Chapter 13

"Well, Justin, what do you think? Think you can paint in here? It's a little small but the lighting's great." Kyle was showing Justin and Bree around a small loft studio in the Soho section of Manhattan. It was basically a square room devoid of any furniture with one big storage closet, a small bathroom and huge windows on three sides.

"It's perfect!" Justin exclaimed. "Maybe I can get some work done while I'm here. As much as New York has to offer, I miss not being able to paint."

"It's yours for as long as you want it. I may have an old futon, some chairs and a table you can borrow. They're gathering dust in some storage locker somewhere. I'll have them sent over. You just name the day. Oh and supplies, there's an art supply outlet around the corner."

"I remember. Spent my last dollar there one day." Justin did have some fond memories of the time he spent in New York perfecting his craft, although eating macaroni and cheese every night for a month wasn't one of them.

"Here's the key and, Justin..."

"Yeah?"

"Welcome back. You tell Sydney that I get first crack at you when his gallery is done with your 'Old Masters'."

"Thanks, Kyle, thank you for everything," Justin gave Kyle a hug then pocketed the key. "Come on, Bree, Daddy needs to go shopping!" Briana looked up at her Daddy's radiant face and smiled back. She loved to go shopping with her Daddy.

*****

"Brian, I'm done for today. I need a long hot shower." John entered the main office, noting that there wasn't anything business-like going on. He plopped himself into Brian's chair then with a mighty whomp, threw his legs up onto Brian's desk.

"Hey, get them nasty boats you call feet, off my desk!" Brian groused. "Didn't your mother raise you better than that?"

"Oh shut up, Brian, you're lucky I don't take my boots off."

"You better fucking not! I remember their distinctive aroma after we were traipsing through some jungle one day. Not a pleasant memory I wish to relive anytime soon," Brian said as he smacked a workboot clad foot.

"You should talk, oh great white frog hunter. I remember you weren't smelling so good that first night we spent in that lovely room in Santa Ana. I don't know how Justin slept that night. You reeked, little bro."

John and Brian cracked up with laughter as Cynthia and Ted looked on with their mouths hanging open. Everyone who knew Brian knew how he detested dirt and feeling smelly. The loft's bathroom and shower were nearly as legendary as its owner.

Brian needed to laugh. The tension of the past month had really gotten to him. John needed it too. When the brothers finally calmed down, John hoisted his long legs off the desk to grab his jacket. He gave Brian a long bear hug then was out the door with a 'see you later.'

"Come on, troops, I think John has a good idea. We're done for the day." Brian was ready to go back to the hotel for a long shower too. Their meeting with Adam went better than he expected. Ken had time to make an overlay for the ad using the suggestion that Stacy had offered. Ken had chided himself for not thinking of it first. That and the overlay of the slogan Brian had thought up had clinched the deal for Adam. For the first time in two months, Brian was feeling satisfied.

"Um, Brian," Ted started, "before we go back, we want to show you something." Ted and Cynthia had finished the other projects they were working on. Ted decided it was best that they put forth their ideas to Brian before he learned of them on his own.

Since Cynthia becoming Brian's partner and Ted's foray into taking on the ad man hat, they would consult Brian on their own individual projects but rarely sought his approval. Brian usually approved anything they were working on, trusting their judgment. But this was different, these were New York projects.

"Schmidt! What have you done now?" Brian asked sharply. He growled like a mother lion protecting her cubs. In this case, the cub was N'rgy.

"Brian..." Cynthia said softly but sternly letting her partner and friend know that his acidic tone was uncalled for. Brian sighed.

"What do you want to show me, Ted?" Brian asked respectfully. Cynthia went about setting up several easels and art boards. She and Ted began to pitch their ideas to Brian.

"First off, Boss, we never had any doubts that you could pull off this deal with Adam. We knew you could do it, but we also didn't want to put all of N'rgy's eggs in one basket, so to speak."

Brian stood up and walked around the room looking at each of the ads they had made up. Cynthia took over the presentation.

"When the word was out that Kinnetik was expanding, we were inundated with offers." Brian nodded; they did go over some of the proposals but he was so wrapped up in the computer game that Brian had little time to devote to them.

"Ted and I decided to work on some of the more promising ads."

Brian flipped over the covering on the first ad, an ad for very expensive and stylish women's shoes. The second was for a new perfume, the third for a new brand of pet food and another for a new exhibit at one of Manhattan's lesser known museums. Each ad had that Kinnetik edge and sophistication that made Kinnetik so popular.

"We know they're not as important as the computer game but they will bring in considerable revenue, Boss." Ted was hoping that Mount Kinney wasn't going to erupt any time soon.

Brian stood back in awe of the professional job they had done. It was the kind of work that Ted and Cynthia had always produced.

"When did you find time to do this?" Brian was stunned.

"We've been working on them after hours," Cynthia informed him.

"Shit! You both deserve a raise."

"Then you like them?" Ted asked. But before Brian could answer, Ken came barreling into the room.

"So, has his majesty given his final verdict?" Ken asked enthusiastically.

"What do you know about this?" Brian asked as he waved toward the boards.

"You know, sometimes these walls aren't as solid as you may think. I heard these two banging heads together one night and my curiosity got the better of me. There they were grunting and growling over these ads. It was pitiful. I decided they needed my input. So I repeat; what's your final verdict?"

Three sets of eyes fell upon Brian and three people held their breath.

"I think Ted and Cynthia definitely need a raise and you, Kenneth Mann-Greene, are hired!" The aforementioned employees of Kinnetik whooped and hollered as Brian sat in his chair. He'd make it in New York; he had no choice.

*****

"That's the last of it, Bree," Justin told his daughter as he brought in the rest of his boxes and bags. "We need a small vacuum." Justin punctuated his statement with a sneeze. "There's a lot of dust in here but we're done for now."

"Good, Daddy. We go home now?" Briana yawned. She had had a long day helping her daddy shop for art supplies. Justin bought her some of her own supplies so she wouldn't feel left out.

"Good idea, I'm getting hungry." It was after six and the sun was fading behind the taller buildings. "Bree, we better get back to the hotel."

"Okay, Daddy." Justin and Bree locked up the studio and went down to hail a cab.

When Justin and Bree arrived at their hotel room, John had just gotten out of the shower. He was wearing his comfortable sweats and his tired but now clean feet were bare.

"Hi!" Justin said as he pushed Bree's stroller through the door undoing her seat belt and letting the child go free. "Did Brian come back with you?"

"I'm good, and how was your day, Justin?" John arched an eyebrow at his unwittingly rude brother-in-law. Justin blushed as he contritely ducked his head.

"I'm sorry. How was your day, John?"

John smiled, apology received and accepted. "Actually it went quite well, thank you. The apartment should be livable in about a week."

"Really? That soon? I wonder who's going to live in it."

"Presumably anyone Brian wants. You guys can move in or maybe Ted. One of us should."

"You should go home."

"I will Justin, as soon as the job is done."

"But you heard what Brian said. He told you to go home."

"I heard but I also listened. He feels guilty for separating us but I also know he needs me to be here and not because there's a strike. He needs me, us." John pointed back and forth from himself to Justin and Bree. "He needs our emotional support. I intend on giving it. And Justin, if that means we spend Christmas here in New York then so be it. I'm prepared to do that." Justin took a good long look at his brother-in-law. He never realized how much John was, in fact, so much like Brian. They both shared that same character of unwavering loyalty.

"Besides, Christmas in New York City, there's nothing like it."

Justin crossed the room to John. He gave John a chaste kiss then hugged him hard. "You're the best, John Anderson, the very best." John snaked his arms around the smaller man.

"Am I interrupting something?" Brian set his briefcase down on the side table as he entered the room.

"Yes, I was just thanking John for being the best brother-in-law in the whole wide world."

"That's what I thought you were doing." Brian sneered a little then went straight for the bathroom. "I stink," Brian announced. A few minutes later, John and Justin heard the shower going.

"Go, Justin, work some magic. Miss Bree and I will order up some dinner. And remember what I said, you have to listen not just hear him." Justin nodded at John's advice then sprinted to the bathroom shedding clothes along the way. John chuckled, picking up the trail of clothes then he picked up the phone.

"Miss Briana, let's order up a feast, I'm hungry!"

"I'm hungry too, Unca John!"

*****

The next morning Brian awoke to Justin working a little more of his magic under the covers.

"You're up early, Sunshine," Brian gasped as Justin did some simply sinful things with his tongue.

Justin shoved back the covers and looked up at his husband. His mouth was full of cock and he looked flushed and beautiful enough to take Brian's breath away. To say nothing of what those beautiful lips were doing to Brian's dick. That was breathtaking too.

Justin removed the cock and stroked it with his hand. "I'd say you're the one who's up."

"Point taken," Brian gasped as he found his member once again surrounded by Justin's soft warm mouth. Justin tugged and sucked until Brian exploded into his mouth.

Justin slid up Brian's body and laid his head on his husband's shoulder. Brian took several deep breaths trying to focus.

"That was some way to wake up," he gasped.

"You liked it?"

"I think I'll leave a message at the front desk that I want this kind of wake up call every morning."

Justin snorted. "They won't be able to help you. I'm the only one who's allowed to give you this kind of wake up call."

"I wouldn't want anybody else," Brian smiled. He rolled over on top of his husband. "Have I told you lately how great it is to have you here?"

"You're just on a high from your wake up call. Wait till I do something else to piss you off."

"I'm sorry I got my knickers in a knot about you and John. I guess I'm more possessive than I like to admit."

"You got that right. I was just thanking John for staying here and helping you."

"As long as he isn't the beneficiary of any of your wake up calls, we're good."

"Eiw, Brian, he's my brother-in-law. How can you even say that?"

"Okay, enough said," Brian said realizing he was making matters worse. "What are you planning to do today?" he asked trying to change the subject.

"I'm going to the studio space that Kyle found for me. I'm going to paint."

"You've got the itch, haven't you?" Brian smirked.

"I know exactly what I want to paint," Justin said smugly.

"I should have known."

"Known what?" Justin asked with a frown.

"When you get all creative so does your fucking skills."

"What?"

"That was one of the best blowjobs you've given me in a long time. It was very … creative."

"Are you serious? You see a correlation…?"

Brian smirked and nodded his head.

"Well, fuck me!"

"Glad to, Sunshine," Brian laughed as he pounced on his husband.

*****

Justin walked up the steps to his studio space. He had Bree by the hand and her stroller under his other arm. They were off to paint.

He had stopped by a tourist store and had bought an "I luv NY" T-shirt that was too big for Bree. She could use it to cover her good clothes while she painted. He had bought a couple of larger T-shirts for himself so that he wouldn't ruin any of his clothes that he had brought with him from the cottage.

"Ready to paint, sweetheart?" Justin asked as he opened the door.

"Yes, Daddy."

They went inside the big empty space and Justin set up the two easels, a big one for him and a little one for Bree. He put the T-shirt over Bree's clothes and then changed his shirt to the T-shirt he had bought for himself.

"We match, Daddy," Bree said clapping her little hands.

"Yes, we do," Justin smiled. "Do you know what you want to paint?"

"Yes."

"What are you going to paint?" Justin asked. Sometimes getting information out of the three year old was like trying to pull teeth.

"Gar-gar," Bree said softly.

"You miss the gardens, don't you?" Bree nodded her head. "Well, let's get you started. You can paint some flowers for Dada."

"Yes, flowers for Dada," she repeated.

Justin got her set up with her paints which were water soluble and non-toxic. He didn't want her messing around with the paints he would be using. You never knew when she might put a paint covered hand in her mouth.

Justin set out his own materials and was just about to get started priming some canvasses when his cell phone rang. He expected it to be Brian and didn't even look at the caller ID.

"Hey," he said warmly.

"Hey, yourself. It's Kyle."

"Oh, sorry about that. I thought you were Brian," Justin chuckled. He had used his sexiest 'hey'.

"Are you in your studio?"

"I certainly am. Thanks so much for finding this for me."

"I'm in the street down below. I found the furniture I told you about and I've got someone here to help me lug it up. Shall we?"

"By all means, come on up."

Justin cut the connection and went over to open the door.

"We have visitors, Bree," Justin said as Kyle and another man carried the futon up the stairs. "You didn't have to lug this stuff yourself," Justin said to Kyle. "I could have hired someone."

"I did," Kyle laughed. "This is Joe. He'll get the table and chairs, while I get the mattress for the futon."

"I should help," Justin said looking at Bree who was taking all this in.

"You stay with your daughter. We can handle it."

Soon they had the furniture all set up and arranged. Justin had to admit that it would be nice to have a chair to sit on and a table to eat something at. He could even stretch out on the futon or put Bree down on it for a nap.

"Thanks for this, Kyle. It'll make a big difference."

"No problem. Enjoy, and remember me when you're mounting your 'Old Masters' show."

"I certainly will," Justin promised.

He got back to priming his canvasses. He had three that he wanted to get ready. He was part way through the second one when his phone rang again. This time he looked at the caller ID. It was a familiar name but not one he ever expected to receive a call from in New York. In fact, he didn't think the person even knew his cell phone number.

"Hello?" he said with a frown.

"Justin, it's Susan."

"Hi, Susan, how did you get this number?"

"I tried the cottage several times but I always got your machine."

"You never left a message," Justin said. He checked every couple of days.

"I wanted to talk to you. And then Molly told me that all of you were in New York, and now so am I."

"You are?"

"Yeah, can we meet?"

"I've rented some studio space. It's not much, but do you want to come here?"

"Sure. I could bring some lunch," she offered.

Justin looked at his watch. It was after eleven. "That would be great. Bree's here with me."

"I'd love to spend some time with her," Susan said. "Give me the address."

Justin told her where he was and hung up. "More company, Bree," he said.

"Look, Daddy."

Justin walked over and looked at the page filled with colorful blobs. "Those colors are great, sweetheart. We need to clean you up a little before Grandma Susan gets here."

"Gamma Susan?" Bree asked with a frown. She had so many grandmas, but she couldn't remember a Grandma Susan.

"You'll meet her in a few minutes."

He got Bree's hands washed and took off the T-shirt which had paint all over it. He realized he should have bought her a couple more. He finished priming his second canvas and washed his brushes. He was just finishing up when a knock came to the door.

He opened it and Susan breezed in with a couple of bags.

"I stopped at a deli and got us sandwiches and some drinks. I hope Bree will approve," she said smiling down at the little girl.

Bree ducked behind Justin's leg, holding on. This woman looked sort of familiar, but she wasn't sure about her yet.

"Bree, this is Grandma Susan," Justin said tugging her out from behind him. "Say hello."

"Hello, Gamma Susan," Bree said still holding tightly to Justin's jeans.

Susan had tears in her eyes. "Thank you for that title, Justin. You have no idea how much that means to me."

"Well, you are married to her grampa even if he doesn't want to acknowledge her," Justin said sadly.

"She's just adorable, and maybe she's just what we need to make Craig come around."

"Hungry, Daddy," Bree said.

"Okay, sweetheart, let's get you some food, and then Grandma Susan and I can talk strategy."

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