of Brian’s professed position on the matter. Paul could see that Justin was a natural with kids. Molly easily claimed a seat next to Brian at the table, and she smiled at him. Brian had seen Justin smile a similar smile before, so he couldn’t help wondering what this Taylor sibling was up to. “Thanks for saving me with Mom earlier,” Molly said quietly. “No problem,” Brian said with a smile. “Did you and Gus and Nicky have fun while I was gone?” “We spent some time outside. We saw the stables, and then went to the pool house. I didn’t see those places when Mom and I came for dinner…I guess because it was so dark. What else do you have hidden away here on the estate?” Molly asked, before casually taking a bite of her sandwich. “Believe it or not I really have no idea what’s on the property,” Brian had to admit with a smile, “Justin is the only one who knows all that,” he added, looking over at his partner with the kids. “He’s looked at all the plans to the estate.” “But you bought it,” Molly reminded him, trying to understand why Brian was so uninformed. “How come you don’t know?” “I bought it as a present for Justin, but that was a year ago,” Brian said with a smile, thinking back to why he’d bought the mansion in the first place and all that had happened here since. Molly got a little quieter than usual. “Mom told me about you and Justin,” she added quietly. “She did? How do you feel about that?” Brian quietly asked. “I think it’s great that you and Justin are together. You seem happy,” Molly said nonchalantly. “We are!” Brian responded with a grin. “That’s good. I like having you around. You’re a lot less trouble than Justin,” Molly said with a smile, leaning over to touch shoulders with Brian. “Why thank you, Molly,” Brian said with a smile, totally agreeing with her last remark. Everyone casually enjoyed lunch. At the end, Paul located the bottles of champagne and sparkling cider in the refrigerator, so that once again everyone could toast to Brian and Justin’s happiness. And this time, Melanie and Lindsay got a chance to participate in the toasts and the celebration. *** The group eventually moved to the living room. Brian and Justin settled in one of the oversized chairs and Nicky joined them. Paul and Jason settled into the other one with Gus. Mel and Linds made themselves comfortable on the couch, and Molly made herself comfortable on a cushion on the floor between the two oversized chairs. Both Gus and Nicky reached their hands out to play with Molly from their secure perches. Conversation flowed easily among the friends as they tried to catch up with each other’s lives. Everyone made an effort to include Molly in the conversation. Gus and Nicky periodically made their presence known. As they chatted, Melanie and Lindsay’s eyes kept drifting to the painting over the fireplace. “That’s a wonderful painting,” Melanie finally said, being unable to contain her curiosity any longer. “That’s MY painting,” Gus said, beaming with pride. He wanted to make sure this fact was known to everyone present. “Is that your new painting?” Lindsay innocently asked, already knowing the answer. Lindsay and Melanie moved to stand closer to the painting. “Yes,” Gus answered, with excitement evident in his voice. “Jus gave it to me.” “He did?” Lindsay teased. “Is this the painting you were trying to tell me about on the phone, this morning?” Gus proceeded to recap in detail all the important elements of his painting. He wanted to make sure that his mommies didn’t miss any details. Everyone in the room tried to hide their smiles as they listened to Gus. Finally, he was finished with all descriptions of the painting. “And Dad and Jus said I could put it wherever I wanted, but I like it here,” he added for good measure. “Justin, it’s just beautiful,” Melanie said over her shoulder to Justin, “It’s an especially good likeness of Gus, of course I don’t know why you want to spoil the painting by adding that other person on horseback.” “Actually, I wanted Gus to have a picture of him and Brian on horseback,” Justin explained with a slight laugh. “And the camera didn’t work?” Lindsay teased. “This was too important an event to simply capture on film,” Justin said seriously. “Now, you will stop acting like it’s out of the question that I would be on horseback?” Brian tried to protest. “I know Justin has a vivid imagination.” Melanie continued with a laugh. “I’m sure that as an artist, he took certain liberties.” “He did not!” Brian immediately challenged, causing everyone to laugh. Brian figured he had suffered enough abuse at the hands of his sparring partner; it was now time for him to strike back. “I don’t know, Melanie, with your present attitude, I’m not sure if I’ll even let you see my most recent present from Justin,” Brian couldn’t resist saying in a halting manner. He immediately knew that Melanie’s curiosity would be piqued. As Brian watched Melanie’s expression changed, he began to savor the moment. “Be nicer to him, Mel, it’s worth it just to see it,” Paul strongly suggested, “Trust me on this one.” “You think so, Paul?” Melanie asked, to confirm what she’d heard. “Oh yeah!” Jason had to also agree. “Ok, Brian, I’m sorry for all the mean things I’ve just said to you about your riding,” Melanie said apologetically. She was definitely trying to be sincere, but she was having a hard time. “That’s a start,” Brian said, while still pondering the situation. “You know she’s sincere,” Justin added, giving Brian a gentle kiss. “Thank you, Justin,” Melanie added, glad that at least Justin was still on her side. “Okay, come with me,” Brian reluctantly agreed. He sighed to let Melanie know this was a chore for him. Brian walked Melanie in the direction of his study…just the two of them…with Brian gently nudging Melanie ahead of him for good measure. Lindsay couldn’t resist shaking her head at the antics of the two of them. ***
Brian and Melanie
Once they reached the study, Melanie looked at the two paintings, and then looked over at Brian beaming back with pride. Melanie first looked more closely at the painting, ‘Talisman of Time’. “You know I’ve seen pictures of this painting in Lindsay’s clippings from the exhibit. But those pictures didn’t really do justice to the beauty of seeing the actual painting. Even without people in it, Justin’s painting is so emotional,” she said softly. Brian thought back to his initial reactions. “I know exactly what you mean…I had the same reaction when I first saw the painting,” he said thoughtfully. Melanie then took a closer look at the second painting, ‘Brian Among the Rumpled Sheets’. Melanie began feeling like a voyeur, for in addition to the simple beauty of the painting, she could feel the love that Justin had for Brian was laid bare on the canvas for all to see. And she knew it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Melanie also wondered if she and Lindsay had ever loved each other like that. Before she had a chance to ponder more deeply her own question, Melanie’s thoughts were interrupted by a serious tone from Brian. “Look, since we’re alone I need to talk to you about something,” Brian began. “I need to claim attorney-client privilege, and I don’t want you mention this to Lindsay either,” he insisted. Melanie knew this must be serious. “Sure, what’s on your mind?” Melanie asked, settling onto the comfortable couch and shifting into professional mode. “Do you remember when Kip Thomas filed a sexual harassment suit against me years ago?” Brian began, making himself comfortable in one of the other chairs. “Of course, how could I forget?” Melanie began to gloat. “It’s the thing that will keep you eternally indebted to me for the rest of your natural life in gratitude…a girl doesn’t forget leverage like that,” she teased with smug satisfaction. “You DO remember that the suit was dropped?” Brian went on to remind her, as a way of countering her mock smugness. “Yeah, I remember,” Melanie softened her tone. “We were sitting in the room waiting for the hearing, when your boss came in and told us the suit had been dropped. There was no explanation. That was it,” Melanie recalled. “What’s your point?” “We never knew why Kip dropped his suit, did we?” Brian solemnly pointed out. “No, we didn’t. But why are you bringing this up now?” Melanie had to ask. “After all, the case happened years ago.” “Because now I know why the suit was dropped,” Brian said calmly. “I just found out.” “How?” Melanie asked with renewed curiosity. “Justin told me.” “Justin was just a kid at the time. How would he know? How would he have even known Kip Thomas? What could he possibly tell you?” “Melanie, let’s face it, Justin is a genius…a ruthless genius when he gets into his overprotective mode. I can’t tell you how many times he’s saved me. He’s so clever because he does it quietly, without fanfare, and he never says a word. It almost makes him deadly.” “What are you saying?” “Now I want you to understand that Justin only told me about this yesterday,” Brian said softly. “What did he tell you?” Melanie asked, her curiosity reaching its peak. “He told me why Kip Thomas dropped the suit.” “Why would he tell you this now…after all this time?” “Because Justin happened to run into Kip Thomas in New York City while we were there. Kip just so happens to live and work in the city. I guess our paths were bound to cross his eventually.” “What are you going to do?” “I think between Spyder and me, we can manage to keep Justin safe. Keeping him contained is another matter entirely…Justin is so fearless…it scares me sometimes,” Brian confessed. Then he took another deep breath and continued, “I just want you to tell me if Kip has any LEGAL recourse, after all this time, against me…or against Justin.” “No. We made sure he signed a release after the suit was cancelled that precluded him from changing his mind and re-filing the suit. That’s standard procedure.” “That’s all I needed to know. Thank you.” “Ok asshole, are you going to tell me what Justin told you?” “I hadn’t planned to.” “I’m your attorney, I need to know these things.” “Ok, Justin was responsible for the Kip Thomas lawsuit being dismissed. Just like he was responsible for getting the charges against me by my nephew dropped.” “Carl and Debbie told me how Justin handled your nephew, but how did he get the Kip Thomas suit dropped.” “Ok…here it goes...Justin seduced Kip Thomas. Then in the middle of a blowjob, Justin told Kip that he had to be home soon because of a curfew…because he was under aged and living with his parents. Justin went on to tell Kip about the last man that his father had caught him with…that his dad had beaten up that man…and that man would be in jail for the next ten years. Kip, being in a heightened state of arousal, wasn’t thinking very clearly. He couldn’t remember that 17 was the age of consent. Instead, he begged Justin not to tell his father about them being together. Justin agreed that he wouldn’t tell anyone…if Kip would drop the suit against me. And the rest is history.” “Holy shit, and you didn’t know?” “I heard a whole bunch of rumors. I’m the Stud of Liberty Avenue, after all. No one could put it all together. And then Kip simply issued a formal apology and left town. But now he’s in New York.” “How did he manage that?” “I don’t know. He works for Kennedy & Collins, a major New York ad agency and a competitor, especially now that Kinnetik is opening a New York office.” “Justin’s something else, isn’t he?” Melanie couldn’t resist saying with a sigh and renewed respect for one of her favorite people. “So it seems,” Brian said, shaking his head. “So you’re finally going to open the New York office,” Melanie asked with a smile. “Did you think I wasn’t paying attention?” Brian ignored her last comment. “Yes, I already have a few clients lined up,” Brian confirmed. “I guess I can tell you that much, since our attorney-client privilege is still in effect,” he added with a laugh. Brian knew that the last tidbit of knowledge about opening the New York office was going to annoy her no end. After all, she couldn’t share that information with anyone. Melanie realized what Brian had done to her, and that he was enjoying every minute of her turmoil. “You asshole,” she said. Then she started to laugh. “You know that you’re very lucky to have Justin.” “I do know that.” “You also have your hands full,” Melanie added with a knowing laugh. “You just signed up for lifetime of Justin’s antics.” “Don’t remind me! Of course, my current problem is to pry our son away from him.” “Not much chance of that happening. Get over it, Brian!” “One more thing, Brian, all kidding aside,” she added with her tone becoming more serious, “Gus is thriving from spending time with you and Justin.” “I’m glad to hear that. You know how I feel about Gus.” “You’ve been traveling a lot, so I know things for you are about to get crazy…especially as you prepare for the New York office. Just don’t forget about Gus in the chaos.” “I have no intention of doing anything like that. In fact, I was going to ask you and Lindsay if maybe Gus could go on vacation with Justin and me this summer.” “You’re going to take a vacation. That’s a first.” Brian scowled at her. She paid no attention to him. “Justin is applying for an exhibit. We’re not sure whether he’ll be accepted or not. If he’s accepted…we want to be there for the opening; if he’s not accepted…we want to see the exhibit anyway.” “I’m sure we can arrange that. I’ll talk to Lindsay.” “Thanks. I guess we should go back and find everyone before they start looking for a trail of YOUR blood to follow,” Brian said with a smirk. ***
Justin and Lindsay
Meanwhile back in the living room… “I know it’s pretty personal space, but can I get you to show me your studio?” Lindsay sheepishly asked shortly after Brian and Melanie had left. “Sure. My studio is a bit of a mess. Gus and Nicky were in there with me all morning,” Justin quickly replied. “I heard that they were painting with you. Did YOU get any painting done?” “A little. I never intended to get too much done. Gus and I paint together all the time. Or rather I paint, and he curls up in his corner and reads or plays. He likes to talk to me while I paint. For some reason, Gus doesn’t think I should paint alone. It must be a carryover from when he was a baby, and I was still at PIFA. Remember, I used work on projects while I watched him. Nicky is a little rambunctious…this is all so new to him. But they both hung out with me all morning, and they only left when Molly came to coax them outside to play.” Lindsay couldn’t stop laughing as she thought about the image of Justin trying to paint with Nicky and Gus close-at-hand. She knew that she couldn’t do it. Part of the reason that she hadn’t painted in years was that she couldn’t paint at the same time that she watched the kids. Justin obviously didn’t have this problem. Justin slowly opened the door to his studio. Lindsay looked at the artwork all over the studio wall. She noticed that the artist had signed each work of art. She could just image the extreme delight Gus and Nicky must have experienced as they placed each piece of finished artwork on the wall of Justin’s studio. Lindsay sat down on the futon and took it all in. She tried to imagine herself working in such a space. She quickly shook away that thought. For though she could imagine herself in the space…she was well aware that she could never produce the caliber of art that Justin had created in the simple painting over the fireplace. “Have you done any other paintings lately?” Lindsay asked. “If you’ll follow me, and I’ll show you my latest pieces,” Justin responded with a smile, as he led Lindsay down to Brian’s study. Brian and Melanie were leaving as they entered. “You’re going to see something special,” Melanie whispered with a smile as she passed by Lindsay. “Really?” she said with renewed anticipation. Justin showed her the painting of ‘Brian Among the Rumpled Sheets’. The painting took Lindsay’s breath away. But even more, Lindsay was overwhelmed by the beauty and simplicity of the painting before her that was still so powerful. “Beautiful,” was all she could say, as the manifestation on canvas of how much Justin loved Brian was arrayed before her. And she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she could never produce a masterpiece like this one. She sat down and remembered that Justin was just at the beginning of his career as an artist. It was all very humbling for her. And once again the tears begin to unknowingly flow down her cheeks. After a few minutes, Justin said quietly, “I guess we should go back and join the others.”