Your Forever Man Author - Elsa Rose Everywhere you look now all you see are frowning faces Everyone’s so angry it astounds you Well baby don’t you worry, cause I’m here and never leaving One thing you can depend on, I’m forever true You know I really wanna Spend my life with you The good times and the bad times We can make it through For you I’ll be brave We’ll make a stand I wanna be your guardian angel Your forever man Unemployment’s high and there’s hate between the races What happened to the Karma all this bad news Everywhere you turn, you can’t seem to find the meaning Through all the lies and drama, here’s the simple truth. You know I really wanna Spend my life with you The good times and the bad times We can make it through For you I’ll be brave We’ll make a stand I wanna be your guardian angel Your forever man (Phil Elam and Mike Boila - Justus Boyz) Justin lay in Brian’s arms while they listened to the Justus Boyz’ song repeat. “You know we should take it off repeat.” Justin said idly not wanting to move. “I’m using my famous mind control to work the changer, but it isn’t working.” Brian went back to nibbling on Justin’s shoulder and neck. “That’s okay, I like the song.” Justin sighed. “I wish you were going with me.” “I’ll join you as soon as I can. But this new client won’t change his appointment time. The contract, when we get it will mean a lot for Kinnetik.” “Gus seems excited about going.” Justin said his voice lazy. “He’s sixteen, of course he’s excited. Anything new excites him. Did you get the skis ready?” “Everything’s ready. We have the chalet at Whistler for four weeks. Gus won’t be missing much school. But we can send him back early if you think he should go.” “I’ve talked to Lindsay about it. He’s top of his class. He can afford to miss a week.” “Sure you can’t come with us?” though Justin knew it wasn’t really a question. Brian was top in his field for a reason. And if a client wanted him over the Christmas season, then the client would get him. “I’ll be there.” “The ski report says that the powder is deep and amazing. Gus and I plan on skiing from the first lift of the day to the last one. There’s even night skiing.” “I thought you guys were going snowboarding? Didn’t I just buy two damn expensive snow boards?” “Three, we have one for you too.” Justin grinned. “We’re going to do it all. We’re snow bunnies.” “Riiiight.” Brian wondered if he was up for this rather strenuous sounding vacation. He was twelve years older than Justin and while he was in shape – older is older. “And the reason again for going all the way across the country and then up to Canada and Whistler ski resort?” “Brian I told you. It’s the Kody account. I’m going to spend some time sketching and taking photographs. The skiing and snowboarding are just the icing on the cake.” “And a fine cake it is.” Brian rubbed Justin’s bare ass appreciatively. “Do you have any idea how much this chalet would rent for if we were actually paying?” Justin continued, trying to ignore Brian’s caresses. “I can’t even imagine.” Brian drawled. “Five grand a week and you have to do your own cleaning. The Kody people are throwing in a cleaning service for me.” “Whoop de do.” Brian snorted. “I don’t consider doing my own cleaning exactly worth five grand a week. I don’t care how much fucking snow there is or what shade of white. Snow is fucking snow. Pittsburgh or Whistler, it’s still white and cold and damn irritating.” “Hmmm, how long were you going to be absent from Whistler?” Justin grinned. “You know you can always sit inside the nice warm chalet and watch the hot guys dressed in tight ski clothes wander by. You could wear a fake cast and pretend you had a ski accident. No one would have to know what kind of a fair weather wuss you are.” “I can ski and snow board you and Gus into the ground Sunshine.” Brian laughed. “I’m your forever man” he warbled before claiming Justin for his own. They fell back against the pillows, shoving the extra ones out of the way before Brian began to devour Justin’s cock with the gusto of one starved for the swollen appendage. Justin shut his eyes and allowed the sensation of Brian’s expert ministrations fill him to overflowing. He wanted to remember every second, after all he and Gus would be leaving tomorrow and Brian would be at least a week before he could join them. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “This is a lot of stuff Pops.” Gus surveyed the pile of luggage, skis and snowboards. “Are you sure we need all this stuff?” “We’ll be there for a month and you want to ski and snowboard, so yes we’ll need all of this stuff.” Justin patiently explained for the fourth time. “Don’t worry, we’ll find someone to help us carry it.” “Are we renting a car?” Gus asked. He’d recently gotten his driver’s license and was always anxious to use it. “Yes we renting an SUV, the road from the airport to Whistler is supposed to be snow covered this time of year. I’m not taking any chances.” “What about dad, is he going to rent a car too?” “Probably, but he’ll turn it in at the main lodge. We really only need one car and we’ll be going back together.” “That’s cool.” Gus picked up his snow board. “Let’s go.” “You’re going to need to carry more that Gus.” Justin laughed and shouldered a pair of skis and picked up one of the bags. They were taking a cab to the airport and he could hear it outside of the house. “Where’s dad?” Gus asked as they loaded the last into the waiting taxi. “He’s in a meeting. I told him we were perfectly capable getting to the airport on our own.” “Yeah, but dad is pretty strong. He could have carried some of this stuff.” “Since when does you dad ever carry anything. He’d make the cab driver do it. There is nothing wrong with the two of us. We can carry it.” Justin relaxed while the cab drove through Pittsburgh and then out to the airport. Gus was plugged into his earphones listening to some kind of music. It was nice to take it easy. Getting the two of them packed and making a list for Brian so that he’d know what to pack, had been exhausting. It should prove interesting though. An actual working holiday, but a holiday nevertheless. The flight was a direct one from Pittsburgh to Vancouver International Airport. And for once when they flew over the mountains the sky was clear of clouds and Gus and Justin marveled at the mountains and rivers below. “Pops, can we spend the night in Vancouver and drive up to Whistler tomorrow?” Gus asked. He was enthralled with the wonders of the coastal city and wanted to explore. It was Gus’ first time out of the United States and he wanted to see everything he could. “I don’t see why not. I didn’t really want to drive to Whistler in the dark anyway.” Justin studied the map he’d been given at the Hertz counter. “Let’s head downtown and find a hotel there. It looks like there’s a bunch of them just off of English Bay.” “I’ll navigate, you drive.” Gus took the map and studied where Justin had been pointing. Soon they were on their way. The directions were easy to follow and in less than twenty minutes they were traveling along the coast line toward Denman Street. The rainbow flags gave away what section of the city they had landed in. Justin swung the SUV into the parking area of the Sands Hotel. Gus ran in to see if they could get a room. Justin took the opportunity to call Brian while Gus registered them. “Hey handsome.” “Hey yourself. You do remember there is a three hour time difference?” Brian sat down on the sofa and loosened his tie. “Did you decide to spend the night in Vancouver?” he asked. “Yes, I’m letting Gus check us into a hotel. He looks older than I do anyway. We’re in the gay section of the city apparently. Hope they don’t think I’m into chicken.” “Ewwwww.” Brian laughed. “Though I do have it on good authority that a generous age difference has been known to be quite hot. I’d say about twelve years will do it. “ “Sounds about right.” Justin smiled to himself. “I love you.” “I love you too Sunshine and I’m wearing the ring that says so.” “You haven’t slipped off your bracelet?” Justin held his arm up to the light and stared at the identical bracelet on his arm. The light glinted off of his ring. “Never.” Brian began to sing. “Your forever man” making Justin giggle. The sound of the giggle went right to his cock. “Gus is on his way back and from his swagger, he booked us a room. I’ll call later.” Justin made a kissing sound into the phone. It usually drove Brian wild. “You are such a gay boi” Brian laughed. “Later Sunshine.” He disconnected and hit the play button on the remote turning on the soft sounds of the Justus Boyz and Your Forever Man. You know I really wanna Spend my life with you The good times and the bad times We can make it through For you I’ll be brave We’ll make a stand I wanna be your guardian angel Your forever man The song had become ‘their’ song somewhere between the release of their book and Gus’ sixteenth birthday. It was one of those things that just happened. They’d been driving on the expressway home from a weekend in New York when the song came on the radio. They’d looked at each other and that was it. They had a song that meant something to the two of them. Brian sighed, if it wasn’t for this damn new account. , he’d be with the man he loved and his son right now. But at least they’d have Christmas together. Life was funny. He’d begun by loving the whole Christmas season. But that changed with time into hating the fighting and drinking and abuse that came with the first Christmas carol. And then there was a period when he ignored the season. After all he was his own man and as such could do as he pleased during the commercially corrupt holiday. Christmas meant warm sun in some southern resort. When he was least expecting it, Christmas became a time of sentimental joy to spend with his family. His lover and his son and all the extended family that were part of the whole that was Christmas and that’s what it was now. In Vancouver, Justin and Gus were settling into their suite at the Sands. Distracted by the view from the window Gus exclaimed. “You can see the ocean from here. The guy at the desk said that this room is booked in years in advance for PRIDE weekend because it gives the perfect view of the fireworks that they have each night. They have barges in the bay filled with them and different people from all over the world compete for the best display.” Gus looked at Justin. “It would be cool to come here for PRIDE weekend.” “Find out when it is and we’ll talk to your dad.” Justin lay on his bed. “That was a lot of stuff to bring up to the room.” “I told you it was too much stuff.” Gus snorted a laugh, much like his father. “Of course as usual little guy, you didn’t listen.” He liked to tease Justin about his small stature now that he’d reached the height of his father. “You aren’t too old to spank” was an empty threat as no one had ever laid a hand on Gus in his life. “Kinky Pops.” Gus laughed. “Let’s get some food, I’m starving to death.” “I’m too tired.” But Justin stood up. “Let me at least wash my face. Are we going to eat downstairs in the restaurant?” “Nope, the guy at the front desk said there is this really great place a couple of blocks up the street. It’s called the Macaroni Grill. It’s in an old mansion, even dad would like it.” “Anything else you and the guy downstairs talked about?” “Just that his shift ends at eleven, but I told him that was two in the morning on our time, and I’d be asleep.” “He does know you’re sixteen doesn’t he?” Justin asked. “The subject of my age never actually came up.” The trademark Kinney tongue in cheek grin almost cracked Justin up. “You are far too much like your father for your own good.” Justin shook his head. “Let’s go eat and then I’m going to bed.” But the lure of the night lights on Davie and Denman had both of them mesmerized when they came out of the Macaroni Grill. They followed the lights up Davie Street, crossed at Robson and then headed back toward the hotel. But at the hotel, it was only a few feet from Denman and another interesting walk that led them to the entrance of Stanley Park. Gus wanted to continue but it was apparent that Stanley Park at night was a gay stroll and Justin didn’t need the hassle of being hit on by guys he wasn’t interested in so they turned around and headed for the hotel. The three hour time difference was beginning to tell on them and they were both tired, though Gus hated to admit it. The phone was ringing as they entered their room. Gus was the first to reach it. “Hey dad.” He said. “How did you know it was me?” Brian laughed. “Who else would call us?” “Maybe the hot guy on the desk, he told me that you and Justin were on your way to your room. Now why would he even know who you were?” “Beats me dad. You know how guys are?” Gus smiled to himself. “It’s late, I just wanted to tell you to go easy on Justin in the snow. He’s getting old.” “Geeze dad, don’t let him hear you say that. I love you dad, here’s your better half.” “Hey Brian.” Justin lay on the bed. He wished the lights were out and he was naked. Phone sex with Brian was always amazing. Any sex with Brian was amazing. “I’m on my way to bed and thought I’d call to say goodnight.” “Ahhhh, you do love me after all.” Justin smiled. “Brat, you know it.” Brian’s voice softened. “I want you and Gus to have fun. I should be there before the end of the week. I’ve arranged for a limo service to take me to Whistler so you don’t have to worry about cars.” “You are such a high maintenance husband.” “No I’m the sensible husband. The limo will cost less; I won’t have to worry about driving on mountain roads that I don’t know. And I’ll be able to relax while I’m getting there. There’s a lesson here Sunshine.” “Well I’m not getting it.” Justin grinned to himself. “Is Sonny Boy in the room with you?” Brian’s voice had dropped to a seductive purr. “Yes.” “Damn, I don’t suppose you could tell him to go take a shower or a walk or something?” “Briaaaannn.” Justin laughed. “We will have our own rooms in the chalet won’t we?” Brian squirmed. He after all was ready for phone sex. His hand rubbed his hard cock and then remembering Gus was only a phone line away, he stopped rubbing. “Yes dear.” Justin chuckled. He knew what Brian had been up to. “You are sooooo going to get your ass plowed.” “Promise?” “Of course.” Brian smiled to himself visualizing their reunion. “I hear ‘our’ song.” “It reminds me of you.” Brian admitted. “I wish I’d brought a CD with me. I’m not impressed with Gus’ choice of music.” Justin ducked when Gus threw a pillow at him. “Call me when you get to Whistler. I heard that the roads up there suck. I want to make sure the two of you make it okay.” “Yes dear.” Justin repeated once again. “I love you.” “Ditto.” Brian chuckled. “Later” “Later” Justin hung up the phone and then lay back and stared at the ceiling. “Pops, do you still love dad the same way you did when you first fell in love with him?” Gus sat cross legged on his bed and stared at Justin. “No, I love him more.” Justin’s voice was dreamy. “When I first fell in love with him it was a combination of awe, lust and love. I was only seventeen after all. What did I know about real love? But as the years went by, I matured in my thinking and so did your father. Our love matured as well. But one thing has always remained the same; we still feel that same stomach lurching passion each time we touch.” “I probably didn’t need to know that part” Gus laughed. He stood up. “I’m going to shower now.” While Gus was in the shower Justin removed his clothing and crawled between the covers. He thought about surfing through the television channels and then couldn’t be bothered to find the remote. Instead he lay back, shut his eyes and thought about Brian reliving the day that their book came out. No Regrets had been an instant bestseller much to the surprise of both authors. It was in its fourth printing now. It had been decided that it would never be issued in a paper back version. That of course had been Brian’s decision. He liked to think that people were willing to pay more than a hundred dollars a book. Oddly enough, the most grief they got from the book was from some of their friends. It had taken months to let them all get over it. Apparently as long as Brian didn’t say the words out loud or in print, then he remained the way they loved to love him. Telling the world that he was human wasn’t what a few of them wanted to hear. “Hey Pops, did you see that your book was in Little Sister’s book store?” Gus asked when he got out of the shower. “It’s really cool seeing a book that my dad’s wrote in a store.” “I did notice.” Justin’s eyes had been drawn to the book. It was probably why he was thinking of the book tonight. “I’m going to watch some TV when you have your shower.” Gus threw himself on the bed and grabbed the remote that always seemed to appear as if by magic when the boy wanted it. Justin sighed. He wouldn’t be able to relax until Gus satisfied his lust for the news and surfed through all the channels. It was going to be a long month. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian was about to step onto the plane when a news item caught his attention. Three snowboarders are still missing from the Blackcomb ski resort when an avalanche swept down earlier today. Witnesses say that the one snowboarder that survived the avalanche did so when another one pushed him out of the way of the roaring snow and ice and under a rock overhang only to be swept away himself. Rescue attempts will continue at first light. Snow conditions are prohibiting the use of helicopters for fear of further avalanches. We will update you on the eleven o’clock news. Brian froze in place. Whistler, wasn’t that where Blackcomb was? Justin and Gus were going to be in rough shape when they heard about the accident. His mind was whirling with fear too terrible to even contemplate and he shook as he boarded the plane wishing that he’d left the day before rather than take the time to do one more meeting at Kinnetik. Quelling his panic and using all of his Kinney Irish charm, Brian managed to get regular updates on the accident from the cockpit of the plane. Two bodies had been found. One half way down the mountain and the other one on the shore of the river that raged with icy wildness through the mountains eventually to end up at the Pacific Ocean. Names were not being released at this time. The five hour flight seemed to take years. In the old days, Brian would have resorted to liquid courage. But now, he knew better. He knew that no matter what he found when he reached Gus and Justin; he’d need all of his faculties functioning. Knowing both of his boys and their gregarious nature, Brian was sure they would have become fast friends with all the snowboarders on the mountain. As soon as the plane landed and while it was taxiing to the landing station, Brian hit speed dial wanting to hear Justin’s voice. When he received the disembodied voice of the operator telling him that the phone was out of service, it was all Brian could do not to throw the phone across the plane. Instead, teeth clenched, Brian dialed Gus’ phone. He was about to hang up when the phone was answered by a strange voice. “Hello?” “Who is this?” Brian demanded. “Corporal Kent of the Squamish RCMP; please state your identity and your reason for calling.” Brian’s heart stopped for a moment. When he could speak he managed. “Brian Kinney, Gus’ father.” “Mr. Kinney, there’s been an incident here. I think you should get here as soon as you can.” “Where is here?” Brian’s voice cracked. “I’m at the Squamish Hospital. Gus has been admitted though they’ll release him as soon as he has a parent or guardian available. He’s doing better. He was suffering from exposure and has a broken collar bone and a few bruises. “ “His father, where is his father?” “I thought you said you were his father?” the male voice suddenly sounded harsh and suspicious. “I am his father, I meant my husband, Gus’ other father.” Brian straightened his shoulders prepared to fight homophobia. “I’m sorry sir. I had to be sure. I really think we should discuss this when you arrive.” “My plane just landed. How long will it take to get to you?” “You should be here within a couple of hours or less, depending on the traffic and the roads. I can have a car meet you.” “No, I have a limo waiting.” Brian took down the Constable’s name and contact number though his hands shook so badly he wasn’t sure he’d be able to read what he’d written down. “Can I talk to my son?” he asked. “I’m sorry, he’s been sedated. I was in the room with him when the phone rang. I’m hoping to get a statement as to what happened.” “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Brian sighed. “Can you call my cell when he wakes up?” “Sorry sir, you won’t have any cell service the moment you leave the city. Once you’re on the mountain roads cell service is negligible.” “I’ll get there as soon as I can. If Gus wakes up please let him know that I’m coming as soon as I can.” “I’ll let him know. And sir, I’m sorry for your loss.” He disconnected the phone. “Loss, what fucking loss?” Brian all but screamed to the shock of those around him. He glared and tucked his phone away. The limo had fucking well better be available or heads would roll. There was no fucking way that Justin was anything but alive and well. He’d know if he wasn’t because he’d be dead as well. Walking and breathing, but dead none the less. Brian headed directly for the limo. Fuck his luggage. He could get more or pick it up another day. He had to get to Gus and Justin. Sitting in the back of the limousine, Brian kept his mind blank. He couldn’t think of anything that didn’t involve his husband and their future together. And his son, Gus, Gus must be out of his mind with worry. Through the glass partition, the faint strains of “Your Forever Man” drifted through to Brian as it was being played on the radio. His eyes closed in pain as he turned toward the window unmindful of the tears that soaked the collar of his shirt. Brian stayed in that same position as the large car made its way through the city and onto the four lane highway that led to the narrow coastal road that would wind its way through the mountains. It was only when mountains loomed dark and foreboding did he turn away from the window. He fucking didn’t want to see a mountain. The drive to the small hospital in Squamish was almost anticlimactic. Brian arranged for the limo driver to wait in order to take Gus and him back to the chalet that they would be staying in. He also arranged for the limo to have someone get his luggage at the airport and have it brought to the chalet for the next day. “I’m here for Gus Kinney.” Brian announced to the nurse in charge of the emergency ward. for that’s all that was open at this time of day. “He’s on 2C follow the red lines on the floor and report to the nursing station when you get there. Someone will direct you to Gus.” She hesitated. “Mr. Kinney, Gus…. Her voice trailed. “Well Gus is a nice young man, he’s a friend of my sons and.. … well he blames himself. He and Georgie were inside the ‘off bounds’ markers. They were fooling around being stupid and taking dares. His father, your husband, he saved Gus’ life. I want you to know that. I know I’m not supposed to tell you these things, but Georgie, he told me everything. He was there, but just outside the avalanches path.” Brian couldn’t speak. Instead he nodded his thanks, turned and headed for Gus’ room. Justin is alive, Justin is alive, Justin is alive kept repeating through his brain. He stepped into Gus’ room. A police officer stood up from the chair in the corner. Gus took one look at Brian and burst into tears, sobbing like he hadn’t done since he was a toddler. Brian moved over and pulled his son into his arms “Gus” he said and held him close careful of the boy’s bandaged shoulder. “Daaaad, Pops, Pops, he……” Gus sobbed again. “Justin will be fine. We just have to find him. You know Sunshine, he’s tough, a little bit of snow isn’t going to stop him.” Brian tried to say the words with a conviction he didn’t feel. “But dad, it was my fault. Me and the guys, we went under the fence. The snow was better there and we were kind of showing off. When Pops found us, he skied down toward and all of a sudden there was this big noise. It was so loud you couldn’t hear anything else. I looked up and it looked like the whole mountain was coming down. Pops, he skied faster than I ever saw him. I was just kind of frozen. He caught my arm and pulled it and me and then, then I don’t know how he did it, but he threw me under this big rock thing. When I looked back I couldn’t see him anywhere. All I could see was a giant snow cloud moving down the mountain and trees falling over and rocks and sometimes bits of color. I think that it was somebody’s coat. And then nothing. Everything disappeared and there was silence for a bit and then shouts. Mountain rescue found me and then Georgie, but I don’t think the other guys …… his voice trailed off. He couldn’t stop shaking and he couldn’t voice what he was thinking. “Gus” Brian wanted to comfort his son, but he couldn’t find the words. He tried to quell the urge to blame Gus for Justin’s disappearance. Brian’s teeth were clenched so hard he was sure he was going to snap them off. But still he held his son while he worked through his fear and anguish. “Dad don’t hate me please.” Gus sounded like he had when he was five and had broken a statue in Brian’s loft. Those few words said with so much pain and fear brought Brian out of the world where his mind had wandered. “I love you Gus. I could never hate you. Justin, Justin is lost, we’ll find him. It’ll take time. I know he isn’t dead.” “But….” “Gus, we’re going to the chalet now. I have a limo waiting. We’ll help with the search for Justin tomorrow. It’s too dark tonight.” “Pops had his ‘peeps’ on, but I head them talking. They think he went into the river and the ‘peeps’ won’t work if they’re under water.” “What are you talking about?” “It’s a thing you wear when you’re skiing or snowboarding in remote areas. It makes a peeping sound so if you’re under snow, the dogs can find you.” “Oh,” Brian was silent, the implications of the device heavy on his soul. He stood up. “Come on, we’re getting out of here.” “Mr. Kinney, I’d like to talk to Gus.” The constable stepped forward. “Weren’t you listening?” Brian asked. “Yes, I heard what was being said.” The constable had his notepad out. “Then you don’t need to ask any question tonight. I’m taking my son back to the chalet. I believe you have the address. You can see us tomorrow though I’ll be with the searchers.” “But Mr. Kinney.” “Tomorrow, my son has been through enough and frankly so have I.” Brian took Gus by his good arm and moved him out of the room. “Dad, I don’t have my clothes.” Gus protested. “There must be some at the chalet.” “Yes, but.” “Take your jacket, I have a limo waiting. No one cares if your ass hangs out. I want to get out of here.” “Let me put my pants on at least.” “Hurry up.” Brian was abrupt and to anyone who didn’t know him, they would think he was being harsh. But Gus knew his father was in emotional pain and was barely holding himself together. He put his pants on quickly despite his broken collarbone. He grabbed his ski boots and socks and jacket and hurried after his father who was by now standing in front of the elevator. “Mr. Kinney, the doctor hasn’t signed your son out of the hospital.” The nurse in charge protested. “He can do it tomorrow, we’re going home.” With those words he stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the lobby. Gus barely made it through the doors before they closed. Father and son rode the elevator in silence. Gus followed Brian through the heavy hospital door slipping his ski boots on at the last minute, but leaving them unfastened. “Mr. Kinney, your bags were picked up by the service, they’ll be delivered to the chalet in an hour.” The chauffer greeted him. “Thanks.” Brian said and got into the car after Gus slipped inside. “Dad” Gus started. “Gus, I really can’t talk right now. Tomorrow Sonny Boy, tomorrow I’ll talk. Tonight I need to be alone. I need to concentrate on Justin.” “But.” “The thing is Gus, Justin and I, we have a connection. He’s alive. I know he’s alive. I just can’t find him right now.” Brian sighed and leaned back into the plush seat. ‘I’m his forever man after all’ he thought and he’s mine. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Snow conditions have to be just right for an avalanche to occur – of course on Blackcomb Mountain snow conditions are always right and there are places on the mountain that are marked out of bounds for just that reason. Everyone who goes up the mountain is aware of the out of bounds markers, they can be plainly seen from the lifts and if that doesn’t make them aware, the ski patrol lets them know frequently. Gus, Georgie and three others had been having an amazing week. They didn’t even mind that in the background Justin hovered. Always there, skiing or snow boarding with them, but never interfering in their fun. He’d warned them away from the tantalizing fresh powder and interesting jumps that were on the other side of the marked out of bounds area a number of times. And longing looks and a few tentative arguments had usually ended the enquiry. But on this day, Todd, one of the boys, sailed off of a jump slightly to the left and landed squarely inside the area where he wasn’t supposed to be. It was further up the mountain and the marker was slightly hidden by a mound of snow that had been shaken from the branches of a tall pine. Realizing that this was a golden opportunity to at least get into the fresh powder for a few moments, he was followed by the rest of the snowboarders. Justin and the ski patrol saw them and began to make their way over to them. Justin was much closer than the two men from the Blackcomb ski patrol. In fact he was almost through the barrier when with a resounding yell, the last of the snowboarders cleared the jump and landed near the rest. It was the echoing yell that did it. High above them the first rumblings of the avalanche began. The ski patrol could only watch helpless as the snow began to move picking up speed down the side of the mountain. Justin felt it first and he screamed for the snow boarders to move out of the path. But it isn’t that easy to avoid a freight train of snow. Justin skied for all he was worth toward Gus who stood frozen by an outcropping of rock. The blond could see that there might be a chance for Gus if he could protect himself under a granite overhang. Using all the skills he’d acquired in his years of skiing, Justin flew down the mountain slightly ahead of the pounding snow and ice and rock. Reaching Gus with enough force and momentum that he could pull the boy with one hand and throw him under the outcropping of rock Justin used every ounce of strength that the adrenalin rush gave him. He knew he’d never reach it himself so he did the only thing he could do and that was ski for his life riding the deadly wave of snow like a Hawaiian surfer. But his luck wavered when part way down the mountain he lost a ski on a rock. He felt himself bowled over and over so fast that it was impossible to know what was happening and then he was sailing through the air only to land with a splash of brain numbing cold in the icy lake below. Darkness closed his mind and Justin didn’t notice the rocks and snow and ice that joined him or the body of one of the boys. He didn’t notice that he’d landed directly in a fast moving current that ripped through the narrow lake, really only a widening of a river. His buoyant down filled jacket kept him tossing on the surface of the lake and then into the rushing white waters of the river. And as he began to go under the water his left arm, the jacket sleeve ripped away, caught on a snag, a log that was submerged. The sudden buffeting of Justin’s body was enough to free the log. Justin’s bracelet, strong platinum links that were forged with love and sealed on his wrist by his husband caught in a small but strong branch of the log keeping him firmly in its grasp as the heavy remnant of a British Columbia pine tree moved rapidly toward the coastal waters. ; its almost frozen and unconscious hitchhiker unaware of the journey. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian paced the chalet all night. his bare feet padding quietly over the hardwood floors, stopping only when he reached carpet and then continuing on. He’d stop and watch his son sleep, occasionally covering him when quilts were tossed aside restlessly. Then move on to the room where Justin had slept. He picked up a sweatshirt that had been tossed aside and breathed deeply hoping to smell Justin. His face held no expression. Walls long broken were slowly snapped back into place as the hours went by. His poker face of old, softened slightly from years of smiling at the man he loved returned as he stared out the window at moonlit snow. You know I really wanna Spend my life with you The good times and the bad times We can make it through For you I’ll be brave We’ll make a stand I wanna be your guardian angel Your forever man The chorus of the ‘their’ song haunted his thoughts while he tried to keep his mind blank. When the phone in the chalet rang, he picked it up before the first ring completed. “Justin?” “Sorry Mr. Kinney. It’s Sam Wexler of Blackcomb search and rescue. We’re meeting at the foot of the mountain in order to be ready to go out at first light. Did you want to be there?” “ I’ll be there.” Brian hung up and turned to find Gus staring at him. “Go back to bed Sonny Boy, I’m going to join the search team. I don’t want to worry about you so I’d appreciate it if you could stay here near a landline. Maybe your friend Georgie can come over and keep you company. I’ll call and let you know what’s happening.” “But dad, I want to help.” “You’ll help by staying here. Your shoulder needs time to heal. I’ll call the family when I know more about what’s happened. Please don’t call them yet.” “But what about Uncle Mikey?” “Especially Uncle Mikey.” Brian turned abruptly away. He needed to get dressed. His luggage had arrived late, but it was there. It was amazing what a decent tip could get you even here. Gus watched his father leave the room. He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t stay in the room waiting while everyone searched for Justin. The words Justin’s body flitted through his mind before he squelched them. It was too early to call Georgie, but it wasn’t too early to call his moms. He’d wait until his dad had gone down the mountain and then he’d call. He needed to know what to do and sitting in the chalet surrounded by a week of good memories with his Pops wasn’t what he needed right now. Brian looked in at Gus before leaving the chalet. The boy appeared to be sleeping so he said nothing and left. There was really only one thing on his mind and that was locating his husband. As he climbed into Justin’s rented SUV he looked toward the eastern sky at the first blush of the dawn sun. He had to find his husband and then take him away from this god forsaken mountain and home where he belonged. You know I really wanna Spend my life with you The good times and the bad times We can make it through For you I’ll be brave We’ll make a stand I wanna be your guardian angel Your forever man