In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 11

Brian's POV:

My balls feel better today. No pain, no itch and the lump is gone. Now if the doctor confirms it was only an ingrown hair, I will personally kiss him then take my sorry ass back home to celebrate. I have had enough of this.

Four nights without Justin. It wouldn't have been so bad if I was away on business or he was away for a show but, fuck! I'm here because of a pimple, at least that's what the doctor said it was. I'll know soon.

I better take a shower, nothing worse than a stinky and cranky Kinney.

John's POV:

Okay so this is it, the day that will live in infamy. And I think I have lost my mind. Four fucking nights away from my Bobby and my son. Shit! I don't know how Brian does it. He travels, Justin travels, maybe that's why they're at it all the time because they don't know when they'll be apart. All I know is that I hate it. Brian's balls better be better 'cause I want to go home. And of course, I want him to be okay but tonight Bobby Morrison-Anderson is going to be loved to within an inch of his life. We're both going to be bow-legged. I swear we will!

The shower went off. I'm going to jump in. God, I hope this nightmare is over soon.

Emmett's POV:

We're all packed and ready to go just as soon as Brian is finished at the doctor's office and he gives me the word. Then we'll pick up Drewsie at the loft and we're outta here.

I can't believe Brian actually let me drive him to the doctor. I know he needed the car, but I figured I'd give him the keys. But then he suggested that I drive. Amazing, the great Brian Kinney practically admitting he needed someone. I mean I can see why he wants John with him. John is so strong, so calm, so, mmm, like my Drewsie. And he's hot, but, what am I saying?! Brian wants John with him because he's his brother and he is a tower of strength. And he's probably the only person on the face of the planet that can keep Brian Kinney from going ballistic aside from Justin.

So here I am, driving the Masters Kinney to the doctor. I'll stay calm and quiet and wait patiently until his examination is over and he gets his final verdict. Then I'll have a nervous breakdown.

"We're here," I tell the brothers. "Do you want me to wait in the car?" I ask. I really don't want to wait here but I don't like to impose, much.

"No, Emmett, come up with us. It's too cold out here," John says. He's so sweet.

"Okay!" I try to stay as cheerful as I can. I'll cry later.

Brian's POV:

Damn, the big fairy is wearing his 'everything is all happy and gay' face. I hate that look. How can anyone take him seriously when he looks like that? Emmett's all smiles and what the fuck is he wearing. Jeez, I though angora went out with bobby-socks. Not that I'm old enough to know what the fuck bobby-socks are but I've seen enough old movies to know. And shit, the sweater is fuchsia. Christ! Not only am I going to need another new ball, but I'm going to need a cornea transplant.

Fuck!

John's POV:

I almost laugh out loud. This is not a laughing matter but Brian's eyes are nearly bugging out of his head as Emmett takes off his coat. He must do this on purpose.

Brian's filling out forms again. I hate filling out forms but I guess it's a necessary evil. The receptionist is pleasant enough. She flirts with Brian shamelessly. He's polite but I know he's off his game. He's not flirting back, and there's one thing Brian is good at and that's flirting. But he's not in the mood and I don't blame him. I don't think I'd be in the mood either, if I was the flirting type.

Here comes the doctor. We all stand in anticipation.

"Brian, John and ...." The doctor is not quite sure what to make of Emmett.

"Emmett Honeycutt, friend and their driver for the day. Nice to meet you..."

"Dr. Rayborne."

"And it's very nice to meet you, Dr. Rayborne," Emmett says, as he takes the doctor's hand in his and nearly shakes the man's arm off.

"Emmett!" Brian starts to growl. "Will you please stop manhandling my doctor? He needs that hand to fondle my balls," Brian says, as Emmett's face lights up and the doctor blushes.

"Ooo, lucky man. I've never had that pleasure."

"Emmett, go sit," I say as I interject myself between the doctor and the tall queen. "And behave yourself."

Emmett smiles and then finds a chair. As he makes himself comfortable, the doctor ushers us into the exam room.

"Brian, go behind the screen and put on a gown. I know you're anxious about the test results so I'll talk while you change," the doctor says. "You want John to be here, right?"

"Of course I do," I hear Brian say as a loud thump emanates from behind the screen. He's taking off his boots.

He shuffles out this time with only his socks. I start to snicker. The doctor shoots Brian an inquisitive look.

"Okay, so I can burn the socks if I feel any germs invading. Let's just get this over with."

The doctor nods and pats the table.

Brian's POV:

I leave the socks on and my t-shirt. He only needs to see my balls, right? This is embarrassing enough. I climb up on the table and make myself as comfortable as possible. John is sitting near the head of the table and I feel his hand ruffling my hair. The gesture is calming and endearing. John begins to murmur his mantra of, "You're okay, it's nothing, nothing," over and over as the doctor snaps on his gloves.

"Hmm," the doctors says.

"What's with all you doctors and 'hmm'? Is that all you can say when your hands are on the most famous cock in all of Pittsburgh?"

"Just the Gay half, Brian," my dear brother snarks. Damn he's getting good at that and I roll my eyes at him. John winks back.

"Well, I am happy to pronounce that the most famous 'cock' as you put it in all of Gay Pittsburgh is fine. Completely fine. The biopsy came back normal, no hint of any malignant tissue. Knowing your history I had samples sent to different labs to double check. It was as we suspected, an ingrown hair that had gone awry. It happens to the best of us."

The doctor pauses and John and I both breathe.

"I know you like to shave certain parts." The doctor blushes a bit as he indicates my balls. "However, I do recommend that you trim the hair instead. Or allow your partner to help, no depilatory creams or lotions. Understand? The biopsy area is healing nicely, just a small scab. It should fall off in a day or two. You can continue to use the antibiotic cream daily until the tube is empty and finish the oral antibiotics. No need to take any chances on infection. Walk around naked for a while, let the area air out, so to speak."

"I can do that!" I perk up; I feel giddy. And I feel like crying.

"I'm sure you can. Brian, make an appointment for some time in March. We'll up the timetable just as a precaution and then go back to every six months." The doctor is just being cautious and I appreciate this.

"John, I know they say cancer isn't inherited but given your family history and your age, you should be checked at least once a year. If you don't have a specialist, I can recommend one."

My brother is a very wise man. He's been getting regular checkups since he learned I had cancer.

"I have a good man in Harrisburg," John says and mentions his doctor's name. Dr. Rayborne nods then smiles with approval. Apparently my doctor knows John's doctor, and he approves.

"Now get dressed and get out of my office, Kinney. I have real sick people to tend to. Go home and have a wonderful Christmas, both of you."

John and I both smile and nod just like Bree and Patrick do. The doctor snaps off his gloves then leaves. John helps me up so that I'm sitting at the edge, he gives me a hug.

John's POV:

I grab my brother as he sits up and I hug him. I can't let go. He's all right. I knew it but having the doctor say it out loud makes it real, somehow.

"Oh God, it's over, it's over," I say again and again in Brian's ear. We laugh and cry and pat each other on the back. I give Brian a big, wet, sloppy kiss on the cheek. I love the big lug so much. My life has gotten so full with so much love since the day I met him and Justin.

"Go get dressed. I want to go home," I tell him and he hops off the table to scurry behind the screen to get dressed.

"Fuck!" I hear him say.

"What's wrong?"

"Emmett."

"Emmett?"

"Yeah, Emmett."

"Oh, Emmett." I catch a clue.

"I don't know what's worse, having a good looking doctor fondle my balls or telling Emmett that my balls are okay." I burst out laughing. I can't help it. My brother has a warped sense of logic.

Brian comes out from behind the screen, dressed and ready to go.

"So do we burn the socks?" I ask him as we leave the exam room.

"Nah, I think I should keep them. They feel rather lucky to me," Brian says and I agree. We are damn lucky.

Emmett stands as we walk out into the waiting room.

"So?" Emmett asks. I can see the tears in his eyes.

"I'm fine, it......oomphf!" Brian doesn't get the chance to finish. Emmett has crushed Brian into his chest with a big bear hug and I can see my brother inhaling angora. Brian's arms start flailing around. I think he's having trouble breathing.

"Emmett, Emmett, let go!"

"He's fine!" Emmett exclaims loudly as if it gives him license to squeeze the life out of Brian. "He's fine!" Emmett squeals again then literally swings Brian around. Damn, he's one strong queen.

"Home," I hear Brian say, however muffled in the angora. "Home, I want to go home."

"Honey." Emmett puts Brian down. "Let's go home." Emmett's eyes are full of tears as are Brian's, and then I realize mine are too. We grab our coats and leave the office.

Emmett's POV:

It's over, it's all over and I'm driving the brothers Kinney back to the loft. I quickly call Drew to tell him the good news. He'll have everything packed up and ready for us to drive back to the cottage, including several boxes of my pear and blue cheese canapes. By tonight, me and my Drewsie will be in our own cottage in front of the fire, and I have a good idea what the brothers Kinney will be doing too!

Brian's POV:

I'm going home. I'm going to see Justin and Bree. I can't wait. John's looking at me funny. I guess it's because I can't wipe the silly grin off my face. I'm so happy. It's like someone just removed a death sentence from over my head, and that's exactly what the doctor did.

"You should call Lindsay," John says.

"Okay," I reply. I'll do anything anybody asks at this point. I'm so fucking happy.

I pull out my cell phone and hit Lindsay's number at the gallery.

"Hello," her voice comes back to me.

"Hi, Wendy. It's Peter," I say.

"Oh Peter! It's good news, isn't it?" she asks. I can hear the smile in her voice.

"The best."

"Tell me! Tell me exactly what the doctor said."

"It was an ingrown hair that had gone awry, to quote the doctor. There was no trace of malignancy. The biopsy came back totally clean."

"Brian, that's wonderful. I'm going to tell Gus tonight. He'll be as happy as I am."

"And me."

"I can only imagine."

"Well, start your telephone tree. I'm going to call Michael. You can take care of the rest."

"I will. It's the best news."

"I think so too."

I cut the connection.

"She was happy?" Emmett asks.

"Ecstatic," I reply.

"We all laugh. I hit Michael's number.

Michael answers the phone using his business voice as he states the name of his comic book store. He sounds so grown up.

"Mikey, it's me," I say when he's through.

"Brian, did you get the news?"

"I most certainly did. You'll be happy to know that I can keep my other ball. It all came back negative."

"That's wonderful," he gasps. I can hear the joy in his voice, matched only by my own.

"I think so too. No sign of malignancy, just a fucking ingrown hair gone haywire."

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time."

"Me too."

"Thanks for calling me … personally."

A not so subtle reminder of how I left him out before. "I wanted you to be the first to know, other than Lindsay."

"I appreciate that."

"You are my best friend."

"I try to be."

"I know, Mikey. Anyway, we just picked up Drew, and we're on our way to the cottage. I can't wait to get home. I'll see you for Christmas."

"You certainly will. It's going to be a joyous Christmas this year."

"Fucking right on that one!" I say.

"I'll let Ma and Hunter know the good news. I'm so relieved."

"Thanks, Mikey," I say before cutting the connection.

Emmett smiles over at me and John looks pleased. They know that Michael and I are still friends even after all the trials and tribulations we've had over the years.

"Get us home as fast as you can, Jeeves," I say.

"Yes, sir," Emmett replies as he steps down a little harder on the gas.

I can hardly wait to see Justin's reaction.

"Are you going to call Justin?" John asks me.

I shake my head. "I want to tell him in person, and then he can show me how much he loves me. And I'll show him right back."

"Just the way it should be done," Emmett says with approval.

"You've got that right, Honeycutt."

"Sometimes, I am right, Kinney. Don't you forget it."

"I'm sure you'll never let me," I laugh.

Everybody chuckles too. Things are getting back to normal … finally.

Return to In Sickness and In Health