In the Begining Part 20 ------------------------------------------------- "Speak" "Hey Brian, Daphne and I want to know your schedule for the last half of December." "Justin, I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow, why would I know what I'm doing in December?" "Well, it's getting closer to Christmas, we wanted to know .. Brian interrupted him "Justin, I don't really do Christmas, you know that." He paused "It just isn't a good time of year for me" "But this year is different, we've actually got a sort of relationship happening here" "I don't do" he paused "Well I don't .--- shit - how did this happen?" Brian sounded bewildered. Justin could see the look well, it was one he'd been seeing more and more often as Brian's rules became obsolete or were broken. "What don't you do?" Justin tried to act innocent, not succeeding well, but he did try. "Just because we go out to dinner a couple of times a month, and go to the theatre once in a while doesn't make what we have a full blown relationship." "You mean because we date?" "We go out for dinner." "And you bring me flowers because you're sorry for the florist in these hard economic times?" "I'm not going to dignify that with an answer." Justin could hear the smirk and he smiled thinking about it. "I didn't see you at Thanksgiving; I know it's hard for you because of your Dad and everything. But I missed you." "I went to the cabin" "I thought that's where you went." "You could have come, I thought you might." "You could have asked." Justin spoke quietly "I've turned your life around enough I didn't want you to think I'm pushy." Brian chuckled, "Who you pushy? Now why would I think that?" He sighed. "It was a quiet weekend for me, but I have to admit I did miss you. You'll be pleased to know that I spent it chopping firewood, we'll be set there for at least a year" He flexed his arms "better exercise than the gym machines that's for sure. I might even buy a flannel shirt for the next time I go to the cabin." Even Justin had to laugh at that "I didn't know they made designer flannel." "I'm not as bad as that Justin. Now why all the concern about what I'm doing at Christmas? To tell you the truth I usually spend it working, there's a lot to do for the year end and with most of the staff gone on vacation; I have the peace and quiet I need to concentrate. This year, now I'm partner will be even worse. It's a lot difference dealing with the bottom line when it affects your own bottom line." "But that doesn't last through the whole week Brian. You have to take at least Christmas day." "I'm not getting into it with you now Sunshine. I'm sure that you'll be plenty busy with your family. I even have something already wrapped for my favorite little sister." "She misses you Brian, you've hardly come around the house at all since they've been back." "I don't like to intrude Justin; your family needs time to get their lives back on track since the accident and your Dad and Mom were away a long time." "I suppose, but ---- "Not now Justin. It's Thursday want to do something tonight? Can you come over, we could go bug Mikey, and you always like to do that." He had to laugh; he really did like to bug Michael especially since Michael hadn't forgiven him for the mix up with Ethan and Ted. He loved to see his face turn red when he'd run into him at the diner. "Hey, that sounds like fun. Do you want me to bring dinner? We could eat and then go to Woodies or Babylon. Do me a favor Brian, keep Michael away from the gallery for the next two weeks, I don't think he'd be very happy with some of my sketches that are up right now." "Like Mickey would ever go there Justin, bring something different and not deep fried." Brian hung up the phone; he really hadn't had a lot of free time in the past couple of weeks since they'd been back from the Bed and Breakfast. Then Thanksgiving weekend had come. He'd wanted to ask Justin to spend the time with him, but he knew Justin was busy with school projects and could use the long weekend to get caught up. So he went to the cabin by himself. It wasn't the first time he'd been there alone, but it was the longest time without Justin. It was only on the second day that he realized that he'd had some contact with the young man almost every day since the day they'd met. If only a brief phone call, they still had contact. Even when Justin was in the hospital, he talked with Jennifer daily and that was contact. At the cabin, with no telephone access, he had time to reflect on what life would be like with the blonde always popping up. He thought about the night before, he'd slept on the small bed in Gus's room. Somehow the canopied bed in their bedroom was just too empty without Justin there to wrap his arms and legs around him when he tried to sleep. The next day he wandered around the cabin, he ate a couple of Justin's meals he'd left for him in the freezer, all carefully labeled with cooking times and what was in them. He found the wood pile low so began to chop some wood for the fireplace. It was slow going at first, he'd never done it before, but remembered scenes from movies and once he'd got into it. The wood began to pile up. And better yet he managed not to cut of his foot with the axe. To bad Justin wasn't there, he looked pretty awesome stripped to the waist in the fall sunlight, chopping wood, sweaty and all his muscles cut to perfection. The next two days consisted of more wood chopping and finding small chores to do around the cabin. He almost hated to leave it, the healing peace. There was only one thing missing and that was Justin. Brian decided that only and act of desperation would bring him back without his Sunshine. First Week of December Justin was in one of his favorite positions, sitting on the sofa in Brian's living room between Brian's legs his back resting against the hard chest. He loved the way Brian would rest his chin on the top of his head and once and awhile kiss his hair, or his ear. He loved the feeling of the strong arms and he loved to hear the steady beat of Brian's heart. They had been sitting like that for more than two hours while watching a movie. The movie had been over for twenty minutes but neither man was willing to make the first move and leave the comfort of their embrace. "You going to get me something romantic or practical for Christmas?" Justin asked. "Who said I was getting you anything brat. Christmas is strictly an advertising ploy to bring in millions of dollars that would otherwise not be spent." "That's not true. Didn't you have the Christmas story read to you when you were a kid?" "What "twas the night before Christmas?" "You are such an ass sometimes" Justin leaned back, turning his head to give Brian a kiss. "Yes I know the Christmas story. No it wasn't read to me as a child. Nothing was read to me as a child. I read it myself when I was in university." "Then you know the true meaning of Christmas, about the baby." "I haven't lived under a rock Justin, I know the story, and I'm just saying that Christmas has become too commercialized in this country. I won't buy into the hype." "You don't give Christmas presents" Brian could hear the disappointment in Justin's voice. "that's OK, because I give Christmas presents, I'll just say it's from both of us." Justin was once again his usual sunny self. "Don't do me any favors Sunny Boy." Brian bent down and kissed Justin "I'll give Linds a cheque, she can get something for Gus and put my name on it. He's too young to know who gives him what anyway." "That's not true Brian. I got my Bear-Bear when I was not even two, I remember him being handed to me by my Auntie, I was in my car seat in the car waiting with my Dad for Mom to come out of the bank. I was crying and along came this big brown bear. My Auntie said he was looking for me. I'll never forget that." "Cute story Sonny Boy, I don't remember any gifts from anybody unless you count the Bat Man model Mikey gave me when I was fourteen." "That is so lame Brian; I know you've had presents. Everybody gets presents." "Well, we didn't celebrate birthdays at our house and Christmas was socks and underwear and pajamas. Not what I'd call all that great" "So I should return the socks and underwear I bought you eh?" "Only if I get to keep the pajamas, I hope they are flannel and have feet in them and I really really wanted the ones with Luke Skywalker on them." Justin didn't have to even look, he could hear the smirk in Brian's voice. "OK, I'll keep the PJ's, they match mine." Justin teased Brian. He lifted Brian's hand up to his lips, kissing each finger and then the palm. He smiled when he heard the rumble of a purr of pleasure rise from Brian's diaphragm. "I wish you would spend Christmas with me Brian." "Maybe next year, this year things are too new for me to let these few uninterrupted days go." This time he brought Justin's hand to his lips. "I might even have a little something for you under the tree." "What tree?" Justin looked around comically "You won't let me have a tree in here." "It's a figure of speech Justin." "Oh" Justin knew that but he liked to let Brian feel important. He loved how the older man took delight in explaining things for him. It was so cute. Second Week in December "Mom, I really think you and Dad should go." "It's Christmas Justin, I can't leave you and Molly alone. The past year as been a rough one for all of us. We need the time together to be a family again. Brian can come." "Brian has to work at Christmas and I really don't want to spend Christmas in a foreign country. If Molly goes with you she'll miss the school Christmas party and the Pageant at Church. This year she'll be in the junior choir when they do the Cantata. You know how much it means to her." Justin looked at his mother, love in his eyes. "The one thing this year has taught me, is that we can still be a family even when we aren't together. The love we all share acts like glue. So you and Dad go see this fancy Doctor and then spend a second honeymoon. We'll celebrate the season on New Years day when you get back. I'll take Molly to all her Christmas things and maybe we'll go to my cabin for the actual Christmas break. She'll like the snow and I'll make the dinner, it will be an old fashioned Christmas card kind of Christmas. We'll video it for you and we'll share it on the family day." "Justin, I don't know. I'll talk to your father about it." Justin stood up and kissed his mother on her cheek. "We'll be alright Mom, just get Dad back one hundred percent. That will be the best Christmas present ever." Week before Christmas "Tell me again why this is fun." Brian was juggling bags and boxes as they walked through the crowded mall. "I think most of Pennsylvania is here, don't they have their own malls?" one of the boxes dropped and Justin picked it up and put it back in Brian's over laden arms. "Why do I have to carry all this shit?" "Cause you're the biggest. It's the rules for mall shopping; the big guy gets to carry the stuff." "I've managed for thirty years to avoid this kind of hell in December, why am I here this year?" "I'm teaching you about Christmas. Think of it as a life lesson." "There is no way we have to buy something for every person that has ever crossed your path or mine. Let them buy their own crap." "We're only buying for family and friends Brian, stop bitching. If I'd known you were serious about not doing Christmas I would have had you here weeks ago. Then the crowds wouldn't have been so hard." "Gift certificates work great Justin, they're easier to carry and they always fit." "Give it up Brian, we only have three more on the list and I know the exact store. When we get home we'll wrap everything and then I'll have my way with you." "You're having your way with me now" grumbled Brian. He had to admit seeing the fun Justin was having buying the gifts was very erotic. "I wonder what everyone is going to say when they read the gift tags and it says from Brian and Justin. The shock value in that alone kind of makes up for this ordeal." He thought. That night after hours of gift wrapping the two men sat exhausted looking at all the presents. "It's your fault Brian that it took so long so stop moaning and bitching." "How is it my fault?" "Presentation is everything, so sayeth the King" "Well it is no point in giving a gift if it's just stuck in a damn bag." They looked again at the gifts, each one wrapped in Red foil paper, gold ribbons adorning them in elaborate bows, each gift tag a small teddy bear holding the name of the person receiving the gift and signed by both Brian and Justin. "They do look kind of nice" admitted Justin. "I hope everyone likes them." "Don't care, that's it for this year and many more to come." "You are such a whiney person these days, has Michael been spending time here?" Justin asked innocently only to be hit by pillow flung at him by Brian. "You realize that Mikey isn't going to be pleased by having your name on the gift?" "Tell him that we are in a non-relationship that has it's own rules and giving joint Christmas gifts are part of the rules." Justin scrambled over to Brian, and sat straddling his lap. He leaned in his lips caressing Brian's in a kiss full of love and affection. That fleeting touch of lips that speaks louder than any words between two people in love." "I might leave out the 'non' part" whispered Brian. He pulled Justin's head in closer crushing his lips in a kiss filled with passion, his tongue seeking the heat of Justin's mouth still sweet from the candy canes he's eaten. "Oh yeeesssss" breathed Justin, Brian's tentative admittance of their true relationship, repeating over and over in his mind. The very thought of which caused his hard cock to drip in anticipation of what was coming next. December 23 The month of December had flown by for Justin, he'd spent as much time as he could with Brian and they had even managed to go out for dinner twice. The shopping trip to the mall was the highlight of his Christmas season, Brian had been so cute following along behind him and helping him to choose just the right gift for their family and friends. His mother and father had left on their trip almost five days ago. The house seemed empty with out them but it was for the best. Molly had survived her school Christmas concert and he'd survived it as well. Brian attending surprised Justin but not Molly who had invited him the day before so confident in his affection that it never occurred to her that he wouldn't be there. Justin still couldn't get over how handsome he looked in his dark suit, the overcoat with the fur collar and the cherry red cashmere scarf adding to his mystic. He still smiled whenever he thought of the red paper poinsettia corsage that Molly had made with her class for the mother's who were attending being pinned on Brian's Armani suit. Molly was so proud of her tall dark hero wearing the flowers she'd made. With everything that had been happening he had never had a chance to explain to Brian that he and Molly were going to be alone this Christmas. He called the loft only to have the answering machine respond with its usual curt message. Brian's cell was turned off and when he called him at work, the only answer was the answering service who couldn't seem to be made to understand that yes, someone was working in the building. He couldn't stand it any longer so he went over to the loft letting himself in with the key Brian had given him. He stood in the dark silence just inside the door not turning on the lights, letting his accustom themselves to the gloom. On the kitchen counter were two packages and a note. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunshine: I knew you couldn't resist on last try to spend this time together. Take your present and Molly's. I will call you on Christmas Day. Your not very good at it yet Boyfriend - B ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As much as Justin hated not seeing Brian until after Christmas, he had to smile at the note. Brian kept letting little bits of himself escape and go straight to Justin's heart, definitely a work in progress, but one that would be finished to perfection soon. He took the gifts off the counter, and left a note of his own. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian (you are the BEST boyfriend ever) Thank you for the gifts, I have yours with me in a special spot, if you don't find it on Christmas, keep looking, you'll find it when you least expect it. Love J - (the blonde one dancing for joy 'cause you said boyfriend) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He left the loft smiling, the two gifts clutched in his hands. Forgetting again to tell Brian where he'd be for the next few days. Early December 24 "Molly, answer the phone I have one more box to put in the car." "It's for you Justin." Molly let the phone crash down on the counter, continuing to race around making sure that she had everything for the next five days. Justin was making her go to Grandpa's old house in the middle of nowhere. There wasn't even a telephone to talk to her girlfriends. "Hey" "Justin, it's Lindsey, do you know where Brian is. I've called everywhere and I can't find him." "What's wrong Linds, is something wrong with Gus?" "No it's Melanie, she was in New York on business and she fell on the ice. She's in the hospital with a concussion and a compound fracture of her right leg. I have to get to New York right away." Lindsey was in tears. "They won't let her out of the hospital to be brought back here for at least a week. Justin, I can't let her be there all alone. I need Brian to watch Gus." "It's Christmas; don't you want to spend it with Gus?" "He's so little; we'll have Christmas when we get back. He'll have both his Mommies with him." "Brian is working this week, why don't I take Gus. I have Molly for Christmas; she'll love the distraction of Gus around." "Are you sure Justin, what about your parents?" "Mom and Dad are away, it's just Molly and me and now Gus. It'll be fun. We can all celebrate after Christmas, Mom and Dad have a big open house New Years day and this year we're making it our Christmas day as well. You and Mel can come; it'll be great having all of you with us." "Thanks Justin, I appreciate it." "Molly and I are leaving now, I'll swing by and pick up Gus. We have his gifts in the car already, so it's going to work out great." "Are you and Molly going somewhere Justin? I don't want to interfere with your plans." "We're going to Grandfather's cabin by the lake, build snowmen, roast marshmallows and eat too much turkey. Gus will love it." Justin didn't want to break the confidence of Brian and reveal that it was now his and Justin's very nice lodge by the lake. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to his grandfather for having owned the cabin in the first place. "There are no phones, but I'll go to the village and call you every day and let you know how things are going." "Thanks again Justin, I'm so glad you found Brian and came into our lives." "I'm glad I found Brian too." December 24th - 2:30PM "There, that's the last one." Justin stood back and admired the snow people. Gus was so excited and giggly he fell back into the snow his grin reminding Justin of those fleeting grins his father sometimes had. "Molly, stop teasing Gus, help him put the jacket on the 'Dad'" "I don't think Brian is going to be very happy about you using this one. It even has his initials inside on this fancy silky thing." "Brian should have been here. Not here - then dressing Dad Snow is up to us." Justin handed the Armani jacket to Gus who dragged it over to Molly and the tall thin snow man. "Hey Gus, what about the baby snow person. Will we put on a sweater on the little guy?" Gus and Molly spent another half hour dressing the snow family while Justin went in and made hot chocolate. He lit the fire in the fireplace and got the long forks out for the marshmallows. "Tree, Jus'n, tree." Gus pointed at the small pine standing in front of the window. The first thing they had done upon arriving was find the perfect Christmas tree and Gus being the youngest got to do the picking. He spent a lot time deciding and the result was a tree not much taller than Molly. Justin had promised the kids that they would make the decorations after the snow people were built. They had a lot of work to do. December 24th - 6:30pm It was dark outside, and the snow was falling in picture perfect large fluffy flakes. The tree stood in its entire splendor looking magical covered in white popcorn balls, paper chains of red and green and a tin foil star at the top. Justin decided he'd put the presents under the tree when the children were in bed. He looked over at the two kids, still on a sugar high from the hot chocolate and marshmallow snack. He got up to make them some soup and realized he was singing along with the children's Christmas CD that was playing. The old familiar carols were so appropriate in this country setting. The three of them had their late supper. Gus was unbelievably grown up this visit. He had his eye on Molly the whole time, following her around that Kinney soft smile full of promise on his lips. Justin had video taped everything so far. He stood in the living room far enough away that Molly and Gus didn't pay any attention to him. Molly was washing the few dishes and Gus standing on a chair beside her was drying them, he looked so cute concentrating on his 'job'. While Molly was washing she was patiently telling Gus the Christmas Story. "So they had no place to sleep except a old barn." She paused for effect, Gus enthralled "Mary and Joseph went into the barn and they asked the animals to lend them some straw and hay and made a bed. That night Mary had a baby, called Baby Jesus everyone was happy and there was a big star shining in the sky. The three wise men saw it and decided to bring presents to the Baby Jesus. That's why we put a star on the Christmas tree" she pointed to the star they had made. It reminds us that Baby Jesus was born on Christmas. We decorate the tree because we are celebrating His birth. When we give presents, it represents the presents that the three wise men brought to the Baby." Gus climbed down from his chair and went over to the tree. "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus" he said clearly then clapped his hands. Justin managed to continue the video tape even though his eyes were awash in tears. This tape would be a keeper. December 24th - 10:30pm The children had been in bed for a couple of hours now. He put the presents under the tree. He almost didn't put Brian's under but thought, why not and placed it carefully. It wasn't much, expensive gifts always seem so inappropriate at this time. The reason for the season should never be forgotten. Instead his gift to Brian was something that would make him smile, though most of the fun would be missing when he finally received it. He ate the cookies and drank the milk Gus had left for Santa and placed the fire screen carefully in front of the dieing fire before going up the stairs to his lonely bed. Pittsburgh - December 24th - 6:00 pm Brian stood up from his desk and stretched. That was the end of it. He finished early and could actually take some time to himself. He dialed Justin's number only to be told he wasn't available by an anonymous voice. He called Lindsey, there was no answer there. He knew Michael and Ben had gone to Ben's parents the day before and Debbie and Vic had gone to her sister's place. He tried Emmett and Ted, but they didn't answer either. He left for the loft, slightly depressed, but he knew that it was his own fault. At least he'd have quiet for a day or so. The first thing he noticed when he walked in was the missing presents. He stopped and read Justin's note to him and smiled. He was such a shitty boyfriend but his blonde lover thought he was wonderful. It was amazing how too people could think so differently. He started to get changed then remembered the cabin. He had determined not to go without Justin unless he was desperate. He didn't want to sit in the empty loft haunted by the smiles and laughter of Justin. He pulled out his overnight bag and threw in a change of clothes. Grabbed some protein powder and the jug of milk, it would be all he'd need to eat and he could always thaw something of Justin's. The drive to the cabin was uneventful until he was only five miles away. The snow that was falling was light and fluffy and hard to see in. If he had his bright lights on the snow illuminated more, but without them the flakes were blinding and he was afraid he'd go off the road. The five miles before he could pull off the highway were the longest he'd ever driven. He turned into the long road way leading to the cabin and almost turned back, the road had filled with the soft snow and steering was difficult. He estimated that he had gone almost half way in when suddenly a flash of something caught his eye and he heard that heart stopping thump that indicated he'd hit whatever had dashed in front of him. He slowed to a stop barely managing to keep the Jeep out of the snow filled ditches on either side of him. He opened the door, pulling his collar up around his face shielding his neck from the wet snow and waded back along his tire tracks. Laying in the snow, one leg obviously broken was a medium sized dog. It had long red gold fur, and you could count the rib bones it was so pathetically thin. The belly of the dog was distended, Brian was afraid to even think what might be making the belly stand out. He knew nothing of dogs and could remember his mother saying how dirty they were and how they were full of worms and fleas. But he couldn't leave the dog here, its leg was broken. He pulled off his cashmere scarf and grabbed his Cross pen and pencil set out of his briefcase that lay on the back seat of the Jeep. With a little effort and some kind words he made a rudimentary splint for the leg. The dog, her liquid brown eyes watching his every move, let her tongue come out and give his hand a soft moist lick of thanks. Brian carefully picked her up and carried her to the front seat of the Jeep. He looked behind him; the snow was coming down worse than ever. He'd have to try and get her to a vet tomorrow; tonight she'd be coming to the cabin. He pulled up to the cabin, the snow people dressed to meet him. He smiled recognizing the artistry of his young lover. So this is where Justin was. The cabin was in darkness. He didn't want to disturb Justin so he carefully carried the dog inside. The fire still glowed, the coals sending mini bursts of fire up into the chimney. Brian carried the dog over to the rug in front of the fireplace. He settled her down, wondering if he should cover her with a blanket. He could smell some of Justin's soup. He looked in the fridge and found a pot. While he waited for it to heat he busied himself finding a bowl for water and one for some soup for the dog. He sat at the table, and looked at the strangely decorated tree. Justin must have been having an Early Americana Christmas. Brian realized that his pants were soaked from the wet snow. He didn't want to back out to the Jeep. He stripped them off and realized that one of the presents under the tree had his name on it. He put it on the table and then gave the dog some of the warm soup and water. The dog seemed grateful. She looked like she was smiling. "Can dogs smile?" he wondered. He sat at the table staring at his gift. He tried to imagine what Justin had given him. Justin was so generous; he'd given him half of the cabin and so much more. Finally he couldn't resist and with a guilty look up the stairs, he quietly removed the wrapping, fully intending to rewrap the gift. He opened it up and began to chuckle, earning him a dirty look from the dog who appeared to be in some kind of pain. He carried his gift over to the dog who by now definitely appeared in distress. He was about to wake Justin when he realized why the dog was in distress. For between her legs began to appear a tiny bundle that could only be a puppy. Brian sat back in awe as he watched the puppy being born. He'd never seen anything like it. He watched the puppy emerge from it's messy birth, the mom dog cleaning the puppy up matter of fact. The little one was all white except for his feet and nose and tips of his ears that were rusty like his mom. Brian unconsciously took the rest of his cold damp clothing off and put Justin's Christmas present on. He couldn't take his eyes off the two dogs. He grabbed the afghan off the sofa and one of the pillows. He put a log on the fire and then curled up beside the dog, his hand stroking her bristly fur, then one finger stroking the soft delicate fur of the baby. The last thing he remembered as he drifted off to sleep was the mom dog resting her head on his arm, the other one was protectively over her and her baby. Christmas morning 6:30 am "Jus'n, wake up. Jus'n wake up." Gus was sitting in his new pajamas all flannel and cuddly with that warm sweet smell of a young child who has just woken up on Justin's legs, pinning him to the bed. "Yeah Justin, get up, you won't believe what Santa brought." Molly bounced on the bed causing Justin to hold his head. "Geeze you guys, it's" he peered in the darkness at his clock. "It's only six thirty." "If I were you I'd have the video camera going when we go downstairs, I want this to be a Kodak memory." Molly smirked her smirk a lot like Brian's, she must have been practicing. Justin slowly got out of bed. He'd fallen asleep in flannel pajamas that he'd had made as a joke. But the cold air in the cabin was no joke and he was glad of them and he was glad he was doing the filming. He didn't need anyone else seeing him in flannel pajamas feet and all. "Ok guys, what's all the fuss?" he asked, figuring it was the presents that had appeared. "Baby Jesus, Jus'n, we gots a Baby Jesus." Gus was quivering with excitement. Justin looked at Molly "Oh yeah, we've got our very own Baby Jesus alright and you won't believe Daddy." Justin curious, grabbed the camera and cautiously led the two of them down the stairs. When he saw what was in front of the fireplace he was smiling so brightly the room lit up like high noon. He almost forgot to start filming. He slowly panned the Christmas tree and then over to the sleeping man on the floor, his tall lean body encased in footed flannel pajamas Luke Skywalker printed all over them. Asleep in his arms was a Cairn Terrier looking dog, one leg tied up in his precious cashmere scarf. A small white head lifted up, it's eyes tightly closed it's little squashed face pointed in their direction then went back to finish his breakfast compliments of mom dog. "See, Daddy, dog, and Baby Jesus." Smiled Gus, satisfied with what lay before him. "Lets call the puppy BJ for short, little guy, I think the other names been taken already." Justin smiled as Gus knelt down beside his father's head and patted the soft auburn tresses with one hand and the bristly red fur with his other. Justin looked at Molly who was smiling at two of her favorite men in that indulgent way young females have towards men they know that they possess. She looked back at him her smile wide. "This is the best Christmas present ever" she whispered. Justin had to agree. The only thing he ever wanted was sleeping on the floor. He would have loved to cuddle up to the flannel clad man but knew that would wait until another day. One thing was sure, this Christmas story would be one to be added to the legends of Liberty Ave.