Morning Side of the Mountain-11
Author: Elsa Rose
Plot bunny and main researcher – Judy
Dedicated to: Acacia and Jude

“Justin are you sure you want to do this?” Brian asked, his voice deadly quiet. 

“I have to do it. Are you sure you’re willing to have the kids live with you for the time it takes?” Justin asked as he was carefully folding his clothes in an open suitcase. His art supplies had already been packed and sent ahead to undergo a sterilization process that would allow them to be with him.

“I told you I’m fine with it.” Brian said as he tried to put conviction in his voice. He’d never actually had any small children living with him for longer than a day or two and now he’d have two. Two kids who would be desperately missing their parents. He didn’t want to think about it. He’d deal with things as it happened.

“I can’t believe I asked you.” Justin turned and sat on the bed. He looked up at the man he had grown to love and couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for dumping so much onto his shoulders; leaving him with two very active children whom he knew could be a real handful.

“If I recall, you didn’t ask, I volunteered.” Brian sat beside him. “Besides I have Emmett and Gus and Molly and Arnie. I’m sure we’ll survive and it’s not like it’s forever.” 

“It might be for Daphne.” Justin was discouraged again. 

“Forever isn’t as long as it used to be,” Brian joked. “Now how about some wild monkey sex.” 

“You are such a romantic,” Justin grinned. He turned and straddled Brian’s lap. “I want it hard and I want it fast. I want to feel you all the way to the clinic.” 

“Justin… I’m going to miss you, but I really think you’re doing the right thing,” Brian sighed as he took his younger lover into his arms. Justin had agreed to go with Daphne to the clinic in order to keep her in a positive frame mind. The kids would stay with Brian and Gus in their new rooms.  But Justin leaving meant that he too would be isolated from the world. He couldn’t come and go as he pleased, otherwise he could jeopardize Daphne’s recovery. 

“Promise you’ll email me every single day.” 

“I promise I will email you daily.” Brian pulled him close not wanting to let go but knew this was the best chance of survival for Daphne. “Now for that hot and heavy sex.” 

Brian’s kisses were bittersweet and they rolled together, their bodies pressed tightly, so tightly it was hard to know where one stopped and the other began. Brian tenderly caressed Justin’s face with his thumb, memorizing every inch; his eyes devouring the blond. He couldn’t quite grasp that the man he was falling in love with was going to be gone for a couple of months or even longer.  It was going to be hard on everyone, the waiting and wondering if Daphne would return with Justin, or if he’d be coming back alone.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Daphne sat in a wheelchair in the VIP lounge of the airport waiting for the private plane that would take her and Justin to Jared’s clinic. Jace and Sissy stood beside Brian, their hands clasped together an internal struggle going on within them.  Scared and frightened that they may never see their mother again and feeling abandoned that both parents were leaving them behind. They were at the airport under protest. Neither one of them had spoken to her nor Justin since they’d told the two of them of their plan.

Daphne struggled to keep from crying. This could be the last time she ever saw the children and she didn’t want them to remember her in tears. She could see the fear in their eyes and it was killing her inside, worse than the cancer. She almost refused the treatment, but knew that it was her only hope of maybe one day seeing them graduate and get married, otherwise there was no hope at all. 

Brian saw what was happening and decided he better do something about it. He picked up both kids in his arms and walked over to Daphne. He sat down on a seat, Sissy on one knee and Jace on the other. 

“Daphne, I hope you don’t mind that the kids are going to live with me in their magic room.” 

“No I don’t mind,” Daphne said quietly, not quite sure where this was going. 

“Great, I have a surprise for you and Justin and for the Munchkins.” He looked from one to other a sly smile appearing on his face. “It’s a secret, but I thought maybe you’d like to hear it right now.” 

Daphne and the twins looked at him expectantly. “In the secret room, up in the sleeping loft where only my favorite munchkins can go, is a small box. Every day their mommy, that’s you Daphne, or their daddy, that’s the blond guy over there, can leave a message. And every night, just before they go to bed, two special kids can listen to the message and leave one of their own in return.”

“Daddy Brian, is that really true?” Sissy asked. “Because my daddy will knock you on your ass if you tell a lie.” 

“Yeah, he sure will,” Jace added, as usual second to his sister due to his sensitive nature.

“I never lie no matter what,” Brian replied. “When we get home I’ll show you how to use it. I’ve already told your daddy how to work his end of the box.” 

Everyone looked at Justin who nodded. He was unable to speak; tears were thick in his throat. He was leaving most of his heart in Tennessee. 

The flight attendant came in to tell them that it was time to leave. Kisses were exchanged and finally Justin wheeled Daphne aboard the waiting plane. 

Brian stood in front of the big window holding a child in each arm. All thoughts of his injured ankle were the last thing on his mind. All he could see was the man he loved disappearing from his life and all he could taste was their last parting kiss. As the plane taxied down the runway, snow began to fall. Frozen white tears Brian thought, how fucking appropriate. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

At first Brian didn’t notice the number of cars and trucks in his yard. It was dark, night having come early now that it was fall and his mind was on other things. He was supposed to get the cast off of his foot tomorrow and he was worried about Daphne and Justin. The kids sat silently in the back seat of the jeep. They hadn’t even bothered with the DVD player that he’d installed. It was Jace who noticed first. “Daddy, why is there so many cars here?” 

Brian looked around. Jace was right, the yard had cars parked everywhere on the frozen ground.  “I don’t know.” He pulled up near the house and let the kids out of the jeep. “I guess we’ll find out.” 

“Mr. Kinney?”  An officious looking man in a business suit walked up to him.

“Why do you want to know?”  Brian pushed the kids behind him.

“I’m Lance Buchanan; I’m here to take the children to the home of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Taylor.”  

“Good for you Buddy, but it’s not going to happen.” Brian tried to push past him, herding the children. 

“Brian, Thank God you’re here,” Emmett exclaimed as he ran out of the house followed by at least twenty men and women. “This...this... person has been here for hours demanding the children.”

“Who are the rest of these people?” Brian asked. 

“They’re friends of mine.” 

“Take the kids into the house, while I have a chat with this fellow.” Brian handed the kids over to Emmett and asked, “Where’s Gus?” 

“That’s another problem; he’s helping Molly get her things from her parent’s place.” Emmett shook his head indicating he’d talk later.

Brian nodded and turned to the man who was now red in the face and waving an official looking paper. “This says the children are going with me. They’re not to be subjected to such a godless and unchristian like home.”

“Look asshole.” Brian moved so he was inches from the man’s face, his finger pushing hard into his chest. “Get the fuck off of my property. You can tell Mr. Craig fucking Taylor, that I have legal custody of the twins. And that custody has been granted through the courts with the full consent of both of their parents. Who by the way are going to be pissed as hell about all of this,”  Brian hissed, he was so angry. “And you can tell Mr. Craig Taylor he is not now nor ever will be welcome here or you either for that matter.” He noticed both Jinx and Harold; the old dogs stood straight and tall, all signs of age gone as they bristled with anger toward the man in the suit.  

The crowd of men that stood on Brian’s veranda began to move forward as one. “I think Mr. Buchanan that means you aren’t welcome here on Kinney property. Why don’t we escort you to the road?”  one of the men spoke out.

Brian looked on with surprise as the men frog marched Lance Buchanan to the main road. 

“I’m sorry that you had to go through this Mr. Brian,” Eleanor said. She’d become a regular on the farm. “The rest of the women have left you and the children some food in your freezer and refrigerator. We’ll collect our men and be going. Emmett has a list to call if you need any help.” She reached up on tip-toe and kissed his cheek. “You take care of those kiddies now, your man will be back sooner than you know.”

Brian stood with Emmett on the porch and watched the cars disappear one by one until they were left alone. Arnie closed up the gate and locked it and then did the same for the barn. Everyone was now sleeping in the house, even though it wasn’t completed. It seemed somehow safer. Brian watched the shadows of the animals as they made there way into their section of the barn one by one. All except the two dogs who refused to leave his side. “I guess you guys can stay in the house tonight,” Brian said to the dogs. They didn’t wait for another invitation, but stood up and pushed the door open with their noses and let themselves in. “You’d think they’d at least learn to shut the door,” Brian grumbled. It was silly, but he was somehow comforted knowing the old dogs were guarding the family inside the house. 

“Daddy what did that man want?” Brian looked down; it was Jace. Usually it was Sissy who voiced the concerns for the two of them.

“He thought maybe you and your sister should live with your Grandfather Taylor. I told him that you were living with me, end of discussion.”

“I don’t like Grandpa Taylor, he says mean things about mommy and daddy,”  Jace said as he rested his head against Brian. “I love you and so does Sissy. You make us feel safe. We’re never going to no Grandpa Taylor’s house.”

“You need to work on your grammar, but I get the point,” Brian replied as he affectionately ruffled his hair. “I think you should get your sister. We need to have some dinner before bath time and bed.” 

“Okay.” Jace ran off into the other parts of the house looking for Sissy.

“Emmett, we need to watch them carefully. I don’t trust that son of a bitch Taylor.” Brian’s voice was hard and bitter.

“That’s what I was trying to tell you. He kicked Molly out of the house because she was siding with her brother. She’s going to live at Justin’s house while he’s away. Gus is spending the night with her. He can use Justin’s studio for the projects Justin has assigned him.” 

“Gus is too young to be living with his girlfriend.” Brian sat at the kitchen table. He could hear the children chattering to the T’s from another part of the house. “He can stay there tonight, but we need to come up with another arrangement for tomorrow.” 

“I’m ahead of you there. Cynthia will be back tomorrow from her trip to New York with Dex.  She’s going to stay with Molly at Justin’s. Dex will stop by often enough and Gus can go there when he needs to use the studio.” 

“You know Emmett, when I agreed to come and chaperone, if that’s the word, Gus for a year, I sure as fuck didn’t know all of this shit would be going down.”

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From: bakinney@kinnetik.com
To: jaiboy202@hotmail.com

Subject: Thanksgiving

Hey there Sunshine, I can’t believe that the great American holiday, Thanksgiving has finally come and gone. And we’ve all survived, including Timmy the turkey. He will no doubt die of old age along with all the rest of the freeloading animals on the farm. I’ve suggested to Arnie that he not bother bringing any more creatures home. 

We’ve had to use the passage from the house to the barn and then to your place only once since Arnie showed it to us. Your father is a bastard of the first rank and his red-necked, white-sheeted asshole friends rank closely behind him. How you and Molly survived is beyond my understanding. He makes Jack Kinney look like mother Theresa.

Tell Daphne not to worry, the kids are never alone and we now have quite the little army of farmers and housewives who are here all the time. Believe me your dad and his buddies don’t stand a chance in getting Jace and Sissy. Although, I have to wonder how many times he needs to be refused before he gets the message. Even his insurance business has gone down hill since I had Ted arrange for another insurance broker to open up here in Rocky River. I did suggest he retire soon, or better yet move. 

Enough of that crap. We’ll talk later on the phone when everyone is in bed. We were all glad to hear that Daphne is having such great results with Jared’s program. That was enough of a Thanksgiving for me. 

We had one casualty, Beauty, one of the hens keeled over finally. She was the one with the blind eye, and the bald rump. We had a small but tasteful funeral for her and have added her to the strange graveyard out back. 

Jinx has taken up the job of high guard to the twins and sleeps in their room; Harold sleeps in his basket just outside their door. Jace assures me that Jinx doesn’t sleep in his bed, but there are suspicious signs that he’s stretching the truth. We prefer to ignore the subject though as the old dog seems to make the kids feel safe. 

Despite Timmy’s survival, we did have a good Thanksgiving dinner. The neighbor ladies and Emmett cooked up a storm. The kids accepted the chicken and dumplings. No doubt because you can’t really tell what in hell you’re eating when it’s drenched in gravy with doughy things mixed in. I probably gained ten pounds. There was a slight incident when Emmett confessed to using one of the pumpkins the kids had carved for Halloween, to make the pumpkin pies. But it was a damn big pumpkin so what else was he supposed to do with it. 

Gus has been working hard. I know that he spends a lot of time on his computer with you. But believe me; what you see on the net is nothing like what he does in person. The boy has more talent than I realized. 

Once again, my short email has turned into a longer one. I’ll sign off for now and wait for your call. 

Brian (yes I ate some of the pie)

Justin smiled when he read Brian’s email. For some reason Brian always felt that he shouldn’t keep anything from him, which was good in some ways and only made him worry more in others. Justin was fully confident that the children would be safe in Brian’s care no matter what his father might have up his sleeve. 

Before calling Brian, Justin checked on Daphne. Her hair had fallen out with one of the treatments and was now a delicious fuzz of dark curls. She looked much like Sissy had, although Sissy’s hair had been blonde. It was nice to see her with some color in her cheeks that was natural and not the result of a spiking fever. Her ordeal was far from over and she’d had one or two bad turns, but still she was improving and Jared had high hopes that she’d be cured. 

Unfortunately, they would be stuck here for Christmas. It was going to be hard on the kids but it would be even harder on Daphne not seeing the twins on Christmas morning. But they were so close to being successful; she couldn’t jeopardize the results by going home too soon.  In then new year, she would gradually be taken off the more severe drugs and weaned back into the world of germs and viruses. When Jared was sure she’d do okay and only then, would Daphne be allowed to go home. 

Jared had allowed Justin the use of a corner of the conservatory to work at his paintings. It was at the top of the clinic and the light was amazing, so he really hadn’t lost anytime getting work done for his spring show in New York. Justin did feel bad that he wasn’t working hands on with Gus. Brian and his son had disrupted their lives to come to Tennessee for Gus to study under him and here he was stuck in New York State, in the middle of a forest. 

Both Brian and Gus were being good about it, but Justin couldn’t help feeling that he was cheating the boy out of his study time. Although, from what he was able to see via the Internet with the digital pictures that Gus took, and from the lessons he could assign by using the net, his student was developing faster than he had thought possible.

The boy definitely had talent. Justin had Brian send a couple of key pieces with Dex to the New York gallery and they would be included in the spring show. It would be a surprise for Gus. Dex was considering signing Gus as a client, although, Justin wanted to talk personally with both Gus and his father before allowing his friend to voice his request. 

To keep himself from going crazy in this jail called a clinic, Justin had drawn a sketch of someone or something back in Rocky River every day since he’d arrived. He had bought a couple of sketchbooks for just this purpose and they were quickly filling up. His favorite one of course was the one with his sketches of Brian and the children. That sketchbook was not only lovingly sketched in, but it also  kept him from screaming at night when the night shadows fell and the clinic was shrouded in darkness.  He was lonely and his heart ached for the feel of Brian’s arms that often gave him the strength he needed but he also missed his family and friends back in Rocky River on the Kinney Farm.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The children were in bed and Gus and Molly were checking on the animals. It was early December and the cold weather had set in. Brian had installed a commercial heating unit in the old barn. He would never admit it but he was concerned for the welfare of the animals most of whom were in their last years. Not to mention his stock for Kinnetik was stored there and some of the things needed to be kept at least above freezing.

Arnie sat by the fireplace, his feet on an ottoman. He’d been out feeding the animals when Gus and Molly had sent him inside. Brian came in carrying two cups on a tray. “Gus made some hot chocolate. I’ve added a bit of Beam to it to warm you up.” He put a large thick mug on the table beside Arnie. “Justin’s mugs are perfect for hot chocolate.” 

“That they are.” Arnie relaxed into the thick down filled leather cushions on the chair. “You want to listen to an old fella, or just want t’ set?” he asked. 

“Do you have something to say?” Brian returned. He was learning how to deal with Arnie’s ways. He sipped his hot chocolate trying not to wince at the carbs he was ingesting. But there were times when he had to sacrifice his ideals and ideas.

“No,” Arnie replied. He wasn’t sure just how much he should tell this young member of the Kinney clan. Brian Kinney was certainly a good-hearted young fellow, but still they hadn’t known each other very long. 

“Okay, I’ll start. You never did tell me why there’s a secret room in the basement and a passage that leads to the barn and then to Justin’s place.” 

“Enough that you know it’s there now.” Arnie took another sip of his hot chocolate. “The passage way is known to very few. It’s been that way for as long as I remember.” 

“Why?” 

“It wouldn’t be a secret if everyone knew about it,” the old man chuckled. “And it did come in handy a few weeks ago. Who knows, it might come in handy again.” 

“Secret passages and secret rooms are things of bad movies and mystery books. I certainly didn’t expect to find such a thing here,” Brian laughed. “We could sell tickets.” He sat up straighter when Arnie jerked. “I’m kidding Arnie, I’m not about to tell anyone but Justin knows.”

“Of course he knows.” Arnie finished his hot chocolate. “Not bad chocolate,” he said before putting the cup down on the table. 

“Were the tunnels from the underground railway days?”  Brian asked.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Arnie said and sighed. 

“They look older than that, but what do I know,” Brian shrugged.

“The houses and the barns weren’t always like you see. The original buildings burned down well nigh a hundred years or more ago; maybe longer.  People around here are stubborn. They ain’t likely to take kindly to someone burnin’ them out. So they rebuilt right on top, time and time agin.” 

“Why burn them out?” Brian was curious now.

“It’s the magic.” 

“Oh for crap sake. What the fuck are you talking about?” 

“The magic, it’s all around here. Jai Boy’s home, the barn, the house up here on the hill. It’s a triangle you see. They’re all joined by the power points. Everyone knows it even though how they’re joined has been forgotten by all but a few of us; or why,” he paused. “Of course the room where the magic took place has long been sealed shut. It’s a powerful place. They say it’s filled with gold. Of course that’s probably just a legend. I do know that any of those who left the south and made their way north, never were caught when they found this place to rest up and recover from their wounds, of both their bodies and souls.   

“Very mysterious and other worldly,” Brian drawled.  “I suppose I should just be happy that I know about the damn tunnels. To tell you the truth Arnie, they kind of creep me out. I mean, tunnels under the house, we know of three spots they let out, maybe there’s more.”

“Yip, maybe there is,” Arnie agreed. “Don’t know as anybody has had the time to check them out. Usually in a hurry down there.” 

“Isn’t that just peachy,”  Brian sighed. “Damn I wish Justin was back.” He looked over at Arnie. “I never thought I’d see the day when I’d miss another man the way I miss Justin.”

“But you had a man before.” Arnie wiggled his sock covered feet, enjoying the warmth from the fireplace.

“Matthew was different. I thought he was everything to me, yet deep down I knew that he wasn’t. When he left I was more pissed than anything else. I didn’t like being made a fool of; I felt used.”

“Jai Boy isn’t like that. He’s a straight shooter that one. He’s bin like that all his life. Bin hurt bad for it too, but he doesn’t change.” Arnie stood up. He’d said enough. “Best be checkin’ on Master Gus and Miss Molly, them two can’t keep their hands in their pockets.” He chuckled to himself as he headed for the kitchen and his shoes.

Brian stared into the fireplace. The T’s were all stretched out on the rug in front of the fire, their bodies long and lean as they absorbed the heat. Jinx lay curled on the floor at Brian’s feet. He knew that Harold was upstairs with the twins. That dog was the best alarm system they could have. Since the first of December the kids had been more subdued than usual. It must have to do with Christmas and the fact that they wouldn’t be seeing their parents. He would have to talk to Cynthia and Jared to see what he could arrange at least for Christmas day.

Cynthia had settled into country life amazingly well.  Brian suspected Dex had something to do with her happiness in the mountains. The fact that the two of them traveled to New York frequently on business, didn’t hurt. 

A noise from the twins’ room sent Brian flying up the stairs. It was Jace and he was having a nightmare. Harold paced back and forth worried but Sissy stayed soundly asleep. 

“What’s up?” Brian said as he sat on the side of Jace’s bed. The boy sat up and clung to Brian.

“I miss my mommy and my daddy,” Jace sniffed. “I had a bad dream. Daddy, it was Christmas and Santa didn’t bring my mommy and daddy back. Sissy was so sad she was crying and crying.” He snuggled closer into Brian. “It made me very, very sad.” 

Brian held the small boy for a few moments while he thought about what he was going to say. He’d never forget the moment he’d realized there was no Santa Claus and he wasn’t about to out the jolly red suited guy to Jace. “Your mommy is still very sick. And your daddy wanted to stay with her to keep her company. In order to make her better, she has to stay where no germs can get her.”

“I know and it really sucks,”  Jace said as he wiped a tear. “Auntie Em helped me write a letter to Santa. Sissy and I don’t want anything else in the whole world except to see mommy and daddy,” Jace sighed. “It isn’t going to happen is it Daddy?” 

“Hmmmm, I suppose I could talk to the old guy. I mean we couldn’t have mommy and daddy under the tree or anything but…” The vision of Justin naked and under the tree made him squirm. That would be great if the old guy could do that he smiled inwardly at the thought. 

“But maybe, just maybe, we could go to the clinic where mommy and daddy are living and we could build a snowman outside of mommy’s room. When she looks out the window, we could all wave and blow kisses.”  Brian couldn’t believe he was saying these words, but he would sooner die than have Jace have a miserable Christmas.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Justin woke up to the eerie light of the early morning winter sun and the sight fresh fallen snow. He couldn’t believe that it was Christmas morning and he was missing the fun and excitement that the children would be having. Brian had assured him that the children would have everything they wished for but still it wasn’t the same as being there and experiencing everything first hand. 

He looked over at the small dresser that was in his room. He had made a special gift for Daphne. It was a sketch of her and the children. It wasn’t much but then neither of them felt much like Christmas this year. Jared thought that Daphne just might be ready to go home by February but he was going home in a week. Once the holidays were over, they felt she’d make it okay on her own. 

The cancer had disappeared with the treatments. It only be a matter of time for her immune system to rebuild and a few more weeks of the treatment should do it. She wasn’t home free by any stretch of the imagination, but the prognosis was good and that was certainly better than it had been in the fall when even seeing Christmas wasn’t in the cards. 

He checked his watch and decided it was time to head to Daphne’s room. It was around the time that she would be getting up  and he wanted her to have her present. 

“Hey there,” Justin said with a smile as he walked into his friend’s room. “I see you’ve talked the orderlies into putting more seed out for the birds.”  Daphne had a variety of birds visiting the small patio outside her ground floor room. They provided a lot of entertainment when books or television couldn’t.

“Merry Christmas Justin,” Daphne said as she tried to smile but failed miserably. “Do you think the kids will like their presents? I wonder if Brian will let them get up early? Will he make them eat breakfast first? I hope that they wait for Arnie, you know how the old man dotes on the children.” 

“Yes, yes, no, yes,” Justin answered with a grin. He handed her his gift-wrapped parcel. “It isn’t much, but I thought you might like it.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything,” she sighed. “Being alive today is pretty much the best thing I could have received.” She reached under her lap quilt that lay across her knees and handed Justin an envelope.

He opened it up and looked at the small monopoly card inside. It was a ‘get out of jail free’ card. “What’s this?” he asked puzzled as he looked at the card.

“My present to you is to release you from this jail. You’ve been the most amazing and wonderful support these past weeks. No one else in the world would have done it. But I’m almost ready to go home and I know how much you miss the children and Brian. You need to resume your life,” she smiled tearfully. “I’m going to miss you, but it won’t be long now. Besides, you have a show to get ready for and I plan on being in New York to see it.” She got up and crossed over to the patio doors and pulled back the heavy drapes. Just then her face went white and then flushed red as the biggest happiest smile transformed her face.

Justin looked at her startled. “What’s wrong?” he asked. 

Daphne pointed to the patio doors. Standing on the patio, was a fully decorated Christmas tree, its multicolored lights twinkling. On one side of the tree stood Jace and Sissy dressed in red while Brian, Gus and Molly stood on the other side. The children held a large hand made poster that said. 

“Merry Christmas – Mommy and Daddy – Love from Jace, Sissy, Brian, Gus and Molly. 

Jared walked into the room. “I see you found your Christmas present,” he said with a laugh. “I have another one for you.” He wrapped a heavy robe around Daphne and led her to a chair before pulling open the patio door and letting the fresh cold air blow in.  “You can have fifteen minutes of visiting. No touching, just talking; you have to promise. I don’t want all our hard work to be jeopardized. Justin I’ve had all of your paintings crated and your equipment packed. Someone is packing your personal possessions right now and your winter coat is hanging in Daphne’s closet.”  

Justin and Daphne exchanged looks. She could see the hope and longing in his eyes. “I love you Justin, I want you to be happy,” she whispered as Brian and everyone looked on. “Thank you for being more than a best friend to me for the last few weeks. Now go and kiss your children and your man.” 

Justin didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed his winter coat and slipped it over his arms before kissing Daphne soundly on the lips and then stepping over the threshold into a world he’d never forgotten. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Later that day as they began the long trip home, Justin sat contentedly beside Brian in the jeep. He could see Gus’ truck piled with his possessions ahead of him. It’s taillights bright red in the gloom of an early night fall. Molly’s head rested on Gus’ shoulder and Justin smiled at his sister’s happiness. 

The children had finally fallen asleep, seat belted in and snuggly wrapped in a heavy quilt, their DVD player off. They reminded Justin of two happy puppies when he looked at them wrapped up in each other. They had chatted almost constantly;  first, with their mother until she had to go, and then with him. They barely stopped to take a breath. 

Brian reached over and took Justin’s hand in his not saying anything. In fact, he’d barely said a word since he’d appeared on Daphne’s patio. He’d been content to watch everyone’s reactions. It had been one of the best Christmas’s he’d ever had. 

“Brian, you know that I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me and my family,” Justin whispered, careful not to wake his sleeping beauties. 

“I did it for myself Justin. It was a purely selfish act.” Brian put Justin’s hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it before turning it over and kissing the palm. It was an act of intimacy that sent a shiver of desire through the blond like no other could. 

“Yeah, you’re like that,” Justin whispered and leaned over to kiss Brian’s cheek. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Looking back on the weeks when Justin was away with Daphne, Brian could barely remember them. He’d kept himself busy building Kinnetik and looking after the farm. For it had turned out to be more of a farm than just a house that he’d bought. 

He and Emmett were kept busy as they had taken turns shuttling the twins to kindergarten, soccer practice, dance lessons, skating lessons, and pretty much every extra curricular activity that he could enroll them in. All designed to keep them busy and take their minds off of their parent’s absence. 

Cynthia ran Kinnetik they way she did everything; with grace and a flair for detail that Brian appreciated both financially and emotionally. For without Justin at his side he found himself almost at a lost. 

Dex had proven to be a great friend to Justin and Daphne. He kept up both houses while romancing Cynthia. Brian counted himself lucky that their jobs took them to the city often. He wouldn’t have to worry about losing Cynthia should she become permanently attached to Dex. 

Now that Justin was home, Gus spent every waking hour at Justin’s studio when he wasn’t attending high school. They were working toward the New York show and Gus was over the moon at the idea that he’d have a couple of pieces presented to the world. 

With all that was going on, Brian wasn’t happy. He wanted Justin. He wanted him to be his partner in life but Justin wasn’t willing to live his life out and proud. Most of the people in Rocky River suspected that he was gay. Brian wasn’t stupid and neither were they. They could see the way the two of them interacted. But Justin refused to live openly as a couple and it was putting a strain on their tenuous relationship.  Brian wanted a commitment. He was tired of living life as a carefree single gay male. He wanted to come home to his favorite blond and he wanted his family to be just that; a family.

The blatant animosity from Craig Taylor and his cohorts toward his son was pissing Brian off more and more each day.  He wanted desperately to show his support, as a husband should but Justin wasn’t having any part of it. The children called them both daddy and each time they did, Brian couldn’t help but smile as he felt a warm glow deep inside of himself. They had decided to stay living with him until their mother returned telling their Daddy Justin that they liked the tower rooms at Brian’s better. And to be honest, Justin liked it better their as well. If only he wasn’t so stubborn and pig headed. 

Brian sighed as he drove across the valley to Eleanor’s cabin. She’d sold another quilt and he was bringing her a check. He’d needed to talk to her about letting him deposit the money for her. It was still winter in the mountains and the roads were bad. He hated to think of her walking into town just to go to the bank.

Kinnetik had proved to be a boon to the people in and around Rocky River. Brian had been able to market their products for far more than they’d ever received for anything before. He took a small commission and didn’t do too badly with what he made, but best of all he could see a change in some of the families lifestyles now that more money was coming in. 

Thoughts of all the changes that were going on kept his attention off the road. He should have been noticing that conditions were getting worse the higher he traveled. Clouds covered the weak, winter sun and visibility was bad as shadows hid the treachery on the lonely mountain road.  Brian rounded a bend only to see a fully-loaded logging truck barreling toward him at top speed. The driver was sipping from a coffee cup and didn’t notice his front fender nudge the jeep.  It was so slight but due to the much larger size of the truck and the shear weight combined with the deep snow sent Brian careening over a steep bank. The logging truck’s eighteen wheels threw up a blinding cloud of snow and when the driver felt his truck jar, he looked into the side mirrors, but saw nothing but swirling ice crystals and snow. He shrugged and continued to drink his coffee on the way to the mill.


Brian reacted instinctively as he felt his jeep become airborne. He knew immediately he’d never survive if he stayed with jeep, he was up too high and he’d been traveling too fast. Without thinking, he opened his door, released his seat belt and threw himself out of the flying vehicle. He figured he had some chance of survival if he landed in the deep snow.

He hit the ground hard as he sank deep into the snow. The last thing he saw before a sprinkling of fresh powder covered his body was a black plume of smoke followed by a loud whoosh. The jeep began to burn far below him, hidden by an area marred with mountain switchbacks. It had landed close to another area of the road leaving no clue that it had landed from above.

tbc