Should Old Acquaintance

Chapter 16

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Bobby and John had moved into their house and Brian and Justin began to settle back into their routine, having their own home all to themselves most of the time. Bree missed Patrick and sometimes the little boy would march through the sun porch connection between the two houses, dragging his favorite blanket with him, and tell his uncles that he was spending the night with Bree. That was fine with everyone. They still had meals together, even devising a schedule of sorts as to who would cook on certain days. Other than some scheduled dinners, they left mealtime open, and no one was expected to come to dinner or breakfast unless they were invited or called ahead. That gave them all privacy and alone time, but also a feeling of family and togetherness.

Justin took Bree to St. Anthony's so that she would get to know Father Tom a little better. He explained to Bree what would happen for her baptism. She seemed okay with it, but Justin wasn't sure how much she actually understood. They didn't meet Joan this time.

Gus came back from camp full of stories of adventures and fun. He stayed at the cottage for a weekend, and Brian and Justin arranged for him to stay for the long weekend when Bree was being baptized.

While Gus was staying at the cottage he had a chance to talk to his father about some things. Apparently he had written to Lacy while he was at camp, but had received no reply.

"So what does that tell you?" Brian asked as they worked in the flower garden behind the sun porch.

"It tells me that she … that she … probably doesn't want to be my friend," Gus finally admitted. He knew that was likely the case, but he hated to admit it.

"I bet Lacy would be happy to be your friend. I just don't think she wants to be more than your friend."

"Oh." Gus' face fell.

"There is an age difference, you know," Brian said trying to soften the blow a little.

"Two years," Gus stated.

"But at your ages two years is an eternity. In my experience, girls want a boy who's older."

"And how would you know?" Gus asked pulling out some weeds.

"I had a few girls in my time."

"You did?" Gus asked in surprise. "But you're gay…"

"I wasn't always sure of that fact. I tried a few girls, and there were many more who would have been happy to give it up to me."

"Daaaaaad!"

"Well, it's true. I think you'll find the same thing may happen to you."

"But I want Lacy."

"Gus, I think it's highly unlikely that you and Lacy can be more than friends. You need to face that harsh truth … and move on."

Gus pounded a clump of dirt in frustration. Brian watched and tried to hide his smile from his son. The teenage years were never easy, and it didn't matter if you were gay or straight.

"Brian, Gus," Justin called from the doorway of the sun porch.

"What is it?" Brian asked.

"I want to show you something."

"We'll be right there," Brian replied. "Let's clean up and put the tools away. That's enough for today."

Gus nodded and started cleaning off his hoe. "The gardens are going to look great for the christening," Gus said.

"They fucking better," Brian stated. "I've put enough fertilizer and water and hard work into them, that they better be spectacular.

Gus laughed. "I never thought I'd hear you say that. Who knew you were a closet gardener all these years."

"I'm out of the closet now. I want everyone to witness the fruits of my labor," Brian smirked.

"They'll be duly impressed."

Brian and Gus made their way inside after storing their tools. Justin and Bree were standing beside the easel.

"Did you finish it?" Brian asked with a smile.

"I did, and I think it looks great, doesn't it, sweetie?" Justin said to Bree who nodded her head.

Justin turned the easel and both Gus and Brian let out little gasps.

The painting showed a Patrick with a gentle, fatherly smile on his face. He looked so much like Justin but was also uniquely Patrick. Justin had captured him just right. In his arms sat a little girl of about Bree's age. She had beautiful black ringlets that framed a face that was totally Bree.

"She looks exactly like Bree," Gus said picking up his sister. "See, Bree." He held her out towards the painting.

Bree stretched her arm trying to touch the still wet canvas. Gus kept it just out of reach.

"Bree," Briana said pointing to the painting.

"That's Katherine," Justin said to his daughter, "but she looks just like you."

"Bree," Briana repeated.

"What do you think?" Justin said looking at Brian.

"I think it's beautiful, just like the artist and his daughter."

Justin smiled. "I know what Patrick looks like from photos, but we don't have any images of Katherine. I hope giving her Bree's face is all right." Justin still had some concerns about how his painting would be received.

"It's so beautiful, Justin. Everyone will love it," Gus said.

Justin smiled. "That was just what I needed to hear. I guess we can show it to John and Bobby at dinner then."

"They'll love it too," Brian said pulling Justin into his arms and kissing him.

"Dada, Daddy," Bree called holding out her arms. She wanted some of that loving too.

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"Brian, what are you doing?" Brian was walking out of the sun porch wearing nothing but a very skimpy black thong bathing suit. He was carrying Bree who was wearing her own frilly bathing suit bottom. Brian had several big fluffy towels and little else.

"Going for a dip in the stream," Brian said by way of explanation. Before Justin could react, Brian was halfway through the woods.

"Oh," was the only reply Justin could come up with. As Justin stood admiring Brian's rear view, John and Bobby came through their door into the porch.

"Justin, what the fuck is Brian wearing?" John asked loudly. "Or should I say, not wearing." Both he and Bobby caught a glimpse of the scantily clad Brian as he and Bree marched along the path to the stream.

"Um, a thong?" Justin sputtered out.

"I can see it's a thong. What little there is of it, but why? And where is he going?" John demanded.

"He said to the stream."

"Justin, your stream is barely three feet at its deepest point."

"I know. Look, I'm just as confused as you are. Brian likes the stream but he's not one for taking dips in it and certainly not dressed like he should be posing for one of his own ads."

Bobby, who had remained quiet throughout the whole exchange, made a suggestion. "Why don't we all go to the stream and find out what's going on?" Justin and John turned to look at the redhead who was standing with a smug expression on his face.

Justin smacked himself in the forehead and gave a short, "DOH!" Then they all laughed, called for Patrick and ambled down to the stream.

The path to the stream had been naturally worn by the years of Brian and Justin's foot traffic, but Gus and Brian had been working on it regularly in preparation for the big day. Brian had gone to a garden center and purchased bags and bags of crushed shale which they neatly raked along the path. When the shale was dry, it was the color of pale grey purple. When dampened it was almost lavender. Where the grasses and wild flowers were thin, Brian had planted perennials and other spreading ground cover. The overall look was relaxed and natural as if Mother Earth herself chose to guide the path of the traveler to her own secret garden. At the clearing, Brian had planted lilies and other plants that were hearty, spread easily and could take care of themselves.

When they got to the clearing, Brian and Briana were already in the deepest part of the stream. Brian was bouncing Bree up and down in the water. Every few bounces, he and Bree would go under the water for a few seconds. Briana, secure and safe in her father's arms was giggling non-stop. Her laughter, almost as infectious as her daddy Justin's, caused them all to laugh along with her.

"What is that brother-in-law of mine doing?" Bobby said absentmindedly.

"I have no idea," Justin responded.

A thought came to John. "I know. Clever man, my brother." John smiled at Brian's ingenuity.

"You mind letting us in on the secret?" Bobby asked as he stripped down to his underwear and helped Patrick out of his clothes. The August air was hot and the stream was very inviting.

"Justin's been bringing Bree over to St. Anthony's to meet with Father Tom so she wouldn't be frightened of him, right?" Justin and Bobby nodded. "We know that Bree enjoys her bath time with her daddies but..."

"I get it!" Justin exclaimed. "Brian's getting her accustomed to the stream so she won't be frightened the day of the ceremony." Justin lovingly beamed over at Brian.

"Yup," John agreed as he too stripped down to his own underwear and followed Patrick and Bobby into the cool stream.

Seeing his family except for Justin wading into the stream, Brian called out. "Hey, Sunshine, come on in; the water's fine!" Justin scrambled out of his clothes and joined the party.

After about thirty minutes of splashing around, they made for the shore and the towels. Brian, ever Mr. Prepared, had plenty of towels.

"Brian, that was so cool!" Justin said while giving his clever spouse a peck on the cheek.

"Yeah, the water felt good."

"No, silly, I mean the way you're getting Bree ready for the baptism. You're really looking forward to it, aren't you?" Justin gazed into Brian's eyes for affirmation.

"I guess I am." Brian hated to reveal all his deep dark secrets. "I didn't want the Squirt to be scared on her big day." In his heart, Brian knew it was he who was scared, just a little.

"She'll be fine," Justin said with a little nod of his head. "And so will you." He added in a whisper that only Brian could hear.

"Brian," Bobby began, "do you mind telling us why you're looking like the cover of Vogue?"

"Blame it on Schmidt."

"Ted? What's he got to do with your bathing attire?" John looked at his brother with raised eyebrows. "Not that it doesn't suit you. If I wasn't happily married and of course, not your brother..."

"Eiwww!" Bobby, Justin and Brian said in unison then cracked up at the absurdity of the statement.

"Spill, Brian."

"Ted was pretending to be an ad man again for a swim suit manufacturer. They gave him a bunch of samples to give to the staff to try. For obvious reasons he gave this one to me." Brian smirked at his own cleverness.

"Uh huh," John mumbled nonchalantly.

"What, are you implying that I don't have the physique to wear this thing?" Brian glared at his brother. Brian was still a fanatic about his body and dared anyone to say that he didn't look good. And he refused to complete that statement, 'for my age.'

"Oh no, you have the right physique. But, you know Ted's been exercising and being in love agrees with him. I think he could do that bathing suit justice," John said with his own tongue in his cheek.

"What? How could you, you..." Brian couldn't believe that John thought that Teddy could possibly have a better body than he did. Then Brian got the joke. "Why you son of a bi...."

"Hey, that's Claire you're about to disparage," John quickly retorted before Brian could finish the expletive. Then John, who by now had put on his pants and sneakers, bolted down the path.

"Come back here, you big chicken!" Brian called after his brother then bolted right after him. John's 'braak, braak, braaking' like a chicken left Bobby and Justin laughing like hyenas.

Wrapping the kids up in the fluffy towels and gathering up the extras, Bobby and Justin picked up the kids and began to walk the path back up to the house.

"Jus?"

"Hmm?"

"Could I borrow that thong later?"

"Sure, but I don't think black is your color."

"I wasn't thinking of me wearing it." Bobby glanced at Justin then waggled his eyebrows. Justin got it and waggled his in return. The hot summer air was full of giggles that afternoon.

Later that night, Brian and Justin decided to enjoy the clear warm summer night in the porch on their big brass bed. They began to snuggle together under the sheets.

"Bri?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you invite them?"

"Yes. I telegrammed and emailed."

"Think they'll come?"

"There's a good chance Juan and his Miguel may come but Edna's Miguel and Marta, I'm not so sure."

"Mmm. Brian, you were very clever today, you know. I mean about acclimating Bree to the stream. By the time we're ready for the baptism, she won't be frightened at all."

"I am clever, aren't I?"

"Asshole. But I have to admit, you are."

"Good, at least I know I'm appreciated."

"Oh Brian, I always appreciate you." Justin slipped his hand onto Brian's cock and gave it an appreciative squeeze.

"Sunshine, are you trying to seduce me?" Brian asked in his low, warm, sultry voice.

"Yes," Justin purred back into Brian's ear. "Is it working?"

"Yes, it is."

"Working enough to get me a trip to the top?" Justin continued his not so gentle massage of Brian's legendary organ while nibbling on Brian's ear. Rolling over onto his belly to accommodate Justin, Brian gave him his answer.

"Anytime, Sunshine, anytime." Justin found Brian's lips as he found the lube.

The following morning Justin and John were humming in their respective kitchens preparing the family's breakfast. It was a glorious morning so they decided to have breakfast together in the sun porch. John and Justin were busy, flitting back and forth bringing in their trays and pots of coffee. Every time Brian and Bobby attempted to help, they were gently but firmly told to stay put and relax. Even the youngest members of the family were busy bringing in napkins and placemats.

"Brian, sitting on a pillow this morning?" Bobby leaned over and stole a look.

"I could say the same about you," Brian smirked as he took a sip of his perfectly prepared coffee. "Looks like we both had a good ride last night."

"Mmm, I guess so. What's your excuse?" Bobby cocked his head waiting to hear how Brian got topped.

"I'm clever and appreciated." Brian gingerly sat back but with a very satisfied grin on his face. "And you?"

"I'm a sucker for a certain man in a tiny black thong."

"Ah, so that's where it got to."

"Yep....thank you."

"My pleasure." Breakfast then commenced.

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