"Hi folks, sorry I'm late." You say as you rush into your judge's chambers. After dealing with scum sucking divorce lawyers all day you've been looking forward to this little piece of business. "Ok, who's who here?" you ask as you sit down at your desk.

"Pam Clarke, social services." said the women to your left.

"Melanie Marcus, attorney for the parents."

"Brian Kinney." said the brown haired man.

"Justin Taylor." said the younger blond haired gentlemen on your right.

You then look at the young man sitting in Brian's lap. "So that means by default you must be Ryan."

"Yep." said the seven year old

"Ok Ryan let me try and explain what's going to happen here so even the adults can understand. Right now, under the law, the state of Pennsylvania is considered your parent. We're going to say some legal stuff and sign some papers and make Mr. Kinney and Mr. Taylor your legal parents. That's what you want right?"

"Yes."

Ok, the sooner we can get this started the sooner you can start doing what seven year olds are supposed to do. Get into all kinds of trouble and drive your parents up a tree." You look at Brian and Justin. "I raised two boys myself." You say.

"I wouldn't worry about that. He and his brother have got that part down perfect." Justin tells you with a smile on his face then he looks at his son who smiles back.

"Let's get started. Miss Clarke, you've done this before so you know where to sign." She starts signing the five copies of the adoption decree.

"Miss Marcus, your turn."

"Mr. Kinney, you're next." His lawyer shows him where to sign.

"Mr. Taylor."

"Now it's my turn." You sign all five copies. "That's it. You're now the proud parents of a bouncing baby boy."

For ever and ever?" Ryan asks.

"Yep, little guy, for ever and ever."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

For ever and ever. That is if I don't kill the two of them first. Gus taught his "little" brother all his dirty little tricks. Separate they're fine, together they're two horsemen of the apocalypse. Ok so that's part of being a parent right. But I am not looking forward to raising two more teenagers. Justin was bad enough. But thinking about it I wouldn't trade any of it away.

Ryan had never really wanted for anything materially growing up. But emotionally he didn't get what he needed. In a way he was a little like us. Justin's mom was ok but his dad was always distant. And the less I talk about my parents the better. Ryan in his own way turned Justin and I into a couple of huggers. We vowed he would never want for anything like that ever again. And gradually we helped heal the scars that no one his age should ever have. And he helped heal the scars we had. He got to learn he was part of a loving and caring family, for ever and ever.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It's late at night and I'm in my favorite position, on my back with Brian on top and he's just about to cum. It always feels just like that first night. To this day he doesn't realize how much his eyes tell me how he loves me at that moment. And I love that little face he makes as he cums.

But in that moment you catch movement out of the corner of your eye. Shit, Ryan was just standing in the doorway. Damn it how much did he see?

"We got a problem." You tell Brian just as he comes down from his orgasmic high.

"What could be wrong at a moment like this?" Brian says, still slightly out of breath.

"Ryan was standing in the door way."

"Christ, for how long?"

"Long enough. We'd better talk to him. Clean up, I'll go get him."

You throw on a robe and walk down to your sons' room. He's in bed and pretending to be asleep. You can hear him crying softly. You go in and sit down next to him on the bed.

"I know you're up kiddo. I saw you in the doorway."

"Daddy was hurting you."

"Ryan, daddy would never hurt me. You just saw something you don't understand." You tell him as he rolls over and you wipe the tears from his eyes. "Your daddy loves me very very much. He'd never hurt me. Come on, the three of us need to talk."

"Ok." You take his hand and walk down to your room. Brian's waiting in bed, under the covers. Ryan climbs in and so do you putting Ryan between the two of you.

"He thinks you were hurting me." You tell Brian.

"Could never happen," Brian tells Ryan. "I love your dad to much."

"But…" Ryan says confused.

'Remember our little talk about your body and where babies come from?" you ask Ryan.

"Yeah."

"Well there are ways to touch yourself and other people that make you feel really good. It's something adults who care very much about each other do. It's called sex. That's what you saw."

"Daddy wasn't hurting you?"

"No, just the opposite, he was making me feel really really good."

"So does this mean I'm going to get a baby brother?"

You look at Brian trying to hold back the laughter. "Daddy Brian can explain that." That shuts him up real fast.

"See Ryan you need a man and a woman to make a baby. Two men or two women can't. That's why we adopted you. We wanted a child and we picked you. Understand things a little better now?"

"I think so… Am I going to like boys to?"

"Maybe, but you may like girls to."

"Yuck."

Both Brian and you laugh and smile a little. "Well don't be to hasty yet, things might change when you get older. You and Gus could still make us grandparents." You watch Brian's eyes roll back in his head at the mention of being a grandparent.

"Can I stay here tonight?" Ryan asks.

You look at Brian and he shrugs his shoulders. "Ok kid it's the three of us tonight." you tell Ryan.

"Cool!" He yells and climbs under the covers between you and Brian. Everyone snuggles together and kisses each other goodnight. Then Brian whispers something in your ear.

"Grandparents huh."

"Hey deal with it old man." You say with a smile and snuggle closer to the two most important men in your life.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The kids were at Mel and Linds for the night. You and Justin are going to have a quiet evening together. Well maybe not so quiet when I fuck him later but you get the idea. You're curled up on the couch and just cuddling together. "Why didn't you tell me you were eligible for the Hall of Fame this year?" Justin suddenly asks.

"I didn't think much about it. It's a long shot anyway so why worry about it."

"That's not what ESPN said."

"When the hell did you start watching ESPN again?"

"Got in the habit when I started dating that cute little shortstop, or was it a second baseman? I always got those two confused." He looks at you with that little smile of his. "They think you got a shot."

"Well Gamons is getting Alzheimer's if he thinks so."

"You know it would mean a lot to a lot of people if you made it."

"I've got no control over it so forget it. But how about I take you upstairs and see if I get into someone else's hall of fame?"

"I know what you want to get into mister."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Ok boys, the ass kicker's back." You announce loudly as you walk back into the office after taking a weeks vacation.

"I see someone didn't get laid this morning." Your executive assistant Cynthia says while not even looking up from her desk. "So how was Disneyland?"

"Good. All three kids had a ball. It was nice to get out of the snow."

"You're turning into a real family man boss."

"I don't remember giving you permission to talk dirty to me like that."

"I'm not turning you on, am I?"

"Ok you win. Is Justin here?"

"He's been here for the last hour. Your turn to drop the kids off?"

"Yeah. Give me five minutes and bring my schedule for the day in."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"Real easy schedule, just one meeting at eleven with a prospective client. Just a get acquainted meeting. Rest of the day you can sit around and be brilliant."

"Company breakdown?" you ask. That's the file that will fill you in on all aspects of the company.

"In box on top, along with a video of their last three ad campaigns." She tells you, pointing to your desk.

Is she good or what? "Ok give me 20 minutes to go over the file and then I want you and I to go over that crap on video."

"Why do you think its crap?"

"Because if it wasn't they wouldn't be looking for a new ad agency."

Justin chose this time to poke his head in. "Hey Cynthia." Then he looks at you. "Hear anything yet?"

"No, they don't announce it till 2 so behave yourself till then."

"Can I ask what's going on?" Cynthia asked

"Brian's eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time. They announce it today." Justin tells her.

"Congratulations boss."

"Look you two I probably won't even get a vote so don't plan on things happening. So can we all just get back to work?"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Yeah right, so much for work. Justin has been in and out of my office all day. I may as well just close up shop. Nobody's getting any work done today. For what seems like the hundredth time Justin pokes his head into your office and asks the same question. Again. This is starting to get real annoying.

"Heard anything yet?'

You look up from your desk, again. "No I haven't for the hundredth time."

"That's not what ESPN just reported."

"Well don't believe rumors. It's not official till the commissionaire's office calls."

At that moment Cynthia pokes her head in past Justin with a big smile on her face. "Brian, line 2. It's the commissionaire's office."

"Yes!!!" comes out of Justin.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I knew he would get it. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. All you hear is Brian's side of the phone conversation.

"Brian Kinney… Yes sir… Thank you sir… Yes sir, it's a great honor… Yes we'll be there… Thank you sir." You watch Brian hang up the phone and sit there and not say anything

"Well????"

"We're going to Cooperstown this summer."

"Yeeeesssss!!!!!!" you yell as you run over and drop 140 pounds of blond headed twink in Brian's lap. "I knew you would get it. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it." You continue yelling as you hug and kiss Brian.

"Hey Cynthia, how about a little help here?"

"Not a chance boss, he's your husband."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Justin got on the office intercom and yelled the news out to everyone. A few minutes later everyone was crowded into the conference room watching the official announcement. That started the phones ringing off the hook. You told Justin you had to get out of there and you'd see him later. He understood and gave you one last congratulations kiss before letting you go.

Other then Justin there was one only one other person you had to see about the news. She hadn't gone into the diner yet and you saw the lights on as you pulled up to Debbie's house. One of the proudest things you've done in the last few years was buy and give her the diner. Debbie was approaching 60. A number you dare not say in her presence and it was about time she slowed down. There was someone there to run the place but Debbie went in for a few hours most days. What would Liberty Avenue be without its godmother presiding over everything?

When she saw you standing in the doorway you got one of her patented Italian bear hugs as she dragged you into the house.

"So, anything happen today?" she asked with a sly smile.

"Oh, not much. Was thinking about a trip to up state New York this summer." You tell her with a smile, playing along.

"I'm so proud you little stinker."

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"You know damn well you earned it."

"You know what I'm talking about."

"I did what any mom would have done."

"Mine didn't"

"But your adopted one did. You know I always thought of you and Mike as my sons." And that got you another bear hug

Deb wouldn't let you go with out feeding you but eventually she let you leave. You went back home for a little peace. You had a few hours before Justin and Ryan were due home. You went into the garage and did a little digging and found the box you were looking for. It was some old high school and college stuff and there it was. That first glove you used when you made your high school team for the first time. The glove Debbie bought you.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

You always enjoyed gym. You're proud of your body and you're good at it. You know people think you're good looking. You've seen the glances from the girls and a few guys. The shrinks last summer tried to teach you to try and enjoy you're successes and build on them. It's helped a little. It's a new school, new people. You've made one good friend so far. His name is Mike. His family is nothing like mine. It's warm and caring. I know Mike is gay, just like me. But neither one of us has said anything yet. You've tried to accept it in yourself. But you know that part hasn't been easy from the scars on your wrist. You know what Mike is going through. Been there, done that. But for these few minutes you can forget all about that and just play baseball. You can push your lean body and be an acrobat at second base, at peace with the world. But soon it ends and it's time to go back to reality and class.

"Brian can I talk to you for a second?" your gym teacher calls out as you head off the field and head to the locker room.

"Sure."

"Did you know I'm the baseball coach?"

"No I didn't."

"Well, I am. I was watching you play. How come you never tried out for the team?"

"Never thought about."

"I think you should. I saw some real talent out there today."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

That night Mike's mom Debbie, as usual, wouldn't let you leave with out dinner. She thinks you're to skinny and has made it her mission in life to fatten you up. There are four of you at dinner because Mikes Uncle Vic was visiting from New York. You tell them what the coach said and then you tell them the problem. You don't own spikes and a glove.

"Ask your dad?"

"He wouldn't do it. That's money he could be drinking." After that you kind of change the subject. No one knows just how bad things are at home sometimes.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

You're helping your mom dry the dishes from dinner. Brian went upstairs to the bathroom.

"Mom, is there anyway we can help Brian?"

"You really like him don't you?'

"He's my best friend."

"No Michael, I mean you really like him."

"Yeah." You say softly.

"Does he know?"

"I don't know. Can we help him Ma?'

You think for a minute doing the household budget in your head. "Yeah I think we can swing it. Looks like Christmas is coming early this year. We'll head over to the Big Q when he comes back down."

You didn't mean to eavesdrop but you sat on the stairs listening to Mike and his mom talking. You knew Mike was something special. I'm going to have to let him know I feel the same way about him one day.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It's just another hot summer day in upstate New York. There was one other player inducted that year but you were going to speak last. Ken was up on stage with you doing your introduction. Seems he saved some material from the speech he gave at your last game. Guy could have a career in stand-up if he wanted. You're scanning the crowd for the umpteenth time. Debbie and her husband Carl were there. Mike and Ben were sitting next to them. Ted and Emmett were there. Emmett even dressed conservative. Well, conservative for him. In fact, everyone was there. Cynthia. Mel, Lindsay and Justin's mom Jennifer were there sitting with the kids. Even Craig was there. After his little surprise visit him and Justin have been keeping in touch. He's been remembering both Gus and Ryan's birthdays and Christmas. He even addressed a Christmas card last year to both Justin and me. Maybe miracles do still happen.

You look and see Ryan staring at his dad. You give him a little wave and smile. He sees you and waves back with a big smile on his face. These are the moments you're supposed to remember after they become teenagers.

Finally your turn comes to speak. You're not going to make a long drawn out speech. You talk about your career and the freedom it allowed you. The friends it allowed you to help. The good causes like Mark's House it allowed to exist. You talk about being a role model and those sacks of mail you got. How some of those kids are now playing in college and the pros, knowing now they're not alone.

"I look at the blessings I've had. A wonderful career, friends I cherish, two fantastic sons and a life partner. Who's a partner both in business and in life. I think the words said at Yankee Stadium some years ago fit as well today as they did then." You pause for a moment and look right at Justin and make eye contact.

"I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. Thank you everyone."