Time To Grow Up 

"Brian Kinney, buying a van" thought Brian, "I must have taken some bad acid and be hallucinating." He closed his eyes and opened them again looking directly at the 8 passenger van in front of him. "Nope it's still there." 


"Are you OK Bri?" Justin looked worried. 


"Just peachy” The past two weeks since his return to the States had taken a toll on Brian, he couldn't believe the celebrity status that he had gained just by being stuck in Afghanistan for a few months. Of course returning after his lover tracked him down and with two children did sort of add to the story. After the tenth interview the fun was definitely wearing off. All the children were becoming increasingly harder to deal with. Justin was the only one that all this hoopla didn't seem to bother. Brian was always surprised at the confidence Justin could show in the face of adversity. But, now was the time to put some normality in their lives. Time to go home. 


They arranged for the delivery of the van to the hotel 


Brian and Justin were in the sitting room of their suite planning the trip home. Jennifer and Joan were out shopping and the children were having a much needed nap. "Well, it'll be nice to get back to Pittsburgh and resume our lives," Brian was saying. "Maybe driving back will give us all enough time together to come up with an idea of just exactly how we're going to do it." 


"I know," Justin, said, "we're not exactly the "Brady Bunch" but it's not for lack of trying". The two men looked up when they heard someone knocking at the door. 


"Now what?" grumbled Brian as he got up to answer it? He padded over to the door in his bare feet and pulled it open. "Holy shit." He thought but politely asked "Yes, can I help you?" Standing at the door was a tall man, brown hair brushed with gray, hazel eyes, and swimmer's build, dressed in Armani and in his mid fifties. 


With an all too familiar tongue in cheek smirk, the man held out his hand and said "Hello, my name is James McGee, perhaps you've heard of me?" Just behind him stood two young men about 25, identical twins, one dressed in Armani like his father and the other looking a lot like Emmett had helped him pick out his wardrobe. "Hi, I'm Richard and this is Ron" said the Armani twin and they shook hands with Justin and stared at Brian. 


"Hi, come on in." said Justin, reaching around a stunned Brian to shake James McGee's hand and then the hands of the two young men. 


"I'm Justin Taylor and this is Brian Kinney." Justin led them over to the seating area of the suite. "I must say, Brian looks amazingly like, like, like all of you." his eyes went from one to the other. 


"Return of the Clone People" Brian muttered darkly. "Just what do you want and why are you here." Brian, who was smarter than the average bear knew just who these guys were but no way was he going to say it first. 


"Is your mother here?" asked James McGee “I understood that she was staying in New York with you." 


"No my mother's not here" snarled Brian "and aren't you supposed to be dead or something?" 


"Brian!" Justin was embarrassed with his partner's attitude. 


"Look, son" James started to say. 


"Don't call me that" 


"Brian, I'm not sure what your mother has told you about us. But until the recent news stories that had your picture plastered all over them, I had no idea that you even existed. When I returned from 'Nam, I tried to find your mother, but she and your dad had moved to a different neibourhood. My old friends from school told me how good they were together and that there were two children. I just didn't feel that I had the right to interfere with her life. I knew how guilty she had always felt about our relationship and figured that she had worked it out with Jack. Believe me Brian; I never would have gone to New York if I had known about you." James' voice broke. 


"Hey big brother," said Ron, "Don’t be an asshole. We were just as surprised as you to find there were three of us. And a bonus for me, I have a big brother who's gay just like me" Ron sat there beaming. 


Brian, rolling his eyes "Like you? I don't think so. I'm no nelly bottom." And he ducked as Justin smacked him on the back of the head. 


Taking a deep breath, Brian decided to make the best of it. What ever he thought, nothing was going to change things. The men spent the next hour talking and exchanging anecdotes. James McGee owned one of the largest advertising firms in New York and both Richard and Ron worked for him. Ron was in the art department and he and Justin soon paired off to talk leaving the others to exchange advertising coup stories. 


The men were too busy talking to notice when Jennifer and Joan returned. The two women walked in the door laughing at something, when Joan caught sight of James. Brian happened to look over as she stood there. Her face lost all of its color and she slowly started to crumble, Brian just managed to reach her before she hit the floor. 

"I guess Mom recognized you" he said with an edge to his voice. 


Brian and Justin managed to get Joan to the sofa. Both James and Joan couldn't stop staring at each other, neither one saying a word. James slowly moved his hand to Joan's face and gently caressed it. In silent understanding Jennifer and the men retreated to the bedroom. It was time for the children to get up and explanations to be given to Jennifer. 

The twins were pleased to find that they were Uncles and soon had all the children smiling at their antics. "What about your mother?" Asked Justin 


"She died just before we started school. We were five and since then it's just been Dad and us. He never dated much, just had lots of one-night stands --Justin looked over at Brian - Brian looked at him and shrugged. He always told us that he had been lucky in love twice and that was more than the average person had the right to expect. If he couldn't have love he didn't want a relationship. I guess we know who love number one was." And Ron smiled at Richard. They both looked at each other, tongue in familiar cheek and Justin couldn't help himself, he burst out laughing. Brian mouthed "Twat" at him. 


With only two days left in New York everyone was busy. Justin and Brian were spending a great deal of time with Richard and Ron. Once in a while James would join them but he usually was with Joan. Jennifer had agreed to be the main child minder during this get acquainted period. When the children were in bed Jennifer and Joan held many whispered conferences with each other and James. Brian and Justin had no idea what was going on but had agreed to leave it alone. The day finally came when they were off to Pittsburgh. Jennifer and Joan and the three children were in the rear seats of the van and Brian and Justin up front. They were all belted in and the goodbyes had been said. Richard was about to close the cargo door when Ron held up a camera and said "Smile". Brian looking startled said "What's that all about?" and he turned to Justin who had the famous sunshine smile on his face. Brian was easing out into traffic, he could see his brothers in the mirror laughing. 


"Oh nothing," said Justin all innocence. 


"Justin!" growled Brian. 


"Emmett wanted a picture of us leaving to show everyone that the infamous Brian Kinney is now completely off the market. Something about poster size on the backroom walls at Babylon. Ron's going to email it." Giggled Justin. 


Brian clenched his jaw looked straight-ahead and continued driving. "he's only 21, he's only 21, he's only 21" he kept repeating in his mind. 


Justin had put The Little Mermaid in the video player for the children to watch and Joan and Jennifer were busy chatting about something. Brian reached over and grabbed Justin's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Love you Baby," he whispered and Justin smiled." I love you better" and stuck out his tongue. 


"Brian, what are we going to do when we get back to the loft?" 


"What do you mean?" 


"You once said the loft was only big enough for you. And then I came along and you made room for me. You came back from rehab to find Anna and the three of us were starting to get a bit on each other's nerves especially when Gus was added on the weekends. Now you did remarkably well, but I could tell that it wasn't going to work for long. We're adding two more to the group. We can stash Jenna and Anna in a corner easier than Abby. Little boys like their space. As well, there's your job and I have school and work." Justin was starting to feel a bit panicky - he hadn't fully thought about the logistics of this sudden increase in family until now as they were rapidly driving towards the problem. 


"I've been thinking about it. I'm not going to go back to Ryder's for a while, if ever. I've already told him that." Brian paused "I was saving this as a surprise, but I'll tell you now. You're looking at a Trust Fund Baby" - Justin looked at Brian, eyebrows raised in question. - "Seems my good old sperm donor, James McGee had a stinking rich father. Grand Dad left his money to all of James' children to be administered as a trust income until each of them reached the age of 35. Guess whose number one boy? So I thought, why not spend the next few months writing about this little adventure we've both been on. I have your journal and intimate access to the author - he grinned - I'm sure your mother can find us some kind of a house bigger than the loft - and Pittsburgh has to have nannies for hire - You can finally get a chance to stop working, finish school and become a famous artist - think of all the fun you'll have telling everyone that your wifey is home looking after the kids and making dinner. Brian flashed the Kinney smirk at Justin. 


Justin smiled back at Brian all the while thinking "Yeah right this'll work well. Mr. Advertising Executive home all day with kids. No power lunches with cute waiters, just Brian and the other mommies having coffee while the kids play." Justin kept these thoughts to himself and hoped that he had at least a couple of months of not working before Brian exploded. 


Heading into Pittsburgh, Joan asked that they go to Jennifer's condo to drop her and Jennifer off. Jennifer and Joan looked at each other and giggled. Brian and Justin looked at each other and shrugged. 


Brian pulled up to the curb in front of the condo. 


Joan looked at Jennifer and then said. "Brian and Justin don't get out of the van just yet. Jennifer and James and I have made a few changes in the past couple of days that I hope you both will agree to. James and I are going to get married. We both feel that life is too short to wait any longer than we have to. James will be moving to Pittsburgh and the boys will run the agency in New York. I'm going to spend the next couple of weeks until James gets here with Jennifer and Molly. Jennifer is going to help me find a place for James and myself” Brian, who had seen the softening of his mother since the reunion with James, couldn't disagree with his mother's plan so far. 


I've talked with Claire and told her my plans. The other part is this. Brian, the house you grew up in has always been mine. It and the two houses on either side were given to me by my father. He had intended my home to be filled with love and children. I know he was saddened by the actuality of what happened. Claire is her father's daughter, I have given her all monies that were left to me by Jack and there was considerable life insurance policies and pension money. Claire has benefited just fine. Brian and Justin I want you both to have the house and the two houses on either side. You boys and the children will fill the house with love and laughter. I know that the minute you walk in the door all the bad ghosts will leave. James has promised that he will take care of me so I'll be OK. James' lawyers have taken care of all the paper work and in the past 48 hours I've had all the years of accumulated stuff removed from the house. Claire has most all of it if you're looking for anything. We had a crew repaint through out the house and made sure you have what you need for the children and yourselves until you can remodel and decorate in your own taste. 


As Joan got out of the van she leaned over and kissed Brian and then Justin. Both of them were speechless. Jennifer whispered to Justin "Good luck Honey" as she got out. 


"Poppa Bri Nanny said I have my own room with two beds so Gus can sleep over and so does Jenna have her own room and so does Anna have her own room but you and Daddy have to share a room. Are you sad 'cause you don't have your own room?" 


"That's OK Abby; Poppa Bri gets too lonely when he has to sleep by himself. He thinks I'm his teddy bear." Abby giggled and Brian glared. 


"Look Justin, this is just a little too much a little too soon." 


"Brian, we have to sleep somewhere tonight and the kids need to get out of this damn van. So be a big boy and drive us home. We'll think about it tonight and make any decisions after we get some sleep." 


They pulled into the driveway of the house. Brian hadn't actually looked at it directly. There were too many bad memories here. 


"Brian, look" 


"Poppa Bri look" 


Brian looked over at the front porch. There had to have been a hundred baskets of sunny yellow flowers. Baskets of all sizes filled to overflowing with more varieties of yellow flowers than Brian ever imagined. Brian and Justin each took a baby and Abby walked beside them as they slowly walked to the front door. Abby's eyes were big and wide. "Oh Poppa Bri this is a happy house. Look at all the happy flowers. This house makes me all smiley inside. Can we go in? Is this where we live? 


Justin held both Jenna and Abby as Brian opened the freshly painted door. The door was as sunshiney yellow as all the flowers. The first thing Brian noticed as he walked in the door was all the sun streaming in the windows, windows he was sure hadn't been uncovered his whole life. Abby ran from room to room exclaiming over each wonder that he found. Finally he ran back to Brian and Justin and took each of them by the hand to give them a tour of what he had discovered. 


"This is Anna's room 'cause it's got pink flowers and lots of girl things and she likes that” Anna gave him a toothy smile to show her agreement. 


Leading them to the next room "And this is Jenna's room 'cause there's lots of teddy bears and baby toys. Isn't that right Jenna" he said in a high talking to babies kind of voice as he tickled her under her chin. Her gummy grin said yes. 


Practically dragging them they moved to the room across from the girls rooms. "My room is the biggest 'cause I'm the biggest and I get to have my friend Gus stay with me sometimes." He showed them his room and all the treasures he found there. It didn't take a genius to interpret the look on his face. He looked happy enough to burst. 


Brian and Justin left Abby in his room checking out everything. They smiled as they listened to him talking a mile a minute. He was telling his sister in heaven all about his new room and his new life. When Abby had realized that he was moving half way around the world he had become very depressed. Justin had found him crying one day and when they talked had discovered that Abby felt he was wrong to be leaving his sister even though she was dead. Justin drew him pictures showing Abby flying in a plane and living with Jenna and Anna and in each picture he drew a young girl watching from heaven. He explained that Abby's sister would always be there watching out for him and Jenna and the nice thing about heaven was she could see them and hear them no matter where they were on earth. From that day on Abby became a happy little boy, he was secure in the love that Brian and Justin had for him and he knew that his sister was always going to there for him as well. 


They put the girls in a playpen and put a movie on for them to watch. It was kind of cute watching the two of them the older one dark curly hair and flashing hazel eyes always talking - or trying to - and the younger one, blonde curls and quiet blue eyes never leaving the other. Listening to the stories being told by her new older sister. 


"Come on Brian, let's find our room" 


"Not now Justin" 


"Don't be an old poop - it won't hurt to look" 


"I've seen it all before - fresh paint can't cover pain and bad memories" 


"I'll let you have your way with me" and Justin batted his eyelashes at Brian as he dragged him down the hall. 


At the end of the hall was a closed door. On the door was an envelope addressed to them both. Brian pulled the envelope off the door and opened it. 


Brian and Justin, the strength of the love that the two of you share, is more than enough to banish any demons that might lurk in this house. When you open the door you will see a gift that James and I and Jennifer have given you. It's something that every time Jennifer and I saw it these past few months, we would remember our boys and how much they loved each other. 


PS if you see the door going outside shutting as you come into the room, it's only Emmett. He had some final touches to add. 


Brian and Justin looked at each other. Justin put his arm around Brian to let him know that everything was OK. Brian was comforted by the strength that arm represented. 

They opened the door and couldn't believe what they saw. The mothers had recreated the loft bedroom right down to the blue neon lights. Hundreds of candles were burning on every available surface. And sure enough the French doors to the garden were closing as they walked into the room. For the first time since his mother's announcement, Brian could believe that what she had said was true. With Justin at his side no demon was unbeatable. As he looked at the room and the smile on his lover's face all the old memories of the house were fading into nothingness. 


"Hey stud, wanna dance?" Brian whispered and he wrapped his arms around Justin and pulled him down to the bed. Justin's smile was answer enough.