Then Comes Marriage

Chapter 5

Justin awoke from a deep sleep with Brian pushed up against his back and a decidedly hard something or other sticking into the crack of his ass.

"Brian, what are you doing?" Justin groaned. He had been enjoying a particularly nice dream.

"Waking you up."

"With your dick?"

"It wanted to say hello and tell you how glad it is that you're back."

"Well, thank it very much, but I was having a great dream."

"About what?" Brian asked as his hand snaked around and started stroking Justin's cock.

"I forget," Justin moaned as Brian's actions had the desired effect.

When they were finished some time later, they lay side by side glad to be together once again. They had fucked way on into the night, their need for each other always so urgent. This one had been calmer, more relaxed, and they lay holding hands savoring the fact that they could do that to each other and it was always wonderful, always so right.

After a while Brian asked again, "What were you dreaming about before?"

"I'm not sure."

"But you said it was a great dream."

"It was."

"Could you be a little more obtuse, Sunshine? I'm getting too close to a clue."

Justin laughed. "All right, I'll try to explain." Brian waited. "I think it was at the birthday party for Little Red. We were there and there were a lot of people, everybody from Pittsburgh. Only Little Red was a baby."

"He is a baby," Brian said stating the obvious.

"No, I mean a really little baby. He was like a newborn."

"But he's one. This is his first birthday."

"Dreams don't follow reality, Brian. They make you look at reality differently."

"Do they?" Brian asked with a smirk. "When did you do your studies in dream analysis?" Justin flicked his arm out and connected with Brian's abdomen. "Hey, spousal abuse," Brian gasped.

"Asshole, do you want to hear about this or not?"

Brian was tempted to say "not", but he decided he better … not. "Go ahead."

"Anyway, the baby is really small and I'm holding him and he's so beautiful, just like Gus was that night I met you. He was so little and so cute. He reached out to touch your nose."

"Yeah, I remember that."

Justin smiled. "I think that was the moment I actually fell in love with you."

"Not the moment my dick went up your ass?"

"That was the moment I knew I wanted you more than anything on Earth. But it had nothing to do with love."

"Hm," Brian replied.

"So, the baby was reaching up to me and I was leaning over kissing the top of his head. It felt … really great."

"That was the dream?"

"Yeah."

"All of it."

"That was as far as I got before your dick so rudely interrupted."

"And you thought it was great?"

"Yeah, why?" Brian groaned loudly. "What? What's wrong with you?"

"I think you want a baby."

"A baby?"

"Yes, the cuddly little thing from your dream. I think you want one of your own."

"Hm," Justin said. "Maybe I do, but I don't want one right now."

"You don't?" Brian asked feeling a wave of relief spread through him.

"Not for a while. I have so much to do with my art. I have to go away, like to Chicago. How could I look after a baby when I have to do that?"

"You have a partner, you know."

"Are you saying you would look after the baby if I had to go away for a show?"

"I guess that's what I'm saying."

"Are you really Brian Kinney?"

"I think so."

"I love you so much at this moment that I think my heart is going to explode."

"Don't do that," Brian tried to smirk, but it was hard to do that with tears in his eyes.

"Are you saying I can have a baby if I want one?"

Brian nodded. "I'm not getting any younger. I understand it's hard work raising a kid, and it takes eighteen years or so to do it."

"No shit!" Justin chuckled. "Seriously though, is that what you're saying?"

Brian nodded again. "Whenever you're ready."

"Thank you," Justin said rolling on top of Brian. "Not yet, but maybe soon."

"Definite enough for me."

Kisses followed and then hardness and all that went along with that.

*****

In the afternoon Brian and Justin made their way over to the Anderson-McNally farm. The birthday party for little Patrick would be held there. The snow had finally stopped overnight and the roads had been cleared. Most of Liberty Avenue would be there.

Brian walked in carrying Emmett's cake. They had come early to help Claire if needed. John took the cake and placed it on the dining room table.

"Where's the star of this show?" Brian asked looking around for the baby.

"Bobby's upstairs changing him," John said.

"I'll go help him," Justin volunteered and disappeared up the stairs.

Brian stared at his husband's back as he disappeared from view.

"Is something wrong?" John asked picking up a vibe.

"It's all your fault."

"What is?"

"You planted the seed about a baby, and I think it's starting to grow."

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yes, good. You should have one before you get old like me."

"You seem to be doing okay with the little one."

"I am, but I bet it would have been easier ten years ago."

"Justin had a dream about holding a newborn baby. I bet he's up there practicing his parenting skills."

"Practice is good. I wish I had had a bit more."

"But you're happy … with the baby and Bobby and being married."

"Very, aren't you?"

"Yeah, that's what's so strange."

"Why is that strange?"

"It seems so natural, so normal."

"It is."

"Not for Brian fucking Kinney it isn't."

"Hasn't anybody told you that you haven't been Brian fucking Kinney for quite some time now?"

Brian merely stared as John went to put the one candle on the cake.

A small version of Liberty Avenue showed up to celebrate. Carl and Debbie drove with Ben and Michael. Lindsay, Melanie and the kids followed. Emmett was still preoccupied with Drew and Ted and Allen had made their decision. They would give co-habitation a try. They spent that weekend moving their stuff, including the kettle drums. Patrick still had no idea what was going on but he seemed to love the attention and the cake. The whole family enjoyed the relaxing afternoon and spending time with the children. The family was growing in numbers and in location.

"Brian, may I have a word with you?"

"Sure Claire, what's up?"

"Would you and Justin consider hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner?" Brian's eyebrows arched completely into his hair line and he began to pale.

"Brian, come on now, it won't be so bad. Debbie and I have discussed it. Your cottage is the mid point between Bridgeton and Pittsburgh. We'll all help. We just need your porch. It's long enough to sit the entire family."

"That's if we move a hell of a lot of furniture and I don't have a table that long."

"We have the tables John bought. Brian, talk it over with Justin. We can make this work." Brian nodded. This family business was getting way too complicated.

By the end of the evening, Carl and Deb, Ben and Michael were happily situated at Claire's and the ladies with children were again at Brian and Justin's. This time the Munchers took the futon bed in Brian's office and the following morning, it was Justin who led the kids in making breakfast. Brian appeared to be pre-occupied but he was a pleasant host. By noon Munchers and children were on the road back to Pittsburgh.

A couple of weeks later Thanksgiving was approaching. Claire and Justin went shopping for all the things they would need. Claire had it down to a fine science as to what food to buy, amounts and special treats. They drove into Harrisburg in Justin's SUV. With a hint of evil in his voice, Justin suggested they stop by Kinnetik Part Deux and ask Brian to come with them.

"You're looking for trouble, aren't you?" Claire laughed.

"I'm going to enjoy the look on his face when I tell him we can't do this without him."

"You mean the look after his face turns red and before his head explodes."

"That's the one," Justin laughed.

"My dear young man, I see what a match you are for Brian. I never suspected you had such a mean streak."

"It's not really a mean streak," Justin explained as they pulled up in front of Kinnetik. "It's just that I have to give back as good as I get. If I didn't I'd be in deep shit. He has to be kept on his toes or he gets complacent or cranky, and I don't like either of those."

Claire studied Justin as they got out of the car. "You have this relationship thing all figured out, don't you?"

"Hell, no! All I know is how to survive in the land of Kinney and it's taken me years to understand how to do that."

They were both laughing as they said 'Hi' to Scott who waved them into Brian's office saying that Brian was alone.

"Hey," Justin said as he sidled up to Brian and gave him a kiss.

"Hey, back," Brian purred.

"Hello, Brian," Claire said since Brian didn't seem to realize there was anyone in the office besides him and Justin. Maybe he didn't realize there was anyone in the whole world either.

"Oh, Claire, hello. Have you two got the shopping done already?"

"Nope, we're going to do it now, and we thought you should come with us," Justin said wrapping his arm around Brian's waist. "That is, if you can spare an hour or two out of your busy schedule," Justin added batting his baby blues at Brian.

"Um…" Brian began trying to think of a good excuse. He really didn't have a lot to do. He had been thinking of leaving early and being at home when Justin came back from shopping. They could fuck as soon as they put everything away.

"I know it's asking a lot, Brian," Justin laid it on. "But if we're hosting this thing I could really use your help. If we learn how to do all this from Claire, we won't have to bother her every time there's a get together." Justin looked up into Brian's face and smiled that incredible smile of his.

Claire was about to say that she didn't mind helping them. In fact, she quite enjoyed doing the shopping and the preparation and the cooking. However, something told her to keep her mouth shut and let this play out. She watched with interest.

"I suppose I could go with you," Brian said caving to the smile. "Let me check with Scott and make sure he can clear my schedule." Brian went to the outer office while Justin winked at Claire.

"My goodness, Justin," Claire laughed. "That was truly masterful."

"Thank you," Justin chuckled taking a mock bow.

"And his head didn't explode. And he barely protested at all."

"I knew he would want to help if he thought it was all a little much for me," Justin confessed.

"He loves you so much," Claire stated.

"I know, and I love him back just as much."

"You're both very lucky."

"You can say that again. There were so many times early on that I didn't think we would ever make it at all."

"I suppose all the troubles that you both survived have made you stronger as a result. I know that when Jack left me pregnant with John, I had to become strong to make a life for both of us. It wasn't easy, but I became a better person because of it."

"And Steve gets to reap the rewards," Justin grinned.

Brian came back in and said everything was taken care of. He grabbed his coat and they headed out all going in the SUV.

About an hour and a half later Justin, Brian and Claire arrived at the cottage. The SUV was laden with food including a humongous turkey. Brian was putting on a brave front, but Justin knew that dealing with the people in the supermarket had really worn on his last nerve.

"Um … Claire," Justin said as he opened the hatch of the SUV while Brian was unlocking the door to the cottage. "Could you say you have something to do at home and leave us alone?"

Claire smiled. "He's in a foul mood, isn't he?" Justin nodded. "I could sense it coming after about a half hour. He really hates shopping."

"He hates grocery shopping. If we had been at Prada he could have gone on for hours."

Claire laughed. "So now you have to make it up to him?"

"No, not really. I want to make it up to him. I didn't really think he would come with us today, but I'm glad he did it for me."

"I told you he loves you so much. I should send Steve over for some lessons in handling your mate."

"Isn't he living up to expectations?" Justin asked concerned.

"No, it's not that. He's been alone for a long time. He has to get back into the whole sharing your feelings, the highs and the lows. He lets on that everything is wonderful all the time. I know it's not and so does he, but he's afraid to talk about it."

"Make him, however you can."

"I'm trying. I'll get out of the way now," Claire said. "Bye, Brian, I need to get going. I'm sure you two can handle putting all this away. Put the turkey in the fridge to thaw." She got in her car and drove away.

Justin closed the hatch on the SUV. He walked towards the house meeting Brian who was coming back to help carry things.

"Aren't you bringing everything in?" Brian asked with a frown.

"It's cool enough that nothing will spoil in an hour or two."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I'm kind of beat. All that shopping can get on your nerves."

"Yeah."

"Come, lie down with me and rest for a while."

"Rest?" Brian asked with his patented smirk.

"Yeah, after."

Justin took Brian's hand and led him into the house. The groceries would be just fine until Justin made everything fine with his husband.

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