Domestic Bliss

Graduation

"There you go, Sonny Boy," Brian said as he helped Gus climb into his car seat.

"Where's Justin?" Gus asked, as Brian buckled him into the Jeep.

"Justin's a big sleepyhead this morning. He's still in bed."

"Why didn't you tell him to get up?"

"He … needs his rest." Brian wasn't about to admit that they had worn each other out fucking last night. Brian was as tired as Justin, but he had promised to pick his son up early and keep him for the weekend. So here he was while Justin slept in their nice, new bed. Brian's cock got hard just thinking about his blond twink all curled up in their bed, warm from sleep and oh so ready…

"Dada, dada," Gus said tapping his father on the sleeve. "I'm all ready."

Brian shook his head trying to clear it of the sensuous image of Justin in their bed. The man was so going to pay for that later.

"Let's get this show on the road," Brian said as he climbed into the driver's seat.

When he arrived home some time later he could smell food as soon as he opened the front door.

"Waffles," Gus shouted, dropping everything and running for the kitchen. "Justin, waffles!" he shouted.

"That's right, Gus, with fresh strawberries and whipped cream."

"Yum," Gus said climbing up into a chair in the breakfast nook and picking up his fork ready to get started on the waffles.

"They're not quite ready, Gus. Give me a minute."

Gus smiled over at Justin and began to sing, "Waffles, waffles, I love waffles."

"You just made his day," Brian said coming up beside Justin and giving him a kiss.

"I thought it was the least I could do since you let me sleep in."

"Gus wanted to know why I didn't wake you up."

"And you told him it was because I was conserving strength so that I could fuck you senseless again tonight," Justin whispered.

"Fucker!" Brian whispered back, as his cock started to react to Justin's words. "I told him that you were a big, old sleepyhead.

"Sleepyhead, sleepyhead," Gus giggled.

"Be nice, Sonny Boy," Brian cautioned, "or Justin will limit your quota of waffles."

Gus giggled again and started his waffle chant once more.

"Here you go, Gus," Justin said setting down in front of the boy one waffle cut into bite-size pieces and slathered in whipped cream with strawberries on top.

"Yum," Gus said and dug in.

Justin handed Brian a waffle with strawberries and no cream and then took his two waffles covered in everything over to the table.

"How can you eat all that fat?" Brian asked eyeing Justin's plate.

"The whipped cream makes it. Right, Gus?"

Gus nodded, his mouth so full of waffle and berries and cream that he couldn't speak if he wanted to.

"Try a bit," Justin said cutting off a piece and bringing it to Brian's lips. Brian kept his mouth closed but Justin touched his lips with the whipped cream and Brian stuck out his tongue to lick it off. When he did so, Justin popped the bite into his mouth. Brian moaned more in satisfaction than in reaction to all the fat. "You've got cream on your lips. Let me help you," Justin said licking the cream away with his tongue and then kissing Brian who pushed a little of the waffle into his partner's mouth.

"I could learn to love these if you fed them to me this way all the time," Brian said with a smirk.

"Behave, dada," Justin said as Gus watched them between bites.

"Good waffles, eh Gus?" Brian said looking at his son.

Gus nodded enthusiastically and continued to chew.

"What are we going to do today?" Justin asked.

Brian pushed his waffle around the plate. "I thought I'd trim some of that hedge along the side of the house. Gus could help me." Brian watched Justin's reaction.

Justin frowned. "You don't want me to help?"

"I thought maybe you had some art to work on," Brian said in as innocent a voice as he could muster.

"You know I took my last assignment to the IFA the other day."

"Wasn't there something else you were going to do?"

Justin frowned as he struggled to think of what Brian might be talking about. Suddenly the light dawned. "You're not talking about that self-portrait, are you?" Justin asked.

Brian nodded. "You said you'd do it."

Justin groaned. "You want me to draw while you and Gus work?"

"Us men can handle the hedge. Right, Gus?"

"Right, dada," Gus agreed. Whipped cream covered his face as he chewed contentedly.

"So what does that make me? I'm suddenly not one of the men?"

"Of course you are, but it will be bonding time between Gus and me. You can give me the portrait as your graduation present," Brian said with a smirk.

"Asshole," Justin mouthed at Brian. "I thought the graduate was supposed to get the gift, not the partner."

"We can start a new tradition."

"You are nuts!" Justin said gathering up their dishes. "Fine! Go! Get out of my kitchen! Leave me all alone to fend for myself. Make me slave away while you two have all the fun. See if I care!"

"Come on, Gus," Brian said wiping the cream off his son's face. He took Gus' hand. "Justin's having a major queen out. Let's go outside where it's safe."

Justin snorted loud enough for the two of them to hear. Brian chuckled and Gus giggled as they made their way outside.

Brian got the large clippers from the garage and the garbage bin in which he would get Gus to put the pieces he trimmed off. Brian snipped and handed the piece to Gus who deposited it in the container. The system was working quite well until Brian went to hand a piece to Gus only to find no sign of the little boy. A moment of panic swept over Brian.

"Gus!" he yelled. "Gus!"

"He's over here," a voice said from the other side of the hedge.

Brian raced around the hedge and found Gus standing just on the other side watching a black man working at painting a lawn chair.

Gus," Brian said bending down and scooping up his son. "How many times have I told you not to leave my sight?"

"Sorry, dada," Gus said wrapping his little arms around his father's neck.

The black man stood up and came towards them. "I saw him standing there, but I didn't want to frighten him. I could hear you clipping the hedge," the man explained.

"I hope he wasn't bothering you. He was supposed to be helping me with the hedge. Weren't you, Gus?"

Gus nodded, and looking at the man he said," Hi."

"Hello, Gus. I'm Marcus Egerton," the man said extending his hand to shake Gus'. "But you can call me Mark."

Brian set Gus down and shook Mark's hand too. "Nice to meet you. I'm Brian Kinney."

"I haven't seen this little guy around since you moved in," Mark said.

"He doesn't live with me. He lives with his mothers."

"Are you divorced?" Mark asked.

Brian had deliberately used the plural form of mother hoping Mark would get it, but apparently he didn't. This could prove difficult. "We were never married. In fact," Brian said deciding not to beat around the bush, "Gus has two mothers and two fathers. We're gay." He waited for the reaction. This had been one of the down sides of moving to the suburbs. There were very few gay couples, at least ones that lived openly. Brian waited to see how this nice man would react. In a minute he might not be so nice.

"Oh, I see," Mark replied. "Then the young blond man is your partner?"

"Yes, he is." There didn't seem to be any hostility in his words. "His name's Justin."

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you. People in this neighborhood are very private and very busy. You hardly ever see them."

"I've noticed that," Brian replied. He had thought the neighbors were keeping their distance and that had been all right with him. He never knew his neighbors in the loft building on Tremont and he didn't care about knowing them here. Mark seemed all right though.

"I … I'm going to barbecue tonight," Mark said rather hesitantly. "Would you and your partner and this little cutie pie like to join us?" Mark smiled at Gus who grinned back at him.

Brian was surprised by the invitation. He wondered if it was a good thing to get friendly with the neighbors, but he also knew that Justin would be pleased to be invited to dinner. "Shouldn't you ask your wife?" Brian asked with a smirk. "I know they get testy about surprise guests."

Mark laughed. "You're right. If there's a problem, I'll let you know. Otherwise, come over about six."

"Sure," Brian said. "I better get back to work on that hedge."

He and Gus walked back around the hedge and finished up the trim job. When they went in for lunch Justin had sandwiches and lemonade ready for them.

"Did you men have a good time?" Justin asked pointedly.

"We met the neighbors," Brian said with a smirk.

"You did? Why didn't you call me? I'd like to get to know them too," Justin said disappointed that he hadn't been included. "When did you get so fucking friendly anyway?"

Brian glanced at Gus and looked warningly at Justin because of his choice of words. He could tell that Justin was pissed at having been excluded from the hedge cutting and then missing meeting the neighbors. "Blame it on Gus," Brian said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Justin said ripping at his sandwich in his frustration. He chewed ominously as he waited for Brian to answer.

"Gus went around the hedge and I thought I had lost him. I had a moment of panic and I hollered Gus' name. Mark, our neighbor, said Gus was over there. That's how we met."

"You let Gus wander off?" Justin said in an accusatory tone.

"He only went around the end of the fucking hedge," Brian retorted.

Justin gave back the warning look that he had received a moment before. "So what are the neighbors like?" he asked.

"I've only met Mark. He seemed quite nice. He's probably in his late forties, black, not fazed by the fact that we're gay."

"You told him that?" Justin asked in amazement.

"He wanted to know why he hadn't seen Gus around before, and one thing led to another. I didn't see any point in keeping it secret."

"I suppose," Justin said thoughtfully.

"Oh, and we're invited to a barbecue over there at six."

"Tonight?" Justin asked. Brian nodded. "You do work fast."

Brian snorted. "I think Mark liked Gus a lot more than he liked me."

"That Kinney charm!"

"Is it working on you yet?" Brian asked hoping he was out of the doghouse.

"Maybe," Justin said some of his equanimity returning.

"How did you make out with your drawing?"

Justin wrinkled his nose. "I got started but I never like drawing myself."

"Can I see?" Brian asked.

"No."

"No?"

"Not till it's done."

"Will that be soon?"

"I'll try," Justin said with a sigh.

"Thanks."

Justin stared at Brian as he continued to eat his sandwich. Something was going on. Brian had never been this interested in his sketches before. He knew Brian liked his work, but this request for a self-portrait was out of character. He wondered what Brian was cooking up.

Brian could see the wheels turning and he thought he better distract Justin right away. "How about we go shopping after lunch?" he asked. "I'd like to get a new shirt for the barbecue tonight."

Justin chuckled. "A Hawaiian one like Vic wears?"

"God no! Just something new. You could use one too."

"Me too, dada," Gus chimed in.

"God, you've made him into a retail queen already," Justin chuckled.

"Retail queen, retail queen!" Gus chanted.

"I am so dead," Brian groaned knowing what Mel and Lindsay would say when they heard that.

-----

They returned from shopping in time to don their new shirts and get ready for the barbecue next door. At six o'clock they headed out to go around the hedge and meet their neighbors. Justin marveled that Brian was actually on time for this.

"Hey, Mark," Brian called as he stepped around the hedge and saw his neighbor at the barbecue.

"Brian, and Gus, and you must be Justin," Mark said with a big grin.

"Gwen, come on out here and meet our guests," Mark called to his wife who was in the kitchen.

A striking woman with blond hair and a lean figure stepped out of the kitchen. She was older than she appeared at first glance. Brian estimated her to be about Mark's age but very well preserved. She was white which surprised both Justin and Brian.

"Hi, I'm Gwen," she said shaking their hands and showing a warm smile. "It's nice to meet you all finally."

"You too," Justin said. "Thanks for inviting us to dinner."

"You're welcome. We're just barbecuing some salmon and I've made some salads."

"Sounds great," Brian said. That was exactly the kind of meal he liked. "I'm trying to learn to barbecue," he added.

"Brian's gotten quite good with steaks," Justin offered.

"Maybe I could show you what I'm going to do with the salmon," Mark said, "after we get some drinks."

"Let me help you," Brian said.

Brian and Mark went into the house while Gwen indicated some seats for Justin and Gus.

"He's a sweet little boy," Gwen said to Justin. "Is he your son?"

"No," Justin said with a grin. "He's all Brian."

"I thought so, but I didn't want to offend anyone."

"You don't have to walk on eggshells around us," Justin said. "We've heard it all."

"That's good to know," Gwen said. "I'm used to eggshells though. Mark and I have been married for twenty-one years. Being an inter-racial couple hasn't been easy over the years."

"I can believe that," Justin said knowing all too well about prejudice.

Brian and Mark returned with beers and a juice for Gus. They had a pleasant evening. The food was delicious and Brian thought he would like to try salmon on the barbecue the way Mark had shown him. Gus was on his best behavior and played the little gentleman until he started to get tired.

Brian and Justin learned that their neighbors had lived in this house for eight years. Mark was an executive with General Electric. They had two children, a son and a daughter, both of whom were away at university.

When Brian decided they better take Gus home to bed, they had all learned a great deal about each other. They found that they liked similar things and that being neighbors seemed like a pleasant thing. To Justin's surprise Brian asked Mark and Gwen over to the house for Justin's graduation party which was in a couple of weeks. They said they would be happy to attend.

Overall they had a great evening, and Justin was determined to make the end of it just as great, as soon as Gus was fully asleep in his own room.

-----

Graduation day dawned bright and warm. Brian tickled Justin into wakefulness and then gave his graduation boy an exuberant morning fuck. After that they showered and got ready to go to Jennifer's condo. They would all go to the ceremony in Jennifer's car and then come back to the house for an afternoon get-together in celebration of Justin's achievements. The whole gang would be there. There would be swimming for any who wanted to, and then Brian would barbecue dinner. Their neighbors would also attend.

As Justin came down the stairs followed by Brian, Brian grabbed his partner's hand and pulled him into the foyer. Justin looked at Brian in surprise. Brian gestured to the opposite wall. Justin turned and his eyes got very large and then filled with tears.

"Brian," he whispered.

"Like it, Sunshine?" Brian asked softly.

"How did you do this without me knowing?"

"I put up the hooks yesterday while you were out, and you may have noticed how I took us to the back door every time we went in and out since. I put these up last night after you fell asleep."

"I can't believe you did this," Justin said surveying the wall in front of him.

The curved wall of the foyer was filled with sketches of "the family". Brian had taken a portrait of each of their friends and family, had them framed at work and had arranged them on the wall. In the center was Justin's self-portrait that he had finished a few days earlier. To balance the arrangement Justin noticed that there were several of Brian although each different, one with Gus, one with Lindsay, and of course one of Justin's patented head shots.

"Do you like it?" Brian asked.

"I … I love it. Now I know why you wanted the self-portrait."

"There's one thing I wasn't sure about," Brian said as he moved to the front closet and pulled out one more frame. He kept it turned away so that Justin couldn't see what it was.

"Is that the sketch of your dick?" Justin asked with a grin remembering that Brian had bought his sketch from his first art show at the GLC. He had meant to hang that in their bedroom. He'd have to do that soon.

"No, it isn't my dick. I think that one should be somewhere a little more private."

"What is it then?"

"This," Brian said turning it around. "I didn't know whether you would want it up there with our friends and family. But … he is family."

Justin stared at a sketch of his father that he hadn't seen for years. "Where did you get all these?" he asked but he was actually thinking about what to say about the sketch of his father. He was still Justin's family, even if he didn't want anything to do with his son.

"I went through all your sketchbooks and picked ones I liked. I hope you approve of my selections."

"I do," Justin said. "I always knew you had good taste. Are you asking if I want this picture of my father to be hung with the rest of them?"

"I am."

"Even though he's the jerk of the century?"

"He's your father and this is your present. You decide."

"And you'll be all right with it if I want him up there?" Justin asked gesturing to the wall of pictures.

"I don't have to look at him. There's enough other ones to attract my attention."

"Have I told you how much I love you lately?"

"Once or twice," Brian said softly.

"Then let's stick the old asshole up there somewhere. Maybe the others can shame him into acknowledging his only son."

Brian quickly removed the sketch of him and Lindsay and replaced it with the one of Craig Taylor. "He doesn't look too out of place up there."

"We better get going," Justin said feeling sad that the only way he was likely to se his father on his graduation day was in that portrait.

They quickly went out to the car and headed for Jennifer's.

-----

The graduation ceremony was almost over. Being a T for Taylor meant Justin was near the end of the long line of students. Justin walked across the stage with the designation magna cum laude added to his name. He had achieved that despite the bashing and the problems with his hand and all the turmoil in his life. He smiled out at the audience and could see the flashes from Brian's camera. He figured the pictures would be too far away but he knew the most important thing was having Brian, Jennifer and Molly in the audience rooting him on.

At the conclusion of the ceremony Justin hustled through the crowd to find Brian. He threw himself into his lover's arms and received a big kiss in return. Jennifer had a warm hug and kiss for her son and even Molly deigned to give her brother a heartfelt hug of congratulation.

As Justin released his sister from the hug he noticed the look on his mother's face and followed her line of vision to see his father standing not far away.

"You came," Justin said speaking to his father but not moving towards the man.

Craig took a few steps to bring him closer to his son. He held out his hand to shake Justin's and Justin took it willingly. He wished it was a hug but this would do. It was better than anything he had expected. "Congratulations, son," Craig said.

"I didn't think you were going to come," Justin said looking into his father's eyes.

"I wasn't going to, but someone told me some hard facts and I … I changed my mind." Craig's eyes met Brian's for a fleeting second.

"I'm glad you came," Justin said softly.

"Would you like to come back to our home for the little celebration we've arranged for Justin?" Brian asked.

Justin's jaw dropped open at Brian's words. It took Justin a moment to get over his surprise. "I'd like it if you would, Dad," Justin stated wondering what had brought about these monumental changes.

"I guess I could come for a little while," Craig said hesitantly.

"That's great, Dad," Justin said.

"I could ride with Daddy and show him the way," Molly volunteered.

"Are you sure you know the way?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm not a baby, Mom," Molly said indignantly.

"We'll see you there in about an hour," Justin said hopefully as Molly and his Dad moved away.

"Happy, Sunshine?" Brian asked.

"I can't believe it, Brian. Thanks you for inviting him to the house. Do you think he'll come?"

"Sounded like he intends to," Brian replied.

"I can't believe it," Justin repeated.

"Let's go home and get ready for your party." Brian put his arm around Justin's shoulder and they began walking towards the parking lot.

Jennifer watched them for a moment before she followed. She smiled slightly. Craig had called her furious about Brian's phone call. She had told him that Brian had done the right thing and that if Craig had an ounce of fatherly concern left in his body, he'd get his homophobic ass to the graduation. She had provided the ticket.

-----

Some of the family had arrived. Brian and Justin had made sure they had drinks. Gus was there with his mommies holding court for everyone. The doorbell rang and Justin looked hopefully towards it. Brian went to see who was there. It was Mark and Gwen.

Brian welcomed them and took them into the kitchen where they got a drink from Ted who was bartending for this event. Justin came over to welcome them and Brian asked him to make the introductions to the other members of their group.

Brian moved back out into the foyer sipping a beer. He would stay near the front door until all their guests had arrived. Lindsay was looking at the wall of sketches.

"They're not bad," Brian said with a smirk.

"That's high praise coming from you," Lindsay replied. "Did you do this for Justin?"

"What makes you think I did it?"

"Justin hates to draw himself and here he is front and center," she said indicating the self-portrait. "This has all the hallmarks of a Kinney campaign."

"It was his graduation present," Brian said softly.

"Including this?" she asked pointing to Craig.

"He came to Justin's graduation."

"He didn't?" Lindsay's mouth hung open in amazement. "That must have pleased Justin so much.

Brian nodded. "He should be here any minute, if he keeps his promise."

"Craig? Here? I don't believe it."

"He said he would come. Molly's with him. She's supposed to be giving him directions here. I hope he doesn't just go home. Justin's…" Brian looked out by the pool to see if Justin was watching the door waiting for his father to appear. "Justin's got his heart set on it. The son of a bitch better not let him down."

"Why do I think you have something to do with this?"

"Me?" Brian asked trying to look innocent.

"You, you big lug," she replied hugging him tightly. "I'm so proud of you."

"Don't you mean you're proud of Justin? He's the one who graduated."

"Him too." Lindsay smiled.

The doorbell rang and Brian went to answer it. The door swung open to reveal Molly and her father. Molly smiled at Brian. Craig looked grim. Brian decided to try to be gracious. He knew how much Justin was counting on this.

"Come on in," Brian said. "Welcome to our home."

"You've come up a cut or two from where you were before," Craig said giving the place the once over. Brian knew the house was spectacular and tried to keep his smirk to himself.

"Daddy, look!" Molly said staring at the sketches on the wall. "There's me and you and Gus and Justin and Brian and Mommy…" Her voice trailed off as she studied the group of sketches.

Craig looked at his portrait there among all the others. That was the last thing he had expected. He was sure he was persona non grata as far as Kinney was concerned, and he could hardly believe that this man would allow his portrait in his house, no matter how much his son might want it. "I can't believe you allowed Justin to hang a portrait of me in your house," Craig said shaking his head.

"Justin didn't hang it. I did. I hung it for him … in our home," Brian said pointedly. Craig just stared at him not knowing what to say to that. "Let's get you guys a drink," Brian said heading for the kitchen.

The party went well. The new neighbors seemed to get along with everyone and several people went for a swim. Emmett was the hit of the party with his tangerine Speedo. Gus swam and jumped in. His swimming skills had improved so much since that first trip to Justin's uncle's cottage. Jennifer watched Craig warily willing him not to make a scene. Justin was so happy he was there that she wanted it to go well. Craig didn't stay long but he had a little chat with Justin before he left.

When the last guest finally left, Brian locked the door behind them and pulled Justin into a long, passionate kiss. "I want to fuck the new graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts. Let's go to bed."

"Brian," Justin said holding back.

"What?"

"My father said you called him. Thanks."

"I just wanted you to have the best day of your life," Brian said truthfully.

"I think that was the day I met you. All else pales in comparison."

"Thanks," Brian said with that crooked grin. "What did your father say to you before he left?"

"I told him about the job offers and my … indecision. He said I could talk to him about them if I wanted. We're going to have lunch tomorrow, if that's all right with you?"

"He's your father, Justin. Do what you want to do."

"I told him about the PMI and how that had helped. He said you were a smart man."

"No shit! A compliment from Craig Taylor. Will wonders never cease?"

Justin grinned. "He loved the house too. He told me how you set him straight that it was our home, not your house." Brian raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for all this, the party, the sketches, my father."

"You give me too much credit."

"You don't get half the credit you deserve."

"Let's go to bed," Brian repeated feeling rather self-conscious.

"I owe you a lot."

"You don't owe me anything, but you could show your appreciation anyway."

"I bet I know just how to do that," Justin grinned.

"I bet you do too."

They switched off the lights and made their way up the stairs.

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