Blended

Chapter 23

********

"So romantic," Justin said as he came in the loft. He dropped his portfolio on the sofa and shrugged out of his jacket, blowing into his hands and moving towards Brian. Brian met him halfway, taking the offered drink from his hand and taking a sip.

"God, I hate that word," Brian said as he moved behind Justin, pressing his already hardening dick into him. He kissed his neck and stepped them forward.

Justin smiled. "I forgot, romantic is too lesbian a word for Brian Kinney," he said as he sat down where Brian indicated. Brian sat across from him on the floor, leaning forward to pour himself a drink.

Brian downed the drink in one swallow and poured another. Justin took inventory of the boxes of delivered food on the coffee table. "I prefer less damning terms." Justin nodded.

"So, what's in the boxes?"

"Mm," Brian said putting down his glass. "Your favorites," was all he offered in explanation. Justin took the container Brian handed him and picked up the heavy chopsticks in front of him.

"Your favorites," Justin corrected, holding up the box and shaking it. "Thai is your favorite. Not mine." Brian shrugged and opened his own container. They ate in comfortable silence, punctuated by moments of conversation and laughter. "So, what brought on this night of chivalry?"

"Going two days without fucking you was a huge point of motivation," Brian admitted. He took a long drink and watched Justin crack open his fortune cookies.

"You say the sweetest things," Justin told him as he dropped the cookies and slinked his way around the table and straddled Brian's legs. Brian smiled up at him, letting his finger trail its way down Justin's shirt.

"I try." Justin let Brian guide them into a kiss, pulling back before it could get incoherently heated. He stood up and Brian followed, trailing him up the stairs and into their bedroom. Every other movement was a blur. The slamming of a door and clothes being torn off echoed in the silence. The press of cold sheets on skin and anticipation pressed in on them both.

Justin took a deep breath, moving his legs and letting Brian slide all the way in. "Uh," Justin said, biting into his bottom lip and pressing his fingers into Brian's hips. Brian smoothed his hand over Justin's hair, pushing the damp locks off his husband's face.

"If this," Brian thrust into Justin, pressing his right hand into the pillow, "is what me cooking…" Justin grabbed Brian's hand and trailed his other hand up to his nipple, squeezing more than lightly. "…gets me, I'll have to do it more often."

Justin laughed, his breathing hitching as Brian changed his rhythm, pulling out slowly and pausing before sliding back in. He flipped them over, positioning himself on top of Brian and lightly moving his hips in small circles. He smiled down at Brian, leaning down to lick at the sweat covered skin on his neck.

"I don't think…" Brian sat up, pulling Justin forward and pressing his tongue into his mouth. "…Mm, ordering in is the same as cooking." Justin rose up, pressing himself back down around Brian's cock. He smiled at the low moan that pulled from Brian's mouth.

Justin put his hand over Brian's mouth, letting it slip down to his neck and further down and over to wrap around his shoulder. He held on as Brian thrust up, biting down on the side of Brian's jaw as he felt his body tense. He rode each pulse of his orgasm, letting out a surge of air he didn't know he was holding in. "Fuck," he panted.

Justin leaned forward and kissed Brian hard. He smiled as Brian let go inside of him, thankful they'd remembered the condom. "Glad to know you haven't lost your touch," Brian said breathlessly. Justin smiled and rolled off of him.

"I have the master to thank," he said. Brian reached over to the night stand and picked up a pack of cigarettes. He slid one between his lips and lit the tip. Justin was quiet for a minute, listening as Brian inhaled and exhaled. He watched the smoke curl up towards the ceiling, moving over to rest his head on Brian's chest. "The kids have a doctor's appointment in the morning."

"Sexy pillow talk," Brian said, tapping his fingers against Justin's chest. "I'll have Cynthia clear my schedule; go with you."

"Are you sure you can do that?" Justin asked. "I know you've got some important meetings scheduled before you fly out."

"No problem, daddy-O," Brian said, reaching over to stub out the cigarette in the ashtray. Justin started to laugh, moving his hands over his face and dropping them to his stomach.

"God," he said. Brian rolled out of the bed and moved towards the shower. Justin waited until he heard the toilet flush and the water start to run before moving to join Brian for a hot shower and another round.

********

Justin picked Pilot up out of the bathtub and ran a towel through his hair. "Daddy, we go see gramma?" Race asked. He hitched his towel back up around his shoulders. Justin hung Pilot's towel across his shoulders and held it closed. He stood up and let the water out of the tub, still holding onto the ends of the towel.

"Um, no," Justin said as he led them both out of the bathroom and into their room. He sat down on the window seat near their dresser, pulling the caddy that held all of their lotions and things closer. "We're not going to see grandma today. Maybe later, okay." He pulled Pilot close and grabbed the lotion off the caddy.

"Dis goes on dis," Race said, squatting down to pick up some pieces to his puzzle. He sat on the floor, his legs spread wide.

"I take it your bare bottom being on the floor isn't bothering you in the slightest," Justin said with a laugh, smoothing lotion into Pilot's skin, bending to get his legs and feet. Pilot held onto the lotion bottle, turning it upside down and shaking it. He giggled and reached for the abandoned car on the seat next to his daddy.

"Daddy, you pway," Race asked. Pilot ran his car up and down Justin's leg, moving his head from side to side as Justin tried to give his hair a more thorough drying.

"I have to get you and your brother dressed." Race stood up, leaving his towel behind and moving across the room to his bed sans clothing. Justin let go of Pilot and got up to get their clothes. He pulled out two small pair of underwear and two tank tops. Pilot raced over to join his brother, pulling himself up on the bed. Race reached under his pillow, pulling out toy after toy.

Justin moved over to his two boys and paused at the side of the bed. "You two are a handful; my own personal barrel of monkeys." Both the boys laughed as Justin leaned over to tickle them both. He gave them both their underwear and helped them pull it on. "So this is where you keep your hidden stash. Good to know."

"Daddy, me have a pen'nis," Pilot said proudly, standing on the bed with his hands on Justin's shoulders as Justin pulled his underwear all the way up and straightened the band. Race giggled, looking down at his own underwear covered penis and daring to touch it.

Justin started to laugh, sliding their shirts over their heads. "Yes, you have a penis." He turned to get their jeans out of the drawer and their shoes out of the closet.

"Me have da pen'nis too AND Bwu have a pen'nis AND J," Race said as he bounced down off the bed and ran across the room to his own bed, grabbing at a toy Pilot couldn't see. Brian walked into the room with a squiggling Blue under his arm draped in a blue towel. Justin laughed shaking his head as something else caught his son's attention.

"This one likes her baths just a little too much," Brian said. His shirt was soaked in water. Race launched himself off of his bed and hooked his arms and legs around Brian's left leg. "Need to borrow their lotion. I can't find hers," he said walking across the room and picking the things he needed off the caddy.

"It's on the changing table," Justin said, pulling out two pairs of jeans and two shirts. Brian nodded and waited for Justin to pluck his son off of his leg. Race reached for Brian and Justin turned to move away as Pilot laughed his way off the bed and onto the floor when Brian stopped to tickle him.

Junior appeared in the doorway with her jeans in her hand, her tiny robe wrapped around her body. "Can we please have breakfast at the dinner?" she asked with a pout.

"Diner," Brian corrected. "And no," he told her as he ushered her back down the hall and into her own bedroom. He sat Blue up in his arms, dropping the lotion and powder on the top of the changing table.

"Why, Dad?" she asked. Brian sat Blue on the changing table and strapped a diaper on her before sitting her in her crib and turning to his daughter.

"Because, we have to go somewhere."

"Somewhere, where?" she asked. She pulled on the yellow panties Brian handed her and the matching tee shirt. Brian smiled. She was full of questions and so much like Justin. Brian touched a hand to his wet shirt and pulled open her closet.

"As much as I like twenty questions, Munchkin, we don't have time for this," Brian said as he tossed a pink pair of black Converse in her general direction. She sighed and smoothed her hands down the front of her tee shirt, her hair already pulled into a just-tight-enough ponytail.

"But," she said and moved her hand to tug at her hair.

"Don't pull on your hair." Blue pulled herself up and bit down on the guard rail, twisting her foot between the bars. She leaned down, keeping a tight hold on the rail with her right hand and picked up her teething bear, all soft blue cotton with knotted hands and feet.

"Bear," she signed clearly, a huge smile spread on her face. She dangled the bear over the railing and dropped it.

Junior leaned down on her bed and pressed her face into the mattress. "But, I really don't really want to go," she said, her voice muffled. Pilot walked into her room in a tiny pair of white underwear covered in airplanes and white socks.

"Pilot!" Brian heard Justin shout from the hallway, sending his son scurrying for cover in Junior's open closet. Brian looked down at the escapee between his legs as Justin came into the room. "Where is your son?"

"Haven't seen him," Brian said nonchalantly, looking down. Justin spotted the small pair of legs and ducked under Brian. He pulled one leg and then the other.

"Come here." He picked his son up and stood up.

Pilot laughed, tossing his head back and trusting his daddy to catch it. He giggled as Justin pushed his head back up.

Junior lifted her head and frowned as she turned and sat down on the ledge around her bed. "Daddy," she started, her voice in full whine, "I don't want to go to Uncle Mikey and Ben's house. I really do not, Dad," she said clearly.

"Aw, I know," he offered by way of sympathy. Justin tossed his son over his shoulder and turned to leave the room. "Remember when getting ready to leave was easy?"

Brian laughed and tossed a pair of socks he'd been holding on her bed. "Luckily," Brian said as he turned to get her a shirt to wear over her tee shirt, "I'm not really taking tallies on what who wants and when. Put on your jeans." Junior stuck her lip out but didn't wait long enough for Brian to notice. She huffed and moved to pull her jeans on quickly.

"This leg and then… this leg," she said to no one in particular. Blue made a whimpering noise before flopping down to sit in her crib. She pulled a toy close and put it directly in her mouth before knocking it against the bars.

"J, come on. Put your shirt on and then your shoes," Brian said. He walked over to the crib and picked up his youngest daughter. He moved to her dresser and pulled out a tiny pair of jeans and a pink long sleeved shirt. Junior walked back over to her bed, her jeans unbuttoned and picked up her shirt. She pulled it over her head and struggled to get her arms into the sleeves.

"Okay, I'm AM ready," she said as she ran over to the door and hung on the handle. Brian sat down and wiggled Blue's legs into her jeans and stood her up on his lap.

"How about you help me get your sister dressed and then we'll get some breakfast and go, okay?" Brian reached over and picked up her tiny shoes, pulling the laces open. Junior walked over and scooted herself onto the bed next to her Dad.

"O-o-o-o…kay," she said. At almost five years old she was still shorter than most. Blue reached for her sister and laughed when Junior covered her eyes and screamed peek-a-boo.

********

Blue stood on shaking legs, her hair in brown curls around her ears and her tiny hands gripping Brian's. "She's gorgeous," the woman sitting across from him said with a large smile on her face as she held a magazine balanced in her lap. "How old is she?"

Justin leaned over and snatched the block out of Pilot's mouth. "A little under a year," Brian told the woman. He was trying hard not to show the woman how annoyed he was with the questioning. Junior pushed the beads around the track along the wall, pushing past the three year old next to her to continue along the track.

A nurse came out of the door that led into the back of the doctors' offices, a thin folder in her hand. "Evan Manning," she called. A man stood up, his son in his arms and followed the nurse into the back.

Justin stood up and went over to the play area where his children were dominating. "Stop… putting," he took the toy out of Pilot's mouth and put it back in the bin, "every thing in your mouth. You're tongue is going to fall out."

Pilot watched Justin, the collar of his shirt tucked into his mouth. Justin pulled it out. "No," he said, letting the word trail out with a laugh. "Not gon' fall out." Race leaned over a little red haired girl and licked her cheek.

"Daddy, Race just lickeded that girl over there," Junior said loudly, patting on Justin's back as he bent to pick up the books that his sons had torn from the shelf. "Ugh."

"Okay." Justin stood up and took Pilot's hand. He moved over and took Race's hand, guiding them both back over to where Brian still sat. The other parents in the waiting room, some with their eyes firmly locked on the same sex couple, took inventory of their children. "Sit by Dad, 'kay," he said, sitting back down in the chair next to Brian.

Blue looked up at Brian, all smiles and pulled her left hand out of his. "I talked to Michael and Ben. They didn't sound too enthusiastic about watching the kids. I think all of them being mobile scares them."

Brian smirked. "Yeah, I can just imagine Mikey having a coronary because one of his precious collectibles got broken." Justin smothered a laugh.

"It was expensive," Justin said, reaching over and taking Race's hand out of his mouth and frowning at the slob.

"No shit. I remember the fucking bill for that thing. Cost more than some motorcycles and the fucking thing didn't even have a motor." Brian leaned to his side as another nurse came out the back, called another name and disappeared. Pilot sat next to Junior, pulling on the laces of his shoes and trying to re-tie them.

"Did you have all of them? They are gorgeous. Seem like a handful too," another woman said as she sat down in front of them, slightly to the right. Justin smiled at the woman. Brian stared, eyebrow raised.

"Thank you," Justin said, choosing to ignore her first question and hoping she'd take the hint. She did.

"Daddy, cookie, please," Race said, his feet kicking at the handle of the chair he was occupying. Brian picked Blue up and sat her in his lap, her shirt riding up to expose her pink tee shirt underneath. Her right hand trailed unconsciously to the hearing aid wrapped around her right ear and Brian stopped her before she could pull it off.

"Unh," she sighed in frustration, her face scrunched up. Justin leaned forward and pulled the Ziploc bag of cookies he had out of the diaper bag. He gave each of the kids two and closed the bag back up, sitting it on top of the items in the diaper bag.

"What's up with that question lately?" Brian asked as he watched the other kids move around the waiting room.

Justin shrugged. "It's a natural curiosity. People want to know."

"People should mind their fucking business." Justin laughed and crossed his arms over his chest.

Ten minutes later and the waiting room was still full, although it was less crowded than before. Junior sighed and leaned her head against the back of the plastic chair. "Dad, you said we could go to the park and now it's been too many minutes and still no park, Dad. Are we going to the park Dad, huh, are we?"

Pilot and Race were back in the play area, their patience for sitting all but run out. Pilot held up one of the large wooden puzzles that Dr. Winters kept in the waiting room.

"Dad'y, look," he said as Justin leaned forward to catch the puzzle before it hit the floor. Pilot smiled up at him and bent down to the floor as Justin lowered the toy to the space near his feet.

"Keep the puzzle on the floor," Justin said. Race was distracted as he took up space on the miniature table building a Duplo tower. "Jesus. This should not be taking this long," he muttered to himself.

"I know," Brian said to his daughter, "but we have to finish here first, okay?" He adjusted Blue on his shoulder and rubbed circles on her back as she fell asleep, her white swaddling blanket, cotton and durable, clutched tightly in her hand and pressed against her face. Brian put his hand gently behind Justin's neck and patted. "Patience, Sunshine."

"How many minutes more, Dad? This many more minutes," she asked as she sat sideways in the chair next to Justin and put her hand up in the air. Justin made a huffing noise and sat back in his chair. Brian got up and walked up to the desk. Junior, Pilot and Race all followed, each trying desperately to see over the counter.

"How much longer do you think it's going to be?" Brian asked as he leaned in. The nurse turned bright red under Brian's stare and moved away from the desk.

"Um, I'll go and check. Just a minute," she said as she disappeared down the hall into the back. Race made his way back over to Justin and waited while he dug out a juice box from the diaper bag at his feet.

"Thank," Race said as he leaned back between Justin's legs and drank. Justin smiled and rested his hand on the top of his son's head.

"Thank you," Justin corrected. Brian waited for the nurse to come back, Blue snoring softly on his shoulder, her curls tickling his neck.

"Right this way, Mr. Kinney," the nurse said on her return, holding the door open while Justin picked up the bag and grabbed Pilot's hand. Brian guided Race and Junior through the door and down the hall after the nurse. "So sorry for the long wait. Everyone seemed to come in today," she laughed lightly, nervously as she led them back through the office and into yet another room to wait.

"That's okay," Justin answered before Brian could mutter out what he really had to say.

"If you'll just wait right here the doctor will be in really soon," the young nurse said. She turned and left the room.

"I think you scared her," Justin said.

"It wouldn't be the first time." Brian and Justin sat down. Junior leaned against Brian's leg and sighed, pressing her face into his jeans. "What're you doing?"

"Nuffin'," she said, her voice muffled as she turned her head to the side. Brian twisted her ponytail around his finger. Justin looked up at the knock on the door. Dr. Winters came in, pushing the door in slowly to avoid hitting any of the kids.

"Brian, Justin, good to see you again," he said as he came fully into the room and closed the door. Brian and Justin both gave a standard issue hello. Pilot and Race smiled happily, talking a mile a minute to their favorite doctor. "Ah. My favorite jumbles of DNA," he said, giving each of the boys a five.

Blue sighed heavily and Junior stood up straight. "My little Princess," Dr. Winters said, bowing slightly and taking her hand in his, giving it a firm shake. Junior giggled as he let her hand go. "She's a heartbreaker in the making, guys. You better keep an eye on her."

"Yeah," Justin said. They'd had that conversation more than a few times. Dr. Winters turned towards the two small boys.

"Okay. Who's first, Mr. Pilot or Mr. Race?" Justin stood up and moved over to the exam table as Dr. Winters lifted them up and sat them on top. "How's everything been? Anything out of the ordinary… concerns?" he asked.

Justin helped the doctor pull off both of their shirts and watched while he pulled the stethoscope from around his neck. "Um. No. Nothing that I've noted anyway. Brian?"

Brian adjusted Blue on his shoulder and smiled. "Not unless you have some magical medicine that's going to keep my sons clothes on his body," he said. Junior climbed into the chair Justin had abandoned.

"Don't think I can help you with that one," he laughed. "Can you take a deep breath for me?" Pilot took a deep breath like the doctor showed him and blew it out in a huff. "Good job, buddy. And now you," he said moving his attention to Race. He ran the same tests, Race not satisfied until he too could hear his own heartbeat.

Justin talked to the doctor while Brian listened, Junior talking to him about every little thing. "They seem perfectly healthy to me." Dr. Winters moved away from the exam table, slinging his stethoscope back around his neck and scribbling a few notes in their records. "Bad news is," he said walking back over to the boys and bending slightly so he was on their level, "its time for shots. Two a piece."

"Do I have to get some of those shots too?" Junior asked, as she sat up on her knees. Dr. Winters turned to the silver table against the wall, arranging the needles that contained the medicine the boys would have to be administered.

"Well, Ms. Junior, I think you will. But, we have to wait and see." He picked up the first of four needles and got to work, leaving two crying boys in his wake. "I'm sorry. Tell ya what, if I let you pick the Band Aids will I be all forgiven?"

Pilot sniffed and wiped away a tear, his head resting against Justin's chest. Race sat in front of Justin wiping at his eyes. Dr. Winters pulled out two boxes of bandages and held them out to the boys. "Dis one," they both said in unison as they touched the edges of the Band Aids, Pilot picking skateboards and racecars and Race picking Bob the Builder and racecars to match his brother.

He put the Band Aids on their arms and helped Justin slip their shirts back over their heads. Blue started to stir, her eyes blinking rapidly, trying to wake up. Justin helped the boys off of the table and switched places with Brian so the girls could get their check-ups.

Nearly an hour later and Junior was picking at her rainbow Band Aid. "No more scratches and scrapes than usual," the doctor said with a smile as he tapped Junior on the nose. Blue was still crying. Brian wiped the tears off her face and stood her up on her feet. She reached towards the doctor and he tickled her belly. "How've the sign language classes been going?"

"We're almost fluent," Brian said sarcastically with a small smile.

"I bet. What's it been… four months?" Brian nodded as the doctor checked her ears, pulling out the hearing aids and checking to make sure they were clean and working properly.

Justin pushed Race's hand away from the bag of cookies in the diaper bag on the floor. "No. And yeah, something like that. I think the kids have picked it up faster than we have."

"Leave it to kids to make us feel less than competent," he said as he wrote down the updated shots in their shot records.

"Speak… for yourself," Brian said. Justin smiled and Dr. Winters laughed. Pilot and Race were busy touching each others' bandages. Junior shook her head no at her brother, pushing his hand out of her face.

The same young nurse that led them into the room knocked on the door and then let herself in. "I'm sorry to interrupt Doctor, but Dr. Morrison asked to see you." Dr. Winters nodded at the nurse and stood up from his stool as she moved away from the door.

"If you'd excuse me for just a minute," he said and followed her out the door and down the hall. Brian rolled his lips into his mouth and wrung his hands together while Justin slipped Blue's shirt back over her head.

"Daddy, now can we please go to the park?"

"I think so," Justin said. Brian held out Pilot and Race's jackets. They both took them and tried to put them on without help.

"Come here and let me help you," Brian said. Pilot hopped over to Brian and turned in a circle as they righted his upside down jacket. Blue jumped up and down, her hands holding onto Justin's. Brian moved closer to them and tossed her coat on the table.

"Hey, Baby Girl," Brian said as he leaned into her and kissed her cheek. Justin moved his shoulder and pushed him away. "What?"

"Don't make her all excited. She'll never take a nap," Justin said as he pulled her arms into her coat and Brian let out a low laugh.

"Yeah, I don't think that'll happen anytime soon, Sunshine."

Dr. Winters came back into the room with a smile. "I'm sorry about that. Um," he looked at the papers he'd brought back for them to have. "How'd you find the programs for the parents and family members of deaf infants and toddlers? Parents in the past have found them quite helpful in dealing with the transition."

"We opted out of that fun family project," Brian said.

"It still just seems so surreal," Justin offered. Brian gave a slight nod and ran his hand down the back of his neck.

Junior pulled on her coat and Justin bent down to help her fasten it. Dr. Winters continued to talk to Justin, their conversation moving away from the kids and onto other topics. Justin tuned them out. "Justin," Dr. Winters said, trying to get his attention. "Justin, did you have any more questions?" He looked at the doctor and then at Brian and shook his head.

"No," he said clearing his throat. "I think I'm good. Thanks." Brian let his eyes linger on Justin for just a moment before looking back at the doctor. Blue squirmed and let out a small yawn. Dr. Winters nodded and handed Brian the shot records.

"Okay. If you have any questions at all, feel free to call me. I'll see you guys next time," he said as he said his goodbyes to each of the kids. "Justin, Brian." Justin gave a nod as he handed Blue over to Brian.

"Thanks Doc," Brian said and hitched Blue onto his hip. Justin stood up and flung their diaper bag over his shoulder and shook Dr. Winters' hand. Brian did the same and followed Justin out of the doctor's office.

"I think the parents in the waiting room were happy to see us go," Justin said as he surged forward and grabbed Junior's hood before she could step off the curb.

"Hey," she said as Justin led them through the parking lot.

"Fuck 'em," Brian said as they reached the car. He opened the back door and sat Blue in her seat, reaching down and picking up Race. "Why are your hands wet?"

Race held up his hands and pointed down at the puddle on the ground. "Touch'n da water," he said and wiped his hands down the front of his jacket.

"Nice," Brian said. "I'm glad to see you value your clothes." Brian strapped him into his seat just as Justin slammed the opposite door.

"Dad, can you get it?" Brian moved his attention to the front seat, picking up Blue's toy off the floor of the car.

"What exactly would that be?" Junior pointed under the seat to her abandoned magna doodle. Brian picked it up and sat it in her lap. "Your daughter thinks she's going to be an artist," he said as he closed the door.

Justin made a noise that sounded like a scoff as he got in the car. "God, I hope not. Have you seen the art work she brings home?" Brian slid into the driver's seat and started the car. They listened as the kids held up their own conversations, the boys being particularly vocal.

"When exactly were you going to tell me that Jake called yesterday?" Brian asked. He turned onto Heyston Avenue, pulling to a stop behind a white moving van.

"You know about that?"

Brian nodded and gripped the steering wheel and then relaxed. "You should know by now that there isn't much that slips past me. Care to share?"

"Shut up," Junior yelled to her brother.

"Don't say shut up," Justin countered without conviction. "And it's really not that big a deal. He came to the studio, looked around for some paintings and talked about more commission work."

"For?" Blue popped one of the many twisting pieces on her teething ring/toy into her mouth and crossed her legs at the ankle. Her jeans rode up, exposing her white socks and the tops of her pink, white and green Pumas. Pilot yawned as their conversation died down and leaned his head against the side of his chair.

Justin looked over at Brian and glanced up and down his body. "It's an innocent question."

"Posed by anyone else, yes," Justin said as he kept his eyes off of Brian.

"You're stalling, Sunshine," Brian said, glancing in the rearview mirror. Race reached up and pulled on the strands of hair that were hanging in his face.

"He wants me to commission a mural… for his company's Michigan office. I'd have… to… fly out to Michigan, for at least a couple of days. Maybe a week; to get it finished."

"Fuck Justin…"

"Fuck," Race repeated, his feet propped up on his seat and a huge smile spread on his face. Justin sighed and Brian smirked.

"That's the third time you've had to fly out in two weeks. The purpose of having a studio is that you actually are in the studio more times than not."

"I am in my studio. Me being in my studio is what gets me the commissions," Justin said as Brian turned another corner and the park came into view.

"You don't need commissions."

"I know that, Brian. I like doing the commissions. It keeps the work from getting boring." Brian pulled up to the curb and shut off the engine.

"We're here, we're here," Junior said as she reached over to release herself from the confines of her booster seat. "Dad, but I have to go pee. I do." Brian got out of the car and Justin quickly opened the door, walking around the car to stand in front of Brian.

"You're pissed." It wasn't asked and Brian didn't try to correct the statement. "Oh this is nice. You know, for years I put up with missed trips and clients that you just had to fuck and accounts that needed all your attention. Fuck, Brian, I still put up with it." Brian turned to look at Justin, his expression mildly pissed and somewhat amused.

"Your point?"

"My point is, Brian, that I have to fly a few times in a few weeks and you get pissed when I've given you more than enough…"

"Are you fucking him?" Justin's mouth slammed shut and he stared at Brian. Brian waited, Justin flung the backdoor open and Junior jumped out.

"I have to pee. I have to pee," she danced. Justin released Race from his seat after tying his shoes. He stood his son on the ground and reached for Pilot, waking him slowly. He stood his drowsy son next to his brother and watched as Brian picked him up and made his way to the bathrooms, Junior running ahead.

"Ee," Blue babbled, holding her toys out for Justin to take. He took the stuffed bumblebee, covered in textured spots for teething purposes and sat it in Junior's booster seat.

"Bee," he said and signed for his daughter before reaching over to undo the buckles on her seat. She clapped and he kissed her cheek, making her smile harder. She held her hands on the side of his face as he leaned over into the SUV to pick up the diaper bag. He walked over to an open bench and sat down, standing his daughter up on the ground and holding her hands.

"Daddy," Junior said coming to a skipping top in front of him, her ponytail still swinging. "They had soap in there and you had to push it like this." She moved her hands back and forth as fast as she could. "I had to help the boys do it 'cause they are too little."

"You did. Very good job," Justin said. Pilot and Race ran from the bathroom straight for the playground, climbing as quickly as they could onto the thick plastic equipment. Junior bent down to kiss her sister and took off for the slides. Brian walked over and sat down next to Justin. Blue made her way from between Justin's legs over to Brian's, keeping a tight grip on the material of their jeans.

Justin let out an audible breath and sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. He saw his daughter make the sign for dog when a lady walked past in the distance and he smiled. "Yes," Brian said, his mouth moving to match his hand, "dog." Brian eased Blue down to the grass and watched as she crawled around. "Well?"

"I'm not talking about this now, here," Justin said more than a little angry.

"Daddy, daddy, come and push me so high," Junior yelled, hanging on the swing with her belly pressed against the black rubber. Justin got up from the bench and walked over to his daughter. Brian watched as he got her situated on the swing and started to pull it back.

Blue looked up at him and smiled, the sun catching on the hearing aid of her left ear. She held up a blade of grass and signed, "Flower."

Brian shook his head and signed back, "No. Grass." She frowned and repeated her gesture of 'flower'. Brian smirked at her stubbornness and picked his daughter up. "Let's check out the slide."

********

"Why didn't you just answer the question?" Daphne asked with a blow to the punching bag. Justin took a step back with the force and adjusted his grip.

"Because, Daphne, it was a completely accusatory question rooted in his attempt to try and control the course of my career and dictate who I do and don't do work for," Justin said quickly. Daphne stopped moving and took a deep breath, sweat dripping down her neck. She wiped her gloved hand under her chin and frowned.

"Okay," she said, stretching out the word. "Or… maybe he was just simply asking. I mean, you have been spending a lot of time with the guy AND with you and Brian's less than monogamous past it really isn't too off the line."

"Correction, Jake's been coming to the studio. So, technically he's been spending time with me." Justin moved forward to let a leggy blonde pass.

"Whatever, Justin" she said as she put her hands back up and paced the bag. Justin turned with her movements. "Look, all I'm saying is that maybe you're harboring some untapped feelings for said Jake Madsen and Brian's picking up on it." Daphne punched the bag twice and then kicked it, smiling at her best friend as he let it go.

"No," he said. "I have a life with Brian, kids with Brian, I love Brian." Justin bent down to pick up his water off the ground and Daphne gave the punching bag one last kick before walking over. She un-strapped her gloves and snatched the bottle of water from his hand.

She took a drink and swallowed. "Loving someone and having a family with them does NOT mean that you can't like someone else," she said. Justin took the water bottle back from her outstretched hand and took another drink. "I'm sorry if I'm too harsh. But after dealing with Cedric and…"

"No. I get it," he said before she could finish. "And I would be the first to agree with you, except for the fact that I have no interest whatsoever in Jake Madsen."

"Good." She picked up her towel off of a nearby treadmill and walked with Justin towards the locker rooms. "But I'm not the one you have to convince." Justin nodded and they parted ways at the men's and women's doors.

********

"Are you really that surprised that he got upset?" Michael looked up when the bell over the door chimed and his kids came pouring through the door.

"Hey, guys."

"Hi, daddy," Emily said with a smile, running over to give him a huge kiss. She spotted Brian on the sofa near the window and ran over. "Uncle Brian, can Junior play with me?"

Brian smiled at his niece. "Junior's not here, she's still at school," he told her and checked his watch. Emily nodded in understanding.

"Hey, Uncle Brian," Tyler greeted. "Dad, can I get a snack?"

Michael gave a quick 'yes' followed by, "And get something for your sister too." Tyler disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a piece of granola bar dangling from his mouth. He handed Michael the snack for his sister. Emily skipped her way back over to Michael and gave him her lunchbox.

"On the bus Tyler pushed me," she said. Michael looked at his son for an explanation.

"I didn't push her hard and she was being annoying," Tyler said as he walked up the stairs in the comic book store, a snack and a soda in his hand and his book bag on his back. He swallowed the piece of granola in his mouth. Emily pulled on the straps of her book bag and frowned as she followed.

"No, I was not even," she said as she stopped halfway up the stairs. Michael gave her an apple and a juice box. "Daddy, I wasn't."

"I know. Just, leave your brother alone for a little while, okay? Give him a break." She nodded and continued up the stairs behind her brother. The lounging area upstairs was fully equipped for the kids. Thanks largely to Uncle Brian and Uncle Justin.

"'kay," she said as she reached the top.

"And no video games until after you finish your homework." Brian laughed.

"God, Mikey, playing the bad cop. I didn't think you had it in you." Michael laughed sarcastically and went back to his cardboard display project.

"Don't try to change the subject." Brian nodded. "You have to admit, it was a pretty fucked up thing to ask someone. Even if they have vowed to love and cherish you forever," Michael said as he bent the base of the cardboard display, trying to get it assembled and standing.

Brian flipped the page of the comic he was semi-reading and smirked. "I don't recall those words being anywhere near what was said." Michael made a gesture with his head and folded another piece of the display.

"Yeah, but I thought it was more touching than vowing to fuck on into eternity," he said. Brian shrugged and flipped another page in the book. He stood up and walked over to the counter, watching his best friend struggle. "Do you really think that he's having an affair with Jake?"

"No."

Michael looked over at his friend and stood, the display finally standing on it's on. He walked around the counter and picked up a box of comic books that needed to be put into the system. "You are unbelievable," he said.

"Thanks. I know," Brian told him. Michael dropped the subject, knowing that the time Jake Madsen was spending with Justin was bothering him more than he was going to let on.

********

"Stop, Blue," Junior signed and screamed again as another piece of food flew towards her from the direction of her sister's highchair. "Daddy, Blue is throwing her food again."

"I brought coffee," Molly said as she walked through the door, her jacket already halfway off. She slid the door shut and headed straight for the bathroom. "Gotta pee, gotta pee," she said by way of an explanation.

"Hello to you too," Justin called behind her. Junior picked up her cup off the table, looked inside and took a long drink.

Justin slid his phone into his pocket and walked over to his youngest daughter. Blue looked up at him and smiled, showcasing all eight of her teeth. Pilot yawned again and slowly chewed on a piece of sandwich before deciding against it and pushing it out of his mouth half chewed.

Molly emerged from the bathroom still fastening her skirt. It was black, just past her knees and form fitting. "I cannot stop going to the bathroom. I swear to God. I'm just gonna drag a desk in there. Fuck," she said, taking a long drink of her coffee. Hey, Justin, Spawns," she greeted her nieces and nephews with a wave of her hand and a smile.

"I hate when you call them that."

"I know," she said picking up her coffee cup and taking a drink.

Justin pulled out a chair and sat down next to Blue. "You," he started to sign, trying to remember all the things he'd learned during his lessons. "You don't throw… food," he got out.

"You're getting pretty good at that. Only took you what, six months?"

"Four and that's pretty good considering." Blue clapped and smiled. Justin took her plate of food off of her tray and signed and said firmly, "NO!" Blue caught the change in his expression and her lip immediately started to push out. "Don't throw food. No."

"Blue in da trob'l," Race said matter-of-factly as he turned his cup up to his mouth and drank his juice. Blue started to cry and Justin dropped his head onto the table. Junior picked her cup up and drank the rest of her juice as she watched her daddy.

Justin picked his head up and sighed. Molly laughed, opening the refrigerator. "You are such a big help."

"I try," she said, grabbing a yogurt and pulling off the top.

"Aunt Molly, are you really gonna come to my re…umm…re… what is it, Daddy?"

"Recital," Justin said.

Molly licked the top of the yogurt container and looked at Justin as she pulled open a drawer to get a spoon. She settled for one of the kids' disposable animal shaped plastic spoons. "Yeah," she said. "You know I wouldn't miss it." Justin glanced at his sister as he picked raisins up off of Blue's highchair tray. "What the fuck is she talking about?" she whispered.

"You know you're as bad as Brian with your fucking language," he said. "She's talking about her dance recital next week. She's an elephant or something. Lindsay and Melanie are making her costume."

"And you're just a shining example." Molly spooned some yogurt into her mouth and checked her watch. "I need to borrow some of your pencils.

"Buy your own. That is why you have a job now," Justin told her. She snorted and leaned further back into the counter.

"Don't be a stingy little fucker. And what is with the attitude? Brian not making sure your pipes are clean on a regular enough…"

Four little sets of eyes were watching him with great interest as he ran a hand over his face and smiled at his sister. "I think," he said as he looked at all of them and interrupted his sister, "that it's nap time. Yes?"

Pilot was already half asleep and his head bobbed forward as he fought to stay awake. Race coughed and drank some juice. Junior shook her head back and forth. "Nope. I'm not incredibly sleepy," she said. Justin laughed and got up, picking up their plates and turning to go put them in the sink.

"Where do you get these huge words," he said as he turned back around and grabbed everyone's cups.

"Probably from her parents, Mr. Five-thousand on the SATs and Mr. Advertising Genius," Molly said with a lick to her spoon.

He checked his watch and put the cups in the sink. It was time for a nap. Race slowly slipped out of his chair and made his way towards the stairs. Justin picked Blue up out of her chair, still sniffing with tears on her face, and headed towards the stairs. "Come on, guys." Pilot and Junior got up and trailed behind him up the stairs.

Molly pushed off of the counter and moved to follow them.

Justin kissed Blue on the cheek and tickled her as he laid her down in her crib. She giggled and turned on her side as he covered her with her red blanket. Junior grabbed her teddy bear off the floor as she walked out of the bathroom and climbed up on her bed. "Daddy, can we please just wait for Dad? Please?" she asked as he moved over to her bed and laid down.

"No," Justin said. "Dad is at work and doing very important things." He bent down and she kissed him smack on the lips.

"But, maybe we can just call him," she suggested. He could hear Molly in the boys' room trying to get them calm and in the bed.

"How about we call him after your nap?" Junior nodded and flopped over onto her tummy. Justin covered her up and turned off their light. He could hear Blue making gurgling noises as he moved out of the room and down the hall. He walked into Pilot and Race's room and moved over to their beds. Race was already fast asleep on top of his sheets.

"He went right to sleep," Molly said as she brushed some of the hair out of his face and covered him up. "However, the child of the corn over there," she said with a laugh, pointing at Pilot, "doesn't seem to be closing his eyes anytime soon."

Justin laughed and walked over to his son's bed. Pilot picked up his small basketball and crawled into his bed. "Nice try buddy," Justin said as he took the ball from his son's small hands. Pilot started to take deep breaths, his mouth already fixed in a frown. "Ah, no crying. It's naptime. That means no toys. I know you; you'll never go to sleep if you have this ball." Pilot rubbed at his eyes as a lone tear fell and trailed its way down the side of his face and into his ear.

"Seriously, Justin, I need to borrow those pencils." Molly said as she walked out of the room, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor as she made her way back down the hall and down the stairs.

"Sleep," Justin said.

"Nite," he said with a sad sniff. Justin kissed his cheek and covered him up. He turned to Pilot and moved him under the covers before turning out the light and leaving their room. He followed the same path his sister took. Justin moved to clean up the rest of the evidence of their lunch.

"They're getting big," Molly said as she made her way back from his loft studio. She held up the pencils to show him the ones she'd taken. "Thanks for these. I'll bring them back ASAP." She put the pencils in her bag and turned to walk to the counter.

"Sure you will." He put the plates in the dishwasher and turned it on. "Just like you brought back the sketchpads you borrowed and the numerous pieces of clothing."

"Okay, so I have a track record," she shrugged with a smile. "I've gotta go. I'm designing a fifteen story office building for a client from Tokyo."

"Sounds fun," Justin said, walking her to the door and sliding it open.

"Not as fun as flying from coast to coast doing what you love and leaving-What'd the Times call it 'insightful and masterful art that is sure to shake the foundations of the art world'?" She looked down, buttoning her jacket and pulling her bag onto her arm.

"Funny. I'm not so sure Brian would agree with you on that one," he told her, leaning against the frame of the door. He listened for a moment as Blue's low sounds came flowing down the stairs before tapering out.

She took two steps down the stairs and turned back. "Oh, what's the best pregnancy test on the market?" she asked with a smile.

********

Molly folded her legs and bit her fingernail. Riah looked over at her and sighed, again. "Would you please stop doing that? It's making me nervous. Well, more nervous than I am. What time is it?"

Riah checked her watch. "Two more minutes," she said. Ollie ran by and jumped on the bed with JD following close behind. Molly flopped backwards and stared up at the ceiling letting her hand idly rub their bellies.

"This is the longest two minutes of my life." Riah got up and plucked some Starburst out of the jar on Molly's dresser.

"I bet," she said, un-wrapping a piece and pushing the wrapper in her pocket. "I love your bedroom." Molly scoffed.

"You think this is nice, you should see Brian and Justin's bedroom," Molly said with a whistle. "It screams sex." Riah laughed and checked her watch again. She smelled the perfume on the dresser and sprayed some on her wrist.

"I can only imagine. All that time, all those kids. Someone was sure fucking somewhere," she laughed. Molly laughed, her hands resting on her exposed stomach.

"I try not to think of the fucking part." JD and Ollie both shot their heads up at the sound of a key in the front door.

Riah looked at her watch again and turned to Molly. "Time's up," she said. Molly jumped up off the bed and headed straight for the bathroom with Riah right on her heels. "Well, well. Come on."

"Let me look, damn," Molly said. She picked up the white pregnancy stick and took a deep breath. She brought the stick up to eye level and squealed. "AH! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!" She turned towards Riah and held up the stick.

"Holy shit," Riah said and grabbed it. "You're gonna have a baby, a baby." She pulled her best friend close and hugged her tightly, both of them almost falling over. They stopped squealing when they heard Hunter come into the bedroom.

"What's all the noise? I leave for a few days and guys have a party without me." He tossed his bags on the bed and pulled off his jacket. JD and Ollie circled around his legs and he patted their heads.

Molly calmed herself as best she could and walked out of the bathroom. Riah followed, picking up her coat off the bed. "Hey, Hunter," she said as he bent to give her a kiss. "Okay, well, I'm going to leave you two to catch up." She headed for the door and gave Molly a 'call me' sign before leaving.

"Hey you," Molly said, walking over and letting him wrap his arms around her. He smelled like diesel fuel and engines. "I see it was the bikes today." Motocross was his new passion, going hand in hand with his passion for skateboarding.

"Yeah," he said breaking the kiss and pulling his lips into his mouth. "You taste good. What was all the yelling about in the bathroom?" He moved her backwards onto the bed and laid her on her side, his legs tangling in hers and the dogs roaming over them. Molly pulled her right hand from under him and held up the test. Hunter looked at it and took it from her.

"Is this what I think it is?" Molly nodded. "Are you sure?" She nodded again, "When?"

"I just found out. Are you excited?"

He smiled and held the sides of her face before kissing her hard. "Are you fucking kidding me? Hell yeah, I am. I'm gonna be a father," he said loudly. Molly laughed as he hugged her and kissed her again, letting his tongue find its way into her mouth.

"I'm glad you're so excited," she laughed as she pulled back. "You can tell my mother." Hunter made a face and let out a groan and she laughed harder.

********

"She still awake?"

Justin sighed and settled back into the sofa, propping his feet up on the coffee table. Brian walked into the kitchen and pried the top off a beer bottle. "Yeah," Justin said softly. Blue watched Justin out the corner of her eye, a leftover tear escaping from her eyes. "She's the only one left. She never goes down without a fight."

"Because she's too much like you," Brian said, locking his eyes on Justin and taking a drink.

Her head snapped up when Brian made his way back down the stairs and over to the sofa, sitting next to Justin. Justin gently pushed her head back down, kissed her cheek and rested his cheek on the top of her head, inhaling her smell, all baby wash and powder fresh.

"And she looks exactly like you." Blue turned her head towards Brian and yawned around the pacifier in her mouth. Brian took a drink of his beer and handed it to Justin as he reached over to take his daughter.

"Lucky girl," Brian said. "I thought we were trying to stop this," he said indicating the pacifier.

"I value my sanity." Brian let all the meanings of that slide. He could feel the anger coming from his husband, directed solely at him.

"Come here, Little Monster," Brian said as he lifted her through the air, her little body in a white onesie and socks, a blue blanket draped over her back.

"She's never going to go to sleep if you get her all excited," Justin said flatly, crossing his arms over his chest. Brian nuzzled her neck making her giggle before laying her against his chest. He unhooked the hearing aids from around her ears and sat them on the coffee table.

Justin took a long pull on the bottle of beer and dropped it down to his lap. "Daddy," Brian paused, "is just too tense. Aren't you, Daddy?" Blue slowed her sucking on the pacifier and yawned again, her eyes slowly starting to close. "It's all in the technique."

"Mm," is all Justin said. He picked up the sketchpad next to him on the sofa and flipped it open to a clean page. Minutes ticked by and Brian sighed, patting his daughter gently on the back.

"Would it help at all if I said I was sorry?" Brian asked out of nowhere, a smirk on his face. Justin's hand faltered over the sketch. Blue wiggled and turned her head to the other side, bringing her hand up to her mouth to unconsciously keep the pacifier in place.

"Maybe. If you in any way meant it, but I doubt that'll happen," Justin said after a minute. Brian turned to look at him. Justin dropped his voice when Blue's breath hitched and ran his hand over his face. "How could you even ask me that?"

"It was an honest question."

"A completely ridiculous and un-founded accusation is more like it," Justin replied, his hand moving again, determined not to look at Brian.

"Which you never answered," Brian said, blinking slowly.

Justin turned and looked at him. "No. I'm not fucking Jake Madsen." Brian nodded, giving no other show of acknowledgement. Justin waited, his mind going into overdrive. They both knew each other way too well; pawns in each others own personal games of chess and both were playing for the win. "But I do wonder about your sudden interest in who I might be fucking when you're not looking."

"You sound like you have some questions of your own." Justin stood, dropping his pencil and letting it roll down the length of the sketchpad. He reached over and picked up his daughter from where she lay, warm against Brian's chest.

"None at all," is all he offered. He made his way through the darkened room and up the stairs. Brian watched him briefly, tossing aside the small blanket that he'd left behind. He picked up the beer and finished it off.

********

Over eight hours later and the air in the Kinney/Taylor house was still foggy. Justin started the coffee maker and pulled a couple bottles from the dishwasher, rinsing them out. He pulled the formula out of the refrigerator and sat it on the counter. "Pilot, look," Junior said, opening her mouth and showing her brother a piece of her cereal. Pilot laughed and emptied his own spoonful of Cheerios into his mouth.

Blue twisted in her walker and rolled herself across the floor, Cheerios scattered across her tray and one of the boys' cars in her hand. Justin poured the formula into the bottles and screwed on the tops. "Ew," Race said, pulling something out of his mouth and dropping it back into his bowl. Junior screwed up her face and spooned more cereal into her mouth.

"Eat guys," Justin said as he poured himself a cup of coffee and took a drink. He split open a bagel and picked up a knife to spread the cream cheese.

"I'm eating," Junior said. Her hair was in pigtails with white barrettes. Pilot pulled his spoon out of his mouth and climbed down from his chair. He picked up the few dropped cereals off the floor and popped them in his mouth before wiggling back into his seat and sitting firmly, dropping his spoon and reaching for his cup of orange juice.

"Daddy, I can have more juice?" Race said, scooping more cereal onto his spoon and picked the rings off with his free hand and pushing them in his mouth. Justin walked over and looked into his cup.

"You already have juice," he told his son. "Drink what's in your cup and then we'll talk about it." Blue ate another Cheerio, alternating the eating of her breakfast with chewing on the car. She spotted Brian coming down the stairs and was immediately on her feet, holding out a piece of her breakfast for her dad.

"Dad, today we get to go to the big playground at school," Junior said animatedly. She pushed her hair out of her way and picked up her cup, pulling her legs under her body.

Brian moved to the coffee machine and picked up a cup. "Really," he said with his eyes pressing into Justin. "That sounds like fun," Justin ignored the stares and spread grape jelly on a slice of bread and pressed it together with the side covered in peanut butter. He pulled Junior's lunchbox over to him and stuffed the sandwich into a Ziploc bag.

"Nice attitude. And the turning off the alarm was an especially nice touch," Brian said as he drank his coffee. He moved in closer to Justin and waited.

"I didn't turn off your alarm," Justin told him, turning to get a box of juice out of the refrigerator. He put the juice in the lunchbox and reached across Brian to grab an apple. Blue bumped her walker into Brian's legs and grinned up at him.

"Thank you, Bug," Brian said and signed as he bent down to give her a kiss on the top of the head and take the soggy piece of cereal out of her hand. Brian stood back up and gave all his attention back to Justin. "Why are you being such a twat?"

Justin smiled. "Funny. I remember you asking me that question once a long time ago." Brian made a low noise and moved to make sure he had everything he needed. "I can give you the same answer I gave you then. I am not being a twat."

Blue migrated through the kitchen and over to the table, parking her walker next to her sister's chair. Junior reached over and plucked a Cheerio off of Blue's tray. She pushed it in her mouth and Blue chewed and smiled.

"Good?" Junior asked, her small hand forming the question with ease. Blue gave a quick nod and quickly signed 'yes, yes'.

"Bullshit," Brian said. He walked back over to Justin. "I thought we'd talked about this." Justin tossed a small bag of goldfish crackers into Junior's lunchbox and zipped it closed.

Justin turned to him, well aware of Brian's close proximity and the way the sun was hitting the skin just below his shirt collar. "You asking me if I'd forgive you IF you said you were sorry and then proceeding not to say you're sorry is not talking about the fact that you asked me if I fuck around behind your back," Justin said forcefully and quietly. Brian nodded.

"Okay guys, bathroom and jackets. Time to go," Justin said. Junior got up first and dropped her bowl in the sink. She ran to get her jacket off the hook and her brothers followed happily. Blue moved her stubby legs as fast as she could, leaving a trail of cereal in her wake. Justin shifted and started to move away only to be stopped by Brian's hand on his arm.

Brian pulled him in and kissed him hard, pressing his back into the counter. He waited until he felt Justin's barriers break and then stepped back. "You… are the biggest asshole," Justin said with a reluctant smile.

"And you love me."

"Why else would I put up with all your bullshit?" Justin asked. "And just so you know, if I was going to fuck around on you I wouldn't try to hide it. Where's the fun in that?"

"I taught you well." Brian helped Pilot zip up his jacket and watched him pull his hat on his head. Race toddled over for Brian's help and skipped away before Brian could zip it all the way to the top. "Babylon tonight?" Brian asked. He handed Junior her lunchbox with instructions to put it in her book bag.

Justin shook his head. "Sorry, can't. I've got a painting that needs to be finished before the show in a couple weeks and I have my own packing to do. You are always welcome to go though," he said sweetly and with a bright smile.

"As much as I'd like to I have to pass on that permission slip. I've got to pack. My flight leaves bright and early at 7 a.m." Justin nodded and grabbed his own coat. He pulled it on as Brian plucked Blue out of her walker and put her in her coat. He put her on the floor and watched as she stood on her legs and took two steps forward and pressed her hands against the door.

"Mine leaves at 8:45. Michael and Ben are going to pick up Junior and take her to rehearsal."

"Rehearsal?" Brian grabbed his portfolio and slid the loft door open. Justin picked up his own bags and trailed them out the door. Brian pressed the button for the lift while Justin punched in the security code and closed the door.

"For Junior's recital; her ballet recital," Justin said as they rode down. Blue pulled at the buttons on Brian's coat. She signed 'button' and clapped her hands.

Junior helped Justin push the door open and blinked against the sun. Pilot and Race both rushed out past her. "Yes Dad, because I'm the elephant," she said. Brian made his way to his SUV while Justin slid his key into the lock of his car. "A big and humungous pink elephant." Brian un-locked the backdoor and Junior climbed inside, dropping her bag on the seat next to her.

"A pink elephant?" Brian asked. Justin nodded and strapped Race into his car seat. Blue frowned until Justin pulled the shade on her window, turning to strap in his other son. Pilot twisted his straps trying to help Justin. Brian closed his backdoor after buckling Junior's seatbelt and opened his, walking the few steps over to Justin's car. Justin moved Pilot's hands out of the way and clicked the lock into place, closing the door.

"It's a Dr. Suess thing," Justin said by way of explanation. He walked around the car and put his portfolio in the trunk. Brian opened his front door. Justin got in. "You're picking up the boys?" Brian nodded.

"Yeah," he said and closed Justin's door. He moved away and got in his car, starting the engine. Junior kept up a steady stream from the loft to her school. Brian sighed in relief when he pulled into a parking space and cut his engine. Junior waited for him to open her door with barely contained patience. "There is Alissa, Dad," she said as she pushed her body up to look out the front window. Brian grabbed her bag and moved back so she could jump out.

"As always," Brian said as he followed his enthusiastic daughter to the front of the building.

Alissa was holding on to her mom's hand, her hair braided in the front and trailing off into curls. She smiled over at her best friend and pulled her hand free. "Junior, Junior," she said. The two friends met on the sidewalk and hugged.

"Hey," Junior said. "You have on purple. Me too." She pulled on her jacket and peeked at her shirt underneath. Alissa looked down at her dress and stepped forward to look at Junior's shirt too.

"Oh. We are the same," Alissa said with a nod of her head and a smile. Junior nodded and gave a quick 'yup'. They made their way into the building hand in hand. Alissa's mom looked over at Brian and smiled.

"Good morning, Brian," she said as he held the door open for her. "How've you been? We haven't seen you in a while; it's mostly been Justin."

"Busy. It's not easy keeping a business running. Especially if you want to be the best," he said as they reached the classroom. The teacher walked over and greeted them both before moving on to break up an early morning tiff. Junior ran back over to Brian and pulled on his hand, bringing him down to her level. Alissa's mom smiled at them and went to get her own daughter situated. "What's up, Munchkin?"

Junior let Brian help her out of her jacket, turning in a complete circle to get her right arm free. She pulled at the white sleeve, her purple diesel shirt on top rumpled at the collar. "Patrick, said that I can't sit by him and I want to sit by him," Junior said and paused to pull her underwear out of her butt. Brian groaned and licked his lips.

"Why?" he asked, standing and moving with her to get to her cubbyhole. She hung up her jacket and dropped her book bag on the small sitting bench inside. Brian gave her the folders and her primary reading book that he took from inside.

"Because I like him," she said as if it made all the sense in the world. Brian took a deep breath and turned her towards her desk. He didn't want to deal with boys named Patrick or anything else for at least another thirty years.

"Don't worry about Patrick. This seat is just fine. Besides, Alissa might miss you," Brian reasoned as she sat down with a huff. She pushed the wisps of hair out of her face and turned to put her legs under the desk, her feet hooking around the legs of the chair. Alissa sat down next to her and all thoughts of boys were pushed away. "Love?"

Junior hopped out of the seat and put her arms around Brian's neck, smacking her lips against his. "Love you," she said as she pulled back. Brian nodded and pressed his fingertip to hers.

"You too," he said standing up to his full height. "Be good." Junior nodded and sat back down. Brian walked out of the classroom and gave his watch a glance before pushing out of the front door.

********

Molly held tight to her cup of water and looked down at the set of blueprints on her desk. She rolled her eyes and tapped her toe on the granite floor. "I don't want to hear maybe, Franklin. I want results." She waved off her secretary and twirled a charcoal pencil in her hand, the light on her Bluetooth flashing with the call.

"It's as good as I can do, Molly," Franklin said, leaning against the wall of his temporary office. Workers and construction equipment were visible in the distance, orange water coolers in various places. He rested his right hand on his hip, slipping his fingers in the loop of his jeans.

"Fine," she said with an exasperated smile. "Fine, Franklin, you win. Can you at least promise me it'll be ready by Friday?" Franklin laughed heartily and Molly smiled, the heel of her Manolo Blahnik keeping rhythm with her nerves.

"I'll try… for you," he said.

"Don't try," Molly said with love before ending the call. Her secretary came back in and dropped off two long tubes. "Is Mergin ready with the prints for the Houston strip mall?"

Heather nodded her head and picked up the few tubes that were marked to be sent out. "Yes. He said to tell you they're ready for you to approve whenever you're ready. Oh, and Donaldson wants to see you," she said. Molly groaned and moved behind her desk.

"Ugh. Probably to tell me something he already knows I know. He likes to fuck with me," Molly said. Heather turned to leave, pushing her glasses back up. "Tell Mergin I'll be down in a few minutes." Molly sat down and rested her hand on her still flat stomach. "Easy in there. I've got to keep some of the breakfast I ate down."

********

Junior stood up on the swings, gripping the chains and letting Zackary push her as hard as he could. "Do it harder," she said.

Zackary let go of the swing and moved around to the front. He shrugged his shoulders to adjust his coat and looked up at Junior, his blonde hair blowing in the wind. "No," he said. "I did it so many times and you got to go and now I want to go." Alissa sat on the swing next to Junior's, kicking her legs back and forth.

"It is nice to share and you went many times," she said as she looked up at her friend. Junior huffed and jumped down from the swing, hopping forward as it hit her in the back. The teacher walked by with her whistle wrapped around her hand, her eyes sweeping the playground.

"Fine," Junior said. She bit her top lip and dug her foot into the sand. "You can go and then I can go again, okay?" Zackary scooted past her and wiggled onto the swing. Junior coughed around the cold air and moved around the back of the swing to push her friend. Zackary laughed as Junior pushed him. Alissa stopped swinging and let her legs dangle.

"Let's go to the jungle gym," she said, her hat pulled down over her ears. Junior sniffed and looked over at the monkey bars and pursed her lips. She scratched at her leg and Zackary jumped off the swing, leaving the girls to play on their own.

"Mm. Okay," Junior said. Alissa hopped off her swing and ran with Junior across the playground. Alissa reached the bars first and started to climb. Junior went through the large triangles and moved through the sand to the other side.

"Come up here," Alissa said. Junior looked up and a cold gust of wind filtered down her jacket.

"Is it for real very high?" Junior questioned, already starting to climb. Alissa shook her head and shrugged, moving over a little. She reached the top and sat next to her best friend. Alissa crawled around the bars and they both froze as the teacher on playground duty blew the first whistle.

Junior hooked her legs over the bars and let her body dangle upside down. Megan, already five years old, looked up at her and frowned. "You better not fall on my cake store," she said. Junior looked at her with a smirk inherited straight from Brian and sat up to wrap her hands around the bars.

"I'm not."

"They don't look like cakes," Alissa said, lying on her belly on top of the jungle gym. Megan looked down at the lumps of sand and up at Alissa.

"Shut up. Yes they do."

Junior climbed down off the bars and squatted next to the lumps before climbing back through the bars and waiting for Alissa to get down. "Let's go play over there," Junior said, pointing at a group of boys playing their own version of kickball.

Alissa pulled on her coat and sneezed. "No. You always want to play with the boys," she said twisting. They parted ways at the sandbox, Junior walking over to join the boys and Alissa moving towards the concrete to play with a group of girls.

********

Ben closed the front door and closed his eyes against the flood of footsteps on the stairs. "Homework," Ben called. A flood of voices mingled together into something he thought resembled a confirmation. He heard Emily and Junior giggling and Tyler sighing as he made it to his room.

"He sounds pleased," Hunter said as he walked out of the kitchen. Ben smiled and followed him back into the kitchen. Hunter took a bite of the sandwich in his hand and sat down at the table.

"Yeah," Ben said. He pulled out a pitcher of water and reached to get a glass. "Spending the afternoon in a dance studio full of little girls didn't do too much for his happiness." Hunter laughed around a bite and picked up his glass.

"I can take him with me to my practices if you want." Hunter put down his glass and sat back. "When I'm here at least." Ben and Hunter both looked up when running footsteps echoed through the ceiling followed by a shout and the slamming of a bedroom door.

"That might be a perfect idea," Ben said as he put down the glass in his hand and headed for the stairs.

********

"Fuck!" Cynthia jumped at Brian's sudden outburst and adjusted the folders in her arms. "Send them all back," he said as he moved from behind his desk and gave her back the preliminary drafts for three of his biggest accounts.

Cynthia's mouth dropped open as she took the papers and boards. "All of them?"

Brian grabbed his jacket and nodded as he walked out of his office. "All of them. Have them do them over and see if maybe this time they can use half the talent that their resumes claim they have." Brian walked into the conference room and grabbed one of the boards off the stand. He doubled back through the office and leaned across Shaun's desk.

"Mr. Kinney," Shaun said as he looked up. Brian tossed the board down on Shaun's desk and looked at him.

"You want a chance to prove your untapped talent?"

Shaun stood up and looked down at the board and then back up at Brian. "Fuck yeah. I… umm… I mean, Yes, Mr. Kinney. Yes. Very much so," he fumbled out excitedly.

Brian nodded. "You have until I come back to come up with a new panel for the Dogall account." Cynthia smiled as she watched the slight layer of sweat start to pour over Shaun's skin. Shaun opened and closed his mouth.

"Umm."

"Time is of the essence, so I'd hurry if I were you," Brian said as he left the board on Shaun's desk and walked away. Cynthia walked behind Brian pausing every few seconds to talk to an employee.

"You're evil," she said as they walked through the newest wing of Kinnetik and into the draft rooms. Most of the employees were already gone for the day.

"How else am I supposed to keep up with my ruthless reputation?" Brian looked at some of the upcoming drafts and leaned in when he saw one in particular.

"Do you like it?" Cynthia asked. "It's the draft for the new layout for Graphics Limited. They wanted something dark, sexy and weightless."

"It's fucking hot," Brian said and stood up straight. They walked out of the draft room and back into Brian's office. Ted was already waiting to discuss the quarter's profits.

"Hey, Bri," Ted said with a smile. "Cynthia."

"Ted," she smiled back. Brian took the files he needed from Cynthia, gave her a few more things to take care of and walked back behind the desk as she let the door close behind her. "I'm headed out. I'll see you boys tomorrow."

"You look pleased," Brian said as he dropped down into his chair and turned off his computer. Ted let out a small laugh and leaned forward to hand Brian the sheet of figures for the past quarter. "Shit."

"Yeah," Ted said with a smile.

********

"You saw your father a few months ago?" Jennifer looked at the paintbrushes in front of her and waited for Justin to answer. Blue wiggled in her arms wanting to be let down.

"He told you?" Justin asked. He picked up a tube of paint and read the label. Almost four in the afternoon and he'd picked up Blue from Arden Academy, a special early childhood learning center for children who were diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing.

Jennifer let her down and held onto her hand. "Your father and I aren't exactly what you'd call on speaking terms. Molly told me. Why didn't you?" Justin rolled his eyes and moved further down the aisle.

"I'm not surprised. She's nosey as hell with a big fucking mouth. And there really wasn't that much to tell," he said. Blue pulled at her grandma's hand to free her hand.

"Stay… here," Jennifer signed. Or at least she hoped it was something to that effect, she'd only been reading self-learning books for a few weeks. Blue frowned in understanding and in true infant form pulled again anyway. "Did he say what he wanted?" Justin put a few tubes of the paint into his basket and turned around to look at the things behind him, checking his watch.

"I'm surprised she didn't tell you that too," he smiled. "That's just it, he wanted to see me. That's all. And he wants to meet the kids." Jennifer opened her mouth and closed it again.

"Uh…"

"Yeah. I talked to Brian about it and he said it's up to me; not to try and use him as a smokescreen." She bent down to pick Blue back up, ignoring the small protest. Justin glanced over at his mother and daughter and turned back to the things in front of him.

"And what did you decide?"

"He's an asshole," Justin said. "But he wasn't always. I want my kids to know their grandfather. They deserve that."

"Even if he breaks their hearts?" Jennifer moved closer to Justin at the sound of someone else coming into the small Art Depot. Justin seemed to think it over.

"Yeah," he said. "I'm hoping he won't. I'm hoping that I don't regret letting him into my life again, but I'm willing to give it a try." Jennifer sighed as Justin moved away. He'd always been trusting, always had just a little more faith in others and she hoped he wasn't disappointed. They made their way to the front and Justin unloaded his things onto the counter.

"Justin," Tom said as he started ringing him up. Blue busied herself with inspecting Jennifer's earrings.

"Hey, Tom," Justin said with a smile. Tom turned his attention to Blue for a second, making her giggle. She'd seen Tom more times than she knew. Justin introduced his mother and Tom made a small bowing gesture.

"Mother of the artist. Nice," he said. Jennifer smiled and let them talk. "I thought you were skipping town, what're you still doing here?" he asked and reached for a bag.

Justin smiled. "Leaving in the morning; just picking up some last minute supplies." Tom nodded and bagged the paints and brushes, sketchpads and miniature canvases. They said their goodbyes and left the store. Jennifer slipped on her sunglasses and moved the strand of hair out of her mouth. Justin moved closer and pulled Blue's hat out of his pocket, slipping it on her head.

She reached up to take it off and he held her hand, shaking his head 'no'. They walked up to Justin's car and he opened the backdoor so Jennifer could put Blue in her seat. She kissed her granddaughter and closed the backdoor as Justin shut the trunk. She gave him a quick hug and stepped back. "Be careful," she said.

"I always am." She was still uneasy about him flying so much. She smiled and turned to walk away. Justin got in the car and started the engine. "Ready to go see dad?" Justin signed for her. She kicked her legs once and turned to look out the window. Justin turned his attention forward and pulled away from the curb.

********

Brian backed Justin into their dresser, his mouth traveling down to his neck. "If I didn't have four kids downstairs screaming like banshees this would be so hot," Justin said. Brian pressed his body in closer and let his fingers travel to Justin's jeans, popping the button and pulling the zipper down.

"Mm," Brian said pulling back. Justin closed his eyes and pulled Brian's hand out of his jeans, leaning his head against Brian's chest. "What's the matter, Sunshine?"

"You are such a bastard," Justin said as he evened out his breathing. Brian smiled and let him pull back to fasten his jeans. "Later?" Brian shook his head. "Brian."

"They'll survive by themselves for at least," he thought about it, "ten minutes."

Justin laughed. "What are you… sixteen?" Brian walked over and closed the bedroom door.

"Speed comes in handy when you need it."

********

Justin shifted against the sink and Brian laughed. "You're going to pay for this," Justin said. Brian smirked and grabbed his gym bag.

"Would it be too clichéd to say I'm looking forward to it?" Justin's cell phone rang and Brian took that as a sign he was free to make his escape.

"Hello?"

Junior picked up her cup off the table and held it in both hands up to her mouth. "Daddy, can I have some juice?" Pilot sat in his chair eating his raisins with calculated precision. Justin turned to his daughter and held up one hand, signaling for her to give him one second. Junior huffed and put her cup back up on the table.

"Oh this is bullshit," Justin said into the phone. He moved further into the living room, stepping over toys and picking up stray pieces of clothing. "No. Because I don't want to hear that he doesn't know. No. No. Look, if I have to get on a fucking plane right now and come there I will." Race pulled the crust off of his grilled cheese sandwich with a very annoyed frown.

"J, you eat," he said as he held out the bread to his sister. Junior stood up in her chair and reached across the table to where her brother sat and took the crust.

"You don't even want it?" Race shook his head from side to side, his cup positioned in between his legs. Pilot took a bite of his sandwich and yawned as he reached up on the plate and picked up another raisin. "M'kay. Want my raisins?" she asked her brothers.

"No," Race said and took a bite of his slice of apple.

"Me want da ra-zen," Pilot said, his mouth beyond full. Junior sat up on her knees and pushed all the raisins off of her plate and onto the table. She slid the raisins over towards her brother and sat back, resting her weight on her legs.

"I sent all of the paintings and their sketches over two weeks ago. They should all be there." Justin ran a hand through his hair, the action activating one of the toys in his hand. He paused and listened. "If that's the case then someone better start looking for another fucking job. No, I don't want to talk to them. Get me Julian on the phone, now!" Justin took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He'd been trying to get ready for his first show in a year and nothing seemed to be going right.

Junior bit down on her sandwich and blinked rapidly as a raisin from across the table hit her in the face. "Hey. Stop it, Blue," she said and signed as she put her sandwich back down on the plate. The signing for their sister had become almost automatic. Blue popped a piece of her cut up sandwich into her mouth and sat back in her highchair as she chewed.

Junior coughed and turned in her chair to look at her daddy. Justin was standing in front of the window and listening intently as Julian spoke. "I'm on top of it Justin."

"Daddy," Junior tried softly.

"It really doesn't feel that way, Julian. What is going on with the four paintings that have suddenly gone missing?" Julian began to talk rapidly, interchanging English with French as he talked to someone in the room with him.

"Justin," Julian tried. "I assure you that we are doing everything in our power to locate the missing paintings before you step off your flight tomorrow. As of right now we have reported them stolen and I have five teams searching the shipping dock, loading area and holding room for them. It is my firm belief that they are here."

"Daddy." Justin walked towards the kitchen, putting the toys and clothes in his hand down on the counter. He pulled open the refrigerator and grabbed the bottle of apple juice. He poured Junior some into her cup and tightened the cap back on the bottle. "Thank you."

He mouthed a quick "you're welcome" and pressed his palm against his head as he turned to walk away.

"Justin?"

"I'm here. I'm here, look, I want to know the minute you find them. And if I haven't heard from you by the morning I'll assume you can't find them. I'll assume someone on your end lost them." Justin flipped his phone closed, shut his eyes and took four deep breaths.

********

"I can't figure out what to take. This is so frustrating," Justin said as he stepped over his open luggage, his toiletry bag in his hand. Pilot moved down the hall with his Nerf ball clutched in his arms. Race was sitting in the hall chewing on the collar of his shirt.

"You're only going for a couple of days," Brian said, turning the page of Junior's book while she lay pressed against his chest. Justin pulled his bottom lip into his mouth and ignored him.

"Canna'hav dat," Pilot said as he stopped in front of his brother, his hand out and waiting. Race looked up at his brother and frowned.

"No. You… go," Race said as he swatted at his brother. Justin tripped into the closet and looked down at the floor.

"J, seriously," he said. "You have got to pick up your toys."

"M'kay," she said with her hair still damp from her bath. Justin pulled out two pairs of jeans and three shirts. "How many of these days are you going to be away, away?" Blue giggled as Brian lifted her above his head, her small hand balled up in her mouth and drool dripping down her chin.

"Not that many days. Pilot, knock it off."

"Did you hear what Daddy told you, Munchkin?" Brian asked as he settled Blue on the sheets next to him. Junior sighed and pulled on her hair, rolling off of her spot to go and get her toys.

Blue rolled into his side, stuffing her fist into her mouth. "What time are we supposed to be dropping them off?" Brian asked. His bags were already packed and ready to go. Justin came out of the closet, scratching at the tip of his nose.

"Um, they said whenever we were ready," he said, exchanging one shirt in his luggage for another. "I thought sooner rather than later though. You know, to be polite." Justin turned to walk into the bathroom and paused just long enough for Brian to know what they'd be using the extra time for.

********

"Thanks again guys for watching them," Justin said. He turned and hung their jackets up on the hooks by the door.

"Not a problem at all," Ben said as he held Blue up and tickled her. "I have to admit I'm a little nervous about the sign language thing."

"You'll be fine. She'll get the idea and you'll relax." Brian was over by the stairs giving his three hellions some last minute rule reinforcements. Michael laughed.

"I never thought Brian Kinney would be giving behavioral rules to kids, let alone his own." Brian watched them all run up the stairs, the twins following as fast as their legs could go.

"Me either," Brian said with a smirk. Michael sat a tray of cupcakes on the table and closed the oven. Brian looked at him a moment with his eyebrow raised.

"Shut up, asshole," Michael said. "Emily's class is having some… thing. I got cupcake duty." Michael licked some icing off his finger and shrugged.

"Aw Mikey, you're so sweet," he said bending to kiss him on the cheek. Michael pushed him back and shook his head. Brian slipped his hands into his back pockets. "Watch them."

"Like a hawk," Michael said and Brian nodded; the meaning deeper than an overnight stay.

"They ate dinner and had their baths. They're all ready to go to bed. And this one especially can go down whenever you're ready. You can take her hearing aids off when you put her down." Justin kissed his daughter on the cheek and she reached for him, pouting when he didn't take her from Ben's arms.

Brian walked out of the kitchen and past Ben and Justin, opening the front door. "You sure you're not going to have a massive coronary when we walk out the door?" Brian asked.

"I'm pretty sure we'll be fine," Ben told him. Brian stepped forward and ran a hand over Blue's soft curls.

"Bye, bye, Bug," he signed before kissing her. She held onto the collar of his leather jacket as he pulled away. "Be good," he said. They made their way out the door with Blue crying and reaching for them while Ben shut the door. He walked into the kitchen and handed her to Michael.

"I'll bake. You see if you can get her to stop crying?" Michael moved back to the oven, glancing at the stairs as Tyler ran down and then quickly back up.

"Nice try." Ben pulled her head in close and rested it against his shoulder, patting her back.

********

"You've perfected your technique," Jake said. Justin was startled, wiping his forearm across his neck. The building was empty, closed for the night.

"I thought you were gone," Justin said, bending down to mix some more paint. It had taken a day to draw the outline onto the large space and half of another to mix the colors to perfection.

"Forgot some important documents," Jake said holding up his briefcase. Justin stood up and took a step back with a nod. "Where's Brian?"

Justin walked back over to the wall and started back to work. "At this rate I think it'll be done within the next day or so." Jake nodded and circled him, stepping in closer and letting their bodies slightly touch.

"No rush," Jake told him. Justin turned and smiled.

"Look, Jake, don't take this the wrong way, but fuck off." Jake smiled and Justin dropped his hand down to his side.

"This is about Brian. What, he tells you who you can and cannot talk to these days?"

"If all you wanted to do was talk I doubt there would be a problem." A security guard wandered into the room and quickly left after seeing who was doing the talking.

"Last I heard exclusive fucking wasn't something either of you prided yourselves on." Jake moved his hand to move up Justin's arm and Justin knocked it off.

"Who Brian and I fuck is none of your business."

"Unless," Jake paused, "you guys have gone monogamous and decided to keep it under wraps. I knew Brian in college, fucked anything that moved. He hasn't changed all that much." Justin moved around Jake and started to pack up his paints.

"This was a bad idea. You obviously can't separate business and your own personal feelings." Jake turned and watched Justin pack up. Justin put his brushes in their case and zipped it closed.

"Although I have to admit keeping his own personal pussy on tap is a smart move on his part; keeps traveling to a minimum in the inconvenient hours." Justin didn't even feel his fist connect with Jake's face but he saw the man falling, landing in the paint. Justin looked at his fist and the paint splattered across the floor. Jake was on his feet in what seemed like seconds, pulling his hand back and slamming his fist into Justin's left check, sending him reeling back and against the wall.

Jake touched his hand to the side of his face and shook his other arm, sending paint in another direction. Justin spit out the blood that pooled in his mouth and wiped his hand across his lips. Justin nodded quickly and moved from against the wall, snatching his things and moving towards the door.

Jake turned and tried to think of something to say, an apology, something and nothing came out but, "Wait."

Justin pulled open the glass door that led to the outer lobby and turned. "I think we've said all we need to say to each other. Get someone else to finish your mural." Justin swallowed despite the blood still in his mouth and left.

********

Junior licked the peanut butter off of her hand and picked up her cup. "Are my Daddy and my Dad going to come home very, very soon?" She leaned her cheek on her bent knee and waited for her Uncle Ben to answer.

"Um, no," he said as he turned towards the stove and tossed some vegetables in the hot skillet. "They are not scheduled to come back until tomorrow." Junior picked up her sandwich and took another bite.

"I want them to come back on this day," she said and pushed the hair out of her face. Blue let out a squeaking noise and started to squirm. She twisted in her highchair and started to cry. Her flailing limbs knocked her bottle onto the floor. "Uncle Ben, Blue is not happy."

"Yeah," Ben said as he turned from the stove. "I can see that." He walked over to Blue's seat and unfastened her straps. He picked her up just as she started to squirm her way down her seat. Michael came down the stairs, a small shoe in his hand and two matching shirts over his shoulder.

"I have no idea how Brian and Justin do this everyday," he said as he picked up the boys' bag, folded the shirts and put them away. Junior dropped her leg from the chair and picked up her piece of apple. Ben put Blue on his shoulder and patted her back. Emily walked down the stairs in her pink nightgown, her hair pulled into a neat ponytail.

Michael zipped up the bag and dropped it back next to the chair. "Daddy, can I have some water, please?" she asked. Ben looked over at Michael and smiled.

"Daddy, do you think I could get a little help over here?" Ben asked. Michael walked into the kitchen and poured his daughter a glass of water. Emily walked over to the table and sat her glass on top. She wiggled into the seat next to Junior and downed her water.

"Okay, little girls, I think it is time for bed," Ben said. He turned off the stove and put his hand behind Blue's head just as she decided to roll it backwards. Junior slid off of her chair and moved to pick up her plate. She walked over to the sink and Ben helped her put it inside.

"Daddy, can you read a story?" Emily asked as Ben led them both up the stairs. Michael stayed in the kitchen, pulling out two plates for himself and Ben.

"I think we can make that happen," Ben said as they rounded the corner into Emily's room. Ben turned on the light and walked Blue over to the portable crib in the corner. He laid her down and covered her with her blanket. Emily climbed into her bed with her favorite book and grabbed her stuffed puppy.

Junior pulled off her socks and her jeans. Ben helped her pull off her shirt and draped a towel around her shoulders. He ushered her into the bathroom for a bath, Emily and Tyler and the twins already dressed for bed. "No bubbles, Uncle Ben?" Junior asked as she waited for the tub to fill.

"No bubbles tonight. It's too late for bubbles. But, maybe if you're lucky we can have bubbles tomorrow, deal." Junior nodded as Ben helped her climb into the tub. He washed her up quickly and wrapped her in a towel, drying her quickly. He got her all dressed and ready for bed. Junior climbed in the bed next to Emily and listened as Ben read them a story.

He turned off Blue's monitor, turned off the light and closed the door. He left it open a little. He checked Tyler's room, making sure all the boys were still asleep before making his way back down to the kitchen. "Are they all asleep?" Michael asked as he set the plates down on the table and sat down. Ben washed his hands and sat down across from Michael, pulling Pilot's Nerf ball from under him and sitting it on the table.

"Getting there," Ben told him tiredly. They both picked up their forks and started to enjoy their own dinner.

********

Justin dropped his shirt into his luggage and moved towards the door. "I didn't order any room service," he said as he wrenched the door open. Brian stood just outside the door, his bag in his hand and sunglasses on. "Brian." He turned his body so Brian couldn't see the larger than life bruise that was spread across his skin and slid his hand down the door to hide the red swelling.

"Nice to know you haven't forgotten me."

"Impossible. What are you doing here?" Justin asked and Brian shrugged and took off his jacket, tossing it in a chair.

"I figured we could both go for a little rendezvous," Brian said, pulling off his sunglasses and tossing them on the bed. Justin closed the door and moved cautiously towards Brian.

"Sounds like you have something in mind," he said trying hard to sound normal. Brian dropped his bag and noticed the open luggage.

"Oh, you wouldn't even begin to have an idea. What's with the early prep, you going somewhere?" Brian turned around and Justin braced himself. He saw Brian's jaw clench and he took a step forward.

"I swear it looks worse than it feels. Okay, that's not exactly true," Justin started as Brian moved toward him. He let Brian turn his head to the side and into the light. He looked at Justin's hand and nodded before letting him drop it back to his side.

"I bet," is all Brian said. He wrapped Justin in a tight hug and kissed him, not pressing too hard on the cut on his lip. Justin smiled at him sadly. He knew what seeing him bruised did to Brian and he let him pull away. "I'm assuming you didn't do this to yourself."

"It seems that sometimes you aren't wrong about your judgment of character." Brian listened without comment. They stared at each other for way too long, years taking away the need to let too many words pass between them. Justin smiled and moved across the room. "I'll be right back," Justin said. He disappeared into the bathroom and closed the door.

Brian rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and kept his eyes trained on the bathroom door. Swallowing the edge of his anger he grabbed his discarded jacket and left the room, hearing the soft click of the automatic lock behind him.

Justin took a calming breath and opened the door, glancing around the room and muttering a 'fuck'. "Fuck, fuck, FUCK!" he shouted and sat down on the bed.

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