Lies, Lust and Love Chapter 6 Brian held Justin in his arms and they continued their waltz. The band played beautifully and neither man noticed that all eyes were on them and them alone, as they moved sensuously to the music. Gus and AJ sat at their table mesmerized by the two on the dance floor. “I didn’t know my dad could dance like that.” Gus said. “He sure looks handsome out there.” “Definitely delicious.” AJ agreed. “I can see why Justin has fallen head over heels for the man.” “Do you really think he has?” Gus asked. His father and Justin had just moved past their table. Justin’s laugh could be heard over the music when Brian said something to him. “I know he has.” AJ stated. “Justin has never been like this with anyone, believe me I’ve known him a long time.” “Dad hasn’t either. Justin makes him laugh. Dad used to be so serious all the time.” “Justin is that kind of guy. But he’s never let anyone close to him before. I’m surprised that he’s let your dad get that close.” “I don’t think they were expecting it.” Gus grinned. “Love kind of snuck up on them. I can hardly wait to tell my moms.” He looked at AJ “Is what I feel for you love, or is some kind of school boy crush?” “I guess we won’t know that until we give it some time Gus,” AJ paused and then he looked into Gus’ eyes. “I know how I feel, but then I’ve got a few years on you. I’m willing to wait and see what happens.” “Good things happen to those who wait.” Gus said with a grin. “That’s what my mom says.” He shook his head. “I hate waiting.” “The thing is Gus, the time will go by so quickly we won’t even know it.” AJ reached out and patted Gus’ hand. “Are you coming to New York for Christmas?” “No, we’re having Christmas in Pittsburgh. Dad doesn’t want to come, but I know he will even if he bitches a lot.” “I wonder if he’ll ask Justin?” “I want him to, my moms want him to. But you have to understand, dad only does stuff he wants to do so I’m not sure if he’ll ask Justin. I think he’s kind of scared that things are moving too fast.” “Talking about me Sonny Boy?” Brian asked. He leaned down and kissed his son on his hair. “You’re always a good conversation maker dad.” Gus grinned up at him. “You guys were awesome. I didn’t know you could dance like that.” He looked at Justin. “Will you teach me?” “I can teach you to dance like that.” AJ said. “Taylor and I spent a lot of hours at Miss Armstrong’s dance academy when we were growing up. She was pretty mean, but we learned all the formal dances.” “That would be so cool. Imagine dancing like that at school.” Brian laughed out loud at that. “I don’t think it would be a good idea Sonny Boy.” “Why not?” “Who would you dance with?” “I could find someone. If AJ teaches me, I can teach somebody else. I could maybe teach Sara.” He looked at AJ, “Sara is kind of like my best friend at school. She’s a girl, but she’s more like a friend, not a ‘girl’ friend.” AJ laughed and Justin and Brian smiled indulgently. “We all have them Gus. Some people call them ‘fag hags’ I just call my friend Daphne.” Justin said to the boy. “Lindsay was mine.” Brian added. “Hey, that’s mom.” “See, we were friends and now there’s you.” “Taylor is mine.” AJ quipped. “He’s such a ‘girl’.” Justin glared at him and then laughed. “It was Toby who was yours asshole.” “AJ and I are going to go now. The guy at the front desk said we could use the pool after eleven if we were real quiet.” Gus looked at Justin and his father. “Is that okay?” Brian looked at AJ and then at Gus. He felt comfortable with the other man who was infatuated with his son. And he trusted Justin’s word that AJ was an honorable man. “Have fun, but only stay in the pool an hour. We’re going back to the loft tomorrow.” “I know, that really sucks.” Gus glared a bit and then shrugged. He figured he could come back another time. He stood up and so did AJ, they walked out of the dining room side by side. Brian knew that Gus would have loved to hold AJ’s hand but the older man, realizing that, had put his hands in the pockets of his trousers. “Do you think I did the right thing?” he asked Justin. “Of course you did. If you or I had tried to keep them apart, then both AJ and Gus would have been hot after the other guy. Forbidden fruit, pun intended, tastes very sweet.” “Bad pun Sven.” Brian joked. He reached across the table for Justin’s hand. He held it in both of his and rubbed his finger over the knuckles. “You have strong hands” he said finally. It wasn’t what he wanted to say, but it was the best he could do without sounding like some kind of a dyke. “You were a wonderful dance partner Brian. Was there a Miss Armstrong in your life?” “No there was a Miss Peterson, Lindsay; she was the product of a Miss Armstrong. One year when we were at University she decided I needed to have some culture in the form of dance lessons. We spent hours practicing. I suspected it was the only way she could get me to hold her, thank gawd she found Melanie or I’d still be practicing with her.” “I’d like to meet her someday.” Justin said he pulled Brian’s hands that were around his, up to his mouth and kissed them. “You could come to Pittsburgh with me for Christmas.” Brian blurted. He flushed, he hadn’t expected to ask Justin in just quite that manner, if he was going to ask him at all. “Christmas?” “You know, the holiday season, Santa Claus, ho ho ho and all that kind of thing. I understood they had it New York too. It’s not just a Pittsburgh tradition.” Justin laughed. “I know what it is. I just wasn’t expecting you to ask me to go home with you.” “Justin, I know this is really too soon, but you are kind of growing on me. I would like you to meet my friends in Pittsburgh.” “I’d like to meet them too Brian. When do we leave? Where will we stay?” “We’d probably leave a couple of days before Christmas; otherwise it’s just too busy. Everyone expects me to eat at their place and there’s only so much turkey I can handle.” He thought for a moment. “Do you think you could get away for a week? We could have New Years Eve in New York. After a week in the Pitts, we’ll need the excitement of the big city.” “That sounds good, but where will we stay?” “We’ll stay in my loft. I kept it when I moved so that I didn’t have to depend on hotels.” He gave a half laugh, “And Gus uses it to escape from his mothers, though he isn’t supposed to.” Justin smiled to himself. He could relate to Gus. He used to do the same thing when he was Gus’ age, escape to the family suite in the downtown hotel. He wasn’t supposed to be there alone, but he often was. And like Gus in Brian’s loft, it was a well known family secret that when he was bothered by something that’s where he’d go. “So I’ll get to see Brian Kinney’s home.” He kissed Brian’s hands again. “I can hardly wait.” “It’s not quite like what you’re used to.” Brian admitted. “But it’s home.” He shrugged and looked at Justin. “You have to understand that I come from a working class Irish family. Everything I have, I’ve earned myself with no help from them. In fact they’d have preferred that I worked in the factory where my dad spent his working career.” “Brian, we both come from different backgrounds, so what the fuck? I mean I know I have money. I’ve always had money and maybe because I did, I don’t really understand how hard you’ve had to work. But that doesn’t mean that I think less of you. If anything I’d figure you’d think less of me because I’m such a spoiled rich brat.” He looked at Brian from beneath thick lashes, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Besides, you’re pretty high maintenance as a boyfriend. I figure you could help me put a dent in some of this money. I’ve always wanted to have my very own boy toy.” Brian snorted at that. “I’m no damn boy toy.” “You could pretend.” Justin grinned at him. “And if you’re a bad boy, I have just the punishment for you.” “You are the bad boy Sven.” Brian stood up. He held out his hand for Justin and Justin stood up, lacing their fingers together. “Should we check on the children?” Justin asked referring to AJ and Gus. “Oh I think so” Brian laughed. “Not that I don’t trust AJ, it’s Gus I’m worried about. He takes after his father and I know what I was up to at fourteen.” “Close to fifteen.” Justin reminded Brian with a laugh. “We won’t even go into what I was up to when I was ‘close to fifteen’. Brian chuckled as they walked toward the waterslide and pool area. Surprisingly enough they found Gus doing laps and AJ sitting on the side of the pool watching him. “Hey AJ” Justin said as they approached from behind. “Hey Taylor, Brian,” AJ nodded toward Gus who was intent on swimming. “I think that’s the young version of a ‘cold shower’, he’s been doing them since we had another ‘talk’. Justin and Brian looked at each other and smiled. “Well don’t let him stay here too long.” Brian said to AJ. “I’d give him another couple of laps and then drag his (ASS)out. He should be exhausted enough to sleep in his own bed by then.” “Okay, goodnight guys.” AJ turned back to watch Gus. Brian and Justin headed for their suite. In the elevator ride up, Justin leaned back into Brian, and Brian wrapped his arms around the younger man. His head resting on Brian’s chest, Justin shut his eyes enjoying the sensations of the elevator ride in the safety of Brian’s strong arms. “Don’t fall asleep Sven.” Brian whispered in his ear. “I have plans for my little Swedish dumpling.” “Give it up Brian, stop with the Swedish” “You started it Sven. Now I find it rather erotic.” “You’re too easy.” “Ahhh, sad but true.” Brian led Justin out of the elevator and down the hall to their room. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanksgiving morning Brian woke up in Justin’s arms. He could hear Gus moving around in the kitchen. The boy was still talking about the great time he’d had at the play and at the hotel downtown. And he never stopped talking about AJ. Brian was happy to lay wrapped in the warm and protective embrace of a man he not only lusted after but loved. Not that he’d ever admit that to Justin. Loving someone and telling them made you vulnerable and subject to being hurt. He would continue to let Justin know that he lusted after him, but never would he admit love. It was a lie, but a lie that Brian felt was justified for his own well being. “Hmmm, you’re thinking. I can hear the wheels turning.” Justin said with a sleepy smile. He kissed the warm smooth skin by Brian’s ear. He sniffed, “And I can smell pancakes. Your son is not a bad cook.” “He’s happy; he cooks when he’s happy.” “I’ll remember that.” Justin kissed Brian again. “Do you want to know what I do when I’m happy?” Justin asked. Not waiting for Brian to say anything, Justin continued. “I paint. I paint large and wonderful canvases filled with color and light and I dream. I dream dreams of warmth and sunlit sky, of soaring like an eagle over mountains and lakes. I dream of a blanket of love.” He kissed him again, this time with a soft nip on the lobe of his ear. “What do you do when you’re happy?” “I make love to a handsome blond young man with a perfect bubble butt, sparkling blue eyes and kisses sweeter than spring strawberries.” Brian turned his head to give Justin a shy smile. Justin’s smile was blinding. “You really mean that don’t you?” Justin let the tips of his fingers touch Brian’s lips. Not wanting him to answer in case it was the wrong one. Brian’s hand wrapped around Justin’s and he kept the strong fingers on his lips, kissing them each one by one. “I really mean that Justin.” His voice spoke Justin’s name like he was saying a prayer. “You’ve come into my life and turned it upside down. I don’t go a minute in the day without thinking about you. You’re bad for business.” He teased. “You may not think like this after today. You and Gus are going to dinner at my parent’s house don’t forget.” “I haven’t forgotten.” Brian smiled. “I liked your dad and Molly. I’m sure your mother is fine. Now if you were coming to dinner at my place I might be worried. That would be like eating in the hell mouth.” “They can’t be that bad Brian, after all you turned out maaaaaahhhhhvelous.” Justin drawled. Brian covered Justin’s lips with his, and he was about to show him just how marvelous he was when, with a knock at the door, Gus walked in. “Dad, Justin, breakfast is ready. And a lady called Molly phoned and said that Justin was to get his ass home early because she wasn’t going to deal with all the questions about dad by herself.” Justin burst out laughing. “My mother is harsh when it comes to trying to marry Molly and I off. She wants grandkids so bad she’s rabid on the subject.” “What’s that got to do with me?” Brian asked. “Dad get a clue.” Gus said. “Justin means that his mom thinks you’d be good marrying material. She doesn’t really know you.” Gus laughed. “Gus” Justin protested. “No, he’s right. I never was good marrying material. I’ve spent all my adult years being the worst damn marriage material there is.” “Why, did you want to suck at being a husband?” Justin asked curious. He sat up in the bed, the sheets falling to his lap. His body pale, though brushed with small bruises here and there where an ardent kiss had turned into a passionate love bite. “I never figured that I would have anyone who’d love me. I never figured I would ever really love someone else.” Brian sat up beside Justin. He put his arm across Justin’s shoulders and pulled him closer. Justin let himself melt into the other man’s embrace. He looked at Gus and smiled. “I guess we’ll just have to prove your dad wrong. Because I think he’s one easy man to fall in love with.” “I love him.” Gus admitted. “The two of you could make me almost believe I could be husband material.” Brian laughed. “I said almost.” “Could you two get out of bed? I want us to eat breakfast and then go to Justin’s parent’s place.” “I suppose AJ mentioned that he’d be there.” Justin teased. “He might have mentioned it.” Gus admitted, turning to leave the bedroom. “Oh did I mention AJ stopped over for breakfast. He says if you two don’t hurry, he’s going start breakfast without you.” Laughing, he shut the door on Brian and Justin’s outraged calls. “You are a little shit Gus.” AJ commented from his vantage point of the sofa. He was stretched full length, his feet in front of him. Gus only laughed as he headed for the kitchen to continue making the pancakes. Brian and Justin sat in the bed enjoying the feeling of being together. Both of them stayed silent as they thought of what had been said. Until, “About….” They began to speak at the same time. Laughing they stopped. “Let’s not analyze it too much.” Brian said. “I think both of us need time to get to know one another on a level that doesn’t involve sex.” “Well not too much sex” “Is there such a thing?” Brian asked with a laugh. “Join me in the shower?” “Of course, you are great at reaching all those ‘hard to reach’ spots.” Justin joked as he moved out of the bed heading for the bathroom and the shower. While Brian and Justin showered, Gus and AJ finished making breakfast. They were sitting at the table eating when the two others finally left the bedroom. “AJ, I can’t believe you’re here. I thought I heard your voice.” Justin commented as he walked to the kitchen and looked at the two sitting at the table. “I always go to your mom’s at Thanksgiving.” AJ grinned. “But you usually just turn up at the house.” Justin reached for a piece of bacon on AJ’s plate and popped it into his mouth. “But this year, I had more incentive to be early.” AJ winked at Gus who blushed. Brian glared at AJ and Justin laughed. He put his arm around Brian and gave him a quick squeeze of support. “What do you want for breakfast?” “AJ’s balls on a plate would be nice.” Brian replied as he sat down and reached for the pot of coffee. “Daaaad” Gus protested. “Why don’t I make you an egg white omelet instead?” Justin offered. “Aren’t we going to be eating at your mother’s?” Brian grabbed for Justin and missed as the blond headed for the stove. “Brian that isn’t for hours, we’d be starving well before then.” “Dad thinks you only need to eat once a day.” Gus grinned. “I’ve tried to tell him that the rest of the world is on a different feeding schedule, but he never listens to me.” The phone rang and Justin looked at Brian waiting for him to answer it. Brian looked at him and shrugged. “You get it, I’m not home.” “Hi, Brian Kinney’s residence.” Justin said. “Where is Brian?” came the rather abrupt words of an older woman. “He’s not able to come to the phone right now. Can I have him return your call?” “This is his mother. Who are you and why are you answering my son’s phone?” Justin looked at Brian, panic in his eyes. Brian laughed; he knew who would be phoning. It had to be his mother. Justin glared at him and answered. “This is Justin Taylor, Mrs. Kinney. I answered the phone because I live here and I was the closest to the phone.” “I want to speak to Brian, NOW” Justin held the phone toward Brian who made the sign of a cross with his fingers and backed away silently laughing. Gus took the phone. “Hi Grandma Kinney, it’s Gus.” “Who was that person?” she demanded without saying hello to her grandson. “That’s dad’s boyfriend.” Gus answered and stuck out his tongue at his father. “Why do you ask?” “I can’t believe he allows his disgusting lifestyle to happen when you are visiting him.” “Now Grandma, we can’t all be saints like you.” Gus teased. “Some of us are just regular folks.” “Gus, don’t you smart mouth your Grandmother.” She admonished though her voice was less strident. Gus always did make her smile. “Grandma, I’ve told you before, God made us all in his image, dad included. So God must have wanted him to be just what he is.” “And what is that?” it was an old argument, but for some reason Joan Kinney always wanted to hear Gus say the words though she would never admit it. “A kind and loving father, an intelligent and savvy business man and the best dad in the world. Grandma, Justin makes him happy. You want dad to be happy don’t you?” There was a few moments of silence but finally Joan Kinney replied. “Yes, I want him to be happy. I want you both to be happy.” “Hold that thought Grandma, because I’m gay too.” Brian rolled his eyes. He could just imagine the look on his mother’s face. “Gus, are you sure?” she asked, her voice quiet. “Yes Grandma, I’m sure. I bet dad knew when he was my age too.” Gus then had to ask. “Do you still love me Grandma?” “Of course I do.” She answered without thinking and she realized that she did love Gus, despite what she’d heard. It was almost too much for her to take in all at once. Her feelings for Brian had surfaced too. For despite Brian’s unhappy childhood and her failure as a supportive mother while she endured her hell on earth marriage, Brian had always been her favorite child. It had torn her apart, all the animosity he had for her since he’d left home. Not that she hadn’t deserved it, because she had and somehow his anger made her angry. It was a vicious circle that she was unable to stop. “We are going to Justin’s parent’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.” He changed the subject. “Maybe next year, you could come here.” Brian was shaking his head no. “I’d like that Gus. When your father comes back, you tell him hello for me. I hope that you and your father and his friend Justin, have a wonderful day.” “Thanks Grandma, I’ll be back in a few days. I’ll stop in after school and visit with you next Thursday, I have an early day then. Can you make your chocolate chip cookies?” She laughed. “Yes, I’ll make the cookies Gus. Gus, don’t be too quick to find a …. “ she hesitated. “A boyfriend, you aren’t very old and there’s time enough for that.” “Think of the up side though Grandma, I can’t get a boyfriend pregnant.” “Oh Gus, you are terrible.” She said with a laugh. “I’ll see you on Thursday.” “What was that all about?” Brian asked. “Grandma and I have come to an understanding.” Gus answered. “You should be nicer to her, she really loves you, you know.” “Riiiight.” Brian drawled. Justin placed a plate with an omelet and some slices of mango on it in front of Brian. He added two pieces of multi grain toast and then poured Brian a glass of juice before sitting down at the table. “I’m glad you and your grandmother are friends.” Justin said to Gus. “We’ll work on her about Brian and I.” “I don’t think it would be too hard.” Gus smiled. “But I don’t think she’s ready for you AJ” AJ laughed. “Very few are ready for me.” Justin had taken a chair beside Brian. He just wanted to be close to the other man, not necessarily touching but within reach if he should need to touch him. “Why aren’t you eating Sven?” Brian asked. “Oh, sorry, I forgot.” Justin replied absent mindedly. “I was thinking about when we go to Pittsburgh for Christmas. How are you going to introduce me?” Gus burst out laughing. “Boy are you treading on dangerous waters.” He continued to giggle. “It’s one thing for me to say that you are dad’s boyfriend and another one for him to choke out the word ‘boyfriend’. “I can say boyfriend.” Brian tried to look mad, but didn’t succeed. “I have just never had any reason to say the word.” He reached over and put his hand on Justin’s thigh. “Justin, at least eat a piece of toast.” “Yes sir.” Justin said with a smile as he reached for a piece of toast. “I’m not very hungry.” “That’s my line.” Brian teased. He’d finished the breakfast Justin had made for him. “Maybe you just need to have someone wait on you for a change.” “Maybe.” Justin let his fingers slide between Brian’s on his thigh. “Let’s go to mom’s early. I can show you guys around the place. It’s very pretty this time of year.” “It’s here in New York isn’t it?” Gus asked. “Yes, but wait until you see. It’s in an old residential area overlooking the water.” Justin looked excited. “I can show you my old room.” He winked at Brian. “I can hardly wait.” “And Gus, I can show you some of the things that Taylor and I used to get into. Wait until you see the attic. It’s full of the absolute best stuff for dressing up.” “You’ve taken to dressing in drag now have you Sonny Boy?” Brian asked. “If your mothers could only see you.” “Yeah, like I’d dress in drag and show them. I’m not completely delusional.” Gus said with a laugh. “But it’s Auntie Em who likes drag, not me. I’d like to see the stuff so I can tell him all about it.” “You’ll enjoy it then Gus.” Justin said. “Our family has lived in that house for, five generations. There is tons of stuff in the attic. I think AJ, Toby, Todd and I spent most of our childhood there. The place is huge.” “Yeah, Todd and Toby always wanted to dress in the old uniforms, they were weird even then.” AJ said with a laugh. “I of course, looked divine in the dresses of the twenties.” “And to think my childhood involved playing soccer, reading comics and watching interesting guys.” Brian shook his head. “What a deprived childhood I had.” “We were very precocious, what can I say.” Justin giggled. “Molly used to snitch on us to mother all the time. But one day we discovered kind of a secret door in the attic. The secret passageway traveled all the way down to the basement into a couple of rooms that couldn’t be easily found down there. We used to hide out there from her. It drove her crazy.” “I’m surprised we didn’t burn the house down. We were forever lighting candles; there wasn’t any electricity in that part of the house.” AJ smiled fondly at the memories. “We were all queer, all the same age and all from the same neighborhood. There must have been something in the water.” “Will Todd and Toby be coming this afternoon?” Gus asked. “Todd is in Africa right now on some exchange thing with the University he teaches at. But Toby will probably be there. His parents are never home so he spent all his holiday times at our place.” Justin answered. “Yeah, Taylor’s folks were kind of the parents for all of us. They never seemed to mind that we all but lived there.” AJ stood up and began to clear the table. “You know, money is great but it really doesn’t buy love. I don’t think I remember a holiday with my own parents. Even Christmas was spent with Taylor and his family.” “How come you call Justin ‘Taylor’” Gus asked. As he got up and began to help AJ clean up the remnants of breakfast. “We got into the habit when we were in the first grade. There were three Justins in our class and so they began to be called by their last name. It stuck.” “Dad calls him Sven but he won’t tell me why.” He looked at his father who leaned over and kissed Justin’s lips. “I think I know why.” AJ said with a grin. “I’ll tell you later.” “Keep it to yourself AJ.” Brian growled. He looked at Gus. “Can’t you just accept it’s a pet name for him?” “I could if it was something different, but Sven isn’t a normal pet name.” “It is for me.” Brian smirked. The kitchen was now tidied. He stood up and pulled Justin to his feet. “Time to go Sven, you can drive. I don’t want to get lost.” Justin beamed at him. Brian was so full of life and love it made his heart sing. He was surprised that everyone couldn’t see it. In less than fifteen minutes they had driven out of the built up city and into a part of the city that Brian was sure had to be a time warp. Trees filled the boulevards their branches thick, though the leaves were gone for the year. It must be magical in the summer Brian thought. The houses were all behind high fences and set back from the road. Vast patches of manicured green grass peeked out from gates as they drove past until they turned into a cobblestone driveway. Justin pressed on a remote that he’d taken from his pocket and the gates swung open, allowing them to drive through. Brian tried not to let the grandeur of it all overwhelm him. But he could see that he and Justin were light years apart as far as family backgrounds were concerned. Justin had barely parked the car when two large dogs raced around the side of the house and began to prance excitedly by Justin’s door. Neither one was a particular breed. Brian noticed that one had part of his leg missing and the other one had one ear split the entire length. “Interesting dogs Sven.” He commented. “Do they bite?” “Not usually.” Justin said with a grin. “They are kind of old and would have to gum you to death.” He got out of the car. The two dogs stood in front of him, quivering waiting for him to acknowledge them. Justin knelt down “Hey boys, how’s it going?” he asked. Two pink tongues lapped over his face. Brian was sure the dogs were grinning. “Brian and Gus, this is Mugs and Louie.” Justin introduced them. The dogs, as if they understood, walked over to Brian and Gus. They butted their heads against Brian’s hand. “I think they want you to pat them Brian.” Justin said. “It’s okay, they don’t smell or anything, mom makes sure they are always groomed.” He looked past Brian. “Here comes the rest of the gang. Brian turned as he patted the dogs not sure what he was about to see. Four cats, one rooster, a small donkey and the largest rabbit Brian had ever seen were slowly making their way across the lawn toward them. Each animal had some kind of problem. Justin walked over and made a fuss over all of them. Satisfied, the gang turned and headed back the way they came with the dogs leading the pack. “Your animals all seem slightly worse for wear.” Gus said. “But they are nice.” “They’ve all been rescued by Molly at one time or another.” Justin explained. “Even the rooster?” Brian had to ask. “I mean why would a rooster need to be rescued. Couldn’t someone just eat him?” “Geeze Brian, you don’t eat a pet.” AJ exclaimed. “Rob the rooster has had a rough life. He started out as cute little yellow Easter chick and then when he grew up he was mistreated. Molly found him and rescued him. He’s got to be five years old now, which is old for a rooster.” “Molly must be pretty nice.” Gus said quietly, “to rescue all these animals.“ “We’ve had lots more,” Justin admitted. “She eventually finds homes for them, but these guys seem to always be here. I think they’re part of the family now.” He shrugged. “Molly has been bringing home lame ducks, so to speak, as long as I can remember. Mom gave up years ago trying to convince her not to. We’ve had as many as sixteen cats at one time and eleven dogs. This is nothing now.” Justin led the three men into the house. Brian followed along, his mind running over what he’d seen. Molly Taylor, like her brother wasn’t anything like any preconceived idea he might have. “Hey mom, dad, we’re here.” Justin shouted. The three stood in a vast marble floored foyer. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling on the second floor, its crystals reflecting in the weak fall sunlight like a million prisms. The smell of turkey and cinnamon drifted out toward them. “Justin Taylor, you know better than to shout when you come home.” Jennifer Taylor, dressed in blue jeans and a silk shirt came down the wide staircase. “I’m Jennifer, Justin’s mother. You must be Brian and Gus, welcome to our home. I’m so happy that Justin has finally found someone.” “Mom, they’re here for dinner, we aren’t getting married after dessert.” Justin all but whined. “We aren’t? I was sure that’s what you said.” Brian grinned and turned to Gus. “Isn’t that what Sven told us in the car?” he asked his son. Gus grinned. “Dad, don’t tease.” AJ linked his arm through Gus’ “I’m going to show Gus all the secret hiding spots in the house.” Walked over and hugged Jennifer Taylor. “Hi Mom, what time do you want us back here?” “Dinner will be ready in an hour dear. Todd called earlier to say he was missing us and Toby will be here in a few minutes. He’s bringing a guest as well.” “Did gram make her pies?” Justin asked. “I’m starving.” “I told you to eat breakfast.” Brian whispered. “Gram made her pies. Your father is finishing up some last minute dinner preparations, but he assures me everything will be ready in an hour.” “Nice to meet you Mrs. Taylor.” Gus said as he was being dragged off by AJ. “AJ, you be good. Gus is young and impressionable, remember your manners.” Jennifer admonished. “Yes mom” AJ said with a grin. “Brian and Justin have already given me the lecture.” “You be sure to remember it then.” She kissed his cheek to take the sting from her words. “I made you some Thanksgiving cookies to take home.” She whispered though they all could hear her. AJ flushed with pleasure. Justin’s mother had always made him seasonal cookies to take home. It was one of the nicer things that he had as memories of his childhood and young adult hood. She smiled at Gus. “You have fun with AJ, he is really a very nice young man.” When AJ and Gus had disappeared down a hallway, Jennifer turned to Justin and Brian. “I really am happy that Justin has brought you here to help us celebrate Thanksgiving Brian. Craig and Molly have both mentioned you.” “Nothing bad I hope.” Brian said tongue in cheek. “Nothing bad, just that you were a heart breaker.” She smiled at him and patted his cheek. “It was meant in the nicest way, but don’t break his heart.” She looked at Justin, who looked away embarrassed. “He can be a handful, but he means well. I understand he started off with a rather rocky beginning early in your relationship. He’s sometimes impetuous, but not in a mean way.” “Mom, I am standing here and not deaf.” Justin groaned. “I know dear, I just want to make sure that Brian understands about you.” Brian put his arm around Justin’s shoulder. “I understand Sven only too well.” He gave Justin’s shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t worry; I have no intention of breaking his heart. I think maybe you should be giving him the warning. I can see that blondie here could easily break mine.” At Brian’s words Justin beamed. “I’m going to take Brian up to my room. I want to show him some stuff.” “Remember, you have an hour only. Shall I send Toby up when he arrives?” “Tell him to go find AJ and Gus. I don’t like to put too much temptation in either of their ways.” “I could see that right away. Gus is very young, but so is AJ emotionally. I know he’ll wait for Gus, but yes I agree, let’s keep the temptation to a minimum.” Justin kissed his mother’s cheek and led Brian by the hand up the staircase. He didn’t stop at that one, but opened a door and led him up one more floor. “This used to be the ballroom a generation or so ago. I took it over as my room when I turned thirteen.” Justin said. He opened the extra wide double doors and stepped inside. Brian stood there and looked inside. The room had to be larger than his loft apartment, which was twenty four hundred square feet. The ceiling consisted of glass panels and Brian could see that this room was actually part of a wing of the house that still had the attic story of the main house above it. “When it’s night it’s like sleeping outside.” Justin said. The walls were covered by artwork done by Justin. One end of the room had been set up as a studio and the other end as a bedroom. Justin took Brian’s hand again and led him to the bed that was raised on a platform as if the occupants of the bed were required to watch over the rest of the room. An aging Siamese cat looked up at them bleary eyed from the thick velvet duvet. “How does that cat get in and out?” Brian asked. “She has a cat door over there.” Justin pointed and sure enough, a small door was built into the ornate double doors, but so cleverly that it was barely noticable. “She used to sneak in here all the time and no one would notice so finally we gave up and made her, her own access. It was just easier on all of us.” Brian threw himself down on the bed, his feet barely missing the old cat who glared at him, her blue eyes bright with distain. “Come and join me Sven. We can look up at the clouds.” Justin climbed into the bed and put his head on Brian’s chest. “You are the first ‘boyfriend’ that has ever been in this bed.” “There you go with the ‘b’ word.” Brian teased. He kissed the top of Justin’s head. “I could learn to like this. I bet it’s nice at night.” “It is nice.” Justin agreed. “But it’s a lot nicer with you in here with me.” Brian kissed him again. “I wouldn’t really mind having a ‘boyfriend’ for the first time.” “Are you asking me to go steady? Will you give me your class ring?” Justin joked. “I’m not asking for a monogamous relationship. I’m not sure if I could do that. I’m not sure anyone could do that. But I don’t mind trying and I wouldn’t sneak around. If I wanted to trick, I’d let you know.” “I would let you know too if I wanted to trick.” Justin said. Brian felt his heart lurch at the thought of Justin being with someone else. It was an unfamiliar feeling and he didn’t like it much but he couldn’t say one thing and expect Justin to do another. “I don’t have a class ring” he said. “My word would have to be enough.” “I’ve always wanted a ring, but I guess I don’t really need one.” Justin sighed. He really had always pictured his first boyfriend giving him a ring. “Don’t you think it’s a bit early to be exchanging rings Sven?” Brian asked. “I guess.” Justin’s reply was grudging. He wanted to proclaim to the world that he was the property of Brian Kinney. The phone rang just then. It was Brian’s cell, he’d forgotten to turn it off. “Hey Mikey” Brian said when he looked at the display. “Where are you asshole? The gang is here at your apartment. We came to New York to surprise you for the weekend.”