Springtime for Justin

Chapter 10

"Come in, Seth," Jennifer said as she opened the front door to her house.

Seth stepped inside and Jennifer closed the door on the chill spring wind that was blowing. "I brought you these," Seth said presenting a bouquet of violets to Jennifer.

"They're beautiful," she stated, a big smile on her face.

"I'm glad you like them."

"I love them." Jennifer gave Seth a kiss on the cheek. "Come on up. Dinner's all ready."

They sat across the table from each other and ate the food that Jennifer had prepared. Seth complimented her on her cooking and she graciously accepted. They made small talk about the weather and Jennifer's sale of a house. Nothing that really dealt with why Seth had been called there.

They took their coffee to the living room when they were finished with dinner. Jennifer sat on the sofa and Seth took the armchair. He sipped his coffee, and then decided it was time. "Why did you ask me here tonight, Jennifer? Are you having second thoughts about … us?"

"Is that what you thought?" Jennifer asked in surprise. Seth nodded. She had thought their relationship was rock solid. "I'm sorry if I gave you that impression."

"Then what is going on? This wasn't your usual invitation to dinner."

"No, I guess it wasn't."

"So, tell me."

"You remember the day you asked me where we would live when we got married?"

"Yes, and you got very upset with me for pushing you."

"Yes, I guess I did. I'm sorry about that."

Seth nodded. "So, what does that have to do with tonight?"

"It's kind of a long story."

"Go ahead. I haven't had any better offers today."

Jennifer realized that Seth was rather ticked with her and seemed to be expecting the worst. Her first instinct was to comfort him and tell him everything was all right. But, she also realized that if she did that, she might never get out what she wanted to say. She could comfort Seth later. That made her smile.

"What are you smiling at?" Seth asked perking up at the expression now on Jennifer's face. She had been so somber and quiet all evening.

"I'll tell you later," Jennifer informed him. "But first I want you to listen to what I have to say."

"Okay." Seth took another sip of his coffee and waited.

"I went to talk to Debbie after that day. I wanted to know how she and Carl decided where to live."

"Did she have anything enlightening to say?"

"Debbie always has enlightening things to say … if you really listen."

Seth nodded. He had started to learn that. Once you could get past the brash exterior, Debbie was a very smart woman.

"She told me that they had thought it didn't really matter where they lived. She tried living at Carl's for a while, but she was homesick for her own place."

"So you want to live here?" Seth asked, drawing that conclusion.

"No, I'm not saying that. She told me that it came down to a question of where they would be happiest. Carl didn't have the same attachment to his home. He was okay with giving it up, so that Debbie would be happy in her house."

"And what did that tell you?" Seth asked with a frown.

"It told me that if you really care about someone, you take their feelings into account. That's what is most important. Seth, where we live doesn't really matter, because I have no great attachment to this house, and I don't think you do to your condo."

"No, I don't," Seth admitted. "Are we getting a new place?" he asked hopefully.

Jennifer smiled radiantly. "I think that might be the plan."

Seth grinned at her and started to get up.

"Wait," Jennifer said, holding up her hand. "I have one more thing to say."

Seth dropped back into his chair. "Go ahead."

"You are the most patient man," Jennifer smiled. "Thank you."

"I try."

"I love you for that."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"When all this happened, it made me realize something else," Jennifer said returning to her serious demeanor.

"What's that?"

"I'm afraid I've been playing at being in love and getting engaged."

"Playing?" Seth asked, concern written all over his face.

"Yes, I hadn't really thought about what getting married and sharing my life with you would mean. That's why the 'where will we live?' question took me so off guard. I hadn't thought that far into the future. I hadn't realized what being with you might mean."

"Did it scare you away?"

"At first, it did … a little bit."

"And now?"

"And now, I think I'm ready to make plans. I want us to do this together. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want everything that being married entails."

"Jennifer," Seth said choking up. He quickly joined her on the sofa and pulled her into his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too, Seth Harris. I want to make a life with you. I don't want to be alone anymore."

"Those are the sweetest words I could ever hope to hear."

Jennifer decided it was time to comfort her man. "What about these?" Jennifer asked in her most seductive voice. "Come up to my bedroom."

"Even better," Seth laughed. He took her hand and they headed upstairs.

 

*****
 

"Dada, how do you spell Curtis?"

"Curtis?"

"Yes."

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm making Curtis a card."

"You are?"

Bree bobbed her head. "He must be lonely without his parents. I made him a rainbow card."

"Good girl. Do you want me to print 'Curtis' for you?" Brian offered.

"Nope, I can do it, but I don't know how to spell it."

"C-u-r-t-i-s," Brian spelled.

"Thanks, Dada."

"Are you going to show me the card?"

"Nope."

"Why not?" Brian asked.

"It's for Curtis."

"Oh."

Bree ran back to the sun porch where her little worktable was located. Brian shook his head once again at the little girl they were raising.

 

*****
 

"Your daughter asked me a lot of questions today," Brian stated with a bit of a scowl on his face. He hated when Bree asked him a lot of questions. He was never certain if he'd answer them properly or get himself into deep trouble, especially with a certain blond boy ass.

"Why is it when Bree asks you important questions, she becomes MY daughter?" Edna's Treasures was quiet. The kids were tucked into their beds and the adults were getting ready for bed too.

"Because 'mister 1500's on my SAT's' you have to go and have a daughter who is just as smart as you are! She was asking me all sorts of things!" Brian said with a bit of a pout as he leaned back against the headboard then crossed his arms on top of his chest.

"Brian, you're channeling Michael again," Justin snarked as he slowly removed his clothing, making a small show for his very put upon spouse in hopes of getting a rise out of him.

Brian arched his brow then unfolded his arms. A small smirk began to splay across his mouth as he took in the 'show' with much appreciation. Before the 'show' led to its inevitable conclusion, Justin had a few points to make.

"Bri, Bree told me what you had discussed with her, about the meaning of adoption and fostering and that we hope everything turns out well for Curtis. You said all the right things. Don't ever doubt yourself, Brian, you are a great father. I know sometimes you don't believe that and I guess maybe some of that's my fault. We take on this 'good cop-bad cop' routine with Bree and as much as I complain about it, I'm the one who's allowed it right from the start. But you are the most compassionate, wisest and most protective father our daughter could ever want or need."

Justin had snuggled next to Brian, getting right into his face. He knew Brian would turn his face away at hearing Justin's compliments.

"Don't turn away; it's important you hear me and listen. I know our age difference has always bothered you but I was a child when we first met. A child trying to be twenty-five. We made a lot of mistakes, but you were more of a father to me than Craig ever was. You made me make choices, good and bad, and taught me I had to live with the consequences, just like you did. I may not have liked it but it made me a man, the best homosexual I could be. And that's the kind of father you are to Bree and Gus."

Brian raised that Kinney brow and Justin giggled. Justin knew his spouse so well.

"Asshole. And Bree is not going to be the best homosexual she can be." Justin gently smacked Brian across his flat tummy. "But with your guidance, Bree will grow up wise and compassionate."

"And too smart for her own good," Brian added as an offhanded compliment to Justin.

"Way too smart. She's probably smarter than the two of us put together."

"Jus, I know I spoil her but she deserves it. She's a good girl. If Gus was here, I'd spoil him too. I never want any of our kids, Patrick and JR included, to ever feel like they're unworthy of love and respect, just because they may be different or come from a diverse family."

"I know, my big Smoosh. And that's what makes you a great father. You take care of the kids and you take care of me." Justin cuddled closer.

"Justin, I'm not your father," Brian said with all seriousness. He hated to be lumped together with Craig Taylor. The bastard could never really change.

"Never said you were, but I will never stop worshiping at your feet because you are a great role model, so beautiful and made to be worshiped," the artist said, as he gave Brian a kiss to his lips then slowly descended.

Justin feathered gentle kisses down Brian's chest, his much abused tummy and his cock. Instead of stopping at the infamous organ, Justin continued his journey, ending at Brian's elegant feet. Justin began his passionate and thorough worship of Brian, there, at his lover's feet.

 

*****
 

"John, what's wrong?" John and Bobby were doing their own worshiping of bodies at their side of the cottage. John seemed a little preoccupied.

"Nothing, just thinking."

"About?"

"The 'Village' project."

"This is very serious."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, when we were first working on the Jason Kemp Center, you'd refer to it as the 'clinic' project. Even in its most rudimentary stage. You're already referring to this as the 'Village' project. It's as good as done."

"You have a lot of faith in me."

"And it's not misplaced. You want to do this then you'll do it."

"Do you think I'm being foolish or idealistic about this? Is it too farfetched to build a small town in the middle of a city?"

"Babe, in the middle of one of the busiest, biggest cities in the world is 843 acres of forest and park land. So why can't you have a village in the middle of Pittsburgh?"

"Gordon and Betsie want to live there. She wants a flower shop," John said with a sigh.

"What's wrong with a flower shop?" Bobby asked with a chuckle. John made a face. "You're just jealous that you don't have a wife that wants a flower shop."

"You're nuts, you know that?"

"Yup, part of my charm." John rolled onto Bobby, covering the smaller man with his body.

"I can't resist your charms," John purred.

"You just want your way with me."

"Can you tell?"

"Yes, I'm very perceptive and your hard-on is pressing on my abdomen."

"I guess I'm obvious."

"But I love you anyway. Make love to me, John. I want to feel you inside me and all around me," Bobby purred.

John made gentle love to his partner.

 

*****
 

"Mmm," Jennifer purred into Seth's ear.

"You sound like a contented kitten," Seth commented as he drew the petite blond close.

"I am content, content and very satisfied."

In spite of himself, Seth could not stop himself from smiling smugly.

"You can take that smug look off your face now," Jennifer commented.

"The light is off, how do you know I have a smug look on my face?"

"Because, my love, my number one son-in-law, aka Brian Kinney, can be the king of smugness when he chooses. I know the signs."

Seth chuckled softly in the dark. "You have a very unique family."

"Yes, I do and I'd be lost without them."

"Then I hope I can do them justice."

"You will, you already do. I love you, Seth Harris."

"I love you, Jennifer Taylor."

The newly affianced couple kissed then snuggled down to sleep.

 

*****
 

“Curtis,” Hunter began, “we’re all set for Saturday. The ‘family’ will all be there.”

The center was fairly quiet, settling down for the night. A few of the older kids were playing video games in the common room as the younger ones were getting ready for bed.

“Family?”

“Yes.” Hunter explained the connection between each child and the parents.

“That’s a lot of parents,” Curtis exclaimed.

“I never looked at it that way. I guess we do have a lot of parents and a large extended family. I was there when they brought Briana home. Brian met Justin the night Gus was born. I was about sixteen when I met Ben and Michael. Debbie’s been the only grandmother I’ve ever known and a surrogate mother to Brian for years. Danny is really JR’s grandfather but I know how much he loves Gus too. And we’ve become very close. We’re all connected in some way.”

“I wish...” Curtis hesitated; he hated to appear so needy.

“What do you wish, Curtis?” Hunter encouraged the boy.

“Even when Mama and Grandpa were alive, our family was very small. We had some nice neighbors but no other relatives. Mama was an only child and grandpa never remarried. I’ve never known a big family. I kinda wish I knew what it was all about. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yes, I know,” Hunter said as he sat on the edge of Curtis’ cot. “I was out on the street for a long time. My only real family was my mother. I had lots of ‘uncles’ for a while when my mother had her looks, but none of them wanted to stick around or get stuck with someone else’s kid. When Ben and Michael adopted me I wound up with so much family it was scary at first. Debbie is…is, well, she’s hard to describe. You met Carl, he’s cool for a cop, ex-cop. Ben is the sweetest, gentlest, wisest man I’ve ever known. And Michael, he’s my dad. Mel, she’s fearless; she was my lawyer too when my mom tried to sue Michael to get me back. And Lindsay is so pretty, a very talented artist and has a lot of common sense.”

Hunter stopped talking for a few moments as he reminisced about his extended family.

“And Mr. Brian? He looks mean,” Curtis asked softly.

“Brian? Nah, he’s a big pussy cat, but don’t ever cross him or mess with his family. He’ll find a way to cut you down to size. No one will ever say this out loud, but we all look up to Brian in some way and go to him when there’s a problem we can’t solve, because he’ll be there, helping in any way he can.”

“But I’ve already crossed him,” Curtis said very worriedly.

“And he’s forgiven you and wants to see you happy. Now it’s late. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Curtis snuggled down into his bed and went to sleep. He was going to have a very busy Saturday.

 

Return to Springtime for Justin