Chapter 3

"OW! Daaad!" Patrick ran from his room into the living room looking for John.

"What is it, son?"

"Beau bit me." Patrick tried to be brave but the tears were forming in his eyes. One or two slipped down his face.

"He bit you?" John couldn't believe that the puppy could be that mean. Patrick held up his finger for his dad to examine. Sure enough, there were two tiny indentations; however, the skin wasn't broken. "Let's go wash this up," John said calmly as he led his son to the bathroom to wash the affected area.

Patrick stood on his stool close to the sink so that John could easily wash Patrick's hands. "How did this happen?"

"We were playing tug of war and Beau bit me," Patrick tried to explain.

"Do you think Beau meant to bite you or did your finger just get in the way of his rope? Puppies like to chew and he's teething. I think your finger got in the way of his teeth."

"Oh." Patrick appeared to be considering what his father was trying to tell him. "You mean like Bree and her pacifier?"

"Something like that. Remember how she cried sometimes when her teeth were trying to come out?" Patrick nodded. Bree looked miserable at times but when her dads gave her a hard biscuit to chomp on Bree became happier. "Puppies are the same way. I bet if we really look close at his rope, we may find a puppy tooth."

"A puppy tooth?" Patrick's face lit up. "Can we look?" Patrick's booboo appeared to be forgotten.

"Sure, let's go." John and Patrick went back into Patrick's room. Beau had already fallen asleep. Tug of war was hard work for a puppy.

Father and son examined Beau's rope closely and there in one of the knots was a tiny tooth.

"Can I keep it?" Patrick was all smiles and fascinated then his smile faded. "Did it hurt to lose the tooth?"

"No, not at all. They're made to come out easily. And it means Beau is growing up."

"He is?"

"Yes, he is, Sonny Boy, just like you are. Come on, let Beau sleep. I'll find a little box to keep his tooth in. You're lucky, puppy teeth are hard to find." Patrick's smile was back and he and John went to find a tiny plastic box to house the tooth. John ruffled Patrick's soft red hair. Little did Patrick know that his dads had their own little box for Patrick's baby teeth.

*****

"Did it hurt a lot?" Bree asked Patrick when he told her of the incident. He had showed the injured finger to Bree.

"No, not a lot." Patrick conveniently left out the part where he was crying. "And I have a Beau tooth," Patrick said proudly.

"You do?!" Briana was impressed with her hero. "Can I see it?" Bree slowly batted her eyelashes at Patrick like she saw her Daddy bat his at her Dada. That always got what her Daddy wanted.

"Sure." Patrick took Bree to his room to see the tiny box that held its treasure.

"Wow," Bree whispered in awe.

"Yeah, wow," Patrick whispered in agreement.

*****

[warm...good boy...big boy...sniff...sniff]

"Cheeeewwwww!"

"What the hell was that?" Bobby asked as his head popped up from under the blankets where he was in the act of driving John insane with his tongue. John attempted to get the few remaining workable brain cells together to form a coherent answer.

"Beau sneezed."

"That was a puppy sneeze? Damn near shook me out of bed," Bobby said in disbelief. Then Bobby began to chuckle. John was laying flat on his back, his arms at his sides with a handful of sheet in each fist. His legs were spread wantonly apart allowing Bobby access to his nether regions.

"I wonder why he sneezed?" Bobby mumbled as he dipped his head back to take care of the job at hand, or should that be the job at mouth.

"Smells like sex in here," John murmured.

"Hmm?" Bobby hummed around John's cock.

"Shh, not polite to talk with your mouth full," John rumbled from the head of the bed.

"Cheeeewwwww!"

"Bleth ooo."

*****

"Where's Beau?" John asked as he came into the kitchen. Patrick and Bobby were getting ready to leave so that Bobby could drop his son off at school.

"Probably in the sun porch," Bobby said. "He loves that little patch of sun."

"It's a wonder he isn't here begging for food."

"He's hungry all the time, Dad," Patrick said.

"He's a growing pup," John replied.

You don't think he has worms, do you?" Bobby suggested.

"Ew, Poppa, what do you mean, worms? Like from the garden?" Patrick's face was all screwed up with worry and disgust.

"No, they're worms that grow inside dogs sometimes," Bobby explained.

Patrick's face got very solemn. "Will Beau die?"

"I don't think Beau even has worms, son," John said. "We had him checked out at the vet's. He's just a growing boy."

Beau came bounding in from the sun porch having heard the voices. He slid to a stop by Patrick's chair. Patrick reached down tentatively to pet the pup.

"It's okay, Patrick," John said trying to reassure him. "I'm sure Beau is fine."

"Maybe he needs to go to the doctor," Patrick said patting Beau's head.

John sighed and gave Bobby a look that demanded to know why the topic of worms had even been brought up in the first place. "I guess I could take him in this afternoon … just to be sure."

"That's good, Dad," Patrick said pleased that Beau would get checked out.

Beau watched the goings-on from the floor. He'd seen that look that passed between the two big men. It usually meant that one of them would be joining him in his doghouse, as they liked to say. Beau thought that was a great idea, except it never seemed to actually happen, even though they threatened it. He would have enjoyed company in his little house in the sun porch.

*****

"John, good to see you," Dr. Baker, the local vet, greeted John. "And who is this?" The vet bent down to pick up young Beau and place him on the examining table.

"Doc Baker, I'd like you to meet..."

"Beau?" The men laughed.

"Yes, this is the new Beau. My brother got him from the same breeder where his namesakes came from."

"I'm so sorry about old Beau. He was one fine dog."

"Yes, he was," John said sadly. "But this one will be just as good, in his own way." John patted the pup who was unaccustomed to being high up on the cold metal table.

"What brings you in so soon? Didn't my partner just check him out not too long ago?"

"Bobby thinks Beau may have worms. He has been a little off his feed for a couple of days."

"Do you have a sample with you?" John nodded and handed the vet a baggie containing puppy poop. "We'll have the lab take a look. I'll give you the medication to take home with you. Wait for my call before you give it to him. You know the drill."

"I should, been through it often enough." The vet finished his exam of the pup and declared him fit. John thanked the vet and paid the bill and the fee for the medicine.

"One more thing, John, are you going to have him neutered? I know his namesake wasn't but he lived in a different environment."

"Not sure, I'll talk it over with the family."

"No rush, this pup's still young yet. You let us know. I'll call when the tests come back." John and the vet shook hands then John lead Beau out the door.

John had time before he had to pick up Patrick from school. Edna's Treasures was rather quiet lately. Brian, Justin and Bree were spending a lot of time in Pittsburgh preparing for a fundraiser for Hunter's clinic. It made sense for them to stay in the Pitts rather than driving back and forth every day. After his experiences in New York, John knew that Brian preferred his family close to him, even if the cottage was only ninety minutes away.

"Jackie!" Claire greeted her son with enthusiasm and with a hug and a kiss.

"Hi, Mom."

"What brings you two here?" Claire bent low to pet Beau.

"We were at the vet and I have time to kill before getting Patrick from school. I thought we'd visit for a while, if that's okay with you."

"Of course, sweetheart, let me put the kettle on."

Mother and son shared the quiet afternoon, reminiscing about the Beaus that came before and how special they were, each in their own way.

"Jackie, are you still missing old Beau?"

"I guess I am but this little guy helps. He's going to be a great dog. I can feel it. He's smart and he's good with the kids. This little guy was just what I, we, needed."

"So, then what is it?" Claire knew something was up.

"I miss Brian."

"Oh Jackie." Claire smiled then gave her son another hug. "It's not like he's that far away and you have business in Pittsburgh. And I'm sure you'll see him at the fundraiser."

"I know but the cottage is so quiet when they're not there. I like it when the big goof works from home or Justin's painting away in the porch. Even if he does play the most god awful music you'd ever want to hear. And I miss the princess too." John looked so forlorn, it made Claire want to chuckle. Her son still retained a little bit of the boy in him.

"They'll be home soon."

"I know. Shit, speaking of home, I better get a move on. Patrick should be getting out of school soon." John grabbed his coat and Beau's leash.

"I'll walk you out." John bid his mother goodbye then he and Beau went to get Patrick.

*****

"Hey, Dad!"

"Hi, Sonny Boy. How was school today?"

"Good. Did Beau see the doctor?"

"Yes."

"Does he have worms?"

"Don't know yet. We have to wait for the tests but I have his medicine, just in case."

"Okay, Dad."

*****

[good boy...big boy...good boy...smell good...mine]

"Beau, is that a Beau toy?" John said sternly as Beau tramped through the cottage with one of Briana's dolls. Beau stopped in his tracks to look up at his man. He blinked a few times then turned to walk into the Kinney/Taylor end of the cottage. When Beau reappeared he was minus one doll but had the grey stuffed bunny in his mouth.

"I don't think so." John looked directly into Beau's eyes. Beau knew that John was the alpha male. He quickly lowered his eyes then plodded back into the Kinney/Taylor hall. When he reappeared again, Beau was sans toy.

"Good boy." John was quick to reward good behavior and he realized that Beau must be missing Bree, even if she did squeeze his ear too hard. John took out his phone.

*****

"There you go, boy." John patted Beau's head as he settled down in the spot in the porch that he claimed as his own. John had purchased a dog bed for Beau that stayed in the corner of the porch near to his dog house where the sun lingered the longest. In the bed were Beau's favorite toys and several of John, Bobby and Patrick's old socks that were tied together. Beau found it comforting to nuzzle the socks when the family was out. John now had a new string of socks to add to it. Beau nuzzled his new prize, sighed contentedly then went to sleep. John's phone vibrated in his pocket.

"Yeah, it worked," John whispered. "He's out like a light and if I'm not mistaken, we have one very happy pup." Beau wagged his tail sleepily as affirmation. "Yup, a very happy pup. Thanks little bro, see you soon." John ended his conversation then went back inside his kitchen.

[warm...smell good...mine...big boy...good boy...warm...sleep]

*****

"Hello, Dog," Brian addressed Beau as he came into the porch with his morning cup of coffee. It was early on a Saturday morning in May. Justin's 'Old Masters' were a rave in New York. They'd stay in New York for the remaining year, then Sidney wanted to send them around the country, and they were even contemplating Europe.

The Kinnetik empire was going strong and the Jason Kemp clinic was now self sufficient. That left Brian with a lot of time on his hands.

"What are you up to?"

Beau was almost a year old and just about fully grown. He was big, strong and fierce to look at but Brian knew that Beau was still a puppy with a puppy's sense of humor. Beau sat in front of his other man.

"Are you hungry? Don't they feed you enough over there?" Brian craned his neck to look at Beau's bowls. "Nope, you have plenty of food and water. So that can't be it. But you do want something." Brian took another sip of his coffee then with coffee mug in hand, Brian went to the porch door. His garden was in bloom.

"I bet you want to go out, don't you?" Brian felt the breeze Beau's tail was making as he wagged. "I think your daddy needs to make you a doggie door." Brian put his mug down on a table then retrieved the leash that was on a hook by the Anderson/Morrison kitchen door. Beau didn't need it but John said it was a good idea to keep it with you just in case.

"Let's go for a walk, Dog." Beau knew that when this man said the 'dog' word, it meant him. Brian slid open the screen door and Beau and he went outside. They were walking through the brush for about 30 minutes when John sprinted up to join them.

"Bri, Gordon and his men are here. I want your approval before I give them the go-ahead." John patted his chest, Beau raised himself up on his hind legs to place his front paws on John's chest. Beau was nearly as tall as John and could certainly knock over Justin or Bobby if he wanted to but he never would. "You keeping Brian out of trouble, boy?" John gave the dog a hug then stepped back so that Beau could get down. Beau gave John a knowing look.

"You have him well trained," Brian remarked with a smile. Brian couldn't believe that Beau was such a great dog having little experience with dogs other than with old Beau.

"Now if we can get you trained, I'd have nothing to worry about," John snarked.

"Yes, but then life would be rather boring, don't you think?"

"You're probably right. Come on, Gordon's waiting. He checked out the infrastructure, we have all the permits and he has the plans for the new cottage. Let's go take a look." John was excited about their new venture.

"You guys are not expecting me to get my tool belt, are you?" Brian raised an eyebrow.

"No, little brother, we wouldn't dream of it but we know how you are." John said little else then strode away with Beau marching alongside.

"What do you mean, how I am?" Brian looked surprised. John chuckled but kept right on walking. "Hey! HEY!" John's laughter filled the clear Spring morning air and Beau barked happily.

"Bad enough I get snark from my brother but from a dog too," Brian was heard to grumble. "At least he raises his leg to pee now!" Brian shouted at his brother. John's laughter got louder.

*****

"So you think you can get it done in two months?" John asked Gordon.

"Hey, Johnny, when have I ever let you down?" Gordon asked his long time business partner and friend. John seemed to be contemplating Gordon's question.

"Um, never. We'd like this done by July but I don't want to sacrifice quality."

"Johnny Boy, have no fear. We're not pouring a basement; there'll be a crawl space. The furnace, water heater and laundry room will be in the back. The main room will be mostly fireplace with the bedroom sharing the back of the fireplace. From the outside it'll look like a quaint cottage similar to yours, the one big difference..."

"The state of the art kitchen for all those masterpieces he's going to create," Brian supplied.

"I still don't know how you got Emmett to tell you all about his dream kitchen," John commented.

"That was easy, I just asked," Brian crowed smugly. John and Gordon were amazed. "Look, I may know more about the latest haute couture but I also know the top of the line appliances when I see them. I merely suggested that I was interested in updating our appliances and asked his advice. One thing led to another and I just let nature take its course. I feel sorry for Drew though; the poor man is footing the bill for all of this. I may have to think of a new campaign to use him as a model so he can pay for this dream house. And don't forget the white picket fence."

"One white picket fence, coming right up," Gordon confirmed as he jotted down notes on his pad. "I'll tell the guys to start staking out the ground. Johnny, my man, go get your hard hat and you..." Gordon addressed Brian, "go put on another pot of coffee."

"Sir, yes, sir!" John and Brian said as one, gave Gordon a mock salute then headed back toward Edna's Treasures.

"Well trained bastards, the pair of ya!" Gordon called out and they all laughed soundly with Beau lending his loud barking.