Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Chapter 7 – Aftermath, Part 1 A Few Moments Later in Pitts…(Day 38) Brian hung up the phone after the call from Paul. He finally allowed himself the luxury of a simple laugh at Paul’s antics. His laughter was interrupted as Cynthia entered his office. She noticed Brian’s good mood and couldn’t resist asking, “What’s going on?” “Justin is a finalist for the Bronze Quill Award,” he said to Cynthia, showing her the Adz Age article. “He’s been nominated for innovative website design.” “Oh my gosh!” she said, taking a seat to get a closer look at the article. “That’s quite an honor. Was that why Paul called?” “Yeah, Justin just arrived so he didn’t know. Justin knew he was in the running, but he figured that he would be eliminated before they got to the final round, so he never bothered to mention it to anyone. He was pretty shocked a few moments ago when Paul broke the news to him.” “Gee Brian, he’s already made a name for himself in the New York…not just in art…but in this too.” “I know. I always knew he was talented. He’s a magnificent painter and a great comic book artist, but he’s so smart he keeps applying his talents in new ways that keep amazing me. It’s hard to believe that he’s even managed to do free lance work in New York.” “Look Brian, I know that you win Clio awards all the time, so for you this is probably just another day at the office. But for Justin, this is probably a really big deal.” “I realize that, and to think that I once suggested that he needed to go back to school, to finish his education, in order to have the freedom to do whatever he wanted to do in life,” Brian said with a smile. “He may have enough talent to be the exception to the rule.” “You’re just figuring that out?” Cynthia teased. When he glared back at her, she took the subtle hint. “I know. I know. Now would be a good time for me to return to my desk,” she said as she stood up to leave. “Just tell Justin that I said congratulations.” “I’ll do that.” Brian said. Then he paused for a moment before he said. “Cynthia?” “Yeah?” “Can you see if you can shift my schedule for tomorrow?” “To what?” “See if you can move my meeting with The Pentland Group up a few hours. If that works, I’ll fly out first thing in the morning…then see if you can get me in and out of Toronto and into Cincinnati by sometime tomorrow night, instead of arriving on Friday afternoon. “Why?” “Now that I think about it, that is probably better for Gus to travel when he sleepy. That way he’ll sleep for most of the flight and be less anxious. It will probably make it easier on a kid,” Brian suggested. “Good idea. It will probably mean a few more limos, but I think I can work it out,” Cynthia assured him. “Let me go and see if I can reschedule everything…again,” she said cheerfully. “Thanks.” “No problem,” Cynthia said. “This is going to take some time. Do you need anything else before I get started?” “No that should be it.” And with that Cynthia left his office while Brian sat back in his chair and just smiled. *** Meanwhile In Cincinnati…(Day 38) “Oh my!” Justin remarked as they were walking into the guest room. “I see that you really remodeled his part of the house. This is wonderful. I love it.” “I told Paul that you needed more space. And, we added soundproofing to this room so that you and Brian don’t have to try to be quiet. Quiet has never been what you two were good at,” Jason teased with a laugh. “Now, you don’t even have to bother trying.” “So that’s why Nicky was talking about trucks.” “Yes, that’s when his love affair with trucks began. You should have seen him at the airport. He thought the planes were nice and everything, but the trucks servicing the planes…that’s what really drew his attention!” Jason said with a laugh. Justin looked around the new guest room, “I love it,” Justin said, flopping down on the bed, “And I love the new bed; it’s so much bigger.” Jason flopped down beside him. He took a minute and gently touched his friend’s cheek before he said with complete seriousness, “There really is a lot going on for you, isn’t there?” “More than you know,” Justin whispered. “Are things ok between you and Brian? You know Paul and I have been worried because you were in New York, and Brian was in Pittsburgh. We were so excited when you were supposed to get married, but then you cancelled the wedding. Maybe you two should have gone ahead and gotten married. You two are so good together. Brian always seems at loose ends without you.” “I really appreciate your concern. But Brian and I are fine…better than fine. Just because we didn’t get married, doesn’t mean that we aren’t together. At the moment we’re staying at the house, and I’m going to be in my studio at the house for the next three months. I still have my studio and loft in New York though, and I’m only an hour away…if for some reason I really need to be in the City. I have an agent in New York, who works to get me into additional shows. So I’m almost to the point that I can live anywhere. I just want that anywhere to be with Brian. We’re still trying to figure out how to make that happen. But Brian and I are together, and we’re ok.” “You know how Paul and I feel about you and Brian. I’m glad you two are ok.” “Me too.” “So how was your visit with Gus over the weekend?” “Gus got to spend the night at the hotel with Brian and me. Then the next day, we all went to the Toronto Zoo. Linds, Mel and the kids joined Brian and me for dinner. So all in all, it was a nice weekend. Gus sounded so sad when he first called Brian, and asked if I could come and play with him. But by the time we left Toronto, everything was ok…especially when he found out he was coming here to Cincinnati with us.” “It must be hard on Mel and Linds to be so far away from family and friends. They live in Toronto, right?” “Toronto, where they recognize gay marriage but discriminate against Americans...” Justin said, shaking his head. “Who knew?” “You know, Jus, people have to discriminate against something. But I agree with you. What you just described is crazy! Who knew? It doesn’t make any sense.” Jason commented, shaking his head too. “I agree. By the way, are you ok about Nicky’s questions in the car?” “Nicky’s pretty resilient. He has had so much to deal with. He knows that he resembles both Paul and me. He understands about Gabrielle’s role in everything. He knows he had a twin, Alex, who died. He’s only four years old. So he’s just getting to the age where the questions are starting. He has friends with two mommies. He has friends with two daddies. He has friends with only one parent for various reasons. He has friends with straight parents. So he sort of takes it all in stride. I’m sure that he had a lot of questions because Gus is someone new. Things will eventually settle down. Paul, Gabrielle, and I will talk to him and make sure of it.” “That’s good.” “Now, are you prepared for YOUR problems this weekend?” “Me, what problems?” “Both Nicky and Gus are used to having you all to themselves. Do you think they’ll be able to share you this weekend?” Jason wondered aloud, envisioning the kids in a tug-of-war over Justin. “First of all, remember that Gus has a little sister, Jenny Rebecca. She’s almost two. Gus is used to seeing me with both he and Jenny, and it’s never been a problem for him. Nicky has so many loving people around…including Brian, whom he is crazy about, and all of your family. I expect that we will all get through this weekend without a hitch. And our biggest problem will be, trying to figure out how to arrange play dates between Gus and Nicky in the future,” Justin explained with a smile. “You’re probably right,” Jason said, not believing a word of it. “Of course, my big problem, at the moment, is to make sure that you stop torturing me,” Justin said with a laugh. “Now that you’re here…I’m on my best behavior,” Jason admitted, holding up his hand to imply scout’s honor. “Yeah right! “Paul has probably already put Nicky down for his nap. I’ll give you a few moments to yourself. Come back down once you’re ready. Take your time. Paul and I will be in the study.” Jason said quietly. Then, he turned and left the guest room. Justin just lay there across the bed and tried to let everything sink in.