January 13th 2004 Debbie’s House Debbie had invited everyone over to her house so that they could discuss throwing Brian and Justin a surprise Engagement party. She wants this to be a party that they will never forget considering how far they’ve come in the last year or so. “Ok I asked everyone here today so that we can decide when and where we plan on having this engagement party for Brian and Justin.” Debbie said as she was prepared to write down the ideas. “Well this might be a far fetched idea but how about we have it at our country club?” Jennifer asked as she was sitting next to Craig. “That’s a good idea Jennifer. Do they have a big enough room to hold us?” Debbie asked as she wrote down Jennifer’s suggestion. “Yes there is a room that’s called the Grand Ballroom.” Jennifer said “That sounds amazing.” Emmett said, as his eyes grew big. “It is amazing especially during Christmas time when they put up a really big tree.” Craig said “Do you think that we would have enough time to reserve that room?” Lindsey asked as she too had grown up a country club brat. “Yes we would have plenty of time to reserve because our country club only requires us to reserve any room a week in advance.” Jennifer said “I can wait to see their faces when see what we’ve done.” Michael said, as he was very happy for his best friend. “Well then I guess we’ve picked a place to hold the party but now we need to pick the date.” Mel said “Well how about we set it for the 21st?” Debbie asked “That would be perfect but let me call the country club to see if we can have the room real quick before we make the final decision.” Jennifer said “Ok you go ahead and check to see if we can have the room.” Debbie said Jennifer gets her cell phone out of her purse and calls the country club so that she can find out if they can reserve the Grand Ballroom for the 21st. “Hello Mary. I was wondering could I reserve the Grand Ballroom for January 21st?” Jennifer asked “What do you need the room for Jennifer?” Mary asked “Well I’m wanting to throw my son and engagement party.” Jennifer said “Oh that’s wonderful. Who’s the lucky young women?” Mary asked “My son is gay and his boyfriend proposed to him over the Christmas holiday.” Jennifer said as she knew that Mary was a new member “Oh I see.” Mary said “Is that a problem Mary?” Jennifer asked as she was losing her patience “Umm no there isn’t a problem.” Mary said “So can we have the room?” Jennifer asked again “Yes the room’s available. What time would you like it for?” Mary asked “Why don’t you put us down for 7 p.m.” Jennifer said “No problem Jennifer.” Mary said “Thank you. Bye.” Jennifer said “Bye.” Mary said “So you got us the room?” Debbie asked “Yep but I think that Mary was a little shocked when I told her that Justin was gay.” Jennifer said “Well honey we both know that she’s new to the club and Justin hasn’t gone with us lately because of school and things.” Craig said “I know but it doesn’t mean that I don’t have to like her attitude.” Jennifer said “Ok so we’re set for the 21st at 7p.m.?” Debbie said “Sounds wonderful Deb.” Everyone said in unison “Great now all we have to do is set it up and think of an excuse to get the boys to the country club.” Debbie said “Well Craig and I could invite the boys to dinner at the club so that we can introduce them to everyone.” Jennifer said “Now that’s a great idea.” Debbie said The family set about getting all the things that they would need in order to decorate the Grand Ballroom for the special event. Debbie had given each family member a list of who was responsible for the jobs that they were assigned. List of Jobs 1. Lindsey will bring balloons in the colors of baby blue, silver, and white. 2. Ted will help Emmett bring the food that will be catered. 3. Mel and Jennifer will pick up matching tablecloths and napkins. 4. Michael and Ben will be responsible for getting a DJ to provide the music. 5. Emmett will be catering the food. 6. Craig will provide the refreshments. 7. I will be providing the flowers but of course they will be of the finest fake flowers because Justin’s has severe allergies. January 20th 2004 The day before the party. The Taylor House 9 a.m. “Jennifer we need to call Justin to see if he and Brian would like to join us at the country club tomorrow night.” Craig said to his wife “I was just about to call them honey but you know as well as I do that Brian is very cranky before he has his first cup of coffee.” Jennifer said as he remember the one time that she talked to him before his first cup of coffee. “How cranky can he be?” Craig asked “Trust me he gets cranky and when he does then its better to practically show up at his office with a latte.” Jennifer said “Oh so he’s that bad?” Craig asked “Yes dear he is.” Jennifer said as she got up to grab the phone. “Well I’ll be sure to never make him cranky.” Craig said while he chuckled. Jennifer dialed her son’s phone number and waited for about three rings before someone picked up. “Hello.” Brian said as he had just got his first cup of coffee. “Good morning Brian.” Jennifer said “Morning mom.” Brian said “How are you and Justin doing?” Jennifer asked “We’re doing fine. How are you and dad doing?” Brian asked “We’re doing fine.” Jennifer said “Is something wrong mom?” Brian asked “Oh no nothings wrong. I just called to asked if you and Justin would like to join us tomorrow night at the country club?” Jennifer asked “Sure we would love to join you and dad.” Brian “Great how about we meet you there around 6:45 p.m.?” Jennifer asked “That sounds great mom and we’ll see you then.” Brian said “Ok well I’ve got to go do some errands but give Justin a kiss for me and we’ll see you two tomorrow night.” Jennifer said “I will mom and bye.” Brian said “Bye.” Jennifer said as she hung up the phone. “How did it go honey?” Craig asked “We’ll be meeting them at the club at 6:45.” Jennifer said. Back at the Loft… “Who was that on the phone Brian?” Justin said as he walked out of their bedroom. “Oh that was mom she was asking me if we wanted to join her and dad at the country club tomorrow night.” Brian said as he got up to get Justin a cup of coffee. “So what did you tell her?” Justin asked as he sat on one of the bar stools. “I told her that we would join them at 6:45.” Brian said “Well we haven’t been there in a while and I know that there are some new people there so it should be fun.” Justin said “Just remember that you aren’t wearing cargo pants to dinner tomorrow night.” Brian said “I remember Brian besides I want everyone to see how wonderful we look together.” Justin said as he leaned in to give Brian a kiss. January 21st 2004 The Country Club 6:45 p.m. Brian and Justin arrived at about the same time as Justin’s parents and so no one had to wait. When they got out of their cars they met up under the awning. “That was perfect timing mom.” Justin said as he hugged her “I agree sweetheart.” Jennifer said as she returned the hug “How are you doing Brian?” Craig asked his soon to be son in-law “I’m doing great dad. How are you doing?” Brian asked “I’m doing fine but its been busy at work lately.” Craig said “I know what you mean and that’s why we had to hire some more interns.” Brian said “I wish that they would hire some more people but I guess that they don’t want to spend the extra money.” Craig said When it was almost 7 o’clock they started walking inside. Brian reached for Justin’s hand before they went inside. The followed Justin’s parents past the dining room but they just thought that they were going to dine in a different part. When they reached the Grand Ballroom Justin was getting nervous. “Mom what are we doing at the Grand Ballroom?” Justin asked “I thought that we could enjoy ourselves in our own private room.” Jennifer said as she knocked on the door. When the door opened Justin noticed that it was dark inside and he was really starting to get nervous. Craig and Jennifer went inside first and then Brian and Justin walked inside. They weren’t expecting the lights to all of a sudden come on and everyone popping out. “SURPRISE.” Everyone said in unison “Brian did you know about this?” Justin asked, as he was shocked “No Justin I didn’t know about this either.” Brian said, as he was stunned “We wanted to throw you boys an Engagement party.” Debbie said as she came up to hug both men “This is just so amazing.” Justin said as he was wiping tears away “This is absolutely beautiful.” Brian said “Well why don’t you sit down and enjoy yourselves.” Debbie said “I can’t believe that they would do this for us.” Justin said as he took a seat next Brian “I know but we’ve been pretty lucky with the family that we have.” Brian said While they were talking Mary walked in to see if everything was okay. “How is everything?” Mary asked as she was standing in front of Jennifer “Everything is just fine Mary.” Jennifer said “Great and now I will leave you to your party.” Mary said, as she was about to leave. “Wait a minute I want you to meet my son and his fiancé.” Jennifer said Jennifer and Mary walked over to where Justin and Brian were sitting and talking. “Mary I would like to introduce you to my son Justin and his fiancé Brian Kinney.” Jennifer said “Its nice to meet you both.” Mary said, as she was a little uncomfortable “Its nice to meet you too.” Justin said As the night wore on the party was in full swing with everyone dancing and having a good time. Brian and Justin knew then that they needed to sit down and pick a date for their wedding so that they can start planning for it.