Pride Goeth...

Chapter 5

“Auntie Emm, can I have another Smore?” Bree asked as the group of would-be campers was sitting around the campfire in Emmett’s backyard.

“You certainly may, Princess Bree.” Emmett quickly melted a marshmallow in the fire and placed it between the graham crackers with a little piece of milk chocolate. He squished the whole thing together. “Be careful because the marshmallow is hot,” he told her as he handed the gooey confection to her.

“Yummy,” Bree said as she nibbled carefully at the edges.

“I’ll have another one too, please,” Patrick said.

“I’ll make it for you,” George offered. He and Rachel were sitting around the campfire with Emmett, Drew, Richie, and the two younger children.

“Can I make another one?” Richie asked.

“You certainly may,” Emmett said happily skewering a marshmallow on a stick for his new son.

“So, are you ready to sleep out in the wild tonight?” Drew asked the children.

“It’s not wild, Unca Drew,” Bree said. “It’s your yard.”

“I am, if Beau can stay with us,” Patrick stated.

“Yeah,” Bree agreed, “we need Beau.”

Beau gave a little woof at the mention of his name.

“I think my daddies should come and sleep here too,” Bree stated. “Do you have another tent, Unca Drew?”

“’Fraid not,” Drew said. He would love to see Brian Kinney sleeping on his lawn. That would make a good story in the family. But that lucky so-and-so, Kinney, was off the hook because he didn’t have another tent and sleeping bags.

“Where are our dads?” Patrick asked.

“I think they’re probably home by now,” Emmett said.

“Maybe they would like to come for some Smores,” Richie suggested.

“And maybe they’d like some time alone,” Rachel said with a wink at Emmett.

Bree frowned. “Don’t my daddies like being with me?” she asked.

“Oh sweetheart,” Rachel said quickly. “Of course they love being with you, but sometimes it’s nice to have some time with other adults.”

“What’s so good about adults?” Bree demanded.

“I think we’ll leave that one for you to field, Emmett,” Rachel said standing up. “It’s time for George and me to go home.”

“Can’t you stay, Auntie Rachel?” Bree asked batting her eyelashes at her aunt.

“No, sweetheart. This is your camping adventure. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“How come I always get stuck with men?” Bree demanded crossing her arms over her chest and pouting a la Unca Mikey.

The adults laughed and Patrick looked proud to be included in the “men” category. Richie looked baffled. George and Rachel kissed the petite blond and the stalwart redhead goodnight, before Emmett and Drew walked them around the house to the lane.

“What do you mean that you get stuck with men?” Richie asked as he licked his fingers with the last of his Smore.

“Nobody ever brings any girls for me to play with,” Bree pouted. “Taylor was apposed to be a girl and he turned out to be a boy. Curtis is a boy and so are you. I want a girl.”

“Oh,” Richie said not sure what to say in response to that.

“Bree has been the only girl around here for a long time. Auntie Rachel’s daughters are all grown up now, and we don’t see them so much,” Patrick explained.

“And you’d like more girls to play with?” Richie asked.

“She makes me play tea party sometimes,” Patrick said shaking his head.

“And you won’t play with me no more,” Bree said glaring at her cousin.

“I wouldn’t mind playing tea party with you,” Richie volunteered.

Bree’s face lit up. “Really?”

“Sure, I think it would be fun. I never got to do anything like that at home,” Richie said.

Patrick’s mouth had dropped open at Richie’s offer. “You like girlie things?” he asked in disbelief.

“It’s not a girlie thing. It’s tea,” Richie stated. “I like tea.”

“Me too,” Bree agreed with a big smile.

“Okay, princes and princess, time to hit the sleeping bags,” Emmett said clapping his hands as he came around the side of his cottage.

“Let’s get settled,” Drew suggested. “Patrick, you and Bree and Beau will be in the smaller tent. Richie you’ll be in this one with me and Emmett.”

“Are you sure you want to be with Patrick?” Emmett asked the little girl. “I’m sure Richie and Patrick could share, and you could sleep with Drew and me.”

“Patrick and Beau will look after me,” Bree said confidently, earning a big smile from Patrick and a little woof from Beau.

“Then let’s hit the hay,” Drew said.

“I need to brush my teeth,” Bree informed them. “Smores are real sticky.”

“True,” Emmett chuckled. “Come with me and we’ll get those teeth all cleaned up.”

“I think I have another tooth that’s going to fall out,” Bree whispered as she took Emmett’s hand and they started into the cottage.

“If it falls out, you better save it for your daddies. They’ll want it.”

“So will the tooth fairy,” Bree added.

“Of course, the tooth fairy,” Emmett agreed as they disappeared into the house.

 

*****
 

“Do you think we should go down to Emmett’s and make sure Bree’s okay?” Brian asked.

The men were still sitting around in the living room, having had a couple of beers and something to eat. They had enjoyed the male camaraderie and raking Melanie over the coals. That woman could be the source of more conversation than any ten other people.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” John said.

“She has Patrick and Beau to keep her company,” Bobby supplied. “And Emmett, Drew and Richie to supervise them all.”

“That instills confidence,” Brian replied, the sarcasm clear in his voice.

“She’ll be fine,” Justin said patting Brian’s arm. “If she needs anything, we’re just up the lane.”

“I know, but…” Brian didn’t finish his statement.

“I think it’s time for bed,” John said standing up.

“Me too,” Bobby replied with a waggle of his eyebrows. “We can make as much noise as we want.”

John laughed as he took Bobby’s hand and they headed for their side of the cottages.

“Maybe we should take advantage of our child free time,” Justin suggested looking into Brian’s hazel eyes. His own were growing dark with lust.

“I … sure,” Brian said deciding that Bree would be fine with the big fairy and everyone else down at Emmett’s.

 

*****
 

“Do you think the kids are asleep?” Emmett whispered in Drew’s ear. They were sharing a big sleeping bag.

“I bet they conked out long ago,” Drew replied as he pulled Emmett close. The two men snuggled down into the sleeping bag.

“Richie’s out like a light,” Emmett said looking over at their new son as he slept on the other side of the large tent.

“And so are Bree and Patrick, I’m sure,” Drew assured his husband.

 

*****
 

Brian looked over at Justin who was sleeping peacefully beside him. They had had a rather inspired bout of lovemaking and then some down and dirty sex. Brian smiled to himself. He would never get enough of Justin Taylor.

Rolling onto his back, Brian stared up at the ceiling of their bedroom. ‘Why can’t I sleep?’ he asked himself. Usually after fucking Justin into the mattress he slept like a baby, a very large, happy, naughty baby. That brought another smile to his lips. With a sigh Brian closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep.

After several minutes, he opened his eyes again. This wasn’t working. Brian slid out of bed, grabbing some sweats to throw on. He walked out into the sun porch knowing where he was going, as soon as he left the house. He slipped on his gardening shoes that were by the sun porch door and quietly let himself out of the house. He walked down the lane, heading for Emmett’s.

When he reached the front gate, he opened it and stepped inside the front yard. He made his way quietly around the house to the point where he could see the two tents set up in the backyard. He walked over to the largest tent and unzipped a bit of the flap so he could look inside. Drew and Emmett were sleeping curled up against each other, and Richie slept peacefully in his own sleeping bag.

Not finding the object of his search, Brian moved over to the other tent. He unzipped the front all the way around and crawled into the tent. Beau raised his head and gave a wag of his tail. Brian patted the dog’s head. Patrick slept on oblivious to the intruder.

Brian studied Bree’s face as she slept. She looked so beautiful. She always looked beautiful to him. He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

He was about to leave the tent, when she said, “I love you, Dada.”

“Did I wake you up?” Brian asked.

“It’s okay. I missed your goodnight kiss.”

“Me too,” Brian said with a smile. “Are you okay sleeping out here?”

“I’m fine, Dada.”

“Good girl.”

“I’m glad you came to check on me.”

“Me too.”

“Night, Dada.”

“Night, Squirt.”

“Kiss Daddy for me.”

“I will,” Brian whispered as he zipped up the flap and headed back home, knowing that now he would be able to sleep.

 

*****
 

“What’s got your knickers in a bunch this morning?” Bobby asked as he strolled into the Kinney-Taylor side of the conjoined cottages with his favorite mug in hand seeking the coffee his nose confirmed had been brewed.

Brian grumbled something unintelligible while he filled Bobby’s mug then topped off his own. He sat on one of the stools and uncharacteristically pouted.

“Okay, now I know something’s not right when Brian Kinney pouts. Spill,” Bobby demanded as he sat next to him.

“It’s quiet,” Brian mumbled.

“Yeah, and…? You like quiet, you are the king of quiet.” Bobby waited for further explanation from tall dark and quiet. Getting none, his investigative instincts kicked in. Taking a few more sips of coffee, Bobby began to formulate his theory regarding Brian’s current state of ‘poutiness.’

“Shall I postulate?” Brian offered a royal wave which encouraged Bobby to continue. “It’s Tuesday mid-morning after a very hectic if not somewhat tense weekend of hosting hundreds at one of our usual ‘intimate’ gatherings where we mingled with Emmett’s new foster son, watched you give your old cruising techniques an airing and learned that my very careful and correct spouse may have a thirty-something ‘oops’, living in England.”

Brian said nothing so Bobby went on.

“We have also learned that your mother is a very sneaky old broad. Instead of allowing you to escort her back to Pittsburgh, she and your sister left on their own. Justin took the kids to school and then is going to spend the rest of the day in Pittsburgh mediating between Michael and Lacy. Who, from what I understand, can argue over Rage just as well as Justin and Michael ever did. John is out doing his construction thing including checking out the Wilson’s garage like he promised. We have also discovered that the princess is very capable of spending a night out with the boys without her Dada.”

Bobby’s last statement got no reaction other than a slightly raised eyebrow. Bobby smirked. “Ah ha!” Bobby loudly exclaimed with an exaggerated rise of a pointed finger. “Elementary, my dear Kinney. You are feeling unneeded and otherwise redundant.”

Brian sighed.

Bobby giggled.

Brian scowled.

“Why didn’t you drive into the Pitts with Justin and terrorize Kinnetik for a while?”

Brian shrugged his shoulders. “I didn’t feel like it,” Brian mumbled.

“What was that?”

“I didn’t feel like it,” Brian enunciated, feeling sorry for himself.

“Why?” Brian shrugged again. “I think you’re beginning to behave like an unappreciated housewife.”

Brian shot Bobby a death glare.

“Now there’s the Brian Kinney we all know and...love,” Bobby teased.

Brian refilled Bobby’s mug. “Why are you home? Have the citizens of our fair commonwealth decided that we no longer have any need for red-headed annoying fag lawyers?” Brian snarked.

“On the contrary, I am highly prized and in demand,” Bobby said with an air of haughtiness, giving just as good as he got. “However, I’m tired, Bri,” Bobby said softly, dropping all pretense. “I have more than enough time owed to me. I deserve a break.”

“I agree. You could own that firm if you wanted to.”

“Probably, but I don’t want the headache. I’m very happy with my place in the legal world. I just needed some quiet ‘me time’.” Brian searched his brother-in-law’s handsome face. “I’m fine, really.”

“You’d tell us if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?” Brian whispered as he drew the smaller man into his arms. Bobby fit almost as well as Justin did.

“I would. I promise.”

“You and John deserve a real vacation,” Brian said as he released Bobby. “Away from here. We’d look after Little Red for you.”

“I know and I’m toying with that very idea. I’ve been conspiring with Gordon.”

Brian smiled; he liked John’s big bear of a business partner. “Gordon could use his own time off.”

“Probably but he has his own ways of powering down. Betsie sees to that,” Bobby chuckled.

“I bet she puts him to work in her flower shop,” Brian laughed.

“Yup. Betsie Smith is the Debbie Novotny-Horvath of the Village.” Bobby and Brian laughed heartily. “Now about your little self pity party,” Bobby got back to the subject at hand.

“I don’t do pity,” Brian growled.

“Normally I’d concur, but something’s got you doing a good imitation of Michael in his best pout.”

Brian resigned himself to his brother-in-law’s powers of deduction. “You hit the nail on the head from the beginning; no one needs me.”

“That’s not true. This whole family needs you, but we happen to be relatively crisis free for the moment. There’s nothing we can do about John’s little blast from the past until the DNA results come back. And even if it does verify that Grace is John’s daughter, what difference will it make other than we can rag on him about being a grandfather.

“The barbecue is over. You’ve had plenty of time to recover from the princess party and Cynthia and Ted have Kinnetik under control. All of the Kinnetik branches are thriving. Maybe you need to open a new branch, better yet open up your own landscaping business. John says you were invaluable to him with Molly’s garden and with the girls’ cottage. I think you should seriously consider it. At the very least you can go outside and mow the lawn.”

“I don’t do lawns. That’s why we have a service.”

“Riiiight. And then you’re out there two minutes after they leave inspecting, criticizing and otherwise making a nuisance of yourself. If you don’t like the job they do, do it yourself.”

Brian shook his head.

“Then buy out that service, keep the employees you like and get rid of the rest or retrain them. They have an established client base that would benefit from your anal tendencies.”

“Oh - ha ha.”

“It would give you something constructive to do and allow you to expand your creative side.”

“I have a creative side?”

“Of course you do. You couldn’t be such a successful ad man without having a creative side. You’re probably bored; you need a new challenge.”

“This family is challenging enough,” Brian snarked.

“Sometimes, but Brian, the kids are growing up. Kinnetik has grown up. Justin is forever finding new projects to get caught up in and that keeps his creative juices flowing. No one would fault you for finding something different to sink your teeth into. Or in this case, your hands into. Find out who owns that landscaping company and negotiate. I bet it’s run by an old man who’d jump at the chance to sell out at a decent price and retire to Scottsdale.”

Bobby could see a little gleam in Brian’s eyes, so he went in for the kill.

“You know, not all of Hunter’s kids have a talent for construction. And some have been abused so badly that they don’t relate to people very well. Flowers don’t talk back and for the most part offer sweet smelling rewards. Think about it, Bri.”

Brian nodded.

“Good. Now I have a date with a lounge chair and a book by the stream. Go out and harass someone, but do it nicely,” Bobby said as he walked out of the kitchen.

“I’m always nice,” Brian shouted to the redhead’s back. He sat for a few more minutes, the wheels turning in his head then he scrambled up to his office.

“Schmidt! I need you to crunch some numbers for me,” he said into his phone.

 

*****
 

“Hi Curtis,” JR called out as she approached the lunchroom table that Curtis was seated at. Curtis smiled brightly.

“We still a go for the dance?” he asked almost hesitantly.

“Yes, we are and I am sorry about what my mother did. I just don’t understand her sometimes.”

“I guess she’s just looking out for you. I haven’t had a real mother in a very long time, but I remember my mom being really protective of me. Miss Melanie is just protecting you from the bad ass kid who mugged a whole lot of people. If I ever have a daughter, I’d be the same.”

“I just want you to know that I don’t think like her,” JR said softly.

“I know you don’t. I do like you a lot but I have no expectations other than I like your company. You’re fun to talk with even if your moms are lesbians,” Curtis said with a straight face. Both kids cracked up with laughter.

“Oh yeah? Well, I guess I can overlook the fact that your dads are fags,” JR said as she stuck her tongue out at her friend. They laughed harder then ate their lunches, as they talked about their end of the school year assignments.
 

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