Chapter 20

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Around seven, Brian's cell phone rang. The drivers for the limos he hired were downstairs. He had also arranged for limos to pick up the Munchers and Michael and Ben. Brian thought since Emmett was planning on sending him to the poor house, Brian would go in style. The adults were enjoying cocktails and relaxing before going to dinner.

"Well, troops," Brian announced, "our chariots await!"

"Brian, what have you done?" Justin gave his partner a stern look.

"Whatever do you mean, my little Mary sunshine?" Brian snarked sweetly as he crossed the room and pulled aside the heavy loft door.

"I'm little Mary, the voice of reason," Justin scowled with a twinkle in his eye. He wasn't really angry.

"Sunshine," Brian murmured low in that sultry tone he saved for Justin and he held his arms open. Justin immediately moved into them and embraced his spouse. Brian wrapped his long arms around Justin and rested his chin briefly atop Justin's head, kissing the golden hair.

"Okay," Justin said softly in answer to Brian's unsaid requests. "I love you," Justin whispered into Brian's chest; Justin received a squeeze. Brian released him then Justin led their friends and family down the stairs as Brian locked up.

"Oooooo, way to go, Mr. Kinney!" Emmett exclaimed as he saw the two long white cars parked in front of the building. He, Drew, Ted, Allen, Hunter and Nick climbed into one car as Brian, Justin, Gus, Ken, Simon and their boys entered the other. When they were settled in, the cars drove off to Pappaganos.

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When Brian, et al, arrived at the restaurant, Alberto was there waiting for him and his special guests.

"Mr. Brian! So good to see you and with your beautiful Justin. Ah! And who is this? This man can't be your son!" Alberto indicated Gus, who was standing tall next to his dad.

"No, Mr. Brian, you are far too young to have this grown man for a son!" Alberto continued to gush over Brian and his guests. Brian modestly dipped his head.

"Alberto, you are too kind. Is our table ready?"

"Of course, please follow me. Your other guests have just arrived and are seated. They're looking over your wine list." As Alberto showed the group to their table, Ted sidled up to Brian.

"Your wine list?" Ted murmured, Brian shrugged.

"I can't help it if I'm picky."

"Hmm, maybe I can write some of this off as a business expense," Ted began to mumble to himself as they joined Michael, Ben and the girls.

The family all stood to greet the new arrivals; hugs and kisses were the main appetizers for the night. The family enjoyed reminiscing about events gone by. Brian and Justin stories were one of the favorite topics and then each couple related how they met. The family ups and downs, some of their finer moments and not so fine moments were discussed.

Alberto and his chefs had outdone themselves; everyone enjoyed their meals. Simon commented that Pappaganos would be able to compete with the finest restaurants in Manhattan. That comment pleased Alberto to no end. He hovered close by to attend Brian's party personally.

"Pop, can we order dessert?" Gus asked. He had seen the dessert cart roll on by several times during their meal and everything looked mouthwatering.

"Sure, Sonny Boy," Brian answered. A fleeting memory crossed Brian's mind of when he was a child, one of the very rare occasions that Jack had taken them out to dinner. Jack had gotten a raise and wanted to celebrate but he had hit the bar on his way home and drank away a lot of the money. Brian, like all little boys, wanted ice cream for dessert. What he got was a smack in the mouth and no dessert. "Whatever you want," Brian leaned over to Gus and whispered, planting a small kiss to his son's forehead. Gus noted the wistful look on his father's face.

"Dad?"

"It's nothing, Gus, I swear. Just an unpleasant memory."

"No more unpleasant memories, Pop. It's all good, tonight."

"You're so right," Brian said with a wide smile. "And just when did you get so smart?"

"I have to be smart, Pop."

"Why is that?"

"Because, I have Brian fucking Kinney for a dad!" Brian threw his arms around Gus and drew him into a hug. He held him for a minute then waved the dessert cart over. Brian enjoyed watching Gus pick out the biggest gooiest dessert on the cart and scarf it down.

After dinner, the gang piled into the limos to go back to the loft to change for Woody's and then Babylon.

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The limos pulled up in front of Woody's, both arriving at almost the same time. Everyone began to get out as they carefully checked each other out. Emmett went from person to person straightening a collar or brushing out a wrinkle. The lesbians laughed good-naturedly as Emmett undid some buttons and pulled Melanie's sweater down over her shoulders. Brian smacked Emmett's hand as he tried to pull down Brian's pant leg while getting a little grope at the same time. Emmett had the good grace to blush at his own actions. Finally he declared the whole group perfect and they went up the steps to Woody's.

"Tag 'em," Brian said at the door.

"Huh?" Gus asked.

"You're getting a wristband that says you are underage," Brian declared.

"Pop?" Gus protested.

"Do you want to come in or not?" Brian asked pointedly.

"Yeah, okay."

Brian smirked as the bouncer gave each of the young men a wristband and made sure it was put on. That ensured that the boys could not get alcoholic beverages, just soda. It was also a warning to anybody who might try to pick them up inside.

Brian ordered drinks all around and then found a pool table where he, Michael, Ted and Emmett could have a game, just like the old days. Gus, Raymond, and Jeffrey checked out the clientele for a while and drank their Cokes. When they noticed a free pool table they asked Justin to make a foursome and play. They enjoyed teasing each other about the poor quality of their shots, but they still enjoyed themselves.

At one point Brian was trying to make a difficult shot. When Justin noticed him trying to line it up, he moved over and positioned his crotch right in front of the pocket Brian was trying to hit. It was an old joke between the two. Brian glanced up and smiled at his husband. He then promptly sank the ball.

"Hey, that's no fair," Emmett protested. "None of us get something like that to aim for."

"Can I help it if you're all pathetic," Brian said tongue in cheek.

Ken and Simon were sitting at a table with the Munchers, sipping a beer and taking in all the antics of their friends.

The evening wore on and suddenly Gus looked around. "Hey, Justin, where did everybody go?" Woody's had partially emptied out.

"What time is it?" Justin asked looking at his watch. "Eleven."

"Time for Babylon," Michael smiled at them from the other table. Justin felt his heart leap in his throat - so much like Vic.

"That's right," Emmett declared. "One doesn't want to be too early for Babylon. Eleven is just about perfect. And then there's those who are always fashionably late." He looked pointedly at Brian who stuck his tongue out at him. Everyone had a good laugh at that.

"If you're the owner you can come whenever you want," Brian stated stressing the word 'come'.

The group groaned but got ready to leave. It was indeed time for Babylon.

Brian decided that it made no sense to take the limos up the narrow alley to the main door of Babylon. It was a beautiful night, Babylon was close by, so he gave the drivers instructions to pick them up around two at Woody's. The group made their way along Liberty to Babylon.

"Pop, what's that noise?" Gus asked as they rounded the corner and saw the long line of men waiting their turn to get into the club. "It feels like the whole street is vibrating."

"The thumpa thumpa music," Mikey answered for Brian. Brian smirked and nodded.

"Thumpa, thumpa?" As most kids his age, the music Gus was into had little to do with thumpa.

"Oh, Gus, honey, you gotta know about thumpa thumpa music. It's in your genes!" Emmett gushed as he pushed his way past the crowd toward the door.

The bouncer immediately recognized the man who signed his paycheck and whispered into a headset. Then he took out several tags and placed them on the wrists of the boys. The kids looked devastated as the parents all looked on with satisfied grins. As the door swung open, the noise almost became deafening. Emmett ushered his charges toward the entrance.

Looking around at the line, Ken commented about it to Ted. "Is it always this busy?" Ted, well versed on the nightly take was qualified to answer.

"Babylon had always been the hottest gay club in Pittsburgh, but it became hotter when Brian bought and did extensive renovations. But tonight is special."

"How so?"

"The word is out that Babylon's king and consort are making a rare appearance and bringing the young prince. All of gay Pittsburgh is here to pay homage."

"You are kidding me, right?"

"No. Wait, you'll see." Ted nodded with confidence. Ken scanned the crowd. It was filled with young hot men but then he took a closer look. There were many men closer to his age in the crowd.

"Brian knows all these men?" Ken asked with eyes wide.

"Intimately," Ted responded as they crossed the threshold.

When Brian renovated the club, one of his stipulations was that the catwalk would be updated and that their favorite bar would remain in the same place. It was that bar Brian had reserved for the gang for the night. He had two of his best and sexiest bartenders to personally tend to his guests. Brian realized that this might be one of the last times the whole gang would ever be together at the same time at Babylon. He wanted this night to be memorable.

Ted and Emmett acted as un-named hosts, directing the group toward the bar. Emmett flirted shamelessly at the well muscled bartenders as he made sure everyone was properly outfitted with the libation of their choice. Of course the boys, who were slightly overwhelmed at the whole scene, had sodas. Gus leaned against the bar, looking so much like his dad, that a large burly man dressed head to toe in leather boldly walked over to him. He lustfully leered at the younger Kinney. Drew quickly wrapped a protective arm around the boy and lifted Gus' wrist. The man nodded at the tag and smiled.

"I can wait," he murmured to himself, barely heard above the noise, then walked off.

Raymond felt like he had died and gone to homo heaven. His mouth was hanging open and his eyes looked like they were about to bug out. Simon caught the expression and was about to say something when Jeffrey batted his brother upside the head and told Ray that drooling was so uncool. Ray promptly rolled his tongue back into his head. Simon cracked up and offered up another little prayer of thanks. His sons were okay.

"Where's Brian and Justin?" Simon asked Michael. Michael pointed up toward the catwalk. The whole family turned to look up as did most of Babylon.

There, looking like a king, was Brian surveying his kingdom. He was home.

Brian looked out amongst the crowd and he saw Mikey's face smiling brightly. The gang were there all smiling and having a great time. Even Melanie held up her glass in a toast. Brian looked up toward the glass enclosed office. Carl and Debbie were there. Brian nodded toward them and they beamed back. "You little asshole," he saw Debbie mouth and he cracked up. She'd call him that until the day she hung up her red wig for good.

Justin hung back, letting Brian have his moment. Brian deserved it. They had come a long way and Justin was so proud of Brian that his heart was bursting. Suddenly a figure rushed past.

"Hey Todd, how's it going?"

"Fine," Todd replied as he hurried along to the stairs then disappeared into the crowd. Justin wondered if Todd was actually going to the backroom. Justin couldn't help but laugh out loud. The world may have changed but apparently some things never did.

Justin redirected his sight toward his partner. Brian's arm twitched slightly and Justin knew that it was his cue. Justin proudly strode toward Brian and took his place.

Brian turned toward Justin. It was so loud in the club that normal speaking was futile. But Brian and Justin needed no words. Brian cupped Justin's face with his hands and placed a chaste kiss on Justin's lips. Justin's smile outshone the strobes. Then suddenly a voice spoke over the speakers.

"Gentlemen! Queers! And Ladies. Our king and his consort are with us tonight. Let the party begin!" The club roared and it seemed the dance floor became even more crowded as everyone got on to the floor to dance. Brian escorted his king down the stairs.

"Unfuckingbelievable," Hunter exclaimed to himself and to anyone close enough to hear. "Blondie, you must have some set of balls to keep that man happy for all this time." He laughed then gave Nick a big kiss. "I think we both have the right men." Hunter and Nick hugged then went off to dance.

Emmett grabbed at Teddy's arm. "Come on, I want to dance!" Ted shook his head, slightly embarrassed to attempt to dance at his age.

"Ted, it's just us, dance with me," Emmett pleaded. Drew and Allen pushed the shy accountant onto the floor. Allen smiled at his lover. Ted nodded and smiled his own little thin-lipped smile but allowed his oldest and dearest friend to direct him to a spot. Ted began to sway and shook his head as Emmett did all the moves that he had made famous.

"Oh what the hell," Ted said to himself as he allowed the thumpa to take him. They were shortly joined by Melanie and Lindsay.

Gus was a bit mortified seeing his mothers so unabashedly shaking their well preserved booties on the dance floor. Then he saw Ken drag Simon into the crowd. Gus laughed as Jeff and Ray wore the same shocked look.

Michael took Ben's arm and led him into the middle with all their friends. Michael felt at peace. His friends and family were all around him. Ben and Hunter were healthy, living in a delicate harmony with the disease that had taken so many others. And Michael had his daughter. He had a lot to be grateful for. Michael hugged his spouse close and danced.

Jeff hung toward the bar; he felt a little out of place. He kept rubbing his forehead, trying to erase the imaginary 'straight' sign that he felt sure was blinking there. A couple of young women walked by and they smiled. He thought they were lesbians so he dipped his head trying to make himself disappear.

"You want to dance?" one of them asked.

"But aren't you two...?" The girls shook their heads no.

"We're straight but we love to come here and look. So do you want to dance with us? Just dance." They had seen the wristband but Jeff was tall and cute and the girls really wanted to dance. Jeff looked up and smiled then they went to the edge of the dance floor to dance while keeping his parents in sight.

Brian and Justin had made their way through the throng of gyrating bodies to the bar. Brian got them a couple of beers. They leaned against the bar and watched the gang dance. Brian and Justin clinked their bottles in a silent toast, happy knowing that this night was all that they had hoped for. Out of the corner of his eye, Brian noticed Gus and Ray whispering as if in some sort of conspiracy. He saw them try to sneak off toward the back room.

"Brian, should we go after them?" Justin leaned up to speak in Brian's ear. Brian smirked and shook his head.

"Watch," was all that Brian said. Justin strained to see between the bodies as Gus had made it to the entrance of the infamous back room. He turned around to see if Ray was behind him. Ray was several feet behind walking then he froze as a large hand came down on his shoulder with a whomp. Ray turned his neck to see the hand that was attached to his dad. Simon knew all the tricks. Simon redirected his wayward son toward the bar where Ken was waiting.

Gus, still feeling brave, kept on walking toward the backroom when a huge body appeared in front of him. The man must have been nearly seven feet tall and at least two hundred and seventy-five pounds of pure muscle. Gus looked up at the man who was scowling, shaking his head, no. Then the monster of a man turned Gus around and marched him to his dads and moms. Firmly planting the boy at Brian's bar, the bouncer leaned down to speak to Gus.

"Nice try, kid, come back in five years." The monster winked at Brian. Then he nodded and went back to take up his post. Gus stood and waited for Mounts Kinney, Peterson and Marcus to blow. His parents burst out laughing before they each in turn gave their son a kiss.

After a while Emmett wanted to dance with his best dancing partner ever. He grabbed Justin's hand and gave Brian his best puppy dog eyes. Emmett received his nod of approval from Brian then happily pulled Justin onto the dance floor where they proceeded to burn it up. The gang laughed and cheered as Justin emulated Emmett, doing his own version of Emmett's praise Jesus moves.

"Brian, dance with me," Mikey pleaded with his warm brown eyes. Brian smirked and put his arm around Mikey's shoulder. The two went onto the floor for a couple of dances.

"Justin, are you and dad going to dance?" Gus asked.

"We will," Justin said with confidence, he knew that Brian had to mentally prepare himself for his dance with Justin.

"When?"

"Soon."

"Will I get embarrassed?"

"Probably." Gus groaned and then ordered a bottle of water for himself.

The music changed to the sounds of the songs that Brian knew when he was truly the king of Babylon. The gang had all returned to the bar as Justin walked alone into the middle of the dance floor. Boldly, like he did when he was out to seduce Brian and any other man of Babylon, Justin let the music take him. His lithe body moved bonelessly. The surrounding men moved back slightly to give themselves a better view of the golden body dancing away. Michael watched and a false scowl splayed across his brow. He walked up to Brian and got in his face.

"Are you going to stand there or are you going to do something about that?" Mikey asked like old times pointing to Justin out on the dance floor, flaunting himself.

"Yeah," Brian answered then kissed his dearest friend hard on the mouth. "Yeah, I'm going to do something about it, Mikey." Then the best friends laughed and hugged. Michael released Brian.

"Then you better get going."

Brian straightened to his full height and boldly stalked his twink.

"What's going to happen?" Gus asked his Uncle Michael with awe.

"Watch and learn."

The crowd parted as Brian slowly walked toward his prey. The arrogant smirk that he made famous so long ago was there for all to see. As he got closer, a smile began to curl upwards on Justin's face. Oh yeah, Justin thought, this was going to be good. Justin whipped his shirt off and threw it into the crowd. The gold body powder Emmett had dusted him with was shining, reflecting off the lights, bathing Justin in an aura of silver and gold. Justin kept dancing as he felt his spouse draw near. He closed his eyes. Brian with panther like grace got closer.

Brian moved behind Justin, towering over him then drawing the younger man into his chest. Justin leaned his head back reaching behind him with his arms to hold onto Brian's thighs. Brian nuzzled the nape of Justin's neck; Justin tipped his head to allow Brian better access to his sensitive skin. The lovers began to move as one, turning up the heat. Brian began to grind himself into Justin's delectable rump at the same time running his hands down Justin's chest. Brian could feel Justin's moans.

Justin turned in Brian's arms as the glitter began to fall. Brian scrunched so that they were nose to nose. Both men smiling their special smiles that no one else was privileged to receive. Justin snaked his arms around Brian's neck, one leg hitching up higher to hook around Brian's thigh. Justin felt his feet lift off the floor as Brian straightened taking his spouse with him; kissing him deeply and urgently. All of Babylon was enthralled.

"Do they always, um, dance like that?" Gus had witnessed his dad and Justin dancing in the loft and at the cottage a few times but it was never as overtly sensual.

"Oh, sweetie, that's fairly tame!" Emmett responded. "I think they toned it down a bit cause you're here."

"That's toned down?" Gus exclaimed in disbelief then turned to look at his dad and Justin again in time to see Brian pull Justin closer so that they could grind their cocks together.

They stood up straight, Justin waggled his eyebrows at his spouse and Brian answered with a wide grin. They were off to the backroom in a flash. After a while they were back at the bar looking highly satisfied.

"Let's all have one more dance before we go!" Brian requested as he looked over the faces of his friends and family. En masse, the gang with the boys went onto the dance floor to share their last dance of the night. Afterwards, Brian had Justin and Emmett lead them all outside. Brian lagged behind to thank the staff and his special bouncers who kept a close eye on the boys, making the parents feel safe.

Brian stopped on the catwalk for one last look at the crowd.

"Bri?"

"What is it, Mikey?"

"I just want to say that I had a great time tonight; we all did. It was like old times but different, ya know?"

"Yeah, I know. But my clubbing days are over, Mikey. It's time for the next generation to take over."

"You're still the stud. You're Brian Kinney, for fuck's sake!"

"But I don't want to be, I don't need to be. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah, Bri, I do. Let's go home." Brian and his best friend walked out of Babylon, the thumpa thumpa music now playing for the next generation.

"Hey, Pop! I had a great time." Gus threw himself into Brian's arms as Brian met the family waiting on the corner. "A real good time."

"I'm glad, Sonny Boy." Brian looked into the face of his son, a face that looked so much like his own but with one significant difference. The sadness that Brian always saw in the mirror when he dared to look closely wasn't in his son's eyes. Maybe he was a good father after all.

"Onward, troops, our chariots await." Brian swung his arms over Justin and Gus' shoulders as they sauntered down Liberty Avenue leading their family to the limos and then home.

The populace of Liberty all watching as the king, his consort and the prince of Liberty went home.

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