Emerging

Chapter 5

 

“About time you got here,” Debbie said as the Kinney-Taylors and Anderson-Morrisons entered Debbie’s house for the promised brunch.

“What’s got your tits in a tangle?” Brian asked with a smirk.

“You! And my tits are just fine, thank you very much,” Debbie responded.

“I’ll vouch for that,” Carl called from the kitchen.

“Eiw, TMI,” Gus said from behind the table where he was setting out the food that he had been told to get from the oven as soon as Debbie saw John’s Navigator pull up in front of her house.

“Thanks, honey,” Debbie called back to Carl. She placed her hands under her breasts and gave them an upward boost causing considerable laughter from all the guests.

“Maw!” Michael whined shaking his head. “Do you have to do that?”

“Yes, I do,” Debbie retorted.

“I think I just lost my appetite,” Brian snarked.

“Like you ever had one,” Debbie replied.

“I have an appetite for certain things,” Brian informed all and sundry, while giving Justin’s ass a little pinch.

“Pop, can we eat? I’m starving,” Gus asked deciding this was not going in a good direction.

“Can I sit beside you, Gus?” Bree asked as her family finally all got into the house.

“Sure, short stuff, you can use Grandma Deb’s ottoman. I’m sitting over there.” Gus pointed to one of the folding chairs that had been set up in the living room of Deb’s house. “Want me to fix you a plate?”

“Yes, please,” Bree replied batting her eyelashes at her big brother, before she sat down primly on the little ottoman beside Gus’ chair.

Everyone milled around Debbie’s kitchen table where all the food was laid out buffet style. Grabbing a plate, Michael led the family around the table while they filled their plates with toasted bagels and cream cheese, bacon, eggs. There was also a pot of porridge.

“I didn’t get you any porridge,” Gus whispered to Bree as he handed her a plate with eggs and toast and one strip of bacon.

“Thanks,” Bree said. “Gamma Debbie don’t make good porridge like my daddy or Hudson.”

“I know,” Gus said with a wink. “I didn’t get any for myself either.”

“You’re smart, Gus.”

“Thanks, I’m glad someone noticed.”

“I love you, Gus.”

“Thanks, short stuff.”

“Do you love me?”

“Of course.”

Bree gazed at her brother with those violet eyes. “I saw Gampa Craig last night.”

“I know.”

“He said he’d come visit me.”

“I know.”

“Do you think he will?”

Gus wanted to say that the asshole fucking better visit her, but he knew that wouldn’t be the right thing to say. “Probably,” Gus said hoping that would do as a response. “What did you think of that girl Candy?” That should change the subject.

“She’s … weird.”

“JR seems to like her.”

“She’s kind of scary. I don’t like all that black that she wears. She should have a pink accent on her outfit,” Bree declared knowledgeably.

“A pink accent?”

“Yeah, like a pink scarf or a barrette, like mine,” Bree said touching the pink barrette holding her hair back at one side.

“Where did you learn about accents?” Gus asked.

“From Dada. He said he needed the right color of tie last night to be the perfect accent to his suit.”

Gus chuckled and shook his head. “Is that right?”

“Yep.”

“So, you’re not too fond of Candy, Squirt?” Brian questioned his daughter. He had overheard Gus ask about Cassandra Hobbs, and he had tuned in immediately to see what Bree would say in answer to Gus’ question. Brian looked over at Justin to be sure that he heard Bree’s answer too.

“She’s okay, but she’s … strange.”

“You wouldn’t like to live with her?” Justin asked holding his breath for Bree’s reply.

“Un uhn,” Bree said shaking her head. “She don’t know nuffin about how to dress.” Brian chuckled.

“It’s not funny,” Justin said to his husband.

“Why are we talking about where Candy will live?” Lindsay asked.

“Her mother’s very ill,” John supplied.

“I didn’t think she looked very well last night,” Lindsay said. “They left early.”

“Janet tires quickly these days,” Justin said softly.

“Oh,” Lindsay replied, and then the full import of what they were talking about hit her. “Oh dear, I had no idea.”

“Candy’s pretty worried about what’s going to happen,” JR said with a frown on her face. “She told me a little bit about what was happening with her mother. Candy has no other family. She has nowhere to go if anything happens to her mother. I’d be really scared if I was her.”

“That’s just awful,” Lindsay stated. “No one should be alone like that.”

JR stared at her mother for a moment. “You don’t like being alone, Mommy. Maybe she could stay with you when…”

“Oh, JR, I don’t know about that,” Lindsay said quickly. “Besides, I’m sure her mother will be just fine.” Lindsay looked at Justin who merely shook his head. Lindsay got the message.

“It’s something to think about,” Gus piped up. “No point in you both being lonely.”

“I … I don’t know,” Lindsay stammered. This was not at all what she had expected when she agreed to come to the brunch.

“Just think about it, Mom,” JR encouraged her.

“I guess I could give it some thought,” Lindsay admitted with a wistful look on her face.

“Why is everybody lonely?” Bree asked feeling the strange vibes that were going on in the room.

Nobody was quite sure how to explain the situation to the little girl, so there was a long pause that caused the adults to squirm.

“I’ll tell you later, Bree,” Patrick volunteered, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.

“So, have you decided to let Candy work on Rage or have you changed your mind?” Brian asked Michael. He thought he might as well stir up another hornet’s nest.

“I’m still not sure about that,” Michael waffled.

“Daddy!” JR said forcefully. “You said you’d give her a trial period.”

“We haven’t even talked to her about it,” Michael protested.

“If Lacy was here,” JR stated knowingly, “you’d be in big trouble, Daddy.”

“No I wouldn’t,” Michael said weakly, but he knew he would be.

“Michael, you made an agreement with your daughter and Lacy last night,” Ben reminded his husband. “You need to honor it.”

“I know but…”

“There’s no buts, Daddy,” JR stated.

“No butts,” Bree giggled.

“Oh god, another Kinney and body part jokes,” Lindsay laughed. “Remember your un–pre-dick-table behavior when we were trying to get Gus into that preschool?”

“I most certainly do,” Brian replied with a smug look. “My dick-tion was perfect.”

“You are incorrigible,” Lindsay giggled.

“So I’ve been told.”

“And proud of it,” Justin added.

“Very proud,” Brian agreed.

“I didn’t hear any body parts, Dada. I was the one who said butts,” Bree reminded her father. She had a puzzled look on her face.

“Eat your toast, princess,” Bobby told Bree. “Your dada is being an ass.”

“Oops,” Bree giggled. “That’s a body part, Unca Bobby.”

“Right you are,” Bobby said with a mischievous grin.

“And Bobby has a very fine ass, if I may say so,” Brian interjected.

“I don’t think my husband’s ass is any concern of yours, little bro,” John stated.

“I admire all things beautiful,” Brian replied. “From afar, of course,” he added when he saw John’s glare.

“I think you’re all being dickheads,” Michael said suddenly. “We were talking about Rage. How did we get to Bobby’s ass?”

Brian sucked in his lips for a moment. “Care to explain that to your Uncle Michael, Patrick?”

“Only if I have to,” Patrick replied with a sigh.

“It’s all right, Patrick, I’ll explain it to him later,” JR promised.

Michael glared at them all, but that only elicited a round of laughter.

The afternoon at Debbie and Carl’s was long but leisurely with family drifting in and out until dark. No one had anywhere else pressing to be so it just seemed right for the family to be spending their time at Deb's. The boys had set up tables and chairs in the backyard to handle the overflow of people, and between Debbie and Emmett, there was an endless supply of food. At one point during the afternoon, Lacy and Katerina showed up bearing several fresh pies still warm from the oven. Debbie produced a large tub of vanilla ice cream from the freezer and for a while all that could be heard were “Mmmm’s” and lots of other happy tummy noises.

“Do those two always act like that?” Riley, who came with Danny, mentioned out loud. He nodded in the direction of Brian who was sitting in Vic’s old chair with Justin happily ensconced in his lap. Justin was holding a large bowl of vanilla ice cream. In between kisses he was feeding Brian.

“That’s no act,” Ben replied. “Just ignore them. We all do,” he chuckled. “I’m Ben, by the way,” Ben said reintroducing himself to Riley just in case Riley had forgotten his name.

“I remember. You’re the professor at Carnegie-Mellon.”

“The one and only or I should say, the one and only in this family.”

“You’re Michael’s partner.”

“Yes, I am. We’ve been together for more than fifteen years,” Ben said proudly. Riley had a wistful look on his face.

“And those two?” Riley cocked his head toward the duo making out on the chair.

“Longer than they care to admit.”

“It’s amazing that no one is fazed by them,” Riley said as he looked around at the family. Everyone just went about their business chatting in small groups, laughing, joking and sharing their latest news or gossip.

“They’re just being Brian and Justin. I guess after all this time we’re used to it. Except maybe for Michael,” Ben remarked seeing his spouse throw an occasional glare at the spectacle.

“And his problem would be?”

“Something that he should have gotten over years ago,” Ben said with a sigh. “Michael, give it a rest,” Ben gently admonished his partner.

“But there are children around,” Michael griped, offering that excuse.

“So what?” Emmett threw in as he passed with an arm full of dirty dishes heading to the kitchen. “We’re a loving family and our children know it.” Richie was right behind Emm with more dishes and glasses. He gave his adoptive father an adoring look.

“Some of us are too loving,” Michael murmured trying to ignore Brian sucking on Justin’s tongue.

“Give it up, sweetheart. You know those two will never change,” Debbie advised her son. “Just be grateful they’re not fucking in your old room,” Debbie cackled.

“Grand-Maw!” Gus and JR both whined in horror. Debbie just shrugged her shoulders then went to the kitchen to bring out more food.

The doorbell rang signaling the arrival of more family. Jennifer and Seth walked in with Joan. Emmett and Deb greeted them loudly then set out more food. Joan got big hugs and kisses from her grandchildren and then was spirited away to the backyard where they could pamper her and ply her with Debbie and Emmett’s treats.

After a while Bree came back in and climbed up onto her daddy’s lap. Brian groaned under the added weight. The family watched as Brian’s expression transformed from Brian Kinney lustful partner into Brian Kinney proud dada. Justin shared a few spoonfuls of ice cream with their daughter. A muted ringing of someone’s cell phone had everyone reaching into their pockets.

“Mine!” Justin called out as he looked at the display with curiosity. “Hello? No, we’re still here in the city. Why? I don’t have a problem with that. Hold on, let me ask, she’s right here. Bree, it’s Gampa Craig, he wants to know if you’d like to spend tomorrow with him and Gamma Susan.”

“Oh yes, Daddy!” Bree beamed a smile from ear to ear. Brian arched a skeptical brow as did the rest of the family within earshot. “Can I, Dada?” Bree asked her older father. Brian and Justin exchanged looks. Brian gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“What time should I drop her off? Okay, she’ll be there,” Justin said then cut the connection. “You have a date with Gamma and Gampa tomorrow at ten.”

“Yay!” Bree said bouncing in her daddies’ lap. Both Justin and Brian groaned. Then Bree jumped off to tell the rest of the family her good news.

“Well, Schmidt, looks like Kinnetik will be stuck with me tomorrow,” Brian said with an evil leer. Ted had just come in from the backyard to bring out more lemonade.

“Oh goody,” Ted grumbled.

“What was that?” Brian growled.

“I said, what a pleasure it will be for the staff, Boss,” Ted replied with a thin lipped smile.

“That’s what I thought you said,” Brian sneered. The family chuckled. “And what will you be doing, Sunshine, while I’m terrorizing Kinnetik?”

“I’ll think of something,” Justin answered.

“You could come to the gallery,” Lindsay suggested. “You know, be the artist at large.”

“The only thing large about Justin is his ass,” Brian snarked.

“Hey!” Justin scowled. “That’s not the only thing,” Justin pouted looking down at his crotch. “I never heard you complain.”

“Are we back to body parts again?” Michael groaned.

“At least they’re not discussing my ass,” Bobby quipped.

“No, just the Boy Wonder’s,” Michael complained.

“His ass is almost as legendary as my dick,” Brian declared proudly making Justin laugh. The family groaned then bombarded the two of them with pillows and napkins. Brian and Justin took that opportunity to console each other, both agreeing how under-appreciated they both were. Of course that led to another round of making out in the chair. The family promptly ignored them and went about their business.

“Lindsay, honey, how are you doing?” Debbie asked with concern. She had cornered Lindsay in the kitchen.

“I’m fine.” Deb gave her a poignant look. “Or I will be. Mel’s been remarkably civil about the whole thing.”

“Will you have to sell your house?” Debbie asked gently. The house became quiet awaiting Lindsay’s answer. Even Brian and Justin stopped sucking face to hear. Lindsay took a deep breath. It was pointless to try and hide anything from the family. She walked toward the living room so that she wouldn’t have to repeat anything.

“I received a letter from Mel’s attorney. Basically I can buy out Mel’s half of the house, but that means we have to sell the cottage.” Lindsay gave John an apologetic look.

“Oh honey,” Deb said putting her arms around the tall blond.

“It’s all right; the cottage was just a dream.”

“But you love that place,” Emm said with tears in his eyes. “Couldn’t you work something out?”

“It’s better this way,” Lindsay said with resignation.

“There’s another cottage?” Riley asked Ben in a whisper.

“Yes, not too far from Edna’s Treasures. John renovated an old toll house. Brian did the landscaping. We all thought it would help the girls become closer. But I guess the damage was too much to fix.”

“With the money from the cottage I can buy out Mel’s half of the house,” Lindsay explained. The family agreed with the logic. “I’m just sorry the cottage won’t stay in the family, so to speak. I am truly sorry about that John. You and your men and Brian worked so hard to make it perfect for us.”

“We can always build you a small getaway cottage on our lane,” Brian suggested as he gently pushed Justin off his lap to go to Lindsay.

“What a FAB-U-LOUS idea!” Emmett gushed. “He’s always complaining that there are too many hets on our lane. And Honey, once they know you’re back on the market, you’ll be beating them off with a stick. Oh this will be so much fun!” Emmett said jumping up and down, clapping his hands with glee like the queen he was. “We must make a spa date and soon. I know just the place, we can...”

Lindsay threw out a look of terror to the family as she was led away by Emmett who was determined to get Lindsay over this current little bump in her life.

“So what do we do about this?” Debbie asked the assembled family. “Doesn’t anyone but me have a problem with that beautiful cottage being owned by a stranger?”

“Deb, there’s not much we can do about it. Linds can’t afford to pay it off on her own,” Ted said reasonably as the family’s resident accountant.

“But that doesn’t mean someone in this family can’t buy the cottage from them and that way it can stay in the family,” Deb said as she gave Brian a look.

“Ma, that’s not fair to Brian,” Michael said having another logical moment. “He shouldn’t be forced to fix everything just because he can or has the money to do it. Besides, what’s he gonna do with another house?”

“This is your doing.” Debbie glared at Ben. Ben looked back totally confused.

“She means that your smarts are rubbing off on Mikey,” Brian explained.

“I mean nothing of the sort!” Debbie tried to defend herself and her son but the family all knew it was true. “And don’t change the subject.” She wagged her finger at Brian. Brian held up his hands in surrender. “We can’t let that beautiful cottage go to someone who won’t appreciate it.”

“Tell me about the cottage,” Riley asked gently, his curiosity peaked. The family turned to John.

“You’re the rock man,” Brian teased his brother with the moniker he gave to John during their trek through South America.

John began to paint a visible picture of the cottage, describing the architecture and the grounds. He poked Brian, forcing Brian to describe the landscaping including the grotto.

“It sounds magnificent. Do you think Miss Lindsay would allow me to look at it?” Riley asked.

“You thinking of relocating?” Brian asked hoping that Riley would become Bree’s piano teacher so he wouldn’t have to put up with Faith and her weird daughter. “My offer still stands.”

“Maybe, and no, I’m a piano tuner not a teacher. But I live in a studio apartment,” Riley explained seeing that he was now the focus of the family. “From what I’ve seen on your lane, the cottages that you’ve built are beautiful. I wouldn’t mind a place quiet and out of the way for the off season. I’d been interested in seeing it.”

“We all have a key, just call and one of us should be able to drive you over,” Brian said approvingly. “Bring Danny,” Brian added with a smirk. He wasn’t above encouraging a little matchmaking. Riley nodded with a smile.

“Now that that’s solved, what’s there to eat around here?” Brian teased, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. All of a sudden there were five plates with various delicacies in front of his face. Brian jumped back with a start. Riley gave a quizzical look.

“Brian Kinney actually wanting food; has Hell frozen over?” Debbie snarked.

“Nah, just found my appetite,” Brian said waggling his eyebrows as he accepted a small plate of various tidbits.

“Justin must be occupied,” Debbie observed, lightly giving Brian a smack to his cheek, while smiling fondly at her first lost boy.

“Are we back to body parts again?” Michael whined.

“Which body parts, Dada?” Bree asked as she walked into the room looking up at the adults with big blue eyes, eliciting laughter from the whole family and a huff from Michael.
 

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