London Calling

Chapter 9

“Nice move,” Debbie snarked as she helped Brian stack the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Brian said with a straight face.

“Sure you don’t. I’m onto you, kiddo, you can’t fool me. Sending a baby to do your dirty work,” Debbie said as she wagged her finger under Brian’s nose. Brian smirked, fully aware of Bree’s interrogation regarding the Brian snowman’s ‘nose’.

“Moi? And Bree’s no baby,” Brian said innocently, turning on the charm.

“Yeah, you, asshole.” She was relentless. “I finally had to tell her that it was all a joke and that she’d have to wait until she was older to understand. Apparently, she knows that expression very well,” Debbie said with some accusation.

Brian shrugged his shoulders. Before Debbie could go on, Justin’s voice saved him in the nick of time.

“Bri, we’re going to finish decorating the porch. Can you come out and help?” Justin called from the sun porch.

“I...” Brian was about to reply with his usual retort about always coming.

“Ahh!” Debbie warned, raising her finger again.

“I’ll be right out,” Brian said instead then kissed Debbie’s cheek. Debbie gave Brian’s cheek a little smack then went to make a fresh pot of coffee. “I love you, Maw,” Debbie heard as Brian walked down the hall. It made her smile. Jennifer and Joan joined Debbie in the kitchen.

“Well, ladies, what should we make now?” Debbie asked.

“I think it’s all just about done,” Jennifer stated. “All that’s left is the turkey, ham and the roast. And the vegetables.”

“And the stuffing but that can all be done on Christmas day,” Joan contributed. “The pies and cakes are done. We could make cookies.”

“I believe Emmett has the fixings for gingerbread cookies, but that might take most of the day to make the dough and let it rest for a while,” Debbie said. She had spent most of the previous day in Emmett’s kitchen so she was very familiar with what was in his pantry. “He also has the ingredients for oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies,” Debbie confirmed.

“Then I suggest we go down there and leave the boys to their own devices,” Jennifer said.

“Do you think that’s wise?” Joan asked. Then they heard a little crash and an annoyed “Schmidt!” from Brian. The inevitable, “Sorry, boss,” followed. The ladies looked at each other then silently went to gather their coats, boots, hats and gloves for the short walk down the lane.

 

*****
 

“Dada? When should we decorate the tree? It’s gotta be ready for Santa Claus!” Bree asked. She was all bundled on a chaise, wrapped in an afghan and sipping a mug of hot chocolate. The little girl was cold and tired after her early morning exploits of snowman building. Her fathers thought it best to give Bree a warm bath and put her in her footy pj’s. Bree didn’t mind supervising the porch decorating from her warm nest.

“I’m thinking we should do it tomorrow and perhaps invite the Christmas fairies to help,” Brian suggested. Emmett, who had been flitting back and forth between the porch and the Anderson-Morrison end of the cottage all morning, stopped in mid flit.

“What a wonderful idea! We can turn Christmas Eve into a tree day.”

“What are you rambling about?” Brian grumbled. He and Justin had just finished decorating their balcony and stair railings and were about to tackle John’s balcony rail.

“A pre-Christmas party.”

“A what? Isn’t it enough that all of you have invaded my space and more of you will be here on Christmas day? Now you want another party?”

“Yes. Brian, we’re here and we’re not going anywhere. We might as well have a party. Besides, you’ll be across the pond, as they say, for several weeks. We’re all going to miss you and you’re going to miss us, you big duffus!” Emmett cried as he flung himself into Brian’s arms. For a split second, Brian’s initial reaction was to push the tall queen away. But he couldn’t.

“You’re one big fucking annoying fairy; do you know that?” Brian growled in Emmett’s ear.

“I know,” Emmett sniffled back. “But you love me anyway.”

“Yeah,” Brian whispered then gently pushed back his friend. “Let’s get this house ready for a party,” Brian commanded.

“Yes, sir!” Emmett said with a mock salute and a moist eyed, toothy grin. He then flitted away to continue his decorating.

“Dada?”

“Yes, Squirt.”

“Why is Auntie Emm sad?” Bree had witnessed Emmett’s sniffles. Brian sat next to his petite blond daughter on the chaise.

“He’s really not sad, Squirt, but he’s our friend and he’s going to miss us when we’re away, just like we’ll miss him and the rest of the family.”

“Oh. So when are we going to decorate the tree?”

“Tomorrow. We’re going to have a tree trimming party.”

“YAY! A party. Can I wear a party dress, Dada?”

“You can wear whatever you want, sweetheart,” Brian said with a hug. Then quickly added, “Just as long as you can find it in your closet.”

 

*****
 

Monday dawned clear and cold keeping the snowman family intact in the backyard of Edna’s Treasures. Joan had to chuckle every time she looked out at the motley crew.

Bree selected one of her pink party dresses for the tree trimming party. She looked like a true fairy princess amongst all the other Christmas fairies. With so many helpers the tree got decorated in no time. Bree was in her glory pointing out spots that were too bare on the tree. One of the fairies would quickly fill it with an ornament or a piece of tinsel. Bree really did have an artistic eye for making the tree beautiful.

Molly, Owen and Taylor arrived during the party and were able to stay for a couple of hours before heading back to Pittsburgh and Sharon Brenner’s Christmas Eve party. Everyone took their turn bouncing Taylor on their lap. The baby was taking the first tentative movements towards walking. He could stand as long as he had something to hold onto, a finger, a table, a leg. Everyone was waiting for that first wobbly step, but it didn’t happen that day.

Justin realized that Taylor would probably be walking before they returned from England. It made him kind of sad that he wouldn’t be there for that first milestone in the little guy’s life. It was with a bit of a heavy heart that he said goodbye to the Brenner family when they were ready to leave.

Bree did her best to keep everyone entertained with her princess act. Rarely did she have so many minions to order around, and having them all at her beck and call was so much fun. At one point Brian gave her the eyebrow to let her know that maybe she was going too far. She understood that eyebrow only too well, and toned it down as a result.

By the afternoon the tree was all trimmed and lit. It looked fabulous in the corner of the sun porch. Everyone congratulated the injured fairies, Drew and Ben, on choosing such a wonderful tree. And of course Bree got her share of the credit. She was gracious enough to say that she couldn’t have done it without her Uncas. That earned her a head nod from her father. She liked his nod of approval a lot more than she liked the eyebrow.

Emmett had made some fabulous finger foods for dinner later. In the meantime they drank mulled cider and talked and laughed.

Brian couldn’t help but think that this was what Christmas was supposed to be. He looked over at his mother who was sharing a chaise with Bree. The sight of the two of them, together in his home made Brian’s heart ache. They looked so perfect together. Bree was trying to feed her Gamma a blue cheese and pear canapé, and Joan was laughing with delight as she took a bite. They should have a picture.

Just then Gus appeared from the inside of the house. His mothers had arrived earlier, and they seemed quite content to let Gus stay at Edna’s Treasures while they enjoyed the new cottage with JR. Gus had his camera and he started snapping pictures. Brian smiled and moved over closer to Justin. He linked his fingers through Justin’s.

“Could this be any more perfect?” Justin whispered.

Brian merely shook his head. He had everything he could ever dream of.

They had all decided to make the rest of the day calm and easy. Everything was pretty much done in preparation for Christmas Day. As much of the food as could be made ahead had been. All the decorations were complete. There was little to do except sit around and talk or find a quiet corner to read, or put on a headset and listen to music. Justin took to sketching, Ben was writing something in his notebook and so was Michael. He had come up with an idea for a new Rage Christmas edition that he was working on for the following Christmas.

People were spread out all through the house, but the sun porch remained the hub of activity. Brian had been reading in the living room and decided to stick his head into the sun porch to see how things were going.

“Hi, Dada,” Bree called when she saw him. “Patrick and me are playing Old Maid.”

“Did Auntie Emm give you that game?” Brian said with a purposeful look at Emmett who stuck out his tongue in return.

“Unh unh,” Bree replied. “I have this game forever.”

“How many times have you been stuck with the Old Maid?” Brian asked her.

“Never. Patrick always gets it.”

Brian looked at his nephew who merely shrugged. Brian winked back at him. “Keep playing until you get it, Bree,” he advised.

“But I don’t want to be an old maid,” Bree responded.

“Do you know what an old maid is?’

“It’s this,” Bree said holding up the card from her hand.

“Ah, so you’ve got it,” Brian whispered as he squatted down beside her.

“Uh uh, but I can give it to Patrick,” Bree said confidently, which is exactly what she proceeded to do on the next play.

“You need to finish up soon. Then we’re going to have something to eat before we go to Grandma Claire’s church for Christmas Eve service,” Brian said to the two children.

“Okay, Uncle Bri,” Patrick replied.

“How come we’re going to so many churches this year?” Bree asked.

“I thought you liked going to church.”

“I do. I like to sing, Dada, but usually we don’t go so often.”

“I guess this year is different,” Brian said unable to come up with a better explanation.

“Everybody wants us to do things with them before we go away,” Patrick said with all the innate wisdom that he had inherited from his father.

Bree thought about that for a moment while Brian ruffled Patrick’s red locks. “I’m going to miss everybody,” Bree declared extending her arms to encompass all the people that were within the walls of her house. “Dada, can we take everybody with us?”

“No,” Brian said emphatically.

“But why, Dada? I want them to come.”

“They have jobs and things they have to do,” Patrick explained.

“They do?” Bree asked with a frown.

“Yeah, Uncle Michael has the comic book store, and your Grandma Joan works at the bookstore and Hunter and Nick have to be at the clinic and…” Patrick continued while Bree listened attentively.

Brian thought that was the perfect moment to make his getaway and let Patrick explain why the whole family couldn’t go to England with them.

“You’re lucky Patrick got you off the hook,” Justin chuckled as he followed Brian into the kitchen.

“You were listening?”

Justin nodded as he plugged in the kettle. “I thought you were going to end up chartering a plane to take everyone to England with us.”

“I’ve done stupider things,” Brian said with a shake of his head.

Justin laughed and pulled Brian into a hug. “None of the things you’ve done for Bree and this family are stupid. They’re filled with love and caring, and that’s why I love you. That’s why we all love you.”

Brian gulped back the lump that was forming in his throat. He opened his mouth finding it hard to get his voice to work. “I think you’ve OD’d on Christmas sweets,” he finally managed to say.

“You are still so full of shit, one hundred percent,” Justin said with a little laugh. “But that’s part of the reason we love you.”

“Let’s get out the food so we can feed the masses before we go to church,” Brian said trying to change the subject.

“Loaves and fishes.”

“More like canapés and quiches.”

Justin chuckled as he started hauling food out of the fridge.

 

*****
 

Hours later they arrived back from the church service.

Bree skipped happily through the snow as they made their way inside. “I love Christmas,” she stated with a big smile as she kicked off her boots. “I love singing Christmas carols.”

“Maybe we should see about getting her some kind of music lessons,” Justin whispered to Brian as he took Bree’s coat and placed it in the hall closet.

“Let’s leave all that till we get this fucking Christmas over with and then the trip,” Brian replied.

“What are you mad about?” Justin asked with a frown.

“I’m not mad.”

“You sure sound like it.”

“I think I’ve had too much religion and too much family and too much fucking eggnog.”

Justin snorted. “Oh, that’s all.” Brian glared at him.

“Daddy, we have to put out cookies and milk for Santa,” Bree informed her father.

“We’ll do that right before you go to bed, sweetheart. Why don’t you go put on your jammies and then we’ll take care of it.”

“’Kay, Daddy,” Bree said as she ran off to her room.

“Night, Uncle Bri, Uncle Justin. I’m going to bed,” Patrick said.

“Don’t you need to put out your own milk and cookies for Santa first?” Brian asked.

“Don’t tell Bree, but there really isn’t a Santa,” Patrick whispered.

“There isn’t?” Brian asked with a shocked look on his face.

“No, Uncle Bri, there isn’t,” Patrick averred. “Night.” He ran off to his side of the cottages.

“I thought he still believed,” Justin said.

“Our boy is growing up,” John replied sadly. “I hate to admit it, but he’s a big boy now.”

“Well, at least he didn’t tell Bree there’s no Santa,” Brian said.

“Patrick would never do that,” Bobby replied.

“No, Red, I guess he wouldn’t,” Brian agreed. “He’s a good lad.”

“That he is,” John said. “I think we’ll head for our side too. Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in the morning.”

“Not too early,” Brian advised.

“Never,” Bobby laughed as he waved goodnight. Jennifer and Seth followed them to their cottage where they were sleeping.

“Let’s hit the hay too,” Justin said. The rest of the gang all seemed ready for bed too.

“You have to wait for Bree and the cookies and milk,” Brian said.

Justin smiled at his husband. “You go ahead, and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

Brian nodded. He really was quite tired. Having so many people around was always hard for him, even if he loved them all more than he thought possible.

 

*****
 

Christmas Day at Edna’s Treasures was filled with presents and laughter and Christmas music and gag gifts and lots of food and love.

The whole gang would remember it as one of the best Christmases ever. The weather was lovely, cold but no new snow. There was good food and good friends. Everyone seemed to enjoy their gifts. Santa was very good to the two children in the house, even the one who no longer believed.

A slightly bittersweet feeling developed as the day wore on. Everyone was aware that the Kinney-Taylor’s and the Anderson-Morrison’s would be packing and getting ready to leave in the days to follow. Although everyone wished them well and said they knew they would have a great trip, there was still sadness knowing they would be apart for so long.

As the day drew to a close, Brian found the need to hold onto Justin time and time again.

“It’s okay, you know,” Justin finally said as Brian held him in a hug. “We’re coming back.”

“I know, but I still would rather not go.”

“We don’t have to go to England, if that’s what you want,” Justin said seriously.

“I’m not going to hold you back,” Brian stated. “We have everything arranged and we’re going.”

“Then relax and try to enjoy it.”

“I am. Can’t you tell?” Brian asked tongue in cheek.

“Sometimes it’s hard to tell.”

“I really am doing my best to be positive about this.”

“I know, and I love you for it.”

“Merry Christmas, Justin Taylor.”

“Merry Christmas, Brian Kinney.”

And it was.
 

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