Brian pushed the button and the huge tree burst into light.  It twinkled and glowed in the soft snowfall.  It was the beginning of December and he and Justin were lighting the city Christmas tree at town hall.  He felt Gus turn and point at the elaborate tree.

 

"Pretty, huh?" he said to the little boy he held in his arms.

 

"Nice," Gus said wistfully.

 

It was nice.  Brian had almost refused to do this.  Christmas held no good associations for him.  His mother spent all her time in church and his father used it as an excuse to be drunk.  They got clothes as gifts, nothing they ever really wanted.  It was the one time of the year that he and Claire had something in common.  They both hated Christmas.  They got to watch other kids with their new toboggans or skates while they had nothing comparable.  It was the beginning of Brian always feeling like an outsider, removed from the rest of society.  That was long before he even knew there was such a thing as homosexuality.

 

Lindsay had said she would bring Gus if Brian would do the tree lighting.  Gus would love it and it would be a special moment between father and son.

 

"Brian," he heard Justin say and felt him tug on his sleeve.  "Where were you?  They want you to say a few words.

 

Brian realized that he was hugging Gus hard.  The little boy was squirming against him.  He wanted to protect Gus and make all his Christmas memories happy ones.  He released his grip slowly and handed Gus to Justin.  He moved over to the microphone.

 

"Thank you all for coming here tonight for the lighting of the tree.  It looks beautiful.  Even my son said it was 'nice'."  That elicited some chuckles from the audience and Brian looked over at Gus who smiled back at him.  "I hope the holidays this year will be filled with love and peace for you all."

There was a round of applause as Brian moved away from the mike and reclaimed his son from Justin.

 

Geoffrey bustled up and said, "Well done, Mr. Mayor."

"Thanks, Geoffrey.  I don't think you've ever met my son," he added and turned Gus to face Geoffrey.  "Say hi, Gus."

 

"He's a lovely little boy," Geoffrey stated holding Gus' hand for a moment.

 

Gus smiled at him and shyly said, "Hi."

Geoffrey gazed longingly at Gus, then abruptly cleared his throat.  "I better get back to work and make sure the refreshments are all in order.  He quickly left.  Brian was intrigued more and more by this mysterious man who was so hard and so soft at the same time.  He wondered what Geoffrey would be doing for Christmas.

 

"Brian," Lindsay said from behind him.  "We got you and Gus some hot chocolate.  Mel has yours, Justin," she added as she handed Brian one to share with the little boy. 

 

Brian took a sip to make sure it wasn't too hot for the toddler.  It was warm more than hot, so he held the Styrofoam cup to his son's lips.  Gus took a sip and grinned at his father.

 

"Good," he said reaching for more.

 

"Slowly," Brian said but held the cup up to his lips again.

 

As Gus sipped Brian realized that several people were watching him and his little family.

 

One of them spoke up, "That was a nice ceremony, Mr. Mayor.  The tree's beautiful this year."

"Thank you," Brian replied.  "I'm glad you could be here."

 

"Is that your son?" the same person asked.  Brian nodded.  "He looks just like you."

"So I'm told," Brian said and smiled as he gave Gus a kiss on the cheek.

 

"It's freezing out here," Lindsay said.

 

"We can go into the lobby," Brian suggested.  He wasn't quite ready to relinquish Gus just yet.

 

They moved to the door to the lobby and Brian signaled Geoffrey to let them in.  The general public and the refreshments were all outside.  A local band was going to start playing Christmas carols in a few minutes.  As Geoffrey opened the door for them, Debbie, Vic, Michael, Ben and Hunter descended upon them.  Brian could do nothing to stop them and he really didn't mind having his extended family around for this special occasion.  As they were about to shut the door, Emmett, Ted and Blake arrived.  They quickly came in out of the cold too.

 

"Is everyone here now?" Brian asked rather testily.

 

"Expecting some of your former tricks?" Ted asked in his old manner.

 

Brian glared at him.  "No, Ted, but I see you've made a full recovery, as obnoxious as ever."

 

"Fuck you too," Ted replied.  "I think we better leave, Blake."

Blake shrugged and they turned to leave.  "You coming, Emmett?" Ted asked.

 

"I'll stay, Teddy.  Somebody will give me a ride," Emmett replied.

 

"Suit yourself," Ted said and threw his arm over Blake's shoulders.  They quickly walked out of the lobby.

 

"Boy, Ted wasn't very nice," Justin said.  "How come you were with them tonight?" Justin asked Emmett.

 

"I think Ted still feels a little guilty about what he did to me and then dumping me for Blake.  They called to ask if I wanted to go with them.  I thought we'd all be together as a group, so I said all right.  They were a little afraid to join you all."

"And well they should be," Brian said, "if that's an example of their fucking attitude."

Lindsay put her hands over Gus' ears and Brian grimaced realizing what he had said.  "I think it's Gus' bedtime," Lindsay said taking the little boy from Brian.

 

Justin pulled Brian down so that he could whisper in the man's ear.  Brian looked surprised and then frowned.  Justin kept whispering and Brian's face softened.  He grinned and turned to Lindsay and Melanie who were buttoning up Gus' coat and getting ready to leave.

 

"Um," Brian began, "Justin was wondering if Gus could come with us tomorrow to pick out a Christmas tree at the tree farm," he said to the two women.

 

"You're having a tree this year?" Lindsay asked.

"Apparently," Brian said looking at Justin who beamed his sunshine smile at the mayor.

 

"Let me get this straight," Melanie said.  "You and Justin are going to a tree farm to cut down a real tree for Christmas and you want to take Gus with you?"  Brian nodded.  "The apocalypse is upon us!" she stated in wonder.

 

"I think that's great, Brian," Lindsay said sweetly.  "Could you get one for us while you're there?"

"No, I could not.  If you want a tree, cut your own."

"Why don't we come with you?" Melanie asked knowing she was pissing Brian off.

 

"I think that's a great idea," Lindsay gushed.  "We can each get our tree and I can take some pictures of Gus while we're there."

Brian groaned audibly.  This wasn't at all what he had in mind.  Going to cut a fucking Christmas tree with Gus and Justin was bad enough.  Having Lindsay and Melanie tag along was a whole different kettle of fish.  He wanted Gus to have a good Christmas, but he wasn't prepared to put himself in purgatory to do it.  "I don't think so," Brian said with finality.  He glared at Justin knowing that the boy had caused this with his promises of how he would thank Brian later for letting him have a tree.

 

"Oh, come on, Brian," Lindsay said.  "Gus will love having us all there, and we can get some pictures.  It will be fun."

"Brian," Debbie said, "it's the least you can do for your son.  In fact, I think I'd like to come too.  Vic and I could use a real tree this year."

Brian groaned again.  This was becoming something from the eighth circle of Hell.

 

"We'll come too," Michael piped up.  "Hunter says he's never had a tree before, so it will be something new and wonderful for us all."

"We'll meet at the loft at nine tomorrow morning," Debbie said as she and Vic beat a hasty retreat before Brian could tell them to fuck off.

 

"See you then," Michael called as he and Ben dragged Hunter and Emmett out the door before Brian could kill them all.

 

"Gus is asleep," Lindsay said holding the little boy whose head lolled on her shoulder.

 

"Give him to me," Brian said wanting to hold the little body that he was making this sacrifice for.  "I'll carry him to the car for you.  Where are you parked?"

 

"That way," Melanie said pointing.  "Follow me," she said opening the door.

 

Brian looked over his shoulder at Justin.  "Find Chuck and the limo," he ordered.  "Meet us by Melanie's car.  Then I'm going to kill you.  Oh, and you owe me at least a million blowjobs for this," Brian stated as he went out the door.

 

Justin had been worried that Brian was really mad.  He had been surprised that Brian had agreed to go to the tree farm in the first place, but Justin's promises of exciting sexual favors had carried the day.  Justin knew that Gus would love the day out with his father, and Brian would love it too, once it was over.  All these other people coming with them was a wrinkle he hadn't expected.  It was a wonder that Brian didn't explode when they all decided to be part of the excursion.  However, as soon as Brian mentioned the blowjobs, Justin knew everything would be all right.  Brian would exact his payment, but he'd also fulfill his part of the bargain.  Justin smiled happily as he went to find Chuck.

 

                                                                 -----

 

Nine o'clock the next morning Brian and Justin came down to the front of the loft building to find a convoy awaiting them.  There was Debbie's old crate at the front followed by Lindsay and Melanie's station wagon with Gus in the back seat and then Ted's convertible with Blake and Emmett.

 

"What the fuck?" Brian asked as he exited the building.  "This is going to be a fucking nightmare."

 

"Brian," Justin said leaning against him.  "It won't be so bad."

"Do I have your guarantee on that?" Brian said sarcastically.  "What the hell are they doing here?"  He stared at Ted and Blake.

 

"Hello to you too, Bri," Ted said cheerfully.  "We need a tree too.  Can't wait to see your tree felling techniques in action."

 

Brian looked like he was ready to punch Ted in the face.  "My expertise with wood is world renowned," Brian replied sarcastically.

 

"Brian," Blake said, "I hope you won't mind us coming along.  We do want a tree and it could be fun."

Something about Blake's statement rang of sincerity.  Brian softened a little.  He glared at Ted and said, "It's a big tree farm.  Keep out of my way."

 

"Let's get this fucking show on the road," Debbie said cheerfully.  "Justin, you and Brian go first, since I assume you know where this place is?"

Justin nodded.  He and Brian got into the Corvette.

 

"Why don't I just peel out of here?  Debbie will never catch me in that old crate of hers, and we can probably lose the others, especially Ted."

"Don't be mean, Brian.  We can do this."

"Speak for yourself."

"I still owe you several hundred thousand blowjobs," Justin purred.

 

Brian groaned.  "Your ass is going to get the workout of the century, that is, if we survive this maniacal plot to drive me insane."

Justin grinned and kissed Brian's cheek.  Brian put the car in gear and peeled away from the loft.  Justin thought maybe he was going to try to lose the others.  However, as they neared the corner, Brian slowed down and actually waited for them to catch up.

 

"I love you," Justin said snuggling against the pissed off man.

 

Brian huffed and then turned to kiss the blond head that rested against his shoulder.  Justin grinned but he kept his head down so Brian couldn't see.  He didn't want Brian to know he was gloating about how he had gotten Brian to do this.

 

The trip out of Pittsburgh was uneventful and after about a forty-five minute drive they arrived at the tree farm.  Brian was rather annoyed to see that the whole convoy arrived right behind them.  They hadn't managed to lose anyone, not even Ted. 

 

Lindsay extricated Gus from his car seat and handed him to Brian.  Brian swung the boy up onto his shoulders which elicited a giggle from Gus.  Gus then grabbed Brian's hair and pulled as he steadied himself on his father's shoulders.

 

"Daddy," he squealed with a little bit of fright and a lot of excitement.

 

"Are you ready to head off into the wilderness and chop down trees, Sonny Boy?" Brian asked his son.

 

"Yes," Gus giggled ready now for his adventure.

 

Justin and one person from each group that wanted a tree had been finding out how the system worked and returned to get them all to line up and wait for the wagon that would take them out to the area where the trees could be cut.

 

By the time the wagon pulled up and unloaded the people who had already claimed their trees, Brian was freezing.  Justin had told him to wear long underwear and an extra sweater.  However, he didn't own long underwear and wouldn't be caught dead in it even if he did.  His leather jacket had seemed like a good idea, but really wasn't very warm.  The sneakers he wore weren't a lot of protection from the few inches of snow that lay on the ground.  The other members of their little group weren't much better off.  Only Blake, Justin and Vic seemed to be warm.  They were all sensibly bundled up.

 

They boarded the wagon and sat on bales of hay as the tractor pulled them out to the field where the trees could be cut.  Hunter managed to seat himself beside Brian and he looked longingly at the man all during the ride.  The wagon stopped at a little booth where you could obtain a saw once you had selected your tree.  You could also have one of the farm's workers cut the tree for you if you didn't want to tackle it yourself.  Brian was all in favor of that, but Lindsay and Debbie would hear of no such thing.  They had come all this way to cut their own tree, and that was exactly what they all were going to do.

 

Each group was given a tag to mark the tree they would select.  They all set off each looking for the perfect tree.  Gus was back on his father's shoulders and enjoying the view from there.  Lindsay and Melanie tagged along snapping some shots of Brian carrying Gus.  Justin rushed around checking each tree that they passed.

 

"Here it is, Brian," Justin called.  He had found a tall spruce that was nice and bushy and well proportioned.

 

"Isn't that kind of large?" Melanie asked.

 

"The loft's got high ceilings and lots of open area.  If we don't get a big tree, it will be lost in there," Justin explained.

 

Brian looked at the tree.  It was kind of large, but it looked good.  He knew Justin was right about the size that would look good in the loft.  "Do you think the 'Vette will be able to carry it?  It will probably hang off the back."

 

"We can drive behind you and make sure nobody gets too close," Lindsay offered.

 

"Okay," Brian said, "let's do this."  He set Gus down and went over to Justin.  They attached their tag to the tree.  "Are you going to do the honors?" Brian asked Justin.  He waggled the saw at the blond.

 

"I thought you should do it," Justin said with a sweet smile.

 

"What?  You think I'm a lumberjack?"

"You have your moments."

Brian grinned.  He looked skeptically at the tree.  "I'll give it a shot, but you have to help me."

"Of course, we're partners," Justin replied with an evil grin.

 

Brian pushed the branches aside and bent to begin sawing near the ground.  The branches immediately sprang back and hit him in the face.  "Fuck!" he yelped.  "Justin!"

 

Justin came to his rescue, holding the branches aside so that Brian could get at the trunk.  Melanie and Lindsay returned in time to get some pictures of Brian bent over and sawing for all he was worth.  Gus cheered him on and soon he was almost all the way through the trunk.  Sweat dripped from his forehead as he stood up for a minute of breath.  Justin held the tree upright.

 

"Hurry up, Brian.  This is heavy and we don't want it to snap off."

 

"Can you hold it a bit longer?" Brian asked.

 

"I guess."

 

"Gus, come here," Brian told his son.  "I need some help."  Gus ran over to his father.  "Here, take the saw with me," he told the little boy.  Gus put his hand next to his father's on the handle of the saw.  "It's hard work.  Can you help me saw?"  Gus nodded suddenly very serious.  Justin smiled at the two of them knowing what Brian was doing.  Brian bent down and together he and Gus sawed through the last bit of the trunk.  Lindsay snapped picture after picture.

 

Finally Brian stood up.  "Are you ready, Gus?" he asked.  Gus nodded not really knowing what was going to happen.  "Come push with me."  Gus came to the edge of the tree and grabbed a branch.  Brian winked at Justin who still held the tree upright.  "Okay, Gus, push that way."  Gus gave a push and so did Brian.  Justin released his grip and the tree toppled over.  Gus jumped up and down and clapped his hands with glee.  Lindsay captured it all on film.  "Good job, Sonny Boy," Brian said picking up his son and giving him a kiss on the cheek.  Gus positively beamed.  He was so proud of himself.  Justin came over to be part of the group hug.  "We make a good team," Brian said giving Justin a warm kiss.

 

"Pervert," he heard someone say.  "This is supposed to be a family oriented place."

"And I'm here with my family!" Brian retorted.  He looked like he wanted to beat the shit out of the man who had made the comment.

 

"Brian," Justin said softly, "remember you're the mayor."

 

"Fucking asshole," Brian muttered, but he turned away and said nothing more.

 

"Let's get our tree now," Lindsay said hoping to ease the tension.

 

"Have you found one you like?" Justin asked.

 

"Over here," Mel called from off to the side.

 

They made their way over to the tree Mel wanted.  There was a big discussion about who would do the sawing.  Finally they decided that Brian and Gus had done such a good job on the other one that they should cut this one down too.  Gus was all for that, but Brian snarled.  Eventually he gave in and Justin held the tree for him as before.  Gus helped at the end and each family had their tree. 

 

"How come I get to do all the actual work while they take pictures?" Brian griped.

 

"Because you're the best," Justin said and gave him a peck on the cheek.

 

"How can I argue with that?" Brian asked tongue in cheek.  Justin kissed him again bringing a lascivious grin to the mayor's lips.  "I think it's time to go home."

"I think so too," Justin said.  "I'm freezing."

"We can get all nice and warm again in our bed," Brian added.

 

"That sounds just right."

 

"Come on, you two," Lindsay said.  "We don't need the mayor and his partner arrested for public intercourse."

Brian stuck his tongue out at her, but he set Gus down.  "I think we better drag these damn trees to the wagon and get the fuck out of here."

"I agree," Lindsay said taking Gus' hand.

 

Brian took hold of the trunk of his and Justin's tree and of the Munchers' tree.  Justin took the top of each tree.  They carried them back to the wagon spot where they were loaded on the second wagon.  The rest of the gang was waiting for them having already cut their own trees. 

 

"I see nobody lost a leg or other essential body part," Brian observed with a smirk.

 

"Emmett was wonderful," Deb said.  "He knows all about cutting down trees."

 

"Oh hush," Emmett feigned embarrassment but grinned from ear to ear.  "We were so poor back in Hazlehurst that we always cut a tree from the park down the road.  Of course, it was illegal, so we had to be fast.  I got pretty good at it."

 

"You are a man of many talents," Brian said.

 

"Thanks, Mr. Mayor," Emmett replied.  "It looks like you got a couple of nice trees yourself.

 

"We did all right," Brian said. 

 

Justin came back after paying for their tree.  "All done," he said.  "Let's climb aboard."

 

They all got on the wagon their trees safely stowed on the wagon behind and rode back to the parking lot.  Gus fell asleep snuggled up against Brian.

 

"All this fresh air and tree cutting knocks him right out," Brian said with a grin.

 

"He loved it, Brian," Justin said.  "It was great that you agreed to do this."

"Funny, so many of the things I think I'll hate doing turn out to be fun when I do them with you and Gus."

Justin's glowing smile warmed them all on the ride back to their cars.

 

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