Pride Goeth...

Chapter 1

About ninety minutes after John left the cottage, the boys heard the Navigator rumble back into the driveway and then the sun porch door opened. The unmistakable clomps of John’s boots stomped up the spiral staircase to his office.

“At least he’s safe,” Brian mumbled. He and Justin stayed with Bobby while they waited for John’s return. They had debated going after him or calling the local sheriff, but decided that John might just need a little time alone to get his head screwed back on right, so they waited near the phone with Bobby.

“I should go to him,” Bobby said as he turned to walk out and up to the office. Brian nodded in agreement.

“No, let me,” Justin said. Brian arched his brow as Bobby was about to protest. “I’m more removed from the situation than the both of you. I can be objective.” Seeing the mounting explosions on Brian and Bobby’s faces, Justin went on. “Bobby, right now you’re thinking like a lover not a lawyer. When we all calm down, you can think like a lawyer and figure out the next move. He’s going to need a lover in a while. Brian, at this moment you’re ready to wake up anyone you need to and hire a team of investigators to track down this Samantha person and verify her story. I know you, remember; you want to charge in with both guns blazing to defend your brother but now’s not the time. Let me talk to him and gauge where his head is at. I’m sure he’s confused and exhausted just like we all are. We’ve had a long day,” Justin wisely said.

Bobby nor Brian could find fault with Justin’s logic. Having no choice, they let him go.

“Don’t start with me,” John growled hearing someone come up the stairs. He was sitting in the dark at his desk, his only light from the dimmed porch chandelier.

“Wasn’t going to say a word. Just checking that you’re all in one piece before I take Brian to bed,” Justin replied calmly.

“Justin?”

“That’s me.”

“Oh.”

“Who were you expecting?”

“I half expected Brian to come charging up here, giving orders and waking the dead to get his orders carried out.”

“Yes, well, I got him to wait at least until daylight before he got on his white horse.” His comment got a little snort of agreement out of his brother-in-law.

“Bet Bobby’s pissed.”

“More concerned about you at the moment than pissed. He’s working up to being pissed.”

“Yeah, that sounds like him.”

“Are you all right?”

“I’m not sure. More numb than anything.”

“Is it possible that you could have a daughter?”

“More than possible, Justin. I spent most of my early adult years proving my manhood. I know you all tease my brother about being a stud, well that trait runs a little too deep. I just wasn’t as vocal about it as Brian.”

“No stud of Bridgeton rep?”

“Not even of Harrisburg.”

“You did use condoms.”

“Yes, dad, I used condoms. Always. But sometimes they do break.”

“Yes, they do.”

“What am I going to do?” John sighed.

“Right now, I suggest we go to bed. I don’t know about you but I need a shower and some sleep. I have a feeling that tomorrow may be just as exhausting as today.”

“I’m not sure I can sleep.”

“Have another shot of scotch and a long hot shower, you’ll sleep. Let Bobby help, he’s waiting downstairs for you.”

“Okay.” John got up from his desk to walk to the stairs. “You know I always prided myself on doing the right thing, being careful and considerate of others. Maybe my pride got in the way this time.”

“I'm not so certain about that. What I am certain of is that we’re a family. Whatever happens, you won’t be alone in this. We have two lawyers in the family, a man that has a knack of ferreting out any mystery and another man with the means to pay for it all. We’ll figure it out. And if it all comes down to the simple fact that you have a grown daughter, then so be it. She either becomes a part of the family or doesn’t.”

“When did you get to be so smart?” John smiled fondly at Justin.

“I’m always smart. I just like hiding behind the blond hair,” Justin said with a straight face. As weary as John was he chuckled.

“Okay, smarty pants, you win. Time for bed,” John said as he started down the stairs with Justin following.

At the bottom of the stairs, Bobby and Brian were waiting, not so patiently, but waiting nonetheless. Bobby immediately drew his lover into his strong arms. Brian searched his brother’s eyes for a moment then bussed his head before taking Justin’s hand to go to their side of the cottage.

“Are you okay?” Bobby whispered.

“No, but I will be. With you by my side I will be. Take me to bed, Bobby, I really need you.”

The lovers kissed; Bobby poured all his love and support into his kiss, then he led John to their bedroom.

“Do you think it’s possible that John has a grown daughter out there?” Brian asked as he tenderly dried Justin’s mane with a fluffy towel. They had gone back to their room to take a needed shower.

“I have no doubt that it’s possible. Whether it’s probable, I’m not convinced. I will have to see proof.”

“I’ll pay for a paternity test,” Brian said quickly.

“Brian, if John wants a paternity test, he’s more than capable of paying for it himself. Ask before jumping in and helping. John does things a little differently than you do,” Justin gently admonished Brian. He knew Brian only had good intentions, but Justin didn’t want Brian’s intentions to backfire.

“Yes, mother,” Brian snarked. Justin chuckled, first John and then Brian. The brothers Kinney were more alike than they thought. “Let’s go to bed,” Brian murmured against Justin’s forehead. “I want to feel you inside of me,” he whispered. Justin smiled then led his prince to bed.

 

*****
 

“Helloooo,” Emmett called out as he led his band of merry men through the sun porch door.

“In here,” Brian called out. He was in the kitchen making a large pot of coffee. He was currently the only one awake.

“It’s not that early,” Emmett said noting the time. “Where is everyone?” Emmett said looking around for hidden family that might be lurking somewhere. Beau lifted his massive head up off the floor to woof his reassurances to Emmett.

“Hi Beau,” Richie bravely greeted the large dog.

“We’re running a bit slow today, Emm,” Brian said as he began to fill mugs with his favorite blend. He poured juice for Richie. Emmett served up the popovers he brought with him.

“Oh? Did something happen when we left last night?”

Every face was turned toward Brian in curiosity.

“Not my story to tell,” Brian said as he bit into a delectable buttery popover.

Just then the front door opened; Debbie and her horde marched in looking for breakfast.

“What’s going on?” Debbie asked quickly noting the lack of pots and pans clanking or egg shells cracking.

“Not sure,” Drew answered and then his stomach grumbled.

“Somebody’s hungry. Move aside, Kiddo,” Debbie said with a hip check to Brian’s side. “Come on, Emm. I saw Rachel leading her guests over here. We have a lot of hungry mouths to feed. Let’s get cracking those eggs.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Emmett cheerfully replied as he grabbed an apron and began to help.

“Maw,” Brian began to protest. Breakfast was his job.

“Honey, now I know something’s up and it’s not you,” Debbie said in confidence to Brian. "You boys worked very hard yesterday, let me help.”

“Okay,” Brian said knowing that Debbie had effectively put her foot down. “Emmett worked just as hard.”

“Leave Emm to me. You go organize the sun porch.”

“Okay, Maw,” Brian said giving the woman a kiss. “Come on, Mikey, you can help me with the tables in the porch.”

“Why do I have to help?” Michael whined. The family chuckled, shaking their heads. “Ben’s the brawn in the family.”

“And the brains,” Brian snarked.

“Asshole,” Mikey responded.

“Just like old times,” Debbie said from the stove.

The family went about the business of getting breakfast on the table.

 

*****
 

“Dada,” Bree said kneeling on her chair at breakfast to whisper in Brian’s ear.

“Yes, Squirt?”

“What’s the matter with Unca John?”

“What makes you think there’s something wrong?” Brian asked, surprised that Bree had picked up on what was going on.

“He don’t say nothin’,” Bree informed him.

“He doesn’t say anything,” Brian corrected.

“That’s what I said.”

“Well, not quite.”

“What’s wrong?” Bree persisted.

“Unca John has some stuff to deal with,” Brian finally said.

“Oh.”

“Maybe you could give him a hug. I think that would make him feel better.”

“Okay,” Bree said happily, glad that there was something she could do. “Does he need my bunny?”

“No, Squirt, I think a hug will be sufficient.”

“Okay,” Bree replied sitting back down in her chair. “After breakfast, right?”

Brian nodded.

“Are you two finished whispering?” Justin asked.

“I believe so,” Brian said with a smirk.

“It’s always nice to be included,” Justin said pointedly.

“I love you, Daddy,” Bree said with her sunny smile.

All Justin could do was smile back and shake his head.

 

*****
 

“So, kiddo, how did you like your first Memorial Day with the family?” Debbie asked Richie.

“It was, um, interesting.”

Debbie laughed. “Yeah, we’re an interesting group.”

“Yeah,” Richie agreed. “Michael asked me to come by his comic shop,” he added as an afterthought. He had figured out that the loud woman with the red hair was Michael’s mother.

“Did he? Well, you should do that. Michael loved comics when he was your age.”

“Still does,” Brian piped up.

“And what’s wrong with that?” Michael asked indignantly.

“Oh, nothing, Mikey, absolutely nothing,” Brian replied with a grin.

“Michael actually lectured to one of my classes at Carnegie-Mellon about the literature of comics,” Ben threw in, feeling the need to defend his spouse. “He’s an expert on comic books.”

“Wow!” Richie said. “So, does that make you a professor too?” he asked Michael.

“Yeah, Professor Mikey,” Brian teased.

“No, Richie, I’m not a professor,” Michael said glaring at Brian. “I’m just a shopkeep,” he added with a wink at Brian. That was the title Brian always gave him when he came into the comic store with a ‘Yo, shopkeep’.

“And a mighty fine shopkeep you are,” Brian said with a gentle smile at his old friend.

Michael beamed at Brian. Brian realized that for all the years that had passed and how they had grown apart, Michael still wanted his approval.

“You’ve made a big success of that place,” Justin said sincerely.

“With a little help from you and Rage,” Michael replied.

“Is this a mutual admiration society all of a sudden?” Hunter asked.

“We all admire you, O Master of Social Work,” Brian grinned.

“You’re a master?” Richie asked wondering what that meant.

“I have a Masters of Social Work degree,” Hunter explained to the boy. “A lot of the young men who were at the barbecue are kids who have gone through the program I run at the Center where I work. They’ve become excellent craftsmen working with John and Gordon and their men.”

“That sounds like real important work,” Richie replied.

“I like to think it is,” Hunter said proudly.

“He’s very important,” Nick said with a kiss to Hunter’s cheek. “And so is what he does.”

“This family has a lot to be proud of,” Bobby contributed.

“Hey all,” Lindsay called as she came into the sun porch. “Sorry we’re late.”

“Is there any breakfast left?” Gus asked as he pulled a chair up to the table.

“Yeah, I’m starved,” Ray added doing the same.

“Hi, Gus,” Bree said. “I wondered where you were.”

“We all overslept, especially some people,” JR added as she glanced at her mothers.

“Eiiew,” Brian groaned. “TMI.”

“We’ve got some bagels left,” Debbie said. “Want them toasted?”

“That would be great, Grandma Debbie,” Gus said.

“Have some juice,” Emmett said passing the pitcher up the table. “And I have two popovers, one each with your name on it.” He sent the nearly empty basket up the table.

“Thanks,” both Gus and Ray said with big smiles.

“And I have a muffin specially saved for my favorite gal,” Emmett said handing it to JR.

“Hey, what about us?” Lindsay asked.

“I’ll settle for a fucking mug of coffee,” Melanie griped.

“Yes, ma’am,” Emmett said getting up to pour coffee for each of the women. “There’s no bacon or eggs left, but I could make you some.”

“No, it’s okay, Emmett,” Lindsay told him.

“Wait, there’s a coffee cake in the oven. I forgot all about it,” Emmett said slapping his forehead. He hustled into the kitchen to get it.

“How fortuitous!” Brian smirked.

“Can it, Kinney,” Melanie responded. “I’m in no mood.”

“Obviously you didn’t get any last night,” Brian joked. “I rescind my precious statement about TMI. Apparently I was mistaken.”

“There were two raccoons outside our bedroom howling and…” Lindsay began.

“Fucking,” Melanie informed them, completing Lindsay’s sentence. “They wouldn’t shut the fuck up.”

“How long can raccoons go at it?” Justin asked.

“All fucking night!”

“You don’t seem to be cranky, Sonny boy,” Brian said to his son. “Didn’t the raccoons keep you boys up?”

“We were on the other side of the cottage,” Gus beamed. “Slept like a baby.”

“You’re not a baby, Gus,” Bree piped up. “You’re my big brother.”

Gus laughed. “That’s just an expression, short stuff. It means that I slept really well, like Taylor does. Not a care in the world.”

Ray leaned his shoulder against Gus’ and the two spoke volumes about their night together, without saying a word.

“How about you, JR? How did you sleep?” John asked deciding to participate in the discussion. He had been introspective long enough.

“I was fine,” JR said cheerfully, glad that Uncle John remembered her.

“That’s good, little lady.”

“I love you, Uncle John,” Bree said coming around the table and climbing up onto John’s knee. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him.

“Thanks for the hug, little one,” John responded. “I could sure use it.”

“I thought so,” Bree said proudly. “I figured that out.”

“I just bet you did.”

“Here’s bagels and coffee cake,” Debbie said leading Emmett back into the sun porch. “Cream cheese, butter, jam. You can make a feast.”

“There’s always food here, isn’t there?” Richie observed earning laughs from all present.
 

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