Emmett unwrapped his rainbow colored scarf as he walked into the Liberty Diner. Eyeing the gang gathered at their usual table at the back of Liberty Diner, he joined them.

"Hey Teddy," he kissed Ted on the cheek and sat down across from him. "I'm so ready for spring; just a few more days, but it still feels like winter. Why couldn't I have settled someplace warm instead of here? At least in Hazlehurst you didn't need five layers of clothing to stay warm."

"But then you wouldn't have met us," Ted answered and waved to Debbie that they were ready to order.

Debbie walked over, pad in hand and smacked her gum as she said, "What'll you have boys?"

"I'll have a tuna sandwich on white bread," Ted said

"Of course you will, sweetie." Turning , she stood with her pen poised. "What about you, Em?"

Looking at the menu for a few seconds, Em said, "I'll have the pink plate special. Corned beef is a sure sign of Spring. It means St. Patty's day is near and the Spring equinox is just a few days away."

"I'll have a hamburger, fries and a chocolate shake, ma."

Ben kissed his husband, as he frowned a little at the order.

"I know I promised to watch what I eat, but I really want a hamburger today. I promise to eat better the the rest of the day." Michael pouted a little as he looked at Ben.

"You know, the spring time is a common time for renewal for many people. We start to shed our warm clothing for cool fabrics and minimal coverage. The spring colors are vibrant, reminding people to come out of their shell and to begin life again. Maybe this is the perfect time to try that resolution. I really think that folks have it wrong. New Year's resolutions are hard to keep in the dead of winter. We are cold. Its dark outside and the skies are grey a lot. The days seem shorter due to less sunlight. Who wants to make drastic changes when all we want to do is curl up in bed and sleep the winter away?"

Michael shook his head as he listened to Ben's words. "So…. Since I didn't quite succeed in changing my diet at New years, I have another chance?"

Ben nodded in agreement. "It's not just your diet Michael, it's a chance to begin new projects, reinvent yourself. I love the spring time. I always feel free and like I can change the world."

Brian and Justin walked into the diner and scanned the green booths for their friends. Spotting them in the back of the diner, they made their way there as they unwrapped themselves from their winter gear.

"Okay. You know…. I love to ride my bike and the spring is the best time to do it. Maybe we can start the change by going riding a few days a week."

"Oh, that sounds like fun. That would be a great change, Michael."

Emmett thought for a moment, putting his finger to his head pointing to his brain. "Now what do I want to change? Hmm? Well, I thought I would actually work out at the gym. Now that I have my Drewsie, I don't need to go to the gym to pick up guys; maybe I should work on my butt. After all, Drewsie is a hunky football player and I need to keep in shape for him."

The others smirked at his statement.

"Of course, I already have the perfect workout outfit. I saw it at Torso the other day and I think it would look fabulous. The shirt is purple and the pants are black with a pink stripe down the edge."

Ted laughed, but smiled. "Of course, I'm sure you have the perfect outfit."

Debbie brought the food for the gang. "I didn't see you guys sneak in. What'll it be?"

"Turkey sandwich, on whole wheat, no mayo," Brian answered.

"Pancakes and two pieces of bacon and a Coke."

"Coming right up."

"What on earth are you boyz talking about? " Brian asked as he looked at his companions.

" Ben and I were talking about Spring time and how many people re-invent themselves, coming out of a cocoon, sort of. You know the cold, dark winter leaves everybody unmotivated," Mike announced, hoping to get his friend's attention. He grabbed a French fry and dipped it in ketchup, dangling it in the air to make his point. "The spring is time for people to think and Ben says it's a natural time to begin change." He bit the ketchup laden fry and picked up another one. Smiling at his friend's encouragement, Michael asked," What about you Teddy? Do you want to make a new you?"

Ted took a drink of his water and looked at his friends. "Blake and I want to travel more this year. We're putting away money to go to Europe and attend the Italian Opera." Ted pushed his empty plate away and waved toward Debbie for the bill. "What about you and Ben? Since you started the conversation, I assume that you have a resolution in mind."

"Ben wants to write another book and I was thinking about making a new comic book," he said quietly.

Looking at Justin, Ted asked, "Did you know about this new comic? I thought you were really busy with your painting and working at Kinnetik." Ted said as he looked at his friend's eyes, knowing that Michael was always eager to be the spotlight without thinking about the consequences.

"I'm not drawing it. I don't have the time, but I recommended a friend from school. Her name is Shakira and I think she'll be a good choice."

"That's exciting. A new comic. What's his superpower?" Em asked.

"So tell us about the superhero, Mikey?"

"The superhero is a healer. He can heal Aids and other stuff."

Ted laughed. "Did you come up with the idea or did Ben?"

Michael frowned and crinkled his eyebrow. "It's both our idea," he said as he defended his creation.

"Calm down, Sweetie. I'm sure it'll be fabulous." Emmett smiled as he laid his hand on top of Michael's. "I can't wait to read it."

"And what about you two? "Ted asked his boss and good friend.

"I hadn't really thought about spring being a time to change, but I guess it would make sense," Justin said. He looked at Michael and Ben, whispering between each other probably about the new comic.

"Theodore, I have nothing I need to change and even if I did, I would not share it with this group. Just as soon as I said something, it would be all over Liberty Avenue." Brian said as he nodded a barely perceptible shake in Justin's direction.

"Okay. It must be nice to be perfect and not need to change anything," Em said.

"Oh look at the time. I have to meet Blake at the center at 1:00." Ted threw down some money for his portion of the bill and left rather quickly.

"I must be going too. I have to meet a new client. She wants to have a luau party for her 50th birthday." Em also put some money on the table, bundled up and left the diner.

"Don't you two have somewhere urgent to go?" Brian asked Ben and Michael as he watched his friend's quick departure.

"Actually, I do need to leave. My dean has some papers he wants me to review for a symposium I'm attending in a few weeks." Ben got out of the booth, stood up and then leaned down, giving Michael a kiss on the lips.

Michael took one last bite of his burger and savored the greasy taste. "I'll sure miss these, but Ben's right. I need to eat healthier. Guess you're lucky, Brian, since you don't eat a lot of junk food to begin with." Michael ate the last fry and put down money on the table. "I've got to go too. I'm expecting a shipment of Rage action figures today."

Justin played with the salt and pepper shakers and Brian looked at the messages on his phone. Shortly Debbie brought their food. "I guess everybody left. You two should get your fucking in after lunch so you won't have to eat alone, "she said as she put down their plates.

Both men laughed. "Leave it to Debbie to get the word fucking into a conversation."

"She's right, though. We would have been here earlier, but you insisted my cock needed warming up before we ventured into the cold." Justin smiled at the memory of Brian on his knees in the loft, sucking him off as only Brian could do.

"Twat." Brian picked up his half sandwich and bit into it.

Justin laughed but didn't respond; knowing Brian's nickname for him was meant in jest and with great fondness, even love.

"So... what do you have to run off to do this afternoon?" Brian asked Justin as he bit into his burger.

"I promised Gus that I would stop by sometime this weekend to take him shopping. He wanted to buy his friend a birthday present. I thought this afternoon might be a good time."

Brian grimaced at the combination of shopping and Gus . "I still can't believe he's friends with that kid. I know the munchers are pretty liberal, but even he is a bit much. The purple dyed hair one week and green hair the next. You'd think he was the poster child for PFLAG instead of a nine year old. "

"I love what he does with his hair. Jason told me that the colors reflect his aura."

"That poor kid. Lesbian mothers and rainbow hair. He'll be as gay as Emmy Lou when he grows up."

"Briannnnn….."

"I like Emmett, but he is over the top at times. You have to agree with me on that one. I don't care what Gus grows up to be, but a flaming man is just not my style."

"I'm not going to get into this subject with you. Gus is a happy ten year old little boy and if his best friend is a little flaming, well I don't care." Justin finished his Coke and waved at Debbie for the bill.

"Here you go, Sunshine. You guys are coming to Sunday dinner, right? Haven't seen you in a few weeks and I know Gus misses you Brian." Debbie said as she laid the bill on the table.

"Nothing like a little guilt with my lunch," Brian said as he reached for the bill.

"She's right. Gus called and asked me to take him shopping since we hadn't been at Sunday dinner in a few weeks. We should go." Justin smiled at Brian, knowing full well how that smile affected his partner.

"Okay. Fine. We'll go. If it will give me some peace from you and Debbie, I can spend a few hours with everyone. Now I have to go the gym. I have an appointment with my new trainer and when you get back maybe I'll finish my afternoon exercise by pinning you to the mattress." Brian picked up the bill, looking at the total.

Justin smiled at Brian's teasing and said, "Same old, same old, but I still like the way you think." Looking at the clock on the wall, Justin said, "It's 1:00 now. I'll be back home by 6:00. I might stop by and see mom. She's been making noise about missing me."

"Say hi to Mother Taylor for me. " Brian leaned down and gave Justin a quick kiss on the mouth. Justin slid out of the booth and walked behind Brian to the front of the diner. "Later."

"Later."

Gus got in the car and fastened his seat belt. "Hey Justin, thanks for picking me up. Do you know what I should get for Sean? I want it to be really cool. He's my best friend and it should be awesome."

"Wow, that's a tall order. Have you got any ideas? Does he have any special interests? When I was his age, I was already interested in art." Justin smiled wistfully at the memories of his early forays into art. "What does he like to do? What do you do together?"

"We hang out; play his Wii, watch DVD's … you know the regular stuff."

"What about a CD? What's his favorite group?"

"Wow! That's a good idea. We both love Katie Perry. She is awesome. I could get him her latest CD."

"Well that was easy. Off to the music store we go." Justin drove the car toward the Pittsburgh Mills Mall."

Gus sat in silence as he watched the scenery go by. After a few minutes, he asked, "Justin, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure. I may not answer it, but you can ask."

"Do you believe in marriage?"

Justin smiled inwardly. "Why? Are your moms talking about renewing their vows again? Seems like they just did that a few years ago." He joked.

"No. They are too busy fighting these days to talk about renewing their vows. I was thinking about you and Dad. You've been together for a really long time. I was just wondering if you ever thought about marriage."

Justin signaled to turn off the highway, watching the traffic and pulling into the parking lot. "Let's get your CD and then we can grab a Coke."

After shopping, Justin pulled into the parking lot of Johnny Rockets. They walked to a table toward the back of the restaurant, both realizing the need for privacy.

"Justin, thanks for taking me this afternoon. The moms are really busy with work and the GLC. Sometimes I think Jenny and I are not as important as stuff at the Center."

"Oh, Gus. You are very important to your moms. It's just a busy time for them. I'm happy to take you. I love spending time with you, even if it's just going to the mall."

"Okay. But you promised to talk to me about you and Dad." Gus played with the salt and pepper shaker, twirling them on the table.

Justin felt his heart beat a little faster at Gus' insistence. Gus was ten years old and Justin had known him all his life. He was practically his father and sometimes he wished that were legally the case, but for all practical purposes he was Gus' other father. He was one lucky little boy, two mothers and two fathers.

"So what was it like coming out?"

Justin hadn't expected that question, but he and Brian had an honestly policy when it came to talking to Gus and he wasn't about to change the policy just because he was a little uncomfortable with the topic.

"My mom took me to see a shrink. She thought that it was a phase and I needed curing." Justin rolled his eyes at the memory.

"I can't see Grandma Jen doing that. She's so cool."

"She wasn't always cool. She really hated your dad, thought he was too old for me and after the accident, she asked him to leave me alone. That was the worst thing she could have done. You know, tell your kid not to do something and then they want to do it even more. Except dad wasn't her kid. But when I found out, I was furious …. It all worked out. I went to live with Brian and while it took a long time, we are still here, still together."

"Yeah. You are together, so why aren't you guys married? 10 years is a long time to 'go out'."

"It's complicated, Gus."

"Come on, Justin. You didn't bring me here to buy me a coke unless you intended to answer my question." Gus grinned as he picked up the menu that was pushed between the napkin box and the ketchup bottle.

Justin picked up another menu and looked at it for a few minutes while he gathered his thoughts.

"What can I get you?" the waitress asked as she stood by their table.

"I'll have a Coke and an order of large fries," Gus said.

"I'll have a cheeseburger and a Coke," Justin ordered.

"Coming right up."

Looking at Justin, Gus said his name, " Justin….."

Realizing that he was not going to be able to leave the topic alone, he said, "Your dad asked me to marry him… right before I went to New York and I said yes."

Gus knew there was more to the story and waited for Justin to continue.

"But then I got written up in the Art Forum and we agreed that I should go to New York to try my hand at art." Justin stumbled over the words as he played with his water glass.

"But you didn't stay in New York. You came back and you've been living with Dad as long as I can remember. Marriage is just a big party and I love parties."

"There was lots of stuff that happened in between, but in the end, I came back and I've never regretted it." Justin looked up to see the waitress coming with their food. "Here comes our food."

"But that still doesn't answer my question. Do you believe in marriage?"

Sighing at Gus' persistence, Justin took a bite of his burger and thought. "It's great for the right people."

Gus took a sip of his Coke. "Why not for you and Dad? I mean you love each other and you aren't constantly yelling at each other like the moms. What's so hard about it?"

"I love Brian and I don't need a marriage certificate to tell me or anyone else that information."

"I guess it's just a piece of paper." Gus agreed but frowned slightly as he continued his push. "But wouldn't it be awesome? I mean I could tell my friends that I have two moms and two dads, not that you aren't my dad but it would be cool to have it for real."

Justin smiled at Gus' naiveté. Thereismoretomarriagethanapieceofpaper. "It's getting late. Finish your burger and I'll take you home. I've got to see my mom before I go back to Britin."

Gus understood that Justin wasn't going to talk anymore but he hoped that his questions planted a seed. Finishing his burger, he excused himself to use the restroom and when he came out Justin was waiting for him at the front counter.

"Thanks again for the shopping trip. I'm sure Sean will like the CD. He's having his party at the new park. He's supposed to have a magician at the party. That would be so cool."

"That sounds cool. I'm sure you'll have a great time." Justin ruffled Gus' hair as they walked to the car.

Justin dropped off Gus and drove to his mother's condo.

"Oh Justin. I'm so glad you stopped by. It's been ages since I saw you." Jennifer said as she opened the door for Justin.

Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he moved to the living room and sat on the sofa. "I've been crazy busy with work and painting. I just dropped off Gus; I took him shopping for a present for his friend's birthday party."

"What did you guys get?"

"He bought a CD."

Jennifer got up, walking to the kitchen and getting a glass of ice tea from the refrigerator. "Want anything?"

"No, I'm good."

She sipped her tea and then put the glass on a coaster on the small wooden end table. "So, how is Gus? I haven't seen him in a few weeks. Anything new in his life?"

Justin sat down at the table, letting out a big sigh.

"What? Is something wrong with Gus?"

"Oh no, nothing wrong. He just got me thinking. He asked why Brian and I aren't married. Well, in reality he asked if I believed in marriage and then he asked why we weren't married."

Jennifer leaned back in the couch gathering her thoughts before talking. "And?"

"And what, mom?"

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him I believed in marriage for some people but Brian and I didn't need marriage to know we loved each other."

"I see." She pursed her lips.

"Mom. He asked me to marry him once and that didn't work out so well. We're together now. What difference would a piece of paper make?"

"Is that really how you see it? A piece of paper?"

Justin fidgeted with the paperweight that sat on the coffee table. "It is a piece of paper Mom. You know Brian. He wouldn't…."

Jennifer put her hand on Justin's hand, squeezing gently. "I'm not asking about Brian, Justin. I'm asking about you. Would you want to get married?"

Justin looked at his mom, the obvious concern for him in her eyes mixed with the love of a parent wanting the best for her child. "Yes…."

"Okay." Jennifer didn't offer any more parental advice. "So what are your plans for the weekend?

Bringing his thoughts back to his mom's question, he said, "Probably going to Babylon. It's what we usually do."

"Be careful. It's going to be really cold."

"Mom, I'm 27 years old, I think I know how to dress for the cold weather."

"Of course, you do."

Justin heard the grandfather clock chime. Looking at the clock, he saw it was 5:30. "I have to go. Good seeing you." He got up and kissed her cheek. They exchanged good-bye's and I love you's. Grabbing his coat, he let himself out of her condo.

Justin unlocked the car and turned the heater up to its highest level and then turned the car toward home. Maybetheworldistellingmetorenewmyselfaswell.