Suddenly Summer and then it was Spring
Rating: some sex – considerable mush
Notes: written on the prompting of Susan H (hope it’s mushy enough – grin) suggestions from my plot advisor Margaret (BG)
Disclaimer: borrowed from Cowlip and make no money from this 

“You sure you won’t change your mind?” teased Brian as he helped Justin up from the snow.


“Me change my mind, FUCK NO.” Justin jumped on Brian wrapping his legs around his waist. Brian promptly fell backwards into the snow bank.


“You might try and keep me alive for at least a day or two.” Muttered Brian, but he put both his hands on either side of Justin’s face and kissed him deeply. “If I promise to love you forever will you let me up? My as is getting cold.”


“Before I let you up I need to know. Is it will you marry me like we move in together and live like before? Or is it, will you marry me as in exchanging vows and rings in front of our family and friends?” Justin bent and kissed Brian’s cold red nose. “Cause either way is fine with me.”


“What, I can get away without spending all that money on a wedding? Awesome. And I was already to book the wedding in Hawaii. Gee thanks Sunshine, you sure saved me a .... Brian couldn’t finish with Justin’s lips clamped to his, his blue eyes sending beams of joy out into the world.


“You’re kidding right?” asked Justin when he came up for air.


“If I don’t get my ass out of the damn snow bank, you won’t have to even ask if I’m kidding.”


“I love you Brian”


“I love you too Sunshine, now off me, you weigh a ton” Brian struggled deep in the snow and finally had to hold up his hand for Justin to help him out.
Justin still bouncing from the joy of having Brian declare himself like he had - once again threw his arms around his lover. This time Brian was able to brace himself and they both remained upright.


“You will learn to control all this exuberance soon won’t you?” Asked Brian. “I kind of wanted to keep this to ourselves until I’m sure that I won’t be admitted into the psych ward. Maybe all the drugs I’ve ingested over the years have finally gotten to me and I’m hallucinating. Did I actually ask you to marry me?”
He looked carefully at Justin’s face. The sunshine smile was at it’s most brilliant. “Well, from the looks of you, I guess I did.”


“Oh, my Gawd, the turkey.” Yelled Justin and ran into the house, leaving the door wide open for Brian to follow him in.

Brian walked in shaking his head, maybe the kid was too young for him. He could smell the aroma of cooking turkey, see the pies lined up on the counter and hear his Sunshine humming tunelessly something oddly familiar. No, the kid wasn’t too young, he was just right.


“Brian, do you think it’s possible to explode with happiness?” Justin had once again bounced over to Brian and began to help him off with his winter coat.


“Definitely, so settle down.” He led Justin over to the sofa, sat down and then pulled Justin onto his lap. “I was serious, I want us to have a peaceful Christmas with all the gang. Do you think you can keep quiet about the marriage thing?”


“Do I have to?”
“No, it’s your life too, but I really would like to try and get the Christmas stuff over with without everyone yammering about us getting married.” He let his lips caress Justin’s “If you move back into the loft and let everyone see your promise ring, I’m sure they’ll all get the point that we’re together.”


“Do you really want to get married Brian?” Justin was serious.


“Justin, I’ve spent the first year we knew each other loving you without being able to admit it to myself. I spent the next year loving you and while I finally admitted it to myself I couldn’t say the words.” He pulled Justin’s head down so it rested on his shoulder. “I want to spend the rest of our lives loving you and letting the world know it. What better way to make my point than to have a romantic wedding at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel on Oahu.”


“Did you take a blow to the head or something? Is that why you’re so loving and romantic all of a sudden?” giggled Justin, his nose buried into Brian’s neck savoring the smell of a warm sweaty Brian Kinney.


“I’ll have you know, brat, that you and Cynthia didn’t have to go to all this trouble to get us together. The whole reason I was here was to figure out how I could ask you back into my life. When I opened the door and found my favorite twink standing there, it was like Christmas for me.” He kissed Justin long and deep. “But I’m glad you and Cynthia did plan this, because it’s given us time to actually learn things about one another without having to deal with the lavender gang adding their two cents worth.”


“How come you already know the name of the hotel where we’ll be married?”


“We don’t have to do it there Justin, but I was searching the net for good spots last week and this one seem ideal. It’s your decision; it’s your wedding too.


“A real wedding, you don’t have to get me anything for Christmas, this is more than enough.”


“When we get back to the Pitts we’ll pick out the wedding bands, this ring is just my promise to you that there will be a wedding.” He picked up Justin’s hand and kissed the ring and then began kissing and licking each finger, enjoying the growth of Justin’s cock against his arm as the kisses increased in intensity.


Sunday 6:00 PM


Justin put the final touches to the table setting. He stood back, yes, everything was perfect. Brian was laying full length on the sofa, his eyes shut, still sleeping from the intense sexual escapes that had sealed their promise to each other. He lit the candles on the table and the ones he’d scattered through out the room. He added a couple of logs to the fire so it was glowing brightly. When he had everything to his satisfaction he knelt on the floor beside his sleeping lover and began to trail soft kisses first on his lips and then his eyes. He was about to move back to the lips when two strong arms wrapped themselves around him and pulled him closer. “Promise to wake me like this always.” Brian said in a husky voice.

“Promise you’ll still act like this when we’re back in the Pitts and maybe I will” countered Justin.


“What and spoil the delusion that everyone has of me as a heartless bastard.” He kissed Justin again “What fun is that?”


“Come and eat” Justin stood and offered his hand to Brian. Instead of pulling him back down on top of him Brian looked around and saw all the trouble Justin had gone to, so much as he wanted to make love to him, he resisted and stood up surveying the room.

“You’ve outdone yourself Sunshine.” He put his arm around Justin’s shoulder and walked him to the table. Justin had set the table so that Brian was at one end and Justin’s place was on his immediate right. Brian smiled, he wanted Justin close as well today.


Brian held Justin’s chair out for him. “You sit down, Baby, I’m going to serve the dinner, you made it, I’ll serve it.” In no time at all the dinner was served and Brian took his place. “Justin, I know I’m not normally a traditionalist, but I think that with everything that’s happened in the past two years between the two of us, I’d like to give thanks to the powers that be.” He reached over and took Justin’s hand and in the tradition that was taking place all over America on this day - the two of them bowed their heads and said a short prayer of thanks. When Brian and Justin looked up, both of them had tears in their eyes.
“Now I don’t want you telling any of the lavender gang about me being sentimental.” Brian said and he leaned over and brushed Justin’s lips with his.
“Ha - they wouldn’t believe me anyway.” Teased Justin.


“Brian, I hope this isn’t going to be a habit.” Justin was polishing the last pot and storing it in the cupboard. The kitchen was finally cleaned up and the food put away. He looked over at Brian who once again was laying full length on the sofa, basking in the warmth of the fire like a big cat, his stomach full contentedly purring.


“What isn’t going to be a habit?”


“Me doing all the cooking and cleaning up and you just laying around.”


“Isn’t that what a wife is for?” Brian said innocently. He barely managed to roll onto the floor when Justin landed on the sofa, having launched himself from a few feet away. “Cripes Justin, you are trying to kill me aren’t you.” Brian began to tickle Justin. “Now behave, I’m trying to digest all the damn food you insisted I eat. I haven’t eaten that much all at once ever in my entire life. I think I’m going to explode.”


“Lets go for a walk” Justin began to pull on Brian’s arm, wanting him to stand up. “You can walk off all the foods you ate, I already have my dinner digested and I’m ready for more. I had to clean up.”


“You are not going to eat any more. If I see one more thing going in your mouth that isn’t my dick tonight I’ll puke. I can’t believe you ate three pieces of pie.”


“I’m a growing boy, not an old man like you.” Justin managed to jump out of the way as Brian reached to swat him.


Reluctantly Brian got up off the floor. He began to get ready to go for the walk with Justin, as he put the soft scarf around his neck he smiled as he remembered the love that had gone into the purchase of this beautiful thing. Justin didn’t have much money, but when he did buy someone a present the love and thought that went into it was worth more than diamonds and rubies.


They stepped out onto the porch and looked around. The snow lay deep and glistening all over the yard. The pines and fir trees drooped low with the weight of snow on each bough. The full moon reflected off the snow and provided more than enough light to see by. The air was crisp and cold. They walked down the pathway that Brian had shoveled earlier and stepped onto the freshly plowed road. Arm in arm they began to slowly walk under the twinkling stars. Brian pointing out his favorite constellations and Justin listening enthralled with this version of a gentle loving Brian. At the end of the road way they turned and walked down a narrower road. They’d walked for less than a mile when suddenly in front of them was a small lake. The water frozen in a flat sheet of white ice looked like a picture off some old fashioned Christmas card.


The two of them began to follow the edge of the lake, their foot prints leaving a trail in the virgin whiteness of the snow. Brian had never seen anything as beautiful as this quiet isolation. Suddenly Justin stopped and pointed in towards the woods “Look at that Brian, isn’t it the most beautiful house you’ve ever seen? Can you imagine living there, spending vacation time and weekends away from the Pitts.” He looked in awe at the wide expanse of window in the house that while ultra modern in design seemed to be part of the wintry forest.
“Some day, when I’m a famous artist, I want a house like that, a place where I can paint in front of the window, away from the bustle of city life. I want to be able to have family and friends come on Christmas and Thanksgiving and be envious of you and I in our quiet isolation away from the crowds. It should have a study for you so that when you can you can work from home and only go into the office to meet clients. A fabulous kitchen where you can sit and watch me cook wonderful things to tempt your appetite, and of course a large and spacious master bedroom and bath for us to have wild and abandoned sex in. We’ll have a few guest rooms and one nice room for Gus when we have stay with us. In the summer we’d build a small dock going out into the lake and teach him to swim. You could get a canoe and paddle him around the lake, show him the ducks and their babies and all the other wild things.” He looked up at Brian who was gazing at him in wonder and laughed “Wouldn’t it be nice someday Brian, I mean we can’t live forever in the loft and I can’t really see you and I being happy with a muncher house in the suburbs. But having a place like this for times when we can be here and the loft for when we have to be in the city, well that would be ideal.”


“I can’t believe that my little country club brat would want to live away from the city.” Brian pulled him close and kissed him deeply passionately until they were both breathless. “I’ve always wanted to have a private place in the country somewhere. Maybe we will someday Sunshine, maybe we will.” He held Justin close as he stared over his shoulder at the dark house sitting alone in the woods, a small for sale sign nailed to a tree by the winding driveway that led from the road they’d traveled.

They retraced their steps back to the warm little Chalet at the top of the hill. Both of them lost in their silent dreams of what might be some day.


Monday 6:00 pm


“Justin, leave all that food. The Chalet people will do something with it. There is absolutely no way I’m eating one more bite of anything that even looks, tastes or smells of turkey.”

“But Brian, I could make a great turkey soup with the carcass”


“Cripes Justin, the thought alone makes me want to puke.”


“You are such a baby sometime Brian. At least let me take the pies. I can give them to Emmett or Ted. Michael probably got loaded down with leftovers from Deb.”


“Ok take the pies” Brian continued to load up the Jeep. He looked at the cold dark road and was pleased that the snow had stopped and that the sunlight during the day had helped to clear off the road.


Justin put the two pies carefully on the floor in the back of the car. He went in and was taking one last look around to see if they had forgotten anything when he noticed Brian staring out the window in the direction of the small lake.
“You can almost see the lake from here.” He said quietly. Justin came and stood beside him, both of them hated to leave the place where they had truly found each other. Justin leaned his head in toward Brian and Brian wrapped his arm around Justin. They stood there silent each lost in thought about the past four days.


“Where did you disappear to today Brian?” Justin asked.


Brian sighed, “I wanted to walk back down to the lake and take one more look around before we left. Did you know I saw three blue jays? I was going to come and get you so you could sketch them, but they left before I could make it back here.


“Let’s come in the summer.”


“We’ll see”

They stood for a moment and then hand in hand went out to the Jeep. Brian opened Justin’s door for him and pulled the seat belt across, buckling him in. Justin was about to protest the childish treatment when Brian, leaning across him to do the buckle up brushed his lips. “I want to make sure you are safe. I want you around a long time.” He smiled and kissed the warm lips once again. “Let me do these little things for you, I don’t always say the words out loud, but this way you can hear me saying them in my touch.”


“I love you too Brian.” Justin leaned back a happy smile gracing his lips. Now he had a few more words to store away, to be brought out when Brian slipped, and he knew he would, but times like this would remind him of how much he was loved by the enigma that was Brian Kinney.


This time with the roads smooth and clear, no snow blinding him, Brian was able to reach the outskirts of Pittsburgh in less than two hours. “Justin, I really don’t want to take you back to your place. Can we start now living at the loft together?”


Justin smiled and leaned over kissing Brian’s cheek as the Jeep made it’s way through the dark, wet Pittsburgh streets. “Fine with me Brian, but I’m going to need to get some things.”


“Tomorrow, alright, we’ll drive over and get everything. I don’t work and neither do you. We can sleep in and then move you back.”
“Let’s take the pies to Emmett on the way to the loft, that way we don’t have to carry them up and then back down.” 


Brian nodded his agreement and the drove to Emmett’s. When they pulled up Justin moved to get out and Brian said “No wait here where it’s warm, I’ll run them in.
He reached in grabbed a pie and quickly walked up to Emmett’s door while Justin stayed, head back, eyes shut enjoying the warmth and the music in the Jeep.


“Hey Emmett” said Brian when the door opened. “Here’s a pie that Justin made” he looked around to make sure that Justin wasn’t watching. He reached into his wallet and pulled out two hundred dollar bills. “For you if you and the guys go to Justin’s place tomorrow and get all his stuff and bring it to the loft.”


“And what will Justin say about that?” asked Emmett primly


“He’ll say thank you very much Emmett.” Brian replied sweetly.


“Where is the little twink?” Emmett craned his neck trying to see into the dark Jeep.


“Would you just do it? I’m going to be busy tomorrow. In fact why don’t you bring the stuff over say by three, I’ll get some take out and we’ll watch some movies.”


“Does Michael know about this new development?”

“What does Justin moving back in with me have to do with Michael?” Brian was mystified.


Emmett rolled his eyes. “Honestly, Brian, I can’t believe you sometimes. But I’m happy that you and your blonde bombshell are back together again. I’ll get the guys to help me move Justin’s stuff and we’ll be over by three.”


Brian pleased with himself walked back to the Jeep. He climbed in and looked at Justin who smiled at him sleepily. “What took you so long?” he murmured.


“Oh, you know Emmett.”

In a few minutes they had pulled up in front of the loft. Justin looked out the Jeep window and said “Home sweet loft” he fumbled for his seat belt then looked up into the hazel eyes of Brian as Brian once again was at the door and reached over unbuckling the belt. “What’s your excuse this time Brian?” he asked smiling.


“This time it’s strictly for the kisses Sonny Boy.” Justin’s hand went to the back of his head and pulled him to his lips.

“Like this Brian” he whispered as his lips met Brian’s crushing them in wild abandon, his tongue sending small sparks of electric charge directly to Brian’s groin.


Tuesday morning: 7:30 am


Justin woke up, and reached for Brian only to find Brian was missing. He lay there sleepily hoping to hear where Brian was when he heard Brian’s voice speaking softly but with force into the telephone. “I don’t give a fuck what you think Mel, it’s my life and I’ll do what I want; now are you going to do this or do I find another lawyer? Because trust me baby they’re a dime a dozen out there. And Mel, I better not hear about this from any of the lavender gang or your dear little wifey. You have heard of lawyer/client confidentiality haven’t you?”


“Yeah well fuck you too Mel. Have the papers drawn up by noon. I’ll swing by there and sign them. You can register it this afternoon.”


“I don’t care that you’re busy, my money’s just as good as the next queer’s.”
Brian forcefully hung up the phone. He quickly dialed again. “This is Kinney, did you get it done? Tough shit if it’s 7:30 in the morning. You work banker’s hours now? Well it better be done by the time I go out at noon.”


Justin padded over silently and wrapped his arms around Brian. He had the sheet loosely wrapped around him. “Kind of bossy first thing in the morning” he kissed Brian just under his ear on the secret hot spot that he’d discovered the first night they were together more than two years ago. “Why are you pissed at Mel?”


“I asked her to do a little bit of legal work for me and I get nothing but grief from the bitch. I don’t know why I even bother. I should just find some nice male lawyer who wouldn’t get his panties in a bunch every time I ask him to do something.”


“As long as it’s a nice very old and ugly male lawyer” teased Justin. “So you don’t get your panties in a bunch when you see him.”


“You have a smart mouth on you this morning Sunshine.” He kissed him once, looked at him and kissed him again. “That’s nice; I think I need a little nap.” He scooped Justin up and over his shoulder and rushed him up to the bedroom.


“Nap is euphemism for ...........?” asked Justin.


“You figure it out.” Brian slowly began to unwrap the sheet from Justin’s body.

As each piece was revealed he’d begin an assault with his lips, tongue and teeth. Smiling as Justin’s moans filled the bedroom, but never stopping.
His teeth grazed the head of Justin’s cock, he tongued the slit and was rewarded by the sudden intake of breath and the whisper of “now”


“Now what my pretty boy?” asked Brian his voice deep with lust.


“I want you now”


“You want my cock? Or my tongue? Or may just a few kisses” “You want me to beg Brian?” panted Justin.


“That would be nice?” Brian pulled off his sweats his stiff cock hitting Justin’s leg”


“We’ll see who begs who old man” Justin sat up and pulled the sheet up and out from under Brian, forcing him over on his belly. He quickly got up and straddled Brian’s legs, pinning him in place. Slowly he began to run his tongue down Brian’s back pausing only to give a biting kiss. Brian didn’t realize he’d been holding his breath until the wet warm tongue began to flick the edges of his hole and he gasped for air, barely able to take any in when the tongue plunged in causing him to release what air he’d taken in with a hoarse moan of pleasure pulled deep from his diaphragm. Brian’s ass wiggling in the air sent Justin a rush of heat through to his cock. He continued his assault on Brian’s hole enjoying the moans that were rapidly developing into pleas for release. He reached for a condom and the lube that had been sitting ready at the side of the bed. His saliva had lubricated Brian, but he decided to add some KY, he squirted a small amount onto his fingers and put it in Brian, allowing his finger to slowly stretch and relax the tight muscle. Brian groaned and once again began to plead for Justin to fuck him, his ass high in the air. Justin wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to last, but no way was he turning down the opportunity to top Brian. He lubed up his condom covered dick and slowly began to enter the tight warmth that was Brian. Brian gave a sharp gasp and thrust his ass back wanting all of Justin in him and wanting it now. Justin knelt behind Brian and holding onto his hips began to ride him for all he was worth. The shouts of triumph from both the men as they came were heard all the way down the elevator shaft and into the front foyer where the janitor was applying a new label to the mail box and intercom. He shook his head and continued to work smiling to himself. He should get a good Christmas tip now that Kinney had the little woman back he thought.

Tuesday - 11:30 am

Justin looked up sleepily as Brian put his shirt on, “Where you going Bri?”


“I have to go to Mel’s office and sign something. Want me to bring you back anything for lunch?”


“I have to get my stuff, I’ll get something then”

“Don’t worry about it, Emmett, Ted and Michael are picking it up for you and should have it here by three.
”
“Really?”


“Why would Michael and Ted do that, I mean I can see Emmett, but why those guys?”


“Because I said so. No way am I letting you out of here and away from me until I absolutely have to”


“Like one afternoon of the Yellow Submarine on repeat while I listen to Moby should get me released” Justin smirked.


“I could put a cot out by the elevator, you’d be comfortable out there wouldn’t you” asked Brian.


“Twat”


“Brat”


“Luckily, I’m tired, I had to make someone beg this morning, so I won’t argue, I’m going back to sleep. Bring me a cheeseburger when you come back. And don’t eat all the pie. I tasted a pie kiss this morning. There better be some left.”


“Now why would I eat pie at seven in the morning, that’s the kind of thing you’d do.”
“It was a pie kiss Brian, I know pie kisses.” Mumbled Justin as he fell back to sleep.

*******************************************************************************

“I think you’re making a mistake Brian.”


“I think it’s none of your business. I’m a big boy and I can make my own mistakes without your two cents thrown in.”

“Lindsey is going to be upset when she hears about this.” 


“Well, you better just make sure that she doesn’t ‘hear’ about it from you.”


“What will Michael say?”


“That’s it, when in doubt throw in the Mikey card? Contrary to popular belief, Mikey doesn’t ask me what to do with Ben and I don’t ask him about Justin.” He sighed as he got up to leave. “Why is it so hard for you to understand? For the past two years all I got from the lot of you is “you love him Brian, tell him Brian, he loves you Brian” now that I’m perfectly willing to lay it on the line for him in front of the world “its he’s too young Brian, he cheated on you Brian, conveniently forgetting that he fucked one man while I’ve fuck dozens in the same amount of time. Well all of you had better get with the program; we’re back together only this time we’re both out and proud of it. The twink tamed the king, long live the twink.” Without a backward glance he stalked out of Melanie’s office.


His next stop was a hardware store. He picked up a new deadbolt lock and had an extra key made for it. He went from there to the jeweler’s where he bought a gold key ring and waited for it to be engraved. He was almost back at the loft when he remembered the cheeseburger; he added fries and a milkshake at the last minute. Justin was always hungry.

*******************************************************************************

Justin came out of the bathroom, still drying his hair. He wandered down the stairs to the kitchen, pausing to give Brian a kiss, Brian was working on the door lock. He looked up and smiled at the clean smelling young man. “Your heart attack in a bag is on the counter”


“Thanks Bri” Justin grabbed the bag and headed for the sofa.


“Not a chance Sonny Boy, eat at the table or the counter or on the floor, but no way are you eating on the sofa.”


“We fuck on the sofa, why can’t I eat sitting on it?”


“Because”


“Oh, now we have the parental ‘because’ happening here.”


“No we have the ‘I just had the sofa cleaned’ because happening here.” He looked at Justin, hazel eyes staring into blue. “Please Justin.”


Justin laughed and sat on the floor his back to the sofa. How could he resist a ‘please’ from Brian? “You being “builder Bob” today?” he asked as he flicked on the television.


“Nope, just doing something I should have done a year ago.”


Justin smiled at him. Brian looked so cute when he was working on things around the loft. He wondered if any of the guys were aware of just how much Brian was capable of. They thought he was this kind of God that didn’t sully himself with everyday things, but really he liked to fix things around the loft.


Brian put away his tools and sat on the floor beside Justin, reaching for his fries and stealing some of his milkshake. “Hey get your own” yelped Justin, but he didn’t move the food away. He liked it when Brian shared.


“It doesn’t count if it’s someone else’s”


“You are such a brat Brian sometimes.”


Brian looked at his watch. “It’s almost three o’clock, the boys should be here any moment.” He reached into his pocket and handed Justin the key ring. “This is for you, the key to the loft.”

Justin turned over the key ring and saw engraved on it “Taylor-Kinney”. “You put our names on it? But I already have a key” he said.


“No, there are only five keys out there that work this lock. Mine, yours, the super, the cleaning lady and one to keep at the office in case of emergency, no other keys out there. I changed the lock. I also changed the alarm code to 1402.”


“You did, how am I going to remember that?”


“It’s the fourteenth day of February”


“Valentines day?”


“Yep and our wedding day, I figure I can get away with buying only one gift that way.”


Justin, his eyes shining through his arms around Brian, knocking over the milkshake and the last of the ketchup covered fries. He began to kiss Brian as Brian was hastily trying to get away from the rapidly expanding pool of milkshake. The two of them looked at the mess on the hardwood. Brian looked at Justin and then at the white sofa. “My point exactly” he said as Justin jumped up for a cloth.


They had just finished cleaning up when they could hear the rumble of the elevator. Justin and Brian and looked at each other as Michael tried his key and it didn’t work. Finally they heard “Brian, open the damn door, my key doesn’t work”


“Justin would you like to do the honors” said Brian.


“Sure” he grinned and walked over, turned off the alarm and opened the large door. “Hi guys, thanks for getting my stuff.”
Michael barged past him carrying a box. “Brian, did you know that downstairs his name is on the intercom and the mail box?”


Ted and Emmett followed Michael in each carrying a box.


“Hi guys” Brian walked to the fridge “Want a beer?” he pulled out one for each of them. “Now you were saying Mikey, something about names on the intercom in the lobby?”


“Boy Wonder put his name on the intercom.” Whined Michael.


“I did not” Justin was indignant.


“Actually, I figured that now Justin and I are partners, we should actually act the part. Justin lives here, so his name goes on the intercom, the mailbox, the telephone listing, or yeah the deed.” He looked a Justin, the love shining in his eyes. “We are partners aren’t we?” 


Justin stood there for a moment in shock. “Did Brian say ‘on the deed’?” he wondered. He looked at the white face of Michael “yep he must have said it” he thought. His eyes looked deep into Brian’s, he couldn’t make his feet move so he held out his hand and crooked his finger at Brian. To the astonishment of the rest of them Brian came over, wrapped his arms around Justin and said tongue in cheek “Yes dear”


Justin whispered “asshole” in Brian’s ear. “We need to talk later,” he looked at the stunned group facing him. “Welcome to our home.”

He couldn’t resist ginning and was rewarded with a swift pinch on his ass by Brian, along with a whispered “Brat”


“Brian, I want to talk to you NOW” demanded Michael.


“Hey Mikey, I can only imagine what you have to say. So save it.”


Justin couldn’t resist handing Michael his beer with his promise ring prominently displayed. “Have a beer Michael.” His shit-eating grin still in place as he shoved the beer in Michael’s hand.


Michael’s eyes became welded to the ring. If he could have paled any further, he did. He only tore his eyes away when Emmett’s squeal startled them all. “Oh my god my darling little twink has a ring from Bad Ass Kinney.” Emmett rushed over enveloping Justin in his arms kissing him. “Good work honey” he whispered.




“Hands off” Brian removed Emmett’s arms none to gently. He leaned down and kissed Justin. “Sit down Baby, and let’s tell the nice boys all about our little vacation.” He walked to the sofa, pulling Justin behind him, sat down dragging Justin onto his lap.


Justin, enjoying the unfamiliar attention from Brian when he was with their friends, smiled up at the boys, “sit down, guys. How was your Thanksgiving? We had fun.”


“Looks like you had ‘something’” muttered Ted.


The next hour Justin entertained them all with stories about Brian in the snow, building a snowman, cross country skiing and shoveling out the Jeep. The two of them took turns filling in when the other would pause for breath, like a well-rehearsed act. The three musketeers seated in the room watched them, heads moving from side to side a tennis match from the twilight zone. None of them would have believed Brian showing obvious affection to Justin if they hadn’t seen it for themselves.


Tuesday 9:30 pm


Justin was sitting on the sofa, with Brian in his favorite spot, laying full length on it, head in Justin’s lap. Justin let his fingers sift thru the silky auburn hair, relaxing both himself and Brian. The others had left hours ago, they’d had something to eat and were now listening to music and talking about the day. “I can’t believe you gave me half of the loft.”

“I gave you the kitchen half and part of the bedroom and bath.” Joked Brian.


“That way you can be the one to cook and clean your half.”


“Twat” Justin swatted him on the forehead.


“Oww, what kind of treatment is that for the kindest, handsomest, most generous partner in the world?” asked Brian.


“Whatever gets you through the day Brian.” Justin bent giving him an upside down kiss. “I still can’t believe you did it.”


“I had enough time in the past few months to do lots of thinking about you and I and our time together. Part of what we had to deal with was the fact that you and I weren’t on equal footing most of the time. You lived in MY loft, at MY food. You were a roomie, a boarder. How can you feel like you’re part of and US if it’s always ME and always MY stuff. My friends have keys and the alarm code. Always Me and Mine again.” He looked up into the blue eyes, so full of love. “I want this to work. I want us to be partners, lovers, and friends. I want us as equal as we can be. So, while I can’t go back and change the past, I can make sure the future works for us. We live in OUR loft. We give keys only to people we think should have one.”


When he felt the tears splash on his face he looked up again. “Hey, now what’s the matter?” Brian lifted his arm up and pulled Justin’s head down so their lips met. “I love you, that’s why I’ve been so reluctant to ever fall in love, I don’t do anything without doing it the biggest and best.” He kissed Justin again and wiped the tears from the corner of Justin’s eyes. “You are so loved and I plan on letting you know how much every day for the rest of my life.”


********************************************************************************


Friday 1:00 PM


“Hey did you miss me?” Justin smiled as he spoke into the phone. He was about to leave PIFA and head for home when his cell had rung.

“Never” quipped Brian. “But I could use a sandwich or something if you have time to stop by the office. Cynthia refuses to get me lunch today for some reason.”


“Probably because you did nothing but bitch about it the last time Brian.”


“Do I look like the kind of person who would eat KFC for lunch in his office?”

“It was just a sandwich, it’s not like she wanted you to eat a bucket of the stuff.”


“Whatever.”


“Fine, you are such a baby, I’ll bring you something yummy.”


“Something I would consider yummy, not you.” Warned Brian.



“So nothing deep-fried”

“You have to ask?”


“Later” Justin hung up. He wanted a nice lunch for Brian, something he didn’t normally have and nothing from the diner. He stopped at Pascal’s Deli and Bakery. He knew the owner’s son from PIFA and he was sure that Rob was working this afternoon.


******************************************************************************

“Hi Cynthia, His Badness is expecting me” Justin smiled. He handed her a package. “This is to say thank you for everything.”



“You didn’t have to do anything Justin, having peace and quiet and decent working hours is the best present ever.”


“I wanted to say thank you my way.” Justin stood patiently while she opened the package. 


With infinite care she unwrapped the small box. Inside was a miniature portrait done of her in a small porcelain frame. “Oh Justin, it’s beautiful, you have an amazing talent.” She smiled up at him. “I’ll treasure it forever. Now go on it and feed the lion, he’s starting to growl.”


Justin knocked and walked into Brian’s office. Brian was standing in front of a long table that had been brought in. Fabric samples and catalogues covered the entire table. A handsome older man was showing Brian something on a diagram.
Brian looked up and saw Justin. “Hi Justin, perfect timing, this is Armand. He’s helping me with a design layout. If you don’t mind I’d like your opinion on a few things.”


Justin, intrigued walked over to the table. A floor plan was drawn out on a large piece of white board, it looked like a two floor house. “What’s it all about Brian?”


Brian was at his desk pretending indifference and reaching into the bag Justin had brought. He pulled out two crusty rolls fresh from the bakery. Inside each one was a medley tomato, onion, cheese, green pepper, cucumber and sprouts. The smell was delicious. “Hey great lunch Baby.” He put a napkin down and watched Justin explore the table. “What we’re trying to do is decorate this house including furniture; it’s supposed to be for a young couple, maybe not their only residence. We’ll be basing a series of ads in the house for our client.
The thing is my idea of what looks good isn’t suitable for a house in the country, or one with children. We don’t want it to look too urban. Does any of this make sense to you Justin?”


He could see that Justin had heard him, from the wave of his hand. He walked around the table, studying the layout from all sides. “Do you have a choice of color or do you need to stick to one particular type. Do you want pastels, or plain white, or will you go for something more vibrant?” Justin directed his questions to Armand.


“Mr. Kinney really hasn’t made a decision as to color.” Armand watched Justin amused at how the young artist was viewing the whole concept of decorating the house.


“Brian is this ad for a product or an idea. I mean is it for something like insurance or toilette tissue?”


“It’s an ad for an insurance type thing.”


“Well in that case, this is what I’d do.” Justin picked up the little cardboard cutouts of furniture. “I’d leave the space in front of the main window open then put a chair here, and here, maybe a sofa over here. The walls should be something deep and rich and warm, perhaps a burgundy Venetian glaze, to add warmth to the large space. The color can be strong because of the vast expanse of glass.” He picked up swatches of fabric. “This would be lovely for the sofa and for the chairs.” He reached into his back pack for his sketch pad. Turned to a fresh page and quickly sketched a couple of chairs and an wrap around sofa. A few strokes of his pencil and an oval table appeared. “The table would make a statement in marble you could have six or eight upholstered chairs in a fabric that would compliment the sofa and chairs.” He sketched again. “Because of the open concept, I would have the counters the same marble as the table top. But the cabinets a rich cherry, it would pull together the burgundy wall.” He pointed to the walls. “A great backdrop for some art work.”


Brian sat back contentedly eating his lunch and then finishing off Justin’s as he watched the interplay between Justin and Armand as the two of them decorated the house, room by room. Choosing color and style with the sure eye of a trained artist Justin impressed both Brian and the decorator.


It was close to six o’clock when Brian strolled over “Having fun Sunshine?” he asked grinning broadly. “You’ve talked poor Armand into a stupor”


Justin looked over at Armand who smiled back. “It was enjoyable working with someone so young yet full of talent. I’d hire him in a minute for my firm.”


“Thanks Armand. If you use any of my ideas, would you take some pictures so I can see what they look like for real?”


“Certainly.” He looked at Brian. “Well Mr. Kinney, if you don’t mind I’ll leave. We can resume this later.”


Brian looked intently at the decorator. “Go ahead with the preliminaries, I’ll touch base with you Saturday afternoon. I’m under the gun here. It has to be completed by Christmas.”


“That’s impossible Mr. Kinney, it will be spring at least.”


“No it will be by Christmas. In fact I’ll be generous. I’ll give you until December twenty fourth at four thirty in the afternoon.”


“Completed Mr. Kinney?”

“There will be a ten percent bonus if it is and a forty percent penalty if it isn’t. Stop at Cynthia’s desk, she has the agreement drawn up for your signature and a deposit cheque for you.”


“Very well Mr. Kinney, I look on this as a personal challenge.” He looked at Justin who was still playing with the fabrics and furniture cutouts. “I can see your incentive is very special.”


Brian smiled and nodded his agreement. “Very special..


December 20th evening

“Hey this looks Christmasy” smiled Brian when he walked into the loft. He looked elegant as usual in his tweed top coat, Justin’s scarf around his neck.” He leaned down for a kiss. Justin was on his knees in front of the coffee table arranging burgundy silk poinsettias in a large open bowl of pressed green glass.
“I thought we should have something Christmas like here.” Justin returned Brian’s kiss. “I still don’t see why you don’t want a tree.”


“I thought maybe you and I could go away for a few days. Do you really want to leave a tree alone in the loft?”


“Well, I don’t want to leave everyone else alone at Christmas either.” Justin looked away from Brian. “It’s our first Christmas as an official couple. I was hoping we could have the gang over.”


“Tell you what, why don’t we plan on having a New Year’s eve party here at the loft.” Justin looked at him with that knowing stare. “Don’t worry, you can be the complete organizer, I promise to not interfere and I have no hidden agenda’s.”


“Promise” Justin was wary having been through the aftermath of one too many of Brian’s little soirées.


Brian laughed. “Would I say something I didn’t mean?”


“If you thought it might get you out of something maybe.”


“Just for that you don’t get any of the pizza I ordered. It should be here any minute, I’ll just tip the guy and tell him you aren’t interested. You’re too busy being a brat.”


“You ordered pizza? With cheese and everything? Wow you do expect to get lucky tonight don’t you old man?” Justin turned around on his knees. He reached for Brian’s hand and tugged him down to the floor with him. “You know Brian, I would blow you for only one kiss, and you didn’t have to get pizza.”


“A kiss like this” asked Brian, pulling Justin on top of him as he stretched out on the floor, his lips seeking and finding the full lips of his lover.
“Oh yes” gasped Justin. He began to fumble for the zipper in Brian’s pants when the buzzer interrupted them. “Shit, that’s probably the pizza” He stood up his sweats tenting in front. Brian laughed and swatted at the hard cock causing it to bob in front of Justin, a wet spot starting through his sweats.


“You better stay here Sonny Boy; we don’t want you scaring the poor pizza delivery boy.” Brian laughed to himself as he opened the door only to see a pissed off Michael standing there. “Mikey, come on in.” he turned and stared at Justin “Hey honey, company’s here” Brian’s falsetto was comical and as much as Justin was pissed to see Michael, Brian’s antics broke him up.


“Hey Michael, you’re just in time. Brian ordered pizza for supper. Can I get you a beer?”


“I’ve had dinner.” Grumbled Michael, but he took the beer; he glanced at the front of Justin’s sweats and actually blushed. “Was I interrupting anything?”


“Oh just the usual greeting after a hard day at the office,” Brian pulled Justin close and kissed him. “I’m going to get changed” he handed Justin his wallet. “pay the pizza guy when he gets here”

“Aren’t you tired of playing house yet?” Michael asked Justin when Brian went into the bathroom.


“Who’s playing, living with Brian is damn hard work.”


“I heard that” shouted Brian from the bathroom.


“He has ears like a bat” muttered Justin and ducked quickly as a rolled up towel came hurtling out the bathroom door in his direction.


Michael stood there watching silently the camaraderie between the two men. It was a side of Brian that he’d rarely if ever seen. Brian was relaxed and smiled a lot more than he had ever done - all because of a twink that didn’t know enough to go away.


“I came over ‘cause I never see you at Babylon anymore Brian.”

“No time, December is a busy month.”

“No it isn’t, you never have anything to do in December”

“Well, you just go tell Vance that Mikey, I’m sure he’d love to hear your opinion, but this December is busy.”

“What about Saturday night?”

“Justin and I have a date. We’re attending the Staff Christmas party. Dinner and then dancing”

“You’re taking Justin to the company Christmas party?”

“The invitation said bring a date. Justin’s my date.” He looked over at Justin as he cleaned up his mess around the coffee table. “He’ll be the best looking one there.” He laughed when he saw the red flush over his blonde’s face.

“I am kind of looking forward to it Brian, I haven’t been anywhere for ages where I could dress up.” He looked down at his sweats. “Evan I’m getting sick of where this shit.” He laughed at the look on Michael’s face. “Let’s face it Michael, there are only a few of us in this world who can continue to dress the way we did in high school and get away with it.” He looked pointedly at Michael’s outfit of the day. “Now that I’m partners with the all time biggest label queen in Pittsburgh if not the world, I have to start living up to his handsome image.”

Brian laughed “I’ll take you shopping, but you are sooo not getting your own account at the store. We talked about that already.”

“But Brian, what if you don’t have time to take me? Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s neck and batted his lashes.

Brian brushed Justin’s lips with his, “Twat, stop teasing Mikey” he whispered.

“I got it today.” Michael began to pull a crumpled white envelope out of his pocket.

Brian rushed over and shoved Michael’s hand back in the pocket. “I told you to shut up about that Michael.” He hissed. He looked over at Justin who had that insatiable look of curiosity in his eyes.

“What’s up Brian?” he asked.

“Not much as long as Mikey stays” he grabbed Michael by the arm and hustled him out of the loft. Try as he might Justin could only hear a whisper of a conversation that was loudly taking place in the hallway. He jumped back to the kitchen and was taking out a bottle of water when Brian pulled the loft door open, looking as innocent as he could.


“I know you were trying to listen, so you don’t bother looking like that, brat. It’s Christmas and even Brian Kinney is allowed to have secrets at Christmas.”


Saturday night 8:00 PM

“I’m starving Brian, I should have eaten something before we left.” Justin, looking radiant in his deep green, almost black suit, tailored to perfection to suit his more that abundant ass, tried to look like a starving waif, but failed miserably.

“Justin, you ate at four thirty, that wasn’t that long ago.” He cupped Justin’s chin in his hand tilting his face up and kissed him gently. “Don’t be nervous, you always are hungry when you’re nervous. They’ll love you, each and every one of them.”


“What if they don’t know you’re gay?” he looked sad. They were in the elevator on their way to the restaurant at the top of the tallest building in Pittsburgh. Justin, who had attended functions of equal formality often when he was growing up, was suddenly feeling gauche. He’d never thought of how he would be perceived when he attended functions with his parents. But he wanted everything to be perfect for Brian. He couldn’t bear it if anyone said anything untoward and hurt Brian’s feelings.

“If they didn’t know I was gay before, they will now. It has absolutely nothing to do with how I do my job. Besides, I’m a partner now; it isn’t quite the same as before.”

The elevator reached the top, the doors opened and Justin was about to step out when he felt Brian’s hand slip into his. He looked up into the hazel eyes and flashed his radiant smile. Brian squeezed his hand in reassurance and they stepped out into the foyer of the restaurant. Brian led Justin to the head table where two places were empty, he held Justin’s chair for him and while he was being seated “This is Justin Taylor, my partner, for those of you who don’t already know him.” Brian was matter of fact about the whole thing. He sat down and began to name the people around the table for Justin’s benefit.

Justin was seated beside Vance’s wife. Brian sat back and watched the show, in no time at all Justin had the entire table mesmerized with his quick wit and knowledge of current events in the art world. He’d known he had nothing to worry about. Justin had been trained for this kind of situation from birth. The dinner went smoothly. When after dinner drinks began to be served the band began to play. As the opening strains of Save the Last Dance for Me began, Brian and Justin looked at each other. The night of the prom came rushing back. Brian pushed back his chair and held out his hand for Justin. The familiar music continued to play as they reenacted their dance Justin following Brian’s lead and occasionally seeing flashbacks of that night so long ago in another lifetime. When the music ended they stood there for a moment and it was only when the other’s began to clap did they realize that they’d had the floor to themselves. Brian held Justin’s hand up and they bowed low, perfectly choreographed to the end.

Grinning the two returned to their table. “That was some dance Kinney” Vance picked up his glass of wine. “To my partner and his partner” he toasted “May they dance together forever.”

“So Justin” asked Vance’s wife. “Are you and Brian married, or do same sex couples get married?”

“We’re living together as partners in our loft downtown.” Began Justin, not sure what Brian wanted him to say.

“But we’re getting married in February” finished Brian.

“Really, will it be a big wedding?”

“Justin and I haven’t discussed the guest list yet.” Brian smiled down at his blushing blonde.

“I didn’t think it was legal here or is it that thing called a commitment ceremony?”

“It isn’t legal here, but it is in Hawaii. We’re thinking of Oahu, the ceremony to be at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel.”

“How romantic.”

“That’s what Justin has been saying for years. “Brian, you’re such a romantic” He stifled his yelp as Justin kicked him under the table.

“Justin, you are so lucky having someone like Brian loving you. He must have swept you off your feet right from the first.”

“Well, he had me off my feet alright”


“Cynthia, a couple of glasses of wine too many giggled at that. Brian glared at her making her giggle even more.

“So what do the two of you do in your spare time?”

“We don’t have a lot of spare time, Ma’am. I’m a student at PIFA and work part time and Brian as you know puts in long hours at his work.”

“But this December…. She began.

Brian realized that he could get into trouble if Justin found out the agency was almost shut down in December as the slowest month of the year, quickly changed the subject.

“Justin has an art show the first week in January. He was one of the few students chosen to have his work represented at the museum.” Brian sat back “Nice save Kinney” he thought as Justin began to tell the rest of the table about the show.


They continued to chat about the show until “So Brian, Justin, what are your plans for Christmas?” Vance’s wife was intrigued with the two men; she’d never known a gay couple before.

“Brian is being kind of mysterious about Christmas” Justin confided to her. “He has something planned and he’s going to a lot of trouble to not let me know about it. The problem is, I’ve learned to be kind of wary of Brian’s surprises. His idea of fun, even wrapped in a big red bow isn’t always mine.” He reached over and took Brian’s hand. “He’s working on making his surprises a little easier to package I hope.”

“Oh I can hardly wait. Please call me after Christmas and let me know. We could go for coffee or something. I’m sure our husbands won’t mind us hanging out together.” She gushed.

Brian looked at Justin and raised his eyebrows”

“Sure” said Justin. “I’ll give you my cell number. If you’re ever near the campus give me a call. The Starbucks there does an awesome Frappachino.”

“Great, excuse me, I need to go the little girls room.” She rose from her chair. “You coming Cynthia, Justin?”

The three ‘wives’ trooped off to the washrooms leaving an amused Brian, a confused Vance and a bemused date that Cynthia had brought. “You don’t really think he’s going to the ladies room? Asked Vance.

“I hope not” said Brian. “I think but I’d better have a chat with the ‘little woman’ and explain that he isn’t one.” Said Brian tongue in cheek.
As the three returned the men at the table could hear Cynthia and Justin giggle as Vance’s wife finished what she was saying. Like synchronized swimmers each one planted a kiss on the forehead of their respective partner when they arrived back, sitting down as one.

“It will work every time Justin” quipped Vance’s wife. She looked at Cynthia for confirmation.

“Try it, it’s never failed for me. In fact why don’t we all do it tonight. When we get together for coffee after Christmas we can compare notes.”
“Done” they all said at once and then burst into giggles.
Brian stood up. “Well, Sonny Boy, you’ve had one too many glasses of wine and you too Cynthia.”
Justin, knowing that look from Brian, stood as well. “It was nice to see you again Cynthia and it was nice to meet the rest of you. Brian and I are having a small gathering on New Years Eve. If you are free that night, we’d love to have you over.” He looked at the women. “We’ll compare notes then.” He leaned over and kissed Vance’s wife and then walked over and kissed Cynthia. “Bye ladies.” He said. Brian, his face bemused, shook his head then nodded to the rest of the table. “Later” was all he said as he followed his Boy Wonder out of the room.


The ride home was peaceful. Brian decided that it wasn’t the time to ask Justin what he’d been up to with the women and Justin decided he wouldn’t push about Brian’s work hours that weren’t been done at the Agency. Cynthia had let something slip in their trip to the ladies room. And yes he’d used the ladies room, he’d been talking to the two of them and went in the door and before you know it the ladies room was unisex. It was over the sinks washing their hands and Justin helping with their touch ups that the talk arrived at sex like it did inevitably at any gathering of more than one woman who’s had a couple of glasses of wine. The two older ones shared a sex tip with Justin, something they did with their partners once in awhile. Justin figured why not, his partner had the same parts as theirs did, so it was bound to work. He looked over at the handsome man sitting beside him and smiled. Brian knew he was looking at him; the quick glance over at Justin caused a wave of emotion to rush thru his body. He couldn’t resist and let his hand rest on Justin’s leg. “I love you Baby” he said. The words came so naturally now, he had no idea why he’d resisted so long.


“Hurry up and come to bed, I want to fuck you into suitable submission for the performance you put on with Vance’s wife and Cynthia. I can’t believe you went into the ladies room Justin.” He could hear Justin at the refrigerator and the clink of ice in a glass.

Justin walked into the bedroom. He was glowing from the hot shower, “it’s so cold in here I can see steam rising from you Brian.” He teased. He was always complaining about how cold the loft was. He set the glass full of crushed ice down on the ledge around the bed. “Gawd you look beautiful under the blue lights Brian.”

Brian smiled at the compliment. As far as he was concerned the sole purpose of the blue lights was to show off his handsome blonde partner who appeared to be up to something. He cynically watched Justin as he got into bed pulling the duvet up around his chest. Justin rolled onto his side and propped himself up on one elbow. He looked at Brian. “I want to make love to you tonight. But first I want to play a bit.”
He leaned over and began to kiss Brian lips. Brian pulled back at first; Justin’s mouth was ice cold. He felt his cold tongue begin to explore his mouth gradually warming. Justin put some more crushed ice in his mouth and slowly started down Brian’s torso, the ice chips raised Brian’s nipples instantly as Justin’s mouth grazed over them. He leaned in again, with icy cold teeth and tongue he rolled them one at a time alternating with cold kisses. Continuing to place chips of ice in his mouth, he traveled Brian’s body. Brian gasped when the cool moist mouth enveloped his hot cock. He’d never felt such pleasure/pain quite like this. Justin moved to his balls gently rolling them in his mouth the combination of warmth then coolness sending shivers of pleasure through Brian’s body. A pillow was placed beneath his ass and almost instantly Justin’s warm nose buried in Brian’s balls but his cool tongue traced circles around his pulsating hole, suddenly with a shift, a sliver of ice was pushed into the hot orifice with the demanding tongue of his lover. It plunged in and out, Brian couldn’t stay still, he almost tossed Justin off in his frantic need to be fucked or to fuck. He wasn’t fussy at this point. He spread his legs offering everything to Justin. Their eyes locked and the unspoken question was asked and answered. Justin knelt before him, his cock rampant, glistening with lube and pre cum. He leaned in, his rock hard cock ready. The head barely grazed Brian’s hole when he heard “Now” shouted in that deep guttural voice Brian had when lust overcame him. He leaned in pressing against Brian’s hole, which relaxed enough to allow his first tentative thrust to sink in. The groan wrenched from deep within both of them almost sent them over the brink before it had even began. Justin paused, his blue eyes dark with passion, holding Brian’s legs he began the long steady thrusts that he knew Brian loved. The sense of oneness that the lack of latex provided enveloped the two of them and time stopped only to start again with the rush of elation that only making love to your soul mate could bring and the two of them rode the wave of orgasm together. Justin collapsed on Brian, his relaxing cock slowly slipping out of Brian. Neither one wanted to move. Justin held on to Brian matching him breath for breath as Brian; his arms wrapped around Justin held him securely.

Finally Justin got up and came back with a warm wet cloth and a towel. He cleaned up Brian, finishing with a kiss and threw the used face cloth and towel to the side of the bed. He climbed back into bed and Brian pulled him close. Brian thought he couldn’t imagine why he’d ever thought living alone was a good thing. He was almost asleep when Justin began to giggle. 

“You having a little post coital fit?” Brian kissed the top of his head.

“No, but did you like what I did tonight?”

“It was interesting and fun” Brian wondered where this conversation was going.
“Well, just think, Vance and his wife and Cynthia and her date are probably in their beds just as relaxed as us.” He giggled again. “We all agreed to try this technique out tonight on our partners.”

“Eeeewwwuuuu – now I could have done without that picture in my mind” Brian was somewhat grossed out. “This is what you guys were going to report to each other about?”

“Could be”

“You know Justin; you really aren’t one of the ‘girl’s. You don’t have to tell them everything we do.”
“Not a chance would I tell them everything.” Justin was quiet for a moment, “Does telling someone about the other night when we measured our dicks together count?”

“Please tell me you didn’t say anything about that Justin.” Brian remembered all the pointed references that Cynthia had been making about tape measures and rulers for the last couple of days. Now he understood why.

“Well I didn’t mention exact sizes or anything. And she said now whenever you become Bad Ass Kinney, she’ll look at you and remember us sitting on the bed with the tape measure.”

“Thank you for sharing that Brat. Go to sleep before I strangle you” he did kiss Justin one more time to show that he wasn’t angry.


Christmas Eve

“Justin, can you be ready to leave by five?” Brian was about to leave his office and wanted to make sure Justin was ready.

“We can’t go. I can’t find anyone. I stopped in at Lindsey’s and Mel’s with Gus’s present and the neighbor said they’d gone somewhere for Christmas. Why would they take Gus away from us at Christmas?” Justin was almost in tears. “I went to Deb and Vic’s and no one was home. I stopped at Mom’s and she wasn’t home. I even went to Emmett’s and Ted’s and neither one of them were home. Maybe I should stop at Michael’s store, maybe the gang is there. I went to the diner but Chris said they were there for lunch but didn’t know where there were now.” He sniffed. “We can’t go away now Brian, I have to see my family at Christmas even just for a few minutes.”

“Look, don’t cry Baby,” Brian almost relented and told Justin everything. “If we don’t find anyone before we leave, then we’ll stay overnight and drive back tomorrow. I don’t want a sad little gay boy as my present under the tree.”
Justin, sniffed once more, but his good humor was partially restored. “Thanks Brian, I’m sorry I’m being such a Drama Princess.”

“I understand, I think, but Christmas has never really been high on my list of favorite holidays. Jack had a tendency to Deck more than the Halls during the Season.” He was rewarded by a giggle from Justin. Justin for some reason always managed to help him see the humor in some of his worst childhood memories. Talking to him about things he’d been through and then seeing them through Justin’s eyes, changed the whole perspective. He often found himself laughing about some of the things that happened which was a whole hell of a lot better than crying about them. The past four weeks had been unbelievably stressful. All of his waking hours with few exceptions had been taken up with Justin’s Christmas surprise. Now that the time was fast approaching to present everything to his young partner, Brian was getting nervous. What if he hated it? What if he thought Brian was being too pushy?

*******************************************************************************

“Why did we have to go tonight Brian?” Justin wiggled in his seat in the Jeep.

“We could have gone tomorrow after Gus opened his presents.” He looked around “Did you eat all my fries?”

“I told you, Gus will never even know that we weren’t there Christmas morning, he’s far too young. And if you really want to we can come back tomorrow and you can spend the week supervising the caterers when they decorate for the New Years thing. And by the way thanks a whole bunch for inviting Vance and everybody. Nothing I like better than socializing with that asshole.”

“Don’t change the subject. You did eat my fries.”

“Don’t bitch, I let you get take out Mickey D’s, if you’re too slow eating your stuff then you have to pay the consequences.”

“I can’t believe you ate a Big Mac and both fries, what a pig.”

“Yes, I can see where you have a problem with that. After all you only had three quarter pounders. I can see how you might still be peckish.” He grinned over at Justin. “I can pull over and you can have a protein snack.”

“Don’t you just wish, you thief.”

“Be a good little gay boy and shut up. We’re almost there and wonder of all wonders it’s not snowing.”

“Brian, you missed the turn.”

“I did, well, I’ll turn around in this driveway.” Brian pulled into a long drive way that ran parallel to the lake. He pulled right up to the garage of the well lit house. Because it was dark and no street lights were available in this country setting, Justin didn’t notice the various vehicles parked under the trees. “Isn’t this the house you saw when we were walking down by the lake.”

Justin looked around. “I think it is, looks like the people are home now. Maybe they stayed home for Christmas with their families like most normal people.” 

“Let’s go see if they’re home.” Brian opened the Jeep door and jumped out. He walked around to Justin’s door and opened it.

“Are you nuts, Brian? You can’t just knock on someone’s door and say “Hi, I’m Brian, I want to see your house.” They’ll think you’re some kind of freak.”

“Sure, this is the country; people do stuff like that all the time. He undid Justin’s seat belt and helped a reluctant Justin out of the Jeep. Holding his hand they walked up to large carved double doors. Brian knocked, but there was no answer.

To Justin’s horror, Brian clasped the door knob and opened the large door. “Come on in Justin.” He almost lost it when he saw the look of horror on Justin’s face. Justin began to back up, looking at Brian like he’d lost his mind. Drastic measures were called for. He scooped him up and carried him across the threshold, slamming the door closed behind him with his foot.

Facing Justin was the largest Christmas tree he’d ever seen. It took up a good part of the vast expanse of window. Surrounding the tree were presents and sitting on the furniture that looked oddly familiar was all their family and friends. Even his mother and Molly were there.


Brian looked at Justin, cradled in his arms. “Merry Christmas Baby, this is your Christmas surprise.” Justin looked at the room full of people and back at Brian and burst into tears, burying his face against Brian’s shoulder.

“Hey Mikey, do you think he was surprised?” asked Brian. He set Justin down and handed him a clean handkerchief. Everyone laughed, the Christmas music was turned back on and Justin could see Deb and his Mother busy in the kitchen. He held onto Brian’s hand, everything was exactly the way he’d pictured it when we worked that afternoon with Armand.

“I really can’t believe you did this Brian.” He looked up into the love filled hazel eyes. “You bought the house?”

Brian reached into his pocket and handed Justin a new key. “This is to add to your key ring. I thought we could always use a place to escape the wildness of the Pitts, have a place that’s ours and not subject to people coming over on a whim.” He looked at Justin, worried that he hadn’t said anything. “It’s OK isn’t it Baby, it’s yours and mine.”

“Is everything the way Armand and I planned it?” Justin couldn’t stop staring at everything. His eyes were specially drawn to the bare walls, he knew exactly the paintings he wanted to hang. “Even the bathroom? Even the bedroom?” he looked at Brian. “So this is what you’ve been doing this December. You weren’t tricking you were working on our house?”

“If I was tricking Justin, I wouldn’t make love to you raw. I will never put your life in jeopardy.” He kissed the full red lips “You know that don’t you?”

Justin could feel his eyes tear up again. “I’m not dying or anything am I and you haven’t told me?”

Brian laughed “Why would you say that Sunshine?”

“Cause everything is turning out too perfect. Like some weird kind of alternate universe.”

“No you aren’t dying. Yes I love you.” He kissed him again. “Lets do the meet and greet thing with the munchers and everybody. It’s Christmas Eve and there are presents to rattle.”

Justin and Brian finally walked into the midst of the family. Deb handed Justin a plate of food and Jennifer handed Brian one. The two sat down on the floor by the large fireplace. Gus looked like a little bear sleeping on a nest made from a quilt on the floor. His blanket sleepers all warm and cozy. Justin leaned into Brian. “Where are we going to put everybody?” he whispered.

“Mikey, Ted and Emmett are staying in the Chalet that we had at Thanksgiving. Mel, Linds and Gus have the red room off the kitchen. Jen and Molly have the blue room across from the munchers. Deb has the little room by the den and Vic has the room across the hall from that one Deb has.” His arm went around Justin’s shoulders. “We have the master suite. I did my best to follow your suggestions and Armand was very helpful.” He kissed Justin’s forehead. “I think he was taken with you.”

Jennifer walked over and sat down on the floor with the two lovers. Molly was quick to follow. “I like your house Justin.” She said shyly looking at Brian from under her lashes. “Will I ever have a boyfriend give me a house?”

Justin laughed “It’s not my house Molly, it’s Brian’s. And yes someday you’ll have a house.”

Jennifer looked hard at Brian. “Brian, I think you should tell him everything.”

“I will Jennifer, give me time.” Brian looked at Justin who was busy talking to Molly and never heard the exchange between his mother and Molly. “He has a hard time accepting how I feel about him. He doesn’t understand that everything I have and everything I do is nothing without him.” He looked at Justin, the love shining in his eyes, Jennifer realized then that Brian would put Justin ahead of everything in his life. She couldn’t ask for any more than that for her son. “He taught me how to love. Nothing I give him will every pay for that.”

One by one, the family and friends made their way to their various rooms. With the three friends being the last to leave for the chalet, Justin and Brian shut the door. “This is really ours?” asked Justin once again. He walked around touching each piece of furniture, peering into the fridge and opening the over. Brian stood back and watched him, pleased with the reaction to his surprise. Finally they turned off the lights on the tree and together they made their way up the stairs to their bedroom. Justin started in, but was held back by Brian’s hand.

Brian pulled him forward until they both stood in the doorway. “I want us to enter here together. This room will always be just you and I, no tricks, it’s our oasis, our island, our safe haven.” He kissed Justin’s forehead. 

Justin reached up and with both his hands guided Brian’s face closer to his. Gently he allowed his lips to graze the soft lips of his lover. He watched the hazel eyes, reading them like a well loved novel. “Thank you” was all he said.

This was the first time he’d seen the room he’d dreamed of owning. He’d allowed his dreams to be turned into reality for a fantasy home and now that fantasy was his. The walls and ceiling were midnight blue. A bank of glass doors opened up onto a large enclosed balcony. The three skylights in the sloping ceiling allowed the stars to become part of the decorating. Justin could see the deep blue marble tiles on the floor of the generous sized bath room. He knew he’d find all that he’d imagined in there and could hardly wait to spend and evening in the bath with Brian. The bed, the bed was heaven. Midnight blue velvet covering the duvet double filled with goose down. The down filled pillows and the steel gray sheets, with a thread count so high they felt like silk. A burgundy and gold handmade quilt was folded on a small leather upholstered stool at the end of the bed. I was everything he’d imagined and more. He turned to Brian and began to slowly undress him. As fingers touched flesh the speed with which the clothes began to disappear increased until finally it became comic the 
rush they both had to remove their clothing. The need to feel flesh on flesh was overwhelming.


Brian couldn’t resist. He scooped Justin up in his arms and carried him to bed. His smile tantalizingly ripe for kissing Brian allowed himself the pleasure of slowly savoring the luscious lips.

It was a night for them both to remember forever, making silent love under the stars, moonlight their only illumination, their bed of down filled velvet was like whispers on their skin. Their love for each other burned brighter and hotter than any fire. It was a Christmas Eve like Brian had never imagined he knew that never in his life could he surpass this night. It was truly a night of love and hope everlasting. He held Justin in his arms until dawn. Watching over him and praying that their love would last forever.

*******************************************************************************

Justin woke up Christmas morning wrapped in Brian’s arms. The regular breathing from his lover told him he was finally asleep. He kissed him gently then eased his way out of his arms, replacing his body with a pillow. He looked at the clock, it was six thirty. He could see that dawn had broken, but not by much. The sky was lightening but the stars were still visible. Justin, pulled on his clothes that he’d abandoned last night. He needed to get the cases out of the car and the presents for Brian and Gus that he’d brought. He pulled the duvet up over Brian’s shoulders gave him another quick kiss and silently left the room.

He slowly walked down the stairs touching everything, hardly believing it belonged to Brian and himself. He turned on the tree marveling at how beautiful the hundreds of twinkling clear lights looked hidden among the greenery. The tree was decorated with sprays of burgundy poinsettias and large lacy gold bows. Topped with and angel. It would be wonderful to collect ornaments through the years with Brian. Making each one special, he was glad that Brian hadn’t had the tree decorated with meaningless ornaments. 

He started the coffee and quickly made a batch of apple streusel muffins from his Grandmother’s recipe book. While the muffins were baking he went out and brought in the gifts and the suitcases.

He placed the gifts under the tree with the others that the family had brought. He’d wanted this first Christmas to be special and it certainly was turning out that way.

Brian stood at the top of the stairs watching. Justin had systematically toured the entire open concept room and touched and investigated everything. He watched him check out the kitchen cabinets and then make up the muffins. He smiled as he carefully set the large marble table for breakfast and lit the Christmas candle centerpiece.

Justin had poured himself a coffee and was sitting in the overstuffed leather chair by the warm fire in the fireplace; he was sitting there contemplating the scene around him when Brian came down the stairs. He was about to get up when Brian motioned for him to stay. Brian poured himself some coffee then perched on the arm of the chair, wrapping his lengthy body over the back, draping himself over Justin. The sat there in silence drinking their coffee and enjoying the peace that would soon be disturbed by their family and friends. “This is what it’s all about isn’t it Justin?” he kissed the top of the blonde’s head. “Having family and friends for Christmas, bringing everyone together.” He smiled down at Justin. “I’ve never had this before.”

“You go and shower Brian, I’m going to put the turkey in to cook. I’m sure everyone will be up soon and Gus will want to open his presents.”

As Brian kissed Justin before starting up the stairs to their bathroom, he paused for a moment realizing that the urgency for sex with his blonde lover had been replaced with a contented feeling that they would always be there for one another. It was a nice feeling, a peaceful and warm feeling.

Justin, was enjoying himself in his kitchen, getting the turkey ready when Michael Emmett and Ted walked in. Soon Deb, Vic, Jennifer and Molly joined them. Deb and Vic took over in the kitchen, leaving Justin to sit with his coffee at the table with the others.

The usual banter was being tossed around the table until Justin said “We’re going to come here as many weekends as possible. Brian and I will try and spend at least four weeks here this summer.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be too sure about that Boy Wonder. Brian is probably thinking of this as an investment. I’m sure he’ll be able to double his money in a few months now that it’s fixed up. I saw it four weeks ago and it was pretty run down. Brian had work crews here twenty four seven getting it ready for this Christmas get together.”

Justin’s face fell, he hadn’t thought that Brian might be using it as an investment. Lindsey, Melanie and Gus reached the table. Melanie began to say something when she remembered her position as Brian’s lawyer. It wasn’t necessary because Brian spoke up. Now one had seen him come down the stairs. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken there Mikey, I don’t have any say in what happens with the house. It’s Justin’s house. It’s his Christmas present. I want to make sure he always has a place of his own. I’m not easy to live with.” He bent down and kissed Justin’s lips oblivious to the shocked silence that had fallen. “As a matter of fact, now that you are all gathered here, Justin and I have an announcement, of course you’ll all get your invitation in the mail, but we wanted you to know that we are getting married in February. The fourteenth to be exact.

No one was more shocked than Justin about the gift of the house. He wanted to say something, but the proud look on Brian’s face and the strong arm around his shoulder kept him quiet. They would discuss this later.

Jennifer was beaming. “I told you it was your house” Molly stated matter of fact. 

Everyone except Michael and Melanie rose to congratulate the couple. It was Gus who broke up the ‘group hug’ when the rattle of paper being ripped helped turn their attention to the little boy. He was sitting by the tree and unwrapping his gifts, too intent on the contents to worry about the adults.

“Gus, need any help?” Brian said as he walked over and sat beside his son. The rest moved to the living room area and the next hour was taken up with the distribution of gifts and the opening of them.

At first no one noticed Brian sitting in his soon to be favorite chair by the fireplace. He sat there holding his present from Justin trying unsuccessfully to wipe away stray tears as they escaped his hazel eyes. He’d remembered telling Justin about the Christmas when he was eleven. He’d wanted the Star Wars fighter ship and the action figures including Princes Lea so badly. He knew it was not even worth the effort to ask, there was no Santa Clause and there was no Christmas presents at the Kinney household that weren’t practical. Socks, underwear and new school clothes were pretty much it.

He sat this Christmas morning, holding the fighter ship, the entire crew of Star War’s action figures piled around, a brightly colored tag hand painted that would be kept forever in his safety deposit box saying.

To: Brian Kinney, Christmas 1981. From: Santa Clause – with his sincere apologies, this present slipped behind the seat in Santa’s sleigh we found it while doing a much needed fall cleaning. I love you bunches JT (head elf)

Justin seeing Brian losing control, quickly went over cupped his chin with his hand and let his lips kiss the tears away. 

“I love you Baby. No house can even begin to compare to your present to me.” Brian spoke his voice ragged with emotion. “I can’t believe you remembered. I can’t believe how you continue to give me back my childhood.”

“This is for you as well.” Justin handed him a small sketch, framed and matted simply. It depicted a young Brian, sitting beside a Christmas tree opening the Star Wars presents, an elf looking at lot like Justin peeking out from around the tree watching. “This is what Santa would have seen that Christmas morning.”

“You know I’ll treasure it forever.” Brian leaned his head against Justin while Justin sat on the arm of the big chair, his arm around Brian holding him close.

The small drama that had played out was observed by Jennifer and Deb. They looked at each other and silently acknowledged that their boys were well suited.
Nothing makes a Mother happier than knowing that her child is happy. For the two women, this was one of the best Christmases ever.

*****************************************************************************

New Years Eve – 11:55 pm

Brian’s arms surrounded Justin from behind; he rested his chin on the blonde head. “Having a quiet moment Baby? He asked.

Justin had been looking out the loft windows, surveying the snow covered street below, his back to the loft that had been transformed into a winter wonderland by the crew of caterers. Family and friends were dancing, or standing in groups talking, queer or straight. Vance and his wife had barely stood still for a moment, the two of them enjoying the camaraderie of the assembled guests. Brian had never seen his business partner so relaxed. “I was just thinking that the past year was something you could write a book about.” He turned in Brian’s arms slipping his own arms around Brian’s waist and placing his head on the hard chest of the man he loved, listening to the steady beat of the heart that was all his now.

Emmett grabbed the microphone from the DJ and began the New Year’s count down. When the hour turned and the next year began Brian’s lips claimed Justin’s and while everyone else began to circulate kissing each other Happy New Year, none of the guests dared to intrude on the two lovers, who had worked so hard to have this moment to themselves.

********************************************************************************

First Week of January

The first mail to arrive in Pittsburgh in the new year promised some of Pittsburgh’s citizens an event that none of them ever thought would happen.

A large cream colored heavy linen envelope addressed in perfect calligraphy arrived a certain households.

Deb, looked the envelope over and over until finally Vic took it from her hands and carefully slit it open pulling out a folded card embossed on the front with two hands clasped. He opened it gently and removed the tissue from between the folds. The inside page said:

Two Lives
Two Hearts
Join Together in Friendship
United Forever in Love

The page facing this said:

Together with their families

Brian Andrew Kinney
And
Justin Craig Taylor

Take Great Pleasure
In announcing their marriage
To Take Place
February 14, 2003 at 7:30 PM
At the
Kahala Mandarin Hotel
Oahu, Hawaii

Vic read it over twice and promptly burst into tears. Deb grabbed it and read it over as well, tears welling up in her eyes.

A separate piece of paper fluttered out of the envelope. Deb and Vic call Cynthia for your travel and hotel reservations, all has been looked after for the two of you. B & J

******************************************************************************

Bridal Suite – Kahala Mandarin Hotel – February 14, 2003

“Hold still Brian, let me brush this lint off your jacket.”

“Cripes Mikey, why can’t I see Justin? I need him right now, I can’t believe I’m this nervous.”
“Mom says you can’t see the Bride on the day of the wedding until you’re ready to walk down the aisle.”

“This isn’t some muncher affair, its two queers, so who’s the fucking bride?”

“Just humor her Brian.”

“I’ll see him when we ride to the ceremony”

“I don’t think it counts then, that’s the going down the aisle part maybe.”

“Who made up these damn rules” he looked toward the door, someone had knocked.

Michael walked over and opened the door. It was Brian’s Mother. “Hi Mrs. Kinney, I’ll let you talk to Brian, tell him I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you Michael.” Joan Kinney walked in to the elaborate suite letting her eyes sweep every surface. “Brian, can we talk for a moment.”

“I didn’t know you were coming” Brian stated, until he’d seen her standing there he hadn’t realized how much he’d been hoping she would come.

“You and Justin sent me an invitation. I thought you wanted me here.”

“We do want you here, I just didn’t think you’d come.”

“You’re my son Brian, of course I’d want to see you married.” She laughed “I did always think your Bride would be wearing a white dress, not a white Tux. I stopped in to see him first. I hope you don’t mind.” She could see begin to bristle. “Don’t worry Brian, I didn’t say anything bad to him. I stopped to give him your Grandmother O’Nalley’s lace handkerchief. It’s something for the ‘something old’ she wanted your Bride to carry it when you married. She had it for her wedding, I did for mine and now Justin will have it.” She smiled “Good thing I let Claire have her garter, somehow I think Justin wouldn’t do it justice.” 

“Somebody called Emmett said he’d look after the ‘borrowed and blue’ part of the tradition. Some kind of ring he said that was more suitable than a garter. I didn’t really understand because Justin wouldn’t let him tell me much about it.”
She smiled fondly at Brian “I’m sure it will be wonderful whatever it is.”

“What about the ‘I’m going to hell’ thing?” Brian asked unsure of what was happening here.

“I’ve prayed about this, about you and Justin. I’ve talked to Father Tim about it. You have to understand Brian that almost fifty years of believing something is hard to change. But talking to Father Tim and to Justin’s Mother these past few weeks,” Brian looked at her startled to hear that she had spoken to Jennifer. “I realized that Christ taught about love, not about hate. It was only His apostle Paul who preached hate against same sex relationships in Romans 1:26 and then only that one time. I can’t believe that Christ would hate someone because of who they fell in love with. So unless Christ tells me differently I believe that you and Justin, if you live good lives, will have just as much a chance to reach Heaven as I will.”

She turned when Michael knocked on the door “Brian, it’s time.” He looked at Mrs. Kinney. “If you want to, you can ride with me.”
“That would be lovely Michael.” She walked over to Brian and kissed his cheek. “I do love you Brian and I know that Justin will be good for you. He loves you very much.” She took Michael’s arm and together they left.

Brian stood in his hotel room unsure of what just happened. His mother at his wedding and happy, two other worldly experiences he thought he would never have.

He put on his tuxedo jacket. The black light weight linen was perfect for the climate. He left his white silk dress shirt unbuttoned at the throat. He pinned on the white hibiscus boutonnière. He hoped Michael had remembered the rings.
He was finally ready, at least physically, mentally, well, that was another story.

He walked down the hall to Emmett’s room where Justin had been sequestered all day. As he approached the door, it opened. Justin always knew when Brian was near. They looked at each other both of them emotionally a wreck on this momentous day. Brian held out his hand and Justin put his in Brian’s. They shut the door and walked down the hall to the elevator. No words were spoken, both of them didn’t trust their voices.

The elevator opened letting them out into the large lobby. Brian was sure that most of the staff was standing there waiting for them to move to the carriage waiting by the front doors of the hotel. They walked hand in hand down the aisle of strangers wishing them well and out the grand doors held open by two well muscled Hawaiian men. Brian helped Justin into the carriage and moved in beside him. Hand in hand they sat in the back of the carriage as it brought them to the beach where the flowered covered arbor waited.

Family and friends turned to the roadway when the first strains of the music began. They all rose as the white horses, rainbow colored hibiscus woven through their manes and tails rounded the bend and pulled up to the flower covered entrance to the beach. Brian left the carriage first and then turned and held out his hand for Justin. The blonde was radiant in his white tux. Both men had removed their shoes and socks and hand in hand walked barefoot through the flower strewn sand to stand together in front of their family and friends. 

Michael in his black tux stood on one side of the minister and Emmett in his white tux and Daphne in her pink dress stood on the other side. All of them with tears in their eyes as they watched their friends walk hand in hand toward them.

Debbie, Jennifer, Lindsey and Vic were openly crying. Joan and Mel both sniffed a few times and surreptitiously wiped their eyes, but managed to remain stoic.

Neither Justin nor Brian noticed any of their audience. They had eyes only for one another.

The minister began the ceremony; the two men barely heard the words. A nudge from Michael prompted Brian’s “I do” followed by “always and forever” said with passion and feeling. Justin his eyes blurred from tears of emotion and allergies due to the flowers could barely see Brian. When he heard the whispered “always and forever” a sob caught in his throat. His voice was completely broken when it was his turn to say “I do”. He looked into Brian’s hazel eyes with his watery blue ones and whispered as well “always and forever”.

When it came time to exchange their first kiss as a newly married couple, Brian reached into Justin’s pocket and pulled out the antique hanky handing it too him to wipe his nose and eyes. The typical arrogant Kinney tongue in cheek smirk as he did this completely broke up the audience. Their first kiss was exchanged to laughter. Brian whispered to Justin. “It’s better to start off as a married couple to laughter rather than tears Baby.” He kissed Justin gently again. “I meant what I said. “Always and forever.”

Together they walked back through family and friends to the carriage and their new life.