Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 15

“Over here, Richie!” Emmett shouted from the window of the Hummer. School was out for the 3-day Memorial Day weekend. The plan was to drive straight to their cottage. Emmett had instructed Richie to pack his overnight bag before going to school. Richie smiled as Emmett’s arm waved enthusiastically from the window. He rolled his eyes as if anyone could miss the big black Hummer.

“Emm, rein it in, babe. Let’s not start this weekend by embarrassing the boy too much. He’ll get plenty of that from the family,” Drew wisely counseled.

Emmett thought about it for a second and agreed. “I’ll try but I’m just so excited.”
“I know that, babe, but remember this is about Richie not about you. Give the boy a chance; he’s in for a bit of a shock.” Emmett nodded as Richie opened the door, got in and made himself comfortable.

“All set back there?” Drew asked as he looked into the rearview mirror with a smile.

“Yes sir, Mr. Drew,” Richie said with a grin.

Putting the truck in drive, Drew said, “Then let’s get this show on the road.”

They were about twenty minutes away from the lane when Richie finally spoke up.

“Is it much longer?”

“We’re almost there,” Drew said reassuring the nervous young man. “There’s a general store up ahead, we’re going to stop to pick up a few things for the cottage. You can get out and stretch your legs,” Drew suggested.

“Didn’t your parents ever take you on a car ride?” Emmett gently queried.

“Yes, we went on some trips and stuff but it seems a long time ago,” Richie said sadly.

“We come up here on the off season and for most holidays. We try to spend the summer here too,” Drew said. “We commute back to the city when we have to; Brian commutes as well.”

“I don’t think Mr. Brian likes me much. He didn’t look too happy to meet me.”

“Brian always looks like that,” Drew said.

“Except when he’s with the princess,” Emmett qualified Drew’s statement.

“Very true. Besides, even though Brian thinks he’s in charge, he really isn’t.”

“Honey, Brian has never thought he was in charge of our family. We did that to him.”

“I never understood that,” Drew said as they pulled into the small graveled parking lot in front of the General Store.

“Brian has always been our ‘go to’ man. Anytime any one of us had a problem we’d go to him; we still do. He just knows how to get things done. I think he had a lot to do with sending Richie to us. Judge Schultz did ask for his input.”

“I’m sure he had no trouble giving it,” Drew grumbled. Drew had a great respect for Brian, but sometimes he thought the man was irritating and arrogant. However, Drew could not deny the man knew how to get things done, and he was one hell of a sexy man.

Emmett saw the wheels turning in Drew’s head. “I knew you’d see it my way,” Emmett said knowingly with a toothy smile. “I love you.” Emmett leaned in over the bread display to whisper to Drew. Drew smiled handsomely.

“Do you see anything special?” Emmett asked Richie as they brought their baskets to the main counter. “It’s all right, honey, just ask,” Emmett encouraged the young man to speak up.

“Would it be okay if we got some ice cream?” Richie ventured.

“Of course!” Emmett replied as he threw his arms around his foster son. “What would a holiday weekend be without ice cream? You just go and pick out your favorite; Drew and I like just about anything.” Emmett pointed to the freezer unit that lined one end of a wall. Within a few more minutes they had paid for their goods and were back on the road.

 

*****
 

“Is this it?” Richie asked as they pulled up to the gate. Drew entered a passcode which triggered the mechanism to open the gate.

“We’re here!” Emmett confirmed. “We call our lane Edna’s Treasures Lane but that’s not official, we have a route number.”

“That’s an unusual name for a street.”

“We’re unusual people,” Emmett joked as they pulled up in front of the quaint cottage with the white picket fence. Emmett contentedly sighed as he opened the Hummer door and drank in a good long look at his dream cottage.

“Actually, Justin named their cottages to honor a good friend named Edna. The name kinda stuck,” Emm said when he collected his thoughts. The three men began the process of unloading the truck of their belongings and all the goodies that Emmett and Richie had prepared for the big barbecue.

“Cottages?”

“You’ll see,” Emmett cryptically replied.

“Someone’s been here,” Richie said as he spied a large vase sitting on the kitchen island. The vase held a huge colorful assortment of fresh cut flowers.

“The sweet man,” Emmett murmured as he fingered a delicate petal and inhaled the aroma of spring flowers.

“Who?” Richie asked.

“Brian,” Emmett and Drew said together. Drew looked around noticing fresh logs in the fireplace and that the cottage had been cleaned and aired.

“He’s been a busy boy,” Drew admitted as he drew his hand over a table. There wasn’t any dust.

“Yes, he has,” Emmett agreed. “He and his family are in permanent residence on the lane. So they have our key and Molly’s, just in case. Not that we ever have to lock the doors. No one comes here except for family.”

“Not true,” Drew squawked. “There was that time when Justin was building his henge,” he reminded his spouse.

“Well, not since the gate was put in. And there is Beau.”

“Beau?”

“Beau’s a dog. Oh dear, you aren’t afraid of dogs, are you? He is rather large.” Before Richie could answer, the subject of their conversation bounded into their yard then lifted himself up to the window to look in.

“Wow, he’s huge!” Richie exclaimed, jumping back, thinking it was a good thing that he was inside and Beau was out.

“Yes he is, but he’s a good ole boy,” Drew said as he opened the window to give Beau a scratch behind his ears. “He patrols the lane and keeps us safe. You never have to worry when Beau’s on patrol. Do ya, boy? Do you want to meet him?” Drew asked Richie whose eyes were wide open looking at the wolf-like dog. He nodded pensively but was sure that Drew would never put him danger. “Good man,” Drew said encouragingly as he opened the side door to let Beau in.

“Stand still so he can get a good sniff. That’s it,” Drew smiled. “Now, show him your open palm.”

Richie did as he was told while Emmett proudly looked on. Emmett was a little apprehensive, for several reasons, including thinking that Drew and Richie wouldn’t hit it off, however Drew proved that he was very much father material. Beau gave Richie’s hand a little slurp as he swooshed his tail back and forth.

“He likes you, don’t ya boy?”

Beau wagged his tail faster and he barked in affirmation. Beau gave Richie’s hand one more lick before he bounded back out the door. The large dog made a loop around the property then ran up the lane to finish his rounds.

“Wow,” was all that Richie could say.

“I agree,” Emmett said. “Can I show you your room?” Emmett asked as he led Richie through the main part of the cottage giving Richie a tour then walking toward the room that would now be his.

 

*****
 

“Dada?”

“Yes, Squirt,” Brian answered as Bree climbed the spiral staircase to the office. Brian was looking over several proposals before officially declaring an end to his work week and the beginning of the holiday.

Bree walked over to Brian’s desk then climbed up into his lap. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“Looking over some proposals and new campaigns.”

“Oh but, Dada, it’s a holiday,” Bree said very seriously. “No more working,” she said as she tugged on Brian’s shirt.

“Okay, Squirt, I get the hint,” Brian smiled. Bree was very insistent. “I was just about to shut it down. We have to start dinner soon.”

“Auntie Emm and Unca Drew are here.”

“Here?” Brian pointed toward the sun porch.

“No, Dada, at their house. Can they come over for dinner?” Bree asked looking up at her father’s eyes with her big bright violet blue ones.

“Let’s call them. They have their new foster son with them. They may want to spend the evening alone.”

“Okay, Dada,” Bree said as Brian dialed then handed her the phone.

“Hellooo.”

“Hi, Auntie Emm, this is Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor,” Bree said rather formally.

Brian covered his mouth pretending to cough, hiding his laughter.

“Good evening, Miss Taylor, and how are you this fine evening?” Emmett replied just as formally.

“I’m fine. Dada said I should call to see if you want to have dinner with us.”

“That’s so sweet of you to ask. Let me check with the boys. Please hold the line, Miss Bree.”

“Okay, Auntie Emm,” Bree said as she patiently waited.

“We would be happy to join your family for dinner, princess. What shall we bring?”

“I don’t know,” Bree said as she wrinkled her nose. “Dada’s here, you can ask him,” Bree said as she handed the phone to her father.

“Hello, Honeycutt,” Brian said curtly.

“I’m going to ignore that because I’m in too much of a good mood today. What would you like us to bring?”

“Just yourselves. Justin’s been cooking up a storm. My sister is on her way with Joan. We’ll eat when they get here. Why don’t you boys stroll up the lane? Bree is anxious to meet Richie.”

“Can I at least bring some hors d’oeuvres?”

“That would be very nice.”

“See you soon. Tootles!” Emmett sang as he hung up.

“Tootles,” Brian repeated to a dial tone, rolling his eyes as he hung up. “They’ll be here soon. Go let your Daddy know the boys are on their way while I wash up.”

“Okay, Dada,” Bree said cheerfully as she slid off Brian’s lap to go downstairs. Brian tidied his desk, had a quick look around the office to make sure it was presentable then went to join his family.

 

*****
 

“Mother, why do you insist on going to the cottage tonight?” Claire and Joan were more than halfway to Edna’s Treasures when Claire continued her on-going rant.

“If you were that unhappy with the idea, I could have driven up with Emmett. He called earlier to offer. Danny would have driven me, but I insisted he take care of the store. His other assistants will give him a break tomorrow so he can join the fun.”

“Emmett’s not family,” Claire grumbled.

‘More than you are sometimes,’ Joan thought, but said instead, “He’s a good friend of the family. He, Drew and their new foster son are probably already there,” Joan commented with a hint of impatience.

“I’m sorry, Mother,” Claire said noting the tone of her mother’s voice. “I just don’t get you at times,” Claire ventured after a while.

“What don’t you get?”

“Your sudden change in attitude. About Brian, I mean, and homosexuality in general.”

“I don’t think it was all that sudden, do you? Bree is seven, I think my attitude evolved over that time. I like to think I’ve finally seen the light and truly understand what our Lord has taught us.”

“I don’t understand.”

“The golden rule, Claire, do unto others. How can I expect respect from others if I’m not willing to show others that same respect? I think I’ve finally learned my lessons.”

“But men with men,” Claire whispered. “I love Brian but I don’t like to think about that.”

“Then don’t. I certainly don’t and it’s none of my business. What is my business is that they demonstrate loving hearts and tolerance. And you cannot deny how much Brian and Justin love each other, their children and our cwazy wittle family,” Joan said borrowing her son’s words.

“No, I can’t deny that at all. I also can’t deny the great debt I owe them for saving me and my boys. We wouldn’t have the loving relationship we all enjoy now if it wasn’t for the time we spent up at the Farm. The three of us learned valuable lessons there.”

“Steve and Claire are good people, loving and religious in their own way. I learned valuable lessons from them and from Jennifer.”

“Jennifer?”

“Yes, Jennifer. She pointed out that while I may have wished that Brian was straight, I still have a living breathing son. She almost lost hers to hatred and ignorance. We must appreciate the gifts we are given.”

“Even me?”

“Even you, Claire. You are my first born. I love you very much and I’m very proud of you. I apologize if I don’t say it often enough.”

“I’m sorry too. You’re still recovering from surgery and I’m complaining.”

Joan patted her leg. They drove on to the cottages quietly and at peace.

“Where are we going to sleep this weekend?” Claire whined as she slowly drove up the lane. “All those people traipsing in and out. I don’t care how lovely the brass bed is. That Emmett person barges in whenever he damn well pleases. It’s like he owns the place.”

Joan laughed. “True. But don’t worry, Rachel has offered to put us up for the weekend. She understands how busy the cottage can get. She has plenty of rooms to spare.”

“Thank goodness someone has some sense in that family.”

As Claire parked, a strawberry blond spitfire ran out of the front door of the cottage followed by a red-headed tornado.

“Gamma Joan!” Bree screeched happily, as she slowed so she could gently hug her grandmother. She remembered her fathers’ cautions. Patrick greeted the ladies properly then offered to help with their bags as any true gentleman would. The ladies smiled fondly at the young man with the red hair of his Poppa Bobby but with the face of John, Brian and Gus, and their hazel eyes.

“Thank you, Patrick. We’ll be staying at your aunt’s house,” Joan said.

“I know. I’ll bring these to her house then come back. They’ll be joining us for dinner too. Emmett’s here,” Patrick said with a glint in his eyes and a smile.

Joan chuckled. “Forewarned is forearmed. Thank you, Patrick,” she said as she ruffled his bright red hair before they walked toward the front door.

“See you in a few minutes,” Patrick called over his shoulder as he hustled their bags toward Rachel and George’s house at the top of the lane.

 

*****
 

“I see the gang’s all here,” Brian grumbled from the kitchen as his mother and sister stepped through the door. “Why is it when we have a party, we always have a party before the party,” he griped as he wiped his hands on a towel.

“Oh pooh, you always have to find something to complain about, don’t you?” Emmett said as he came in to bring the dishes out to the sun porch. “I truly don’t think you’re happy unless you have something to complain about.”

“I’m happy, see?” Brian made a fake happy face at Emmett then continued to scowl at the thought of the invasion that would soon take place.

“You know you love us, you old grump,” Emmett said as Brian handed him a heavy platter of roasted chicken.

“I’m not old!” Brian called out after him getting Emmett’s peals of laughter in return and chuckles from his mother. “Hi, Mom!” Brian said, greeting his mother and Claire with kisses to their cheeks. “How was the drive?”

“Uneventful,” Joan said.

“Long,” Claire mumbled then laughed at herself. Apparently complaining was a Kinney trait. Brian and Joan laughed as well.

“Go on into the porch when you’re ready; it’s dinnertime,” Brian said as he handed napkins to Bree. Rachel, George and Patrick came through the front door. “Go meet our newest member of our cwazy wittle family,” Brian said with an arch of his brow.

Claire just shook her head as she and Joan walked toward the porch.

 

*****
 

Dinner was quiet and unassuming much to Brian’s satisfaction and relief. Emmett made the introductions and Bree took delight in her latest ‘cousin.’ She insisted that Richie sit next to her which he did. He in turn helped Bree with her plate, cutting her chicken when she asked for help. Everyone appeared to accept the shy, ‘delicate’ young man and didn’t bombard him with questions much to Emmett’s relief. The family knew they’d get the scoop on Richie eventually. For now the family was happily engaged in dinnertime small talk.

“Dada, when is Gus coming?” Bree asked with big soulful eyes. She missed her big brother.

“He’ll be here tomorrow with his moms and JR. He’s spending some time with them before he spends the month of July with us,” Brian said with a smirk knowing his daughter was unaware of the plans.

“A whole month?” Bree’s smile lit up the whole porch.

“Yup,” Brian confirmed.

“Yay!” Bree screeched worthy of Debbie.

“What are my grandson’s plans for the summer?” Joan asked.

“He’s been working very hard his first year in college and he got all A’s,” Justin announced proudly. “Brian insisted that he spend his first month off with his mothers and JR but he’ll be visiting here often. His mothers are planning to spend time at their cottage.”

“As well they should,” Emmett agreed. “Makes no sense to have a beautiful getaway home when you don’t get away to enjoy it.”

“Right,” Justin said. “Then Gus’ll be here for July so he can intern at Kinnetik Part Deux in Harrisburg. I think Ray is planning a visit too.”

“Will Ray be here for PRIDE? This will be Richie’s first PRIDE, if he wants to participate,” Emmett said, not making any assumptions.

Brian smirked.

“Gus and Ray were arguing about that,” Justin said. “Gus wanted Ray to come here for PRIDE, while Ray wanted Gus to go to New York for their PRIDE. That is until Brian pointed out that each city celebrates PRIDE on different weekends. They worked it out.”

Brian subtly snorted.

“Anyway,” Justin continued as he shot his spouse a glare, “then Gus will intern at Kinnetik N’rgy for the month of August.”

“He will be busy,” Joan commented.

“Yes, he will,” Brian added. “The best way to keep a teenager out of trouble is to keep him busy. Scott will be in charge of Gus’ internship at Part Deux and I’m sure Stacey will have plenty of work for him in New York. I’m sure Simon and Ken will keep Gus on the straight and narrow, so to speak,” Brian said.

“Do you have plans for the summer, Patrick?” Rachel asked.

“Baseball camp?” Patrick said expectantly looking at his dads for confirmation. Seeing his dads nod their heads, Patrick smiled his own sunny smile.

“Gonna break some hearts soon,” John mumbled to himself.

“What’s that?” Brian snarked with a chuckle.

John coughed into his napkin. “Nothing. Do you have any plans for the summer, princess?” John asked Briana.

“I want to play soccer. Dada, school is going to have soccer school this summer, can I go?”

Brian looked at Justin before saying the wrong thing. Justin nodded.

“Yes, Squirt, you may go to soccer school,” Brian said using Bree’s expression. “But what about your piano? Don’t you want to practice your music?”

“I can do that too. Can I play my piano now?” Bree wanted to perform for her family since she had a ready made audience.

“I think we can wait until after dinner, Squirt.”

“Okay, Dada!”

“And finish your vegetables,” Brian said as any dutiful father would.

“Okay, Dada,” Bree replied as she picked up a string bean with her fork then popped it in her mouth. Joan and Emmett smiled shaking their heads.

“What?” Brian growled, snarling at them both.

“Nothing!” they said in unison as they buried their heads in their plates with a smirk.

Dinner continued with no doubts about who was in charge.

After dinner, as promised, Bree entertained the family with her musical talents as several parental figures looked on with pride. She was a little dismayed that no one else in the family exhibited any hidden talents. Justin’s talents as he once pointed out leaned more toward the interpretation of music via dance rather than performing. He wisely kept his talents to himself for the evening.

Drew surprised everyone when he volunteered to give the tiny pink instrument a go. His thick quarterback fingers awkwardly tripped over the tiny keys; however, no one had trouble recognizing Beethoven’s Christmas music, the Fleur de Lis. The family stared at Drew as Bree jumped up and down clapping then she threw her little arms around the big man.

“That was beauuuu-ti-ful, Unca Drew!” Bree exclaimed.

“Thank you, princess,” Drew said kissing a tiny cheek. All was forgiven regarding the Christmas tree debacle.

“Yes, Unca Drew, beautiful,” Brian snarked with an arch of his brow. “Mind explaining?” The whole family was waiting for the explanation.

“My father pushed football, my mother pushed piano lessons, we compromised,” Drew said with a shrug of manly shoulders.

“Oh Drewsie!” Emmett cried with pride. A wad of tissues found its way into Emmett’s hands before he gave his man a sloppy kiss.

As the hour was approaching ten, the family agreed to call it a night. They would need a good night’s sleep to cope with the following day.
 

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