In the Begining Part 17 ------------------------------------------------- "Brian, how can you go to the White Party now?" "Because that's when the White Party is" "But we're busy at Babylon and the wedding is Saturday" "Sap has managed the place for a lot of years he isn't likely to self destruct in three days and the wedding will happen even if I'm not there." "But Mom and Dad are coming home this week" "All the more reason to let you and your parents get reacquainted, Molly and Spike will have lots to say and you and Daphne pretty much never shut up. They don't need me there. Also, I get to sleep in my own bed once again, in my own loft, with my own stuff surrounding me and no cat yowling in my ear or trying to climb my leg. I'd say all those things added up will give me lots of things to do and lots of things for you to do." "You won't even miss me will you?" Justin was starting to sound like a child but he couldn't stop himself. Living with Brian at the house the past few months had lulled him into thinking it was permanent, even though he knew it wasn't. Brian had never complained about his lack of privacy or the fact that he rarely went to Woodies or the other clubs. Owning Babylon was something both of them had kept secret from their friends. Yet Brian did miss his privacy, he hadn't hesitated in helping out the Taylors, first with Molly and then with Justin. It was time to resume his old life he thought. "Justin, I will miss you, you have to know that. But you're still only 19 and I'm, well I'm a bit older. You have lots of living to do before you'll be ready to settle down, we've had this conversation before. Look, Mikey needs some help with something, you could help him out and that would keep you busy and your mind off my living back at the loft." "Brian, I'm not a child that needs to be pacified, I've certainly got more than enough to keep me busy. I've got school, and then the wedding next week I sure don't need to play with Mikey" "You'll have lots of time to help Mikey out, the munchers have their wedding under control or at least most of it under control." "Have you told them you're not going yet?" "I'll tell them tomorrow. They won't care, besides I always go to the White Party, I haven't missed in five years and Lindsey knows it." "But this day is important to them, they're getting married." "I'm perfectly aware of what they're doing. It's a dyke thing wanting to tell the world that they're a couple, marching down the aisle with friends and family watching, wearing matching Vera Wang's. I prefer queer relationships, with no locks on the doors." "You prefer hiding your feelings from the world and don't give me that crap about no locks on the doors." "It's not crap." "Fine, I'm sure you won't mind then if I date other guys. I don't like to fuck around like you do, I actually prefer to know the guy's I fuck, yes even their names and yes I like to fuck friends. Wow, now how many Kinney rules is that I'm about to break." "What do you mean about to break?" "You have made it more than clear that now you don't have to live at the house you are going to return to your wicked ways, well that's just peachy, you do that, but I'm not going to sit at home twiddling my thumbs while you let gay Pittsburgh suck your dick or you try to break the `how many guys can I top before morning' world record." With that said Justin turned and walked away from Brian, but not before blowing him a kiss. Brian remained seated at the table in the diner, unsure of just what happened. His life was supposed to return to normal, at least that's what he'd thought. This past few days had thrown him into a turmoil, not that he let it show. First he won the trip to the White Party, he'd been planning on attending anyway, so this was a pleasant surprise. Then the munchers planned this wedding, why now, why not next week for Christ sakes. And Mikey wanting him to get Justin to draw some damn comic book thing. Justin couldn't stand him for five minutes without sniping and it generally went over poor Mikey's head. Jenn and Craig coming home was supposed to make his life easier not more complicated. Justin's reaction was even more unsettling. He and Justin were business partners, had a great sexual relationship, were friends in more ways than he'd ever let anyone be, he even admitted that he loved him, something he never thought would ever happen. Did Justin think they would do the wedding thing? Was he crazy? Even the age difference being considered, they were queer, they might have a partner for a few years, but men weren't meant to be monogamous, just look at his father, or any marriage. The men all stray, don't they? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hi Linds, Mel getting everything ready for the big day?" "Hey Justin, Emmett and George are helping. You are going to be there aren't you? I know Brian's being a shit, but we're hoping you'll be there." "Brian asked me to go with him to the White Party, but I figure knowing he's tricking and actually seeing him tricking are two different things. I can always use my spiritual connections and make him impotent." Justin grinned. "We're glad you're going to be there honey, you're an important part of our lives as well as Gus's life. He thinks of you as one of his Dads - we figure it's because he has two Moms he thinks he should have multiple Dads as well." "Gus is a sweetie, I'll be happy to stand in as his Dad on Saturday. Can I borrow him for awhile. I thought we'd go shopping for something hot for the wedding." "Gus is a little young for hot Justin." "Hey, I'm not giving him a junior club membership, straight guys can wear `hot' even real short ones like Gussy." Justin bent over and tickled Gus making him giggle. "OK, nothing weird like you and your gang wear sometime." "Weird, I don't do weird, tasteful, fun, sexy maybe, but never weird." Justin waved as he wheeled out of the diner with Gus. The girls waved to Gus and Justin and then sat back down at the counter. "It's too bad Justin had to fall for that shit" said Mel. "Mel, Brian loves Justin too, he just doesn't know how much or what to do about it." "He could stop tricking, that would be a start." "I don't really think he still tricks much, he only wants to have the option to trick. If he commits to Justin one hundred percent that means he's leaving himself open to all kinds of grief." "Lindsey, if Brian truly does love Justin like you seem to think, it's too late, Justin can break his heart just as much now as he could if they were an official couple." "I know, and Brian does too, that's what has him so scared." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Sure were a lot of screw ups with Mel and Linds and all the wedding stuff. Does that happen with everyone's wedding I wonder?" "Beats me, ask someone who got married." "Gus is going to miss you at the wedding." "Gus might miss his lunch or his bear, he's too young to miss a person and he doesn't see me all that much to miss me anyway." "I'm watching Gus for the weekend, I'll miss you and I'll tell Gus all about you and what you're up to instead of seeing his Mommies getting married." "Justin, stop being a child, it's just exactly things like this that remind me of our age difference. You know by now that I won't me manipulated. You could have come to Florida with me." "Brian, it's just exactly things like you going to Florida instead of a wedding for two people who are part of your family that remind me of our emotional age difference. With any luck at all you should mature emotionally soon, hopefully before I'm ninety." "I don't appreciate that comment and I didn't appreciate the article you posted on my computer and left on my desk at the loft, at Babylon and at work." "What article was that?" Justin asked innocently "You know darn well what article." "Oh the one about too much cocaine, and other designer drugs causing impotence, I figured you should be aware, your dick and having it work properly is obviously a most important part of your life. I mean, if you break it, I'll still love you, but you might have problems getting anyone else to love you. Anyone new would only have your pleasant personality, charming sarcastic wit and your mature looks to lure them into your web." "Somebody must have shit in your cornflakes today Sonny Boy. It won't work, I'm going to Florida in an hour and that's final." "Have a great time Sweetie" Justin kissed Brian on the cheek "I've got a little boy to get ready to see his Mom's get married." Justin wiggled his finger goodbye as he closed the loft door. "Sweetie?" Brian thought. "The boy is hanging out with Emmett far too much." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The wedding chapel in George's mansion had been decorated exquisitely by Emmett and Ted. The guests were seated and the wedding party was about to come down the aisle. The music began and Mel and Mouse came down and stood to one side, both dressed in white tuxedo's boutonnires of blue for-get-me-nots. Daphne and Emmett were next, both lovely in white lace over baby blue slip dresses. The music changed to the wedding march and Lindsey stood framed in the doorway radiant in the dress Deb had made with love. She was holding Justin's arm and Justin held Gus's hand, the two boys dressed in identical tuxedo's that matched Mel and Mouse complete with boutonnires in blue as they started down the aisle, strong arms lifted Gus in the air, the sunshine smiles of Lindsey, Gus and Justin lit up the chapel and the four of them walked slowly down the aisle, Lindsey holding onto the arms of Justin on one side and Brian holding Gus on the other. It was hard for everyone to hold the tears back as both Brian and Justin handed Lindsey over to Mel. Justin's eyes shiny with tears and love looked at Brian as they took their seats, Gus in the middle, Brian leaned over to whisper in Justin's ear. "I thought I'd see how this wedding thing is done." "What about the White Party?" "Lots of white here and you did say there was a party after." Brian sat with his arm on the back of the chair, claiming Gus and Justin as his. Justin put his hand up and held on tight to Brian's hand his eyes never leaving Brian's face the love reflected in his face to Brian was all the answer he needed. Even Brian had tears in his eyes as the wedding ceremony came to an end. Everyone started to laugh as the silence was broken by Gus's clapping and shouts of "Good one Mommies" when Mel and Lindsey exchanged their first kiss as a married couple. Justin held Gus in place, his little feet standing on the chair so he could watch his Mommies, Brian and Justin's eyes met once again and their lips brushed quickly over Gus's excited wiggling, promises silently given and accepted. The guests swarmed up to congratulate the couple, Justin and Brian hung back letting everyone have their say. They played with Gus keeping him amused their hands brushing, fingers touching, glances hot with promise - words to each other were unnecessary as they entertained the little boy sitting with them. The time finally came when the wedding bouquet was to be thrown. "Brian, I want to catch the bouquet." Justin was moving past Brian to stand with Michael, Ted and Emmett. "Kind of a silly waste of time Sunshine." Justin stuck his tongue out at Brian. "As the younger partner here, I get to do these silly things without losing face." The boys were jostling each other in anticipation when the bouquet went up in the air and slowly descended a suntanned hand snatching it just before it reached Emmett's open hand. They all turned and looked at the winner of the bouquet and came face to face with Brian's tongue in cheek smirk. Brian bowed low before Justin, holding out the bouquet "I believe this is yours Sunshine." "You know what this means Brian" chortled Ted. "I have heard the rumors." Brian replied his eyes locked with Justin's. The party continued, the guests torn between discussing the wedding or discussing Brian Kinney's obvious feelings about Justin. Brian and Justin were leaving early to take Gus home, he'd had too much excitement and was cranky and tired. Justin walked over to Michael and handed him a large portfolio. "Brian asked me to do this for you. He gave me your story line and I did the art work, it's camera ready, but I will make any changes you need. Let Brian know, I'll work through him. I have a contract in there drawn up by my lawyer. Sign it and you can use the artwork for your comic book. Oh and Michael, I had to make a couple of changes to the storyline, Zepher is never going to get Rage - not in this lifetime or any alternate universe you might come up with. He'd better learn to deal with that reality or he's going to end up a very sad and lonely little comic book gay boy sidekick." Justin, hurried to catch up with Brian and Gus. "Hey boys, we going to party?" "Party, Daddy?" Gus's head came up off Brian's shoulder. "Bed time party Gus, Justin and you both need to get to bed." "Gus, sleepy" he once again snuggled into Brian's shoulder. "Justin, horny" Justin wiggled under Brian's arm to snuggle into the other shoulder. "Justin's a Brat." Whispered Brian kissing him quickly as he strapped Gus into his car seat. "Maybe a brat, but a horny brat." Giggled Justin as he carefully tucked his bouquet beside Gus's overnight bag. "Did you work everything out with Mikey about the comic?" "Brian, Mikey and I are never, going to be buds, but yes I did what you asked and it's a good thing I love you. I had a contract drawn up that he needs to sign and I left him the artwork all ready for printing." "Thank you Baby, it means a lot to Mikey, this comic book thing. It means a lot to me that you did it for him." "Brian, I did it for you, now let's drop the subject of Mikey and his comic fixation. If you really want to say thank you for Mikey, my birthday is next week." "I don't do birthdays, I celebrate achievements, the fact that you're born like every one else in the world isn't an achievement." "Tough shit, I do birthdays. I like presents and cake and family and friends, party hats and birthday wishes. Get with the program Brian Lion." "I never have birthday parties." "Brian, you've never had a blonde boy in love with you before. A blonde boy who loves parties, birthday or otherwise. Stick around and there will be lots of birthday cakes for special brown haired boys. You might even start to like the attention. Anyway, don't worry about a party this year, `cause Ben's birthday is the same day as mine and Michael is giving him a party. Emmett called about it when you were in the shower this morning. And---- Mel and Linds are taking me to a `thing' at PIFA and lunch for my birthday so I'll have lots of celebrating without it bugging you." "It doesn't `bug' me Justin, I'm just not comfortable with the birthday thing. It wasn't important when I grew up." "Brian, I love you so much, it's important to me and it's important that I give back to you some of your childhood that's been missing." Justin put his arms around Brian pulling him close. "We'll make out own memories of important occasions for you to remember." Brian held his Boy Wonder close, thinking how appropriate the name was. Justin filled him with wonder each and every day. Brian actually hadn't forgotten Justin's birthday, he had planned a gift for him that should surprise even Justin. The day of Justin's birthday arrived. Brian called him first thing in the morning. "Hey Brat, happy birthday." "Mornin Brian," Justin yawned "Thought you didn't do birthdays" "I figured, seeing as I was living with you for awhile, I'd make and exception for you this year only." "What about next year?" "Let's just struggle through this one first, we'll worry about next year later, much later." "Kay, will I see you tonight?" "Thought you and the munchers had a date." "We do, lunch and then some kind of concert, long hair stuff but they said the guy was cute who's playing." "How cute?" "I don't know, maybe as hot as you only younger, didn't you want me to meet some younger guys, to develop my potential." "Yes, I do Justin, you can't know how you feel about us until you've lived a little and experienced more than me." "Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Kinney, but I believe I mentioned that the thirty second rush with second best wasn't an option for me, but what ever turns your crank old man, you do what you have to do. Me, if I fuck somebody else besides you it'll be because we have a connection. It won't be a casual fuck. I leave that to the old men and losers like Ted who can't do better. I like myself better than that." Brian was silent, he didn't know whether to be pissed at Justin's comments or proud of him. "Justin........." "Brian, I love you no matter what you do. You do understand that don't you? It's just not something I can do. I like to feel special and I like to let my partner feel special. Think about it Baby, you know that you are my one and only do you like it like that or would you prefer that every guy in Woodies have sucked me off? It's a generation thing. My generation prefers relationships to one night stands." "Justin... "Can't talk now Brian, thanks for calling, I'll see you later maybe after I get done with Linds and Mel." Once again, the young man had managed to turn Brian's world upside down with his comments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mel and Lindsey picked Justin up promptly and they drove to the concert hall. When they arrived they were surprised to see Ted sitting in the row in front of them. "Hi Ted, I didn't know you liked this stuff." Justin was busy finding his seat and settling in. "Hi Justin, Mel, Linds I love this. I heard this kid play once before and he's great. We actually met at the last recital he had and we've been email buddies ever since. For someone so young it's amazing the knowledge he has about music and the artists that perform the kind of music we both like." Justin and the girls looked at each other and shrugged, Ted was more than enthusiastic about this guy. The house lights went down and the performance began. Justin was bored listening, the music was OK, but not what he liked. He amused himself drawing the violinist and Ted's face watching. After what Justin was sure had been three lifetimes the recital was over he and the girls began to leave. "Lindsey, Mel, Justin come on back to the hall, there's a small reception and I can introduce you all to Ethan." The three looked at each other silently communicating, none of them could come up with a good excuse why they had to leave so they agreed to go with Ted. Justin was eating one of the canaps when the violist came up to him. "I saw you in the audience talking to Ted." "Yeah, I've known him for awhile. Hey, you're good, you know with the violin and all." "I've been playing most of my life." He picked up Justin's program and looked at the sketches he'd made of Ted and himself. "You're good too. Can I keep these. Ted looks so sweet." "Sure" `Ted sweet?' thought Justin. "I'm a student in the art department here. I haven't seen you around before." "I don't get out much, I mostly practice. What brought you here today?" "It's my birthday, this was a birthday treat from Mel and Linds" he indicated the two women talking in a corner. "You having a party?" "I don't think so, my boyfriend doesn't `do' birthdays. I don't want him to feel uncomfortable so quiet celebrations with friends is more the order of the day." Ethan handed him a CD "Happy Birthday, here's a copy of some of my music. I made this for someone special, but I'll share it with you." Justin looked at the CD "Thanks, are you sure. If it's for a friend.... "Don't worry about it I made a couple of them. Hey can I put your sketches on the next one?" "Sure, look Ethan, the girls are ready to leave, I'll see you around." Justin walked over to the ladies and the left. He turned to offer a quick wave and was surprised to see Ted and Ethan standing to one side, their heads together as they talked. Justin was surprised to see Brian waiting outside the recital hall when they came out. Brian walked over and put his arms around him. "Hey birthday boy, ready for your present?" Justin looked at Mel and Lindsey and saw them smiling. He knew then he'd been set up by all of them. "I don't know Brian, isn't it sort of childish this birthday thing?" "Sure is, but you love it and you know it. Come with me Baby, we're leaving town for supper and spectacular art show." "No shit, who's having the show and where are we having supper?" "We'll just have to wait and see Sonny Boy. Now put this blindfold on, I want this to be a complete surprise as much as possible." Justin helped Brian with the blindfold. "We going to the cabin?" "No" "To the Club?" "No" "Where" "You do understand the concept of surprise don't you Justin?" Sit back and enjoy the ride. Here let me put the CD you're carrying on." Within minutes the sounds of Ethan Gold's violin filled the jeep. "Kind of appropriate where we're going tonight." Was all Brian said as he drove toward the airport's private runway. Brian helped Justin from the jeep and led him toward a small Liberty Air Jet. Justin was realizing they were at an airport from the smells and sounds and then when he began to climb the steps into the plane he knew for sure. Brian led Justin to a luxurious seat and took off his blindfold. "You and I are about to embark on a birthday tour." Brian pulled him into his arms for a kiss. "Brian, I don't know what to say, except where are we and where are we going? "We are in the CEO of Liberty Airs private transportation, we are heading to Paris for dinner but first they are showing a wonderful artist's work that I think you'll love." Justin's eyes filled with tears "You are such a shit Brian." "Is that anyway to say thank you" "Brian, this is the most wonderful surprise, I love you so much." Justin hugged Brian so close, Brian was sure his back might break. "Hey Sonny Boy, I don't want you to cry. You're supposed to be happy." "I am happy Brian Lion, you are so ridiculously romantic, you constantly amaze me." "I can but try, Baby. I can but try"