Fun in the Sun

Chapter 8

Justin woke up with a start from an uncomfortable feeling. Brian felt Justin jump and immediately wrapped his arms around him.

“Nightmare?” Brian whispered.

“Not really. What time is it?” Justin asked. Brian cracked open an eye as he reached for his cell phone to see the time.

“Around eight. Why?”

“I want to call Bree,” Justin replied with a father’s concern and intuition in his tone. Brian didn’t question; he hit number two on his cell phone.

“Hey, did I wake you?” Brian said the minute his call was answered. Justin’s eyes widened, Brian mouthed John’s name. Brian was sure John would be awake, he was usually up with the birds whether he was working or not. “We’ll be home in a couple of days. Justin needs to speak with Bree,” Brian said.

John had uncurled himself from around Bobby to answer his phone. Upon hearing Brian’s request, John threw on his jeans and a t-shirt then quietly padded out of their bedroom and to the room that Bree and Ashley were sharing in Claire’s house. John peeked in and saw the room was empty.

“Hold on, Bri,” John said as he followed his nose down to the kitchen where he found the girls learning the fine art of making homemade biscuits. The boys were still up in the treehouse.

“Jackie!” Claire greeted her son fondly while reaching up to kiss his cheek. He gave his mother a peck and threw a warm look toward Steve who was sipping his coffee. Steve immediately returned the smile.

“Bree, there’s someone who wants to speak to you,” John said as he handed his cell phone to his niece. Bree quickly wiped her hands on a towel then took the phone.

“Hello?” Bree said politely.

“Hey, Baby Girl,” Justin said. Brian had passed him the phone once he heard John speak to their daughter.

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” Bree squealed loudly with delight. “Daddy, Uncle John took us horseback riding and Mrs. Susanna took me and Ashley shopping and Richie came with us, but I wasn’t sure if Dada would like me to wear someone else’s clothes, but then we went to another store to get brand new clothes and Grandma Claire taught us how to make apple pies, but we had to use different apples not the kind she likes cause they’re not in season, I’m not sure what that means but the pies are so good and now...”

“Breathe!” Justin commanded. He heard Bree stop and take a large gulp of air.

“Daddy,” Bree began with a sudden seriousness in her voice. “Are you all better now?”

“Much better, Baby Girl. Your Dada took very good care of me,” Justin said as he gave Brian a smile. “We’re coming home soon. And Mr. Seamus and his partner are coming up for a visit too. Do you remember Mr. Seamus? You were very little when we were down here.”

“He made us blueberry fruit cups for breakfast,” Bree remembered.

“Yes, he did. Baby Girl, are you okay?” Justin asked. He still had a feeling that Bree wasn’t all that happy in spite of her cheerfulness.

“Um, I can’t say,” Bree said in an almost whisper.

Justin thought for a moment. “Something about Ashley?” Justin ventured but didn’t think that could be it.

“Oh no.”

Justin could almost hear the little blond pigtails swishing back and forth as Bree shook her head.

“Something you need to say in private?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Can it wait until we get home or do you want me to call back later?”

“I think it can wait. I just don’t know what to do,” she said in a tiny voice.

“How about Dada and I call after dinner? That way you can excuse yourself and go sit somewhere private so we can talk. Will that be all right?”

“Oh yes, Daddy! That’ll be perfect.”

“Sweetheart, you are okay, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Daddy, I am. I miss you and Dada. I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, Baby Girl, and we miss you a lot. Do you want to speak to Dada? He’s here, tugging on my hair,” Justin said with a giggle. Brian had tugged on a golden lock as a hint.

“Oh yes, Daddy!” Bree giggled too.

“Hey, Squirt,” Brian said with a pleased smirk on his face when Justin handed him the phone.

“Dada! Dada! Dada!” Bree squealed again, so happy to hear her elder father’s voice. “Dada, Daddy said he’s all better. Is he really?” Bree said with concern.

“Yes, Squirt, all better and I don’t lie,” Brian said with all confidence. He knew that their daughter was just as worried about Justin as he was. “You’ll see for yourself when we get home.”

“Okay, Dada. Can Ashley and her mommy come to the barbecue?”

“Of course. I already invited them,” Brian reassured her.

“Oh thank you, Dada!”

“Are you being good for your uncles?”

“Umm...”

“We’ll discuss that later. You be good for Grandma Claire and help her clean up after breakfast. I love you, Squirt, we’ll be home soon.”

“I love you too, Dada.”

“Let me speak to your uncle.”

“Okay, Dada. Kiss Daddy for me!” Bree said before she gave her Uncle John the phone.

“I will,” Brian promised. “Is she being a pain in the ass?” Brian asked as soon as John got on the line.

“I wouldn’t quite put it that way but you do have a very unique, strong willed, young lady for a daughter,” he replied as he walked into the living room. “She’ll be a formidable woman when she grows up.”

“It boggles the mind, doesn’t it,” Brian teased.

“That’s for sure. Not that I’m complaining, but why the early morning call? I thought you guys were trying to sleep late on your vacation.”

“The Great Carnac over here had a feeling something was up with Bree and had to call. I’m serious, is she behaving?”

“Yes, she is, but I have a feeling she’s not too happy with Patrick’s friend.”

“Which friend?”

“Chet. You haven’t met him yet. He’s a bit opinionated and has no use for little girls. Especially little girls who are used to getting their own way and getting her best friend slash cousin to do what she wants. Not to mention having him wrapped around her dainty little pinky.”

“Ah. I’m beginning to get the picture. I vaguely recall what it was like to be a pre-teen boy.”

“Brian, you were never a pre-teen boy,” John snickered.

“Hey, I resemble that remark!” Brian teased back. “So Chet’s got Bree’s pixie nose all out of joint?”

“Basically. I invited Chet and his parents to the barbecue, by the way,” John said.

“The more the merrier,” Brian quipped. Then John burst out laughing. “What?”

“I’m envisioning Bree, an impromptu soccer game and one Chet getting an ass whuppin’ from a little blond peanut who will run circles around him,” John said then continued to laugh. Brian broke out into a fit of giggles himself. The brothers fought to get themselves under control.

“You know we should be on the boys’ side,” John said after a moment. “We are men after all, we should stick together.”

Just then Bree ran into the living room with a fresh baked biscuit with a dab of butter on it and handed it to John with a big sunny smile. John took a bite, savoring the exquisite taste.

“On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with promoting girl power,” John stated quickly not wanting to miss out on some great biscuits. “I gotta go, breakfast is ready.”

“Okay, big bro, we’ll call Bree later,” Brian chuckled. His brother was a pushover for a certain blond peanut.

The brothers hung up returning to their own pursuits.

Brian rolled over after he snapped his phone shut and gazed into a set of deep blue eyes that were gazing back at him with amusement. He then moved in closer so they were nose to nose, making Justin look at him with crossed eyes. They giggled like naughty boys. Brian kissed the tip of Justin’s nose then dove in to plunder Justin’s mouth finally moving apart when their need for air became almost desperate.

“What was that for?” Justin asked breathlessly.

“I was instructed by our daughter to give you a kiss. She neglected to specify what type of kiss so I took the liberty of improvising,” Brian said smugly.

“You excel at improvisation,” Justin said with a bright smile.

The boys kissed for a while longer then rolled onto their backs, lacing their hands together as they each stared up at the ceiling.

“Did John tell you what’s got Bree’s knickers in a knot?” Justin queried.

“Yeah, Patrick’s new friend is hogging Bree’s time with her Patrick,” Brian explained.

“Ah, that explains it. So what do we plan on doing about it?”

“Not much we can do about it. I’ll call her later and get her take on it.”

“Wow.”

“Wow?”

“I’m impressed.”

“In what way?” Brian asked as he turned his head to look at Justin.

“A few years ago you would have been on the next plane outta here. Ride in on your white charger or in this case your Corvette to rescue the princess in distress. And ream out her oppressor in the process.” Brian glared at Justin making Justin laugh.

“Yeah, well maybe.”

“No maybe about it, Bri. No one gets away with making Bree sad or upset while you’re around.”

“Maybe I like rescuing princesses in distress. I’ve had lots of experience in the princess rescue business,” Brian smirked at Justin and got a backhand to his chest in return. “Ow,” he whined.

“Big baby,” Justin grumbled.

“Only blond princesses,” Brian qualified and got a pinch to his side.

“Two very, very special blond princesses,” he further qualified. That got him a kiss to his shoulder.

They quietly laid side by side for a while, neither man feeling the need to speak. Their linked hands said all that they needed to know for the moment.

 

*****
 

“Ladies, you’ve outdone yourselves,” John declared as he patted his very full belly then loudly belched. “Pardon,” he said as Bree, Ashley and Patrick giggled. Chet, who was still half asleep when brought to the breakfast table by John, had a sour look on his face.

“I’m going to have to run a few laps around the farm if I want to fit into my suits after the great meals I’ve eaten these past few days!” Bobby declared as he too patted his belly.

The ladies in question were all pleased by the praise.

“Well, men, I think it’s only fair that we do the washing up,” John said loudly as he stood and began to clear the table. Patrick and Bobby stood as well and without question, following John’s lead. Steve ushered the ladies out into the screen porch carrying a tray of tea, milk and juice for the ladies to enjoy while the menfolk set the kitchen to right.

Chet continued to sit and scowl.

“What shall we do today?” Bobby asked as he dried the last glass then put it back into the cupboard where it belonged. John finished wiping down the counters and the table.

“Not sure. We could go fishing,” John suggested. “The stream widens up near the farm and it’s been known to have a few trout in it. I haven’t been fishing in years,” John said with a wistful expression.

“My dad took me and Rachel fishing once down at the Jersey shore when we were kids,” Bobby said with an amused smirk on his face.

“Dr. Dan with a fishing pole in his hand, I don’t see it,” John laughed.

“Neither did we. It was on a party boat. Before we cast out the first line, Rachel got seasick, my father got a hook in his finger and I got sun poisoning. We spent the rest of the trip below deck. It was our last excursion to the shore and my family didn’t eat fish for years!”

John, Bobby, Patrick and Steve all laughed. Chet wasn’t amused.

“Fishing around here isn’t that exciting,” Steve said. “But it’s a nice day and I wouldn’t mind grilled trout for supper.”

“Providing we can catch any,” John added. “But you’re right about the day. It would be a shame to waste a beautiful day like this,” John said as he looked out the kitchen window. “We should ask Bree and Ashley.”

“Do we have to?” Chet finally spoke.

“It’s the polite thing to do,” John said with a stern look. Chet nodded sheepishly.

“I’ll ask them!” Patrick volunteered then sprinted out to the porch. “We’re going fishing today, you wanna come?” Patrick asked Bree and Ashley. Bree almost said yes, but Ashley wrinkled her nose and she shook her head no.

“You can go, Bree, if you want. I can stay with Grandma Claire. I don’t want to touch worms,” Ashley added.

“Oh.” Bree thought about it for a while. Bree wasn’t afraid of worms, she and her Dada saw plenty of worms all the time when they were gardening. He told her how important worms were for a healthy garden. But Bree didn’t want to be with Chet and she didn’t want to spoil Patrick’s fun either.

“I’ll stay with Ashley and Grandma Claire,” Bree acquiesced.

“You’re sure?” Patrick asked. He knew Bree didn’t like Chet but Patrick really didn’t mind hanging out with Bree and Ashley. He usually had fun with them even if he did have to do some girly things.

“I’m sure,” Bree stated with a smile, making Patrick feel a lot better for leaving her behind.

“It’s all right, Patrick, us women folk will go into town and do some shopping to prepare for the fish you’re going to bring home for dinner,” Claire said to reassure her grandson. She held out her arms and Patrick immediately moved into them. “Go on now and keep your fathers out of trouble,” she said with a conspiratorial wink.

“Okay, grandma,” Patrick said as he kissed her cheek then ran back into the house.

“Girls, we can make a day of shopping and visiting in town and maybe bake a cake for dessert. What do you say?” Claire asked the girls.

“Yay!” Bree and Ashley cheered then ran inside to get ready.

 

*****
 

The Florida sun made a spectacular reappearance after several days of rain. Brian and Justin decided on one last trip before flying back home. It was an overnight trip down to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center for the tour. They said goodbye to Seamus, knowing that they would see him and his partner soon at Edna’s Treasures.

“Which tour should we take?” Justin asked Brian as they drove toward Cape Canaveral. They had borrowed Seamus’ computer to print out as much information as they could.

“I thought you were sleeping,” Brian grumbled as he concentrated on the road. They had left the Piece of Plenty very early so that they could get to the Space Center when it opened. Then they’d fly home from Orlando.

“I decided to keep you company. We can share the driving.”

“I like driving,” Brian mumbled. Justin patted Brian’s thigh. This had been a very impulsive decision, mostly on Justin’s part but Brian could not turn him down.

“I’ll drive us to the airport,” Justin promised as a consolation. He leaned his head against the window for a moment as the sun was coming up. As Justin read over the papers he had printed about the different tours they could take, he drifted off to sleep.

“Hey, Sunshine,” Brian gently shook Justin awake.

“Hey,” Justin replied with a sleepy smile. “Are we there?” Justin said with a stretch.

“Yes we are. Have you decided which tour you’re interested in?”

“Can we just do the main visitor center tour and maybe the bus tour?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Brian stated as he exited the car. “I thought you were seriously considering the astronaut training tour.”

“Well,” Justin murmured with a blush.

Brian laughed. “It’s okay, Sunshine. It’s not like we were really going to be able to experience weightlessness. Although I was looking forward to zero gravity sex,” Brian whispered into Justin’s ear just before stepping up to the ticket booth. He chuckled when he felt the pop to his butt.

The boys spent a pleasant day at the Center, taking lots of pictures and making more memories.

“Bri, can we come back here with John and Bobby and the kids? Maybe spend a week or two,” Justin asked as they checked into their motel for the night.

“Of course we can. Let’s discuss it with the guys when we get back and make the reservations. I’ll even come back during Gay Days, if you want. I look great in red,” Brian said with a smirk.

“Asshole,” Justin mumbled as he took their bags into the room. “But I have to admit, you do look great in red,” Justin stated as he glanced around the room. It was just a small motel room but it was clean and it would serve its purpose for the one night.

“What did Bree say when you called her the other night?” Justin asked as he snuggled into Brian’s arms when they finally got into bed. It had been a long day. They were tired and looking forward to going home.

“The bottom line is that Chet...and who names their kid Chet? Chet wants to do guy stuff with Patrick. Just Patrick.”

“Patrick is going to be twelve this year. If Chet’s the same age then, yeah, I can understand them wanting to do guy stuff,” Justin agreed. “And no girls allowed.”

“What kind of guy stuff did you want to do when you were twelve?” Brian asked sporting a smirk on his face. He could imagine the pretty little blond boy Justin must have been at twelve, and made a mental note to get pictures from Jennifer when they got back.

“I don’t know,” Justin snorted.

“Yes, you do. It wasn’t all that long ago,” Brian pushed.

“Brian, my best friend was Daphne. All I wanted to do was to be just like her. We did what she wanted to do!” Justin explained, making Brian laugh.

“So, no shoot ‘em up or death and destruction video games?”

“No, more like going to the mall every chance we got and dishing on the clothes we saw people wear,” Justin admitted.

“My little fashionista princess,” Brian teased as he hugged Justin closer. “Do you miss her? Daphne?” Brian asked after a while.

“A little. We email once in a while but there’s no room for me in her life anymore,” Justin said sadly.

“Not even for Justin Taylor, renowned artist?”

“Maybe for him, but not for Justin and hanging out at the mall. Besides, I can always do that with Bree and Ashley.”

“And Susanna, she’s become a good friend.”

“Yes, she has and a positive role model for Ashley and Bree. I hope they stay friends for a very long time,” Justin said with a yawn.

“Me too,” Brian agreed. “Enough talking, time for all good princesses to go to sleep,” Brian commanded as he patted Justin’s hip.

“Okay,” Brian heard Justin mumble as he buried himself into Brian’s side then fell asleep. Brian kissed the blond head, closed his eyes and slept.

 

*****
 

“We’re boarding now,” Brian said into his cell phone. He was handling their carry-on bags as Justin handled their tickets. “Harrisburg,” Brian confirmed with John who was going to pick them up. “We should be landing around three. Are you sure that’s not a problem?” Brian asked.

“No problem, little bro,” John replied. “We’re all looking forward to your return,” John stated.

Chet and Ashley had returned to their respective homes and the lane was once again a quiet haven until the family descended upon them for the Labor Day weekend. They had a little under a week before that happened. The whole family was looking forward to it.

“Us too. I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed,” Brian said as he stowed their bags.

“Bri,” Justin called out to get his attention; they were announcing the turning off of devices.

“I gotta go, big bro, see you soon,” Brian said before he hung up and turned off his phone. He settled into his seat next to Justin. Justin was looking out the window. “Sorry to leave?”

“Not at all. I’m ready to go home. You?”

“I had a great time, but I miss everyone and our home. I even miss that dog.”

“You love Beau and you know it,” Justin said with a smile. Brian just grinned. He did have a fondness for Beau, even though he might not admit it.

“The garden must look like shit,” Brian grumbled after a while.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Justin assured his drama queen. He knew that John had arranged for Todd and his crew to come over a few times to inspect the gardens and the greenhouse. They did whatever was necessary to maintain the plants and flowers for Brian.

The flight wound up being uneventful and they were greeted by John, Bobby and the kids when they landed.

“Dada! Daddy!” Bree squealed as she caught a glimpse of her fathers. There were hugs and kisses to go around, before John had them all settled in his Navigator and back on the road to the lane.

Bree sat close to her younger father. She wanted the reassurance of her own eyes that he was happy and feeling better, and Justin was comforted by her presence. During the drive home, they all took turns updating each other and reviewing the plans for the Labor Day weekend bash.

“Did we miss anything important?” Brian asked as John took the turn off to their lane.

“Not really. Emmett and his boys came back a few days ago. Molly and her family should be here on Friday,” John said.

“Rachel said the girls will be here for the long weekend too,” Bobby added. Bree cheered. She loved Michelle and Cindy.

“John, pull over,” Justin requested as they slowly drove through the wrought iron gate. John made the turn then pulled to the side just before Emmett’s cottage. Justin got out of the big car and stood in the middle of the road.

“Is he okay?” Bobby asked Brian with some concern.

“He’s fine,” Brian said confidently.

“What’s he doing, Uncle Bri?” Patrick asked.

“Just looking,” Brian cryptically explained then he too got out of the Navigator. After a minute, Bree followed.

John, Bobby and Patrick watched as Brian slowly approached Justin and took his hand. Bree sidled up to the opposite side to take her father’s other hand. John, realizing what Justin needed, drove toward the cottage.

“Okay, Daddy?”

“Very okay,” Justin said with a gentle squeeze to Bree’s hand. “It’s good to be home,” Justin said as he looked up to Brian who smiled and nodded at him.

“Want to take a stroll, Sunshine?” Brian asked, getting a brilliant smile as his answer.

As they slowly walked up the lane toward their cottage, taking in the serene picturesque countryside, Beau came bounding up toward them.

“Beau!” both Bree and Justin shouted at the same time then gave the big dog a hug.

“Hello, dog,” Brian greeted the huge canine in his own acerbic way. Brian patted his chest then readied himself for the weight of Beau as the dog stood on his hind legs with his front paws on Brian. Brian accepted the lick to his face and hugged the thick neck. “Yeah, I missed you too,” Brian said into a furry ear.

Beau got down, barking loudly as he excitedly pranced circles around them. With his family now complete, Beau slowly herded them toward their home.

-tbc-

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