Cottages

Chapter 8

“What are you doing?" Owen asked as he came out of the nursery where he had just checked on Taylor.

“Typing my résumé,” Molly replied.

“You don’t look very happy.”

“I’m not.”

“Why? You’ve done great work at Clarion. All your evaluations were very good.”

“I know.”

“Then what’s the problem?” a puzzled Owen asked.

“I’m still a copy editor,” Molly griped.

“Yes, and a very good one.”

“Thanks, but I wish I was a full editor.”

“You were working your way towards that before we had Taylor.”

“I know,” Molly sighed. “I think I was on the road to promotion at Clarion, but I’ve burned that bridge with the disagreement that I had with my boss.”

“So, you’ll get another job.”

“As a copy editor, and then I have to start all over again, making my place and trying to work my way up to a promotion.”

“That’s just the way business works, Molly,” Owen said gently.

“I know it is, but it sucks. I hate my boss!”

Owen chuckled before he could stop himself. That earned him a very harsh glare from his wife.

“Sorry, but you sounded like Bree.”

“I did not!” Molly responded indignantly.

“You did, sweetheart, but that’s okay. Everyone’s entitled to their moments.”

“I was not having a moment,” Molly replied sharply. She wasn’t ready to let that crack go, at least not yet.

“Honey, let’s not fight about this. I love you and I want you to find a job that you really like … if you decide to take that route.”

“You still want me barefoot and pregnant at home, don’t you?” she accused.

Owen sighed. “I’m just digging myself into a deeper and deeper hole, aren’t I?”

“Looks that way from up here,” Molly snapped.

“Fine,” Owen said. He disappeared into the kitchen.

“Fuck!” Molly said to herself. She hadn’t intended to start a fight. It was just that she was so pissed with her boss and with not having a better résumé, and with herself. Everything wouldn’t go the way she wanted it to.

“Come join me in a glass of wine,” Owen said softly. He was standing beside the sofa, giving her his best come hither look.

Molly thought for a moment and then snapped her laptop closed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered as she took the glass of wine and sat down beside her husband on the sofa. “Sometimes I’m just a bitch.”

“But you’re the bitch I love,” Owen teased.

Molly laughed almost spitting out her wine. “You sure know how to sweet talk a girl, Owen Brenner.”

“Just one of my many talents,” Owen grinned. He was happy that Molly’s good humor seemed to have returned. Then his face grew sober. “You really want to go back to work, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do. I didn’t know how much until I got into it with my boss. I miss the challenge of work. I liked helping to create something that people will read,” Molly said sincerely.

“I understand, sweetheart, and you know I would never stand in your way. As much as I would like you to stay home with Taylor, I know you wouldn’t be happy doing that forever.”

“I love Taylor, but there’s more to life than formula and diapers. I want to accomplish something.”

“Point taken. All I ask is that whatever job you accept you find somewhere that has daycare right in the building. I want you to be close to Taylor.”

“You are the sweetest man. I love you, and I promise I will make that a condition of any job I’m interested in. That is, if I get any offers.”

“You will, Moll. You’re smart and talented and beautiful.”

“You are a sweet talker,” Molly said with a big smile. “Let’s go to bed. I think I might have a special reward for you being so kind and patient with me.”

“Then my devious plan has worked,” Owen laughed.

“You are going to get so lucky tonight,” Molly told him as she stood up. “Let’s go, stud,” she said, “to quote my brother-in-law.”

“Right beside you,” Owen replied as they headed for their bedroom. And that was exactly where he wanted to be, right beside Molly.

 

*****
 

“John, if we don’t leave now, we’ll hit the city traffic and we won’t make it to the GLC party on time,” Brian chided his brother.

John had again taken to his attic office. With the repairs to Leda’s cottage completed and the girls’ place almost done, John found the call of his research all too tempting. He had also contacted his alma mater to get information regarding graduate programs. He nearly forgot what day it was.

“I’ll be down in a minute!” he called out. Seconds later he heard the distinctive footfalls of very expensive Gucci boots coming up the spiral staircase.

“You do know what day this is?” Brian growled at John.

“Um...”

“And the kids are all dressed up,” Brian said sternly.

“Oh shit! Halloween!”

“Yes, Halloween. The day of ghosts, goblins and fairies. And there will be an abundance of fairies at the GLC Halloween party. Which, by the way, is being catered by the biggest fairy of them all. Now, put all this shit away and get that skinny ass of yours downstairs and into your Navigator. We are going to the Pitts now and you’re driving,” Brian said in a tone that would brook no argument, not if John wanted to live in peace and harmony.

John jumped up from his desk, shoved his paperwork into a large folder then turned off his desk lamp. He dutifully followed Brian down the stairs and out the door, stopping only for his jacket, wallet and car keys. After everyone piled into the Navigator, John mumbled his apologies, started up the SUV then drove toward the gate and on to Pittsburgh. They made it to the party with minutes to spare.

“Didn’t think you were going to make it,” Lindsay whispered into Brian’s ear as he sidled up to the buffet table. Lindsay and JR had come to the party essentially as volunteers. JR was becoming too old to get dressed up for Halloween, according to her. But deep down she envied the younger kids that were able to wear cool costumes and reap the rewards. As a volunteer, JR could join in the fun but still keep up the appearance of the disinterested high school student.

The Edna’s Treasures family checked their coats and jackets then let their kids loose, safe within the GLC.

“I had to build a fire under a certain brother of mine. Lately, his nose has been buried in books, computer printouts and cottage plans,” Brian groused. He spied a tray of his favorite canapés and popped one into his mouth.

“What’s he going to do with all his research?” Lindsay asked as she nibbled on her own canapé.

“Not sure but he better make up his mind soon. John reminds me of Justin when he gets caught up in a project.”

“I’m sure it’ll all turn out right. Your brother is a remarkable man.”

Brian’s face immediately softened. “Yes, he is,” Brian said with a smile. “Now, where’s that young lady of yours? Ah ha!” Brian said as he saw JR at the punch table. She was ladling out cups of punch for the kids. Brian joined her.

“Punch, Uncle Bri?” JR asked.

“Don’t mind if I do,” Brian said as he took a small cup of the sweet blood red colored liquid. Even before he tasted it, he could smell the sugar. “I wanted to thank you,” Brian said wincing as he swallowed.

“You’re welcome, but you don’t need to thank me for the punch. It’s my job for the night.”

“I wanted to thank you for whatever you said to Bree. She seems to have formulated a new opinion regarding first grade.”

“What new opinion?”

“That it’s a good thing to be in the first grade so she can learn new things and not relearn old things if she went back to kindergarten.”

“And I did that?”

“Yes, you did,” Brian said as he leaned over to give JR a peck on the cheek. JR blushed a deep red then smiled broadly, as Brian winked at her then moved away so she could serve her next customer.

“If you’re not careful, that young lady is going to have a big crush on you,” Justin warned his spouse as he took Brian’s cup of punch and took a sip.

“Nah, she knows there’s only one queen in my life.”

“Oh yeah?” Justin teased.

“Yeah,” Brian replied as he kissed his queen’s nose. “Come along, your hineyness, let’s get you some more punch.” Justin giggled as he followed his spouse back to the punch table.

 

*****
 

“Hi Justin!” Molly called out as she came into the main room of the GLC.

“Hey, Mollusk,” Justin said as he gave his sister a kiss then took Taylor out of her arms. Taylor was dressed in a jack o’ lantern sleeper suit. He had no idea why everyone was oohing and ahhing over him but little Taylor appeared to lap up the attention. “Where’s your other half?” Justin asked as he looked around for Owen.

“Still at work, something about a snafu in some assembly line somewhere. He’s been working a lot of overtime lately.”

“You okay with that?”

“I guess I have to be. He is the major bread winner now.”

“Have you thought more about what you’re going to do about your job?”

“Yeah, I’ve been sending out résumés and I posted it online but I’ve only had a few nibbles. And back at entry level again,” Molly answered with a frustrated sigh.

“I’m sorry, Mol, guess it’s hard to start all over again if you’re not prepared to do it,” Justin sympathized.

Just then Briana came running over to them so she could see her Auntie Molly and the baby. “Hi Auntie Molly!” Bree said cheerfully.

“Hiya, sweetpea, how are you?”

“I’m fine,” Bree said as she accepted a kiss from Molly then reached up as Justin held the baby lower for Bree to kiss him.

“What are you dressed up as?” Molly asked.

“A soccer player!” Bree replied proudly. Bree had announced just before Halloween that there would be no princess outfits this year. She was a soccer star like her Dada and that’s what she was going as for Halloween. “My Patrick is a baseball player,” Bree said with admiration. Molly looked around for the flaming red hair of Patrick. Sure enough, there he was in a baseball uniform. It was his Poppa’s old uniform from high school. Patrick, who took after the Kinney side, was almost tall enough to fit into it.

“You two are adorable,” Molly gushed.

“Baby Girl, they’re getting ready for the games,” Justin said as he pointed over to where many of the children were lining up. “Why don’t you join them?”

“Okay, Daddy. Later!” Bree said and then she was off.

“It’s amazing how much of a combination Briana is of you and Brian,” Molly remarked.

“I know. We’re very lucky,” Justin said.

“And just what are you three Taylors cooking up?” Brian said as he sauntered over and took baby Taylor out of his uncle’s arms. Taylor looked up into the hazel eyes of his other uncle and smiled his one tooth smile.

“Just saying how lucky we are to have Bree,” Justin said.

“I think Molly is lucky to have this little guy,” Brian said as he bounced the baby in his arms. Taylor giggled with delight.

“I know,” Molly said with a sigh. Brian arched an eyebrow.

“I know that sigh. Spill, Miss Molly,” Brian demanded as he blew a raspberry on Taylor’s cheek.

“I don’t want my old going nowhere and with no daycare job back, but I can’t seem to find anything that I’m qualified for unless I start from the bottom again. I was a good copy editor before I went on maternity leave.”

“Hmm. Email me or fax me a copy of your résumé and let me look at it,” Brian said as he fished out one of his business cards to give to Molly.

“Are you serious?” Molly asked in disbelief.

“I’m always serious when it comes to business. And I’m not promising anything. I don’t play favorites. Cynthia has the final word when it comes to the hiring and firing at Kinnetik. I can only offer you a fair shake.”

“That’s all I ask. Thank you, Brian.”

“You’re welcome. Now let’s see if this little Taylor guy and I can scare the big bad old fairy,” Brian said conspiratorially as he pretended to sneak up on Emmett who was busy filling plastic pumpkins with candy.

Molly and Justin watched as Brian crept up on Emmett and called out “boo!” Emmett replied with the appropriate horrified yelp as Taylor giggled and Brian chuckled. Emmett gave Taylor a baby safe cookie as a reward.

“Those two really love each other, don’t they?” Molly commented on the camaraderie between Emmett and Brian.

“Yeah, they do. They share a deep respect for each other. And it’s only gotten stronger over the years. It’s good for Brian,” Justin said with his love shining in his eyes.

“I don’t understand.”

“You were real young when we first met Brian, but I always thought his friends really weren’t very friendly. They’d say awful things behind his back then come running to him so he could solve their problems. He’s still the first one in line to help if someone has a problem in the family.”

“Even me, and I’m not talking about the resumé. Look at all he did for my wedding and Mom’s. You’re right; he’s always there when someone needs something.”

“Emmett’s been there for Brian too. Brian may know Michael longer than any of them, but Emmett and Ted are the ones who are truly right there when he needs someone.”

“You too.”

“Yeah, but he needs me for other things,” Justin said with a gleam in his eyes.

“TMI, big bro.” Brother and sister laughed then went to watch the kids bob for apples.

 

*****
 

“Bri, are we doing Thanksgiving at Edna’s Treasures this year?” Emmett asked his friend and neighbor.

“That seems to be the general consensus this year,” Brian said with a put upon sigh.

Emmett smiled broadly as he rolled his eyes. “You know you love every minute of it and the family will help. And just think, now with Molly’s cottage and the girl’s new place, your cottage won’t be the only motel in town.” Brian made a face. Emmett laughed. “How goes it with John’s research?” Emmett asked, successfully changing the subject.

“How did you know about that?” Emmett just stared at Brian. “An hour and a half away from the Pitts and the gay grapevine still works,” Brian quipped. “To answer your question, I guess it’s going well. I just don’t know what he’s going to do with it all. I’m not sure if he knows.”

“Well, hopefully he’ll know by Thanksgiving.” The kids were just about ready to collect their candy filled pumpkins. “Oops, gotta go, my public awaits,” Emmett said with a smile and he was off to distribute the pumpkins.

 

*****
 

“Oh my! I think we’re about to run out of candy,” Jamie exclaimed as she shut the front door. She and Leda had fun decorating the door and their front lawn for the Autumn and Halloween season. The revitalized Village area was now seeing an influx of Trick or Treaters. Leda had some misgivings about strange kids trampling their new lawn and garden, but was pleasantly surprised when the ghosts, goblins, and Superheroes were all extremely polite and careful.

“I can run to the store,” Leda offered.

“Wait, I might have my secret stash,” Jamie said as she rummaged through a pantry cabinet.

“Your secret stash?” Leda said with a chuckle.

“Hey, I need chocolate during that time of the month,” Jamie revealed. “Yes!” Jamie crowed as she found two extra bags of mini chocolate bars.

“Oh, yeah,” Leda mumbled.

Jamie frowned. “What is it?” Jamie asked as she put the chocolate in the big bowl they had by the door then went to give Leda a hug. “Honey, what’s wrong?” Jamie asked with concern.

“Nothing really. I just realized that I’m so much older than you. That time of the month doesn’t mean anything to me anymore.”

“Have you ever wanted children?”

“I never stayed anywhere long enough or in a relationship long enough to consider children. After a while, it was too late.”

“Leda, I think this cottage and this neighborhood is the perfect place for children.”

“But I can’t, my parts don’t work anymore.”

“But mine do,” Jamie said with a beautiful smile. “I’m not saying now, maybe in a couple of years when we’re settled and we know this is for keeps. I’d love to have children with you.” Leda smiled then lowered her head to kiss her lover.

“Damn!” they both said at the same time when the doorbell interrupted their kiss. They laughed then ran to the door.

“Trick or Treat!” a group of Spidermen, Batmen and Supermen shouted out.

Leda and Jamie happily distributed their treats.

 

*****
 

“This was a long fucking day!” Brian grumbled as he sat on the edge of their bed, removed his boots, letting them fall to the floor with a thud. He pulled off his socks and wiggled his toes. “I need a shower,” he murmured, flopping back onto the bed.

“What you need is to get undressed and get under the blanket,” Justin said wisely. He helped Brian rid himself of his clothing and then urged him under the duvet. Justin stripped down to his underwear then joined his lover under the covers.

“I still say I need a shower. I stink.”

“I love your stink.”

“You’re a freak.”

“So whatcha going to do about it?”

Brian summoned up his strength then dove under the sheets. “Trick or Treat, Sunshine!” Brian said as he found his treat inside Justin’s underwear and proceeded to enjoy it.

 

*****
 

“John, you’re not going back up into the office, are you?” Bobby asked as he was getting ready for bed. The kids had had a great time at the party and were asleep before they ever made it home.

“No, Babe. I just wanted to wash up a little before hitting the sheets,” John assured his spouse.

“Good, because I want to cuddle,” Bobby demanded.

“Then cuddling it shall be,” John said as he snuggled down next to his lover.

“You know you can be one stubborn cowboy,” Bobby half teased.

“I know, Babe.”

“Just as long as we’re clear on that.”

“Very. I love you, Bobby.”

“Love you to,” Bobby said with a yawn, hugging John close.

With their arms and legs intertwined, the lovers fell asleep.
 

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