Culturation

Chapter 5

Brian felt his stomach clench and his balls draw up. He thrust another couple of times hearing Justin’s provocative moans in response.

“Jesus, Brian, now,” Justin gasped.

And then the world exploded in an earth shattering orgasm that left them both panting and blissed beyond belief.

All was quiet in Edna’s Treasures as reality slowly began to filter through the haze of sex and love that surrounded the two men.

Justin rolled onto his back. “Where the fuck did that come from?” he asked, his voice little more than a whisper. That was all the strength he could muster at the moment. “And why haven’t you done that before?”

Brian let out a weak chuckle. “I think we’ve done everything, Sunshine. There’s nothing new for us.”

“That was pretty fabulous, whatever you did,” Justin replied clearing his throat. “If you know how to do that, who have you been practicing with?”

“Let’s just say I was inspired. The artist in me poured forth.”

“You’re such an…”

“Words fail you when it comes to describing your wonderful husband?” Brian asked tongue in cheek.

“Sometimes.”

“I’m glad I still have a few surprises left in me.”

“You are the most fascinating man I have ever met.”

Brian studied the blue eyes so full of love and admiration. “Right backatcha,” he said making sure Justin knew that he meant every word.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. You taught me all about love.”

“And you taught me all about sex,” Justin replied with a laugh.

“Yeah, we each have our areas of specialization.”

“Not anymore,” Justin objected. “I know a lot about sex and you know a lot about love … so much about love.”

Brian blinked hard. He could feel tears forming behind his eyes. “But you still have some things to learn about sex,” Brian said with a smirk. He refused to get too serious about the love thing. They both knew where they stood on that one.

“Got any other new things for me?” Justin asked.

“Hm…maybe. I wouldn’t want to become boring.”

“No danger of that.” Justin kissed Brian’s lips.

Brian chuckled. “I might have a trick or two up my sleeve.”

“Show me.”

“My pleasure.”

And it was.

 

*****
 

“Daddy! Dada!” Bree shouted as she and Patrick ran into the house.

John had picked them up from school on his way home from a meeting with the principal of the new school. It seemed that some more storage space was needed. John was kicking himself for not realizing that, when the school was under construction. No one had said much about storage when the plans had been approved. This being the first school that John had designed, he hadn’t thought about all the things that a teacher and the school itself had to store over the course of a year. There was storage in the school. Just not nearly enough. John had drawn up a couple of proposals to remedy the situation, and the principal had chosen the one he liked best. John intended to make things right, and at no cost to the school.

“Hello, kids,” Brian said. He was sitting at the kitchen table looking all mellow and satisfied with himself.

“What have you two been up to while you’ve had the house all to yourself?” John asked with an arch of the Kinney brow.

“Oh, just the usual,” Brian replied.

Justin couldn’t stop himself from giggling. Then he cleared his throat and said, “Yeah, the usual … like he said.”

“Daddy, don’t I get my hug?” Bree demanded tapping her little foot. “And I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Patrick added.

“I have your snacks all ready,” Justin said serenely. “I’ll get them from the fridge. And here’s your hug.” He gave Bree a warm hug before heading for the refrigerator.

“Thanks, Uncle Justin,” Patrick said looking at his uncle and trying to figure out what was different. Something just didn’t seem right. “I’m really hungry too.”

“Sit down, kids,” Brian said in a calm and soft voice.

Bree studied her older father. “Dada, is something wrong?” she asked as she sat down at the table.

“Absolutely nothing is wrong,” Brian replied. “In fact everything is just about perfect.”

The frown creasing Bree’s forehead grew deeper. “Something’s different,” she said hoping to get an explanation.

“Yeah, different,” Patrick agreed readily.

“I have no idea what you could possibly mean,” Brian said but he couldn’t control the little grin that curled the corners of his mouth.

“Did I say something funny, Dada?” Bree asked.

“No, nothing funny. Here’s daddy with your snacks,” Brian stated hoping to distract Bree from this line of questioning.

Justin set down in front of the children a plate of celery pieces either filled with cheese or peanut butter.

“Yum!” Bree said grabbing a cheese one.

“I like the peanut butter,” Brian said as he took one of the pieces of celery filled with peanut butter. He took a big bite snapping off a crisp section and chewing happily.

“I want peanut butter too,” Patrick said grabbing a piece of his own.

“Good choice,” Brian agreed.

“Since when do you eat snacks with the kids?” John asked. He had observed all the goings-on with a quizzical look.

“Since I’ve worked up an appetite,” Brian replied.

“An appetite?” John asked. Then it hit him. “You two have been … busy while you were here all by yourselves.”

“Possibly,” Brian said with a smile. He took another bite of his celery.

“I think I’ll have a cheese one,” Justin said grabbing a celery from the plate.

“Good choice, Daddy,” Bree said as she picked up a second piece filled with cheese. “You should have made more.”

“You know, you could be right,” Justin said chewing his celery. “I can do that right now.” He moved back behind the counter to concoct some more snacks. “Would you like some, John?” he asked.

“Unlike you two, I haven’t worked up an appetite.”

“You should,” Brian said smugly. “I highly recommend it.”

John squirmed slightly. His cock was doing things it shouldn’t be doing in front of the children. Somewhere in the back of his mind he was imagining just what Brian and Justin might have got up to, and it was making him uncomfortably hard. He cleared his throat. “Would Bobby be home by any chance?” he asked.

“He came in a little while ago. I believe he said he was going for a shower. I bet you could find him there,” Justin informed his brother-in-law. His warm smile made John even more eager to find his husband.

“Um, could you make sure that Patrick gets started on his homework?”

“Sure, John, we’d be happy to look after the little lad,” Brian said smugly. He had accomplished what he set out to do. His brother would be getting some very soon.

“I’m not a little lad, Uncle Bri. I’m a big boy.”

“Of course,” Brian agreed. “I should have said we’d be happy to look after the young man.”

John scowled at his brother but didn’t say anything else. He started towards the sun porch.

“I could come do my homework over there,” Patrick volunteered.

“Oh, um, no, you can stay here and … and finish your snack,” John told his son.

“Yes, Patrick, finish your snack,” Brian said with a smirk.

“You are truly evil, brother dearest,” John said with a glare.

“I know, but it’s so much fun.”

John wanted to shoot his supercilious brother the finger, but with great self restraint he decided to find his husband instead. He gave Brian a final glare and hurried into the sun porch.

“Why did Unca John call you evil, Dada?” Bree asked.

“Beats me.”

“You’re not evil.”

“Of course not,” Brian replied smugly.

“You should try the cheese celery, Dada. It’s really good.”

“I’m sure it is, but I’m partial to peanut butter,” Brian noted as he grabbed another celery/peanut butter stick off the replenished plate that Justin set on the table. “Lovely con-cock-shun, Sunshine,” Brian said with a little laugh.

Justin shook his head and took a cheese one for himself.

“You guys are weird today,” Patrick said as he helped himself to another snack.

Both Brian and Justin merely nodded in reply. They were still enjoying their day in the sun.

 

*****
 

“Charles!” Lindsay called out as the Brit strolled into her office at the gallery with Sidney Bloom. She immediately stood up to properly greet the man that over the year had grown close to her.

“Lindsay, my dear,” Charles stated then kissed both cheeks European style. “You grow lovelier each time I see you,” he purred. Lindsay blushed; she thought she was just getting older. “Maturity has its own rewards,” Charles whispered in her ear with a slightly provocative tone as if reading her thoughts.

Sidney cleared his throat to get their attention. “Lindsay, Charles has decided to stay in town for a few days so he can look over Justin’s latest projects and see the work of our emerging artists!” Sidney announced proudly. “Although I do get the impression there’s one particular artist he’d prefer spending his time with. And I don’t mean Justin.”

“Sidney, my good man, I have no idea to whom you are referring,” Charles replied as he took Lindsay’s hand in his then kissed the top of it, smiling up at her. Lindsay’s blush grew deeper.

“Hmm, I’m sure,” Sidney muttered. “Be that as it may, Justin has been the busy bee this past summer. He and his partner celebrated an anniversary in Hawaii which inspired Justin to create a bevy of tropical scenes. Would you care to take a look? I’m sure Lindsay would love to show you.”

Charles’ smile became wider.

“Charles, I am referring to Justin’s work,” Sidney said with exasperation. It was one thing to field the lustful looks between Brian and Justin at an opening, it was another when the looks were shared by his assistant and the curator of England’s National Gallery.

“Do forgive me, Sidney,” Charles gently returned Lindsay’s hand to soothe the ruffled feathers of his friend and colleague. Charles took Sidney’s arm to lead him out of Lindsay’s office and into the main part of the gallery. Lindsay followed several steps behind to allow them some privacy.

“Blame my behavior on a long flight, horrid tea, and to be frank, I have missed your lovely assistant. If I didn’t know how loyal she is to you and that one day she will own this gallery, I’d spirit her away from you. She’s a gem and I’ve only recently understood that I have a chance at some sort of relationship with her.”

“Charles, you are aware that up until recently her partner was female?”

“Of course I am, I met the woman last year, if you recall. Most unpleasant, I knew Lindsay could do so much better. Besides, I ran into Sam Auerbach not long ago. He had very nice things to say about Ms. Lindsay.”

“Now, Charles, please tread carefully. Lindsay and Melanie were together for over twenty years, more or less. Their break up was most painful and Sam is a dog.”

“And so am I, according to my ex-wives, all four of them. However, except for Henry’s mother, none of them were worth their anorexic weight in gold.”

“What was different about Henry’s mother?”

“She’s a genuinely beautiful woman, inside and out. I was not worthy of her. We remain fast friends and I even have her blessing to woo Ms. Lindsay. She met Lindsay on one of her trips to the gallery and approves of her.”

“And Henry?”

“He approves as well.”

“So now it’s up to Lindsay.”

“Yes. Do I have your approval?”

“As long as she stays here, yes you do. However, it’s not me you have to worry about.”

“Ah, yes, Lindsay’s children,” Charles stated.

“Well...”

“Why do I think the children are the least of my worries?”

Charles and Sidney slowed their walk through the gallery when they came into Justin’s ‘wing.’ Charles was delighted with the floral paintings, reaching out as if to touch fragrant petals. They came to a stop in front of the nudes; one in particular was very eye catching.

“Charles, Lindsay’s children will love you as long as you make her happy. I’m more concerned about Brian Kinney,” Sidney explained as he gestured with his chin, toward a charcoal rendering of the man himself. This was a mature Brian, an elegant man approaching fifty but with all the vigor and vivacity of a man half that age. His intense gaze was compelling. Even in a charcoal sketch one was drawn to Brian’s eyes almost overlooking his obvious other fine attributes.

“The father of her son and close friend. Sidney, I will take your warning under advisement,” Charles said as he patted his friend on the back. “Magnificent!” Charles exclaimed as they got to the sketch of Lindsay. “The Goddess Diana, in all her glory!”

Lindsay turned beet red.

 

*****
 

“Done!”

“What’s that, sweetheart?” Carl asked his wife. Debbie was in their kitchen amidst several pots and pans that were bubbling and boiling away with all manner of savory delights. Debbie was not only cooking their own dinner but was preparing for the party as well.

“I’ve made all the phone calls and have a list of what the family will bring to the lane this Saturday. Emm won’t have to do a thing except enjoy himself!” Debbie said triumphantly.

“I’m sure the family is happy to do it,” Carl said with a smile and a hug for his very ingenious wife.

“They were. Even Raphael and Hector will be there, and of course Curtis. He was our first adopted child and I’m sure won’t be our last.”

“I wonder, do you think Lindsay will adopt Candy?” Carl asked as he found the salad that was for their dinner then popped a slice of tomato into his mouth.

“That’s a good question,” Deb said, the curiosity evident in her voice. “We can ask her this weekend.”

“Are we taking the roaming hotel?” Carl asked, referring to their RV.

“I think we should. I know there’s the new cottage up there but with everyone coming from far and wide, we might need the extra room. Besides, it’s easier to transport all the food.”

“True. We can have everyone bring their contributions here, pack up the RV then caravan up,” Carl suggested.

“You’re so smart!” Debbie said as she pinched both of Carl’s cheeks then gave him a loud sloppy kiss. He laughed with delight.

“I love you, babe.”

“I love you too. And thank you for putting up with me all these years,” Debbie said sincerely. Carl gathered the ample woman into his arms.

“Thank you for putting up with me,” he whispered then kissed her sweetly.

“Honey, as much as I would love to take this further...”

“I know. You’re just lucky I’m such an understanding kind of guy who will take a backseat to your cooking for a horde of gay men,” Carl grumped good-naturedly as he reluctantly released his wife from his embrace.

“Yes but you still love me,” Deb said as she returned to her pots and pans.

“Yes, I do!” he replied as he took out the dishes to set their table for dinner.

 

*****
 

“I’m stuffed,” Charles announced. “I couldn’t possibly eat another bite,” he said as he patted his full belly.

Lindsay had invited Charles over to her house for dinner. The girls were delighted to have a real English gentleman in their home and decided to help Lindsay cook dinner.

“Do you have room for pie?” JR asked with a smile as she held up a simple chocolate pudding pie in one hand and a tub of whipped topping in another.

“One must always have room for pie,” Charles responded formally, to the delight of the girls.

Candy was busy making tea and coffee as JR got out the cups and dessert plates.

“Thank you,” Lindsay said softly as she leaned into Charles. “The girls were tickled pink to cook dinner for you. I’m sorry it was a bit last moment.”

“It is I that should be thanking you. I wasn’t in the mood for hotel food. You were an answer to my prayers.” Charles flirted shamelessly; it pleased him to see Lindsay blush. “The girls are delightful; they get on so well together,” Charles observed.

“Yes, they do.”

“Mim, will Mr. Higgins come to the party with us this Saturday?” Candy asked Lindsay, calling her by the name they had agreed upon.

“I don’t know,” Lindsay answered as she poured the tea.

“Party? I’m always up for a party.” Charles winked at Lindsay. “What’s the occasion?”

“My friend Richie was adopted and we’re all having a big party to celebrate,” Candy explained.

“That is a very special occasion,” Charles agreed then took a sip of tea.

“Our good friends Emmett and Drew have been fostering Richie for about a year. The adoption just became final this past week. The whole family is gathering at Edna’s Treasures for a party. I’d be honored if you could join us,” Lindsay explained further.

“Done, I’ll be very happy to escort all you lovely ladies to the party,” Charles said gallantly then yawned. “I beg your pardon, how rude of me. I promise you it’s not the company.”

“Oh Charles, I’m so sorry, you must be very tired. You’re still on London time,” Lindsay said. “Let me drive you back to your hotel.”

“Are you sure? I could call a cab.”

“I insist. Girls, I’m going to drive Charles to his hotel. I’ll be back soon,” Lindsay said as she got their jackets and found her purse.

“Take your time, Mom,” JR said with a twinkle in her eye making her mother blush again. She nudged Candy with an elbow. Candy giggled.

“Yeah, Mim, take all the time you need,” Candy reiterated.

Lindsay unsuccessfully attempted to glare menacingly at her mischievous girls as she led Charles to the door.

“Thank you both for an excellent dinner,” Charles called out over his shoulder to his giggling co-conspirators.

“You’re just as bad as they are,” Lindsay said to Charles as they got into her car.

“Your girls and I have an understanding,” Charles boasted as he buckled himself up. “Thank you again, Lindsay. Dinner was delightful and I’m truly grateful for the diversion,” he added sincerely.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. The girls loved your company.”

“I hope you’re included in that?”

“Yes, I am,” Lindsay said with a soft smile.

“I’d ask you up for a nightcap; however, I truly am tired,” Charles said as they pulled up to the hotel.

“I understand. Besides I think you should get some rest. You’ll need it if you come with us this weekend. You never know what’s going to happen when we get to the lane,” Lindsay said with a chuckle.

“Forewarned is forearmed as they say.” Charles got out of the car then went around to Lindsay’s window. “Until tomorrow?” Charles asked as he gave her a chaste kiss.

“Yes. Good night, Charles.”

“Good night, my dear Ms. Lindsay,” Charles replied with an exaggerated bow. “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

“Oh you!” Lindsay laughed as she drove away still tasting him on her lips.

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