Unexpected Surprises
Nine months. Had it been so long? He just couldn't believe it. Nine months ago he had slept with his best friend Daphne. He was careful. He knew he was. He never knew the condom had a leak. Now here he was, after three months away from his friends and family. Standing outside Brian's loft with an unexpected surprise for his lover.
When Brian slid the door to the loft open, he was stunned. There stood his Justin with a tiny little baby wrapped in a pink blanket.
"Umm. . . hi?" Justin squeaked.
"Who's kid are you babysitting?" Brian asked, reaching out a finger for the little girl to grasp.
"Mine and Daphne's."
"What?!" Brian's eyes went wide with the shout.
Brian allowed Justin to enter, watching him with the little tanned skinned baby girl. Justin sat on the couch with a tired sigh.
"That night I slept with Daph, I didn't know the condom had a leak. Six months later she calls me crying. Saying she's knocked up. I didn't believe her but she showed me the test results. Shit, Brian. I have a kid and I didn't even plan it. What do I do? She doesn't want it. She was gonna give her up for adoption. I wasn't gonna let that happen so I took her." He looks to Brian with tears in those blue eyes. "I'm scared, Brian."
Slowly, Brian approached before sitting and wrapping his arms around Justin, holding him and the baby close. He kissed the top of Justin's head before looking down at the little girl.
"I'll help you out, Justin. You're her father. She needs you. Besides, Lindsey and Melanie can help too. I'm sure your mom and Deb'll lend a hand."
"Mom's so happy she's a grandmother. She fell in love with her." Justin smiled down at his daughter.
"What's her name, Justin?"
"I named her Daea. I though it was pretty." Justin said shyly.
Brian smiled. "It's a good feminine name." Brian looked down to the baby girl. "Welcome home, Daea."
Brian looked to Justin.
"Now, where the hell have you been for the last three months?! I've been worried out of my fucking head for you, damnit!" Brian yelled as he rose, pacing the floor in front of the couch.
"I went with Daphne to David's in Portland. He said he would help Daph and I with the baby. We were too scared to go to our folks or come to you." Justin looked like he was ready to cry. "Im sorry, Brian. I'll never ever do it again."
Brian sighed and held Justin's face in his hands. "You better not. Christ, I thought I lost you once after the prom. Didn't I promise you, once you were better, that I'd do my damnedest to make this work for us? To TRY to be faithful?"
Justin only nodded, sniffing softly.
"That's what I'm trying to do here, Justin. But you have got to trust me. Yeah, I'm pissed that you ran off. I'm surprised as fucking hell you're sitting here with a baby. And I know you're scared, but I'm here for you. I almost lost you once; I am not going to lose you again. She can stay here with us. I'll help you take care of her but she's YOUR responsibility. Understand?" he asked, gazing deeply into Justin's eyes.
"Yeah, I understand, Brian. Thank you so much." Justin whispered.
"Yeah, yeah." With a kiss to Justin's forehead, he sat back down on the couch beside him.
The two sat there just watching and talking to the little girl in Justin's arms. Brian smiled as father and daughter ended up asleep. Now he knew how Mel and Lindz felt all the time with Gus, like a real family. As he sat there holding the two, he decided he had to make a call to the muncher's to see if they still needed Gus' baby things. They'd need them here for Daea. Carefully herding the two to the bedroom, he sat at his desk and called up his son's mother and her lover.
Unexpected Surprises
Part 2
Justin was glad that the college had a daycare. He was a bit reluctant to leave Daea there but he had little choice. He couldn't take her to his classes with him. He handed her over to the daycare worker and headed to class, but not without a few backwards glances. He was nervous, worried about his baby girl. Was she all right? Did she need him?
**************
On his lunch break he went to the daycare to see her. Smiling as he took her from the daycare worker. He got permission to take her with him to the cafeteria for lunch, taking her warmed bottle with him. Sitting with a few of his classmates from his art class, he gave Daea her bottle as they talked. The girls, of course, cooed and fussed over her while the guy's asked him how he could have a kid and be gay.
"My best friend wanted to lose her virginity and asked me because we were so close. I didn't know the condom broke. Six month's later she calls me crying, saying she's pregnant. She couldn't handle Daea so I told her I'd take her home with me. I'm surprised Brian allowed me to keep Daea in his loft. I'm glad he did. I love her so much."
He placed a kiss on his daughter's pudgy cheek and checked his watch.
"Time to go back to the Day Care, baby." He cooed to his daughter, earning a big smile.
His classmates waved goodbye to the child, he headed back to the daycare and went to the last of his classes. When school was done, he picked up Daea and went to wait for Brian to pick them up out front. He smiled when he saw Brian pull up, his smile only growing when he saw the car seat in the back for the baby.
"Lindz and Mel say hi and they hope you can use this. And they want to see the baby soon." Justin just smirked and walked over to the car and put Daea in her new car seat. "Hey there, Button. You've been a good girl for daddy?" Brian asked the little girl.
"She was a good girl, so the day care worker said." Justin said as he buckled Daea in.
He climbed in the front with Brian, looking over his shoulder to make sure that Daea was fine. The baby was just bouncing happily in her seat, babbling like crazy.
"She's fine, Justin. Just relax. I know what I'm doing." Brian patted his cheek, in hopes he'd relax.
"I'm just scared, Brian. I mean, shit. I'm 18 and a father. I thought this only happened to straight guys."
"It does, you just got lucky. Be glad you have her. Not many gay men have a chance to be a parent."
Unexpected Surprises
Part 3
Justin was at his wits end. Daea wouldn't stop crying. Justin walked back and forth with her as far from the bedroom as he could so he wouldn't wake Brian. He shifted Daea in his arms with a tired sigh.
"What's wrong, baby? You aren't hungry or dirty. Why are you crying?" he whined.
He was ready to call Lindz and Mel and ask them for help. They have Gus. He was sure they had to go through this whole crying fit thing too. Seeing no other choice, he put his hand on the phone and jumped when Brian's hand came down on his. Afraid to see the anger in Brian's eyes, he carefully peeked up only to meet a pair of concerned hazel eyes.
"Here, let me see her." Brian said softly, carefully taking the squalling baby from Justin. He rubbed her back gently as he bounced her in his arms, shushing her in a soft, soothing tone. Soon she was dead asleep in his arms.
"How did you do that?"
"She just wanted to be cuddled. You were tired and aggravated. That's why she was crying. Babies can sense your moods you know."
Justin frowned. He was already fucking up with his daughter. He silently watched Brian put Daea to bed and tuck her in.
Turning back to Justin and seeing the look on his face, he could only smile gently and lead his tired lover to bed, tucking him in as well and settling down beside him to sleep.
*******************
Justin did not want to do this. He stood with his mother and Brian outside the Chanders' residence. He was nervous as hell. He would have to explain to his mother and Brian why he left with Daphne for three months and face her parents' wrath about the baby. He looked up from Daea as the door opened. There stood Mr. Jason Chanders. He was a tall, dark skinned man. As well toned as Brian, if not more. He was an imposing man with black hair and dark brown eyes. Beside him stood Mrs. Carol Chanders. She was a beautiful woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
"Please come in, Mr. Kinney, Mrs. Taylor." Carol's voice then turned a bit colder. "Justin."
Smiling nervously, Justin followed his lover and mother into the house, which he could only see as the gates to hell. This was not going to be a good day.
Unexpected Surprises
Part 4
Daphne's home was pretty. Everything was neat and clean, kind of like Brian's loft. Brian held Daea on his lap, bouncing her gently on his knee.
"Mrs. Taylor," Jason started, "I'm sure you know why my wife and I have asked you here?"
"Yes, I do, Mr. Chanders and please, call me Jennifer." She smiled.
"All right, Jennifer it is. You know our daughter, Daphne. She can't be here today. She's with her grandmother."
This was just getting worse, Justin thought.
"The reason we asked you here is because one, our daughter had told us she practically begged Justin to take her virginity, which he did." Jason gave Justin a very unhappy gaze, causing the poor teen to lower his head shamefully.
"Second, the condom broke and our daughter got pregnant. Third." He sighed. "She and your son ran away to Portland to stay with someone Justin knew until the baby was born. They were away for three months, as you know."
"Jason," Jennifer started. "My son loves Daphne as his best friend. They were practically raised together. He meant well and they made a mistake. But now that mistake produced a child that my son loves very much."
"I know that, Jennifer." Carol spoke up. "But this is our daughter. She's not ready to be a mother."
"You mean, you're not ready to be grandparents." Brian shot in.
"This is none of your concern, Mr. Kinney." Jason said harshly.
"Oh, but it is when my lover is concerned." He said calmly as he put his arm around Justin, pulling him closer.
"Mr. Kinney, Jason and I are ready to be grandparents. We're just not sure it's such a good idea to let Daea live in a house with two gay men. We think it would be better if Daea was put up for adoption, to be raised by a normal family."
Wordlessly Brian rose, shifting the baby in his arms. He held his hand out to Justin and helped him to his feet. He looked directly into Jason's eyes.
"This conversation is over. Daea stays with us. If you aren't happy about that, then we'll see you in court. Have a nice day." With that said, Brian lead Justin out of the house and out to his jeep. He put Daea in her car seat, climbed in beside Justin, started up the jeep, and headed home to call Mel up to talk about their rights.
*******************
Jennifer looked back to the Chanders, speaking in a very calm voice. She was not a happy mother.
"The reason Justin and Daphne ran away was because they knew this would happen, that you would put the blame on my son. Justin took Daphne to stay in Portland with the boyfriend of a friend of theirs, David Cameron. David use to date Brian's friend, Michael. David was more than happy to help Daphne and Justin cope with the pregnancy and the baby. David has a son of his own. They called me every week to tell me how things were going."
She slowly rose and looked back to them, her eyes narrowing a bit as she continued.
"My granddaughter is in the best hands. Brian has a baby son of his own. Debbie and I will be there to help Justin care for Daea. Lindsey and her lover, Melanie, will also be there to help him. As well as Ted and Emmett. Justin is not alone in this. This was the choice of two young adults. They have to take responsibility for their actions."
She shook her head and sighed softly as she calmed herself down before continuing.
"I will not excuse my son's actions nor should you excuse Daphne's. Just be there for her and for your grandchild. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go. Good day, Jason. Carol."
With her peace said, Jennifer showed herself out and headed to her car, leaving a stunned and speechless couple in her wake.
Unexpected Surprises
Part 5
Justin sighed softly as he settled back against the couch in the loft. Daea had finally fallen asleep for her afternoon nap, and now Justin could relax before starting his homework assignment. Brian was busy typing at his computer, probably doing something for work. After sitting there in blessed silence for a few moments, Justin rose from the couch and went to the bedroom to do his artwork assignment.
Before Justin knew it, it was dinnertime. Daea was up and in her highchair, squealing in delight as Brian talked to her while he cooked, something he chose to learn to do to help out Justin. Looking over his shoulder, Brian silently watched Justin sit beside Daea, taking her little hand in his and playfully nipping at her fingers, getting a bright smile from the baby.
Daea was so much like Justin. She was always happy and always had a smile for just about everyone. She only cried when she was dirty, tired, or hungry. Scooping her up into his arms, Justin walked into the kitchen and started the bottle search in the refrigerator. Fishing out the bottle, he put it in the microwave for 45 seconds as Brian had taught him.
"How are you feeling, Justin?"
"I've been better, Brian. I'm tired. Now I know how Lindz and Mel feel." He chuckled softly.
Brian shook his head and went back to dinner as Justin sat on the couch to bottle feed his daughter. Brian watched Justin tend to Daea. He swore to himself he would never tire of the sight of his lover caring for his daughter. Too bad Mr. And Mrs. Chanders were such narrow minded people not to be able to see how much love and devotion Justin had for this little girl. He only had her for three months and he was ready to fight tooth and nail to keep her with them.
Them? When had he started thinking of himself and Justin as a couple? Since the prom. He shuddered at the thought. That was the best and the worst night of his entire life. He almost lost the young man he loved. Love, that word again. How many times had he sworn he'd never love again? Far too many too count. But here he was. In love with an eighteen year old father and falling hopelessly in love with his child.
With his mind in motion, which was usually meant trouble, Brian decided he would have to give Melanie a call about a way of adopting Daea as his own child. Sure he'd signed away his parental rights to Gus, but that was for Mel and Lindz. They loved each other and deserved to be together. Anyone who ever said Brian Kinney was a cold-hearted bastard truly didn't know him all that well.
"Hey, Justin. Dinner's ready. Take your time though." Brian called as he set the table.
"Shh, Brian. She's asleep." He walked over to his lover, Daea asleep against his chest.
Reaching over, Brian brushed a finger against the soft, little tan cheek. He smiled to Justin, leaning down for a gentle kiss.
"I love you, Brian. Thanks for letting her stay." Justin whispered against his lips.
"How could I not? She's yours." and then Brian said something Justin swore he'd probably never hear again.
"I love you too. And our little unexpected surprise."