Wedding Bell Blues
Chapter 14
June 8, 2007
"Up and at 'em, little boy! The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing and the birds are singing."
"Not to mention, the asshole is in rare form this morning. What's gotten into you?"
"You mean besides you last night? Oh nothing. I have a good feeling about today. And John said that if the sun stays as strong as it was yesterday afternoon, we might be able to level the yard this afternoon."
"Brian, are you sure you're still not feeling the after effects from the concussion? Since when does Brian Kinney want to do manual labor and get himself all sweaty?"
"Are you trying to piss me off?"
"No, just making an observation. Bri, a thought just crossed my mind."
"Not a long journey."
"Asshole. Aren't we supposed to go for our fitting today? I hope they do the same job on our tuxedos as they did with John and Bobby's. They came out perfect."
"I don't see why not. You're almost the same size as Bobby, give or take a couple inches of excess baggage in the back. And I am..."
"A moron? Excess! Excess! Not one more word about my baggage as you put it or you won't be putting it at all!"
Justin continued his rant while Brian chuckled. He was feeling so much better. No more headache and no more dizziness. And Brian could tell that Justin was feeling better too. His hand wasn't totally better but he was able to use it more and with increasing fine motor control. Yes, it was going to be a good day.
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"You call this a tuxedo! What the fuck is this? The sleeves are too short, the pant legs are different lengths and I can fit another me in the waist. And look at Justin! Shit, that thing you have him in looks like it came from the Salvation Army!"
"Brian, calm down, it's not so bad."
"Justin, are you blind?! The wedding is in a week, even if we had a month these so called tailors couldn't fix these things. We're leaving and now and you better send my brother back his deposit!" Brian grabbed Justin by his good hand and led the boy out of the shop, leaving very stunned and embarrassed tailors in their wake.
Brian sat behind the wheel trying to catch his breath before driving off. The tuxedos were a disaster. He couldn't understand how they did such a wonderful job on John and Bobby's suits and such a horrendous job on theirs. Brian had expected some alterations to be needed but not to start from scratch. And even if they had the time Brian hated the material. He was beginning to kick himself for not using his own tailor when John had mentioned ordering the suits. He thought it would be easier to have all four done at the same place. Seemed logical at the time but then not everyone was used to dealing with his supreme highness, Brian Kinney.
Brian pulled out his phone.
"Giuseppe? Brian Kinney. Yes, yes quite well. Of course the Armani was perfect. Giuseppe, I have a problem and you may be the only man in the world who can assist me. I will make it worth your trouble."
Justin watched in awe as Brian wheeled and dealed. Within the hour not only did he have Giuseppe in an SUV with several designer suits, he had two assistants with him and Emmett. Emmett was going to head up to the farm to oversee the final preparations and supervise the local caterers. And Emmett was anxious to see Sam.
Brian, Justin, John and Bobby were sipping iced tea on the porch when the latest check in call from Emmett came in. Giuseppe and company were on schedule. If all went well, Brian and Justin would be dazzling the masses at the commitment ceremony in classy new suits as planned.
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"Kinney," Brian said into his cell phone.
"Brian, it's Carl. Debbie suggested I call you. Do you have a minute?"
"Sure, hold on, let me go outside." Brian left the porch. He always did his best campaigning while moving about. Even when on the phone, Brian felt more comfortable pacing as he spoke.
Carl was on his lunch break and went to spend it at the diner. Rarely did his and Debbie's schedule coincide. They were more often than not, opposing. Brian had confided in Debbie about his plans for Babylon and she was honored that Brian had some of the proceeds go to the Vic Grassi home. She was astounded that Brian suggested Carl to be the manager. Debbie liked the dinner and late shift at the diner. If Carl worked nights at Babylon the two would get to spend more time together. So Debbie had Carl call. As Brian paced the Anderson yard, Carl paced the diner.
"Brian, Debbie mentioned something about you buying Babylon. Is that true?"
"Yes it is. The papers were signed on the first of this month."
"But what does this have to do with me?"
"There was a rumor going around that you were planning to hang up your gun belt for good. Is that true?"
"Yes, but I don't see what one has to do with the other."
"Carl, a man like you won't be able to sit around the house and be a kept man for long. I know you'll get a good pension but you'll soon miss having a purpose, a reason for getting up each day."
"Brian, I made it to my twenty; that's reason enough."
"Come on, Carl, you know I'm right. In a week or two you'll be bored out of your fucking mind. I can just see you and Debbie sharing a pint of Rocky Road and bidding on jewelry on the auction channel. Get real. You'll be at each other's throats in no time."
"What do you have in mind?"
"Run Babylon for me."
"Are you out of your mind? What the hell do I know about running a night club and a Gay night club at that? Besides, won't that put a damper on the not so legal activities that go on in there each night?"
"And what activities would that be?"
"Don't try to bullshit me, I've seen it all."
"And that's exactly why you're the best man for the job. You have seen it all and Carl you're an honest man. I trust you. Look, talk it over with Deb, sleep on it, sleep on her. Shit, that's a frightening image. Call me in a few days. I'm serious about this, Carl. You're used to working nights. We'll find you an assistant. Ted and Bobby will help you with the finer points and I'm right down the road. I want to keep Babylon in the family for our community. And you became a member of that community from the moment you slipped that ring on Debbie's hand. Think it over."
Brian cut the connection then rejoined the guys in the porch.
Some time later a black SUV pulled into the driveway at the Anderson farm. Brian stepped out from the screen porch and watched as the vehicle came to a stop. Emmett hopped out and began gesturing to the people inside. Nothing seemed to be happening. Finally Brian walked over to see what was going on.
"What the fuck's the matter, Emmy Lou?" Brian asked.
"Giuseppe and his men want to go back to Pittsburgh right now."
"They do? Why?"
"Maybe he should explain. I had a mother fucker of a time trying to get them to finish the trip. Ever since an hour out of Pittsburgh Giuseppe has been threatening to turn around and go back."
"Fuck!" Brian reacted. He opened the driver's door and saw one of Giuseppe's assistants sitting there.
"Giuseppe refused to drive outside of Pittsburgh. He said he never leaves the city," Emmett explained.
Brian opened the back door and spoke gently to Giuseppe. "I'm so glad you can do this for me, Giuseppe. Nobody else can make suits like you. Thank you so much." Brian laid it on fast and thick.
Giuseppe looked somewhat taken aback. Mr. Kinney was always polite to him but he knew the kind of reputation that the man had, and he was very surprised to hear Mr. Kinney almost fawning over him.
"I am a not happy," Giuseppe stated with his Italian accent. "I did not agree to … to come to … this God forsaken place."
"It's just a farm," Brian said evenly.
"But we are in the middle of nowhere. There must be wild animals."
Brian chuckled before he could stop himself. When he saw Giuseppe's horrified reaction, he quickly cleared his throat and tried a different tack. "I know you're not used to the country, but we have a lovely house here. Claire has cleared her kitchen for you to work in. No animals will be able to come anywhere near you."
Giuseppe peered cautiously from the back seat assessing the look of the house. It looked safe enough, but he really wanted to be back in Pittsburgh.
"Claire has made a light lunch for everyone. She's an excellent cook," Brian said grasping at straws to try to persuade the group to stay.
"Maybe … maybe we could have some lunch and see how things go," Giuseppe agreed finally glancing at his assistants to make sure it was all right with them. Both men nodded and they all got out of the SUV.
"Thank heavens," Emmett whispered to Brian. "I thought they were going to murder me when I wouldn't let them turn around. Are they connected?" Emmett asked with a knowing wink.
Brian laughed. "I don't think so, but we better be nice to them just in case."
"Sam is picking me up momentarily, but I'll be back later this afternoon," Emmett grinned.
"Make sure you can still walk. We might need you to do something other than fuck your brains out."
Emmett giggled as Sam's car pulled into the driveway and Emmett ran out to meet it.
Brian shook his head at the silly queen, and then ushered the rest of the group into the screen porch. Claire had sandwiches and iced tea set out for them, and one of her famous chocolate cakes too. Brian made the introductions. Claire was gracious as ever and soon had everyone eating and enjoying themselves.
Giuseppe had to ask, "Mr. Brian, why did you wait so long to get your suit for the wedding."
Brian blushed. He had been afraid this would come up. "Um…" he began hesitantly. "My brother got his tux made at a local firm and he wanted me to do the same." John glared at Brian knowing that the blame had just been shifted to him. "It seems they did a fine job for him and Bobby. Their tuxes look great, but mine and Justin's were totally unacceptable. I don't think they wanted to work on us furriners from distant Pittsburgh."
"Totally unacceptable," Giuseppe responded. "One should always be professional."
"I know you'll make us look great," Brian smiled and winked at Justin.
Hunter got up abruptly and walked into the kitchen. Justin could hear Hunter's plate clatter into the sink. He decided something was wrong and got up to go see what was going on.
"Is something wrong, Hunter?" Justin asked as he came into the kitchen.
"No."
"You seem upset."
"I'm just peachy."
"Look, I'm not trying to pry."
"I'd say you're doing a pretty good job of exactly that."
"Sorry," Justin said raising his hand. "What are you wearing to the wedding?" Justin asked trying to change the subject to something less irritating.
"How the fuck should I know! I'm sure I can find some overalls or some of John's cast offs. Who the hell cares about this fucking wedding?" Hunter turned and bolted up the stairs. Justin heard the door to his room slam shut behind him.
"What's going on, Sunshine?" Brian asked having followed Justin into the kitchen.
"Has anybody helped Hunter get something to wear to the wedding?"
"I don't know, why?"
"He seems upset about all the talk of tuxes and suits. When I asked him what he was going to wear, he made a snide comment and ran upstairs."
"Fuck!" Brian reacted. "I bet he's too proud to ask, and he doesn't have the money for a suit. Everybody's been so busy, nobody probably thought about his needs."
"And he's been working like a dog helping in every way he can," Justin observed.
Brian walked back out to the screen porch. "Giuseppe, can we get started. I'd like to go first so I can help John with the yard later on."
"Certainly, Mr. Brian."
Claire showed Giuseppe and his crew into the kitchen. The assistants went to unload the suits and equipment from the SUV.
Claire quickly cleared the food from lunch leaving cake and tea on the screen porch for people to snack on later. She made sure that Giuseppe had everything he needed and then left for a church meeting.
Giuseppe got Brian to try on all three of the suits he had brought. Brian liked the Armani best of all. He always liked Armani. When Giuseppe had his measurements all verified and marks made on the suit for the small alterations that would be necessary, Brian had a special request for the tailor. At first Giuseppe wasn't sure it would work but he finally agreed.
Justin came in next for his measurements and to try on his three suits. Brian liked the Hugo Boss on him and so did Giuseppe. The tailor made all the necessary notes to have a perfect fit for the young blond. When he was done he nodded to Brian who had been overseeing all this. Brian headed upstairs. Justin watched him go wondering what was up.
A few minutes later Brian dragged a protesting Hunter down the stairs.
"Now, try this on," Brian ordered. "And don't fucking open your mouth."
Hunter quickly put on the suit that Brian practically threw at him. The material was the softest thing he had ever felt. The suit was a bit long in the leg and needed to be taken in a bit but it didn't look bad.
"Try this one," Brian ordered.
The second suit was stiffer material but also very pleasant to the touch. Hunter couldn't help but smile as he felt the suit lining against his skin. "It feels great."
"It looks very good," Giuseppe stated.
"I like it best," Brian said.
Hunter smiled at him. "Are you sure, Brian? I've never had anything this nice. It must cost a fortune."
"You've been working your ass off helping with this wedding. And you have to live here all the time with the two drama queens who are getting hitched. I think it's the least we can do."
Hunter's smile rivaled one of Justin's. "Thanks," he said. "I didn't know what I was going to wear."
"No problem," Brian brushed off Hunter's gratitude. "Giuseppe, if you can finish with Hunter. I'm going out to help my brother. We have a lot of work to do."
"Of course, Mr. Brian," Giuseppe replied beginning his careful measurements.
"Emmett should be back soon, and then you can get back to civilization."
"I'm starting to like it here," Giuseppe admitted with a smile.
"I better get to work. Come on, Justin, we have a yard to clear."
By the end of the afternoon the suits were on their way to Pittsburgh for alterations and the area for the dance floor had all been cleared.