Falling Down the Primrose Path

Part 12

It had been two weeks when the phone rang and Steve finally received the word he had been waiting for. He quickly dressed for the office, grabbing his briefcase and left. Brian was back. Maybe now they could talk.

Walking into the elevator twenty minutes later, he took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves as he got closer to Brian. Steve dropped his briefcase off at his office, thanked Helen, and moved toward Brian's office. Cynthia wasn't at her desk but Steve could hear voices coming from Brian's office. Walking up to the open door, he knocked lightly. "I know that you just got back in the office but we need to talk."

Brian looked over at Cynthia then back at Steve. "All right. Can you give me thirty minutes to finish catching up with Cynthia?"

Steve nodded, turned, and went back to his office. Walking around nervously for awhile he stopped and looked out the window thinking. Finally as time grew near he walked over to his briefcase, opened it and pulled out some papers. He hoped he wouldn't have to use them but figured he better take them with him just in case.

Nervously he took a deep breath and let it out. Slowly he walked toward Brian's office. Seeing Cynthia sitting at her desk, he knew that Brian was waiting for him. Nodding he greeted her and walked on in to see Brian. Cynthia got up and closed the door.

Steve looked at the door closing and then at Brian sitting behind his desk. Just like always, he felt his heart skip and wondered if he was going to be able to keep this man who made him feel this way.

"Are you going to stand there the whole time looking at me or are you going to sit down?" Brian asked a little tiredly.

Steve mentally shook himself and sat down across from Brian. He realized he missed the easy and loving way that Brian and he used to be with each other, even at the office. "How are you Brian?"

Brian cocked his head to the side. "I'm fine. What do you want Steve?"

Steve noticed that Brian was treating him as he would a business associate and sighed. "Is it really that easy to throw all we have away?"

Brian looked at Steve carefully. He noticed how tired he appeared and wondered if he looked as bad. "It is when what you've built has been built with lies and manipulations."

Steve closed his eyes for a brief second as the pain of Brian's words washed over him. "The foundation wasn't a lie. I do love you."

Brian nodded. "I know and that's why I can understand what you did but I don't know if I can ever forgive you."

Steve bowed his head then looked back up. "Brian, do you love me?"

Brian looked down at his hands. "I…I don't know. I used to."

Steve waited until Brian looked up to see his eyes and nodded. "Used too. Brian, I know I went about all this the wrong way and I'm sorry. I also know that I love you and given the chance we can work all this out and you'll find that you still love me. The question is do you love me enough right now to be willing to do this."

Brian sighed. "Steve, I…" Brian leaned back in his chair. "No."

Steve felt tears build up and tried to blink them away. Nodding he sat up and placed the papers on Brian's desk. "This is a contract of dissolving all our shared assets. There is a list included in the contract of all the things that we each request or own individually to be divided upon agreement. If you agree with all of it, sign it and that will be it. There is a copy for you as well that I will sign."

Brian nodded and took the document. He read it over very carefully and without hesitating, picked up a pen and signed it. Handing the pen over to Steve, he signed as well.

Steve picked up his copy and walked to the door of the office. Turning, he looked at Brian. "Just tell me one thing. Did you ever at any time love me more than Justin?"

Brian looked sadly at Steve. "No, I loved you both equally but for different reasons."

Steve nodded his head as he walked out of the office and to his own. As he sat down at his desk, some of Justin's words came back to him and he realized that Justin was right. If he had left Brian alone, he and Justin would probably still be together to this day, happy and still in love.

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Brian waited for Steve to leave before he let his walls down and allowed himself to cry. Cynthia knew what was going on between him and Steve and thankfully left him alone. Half an hour later, he was back at work and only those closest to him noticed any difference in him.

By the end of the week, Brian had retrieved everything that was his and had bought a new townhouse.

By the following week, the place in Trump Tower was sold and Steve had bought a smaller place there in the tower. These two weeks had been hard. Steve had given Brian some space, making sure that he wasn't there when Brian came and got his stuff. However, Steve hadn't given up.

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Two Months Later

Brian sighed as he looked around his office and knew that he had made the right decision. Steve had been in the office every other day for the past two months and was back into the business at almost a full swing. Of course there was nothing wrong with that. Brian understood the need to keep busy. However, he also knew that Steve had another motive. Steve now made sure to be there for every meeting and was once again doing the work others should be doing, just to be near him, to talk with him, trying to become friends again, to win him back.

Brian at first didn't pay any attention but as the conversations became more often, Steve often turned them more personal as well. He knew for sure when he started questioning him about where he disappeared to each weekend. Steve began to make suggestions that they should go to art shows of artists that they both liked but made sure that he mentioned going as friends. Brian had turned him down and refused to talk about his life with Steve but still Steve persisted.

Brian stood up and walked out of his office. Stopping at Cynthia's desk, he looked down at her with a slight smile. "Go ahead and finish up. I'll be back in a minute."

Cynthia nodded, got up and went into Brian's office. Brian watched as she shut the door before walking down the hall and into Steve's office. Steve looked up and smiled when he saw Brian standing there. "Brian, have a seat."

Brian nodded. "No thanks, this won't take long. I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving."

"Oh, an early day. No problem." Steve said glad that Brian seemed to finally be coming around.

Brian nodded again. "No Steve, not an early day. I'm leaving New York. I talked it over with the board and they agreed. With you being back in the office almost every day, I'm not needed like I used to be so I'm moving to the new office we acquired in Denver to get it into shape. Of course I'm still senior Vice President and will be coming back to New York for meetings and the occasional emergency."

Steve couldn't keep the shock off his face or his jaw from dropping. "What? Brian, do you…What about your clients?!"

Brian leaned against the door frame. "There isn't anything I can do here that I can't do out there. I will still work on my clients while gathering more for the company out there."

That's when it clicked on where Brian was going. "You're going out to be with him aren't you?"

Brian sighed. "My reasons for going to the Denver office are my own and no longer of your concern Steve. I was just giving you the courtesy of telling you face to face instead of letting you read it in a memo. I'll still have my townhouse and office here but will be spending the majority of my time there. That is all you need to know."

Steve sat back in defeat. His plan had backfired and instead of bringing them closer it had only pushed Brian more toward Justin. Looking up he sighed. "I've totally lost you haven't I."

Brian nodded. "Yes but face it Steve, we really haven't been good in a long time. I'll be honest as well to say that it's mostly my fault, I was preoccupied with other things but if that was the case then it has to make you wonder if you ever really had me in the first place."

Steve nodded sadly. "I know I did that first year and who knows, maybe if I had stayed out of things, not interfered, maybe I'd still have you."

Brian sighed again. "We'll never know. Goodbye Steve."

Brian turned and walked away. When he walked back into his office, he smiled at Cynthia and felt a great weight lift off of him as he took a deep breath.

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That Weekend in Denver

"Hi Brian, have a good week?" Jules asked as she met him at the door.

Brian smiled. "Yes, as a matter of fact I did. How about you and Justin?"

Jules smiled. "It's been really good. He's had hardly any nightmares, so he's cut back on some of his meds but the other thing is that he's really pushing himself in his therapy again. He's using his chair less and less and is insisting on standing more."

"That's a good thing though, right?" Brian asked suddenly concerned that Justin might be over doing it.

Jules put her hand on Brian's arm and laughed. "Relax it's a very good thing. He had become complacent with his therapy. You stirring up his life has got him going again in other ways besides his art. If he keeps it up, he won't need his chair at all or the crutches. The only thing he'll continue to need will be his brace and canes."

Brian smiled again. That's great. So where is he?"

Jules laughed again. "Where else would he be?!"

Brian smiled and walked down the hall to Justin's studio. Opening the door, he paused as he looked at Justin. Justin was standing in front of a canvas, bathed in sunlight. Brian felt his heart jump at the sight. Walking over to him, he looked at the canvas without touching Justin. He knew that Justin wouldn't appreciate it and would only be suspicious of it.

Looking at the canvas, Brian saw it was blank. "Okay, soooo what am I supposed to be seeing."

Justin laughed and lightly punched Brian in the arm. "Asshole. You aren't supposed to see anything yet. I'm just trying to decide what I want to put on it. I have several ideas but just not sure which one yet. What are you doing here? I thought we agreed that you weren't going to come out here every weekend anymore. Your home is in New York."

Brian looked at Justin and could see he was serious but not mad that he was there. "I know you said that I didn't need to come out here every weekend to try and prove to you that I really wanted us to be friends. And I'm didn't. I've got a surprise for you. I know that you don't feel comfortable leaving the house but if I promised that you wouldn't run into anyone would you be willing to come out with me? I want to show you something."

Justin paused. He knew that Brian had been trying and that meant a lot to him since he knew how much it cost Brian personally to come after him. Slowly he nodded. "Okay."

Brian's smile got bigger and Justin knew that he had said the right thing but was still nervous. "Brian, you must know that this will be my first trip out except to see doctors and such. So please don't get upset if I ask to be brought home before we get to whatever you want to show me. I'm not good with being around people anymore."

Brian nodded. "I understand and believe me, it should just be you and me and maybe a cleaning crew."

Brian smiled and Justin couldn't help but smile back. "Okay, now you have me curious Mr. Kinney. So lead on."

Brian laughed and began walking to the door with Justin not far behind him. Passing Jules in the kitchen, Brian informed her that he was taking Justin out and that they would be back in about two hours.

Jules looked shocked and surprised which caused Justin to laugh when he saw her face. "Relax Jules. You're always telling me I need to get out, so I'm getting out."

Brian held the door open for Justin and looked at Jules. "Don't worry Jules. I'll take care of him."

Jules nodded as she watched the door shut leaving her alone for the first time in three years in the house she called her home. Looking around she smiled as she sat down for an extra cup of coffee. It was about time. Maybe Brian coming back into Justin's life wasn't such a bad thing after all.

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Justin sat nervously beside Brian as he drove them into town and down into the parking garage of an office building. "Uh, Brian? What are you going to show me?"

Brian parked the car in the empty garage next to the elevator. "You'll see. Come on."

Justin got out of the car and into the elevator. When the elevator stopped he followed Brian in through the glass doors with the company name covered up. Still confused he continued to follow until Brian stopped in front of an office door. There he waited for Justin to notice.

Justin walked up to Brian and looked around. Then he spotted the name beside the door and froze. "Brian?! What…"

Brian smiled. "Come on, I'll show you my office and explain."

Justin walked in and looked around, stunned. Brian continued to smile. "This is the latest acquisition of my company. When I called it quits with Steve, he began working a lot more so it was only natural that since they didn't need us both in New York that I would come here to get this firm on its feet. I still have all my clients and my office and townhouse in New York but those are only there for when I'm needed there. Denver is now my home base."

"Brian, you didn't do this for me did you?" Justin asked.

Brian sat down and indicated that Justin should do the same. "No, I did it for me. You know that I always love a challenge and that is what this office will give me. I also did it for me so that I can be the type of friend I want to prove to you that I can be. The type of friend that I always planned on being for you."

Justin nodded. "Soooo, you're not doing this out of guilt?"

Brian nodded. "No, like I said. I'm doing this for me. If you get to benefit from my move then so be it."

Justin looked closely at Brian and saw him trying to keep a straight face and began to laugh. "Well then. Show me the rest of this new company of yours."

Brian proceeded to show Justin the rest of the company and then afterward took him to see his new condo. Justin looked around and then looked at Brian. "It's a bit dull don't you think?"

Brian looked around. "Well, I haven't had time to do anything to it yet. Right now it's pretty generic but that will change as soon as I get a designer in here to work around some things that I want as focal points."

Justin looked around and laughed. "Well, it obviously won't be the bedroom this time. So what have you got in mind?"

Brian went into his bedroom and brought out a couple of large paintings. "These."

Justin was shocked for the second time that day. "Those are mine."

Brian nodded. "I know. I have several of your works from several different stages but these two are my favorite. Who knows maybe I'll be adding a new, larger one to the collection."

Justin looked over at Brian and smiled. "I'll make it your welcome to town present."

Brian laughed. "Sounds good to me. A one of a kind."

Justin laughed with him. "Just like you Brian. Just like you."

Brian walked over to Justin and placed his hand on one of his shoulders as he looked seriously into Justin's face, catching his eye. "Just like you too Justin."

Justin began to get nervous and looked away. "Well, I guess we need to be getting back. I have a painting to paint."

Brian released Justin's shoulder and smiled. "You sure do."

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Epilogue

A Year Later

Brian watched nervously as Justin stood in the receiving line shaking hands.

Jules walked up to him and smiled. "I don't know who's more nervous, you, me or him?"

Brian laughed nervously. "I know what you mean. With this being his first public appearance at one of his shows, it's really a big deal. I think we all just want it to go well. I think it is too. Don't you?"

Jules hooked her arm in Brian's and pulled him toward the bar. "Everything is going fine. Come on, buy me a drink."

Brian shook his head and really laughed. "Jules, it's an open bar."

Jules laughed with him. "I know but we've got to quit hovering like two mother hens. He needs to do this. Besides, he's come a long way."

Brian sighed. "I know he has."

They each ordered their drink and walked over to a seating area where they could keep an eye on Justin and be there instantly if they were needed. Justin was doing very well and every time he would get a little nervous, he would look over to where they sat and they would smile encouragingly at him. He would then continue.

Jules watched Brian watch Justin. "You love him don't you. I mean really love him."

Brian sighed but never took his eyes off of Justin. "I never stopped."

Jules smiled. "Then tell him."

Brian looked over at her and shook his head. "He won't believe me."

Jules continued smiling. "You don't know that. He's not the same person you originally fell in love with but you still love him. You aren't the same person he fell in love with either. What can it hurt?"

Brian sighed and knew that Jules was right. He and Justin had gotten really close, become the best of friends and he had fallen even more. Just then, the line finished and Justin walked toward them and sat down with a sigh.

"Well that wasn't as bad as I thought." Justin said as a waiter came over and took his order.

Jules laughed. "Yeah, but that was just the start of the evening. There's still two more hours to go."

Justin groaned just as the gallery owner came over with a client. The next two hours were busy to say the least and by the end of the night just about everything had sold and Justin was well satisfied. His first appearance hadn't brought the pity comments that he had been expecting.

They were sitting down at a table out in the garden of the gallery when the owner came out to them once again. Jules looked over at Justin and could tell that he was tired. "Let me handle this one."

Justin gratefully nodded his head. Reaching over he picked up his drink and after taking a long drink, leaned his head back with a sigh.

Brian watched Justin like he had all evening and took a deep breath. "Justin?"

Justin didn't open his eyes. "Hummm?"

Brian took another deep breath. "Justin, I…I love you and if you'll give us a chance, I'd like us to go out on a date."

Justin sat up abruptly. "What did you say?"

Brian looked down nervously. "I asked if you'd go out with me."

Justin shook his head as Brian looked back up. "No, not that. What did you say before that!"

Brian looked Justin in his beautiful blue eye and said without hesitating. "I said that I love you."

Justin's jaw dropped as he stared back at Brian. "I never thought I'd ever hear you say that. Are you sure?"

Brian nodded. "I never really stopped but this past year I've gotten to know you and I find that I love you even more than ever."

Justin couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face and he stood up. Walking over to Brian he slowly lowered himself into his lap. "I love you too. Always have."

Brian smiled and Justin slowly bent his head down and they kissed slowly for the first time in four years. In the doorway Jules stood watching and smiled. Life was good and finally back on track.

The End.

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