Chapter 11

Day 7

"How come you let us sleep in till almost noon?" Gus asked as he stumbled sleepily into the kitchen.

"I figured you deserved to sleep as long as you wanted, after all the work you did yesterday," Danny said with a smile.

"Where's JR?"

"She hasn't surfaced yet."

"Jeez," Gus said as he flopped down into one of the kitchen chairs. "She must have been really tired after yesterday."

"You both were. And Gus, I do appreciate all the hard work both you kids put forth yesterday."

"Thanks," Gus replied, as he took a big drink out of the glass of orange juice that Danny put in front of him.

"How's the shoulder?"

"A little stiff, but it feels much better," Gus said as he flexed his arm and moved the shoulder around in its socket."

"Thank God!" Danny breathed a sigh of relief. "I wasn't looking forward to facing an irate Brian Kinney after I damaged his son."

Gus laughed. "Pop's not so fearsome."

"Have you ever seen him really angry?" Danny asked as he took French toast and bacon out of the oven and set it in front of Gus.

"Not that I remember," Gus said thoughtfully. "Dad doesn't explode like some men do."

"No, from what I hear he gets really quiet and then you pay through the nose or the ass later." Danny poured himself a coffee and sat down across from Gus.

Gus snorted at Danny's statement. "Is that his reputation?" Danny nodded. "I guess you could have a worse reputation than that," Gus said thoughtfully, while he poured syrup on his French toast.

Danny almost choked on his coffee. He knew that Brian Kinney had a reputation as the ultimate asshole, who was not so affectionately known as the slut of Liberty Avenue. He wouldn't say any of that to Gus, of course. And most of what Danny had heard of that reputation was from many years ago. Brian Kinney had transformed himself over the years, but many people in Pittsburgh still thought of him as the old cruel, ruthless and dangerous Brian Kinney.

"This is really good," Gus said around the mouthful of French toast he was chewing on.

"Thanks, you and JR deserve it."

 

*****

 

"Morning," Lindsay said as she stretched luxuriously. "We should see if we can take this bed home with us. I've never slept so well in all my life."

"Me either, but it might be a bit of a problem getting it to fit in our luggage," Melanie informed her.

Lindsay giggled. "That's true, but we could ask Seamus what company makes the mattress. We could stand a new mattress after all these years."

"Yes, we could," Melanie said seriously. "Let's see if we can wear this one out before we go home." She rolled over on her lover as they initiated another round of lovemaking.

 

*****

 

Later that afternoon Brian and Justin were packing up Miss Briana to leave for Pittsburgh and their dinner at Debbie's. Justin had baked a pie to take with them. He placed it in the little cooler they used to transport food.

"Why are you using a cooler in the middle of winter?" Brian asked.

"The pie will be safer in there."

"Hm, I guess so. Come on, Squirt," Brian said as he finished brushing his daughter's hair. He pulled the hair into a little ponytail and wrapped the hair elastic around it. Then he tied a pink bow overtop. "There, perfect," Brian said.

Bree hopped down off the chair and ran over to show her Daddy how pretty she looked.

"That's lovely, sweetheart," Justin told her.

"I got ta get something for Gus," she said running into the sun porch.

"What's she doing?" Brian asked with a frown.

"I don't know," Justin said as he closed the cooler and set it on the floor.

Bree ran back into the kitchen holding some paper in her hand.

"What have you got there, Squirt?" Brian asked.

"I made a card for Gus," she said extending it to her father so he could see.

Brian took the paper and looked at the trademark rainbow on the front. It had its layer of black and brown like all Bree's rainbows did and Gus' name neatly printed on the front.

"I need you to write something for me," she said to Brian.

"What do you want written?"

"Inside," she instructed.

"Okay," Brian said sitting down at the kitchen table and taking the marker Bree held out to him. "What do you want to say?"

"No more hurting yourself."

"What?"

"I want to say 'No more hurting yourself'," she repeated.

"Okay," Brian chuckled. He could hardly wait to see Gus' reaction.

 

*****

 

"Joan! Jennifer! I'm so glad you could make it. I was afraid this cold weather would prevent it," Debbie exclaimed as she greeted her guests. Danny had already brought over JR and Gus. The three of them were busy helping Carl set the table for dinner. "Let me get you some wine," Debbie offered.

"I'd love some," Jennifer said cheerfully.

"Debbie, if you don't mind I would prefer juice or a flavored seltzer, if you have it," Joan said softly.

Debbie smiled. "Of course, Joan. I've found that adding cranberry juice to seltzer is very refreshing. Don't you agree?" Joan returned the smile. It was known that Joan had had a drinking problem and now obviously she had fought to get it under control. Debbie gently laid her hand on Joan's in support then went to make her a drink.

"Ma, where are they?" It was twenty to five; Brian et al hadn't yet arrived. Michael was getting worried.

"Why don't you call them," Debbie said. Knowing Brian liked to make an entrance, she had dinner set for five.

"No, don't call Brian; let me call Justin. Brian usually drives; don't disturb him." Jennifer punched in the numbers on her cell. "Sweetheart? Okay. I will," Jennifer said as the family watched and listened and then she laughed as she cut the connection.

"Well?" Debbie asked from the kitchen. She was taking her lasagna out of the oven.

"They're a few blocks away. Justin said there was an accident on the highway. It's still rather icy."

"Oh thank God, as long as they're all right," Debbie said clutching at her chest.

"They're fine," Jennifer confirmed.

"You were laughing. What did Justin say?" Michael asked.

"It was Brian, in the background. He said for you to keep your fucking pants on, and that he always comes," Jennifer quoted, blushing as she did.

A few minutes later the front door opened and the Kinney-Taylor contingent entered.

 

*****

 

Dinner was just about over. There had been lots of good food and conversation and jokes. Many reminiscences about the big Christmas blizzard were told. Everyone seemed to have fond memories of staying at Edna's Treasures and the other two houses over those days.

"Where's Emmett tonight?" Justin asked, after everyone was joking about his Gloe-baby that he had received from Santa for Christmas.

"I just invited our blended families," Debbie said proudly. "You know the kids and grandkids."

"Oh, yeah," Justin chuckled. "I often forget that we're not really related to Emmett."

"Don't be telling the big fairy that. It's hard enough getting him out of our cottage as it is," Brian snarked.

"You know you don't mean that," Justin laughed.

"You love Auntie Emm, Dada. I know," Bree told her father.

"Well, maybe … sometimes," Brian admitted.

"Give it up, Brian. You love him," Debbie stated.

"Can't I have any privacy in my life," Brian said with one of his death glares.

"Un uhn," Bree said. "We know you real well."

"Really well, Squirt," Brian corrected.

"Really well," Bree parroted.

"And you would tell all my secrets if you could, wouldn't you?" Brian said as he started tickling his daughter. Her giggles of delight soon had everyone else laughing.

"Stop, Brian," Justin said laying a hand on top of Brian's. "You'll make her sick."

"You never get sick from tickling, do you?" Brian asked, as he picked up Bree and carried her into the living room.

"It's so good to see him happy and well," Joan whispered to Jennifer.

"Yes, yes it is," Jennifer agreed.

JR followed the others into the living room. She watched Brian sitting with Bree on his knee. She wished that was her. Michael couldn't help but notice the looks his daughter cast in Brian's direction.

"JR," he said, "would you like to sit here on the arm of my chair?" He patted the arm and JR joined him with a smile. Michael put his arm around her waist.

"It seems right to see you sitting in that chair," Debbie said wistfully. "That was where Vic always sat."

"Yeah," Michael said with a sigh. He squeezed JR's waist and hugged her tight.

"Vic was a good man," Brian said as he stood up and headed for the back door.

"He'll freeze out there," Joan said.

"That's where he always went when he needed a smoke," Michael chuckled.

"He … he's not smoking again, is he?" Joan said with concern in her voice.

"No he isn't," Justin said testily. "I'll take him his coat."

"I'll keep an eye on Bree," Jennifer volunteered.

"What happened?" Bree asked as she went over to sit beside her Gamma Jenn.

"Nothing, sweetheart, your fathers just need a breath of fresh air."

"'Kay," Bree agreed.

"Bri," Justin said as he went out the back door.

"Yeah," Brian acknowledged.

"You okay?" Justin asked as he threw Brian's topcoat around the man's shoulders.

"I'm fine. I just wasn't in the mood for more reminiscing, especially about Vic."

"Vic was a good man," Justin repeated.

"Yes, he was. I miss him sometimes. He could always set things straight. You know, make them clear in my head. He was a wise man in his own way."

"And so are you."

"Wise? Me?" Brian asked in disbelief.

"Yes, wise. Why do you think everyone comes to you when there's a problem?"

"Because I have money."

Justin laughed. "You could be right about that."

"See."

"No, really, Brian. Everyone respects your opinion."

"They should. I'm always right."

Justin laughed. "Now I know why I'm still with you."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Your lightning wit and immense modesty."

"Well, I'm glad you finally figured that out. I've been telling you that for years."

"I love you, Brian Kinney."

"And I love you right back, Justin Taylor."

"We're very lucky," Justin whispered.

"I guess so."

"You guess so? You're supposed to say you're the luckiest man in the world because you have me in your life," Justin chuckled, as he threw his arms around Brian's neck and kissed him gently.

"I'm the luckiest man alive because I have you in my … bed."

"Asshole!" Justin giggled smacking Brian in the chest.

"Isn't that what I was supposed to say?" Brian asked feigning innocence.

"No, that wasn't exactly right," Justin pouted.

"I am the luckiest man in the world," Brian stated.

"That's better," Justin said. He leaned against Brian. He felt Brian's arm go around his shoulder. They stood looking up at the stars in the clear, crisp sky. "Remember that night we stood out here and I told you that everything would be fine as long as I had you to look after me."

"You were such a baby."

"But I was right."

"Yes you were," Brian admitted, pulling Justin into a long and passionate kiss. "I think we should stay at the loft tonight. It's too far back to the cottage."

"I agree."

"You always know the right thing to say," Brian chuckled.

"Yeah, as long as I agree with you."

"Exactly. Let's go back inside. I'm freezing my one good ball off."

"Well, we can't have that," Justin said as he took Brian's hand and led him back inside the house.

To their amazement, Brian and Justin found the family engaged in a game of charades. Michael was acting out something totally incomprehensible, if the comments were any indication.

"Why is Michael doing the charade?" Brian asked as soon as he entered the room. "We all know he can't act."

"Shut up, asshole," Michael replied, as the room erupted in laughter.

"Isn't that a penalty because he talked?" Brian continued with a smirk.

"Should be," Danny agreed.

"Why aren't you acting out the charade?" Brian asked. "You're the one who's been on stage all his life."

"Being Divina Devore hardly makes me good at charades."

"Au contraire, mon ami," Brian joked. "You perpetrated the biggest and longest charade of all."

"Why, thank you, Brian. That was exceptionally sweet of you to say so."

"I'm just a big softie," Brian said tongue in cheek.

Someone finally guessed Robin Hood and put Michael out of his misery.

"We should get going," Brian said. "It's already past Bree's bedtime."

"No, Dada. I'm not sleepy."

"Of course you're not!"

"Can we stay?"

"No, sweetheart," Justin said gently. "We need to go."

"No, pweeeese," Bree whined to Brian.

Brian gave her one of his patented looks that said, "Don't think that's going to get you anywhere, missy."

Bree let out an audible sigh and climbed down off Gus' knee. "I have to go," she said in her best put-upon voice.

"I know, short stuff," Gus laughed. "The Dads can be tough when they band together."

"You got that right," Brian stated as he gathered up their coats and boots.

They left Debbie's after much kissing and back thumping and promises of future get-togethers.

As he was strapping Bree into her seat in the back of the car, Brian said, "When did we become the first to leave a party?"

"You always were the first to leave, but that was because you had to get to the backroom of Babylon," Justin said with a grin.

"Whatever happened to that guy?"

"He got married and had a daughter and a home and all the S-E-X he could handle."

"Oh, of course," Brian laughed as he got behind the steering wheel.

"Dada, what's Babylon?" Bree asked.

Both her fathers groaned.


 

Return to If It's Broke Then Fix It