Culturation

Chapter 3

“India!!!” Brian said his head threatening to explode at such an idea.

“Calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” Brian stated trying to keep from yelling and scaring the kids.

Justin grabbed Brian’s arm and steered him into the kitchen away from Patrick and Bree.

“Let go of me!” Brian almost yelled. He yanked his arm away from Justin and started pacing the length of the kitchen. “Have I raised such spoiled and irresponsible children that they think I will pay to send them hither and yon on any fucking whim that flits into their tiny brains?”

“Brian…”

“India! Fucking India! It has to be one of the most unsafe places in the world, and he wants to fucking go there.”

“Calm down before you blow a major blood vessel,” Justin cautioned.

“I’ve already blown several small ones,” Brian replied, finally stopping to look at his husband. “If my children are trying to kill me, they’re succeeding.”

“You know they love you, and you know Bree remembers how lovely England was and so she wants to do the same thing in Ireland.”

“And what is Gus thinking – that we should all become Buddhists?”

“He’s thinking that he has started his Humanities course, and he’s learned about the Ajanta Caves that he had never heard of before. They’ve captured his imagination.”

“And what the fuck are the Ajanta Caves?”

“Here, have a look.” Justin directed Brian’s attention to his laptop which lay open on the kitchen table. It showed the grotto of the Ajanta Caves. Justin clicked through several pictures giving a brief glimpse of the wonder of the caves.

“What is this?” Brian asked intrigued in spite of himself.

“It’s an old monastery which has been carved into the rocks. The professor in Gus’ Humanities course showed it to the class. It’s from about 1500 B.C. Gus was blown away.”

“So am I,” Brian admitted. “But not enough to take off for India.”

“Gus doesn’t want to rush to India immediately. He has an idea about filming temples of all sorts. He wanted to start with these caves.”

Brian shook his head. “It almost seems reasonable when you put it like that.”

“I understand where he’s coming from, Brian. There were some artists that affected me very deeply. I felt the same kind of impact. I would have given anything to go see the original works by these artists.”

“In Paris or Rome or…”

“Lots of places.”

“I stopped you from doing that, didn’t I?”

“Do I look like I’m suffering, Brian?”

“You wanted to travel, I know you did.”

“Every young person wants to travel and see the world, see things that interest them, things that capture their imagination.”

“Including Gus … and even Bree.”

Justin grinned. “Yes, even Bree.”

“Should I let Gus go to India?”

“I’m not sure about that, but you should talk to him about it … without yelling.”

“Okay … point taken.”

“Good. Why don’t you go call him while I start dinner?”

“Okay, and thanks.”

“Thanks?”

“You always know how to calm me down and prevent me from saying something stupid that would succeed in upsetting Gus.”

“He knows you love him,” Justin said kissing Brian’s cheek.

“Yeah, but I’ve always been able to slice and dice feelings with the best of them.”

“Better than the best,” Justin said with a chuckle.

“I don’t want to do that with my son.”

“I know. That’s why I intercepted you.”

“Thanks.”

Justin grinned as Bree poked her head in the doorway from the sun porch.

“Is it okay to come in?” she asked her fathers.

“Yes, Squirt,” Brian replied. “I’m not mad anymore.”

“I don’t have to go to Ireland, Dada. I don’t want you to be mad.”

“I’m not mad, but I don’t think you can go to Ireland, Bree.”

“I know. I just … hoped … maybe.”

Brian smiled. “Can I have a hug?”

“Sure, Dada,” Bree said running over to throw herself into Brian’s arms once again. “I love you, Dada.”

“I love you too. Would going to the symphony make up for not going to Ireland?” he asked on the spur of the moment.

“You mean go to a real symphony with all the instruments?” Bree asked her eyes getting very large.

“That’s what I mean.”

“And with a piano?”

“Yes, one of those huge grand pianos, the kind with the top that flips open.”

“Wow!”

“You like that idea?”

“Oh yes, Dada.”

“Uncle Theodore has got us tickets for a few weeks from now.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Squirt. Really!”

“I love you, Dada. I hafta tell Patrick.” She took off at top speed for the sun porch to spill her big news to her cousin.

“I think she’s excited,” Brian chuckled.

“You’re lucky you had the symphony to take the place of Ireland,” Justin told Brian keeping a straight face.

“That isn’t luck. It’s called good planning.”

“So, Mr. Good Planner, what good planning have you got in place for Gus when he asks you to send him to India?”

Brian groaned. “Fuck! Have you got any ideas?”

Justin shook his head. “You’re on your own with this one. Go call your son.”

“Yes, dear,” Brian replied contritely as he headed for his office to call Gus.

 

*****
 

“Honey, can I bring you a sandwich or something? You really didn’t eat much at dinner,” Emmett said gently to Richie.

After a quiet dinner at Emmett’s bistro, the new official family went back to the loft. Richie was in his room attempting to finish his homework.

“No thank you,” Richie murmured with a sigh. Emmett sat on the edge of Richie’s bed.

“Do you regret becoming our son?” Emmett asked with sad eyes. He was at a loss to help his new son.

“No,” Richie replied without any hesitation. “I love you and Drew. I just wish that...”

“That your real parents loved you too?” Emmett asked.

Richie shook his head. “You and Drew are my real parents. I just wish that my mother and father could have loved me even a little.” A few tears began to run down Richie’s face.

“Oh baby!” Emmett threw his arms around his son. “They do love you.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“No baby, I swear. Just before they left the judge’s chambers, the Crosses told me and Drew that they are proud of how you’ve grown and of what you’ve accomplished. They even asked for a picture of you which I already emailed to them. They regret that they couldn’t be the parents you deserve and they wish you well. They just can’t seem to reconcile their lifestyle with yours.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Yes, honey, I do. Your mother hopes that one day you’ll forgive them and perhaps become friends.”

“I don’t know about that. It hurts a lot but I’ll try.”

“Sweetheart, this will sound very cliché but just keep love in your heart and the rest will work itself out.” Richie nodded his head. “Now, are you sure I can’t interest you in a little snack? Your brain can’t work without fuel.” Emmett gave Richie a toothy grin making Richie smile.

“Okay, you convinced me,” Richie said as he bookmarked the page he was reading then followed Emmett out of his room and to the kitchen. Drew was making himself a cup of coffee.

“Hey,” Drew said to Richie then hugged the young man to his chest, kissing the top of the boy’s head. “You all right?”

“Not totally but I will be especially with the best two people on the planet for my parents,” Richie said from the vicinity of Drew’s chest.

“OH! OH, my baby!” Emmett blubbered, bursting into happy tears then joining in for a group hug. They stood in the middle of the kitchen in a huddle, Emmett and Richie sniffling away. Drew chuckled.

“With all the crying you two do, I think I’ll invest my pension in tissues,” Drew said with a smirk as he bussed his son’s cheek and Emmett’s lips.

“Oh you,” Emmett said as he grabbed a box of tissues to blow his nose. He handed the box to Richie who also took a tissue to wipe his eyes and blow his own nose. The three men then laughed and hugged again. A hungry rumble issued from Richie’s stomach.

“Babe, I think someone’s hungry,” Drew quipped. Richie blushed as Emmett fawned all over him.

Within the hour Richie was fed, watered then put to bed. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Emmett stared at him from the doorway, watching Richie sleep, a peaceful look on his face.

“How’s he doing?” Drew asked as he joined Emmett at Richie’s door.

“Asleep. He was exhausted.”

“I bet he was; you are too. Let’s go to bed, Babe,” Drew said as he clasped Emmett’s hand and gave it a little tug.

“Just another minute,” Emmett begged. Drew looked at him. “Please. I promise I’ll be right in.”

“Okay. Then I’m going to go up to make sure Melanie’s okay. I’ll lock up when I come back down. I expect to see you in our bed when I get back.” Drew waggled his eyebrows at Emmett.

“Sir, yes, sir,” Emmett replied with a salute and a kiss. He turned back toward Richie when Drew walked away.

 

*****
 

“Who is it?” Mel asked through the door. She figured it had to be someone in the building because no one buzzed her.

“Drew!” Mel heard then slid back the heavy door.

“Everything okay?” Melanie asked the retired quarterback.

“I was about to ask you the same thing. And I wanted to thank you again for all of your help. In a few days when the dust settles, Emm and I would like to have a little get together with the family to celebrate. It would mean a lot to us if you could join us. Unless of course you’re needed back in Oregon.”

“No, I’m not needed back right away, and I’d be honored to join your celebration. But are you sure? I’m not everyone’s favorite person.”

“You’re our favorite person, you and Bobby both. It would not be a celebration without you, so please, as a favor to me and Emm and Richie. Please join us.”

“All right.”

“Thank you,” Drew said as he pecked Mel’s cheek. “Good night, Melanie.”

“Good night, Drew,” Mel said as she slid the door closed behind Drew. Drew heard Mel throw the locks before he headed back down to his apartment.

“Is everything okay?” Emmett whispered as Drew slid himself into bed next to his mate.

“Better than okay,” he replied.

“Melanie okay?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Will she stay for our party?”

“She promised she would.”

“Good,” Emmett said as he turned in Drew’s arms. “I’m a mother,” Emm said half teasing.

“Yes, you are and a very fine one at that.”

“Oh you,” Emm said with a sniffle, pushing a little at Drew’s hard chest. “And you’re a daddy,” Emmett smirked.

“Who’s your daddy?” Drew purred.

“Mmm,” Emmett murmured against Drew’s lips. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Babe.”

Emmett and Drew spent the next couple of hours expressing their love.

 

*****
 

“You better now?” Justin asked breathlessly as he rolled off of Brian.

“Mmm,” Brian grunted trying to catch his breath. Justin had been bouncing up and down on Brian’s dick, exhausting the both of them when they finally came with muffled shouts.

“You weren’t trying to distract me from our wayward children, were you?” Brian asked with an arch of his brow.

“Maybe. Did it work?”

“Yeah, it did. But you don’t need an excuse to jump my bones.”

“I know and I really wasn’t trying to distract you on purpose. I was just...”

“Horny?” Brian asked with a knowing grin.

“Yeah,” Justin agreed with a smile. “You know, our children wanting to know about other cultures and our ancestry is not really a bad thing.”

“I know and I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like that. I guess it took me by surprise.”

“And we all know how you hate surprises,” Justin snarked as he lightly smacked Brian’s chest.

“You know Shane McKenna at Kinnetik Isles is Irish. I bet if we wanted to visit the ‘old sod’ he would help,” Brian said matter-of-factly. “We could plan a family vacation with John, Bobby and Patrick.”

“True. John is your brother. Why don’t you discuss it with them, but away from little ears? We could make it an educational vacation,” Justin said sensibly.

“Could we now? And just what would you be thinking up in that little blond brain of yours?” Brian asked in an exaggerated Irish accent.

“That we can take a nice family vacation together and if we learn more about your family in the process, it would be a bonus.”

“What about your family, Sunshine? Bree’s more your daughter than she is mine.”

“Other than Patrick Taylor, there’s no one in my background that’s very exciting. And Bree may have my genes but she’s a Kinney,” Justin stated.

“She’s our daughter,” Brian emphasized. “Now what should I do about Gus?”

“It depends on how serious he is about his documentary.”

“He sounded very serious. Reminds me of you wanting to follow the path of Kinney and Patrick but we did that together.”

“We could do it again?”

“I don’t think so. I’ve had enough of traipsing through parts unknown. However, if his professor heads up an expedition of some sort and it has the proper security, I will rethink the issue.”

“Really? You’d do that?”

“Yes. And maybe donate funds to ensure their safety,” Brian said softly and with the same worry that all parents face when their child wants to travel abroad.

Justin turned to study Brian’s face. “You’re serious.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re a good man, Brian Kinney,” Justin said as he kissed Brian’s lips.

“So you’ve been trying to convince me all these years.”

“Did I succeed?”

“A little.”

“I love you, my big Smoosh.”

“Capital ‘S’?”

“Yup,” Justin said with a sunshine smile. Brian rolled onto top of him, signally the beginning of round two.

 

*****
 

“Hello?” Mel said sleepily into her phone.

“Did I wake you?” the voice asked from the other side of the country.

“Yes, but that’s okay. How are you?”

“I’m fine and you?”

“We won.”

“Congratulations. Does that mean you’re coming back?”

“Soon. They want me to join them for a party. I’ll probably fly back early next week. Does that work for you?”

“Yes it does. And thank you for helping out with the case I was working on. You’re so good at finding the loopholes. I couldn’t have won without you.”

“We do make a good team.”

“Yes, we do. Mel, you do know I care about you.”

“I know and I care about you too, Lorna, but maybe we’re just not in love?”

“Maybe you’re right.”

There was an awkward pause in the women’s conversation.

“I should let you get some sleep,” Lorna said.

“Yeah, it’s been a long day,” Mel said stifling another yawn. “I’ll call you in a few days.”

“Okay. Good night, Mel.”

“Night.”

Melanie snapped her cell phone shut then shoved it in one of the bedside drawers. She was determined to get a good night’s sleep. She punched the pillow then settled down into it. The last thing she saw before she fell asleep was the picture of Brian holding baby Gus.
 

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