Kindred Love

Birthday Terror

Author's Note: References to violence and abuse.

It had been one month since Molly's arrival, and the family was still adjusting to their new member of the family. Jennifer and Craig had almost forgotten what it was like to have to get up every hour or so in the night to attend to a crying baby. It had been a while since they had changed diapers and prepared bottles. It didn't take long for them to ease into the old routine again, though, and they did so happily. They even showed Justin and Brian how to feed and change Molly, since the two boys insisted on helping out. Jennifer and Craig weren't about to refuse the help! Justin and Brian had enjoyed spending time with Molly, and taking care of her.

School had started back up for Brian and Justin, and Jennifer had made good on her promise of taking the boys shopping. Craig had given Brian $50 for working in the garage that one day, and then another $10 for other chores he had done those last couple of weeks before. With all the money Brian had saved throughout the whole summer, he had enough to buy a new pair of Nike's, a few shirts and a couple pairs of pants, a new backpack and the essential school supplies such as pencils, notebook paper and a binder. He didn't mind working for his own money. He would rather do that than have Jack remind him that if Brian hadn't been born then they wouldn't have to waste money on him that could have been used for something more important.

Brian's 14th birthday was coming up and the Taylors had wanted to do something nice for him; after all he was part of their family. They knew that every year his own family never celebrated his birthday, not even so much as a card.

Jennifer knew that Brian was uncomfortable whenever they made a big fuss over him, so she decided that for his birthday she would cook him his favorite meal and they would just have a quiet family celebration, complete with chocolate cake.

The day had gone well. Brian enjoyed spending this day with his surrogate family. After they ate, they sang happy birthday to Brian and cut the cake. They could tell Brian was embarrassed, but he smiled and thanked them nevertheless.

"Can I have another piece?" Justin asked with his mouth full with the last bite of his piece of cake, chocolate icing around the corners of his mouth. Jennifer wiped her son's mouth with a napkin.

"No, Justin, you've already had two pieces!" Jennifer exclaimed. Justin thought for a second and then came up with a good answer.

"I need to eat a piece for Molly. I think she's feeling left out," Justin said with a little quirky smile. "Besides, it's not her fault she's just a baby and can't eat chocolate cake yet..." Justin said as he looked over at his baby sister in her high chair. She looked back at him and gurgled, knowing that she had somehow got involved in their discussion. On cue, Molly suddenly let out a giggle and smiled at her mother.

Craig and Jennifer laughed at their son's reasoning. Brian grinned at his friend and shook his head.

"I think he deserves another piece just for coming up with that one," Brian said. Justin beamed at Brian, knowing that he had just helped the situation. Brian gave Justin a knowing look.

"See, even Brian agrees! And since it's his birthday, I think what he says, goes." Justin stuck his tongue out and licked the remnants of icing around his mouth and waited. All eyes were on Jennifer, and then she finally sighed, and cut a small piece of cake and set it in front of Justin. The boy gave his mother his infamous Sunshine smile.

"Thanks, Mom," Justin said satisfied with his victory. Jennifer nodded and then turned her attention to Brian.

"Well, Brian are you ready to open your gifts?" She asked.

Brian gave her a surprised look. He had no idea they would get him anything. He thought the dinner and cake was plenty. "Oh, you guys didn't have to get me anything - just being here tonight was the best birthday gift." Brian said

"Nonsense. You're a part of this family, Brian," Craig said, as he reached under the table for the gift he had gotten for the birthday boy. It was a pretty big box, and Brian's eyes were wide with curiosity and surprise.

"This is from Jennifer and I," Craig said, setting the big box in front of Brian. Brian stared at the box before slowly unwrapping it.

"Brian, you're not doing it right!" Justin said, as he walked over to his friend. "You're supposed to do it like this!" Justin then started ripping the wrapping paper off fiercely as he did on Christmas Day every year. Brian started laughing and started tearing at the paper as well, now caught up in the excitement.

When all the wrapping paper was off, Justin lifted the lid to the box and pulled away the tissue paper that covered what was inside. His eyes went wide as he spotted a familiar looking green uniform.

"Oh my God! How did you know?" Brian asked in amazement. He pulled out the jersey top of the shiny soccer uniform and stared at it in awe.

"Well, I have a confession to make," Craig admitted. "I heard you telling Justin that you had made the soccer team but couldn't join because you didn't have any money left to buy the uniform. So I called your coach and found out what it was that I would need to purchase, and your sizes," Craig said with a sheepish smile.

"Sizes?" Brian asked, a little confused.

"Yeah, there are soccer shoes in there too," Craig said. Brian's eyes went wide again. He didn't even think to look through the rest of the box. He went through the box and found the entire soccer uniform he was required to wear to be on the team at his school, black soccer shoes, some extra undershirts and socks, and last but not least, his very own soccer ball.

"I thought you and Justin might want to kick that around in the park sometimes," Craig said.

Brian stared at his gifts and had tears in his eyes. He tried so hard to not let it show, but it was proving very difficult. No one had ever done anything nice like this for him before. He had wanted to be on the soccer team so badly. He was overjoyed to learn he had made the team. When they told him that his parents would have to pay for the uniform, which was quite expensive, he sadly declined.

Brian immediately threw his arms around Craig and hugged him with all he had. Craig hugged the boy back, happy that Brian was pleased with his gifts.

"Thank you. Thank you so much," Brian whispered. He finally let go of Craig and hugged Jennifer. She lovingly stroked his hair as she hugged him back.

"Do me a favor," Jennifer whispered. Brian looked up at her in wonder.

"Win one for me!" she said with a smile. Brian smiled back at her but didn't say anything. He silently vowed to win his first game for Jennifer.

"Okay, did everyone forget that I exist?" Justin protested.

Brian smiled and leaned into his friend and lightly noogied the blond head, messing up Justin's hair. Justin didn't care though. He enjoyed it when his friend was close to him.

"Brian, I have a present for you too," Justin said, and handed Brian a small box. Brian grinned as he took the box and opened it. He pulled out a black leather bracelet that had huge white cowry shells lined around it.

"This is great," Brian smiled at his friend. Justin blushed in reply. "Here, tie it on me," Brian requested. Justin took Brian's right wrist and tied on the bracelet securely. Brian gave Justin a hug.

This was the best birthday Brian had ever remembered. He knew it had to come to an end soon, and that thought saddened him. He would always love this family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Justin suddenly awoke to his name being called and someone lightly shaking his arm.

"Justin, wake up." Justin was a bit disoriented, and it was dark in his bedroom, but he knew that voice.

"Brian?" Justin asked confused. "How did you get in here?" He sat up in his bed and reached over to his nightstand, switching on the light. He squinted at the intruding brightness of his little lamp, his eyes fighting to adjust its light. He looked over at his alarm clock to see the time. It read 3:45a.m.

He looked up at Brian and almost screamed. Brian stood in front of him a mess. He had a blood running from his lip. His shirt was stretched and ripped at the collar, and had blood from Brian's busted lip on it. He was breathing rapidly, as if he had been running scared. He was shaking and had a terrified expression on his face.

"Your parents gave me a key in case of an emergency," Brian replied, showing Justin the key that he had hanging around his neck since the day they had given it to him. Justin looked at Brian in shock and concern.

"Brian! What happened to you?" Justin cried.

"My father...he..." Brian started to say, but he just couldn't finish. He was terrified, and just wanted to forget what happened and feel safe. Tears were now streaking down his cheeks and he suddenly reached out for his friend. Justin hugged Brian tightly, listening to him sob and feeling his body shaking. He didn't know what to do, so he just stayed silent and let his friend cry.

Justin's bedroom door suddenly flung open. Startled, both of the boys jerked their heads in that direction in response.

"Justin, I thought I heard - oh my God! Brian!" Jennifer cried, taking in the boy's appearance. By this time, Craig came running in the room, having heard all the commotion. Seeing what his wife and son had been screaming about, Craig immediately walked to where they were.

"Are you all right?" Craig asked Brian concern written all over his face. Brian nodded.

"Yeah, I think so. I'm just scared," Brian admitted keeping his eyes down on the floor.. Craig turned to his wife. Just then they heard Molly's cry from her nursery.

"Honey, why don't you check on Molly and have Justin help you," Craig said. Jennifer nodded and grabbed her son's hand and led him out of the room. Justin gave Brian a lasting look as left the room.

Once they were alone, Brian looked at Craig. "If I hadn't had the key you gave me..." Brian started.

"Shh, don't think about it. You did have it. I'm glad you used it," Craig told Brian. He just nodded in response. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up," Craig said, motioning Brian to follow him to the bathroom. Craig proceeded to treat Brian's split lip with some peroxide.

"We don't have to talk about what happened right now," Craig said. Brian gave a look of relief.

"I will say this, though. You are not going back to that house. You're staying here until I figure out what we're going to do about this. You are my responsibility right now, and I will not put you in any more danger. Understood?" Craig said.

"Yes," Brian said quietly.

"Let me grab you a T-shirt to wear, and then you can go to sleep in Justin's room. He's got a queen bed, there's plenty of room for the both of you."

When Brian walked back into Justin's bedroom, he saw that the blond was already there, lying in bed waiting for him. He saw Brian, and lifted the covers for his friend to get in. Brian climbed into the bed and turned on his side facing away from Justin. Justin turned off his lamp and lay silent for a moment.

"Are you okay?" Justin finally whispered.

"Yeah," Brian replied barely audible.

"Brian?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm glad you're here." Justin leaned over and kissed Brian on the cheek, and then lay back on his pillow and closed his eyes. Brian was taken by surprise by his friend's gesture, but didn't mind it. It made him feel cared for and safe.

"Justin?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks." Justin just smiled to himself in response. Soon, both boys were sleeping, exhaustion taking over.