Melanie opened the door to find Vivian standing at the door and smiling widely. The woman was holding a take out bag. “I brought some food,” Vivian told her. “Come on in,” Melanie told her. When Vivian was inside Melanie attacked the woman’s mouth. Vivian moaned as Melanie pushed her tongue inside her mouth. Her free hand slid down and grabbed Melanie’s ass. “The food,” Melanie muttered. “In a bit,” Vivian replied. Melanie laughed and pulled back. “Come on. You will be bitching about how cold it got. And you hate to re-heat it.” “It fucks it up,” Vivian pointed out. “Where is that midget of yours?” Melanie laughed. “Don’t call him that. He’s my little man.” Vivian put the food on the counter. “Let me get some plates,” Melanie told her. “Mommy,” Abe said as he walked up to them rubbing his eyes. He looked at Vivian and smiled. He walked to her and lifted his arms. Vivian smiled as she picked him up. “He feels so good in your arms,” Vivian said. Melanie smiled at that. “Are you hungry Abe?” Abe stared at his mother before he put his head on Vivian’s shoulder. “He’s tired,” Vivian said. Melanie nodded as he served the food. Vivian walked closer to the dinning table. “Uh, what the hell is this?” Abe tried to reach the box but Vivian held him back. He kissed her and caressed her face. “Your kid is adorable, Mel,” Vivian said. Mel smiled at that. Vivian stared at the little boy. She didn’t know how she was supposed to deal with the kid. Vivian was afraid she would do something wrong. Melanie was happy that Vivian was there. She didn’t know what their attraction or chemistry was about much less how their relationship would turn out but she couldn’t pull away from her. It was so different with Vivian. She didn’t have to be in control of things. For the first time Mel felt free to feel happy and relaxed. It didn’t matter anyway Vivian and her were versatile. One day Vivian took the role of the dominant one and the next thing Melanie knew Vivian wanted to be cuddle and pampered, it was great. “Mel,” Vivian called. “You never told me what this was?” “What?” Melanie asked. “This ugly box with the supposed wrapping paper around it,” Vivian said as she grabbed the present. “That’s the twins’ present,” Melanie said. “Melanie,” Vivian said shaking her head. “This is awful.” Melanie rolled her eyes. “Abe did it and I help a bit.” Vivian looked at Abe who had a big smile as he looked up at the red head. “You need instructions and a lot of practice.” “Stop talking to him as if he were an adult,” Melanie told her and laughed as she served them their food. “It’s the truth,” Vivian pointed out. “Right, Abe?” “No,” Abe answered and smiled widely. Vivian arched a brow. “Does he know what we’re talking about?” “He might,” Melanie said. “He’s going to be three years old soon.” Vivian smiled as she looked at Abe. “I guess we’re going to let it go this time. I’ll make it my mission to teach you how to wrap a present.” Melanie smirked from the kitchen. “Pretty,” Abe said grabbing her necklace. Vivian smiled and put the boy down. “He’s a smart little one.” Abe blew her a kiss, grinned at her and took off running. “Hey,” Vivian protested. Melanie laughed as she walked with the plates to the table. “He wants to play with you.” “Come here little man,” Vivian said. Abe laughed as he hid behind the wall. He would show his head and look at Vivian. “I’m going to get him,” Vivian said as she went after the boy. Abe shrieked with happiness and ran away. “The rascal!” Vivian yelled and took off running after the boy. Melanie laughed happy to see them interacting and getting along. *** Ted came home and found everything dark. He frowned as he closed the door and walked to the switch. He turned around and found Emmett sitting on the couch. His heart dropped to the floor and back when he saw Emmett’s appearance; the man’s eyes were blood shot red. “Where is Alicia?” Ted asked scared. “She’s with Chris,” Emmett informed him. “Why?” Ted asked. “She’s going to stay with him for a few hours. You and I need to talk,” Emmett told him. “What’s wrong?” Ted asked not sure what was with his partner. “I found a number,” Emmett said. “And I called it. Thomas was...very informative.” “What the fuck did you do that for?” Ted asked angry. “We talked,” Emmett kept on talking. “For a long time, I learned so much. And it’s true what they say about how you’re always the last one to know.” Ted frowned not wanting to hear anything further. “He tells me that you guys love each other,” Emmett whispered. “Em,” Ted whispered. He didn’t know what else to say. “Is it true?” Emmett asked. Ted didn’t answer. “Say something,” Emmett instructed him. “What do you want me to say?” Ted asked. Emmett sighed. “I think we should take some time off,” Emmett told him. Ted sighed and looked away. Brian had been right when they had talked earlier in the week. He should have been upfront with Emmett, he owed him that much. “I didn’t do this to hurt you.” “Well thank Mary, Jesus and Joseph you weren’t trying but it still does,” Emmett told him as he turned around to go into the bedroom. Ted closed his eyes and opened when he heard Emmett walking back. The man had a carry on bag. He felt like he was suffocating. “Emmett, wait.” “What?” Emmett asked. “I don’t want you to go,” Ted told him. “Please. Think about this.” “Think about this? What the hell do you want me to think about?” Emmett asked angry. “What is there to think about, you? Did you ever stop to think about this? Did you stop for one minute and think about us, about me, Alicia or your family?!” Ted shook his head and looked at the floor. “Do you love him?” Emmett asked. Ted sighed. “I don’t know, Em.” “I see,” Emmett walked over to Ted and kissed him. “I hope it was worth it, I hope he was worth it. Teddy you used to be everything to me, I loved you but you threw it away. You threw us away and betrayed our love. Now what we had is worthless our friendship, our love, our family. Somehow I don’t think losing all that will ever be worth it.” “It doesn’t have to be like this,” Ted pointed out. “I’m...I’m confused.” Emmett licked his lips and shook his head. “I hope you find whatever is that you want.” Ted frowned as he watched the man walk away. He went to the light switch and turned it off. Then he sat down where Emmett had been. His eyes started spilling tears as he soon started to take Emmett’s disappearance. *** “Come here little man,” Brian said as he reached Sheridan and picked him up. “What did I tell you? No running away from us.” “I’m good,” Sheridan assured him. “Yeah buddy, you tell that story to someone that doesn’t know you,” Brian said smirking and kissing him. “Brian,” Joan said. Brian looked towards his mother. “What are you doing here?” Brian asked. Joan looked at the kids and then back at Brian. “I’m here with Claire.” “Who is that, Daddy?” Sheridan asked pointing. “You don’t point,” Brian told him lowering the boys’ hand. “Okay.” Sheridan nodded slowly and went back to looking at Joan. “Is this one of your kids?” Joan asked smiling. “He looks a lot like you.” “Brian, he wants you,” Justin said as he walked with Tiernan to where Brian was. “Give me Sheridan here.” “No!” Sheridan hissed and clung to Brian’s neck. Brian kissed Sheridan. “Let Daddy pick your brother up.” Sheridan started pouting. “Want some cake, Dan?” Justin asked. “I want cake!” Sheridan yelled and extended his hands over to his papa. Justin smiled and picked him up while Brian took Tiernan. The blond looked from Brian to Joan and decided to walk away. He trusted that Brian wouldn’t do anything or say anything when Tiernan was present. Joan had been watching the whole interaction. “I heard about the twins.” Brian bounced the boy. “We’re celebrating their birthday.” Joan nodded slowly and frowned. “Sorry, I never called back.” “I gave you a chance,” Brian told her a bit angry. “I know,” Joan muttered. “I just...I didn’t know what to do.” Brian frowned. “Joan,” Jack said as he stepped next to his son. Joan smiled at her ex-husband. “It’s good to see you Jack.” “Daddy’s got you,” Brian muttered to Tiernan when the boy babbled contently. “Do you want to sit with us?” Jack asked. Joan looked at the big family that was gathered around a few of the picnic tables. There were balloons all around the place and a few kids running around. “I think so.” Brian rolled his eyes and walked back alone with Tiernan while Jack and Joan talked some more. “Hey,” Chris said. “Are you okay?” “Peachy,” Brian told him. Chris frowned but dropped the issue. “Daddy I want to go to the swings, can I? Please,” Liam begged. Brian bit his lower lip. “Get someone to take you. And I mean an adult.” Liam looked around and smiled widely when he saw Jill and Ashley a few feet away. “Okay,” he yelled and ran towards them. “Brian do you want some cake?” Justin asked him. “No,” Brian said. “Pa!” Tiernan shouted as he looked at Justin. He giggled and hid his face in Brian’s chest. Justin smiled from ear to ear. He bent down and kissed the boy on the forehead. “Don’t I get some of that?” Brian asked. Justin smiled and kissed his husband. “Papa!” Illona yelled. “Come here.” “My presence is requested,” Justin said smiling as he walked over to Illona who was holding Alicia’s hand. Brian looked at Jennifer who had Sinead in her arms across from him. “She looks like your sister when she was a baby,” Joan told Brian as she looked at Sinead. “Jesus Christ,” Brian told her as he shook his head. “Don’t say shit like that. You could traumatize us.” “Brian,” Joan said sternly. Jennifer smirked. “Do you want to hold Sinead?” “Uh, okay,” Joan said and Jennifer got up and put the girl in the woman’s arms. Sinead stared at his grandmother with her big, blue eyes opened widely. Then she giggled and reached back for Jennifer. “I guess she doesn’t know me,” Joan muttered. “That’s your own fault,” Brian pointed out. “Brian,” Jack said as he gripped Brian’s shoulder. “Be nice.” “Mom,” Claire said. “What are you doing here?” Joan sighed. “I’m sharing some time with your brother.” Claire frowned slightly as she looked at Brian. “Well it’s time to go back. Are you going to come with us or what? The kids are tired.” Joan sighed. “We could take you home,” Jennifer said. “If you would prefer to stay here with us,” she suggested. Joan smiled at her. “That would be great.” “But mom,” Claire protested. “Claire,” Joan said sternly. “Go home. Thanks for bringing me with you today but I’m going to stay with Brian and his family for a while.” Claire huffed, turned around and left to get her kids and go home. Brian arched a brow at his mother. “My daughter does not look anything like her.” Joan only smirked. “Who wants cake?” Justin asked around. “Justin, stop trying to force feed people and come sit down,” Brian told him. A few people laughed. Pretty much everyone had attended the party they had thrown. It was Justin’s idea to have it at the park. He thought it would be better than at the house. Melanie and Abe had come with Vivian and everyone got to meet the redhead. Emmett showed up with Alicia but Ted hadn’t come. The man had called and sent his presents with Melanie. Chris and Tobias had arrived with Vicky and Andrew. Debbie and Arthur weren’t present because they were away on a romantic trip. They had called and told Brian and Justin they were bringing presents. Jennifer and Craig were present, with Molly and Kirk. Jill, Ashley and Casey had been invited as well. Denise and Jack were also in attendance. Joan sat down and watched the family and friends laughing and talking. She looked at the kids running around, talking or crying. She realized that she had missed a lot and looked at Brian who was watching her. She knew she had let him down. “I’d like to stay,” Joan said. Brian knew what she was referring to more than the party. She was offering to become a part of their family, if they would allow her. He shrugged and looked at his son. He really wished that she meant it, but years with Joan had taught him one thing. He could not trust one word she uttered. As adult Brian always honored his word because his mother’s words were all lies or false hopes. He didn’t want his children hurt the way he had been hurt by his mother. Yet Brian realized that at one time Craig and Jennifer had changed and he loved them. They had been there when he needed them. Maybe even Joan should be given an opportunity as well. *** Justin yawned as he put Tiernan down. The boy took off running. “Tiernan!” Justin groaned. “Come here,” he said as he went after the blond. Jennifer looked at Brian and smiled. “This is the one you want.” Brian nodded at her. He was carrying Sinead who was at the moment sleeping. Brian wanted Justin to like the house. They had been house hunting all morning with Jennifer’s help. But the truth was that Brian had already set his mind on a particular house. “Oh man,” Justin said as he came back with Tiernan. “He’s going to be as bad as Sheridan.” “Don’t scare me,” Brian drawled. Jennifer laughed. She looked at Sinead who was blinking repeatedly. “Someone is up.” Brian shifted the girl to his other arm. They were at that point where the kids were getting heavy. He looked at her and smiled. He remembered when she fit perfectly in his hand and a little bit of his arm. She used to be so small and now they were growing up so fast. “This house is big,” Justin commented. “Want to see the kitchen?” Jennifer asked. Justin nodded and they walked over there. The blond fell in love with it right away. “It’s huge!” Brian nodded slowly as he put Sinead down on the floor. “Do we have enough space for the kids?” Justin asked. “This house has twelve rooms,” Jennifer told them. Justin looked at Brian. “You want a house with twelve rooms?” Brian shrugged. “I said something big,” he told his husband. Justin sighed. “We don’t need that many rooms.” “Actually you kind of do,” Jennifer pointed out. “When the kids grow up they each would want to have their own room.” Justin sighed again. “Kids growing up, why can’t they stay like they’re now?” Justin looked towards Tiernan and Sinead who were walking around tentatively in the kitchen. “You want to see the rest of the house?” Brian asked anxiously. Justin narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Brian. “You already saw it.” Brian nodded slowly. “I couldn’t wait.” Justin rolled his eyes. “Watch the kids,” he told him as he turned around and left. “I’ll talk to him,” Jennifer assured the brunet as she followed her son who she could tell was angry. Brian stayed with the twins. He knew Justin was angry. He should have known better. When Jennifer and Justin came back the blond was smiling a bit. Brian took it as a good sign. “I’ll take my beautiful grandchildren with me so you two can talk,” Jennifer said grabbing the boy and girl. Brian arched a brow and tentatively inquired, “So what do you think?” “It’s beautiful,” Justin told him. Brian nodded. Justin smiled widely. “Okay, I so totally love it.” Brian walked closer to the blond and hugged him. He kissed Justin and pulled back. “So we get it?” “Can we?” Justin asked. “Isn’t it a bit too expensive?” Brian smirked. “We can get it.” Justin sighed and nodded. For a moment Brian missed the old Justin who would fight with him saying it was too expensive. Then after fabulous make up sex Justin would agree with Brian. He would say he wanted to pay for half or that he needed to contribute and help provide for their family. In a way it was good to take care of Justin, he loved that part too. The new Justin wasn’t any better or worse only different and that’s okay, Brian thought. The truth was that Justin hadn’t really changed that much. The blond was thinking of the ways he would buy things for the new house that weren’t too expensive. He wished he could help Brian pay for it but knew that someday he would have the paying job he wanted and would be able to help the brunet in all they needed to provide for their family. “What are you thinking?” Justin asked. “Not much,” Brian told him. “So, we’re moving.” “Looks like it,” Justin drawled. “I would like to make a few arrangements,” Brian told him. “Like what?” Justin asked. “We can change one of the upper rooms into a studio for you. I think that is the only thing that is missing from this perfect family setting,” Brian pointed out. “It would still leave us three rooms for guests.” “Okay,” Justin told him. “But you don’t really have to. I don’t paint that much.” “For when you do,” Brian whispered as he pressed his cock against the blond. “Brian,” Justin said smiling. “Mmm, I’m so horny.” “You’re always horny,” Brian pointed out. “It’s your fault always,” Justin assured him as his eyes closed and his hips started to move all on their own. “Guys,” Jennifer said coming into the kitchen. Justin pulled away quickly. “Am I interrupting something?” Jennifer asked with a grin teasing them both. Justin turned red. Tiernan ran over to him. He lifted his little arms to be picked up. “So?” Jennifer drawled as she looked at Brian for confirmation of their purchase. Brian smiled from ear to ear and she got her answer.