In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 16

Hector's POV:

I'm sitting in the back seat of Owen Brenner's car. It's a large Cadillac and very comfortable, but I don't feel particularly comfortable.

Raph whispered to me that he thinks we're going to Brian Kinney's house. This Edna's Treasures may be the house that Kinney shares with Jennifer's son, Justin Taylor. I'm not sure how I feel about this impromptu trip. Maybe it would have been better to stay home and have a quiet Christmas like we normally do. The idea of spending the day with one of Raph's former tricks, even if it is the legendary Brian Kinney, doesn't do much for my frame of mind.

I'm not jealous … not really. I know it was a very long time ago when Raph and Kinney did the nasty, but I can't help feeling extremely … strange about the whole situation. I met Kinney at the wedding and he seemed okay, but still. I have heard so much about him over the years. He was famous on Liberty Avenue. I would have liked to have been fucked by him. He was supposed to be the best, but I guess that's out of the question now … for a million reasons. But that's fine. It's just the idea of spending the day, and Christmas Day especially, with someone that I've had those thoughts about, and that Raph has actually fucked. It's way too weird. I can't believe that Kinney actually invited us. Why would he? I can't quite get my mind around this whole thing.

We're following behind Seth Harris' car. He seems like a nice gentleman. He sure has it bad for Jennifer. She seems to feel much the same way about him. They're kind of cute, for people of their age.

This Edna's Treasures is quite a ways out of Pittsburgh, about halfway to Harrisburg. It seems foolish to be going all this way to spend Christmas with people we barely know and who probably don't want us there. I let out a long sigh.

Raph's sitting beside me. I guess he heard the sigh because his hand closes around mine where it rests on the backseat of the car. I squeeze back, just to let him know that I'm still with him. We'll get through this together.

"Is the road getting covered with snow?" I ask, as I note the flakes that have been coming down for the last little while.

"Not yet," Owen says. "I don't think it's supposed to be bad. They didn't even say anything about snow earlier today."

"Hope you've got good tires anyway," Raph laughs.

"I have a new set of snows," Owen replies.

"I'm sure we'll be fine," Sharon Brenner states. "Owen's a very careful driver."

"That's good to know," I reply.

"There's nothing to worry about," Owen says. "The snow isn't even sticking yet. It's melting as fast as it comes down.

I look over at Raph. He doesn't seem worried about the snow, but he gives me a look that I know all too well. It's his apology for getting us into this mess with Kinney. He's probably wishing we had just stayed home today too.

Raph's POV:

I look at Hector. I can see that he's worried and it's not worry about snow or Owen's driving. It's worry about spending the day with Brian fucking Kinney and his family. If I had known that Edna's Treasures was Brian's house, I would never have agreed to go today. I should have followed my instincts which told me to stay home and do exactly what we've always done for Christmas.

I try to convey to Hector that I'm sorry, that I wouldn't have put him in this position if I had known. He seems to understand. He gives my hand a little squeeze. I think we'll be all right.

I let out a long breath and think about what it will be like to spend Christmas Day with Brian and Justin. It's going to be very strange. Who would ever have thought that Brian Kinney, the stud of Liberty Avenue, would be married and have a house and a son and a daughter, and invite me, a former trick, to Christmas dinner? It's un-fucking-believable.

I think Sharon Brenner had no idea what Edna's Treasures was when she invited us. I'm not sure she realizes even now exactly where we're going. It will be interesting to watch her reaction. I don't think she's really at ease with gays, but she does her best, and I give her credit for that. Her son marrying the sister of Pittsburgh's most famous gay artist, hell, Pittsburgh's most famous artist next to Andy Warhol, must have caused her to sit up and take notice of the gay community. Today should be interesting.

Maybe that's what Hector and I should do. We can sit back and watch the dynamics of this family. I've always enjoyed people watching. Hector doesn't care for it so much, but I think today could get him hooked. There should be lots of new and different relationships to study. How will a former legendary stud act around his family and friends? What kind of a father is he? How does his husband treat him? So much to learn, so little time. I can't help but smile as these thoughts cross my mind.

"How much longer do you think it will be until we're there?" I ask.

"I think about another half hour," Owen says.

The snow is still coming down, but not really hard.

"Have you known Justin and Brian for long?" I ask.

"I've used Brian's advertising firm for a few years. But the rehearsal dinner was really the first time I spent much time with Brian, other than on business. I met Justin once or twice before that."

"They really are an accomplished couple," Sharon says.

I wonder if she really means that or if she's practicing the words so that they won't sound too foreign to her tongue when she actually says them to the people involved.

"I like Justin's art very much," Hector contributes.

"Yes," Sharon agrees, "he's very good."

Then silence reigns for quite a while as we all try to think of something else to talk about.

*****

Edna's Treasures

Brian's POV:

"Brian, I think Debbie and Carl are here!" Justin calls out from the kitchen. Bree and I had finished cleaning up after the wrapping paper storm then I got her dressed for our guests. She's a kid; no one really cares what she wears but she's my daughter. Enough said.

"Bri, my mother and Steve just pulled up. We better get out there to help," John says as he heads for my front door.

"Hey, Bri, Emmett and Drew are here too, with the Hummer," Justin says and we all look out the front door. They only live right down the road. Did they really need to bring that behemoth of a car?

John goes running out to his mother's car to begin unloading her goodies for the feast.

"You better get out there, little bro. Looks like Deb brought two sheets of her lasagna."

"Three!" I hear Carl shout. I grab Justin's little grey hoodie to throw on before I venture out into the cold. Too many mother figures here to yell at me, including Justin and John. I run out to their car.

"Sweetheart!" Debbie screeches at me as she carefully places a pan in my hands. "Careful, it's still hot."

"I got it, Maw."

"And don't you think you can put on something more substantial than Sunshine's hoodie? You just gave me the scare of my whole fucking life. I don't need you dying of pneumonia."

"Oh, Maw," I hear myself whine. We all help to unload the cars, and Drew's truck. Drew, Carl and Steve then move their cars across the lane. Even with all the carpooling, the lane will be filled to capacity.

We stow all the food, more gifts are placed under the tree then I'm ambushed by Claire and Steve.

"And when were you going to call us?" Claire admonishes me. I think I fear Claire Anderson-McNally most of all.

"Claire, I..." I never get a chance to explain. She and Steve pull me into a hug. "We love you, honey, and we're here for you."

"I, I love you both too," is all I can say as I hug them back.

Rachel's POV:

"Oh for fuck's sake!" I say quite loudly, shocking my parents who have followed me through the front door of Edna's Treasures and embarrassing the hell out of Bobby. I was never one for beating around the bush.

Bobby explained Brian's little scare and that he's fine. So why the hell are they all still walking on eggshells?

"I beg your pardon?" Emmett asks me. And the family looks at me incredulously. I ignore Emmett as I turn to Brian who's been quietly putting beer and wine into a cooler to make more room in the refrigerator.

"Brian, were you or were you not given a clean bill of health by your doctor?" I ask him.

"I am cancer free, just a localized infection which has cleared up," Brian says as he stands tall.

"Okay, then. Why are all of you walking around like he's about to die any second now? It's Christmas! I will not stay here if I'm going to be subjected to long faces. You're healthy, we're all healthy, and the whole family is going to be together. Is that not reason enough to be happy and gay?" I stress the word gay, just a bit longer than I need to.

The family stares at me a bit longer then Brian walks over to stand in my space.

"It's gotta be the red hair," Brian snarks, as he picks me up and swings me around the room. Everyone laughs and I can feel the clouds in the room begin to clear up. A bunch of drama queens, the whole lot of them.

He puts me down and gives me a kiss. My father approaches him.

"Son, it's been a few days since you saw your doctor. Would you mind if I examined the area to assess the healing?" Brian looks at my dad and then at Justin. I can see Justin nod. He doesn't mind getting a second opinion.

Brian nods his consent then he and my dad go toward the bathroom.

Brian's POV:

I like Dr. Dan. He and Emily are good people. I think they've gotten over the 'my son is gay' thing. So I drop my pants and allow the good doctor a look-see.

"Hmm," Dan says.

"Again with the 'hmm'. Don't you doctors know other words than 'hmm'?" I ask and the doctor laughs. He stands up after his brief scan of my jewels and washes his hands as I button up.

"It's in the doctor credo, Brian. Thou shall do no harm. Thou shall say 'hmm' to frustrate your patients."

I crack up. Now I know where Rachel gets it from. "So, what's your verdict?"

"All healed, not even a scar. The suture must have been the dissolving kind. And the prosthetic is stunning."

"Why, thank you," I reply with my tongue shoved into my cheek.

He chuckles. "Brian, may I ask a personal question?" Here it comes. "Are you and your brother physically similar in all aspects, or just your facial features?"

"I believe my brother is equally endowed. Why?" I can be just as blunt as his daughter.

"Your relationship with Justin is the opposite of Bobby and John, is it not?"

"If you mean that I'm the top then yes, although over the years I have learned to become more versatile. What's with the sudden curiosity? You thinking of crossing over to the dark side?"

"What!? Heavens, no, I'm a hopeless heterosexual."

"I suppose the world needs some hets. I repeat, why the sudden curiosity?"

"It's not sudden; however, the opportunity to question you never arose in the past."

"So, now that you've had your hands on my balls, you think that gives you liberty to question me?"

He seems to consider my question, then replies, "Yes."

I like an honest man. I sit on the edge of the tub and point to the toilet seat for him. "Shoot."

"Bobby told me that he gave John a choice and John chose to be the bottom."

"Yes, I know," I sigh.

Dan laughs again. "You don't approve?"

"There are rules in our community, were rules," I correct myself. "Now those lines have been blurred and crossed."

"And you're not happy with that?"

"If you had asked me that sixteen years ago, I most certainly would not have been happy. Now, I don't care. As long as Justin is in my life, it doesn't matter if I top or bottom. The same for Bobby and John."

"Hmm."

"There's that word again. Is there a point to all of this?"

"Not really, I just wondered what it feels like."

"Doc, you've never had a prostate exam?"

"Of course I have and my prostate is fine, thank you very much."

"And during those exams, the little doc never got a rise?"

"Well, I..." The good doctor blushes.

"Dan, you don't have to be a gay man to appreciate the wonders of your prostate nor do you have to be a gay man to be able to take advantage of it."

"Hmm," he says as a light bulb as bright as one of our tree ornaments goes on above his head.

"Dan, I'll be happy to continue this discussion and go into detail with you but in about an hour there will be what will seem like half the state of Pennsylvania traipsing through my living room. I have to get out there. Besides, if we're not careful, the family will begin to think I'm corrupting you as we speak. Very few men can resist the power of my balls."

With that, Dr. Dan bursts out into laughter and we exit the bathroom. I notice that Ted, Allen, Hunter and Nick have arrived. And I hear Michael and Ben with Danny in tow, walking through the front door. The Munchers with the kids and Jennifer's band of merry makers have yet to arrive.

"So, what's the verdict?" Debbie asks loudly.

"I declare Brian's b..." Dan begins with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Dad!" Bobby and Rachel yell out. Dan shrugs as he winks at me.

"He's fine," Dan says. His son and daughter are eternally grateful for their dad's discretion. The occupants of the sun porch erupt into cheers and laughter.

Bobby's POV:

Somehow I have got to take my father aside and find out what he and Brian were talking about. For now, we're all pitching in to get the food on the table.

We decide to have a kids' table. The larger of our sun porch wicker tables is slid closer to our end of the porch and set for all of the young generation. Shit! When did I become the older generation? No time to ponder that one. The girls with Gus and JR have arrived and just in time. They can help to set up their table. My sister's girls will help too.

I watch as Justin checks the pulleys and ropes at his studio end. Wouldn't do if a painting got loose and fell onto the turkey, or worse, a guest. Nope, not a good thing.

Emmett and Brian are having this huge debate whether to have a sit down dinner or serve the food buffet style. We're about to sit down to Christmas dinner and they're having this discussion now? Emmett got his knickers all in a twist when he heard that Sharon Brenner was coming to dinner. Brian is doing his best to calm down the big drama queen. I don't know who's worse in the drama department, Brian or Emmett. Whatever Brian said must have worked. He pats Emmett's ass then hands Emm a beer. All appears to be right in the world again.

Hmm, I wonder what Brian said.

Justin's POV:

I feel so much better now. Rachel is right, Brian's fine, it's Christmas and all of our loved ones are going to be joining us for dinner. I have no reason to be sad or worried. And all the reasons to be happy...and gay.

I hear a knock on the door, the only one who knocks is my.....

"Mom! Right on time. Joan! Katerina! Come in. Brrr, it's getting colder." I greet the rest of our family and... "Mr. and Mrs. Brenner, it's good to see you again. Raphael, Hector, welcome to Edna's Treasures."

I take their coats, as my mom and Joan unpack the food that they brought with them.

"Brian!" I call out, hoping that Brian will come to my rescue. He's so much more adept at giving guests the tour. After all, the tours of his loft are legendary.

"Coming, Sunshine!" he answers and I want to kick him but I don't. I just shake my head as he strolls into the living room.

"Sharon, Owen!" Brian smiles handsomely, giving a chaste kiss to Sharon's cheek. He shakes Owen's hand firmly. "Justin, find out what they're drinking as I welcome Raphael and Hector." He extends his hand first to Raphael and then to Hector. "Please allow me to give you the 50 cent tour."

Brian guides our guests to the living room. The Kinney/Patrick portrait is prominent over the mantle. A comfortable fire is ablaze. They're all impressed with the painting.

"Kitchen," Brian says as he sweeps his hand around.

"What a beautiful stove!" Sharon exclaims.

"My brother is very proud of that stove. He found it and decided it belonged here."

"Your brother?" Owen asks. I slip a beer into Owen's hand and a glass of wine into Sharon's. Raphael and Hector also want beer.

"When my mother found this place, it was a bit run down," I start to explain.

"Run down!" My mother comes back in to get her own glass of wine. "This place was barely a shell. Brian saw something and..."

"And my brother made a miracle. Please come through and join our family," Brian says graciously as he ushers the newest members of our family into the sun porch.

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