Eternity

Chapter 2

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Brian's POV

Lindsay laughs, and falling on the ground next to me whispers; "Bri, I hope you know I was only kidding. Shit it's only 7:00. I just wanted to see how much parental authority I had left," she giggles joyously.

Rolling on my side to face her I raise my brow smirking. "I know."

Before I realize it, Lindsay, Gus and Gwen have me pinned down to the floor tickling me. "You guys, stop!" I try to yell but my breath is ragged and I am reminded that I'm no longer as young as I once was. I'm relieved when I hear the doorbell ring and I'm finally able to take a breath.

Guinevere jumps up quickly. "Oh, that's Jonathan. I asked him to come meet the family." A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

"Why did you not tell us this earlier?"

"Would you have stayed?" She looks at me pointedly, raising her brow.

"Point taken." Clearing my throat, I stand, helping Lindsay to her feet as well. "Well Ma, you ready for this?"

I can see the hesitancy in her eyes. "No, not really. God Brian, she's still our baby. She can't possibly be getting married."

"I know, and in a hetero relationship." I pretend to give a disgusted shiver and my dear friend laughs.

Melanie walks up behind Lindsay kissing her on the cheek. "Honey, what's going on?"

I clear my throat and look directly at Mel. "We're about to meet our soon-to-be-son-in-law."

"Gwen never told us she was bringing him home." She stares at me accusingly. "It's because of you. She was afraid you might not show if you knew she was bringing a guy home."

"Yeah, well, we're all here now so it doesn't really matter who's at fault now does it?"

I can hear Guinevere squealing from the front door, "Jonathan I missed you!"

I can't see his face but his voice is very strong and masculine as he chuckles. "Gwen, I just saw you 5 hours ago. Your family will not scare me away and neither can you."

I have to laugh and instantly I kind of like the guy.

Gwen and Jonathan walk into the living room. His arm is draped possessively around my little girl and that feeling of dread creeps into my system again. I am so taken aback by the simple fact that she is no longer mine. Seeing him standing before me is proof that everything in my life is moving too fast. I no longer have control over the situation or what is to come concerning my daughter.

I take in his appearance and feel myself grimace slightly. His dyed black, shaggy hair slightly covers his eyes with the shimmer of a silver eyebrow ring peeking through. His silver-blue eyes are very intense with passion and I can see instantly why my little girl has fallen. I also take notice of his septum and lip ring and wonder why these kids do these things to themselves. Jonathan, I have to admit, has fine taste in clothing. He is wearing a velvet tailcoat with military style buttons on the chest that is unbuttoned to reveal a silky, maroon shirt underneath. He also has on black leather pants and knee high boots.

I quickly pull myself together and realize that it doesn't matter what this young man looks like. My little girl cares for him and I have to try and understand why and accept him into our family. Walking over to him I extend my hand, noticing that Gwen is slightly holding her breath. "I'm Gwen's father, Brian." She seems to relax.

He smiles this amazing smile that warms my heart. "I'm Jonathan. Nice to meet you, sir."

After introducing the family we all head into the dining room to talk and get to know each other. Gwen walks up behind me, and wrapping her arms around my waist, she kisses me on the cheek. "Thank you, daddy."

"For?"

She giggles softly. "For not being a complete ass."

I playfully stick out my tongue at her as we enter the room.

We sit down and the room falls silent. All eyes seem to be on Jonathan. He seems very aware of his surroundings and I can tell he is nervous, but is trying not to show it.

For the first time I am actually thankful to hear Melanie speak, saving me from having to do so.

"So Jonathan, tell us how you and Gwen happened to meet."

He chuckles then slightly blushes. "We met in front of our philosophy class. We were both running late and literally ran into each other, falling to the ground. I helped Gwen pick up her books and when I looked up I was entranced by the most beautiful hazel eyes I had ever seen. I've been hooked ever since. He gazes at Gwen, smiling, and I can see the love he has for my daughter. She kisses him and snuggles into his embrace.

Looking around the room I am amused at how easily the women in the family are sucked into the romantic bullshit. Yes, it was sweet and endearing but romantic bullshit just the same. Leaning back in my chair I kick my foot up to rest it upon my knee. I think about philosophy and ponder upon some theories. "So tell me Jonathan, is it true that if a man masturbates in the middle of a forest alone his orgasm cannot be heard?"

Without skipping a beat he smirks at me. "Actually Mr. Kinney that theory has been proven wrong. In fact I tested it myself. Fucking scared the birds right out of their tree."

I can't help but laugh. "Well, I guess you killed two birds with one stone then. Got your rocks off and proved a theory, pretty impressive."

"Brian!" Lindsay has a look of disbelief on her face. "I can't believe you. We just meet Jonathan and you're already being..."

"Himself," Melanie chimes in.

Smirking, I excuse myself, holding up my pack of cigarettes to show them I'm going outside. I sit on the porch steps and light my cigarette, thinking about Jonathan and Gwen. He seems to really love her, plus she looks so happy. I like seeing that smile on her face and the contentment he seems to bring her. I remember when it was me she would turn to for anything. The realization that I will no longer be that person for her hurts.

I am startled out of my thoughts by the sound of heavy boots. I don't look up but I know it's Jonathan. He sits down next to me, lighting a cigarette. "Hope you don't mind me joining you."

Looking over to him I smile sincerely. "No, not at all."

He takes a drag then smiles. "Your daughter is the most amazing woman I have ever met. She has changed my outlook on life and has renewed my strength in many ways. I love her with all my heart. I just want you to know I have no intention of hurting her in any way. I can't promise it won't happen. Life is a complicated thing but I do love her more than anything in this whole fucking world."

"I know you do, and thank you for telling me." I point my finger at him. "If you ever break her heart I will be the one you will answer to." Inhaling my cigarette I can see a trace of fear in his eyes. "Besides that, welcome to the family," I let out a laugh and he laughs as well. "Tell me about your family. Gwen explained that you also have gay parents."

"My mother and father were best friends growing up. I was, let's just say, the after effect of their one night adventure into the hetero world. I was mostly raised by my two mothers, Daphne and Tammie. My father, Justin, and his partner traveled a lot due to their careers. My father is an artist and Ethan was a violinist."

I raise my brow quizzically. "Was a violinist?"

Jonathan nodded. "Ethan passed away 5 years ago from an illness."

For some unknown reason I am intrigued to hear about Jonathan's father and his family. I give Jonathan an understanding look, encouraging him to continue his thoughts.

"My father never met anyone after that and I worry about him a lot. I'm not sure exactly why I'm sharing all this with you, except to let you know Gwen is the first girl I ever met who truly understood how my family situation is. I was always an outcast and never fit in with the other kids. She showed me how to live again, or shall I say we showed each other. We both love our families dearly, don't get me wrong, it's just more difficult growing up because a lot of people don't understand."

"Sounds like you and Gwen do share a lot in common. I know in many ways it was difficult on Gwen having same sex parents. At times I wish she was able to live a more normal life. It was hard for her to keep friends due to other parents mostly not understanding. I am glad she found someone she can relate to." I tip my head to him and he grins at me.

I stand up, extending my hand to him, helping him up. "I guess we should go back inside. They may think I killed you if we're out here too much longer." He nods his head and laughs.

We go back inside and visit for awhile. Gwen informs us that Jonathan's family will be in town tomorrow and would like us all to meet. Lindsay pipes in and invites the whole family to dinner the following night.

"As lovely as this was, I am off to Babylon," I announce out of the blue.

Melanie gives me a glare. "Up to your old tricks, Brian?"

"Never old," I smirk.

Gwen gives me a hug before I leave. Thanking me, she kisses me on the cheek. I feel my whole world falling away from me, and I'm not sure how I made it through this night. I like Jonathan, I think he will be good for Gwen, but it all seems so sudden. I need to get away for a moment and fill that void I have in my heart the only way I know how.

Return to Eternity