Testing, Testing ... 1,2,3

Epilogue

“Hey,” Justin called out as he strolled into Brian’s office at Kinnetik, tossing his scarf and coat onto one of the chairs.

“Hey yourself,” Brian replied with a smile. He was looking over the Rage cartoon ads that were ready to launch.

“Are you ready to get out of here,” Justin asked.

“Yeah, I think so. You?”

“Yep. But can we hit the Village shops before we head back? I want to get in some Christmas shopping and if I have to spend my money, I’d rather do it there instead of the mall.”

“I’m all for that, Sunshine. With all the boutiques they have there, we probably can get everything on our list,” Brian agreed.

“Have you heard from Gus yet? He was supposed to take his road test today, wasn’t he?”

“Yup. Passed with flying colors! I am the proud father of a teenaged driver,” Brian groaned.

Justin couldn’t help but laugh. “Aww, poor baby. Is Gus happy?”

“Ecstatic. He’s been running around town telling everyone and flashing his temporary license. So uncool. I thought I taught him better than that.”

“Oh well, we can’t all be cool and aloof like Brian Kinney,” Justin snarked.

“True. So, how are your little twins and your shadow? Did they all get an ‘A’?”

“Yes, I am very proud to say. Lacy and the twins got an A+ on their final project. And Michael and I compromised on the Diversity issue. We’re selling the comic with the DVD as a bonus. And we’re talking about animating some of the previous comics as well.”

“Very mature of the two of you to work it all out and without any bloodshed!”

“Well, um, Lacyyelledatus,” Justin mumbled.

“What? I didn’t get that,” Brian teased.

“I said, Lacy yelled at us.” Brian started to laugh as Justin blushed red down to his toes. “Michael was being an ass and wouldn’t listen and I guess I lost my temper and...”

“Come here, Sunshine.” Brian pushed away from his desk so that Justin could sit on his lap. “Doesn’t matter how you came to an agreement. The point is, everyone is satisfied with the results. Rage and Zephyr save the day, making it safe for homos and perverts everywhere,” Brian said with a smug grin as he nibbled on Justin’s lower lip.

“Mmm,” Justin murmured then gently pushed Brian’s face away. “As much as I want to continue this, we should get going. We did promise Bree that we’d all have dinner together tonight.”

Brian sighed but he knew Justin was right.

“Okay,” Brian said with a kiss to Justin’s nose. “Just remember where I left off. We’ll finish this later.”

“It’s a date,” Justin teased as he jumped off of his lover’s lap. “Let me say goodbye to Cynthia and Ted. Is everyone invited to the cottage for Christmas?” Justin asked as he put on his coat and wrapped his warm scarf around his neck.

“Yup, looks like we’re going to have a full house again this year. Let’s just pray for a mild Winter.” Brian looked up at the ceiling in hopes of divine intervention. Justin giggled.

As they said goodbye to Kinnetik for the day and climbed into Justin’s SUV, Brian broke more news to Justin.

“Oh, by the way, I received a very interesting call today from Dr. Raph.”

“What did he have to say?” Justin asked as he pulled out into traffic.

“He said that the newest member of our family passed all of his exams too. Aced every damn one of them. Then he said something about wanting to take Hector and Curtis on a real vacation, but he wasn’t sure ‘cause it was too late to make reservations for anywhere,” Brian said calmly.

“Brian, what did you do?” Justin asked knowingly.

“Nothing much,” Brian responded oh so innocently.

“Uh huh. Spill, oh great master of making miracles.”

“I made a few calls to Liberty Airlines and to Seamus at the B&B.”

“So I take it the Angles-Sanchez-Samuels family will not be joining us for Christmas this year?”

“Nope.”

“You’re a good man, Brian Kinney.”

“Shh, don’t tell anyone,” Brian whispered.

“I promise,” Justin said with a smile as he pulled into the parking garage in the Village. “I don’t have much to buy. You can come with me or hang out at the Village diner.”

“I haven’t seen Joanie or Danny in a few weeks and Joan knows how to make a decent cup of coffee. I’ll wait for you at the Book Store.”

Justin nodded as he gave Brian a kiss then the lovers parted ways.

“Hi, Mom!” Brian announced as he walked into the Book Store, brushing off the light powdery snow that was beginning to fall.

“Hello, Brian,” Joan answered as she bussed her son’s cheek. “That book you ordered for Justin came today. Do you want to take it with you?”

“No. Send it over to Kinnetik. I’ll get it tomorrow. Are you coming for Christmas?” Brian asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee then made himself comfortable in an oversized chair near the fireplace.

“Not this year. Claire has decided to do Christmas this time. Her boys are bringing their families.” Claire’s side of the family had grown in recent years. Joan had been happily doing a balancing act between her children’s families. I was with you for Thanksgiving, it’s only fair I go to Claire for Christmas.”

“One day that sister of mine should make an appearance at the cottage.”

“She will. Where’s Justin?”

“Shopping out there.” Brian gestured toward the door. “I decided to wait it out here; read the paper.” Joan handed Brian the latest issue of the Dispatch and the Times. The bell over the door jingled so Joan went to tend to her customers as Brian settled back to read.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I resign as art reporter for the Pittsburgh Dispatch. I thank all my loyal readers. And I offer an apology to Justin Taylor and his life partner, Brian Kinney. I allowed my ambitions to get in the way of the truth. I can only hope I haven’t sullied their otherwise sterling reputations.

I wish them and all my readers a happy and safe holiday season.”

“Holy fuck!” Brian mumbled but not softly enough. He caught a disapproving glare from his mother. Brian shrugged an apology then he quickly checked the date on the newspaper. It was that morning’s edition. “I wonder why he did it?” Brian asked himself as he picked up the Times.

The Times edition was the Sunday version, only a couple of days old and very thick with all its special sections. Brian had given up on Connolly’s article. It was nearly two months since the Connollys had spent time at Edna’s Treasures. Brian thought Connolly had reneged on their agreement.

“Shit!” Brian gasped as a special edition of “Art World” the Times art section slipped out of the newspaper and onto Brian’s lap.

“Well fuck me,” Brian said as he began to leaf through the magazine. Justin’s picture was prominently displayed on the front cover. In fact the whole issue was devoted to Justin, his art and his family. On the inside cover, just under the byline, Brian found the following introduction:

“Some time ago this reporter was honored with a special invitation from Justin Taylor and Brian Kinney to write an article about them. The goal was to set the record straight, and finally put to rest the unfounded rumors of “trouble in paradise.” During my research I found so much more, too much for just one article. So with my editor’s blessing I dedicate this holiday issue of Art World to Justin Taylor, Brian Kinney and their unique family.

This series of articles showcasing this amazing artist and his equally special partner is lovingly entitled, “The Sunshine Files.”

I hope you will enjoy reading them half as much as I have enjoyed writing them!”

Just then Brian’s cell phone rang.

“Kinney.”

“Hey, Bri, I’m going to be a little while longer. Is that okay with you?”

“No problem, Sunshine,” Brian said with a warm smile, hearing his lover’s voice. “I’ll find something to occupy my time.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure but not too late. We have a princess waiting for us.”

“No problem. Later.”

“Later,” Brian said into his phone. He poured himself a fresh cup of coffee then settled back to read.

-TBC-

 

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