Springtime for Justin

Chapter 4

"That was a lovely engagement party," Lindsay said wistfully as she, Mel, JR and Gus were finishing Sunday dinner.

"Yeah, Bree had the best dress," JR commented with the same wistful look on her face.

"The food was really great," Gus stated in the way that only a man could hone into the really important things in life.

Melanie sighed. "It was very nice but could we talk about something else, please?"

"Jennifer looked radiant," Lindsay went on.

"Bree's speech was really cute," JR added.

"Those pear and blue cheese puffy thingies were to die for. I could have eaten a ton of them," Gus raved.

"Yo! Melanie to her fucked up world! Where did my family go? Am I invisible? The party was nice, but enough!"

"Jeez, what's the matter, Mama? We just wanted to rehash the party," Gus said unabashed by her tirade.

"You'd think Jennifer and Bree and the party were the fucking be all and end all. I'm sick of listening to you," Melanie said getting up from the table and taking her mug to refill it with coffee.

"Melanie, watch the language," Lindsay said as gently as she could. These kinds of outbursts still ticked her off. "Why don't you want us to discuss the party?"

"Maybe because it seems like we never do anything like that, that we're not up to the social standard of the fucking Kinneys and Taylors of this world." With that Melanie stomped out of the kitchen leaving her family with their mouths hanging open.

"What did we do?" JR asked.

"We didn't do anything. Your mother has the problem," Lindsay said with a sigh.

"Can you talk to her, Mom? We didn't mean to upset her," Gus said with a frown.

"I know, Gus. Don't worry about it. I'll go talk to her now. Make yourselves scarce."

Gus and JR nodded and headed for their rooms. Lindsay poured herself some more coffee and took the plate of cookies with her into the living room. Melanie was sitting on the sofa flipping through page after page of a magazine. Her frustration was evident in the sharp and angry movements of her page turning.
Lindsay sat down beside her wife. "Peace offering," she said extending the plate of cookies toward Melanie.

Melanie took a cookie and snapped off a piece of it. "I just hate it when JR thinks she doesn't have as nice clothes as fucking Briana Kinney-Taylor." Her voice dripped with sarcasm and envy.

"It was a beautiful dress," Lindsay replied taking a bite of her own cookie.

Melanie snorted. "And all that fucking food at the party. That was way over the top."

"It was delicious though."

Melanie turned and looked at her wife. "You'd like to have a party like that too, wouldn't you?" she said in her best accusatory voice.

"Of course, I would. What woman wouldn't like to be Jennifer last night?"

Melanie snorted. "Me! I think it's all a load of crap."

"We had a beautiful wedding," Lindsay said softly. "I loved that party."

Melanie's face softened. "Yeah, but it wasn't at all what we had started out to do."

"Seems to me a certain someone saved the day for us."

Melanie sighed. "Yeah, he did," she replied trying to not sound too ungrateful.

"Why are you so upset about Jennifer's engagement party?" Lindsay asked deciding it was time to get to the crux of the matter.

"It … it pisses me off that Gus and JR are like second class citizens in this family. Bree's the fucking star. She has the best of everything, always flaunting it in Gus and JR's faces."

"Bree doesn't flaunt anything," Lindsay said trying to bring the anger level down. "She's not even five."

"Going on twenty-five. Imagine a four year old making a speech at that party. Ridiculous!"

Lindsay drew in a long suffering breath. "Bree made a lovely speech. I'd hardly call that flaunting herself."

"Yeah, but you know who would have put her up to that. He was standing right beside her the whole time."

"And so we get to the heart of the matter. You're still jealous of Brian."

"I am not JEALOUS!" Melanie practically screamed. "I just don't see why our children always have to take a back seat to Princess Briana."

"You know what," Lindsay said thinking she could change the topic to something more worthwhile. "Why don't we have a party?"

"Are you fucking kidding me? After that extravaganza! Everyone would be making comparisons, and we'd come out on the short side … like always."

"We wouldn't do it right away. Maybe in the summer in the backyard."

"I'll still be paying off Brian's repair bill."

"He did not give you a repair bill, did he?" Lindsay asked in shock.

"No, he said we didn't have to pay him back."

"That's what I thought."

"But I refuse to be beholding to that ass…"

"Okay, Okay … Okay," Lindsay sighed. "This is about your pride." Melanie made a face at her but didn't deny the words. "I think we could have a really great party in the summer. And no one will even think about comparing it to Jennifer's."

"I … I'm sorry I made such an issue of this. It's just that … listening to you rave about the party and Bree and everything. I guess I went a little crazy."

"Yeah, just a little," Lindsay chuckled before kissing Melanie's cheek.

"Sorry."

Lindsay laughed. "See, it's not so hard to be agreeable."

"If I must," Melanie laughed in return. She pushed Lindsay over and smothered her with kisses.

 

*****
 

"Hi, honey."

"Hi, Mom," Justin replied.

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" Jennifer asked. Since she had interrupted Justin and Brian at Christmas time, she started every call with that question.

"No, Mom. It's only dinnertime."

"Well, there have been a few occasions…"

"Ow!"

"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?" Jennifer asked concerned.

"No, Mom," Justin giggled as Brian tickled him. The 'Ow' was the result of Brian tweaking his nipple. They were still in bed while Bree was having dinner with John, Bobby and Patrick. They had just finished making love when Jennifer called. "It's my mean husband tickling me."

"Oh! I did interrupt."

"No, it's fine really."

"Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to thank you for your speech at the engagement party … and Bree's lovely words. She's such a sweetheart."

"Yeah, she is. You're very welcome. Tell Seth it was a lovely party."

"Thank you. He'll be happy to hear that you think so."

"I hope you'll be really happy, Mom. You deserve it." Justin giggled as Brian tickled along the inside of his thigh.

"Thank you, and tell Brian to stop tickling you. There are better things you two could be doing."

"Mother!"

"Bye, sweetheart."

Justin set the phone down. "She said there were better things you could be doing than tickling me." Justin's arms went around Brian's neck.

"Your mother's a very smart woman." Brian proceeded to show his husband just what those things were.

Brian's arms were wrapped around Justin when a low rumble vibrated through their embrace. Brian pushed himself back then giggled as a blush rose from Justin's chest to the tips of his ears.

"If I wasn't so confident in my sexual prowess, I could be highly insulted that our fucking often takes a back seat to your stomach," Brian snarked, but with little sting in his words.

Justin had been very productive at his easel while Brian and Bree were out in the gardens.

"Let’s get cleaned up and get dinner," Brian suggested. Then he reached into the bedside dresser and took out a pen. Brian gently made a small 'X' on the top of Justin's left collar bone.

"What are you doing?" Justin asked as he screwed up his eyes attempting to see the mark.

"Just marking my place. I'll come back to it later," Brian said smugly as he grabbed some clothes then sprinted to their bathroom. Justin sighed loudly, rolling his eyes at the absurdity of his spouse. He picked up his clothes then joined Brian in the bathroom.

 

*****
 

"Big Red, that was delicious!" Brian exclaimed as he pushed himself away from the table, rubbing his full belly. "I didn't realize how hungry I was."

"All that gar-gar and other activities worked up a good appetite," John said knowingly, clapping his brother on the back as he gathered up some dishes to bring to the kitchen.

"Let me help," Justin said piling a load of dishes on his arm in a manner worthy of his days as busboy and waiter.

Brian smiled fondly as his brother and Justin worked in tandem to clear the table. The kids went back to Patrick's room to play for a little while longer.

"Red, I'm not sure if I thanked you for rechecking Justin's Rage contract and for the fine job you did on Lacy's contract. Both their interests are secure."

"My pleasure. Not that you'd allow anyone to take advantage of Justin, but Lacy is one of Hunter's success stories. I really wanted to make sure she got a fair deal."

"So do I, Bobby. Scott and Stacey are expanding their respective branches of Kinnetik. I'd like for you to oversee any legalities that may crop up."

"You expecting trouble?"

"No, just want all my ducks in a row."

"I'm at your disposal and that includes my team. We'll keep a close eye on your interests."

"Red, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Do you think I should spend more time at the office?"

"I don't think I'm the right person to answer that. I'm sure Cynthia, Stacey and Scott are better qualified."

"Nevertheless, I value your opinion." Brian enjoyed the luxury of being able to oversee his companies from the comfort of his balcony office. However, he did not want to take advantage of his employees and partners either.

"Brian, from what I can see, you allow the people you've chosen and groomed the room to work. You're there as a consultant and as the ultimate resource to all of your employees. I can't think of a better boss or work environment. What brought this on?"

"Justin, his popularity and demand grows. I may not have to travel as much as I once had to, to secure contracts and make deals, but he does. He can't hide behind his canvases. His public wants to see him."

"Are you afraid you'll be left behind?"

"No, he's not like me. I'd drop anything to secure a contract. Justin's more of a homebody."

"Brian, you're not that man anymore, nor do you have to be. You're just as much of a homebody as he is. And you have the right to be. I say there's nothing wrong with you running your empire just the way you are."

"Hey guys, why the long faces?" John asked as he brought in a tray with coffee and cookies. Justin was bringing milk and cookies to Patrick's room.

"Your brother's brooding over nonsense," Bobby quipped as he snagged a cookie.

"I do not brood," Brian said indignantly and with a decided pout, as he too picked up a cookie to nibble.

"And he pouts too," Bobby said as he laughed. John tried to hide his smile in brotherly support.

"I do not!" Brian argued.

"Do too!" Bobby countered.

"Not!"

"Too!"

"What are they doing?" Justin asked as he walked back into the room.

"Just reaffirming their maturity," John responded without missing a beat. He too picked up a cookie.

"Oh." Justin took a cookie off the plate then walked into the kitchen for a glass of milk. John, sensing something was troubling his artist brother-in-law, followed. Brian and Bobby were still at their little game.

"What's wrong?" John asked gently.

"You know we're planning a party for Bree?" John nodded. It was a topic during dinner. "Sidney wants me to be in Chicago that weekend."

"We can change the dates of the party. I don't think anything's written in stone," John said reasonably.

"But that's the point. I think the date is perfect. I don't have to be in Chicago and I want to be here."

"Have you discussed it with Brian?" John asked almost regretting the question as soon as the words tripped from his mouth.

"Of course I have, and it's my decision," Justin said testily.

"Then you'll work it out. You always do. We still have a couple of weeks to iron out the details," John said apologetically.

"Yeah, you're right. Sorry I snapped. I guess I'm more tired than I thought and I think I might be coming down with something." Justin rubbed at his watery eyes and itchy nose.

"Brian!" John called over his shoulder.

"Yeah," Brian answered with a mouthful of cookie.

"Stop messing with my husband and take yours home. I think he's getting a cold."

"Justin?" Brian approached his spouse.

"I'm fine," Justin replied then let out a series of four sneezes.

"Right. Say good night, Justin. We're taking a nice warm shower and then you're going to bed. You've been inhaling too many paint fumes and working too hard on this new show."

Brian steered Justin to their end of the cottage, asking John to send Bree back at bedtime.

"She can stay here tonight if she wants. We'll get her to school in the morning," Bobby contributed. Brian nodded then took his miserable spouse home.

"I'm okay," Justin was heard to whine.

"Sure you are," Brian said unconvinced.

"I'm not a baby."

"I know," Brian murmured as they walked through the sun porch toward their bedroom.

"That's odd,” John commented as he watched them disappear.

"What's odd?"

"All winter long, Justin was healthy as a horse. Now as the weather is becoming warmer, he gets a cold?"

"Maybe it's not a cold. And he has been working weird hours at his easels," Bobby observed.

"Hmm," John murmured.

 

Return to Springtime for Justin