Chapter 3: December 3 Thought that Christmas only came from a store Had to know what was there for me Underneath the Christmas tree I didn't know that there could be so much more The next morning, Brian awoke with a start, when Gus jumped full force on his bed. "Daddy, daddy! Wake up!" The boy fell down on his father's bare chest and hugged him. Automatically Brian pulled his son closer. He absently ran his hand through the his son's auburn hair. "What time is it?" Brian mumbled, still sleep drunken. "Eight am, dad, and we've so much to do today, so you really have to get up," Gus answered and pulled a leaflet out of his pajama pocket. "See, dad, there's an art show at the GLC and I really want to go there. Mom and Momma took me there every single year," he nearly whined and with a puppy dog look, he gazed into his father's eyes which, by now, were opened up wide. "You're kidding, aren't you, Sonny Boy? You know as good as I do, that I hate the GLC and everything around it." Shaking his head, Brian stood up from the bed and went over to the bathroom. "But why do you have a leaflet for it then?" Gus asked and shoved it into his father's hands. Frowning, Brian looked at the paper in his hand. He then turned back to his son, a surprised look on his face. "Seems Brian is a little surprised about it," Donner mumbled and looked at his wife with a cocked eyebrow. "Well, some fairy thought it would be a good idea for him to get there somehow," Blitzen answered and smiled. She knew that her husband was disturbed by it, as Brian was as well. Both of them didn't like to have everything under control, but both also knew when it was time to admit defeat. She smiled. Everything would work out all right today. "Well then, Sonny Boy. Just let me shower, and get myself some coffee ready and after that I'll go to the GLC with you," Brian said, sighing and closed the bathroom door. Closing the door of the shower stall and switching on the water handle to the right temperature, Brian closed his eyes. He shook his head slightly. Something has been totally out of control since the beginning of December, but he couldn't put his finger on it. And then, there was that from yesterday. Brian just couldn't forget him. *************** While Brian was under the shower at the other end of the city, Justin had already been up for hours. He'd woken up in a sweat and had been drawing madlessly ever since. He'd had a dream of the man from the supermarket yesterday, but something was odd about the dream. All around the man were shining Christmas lights and his son was also there. It hadn't been a sexual dream, no not in the least. It was more about Christmas, it was more a 'what could be' dream. Justin sighed and looked around his tiny apartment. Everywhere he looked there was scene from his dream. He longed for them, and had to draw them immediately after he'd woken up. He didn't want to forget any of it, because he knew he'd never have the balls to look the man out. He looked around one more time and with a final sigh, he all of the sketches up together and decided to walk over to the GLC so that he could donate them for the Christmas season. Smiling brightly, Rudolph sat on the TV and looked around the apartment. The dream he'd given Justin during the night had worked wonders, and everything had gone as planned. Justin was on his way to the GLC and if everything Rudolph's mother had planned worked out too, Justin and Mr. Kinney would be meeting again today. *************** When Brian entered the GLC, half an hour later, he immediately had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. Tannis also wasn't looking too pleased. She'd known for years now that Brian couldn't stand her, the GLC and everything to do with it. "Well, Brian, what has you here on this beautiful day? I don't think here's anything you'd find fuckable, so why don't you go out the same way that you came in," Tannis said when she finally saw Brian, and smirked at him. "What a lovely welcome, my dear," Brian answered, rolling his eyes and turned his head away from her in an attempt to tune her out. "Daddy! Come with me! You have to see this!" Gus came running back to his dad excitedly. "Well, if you excuse me, DEAR!" Brian said sarcastically and let himself be pulled away by his son. *************** Justin was standing at the other end of the GLC, still hanging some of his paintings. He was slightly embarrassed when Tannis told him how wonderful they were, and that it was a shame he didn't want to sell them. But, even if he was starving to death, he'd never sell the sketches. The pictures meant too much to him. And he definitely wasn't about to tell this woman his reasons. "Daddy, look! It's the man from the grocery store!" Gus shouted and pointed at Justin who stood in front of one of his paintings. Surprised, Justin turned around and looked at the father and son. Brian only smirked at the frightened looking man. This time he couldn't run away from him. "I see," he mumbled and went over to Justin. "Hi, I'm Brian, as you already know, I think I've forgotten your name," Brian said and held his hand out as he did yesterday. "I'm Justin Taylor." This time Justin answered and took the man's hand in his. He felt an instant connection the moment their hands met and looked up startled at Brian's face. His face stayed calm even though he felt the connection too. "See, dad, that's us in the pictures," Gus pointed out and pulled his father over to the paintings. Justin, who still held Brian's hand, blushed bright red. Brian just raised his brow at the man. "Had some weird dreams last night too?" He asked let go of Justin's hand and ruffled his son's hair. "I sooo want to have one of these, dad! But they aren't for sale," Gus said and pouted. He was mesmerized by what had been drawn. It was everything he wished for on Christmas and more. He especially liked the picture that he was standing in front of right now. "You know what. I'll give it to you," Justin said and went over to the picture Gus was standing by. It showed the three of them standing sideways beside a huge Christmas tree. All of them looked really happy in the picture, especially his dad, who had a love struck look on his face. He was looking at Justin in the picture and holding his hand, while Gus was standing in front of the two and beaming up at them. Justin took the picture from the wall and handed it over to the young boy. "Thank you, Mister, but you can't just give these pictures away," Gus said frowning and shoved the picture back in Justin's hands. "Yes I can, little man, when I'm the painter of these pictures I can do whatever I like with them, and call me Justin," he answered and smiled. Gus beamed up at him and then looked at his father who was gazing at the other pictures which hung on the walls. "These paintings are really amazing, Mister Taylor. You could make a lot of money with them. Especially in the gay community," Brian said and looked at Justin. "It's Justin to you too. Mr. Taylor is my father's name, and it's just an hobby of mine. I won't charge anything for it," Justin answered not looking Brian in the eyes. "Very well, then how about having dinner with us tomorrow evening? As a thank you for the amazing gift you made my son?" Brian replied while gently lifting Justin's chin up to look him in the eyes. "I'd love to have dinner with you, even if it's really unnecessary," Justin mumbled and lowered his eyes to the ground. "Believe me it is," he answered and stroked Justin's cheek with his thumb. "Come on, Gus, we have a dinner to plan for tomorrow evening." Brian went over to his son and took his hand. Gus beamed up at his father. "Later, Sunshine." He winked at Justin and left the GLC with his son. "Later... Brian," Justin mumbled, standing dumbstruck in the middle of the room. *************** "I'd say everything worked out better then planned," Blitzen said and smiled at her son. "Yeah, with the dreams I gave Justin last night, he just couldn't say no. I mean seriously, mom, Mr. Kinney and Gus are everything Justin wishes for, he just couldn't let the chance pass," Rudolph said and watched Justin singing Christmas Carols. "Okay, honey. I'll have to get going now. Have to plan a little something for myself for tomorrow as well," she said, gave her son a kiss goodbye and with a wink, left the GLC to follow Brian and Gus.