Little White Lies Part 6 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "Bree, I was very unhappy when I heard what you did to your hair." Daphne was attempting to be calm and rational. "Your father wouldn't discuss it with me, he said I had to talk to you about it." Bree sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. "Mom, did you call because you missed me or because you wanted to bitch at me? I don't really have time to listen. Gus is in the school play and Melanie and Lindsay are picking me up in half an hour. I'm not even dressed yet." "Bree" Daphne counted to ten under her breath. "Why did you cut off all your beautiful hair?" "Look Mom, I needed a change. It's my hair." Bree's voice was exasperated. "This isn't about Gus is it?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "I think you do Bree." Daphne's voice became quiet. "Mom, like I don't want to sound ungrateful or anything, but you've managed to stay out of my life except for the odd visits since the day I was born. It's worked out not too bad, why don't we keep it that way?" Bree looked at her watch. "Mom, I have to go. I'll call you later." She hung up quickly and turned around. "I hope this 'bitch' thing is some kind of stage you're going through." Justin said. He stood by the door leaning against the jamb with his arms crossed. "Because I want you to give some serious thought to getting over it and quickly." "You didn't have to tell her about it." Bree said, her voice sulky. "I thought we were friends." "We are friends Bree and I didn't tell your Mother about your hair or anything else that went on this week." "Then why did she call? How did she know?" "Bree, your mother grew up here. Her parents live here, your grandparents. I'm sure one of her old friends or maybe one of her parents heard about the drastic change in your appearance and decided to call her." "It's just a hair cut." "I think it's a bit more than a hair cut honey." "Is Pops still pissed about his ankle?" "Are you changing the subject?" "Could be - Dad, I have to get ready, they'll be here any minute." Bree pleaded. "Go get ready, but this little conversation hasn't ended." "Daaaaaad" Justin smiled to himself as he shut the door; he turned and walked into Brian's chest. Brian had been standing right behind him. "Geeze Brian, sneak around much?" Brian put his arms on Justin's shoulders "Guilty conscience?" he kissed Justin's nose. His aim was so accurate that Justin was beginning to think the hazel eyes were seeing a lot more than their owner was willing to admit. "You have to admit that she got her sense of bitchy drama princess honestly." His quiet smile melted Justin's heart as usual. "I was being a responsible parent. Maybe you should take notes." "See - bitchy drama queen." "What? I'm not a princess anymore?" Brian laughed at the absurdity of the question. His laugh earned him a swat on the arm. "Owww, injured man here Sunshine." "When Bree leaves I'll kiss it and make it better." "Only if you kiss all the other tender areas." "Eeeewww, will you guys cut it out until I at least get out the door?" Bree stood in the door. She looked at the two men and twirled around "Ta da," her arms out to give them both a good look. She also suspected Brian's sight was returning. "Bree," Justin sighed, "Surely you don't plan on going out like that? This is an important night for Gus." "I know, that's why I wanted to make sure he notices me in the audience. He'll feel good knowing I'm watching him." "You look like one of the vamps on Buffy. Black nail polish Bree? Black lipstick. And is that Brian's Hugo Boss leather jacket and his black silk shirt?" "You know it's yours Daddy," Bree had on heavy looking shoes, fishnet stockings and was wearing Justin's black silk shirt as a dress, using one of Brian's ties as a belt. Her blonde curls; tight to her scalp had some kind of shiny goo combed through it. Brian reached out and touched his tie. "I can't see clearly, little Sunshine, but I suspect your Dad doesn't own a Versace tie." "I might have used an old tie that was lying around." "You also might learn to ask before you borrow things." "I'm sorry Pops" outside a car horn honked. Brian reached out and patted her cheek. "Go watch that boy of mine make his stage debut. I guess I can sacrifice a tie for you Little Sunshine, but as a favor to an old guy, can you lose the black shit on the lips and nails?" Bree reached up and kissed his cheek. "Thanks Pops and I promise to get rid of the black polish and lip stick." She kissed her father as well. "Love you both, I'll be home as soon as I can." And she ran out of the house. Resting his chin on the top of Justin's head and folding his long arms around him, Brian sighed then said. "Our life together is going to be more of a turmoil than ever isn't it with all these teenage hormones running rampant?" Justin chuckled. "You've gotten off lucky Brian for the last twelve years. I figure having a teenage girl living with you will more than pay you back for making me wait until now to tell me you love me." "You are still a brat." Brian declared. He reached around and kissed Justin's cheek. "But you're my brat. And I can almost see you clearly. At least you've stopped being a big fuzzy grey blob." "Mmmmmmm, Brian you say the most romantic things." Brian turned Justin around so that they were facing each other. "I'm not sure if I ever actually asked you this. I just kind of assumed it was happening. But I want you and Bree to stay here. I want you to move in and be my partner." "Are you sure Brian?" "So sure that I would ask you to marry me if it was legal here in Pennsylvania." "It's legal in Vermont and Hawaii." "I know that, but I'm not in traveling condition Baby." He bent down kissing Justin's lips at first gently then as passion grew, with an urgency that always seemed to overtake both of them. They broke apart breathless, "Would a commitment ceremony work with our family and friends and then a legal ceremony when I'm back on both feet?" "Let's wait until you feel better and then invite everyone over for supper and surprise them." Justin suggested. "That way we get to spend time together without the family interfering." "Sounds good to me Sunshine. It's kind of nice having them stay away except for short visits." "And you're so good at lying in the dark bedroom looking pathetic, they never stay long." Justin kissed him under his chin. "I was on to you about that one from the first day." "Don't knock what works." Brian said with his lopsided grin. "Not to change the subject, but did Cynthia manage to get the camera crew organized to record Gus' play?" "When has Cynthia not been able to put together something like this? Of course she did. There is no way I'm letting Gus have his stage debut without me watching it." "You are such a sentimental softy." "Don't tell anyone, I prefer to remain a man of mystery." "You mean you prefer everyone to think you're an asshole." "Whatever works for them." Justin took Brian's hand and began to walk him out to the patio. "I have a surprise for you out here, and with Bree gone, this is the perfect time to show you." "A surprise?" Brian followed willingly "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" The two of them were now standing on the sun-warmed flagstone in front of the pool. The evening sun was bright and while it had cooled down from the high daytime temperature, it was still very warm by the pool. "I can't go swimming yet Sunshine, with this thing on my foot I'd sink like a rock." Brian teased. "Stand still and shut up." Justin began to remove Brian's clothes, a slow process because it involved lots of kissing as each piece was removed. "Kinky, naked man out on the patio." Brian kissed him "Is this your surprise?" "No, I can get you naked anywhere, you're too easy that way." Justin removed his clothes. "Now over here" He led him to a double sized hammock. "Let me help you get on this thing, I don't want you dumped out on the flagstones." "You and me both" Brian's hand had found the hammock and he rocked it "This is kind of unsteady here Justin. "Are you sure about this?" "Don't tell me you've never been in a hammock before?" "Ok, I won't tell you." Justin rolled his eyes. "Back up to it and sit down, then lean back and lift your legs up sort of all at the same time." He kept his hand on Brian's arm while Brian attempted to follow his instructions. "It isn't too comfy Justin." Brian was scrunched down in the middle of the hammock with his legs too far up the other side. "But it is a surprise all right." "Asshole, hitch yourself up so that your head is near the top. I'll keep the hammock steady until you feel comfortable." "Hey, that feels better." Brian lay on his back enjoying the slight sway of the hammock, the evening sun and the hum of insects." Justin crawled onto the hammock with him and snuggled up under Brian's arm, his head on Brian's chest. He let his hand drift down to the soft auburn curls that sparkled with golden highlights in the sun. He admired the different colors and then began to gently stroke the thickening cock. "Are you having fun?" Brian asked with a smile in his voice. He could tell by the way Justin was so intent, that he must be mentally recording things to draw later. "You should see the colors in you pubes. They're amazing" "Is that all that's interesting down there?" "Well, there is something else." Justin gave Brian's cock a firm pull or two. "I missed your hands on my cock." Brian groaned. The hammock swayed when Justin moved. Brian's hand went to the thick blonde mane, threading his fingers through the silk as Justin lowered his mouth over the end of Brian's cock, first licking the bubble of precum, then circling the head with his tongue before letting his warm mouth descend over the mushroom head with a suction that made Brian find it hard to breathe. "I missed your mouth," he gasped. Justin then began to show Brian the joys of making love in a hammock under the evening sun. Three hours later, exhaustion had them both wrapped in each other's arms while they slept soundly. They didn't notice the sun setting, the warmth of the sun that had been trapped in the flagstone beneath them continued to radiate up, keeping them warm. "Where are the Dads?" Gus asked when the two kids walked in the big house. Bree had persuaded Lindsay and Melanie to let Gus spend the night. But they were surprised to find the house quiet and dark. "I don't know, maybe they're sleeping. They seem to spend a lot of time in bed." "I'm not sure I want to go there, I'd like to think it's old age setting in and they need their sleep." Gus smiled at Bree. Bree peeked into the large master bedroom. "Nope they aren't here." "That only leaves our rooms." "Gross" Gus checked, "nobody home in either of them." Returning from looking out the patio door, Bree said, "I've found them. It's kind of cute in a really bizarre way." She smiled at Gus. "You get the digital camera, while I get a blanket" Bree found a soft quilt in the linen closet and Gus had the camera. They went out to the patio and Gus took a few pictures of the sleeping Dads then Bree covered them up. The two of them quietly left their fathers sleeping. "What are you going to do with the pictures?" Gus asked. "I'm not sure, but I've been saving pictures of Dad and now of Brian and Dad for a long time." "I know where there are pictures of the two of them together from before." "Cool, can I get copies?" "Sure, they're in the den." Gus led Bree to the Den. The door was unlocked now, but Justin hadn't gone in yet. He was waiting until Brian could see properly because he wanted to get the full effect of Brian showing him what was there. Bree and Gus made themselves a snack careful not to turn the big lights on in the kitchen for fear they would wake up their fathers who where sleeping just outside the main kitchen window. Curling up on Gus' bed with a bowl of popcorn between them, they scanned the channels and finally settled on a season four rerun of Buffy that they both liked. No one heard the car slow down in front of the big house, or saw the hand reach into a cardboard box and pick something out of it and fling it onto the lawn. A muted thump was the only sound that came from the small patch of shadow as the car sped away into the night. Just another anonymous person throwing stuff out, adding to the litter that accumulated daily only to be picked up by various service personnel in this affluent neighborhood. The shadow lay still for the longest time, and then slowly one leg at a time managed to stand up. Large round eyes, the irises fully dilated to help her see were open and she crouched low, belly to the ground, the shadow moved from one piece of cover to another, seeking heat like some form of guided missile. It took time, but gradually the shadow reached the rear of the large rambling home, she sighed grateful for the small warmth that she felt on her feet from the cooling flagstones. Up ahead, higher than she'd ever jumped before, was a larger, warmer spot to sleep. Looking left and right, making sure she was safe; she launched herself up and over the edge, causing the hammock to sway ever so slightly. Claws gripping, she held on tight, soon the hammock came to a stop and she carefully walked up to where two humans where locked together covered by a warm quilt. She looked at them both and fell in love instantly with the sweet smelling one who had fur the same color as her mother. Pleased at finding someone to love and protect so quickly, she moved close to the fur curling up in a tiny ball in the nape of Brian's neck. The sun was barely over the horizon when something warm and gently vibrating against his neck woke Brian up. He lay still for a few minutes trying to get his bearings. Justin snuggled closer, his blonde head under Brian's chin. Brian could now see that Justin's head was on his right side, so what was on his left, vibrating with a rough hum? Slowly he reached up and touched soft plush fur. "Prrrrrrt" was whispered quietly into his neck. A wet nose buried itself into Brian's hair now that she had been disturbed and Brian could now make out the distinctive rumblings of a purr. He let his right hand caress Justin, hoping he'd wake up soon. "Jus, Jus," he said softly. A tiny grey paw reached out and laid on his lips gently as if to tell him to be quiet. "Mmmmmmm, Brian" Justin lifted his chin and kissed Brian in the general direction of his lips. "Justin, something is on my neck, will you please tell me what the fuck it is, I'm afraid to move." Brian tried to keep the panic out of his voice, but whatever was on him wasn't registering in his brain. Justin's eyes popped open and he realized they had spent the night outside on the hammock. He slowly turned to see what Brian was talking about and came face to face with the smallest kitten he had ever seen. It was blue grey plush, like a stuffed teddy and had the roundest yellow eyes. It kind of smiled at him and shut its eyes, settling it's soft grey nose once again into Brian's neck. "It's a cat." Justin said. "A cat?" "Yea, you know, fur, tail, says meow." "What's it doing on my neck?" "Sleeping" "Justin!" "Brian, you asked me what it was doing and that's what it's doing." "Get it off of me, it probably has fleas." "I don't think so, it looks pretty good to me." "Justin, please remove the cat." "Geeze, don't get all excited." Justin leaned over and wrapped his hand around the small body, lifting her carefully so that she wouldn't try and hold on to Brian's skin. He lifted her off his lover's neck and deposited her on his chest instead. "I said off of me, not move it to a better location." "Will you just open your eyes and look at Brian." "I told you, I can't see yet." "You could see your Versche tie, so I expect you can see the cat." He reached down and took one of Brian's hands and placed the large hand on the soft warm plush body. "Where's the cat?" "Under your hand." "Justin, there's hardly anything there. Are you sure it's a cat? It feels more mouse sized." "Well, it's a baby cat." He watched the large hand gently stroke the grey fur and immediately the fur began to vibrate with a loud rusty purr. "It's making some kind of weird noise and it's shaking. Is it having a fit? Get it off of me?" "It's purring Brian, have you been living under some kind of rock. Cats purr, it makes them vibrate." Brian opened his eyes in the bright morning sunlight and squinted at the tiny mound of fur. Yellow eyes looked into his hazel ones enquiringly. "Purrrrrt" she said and stretched her neck until her nose reached Brian's chin and she butted her head against it. "I think it likes me." Brian said wonder in his voice. "I like you, so why shouldn't a cat." Justin reasoned. "Can we keep it?" Brian asked. Justin stared at him wondering if he'd heard right. "Pardon me?" "I asked can we keep him?" "It's your house Brian, if you want a cat you can have a cat." "You're wrong Justin, it's not my house it's our house. And if we take this cat into it then it means more work for you right now. But I promise to help when I'm up and around." "Brian Kinney, seeing you with a cat and watching your face go all soft when you pet it, is worth any kind of work the cat will bring with it." The French doors opened and a sleepy Bree poked her head out. She was wearing one of Justin's old tee shirts and a pair of panties. She had obviously just got out of bed. "I'm trying to sleep you guys, can't you be more quiet?" she complained. "Good morning little Sunshine." Brian said with a smile. "Come and see what your father insists we keep." Justin tucked the quilt around their naked bodies and smiled at Brian's attempt at subterfuge. Bree looked over, but all she could see was a small patch of grey fur by Brian's neck. She moved closer. "Cool Pops, a baby kitty." She leaned over to pat the small head only to be rewarded with a hiss and a scratch on her hand from a well-aimed right paw. "Owww you stupid little fur ball." She put her hand to her mouth and sucked on the spot where the kitten had scratched her. "Dad, why do you want some mean old cat?" "Your father has a soft heart," Brian said. He continued to stroke the grey fur. "A soft head maybe." Bree grumbled. "Bree, Justin warned. "I'm sorry Dad, but that cat doesn't like me. He only seems to like Pops." "Must be a gay cat." Justin shrugged. Bree rolled her eyes and so did Brian. "Whatever Dad. I'm going back to bed. Oh and Gus stayed over last night." "He did?" "Yes and don't worry we behaved." With that Bree turned and headed back to bed. "Is the coast clear?" Brian asked. "I don't have any clothes on and I don't want to traumatize Little Sunshine." "The coast is clear. Let me help you out of the hammock, I don't need you doing a face plant on the flagstone." Justin steadied Brian and helped him get his footing despite the heavy cast. "You know, you could put the cat down." "He's hungry" Justin rolled his eyes and began to walk into the house. "Hurry up then Mr. Tough Guy and his kitty. One of you needs to get some pants on and I suppose both of you want breakfast." "You're just jealous 'cause he likes me best." Brian said. He caught up to Justin and kissed the back of his neck. "Hmmmmmm I love the way your neck tastes. Maybe we could go in the bedroom and I could have a low calorie, but high protein breakfast." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Saturday evening "Brian are you sure about this?" Justin was worried. Brian had been to the surgeon's office the day before. He had gone in alone and when he came out, the bandages were gone except for a small one on one side of his cheek. His face was a patchwork of lines of various hues and his nose was very obviously still slightly crooked. He was Brian Kinney, but he wasn't. Gone was the almost too handsome Irishman of years ago. He'd been replaced with one who had been to hell and back, without the stop offs for fun. He had refused to let Justin shave him this morning and already he bore the signs of what could be a good-looking chestnut colored beard. "Sure about what Sunshine?" Brian asked. He was attempting to ignore the unasked question that had been hovering since the day before. "Cynthia called and she told me that you had invited Gardner Vance and his wife as well as all of the gang." "Don't worry, I have a caterer coming in and tomorrow the kids will help clean up the worst of it. The cleaning staff will be here on Monday." Brian was sitting on the floor, his back to the wall and his legs stretched straight out. He was teaching the cat how to fetch. Or at least that's what he had told Justin. He threw another of the brightly colored foam balls and smiled when the small grey streak ran after it, pouncing on then kicking it with his hind feet. When the kitten felt the ball had sufficient punishment, he proudly returned the soggy piece of foam to Brian and dropped it on the floor between Brian's legs. Brian patted his tiny head, gave him a slight ear scratch and then threw the ball again, this time a little harder. He watched the cat race down the long hallway after his prey. "You know, I can see him if he stays in the light. He's like a shadow with eyes" Brian commented to Justin. "I think that's a good name for him. I'm going to call him Shadow." Justin sat down beside Brian. "Brian, you and your kitty are having lots of fun, but the caterer will be here any minute and everyone else is due in an hour and you aren't dressed yet." "Justin, did you ever have a cat?" Brian asked, his voice serious. "No, my mother said I was allergic to them, but this one doesn't bother me." "She probably just didn't want one." Brian sighed "I never had a cat or a dog or even a fucking goldfish. I used to lay awake and imagine having something to love, something that would love me back. I read all the books at the library that had stories of kids with pets and I'd pretend they were me. I would tell myself that someday when I grew up I'd have dozens of animals to love. But somewhere along the way I realized that if I loved something, I was taking a big chance. The dog or cat could die, or it might hate me or run away and then where would I be. As I got older that philosophy translated to people. If I fell in love, and opened myself up, then I was also opening myself up to hurt." "So Brian Kinney didn't 'do' love or boyfriends or even take a chance and be with someone more than one time because that way 'I' was in control of my life and not vulnerable to the whims of someone else." "One day a damn blonde haired, blue eyed twink entered my life and on the same day a little baby appeared in it as well." He put one arm around Justin's shoulder and pulled him closer. "And all my fears surfaced because with one damn look into those blue eyes, I was lost, and to top it off the damn baby snuck into my heart at the same time." He kissed Justin's forehead not noticing the tears that were filling those same blue eyes. "I fought it tooth and nail, there was no way I was going to fall in love, unfortunately what I didn't realize - it was too damn late. I pretty much was a gonner that first night." "But the stupid thing, the thing that damn near cost me my future happiness. I was too stubborn to tell him how I felt. I relied on him to make me admit my feelings forgetting that he was only a boy." Brian used his upper body strength to pull Justin into his lap. He wrapped his arms tightly around him, burying his nose into the pulse spot at the base of Justin's throat. "I decided when I wasn't sure if I was going to live or die, I decided to get rid of the old Brian Kinney, and bring out the Brian Kinney I always wanted to be but was too fucking scared to show it. You want to know why I'm not afraid any more?" Justin nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "I have you. I have you with me as my partner. Nothing that happens to me can possibly be bad with you beside me. I can let myself love you, love this little guy" he patted the ball of fur that was now curled up on Justin's lap. "I can love Bree and Gus and best of all I can do it unafraid of the consequences. I talked to the surgeon yesterday and he says that there is nothing wrong with my face that I can't live with. Sure I can continue to have plastic surgery, make myself back into the old Brian Kinney, but I can also accept myself the way I am. Slightly flawed on the outside, just like I am on the inside and I know it doesn't matter because you love me just the way I am." Brian felt Justin shudder. "Hey, Sunshine, what's wrong?" Brian asked. "You do love me don't you?" Justin's arms went around Brian's neck and his tears began to wet the soft worn fleece of the old red sweat shirt. "I love you" his voice broke. "I do love you just the way you are. I didn't know that you realized it." "With all the thousand and one things that you do for me, Justin no one is that good a nurse. You have shown me how much you love me so many times. Did you think I couldn't feel your soft lips kissing all over my face this morning?" "I was kissing it better, like my mom used to do when I was a kid." Justin said, slightly embarrassed at being found out. "See, it worked. I'm better. I'm so much better that I don't give a fuck how much my face has changed. I'll grow a beard to hide the worst; we don't want to scare little children. We can tell anyone who asks that you broke my nose when I misbehaved" Justin giggled. "And my wonky ankle can't hurt my dancing skills any." "What dancing skills?" Justin teased. "See, so how can my dancing get any worse?" "I love dancing with you, or I used to." "I love holding you in my arms and dancing with you too. I love the way the music becomes part of you and by holding you close, becomes part of me too." "You remember that?" "We didn't have a lot of time together, but what time we did have, I remember every second of it." Brian's lips found Justin's and soon they were stretched out on the hardwood floor, Brian on top of Justin kissing his face, his neck, nibbling on his ears, both of them rubbing their straining hard on's against one another through their pants. Shadow sat precariously on Brian's back, wondering why his human couldn't sit still. "ehhhhh hem" Gus cleared his throat to get their attention. "Aren't you guys a bit old to be rolling around on the floor? The catering guys are here and you're in the way." "Never to old to roll on the floor Sonny Boy. Get Shadow off my back though will you, he thinks this is some kind of game." Gus obliged and picked up the small cat. "So cat, did Dad teach you to shake a paw yet?" Gus asked the small cat who looked at him puzzled. "Let's go find Bree, she loves cats" Gus chuckled. Bree and Shadow had taken an immediate dislike to each other. "Gus, don't tease Bree" Brian called. "Why not, she teases me enough." Gus grumbled good-natured. He was thinking of that morning when she stepped out of the shower before pulling her towel around her. She hadn't closed the door to his bedroom and while he feigned sleep, he was pretty sure that she knew he wasn't sleeping. That little scene had kept him erect for a good hour while she primped in front of the bathroom mirror. He hadn't dared to move to relieve himself for fear of letting her know he'd been watching. The little brat was going to drive him insane. Brian moved off of Justin and let Justin help him to his feet. He leaned heavily on him at first as he tried to take some of the weight off of his ankle. "Sorry, Jus," he apologized for leaning on him. "I'll survive, but I'm writing all this down, so I can get equal billing at a later date." Justin joked. "Now come on into the bedroom and let's find you something amazing to wear." "What you don't like what I have on." Brian pretended to be offended. He was dressed in his favorite faded blue jeans and an old sweatshirt of Justin's from years ago that had the sleeves cut off and was far too small for him. "I'll have you know this is what I've worn for years of quiet Saturdays at home." "You're kidding." Justin laughed. "No I'm not kidding, it's comfortable and Saturdays have always been the day I spend at home decompressing from my week at the Agency. I used to turn off the phone and lock the door, only Gus knew I was home and he was the only one allowed in here on Saturdays." He looked down at Justin; they were walking past the door to the den. "Do you want to see where I'd spend my Saturdays and just exactly what I was doing?" "Is it weird and kinky?" Brian thought for a moment, "I suppose it bordered on the obsessed." He reached down and opened the door to his den. "Come in and see for yourself." He held the door and Justin passed by him looking around. "This is an amazing room Brian." Three walls were oak bookcases filled with a combination of books, framed pictures and memorabilia. The fourth wall held an assortment of paintings that Justin had done over the years. A desk with a lap top computer stood to one side with a comfortable and well-worn leather chair behind it. A rich burgundy leather sofa stood under the paintings, the hardwood floor gleamed. Justin began to move around the room, looking at the pictures on the shelves, pictures of Gus and Bree and himself taken over the years. Pictures of Brian and him together, pictures he barely remembers being taken. "Brian, why in hell didn't you just call me?" he shook his head at the thought of the lost years. "You had your life, you seemed happy, you had Bree." "But I didn't have the one damn thing that would have made me happy you gawd damn stubborn pig of an Irishman." Brian moved across the hardwood and folded Justin in his arms. He held him as tight as he could, his face buried in the blonde silk. No one spoke. The pain of the years they had spent apart was too fresh in this room for both of them. Silent tears of regret overflowed hazel eyes dampening the pale strands and turning them dark. Blue eyes brimmed over. Words weren't necessary; they had both spent too many years railing against fate and stupidity. It was a time for healing in a room filled with the love one man had for another. A love that was willing to be sacrificed for his happiness no matter how misguided. Once again they slowly sank to the hardwood floor still holding one another letting their hearts speak with a matching rhythm as they healed all the old scars and wounds in the peace of this room that had been Brian's sanctuary. The caterer's arrived and Gus and Bree, not sure where their dads were, took over, making sure that everything was where it should be and ready for the guests. "Hey, Mom, Momma, you both look great." Gus said as he ushered in his mothers. "Help yourself to a drink" he indicated the bar that had been set up. The next few minutes were a flurry of greetings as one by one the family arrived. The arrival of Brian's partner, Gardner Vance and his wife was a surprise that was quickly followed by Cynthia. But the biggest surprise was the arrival of Jennifer Taylor and Molly. "Jennifer, Molly." Debbie sang out, she rushed over to hug her old friend. "My goodness Molly, you're all grown up." "It's been awhile." Jennifer said in her quiet way. "Does anyone know what this is all about? Someone called Cynthia phoned us yesterday and arranged for the two of us to fly here for some kind of meeting. I understand it has to do with Justin." "You just sit down right here beside me." Debbie indicated the sofa she was on. "Bree honey, get your grandma a drink and some nibblies, would you dear." She called to Bree who rolled her eyes, but went to do as she was told. Everyone carefully avoided the subject of Bree's hair, or lack of hair having all been appraised of the situation during the past week. When the two kids were in the kitchen getting napkins a few minutes later Gus leaned down and kissed Bree tenderly on the forehead. "You look very beautiful tonight Bree." He whispered to her. Bree blushed with pleasure. "I promised Pops that I wouldn't wear black polish on fingers or lips." "Well, between you and me, you're cute enough to carry black polish off, but I kind of like you this way, all pink and cuddly." If anything her flush deepened. "I'm sorry I teased you this morning Gus." Her eyes danced with mischief. "You keep it up and I won't be able to stay over." He said to her, his voice cracked and he pulled her into his arms, so much like his father always did with Justin. "Bree, you know I love you, but you can't keep teasing me, it drives me crazy." "I'd tell the two of you to get a room, but I'm afraid you might take me up on it." Justin said. He stood in the doorway, his arm around Brian's waist. Brian leaned his head against the top of Justin's. "Sonny Boy, you are going to have to get used to long cold showers. Little Sunshine is just like her dad, sex on a stick, if we could package it and sell it we'd be millionaires." "Brian, you idiot, I'm thinking that is not the kind of thing you should be telling these two." Justin laughed at him. "Come on both of you, it's time to greet our guests." "But you guys aren't dressed." Bree looked scandalized that Justin and Brian hadn't changed since she'd seen them earlier in the afternoon. Brian looked at Justin. "I know I can't see too well yet, but you look fully clothed to me." He looked down at himself. "Yep, my dick's covered." "Pops, you know what I mean" Bree said. "Sure I do honey, now I want us to go out and face the gang as a family." Brian smiled at Bree. "We are all family now aren't we?" Gus held out his hand to Bree. She put her small one in his, linking fingers like their fathers did. "We sure are." They both said. Together the four of them walked into the large room full of people. The noise level was high as they all were talking at once. Brian, Justin, Bree and Gus stood just inside the room waiting until they were noticed. Gasps were heard as one by one they all looked at Brian, seeing him without his face covered for the first time since the accident. Then their eyes traveled to Brian's arm draped over Justin's shoulder and Justin's hand held up their fingers interlocked. A quiet hush fell over the room. Brian cleared his throat. "Justin, Bree, Gus and I wanted all of our family and our close friends here because we have an announcement to make." "Brian and I and our children want you all to know, that we are a family unit." Justin's face reflected his happiness, his smile was infectious and soon everyone began to smile. "Bree and I want to introduce you to our Dads who have committed themselves to each other. They have agreed that no matter whether there are hurt feelings, angry words, or just petty annoyances they will never separate again. Because they love each other and Bree and I - so they have decided to grow up and be big boys, no more silliness." "Well, Sunshine, that pretty much says it all." Brian said. He kissed the soft lips "Now let's leave all our guests to eat our food and drink our booze while we retire for the night." "Brian that's very rude," Lindsay began. "I don't care, I have my Sunshine back and that's all that matters." Brian hooked his finger in Justin's belt and began to move to the back of the house. "Gus make sure the door is locked when the last one leaves."