PAR-TAY WITH BREE

Chapter 3

“Bree, honey, it’s your Auntie Emm. May I come in?” Emmett said through the closed bedroom door.

“Auntie Emm?” a tiny voice said from the other side.

“Yes, sweetie. I’m here to discuss your party plans. Can you open the door?”

“Okay,” Bree said with a sniffle. She climbed down from her bed to open her door. The minute Emmett entered the room, Bree threw herself into his arms.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Emmett asked as he carried her to the rocking chair and sat with her perched on his lap.

“My party is all wrong and my daddies don’t love me. No one loves me. They love Taylor better than me,” Bree said with a pout and a sniffle.

“Let’s take this one step at a time, shall we?” Bree nodded against Emmett’s chest. Emmett took a deep breath; he felt his chest tighten for just a moment. This is how it must feel to be a dad, he mused for a second. “There’s nothing wrong with your party. We decided that having knights on horseback wasn’t very practical for a sleepover and would be very stuck up of you.”

“Huh?” Bree said as she raised her head up to look at Emmett. Her teary violet blue eyes began to darken with rage. Her scowl was very reminiscent of her older father.

“You are having a sleepover, and if I’m not mistaken you’ve invited your guests to arrive for dinner. Now while it is getting lighter out at night it will be dark at dinnertime and it’s still very cold at night. A good hostess must take into consideration the comfort of her guests. What would happen if you all caught cold standing outside in the dark to watch some knight on horseback that you’d have trouble seeing in the first place?”

“Oh. I don’t like the cold, and Ashley sometimes gets scared in the dark.”

“My point exactly. So I have the perfect solution. We planned to have a special selection of movies to watch during your sleepover, correct?”

“Oh yes, Auntie Emm.”

“Well, what if a knight in shining armor introduces each selection with a special taped message?”

“You can do that?”

“Of course, I am a premiere party planner after all and your fairy godmother," Emmett said in all confidence.

“It’s perfect, Auntie Emm!” Bree said as she wrapped her little arms around Emmett’s neck.

“Your Dada thought so too.”

“Dada?”

“Of course. Your Dada and I consult regarding your party and he thought a taped introduction was brilliant,” Emm embellished.

“Oh,” Bree said as she thought for a minute. “But why would having a knight on horseback be stuck up?” She had just got the impractical part.

“Bree, you live in a beautiful home and have a beautiful room. And your Dada selects the most fabulous wardrobe for you because, let’s face it, your other father as much as I love him, doesn’t have one fashion sensed bone in his body. And he calls himself a gay man. But I digress. Your fathers work very hard for their comforts and choose the highest quality of items when they buy something. That’s why their furniture lasts and never goes out of style. They also manage their money very wisely. But it wasn’t always like that. Not for them or for me.”

Bree’s eyes grew very wide. She knew she always had pretty things. Even her gar-gar clothes were pretty.

“Your Dada didn’t always have such nice clothes when he was a boy. His father didn’t make a lot of money, so your Dada had to make do with whatever he had. Your Daddy was almost homeless at one point in his life, and if it wasn’t for some very special people in his life including Debbie and your Dada, your daddy Justin wasn’t sure where his next meal was going to come from.

“And me, well, it was always a struggle to live in Hazelhurst, for many reasons. Now some of your friends may not be as lucky as we all are now. You don’t want them to feel bad at your party, do you?”

“No, Auntie Emm. I want everyone to feel good!”

“Of course you do, sweetheart,” Emm said as he gave Bree another hug. “Then showing some restraint and moderation is part of being a polite and considerate hostess. You recognize that it wouldn’t be nice to flaunt what you have in front of your friends. Because they may not want to stay your friends after that. Do you understand?”

Bree nodded her head up and down.

“Your daddies love you so much. They want you to have friends, good friends, and they know that being a good friend means you’re considerate of people’s feelings. And that’s the reason why having a knight on horseback is not a very good idea. Maybe one day we can offer to take your friends to a Renaissance fair. Your daddies and uncles are very active in your community, maybe they can arrange a school trip or camp trip to a fair so that all the kids can enjoy it. How does that sound to you?”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful!” Bree said with a big smile. “Then all my friends could see knights on horseback!”

“Yes, they could.”

Bree’s face suddenly dropped to a frown. “But what about Taylor, is he going to get my knights?”

“No, sweetheart. First of all Taylor is too small to understand what a knight is and they can be very frightening to a baby. Second of all, your Aunt Molly wants a small quiet party up here at her cottage with just her immediate family. Just a small party with simple food. No knights, no horses.”

Bree appeared to be taking in all that Emmett said. “But what about you? Will you be at my party?”

“Honey, I wouldn’t miss your party for all the bears at Babylon,” Emmett said without thinking.

“Huh?”

“Silly me. I would never miss your party. You are my client, and as a party planner I would be very remiss in abandoning you at your time of need.”

“I don’t think I understand, Auntie Emm.” Bree wore a very perplexed look on her little face.

“What would a princess do without her fairy godmother? Of course I will be here for your party. I’ll even stay here at Edna’s Treasures overnight just in case anyone including your daddies needs me.”

“Oh thank you, Auntie Emm!” Bree threw her arms around Emmett’s neck again.

“You’re very welcome.” After a while Emmett made a very important suggestion. “Honey, don’t you think you have something to say to your fathers? You hurt them when you said you hated them,” Emmett said cautiously. He could hear Bree begin to sniffle again. Large tears began to stream down her face. “You don’t really hate them, now do you?”

Bree shook her head, no.

“Don’t you think it’s time you told them that?” Emmett looked down at the very forlorn and sufficiently humbled child.

Bree nodded her head, yes.

“Then let’s dry your tears and wash your face. And we’ll go and talk to your daddies.”

Bree blotted her eyes with a tissue then blew her tiny nose. She then scampered into her bathroom to wash her face. After a few moments and in true Kinney-Taylor style, she composed herself and announced she was ready to face her daddies.

“I’m ready,” Bree said.

“After you, fair maiden,” Emmett said as he opened the door and held out his hand. Bree placed her hand in his and went to face the music.

 

*****
 

“Do you think he’ll talk some sense into her?” Justin asked Brian. They were sitting at the kitchen table both looking very miserable.

“I hope so. I’m not sure how much more I can take of this,” Brian grumbled as he played with the handle of his coffee mug. They were waiting at the table from the moment Emmett entered Bree’s inner sanctum, sitting shoulder to shoulder awaiting the verdict.

“Daddy! Dada!” The blond tornado whirled in then jumped onto Justin’s lap stretching out her arms to give both her daddies a hug. Brian and Justin buried their faces into their daughter’s neck.

Brian looked up with moist eyes to gaze at Emmett. “Thank you,” he mouthed then hugged both his blonds closely to his chest.

Emmett smiled. “A fairy godmother’s work is never done,” he said with a toothy grin as he backed out of the kitchen to give the Kinney-Taylor family a little privacy. He strutted back into the sun porch.

“Mission accomplished?” John asked as he spied Emmett from his balcony.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Emmett gave John a salute.

John smiled then returned to his research.

“Peace reigns again?” Bobby said from his doorway. Patrick was standing at his side. They made quite a striking pair.

“For now,” Emmett said reasonably.

“We’ll take what we can get,” Bobby said. Patrick nodded as they retreated to their own living room.

Emmett took a tape measure and notepad from his pocket then quietly began to take measurements in preparation for princess beds.

 

*****
 

“Hello?”

“Hey, Jus, it’s Molly.”

“Little sis, how are you doing?”

“Not bad, I’m down at the cottage. Wondered if you might like to join me for a coffee?”

“I just made a fresh pot. Why don’t you come up here?” Justin asked.

“Um … I have Taylor with me, and I didn’t know how welcome he’d be, if Bree was home.”

Justin chuckled. “She’s home, but Ashley’s here. They’re playing in the sun porch and planning big things for her sleepover.”

“Do you think it’s wise to let girls plan ahead for a sleepover?”

“Wh…what do you mean?”

“They’re probably figuring ways to stay awake all night, and cause you and Brian big problems,” Molly giggled.

“Is that what you did when you were her age?” Justin asked with a frown.

“I don’t think Mom let me have a sleepover until I was a few years older.”

“You think we’re letting her do this when she’s too young?” Justin asked uncertainly.

“No, no, that isn’t what I meant at all. I was mostly just teasing you … but you should be prepared to be vigilant the night of the sleepover. I wouldn’t want them getting into any mischief.”

“Emmett’s going to stay here that night, so we’ll have three pairs of eyes. And we’re hoping to tire them out before we put them to bed.”

Molly laughed. “Good luck, big brother. Little girls have far more stamina than you three … mature gentlemen.”

“You are instilling so much confidence in me,” Justin griped.

“So, are you still offering coffee, and can I bring Taylor?” Molly asked.

“Bree’s snit is over, so it’s safe. How did you find out anyway?”

“Ted, who heard it from Emmett.”

“Figures. Come on up. I’ll warn the princess.”

“Thanks,” Molly said as she cut the connection. “Taylor, let’s go for a walk to see your Uncle Justin.”

The little blond ran to his mother and held out his arms for her to put on his coat. Molly smiled happily. He was such a good boy … for the most part. Although he did have his moments, not unlike what Bree had pulled the other day. She hoped she would be able to handle tantrums like that when they occurred.

“Let’s go see Uncle Jus, Taylor,” she said holding out her hand.

“Kay,” he replied happily, placing his little hand in hers.

They walked slowly up the lane. Taylor toddled along beside his mother. He was walking quite well now. The only problem was that every blade of grass, every spring wildflower that was poking its nose up out of the ground was a source of fascination for her son. Whenever he spotted one he wanted to squat down and examine it. Molly wondered if they would ever get to Edna’s Treasures.

“Hey, Molly,” Justin called from the front door of the cottage. “I thought you must have got lost.”

“Unc,” Taylor yelled, and pulling his hand out of his mother’s, he ran towards his uncle. He almost got to the house when he lost his footing and fell flat on his face in the gravel. There was a long moment of silence and then the most ungodly wail known to man pierced the air.

“Taylor,” Justin gasped racing towards the fallen toddler.

“Oh my God,” Molly screamed and ran towards her son.

Bree and Ashley ran to the front door to see what was going on. Bree’s father was just scooping up a wailing Taylor, and her Aunt Molly was looking the baby over to determine if he was really hurt.

“What happened?” Bree asked.

“Taylor fell and hurt himself,” Justin said, as he carried the baby into the house.

“Will he be all right?” Bree asked with a worried look on her face. As much as she resented her cousin, she didn’t want him to be hurt.

“I think he’ll be okay, sweetheart, but he’s scared and hurt,” Justin informed his daughter.

Bree watched them go past her and head for the kitchen. She grabbed Ashley’s hand and pulled her down the hall to her bedroom.

Justin held Taylor near the sink where Molly got a paper towel and wiped away some of the dirt from his face.

“I think his teeth went into his lips. There’s a little bit of blood,” Molly said.

“Get the gel icepack out of the freezer and wrap it in a towel,” Justin instructed.

Molly did that and handed it to Justin. He gently placed it on Taylor’s swelling lips. The baby whimpered as it touched his mouth.

“Is he hurt anywhere else?” Molly asked.

“Look at his hands. They were the first thing to hit the ground.”

Molly turned one of Taylor’s hands over and wiped off the dirt. He had scraped his palms but not enough to break the skin.

“I think he’ll be okay,” Molly said gently. She had just about stopped shaking. She wiped Taylor’s other hand clean. “You’re going to be fine, sweetheart,” Molly said tickling Taylor’s tummy. He merely whimpered a bit more.

“I think he scared himself,” Justin observed.

“Scared the shit out of me too,” Molly replied.

“Auntie Molly,” Bree said as she and Ashley came back from her bedroom. “Taylor can have my grey bunny till he feels better. Bunny helps me when I don’t feel good.”

Molly looked down at the earnest little face that looked back at her. “That’s really nice of you, Bree.” She took the bunny and placed it on top of Taylor where he was still cradled against Justin’s chest.

Taylor wrapped his arms around the soft bunny and held on tight.

“I think he feels better already, Bree, having your bunny,” Justin said. “Thank you for bringing him.”

“’Kay, Daddy. Me and Ashley are going to the sun porch,” Bree said before the two girls ran back to continue whatever they had been doing before all the uproar.

“That was really sweet of her,” Molly said.

“She has her moments,” Justin agreed with a smile. “Pour some coffee and let’s sit down.”

Molly poured two mugs of coffee and carried them over to the table where Justin was still trying to hold the ice pack on Taylor’s mouth.

“I was worried Bree wouldn’t want Taylor here, and instead she does the sweetest thing. I know how much she loves her grey bunny.”

“She’s just full of surprises,” Justin replied.

“Is everything okay about her party now?”

“Pretty much. All we have to do is survive it.”

Molly laughed. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, I’m going to need it,” Justin said as he noticed that Taylor had been silent for a while. The baby’s eyes were starting to droop. Justin nodded at Molly to look.

Molly smiled. “He’ll be out like a light in a minute,” she said.

“Wow, he is,” Justin said with surprise as Taylor’s eyes had closed and his breathing had evened out.

“He’s like that. After an upset he sleeps it off.”

“Lucky you.”

“I know.”

“I’ll go lay him on the big brass bed. The girls can keep an eye on him,” Justin offered, as he stood up and then carried Taylor out to the sun porch. He slid back the panel that hid the bed. Ashley and Bree ran over.

“Is he okay?” Bree asked.

“Yeah, he was mostly scared.”

“Did the bunny help?” Ashley asked.

“It made all the difference,” Justin replied as he set Taylor down and placed a pillow on each side of him.

“Put the grey bunny beside him, Daddy. He might want it if he wakes up,” Bree advised.

“I will, sweetheart. Can you young ladies keep an eye on Taylor in case he wakes up and is scared?”

“Sure, Daddy,” Bree replied.

“We’ll look after him real good,” Ashley promised.

“Thanks, girls. I’ll be right in the kitchen with Auntie Molly.”

“’Kay, Daddy.”

Justin walked back towards the kitchen. He turned to look and make sure that Taylor was properly situated on the bed. He had to smile when he saw the two girls standing by the big bed staring at the sleeping baby.

“He’s cute when he’s not crying,” Ashley said.

“Yeah,” Bree agreed. “I don’t like it when he cries.”

“He hurt himself.”

“I know.”

“Do you think he’s okay now?” Ashley asked as they continued to study the sleeping baby.

“He must be or my daddy wouldn’t have left him here by himself,” Bree informed her friend.

Ashley nodded and they continued to stare at Taylor.

Justin chuckled at their loving comments. He went back into the kitchen to enjoy his coffee now that he knew Taylor was in good hands.

 

*****
 

“Gus, you asleep?” Ray whispered into Gus’ ear. It wasn’t really late; the boys were basking in the current afterglow from their latest round of lovemaking.

“Not really.” Gus scooted closer to Ray so that they were spooning.

“We only have a couple more days before getting back to college.”

“I know,” Gus said with some disappointment. “I can’t wait for this semester to end. Cynthia says it’s a go for me to spend August at N’rgy.”

“I can’t wait either,” Ray said with a sigh. “Are you tired?”

“What do you have in mind?” Gus asked as he ground his butt into Ray’s groin.

“Not that,” Ray said. Gus twisted around to look his boyfriend in the eye. “I mean not right now. I think you broke it,” Ray said as he lifted the sheet to look at his temporarily limp dick. Gus laughed at the pitiful expression on Ray’s face.

“Yeah, I can use a break too. What do you have in mind?”

“Dancing, at Babylon tonight. I’d really like to go. Do you think we can get in?”

“I’ll call my dad and ask him. I’m sure he’ll say okay provided we swear to behave ourselves,” Gus said with a grin.

“You mean only water and soda and no back room!”

“No back room!” the boys said together then laughed as they rolled around the big loft bed tickling and poking each other.

“Who needs a back room when we have this bed,” Ray purred.

“Yeah,” Gus agreed.

Staring into each other’s eyes the boys lifted the edge of the sheet to look at the twin erections that were growing under it. They then checked the time on the clock on the bedside table. It read eight.

“Plenty of time,” Ray said with a smile.

“Yeah,” Gus agreed. Their trip to Babylon could wait till later, much later.

 

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