Before There Was You, There Was You

Chapter 57

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” ~ Alan Lakein

***


 

THURSDAY


9:30 a.m.


“So you’ll have everything ready in time?” Brian asked.

Adam shuffled through the documents in front of him, making sure everything was in order and that Brian’s signature was on all the necessary papers.

“Well, I’ll have to call in a lot of favors to get this passed through in time, but yeah. I’ll have it ready in time.”

“Good.” Brian got up from his seat and reached over to shake Adam’s hand. “Thank you,” he said curtly.

Adam nodded his head. “Not a problem. I do have one question though.”

Brian raised his eyebrow.

“Why me? Why didn’t you have Robert do this for you?”

“Expediency. Robert is the best, but he doesn’t have your connections. I have until Saturday to make everything legal. You’re the man who can get through all the bullshit red tape and bureaucracy and make that happen. Robert is a procedural man. He believes in our justice system and following the law to the letter. The only thing you believe in is winning. You’re a great lawyer, but you have a total disregard for the law. In essence, you’re the perfect man for this job. I’m sure you’ll sidestep all the proper procedures to get done what I need in time.”

Adam smiled. Somehow Brian knew Adam wouldn’t take his answer as an insult, instead, he took it as a compliment.

“Besides, you owe me,” Brian added.

It was Adams turn to raise his eyebrow in question. “Oh? How do you figure?”

“Shane. You’re lucky I backed off. You have no idea what Hell I could have brought down on you,” Brian said in all sincerity.

Adam knew it was not a boast, or idle threat. Brian Kinney wasn’t without his own connections. He was a force to be reckoned with, when crossed.

“Fair enough,” Adam countered. “But I don’t know if I should be thanking you or cursing you. For some reason, she’s not talking to me. It’s been two weeks, and she won’t return my calls. You wouldn’t happen to know why, would you?” Adam asked, uncomfortable with being in a position where he had to ask Brian anything.

Brian furrowed his brow. He’d have to talk to Shane. She’d put off telling Adam about the pregnancy long enough now.

“Yes, actually I do. But it’s not my place to tell you. However, I will talk to her about it.”

Adam smiled. “Thanks.” He cleared his throat and looked back down at the paperwork in front of him.

“I’ll get right on this. I’ll have everything ready in time.” He maintained a very businesslike tone.

Brian nodded and left.
 

***

11:30 a.m.


“Hey, Bri, what’s up?” Daphne asked as she slipped out of her coat and sat down opposite him at the small table in the Starbucks Brian had asked to meet her in.

“Thanks for coming, Daph. Justin doesn’t know you’re here, right?”

“Um, no, but I’m not comfortable hiding things from him.”

“I know, but I’m sure you won’t mind once I tell you why I asked you here,” Brian said smiling, a roguish glint in his eye.

Daphne smiled back. God, he was fucking gorgeous when he turned on the charm. And they said Justin had the million-watt smile? From where she was sitting, Brian Kinney had one hell of a sexy smile himself.

“Ok, handsome and dangerous, why don’t you tell me what devious plans you have drummed up this time?” Daphne asked teasingly, reminding Brian of the last time he had asked her to help him scheme to get Justin to move back in with him. Man did that turn out to be a fiasco! It so fucking backfired! But in the end, it worked out just fine so she was willing to listen to whatever scheme he had in mind this time.

Brian laughed. “You know, Daph, I feel sorry for the guy who finally wins your heart. You’re adorable, but wicked.”

“Uh huh. Stop with the compliments, you’re killing me. So what gives?” she asked taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

Brian leaned forward and whispered conspiratorially, “I’m planning a surprise birthday party this Saturday for Justin.”

Daphne spit her cocoa out.

“Fuck!” Brian cursed and leaned back and away from the offending dark liquid. He looked down at his suit and groaned. “Great aim, Daph,” he said sarcastically. He took his napkin and started dabbing at the stain on his suit.

“Are you fucking serious? First, that’s the day after tomorrow! Second and what’s more freakish is Brian Kinney does NOT do birthday celebrations! What are you trying to do? Give Justin a fucking heart attack?”

Brian made a face. “No, I’m serious.” He threw the napkin angrily down on the table. “Useless. I hope my cleaner can get it out.”

“Hello, can we get back to the conversation at hand and worry about your precious Versace jacket, which, by the way, is sooo last season, later?

Brian looked at her as if she just spit on him. “You’re vicious too. I hope your future husband beats you.”

Daphne laughed.

“I am very serious about the party. His birthday IS this Saturday, and besides, we’re going to make an announcement to the family. What better way to get them all in the same place at the same time?”

Daphne’s ears perked up.

“Oh? What announcement?” she asked eagerly.

“You, my dear, will just have to wait until Saturday. And DON’T go asking Justin, it will ruin the surprise.”

“Ok, I won’t. So what to you want me to do?”

“First, you need to dress formal.”

Daphne looked at him confused. “You’re throwing a black tie party for his birthday?”

“Yeah, something like that,” Brian said, not wanting to give too much away.

“Cool. Anything else.”

“Yeah, I want to keep him busy that day. I have something planned for him during the day, but I’ll need a distraction for him that night. I’ll have last minute arrangements to tend to and you know how astute he can be. I don’t want him suspecting a thing.”

“No problem. Actually, this might work. There’s an art exhibition at PIFA this weekend featuring Rick Van Hussen’s work. He’s a recent graduate student who landed his own show in San Francisco. He’s red hot in California, does a lot of metal art. I’m sure Justin will be thrilled to go with me. I’ll tell him it’s my birthday present to him. Last we talked; he said he had no plans for his birthday.”

Brian cringed inwardly at Daphne’s words. Why should Justin have any plans? Brian never made a big deal out of his birthday. Not even when he turned 18. And when he did break down the following year and get him a present it turned out disastrously. He shrugged the guilt away. Forward Kinney, he reminded himself. Can’t change the past.

“What time is the show?”

“Starts at seven . And it’s a formal affair, I hear.”

“That works. Take him to the show, but make sure you get him to the Empire Hotel by nine.”

“The place we had the prom? Jesus, Brian, do you think that’s a good idea?”

“I hope so.”

It was the place where Justin got bashed, but it was also the place where he told Justin he loved him for the first time. He agonized over choosing a place for the party and finally decided on the Aladdin room at the Empire. Justin got bashed in the garage, not in the hall. It was on the dance floor of the Aladdin that Brian confessed his love for Justin for the first time, and Justin remembered. He believed it was the perfect place for a celebration, and he believed Justin would as well. At least he hoped he would.

Daphne saw the pensive look on Brian’s face.

“You know, since Justin got his memory back, he can’t stop talking about your dance that night and how fucking great you looked. I’m sure he’ll appreciate the gesture. Especially if you wear that hot suit you wore,” Daphne said trying to ease Brian’s concerns.

Brian shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll call you around eight-thirty. Pretend it’s a friend who needs help or some shit. Make up some straight drama. Tell Justin you need to pick her up from the hotel. Ask him to go with you.”

Daphne laughed. “You are a master of deception, Brian. I’m impressed.”

Brian winked at her. “So, you’ll do it?” he asked, knowing she would.

“Yeah, of course I will. This is going to be so cool. Justin’s going to freak.”

“Good. Now you can go. We’re done.”

“Did I mention you were also an asshole?” Daphne said bristling at his abrupt dismissal. She stood up and grabbed her coat, visibly irritated with Brian.

“Wait.”

She looked back at him with a bored, exasperated look. “Anything else I can do for his highness?”

Brian held her stare for a moment as if deciding his next move.

He sighed and reached into his jacket and pulled out a long narrow box. He placed it on the table.

Daphne looked down at it. “What’s that?”

Brian jerked both eyebrows up at her and motioned for her to take a look inside.

She made an irritated noise and picked the box up and opened it. A confused frown furrowed her brow. “Isn’t this yours?”

Brian held his hand out for her to give him the box back.

Her eyes fixated on his outstretched arm.

Brian took the box out of her hands and put it in back in his jacket.

Understanding dawned on Daphne. She plopped back down on the chair.

“You’re going to be late for class. Go.”

Daphne shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “Um, yeah, right. Class.” She got up to leave. She slipped into her coat and stared down at Brian. “Happy Birthday, Brian,” she said, her eyes misting then she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Brian smiled softly. “Thanks.”

Daphne left the coffee shop.

Brian watched her leave. Justin had great taste in friends. Daphne was one very clever girl. Happy Birthday. He laughed to himself. Yeah, he guessed it was his birthday. New beginnings always are.

***

1:30 p.m.



Brian yelled into the intercom. “Ted, get your ass in here.”

Thirty seconds went by before Ted emerged. “What’s up, boss?’

“Invitations out?”

“All hand delivered.”

“The gang meeting up tonight at the diner?”

“Everyone except Justin of course, and Jennifer,” Ted answered. Brian had arranged for Jennifer to take Justin shopping tonight for Brian’s Christmas gift. She told her son she didn’t know what to get Brian and needed his help in choosing just the right gift.

“Good. Get John on the phone for me.”

Ted turned and left the office. This was the weirdest surprise birthday party Ted had ever been involved in. But it was to be expected. Brian Kinney never did anything ‘normal’. He hated conventionality, and this party was already gearing up to be very unconventional.

For one thing, Brian had been acting strange all week. Last Tuesday he took off for the whole day. Ted knew he went out of state, the company driver told him he took him to the airport. He hadn’t come back to work that whole day.

And it wasn’t just his mysterious trip that was strange. He was being very ambiguous about this sudden surprise birthday party he was planning for Justin. He only told the gang today about the party and it was just two days away! And all anyone knew was where and when, and of course, that they would suffer dire consequences if any of them let it slip to Justin.

Lindsey couldn’t wait to call Mikey the minute she got her invitation and complain that Brian was probably going have a slew of naked men there, and lots of drugs and booze. She ‘tsk, tsk’d’ over how poor Justin was going to be humiliated. Still, Justin should know, according to Lindsey, that Brian was Brian, and it should be expected.

Mikey of course defended Brian, telling Lindsey she was wrong. He said that Brian was really trying, and he wouldn’t embarrass Justin like that. Not after the debacle of a birthday surprise he pulled on him last year. He called Ted to tell him what Lindsey had said, but Ted got the impression Mikey was really asking if she was right. Ted honestly didn’t know.

He hoped she wasn’t. From Ted’s place in Brian’s life, he would agree with Michael. Brian was a changed man since his sister came home and he and Justin got back together. He even cut the drinking during business hours.

“Ted. Where the fuck is John? Stop jerking off on that porn site and get him on the phone now!”

Ted jumped at the sound of Brian’s voice over his intercom. “Dialing as we speak, boss.”

Yeah, Brian Kinney had changed a lot…and not fucking at all, Ted thought, irritated as he put Brian’s call through to John.

“John, where the fuck have you been? We haven’t played racquetball in weeks! Don’t tell me my sister’s got your balls locked up!” Brian smiled at his own double entendre. “Or are you just avoiding another humiliating defeat on the court?”

John laughed. “No you were right the first time. Your sister got my balls and not in a good life affirming way, to use one of your favorite sayings.”

“What’s up?” Brian asked, his tone now serious.

“Fuck if I know. Therapy is going well, I think. She won’t talk to me about it, and I keep asking. I hate that she’s not sharing, Bri.”

Brian sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Me, too. But, John, she’ll tell us when she’s ready, we can’t push her.”

“I know, you’re right. Anyway, I just got your invitation. What the fuck are you up to, Kinney?” John knew his friend well enough to know that something was up.

“Why is everyone so suspicious?! Ok, so I don’t do birthdays; there’s nothing really to fucking celebrate about getting older if you ask me.” Brian made a snorting sound.

John laughed.

“However, I fucked up on his birthday gift last year, so I’m just trying to make it up to him, that’s all. Besides, he loves that shit. I guess I could do something nice for him, considering he’s been giving me the best fucking blow jobs I’ve ever had for the past three years.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Justin did give the best blow jobs…

John laughed harder. “You’re a hard man, Brian Kinney; no pun intended, ok, maybe a small pun. If you ask me Justin deserves a fucking medal, not a party!”

“No one’s asking you,” Brian quipped, smiling. “So you can come? I know its short notice, but the guest list is very small. JUST intimate family, and VERY close friends. You should be honored.” Modesty was not one of Brian’s virtues.

“Yes I’ll come, and YES I’m honored. God, you’re such a fucking egomaniac. I’m just going to have to kick your ass on the court. Next week?”

Brian reached over to his calendar on his desk and flipped through it. “Wednesday, noon. I’ll reserve the court.”

“Just be prepared to get your ass reamed. And NOT in a good life affirming way.”

Brian laughed. “I’ll let you slide on that one. I’ll see you on Saturday.” Brian said his goodbyes and hung up.

***

7:29 p.m.


Brian walked into the diner, late as usual, to face a very annoyed group of people. The whole gang was there. Mikey, Ben, Emmett, Ted, Linds, Mel, Deb, Carl, Vic, Rena, and Shane. The only one missing was James.

“Ah, well we can now all rejoice! His majesty has blessed us with an appearance!” Deb spat out.

“You said seven, Brian, we have Gus with a sitter,” Lindsey chastised mildly.

Brian took his coat off and placed his briefcase on the table. “Can we save the lynching for another time? I hit traffic.”

“Ok, we’re all here now. What’s up?” Mikey asked.

“You all got your invitations?”

Everyone nodded.

“I know its short notice, it couldn’t be helped. Having said that, I’m going to need your assistance.”

“But of course you do! I am after all THE party planner in the family. All we need is a theme,” Emmett said cheerfully.

“Em, sweetie, the party is the day after tomorrow, that’s real short notice,” Debbie said.

“We pulled Lindsey’s and Melanie’s wedding off in twenty-four hours, we can do the same for Justin’s birthday.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, Em. You’re in charge of flowers. No one knows that shit better than you. You know what Justin likes. I want the hall filled with his favorite flowers. I don’t want fucking roses! Wait… that’s not his favorite flower, is it?” Brian asked the question suddenly realizing he had no idea what Justin’s favorite flower was.

Emmett huffed. “Why am I not surprised?” He said waving his hand dismissively. “Justin likes daffodils and sunflowers.”

“Sunflowers?” Brian laughed. “Well that fits. Fine. Just fill the place. I want arrangements that are both formal, and informal. Make it work, Em, I’m counting on you. Have Ted help you.”

“Consider it done,” Emmett said smugly. Ted nodded in agreement.

“Not for nothing, Bri, but this is so out of character for you. What are you planning?” Michael asked warily.

Brian sighed. “A good old fashioned orgy complete with booze, bump, blow and fucking midgets, happy?” Brian said sarcastically.

Michael had the good grace to blush. “Sorry, I didn’t mean anything. It’s just that…never mind.”

Brian sighed. “Listen. I haven’t changed my views on birthdays. God I hate them. But Justin likes them, and considering how I fucked up his last birthday, I thought I’d make it up this year and throw him a party. And if I hear one fucking “I told you so” from any of you about my gift to him last year, I’ll fucking ban you from this party, are we clear?” Brian said in a no nonsense voice.

Several stunned faces stared back at him. A chorus of “yes”, and “we’re clear” echoed through the diner.

“Good. Deb, you’re in charge of the food.”

“Hey wait a minute! I’m the cook in the family! Sorry, Sis, no insult intended, but I am a renowned chef.”

“I know, Vic, and no disrespect to you but Deb makes all of Justin’s favorites. I need her to make her lasagna and meatballs. Oh, and can you make that squid dish you made last Christmas? He really loved that.”

Deb pulled her shoulders back in pride. “You just leave it to me. I know all of Sunshine’s favorite dishes. I’ll make every fucking one of them!”

“Thanks, Deb. And, Vic, I need you to make the cake. We’ll talk about the details later.”

Vic nodded, wondering what kind of cake Brian wanted. “You know I’m a pretty good artist myself, I could make the cake in the shape of a cock if you’d like.”

Everyone laughed.

“Thanks for the offer, Vic; I might take you up on it, another time. But for this party I have something specific in mind.”

“What can we do?” Lindsey asked.

“You and Mel can go down to the hotel on Friday night for me and make sure they don’t fuck up anything. I ordered country blue patterned tablecloths.” He turned to Emmett. “Em, note that.”
 

“Got it.”

Brian pulled out a list. “Here’s a list of the things I requested. Make sure they have everything on the list, including the Beluga caviar.”

“Hey, I thought I was doing the cooking!” Deb complained.

“You are, but I ordered some hors d’oeuvres and champagne. It’s a black tie affair by the way.”

“Black tie, champagne, caviar, country patterned tablecloths and homemade lasagna. Oh, and sunflowers, no roses. Sounds right,” Deb said sarcastically.

“I see what you’re going for, Bri. A bit of home-style comfort mixed with upscale sophistication,” Ben said.

Leave it to fucking Zen Ben to figure it out. “Yeah, something like that.”

“Mikey, I need you and Ben to hire the wait staff. I want the hottest, I mean HOTTEST fucking gay men you can find. The hotel’s wait staff won’t do. I’ve had a look at them.” Brian made a face and shuddered with his disgust. “And make sure they wear tuxes. Use your connections from when you and Em were boy toy waiters.”

Ben looked at his lover. “You were a ‘boy toy’ waiter?” he asked smiling.

“Never you mind! This is not the time or place for that discussion.”

“Oh, honey, I’ll tell you all about it later!” Emmett volunteered.

Michael shot him a warning look.

“Shane, I need you go to the airport and pick up someone for me. A surprise guest for Justin. I have a room at the Empire hotel reserved in my name. I’ll give you the details later.”

“No problem,” Shane answered.

“And take Adam with you.”

“Jesus, Brian, I can’t!”

“You can, and you will. Tonight, call him. Tell him.”

The gang looked back and forth from Shane to Brian, curious as to the context of the exchange. There was obviously something going on with Shane and Adam. And who was this surprise guest?

Shane made a rude sound and stomped her foot, but she did not object.

“Well, is there anything I can do?” Rena said.

“Actually, there is. I want you to throw a birthday party for Justin.”

Everyone looked at him like he lost his mind.

“What are you on, Bri?” Michael asked suspiciously.

“I must be high to be doing this,” Brian said, sighing. “Obviously, the brilliance of my plan is too sophisticated for you all to comprehend, so let me elaborate. If Rena throws him a party Saturday afternoon, he’ll not suspect another one that night, especially since I’ve arranged for Daphne to take him to an art exhibit afterwards. He’d never suspect another party following a full day of birthday activities. Hence, the meaning of the word SURPRISE. Get it?” Brian said with playful condescension in his voice.

“Damn, I have to admit. That’s pretty good, Brian,” Deb said.

“You’ve a knack for scheming, Kinney. Sure you weren’t a criminal in a previous life?” Carl joked.

Brian smirked. “Well it’s good to know that if Kinnetik tanks, I can make it as a con man. Ok, so is everyone clear on their parts? Re, make sure you talk to Daphne so you two can coordinate times.”

“I’ll give her a call. Justin’s going to be so overwhelmed, Bean! This is so sweet of you.”

Brian made a face as if Rena just called him a vile name. “I don’t do sweet, Re, you know this. Ok, so if we’re done here, I just need to talk to Lindsey for a minute, everyone else can go.”

“Don’t you just love the way he dismisses us when he’s done with us?” Emmett said to Ted.

“Yeah, it’s the highlight of my day,” Ted said and walked Emmett out of the diner.

Everyone filed out of the diner, excited and talking about their part in the surprise party.

Brian pulled Lindsey over to the side; Mel went to sit at the counter.

“Lins, I want Gus at the surprise party.”

Lindsey looked at him suspiciously. “That’s a little late for him to be up, Bri, especially after a full day at Rena’s for Justin’s first party.”

“I know, but do this favor for me. I want him there. It’s important to me. Take him home from Rena’s party a little early and have him nap,” Brian suggested, turning on his charm.

Lindsey smiled her indulgent smile. “Very well. I’ll arrange it,” she said and lightly kissed him on the cheek.

Mel watched from her seat at the counter and bristled.

Brian reached over to the briefcase on the table and opened it.

“Robert got these to me today. Did you get a copy?” he asked, showing Lindsey the papers.

“Yes, I did,” she said smiling. “Gus Abraham Marcus-Peterson-Kinney. Our son is going to have one hell of a time learning to spell that one,” she teased looking at the papers that legally changed Gus’s name. It was part of the agreement, something Brian insisted on.

“He’ll be the only kid in class with a name like that. It shows just how many people love him. I’m sure he’ll feel very special.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Lindsey agreed.

“Besides, when I have another child, both my kids will have my last name, that’s important to me.”

Lindsey blushed. “Brian!” She leaned in and whispered. “I really need to discuss that first with Mel! Don’t be jumping the gun until I’ve had a chance to talk to her about it! Give a girl a break!” Lindsey said laughing. “Please don’t misunderstand me, I’d LOVE to have another child with you; this is just so sudden, and unexpected. In a pleasant way,” Lindsey said, elation at Brian’s suggestion clearly etched in her face.

If Brian weren’t sure before that what everyone was telling him about Lins’ feelings for him was true, he was convinced now, seeing the look of absolute joy on her face at the assumption on her part that she would carry his next child.

Brian gave her one of his famous Kinney smirks. “Your life is going to be filled with many unexpected events, Lins. And soon. I suggest you get prepared,” Brian said brusquely then retrieved his coat and briefcase and left the diner.

Lindsey watched him leave with a confused look on her face.

“What was that about?” Mel said coming up behind her.

“I don’t know. But I think Brian is up to something. Something I’m not going to like.”

Mel smiled to herself and put her arm around her lover.

“You know Brian better than anyone, Lins. If there is one thing you can count on, it's that you can count on him to disappoint you. It’s time you did yourself a favor, and forgot him.”

Lindsey turned around to object, how could she forget the father of her child? But something in Mel’s eyes stopped her. Mel wasn’t telling her to forget the father of her child; she was telling her to forget ‘the man’.

Lindsey sighed. God, was she that obvious? She leaned in and kissed Mel. She truly loved Mel. Mel was her rock, her life partner. She couldn’t imagine her life without her. So why couldn’t she let Brian go? Maybe, one day…she thought to herself.

“Let’s go home,” Lindsey said, shaking away her morose thoughts.

Mel smiled sadly and followed her lover out of the diner. She had to be strong. Lindsey was going to need her more than ever soon.

She had no idea what Kinney was up to, but she had no doubt it involved breaking one Lindsey Peterson’s illusions, and heart…

 

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