Still the One

Epilogue

May 2025

Brian poured himself a fresh cup of coffee then returned to the window looking out onto Tremont Street.  The Pitts was beginning to wake up, and with it the noise and bustle of the big city that he and his fellow lane residents sought to escape.  Brian turned his gaze back toward the bedroom and the bed that held so many memories of his life.  He took another sip of coffee, savoring the taste of his special blend.  He began quietly humming a song, albeit a little off key.  Brian stopped himself and shook his head as he chuckled.  The great Brian Kinney reigned supreme in practically anything he set his mind to, but he had to admit, singing was never his forte.  But that was all right with him because apparently his partner, his legally wedded husband, could very deftly carry a tune.

*****

The wedding day was picture perfect.  Mother Nature cooperated by bestowing a warm sunny Spring day, a gentle breeze, with just a few fluffy white clouds overhead to make it interesting.  Brian and Justin stood in front of Tom in the glade with the stream as their backdrop.  John and Bobby were their official witnesses, the kids flanked the happy couple, and the boys were surrounded by their friends and family.  The actual ceremony was simple, “Do you take this man…,” yada, yada, yada.  After a couple of “I dos” and one hot kiss, Brian took Justin’s hand and was about to lead the whole procession out of the glade and back to house for the party.  But of course Justin had other plans.

Out of nowhere several members of Emmett’s wait staff produced string instruments.  Justin took Brian’s hands into his own then began to sing.       

You know our love was meant to be
The kind of love that lasts forever
And I want you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know, everywhere I go
You're always on my mind, in my heart
In my soul

Baby

You're the meaning in my life
You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life
You're the inspiration
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin'
No one needs you more than I need you

And I know, yes I know that it's plain to see
We're so in love when we're together
And I know that I need you here with me
From tonight until the end of time
You should know, everywhere I go
Always on my mind, in my heart, in my soul

Justin’s clear voice filled the glade with his expression of pure love for Brian.  His passion for Brian overwhelmed many of their guests, leaving them gasping with shock, delight, and more than a few happy tears flowed.  When Justin concluded his song Brian swept the younger man up into his arms for a passionate kiss, fanning the flames with promises for so much more when they were alone.  The boys led their family back to the conjoined cottages when they finally came up for air.

The next bit of drama had the potential of becoming a disaster if it weren’t for the quick thinking and intervention of John, Bobby, and Alex aka the Silver Fox. 

Debbie and Carl were sitting in the living room of Brian and Justin’s side of the cottage.  They had come in for a bit of quiet, a momentary respite and then out again to rejoin the family.  Debbie thought it a good idea to talk over her plan to have Peter live with her and Carl.  She had already discussed it with Mrs. Bain who was doing the honor of securing Mr. Chang’s permission.  There was all sorts of legal garbage that had to be done, most of which was beyond Debbie’s comprehension.  Debbie was under the impression that all Mr. Chang seemed to care about was that he could still go wherever his work took him and not worry about his son.  All he had to do was sign a few papers and send a check now and then for Peter’s expenses.  He thought it an even better idea when he learned that Carl was a retired cop.  Mr. Chang figured that Carl could keep Peter out of any real trouble and if not, have child services take him away.

Carl wasn’t totally convinced that having a complete stranger living in their new home was such a great idea.  They themselves hadn’t been living there a whole year yet and now his privacy and retirement were going to be invaded by a fifteen year old troubled young man.  Having Peter as a permanent guest was a far cry from an afternoon visit.  Their “discussion” was getting louder and was beginning to take up the entire cottage as Debbie got up in a huff and began stomping toward the sun porch.  It would have blown up into an out and out fight if John, Bobby, and Alex hadn’t stepped in when they did.

The three men not only defused the situation but within a span of a few minutes came up with a plan that satisfied both Debbie and Carl.  Peter would move into the thatched cottage as soon as possible.  Debbie and Carl would become his guardians; Bobby volunteered to handle the legalities.  Peter would then join an internship program so that he could work with Anderson Construction after school and on Saturdays, school work permitting.  He would also spend part of the summer interning for John.  When Alex and Glen moved in, they would provide backup help.  Alex hadn’t met Peter but from what he heard, Debbie and Carl might need all the help they could get.  And Alex and Glen had a lot of experience with troubled young men.  There were still a few details to be worked out but both Carl and Debbie were agreeable with the plans.  They both put on their happy faces then went outside to join the celebration with Bobby trailing behind them to reinforce the truce.

“Are you still sure you want to move out here?” John asked Alex as they stood in the porch watching.  “You mentioned that you and your partner take the summer off to recharge.  You might not get a lot of recharging time this summer.” 

Alex snorted.  “Yes, well, we both enjoy a challenge,” he snarked.

“And you didn’t get enough of a challenge with my brother?” John teased.

“I once told your brother that he was one of the most well-adjusted and high functioning bastards I knew,” Alex confided. 

John laughed.  “And what did Brian say to that?”

“He thanked me.”

“He is a polite bastard.”

“That, he is.  I did ask him what his secret was.”

“Did he tell you?  I’d be interested in knowing his secret, if it doesn’t go against doctor patient confidentiality.”

“Not at all.  He wasn’t my patient at the time.  He informed me that his secret was, one, a series of hopeless addictions and two, never seeing a shrink.” 

John laughed louder.  “Sounds like Brian,” he commented.  They were quiet for a moment when John stated, “You may need Brian’s help with Peter.  He has that same hurt and defiant look in his eyes that I saw in Brian’s eyes when I first met him.  Brian likes to play the tough guy but he is very human.  Sometimes more human than most humans I know.  He feels deeply.”  John gave Alex a poignant look.

“I agree.  And that’s not the doctor talking, it’s the friend.  Brian’s done a lot of good in this world and for the only reason because it’s the right thing to do.”  Alex paused.  “His family is very important to him,” Alex said returning the look.

“He’s important to me; he saved me.  As much as Brian may think we saved him and I’m sure in part we did.  He did just as much for me and my mother.  Brian is a good man, I love him dearly as a brother and as my best friend.  As for Peter, I have a feeling Brian will stick his nose in if he feels it’s needed.”

“I’m sure he will,” Alex agreed.

“For now, we better get out there,” John stated as he opened the screen door allowing Alex to go out first into the blooming garden.

The rest of the day finished out without a hitch, so to speak.  Emmett’s minions attended to the guests and nothing occurred to mar the happy couple’s day.  Michael pouted for a while, and grumbled something about that he and Ben were still married the longest.  For some reason Michael regarded Brian’s marriage as a personal insult.  However, Ben put his foot down, preventing any further display of childish behavior.

The day was beautiful, Brian and Justin beamed with happiness, and their entire family enjoyed their time with the boys and with each other on the lane.  

*****

Brian heard a noise behind him and turned.  Justin stood against one of the pillars freshly showered and wrapped in his fluffy robe.  His face was flushed from the shower and his hair slicked back.  He looked so sweet and innocent just like that boy Brian met under the street lamp twenty-five years ago.  Justin felt his face growing hotter under Brian’s intense gaze.  Brian dropped his robe then slowly stalked his way to where Justin was standing.  Justin felt his heart begin to race, pounding heavily in his chest.  Justin felt other parts of him begin to respond as well.  Brian never failed to bring about that reaction.  Brian stepped in close with a confident arrogant leer on his face.  Justin leaned back, taking strength from the pillar.  Mischievous blue eyes looked up into the sparkling hazel eyes with one arched eyebrow and waited for the inevitable.

 “So are you coming or going?  Or coming then going?  Or coming and staying?”        

Justin smiled then dropped his robe.

-The End- 

Return to Still the One