Pittsburgh Westin Hotel Ballroom; June, 2011, Five years after events in Chapter 30 of BFAL; POV/Brian

I looked at my watch for about the twentieth time. Almost time to stop the dancing and start toasting the guests of honor. My ever thoughtful partner had suggested combining the celebrations for Daphne and Jamie's fifth wedding anniversary, their triplets' first birthday, Debbie's sixtieth birthday celebration and Matt and Dr. Jo's first anniversary into one big party at the Westin Hotel when I had bitched about another month of weekends at mandatory family gatherings. I'd just survived a month of going solo to all the weddings and graduations that a family the size of the O'Keefes had every May and hadn't been looking forward to spending June with the same gang when I'd much rather spend it in bed making up for lost time with my partner.

Having one big blow‑out at our expense had been his solution, but now my loving co‑host was late getting here so here I was, delaying the official start as long as I could, not wanting to do this alone. Damned if I wanted to do all the sentimental toasting to the guests of honor...that was my better half's specialty. I saved my bullshit for work. Friends and family were his department and he'd better arrive soon or I'd be taking off for Babylon, to hell with hosting a party. Why the fuck was he late and why hadn't he called? He should have been back this morning.

I nodded at the handsome piano player with the long dark hair and sparkling green eyes, giving him the cue to play another number. He winked at me, incorrigible flirt that he was. I just rolled my eyes and grabbed another drink while he spoke into the mic to address the crowd generally and one of the guests of honor specifically.

"For our birthday girl, I've agreed to play a special number...and only for you, Debbie, would I dare to sing this song in front of this crowd."

As the well trained tenor lifted his voice, the first couple of familiar words ringing out, the many O'Keefes spread throughout the room began to laugh. More than a few of them looked over at me for a reaction. Jamie materialized by my side, with one of his infant terrors on his hip. I sipped my drink and maintained my usual impassive expression, forcing myself not to glance at my watch yet again.

 Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen, and down the mountain side

The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow

Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow

'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow

Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

"Ahh, if Danny could hear this, he'd go ballistic," Jamie commented, sounding quite cheerful at the prospect. Some things never change, I reflected, and Jamie being unconcerned about pissing off his younger brother was one of them. He obviously wasn't worried about where his brother was, or thinking maybe terrorists had hijacked his plane and Danny had decided single‑handedly to disarm them.

"Look over there. They really are good, aren't they?" Jamie pointed to the dance floor that was directly in front of where Debbie and Carl were sitting.

Briana and Gus were giving an impromptu dance performance. Despite the fact that he wouldn't be twelve until the fall, Gus was already as tall as I'd been at fourteen. Briana, who was a year younger than he was, was still small for her age, and certainly tiny for an O'Keefe, but she was a hell of a dancer. I'd never say anything so sappy out loud but the two of them looked good together. Years of dance lessons had given Gus's natural athleticism a boost while Briana's early talent had blossomed into something special. She would be a brilliantly gifted dancer like her uncle in a few years. He claimed she was better than him, but I didn’t believe it. No one was better than Danny in my eyes, but I had to admit, she was something special. Even in something as casual as a dance at a birthday party, it became a performance at which she shone like a star. Briana also had Danny's ability to make up dance steps on the spot and enable her partner to follow along effortlessly. She and Gus danced a modified ballet slash waltz that was deceptive in that it looked simple yet was breathtakingly lovely. The laughter died out as everyone was transfixed by the beauty of their performance while the haunting song continued.

A rich baritone joined in on the second verse, overpowering Johnny O'Keefe's tenor:

And if you come, when all the flowers are dying

And I am dead, as dead I well may be

You'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

Danny, entering from the opposite side of the ballroom, strolled toward the piano as he sang, stopping briefly to drop a kiss on Debbie's upraised cheek. At a gesture from his youngest uncle, Johnny lifted his voice higher for the last verse and the two men sang in perfect harmony, Danny's deeper voice providing a perfect counterpoint to the younger man's high notes. A rush of relief went through me as our eyes met across the room. He was back safely. No terrorists, no crazy stalker kidnappers, no speeding trucks. I knew my fears were irrational so I never mentioned them. No one else ever guessed, but Danny knew I worried like some nervous mother whenever he didn't show up when expected and there was an apology in the look he sent me. Something must have prevented him from calling. He was good about things like that. He knew it wasn't that I didn't trust him; I just needed to know he was safe. It certainly didn't help to hear fucking sad songs sung when he was hours overdue, I thought with a grimace.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me

And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be

If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me.

(Lyrics, Frederick Wetherly; tune, Londonderry Air).

Johnny stood up as soon as he played the last note to greet his uncle with a hug. Danny mockingly pretended he was going to throttle his look‑alike nephew before returning the hug. There was an edge to the competition between the two men these past couple of years that hadn't existed before, but the younger man still didn't have what it took to beat Danny in any form of competition, and in my opinion, never would. Jamie, who saw more than people realized, watched the interaction between the two men closely, then turned and gave me the raised eyebrow look that O’Keefes did so well. I just shook my head; it was a long story and this wasn't the place for it. Meanwhile, Danny and Johnny acknowledged the applause from the gathered family and friends like the consummate professionals they were, extending their hands to the tiny dancers to share the acclamation with them. I grinned to see Briana and Gus also accept the applause like pros before they broke form and ran to jump into Danny's arms. I considered doing the same but decided to wait my turn. I had an image to maintain. Next to me, Jamie snorted. As usual, he had one of his three sons in his arms — though usually he had more than one. At a gathering like this it was easy to find someone to hand a cute toddler off to. Trouble was, it was always the fractious one who got handed back — or the one who needed a diaper change. This one didn’t smell so he must have gotten cranky and needed a time out in his big Papa’s arms.

"Yeah, pretend like you don't want to squeal and run over there too. How long has he been gone this time?"

"You don't know? I thought Daphne kept closer tabs on him than I did. Or does keeping track of three kids make it difficult for you to retain information?" I smirked at the big guy even as I was thinking, five weeks, five incredibly long weeks with only daily phone calls and Skype for contact. We hadn't been apart for that long since we'd gotten together.

Jamie rolled his eyes. "Yes, she probably does and yes, she probably did tell me and yes, it's a wonder I can remember to pull up my fly on any given day much less recall when my baby brother headed off to California to try to sell a movie. He was filming something too, wasn't he? Since the Trips arrived, I can't keep track of his jet setting life. Who would've guessed we'd end up with three at one time? Not that I'd trade it for the world, mind you, it's just that Daph is much better at this whole balancing career, parenting, sanity thing than I am. Some days...three is enough to make my head spin, you know?"

"That's what you get for messing with Mother Nature with all those fertility tricks. I'm not a doctor and I know that!" While I'd been distracted by Jamie, Danny had escaped his fan club and had reached my side. He dropped a quick kiss on his nephew's curly head then turned and wrapped his arms around me, burying his head against my neck before Jamie could respond.

"Missed you," he murmured, his mouth warm against my skin, his arms tight around my waist. Jamie and the rest of the room were forgotten as I turned, inhaling deeply to fill my senses with his scent before capturing those full lips with mine. Five fucking weeks. I knit my hands through the thick hair and pressed my body as close as I could against his. I could feel him laughing into my mouth as I probed deeply with my tongue. Jamie started coughing conspicuously when one of Danny's legs came up around my waist.

"Come on guys, any more of that and you'll have Matt coming over here and blaming me for the show you're putting on...and I can see Daphne and Julie snapping pictures, those two are incorrigible. You're the hosts, show a little decorum, visit with the family a bit and then go fuck each other's brains out."

Danny lifted his head and smiled warmly up at his brother.

"Sounds like a plan. Please start herding everyone into the dining area for me, Jamie? Guest of honor that you are, I know I shouldn't ask you to work, but you are so good at getting people to do what you want...it's a size thing, I bet. In return, I promise to do a lovely, non‑insulting job in toasting you and your lovely bride of, can it really be five years? Seems like just yesterday she was calling you my big dumb Irish brother...oh wait, that was yesterday, on the phone, something about going off to play soccer and leaving her with the boys when she had to get to her spa appointment...bad husband." He smiled again in mock innocence as he leaned his head against my shoulder. I smirked as Jamie rolled his eyes.

"She loves me like crazy even as she drives me crazy, which I love and I wouldn't want her any other way. I arranged for a baby‑sitter yesterday and she knew it. She just likes complaining to you because you always take her side. Bad brother...or good brother‑in‑law, not sure which that makes you but if it makes her happy to bitch...." With a helpless shrug he left us laughing at him as he headed over to Johnny at the piano. Soon he was borrowing the microphone to tell everyone to head into the dining room as "Danny Boy has finally deigned to join the party so we all can finally eat."

I stepped back against the doorway and pulled Danny close again. He came eagerly, rubbing his body against mine like a cat. It felt so good to have him back. As much as I'd learned to value his large family, hell, I felt like they were mine these days, I really wanted him alone after all these weeks apart. I hated this time of year, with all the parties and get‑togethers. Give me late summer or early autumn any time. His eyes held a knowing look; he knew exactly what I was feeling and he was deliberately exacerbating it with his feline antics, the cocktease. I growled at him, before getting to the question I'd pulled him aside to ask.

"So, what delayed you? Did everything go well in the final meetings? You seem pretty wired beneath that jet lag. Do you want to talk now or..." I paused.

He gave me his brightest smile, both dimples at their deepest. "I'd rather wait until after we've made love two or three times and have plenty of time to relax and tell each other all the news we left out of our Skype calls. But, in short, the meetings went, how should I put it? Let me just say it went in an interesting direction at the end. Etienne loves to be unpredictable. It's the reason I'm a day late getting home. There's a lot to tell you and as much as I love my family, I wish I had you in bed with me right now...for the lovemaking first of all, lots of catching up to do there...were you as good as I was?"

He laughed softly before kissing me again. If he only knew how good I'd been. I hadn't indulged all that much, although I still could have my pick of most of the best Babylon had to offer. I was pretty sure Emmett had been keeping him posted; which was probably why Danny had been so inventive in his nightly Skype sessions. There was one night when he put on a show with a...the orgasm I had that night beat anything I could have achieved in Babylon's back room. I saved the video I made but I fully intended to make him do a replay for me in person sometime soon.

Danny whispered in my ear after nuzzling his way up my neck. "After we catch up on our lovemaking, we need to have a long strategy session as I ...well, we both have some decisions to make."

I had a pretty good idea what type of decision we needed to make and for once, I was ready. I hugged Danny a little closer for a moment before releasing him enough to look him in the face as I answered lightly.

"Sounds like a plan. Good thing I made arrangements for the muncher trio to take the kids home with them tonight and booked us a suite here, huh?"

It hadn't taken much to get Mary Pat and Corinne, along with Mel, to agree to take Gus, Briana and J.R. back to the big house, although Briana pitched a little bit of a fit. Lindsay had left for Italy with Sam the painter over two years ago, supposedly to study art but there was no word on when she was returning. Mel didn't say much about their "open" relationship; she didn't have to, but I'd had plenty to say to Wendy before she headed off on her mid‑life crisis, leaving Mel with the kids. If it weren't for the help of the O'Keefes that Lindsay despised so much, Mel would have been in a tough spot. Lindsay left her high and dry, on her own with two children and a demanding career. I had to hand it to Mel, though, she never said a word against Lindsay to the kids, she simply sucked it up, accepted the help that was offered, including my continued financial help for Gus, and moved on with her life.

Eventually a kind of shared custody evolved between all of us. Gus and Briana were being raised as siblings, with J.R, Gus’ half-sister, viewed as a sister by Briana as well. Mikey didn't have much interest in either of the other kids although Ben was always willing to take on all three during their visitation turns. Danny thought Mikey disapproved of the three women living together, suspecting a menage a trois; I thought it was simply that Mikey worried that his child needed the extra spoiling he provided because he didn't see her as being as attractive as Briana and Gus.

The funny thing was, it was Mikey who was selling J.R. short. Granted, she wasn't as striking as Briana and Gus, and was shy to boot, but she had special qualities and gifts all her own. In fact, she was at her best with Danny. She loved music, and sometimes the two of them would sit in his music room for hours while the others played outside. It turned out that Mel's grandfather, Abraham, had been a skilled musician, and she was happy that Jennifer Rebecca was learning music and music theory. Even more, she was glad that her quiet daughter was opening up to someone after the trauma of losing one of her mommies. At first, poor J.R, wouldn't initiate a conversation with anyone and even then spoke in monosyllables. But if anyone knew how to help a young child after something like that, it was my Danny. To give her credit where it was due, tough little Briana was the younger girl's fiercest defender and wouldn't let anyone pick on her, even if she tended to be a bit of a bully herself without Gus or Danny to mediate. The three kids were good for each other and slowly, even Mikey was beginning to realize that.

Much as Danny loved being with the kids, however, on this first night back, I knew where his priorities would be. Hearing my news about the suite, the green eyes lit up. "The same bedroom that we had for our first time?"

"Would I do something that romantic?"

The black eyebrow cocked up. "Well, not for consciously romantic reasons. But because it is the best suite in the hotel, yeah, I can see you telling yourself that's why you did it.  However, I'm willing to bet that you've arranged to have a certain pair of obscenely threadbare black sweat pants already stowed in said suite, because even if you are reluctantly romantic, no one could ever say you are less than thoroughly romantic, so I expect you to completely recreate the mood."

"I do like you in those sweat pants."

A low chuckle promised that my "thoroughness" would be amply rewarded later. For now, we had a party to finish hosting.

 

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

 

Emmett's POV

I laughed as Danny finished toasting Jamie and Daphne, complete with tributes to their parenting skills, not to mention mishaps, and anecdotes about the Triplets' first year. He really was amazing. He'd just come straight from the airport after a cross country flight that followed days of meetings that lasted practically until he had to hop onto his plane, and yet he looked as scrumptious as ever. You'd think from looking at him up at the head table next to Brian that he'd spent the day at the spa. His hair was perfect, as always, and there wasn't a wrinkle on him in his designer suit...must be a modeling trick, I decided. He'd given me a quick hug after he came in with Brian for dinner and thanked me for helping with all the arrangements but we hadn't had a chance to talk yet. He told me he had big news and something important to ask me...perfect way to spoil my appetite! He knew it too, as he kept looking at me with that big dimpled grin of his.

The toasts for the guests of honor were being spread out between courses. He'd done Matt and Dr. Jo's first, and it was adorable how the regal looking doctor had blushed like a girl and placed her head on her husband's broad shoulder when Danny told her that after she'd given their family her greatest treasure by giving Daphne in marriage to Jamie, they had no choice but to be as generous in return.

"Thus, lovely lady, we took the broken heart of our beloved brother, and indeed, now the father to us all, and in many ways the heart of our clan, and placed in your loving healer's hands, so you could make it whole again. Which you did, winning his love and the love of all of us. You must know that we O'Keefes love a bargain, and I must brag that in this arrangement, we managed to come out winners in both, gaining lovely partners for both Matt and Jamie, wonderful sisters for ourselves, and even more munchkins for the soccer fields...or dancers, doctors or whatever the impish trio wants to be. A toast then, to Josephine and Matt, on their first anniversary, may God bless them with many more years of love, laughter and happiness."

Danny kissed both Josephine and Matt, who crushed him in hugs. Josephine was overcome with emotion but Matt managed to thank his brother quite eloquently, at least I think he did. He spoke his words in that Irish language of theirs but it had all of Danny's generation of O'Keefes wiping their eyes. Not to be outdone, and to our delight, Dr. Jo then gave an African blessing over the food, which had Debbie wondering loudly if anyone was going to speak plain old English for the rest of the night. That returned the emotional level back to normal for a while.

So now only Debbie's toast remained, and we had something special planned for her to take place before the dessert. Before then, I was going to ambush Danny and make him talk as I was pretty sure Brian would be dragging him away quickly after Debbie's toast for some quality fucking time. If I was going to get in any best friendly gossip time, it would require strategy.

"I would think you'd remember you had a date with you and stop staring at O'Keefe like he's the main course, babe." Drew reached for his beer.

I bit my lip. Drew Boyd and I'd been back together for almost half a year now, which was something of a record for me, and everything had been perfect...almost. He'd sworn he was tired of playing around and only wanted to be with me. He was retired from football and had accepted a position with the local television station doing color commentary for all of their sports, plus he was modeling. He was in fantastic shape still, so he had even more endorsements than before. He even was looking into some acting jobs, which was what had brought him into contact with Brian and Danny. And me.

Whoever said that love was lovelier the second time around didn't have a boyfriend who was jealous of his best friend. Danny and Drew seemed to get along great at first. They both loved sports and exercise...and me. Brian always liked Drew, well, as much he liked anyone. But suddenly, not all that long before Danny went away on his trip, Drew got really funny about Danny and started complaining about him all the time. He claimed Danny took me for granted and I should get my own place, and why did I wait on him so much… My God, Danny pays me a king's ransom for what I do for him and I love those kids like they were my own. I couldn't bear to leave them. The townhouse is like my own home. In fact, I know, although Danny and I only talked about it once because I don't like talking about things like that, he even put my name on the deed so that if anything happens to him, it would come to me because he worried about me not having a home of my own. It made me cry when he told me that. I thought it should be Brian's if such a terrible thing should ever happen but he told me it's what Brian and he both wanted because I was family and I could always let Brian stay there but it was to be mine. Of course, without Danny, we both kind of knew Brian wouldn't ever want to live there. I'm the type to take comfort from being there with Danny's cats and his music and his things, and Brian would want to be far away from them. At least until I could coax him back, that is. Danny is a smart man.

I didn't tell Drew that, which should have told me something, I guess, mainly that I don't trust Drew with information like that. Instead, Drew was talking about us moving in together into one of those new condos down by the river. All chrome and glass. Not too far from the stadium. Shudder. I mentioned to Danny during one of our phone calls that Drew was talking about us living together and he was quiet but then simply told me that he was happy for me if I was sure it was what I wanted.

"You know I can't imagine being without you, Em, but I wouldn't ever want to be selfish either...just be really sure Drew is right for you, you know? You're a romantic and you expect a lot from a man. You aren't like Brian and me. I don't think anything but total fidelity would cut it with you, nor should it have to. Everyone should do what works for them."

"Is there something you know, Danny, that you're not telling me?" I asked him. But he quickly said he was just speaking generally. Which, come to think of it, didn't sound like Danny. He'd always been really careful not to discourage any of my romances because he was sensitive about our friends complaining that taking care of Danny kept me from finding "true love." Brian just scoffed at the busybodies, pointing out, accurately I might add, that "Honeycutt is quite capable of finding 'true love' six times in one weekend without Danny hindering him at all."

Then Drew came back into my life. Slowly movie nights with Danny's head in my lap stopped; Drew started pulling me over so he could rest his head in my lap. Thinking back, he also started wearing really skimpy outfits when he stayed over at the townhouse, much more so than when we stayed at his place.

Seeing how Drew's gaze was fixed on Danny as he danced with Daphne, his jacket off and his silk dress shirt clinging nicely to his chest and back muscles, I acted on an impulse.

"So Drew, when exactly did you hit on Danny and is his rejection what has fueled this desire that we move in together?"

It never ceases to amaze me how unattractive a handsome man can look when he becomes angry.

"Come on, Emmett, we're having this conversation in private. That little prick promised he wouldn't say anything to you," he hissed as he grabbed my arm and pulled me up from my chair.

I felt a familiar sinking feeling as I was led from the room, my arm painfully twisted behind my back in a way that was hidden by Drew's large body. Why did I always make such bad decisions about men?  I found myself pushed into a little room next to the ballroom where so many happy couples were celebrating. I blinked rapidly. I wasn't going to let Drew see me cry. I needn’t have bothered. He was too busy working himself into a frenzy to notice me.

"I can't believe O'Keefe said something to you about me after swearing he wouldn't...it was no big deal...just a little steam room joke. I told him I would tell you about it myself and I was going to, but no, he had to be an asshole and say something to you and sabotage our moving in together because he wants to keep you on a string. You should have more pride for yourself."

I kept my face calm even if he wasn’t paying attention. I did have pride. More pride than to show him that my heart was breaking, just in case he should care to notice.

"And what exactly do you think Danny told me?"

"He probably told you that I hit on him …that I suggested he and I get together, you know, fuck...it wasn't anything important, baby, just a one-time thing. He was looking good…he's always flaunting that ass of his and how no one but Kinney fucks him...so I told him I could give him a ride he wouldn't forget. He said no, and I may have grabbed him but there was no reason for him to get rough. I apologized, said I misunderstood, and he said he wouldn't say anything to you, claimed he didn't want you upset but that I should tell you about it, make a clean breast of it, which I am, now, but obviously the asshole is a liar since you knew...."

"Because you just told me. Danny never said a thing."

"You're lying." Drew raised his hand and another voice broke in.

"You touch him and you won't be fit to appear before a camera in months, I guarantee it." Brian came in and pushed Drew away from me. Drew was ready to take him on but fortunately John O'Keefe followed right behind him and stood between Brian and me and a very angry former Ironman. I was shaking by this point. To my shock, Brian wrapped his arms around me to hold me close.

"Danny never said a word to Em, but he told both of us about it, Boyd, so we could keep an eye on you. He was worried about your temper and about leaving Em in your hands. I would have killed you myself for daring to attack Danny but he didn't want a scene made over it for Em's sake and he assured me he handled you well enough." Brian's voice was as cold as I'd ever heard it.

"Well, that promise is off as far as I'm concerned. How dare you manhandle Em like you just did in front of us and think we wouldn't do something about it?" John's voice was deadly quiet as he asked his question while slipping off his dinner jacket. Drew was just looking at him in blank surprise, not used to straight men his size standing up for queens like me. John's matinee style looks made him easy to underestimate; Drew didn't even have his guard up when John's lightning fast hands landed karate style blows that had the former football player doubled over in no time. John swept Drew's legs out from under him with a kick that sent him to the floor with a loud thud.

"Come on, no need to watch. John won't hurt him too badly," Brian said, pulling me away.

"Don't count on that," John said grimly.

"No, stop," I said. "It's my fault. I should have realized he hadn't changed. I was just so happy he came back I wasn't thinking. It's my same old problem."

"No. I refuse to let you say that. It is not your fault. You think with your heart, Emmett Honeycutt...that doesn't make this your fault that he is a bully and a jerk who thinks with his dick. He is a stone cold cheater, straight or gay, and he's never going to change."

"You're a good one to talk, Kinney, you and O'Keefe cheat on each other all the time. Who are you to judge me?" Even from the floor, holding his gut, Drew was trying to look down on better men.

I lost my temper. "You don't get it, do you, Boyd? Not that it's any of your business, but the difference between you and them is that Danny and Brian keep the promises they make to each other and they don't do anything that the other isn't comfortable with. Neither of them asks for monogamy, but you can bet the fuck if they wanted it, they'd give it and be true to it, not break it as soon as one of them turned their back on the other. They wouldn't pretend they were faithful, and then go chasing other men. They both want each other more than anyone else and they don't lie to each other."

"You tell him, Em." A beloved voice had joined the mix and strong arms were pulling me away from Brian and into a tighter, firmer hug. "I think he's had enough, John. It probably would just upset Em more to really give him what he deserves. Just see him off the hotel property and into a cab." John looked at Brian who nodded and the two of them hauled Drew to his feet while Danny loosened his hold to put his arms around my waist.

"Come back into the ballroom and dance with me, Em, and we'll push this unpleasantness aside and think of tomorrow, okay? If Scarlett could do it, so can you."

I looked down into Danny's concerned green eyes, then over toward Brian and John. "Well, that would help, but I think I really would feel much, much better if John were to dance with me...."

Danny and Brian burst out laughing as John stood there shaking his head. Drew looked torn between being surprised that I was hitting on Danny's straight brother instead of running after Danny as he was always accusing me of doing, and being offended that I wasn't looking more broken up over our relationship being over.

"I'll see myself out," he growled, and that was the end of Drew Boyd, take two. I doubted three times would be the charm.

"Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out," Brian called after him.

John grinned at me ruefully. "You know, Honeycutt, someday, I'm going to be drunk enough to take you up on one of these offers you keep making and you're going to be the most disappointed queen under or over the rainbow."

"Maybe, I doubt it, but until then, I can keep trying, can't I? And tonight wouldn't happen to be that night, would it?"

"I defended your honor with my bare fists, vanquishing the bad guy, and Kinney the cynic here actually hugged you, and my pretty baby brother is going to dance one of his rare dances that he doles out only to the special few with you...I would think that would be enough to send you to bed with a big old smile...now isn't it?"

"Or at least to quit while you're ahead," Brian suggested.

"You know, when you put it that way...."

I let Danny pull me back to the dining room and onto the adjoining dance floor while Brian and John went to make sure Drew had in fact left. Danny held me tightly as we danced a slow dance together.

"Is your leg bothering you, baby?" I asked, my voice light.

"I'm fine, so don't go trying to avoid talking about you," Danny ordered firmly. "You're probably mad at me. I didn't tell you about Boyd because...well...I didn't want it to seem like I was trying to break you up from someone you really cared about. I didn't know at first how much of a jerk he truly was. I found out more about him from Ted and Cynthia. I mean, I knew all along I didn't like him, but let's face it, I'm not going to like anyone who takes you away from me, which I'm mature enough at least to realize is an immature attitude. But I love you and I want you to be happy, even if it means losing having you close by all the time. I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you; I was torn because I didn't want to go telling tales about Boyd, but I also felt crappy keeping information from you. It wasn't so much that he hit on me, that isn't something I normally would make a big deal about, but his roughness and temper when he was rejected, that worried me. I'm not trying to keep you from being happy with someone of your own, but I don't see where that means I have to let some bully...never mind, this is where Brian or Ted usually tells me you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. I just want you to be happy...I'm repeating myself, aren't I?"

He smiled sheepishly at me. I squeezed him to let him know he was forgiven, not like there was anything to forgive really, and then I led him over to two chairs by the wall. He might not complain about his knee but I knew he should rest it as he was going to be giving it a work‑out later if I knew him and Brian...and I did. Sound-proofed walls or not. Once we sat down together, I tried to explain it to him.

"I am happy. I guess that's the trouble. We both started worrying too much about what other people kept saying. Brian has me pegged actually when he says I can meet the love of my life more than once...and he is talking about any given weekend. My friendships are long term, the loves of my life?  Not so much. Even now, I'm not all that upset about Drew. To tell you the truth, I feel relieved more than anything. I'm busy thinking, if he were still with me, I wouldn't be able to dance with you, and most certainly wouldn't be able to drag you off to a dark corner. Your man trusts you but did you ever notice it's the men who cheat themselves who never trust their partners? I should pay attention to that clue in the future, if I ever start looking again."

Danny started to interrupt and I placed a finger gently on his lips. "No, listen to me. Of course I'm going to date again. Maybe even tonight." I winked at him. "I'm not saying that I'll ever stop looking for another George Schickel in my life. I'm just not sure I'm cut out for being part of a long‑term couple, although I truly do think George and I could have been happy for a long, long time, traveling the world together. Actually, finding him was kind of serendipity. He came into my life when I wasn't looking for someone. So maybe the best thing for me is exactly what I'm doing now, living my life the way I'm happiest, dating for fun, but having you and Brian and the kids as my family to take care of and to take care of me."

Danny bit his lip. "This is kind of hard to ask but..."

"You worry if maybe the fact that I love you a little more than as a friend interferes with me finding someone of my own to love, someone better than a Drew Boyd?" There, I said it for him. He squeezed my hand as he looked down, his face slightly flushed.

"I wasn't going to word it quite like that. Fuck, Emmett, I don't want to be selfish...."

"Danny, do you honestly think my life would be better without you in it? We don't really have the kind of friendship Brian and Michael had for years, where Michael had a crush on Brian and Brian let him. Is that what you're afraid of?"

Danny gave a half smile. "It sounds bad when you put it like that. Brian really cares for Michael. Well, as much as Michael deserves, I think."

"You didn't know them in the old Brian days. Trust me, Brian could be a real asshole. But that is them.  My point is, you don't take advantage of me and you don't take me for granted. We like doing the same things together and we share interests. We really are friends. I respect that you and Brian are lovers and wouldn't ever want to interfere with that. The fact that I lust after your body just makes me human. And gay. Besides, I don't think everyone has to be paired off like shoes. Some of us are unique...like..like...lime colored boas. You don't need a pair of boas; one is enough for any ensemble."

Danny grinned. "Some might say more than enough."

"Some would be wrong," I tossed my head. "I would like to travel someday, so lacking a rich sugar daddy, I may wrangle some time away to go on those gay cruises but other than that...I'm happier now than any boy from Hazelhurst, Mississippi could ever dream of being. So, as my Aunt Eulabelle used to say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Which may not be true of Drew Boyd's jaw at the moment. How badly do you think John hurt him?"

"Be glad it was John and not Brian or me. John was angry but he still kept control, since he no doubt was thinking of the liability. He never stops being a lawyer. But Brian, he was angrier than I've seen him in a long time and he can be a nasty fighter, lawsuits be damned. And with him, it's all below the belt stuff plus the karate he's picked up from John and me over the years. Boyd wouldn't have left here walking as he did. Brian doesn't say it, Em, but he loves you pretty much as much as I do and he doesn't like anyone fucking with the people he loves. Boyd messed with you and me so Brian was pushed to his limit. I'd barely calmed him down before I left for L.A. and he told me then if he ever saw a sign that the guy was rough with you he would make sure he paid."

I wiped my eyes, surprised by this evidence that Brian cared. I kind of knew he did, but our long friendship was based on mutual non‑acknowledgment of our caring. That he would go so far as to voice concern was surprisingly moving. Danny spoke in a brisker voice, no doubt to help me get my composure back. We were in a room full of people celebrating after all.

"Anyway, not to change the subject or anything, but are you serious about wanting to travel?"

I shook my finger at him. "That wasn't a hint for you to send me on a cruise, so don't go thinking that. You're generous enough."

The green eyes gleamed as he stood up and pulled me to my feet. "Tomorrow morning, meet Brian and me for brunch in the suite we met at...you remember the one? I told you I had something to discuss with you; we can do it then. Boyd has made it a lot easier, actually. For now, it's time for Debbie's toast. Can you see? Is everyone in their place?"

I clapped my hands then scanned the room quickly. All the drama had almost made me forget the big surprise.

"Everyone is ready and waiting. She should be thrilled. I have the telegrams and cards in my bag at the table. Let me get them for you. There's one from Justin, and another from Lindsay; they arrived today. Plus a whole lot more, about a hundred."

"Good, she would've missed hearing from those two," he kept his face expressionless. I gave him one more hug in acknowledgement of his unexpressed feelings. Those two were the lost children from our little group but Debbie would have missed hearing from them so I was glad they sent telegrams.

We walked over to my table and retrieved the letters. Then Danny insisted on walking me over to Ben and Michael. Ted and Blake were sitting with them as well, but Blake quickly got up and offered me his chair.

"I was going to go talk to Corinne for a few minutes anyway. You all should be together for this next part. I understand." He smiled his quiet smile. He didn't get on my nerves as much as he used to; he had been really good for Teddy and that's what mattered most.

"Shh, Danny's starting Ma's toast," Michael hissed. I sat down quickly. I noted that John was back by his wife's side and Brian was next to Danny, who was standing in front of the head table instead of behind it, as he had for the other toasts. Debbie was looking at him quizzically.

"Ah, Debbie, there's no need to look nervous. I promise to give you your just desserts with dessert," he started off teasingly, and she laughed loudly as several other people in the room chuckled. "Deborah Grassi Novotny Horvath...." he paused again and Debbie glared, waiting for a roasting type comment, but all she got was one of Danny's sweetest smiles. How he loved keeping her off guard. "¼is just Debbie or Deb...to the many lost boys...and girls...of Liberty Avenue. Debbie once said to me that she didn't know how my mother had done it, giving birth to so many children, losing two shortly after birth, and raising twelve of us to adulthood. Debbie laid claim to raising only one and she said that was hard enough. Well, my mother had a lot of help, between my father and aunts and uncles and with all the family we always had around. In our family, we truly live by the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. But in your case, Deb, you not only raised your son Michael on your own, and did a fine job, but you were instrumental in raising so many more young people who wouldn't have made it without you. I don’t know how you do it, Deb, but you have been mother to villages of young people at a time!  Even as you worked long, hard shifts as a waitress to raise Michael, and later helped care for your brother Vic Grassi, there have been countless other young men and women for whom you were more of a mother than their own mothers. There were still more for whom you filled in as a mother when they lost theirs. Deb, some of those 'children' have joined us tonight to pay tribute to you, the mother of their hearts, in honor of this special birthday."

Brian took over the microphone. He looked incredibly handsome, tall and slim in his designer suit, without a trace of the harshness that used to mar his classic features. Debbie's face was full of pride as she looked at him.

"Ma, you were there for me when my own mother wouldn't, or couldn't be. You bandaged my cuts, iced my bruises, listened to my problems and sent me back out into the world a stronger, and hopefully better, person. When I was wrong, you were one of the few people not afraid to call me on my bullshit. When I was right, I knew I could count on you to be in my corner even if no one else was. You were the first adult to believe in me and thanks to you, I believed in myself. I never would have had the determination to finish high school, much less do well enough to get into college. Without you cheering me on, I wouldn't have had the courage to go away to college. My life's early successes never would have happened without you kicking my ass every step of the way. For every son and daughter among us who felt that kick in the ass, as well as your slap in the head, which came part and parcel with your motherly belief that never wavered, which helped us move past the lack of faith of the parents we were born to, we toast you."

A group of about twenty men and six women came up and stood behind Brian, all raising their glasses high. Deb's tears were falling as she recognized faces, waving little waves to them as she leaned on Carl's shoulder for support.

I waited a moment then walked up to the microphone. "Deb, you were there with a free burger and milkshake when I got off the bus from Hazelhurst, cold, hungry, and scared out of my mind, but knowing that I had nowhere to go back to. You steered me away from the people who would have hurt me, and toward the people who were kind to me, and who became my close friends. You always knew when to offer a shoulder for crying on, two arms for a hug, or a warm laugh just to lift my spirits. So Debbie, for all the lonely boys and girls far from where they came from, who would never be returning to mothers or home, but who found a new home and a new mother at the Liberty Diner, we toast you."

An even larger group joined in behind me. In fact, Blake joined my group. I guess I never thought to ask what his background was, but I should have figured something makes someone turn to drugs as young as he did.

Corinne and Mary Pat spoke on behalf of PFLAG, and many of its members had shown up to honor Debbie, including Jen Taylor who hadn't come to the dinner although she was invited for old time's sake, but she'd chosen to come in late with the PFLAG group. It was clever of Danny to arrange this tribute for dessert so he and Brian didn't have to feed all these people dinner. Ted would have died at the cost!

One by one, others came up to the mike. Ben spoke on behalf of those with HIV/AIDS at the Vic Grassi house in need of a champion who found so much more in Deb — they found a friend and family. Several very thin men joined him and added their words of thanks. Thanks to Debbie's caring, they knew that their greatest fear, of dying alone and friendless, wasn't going to happen to them. To them, she represented sister, mother, daughter, friend.

Hunter walked up with that group, but then took the microphone and spoke movingly of the runaways who fled all kinds of homes, some terrible, some not so bad, only to find themselves in a nightmare they never dreamed of when they ended up on the streets. Some were lucky, and found their way again, he said, with Debbie's help, who cared no matter what type of thing they did to survive on those streets.

"But for the truly lost boys like Jason Kemp, Debbie makes sure that someone cries a mother's tears and seeks a mother's vengeance, and she doesn't let anyone forget that even the lowliest street hustler was once someone's son too. The Jason Kemps can't toast you tonight, Debbie, but we do, for caring that much, for people that nobody else remembers to care about."

There was hardly a dry eye in the room when the now grown‑up former hustler gave back the microphone to Brian and went up to hug his adopted grandmother before returning to Brandon's side. They made a striking pair, the entertainment lawyer and the now successful singer‑songwriter.

Michael escorted Debbie up to a huge cake which was glowing with sixty candles. Mel, holding J.R.'s hand, stood on one side while Hunter and Ben moved to stand on the other. Carl stood back with Brian and Brandon while Danny walked over to the piano.

"Debbie, we also have birthday greetings for you, emails, telegrams and letters from over a hundred more of your surrogate children, from as far as China, Italy, France, Australia ... everywhere gay boys and girls can be found. Do you have anything you want to say before I launch into the traditional song?"

Several cameras flashed as Debbie stood by the brightly lit cake, her mascara running down her face. Damn, I should have made sure she used waterproof mascara.

"I'm going to kill you, asshole, for putting me through all this sentimental stuff and making me cry like this. All of you guys...this is too much...too much..."

She sniffed and Brian handed her a handkerchief...trust him to have a perfectly laundered, monogrammed one on hand just like Cary Grant. She blew her nose heartily then tried to hand it back to him. Classic Debbie move. Hunter hid his face in Ben's broad shoulder to hide his laugh but Michael still punched him. It looked like the tearfest wasn't going to get calmed down enough for the cake to get cut, since Debbie was still all emotional and trying to hug everybody within reach, when Danny smoothly interrupted the moment.

"There is one more group, Debbie, and that would be those of us who had wonderful mothers, but whose mothers have passed on, for whom you've done your best to fill the void. You and I had a rocky start, but we overcame it, at first because we both love Brian, but eventually because we came to love each other. I have to say that in my opinion, nothing can ever be too much for you. All of these people are here because of what you did for them, and in this small way, want to say thank you for being who you are... because...”  With a mischievous grin, Danny started pounding on the piano, and burst into song.

You say it's your birthday

It's [the trips'] birthday too, yeah

They say it's your birthday

We're gonna have a good time

I'm glad it's your birthday

Happy birthday to you

Yes we're going to a party party

Yes we're going to a party party

Yes we're going to a party party.

(Lyrics Lennon‑McCartney)

That got the room laughing, Debbie loudest of all. He stopped and looked around innocently.

"What, that wasn't what you were expecting? No one joined in," he complained.

"How about something a little more traditional?" Brian suggested, walking over to join him on the piano bench.

"Oh, if you insist," Danny pretended to pout before swinging into the traditional happy birthday song, with everyone joining in this time. The two of them looked perfect together at the piano, I thought with a sigh, like a pair of fine Prada shoes, sleek, elegant, stylish. Life as a flamboyant boa had its moments, but there was a lot to be said for being part of a pair too. It just wasn't as easy finding something that coordinated as perfectly with a feathery boa as with fine Italian leather. Still, it was better to go it alone than to clash.

 

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

 

Westin Suite, POV/Brian

As soon as we reached privacy, I gathered Danny close and just held him for a moment. He rested his head on my chest and didn't say a word. After five years, there were times we didn't need to say anything. He picked up on my mood right away and gave me what I needed. The strong arms snaked around my waist and pulled me even closer. I didn't want sex, not immediately, although I would soon enough. Right now I needed to know that he was safely home once again.

"I hate that fucking 'Danny Boy' song," I muttered.

"Mo gra`," he laughed lightly, but tightened his hold. "You aren't the only one. I couldn't believe it when I walked in and heard that being sung. I was ready to kill young Johnny. The ass, he loves to press my buttons. But you do know it isn't Danny boy who dies, don't you? It's the one waiting at home who doesn't expect to make it until his Danny comes back. Or her Danny, depending on which interpretation you favor. I don't like the song so I dispense with all of them and only sing it when I have to, which is when I'm working on St. Patrick's Day. Only American Irish have taken to it really, not true Irish as we O'Keefes think of ourselves. But, if I were to be thinking of that sad song, I would be the one all weepy here, thinking you were my loved one who was in the valley, in sunshine or in shade..."

He made a face and I had to laugh, holding him closer. "That's better. I'm not sad and you shouldn't be either because we're together again, the party was a huge success and I think even Debbie ran out of tears finally. Though Hunter did it to me with his speech...damn that boy has gotten good. But I've been thinking about this moment for the past ten hours, if not the entire of the past four weeks, five days...well, you get the picture. I've missed you so much. Thanks for holding down the fort here. Now kiss me.

He pulled my head down and kissed me deeply, his mouth open to mine, tongue exploring, touching off fireworks while his hands roamed under my jacket and shirt, those long elegant fingers massaging my back and slipping under my waistband to caress my ass.

I reached between us to unfasten his pants.

He flipped his long hair back and smiled at me invitingly. "I seem to remember things proceeding a bit more slowly last time we were in this room. Aren't you at least going to move away from the hallway door? Someone passing by might hear."

"I seem to remember someone setting rules one time...no talking or making any noises. If you make a sound, I stop. So, if you follow the rules and don't make any noise, then no one will hear."

"Damn you and your good memory, that's evil after the separation we've had," he groaned. He had gotten a little more relaxed about sex in public places adding a bit of spice, but since he always was loud during sex, there was a good reason for him not to be crazy about sex where other people might be around, I thought with an inward grin. There was no way he would keep quiet, so anyone passing by in the hall would be bound to know what was going on in here; the trick would be to get Danny to the point of not caring.

I leaned forward and silenced him with another kiss as I turned him and maneuvered him back against the door to the room. I slid his jacket from his shoulders and undid his shirt, running my hands along his rippled torso. God, I loved his muscles. If anything, he was more cut now than he'd been when we'd first gotten together. All the working out he'd done when he was injured had built up his upper body even more than it had been and it had stayed that way. He was still slender since he'd never have any fat on him, but his pecs and abs were larger and more defined than ever. He would never be bulky but he was gorgeous to look at, his muscles perfectly defined and firm, a man's body.

I pulled him away from the door for a moment so I could toss the shirt and jacket aside. Danny leaned his head back and closed his eyes as I ran my hands along his abs, sliding his pants down when I reached his hips. My tongue followed the path my hands had taken, tracing the curve of each muscle, dipping into his navel and nuzzling his pubes before taking his firm cock into my mouth. I ran my hands along his hard thighs, stroking the inside of the smooth muscles as I ran my tongue along the length of his cock leisurely, taking a few swipes around the head every now and then to taste the precum. I lifted my head for a second to admire the view of his toned body pressed against the door, his head thrown back in pleasure, arms wide by his side with his hands fisted in his effort to control himself. He was gorgeous. I bent my head and took his whole length in and sucked lightly. Then harder. He gasped.

"Fuck, Bri, so good...I've wanted you...so much...not going to last...harder..."

I deep throated him as I toyed with his ass. He was breaking the "rules" of course, I knew Danny couldn't keep quiet during sex to save his life, just as he knew there was no way I was going to stop. I loved the taste of him too much and it had been a fucking long five weeks apart while he filmed a small role in a movie for Lane and attended meetings with studio heads over his own script. But he'd made a valiant effort. I increased my tongue's pressure on his cock as I penetrated his ass with my fingers and he moaned loudly, banging his fists on the door. His hands moving to my shoulders and gripping hard was my signal that he was about to come. I picked up the pace even as I moved a hand to his hip to steady him. I swallowed rapidly to catch all of his come as he yelled before slumping back against the door.

I pulled his pants up and tucked him back in as he caught his breath. Green eyes looked down at me from beneath thick lashes.

"I'll reciprocate but you wore me out...give me a second... or ten... to recover."

"Hmm, I think I'll get my repayment later...and trust me, I will get it." I leered at him convincingly, earning a laugh as he gave me a hand up. "How about a shower and then we'll see if that bed is still as good as it used to be?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do I get to flip you again and everything?"

"I think our trip down memory lane can skip that little bump in the road."

The shower was great as Danny returned the blowjob and then fucked me against the shower wall. Hard. I never would have thought I'd ever miss that feeling of being filled so much but being away from him for over a month made me realize how important the reciprocity of our lovemaking was to me. I didn't just bottom because he liked to top; I actually liked it with him, feeling his arms around me, his cock hard and hot deep inside me, his resonant voice in my ear as he whispered whatever was his mood, sometimes outrageously filthy suggestions, sometimes Gaelic endearments, sometimes a combination of the two. His style of fucking wasn't mine, but it worked for me. I came even more forcefully the second time than I did the first, quite an accomplishment at my age, I would have once thought.

It was hard to remember how stupid I used to be about age. You couldn't be around men like the O'Keefes and keep the attitudes I used to have about age. Danny was now the age I was when we met. I realized some time ago that arbitrary numbers on the calendar had little to do with how one looked or felt, or how hot one was. Far from being "over the hill" at thirty‑three, Danny was in his prime. It was hard to imagine how a man could be any better looking. There wasn't a line in his face, although some of the boyishness was gone. He and John looked more alike than ever...until Danny smiled and his deep double dimples softened the classic features. Danny would always have more humor in his expression, and to my eye, be sexier by virtue of the way he carried himself. John was still repressed by comparison to Danny, but not as much as he used to be. Still, at forty‑five, John was as hot looking a man as anyone you'd see at Babylon, although he was still straight, to the dismay of gay Pittsburgh.

Danny hadn't changed much over the years. Unless he had to cut his hair shorter for a movie role, he still preferred to wear it below his shoulders, like now, and the weight pulled the curls out to mere waviness. The knee reconstruction had been a success and while he wasn't able to return to the grueling demands of ballet or modern jazz dancing full time, he'd amazed his doctors by being able to dance well enough to demonstrate his choreography to dance troupes, so he was able to take on engagements as a guest choreographer with various groups. He was also able to run, although nowhere near as fast or far as he did before. This had depressed him for awhile until Hunter talked him into taking up swimming and that got him back to his prior level of conditioning. When he was tired or overstrained the knee, he limped, but never when anyone could see. Except me. We tried to avoid keeping secrets from each other. One of the reasons I hated him being away for five weeks was that I hadn't been able to make sure he wasn't taking chances and overdoing it. Only Emmett and Hunter were close to as good at keeping a measure of control over his tendency to overwork himself. Lane was totally useless. He let Danny do whatever he wanted. I was the only one who could really rein him in. Em enabled him too much, fixing him after he got hurt, and Hunter was able to do damage control at best. I prevented him from hurting himself in the first place.

I watched from the bed as he stood drying his hair by the dresser. Wearing those favorite black sweats. They clung to his ass like a second skin and outlined his cock faithfully. I loved those sweats. I could see from his reflection that his eyes were tired and there were hints of pain in them.

"You're hurting." It was a statement, not a question. He gave me his sheepish smile.

"A little bit. The plane ride was long, and the delay didn't help. A three hour holdover in Chicago and I didn't get an aisle seat for the middle part of the trip. Thank God for your buddy Dijon...you know, like the mustard?" Danny grinned at me. "He fed some bullshit excuse to this other guy and got my seat switched to a better one. I love Liberty Air and being a VIP's VIP. Though I did turn down Dijon's special services. I was that close to home, no sense in wasting the anticipation, I figured. Of course, at that point I didn't know we'd be circling at the airport for another ninety minutes. Anyway, I'm sorry for not calling but my phone battery died and I didn't want to take the extra time to try finding a phone somewhere and risk missing out on a cab, it was a mob scene at the airport, I should have had Cynthia send a limo, but at that point I didn't know when I'd be arriving. I didn't mean to worry you."

He put down the dryer and came over to the bed, taking his favorite position between my legs, leaning back against me. "I missed you so much...I know I said that a couple of times, but really, this was too long. I'd hoped to be back yesterday and instead you got stuck with doing everything for the party. I'm really sorry. Forgive me?" He wriggled his ass back against my groin. So good at apologies, my Danny. I ran my fingers through his still damp hair, massaging lightly.

"Emmett and Cynthia did everything for the party...I just gave Ted authority to sign invoices, very easy actually. I missed you like hell. Tell me how California went. I have to confess, I knew something about Lanier's plans. He told me what he was going to do."

Danny tilted his head back to look at me. "You didn't tell me?"

"No chance. He told me right before he did it, or I would have, you know that." Danny nodded. The three of us got along much better than we had, although work had kept us apart for the past year or so. We tended to have separate projects with each other, which was fine, none of us ever broaching the question of whether it was deliberate.

In this case, Lanier ran his plan by me right before he dropped his bombshell in the meeting. He did so to make sure I would be there for Danny, which I would be in any case, but Lanier had added reasons for wanting to test the waters with me first.

The plan had been for Danny and Lanier, once the movie shoot was done, to meet with Lanier's contacts in Hollywood to try selling a movie about the legendary Irish hero, Cuchulain. Playing the part in this particular movie was a perfect role for Danny and well it should be...Danny wrote the first draft of the script himself. He did it after he finished work on his ballet five years ago, which had been a major success. He'd been at loose ends, working on rehabbing his knee but not really able to do much else. Being the ultimate multi‑tasker, he was driving himself crazy until Ben suggested the writing project, based on a research paper on Irish mythology Danny had done years earlier in college. Ben helped him with the rewrites over the course of the next two years and then they submitted it to Lanier, who tinkered with the script some more, then went to bat, setting up meetings with the big shots in the movie industry.

Danny was still waiting for more of an explanation about Lanier's call to me.

"I wasn't sure exactly when he was going to bring it up during your meetings, but yes, I knew that Lanier was going to tell them that you were Cuchulain, I mean fuck, Danny, look at you. You're the ultimate Irish wet dream. Black hair, green eyes, built like a god and you can speak with an Irish accent yet make it understandable to American audiences, which is more than most Irish actors can do. Hell, you could even speak the dialog in Gaelic if you want. Moreover, you lived and breathed that story for over two years, who better to bring that character to life than you?"

"Apparently the money men in Hollywood can think of several people, all of whom are more insurable than me. No bum knee, they said, which is laughable since half the people they name have had knee surgery or worse. And bigger names at the box office, which I will grant them is an issue. Don't get me wrong, they loved the script. They really loved the idea of Etienne directing it, since the last Falcon movie did so well. They also were kind enough to say they think I'm a very fine actor and singer, and a pretty model, of course, but maybe more the 'independent movie' type of guy, not a big leading man, carry the picture kind of guy."

I narrowed my eyes. "What exactly were their objections? Since I can't believe being too handsome or in independent movies, all of which roles have gotten you a lot of great reviews, knocks you out of the running. "

He turned around and sat facing me, his legs on either side of me. "Well, as you apparently knew, Etienne went in prepared to tell them that he would only do the movie if I were cast as the lead, attempting to use his clout as an Oscar winning director and screenplay writer to throw this big ultimatum at them. But that didn't help, actually, as word of it was leaked ahead of time, somehow, and it made them positive going in that I was just his gay lover whom he was trying to get cast. Of course, the fact that I wrote the screenplay didn't seem to help, they just assumed that Ben and Etienne were the real authors and I helped a little. Ironic, when you think about it. When I was his lover, I turned down the role he wanted me to have and he was a relative no name then. I could have had it, piece of cake. Now, when it's my fucking script and he is a big shot, he can't get me the part when I'm not his lover because they think I am. It's all very annoying but poetic justice in some cosmic fuck you kind of way."

"Fucking Lanier, if he'd given you the credit you deserved for his first movie," I exclaimed.

"Maybe. Maybe not. As it was, they know I'm the man from his past and I think some of them at least have this idea that he's trying to win me back by offering me this plum opportunity. He's given way too many interviews lamenting his unrequited love for me for them not to think that. Again, the irony is that grand passion settled down to a low simmer ages ago. But it gives him a great story to throw at interviewers so he can't resist trotting it out to explain why he won't settle down. But I have to confess, I wasn't this calm about it a couple of days ago. When he did his noble French thing, blowing up in le grande temper, insisting that he would not direct if his Daniel was not Cuchulain, I blew up right back at him for not talking to me about it first and fucking my script over with his conditions. In French, of course, so perhaps they didn't understand exactly how coarse the conversation got. Worse, however, it no doubt looked like a lover's quarrel." Danny grinned at me. "So there we were, with Etienne playing the noble artiste, refusing to work with them if they would not accede to his demands, which included their money, and me as lead, and them wanting the movie, and maybe me, but in a secondary part, which I know from past experience will not work."

I could see that. Danny would overshadow most other stars. Who could play a near immortal man next to him on the screen? I grinned. "It would take a hell of a body double," I agreed. "Maybe they could use you as the body double for someone like Cruise, and put his body on you? That could work. Nah, they'd still have the problem of your face being there. Who would believe you were the mortal and he was the god or near god?"

"Don't laugh, he was one of the names they mentioned. Also Pitt, Gyllenhal, McConnahey, even Farrell. Colin, not Will, although I don't know that it's much of an improvement, at least Will Farrell is tall." We both made a face. "I know. The young guys they named were even worse. Helmsworth, Tatum, hell, even that vampire kid. Or was it the one who plays the werewolf? I always confuse them. I wanted to take my script and run. But I didn't have to, Etienne did. He told them that his production studio would make the movie since they did not have any idea how to cast it properly. He then put in a few calls to some people. Angelina is willing to sign on for a very reasonable salary and points; she liked acting with me back before the accident and has wanted the chance to work together again...it was actually pretty amazing talking with her, Bri. But here's the thing. To make it work for a doable amount of money, we'd need to shoot in France and Ireland, using mainly actors from Great Britain. He also got some investors from over there to agree to finance it if we can increase my name recognition in Europe and the U.S...."

He was leaning back on his elbows facing me, his legs on either side of me. His eyes were darkest green as they looked at me intently, watching my every expression carefully.

"Danny, I'm not sure what you're asking but the answer is yes. I knew from my talk with Lanier that you need to go to Europe to film, I expected that. How long do you think it will take?"

He took a deep breath.

"Bri, I don't want to do this without you. The initial pre‑production would start in another month, casting, costumes, sets, and hopefully filming in a couple of months, but there will be rewrites needed throughout probably, and after filming, then reshoots and then the editing, voice over work, etc. It could take several months, longer than anything I've worked on before. Etienne is a very efficient director but this is a big project. As the screenplay writer, I need to be involved with every stage, not just when I'm filming. Plus, as Cuchulain, I'm in a good number of the scenes anyway. But the deal Etienne has worked out with the investors he's already talked to, is that while he's working on all the pre‑production stages, is to move forward on this dream project of his, which will also please the major investors."

"What is it?" I looked at him curiously. He was looking both nervous and excited. Lane didn't discuss whatever this other part of his plan was with me.

"He has the opportunity to mount 'Les Miz' in Paris this fall, before the major filming starts. It's something he's dreamed of doing for years and he has the money lined up to do that, it turns out, he's just needed the timing, and me, to come together for it to work. Aida is free to play Fantine, and I would be able to play Valjean. We'd be able to rehearse this summer and early fall, and the run would start in mid-October and run with us until filming is ready. Then after filming is done and he's busy with editing and post production, I'd be able to take a break, but the great thing is, if the play goes well, there is the commitment to move the show on to Broadway. He's already looking into a Broadway theater that would be available for next June. The idea would be to have the same cast take it from Paris to Broadway. There hasn't been a revival of Les Miz there in a couple of years but it's missed so...."

"So you're talking at least a year away?" I felt as though I couldn't breathe...I wondered for a second what a heart attack felt like and if Dr. Jo was still in the building. He leaned forward and grabbed my shoulders.

"No! I'm talking about us going away for a year...all of us. I know from this trip that I can't take being away from you for weeks at a time any more...God knows I can't do my best work if I'm missing you so badly. But, is there any way you could take a year off? Or work remotely. You've hardly ever taken a real vacation much less a sabbatical and with the technology that's available now you can pretty much be in daily contact with your office and..."

I kissed him, then wrapped my arms around him as tightly as I could. A musical and a movie, and a move to another country with the kids?  Plus, there was the issue with being around Aida. I worked to keep my voice level. The movie seemed to hinge on Lane getting his play commitment, a fact he'd conveniently left out of his conversation with me, but I could see that Danny was thrilled with the idea. There was no way I was not going to help him make this work. It was a dream come true for him.

"I can and I will...I'm sure that whatever we need to do can be worked out. I already made some plans to be there part of the time. This is just a longer stay than I anticipated. And sooner. But I don't see any reason why it can't be done. Ted and Cynthia are both well able to handle the day to day meetings and I can supervise from a distance. I can also work on developing some international business. I assume that Kinnetik's film department will have the lead on getting this new movie's publicity work?"

He rested his head on my shoulder with a sigh of relief. "Of course. Bri...are you sure? I really want to do this but I know it's a lot at one time. And the details still have to be worked out. It's doable, though, I know it is. I feel it. But I need you there with me for it to happen. I checked on line and there's a school for the arts in Paris that would be perfect for the kids. I'm sure we can talk Mel into it, hell, maybe she'll even let us take J.R. It would be a great experience for all three of them to live in Paris for a year. Gus can study art as he's been wanting to as well, as dance and music if he wants, along with the normal academic program, while Briana can get the kind of dance training she can't get here. J.R. can study music, she's really talented, you know. Emmett has always wanted to travel so I know he'll want to come along and help out with them. And you and I, we can explore Paris together and make love in lots of public places if you want...promise."

"Now I know you want this badly if you're making rash promises like that," I teased. I picked his chin up. "Danny, you don't need to offer anything. We don't need to barter between ourselves, as much as I know that's still a reflex habit of yours." One that Lanier took advantage of, I couldn't help thinking. "You've been by my side ever since we've been together, throwing yourself wholeheartedly into my career...don't you think I want to do the same for you?"