Note: I wasn't going to post this until Friday but I thought why not, so here is next chapter. :) 

Banner: Helen
Beta: Helen
Proof: G.M. 

    Jason woke up in his hotel room lying in the fluff of the bed; he of course, hadn’t felt sick since he stopped taking the pills. He knew that he would be in a little more pain but he didn’t look like death anymore nor would he want to. He needed to be strong for this fight; for some reason it wasn’t going the way he thought it would. He didn’t know that Justin was still in their lives, hell how close he was to Brian’s friends. He knew Brian had a son and was like another father to Gus. He had overheard Lindsay talking to someone, mentioning how Gus started asking if Justin was his other father.  I didn’t know what to think or how to process that information, I believe I completely underestimated the whole situation. I thought it would be easy; come here, tell Brian I love him and bam, we’re together again. I never anticipated this. It just means I have to speed things up a little.  I wonder how Richard is doing. 

Jason picks up his cell phone to call Richard. 

Richard was Jason’s partner in the firm, not to mention the occasionally partner in bed. Yes, when Jason first moved to Chicago, all those years ago, he was nervous but he knew what he wanted and he knew that he and Brian were just something in the wind. Richard’s father was the senior partner and about five years later, his son Richard was moving back and joining the firm. At first Jason wasn’t sure how he felt, and then he saw Richard. He was amazing, his height, dark hair and these Amazon, deep brown eyes. He was breathtaking! Of course, he didn’t want to start anything but Richard was restless. Before he knew it, a year later, they were slowly entering a new phase from friendship to lovers; he never meant for it to happen. Ten years had passed and Richard’s father had retried, made Richard partner, not to mention Jason himself.  He never meant for a night of celebration to turn into so much more three years ago.  It had been fifteen years since he left Brian, he was alone but successful. He had tricks over the years and short relationships but nothing serious, yet Richard was just that; he couldn’t believe it when they finally slept together.  It was like coming home and everything was fine until six months ago. When he was told he was dying, he told Richard he couldn’t see him anymore, quit his job, which he really didn’t have to since he was already semi-retried, and left for Pittsburgh. He needed to have something and he knew Brian was what he needed! He never expected this when he came here; he never expected that Justin was still in his life and the way he was. When he found out about Justin and a little about Brian’s life he knew he had to stop it. He didn’t know what he was going to do or why, but he knew he had to do something so that it would bring him back where he belonged, in Jason’s arms. 

Richard: “Hello Jason,”
Jason: “Hello, Richard, how are you?” 
Richard: “I’m good, how are you feeling?” 
Jason: “Like shit but I’ll be okay.”
Richard: “Come home, please…”
Jason: “I can’t.” 
Richard: “Why not? I understand you wanted to see Brian before the surgery next month but please tell me why baby?” 

As for the rest of the family, they were all relaxing. Deb insisted on cleaning up the kitchen, and also having Mel and Lindsay into it as well, while the boys were in the living room, watching “Shrek the Third”.  It’s what the kids wanted and of course Justin too, thought how much the graphics would have changed since 2001. In reality, he just wanted to see it, but he didn’t squeal with excitement like Michael did.  Even though they were surrounded by their family, both Brian and Justin were lost in their thoughts, thinking that when this movie would be over, it would be close to nine before the family left and that’s when everything would change for them no matter what.  Who knew if it would be good or bad, it would change everything. 

  When the girls walked into the living room they were surprised to find six grown men fast asleep spread out on the floor while JR and Gus were wide awake watching TV. 

Gus sees his mothers and his grandma Deb in the door way. 

Gus: “Shh, they were tired boys.”
They all laughed a little. 
Lindsay: “We see that.” 

Mel and Lindsay go and sit on the couch next to the kids while Deb goes and gets the camera and quickly takes a few pictures. 

Justin is woken up by the vibrating on his phone. He sits up and looks around before pulling it out. He smiles shyly at the girls and Deb on the couch; he gets up and walks outside to the backyard near the pool. 

Justin: “Hey Daph, hold on.”

Justin takes off his shoes and socks and puts his feet into the warm pool water, even though it’s chilly outside Brian has the pool heated. 

Justin: “Happy Thanksgiving.” 
Daphne: “You too, so how is everything?” 
Justin: “Um… good.”  
Daphne: “Liar, you sucked when we were seven and you still do, so spill.”
 
Justin: “Aren’t you at your boyfriends' for dinner tonight?” 
Daphne: (laughs) “Nice save and no we left, Devon had to go to his place for clothes.” 
Justin: “Why doesn’t he just move in, I mean, he practically lives there.” 
Daphne: “Shut up, that’s his Christmas present. “
Justin: “Oh, how sweet of you.” 
Daphne: “Justin, stop talking about Devon and I and let’s talk about you and Brian.” 
Justin: “You just want to know if we had sex.”
 
Daphne: “Yes and I want to make sure you’re okay. Your drunken phone call has me worried.” 
Justin: It’s fine; I mean we are completely ignoring it right now.  He asked me to stay the night at Britin.” 
Daphne: “I can’t believe he kept that place.”
Justin: “He has it decorated with everything we talked about. Daph, I’m so scared I’m going to lose him.” 
Daphne: “I know you are babe, but you both need to talk.”
 
Justin: “I know we have been, but after dinner and Gus, we are going to tonight but I’m not sure now.  What if he has stopped loving me?” 
Daphne: “He hasn’t.”
Justin: “I guess, I’m just really scared.”
 
Suddenly the back door is opened and Justin knew without even looking that it was Brian. 

Justin: “I have to go…”
Daphne: “Brian there.” 
Justin: (laughs) “Yeah.”
 
Justin turns to his side where Brian is sitting down and mouths *Daph says hi*

Brian: “Tell her ‘hi’”.
Justin: “Brian says ‘Hi’”.
Daphne: “Okay you boys play nice and remember I am here for you.” 
Justin: “I know.” 

Justin hangs up his phone and Brian takes his hand. 

Brian: “Did you know we feel asleep?”
Justin: “Yeah and I’m pretty sure that Deb has a picture.” 
Brian: “Great.” 
Justin: “You know you’re going to love it.” 
Brian: “Whatever. So, are you okay?” 
Justin: “No, I’m scared as hell.” 

Brian wraps his arm around Justin and pulls him into his body. He kisses him on the side of his head. 

Brian: “I’m meeting Jason tomorrow night.” 
Justin: “Okay.”  
Brian: “Justin, I…” 
Justin: “What Brian? It shouldn’t be this hard ya know. It should be easy. I know I’m not perfect; I fucked up so many times, but when it came down to it, I chose you. Yes, I was late with it but the point is I chose you and I am here with my heart out there for the last time…”

Before Justin can finish his sentence Brian grabs him by the neck and crashes their lips together. They pull each other closer and while not paying attention, they lose their balance and both fall into the warm water of the pool. 

Jason’s Room. 

Jason: “I’m sorry, I can’t.” 
Richard: “Fine. What are you doing tomorrow?” 
Jason: “Having dinner with Brian.” 
Richard: “Okay… look I’m tired. I was at my mothers today.” 
Jason: “Okay, sorry to call so late.” 
Richard: “It’s fine.” 

With that they hang up and Jason thinks about what tomorrow will bring.