Little Girls and Puppy Dog Tales
 

Chapter 8
 

 

“Hello, my name is Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor and I’m very pleased to meet you!” Bree had her hand out to shake hands as she had witnessed her Dada do hundreds of times before at Kinnetik, even if he was unsure of a client. Never let them see you’re nervous, Brian had taught her.

“I’m very pleased to meet you too, Briana,” said Celeste as she took Bree’s hand. “And this is my husband Sam Watson,” Celeste added before anyone else could speak.

“I’ve heard a lot of nice things about you, Miss Briana. It’s good to finally meet you,” Sam said as he also shook the dainty hand. Sam briefly glanced down, not expecting such a strong grip from the petite child but then he recalled what Patrick had said about the girl. Bree was very competitive and athletic, taking so much after her businessman father who had just stepped up behind Bree. Bree gave Sam a lovely smile, pleased with the formal way he referred to her. Sam saw much of his wife in Bree's smile, including Celeste's stubbornness.

“Brian Kinney,” Brian said as he also shook Sam’s hand with a grip that belied the lankiness of the tall man. The detective sensed strength, strength in body as well as in character. This was the leader of the lane, of the family’s pack just as Beau was the leader of his own pack. This was a man who commanded respect.

Brian sensed the man’s perusal; he arched his brow as his eyes roved the fit body and the ruggedly handsome face. ‘Another time, another place, an alternate reality,’ Brian thought to himself then he smirked making Sam a touch uncomfortable. Pleased with Sam’s reaction, Brian turned his attention toward Celeste and his face immediately softened.

“You’re just as lovely as I remembered,” Brian said sincerely in a tone so breathy it was almost ethereal. It was that tone and the way Brian’s hazel eyes turned almost gold that captivated most women even when they knew he was gay. Brian took Celeste’s hand gently into his larger one and gave it a delicate squeeze before bringing it to his lips. Never breaking eye contact with the woman who gave him one of the most precious gifts Brian had ever hoped for, he placed a chaste kiss on the back of Celeste’s hand. “Thank you,” he murmured before releasing Celeste. “And welcome to our home. You picked a nice day for your visit,” Brian said to both Celeste and Sam.

“Yes, it’s beautiful out here and this is almost magical. I keep saying that but it’s true,” Celeste said as she waved her hand around indicating the small glade by the bank of the stream and ‘the thinking rock.’

“I agree. This is one of the reasons I chose this place for our home. We call this the thinking rock. Most of us have come here at one time or another to think or do a little soul searching. I never knew what that expression meant until I discovered John and his mother. They have a similar stream and rock at their farm. Bree and I were just doing that, weren’t we, Squirt?”

“Yes, Dada,” Bree replied as she sidled closer to her father for support and courage. “We come here a lot to think.”

“We also sometimes come here to have private conversations,” Brian added as he looked directly at Celeste. “We sit on the rock and talk. It’s surprisingly very comfortable.”

“I can see that it might be,” Celeste agreed and understood. “Briana, your family told me about how much you like to garden and that you know all about plants and flowers. Would you mind telling me about some of the pretty flowers that grow around here? Or maybe you can tell me about school. Your Auntie Emm told me about some of your accomplishments.”

Bree gave Celeste a shy smile as she nodded her head.

“Why don’t we give the ladies some time alone,” John interjected as he realized what was happening. He handed Celeste a lantern that was bright enough to light the glade and then commanded Beau to stay and protect. “They’ll be fine,” John said to Sam before he had time to object. “Bree knows every pebble on this path and Beau would never let anything happen to either one of them,” John said sternly to Sam.

Sam nodded; he appeared to be outvoted. He gave his wife a loving smile as he searched her eyes for any signs of distress. Finding none except for the look of a woman on a mission, Sam gave in. He bent over to scoop up Juan who had followed him and was trying to undo the laces of his boots. Tucking the pup under his arm and carrying him like a football, Sam joined the crowd heading back to the conjoined cottages.

“So Sam, who’s your little buddy?” Brian asked from somewhere behind Sam. Brian and Justin were bringing up the rear, so to speak. Brian’s tone was somewhat lecherous.

“Um, Juan,” was all that Sam said as he upped his pace so that he was walking amidst the ladies. Brian snickered.

“Stop it, you’re making him nervous,” Justin admonished his naughty spouse with a smack to Brian’s chest. “And don’t think I didn’t see you give him the look.”

“The look?”

“Yes, the look. For a minute I thought I was back on Liberty Avenue.”

“Moi?” Brian asked innocently.

“Oui, toi. Don’t try to look all innocent, I know exactly what you’re doing.”

“Aw, Sunshine, you never let me have any fun. Besides, if Sam survived Emmett, I’m sure he’ll survive me. And what’s with him and Juan?”

“Don’t know. Patrick said that they spent a little time by the Wendy house. I guess Juan followed them down here.”

“Hmm,” Brian murmured then stopped to hug Justin close. Brian scrunched, stepping in very close to Justin then giving him a resounding kiss.

“What was that for?” Justin asked when he regained his breath.

“For being the best partner a man could have,” Brian replied. Brian gave Justin another peck then plopped his arm around Justin’s shoulders as they continued on back to the house.

“This doesn’t change anything you know,” Justin said as he snaked his arm around Brian’s trim waist. "Your ass is still mine tonight.”

“I know,” Brian said with a smirk.

 

*****
 

“Wanna sit on the rock?” Bree asked her biological mother. Bree had studied Celeste carefully as the others made their way out of the glade.

Celeste had felt Briana’s eyes on her and was trying to have a good look at Briana without being too obvious about it. Celeste had heard a lot about the little girl from the residents of the lane, but she realized that Briana would know next to nothing about her. “That would be lovely, Briana,” Celeste replied after a pause.

They walked over to the rock and scooted up onto the flat spot. Beau followed and laid down at the edge of the rock where he had a good view of his charges.

“Is there something you would like to ask me?” Celeste said. Bree shook her head. “You can ask me anything you want,” Celeste tried to reassure the little girl.

Bree looked into Celeste’s kind eyes. “Are you sorry you gave me to my dads?”

“What?” Celeste asked aghast at the question. “Why would you even think such a thing?”

“You said I could ask.” Tears were welling up in Bree’s eyes.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Celeste said quickly. “I was just … surprised at your question.”

“It’s what I wanted to know.”

“I didn’t give you to your dads. You were theirs from the moment you were conceived. They wanted you so much,” Celeste said her voice cracking with emotion.

“Oh,” Bree said with a frown. “You didn’t ever want me.”

“Briana, I think you have this wrong. I was just the means that your fathers could have a baby. You were never mine. It was not even a thought that I would keep you.”

“But you carried me around for all those months in your tummy. Didn’t you think about what I would be like?”

“Of course I did. Your fathers are so handsome, and I was sure you would be beautiful, just like you are.” Bree gave a tentative little smile at the compliment. “I’m here today because I was curious about what you would be like. And I wanted to meet the girl who made that wonderful card.”

Bree’s smile grew larger. “You liked it?”

“I certainly did. It was so unique and interesting,” Celeste explained. “I want you to know that you’re the only one of the children I have been a surrogate for that I have met.”

“So, I’m special?” Bree asked coyly.

“I think you already know that, Miss Briana,” Celeste said with a chuckle.

“You can call me Bree. Everybody else does,” Bree offered.

“Then Bree it is.”

Bree smiled but then her face sobered. “I was afraid I wouldn’t like you,” she said honestly. “Then I was afraid I would like you. My Dada helped me figure that out.”

“Did he now? Your Dada is a very smart man.”

“I know.”

“Why were you afraid to like me?”

“I didn’t want my daddies to be sad or upset that I liked you. I thought they might think I wouldn’t want them anymore if I liked you too much.”

“And do you like me?” Celeste asked cutting to the chase. She held her breath as she waited for Bree’s answer.

“Yes, I do,” Bree stated with a smile.

“But you love your daddies.”

“More than the sun and the moon and the sky,” Bree said enthusiastically.

“Then there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”

Bree smiled fully and openly for the first time. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her tiny shoulders. “You’re really nice,” Bree stated.

“I’m glad you think so,” Celeste said with a giggle and a matching smile.

“Do you like me?”

“I certainly do. Everybody that Sam and I have met on the lane has told us how smart and athletic and kind you are.”

“They’re going to ruin my reputation,” Bree said with an arch of her eyebrow.

Celeste laughed out loud. “You looked exactly like your Dada when you said that. He arched his brow just that way.”

“I look like you,” Bree stated with her face sobering once again.

“Well, you were made with one of my eggs.”

“I wanted to see if I looked like you, “Bree admitted.

“I thought maybe that was part of the reason you asked me to come.”

“You’re smart too.”

“Thanks, I like to think I am,” Celeste replied.

“You’re a doctor, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m a fertility doctor. I help people who can’t have babies on their own.”

“Just like you helped my daddies.”

“That’s right. I guess I always knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

“Do you have children … of your own?” Bree asked.

“Yes, I do. A girl and a boy.”

“That’s nice,” Bree observed. “I wanted Taylor to be a girl when he was born, but he turned out to be a boy.” She made a face.

Celeste laughed. “I hope that doesn’t mean you don’t like Taylor.”

“Oh no, I love Taylor. He thinks I know everything. Daddy says he worships me.”

“That’s a big responsibility.”

“Yeah, I guess it is, but I’m up for it,” Bree said confidently.

“I just knew you were,” Celeste chuckled. She looked intently at Bree. The child was a confounding blend of her fathers, a strange mixture of child and grown woman. She really was something special, and Celeste had helped create her. “Do you miss having women in your life?”

“Oh no, I have lots of women in my life,” Bree stated. “I had five grandmas, but Gamma Joan died.” Bree looked sad but the expression quickly passed. “And Auntie Rachel’s daughters, Cindy and Michelle, they were great. They showed me all about manicures and facials and being a girlie girl.” Celeste laughed at Bree’s manner of speaking. She could have been thirty. “And I have my best friend Ashley. She’s the best.”

“I’m glad you have such a good friend.”

“Me too.”

Celeste glanced around, looking at the fading sunlight behind the trees. She picked up the lantern that John had left with them.

“You just have to push that button,” Bree said pointing to a small switch on the side of the lantern.

Celeste did as instructed and light flooded out from the lantern. Beau stood up and shook himself. He let out a little woof.

“Beau says it’s time to go back home,” Bree explained.

“He’s a very smart dog.”

Bree giggled. “Everybody who lives on the lane is smart,” she stated confidently. “…In their own way,” she added.

Celeste studied the child before her. Bree was wise beyond her years, even though she still had many childlike qualities. She was a very intriguing person. No wonder the people on the lane had had so much to say about Briana Victoria Kinney-Taylor, and everything they had said was full of pride in the girl.

“Are you ready to go?” Bree asked. Celeste nodded, and was amazingly pleased when Bree stuck her hand in hers and led the way out of the glade.

 

*****
 

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Justin asked Brian as they were all putting the food on the table.

“I don’t know. Maybe the weather, the latest hot stocks to buy or if the Penguins will make the finals this year,” Brian quipped getting a swat to his rear for his trouble.

“Be serious,” Justin admonished.

“I am being serious. Sunshine,” Brian began as he took a large platter out of Justin’s hands, placing it on the table before he took the younger man into his arms. “...it’ll be all right, trust Bree.”

“I do,” Justin replied as he searched Brian’s eyes and found the reassurance that he needed staring back at him. Brian hugged Justin a little closer, Justin hung on soaking up Brian’s confidence that all would work out for the best. Brian was a little worried too but he would never allow Justin to see how he was really feeling about this.

The family went about its business getting their dinner on the table and preparing to sit, ignoring the tableau that was going on in one corner of the sun porch. Sam felt a little uncomfortable but he couldn’t stop staring at Brian and Justin as they held onto each other. Something squirmed in his arms forcing Sam to look away and down at the little furball that he forgot he was still carrying.

“Um, they’ve been out there a long time,” Sam stated out loud to no one in particular. His eyes scanned the glass walls of the sun porch, straining to see out beyond the lit garden and into the dark, searching for signs of his wife.

“Don’t worry, Honey, they’ll be fine,” Emmett said as he gestured to one of the chairs at the table. “Sit, have something to eat. I’m sure they’ll be back soon.” Emmett smiled as he clapped Sam’s back making him jump and Juan whimper.

“Bree may have gotten her good looks from Celeste but she gets her appetite from Justin. Her stomach will bring her back soon,” Brian quipped. “She hasn’t eaten since breakfast. I bet her stomach is growling louder than Beau. Speaking of Beau, unless you’re planning to adopt Juan, I think his mother wants him back now,” Brian said as he gave Sam a smirk.

Sam looked down and found a set of eyes anxiously looking up at him. Sam set Juan down in front of his mother. He gave Juan a little pat and Lady Lucie a gentle scratch behind one ear. Lucie took the pup by the scruff then began to walk toward the sliding sun porch door. John, who was standing nearby, slid open the door to allow Lucie out. He stood looking out through the garden and beyond. Then he walked outside so that he could get a better view of the path for the stream. In the distance he thought he saw a light.

“Are they coming?” Brian asked his brother.

“Yes, I think so,” John said without looking at Brian. Then he turned and took a good look at Brian’s face. “She’ll be all right,” John said as he gave Brian’s shoulder a squeeze. “She loves her fathers and that will never ever change.”

Brian nodded.

“Brian,” John began as he drew his brother into his arms. Brian went willingly, soaking up his brother’s confidence. “She knows who her parents are; meeting Celeste won’t change that. Bree will only be enhanced by the experience.”

“What if she wants to continue the relationship?” Brian whispered.

“Then we follow her lead. She’s a young lady now and she certainly knows her own mind. You’re her Dada and Justin is her Daddy. Bree relies on you both and trusts that you’ll be there for her.” John felt his brother relax just a fraction. “We should go inside, I’m sure Justin is getting anxious.” Brian agreed so the brothers went back into the porch.

As the family sat around the table and began to pass around the platters and bowls the sun porch door slid open and two people walked in. Seeing someone new sitting at the table, Tom went over to introduce himself.

“Hi, I’m Tom and this is my partner Todd, and you are…?”
 

Return to Little Girls and Puppy Dog Tales