Brian was in his office at home when there was a knock on the door.  Justin poked his head in and came inside.

“You shouldn’t be walking around, Jus,” Brian told him.

“It’s only from the bed to here, Brian,” Justin complained.  “I’m sure bed rest doesn’t mean to spend all my time in the bed.”

Brian arched a brow.

Justin knew enough to know that he better make it quick before the brunet picked him up and took him to bed.  “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure,” Brian told him.  “I’m not really all that busy.  What is it?”

“It’s just that,” Justin sat down on the desk.  “I was thinking about my art and all that but...”

“What is it?” Brian asked.  “You can tell me.”

“I like it, but I don’t like it that much,” Justin told him.

Brian stared at Justin and frowned slightly. The doctor had warned them that Justin might change. That his tastes would probably be different; that he would want to do different things.  It was all part of the initial trauma and the blow to the head that Justin had received.  It had made him forget his life and now it looked like Justin was discovering a new one. 

“Are you mad?” Justin asked.

“What?” Brian asked.  “No, I’m just surprised...stunned. Art is...was a part of you.”

Justin bit his lower lip. “I’m not saying I won’t ever draw something. I really enjoy what I can do. And I like drawing the kids and you. But I don’t feel any passion with my art and I know artists are supposed to be passionate about their work”

Brian knew that. “What do you want to do?” He asked him.

“I want to be a teacher,” Justin told him. “Literature...I just find it fascinating and I was thinking about writing a book.”

Brian didn’t know where all this was coming from. “I guess...that’s great.”

“Still stunned?” Justin asked hoping it was the reason for Brian showing such a lack of interest.  At least, Justin hoped it was because of shock and not because he didn’t care or worst because Brian might be angry.

Brian nodded and got up from his chair.  He stood in front of the blond. “But I’m going to support you in this decision.”

“Thanks,” Justin got up and hugged him.  When Justin pulled back they stared at each other trying to recover what was lost in each other. 

“I’m here for you,” Brian bent down and kissed him hard raising his arms to envelope the man.

Justin moaned and then pulled back.  There was no doubt in his mind that he was in love with the man in front of him.  And why not, he was smart, hot, beautiful, so amazing.  He wanted nothing else than to be with Brian but he was still hesitant, he wasn’t sure what he was waiting for.  

“I should probably go back to my work,” Brian muttered seeing how Justin started pulling away. He was so confused sometimes. One moment Justin was all over him and wanting more and the next he was pulling away.

Justin kissed him quickly and pulled back.  “Okay, I’m making dinner. I’ll call you when it’s done.”

“Justin,” Brian said sternly.

“What?” Justin asked.  “Jennif...my mother is here and she can help me.”

Brian sighed and gave in.  He knew that if he didn’t let Justin do something he might lose all his patience and he didn’t want the blond stressing out. “If you feel fatigued, promise me you will lie down.”

“Okay,” Justin nodded as he threw a kiss and then winked at the brunet before he left.

Brian stood there and smiled for a moment.  Justin had never winked or threw kisses at him.  That’s pretty much when he realized that just like Justin was getting to know him, he was starting to know the new Justin.

***

Emmett rushed up to the third floor on Melanie’s building. He had his heart in his throat as he knocked on the door.  Melanie had called the house asking for Ted but the man was away on business with a few other people from Kinnetic.

“Em,” Melanie muttered with blood shot eyes.

“Hey,” Emmett came inside. “Are you okay sweetie?  Is Abe here?”

Melanie nodded and pointed towards the living room.

“Okay,” Emmett took Alicia’s hand and walked with her. “Honey, stay here with your brother.”

Alicia nodded at Emmett. Abe got up and grabbed his sister’s hand before they sat down to play with his toys.

“Melanie what happened?” Emmett asked her.

Melanie sighed and started crying again.  Emmett was sure he had never seen the woman cry and as much as he knew that Mel was human and could cry, it was freaking him out.  

“I want to help you honey,” Emmett told her.  “Tell me, please.”

“Lindsay,” Melanie muttered.

“Oh my god,” Emmett said.  “Did something happen?”

“She came here to see Abe,” Melanie said. 

“Okay,” Emmett took Melanie to the kitchen.  He needed to give her something. Maybe some tea would calm her nerves.  

Melanie sat in the kitchen table as Emmett looked in the cupboards. Finding the tea, he set everything up while listening to Melanie sniffing.  He sat down in front of her and waited for the tea to be ready.  He grabbed her hands and she looked at him before she started crying again.

“What did she say to you?” Emmett asked.

“That she was leaving for Paris,” Melanie cleaned her tears.  “She gave me Abe’s rights back.”

“What?” Emmett asked.

“Yeah,” Melanie felt like a total fool.  All their dreams they had fought for and had made come true had only come crashing down in a heartbeat with the end of their relationship.

“You mean that Ted has Abe’s rights once again?” Emmett asked.

Melanie nodded.  “She said it would be best this way in case something happened to Abe and Ted needed to be there...so he could be there as his father with all his parental rights.”

“Jesus,” Emmett muttered.  

“I hate her,” Melanie said suddenly.

Emmett didn’t know what he should say.  He thought that the girls were going through a tough time, but would get back together eventually.

“She’s a total bitch,” Melanie hissed.

“Honey,” Emmett said sternly.  “The kids are around.”

Melanie started crying.  “I can’t believe I wanted to form a life with her.”

Emmett frowned.  “Honey, don’t say that.  You guys had your moments.”

Melanie thought about it for a few seconds.  “She was my life.”

“I know sweetie but you have to be strong for Abe,” Emmett told her.  “I’m here for you and Ted is also here for you if you need him.”

Melanie nodded.  “I know that,” she told him.  “It gets hard trying to push it all down or not let any emotion surface for fear it will destroy you.”

Emmett got up and pulled the chair next to her.  “You can be strong honey.  I know you can.  Lindsay doesn’t know what she’s doing.  You’re wonderful, honey.”

Melanie looked at him and smiled.  “You’re just saying that to make me feel good.”

“You’re a wonderful person,” Emmett refuted.

“Then why did she leave?” Melanie asked.

“I could say she’s a bitch,” Emmett told her.  “But she’s my friend too you know.  How about dumb blond?”

Melanie laughed and shook her head.  “No, she’s not dumb.”

Emmett sighed.  “Look honey, sometimes things don’t work out.  You know that.”

“I know,” Melanie inhaled deeply.  “I know.”

Emmett looked up when the tea pot started its high-pitched signal.  “Let me go get that.”

“Em,” Melanie smiled at him.  “Thanks for coming.”

Emmett nodded.  “No problem at all honey.”

***

“Coming!” Molly yelled when she heard someone knocking.

“I’ll get it,” Justin told her as he got up from the sofa.  He would do anything as long as he could get up and walk.

“Hey,” Irving smiled at Justin when the door opened.

“Come one in,” Justin told him not sure why he was so nervous.

“How have you been?” Irving asked as they sat down.

“Who is it?” Molly asked coming into the living room.

“This is Irving,” Justin told her.  “He’s a friend of mine.”

“Oh,” Molly smiled at the man.  “I’m going back to the kids.”

“And she is?” Irving asked.

“My sister,” Justin told him.  “Molly.”

“I thought so,” Irving saw the family resemblance.  

“So,” Justin said not sure where to start, “how are you doing?”

“I’m okay,” Irving told him and got closer.  “I miss you.”

“Okay,” Justin drew out the word very slowly.  “I don’t think we should be talking about this.”

Irving sighed and took a good look at the blond, “you’re getting bigger.”

Justin frowned as he covered his belly.  

“You look very beautiful, Justin,” Irving said.  “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

“Is this going to continue like this?” Justin asked with anger in his voice.

“What?” Irving asked.

“When I started talking to you and asked you to be my friend I never misled you,” Justin told him.  “I wanted to have a friendship with you and nothing more.”

Irving sighed.  “Justin...”

“No,” Justin shook his head.  “I love Brian.  I love him with all my heart.  I have learned so much about him and he has done the same with me.  He has been patient, supportive and caring.  He’s so fucking wonderful and he loves me back.  And yes, you were right, you got here late. I’m already taken.”

Irving saw that the blond was getting upset.  “I don’t know what to tell you.”

“I think you should go,” Justin said.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” Irving told him.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Justin got up.  “Please, go.”

Irving got up as well.  He stood in front of Justin and smiled.  “Why don’t you give me a chance?  It could be great.”

“Look you fucking idiot,” Molly said as she came with the broom in her hands ready to attack.  She had felt a bad vibe and stayed close hearing the conversation.  “Leave before I make you.”

Justin was surprised to say the least.

“I said leave!” Molly hissed. She didn’t want her brother to get upset.

“Jesus,” Irving shook his head.  He started to walk out as soon as Molly lifted the broom and looked like she was about to attack. “I’ll call you.”

“Don’t bother,” Molly yelled after him.

Justin stared at his sister after Irving had left.  “You looked like a mad woman.”

“That’s what I get for defending your ass?” Molly asked rolling her eyes.

“I had it under control,” Justin pointed out.

“Yeah right,” Molly shook her head smiling.

“I did too,” Justin told her again.  “Shut up.”

Molly left the living room and went towards the playpen with a huge smile. Arguing with Justin made her feel like she had her brother back.  “Whatever you say you dumb ass.”

“Idiot,” Justin muttered as he sat down again happier than he had felt in a long time. He felt he might be getting his old life back.  Molly wasn’t treating him as an invalid but as her big brother. And even though she had come to his defense when he had things under control he guessed it was okay. Family was supposed to defend each other no matter what.  

Minutes later, Molly was back in the room, talking to him. He was starting to have an idea of what having a sister was all about.  Furthermore, Justin had enjoyed their verbal taunting, but he refused to tell her.

***

Brian came upon his house only to find it completely dark.  He walked to check on the kids and saw that they were sleeping.  He had called Justin earlier and told the blond that he was going to be late.  He made sure that the place was locked and the alarm set before he went to his bedroom.

He saw that Justin wasn’t there and he started to freak out.  He went to the guest room and sighed when he saw that the light was turned on.  He was about to knock but shook his head.  If Justin wanted to be alone then he would let him.  He went and took a shower deciding it was best to leave his blond alone.  He didn’t want to stress out the blond or push the blond if he wasn’t ready.

“When did you get home?” Justin asked as Brian came out of the shower.

“Half an hour ago, maybe,” Brian told him as he dried up.  “What were you doing in your room earlier?”

“I was writing some stuff,” Justin told him.  He couldn’t keep his eyes away from Brian’s naked body. So he started babbling about what he had been doing.  “I was writing. I wrote a lot today. Yeah,” he muttered as Brian turned around and bent over.  “Uh and uh…Molly! Molly took care of the kids and I would write.  It was good, relaxing even. You should see the bed. There are papers scattered left and right throughout the room.”

Brian arched a brow at the blond wondering why Justin was talking so much.  “So, is that why you want to sleep here with me?” Brian asked thinking that Justin had a mess in the bed and couldn’t sleep there.

“What?” Justin asked a bit confused.  “No.”

Brian threw the towel in the hamper and looked at the blond.  “What’s all that?” he asked pointing to the papers that Justin was holding.

“I was brainstorming,” Justin told him putting the papers on top of the dresser.  “I brought them with me in case something popped into my head.  Did you eat?”

“Why do you always ask me that?” Brian asked smiling.

Justin shrugged.  “I care about you.”

“I’m okay,” Brian told him.  “Come on to bed.”

“Okay,” Justin told him.

Brian pulled the covers and they got in bed.  

“Are you tired?” Justin asked as he yawned.  “I’m beat.”

“Not much,” Brian told him turning on his side. He started to caress Justin’s small belly.

“Brian, do you ever think I’ll remember anything?” Justin asked as he grabbed Brian’s hand. He was getting a bit nervous.

“Where is all this coming from?” Brian asked.

“It’s only a question,” Justin told him.

“I don’t know,” Brian told him sincerely, “I know that I miss you sometimes.”

Justin frowned.

“I mean, there were little bits of ourselves we shared that were special. It’s not only the time and memories that were lost. There were things only you knew about me, things I never shared with anyone else,” Brian told him.

“Like what?” Justin asked not moving away.

“I don’t know,” Brian said. “That when...when I get scared I don’t cope too well. I tend to get tense and to...”

“And push people away,” Justin finished.  “I have noticed.”

Brian’s hand extended to touch Justin’s face. “I guess we can get to that point again. If we both want to and we try hard enough.”

“I’m trying, Brian,” Justin told him. “I can’t promise that it will be the same. I’m trying to be me; trying to do what feels right. But I might not be the Justin you remember, the Justin you fell in love with or the Justin you want.  But I owe you and our family to keep trying; I don’t want to give up on you or on us.”

Brian pulled his hand away.  “I don’t want you to be with me just because you feel like you have to.”

“What are you talking about?” Justin asked.

“Look Jus,” Brian said.  “I’ll understand if you want to move out or want me out of the house.  I don’t know.  Maybe I don’t fit the new you anymore.”

“But I like you so much,” Justin blurted out.

Brian stared at him with both brows raised.

“I mean,” Justin didn’t know how to explain himself. “I have gotten to know you, Brian. And there still so much to learn about each other because apparently I have changed.”

Brian nodded slowly.

“But I like being with you and talking to you. I like when you kiss me, it makes me...shake all over. I like waking up next to you. I feel so safe and if I knew it would be this good I would have been in our room a long time ago. I love it when you touch me; you do it all the time.  A small caress on the face, your hand on my shoulder it makes me feels so special.  I have noticed that even if we’re passing by each other you brush against me. And I need to be touching you too, I can’t get enough of you”

Brian felt his heart swell with emotion.

“And I might...no I know I have fallen for you slowly,” Justin told him.  “Maybe the first time we met it was love at first sight.  But this time around it is just as special to me.  I really appreciate that you have not pressured me and have given me all this time and space to fall in love with you and the kids.  

Brian wanted to make love to the blond right then.

“I know that you said you wanted to wait for me to remember but I want to be with you,” Justin told him.

Brian grabbed Justin by the back of the head. He started kissing him slowly and gently. He couldn’t wait to sink his cock deep inside Justin, but his kids had other plans.

“What’s that?” Justin asked.  “That’s one of the kids.”

Brian sighed and sat up in the bed. He took a deep breath and went to check on them. Sheridan was having one of his fits and didn’t want to be put down. Brian couldn’t believe his luck. He would tell Sheridan to go to sleep and the boy would tell him he was hungry. The brunet was doubtful, but went to get him a bottle of milk just in case and Sheridan didn’t want it.

Brian didn’t know how long had gone by, but he read a book to his son, he sang him a song, he hugged him and rocked him on his crib and nothing seemed to work. Then as soon as it all started, it had ended and Sheridan fell back asleep.

When Brian came back he found Justin snoring. He wanted to die. He thought about waking Justin up but he knew that Justin was tired.  Plus there was no hurry.  He smiled and kissed him on the temple.  He was in no rush knowing that Justin’s heart belonged to him and that soon enough he would own the blond completely once again.