Ridiculously Romantic
Chapter 6 - Epilogue
“This is Michael and Ben’s log cabin,” Brian said as they walked up the path through the trees and shrubs. Ben and Michael had already left for the city so Brian gave Stephanie the tour.
“My God, it’s huge.”
“Michael’s a bit of a size queen,” Brian chuckled. Stephanie marveled at the craftsmanship, but all the wood wasn’t her taste. Although, she could see her husband going for something like it.
“I like the more traditional cottages,” she said.
“Then you’ll love Emmett and Drew’s.”
“The one with the white picket fence?” Steph asked.
“That’s the one,” Brian remarked as he looked around the cabin before they left.
“Something wrong,” Stephanie asked with concern.
“Not at all. When the seasonal owners go home…” Brian began. He made air quotes at the word seasonal. “John and I close down the cabin or cottages. In the winter we keep the furnaces on low so pipes don’t freeze and in the summer we run the a/c at minimum so the homes don’t become musty.”
“Huh, sounds like a lot of work.”
“Not really. We never know when someone wants a long weekend and John would be pissed if anything happened to his babies,” Brian said with a smile as he knocked on Emmett’s door.
“Hi, guys, Drew and I are just about ready to go back to Pittsburgh,” Emmett said as he opened the door. He had bags and luggage in his arms. “What’s up?”
“I’m giving Stephanie a tour of the lane. Care to tell her the story of the white picket fence?”
“Aww,” Emmett said as he put down his bags. “It’s ridiculously romantic. I always wanted a place with a picket fence, and my Drewsie made my dream come true.” Emmett swiped at a tear that threatened to fall. “I get emotional when I think about it.”
They stepped in for a quick look around.
“You’re always emotional,” Brian teased.
“Hey, don’t pick on my husband,” Drew said as he walked past carrying suitcases. “I’ll have to pile drive you if you do.”
“Duly noted, sir,” Brian said with a grin. “Have a good trip back.”
“Thanks, we will,” Emmett said. “Lovely to have met you and Dr. Cabot,” he added taking Stephanie’s hand. “Hope to see you again.”
“That would be lovely.”
Brian and Stephanie walked back toward the B&B then Brian steered her past for one more cottage.
“This is adorable,” Stephanie gasped. She had seen Molly’s little cottage with Emmett but didn’t have an opportunity to peek in. “Did Justin paint the walls?”
“Yes, just this front room,” Brian stated.
“And I bet in the summer when all the flowers are in bloom it must feel like you’re sleeping in the garden. Now this I like,” Stephanie crowed. “Thank you for showing it to me.”
“You’re very welcome. I hope you enjoyed your time here,” Brian said.
“More than you’ll ever know.”
“I never dreamt when I bought this piece of land with a little cottage on it…” Brian did not finish his statement.
“That you’d be creating an idyllic village for your family and friends,” Stephanie said for him.
“When I was younger, I never felt like I had much of a family, but things have certainly changed.”
“For the better,” Steph asked.
“Definitely for the better,” Brian replied as he led her back to the B&B. Just before they crossed the lane, Alex and Glen’s van pulled up. Glen rolled down his window.
“Hey, we’re glad we caught you,” Glen called out. “It was very nice to finally meet you Stephanie; Cabby doesn’t share much about his family,” Glen said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
“He’s funny that way,” Steph said without elaboration but with a sly smile.
“You’re a gem,” Glen conceded with a chuckle. “It was very nice meeting you and your boys. Better watch those two, they’ll be breaking hearts from here to the city,” Glen added then gave Brian a poignant look making him scowl.
“That’s enough, yenta, let’s not rile the landlord,” Alex warned his spouse. Glen gave him a ‘who me?’ look. “Leaving now! Tell John, I’ll call him if we intend to stay for Christmas week,” Alex said to Brian. Brian nodded as they waved goodbye.
“And I bet their cottage door is unlocked,” Stephanie commented with a grin. Brian chuckled.
“Most of us come from the city, so yes, we do have locks and know how to use them. But it’s rare when there’s no one on the lane. We do have an alarm system and don’t forget hounds,” Brian said with a smirk. “Those beasts are better than any high priced alarm system,” he boasted.
“I can just imagine. Will Lady Lucie be having more babies?”
“No, one litter is enough. But I imagine Little Beau will have a family of his own when John thinks he’s ready,” Brian stated. “Stop by before you leave,” said Brian as he left Stephanie just inside the foyer of the large cottage.
*****
“Do you think they’re in here?” Ryan asked his brother.
“They said they would be,” Joe replied. He could feel his face getting hot and it wasn’t due to the humidity in the greenhouse.
“Stop it,” Ryan said, giving his brother a shove. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”
Although the twins had polar opposite personalities, they were closer than most siblings and knew each other’s secrets.
“Okay,” Joe grumbled shoving back before they separated. Joe went to the bench where he and Peter had first sat to draw. Ryan walked toward the pond.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” Ryan replied. He could feel his face growing hot. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be here.”
“Are you leaving soon?”
“Yeah, my dad wants to beat the traffic,” Ryan said sadly.
“Maybe you can come for Christmas.”
“Maybe,” Ryan said with a shrug. “It was nice meeting you,” Ryan said politely as he reached out his hand. “Maybe we can see each other if you come to the city?” he asked hopefully as Bree extended her hand.
“Maybe,” she replied as she looked up into his eyes. Ryan felt himself drowning in Bree’s violet blue eyes. Their fingertips met, and they shook hands. Bree slowly blinked as she lifted her chin. Ryan gave Bree a quick peck to her lips then ran out of the greenhouse and back toward the B&B.
Bree stood there for a moment. It was her first kiss, at least she thought it was a kiss; it was kind of fast. But she thought it counted as a kiss. Pleased with herself, Bree spent a few minutes conferring with the koi then went back home to call Ashley.
*****
“What was that?” Peter asked when he heard a noise.
“I think it was Ryan,” Joe replied nervously.
“He’s here?” Peter asked as he looked around.
“I think he just left.”
“Okay,” Peter mumbled not really knowing what to say.
The boys nervously sat on the bench. They felt a little weird sitting there without sketching, neither knew what to do with their hands.
“Uh, I think I’m gay,” Joe mumbled, fearing the worst.
“I know I’m gay,” Peter admitted.
“Really? I mean I kinda thought so but wasn’t sure.” Peter nodded. Joe thought he felt a connection between him and Peter but wasn’t sure. “Um, is it okay if I, uh…?”
“Yeah,” Peter whispered.
Nervous eyes gave a quick look around, then they leaned in and their hesitant lips met for an awkward, chaste kiss. When they leaned back both boys were grinning.
“Not bad,” said Peter.
“Yeah,” agreed Joe with a smirk.
Then they gave it one more try. Happy with the results, they parted vowing to keep in touch.
“Where have you been hiding?” Debbie quizzed Peter as he came through the kitchen door.
“Saying goodbye to Joe,” Peter answered honestly.
“Uh huh,” Debbie said with a stern look. Peter almost evaporated into the floor. “Come here,” Debbie said as she pulled the young teen into her arms for a hug. “It doesn’t matter who you love as long as you play safe and are happy,” she said wisely. “And we’re here any time you need to talk,” Deb added with a kiss to Peter’s cheek.
*****
It was mid-afternoon when the Cabots were finally all packed and ready to head home. They made one last pass through the large cottage making sure they had all of their belongings and the various parcels of goodies, frozen or otherwise, gifted to them so they wouldn’t have to worry about cooking for the next few days.
“I think I’ve gained twenty pounds,” Stephanie murmured as she hefted the last of the goodie bags into the trunk of their car.
“Yes, but it was worth it,” Sabastian said.
“So you’re happy that we decided to spend the weekend?” Steph asked.
“Yes, I am. I know I can be a grouch sometimes…”
“Sometimes?!” the boys crowed. Sabastian ignored his boys.
“But I did have a good time,” Sabastian agreed. His wife and sons cheered. Poor Sabastian just shook his head. “We should say goodbye to our hosts,” he suggested.
Instead of driving, the family strolled up the lane to the conjoined cottages to thank their hosts. Justin answered their knock on the front door. Soon the whole family joined them.
“Come in,” Justin greeted them. “Are you all packed?”
“Yes, we are. We just wanted to say goodbye and tell you that we had such a wonderful time,” Stephanie gushed. “And to say thank you. And when did you sneak in all the goodie bags? I won’t have to cook for a week!”
“We have spies everywhere,” Brian stated as he made his entrance. “Thank you for accepting our invitation. We hope this is the first of many,” he said sincerely as he shook Sabastian’s hand. Sabastian smiled and nodded.
After receiving handshakes and hugs from the entire family, the Cabots were finally on their way back home. They were about fifteen minutes away from home when Stephanie made an observation.
“You guys have been awfully quiet back there. Tired or just missing your new friends already?” The twins just exchanged looks. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class?” Steph asked suspiciously.
“No, Mom,” the boys sing-songed.
“Now, why don’t I believe you?” Stephanie commented, getting innocent shrugs in return. “Hmpf,” she grumbled as she gave them the stink eye.
*****
“And life as we know it has returned to normal,” Brian declared later that night as the family sat down to dinner.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Bobby stated as he passed the salad. “It wasn’t the usual crowd.”
“True,” John added. “We’ve dealt with many more guests before and survived.”
“Let’s consider this a dry run before Christmas,” Justin said.
“We’ll see,” said Brian. “I think I like doing holidays on the lighter side. We can host the masses during the warmer months.”
“We don’t have to make any decisions now,” John wisely said then turned his attentions to Gus and Ray. “So what are your plans?”
“Pop’s given us time off for good behavior so we’re spending it on the lane. But, would you mind if Ray and I move into the attic room of the B&B while we’re here?”
“Growing out of your room, Sonny Boy,” Brian drawled. He had mixed feelings of pride and sadness as his children were growing up. Justin patted his thigh.
“No, Dad, but when we spent the other night up there, it reminded me a little of the loft,” Gus tried to explain without hurting his dad’s feelings.
“So you want to get a taste of having a little more elbow room. I get it,” Brian said with a nod.
“Are you giving up your New York apartment?” John asked the boys.
“No, we decided to keep it,” Ray replied. “The landlord’s a good guy and since we’re all over the place, it makes sense to keep it for as long as we can. We’ll be going back and forth. And anyone else who travels to New York can stay there if they want.”
“And it’s a good jumping off point for North, Isles and Rose,” Gus added.
“You don’t have to convince me. Just make sure you secure your toy box,” Brian teased, getting a bunch of “eiws” in return and a volley of napkins.
“So when are you thinking of moving in?” Justin asked.
“Maybe after the new year,” Gus said. Ray agreed.
“Then I guess you’ll be needing these,” Brian said as he stood to remove a set of keys from his pocket. “They’re copies for the loft and the entrances plus the masters, so don’t lose them. John and I have a set, so does Theodore.”
“Thanks, Pop!” Gus was grinning from ear to ear. He understood the trust and responsibility his dad was showing him.
“Yeah, thanks, Pop,” Ray added with equal enthusiasm and a sloppy grin.
*****
“So what do you think?” Justin asked later that night. The boys were sharing a leisurely shower before bedtime.
“About what, Sunshine?” Brian asked as he gently washed Justin's back. Justin smiled as he felt Brian nuzzle his neck.
“The newest members of our family.”
“The Cabots? The jury’s still out on that one.”
“Bree likes Ryan.”
“She thinks she likes Ryan,” Brian corrected.
“I don’t know. When I passed her room earlier today, there was a lot of giggling going on,” Justin pointed out.
“Justin, I just handed over the keys to my loft to Gus, let me wallow in ignorance about Bree for a little longer while I get used to the fact that my children are growing up and don’t need me,” Brian growled.
“They’ll always need you; you’re their father and a very loving one. I’m just teasing.”
“That kind of teasing will make my dick soft.”
“I doubt it,” Justin purred as he turned within Brian’s arms to grab a handful. “See, nothing soft here,” Justin murmured giving Brian a little tug.
“Just for you, Sunshine,” Brian declared in a romantic but seductive way.
Prolonging the anticipation, the lovers finished their shower, taking care to wash and pamper each other thoroughly before going to bed. And when they did, they took turns demonstrating how ridiculously romantic they could be, well into the night.
-end-