Blended

Chapter 27 Continued

Part 5

********

Brian held in his laughter, leaning against the kitchen counter. “You look…relaxed,” Justin said with a knowing smile. Emily and Tyler were gathering their things and putting on their shoes. All of the other kids were fast asleep in their beds.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say someone got….”

Michael flushed from head to toe and hunched his shoulders. “Shut up,” Michael said, cutting Brian off. Tyler pulled his book bag on and yawned.

“Did you do all of your homework, pal?” Ben asked his son, ignoring the jabs and stifled laughter of their friends.

“Yeah,” Tyler said around another yawn. “We didn’t have any math today, just science and history.” Ben nodded. Emily was swaying on her feet, barely awake. Ben bent over to pick her up. She’d been asleep when they’d arrived while Tyler stared sleepily at a movie on the television.

“Good.”

Michael laughed when Brian slipped his arm around his shoulders and poked him in the ribs, whispering filthy scenarios and positions in his best friend’s ear. “Okay,” Michael said, the tips of his ears red. “Let’s go. Ready?” he asked.

“I think so,” Ben said. He shared a knowing smile with Michael. They’d both agreed, after very intense and overdue orgasms, to take more time to be alone. They loved their two youngest children, but they knew they owed it to themselves to also have some fun every once in a while.

“I wouldn’t listen to anything he tells you,” Justin said, rubbing his stomach for emphasis. 

“That just proves that what I’m telling you is effective,” Brian said proudly.

Tyler made his way to the front door and Ben took that as their cue. “We better go. Tomorrow is a school day. Thanks, again,” Ben said. 

“Anytime,” Justin said. They left and Brian locked the door behind them, listening to the closing of their car doors and the rumble of their car’s engine as it pulled out of the driveway. Justin stood, leaning against the kitchen counter and Brian caught his eye. “I believe, Mr. Kinney, that you promised me a distraction of some sort.”

Brian stepped into Justin’s personal space, reaching out to smooth his hands over the protruding belly. He wound his hands around Justin’s waist and moved until they were as close as they could be. Justin bit at his bottom lip before pressing his lips to Brian’s and melting into the heat.

Justin moaned and Brian moved them back, stopping when they bumped into the kitchen table. They removed each other’s clothes and Brian guided Justin onto his back. There were no words; the sound of moans, groans, and barely contained expletives rushed though the air. Brian spread Justin’s legs, stepping between them and bending down. He took Justin’s cock into his mouth, sucking hard and slowly before releasing him and moving lower. “Fuck,” Justin grunted and flushed when Brian pushed his tongue inside the tight ring of muscle.

Brian kept his movements steady. He felt Justin clench around his tongue and pulled away slowly, the spit-slick hole pulsing. Brian wasted no time. He pushed into Justin, slow and steady, bottoming out. He leaned over his husband, breathing hot and heavy against his skin.

Justin let out a whoosh of breath and felt his muscles throb as Brian started to move. He gave no thought to the pain in his hand. All he felt was pleasure and pain, rolling though him and coating his skin in a thin layer of sweat.

He was relaxed, very relaxed, and most definitely distracted.

********

Brian paced the length of his youngest twins’ room with Sam draped over his shoulder, sniffling softly and rubbing at his eyes. He’d woken up just as Brian and Justin were entering their second solid hour of post-sex sleep. His sharp cries had pierced through the house and Brian forced himself awake, rushing to get to his son before he could wake up anyone else. Brian rubbed his hand over his son’s back and felt him take a shuddering breath.

Max was fast asleep, pressed against the side of his crib with one leg stretched out and one knee bent. Brian stopped walking and Sam’s head popped up off of his shoulder, eyes bright with tears. “Baby,” Max said, dropping his head back down. “Baby.”

Brian reached into his son’s crib and grabbed the little cloth baby doll that had once been Blue’s. Max had found it earlier and become instantly attached. Blue didn’t seem to mind. “If I was insecure I’d be worried about your attachment to this doll.” He pressed the doll into his son’s arms and watched as he snuggled into it. Brian started to walk again, gently rocking his son until his eyes started to close. He waited until he was sure his son was settled before walking over to his crib and lowering him inside.

Max’s eyes rolled open quickly and then closed. He stayed on his back with the baby doll clutched tightly to his side. Brian covered him up and turned to leave the room.

He checked on his other kids before making his way back into his bedroom. Junior was curled into a ball with her teddy bear, her covers bunched all around her for a change. Blue was spread out like a starfish, her head turned into her pillow and drool soaking the pillowcase. Race was sleeping on his left side. His pajamas were all twisted, covered in spaceships and stars. Pilot, as usual, was flipped upside down. His feet were resting on his pillow and his head was hidden beneath the sheets. They each had their two allotted toys in the bed with them.

Brian walked into his bedroom and slipped between the covers. Justin immediately moved back into Brian’s heat. “Everything okay?” Justin mumbled.

“Yeah,” Brian answered. He moved his arm and let Justin roll over to rest against his side. “Everything’s fine.” Brian let his hand rub over Justin’s stomach and listened to the sounds of the house, quiet and settling.

********

Justin ran the brush through Junior’s hair and let out a sigh. “You might as well drop the attitude, because I’m not dealing with it today,” he told her. Junior took a deep breath and willed herself not to cry. “If I ask you to do something I expect you to do it, not stomp and give me any smart comments.” Junior wasn’t their most stubborn child. That award went to her little sister. But she was prone to sudden moments of defiance. Usually content to be overly adventurous, there were some times when Brian and Justin had to remind her that she was only 7, almost 8.

The rest of the kids were at the kitchen table, eating breakfast and getting ready to start another fun-filled Tuesday. “I don’t have one,” she said with a forced crossing of her arms.

Justin bit his bottom lip to keep from yelling and separated her hair into quarters, pulling and brushing it into place to make four interconnecting ponytails. “Oh, yes you do.”

“I DON’T!” Junior screamed, stomping her foot down.

The other kids looked over at the commotion and Brian was just about to say something when Justin finished the last ponytail and spun his daughter around to face him. “Okay, you’ve got exactly five seconds to get rid of whatever mood you’re in. You will not scream at me. Do. You. Understand? And you will not stomp your foot down because you can’t get your way. You better take a deep breath and get it together because the next time I have to talk to you about a tantrum will be the last time. And believe me you won’t like it.”

Junior sniffed and wiped at her eyes, huge crocodile tears falling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she said around a deep tear-stained cough.

Justin shook his head. “I don’t want to hear that you’re sorry. I want you to have heard what I said and know that I mean it.” Junior nodded and wiped at her eyes. “Now, go put your hair things away and eat your breakfast so we can go.”

Junior gathered her and Blue’s things. She shuffled up to the bathroom and stored them in the cabinet before going to the table and slipping into her seat. Justin made his way into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of orange juice. “Girls are so weird,” Justin whispered. “They just have random attitudes for seemingly no reason at all.”

“You could have just told her that sorry is bullshit,” Brian pointed out.

“I’ll leave that gem for you.” Justin leaned his hip against the counter and winced, running a hand over his stomach. It was round and developing quite rapidly. Sometimes Justin had to hold back the urge to swat his children. But he knew where Brian stood on the subject and it wasn’t up for renegotiation. Justin downed the orange juice and placed the glass on the counter.

“What’s the plan?” Brian asked. He was casually dressed in dark jeans, a white tailored shirt and a black Prada blazer.

Justin ran a hand through his hair. “I have some things I need to get done here before going in. I have to stop by the art gallery and talk to Lindsay. I think she wants me to guest teach a toddler class.” Justin groaned at that and Brian laughed. “Shut up.”

“I’ll drop off if you pick up,” Brian said. Justin agreed to that.

“Okay. I’ll keep them here with me,” Justin said, motioning to their smallest twins. “Give Debbie a day off.”

Brian nodded and together they helped the kids get their dishes in the sink, into their shoes and out of the front door. Justin kissed them all. Blue gave him an extra hug before following her brothers and sister out the door and across the grass. “I don’t know why we had that very nice stone pathway put in,” Brian said. He leaned in and kissed Justin, smiling as he pulled away. “I was just thinking,” he said, one eyebrow raised.

Justin leaned against the doorframe. “About what?”

A very promising smirk was the only response Justin received from his husband. He could only just imagine the many, many things that were going through Brian’s head and he would bet top dollar that most of them were filthy. Justin glanced around his front lawn. The air was fresh and the morning fog was still thick. The sun was painting the sky a beautiful shade of gold. Justin’s attention jerked back to the SUV and he waved when it started to drive away. He rubbed his arms to try and gather some heat before disappearing into the house.

“Are you two finished yet?” he playfully asked his twins.

Max and Sam were still sitting in their highchairs. They were dressed for the day, in overalls and white shirts. The trays of their highchairs were covered in Kix and they were each pushing the little round balls of cereal into their mouths. “Some!” Max offered, reaching a hand towards Justin.

“No, thank you,” Justin said with a smile. “You can eat it all.” He walked through the living room and down the hall. He grabbed his camera off of the table in his home studio, checking it for film and setting it while he walked back down the hall and back towards the front door.

“Daddy,” Sam called.

“Yes?” Justin asked. He reached the door and pulled it back open, waiting for his son to finish talking.

“Snap, snap,” he said loudly. Max sat next to him; pulling on his ear and drinking milk out of his sippy cup.

“Yeah,” Justin said, “Daddy is gonna take some pictures. I’ll be right back.” He walked outside and quickly started to capture the images of the morning. He stopped when the roll was filled and went back into the house to handle his kids, call Debbie, and start his day.

********

“Baby,” Sam said, holding up his doll and pointing to Justin’s stomach.

“Baby,” Max echoed, his socked feet kicking against Justin’s thigh.

Justin laughed at his sons. They were lying, one on each side, in his bed. Justin had gotten a lot of work done. He’d paused to feed his boys lunch and hopefully get them down for their nap. “Yeah, there are babies in there,” he told them. “You’re gonna have brothers or sisters, maybe one of each.”

“Baby,” Max said again.

“You guys have to work on your vocabulary.” He stayed with his sons until they were both sound asleep. He maneuvered past Sam and left them to their nap. He made his way back into the kitchen and took out one of Debbie’s frozen pasta dishes. The kids loved her food and it saved him the hassle of having to make something. He left the dish on the counter and made sure he grabbed the baby monitor before retreating into his studio. He’d developed the roll of film from the morning and the photos were hanging in his darkroom. Having Max and Sam underfoot didn’t make the developing process easier but it was definitely more interesting.

“These are good,” Justin said to himself. He left the darkroom and sat back down in front of his computer. He’d much rather be in front of a canvas, but he tried to take it easy around the paint while he was pregnant and he was already working on a large piece in his studio downtown. With the time for the kids to be picked up approaching fast he did as much work as he could. He was almost done when he heard Max and Sam in the monitor. He could hear the rustling of little limbs on sheets and socked feet hitting the floor.

Justin saved his work and closed up the studio, making sure the lock was in place before making his way to his sons. He met them at the top of the stairs. “Hey,” he greeted, stopping to unhinge the gate that blocked them from coming down. “You guys woke up just in time because we’ve got to go and get your brothers and sisters.” He moved past the gate and took their hands in his, leading them to their bedroom so he could change their diapers and put on their shoes.

********

The afternoon flew by and Justin was more than ready for bedtime. Brian was late. “Is Daddy coming home?” Blue asked when Justin finished her selected story for the night, her small hands quickly making the signs. Justin took a moment to appreciate all the hard work that her teachers had done. He hoped that she wouldn’t want for anything when she switched schools.

“He’ll be here. Daddy had to work late today,” Justin told her with a sad smile. He kissed her forehead and made sure she had her stuffed bumblebee with her. “Love you,” he signed.

He walked next door to Junior’s room and she was already lying down. She opened her arms wide for her own hug and kiss when Justin walked over. “I love you,” Justin told her, kissing her cheek.

“I love you too, Daddy,” she said with a smile. “Can we read about the princess?” She twirled her hair around her finger and Justin ran a hand over her head.

“Of course we can.” Justin grabbed a large book off of her shelf and moved to settle down next to his daughter. “Let’s see if I can take Dad’s title of the best storyteller,” he said with a laugh. He started to read and before he could get ten pages in Junior was curled into his side and fast asleep. He placed another kiss above her ear and laid her down on her pillow, pulling her covers up. He paused at her door and turned on the small nightlight before pulling the door slightly closed.

The boys had already had their stories and were fast asleep.

Justin made his way into the master bedroom and after a quick trip to the bathroom he crawled into the bed and laid on his back, running his hands over his stomach and talking quietly to his two newest children. They had been pretty active, especially after lunch. The flutters were tapering down and he was more than grateful for that. He glanced over at the clock. It was pushing midnight and Justin frowned at the thought that he’d been laying down for over three hours. It had felt more like forty-five minutes.

He had to stop himself from calling Brian. They’d never been the ‘calling to check in’ kind of couple. Thirty-two minutes past midnight Brian was making his way into the house and Justin was fast asleep. He walked into his bedroom and shrugged out of his clothes. He took a quick shower before getting into bed.

“Did you eat?”

Brian watched as Justin rolled over to face him, his eyes glazed with sleep. “Not hungry,” Brian replied, trailing the tips of his fingers through Justin’s hair. Touch was everything. It always had been with them. It said ‘I’m sorry I was late’ and ‘I love you’. Justin leaned in and Brian met him halfway, pressing their lips together. It wasn’t one of their marathon fuck sessions, but it was good.

“You missed story time. I was a hit with the boys but I haven’t managed to convince the girls that I am better than you when it comes to acting out fictional characters in children’s books.”

“I am good,” Brian said smugly. “I’ll have to make it up to them tomorrow.”

Justin nodded and closed his eyes, losing himself in the touch of Brian’s fingers. “What kept you? I stopped myself from calling so I think I’ve earned the right to ask that question.”

“A new client, Mr. John Perine,” Brian answered with frustration. “He might prove to be more trouble than his bank account is worth.” John Perine was a fighter. He was used to getting his way, no matter what. The problem was that so was Brian. They’d been in talks for most of the afternoon and night with legal documents and rough sketches being faxed, emailed, and sent by express mail. Mr. Perine wanted to pay the minimal cost, no matter the profit earned. He also had some requests that had Brian having to play the kind of hardball he hadn’t had to play in years.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before,” Justin said, looking over at Brian. “You like him.”

“I’ve never even met him. You have nothing to worry about,” Brian said. “I like him because he reminds me of myself; if I liked pussy, lived in Texas, and ate steak every day of the fucking week.”

Justin laughed and Brian removed his fingers from his hair to run them up and down the length of Justin’s belly. “I’m not worried. I currently have six of your children, with two on the way. I’d clean up if you ever tried to leave me.”

“It’s nice to know that you’ve thought of that,” Brian said.

“I know,” Justin said. They settled into a pleasing silence and Brian was almost asleep when Justin muttered, “Brian, do you think maybe we should get the surgeries? I mean, I could have mine done when I deliver these two.”

Brian thought about it. They’d had this discussion more than once. The one time they thought they’d come to a decision neither had been able to go through with it. “Honestly, I think eight kids is enough,” Brian said. “I never wanted a huge family. I never even thought I wanted a family at all. But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world and I’m not ready to say that I am sure I’ve had enough.”

“Me either,” Justin admitted. “You know, people who never thought they wanted families sometimes turn out to be the ones with the biggest.” Brian watched Justin fall asleep before closing his own eyes, his hand resting on top of Justin’s belly button.

********

Wednesday afternoon brought everyone to Jennifer and Tucker’s house for dinner. “Molly, get your butt off of the counter,” Jennifer said, swatting at her daughter. The kids were running around and burning off the energy built up from sitting in class all day. Molly hopped down from the counter and took the chocolate covered spoon that her mother was holding out towards her.

“Thanks. It’ll mean another hour at the gym but it’ll be so worth it.” She stood next to the counter licking off the chocolate. “What are you making?”

“A chocolate cake,” Jennifer said. “It’s Tucks favorite.” Molly nodded, a huge grin on her face, and licked at the spoon.

The guys were all in the living room watching some old movie. Justin walked in and snatched the spoon from his sister before she could take another lick. “It’ll just mean more time at the gym,” he told her, taking a lick.

“Such an ass,” Molly said, licking her fingers. Jennifer laughed and shook her head. She took a tray of Cornish hens out of the oven and placed it on the stove before closing the door. “So, mother, when are you going to be officially making Tucker my other daddy?”

“Um, we actually did settle on a date,” Jennifer said. She made sure the hens were to her liking before making sure the homemade potatoes were ready. She made sure there was a salad for Brian, even though he’d eat a bit of everything, along with vegetables and ice cream for dessert.

“Well?” Molly pushed. “Don’t keep us in suspense.” Justin handed the spoon back to his sister and licked his fingers. “I don’t want it now,” she said, pushing it back at him.

“We were thinking of December 30^th,” Jennifer said with a smile.

“That’s…random,” Justin said.

“It’s Tucker’s birthday,” Jennifer said.

“So he gets to have Christmas, birthday, and anniversary presents?” Molly scoffed. “Well, I’m combining. I hope he knows that. I’m not getting suckered for extra gifts.”

“Please,” Tucker said as him, Hunter and Brian walked into the kitchen, flicking Molly on the nose as he passed her. “If it wasn’t for your better half no one would get anything.”

Everyone laughed and Molly frowned. “You suck at giving gifts anyway,” Justin added.

“And now you can just go ahead and cross yourself right off my Christmas list. Hunter, no presents for preggo over there,” she said to her husband.

Jennifer laughed and Justin tossed the spoon into the sink. “You’re washing that later,” Jennifer said. “Now, go get those kids for dinner.” Justin and Molly disappeared to round up their kids while Tucker, Hunter, and Brian helped set the table.

********

Thursday was a blur. Junior spent her afternoon in the guidance counselor’s office for getting into a fight with Jennifer Miller. She had a busted lip and a bruise on her arm for her efforts, while Jennifer got away with a large scratch to the side of her face and a slightly diminished ego. Justin hadn’t been amused.

Pilot and Race both managed to stay on green. They received stickers for their efforts. When they stopped at the store Race took his off and ate it while the cashier was ringing up the milk.

Blue peed on herself during her afternoon nap. When Justin picked her up she was wearing a pair of sweats that were too small and clutching a plastic bag to her chest. Pilot signed, and said very loudly once they were all in the car, that he was pretty sure she still smelled like pee. Race promptly shouted his agreement.

Max and Sam were in horrible moods. They had to be pissed off together. Maybe it was for the company. When Justin went in to pick them up they were crying. They cried halfway home, only stopping from exhaustion. They made sure to pick it up again directly after dinner. Brian was proud of their dedication. Justin broke and cried in the middle of their room with Max and Sam in his arms. He blamed the hormones.

Friday was better, but only slightly. Justin had his twenty-eight week check-up and the doctor informed him that he was doing fine and that the babies looked good, but he was a little underweight. He argued with him for thirty minutes because he felt like a whale already. And then he cried. And again he blamed the hormones.

He made, and burnt, a meatloaf. The house still smelled like smoke when Brian walked in with the kids and two bags from KFC.

They got the kids into bed, earlier than normal, and at Justin’s insistence they had sex on the chaise lounge in Brian’s home office. Ninety minutes later Brian was making himself comfortable on said chaise lounge with a blanket and a pillow after urging Justin to get off of him because he was heavy and making it hard to breathe.

At half past one in the morning Brian made his way into their bedroom. He wasn’t about to be kicked out of his own bed when he hadn’t done anything wrong. Justin huffed and moved a little closer to the edge of the bed and away from Brian. “We’re fighting now? We’ve become those people?” Brian asked.

“I’m not fighting with you,” Justin said quietly. “You called me fat.”

“I asked you to move because breathing is extremely important to my survival,” Brian said. “I didn’t call you fat.”

Justin knew he was being irrational. He knew. But he was tired, and stressed, and the doctor didn’t know a fucking thing because he just knew he was as big as a house. “I know,” Justin said with a sigh. “I burnt my meatloaf.”

Brian got closer to Justin and wrapped his arms around him. “If you start to cry over a burnt meatloaf I swear there will be no end to the ridicule I inflict on you,” Brian said. Justin smiled hesitantly and started to laugh, sniffing to hold back the tears.

********

Junior pushed the sliding patio door open with way too much force and stepped out onto the back patio. “Can I watch cartoons?” she asked happily, her bare feet twisting together.

“Close the door, it’s cold,” Brian said, blowing out a cloud of smoke and flicking the ashes from the end of his cigarette. “What’d Daddy say?”

Junior ignored the first request and smiled, threading her fingers together behind her back. “He said ‘yes’,” she answered happily.

“I am inclined to believe that you just told a lie,” he said, blowing out a stream of smoke, the cold air pressing in on his lungs as he took a deep breath. 

Junior blinked slowly up at her father, fidgeting. Lying was a no-no and could mean some serious trouble. “Brian?” Justin called from inside.

At the sound of Justin’s voice Junior jumped, rushing back into the house. She slammed the door with a loud, “He’s outside smoking like you said not to do,” before Brian could answer. Justin sighed and stood Max on the floor before standing Sam next to him. “Daddy, can I watch cartoons?”

Justin walked past his daughter and towards the back door. “No. You asked me that already. Pilot, take that out of your mouth,” he called before sliding the door open. “What are you doing?”

“I would have thought that was obvious,” Brian offered, holding up his cigarette before bringing it to his mouth and taking a long pull. Justin stood at the door, keeping Max and Sam inside the house with his leg. He moved through the door and made sure the kids were out of the way before closing it.

“Nice,” Justin said, rubbing at his arms to try and get warm. The days were getting colder and they’d soon have three birthdays to plan for. “I’m gonna take J to her BMX class over at Hunter’s. I’ll take her, Max and Sam if you’ll take Blue, Pilot and Race. Fifty-fifty,” Justin offered.

Brian finished his cigarette with a nod of his head and snuffed out the fire in the ashtray that he kept outside. “Sounds good,” he said. They moved back into the house and Brian scooped up his two youngest boys, making them laugh; loud squeals and giggles piercing through the air. “My big boys,” he called to his oldest sons, “what do you say we hit the gym?” Pilot and Race jumped up from the playroom floor, knocking their toys out of the way.

“YEAH!” they both screamed at the same time. Justin laughed and moved into the kitchen to get himself something to eat. All of the kids had eaten breakfast already. The dirty dishes left in the sink pointed to Brian’s famous Saturday breakfast; pancakes, complete with sausages and warm syrup. Brian refused to actually eat it and the kids loved it.

Brian sat the twins on the ground and walked over to Blue, leaning over her until he caught her eye. She smiled up at him, her finger in her mouth. “Bug, you want to come to the gym with me?” he signed swiftly.

Blue nodded and took her finger out of her mouth to push up off of the floor. Justin drank some of his orange juice and popped a few pieces of bread into the toaster. “Pick up your toys first,” he said, getting his kids’ attention before they could all scatter. They all stopped and turned back to the playroom to straighten up while Justin ate his breakfast.     

When all the toys were picked up Brian and Justin ushered their large brood up the stairs so that they could start the long process of getting everyone dressed and ready to go. Faces washed and teeth brushed; Brian took the girls and Justin took the boys.

There were cargo jeans for Junior, with a white thermal shirt under her black tee shirt; the words Novotny BMX emblazoned across the back along with the number 1. Brian finished pulling her hair into a tight ponytail and left her to put on her shoes. “Make sure you have all of your pads and your helmet. You forgot them last time,” he told her.

“I know,” Junior said, pushing her feet into her shoes and moving to get her bag. It was as big as her and full of all her gear. She always said she knew and she almost always forgot something. Brian left her, with Blue clinging tightly to his leg as he walked away.

“Little girl,” Brian signed after depositing his daughter on her bed, sprawled on her back and giggling. “What do you want to wear today?”

Blue sat up, her hair all over the place and her pajamas twisted. “A dress,” she signed happily.

“A dress?” Brian signed. “You can’t wear a dress to the gym,” he told her. She crossed her legs at the ankle and watched as Brian turned to look through her closet before he moved to her dresser and pulled out a pair of pale pink Under Armour track pants and a white Under Armour shirt. “You can wear this. Tomorrow you can wear a dress.” He got her tennis shoes out of the closet and sat them next to her.

“Tomorrow a dress?” she signed, frowning at the clothes.

Brian nodded and kneeled down so he could help his daughter get into her clothes. Blue jumped up and holding on to Brian’s head for leverage she got her legs into her underwear and then her pants. They made quick work of her shirt and she insisted on trying to put her shoes on by herself. Brian pulled her hair into a ponytail, just like her sister, and left to help Justin with the boys.

Pilot and Race were sitting on the floor in the middle of their room pulling on their socks. “Need any help?” Brian asked.

Justin ran his hand through his hair and shook his head. “Um, no,” he said. “I think I’m good. You can get Max and Sam dressed though.” Justin turned with the boys’ clothes in his arms and flashed Brian a smile.

Brian left his older boys to Justin and went to tangle with the smallest members of the Taylor-Kinney family.

Saturdays used to be so easy; they were in and out of the house within an hour of waking up. Now, years and six kids later, too many hours to count after waking up, they were finally leaving the house and piling into two separate cars.

********

Sometimes everything was just as it used to be; if you ignored the fact that Brian had to stop at the gym daycare to drop of his kids before entering.

Emmett pumped the handles of the stairmaster. “I work and work and I still cannot seem to drop these last five pounds,” he said, letting go of one of the handles to press his hand against his side. Ted and Michael both looked over.

“Maybe if you stopped taste testing all of your little treats,” Brian said in a mocking tone, “you’d manage.” Emmett gave him a piercing look and Michael and Ted laughed.

“Thank you for that very helpful advice. Asshole,” Emmett muttered.

Ted let out a huff of breath, his own muscles burning. He hadn’t worked out hard in ages. And he had half a mind to never make it to the gym with his friends again. They made him actually put in the effort and not just ride out the warm-up setting. “You look fine,” Ted said.

“Yeah,” Michael agreed.

Brian upped the setting on his machine and reached down to grab his water bottle. “Ugh, fine,” Emmett scoffed, “such a small, trite, plain word. I was fine years ago. It’s time to evolve.” 

Brian let out a harsh laugh and replaced his water bottle in the holder. Sweat poured down his back and he felt better than he had in a long time. Ad copies, deadlines, and business matters were pushed to the back of his head. He was content. Surrounded by his friends and the noise of machines and harsh breathing he felt completely relaxed. “Did you guys see that new trainer they hired?” Michael asked with a pleased smile. All of their eyes immediately turned to the new trainer; tall, tan, blond hair, and perfect abs.

“Fuck… me,” Ted breathed.

“Yeah, you wish,” Brian laughed.

Ted frowned, an offended noise bubbling up from his throat. “Oh who am I kidding,” he said. “I wouldn’t even be able to work up the courage to ask him to spot me.”

“He can spot me any day,” Michael said.

“You’re married,” Emmett reminded him. He stopped his machine and grabbed his unused towel. He draped it over his shoulder and stepped down. “However, some of us are decidedly single. He may be just what I need to, um, work off the weight.” Emmett gave them a small little wave and sauntered over to introduce himself to the new guy.

“He’s straight,” Brian said, watching as Emmett stopped and tapped the guy on the shoulder. He gestured to his side and glanced back at them. Brian, Ted and Michael gave him their full attention.

“No way,” Ted said.

“He looks pretty gay to me,” Michael added.

Brian stopped his machine and stepped down, wiping the sweat from his face and grabbing his bottle of water. “Everyone looks gay next to Emmett. Spot me?”

Michael nodded and got off his own machine to follow Brian to the weights across the room where Ben was already deep into his workout. “Hey,” Ted called after them. “What about me?” He wasn’t surprised that they ignored him. He sighed and turned down the setting on his stairmaster.

********

Justin sat back down after giving Max and Sam their respective cups of juice. They were both in the gated area of the room. The floor was lined with a gymnastics mat and toys were strewn all over the place. Max, Sam, and Oz were having a ball. “How’re you feeling?” Molly asked. She was dressed in light colored jeans, a red shirt, and a grey Carnegie Mellon hoodie.

“Pregnant,” Justin said smoothly. He sat staring at his daughter. She was at the start of the main BMX training course with another boy and their instructor. He was pointing to various parts of their bikes and making elaborate motions with his hands. “It’s not too bad though. Some days are better than others and the morning sickness has pretty much tapered down.”

Molly nodded and looked through the papers she had collected on her lap. Her dogs were lying lazily under the bench, stretched out and sleeping. “What do you think of this?” Molly turned the sketchpad she was using around and waited for her brother to look over.

Justin shifted on the bench and looked at the drawing. “It’s good,” he said. “Did you ever think we’d both end up being artists?”

Molly laughed and shook her head. “No. But, technically, I’m not an “artist”,” she said, turning the sketchpad back around. “I’m an architect.”

“Same difference,” Justin offered.

“Ugh. You know I hate when people say that,” Molly said. Justin smiled, his attention focused back on his daughter. He winced and jumped partially off of the bench when she landed hard out of a jump. Her bike dropped with a loud smack against the mats and she rolled, stopping on her back. Molly shuddered and twirled the pencil she held in her hand. “Fuck. Why do you let her do this? Hunter’s grown and I hate him doing it.”

“You don’t hate the paycheck,” he pointed out.

Molly sighed. “It’s true.”

“It makes her happy,” Justin said. “She likes it. And it’s your husband’s fault anyway. He got her hooked as a toddler.” He watched as Junior was helped off of the mat by one of the staff members. She didn’t seem any worse for the wear.

Molly shrugged and pressed the tip of the pencil to the paper, shading in a portion of the drawing. “Oh hey,” she said suddenly, hitting him in the arm. “You’re coming to my ribbon cutting thing, right?”

Justin looked over at his sons and made sure they were okay before looking at his sister. “You mean this ribbon cutting thing that I am just hearing about right now?”

“I had planned to ask you, like, two weeks ago,” she said, erasing a smudge on the page and flicking her hair behind her ear. “Well?”

Justin ran his fingers through his hair and smoothed a hand over belly. “We’ve talked about this before,” he told his sister. “You planning to ask someone something and never actually doing it doesn’t count as an invitation.”

Molly finished her drawing and sat the sketchpad down next to her. “Come on, you’ve got to come. If you don’t I’ll be stuck there, all by myself, with a bunch of old people. I’ll make it worth your wild.”

“DADDY!” Justin looked over at the sound of his daughter’s voice. She was waving excitedly, straddling her bike. “YOU GOTTA WATCH ME, OKAY?!” she yelled.

“I’m watching,” Justin said loudly. He watched her perform what he assumed was a very complicated trick, landing fluidly and whipping her bike to a stop. Justin stood up and clapped, Molly’s loud whistle accompanying his cheering. Junior was appeased. She bowed and then turned towards her instructor. They exchanged some words and with a final blown kiss in Justin’s direction she started to maneuver her bike back to the start position. Justin sat back down and moved until he was comfortable.

“She’s good,” Molly said. “So?”

Justin sighed deeply and leaned back against the wall. “Hunter’s not going?” he asked, picking up their interrupted conversation. “He married you; it is now his duty to sit through painfully boring events with you.”

“He’s out of town for two weeks. He leaves Wednesday.” Molly zipped and unzipped her hoodie, the diamonds in her wedding band shining in the sunlight. “I’ll take you to dinner,” she pleaded. “Justin, please. Please, please, please, please, please.”

Justin groaned and covered his face with his hands. “You’re taking me to dinner and you’re buying me dessert.” Molly smiled and happily tugged on his arm. “When is this thing?”

“Friday,” Molly said. “It’s very casual. You can just wear…whatever. It’ll be so fun. This is my first ribbon cutting on a building that I personally designed from the ground up. I’m so excited. And my boss shit two bricks. I don’t think he thought I could do it.”

“If he didn’t he wouldn’t have put you in charge. You’re good. You moved up the ranks too fast to suck at your job.” Molly beamed at the compliments from her brother. “Either that or you sucked a lot of cock.”

“Fuck you.”

Justin laughed and got up to tend to his sons who were tangled together as they fought over the same toy. “No biting, no biting,” he said as he unlatched the gate.

********

“Oh yeah, I’m feeling the burn,” Pilot said, finishing his second set of jumping jacks and adjusting his sweatband. Race was next to him, jumping and flailing his arms in what he presumed to be some of the best jumping jacks to ever be performed.

“I’m just hot,” Race added.

The aerobics class in the children’s area of the gym was in full swing. There were three workers in the children’s area; two girls and one boy. Kelly was their instructor. She was a pretty, petite brunette with enough energy for five people and the ability to direct hyperactive kids. “Everyone is doing a great job,” she said into her microphone. “Come on, you can do it. Good job, Leslie.”

Pilot kicked out one leg and then the other, following the instructor. “I think I need water,” Race said with an exaggerated pant.

“I think I might be getting the cramps,” Pilot said as they switched from jumping jacks to running in place. “Oh yeah, getting the cramps.” Pilot held his side for emphasis. He had no idea what cramps really felt like, but the old people in the gym sometimes said they got them after they had worked out for days and were shiny like when it rained outside and they got wet.

Blue was sitting off to the side with a juice box and some animal cookies. She’d long ago given up, along with some of the other kids. She swung her legs back and forth as she watched her brothers.

Five minutes later Pilot plopped down next to her and she cheerfully offered him the rest of her juice. “Thanks,” he signed, taking the juice box and sucking until the box started to cave in on itself. Blue leaned against her brother and watched as he ate the rest of her cookies.

Race lasted ten more minutes before he tossed himself at their feet.

********

Brian stood in front of his locker with his towel slung low on his hips as he got dressed. “What are we doing?” Ted asked.

“We could go catch some lunch at the diner,” Emmett suggested.

Michael looked at Ben for his opinion before he shrugged and pulled his shirt over his head. Tyler was at his best friend’s house and Emily was off with Mel and Lindsay so they had time to spare. “Sounds like a plan,” Michael said. “Brian?”

Brian pulled on his jeans and reached into his locker to grab his shirt. “Sorry. You’ll have to forge on without me,” he said plainly. He finished dressing and grabbed the rest of his things before bidding the guys farewell and leaving the locker room.

He crossed the gym and opened the door to the children’s area. He spotted his kids right away. Pilot and Race were attacking the miniature rock climbing wall. Pilot was about a foot off the ground while Race stood under him trying to push him up even farther. Blue was curled up on one of the sleeping cots with her finger in her mouth and her other arm covering her face.

Race saw him first and ran over, leaving his brother to dangle above the ground. “Daddy,” he said loudly. “We worked out too. Is it time to go?”

“It is. Go help your brother before he falls and breaks something,” Brian said as his son turned to run back over to his brother. “And then daddy will try to kill me,” he said to himself. He walked over to his daughter and picked her up. She slumped against his shoulder and he made sure he had all of their things before he went to sign them out.

********

Justin traded the bottle of water in his hand for the helmet that Junior was holding out to him. “Thank you, Daddy,” she said, pressing the bottle to her mouth.

“You’re welcome.”

“You looked good out there,” Molly told her niece. Oz was in her arms, sound asleep. “You plan to do this for a living?”

Junior finished drinking with a loud gulp and a deep breath. She wiped her mouth with her arm before Justin could open his mouth to tell her not too. “Well, Daddy and Dad said that I have to go to college first,” she said with a shrug.

Molly stifled a laugh before turning her gaze to her brother. “Who would have thought that you of all people would be the ‘you have to go to college’ type,” she said with a huge smile and laugh. “Especially with Brian having to practically drag you back after you dropped out. Responsibility looks so good on you,” she said, reaching to ruffle his hair.

“Fuck you,” Justin said, swatting her hand away. “Don’t repeat that,” he told his daughter. “Are you guys finished?”

Junior nodded and took another drink of water. “Yes. Hunter said I was getting even better. Can we go get a cheeseburger?”

Justin and Brian were well aware of Hunter’s praise towards their daughter. He never failed to tell them what a natural she was. And she made it a point to remind them herself, constantly. “We’ve got to meet Dad and your brothers and sister. But I’m sure we can squeeze in some lunch.”

“Yes,” she said happily. Justin helped her get out of her pads and pack them all back into her bag. Junior kissed her aunt goodbye and gave Oz a peck on the cheek before running over to release her brothers from behind the gate.

Justin got them all bundled into their jackets and hats and moved them towards the door. “Don’t forget,” Molly called as Hunter walked over and took their son from her. “I’ll call you.”

Justin gave a nod and said hello to Hunter before wheeling Junior’s bike towards the exit. With one last wave Justin pushed through the double doors and followed his children outside.

********

Justin sat at the red light with his phone pressed against his ear. “I…I can’t hear you,” he said loudly. Max was in the back seat crying at the top of his lungs and Sam was trying desperately to keep up. “Hold on. J, would you please give them their pacifiers.” Justin pressed down on the gas when the light turned green.

Junior reached into Sam’s seat and felt around under him for his pacifier. She found it and pushed it into his mouth. He started to quiet down immediately. She turned to Max and pushed the pacifier she found into his mouth. “Better, Daddy?” she asked.

“Yes, baby. Thank you.” Justin turned his attention back to the phone call. “Brian? Yeah. Little Miss wants a cheeseburger; I can meet you at Lula’s. Okay.” Justin ended the phone call and tossed his phone onto the passenger seat.

“Are we going to Ms. Lula’s?” Junior asked excitedly from the back seat.

“We are,” Justin told her, taking a left and making his way down the road.

Lula’s was one of the children’s favorite places to go. It was a fancy place that was anything but fancy. It was always pleasantly packed with locals, and the occasional newcomer, causing the lines to snake through the door. There were times when the flow of people was tapered back. And Saturday, before the college kids, rockers, club whores, and general partiers headed out to start their night, you could find Ms. Lula’s relatively empty. Of course it could have to do with the fact that Ms. Lula was smart enough to not open until after noon on Saturday.

********

Justin made it to the restaurant first.

“Such sweet little faces,” Ms. Lula said with a smile, ushering them in and to their usual table. Justin trailed behind her, carrying both of his sons and wishing they were just a little bit lighter. “Mr. Justin, I think Mr. Brian is joining you today, yes?”

Justin nodded. “Yes. He’ll be here soon.”

Ms. Lula smiled and clapped her hands together. “Good. Good. You sit. I’ll bring you drinks, okay? Okay,” she said before turning to walk away. Justin smiled and watched her disappear through the kitchen doors before moving to place his sons in the waiting highchairs.

Ms. Lula was always ready for them. She was well past her seventies with as much energy as a twenty year old. All the recipes served were hers, painstakingly perfected until she was completely satisfied. She made her way back to their table and placed a glass of lemonade, complete with a strawberry, in front of Junior. “Thank you, Ms. Lula,” Junior said happily.

“So welcome. Oh, so pretty,” Lula said, placing a glass of water in front of Justin.

“Thank you,” Justin told her.

She smiled widely and touched a hand to his cheek, motioning to the menus already on the table. “Look. Everything today is,” she paused to touch her fingers to her mouth in a sign of perfection, “so very good. Look.” She left Justin to look over the menu and wait for Brian.

He arrived ten minutes later, Pilot and Race’s loud voices alerting the small amount of people in the restaurant to their presence before they could even make it in the door.

“Hey,” Brian said to his sons as he held the door open, “quiet.”

“DADDY!” Pilot screamed, hurrying through the maze of chairs and tables with Race right behind him. Blue had woken up in the car and she pulled Brian across the room, tugging on his hand.

“Hey,” Justin said to his sons, hugging them both. “You guys need to quiet down. Inside voices,” he reminded them. They nodded and moved around to greet their siblings. Blue reached him and wrapped her arms around his middle, hugging tight.

Brian leaned down and kissed Justin. “I need a drink,” he mumbled against his husband’s lips before pulling back and sitting in the chair across from him.

Justin laughed and slid the glass of water across the table top. “I was thinking of something a little stronger.”

“I know.”

********

Lunch at Lula’s was delicious, as usual. They’d thanked her and left a very generous tip. Getting back into their respective cars Justin followed Brian to the very large shopping center. All of the kids were awake and excited. Justin waited while Brian got the double stroller out of his trunk and opened. Max and Sam were placed in the seats with their diaper bag shoved underneath. Pilot and Race held onto the sides of the stroller and Junior walked ahead. Blue held Justin’s hand and they made their way into the large mall.

The Monroe was the only mall that Brian felt he could enter and not spontaneously combust. It was covered in marble and most of the stores were top of the line. Their mission was updating the kids’ wardrobes and maybe picking up some clothes for themselves.

Blue tugged on Justin’s hand and he looked down at his daughter, following Brian through the crowd. She dropped his hand and smiled up at him as they walked. “I can get some new dresses?” she signed.

“Yes,” Justin signed back. “We can do that.” She let out a happy giggle and Justin laughed. He let Brian lead them through the mass of people, stopping to look into some of the store windows. “Where are you going?”

“Old Navy,” Brian said with distain. “I know how much you love it, so I figure we can get it over with first.”

“Do you know how many pairs of jeans I can get from Old Navy, for the same price you pay for one?”

“Answering that would mean that I actually shop in Old Navy. I don’t. So, no,” Brian said. He turned the stroller into the store and Justin stepped around him to take the lead.

“There’s nothing wrong with this store, Brian.” Justin stopped in front of a table overflowing with jeans. As usual he started with Junior so he could work his way down. “Come here, J.” He held the jeans up to his daughter. Junior looked around at the shirts as she stood still for her daddy.

“I like that shirt,” she said, pointing just past Brian.

“Of course you do,” Brian said, glancing at the yellow shirt, complete with a rainbow and a unicorn that looked way too pleased.

“Brian, why don’t you see if they have her size,” Justin told him. “And you might as well get one for Bug too because you know how that’ll go.” Brian stared at his husband and let out a deep sigh before turning to look through the abominations that dared to label themselves as shirts.

“This is all girl stuff,” Pilot said with a huff. He pulled the hat from his head and tossed it into the stroller next to Max. 

“Yeah,” Race added. “Where is all the boy stuff? All this stuff is for girls; and it’s pink too.”

“Boys don’t wear pink,” Pilot said with a look of distaste painted over his face.

Justin helped Junior shrug out of her jacket and tossed it on top of the stroller before grabbing a couple pairs of jeans for her and tossing them into the mesh shopping bag. “Uncle Emmett wears pink all the time,” Junior said. Brian snorted a laugh and Justin bit back a grin, turning to the many, many racks of shirts.

“He doesn’t count,” Pilot said, moving around Brian’s legs. Brian grabbed his son’s hood and held him in place.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Pilot looked up at his dad and smiled. “Yeah, stay over here.” He let his son go and felt him lean heavily against his legs. “I feel the same way.”

“He’s almost, kinda, really like a girl,” Race said with a roll of his eyes and his voice even and uninterested.

Justin tried his best to make the process as quick and painless as possible. He snatched up jeans and shirts for Blue, holding some of them up for her approval. She didn’t care either way, as long as she had at least five very pretty dresses to wear. Pilot and Race were easy; he tossed fourteen identical pairs of jeans into his bag and exchanged it with the empty one Brian was holding. Shirts for the boys were next and they both came to life. They had definite ideas as to what they wanted to wear. 

“No, not that one,” Race said. Justin rolled his eyes and tossed the shirt back on the table. “I think maybe the green one with the skateboard on it.” He looked to his brother for approval and Pilot gave him a thumbs up. “We’ll take the green one.”

After ten more minutes of negotiations Brian cleared his throat and stepped forward, Blue clinging to the seam of his jeans. “This isn’t a fucking democracy. When you two get a job you have my express permission to exert more power. Until that time comes Daddy and I make the rules. Justin,” Brian said, motioning for him to pick out what he wanted. “I’d like to get out of this store.”

Max sat in the back of the stroller with his legs propped up against the side and his pacifier in his right hand, biting down on the rubber nipple. He had Pilot’s hat held tightly in his left hand. Sam was reaching for the folded clothes on the table just outside of his reach.

Max and Sam were next and they were clearly the easiest. With a tired sigh Justin announced that he was ready to go. He took the handle of the stroller and let Brian deal with lifting the four bags filled with clothes.

Checkout was swift. Brian paid and Justin waited with the kids while he carried all of the bags to the car. “I think we need a cookie,” Race said, signing for his sister’s benefit. All of the kids nodded their agreement and Justin smiled at them.

“I think you might be right,” Justin said and stood up, stretching the aches out of his muscles and turned the stroller towards the cookie stand. After standing in line he ordered two dozen and handed each of the kids one. The two newest members of the family showed their appreciation for the chocolate laden treat with active twirls and flutters. “Good, huh?” he absently asked his stomach, rubbing a small circle over the bump.

“Are they moving, Daddy?” Pilot asked. “I wanna feel.” He moved in, his half-eaten cookie in his right hand, and placed his hand in the space just above Justin’s belly button.

Race placed his hand against the belly and soon Justin had four little sets of hands rubbing over his stomach. Max and Sam were understandably more focused on the cookies they possessed. Passersby were staring, some with looks of fondness and amusement and some looking confused and uncomfortable. Justin was used to it. Even though it was possible there weren’t that many pregnant men walking around. 

Brian returned and immediately turned down the cookies that were offered to him. He had his mind set on visiting the more upscale stores that The Monroe had to offer. But first they had to get shoes for the kids; then underwear, t-shirts, and socks were next.

Brian took Pilot and Race’s hands and headed towards the very large, and very new, Gucci store. Justin followed, knowing that the day was going to be very long.

********

“I’ll take the gremlins in first,” Brian said, easing the car into the driveway and putting it in park. All of the kids were asleep and the back of the Escalade was filled with shopping bags from what seemed like every store in the mall. Their energy had tapered off somewhere around The Gap, where Brian waited outside while Justin loaded up on underclothes for all the kids. After an improvised dinner of pizza and Chinese food in the food court they decided to call it a day.

“Okay,” Justin mumbled sleepily. He hadn’t lasted much longer than the kids on the ride home and Brian spent the drive working over figures and ideas in his head while his hand absently stroked Justin’s stomach.

“I’m not sleepy,” Junior protested before she got out of the car. Justin gathered the diaper bag and stray hats and gloves that hadn’t made it back onto little bodies.

“I can see that,” Justin heard Brian say as he lifted Max and then Sam into his arms and headed towards the front door with his oldest daughter trailing behind him. Justin woke up Pilot and Race and ushered them towards the house. He lifted his youngest daughter up and she sighed before resting her head on his shoulder and sticking her thumb back in her mouth. “What do you say you try anyway, huh?”

Justin closed the door and followed his family. Junior huffed and let out a mix between a whine and a shout, pushing her brother away from her. “Move, Race.”

“Don’t start, just because you’re sleepy doesn’t mean you get to act like a…”

“Brian!”

Brian sighed and shot Justin an irritated glare before heading towards the stairs. “Come on. Pajamas and sleep, now,” Brian said.

Justin let out a tired sigh, closed the door and set the alarm.

********

Sunday, the day of rest. In some houses, somewhere.

“Stop sighing. You’ve only got a couple more to do,” Brian said to his daughter. Junior tapped her pencil against her homework sheet and took a big gulp of air before dropping her head down to the table.

“I just don’t want to do it right now,” Junior said, sitting back up and crossing her arms over her chest. She was still dressed in her blue pajama pants and matching shirt and her hair was in tangles. She had on disturbingly yellow socks and her purple slipper boots were laying abandoned under the table.

“Too bad,” Brian told her. “You didn’t do it yesterday. Don’t complain.” Brian grabbed the coffee pot when there was just enough made and poured himself a cup.

“So boring,” she mumbled. “I already know these things.”

Pilot and Race were sitting at the opposite end of the table eating their cereal; Fruit Loops for Pilot and Apple Jacks for Race. Blue nibbled happily on her strawberry Pop-tart and banana. At almost 9 a.m. Max and Sam were still fast asleep. And so was Justin.

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem,” Brian answered. He finished his coffee and checked over her work when she jumped up and handed the worksheet to him. “It looks good. Go put it away. In the right folder, please.”

Junior nodded and ran to put her homework away.

Their Sunday’s were normally pretty laid back. By 10a.m. Justin, Max, and Sam were awake. And neither Brian nor Justin had any complaints when the kids fell asleep during their second consecutive viewing of Transformers and they were left with at least a thirty minute window all to themselves.

********

They made it three days into the week before Justin found himself on his knees in front of the toilet. It had been awhile since he’d found himself sick and he vowed to himself to scratch bananas off of his list of foods. He sighed and took a deep breath before lurching forward again and emptying more of his stomach’s contents into the cloudy water.

Brian walked in with his dress shirt on and unbuttoned and a glass of Alka-seltzer. He glanced over at Brian and shook his head. “I don’t want it,” he said, his breathing rugged and his voice rough.

Brian reached over and flushed the toilet. “I know. Drink it anyway.” He handed Justin a damp washcloth and waited for him to wipe his mouth.

Justin took the glass with shaking hands and slowly sipped at the fizzing water. He paused when he felt his stomach churn and waited for it to settle. “No more bananas,” he said. “Help me up.” He let himself be helped to his feet and held onto Brian until he felt a little less dizzy.     

********

Justin sighed and Dr. Marring pulled the wand away from Justin’s very large stomach, grabbed some paper towels and starting to wipe the gel away before leaving Justin to finish the job. “If they keep this up you might just end up being surprised after all,” Dr. Marring said after his final attempt to see the sex of the babies.

“I’m not really big on surprises,” Justin mumbled, sitting up with a loud groan and buttoning his shirt.

Patrick laughed and logged Justin’s latest vitals in his chart. “Well, it looks like this time you’ll just have to suck it up. Patience is a virtue, you know.” 

“Besides the occasional vomiting how’ve you been feeling?” Dr. Marring moved away from the exam table, pulling the latex gloves from his hands and dropping them into the trash.

Justin pushed himself up and pulled his shirt down. “Alright,” he said. “Nothing out of the ordinary.” Justin unconsciously glanced at his watch. Michael and Ben were picking up the kids and Brian had already called and said everything except that he wouldn’t be home until late. It was implied and Justin held back the groan of irritation that had threatened to burn into the phone. He’d simply nodded his head and enjoyed the time he had to talk to his husband.

“Well, that’s good,” Patrick said, interrupting his thoughts. “Everything looks really good. You’re entering the homestretch, just eight more weeks, so just make sure to take it easy; get as much rest as you can. I know that’s not easy with the brood you have at home.”

“No,” Justin admitted with a laugh. “But I’ll manage.” Eight more weeks. God, it felt like the time just flew by.

“I’m sure you will.”

********

Part 6

********

“What are you doing?”

“Attempting to make a meatloaf,” Daphne said with a frown. “Cedric’s mom, the cunt, gave me a recipe and she swears it’s his favorite. I think she’s full of shit… and valium. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen Cedric look at a meatloaf.”

“Then why are you making it?” Justin asked. He was enjoying another much needed day at home, his time in his downtown studio growing sparse. He just didn’t have the energy most days and what he did have the energy for could be done at his home studio.

“I want ketchup but I don’t want to feel like a lard ass when I eat it solo. Plus I had a shitload of meat and a point to prove.” Justin laughed and watched Max and Sam toddle around the living room in their matching blue sweatpants and white shirts, Max’s with a picture of Oscar the Grouch and Sam’s with a picture of Elmo.  

Daphne held the phone with her shoulder and turned to pull the oven door open. “Jesus, I can’t believe you did this more than once,” she said, pushing the meatloaf into the oven and slamming the door closed. She groaned and rubbed her hand around her large stomach.

“Are you talking about the meatloaf or the being pregnant?”

“Ha. Ha. Asshole.”

“You get used to it,” Justin offered, letting Max take the Duplo block from his hand.

“No, thank you. The doctor says I’m having a girl. He better be right, the idiot. I’d like this one to be my last one but I want my girl.” Justin laughed and accepted the block back from his son. “Did you get to see the sex of the babies yesterday?”

“Thank you, baby,” Justin said and Max leaned over him, resting his weight against Justin’s stomach and kissing him on the lips. “No. They wouldn’t turn over.”

“Kiss,” Max said and moved to go see what his brother was getting into.

“They are too cute,” Daphne said, hearing the tiny voice through the phone.

“Yeah, because they just woke up,” Justin said with a smile. “I’ve got one more ultrasound left. He said that maybe we’d get lucky then.”

Daphne nodded, even though the gesture was wasted on her best friend. She heard the familiar screech of the school bus and headed towards the door. She pulled it open just in time to see her son leap from the top step and land safely on the grass next to the mailbox. “He wants to break another bone. I swear,” she said with a huff. “Give mama some love.”

Damien reached Daphne and gave her a hug with a loud, “Mom!” pouring from deep within.

“You love it,” she said with a smile. “Justin, I’m hanging up on you. Love you.” The phone went dead and Justin tossed his cell onto the coffee table.

“Hey, guys,” he said, pulling his sons’ attention away from the puzzle they were very intently attempting, and failing, to put together. “What should we have for dinner, huh?”

********

Their house was huge. There was no denying it. The building contractor commented on it as they walked up the stairs and into the room that would be the new nursery. The room was basically finished save for a few minor changes that they both wanted to make. Brian had contacted Hank. His plate was sadly full but he’d pointed them in the direction of his son, Louie. “Dad tells me he worked on your loft.”

“He did a good job. Let’s hope you do the family name proud,” Brian said.

“Let’s hope,” he agreed.

He drew out sketches and wrote notes as they spent the better part of the twins’ naptime going over what they wanted done and setting a time for the work to start. “We don’t have a lot of time,” Justin said when all the details were ironed out and they were escorting Louie to the door.

“Don’t worry. It’s not a lot. We should be done within two weeks. You’ll be able to have the nursery ready and waiting.”

“Good,” Brian said.

They shook hands and closed the door behind him.

Justin turned and stepped into Brian’s space, leaning up to kiss him on the lips. “Mm. What was that for?” Brian asked.

“No reason. Except maybe I was hoping you’d do some very adult things to me. You did say you had good news to tell me. I figured that’s why you came home early on a Monday.”

Brian ran his fingers through Justin’s hair and smirked. “I came home to meet the builder with you. And I didn’t say good news, I said news.”

“Oh,” Justin said playfully, pressing kisses against Brian’s neck.

“I’ve got to go pick up your other children,” Brian told him. “I’ll tell you later.” He pressed another lingering kiss to Justin’s lips and gathered his phone and keys before walking out the door.

********

The kids were all in bed. Justin was settled into a post-sex calm that he felt slipping away as he leaned back against the pillows, his eyes locked on a freshly showered Brian. “I’m waiting for the good part of this news,” he said flatly.

“Again, I never said that the news was good. I simply said that I had news.”

They weren’t the fighting type of couple. They said their peace and left everything laying flat on the table. Harsh words and disagreements were few and far between, but not nonexistent. They’d had their share of flare-ups. 

“That’s not funny.”

“It wasn’t meant to be,” Brian said. He pulled on some gray lounge pants and a black v-neck.

“Where would you be going?” Justin asked.

“L.A.,” Brian answered, short and to the point. It was a trait of Brian’s that Justin loved and hated, equally.

“When?”

“First flight out, tomorrow,” Brian answered.

Justin shook his head. He sat up and slipped back into his sweats, sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning down to pick up one of Max and Sam’s baby blankets. “It’s not a good time, Brian,” Justin said, willing calmness into his voice.

“No time is a good time. But if I want to close this deal I have to be in L.A. tomorrow,” Brian said with irritation in his voice. “It’s three days, four at the most.”

“Cynthia, Edward, Mark, Jenny, hell, any other member of your staff can do this. Why does it have to be you?”

And there was the question that Brian had been waiting for. Justin didn’t begrudge him traveling for his job. Even with all the kids Brian was almost sure he could wake up one morning and announce that he was going to Mexico just for some tequila and a nice tan and Justin would simply ask him to make sure to charge his phone and not drink the water. The ball and chain that most people thought Justin had attached to his dick simply wasn’t there. But there were times when Justin hated his travel schedule. Especially when he was pregnant and especially when he knew that Brian had other qualified people to help.

They stared without words. They knew each other too well. Justin knew that Brian always felt he had something to prove. They’d talked about it more than once during the time that they’d known each other. But this was something else. Something was going unsaid and Justin tried very hard to suppress the shiver that trickled down his spine.

“Andrew Morgan is expanding his clothing line. He wants Kinnetik and he specifically asked for me.”

Andrew Morgan. The name still made Justin taste bile in the back of his throat. For two weeks Andrew Morgan had shared a class with Justin at the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts. For two weeks he’d shot icy stares and knowing smirks at Justin from behind his drawing pads and easels. On the afternoon of the fifteenth day, when their class was all but empty and the temperature outside was frigid, Justin stopped Andrew before he could leave and asked for an explanation.

He listened as Andrew described the taste of Brian’s cum and how his hands felt as they danced over his skin. He listened as he explained the stains on the sheets that Justin had wondered about before he’d frowned and shoved them into the washer, trying to recall when they’d last fucked on them. He listened and felt all the blood leave his face and his feet refuse to move. He listened, and listened, and when Andrew was done he had nothing left. No will to move and nothing to grasp onto. His head was spinning.

The sarcastic, “sorry,” that Andrew flung at him was bitter and sharp. It was dark and he was alone before he turned towards the door of the room and walked out, making his way out of the building. It was dark as he navigated the streets and made his way back to the loft. It was dark when he let himself in, dropped his bags and ripped the sheets from the bed.

It was past two in the morning when Brian didn’t deny it. It was ten minutes past two when his fist connected with Brian’s face.

It was almost three when he walked out with his bags and met Daphne at the curb. And it was six months of too much weight lost, tears, and ignored phone calls before Brian cornered him and laid himself bare. They’d moved on with the unspoken rule that they’d never again talk about it.

Brian had just broken that rule.

Justin stood up slowly and made his way past Brian, his hand pressing against his large stomach. He walked into the bathroom and shut the door, crossing to the sink to run cold water over his face. He wasn’t surprised when the door slid open and Brian leaned against the jamb. “Justin.”

Justin looked up at his own reflection, could see Brian off to the side. “It never bothered me when you fucked around. I can say that with all honesty. But….” Justin turned to face his husband and bit back the tears that pressed against his throat. “No,” he said softly. It came out watery and thin.

“Justin…” the argument died on Brian’s lips as the first tear made its way down Justin’s cheek.

“I’ve always supported you. I always will. But, no,” Justin said with finality. “He can find another agency.”

“Okay,” Brian said. He’s never had words fail him before. He makes his living knowing which ones to string together at just the right time. But okay is all he has.

Justin nodded and turned off the water before walking past Brian and out of the bathroom. He stopped short when Brian wrapped his hand around his arm and pulled him in close. There were no kisses, no words, just Brian’s arms wrapped tightly around him and his own arms reaching up to wrap around his husband.

********

“Go get the glue,” Justin directed, pointing his son in the direction of the cabinet that held all of their supplies. Pilot hopped up and ran to get the glue. He read over the directions and helped his sons maneuver their scissors and glue their shapes to the construction paper. “Put it on there nicely. Yes. Good job, guys.” He pushed down on the triangle that Race had glued to his paper.

Max was very angrily tapping his foot against Justin’s leg and Sam was in the playroom digging through the toy box. Blue was settled against Brian on the floor in front of the couch while he helped her with her homework. Junior was comfortably seated on a large throw pillow with her own homework scattered over the coffee table.

“Do I have to do the math first?” she asked.

Brian moved his hands from Blue’s and let her continue cutting on her own. “Yes. Do that first so I can check it while you do your spelling.”

“M’kay,” she mumbled.

The kids worked steadily and Brian and Justin shared pleasant and safe conversation. They had yet to really talk about what had happened the other night. And if their history was anything to go by they probably wouldn’t.

Homework got wrapped up and put away and Justin herded the kids up the stairs and into baths and pajamas. Brian stayed behind and cleaned the kitchen before making lunches and storing them in the fridge. He made his way up the stairs and into Junior’s room. She was sitting on the bed with Blue and her favorite book in her hands. Their hair was still wet, combed out and fanned over their backs and shoulders. “My ladies, what book do we have tonight?”

“Where the Wild Things Are,” Junior said happily. She thrust the book up towards Brian and smiled. Blue wiggled on the bed next to her sister with way too much pent up energy for someone on their way to bed.

“Alright.” Brian settled down on the bed and Blue wriggled her way onto his lap. Blue crawled into bed and laid her head on his thigh. He read the book, doing the voices and signing for his youngest daughter. Halfway through the story Blue’s energy started to seep out of her and by the time Brian closed the book both of his daughters were sleep.

“I’ll take her,” Justin said quietly. He walked over to the bed and lifted his daughter into his arms. He smiled warmly at Brian before turning to take Blue to her own bed in her own room. Brian turned and tucked Junior into bed before he went into the boys’ room to tuck them in.

********

Justin lay on his side watching the rise and fall of Brian’s chest. He reached out and trailed his fingers across Brian’s lips, smiling softly. There was nothing about his husband that he didn’t love. Even the annoying habit Brian had of never removing the used coffee grinds and the insane way he cleaned the bathroom were more endearing than anger inducing.

They had both forgiven and forgotten so much. Remembered even more and pretended that they didn’t. Because the love was very real.

Justin let out a small puff of air and settled a little closer to Brian. “You’re not sleep,” Justin whispered.

“And you’re thinking way too much,” Brian countered. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Justin and rest his hand on his stomach.

“I hate that it still bothers me so much. I hate it. I trust you more than anyone I know and I can’t let it go.”

Brian smiled knowingly. He didn’t need Justin’s forgiveness spoken out loud. He didn’t want it. “You let it go.”

“Thank you,” Justin said. “Thank you for telling him no.”

********

“Are you having birthday parties this year?” Molly looked over at her brother and waited.

Justin shook his head. He pushed Max’s foot into his shoe and with a lot of effort lugged himself off of the floor. “No. We’re sending pizza and cupcakes to their classrooms and buying a couple of presents. That’s about all I can take right now.”

“Weak. Smart, but so weak,” Molly said.

“What do you think about lilies for the centerpieces?” Jennifer asked. She was paying little to no attention to the conversation her children were having. She had her notepad and wedding invitations stacked on her dining room table along with some wedding magazines and various other odds and ends.

“Sounds nice,” Justin answered.

“I think so too,” Jennifer said, not waiting for Molly to give her opinion. She had almost no time at all before her wedding was upon her and she didn’t plain to lose one minute of prep time.

“I might consider that option. You’re gonna do it right before Christmas?”

“Yeah,” Justin said with a wince. He pressed his hand against his stomach and waited a beat before continuing to gather his sons’ things. “The kids don’t care if it’s not actually their birthday, as long as they get something.”

“Enjoy that while it lasts,” Jennifer muttered.

“I plan to,” Justin said with a huff. He wrestled Max and Sam into their coats and hats and grabbed their bag. “Come on guys. Say bye to Grandma and Aunt Molly.”

“Bye,” Max said cheerily.

Sam ran over to get a hug and a kiss. “Bye,” he said loudly.

Justin laughed and said his goodbyes. He opened the front door and waved his sons through. They yelled bye all the way to the car.

********

The nursery was done. They’d settled on white with various shades of yellow and gray. The kids had contributed their own collaborative piece of artwork and Brian had proudly hung it on the wall between the two cribs. The bassinets were pulled out of storage, reassembled and cleaned. They were ready and waiting in the corner of the master bedroom.

All they needed now were the babies.

“I just want ketchup, no mustard. Okay?” Race said, tapping Brian on the arm and watching him prepare his hotdog. “And tiny pickles.”

“You don’t like relish,” Junior told her little brother.

“I don’t?” Race asked. Junior shook her head and slathered her own hotdog with mustard. “What’s relish anyway?”

“Tiny pickles,” Justin answered. He left Blue’s hotdog plain, per her request, and sat it in front of her. “Chips?” he signed.

“Yes. Yes, please,” Blue signed with a bright smile. She pointed to the Doritos and Justin pulled out a handful and placed them on her plate.

“Well, then no pickles,” Race said. “But ketchup.”

Brian had already finished the hotdog, leaving off the relish that his son was in an on-again-off-again relationship with. He tossed some Cheetos on his son’s plate and pushed it in front of him. Pilot was already happily situated with his Doritos and hotdog. Max and Sam were in their highchairs with their food.

“You okay?” Brian asked, looking across the table at his husband. Justin looked over at Brian and smiled warmly, his hand pressing in lightly on his stomach.

“Yeah,” he breathed. “My mom should be here soon.”

They had a nice dinner planned at one of their favorite restaurants. Normally they’d cap the night off with a stop by Babylon, but the pain in his lower back scratched that right off the list.

Thirty minutes later Jennifer was pulling off her coat and kissing each of her grandchildren on the head before ushering them out of the door. “Is it bad that I couldn’t wait to get out of the house?” Justin asked as they pulled out of the driveway.

“I was ready almost ten hours ago.”

********

The restaurant was close to empty and Brian gave his name to the hostess. She smiled and grabbed two menus before showing them to their table. “Can I bring you anything to drink while you look over the menu?” she asked sweetly.

“White wine and a glass of ice water,” Brian ordered. She nodded and turned to go and fill their orders.

“I love when you take control and order for me.”

“I figured. You’re so easy,” Brian answered. Justin had taken to drinking glass after glass of ice water. He’d complain if it wasn’t cold enough. The consequence for his affair with water was evident in the multiple trips to the bathroom that he was forced to take, on top of the ones caused by the babies taking turns pressing on his bladder. “I’m guessing you want a steak with a baked potato and sour cream.”

“Mm. You know me so well,” Justin said, his mouth watering. “That sounds good. I’ve got to use the bathroom.”

********

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthdays came and went. Jennifer and Tucker were married in a small ceremony and were embarking on their honeymoon.

Justin longed for summer and days to spend with Brian where it was just the two of them. He longed for his old jeans and a shot of Jack. He longed to sleep flat on his stomach. He longed to feel Brian’s weight pressing him down into the mattress and his warmth soothing him to sleep.

Five more weeks he told himself. He could endure for five more weeks. “What are you thinking, Daddy?” Junior crawled into his bed, effectively cutting his nap short. Not that he was sleeping. The babies were too focused on keeping him awake. 

Justin smiled at his daughter and reached out to push a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’m thinking that I have such a beautiful daughter,” he said. “I can’t believe you’re such a big girl. I remember when we had you. You were so tiny and we had no idea what to do with you. You turned our whole world upside down.”

Junior smiled and shifted her legs under the sheets. She snuggled deeper into Brian’s pillow and pressed her small hand against his stomach. “Is that good or bad?”

He pretended to think about it. “Hm. So very, very good,” he told her. He watched her dance her fingers across his belly and smiled. “I used to do that, when you were in Dad’s stomach. I’d press my hand against his stomach and tell you everything I could think of. He’d roll his eyes and tell me that you probably couldn’t even hear me.”

“I think maybe I could,” Junior said. “Do you think I’m different now that I’m eight?”

Justin nodded. “Hm. I think so. But that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Junior nodded her head and shifted closer. She pushed the covers back a little and leaned down to press her mouth against Justin’s stomach. “Hello sisters. We love you. Everybody does but I do the most because I’m the oldest,” she told them. Justin smiled.

“You know, we don’t know if they’re girls. You might make them confused.”

“I know,” Junior said, turning her gaze to her Daddy and leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. “I know.” Justin curled her hair around his finger and gave it a little tug. “You know we get to stay up very late tonight?”

“That would be the point of New Year’s.”

Justin could hear the rest of his kids downstairs. He could hear the happy squeals and voices. He could hear Brian’s laughter. Junior snuggled in close and Justin was surprised to feel her body go slack and her breathing even out. She very rarely took a nap of her own accord. Justin felt the babies start to settle and found his own eyes finally wanting to slip shut. He felt guilty about leaving Brian to deal with five rambunctious kids all by himself. But he was exhausted.

********

He woke up alone. The space where Junior was sleeping was cold. “She woke up two hours ago; said the babies were kicking her in the stomach,” Brian said.

Justin let his eyes fully open and shifted until he was flat on his back. He pushed himself up and leaned against the pillows. “I believe it. Did she tell you that she is pretty positive that we’re having girls?”

“She shared this theory with me, yes,” Brian said. “And I do fully believe that they were abusing her. I’ve felt those tiny hands and feet.”

Justin laughed and moved to get out of bed to make his eighth trip to the bathroom. Counting the number of times had become an almost unconscious game for him. “Where is everyone and why is it so quiet? What’d you do?”

Brian stepped up to Justin and forced him to lay back. “I gave them a giant bag of M&M’s and turned on Star Trek,” Brian said with a very self-satisfied smirk.

Justin groaned. “Oh god, not again,” he said. “Brian. They’re never going to sleep. The movie alone makes them hyper and coupled with the candy…” Brian pressed a hard kiss to his lips, effectively ending the sentence.

“Mm. If I didn’t have to pee and didn’t feel like a whale I’d be slightly more turned on,” Justin said, swallowing another moan.

Brian shook his head and trailed kisses down Justin’s neck. “You can just lay there and I’ll do all the work.”

“Sexy. I think I’m getting hard just from the thought of you thrusting into me while I lay here.” Brian settled next to Justin and ran his fingers through his hair. “How big a bag of M&M’s are we talking about here?”

“Huge,” Brian answered. “Happy New Year.”

Justin leaned forward and pressed his lips to Brian’s. “Happy New Year,” he whispered. 

********

Molly sat on the counter and watched Justin cut up the vegetables for dinner. “So, what’s her story? Is it something tragically intriguing?” she asked, whispering with a slight glance towards the playroom.

Justin dropped a handful of cucumbers into his salad and wiped his hands on a towel. “You’ve known this woman for, what, over a year? You don’t already have her whole story?” He laughed and started chopping the tomatoes.

Molly frowned and shrugged. “People think I talk too much so they tend not to tell me anything. Bullshit. Anyway, everyone loves you and your ability to keep juicy details that beg to be shared to yourself. So, spill.”

“Don’t do it,” Hunter said, walking into the kitchen with Oz held in his arms. He had a huge smile on his face and his legs were kicking at the air in front of him.

“Don’t listen to him. I just keep him around for naughty, sexual things,” she said.

Justin groaned and pretended to gag. “Not in the kitchen,” he said.

“Please, you’ve done it in a lot worse places. Including the bathroom in my dorm,” she said casually. Justin opened his mouth and she quickly stopped him. “Don’t try to deny it. Evidence was found.” Hunter laughed and she leaned forward and kissed a very happy Oz on the lips. “What are you guys up to?”

“Puzzle building. Lisa brought it. I swear the thing has like a million pieces. Well, less now. Max ate a couple.”

“What?” Justin said, glancing towards the playroom where the kids were all on the floor, leaning over the large puzzle. He watched Craig take some puzzle pieces from Max and shake his head. Lisa was hovering over Blue with Sam in her lap, smiling as she pressed pieces into place. Race was sitting next to his older sister, looking just barely interested and incomplete without the presence of his brother.

“He’s okay. I know your dad got at least one piece back,” Hunter said happily. “Babe, this one’s a little ripe. Where’d you put the bag?”

Molly hopped off the counter and pressed her hands against Oz’s cheeks. “Are you a stinky man?”

“Understatement,” Hunter said, adjusting his son in his arms.

“It’s over by the front door,” Molly said. Hunter leaned in to kiss his wife before turning and leaving them in the kitchen. “We’ve really got to get on this potty training wagon.”

“Yeah, us too. Dad,” Justin called out, turning to stir the pot of noodles on the stove. His kids loved spaghetti and his dad had assured him that Lisa loved all things Italian. Craig turned towards his son, one eye kept on his sneaky, puzzle piece-eating grandson. “How many pieces did he eat?”

“Four, but I got one back.” Craig seemed extremely proud of himself. Molly wandered over to the little group and plopped down next to her father.

Justin just shook his head. The food was almost ready. He couldn’t remember whose grand idea it had been to have a family dinner, probably Molly’s. Jennifer hadn’t been invited. She knew they were having it. Thanks again to Molly. But she preferred that they all meet for the first time, sans small children. Justin could respect that.

“What’s Little Sunshine thinking in that big brain of his?” Brian asked. His breath was warm against Justin’s ear.

Justin jumped and simultaneously spun, hitting Brian in the upper arm. “Shit, Brian. You scared the fuck out of me. Don’t do that.” He waited a beat before turning back to the stove and stirring his sauce.

Brian smirked and leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.

Justin opened his mouth to talk and before he could mutter a word the kids all let out a collective giggle. “No!” they heard Craig yell. “Spit it out. Not another one. We’ll never be able to finish.” Max spit out a puzzle piece onto the palm of his grandpa’s hand and grinned. He let out a shrill scream and laughed, drool dripping steadily from his mouth.

“Your son,” Justin said. “How’s Pi’s temp?” Justin nudged Brian out of the way and took the garlic bread from the oven.

“Still hovering at a hundred and two,” Brian said with a frown. Pilot rarely let sickness pull him down. He had too much to do, too much mischief to manage. But when he’d shook his head at dinner the night before and went to bed two hours early, without a fight and a forehead that was slightly warm, they got a little worried. “I forced some medicine in him, but he wouldn’t drink anything; just wanted to sleep. I’ll check on him again in a little bit.”

“Okay,” Justin said. He hated when any of the kids were sick and he prayed it wasn’t catching. He couldn’t afford to have six sniffing, crying, irritable children.

Brian helped Justin in the kitchen. He didn’t need to be asked, just set to work. “All that’s missing is your mom and her doting husband.”

“Yeah, cause that’s exactly what we need. That would make dinner fly right by,” Justin said, hefting the pot from the stove and pouring the noodles into the strainer.

“I’m not seeing the down side,” Brian said.

Lisa walked into the kitchen, a smile on her face. “Is there anything I can help with?”

Justin looked around the kitchen and shrugged. “Um, no, I think we’ve got it pretty much under control.” Justin tossed a quick look at Brian and said, “But, you can set the table if you want.”

“I can do that,” Lisa said, happy to be of some help.

********

Pilot wasn’t up for eating. He shook his head when Brian and then Justin checked on him. His temperature had gone down by one degree and he buried himself further inside his cocoon of blankets and went back to sleep.

“If he doesn’t feel better by the time we put everyone to sleep then I think maybe we should take him in,” Justin said, sitting back down in his chair. Max was to his right, spaghetti noodles dangling from his right hand and sauce all around his face. Sam sat next to Brian, chewing happily on a long noodle and reaching to clumsily grab more with his tiny fork, the edges blunted.

“Daddy,” Race started with a huge smile on his face, shifting around on his knees and leaning to see past Craig. “Can I have some more gaaaarlic bread?” Justin looked at his son and at the spaghetti still on his plate. It was no secret that his two oldest boys loved garlic bread. They’d eat it by its lonesome if they were ever given the chance to do so. And with Pilot missing in action Race was taking it upon himself to eat his brother’s share too. “Please and thank you.”

Justin reached over to wipe Max’s mouth, clearing away at least some of the sauce. “Do you think you could eat a little bit more of your food first?” Justin asked.

“I don’t think so,” Race said with a glance at his spaghetti. Brian cleared his throat and gave his son a look, motioning to the food on his plate. Race frowned and sat back in his chair, reaching for his fork and twirling a mouthful of noodles around the tines.

Junior was halfway done and Blue was making sure that her half a piece of garlic bread was in no way touching any of her spaghetti.  

“Justin, you didn’t do too bad a job,” Molly said, sprinkling parmesan cheese over her mound of spaghetti and swirling the noodles around. Hunter had Oz in his lap, feeding him every other forkful and doing his best to keep his son’s hands out of the plate.

“Thanks,” Justin said with equal sarcasm.

“It is really very good,” Lisa said. She’d politely made her plate and then Craig’s, smiling at him and leaning into his shoulder when she sat.

“Our Sunshine here can do it all,” Brian said. He took a drink of his wine and smiled slyly at his husband. He had been the one to teach Justin how to make spaghetti. It was one of the few dishes that he’d learned from all of his times spent at Debbie’s while he was growing up.

Justin rested his hand on the large mound of his stomach and gently moved it around in a circle. He tried his best to calm the squirming babies. They’d mutually decided that the afternoon and evening was their preferred time to play. And they stuck faithfully to their schedule. “You okay?” Craig asked.

Brian gave his husband a look, before indulging the pleading eyes of his third oldest and tossing another piece of garlic bread on his plate. Justin nodded and sighed. “Yeah, they just like to play at night. Around and around they go.”

“Daddy is having two babies, Grandpa. Did you know that? Did you?” Race asked with his mouth stuffed full. Junior frowned at her brother and drank down some of her juice.

Blue sat next to Brian with her chin barely resting on the table and fork dutifully pushing spaghetti towards her mouth. Her eyes crossed as she tried to watch the noodles as she slurped them in. And she grinned and trailed her tongue around her face in an attempt to rid her skin of sauce. Focused intensely on her own food she wasn’t even fazed when Brian wiped her mouth.

“I was somewhat aware,” Craig answered with a smile.

Molly beckoned for the wine, motioning to Hunter when her father gave her a pointed look. “No worries. You’ve met my designated driver. I have permission,” she said. She poured herself another glass and took a drink. Lisa smiled. She could appreciate the zest that ran through Molly. She had been that way herself once upon a time.

The grownups talked and laughed. Dinner flew by and in no time Molly and Lisa were washing the dishes, Craig was helping the kids get ready for bed, and everyone was filing out of the door. They thanked Brian and Justin for having them, waved, and were on their way. Oz and Molly were asleep before Hunter could even get to the highway.

********

Justin sat in the middle of his bed with his son in his arms. Pilot was hot, his head lying against Justin’s chest. His pajama pants were twisted on his hips and his white long sleeved shirt was riding up, exposing his back. “Here,” Brian said. He walked into the room with the thermometer and a bottle of Pedialyte. Justin took them both and pressed the tip of the thermometer into Pilot’s ear. He squirmed and whimpered, pushing weakly at Justin’s hand.

It beeped quickly and Justin cursed before turning the display around so that Brian could read it. “Hundred and two,” he said grimly. “Baby boy,” Justin said, his mouth pressed against the top of his son’s head, “do you think you can drink something for me?”

He pressed the bottle to Pilot’s mouth and watched him take a very small sip before turning his head away and pushing at the bottle. “No, Daddy,” he said sadly, his voice barely there.

Brian left the room and returned with a bottle of Tylenol and a medicine dropper. He sat down next to Justin and opened the bottle. Pilot was already protesting, shaking his head and sniffing. Getting any of the kids to take medicine was usually a fight, but Pilot was known to wage wars. And if the flavor was anything other than grape he had a complete meltdown. “When was the last time he had some?” Justin asked.

“Before dinner,” Brian said. He measured out the proper dosage and sat the bottle on the nightstand. “Come on, Pi. Open up.”

And there were the tears.

Pilot let out a long whimper and tucked his face deeper into Justin’s shirt, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. Justin ran his hand over his son’s back and shifted to get more comfortable. The weight of his son and the weight of his stomach were not making sitting up and still for a long period of time comfortable. He had no problem giving the kids medicine when he had to. But the honor normally fell to Brian. “No,” Pilot mumbled around a sob.

“Yes,” Brian said. He pressed the medicine dropper into his son’s mouth and depressed the plunger. Grape flavored medicine poured over Pilot’s lips and seeped into his shirt. Justin sighed and Brian took a deep breath.

The gloves came off. Justin said nothing. Brian was going to win. It was a fact. He reached for the medicine bottle and again measured out the right dosage. He held the plunger of the dropper between his teeth and reached for his son. “Brian.”

“He needs to take this,” Brian said around the plunger. He lifted Pilot from Justin’s lap and settled him onto his own. He maneuvered his son and cupped his hand around his small face, holding him still. Pilot struggled with as much fight as he had and Brian pushed the dropper into his mouth. He slowly pressed down on the plunger and ignored the tears flowing from his son’s eyes. With his head angled and held in place he had nowhere to go as he reflexively swallowed. When the last of the medicine was gone Brian handed the dropper to Justin and kissed the top of Pilot’s head. “See, that wasn’t too bad.”

Pilot sniffed and Brian wiped the tears from his eyes. They sat together until Pilot drifted off to sleep. Justin followed shortly after and Brian stood to take their son to his own bed, his temperature having lowered slightly.

He tucked him in and checked on the rest of the kids before making his way back to their room and into bed. Justin was sleeping on his side with his hand stretched over Brian’s pillow. “They won’t sleep,” Justin mumbled while Brian got settled.

Brian frowned and turned towards his husband. “They looked like they were all sleeping pretty soundly to me,” he said and ran a hand through Justin’s hair.

Justin slowly opened his eyes. They were glassy with sleep and he smiled at Brian. “No. These two. They won’t sleep,” he said again, lifting his shirt and rubbing his left hand over his growing belly.

Brian rested his hand on top of the stretched skin and shifted closer. He could feel the two babies moving around rapidly. He knew how uncomfortable it could be. He smoothed his thumb over the warm skin and Justin’s eyes closed, a soft, contented moan coming from him. It was another twenty minutes before the babies showed any sign of slowing down and thirty before Brian felt sleep finally claim him.

********

Justin hated waiting. He wasn’t a big fan of having patience. Patrick had used the word several times at their last appointment.

Dr. Patrick washed his hands and wrote down the latest numbers in Justin’s records. “You have to be patient. You’ve only got a few more weeks. They’ll come when they’re ready. You’re a pro at this by now, you know that.”

Justin rolled his eyes and continued to wipe the gel from his stomach and straighten his clothes. “Fuck patience. I’m big as a fucking house. I’ve got heartburn that’s taken up permanent residence, and a pinched nerve. You have patience.”

“Soon,” Patrick said with a laugh.

“We passed soon nine days ago.”

Julian circled the drawing table and looked over the sketches and half finished drawings. “Goddamn, you’re good,” Julian said. “You help keep me in the lifestyle to which I’ve grown accustomed.” He was fresh from a meeting with Vanessa Hallorson’s personal assistant.

“I’m glad,” Justin said, stepping away from his easel to grab more paint. “How’d the meeting go? Did you guys smooth out the final details?”

Julian sighed and shoved his sunglasses into the pocket of his blazer. “He’s an insufferable little asshole. I have no idea how she deals with him.”

“He’s her brother. And you only say that because every time you ask him out he turns you down.”

“That’s not true,” Julian said. “Okay, it is true. What is wrong with him? I’m successful, smart, funny, and damn fucking hot. What more could he want?”

“Well, Vanessa told me that he told her that he’d agree to go out on a date with you when you stopped looking at him like all you wanted was a quick fuck,” Justin said swiftly. “And coming from someone who has managed to catch the unattainable, they’re usually very worth it.”

Julian seemed to think it over before nodding. “Yeah, well, he’s still an ass. However, we did agree to a date for the exhibition of your new work. The pieces will go on display in a month. There’s no need for you to be there so don’t get your panties in a wad.”

“Good. And you know that I know you don’t think he’s an ass. You practically draw his name and hearts in the air every time you talk. And…”

“And what?” Julian asked, putting down a slightly out of focus black and white photo. “Justin?” He turned towards his friend and paused.

Justin looked down at the mess of water dripping onto the floor. “And, um…. My water broke.”

“I thought you said you had at least another couple of weeks,” Julian said.

“I guess they decided to make an early appearance,” Justin said with wonder chipped in his voice. The snap of pain that flooded across his back and down his legs effectively ended his stupor. The palate of paint that he held in his hand dropped to the ground and Julian rushed to his side. “Fuck!”

“What should I do?” Julian screamed in his ear. “Justin, I’m out of my element here.”

“First, I need you to shut the fuck up. Then, I need you to call Brian. And then you need to take me to the hospital. It’s alright.”

“I can do all of that. I can.” Julian pulled out his phone and dialed Brian’s number. “In your car though, cause I just had mine detailed.” Justin panted through the pain and stared at his friend. “What?”

********

The kids were comfortably settled with Mel and Lindsay, extremely happy to be spending time with their aunts. Brian had finished up a meeting and picked up and dropped off the kids before making his way to the hospital. With six kids under their belts they were past the point of rushing.

Almost seven hours later Brian was tired. Justin, for his part, was currently curled up against Brian while tears slid down his cheeks. “It shouldn’t be too much longer. The doc said they were almost ready.”

“It hurts so fucking bad,” Justin said, clenching his teeth and feeling the pain pulse through his lower body. Brian stroked his fingers through Justin’s hair and tried to get him to breathe through the pain.

It was forty-five minutes before Justin was prepped and the operating room was ready. They’d tracked his progress and when the contractions had reached and stayed above a ten Dr. Manning had entered the room, patted his leg, and announced that it was time for them to meet their babies.

Getting into scrubs and settling on a rolling stool next to Justin was routine for Brian. He held Justin’s hand and let his thumb stroke over the back of his knuckles. “I love you,” Justin said with a tired smile. He was more than grateful for the epidural that they’d administered.

“I love you too,” Brian said without hesitation.

“Okay, Justin,” Dr. Marring said, pressing the blade of his scalpel against the bulging stomach. “Tell me if you feel anything.”

“No. Nothing,” Justin answered.

“Good. You just relax and we’ll be meeting your little ones in no time.”

********

Justin slept. He’d stayed awake long enough to hold his children for the first time.

Brian watched Craig as he held onto his newest grandchildren. Brian thought that this was only right. Craig had always been the last one to see the kids. He’d never had the chance, apart from Oz, to be involved right from the start. Molly had called him shortly after they’d called her and he’d waited in the waiting room for hours until Justin had delivered, was settled, and he was allowed in to see him. “They’re gorgeous,” he said softly, never taking his eyes off the baby in his left arm. “What are you guys going to do with four girls?”

“Buy a gun,” Brian said calmly. “I figure there is one for each brother to defend.”

Craig laughed softly and the little girls in his arms wiggled. Their hair was dark brown, just like their sisters’. And they weighed in at a healthy 6lbs. 2oz. and 6lbs. 5oz. respectively. “I can’t remember Justin or Molly being this small.” Craig glanced up and smiled at Brian, his gaze lowering to look at the small girl he held in the crook of his right arm.

“Believe me, they’ll grow fast. It was just yesterday that Max and Sam were that little.” Justin stirred and Brian glanced over at him, running a hand over his blanket-covered arm and watching him settle. He’d lost a little more blood than Dr. Manning was comfortable with but otherwise he was in very good shape.

“Alex and Lily,” Craig said with awe. It wasn’t the first time he’d said their names and smiled. Brian and Justin had gone simple with the names for their newest daughters, deciding after they were born just like always. “They really are beautiful.”

“We make beautiful babies,” Brian said with pride. There were just some things that couldn’t be denied.

“That they do,” Patrick said as he entered the room, leaving the door open behind him. “How is everyone doing?”

“Good. Justin’s still sleeping though.”

He moved towards the bed and Brian stood up to give him room. “I’m not surprised,” he said, pulling the stethoscope from around his neck to check his vitals. “He lost a fair amount of blood but not enough for us to worry too much about. A little rest and some fluids and he’ll be good. If he’s not up in the next hour or so we’ll wake him.”

********

“Justin,” Patrick called. “Justin, come on. Rise and shine.” Justin slowly opened his eyes and frowned when he was met with a blinding light. “Sorry, standard practice. How’re you feeling?”

“Cold. I feel like you ripped my stomach open,” Justin answered with a watery smile, his voice scratchy and tired. “Hurts. None of them hurt this bad.” Brian stood next to the bed and listened as his husband talked. He was tired and the sludge that they called coffee was doing nothing to refresh him.

“That’s not uncommon. You lost a bit of blood but you’re doing fine. The stitching looks good.” Patrick watched as Justin shifted on the bed and a grimace passed over his face. “How about we get you something for the pain and see if we can get you some jell-o or something.”

“Yes to the pain meds. Yes, god yes,” Justin said. His throat hurt and Patrick nodded before turning to put in the order. “Hey you,” Justin said, his gaze locking on Brian.

“Hey,” Brian answered. He helped Justin sit up against the pillows and grabbed the water container when the nurse brought in the Motrin. Justin swallowed both pills and drank a cup of water before focusing on his husband and smiling. Brian pressed a kiss to his lips before sitting back in the uncomfortable chair next to the bed.

“Where are the girls?”

“Nurse took them to the nursery. They should be back any minute now. Your dad was here for a while.”

“Really? How’d that go?”

“He likes the names,” Brian said. Justin smiled tiredly and shifted on the bed, grimacing at the pull on his stomach. He glanced at the IV in his hand and flexed his fingers before settling back against the pillows. “How’re you feeling?”

Justin shook his head and let out a small laugh. “I haven’t been in this much pain in forever. Everything hurts. That nurse can shove these Motrin straight up her ass,” Justin said. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

“That doesn’t sound pleasant at all.” Brian and Justin glanced at the door and watched a young nurse wheel their daughters into the room. “I wouldn’t let Rosie hear you say that,” she said with a laugh. Justin smiled and watched her situate the babies next to the bed. “Here you go; all feed, changed, and comfortable. Courtesy of yours truly,” she stated happily.

“Thanks,” Justin said.

Brian was already leaning over to pick up Lily. She was two minutes and twenty eight seconds older than her sister. “Hey, you,” Brian said happily.

The young nurse smiled at the exchange and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her. “They’re so cute,” Justin said tiredly, motioning for Brian to bring her closer. “I’m so sleepy.”

Brian walked over and placed Lily in Justin’s arms, brushing his finger over the thick dirty-blonde hair on her head. Alex started to fuss and Brian picked her up, gently rocking her back and forth. “I called Mel and Linds. The kids are very excited, especially the girls. I figure I’ll let them take a sabbatical tomorrow and come visit you. Your mom and sister and everybody will probably come by in the morning.”

Justin nodded, tracing his finger over his daughter’s face. After a few more minutes he switched and did the same thing with Alex. “I’ll make sure to get extra pain meds in the morning.”

“You make me so proud,” Brian said. He sat down on the bed next to Justin. They talked and the hours ticked by. After Alex and Lily were fed and changed again Brian settled them both back into their portable crib. He helped Justin to the bathroom before he led him back to bed and helped him into a comfortable position. He kissed Justin, letting his lips linger on his husband’s before running his fingers through his hair and telling him goodnight. “Later.”

“Mm,” Justin mumbled sleepily. “Yeah.”   

********

Almost three hours after leaving Justin at the hospital Brian dropped into their bed. Mel and Linds had fed the kids dinner and helped them with their homework. He’d answered question after question about what Alex and Lily looked like before sleep claimed them again and the rest of the car ride was spent in silence. Max and Sam weren’t that interested, but that was to be expected.

It was just past five in the morning when Brian heard the first sound of footsteps echoing across the floor. He frowned, burying himself deeper into his pillow. “Dad, Mm, I think I am just going to sleep in here with you, okay?” Race whispered, not waiting for Brian to respond. When he crawled into the bed Brian frowned at the extra weight and limbs he felt bumping into him. He slowly opened one eye and wasn’t surprised to see Blue right next to her brother. They both settled in on Justin’s pillow.

Blue popped her finger in her mouth and moved closer to Brian. She started to drift off and Brian smiled. It was the best threesome he’d ever had.

********

Brian carried Junior over to the stairs and stood her on the bottom step. “Get me some diapers for your brothers, please,” he said, motioning up the stairs.

“Ugh. Why do I always have to go?” Junior asked. She made her way up the steps, shoving to the side as Pilot and Race hurried by in the opposite direction.

“You’re the oldest,” Brian answered. He moved over to the table and wiped Max and then Sam’s mouth before taking their breakfast bowls away. Brian tossed the dishes in the sink, knowing that by the time they made their way back to the house their magnificent cleaning lady would have come and gone. Brian whistled and caught his oldest sons’ attention. “Don’t take anything out. We’re leaving in five minutes.”

Blue sat in front of the front door with her knee pulled up to her chest, desperately trying to tie her own shoe. Her jeans were a dark blue and her shirt was red. Her hair was pulled into two ponytails, held together with ladybug ponytail holders.

Junior made her way back down the stairs and held up the diapers for Brian. “I got five,” she said.

Brian lifted his sons’ from their highchairs and cleaned the trays. “Five? There has to be more than that.” Junior shook her head and tapped the diapers against her legs. Brian sighed. “Put them in the diaper bag.”

“Okay.” She ran off to complete the task she was given and Brian herded his sons towards the front door. He made sure everyone had their jackets and that he had everything he needed in the diaper bag before opening the door.

Junior picked up the diaper bag and Brian mentally went over everything before setting the alarm and pulling the door closed.

********

Justin was making his way back to his bed from the bathroom when he heard his son ask Brian, loudly, why he had to be so quiet. He couldn’t tell if it was Pilot or Race, but he’d bet it was Pilot. “What’s the room number?” Junior asked.

“508,” Brian answered. He pushed the double stroller through the hall with Blue walking beside him and holding onto the handle. If anyone asked he was going to deny pushing the damn thing.

“Found it,” Junior said smugly, adjusting the diaper bag on her shoulder and pushing the door open.

“J, wait, don’t….” Before Brian could finish his sentence his children were pushing into the room. He could hear them all happily reuniting with their daddy.

“Oh my gosh!” Race said with a sigh. “I missed you so much. Oh my gosh.” Brian made his way into the room and saw his son’s with their arms wrapped around Justin’s legs.

“One whole night, I know,” Justin said happily. He was sitting on the edge of the bed greeting all of his children. Brian could tell that he was very uncomfortable. He parked the stroller near the wall and lifted Max and Sam from their seats.

They toddled over to Justin and Brian followed them. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Justin’s lips when he looked up. “Hey,” Brian whispered against his lips.

“Hey.” Justin let Brian help him slide all the way back in the bed. One by one Brian lifted them onto the bed and let them each get a proper hug and a kiss before he placed them back on their feet. “You guys have to tell me everything that I missed. With inside voices.”

“We had dinner with Aunt Melanie and Aunt Lindsay,” Junior said. She dropped the diaper bag to the floor next to the bed. “Aunt Lindsay made chicken.”

“I liked it,” Pilot said. Race nodded and Blue shifted in her spot on the bed next to Justin. Max and Sam were in Brian’s arms. Sam happily kicked his legs back and forth while Max pulled at his own ears.

“Tummy all gone,” Blue signed. The simple, silent statement seemed to wash over the kids and the room went quiet. They all suddenly remembered why they were there and Brian and Justin watched their eyes dart around the room. Junior noticed first and raced around the bed to look into the plastic crib. Pilot and Race followed and Blue wiggled down from the bed to follow the herd.

“Wow,” Race breathed. Junior, ever the big sister, picked up her little sister so she could have a better view. Brian walked over so Max and Sam could get a good first look at their sisters.

Pilot looked at the little pink hats and blankets and sighed. “Daddy, we sort of asked you to try and not have two girls,” he said, his head cocked to the side. He watched Lily let out a yawn before a soft little noise left her lips. Alex was next to her with both of her arms up near her ears and her little hands balled into fists.

“They’re so cute,” Junior said. “What’re their names?” Everyone turned and waited for Justin to tell them.

“Lily,” Justin said, and signed slowly so that Blue could follow. “And Alex.”

“Alex is a boy’s name,” Race said with a frown.

“It can be for girls too,” Junior told him. “I want to hold them.” Brian took that as his clue to sit Max and Sam on the bed next to Justin. He sat his oldest daughter in the uncomfortable plastic chair that was just perfect for first meetings and picked up Alex.

“Say, hello, Alex,” he said and placed his youngest daughter into his eldest’s arms.

“Hi,” Junior whispered. Alex wiggled before settling and starting to cry.

“Oh. Oh, I think you broke it,” Pilot said, leaning in to peer into her face.

“Send it back,” Race added.

********

Part 7

********

Of all of their children Lily and Alex were the loudest. Justin and Brian could only be grateful that their cries weren’t shrill and completely annoying. Brian carried Max over towards the highchairs, upside down, his little legs wiggling back and forth. “You don’t need that much cereal,” Justin said and signed, taking the bowl away from his daughter. Blue watched him empty some of her Trix into a bowl for Sam and frowned.

Justin was beyond tired. Since he was the one with the most flexible schedule he was the one getting up for most of the night feedings. Brian handled the dropping off and picking up. It was an unspoken compromise that they fell into easily.

Brian sat Max in his chair and placed a bowl of cereal in front of him before turning towards his youngest daughters. They were lying next to each other in a Moses basket that was sitting on the center island. “Are you hungry? You’re always hungry,” he told them both before moving to get two bottles out of the fridge and heat them up.

Junior shoved another spoonful of cereal into her mouth and watched Justin sign her permission slip. Her class was going to the Reading Extravaganza and she was beyond excited. Brian wasn’t too thrilled about her riding on the bus but he had that reaction whenever a trip rolled around. “I’m putting this in your book bag,” he told her. He shoved some cash into the envelope and sealed it shut before taking it to her bag. “Don’t take it out and lose it somewhere in the school like you did last time.”

“I won’t,” Junior said around a mouthful of cereal. Her hair was straightened and held back behind her ears. Her leggings were striped with thick bands of purple and red. She wore a dark blue jean skirt with a purple long-sleeved shirt. “How many books can I buy? Maybe ten?”

 

Justin shook his head and zipped her bag back up. “No. Two,” he told her. “Maybe three.”

Pilot and Race were finished with their cereal and were racing to see who could finish drinking their milk first. Blue was taking her time. She carefully picked her bowl up between each bite and drank the milk that had turned an amusing shade of pink.

Brian fed both of his daughters at the same time, ignoring the fact that Justin didn’t really like for them to be fed while lying down. He’d given Brian a whole list of reasons why after Junior had been born, but Brian was abandoning that list for the sake of all of their ears. Justin sat down, wincing at the pinch of pain that pushed at his abdomen. It’d been a week since he left the hospital and the babies were doing fine. He was still in a little bit of pain occasionally but he was assured that it’d soon be gone and that the site was healing well.

“Oh man,” Pilot said with a dramatic shake of his head. “Finally it’s so quiet.”

Justin laughed and Brian smirked as he watched his daughters. “You cried like that too,” Junior pointed out.

Race shook his head and Pilot let his mouth drop open in shock. “No we didn’t,” Race told her. “We didn’t cry.”

“We never cry,” Pilot added.

Junior rolled her eyes and got up from the table, grabbing her bowl and cup. “You cry all the time. You cried yesterday when Dad told you to brush your teeth again. You cried when your cup was on the left side and not the right. You…”

“I think he gets the point, J,” Justin said. He finished with Max and Sam and cleaned them up before taking their bowls away.

Pilot frowned at Junior and she smiled triumphantly. Blue drank all of her milk before her cereal was done and pouted. “I need more milk,” she signed.

“No,” Justin signed. “Eat the cereal. I gave you milk and you drank it all.”

“I don’t want it with no milk.”

Justin removed the trays from his sons’ highchairs and was grateful that they were able to slide to the floor with only a little assistance from him. He was still under orders to not be lifting anything heavy. “Too bad,” he quickly signed.

********

Brian walked into Kinnetik with his freshly emptied coffee in one hand and his phone held up to his ear. Cynthia fell into step next to him, quietly relaying his messages and exchanging the coffee cup in his hand for the portfolios in hers. “That’s all very interesting, but what are you calling me for?” Brian asked. He pushed through his office door and Cynthia left him to get settled.

“I’m calling you to fix it. I’m calling you because you’re the best. I’m calling you because I know you’ll give me the best price and you’ll be unbiased.”

Brian smirked and dropped the portfolios to his desk before shrugging out of his coat. “That sounds…like bullshit. Now, why don’t you tell me why you really called,” he said with a smug smirk.

“Fine. I called you because I called everyone else and they either don’t have the time or they can’t fit my budget. You’re my last resort. Asshole,” Melanie bit out.

“And the truth shall set you free,” Brian said with a smile. He knew it wasn’t easy for Mel to ask for help. “What exactly gave you the impression that I had time in my busy schedule to help another one of your precious charities with a fundraiser?”

Melanie sighed and finished signing the stack of papers that were on her desk, adjusting the phone between her cheek and shoulder. “Consider it a good deed to add to your questionable record, you selfish bastard,” she spat.

“Now, now, now, I really don’t think slinging out hurtful, petty names is going to help your cause.” Cynthia appeared, dropping off some files and disappearing just as quickly. Brian clicked through his emails and listened to the tension mount over the phone. “The things I’m forced to do; talk to Cynthia. Give her the details and we’ll get back to you. Now, some of us have other things to do,” Brian said before hanging up.

Melanie ended the call and dropped her phone down on her desk. “Why do I even fucking bother.”

********

Justin slept curled up on the couch with his body pillow tucked between his knees. He made it a point to sleep whenever the babies did and with Alex and Lily being their most easily jostled, as well as their loudest, he held the opportunity tight when it happened to come along. They were currently in their Moses basket on the floor next to the couch, asleep.

And then there was the doorbell.

It was loud and echoed through the silence. Justin groaned, his eyes sliding open and his feet already moving to the floor. His gaze shifted to his two daughters and he waited for them to wake up and start to wail. Lily wiggled and Alex mirrored her movements. They thankfully settled and Justin was so happy he thought he just might cry. He pushed himself up from the couch before the person could think to ring again. He made it to the door just as the young man’s finger was about to move forward.

“Do it and I’ll kill you,” Justin said roughly.

The boy yanked his hand back and adjusted the package in his arms. “S-sorry,” he stuttered. “Um, I, um…I’ve got a package for you.”

Justin sighed and opened the door a little wider. “I didn’t order anything,” Justin said absently. “Just try to be as quiet as you can, please.” Justin gestured towards the small basket and the boy nodded before handing Justin the package in his hand and hooking his thumb over his shoulder.

“There’s more,” he said before turning and heading back towards his truck. By the time he finished several boxes filled the foyer and the babies were screaming. Justin quickly signed the delivery confirmation and thanked the boy. “No problem. You have a good day,” he said with a standard wave and a company required smiled.

Justin closed the door, moved towards the kitchen and glanced at his babies. Lily’s face was a shade of red that would rival any good tomato and Alex was doing a good job of trying to match. “Just hold on a little bit longer. I’m coming,” he told them. He quickly heated up two bottles and walked over to the couch, sitting the bottles on the cushion next to him. He lifted both of his girls into his arms and settled himself, sighing at the relief he felt when his stomach was able to relax.

 With his Boppy in place Justin situated his girls and pressed the nipples into their mouths. He could give a sloppy and fully deserving blowjob to the makers of the Boppy. It was, in his opinion, the best gift that he’d ever been given. Nevermind that Brian had originally bought it when Justin was eight months pregnant to better angle his expanded body for sex. He’d been slightly disturbed when Justin had told him what it was actually for. 

“I wonder what we’ve got; and who sent it.” Lily blinked and bumped her tiny fist against the bottle Justin was holding. Alex was content to let her arms relax and jerkily tap her small socked foot against her daddy’s leg. “Nope,” Justin said with a shake of his head. “I don’t know who sent it. But, when you finish with your lunch we’ll open the boxes and find out.”

Alex finished first and Justin expertly burped her with one hand while Lily finished. Alex finished and after a quick burp she waited for her turn for a diaper change. Fed and changed, they were asleep again within the hour. He laid them both down and covered them with a blanket.

He grabbed a pair of scissors and made his way towards the stack of boxes. The first one revealed infant t-shirts, socks, burp cloths and receiving blankets. The next couple of boxes were clothes for the older kids. The last box was full of toys and Justin groaned internally, thinking of the overhaul they’d have to do on the playroom.

In the second box, tucked along the side, Justin found a card. He opened it and smiled. It was handwritten on heavy weight paper. It read: ‘With all of my love, Vanessa.’

********

Strategy. Being able to think on your feet. Imagination. Reading people.

All of these things shape Brian’s life. His ability to see the bigger picture and execute a plan made him highly sought after. He pressured himself to be the best.

So there was no way in hell he was losing a game to his eight-year-old.

“It’s your turn,” Junior said happily. She wiggled on her chair and sat up on her knees and Brian could swear he wasn’t imagining the self-satisfied smirk that she was barely containing.

“I’m aware,” Brian said. He glanced up at his daughter. Her hair was braided into two long pigtails. She wore a red long-sleeved jersey knit shirt and white flannel pajama bottoms decorated with snowflakes. Her terry cloth robe was open and she twirled the end of the belt around her fingers. “Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

She laughed and shook her head. “Daddy said I could have thirty more minutes ‘cause it’d be just enough time to beat you.” She laughed hard and smiled a smile that rivaled Justin’s.

“Oh he did, did he?” Brian narrowed his eyes and moved his piece across the board. “Your turn.”

Chess.

One game with Ben and she was hooked. Justin couldn’t even pretend to play. He was mediocre, at best, and Junior quickly dismissed him as an unworthy opponent; nevermind that she was far from an expert.

She leaned down and watched the pieces, ignoring Brian’s comments and focusing on the board. Her nose wrinkled in concentration and she heaved out a loud sigh. “You’re looking a little nervous,” Brian said with a smile.

Junior didn’t bother looking up at her dad. “You’re not having good sportsmanship,” she chastised.

Brian leaned back and took a long drink from his water bottle. “That’s just something they teach losers so that they’ll feel better about themselves and their general lack of talent.” He drained the rest of the water and settled in to wait while she studied the board.

“That’s not true,” she said.

“It is.”

“No, it’s not,” Justin said with a frown. He walked into the kitchen and sat the empty bottles he held in the sink. “And it’s time for you to go to bed.”

“Aw, but Daddy,” she pouted, finally looking away from the board and over her shoulder at Justin. He moved around the kitchen, straitening up. “Please just…”

Justin shook his head. “No. No, no. I gave you thirty extra minutes already. You’ve got school tomorrow.” He gestured towards the stairs and Junior sighed. 

She got up and moved around the table, leaning in to press a kiss to Brian’s cheek. “Don’t try and cheat when I’m not looking,” she said firmly, pointing at him. She ran over and kissed Justin before running to climb the stairs and disappear into her room.

“Sportsmanship is for losers?” Justin asked.

Brian held up his hands in surrender. “I only speak the truth.”

Justin crossed the room and stopped in front of his husband. Brian opened his legs and pulled Justin forward, looking up at him and resting his hands on his hips. “You really are horribly jaded, you know that, right?”

Brian slid his hand up under Justin’s shirt and ran it over his still sensitive, and soft, stomach. “I might be vaguely aware,” he said before leaning forward and pressing a kiss to the exposed skin.

********

There was something to be said for the patience level needed to deal with eight children all under the age of ten. There was something truly profound, and as soon as Brian had one minute free he was going to write that something down; if he didn’t forget completely.

Brian held Lily up over the sink with her small torso supported by his one hand. Her little eyes were blinking, her lashes wet and stuck together. Her hands were balled up and her tiny legs were doing their best to kick. “Baby girl,” Brian said, running a small soaped up towel over her back and down her legs. She shivered slightly and Brian frowned. “I know. You’re cold. Just one more minute,” he assured her.

Blue walked over, stomped her foot and tugged on Brian’s jeans. She looked up at him with an angry scowl on her face. She quickly started to sign and point back towards the playroom. These were the moments when Brian wished he had more hands. “J,” Brian said, lifting water over his daughter’s back to rinse away the soap. “Ask your sister what’s wrong.”

Junior pushed herself up off of the floor in front of the TV and ran into the kitchen. “Dad said what’s wrong,” she signed quickly.

Blue huffed and let Brian’s jeans slip through her fingers when he grabbed a towel and wrapped Lily up before moving from the sink. “Max keeps sitting on me,” she signed. “I keep moving and he keeps sitting on me.”

“Max is sitting on her,” Junior told Brian. She turned and watched him sit down at the table to dry her sister off before running back over to her book. It didn’t take long for the last of Lily’s patience to wear off and her cries to quickly escalate into ear-splitting screams.

“There she goes again,” Race said loudly. The cries did little to stop him from trying to empty the toy box of everything they possessed.

“Maybe you should feed her something. Geez,” Pilot suggested.

Justin made his way down the stairs with Alex propped up on his shoulder. She was dressed in a blue onesie and her little eyes were open. Her fingers were holding on to the materiel of Justin’s shit and he gently patted her back. “What’s wrong with Ms. Lily?” he asked.

“Cold, hungry, sleepy; pick one,” Brian said.

Blue ran over and stopped just in front of Justin. She signed quickly, repeating for Justin what she’d just said. Justin looked over at his son, who was currently trying to sit on Junior, and then back at his daughter. “Okay,” Justin signed. “Daddy will get him.”

Blue seemed satisfied with that simple answer and walked away.

Brian finished dressing Lily and sat her in her bouncy chair on the table. “Your daughter has inherited your lung capacity.”

“Thanks,” Justin said. He sat Alex in her chair and went to warm up a bottle for Lily.

********

The girls were with Brian doing “top secret” things, which most likely meant they were huddled in Brian’s home office watching old westerns and trying to come up with new campaign ideas. Justin had the boys. They were in his home studio, a place they were very rarely allowed to be. Pilot was sitting on Justin’s lap letting Justin guide his hand across the canvas, the brush held tightly in his fingers leaving large red strokes of paint. “It’s pretty I think,” Pilot said happily.

Justin released his son’s hand and let him paint on his own. “I think so too. Maybe when it’s all finished we can hang it up in your room.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Pilot said. He dipped his brush in more red paint and pressed it back to the canvas.

“We can hang mine too?” Race asked from behind his own easel. He peeked around to look at Justin. His face was streaked with green and white paint and he had a very happy smile on his face.

“I think so. Let’s see.” Justin stood Pilot on the floor and got up. He moved over and behind Race, looking intently at his canvas. “Oh yeah, this is very good. Nice. I like it. Yeah, I think we can hang it. Right, Pi?”

“Yup,” Pilot answered.

Max and Sam were seated on the floor with nothing on but their diapers and undershirts. They had finger paint all over their bodies and no part of the white surfaces of their large, thick cardstock paper was visible under the coats of paint. “Is paint,” Sam said with a grin.

“It is!” Justin said. “And you’ve got it everywhere. Maybe I can convince Dad to give you your baths. What is it?” Sam stuck his hand in his little dish of yellow paint and smacked it onto his picture, smearing brown and yellow together on the soggy paper. “What is it?” he repeated.

“Cat,” Sam said, looking up at Justin.

“Looks just like one. Max, what are you doing?” Max looked up, his foot stuck in a dish of blue paint and a dinosaur shaped sponge in his left hand.

Max touched his hand to his chest and let out a shrill laugh. “Mas is paint,” he said with a smile. “Nice.”

Justin laughed and got down on the floor with his sons. “Max. Say Max. And I can see you’re painting. It’s so nice.” Max pushed himself up off of the floor and stepped through his painting with his bare feet. He pressed a kiss to Justin’s lips and laughed, leaving a well placed handprint in the middle of Justin’s shirt. Justin groaned and accepted the kiss. Thank God for water-soluble paint. “Oh! Thank you.”

“Yes.”

“You’re welcome,” Justin corrected.

Max nodded and smiled as he stepped back through his painting. “Yes, yes.”

********

“And that’s James Dean,” Brian said proudly, pointing at the screen. They were all seated on the couch. Blue was tucked into Brian’s right side and Junior was stretched out on his left with her head resting on the arm of the couch and her feet in his lap. She had a bowl of popcorn resting on her stomach and her juice box was sitting on the floor just out of reach.

“Well, I just don’t think he’s that special,” Junior said. She popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth and Brian looked over at her with a frown.

“What! Are you sure you’re my daughter?” Brian asked. He adjusted Lily on his shoulder and pressed a kiss against her cheek.

Junior shrugged. “I don’t know. Sometimes Daddy says he thinks I come from the moon.” Junior wiggled her feet and smiled over at her Dad.

“I think he might be right. James Dean is one of the most loved actors in the world.” Brian went on and on, listing James Dean’s small collection of movies and telling them how he died. Junior translated for her sister, letting out a huff when Blue crawled over Brian to lean on her and snatch the bowl of popcorn.

“I like him,” Blue signed, looking up at Brian.

“Love of my life,” Brian signed to her. He leaned over and she leaned up to give him a quick kiss.

Junior wiggled into a sitting position and held her arms out. “Can I hold her?” Brian made sure she was seated properly and placed Lily into her arms.

“Don’t drop her. Daddy doesn’t like it when that happens,” Brian said with a frown. “Even if you were really tired and had barely slept the night before,” he mumbled.

Brian snuck a peek inside of the Moses basket sitting on the coffee table. Alex was sleeping with her tiny tuffs of hair sticking up. He sat back and kicked his feet up on the table. Blue looked up at him and held out a piece of popcorn. He leaned over and snatched it from her fingers with his mouth. “Thank you,” he signed.

********

Blue wiggled on Brian’s lap, her back pressed against his chest and her pinky finger stuck between her teeth. Brian ran his hand over the top her head, gently rocking them both back and forth. He wanted to whisper comforting words in her ear but he knew the sentiments would be lost to her in her silent world. Instead he hummed, steady and low, letting the vibrations flow through him to her.

She let out a soft whimper and Brian rubbed his hand in small circles over her stomach. Fussy sleeping wasn’t always something they had to deal with. With the children getting older they were starting to make bedtime slightly less of a hassle. Slightly.

Brian continued to rock until her legs stopped fidgeting and her body went completely lax. He sighed and worked the kinks out of his neck, smiling when Justin appeared in the doorway. “She’s asleep.”

“Finally,” Brian said. “What about the boys? I heard the battle of wills that was taking place.”

Justin smiled. “I lost. I had to bribe them,” he said. He walked over and picked Blue up. He carried her over to her bed and laid her down.

“What were the terms?” Brian stood up and stretched, raising his arms above his head.

“One extra Twinkie in their lunchboxes,” Justin said with a shrug. “I’m going to make them eat extra vegetables with dinner tomorrow. So, either way, I win.”

“Nice to know you take so much pleasure in deceiving your children.”

“There are such few joys in life,” Justin said. He kissed Blue and pulled her covers up, tracing a finger idly around the shell of her ear before turning to face Brian.

“True,” Brian said before pulling Justin close and pressing their mouths together. He let his hands roam over Justin’s arms and down his sides. “Mm. I see all those hours in the gym are paying off.” Justin smiled against Brian’s lips and wrapped his fingers around the waistband of his jeans, pulling him from their daughter’s room and into their own.

“Yeah, the gym coupled with the fact that I hardly have time to put anything in my mouth.”

Brian guided Justin down onto their bed and started to unbuckle his belt. “Maybe I can remedy that problem.”

********

Justin stretched; a sated smile on his face and a warm ache in his ass. “All these years later watching you piss after fucking my brains out doesn’t diminish your sex appeal at all,” Justin said, resting his head on his folded arms.

Brian smirked before flushing the toilet and washing his hands. He walked out of the bathroom and over to their closet. Justin watched him, felt the sweat cooling on his skin. “I can hear the thoughts rattling around in that pretty little blond head of yours.”

“Brian.”

“And around and around it goes,” Brian said tiredly, sarcasm dripping in his voice. He pulled on a pair of lounge pants and rested his hands on his hips. “We’ve had this conversation before. Too many times.”

Justin turned over, held his hands over his eyes and let out a deep breath before pulling them away. He stared up at the ceiling through the darkness. “Look, Brian, I know how you feel about it. All I’m saying is that I think we should at least talk to Dr. Frost about it.”

Brian walked over, lay down on the bed and looked over at his husband. “I don’t want to put her through unnecessary pain just to lighten our burden. I don’t want her to think she’s not good enough, exactly the way she is.”

Justin smiled softly and reached out to fondly run his hand through Brian’s hair and down the side of his neck. “Brian, she’s perfect. She’s always been perfect. But I’m not just thinking of us. I’m thinking of her. I just think she could benefit so much from the implants. I think it’ll open her world up and the younger she is when we do it the better her chances are of regaining as much hearing as possible.”

This had long been a debate between them, argued over in the late night hours in the privacy of their home and bedroom. Justin was in favor of Blue getting cochlear implants. Brian was hesitant. He wasn’t in favor of altering his children in any way. Justin had to fight tooth and nail for him to relent and let the boys be circumcised.

“We’ll talk to him. But I’m not agreeing to anything,” Brian said. “Roll over.”

Justin smiled and complied, rolling slowly onto his stomach. “Deal.”

********

“We brought donuts,” Junior said happily.

Melanie took a step back and smiled down at her honorary nieces and nephews. “Wow, thank you,” she said. The boys pushed their way into the house behind Junior. Blue followed the group and Brian brought up the rear. He carried both car seats through the door with the diaper bag hanging off his shoulder. “Little help.”

“Oh, I don’t know, I think you’re doing a pretty good job all on your own,” Melanie said with a very pleased smile. Brian shot her a look and she laughed before taking one of the seats from him and following him into the living room.

“Hey! I thought I heard you guys,” Lindsay said, walking down the stairs with an empty laundry basket. She sat it at the bottom of the stairs and opened her arms. All the kids ran to her and gave her hugs and kisses. “Hello.”

“We got all these donuts,” Pilot said.

“Wow. Well, we’ll just have to go in the kitchen and eat some of them.” The kids took off towards the kitchen and Lindsay walked over to give Brian a kiss on the cheek. “Where have you been hiding?”

“With this bunch, who can hide?” Brian asked.

Melanie smirked and clicked the handle back on Alex’s seat before unbuckling her and lifting her out. “Jesus, Brian, she’s gorgeous. I can’t believe that such an asshole had such a beautiful baby.”

Lindsay walked up behind her and let out a soft ‘aw’. “Brian, she’s so pretty. And quiet.”

“Quiet isn’t the word I’d use to describe them.” Lindsay scoffed and moved to pick up Lily from her chair.

“That’s what Justin said,” Lindsay said, pressing a kiss to Lily’s nose. “Speaking of Justin, where is he?”

Brian pulled his jacket off and tossed it on the back of the couch. “He’s at the gym. He’s determined to get back into his jeans, comfortably. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that there is a new Spin class instructor that is extremely fuckable.”

“Brian!” Lindsay shouted, reaching out to hit his arm and glancing towards the kitchen. “Don’t say things like that, they might hear you.”

Brian smirked. “Believe me, they’ve heard worse.”

“I bet, living with you,” Melanie added.

“Whatever. You want to show me some of these great ideas that you’ve come up with for this fundraiser? Or did I waste my time coming over here?”

Melanie rolled her eyes and kissed on Alex some more before settling her back in her car seat. “I’ve got everything laid out in the office.”

Brian nodded and motioned towards the kitchen. “Linds, do you mind?”

Lindsay gave Lily a couple more kisses to her clothed belly before sitting her back in her seat and moving towards the kitchen. “Of course I don’t mind. I hope you bought one with sprinkles,” she said before disappearing into the kitchen. Brian turned to follow Melanie up the stairs and into the office.

********

“I think she’s possessed,” Daphne said.

Justin huffed out a laughed and flung his towel over the bar on his spin bike. Daphne looked over at him and frowned. “It’s not funny. I’m serious. She never sleeps. All she does is shit and projectile vomit. And only on me, never on Cedric. He shits gold as far as she’s concerned.”

“She’s a baby, Daph,” Justin offered with a slight shrug. “I’m sure she’s fine. Have you talked to her doctor?”

Daphne rolled her eyes and let out a tired breath. “Yeah, and he told me not to worry, and that she was perfectly healthy.”

“See. She’s fine. There is absolutely nothing wrong with her. However, Lily and Alex are determined to make sure they don’t get lost in the shuffle. I swear I’ve never heard babies cry as loud as they do. And they are not discriminating, at all.”

Daphne laughed. She wouldn’t trade her daughter for anything in the world. Grace, the love of her life; born two weeks after Lily and Alex. “Bummer. She threw up on my boob while I was attempting the supposedly healthy practice of bonding and nutrition known as breastfeeding.”

Justin made a face. Before he could comment the instructor walked into the room. “Jesus fucking Christ,” Daphne breathed. “He’s gorgeous. I love spin class.”

Justin nodded. “He’s fucking hot. And you hate spin class.”

“It’s true,” Daphne sighed and groaned.

The instructor settled himself on his bike in the front of the room and readied the atmosphere. The lights dimmed and just as fast the thump thump of the music rattled through the air. “Alright! Let’s get started!”

********

“Boring,” Brian said with distaste, holding the sheet of paper that listed Melanie’s ideas loosely between two fingers.

“Christ, Brian. You’ve said that about every idea I’ve had,” Melanie said. She paced the length of their small office. The desk was littered with impending bills and numerous ideas for the upcoming gay youth fundraiser. “How about you put your brain to use and earn the money that we’re paying you.”

Brian laughed. “Please, that pathetic amount that you’re paying me doesn’t warrant half my time, or talent. Still, it is for a good cause. First of all, they’re gay. They’re young and horny; up for anything. We’re going to use it to our advantage.”

“I don’t want some artistic fuckfest like that goddamn carnival you threw. Think conservative, think young adult, think tasteful.”

“Boring; straight,” Brian stated pointedly. “Sorry, those words just aren’t in my vocabulary. He smiled at her before picking up a pen and starting to make some notes of his own.

********

Donuts were an extremely rare treat. And the children made sure to take advantage. Blue licked her lips, her cheeks painted in swipes of chocolate and her fingers shiny from where she’d sucked at the sticky goodness. Pilot and Race opted for raspberry filled, the filling dripping down their chins. Junior opted for a strawberry frosted donut with sprinkles. The more sprinkles, the better. Max and Sam, new to the world of donuts, were content with traditional glazed.

Max sat in his chair next to Pilot, vibrating with happiness and chewing eagerly. “Mm,” he said with a smile.

Pilot nodded. “I think this is so good. I think I might have to taste another one to make sure it’s really truly good.”

“Me too,” Race piped up. “Yes, I think me too.”

Junior took another bite of her donut and kicked her legs back and forth. “Aunt Lindsay?” Junior asked, sucking a sprinkle off of her finger.

“Yes sweetie?” Lindsay smiled and shook her head, reaching over to wipe at Blue’s mouth with a napkin, signing to her.

“How come you and Aunt Melanie don’t have any babies?”

Every sound seemed to get sucked out of the room. Lindsay couldn’t force words to come out. She scrambled for something to say, something they’d understand. Pilot and Race watched her, waiting. Blue swiped her forearm across her mouth and watched Lindsay with huge shiny eyes. “Uh…um.”

“Don’t you like babies?” Race asked, snaking his tongue out to catch a piece of donut that was stuck to his cheek.

It was something that they’d thought about frequently. They’d had hope in the past couple of years, but nothing had panned out. Lindsay smiled and leaned over to brush Pilot’s hair out of his face. “I love babies. And one day me and Aunt Melanie will have one. It just hasn’t happened yet.”

“Oh,” Junior said, thinking it over and taking a bite of her donut.

Pilot stuffed the rest of his donut into his mouth and tried his best to chew. “You can have Alex and Lily,” he said, his voice garbled from the wad of half-chewed food stuck in his cheek.

Lindsay laughed. “I think your dad and daddy might want to keep them,” she told the boys. Right on cue Lily and Alex started to cry. “You guys finish your donuts. I’m gonna go check on your sisters’.”

********

“Look at them, standing there looking all perfect. I’m going to tell my shrink that he is pitting my daughter against me.”

Justin laughed and adjusted his gym bag on his shoulder. “You love it. Do you tell that woman anything that is the truth?”

Daphne shrugged. “Sometimes,” she said. “But it’s not as much fun.” They reached Daphne’s small family who were waiting next to their car, Grace happily smiling from her place in Cedric’s arms. Damien was leaning against the side of the car with his attention firmly focused on the PSP in his hands. “Hey!”

“We thought we’d meet up with you and go grab a bite to eat,” Cedric said. Daphne smirked and lifted their daughter from his arms, letting Cedric take her gym bag. “Hey Justin.”

“Hey.”

“Dad burned lunch and Grace threw up all over the place,” Damien said absently.

“Nice. Traitor,” Cedric muttered.

Daphne laughed and rubbed her nose against her daughters. “Hello, my sweet. Look at you, being so nice.” Daphne kissed all over her cheeks and laughed when she smiled. “Did you miss me?” she directed to her daughter, reaching over to flick Damien on the ear.

“Mom,” he moaned. “You’re gonna make me lose points.”

“So sorry,” Daphne said with a roll of her eyes. Cedric waved his goodbyes to Justin and went around the car to get in the driver’s seat. Damien followed and shut his door with a heavy ‘thud’. Daphne shrugged. “I love them.”

“I know,” Justin said with a smile. “I’ll call you later?” he asked. Daphne placed Grace in her car seat and closed the back door.

“Yeah,” she said. “We’ll do…something. Maybe we can get together and take a rousing nap.” She laughed and slid into the passenger seat before blowing Justin a kiss and closing the door.

Justin waved as they drove away before turning towards his car. He was genuinely happy for Daphne and Cedric. They’d come a long way as a couple. He tossed his bag into the back seat and got in. He started the car and pulled out of the gym parking lot.

********

Ideas mapped out and plans set in motion, Brian and Melanie made their way back downstairs. “Jesus Christ, Linds,” Brian said loudly so that his voice would carry over the noise in the living room. “I told you not to let them eat every single donut in the box.”

The kids were zipping around the room, pumped up on their sugar highs. Melanie watched the scene in front of her with amusement. She jumped when Sam pushed into her legs before teetering away. “Sorry,” Lindsay said with a grimace. She had Lily lying across her legs and Alex propped up on her shoulder, alternating rubbing slow circles on their backs.    

Brian sighed and frowned at his friend before raising his fingers to his mouth and letting out a loud, sharp whistle. The kids froze in their tracks and looked at their dad. “Do you run in the house?”

A serious of shaking heads was his answer. “No,” Junior piped up, answering for all of them.

“Right. Pick everything up and get ready to go,” Brian said. They all took a minute to stare at him before moving to pick up the toys they’d taken out.

“Wow. You’re good,” Melanie said.

“Many would agree with you,” Brian said smugly. Brian walked over to Lindsay and picked Lily up. “If I wasn’t they’d eventually realize that they outnumber us. We’d never survive.” He quickly got Lily bundled up and ready to go with Lindsay dressing Alex.

Junior helped Max and Sam zip up their coats. Blue dressed herself. Pilot and Race quickly put their coats on and waited next to the couch.

“Thanks again, Brian,” Melanie told him. She walked them all to the door with Lindsay pulling it open and letting the children pass.

“Not a problem,” Brian said with a self-satisfied, sarcastic smile.

“EW, don’t eat that! Dad! Dad, Max is eating Aunt Lindsay’s flowers!” Junior yelled towards the house. Lindsay gasped and turned her attention from Brian and Melanie to the children in the front yard.

Pilot and Race were laughing, egging their brother on. Typical. “And dirt too!” Race added.

Brian walked out of the house and sat the two car seats down on the grass. Lindsay and Melanie followed; neither really knowing what to do. Junior was standing in front of her brother grabbing at the flowers in his hand and tossing them on the ground, trying to avoid his flailing limbs.

“Sonny Boy,” Brian said with a sigh. He crouched down in front of his son. Max smiled at him with dirt clumped in his teeth and sprinkled over his lips. “You don’t eat flowers. J, get me a diaper wipe, please.” Junior moved to get the wipe and Brian pulled the remainder of the flowers out of his hands and brushed the dirt from his face. He reached into his mouth and felt around for any clumps of dirt that could be removed.

Max frowned and twisted his head, pushing on Brian’s hands. “No,” he mumbled.

“Yeah, that’s right, no. No putting things in your mouth that aren’t food or juice.” Brian didn’t bother to tell him that in many, many, many years he could place things besides food and juice in his mouth. Junior handed him the wipe and Brian cleaned his son’s face up.

********

Justin looked at Brian’s plane tickets and frowned. “I find it very interesting that you suddenly have a business trip scheduled right before the kids have doctor appointments. Convenient,” he said with a smirk.

Brian shook his head, his attention focused on his work. “Nothing convenient about it,” he said. “Just the nature of the business.”

“I’ll remember that so I can use it next,” Justin said with a smile. He dropped the tickets down on the counter and downed the rest of his orange juice. He walked over to Brian and stood in front of him, his hair still slightly damp from his shower.  

Brian glanced up quickly and tapped his pen against his lips. “You’re so sexy,” Brian said with a smile as Justin straddled his legs and settled onto his lap. “Especially with the faint smell of baby vomit and Hamburger Helper still clinging to you,” he added.

Brian kept his eyes focused on the proofs in his hand and Justin laughed. “Come to bed with me?” Justin asked. He pressed his hands down against Brian’s thighs and bit down on his own bottom lip.

“Tempting,” Brian said, his eyes focused and his brain working over angles and lines.

“Your plane’s leaving in five hours. I’m tired.” Justin didn’t say how hard it was for him to find decent sleep when Brian wasn’t there. He didn’t say that long, lean limbs pressing against him and holding him down, suffocating him in the best way, made him feel safe. Even when the kids huddled into the bed to fill the space, it wasn’t the same.

Minutes passed and Justin fought to keep his eyes open. He was dressed in soft grey pajama pants with a white t-shirt, ready for bed. He said nothing, stayed settled on Brian’s lap and waited.

Brian liked to have all his ducks in a row before a business trip. His success depended so much on him being prepared. He hated to leave without going over all of his information. The proofs were the last piece of his preparedness puzzle. But the weight of Justin on his lap was soothing and warm. And the soft, even breaths that he was taking made him smile. He moved the proofs out of his line of sight and watched Justin sleep. He was sitting straight up with his head tucked against his chest and his lips slightly parted.

With a smile Brian leaned forward and tossed the proofs on the coffee table. He’d be up and long gone before tiny hands could litter the film with smudges. “Okay, Sunshine.” He tapped his hand against Justin’s thigh and held his hips as he sleepily let his feet find the floor.

Brian led them up the stairs with his hands on Justin’s hips. He checked on Alex and Lily before following Justin into the bed. Brian didn’t protest when Justin rolled into him and tangled their legs together. Too many years together had taught him that by morning he’d be wearing Justin anyway.

He curled his fingers into Justin’s hair and let his eyes drift closed.

********

“When did he leave?” Emmett asked. He moved around the kitchen gathering supplies for his first two dishes.

Justin looked through his daughters’ diaper bag and sighed before leaving the bag on the couch and moving around the two car seats. He leaned against the countertop and watched Emmett adjust the temperature on the oven. “This morning, early,” Justin answered. “Early enough to not help me wrestle Pilot into the car for school. I almost lost.”

Emmett laughed and pulled out his knifes. “He’s just keeping you on your toes.”

“Yeah well, I can do without that. Look Em, are you absolutely sure you don’t mind watching them for a couple hours?” Justin asked. “Debbie has the boys and I just didn’t want to…”

“Stop. I told you it wasn’t a problem. We’re gonna have ourselves a good time,” Emmett assured his friend.

Justin nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “Thank you so much. I’ll be back before two. If they cry, and they will, you have plenty of bottles and diapers. If you need me call me. Thank you so, so much.” Justin checked his watch and stood up. “Okay. I’ve gotta go or I’ll be late.” He walked over and kissed both of his baby girls. “I’ll see ya.”

“Bye,” Emmett said with a happy wave.

********

Vanessa stood up and wrapped her arms tightly around Justin. “Oh my god, it’s so good to see you. Sit.” She let him go and sat down, motioning for the waiter. “Wine?”

“Oh, no, um, water please,” Justin told the waiter. He hurried off to fill the drink order and Vanessa sat back, lifting up her glass of wine and taking a sip.

“I am so sorry to bother you. I know you need your rest and I promise not to take up too much of your time,” she said in a rush, a smile plastered to her face. “I got the pictures that you emailed. Oh my god are those babies gorgeous. And the others are getting so big. Did you get my packages?”

“We did. Thank you so much. The kids were very happy with all of the new presents. Max ate several of the packing peanuts.”

“He’s still eating everything?”

“Unfortunately,” Justin answered with a laugh.

They both ordered and Vanessa drank the rest of her glass of wine before clearing her throat and sitting back in her chair. “I want to sell my share of the gallery in L.A. I’m hardly ever there and my heart lives in London. You do very well out of the L.A. gallery and requests for your upcoming pieces are already coming in by the hundreds. You don’t need my name anymore, and you haven’t for quite some time.”

“Oh, wow. You caught me off guard,” Justin told her honestly. He had a lot on his plate. He had his own studio and gallery to run. He had commissioned works and contracted pieces for Kinnetik. He had eight kids. And that wasn’t even touching his photography and various other obligations.

“I know. And I don’t want you to worry. The L.A. gallery basically runs itself. You know my brother; he’ll stay in place as the head curator. And the rest of the staff is quite capable. I believe that the stress you would be forced to endure for the sake of art,” she said with an exasperated flourish, “would be minimal, at best. And worth it.”

The waiter brought over their meals and refreshed Vanessa’s wine glass. “It took me years to build up the gallery and I refuse to see some pansy ass art newbie try and come in and twist it into something that has very little to do with art and all to do with profit. I mean, by all means let’s get paid, but not at the expense of the integrity of the work. I for one am in no position to argue about monetary gain.”

Justin laughed and swallowed his bite of salad. With a nod of his head he agreed. “Under one condition,” he said.

Vanessa ate a forkful of her grilled fish and perked up. “Yes?”

“You give me your blessing to have the walls painted. That horrendous color that they are now makes me cringe.”

Vanessa sighed and drank some of her wine. “Ugh. Artists, so demanding,” she huffed. “Fine, change it. I’ll have you know that I mixed that color myself when I first opened that gallery and it’s been that color ever since.”

“It’s so…bad.”

“It is,” she agreed. “But who has the time to paint it.” They laughed and Justin listened to her plans for her London gallery and everything she had already set in motion.

“I think your vision for the London gallery sounds highly overambitious and problematic.”

Vanessa picked up her glass of wine and smiled. “I know! The staff is going to hate me,” she said with a loud laugh. She gestured her apologies to the people at the tables around her and motioned for Justin to finish eating.

********

“It sounds great,” Brian said. He tossed his suit jacket and tie down on the motel bed.

Justin frowned and adjusted the phone on his shoulder. “It sounds like a massive headache. As if I don’t have enough to do,” Justin said. He watched Alex’s eyes slowly start to slide shut. Her bottle was almost empty and she had one sock missing. Lily was already swaddled comfortably and sleeping in the middle of the bed. He pulled the bottle from his daughter’s mouth when the plastic formula bag suctioned to the nipple and sat it on the nightstand.

Alex let out a weak whimper and Justin propped her up on his shoulder to burp her. “Which one is that?” Brian asked.

Justin smiled and pressed a kiss to Alex’s cheek. “That would be Alex. She’s almost fully asleep. Which is a good thing because I am beyond exhausted,” Justin said with a yawn.

Brian stripped out of his clothes and settled himself in the middle of his large, and very empty, bed. These were the times where his job felt like a burden. He wanted nothing more than to be at the house, in their room, helping Justin put the kids to sleep. “Stop it, Brian. You don’t get to feel guilty for doing your job. Plus, you’re damn sexy when you stand at the head of a conference table and lay down the law.”

“You know me too well. Should I be concerned?” Brian smiled and let his hand trail up and down his chest.

“I think you should be,” Justin said. Alex hiccupped and let out a low whine that turned into an annoyed cry. Lily startled at the sudden noise and her eyes blinked open as she started to cry. “Oh, and I was so close.”

Brian laughed and sighed. “Lay her down and put the phone between them.”

“Are you serious?” Justin asked.

Brian shrugged. “It works when I’m there. Maybe the phone can be just as good.” Justin did as he was asked and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. He heard the soft sound of Brian singing. He recognized the song immediately, All My Loving. It never failed to calm the girls down. Their crying stopped and almost immediately their eyes closed. Justin smiled and picked the phone up.

“You’ve got the magic touch,” he said.

“Only one of my many valuable assets,” Brian said smugly. He listened while Justin stood to carry the girls’ to their bassinets. When Justin was settled back in bed he told him about the meetings he’d had and the two new clients he was close to signing.

“Kinnetik International is going to take a substantial leap if I can manage to pull this off.”

Justin laughed and turned onto his side. “You always manage to pull it off. Just remember to eat a very good breakfast and take lots of deep breaths,” he advised.

“Thank you. That didn’t help at all,” Brian said. He listened to Justin start to settle into sleep and smiled. “Go to sleep, Sunshine.”

“I love you,” Justin said softly. “I miss you.”

Brian smiled. “I’ll see you soon,” he said before ending the call.

********

“I’m telling Dad on you when he comes back! Give it back!” Race yelled, pulling his shirt out of his brother’s reach and pushing against his chest.

Pilot frowned and swiped at Race’s hand. “Stop it! And I don’t care. I don’t even care about that stupid shirt.”

Race got up from his spot on the floor, his pants and socks still tossed around his space, and hurried over to their bedroom door. “Daddy! Pilot said stupid!” he yelled.

Pilot rolled his eyes and pulled his socks on. “I didn’t!”

“Yes he did,” Race said with a frown.

Justin walked into his oldest sons’ bedroom with Sam propped up on his hip. He was clad in a diaper, tee shirt and socks with a small Tonka truck in his hands. “What is with all the yelling?” Justin asked, ushering Race back into the room and over to the scattered clothes. “No one says stupid, got it.” Race shot his brother a heated frown and moved to sit back down.

“Can I wear my red shirt?” Pilot asked.

Justin went to their closet and pulled out the shoes they were going to wear. “Um, no. I don’t have your red shirts clean. You can wear the white one that I put out for you to wear today.” Justin turned back around and snapped his fingers at Pilot whose attention had been pulled from dressing to playing with his toys. “Hey, you, no playing,” he said firmly. “Get dressed.”

He left them to finish dressing themselves. He stood Sam on his own two feet and watched him scamper off towards his own bedroom. Junior and Blue were almost ready. And Lily and Alex were changed, dressed, fed, secure in their bassinets and ready to go. Justin followed Sam into the bedroom and hurried to finish the task of dressing his smallest boys. He pulled out two pairs of everything; jeans, vintage gray spider-man tees with white sleeves, and black Converse, and dressed them quickly.

“Is the same,” Max said with a smile. He held onto Justin while he got his shoes put on and laced. He had the corner of one of his old receiving blankets in his mouth and was chewing happily.

Sam wiggled around and waited his turn. “It is the same,” Justin agreed. “Are you going to leave your blanket here today?” He tried to pull the blanket from his son’s grasp and was rewarded with a piercing scream. He let it go and decided to focus on other things before engaging in that new, and increasingly more difficult, battle.

Justin let Max go and got Sam into his shoes. He finished in record time and moved back towards the girls’ room to do their hair.

The morning was going smooth. If he could make it through school drop-off without any problems he planned to count the entire day as a success.

********

Justin opened the back driver’s side door and stepped up on the runner to release Max and Sam from their seats. It had been hell getting the SUV fitted with an extra row of seating in the back. But well worth the money they’d spent. Alex and Lily were content to sleep through the dropping off process.

“Morning, sweetie,” Debbie said.

Justin turned and smiled at her before stepping from the car and standing Sam on the ground. “Hey, Deb,” Justin answered. Sam giggled and ran over to Debbie so he could get his morning kisses, dragging his tiny book bag along behind him.

“Good morning,” Debbie said cheerily. She bent over to hug Sam and plant kisses all over his face. She felt Max crash into them and turned her attention to him, giving him the same treatment as his brother. “It is my luck to be surrounded by such handsome men.”

Max and Sam released Debbie and took off towards the front porch. “How’re you doing, Deb?” Justin asked. She walked over and placed her hand on his cheek.

“I should be asking you that.”

Justin smiled. “I’m fine. Can’t wait for Brian to come back, but I’m fine.” He handed her the twins’ bag and nodded towards it. “They’ve got some color cards and number cards in there. And I’m trying to get Max to stop eating everything, so, could you just make sure that he…”

“Not to worry, I’ve got it,” Debbie assured him. “Now, let me see those beautiful girls before you take off.” Justin stepped away from the car and let Debbie see his daughters. “Jesus fucking Christ, Justin, they’re gorgeous. They look a little bigger since I last saw them.”

Justin nodded. “Yeah. They’ve gained a couple of pounds. Doctor says they’re looking good.”

“I’d say so. Are you sure you don’t want to leave them here?”

“No,” Justin said as he closed the back door. “They’re too little, and I don’t plan to paint today anyway. Just going to sketch out the bases and get some things set up. Maybe for a couple hours tomorrow?”

“Anytime you need me. You know I don’t mind at all. Now, I better go before those two break the door down trying to get in.” Debbie gave him a quick kiss before hurrying to let Max and Sam into the house.

********

All of the children were picked up. All of the homework was done. Lily and Alex were settled and quiet, their eyes taking in the actions going on around them. Junior and Blue were huddled in front of their new dollhouse, courtesy of Vanessa. Pilot was deeply involved in building up a tower of their large cardboard brick building blocks and promptly knocking them down with his Nerf sword. Race was settled on one of their miniature sofas with his knees pulled up and a book propped up in front of him. Sam was entertaining himself rolling back and forth across the floor. That left Max.

Justin washed his hands and wiped them on a dish towel. “Where’s Max?” he called out. Junior glanced over and Pilot showed the vaguest amount of concern before turning back to his leaning block tower and knocking it over with a loud yell.

 “Max!” Justin called out.

Junior looked around the room and settled her eyes near the corner that housed the chaise lounge. “Over there,” she pointed before going back to her dolls and signing something to Blue.

Justin stepped around the center island and walked towards where his son was supposedly tucked away. He saw his back first. He was sitting in front of the white Orchid that sat in the corner near the sliding doors. “What are you doing over here?” Justin asked.

Max looked up at Justin and smiled. He was chewing, quite happily, on the petals of the Orchid with several petals and leaves clutched tightly in his hands. “Tree,” he said happily, holding out his hand to Justin.

“Oh my god,” Justin said. He dropped to his knees and pulled his son away from the plant, reaching into his mouth to pull out the petals he was rapidly attempting to swallow. Max clenched his jaw shut and twisted his head to try and get out of Justin’s grasp. “Open. Don’t swallow that. Max, open your mouth.”

Max pushed at Justin’s hand and twisted his body. Justin managed to get his mouth open and pull out the pieces of flower before unclenching his fists and taking the leaves and petals he held in his hands. “No,” Max said with a huff.

“You don’t eat that. No! No, no, no, no, no!” Justin said forcefully. Max started to cry and Justin stood him up on his feet. “You have got to stop putting everything in your mouth, Max. You’re killing me.”

Justin stood up and picked his son up, carrying him back over to the kitchen. He wiped off his face and checked on the chicken tenders he’d put in the oven. He sighed and took a deep breath. “No,” Max repeated softly with a small sniffle, his finger hooked in his mouth.

Justin nodded. “That’s right, no eating plants.” He glanced over at the table where Alex and Lily were seated in their bouncy chairs. They were both asleep. The phone rang and Justin answered quickly. “Hello?”

“I cannot wait to fuck you,” Brian said into the phone.

“Nice,” Justin laughed. “Your son probably heard that.”

Brian moved through the lobby of his hotel with his portfolio in hand, sidestepping other guests as he made his way to the entrance. “Which one?”

“Max,” Justin answered. He adjusted his son on his hip and leaned against the counter.

“He doesn’t know what I meant even if he did hear it. How’s it going?”

“We have eight children. How do you think?” Justin told him with a smile. “It’s going alright. Max ate the Orchid.”

“Of course he did.”

Justin put his son down and dropped some mini corn on the cob into a pot of boiling water. “How’s it going for you?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Brian answered cockily. He slid into the car that was waiting at the curb to carry him to his next meeting. “I signed the two clients. I’m actually on my way to meet with a third right now, kinda spur of the moment. I visited the Kinnetik International offices this morning. All in all I’d say that things are going very well. And to top it off, in a little more than 24 hours I’ll be buried deep inside your impossibly tight ass.”

Justin smiled and pulled the chicken tenders from the oven. “Stop it. Are you trying to make me hard?” he whispered.

“Possibly,” Brian answered with a grin. “Now, I have about fifteen minutes before I arrive at my desired location. Let me talk to the munchkins.”

Justin pulled out the sliced potatoes that he’d baked to go with the chicken and called out to the kids, “Guys, Dad’s on the phone.” Pilot dropped his sword and Race dropped his book in their haste to get to the phone first. Junior turned to her sister and signed out what Justin had said before pushing herself off of the floor and running towards the kitchen. Blue followed and waited patiently while everyone talked to Brian. When it was her turn Justin picked her up and sat her on the counter before holding the phone to his ear.

“She there?”

“Yeah,” Justin answered. “Go ahead.” Justin held up his hands and translated everything Brian said. Blue giggled and her hands flew as she tried to fill him in about what she’d been doing since he’d been gone. Justin easily kept up with the conversation. “He misses you very much,” he translated. “And he’ll be home soon.”

Blue smiled and signed, “I love you.” Justin spoke the words into the phone and smiled at his daughter before signing that Brian had repeated the message. He gave her a kiss and let her run back into the play room.

“She was very happy,” Justin said. They talked for a few more minutes. When the car stopped Brian looked up at the building and readied himself for business.

“Later?”

“Always,” Justin answered before ending the call and moving to get dinner served.

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