Mid August arrived fast and found Brian, Justin, and kids saying goodbye to Lindsey and Melanie.
Lindsey crouched down in front of her children.
"Now you be good for Brian and Justin and make sure that they behave and have a great time with your great grandparents and don't forget to brush your teeth".
Mel laughed as she bent down to say her goodbyes.
"Lind's, I think the boys can handle them."
Turning to her children. "Have fun and take lots of pictures, we will see you in a week."
Gus smiled at his moms. "Don't worry, we will be fine and I'll look after my dads and Jenny's uncles."
All laughed as Brian ruffled his son's hair. "Thank you Sonny boy."
Lindsey kissed Brian and Justin's cheek. "Call us when you get there."
Hugging her back Brian replied. "Don't worry, MOM, we will."
Taking Jenny by the hand Brian lead them through to the customs area, they all waved until they were out of sight on the other side of the door.
Jenny held on tight to Brian her eyes wide with wonder at all the goings on around her. Tugging on his hand for his attention she asked Brian.
"What are we doing?".
Bending down so he was at her level, Brian gave Justin and Gus a quick glance. Both of them looked on with smiles on their faces. Brian began explaining what it was they were doing.
"Jenny, this is security, see how everyone is putting their stuff into trays and the trays onto the long moving table?"
Jenny nodded. "Why do they have to do that?"
Turning her so she could see it working Brian pointed as he explained.
"That machine the trays go into, it has cameras that can see inside everyone's bags and other things, it's to make sure that nothing bad or dangerous gets on the plane. It's to keep us all safe when we are traveling."
She smiled and turned in his arms to hug him. "That's good! Thank you Uncle, Brian".
Kissing her cheek hugging her in return he replied. "No problem."
Standing back up Brian felt a hand on his shoulder, turning his head he saw it was his son looking at him smiling.
"Good job Dad, you made her happy by not treating her like a baby, she loved it."
As Justin put the last of their belongings in one of the trays he gave Brian a kiss on the cheek. No words were needed to say how they were feeling in that moment.
Jenny watched as Gus and Justin walked through a great big looking door, but she knew it was another machine that made sure you were safe as her Uncle Brian had explained. When it was her turn Jenny walked through very carefully and once through she asked the security lady. "Did I do good?"
Crouching down to her the lady smiled. "You did really good, so good that you get a sticker for it."
Brian who had passed through and was now standing behind the little girl, pouted jokingly. "But I did good too." Making everyone laugh.
Still laughing the security lady gave him a sticker as well.
Gathering their belongings Justin asked.
"Should we get something light to eat, It's a few hours until our flight?"
Nodding Brian agreed as did the kids.
Luckily the food court had something for everyone so they all got something that they enjoyed.
As Brian bit into his plain sandwich, he cringed at the empty calories that the rest of his family were eating.
Justin laughed at his partner's expression. "It may be empty calories, but It's yummy."
Gus laughed.
"Don't worry Dad, you know that we will eat more healthy for the rest of the trip."
Turning to Justin, Gus asked. "You nervous about seeing your grandparents?"
Nodding Justin took a sip of his drink before replying
"A little, they are still young, thank god. They are only in their sixties. They had my dad when they were twenty and married right before he was born. They were childhood sweethearts and still in love, even more so today. You are going to love them. They were always so much fun, I used to call my granddad Indy, he was very much like Indiana Jones".
Brian asked wriggling his eyebrows. "Does he look like him?"
Throwing a balled up napkin at him, Justin laughed. "Actually yes he does, now behave."
Gus and Jenny burst out laughing, they loved when they all got together as they always had fun and got the best memories to treasure forever.
Time for boarding came and they stood in line, as those who needed extra time and help were boarded first.
Justin stood next to Gus because they were going to be sitting next to each other, he noticed a huge smile on the young boy's face.
"You looking forward to the flight?"
Nodding Gus replied.
"Yeah, I love flying! It's so cool to be up above the clouds and see all that blue sky and if there is no clouds, you can look down to see the land and sites you pass over below you".
Justin bumped Gus's shoulder playfully.
"Take lots of photo's and when we get home we can create a painting using some of your work. What do you think?"
Gus hugged him excitedly. "Really, Daddy, really we can?"
Nodding at the happy young boy.
"Of course Gus. You have a great eye for capturing the perfect picture, just like your dad."
Gus stood tall and proud at hearing those words. "You really think that I'm as good as dad?"
Hugging Gus to his side Justin replied.
"I sure do, and I know for a fact that he is very proud of you, for your talent, just like I am."
Happy tears formed in Gus's eyes. "Thank you Daddy, that means a lot to me."
Brian had watched their conversation with a lot of love and pride in his heart at how Gus and Justin's bond was so strong and getting stronger.
Justin caught his eye and saw what was reflected in them and the look spoke volumes, so no words were need at that point, they both felt that strong emotion.
Finally it was their turn to board the plane and they were greeted by a friendly Flight Attendant.
"Welcome to Liberty Air, can I help you find your seat?".
Jenny held out her ticket to her. "Yes please, this is my one."
Crouching down to the little girls level she took the ticket to help.
"Thank you. What's your name? My name is Katie."
Smiling Jenny replied. "My name is Jenny."
Shaking her hand Katie said.
"It's very nice to meet you."
Looking at the ticket Katie spoke again.
"I see that you are in our best seat, you are very lucky."
Looking up at Brian she asked Jenny. "Is this your daddy that you are travelling with?"
Giggling Jenny shook her head.
"No my Daddy is at work, he rang me to say have a good holiday. This is my Uncle Brian and my Uncle Jussin and my brother Gus".
Looking up at the family Katie smiled once more.
"You are very lucky to be going on holidays with your uncles. I hope you have a wonderful time and If you need anything just press the button and call me, OK."
Brian thanked her as he lead his family to their seats.
Justin and Gus were sitting together with Gus sitting by the window and Brian and Jenny were sitting together with Jenny having the window. Thanks to Katie she had a booster seat so she could look out the window to see the wonders of the sky.
Once everyone was on board, the plane made it's way down the runway. Gus held on tight to Justin's hand as Jenny held Brian's. Of course Brian couldn't resist reaching out and taking Justin's hand in his free hand.
As soon as it was safe Gus was in his element snapping pictures out the window and of his family. Luckily he caught some candid shots of his dads laughing or just sharing a look that always warmed his heart to know that his dads were happy and in love.
The other photos he captured of the land and the pure joy on his sister's face made him happy. She had squealed out that she felt like Jasmine on the flying carpet.
It was just after their meal when Katie came out of the Cockpit and made her way over to Gus.
"Hi Gus. I was just talking to the pilot about all the wonderful pictures you were taking, so he was wondering if you and your family would like to visit the Cockpit to see it and take photos out the front. If you had a second camera I can take photos of you all while you visit the Cockpit?"
Gus's face lit up, but it was Brian's fast answer that made them all laugh "Heck yeah, let's go."
Brian blushed as he realised he answered instead of Gus. "Um, I mean, whatever Gus wants."
Gus giggled more. "Yes please Katie. I think the big kid over there is excited to go in there as well."
Katie laughed as she took the extra camera to take pictures of them all.
Justin kissed Brian on the cheek just before they stepped through the door.
"I love you as a big kid".
Brian smiled as he kissed Justin back.
There were all in awe at the sight that greeted them once they entered the Cockpit, a gasp of "Wow!" escaped their lips.
Captain Thomas Knight was a very kind man. He explained everything that they wanted to know. He even let Gus sit in the captain's chair wearing his hat for a photo.
Justin was near tears at the sheer beauty of it all and the look on Gus's face. He was mentally capturing the moment for a painting he would do when they got home.
Brian shared a look with Justin that said, "nothing could possibly top this moment" as they shared a brief kiss.
When they got back to their seats after thanking the crew and Katie. Gus burst into tears burying his face into Justin's chest.
Frightened Brian ran to his son's side asking him as he shared a panicked look with Justin. "Gus, Sonny Boy, what's the matter?"
Lifting his head Gus wiped his eyes as he looked at his dad.
"I..I...I'm just so happy Dad. That was one of the best things that happened in my life and it's all thanks to you guys and Katie. Thank you so much, I love you lots."
Sighing in relief Brian hugged his son as did Justin, soon Jenny joined in the hug as she somehow got out of her seatbelt. Gus felt so lucky to have such a loving family.
They were two hours into the flight when Jenny fell asleep curled into Brian. While Gus was watching a movie, in between taking more pictures at the changing landscape below.
Brian reached out and took Justin's hand in his. "You doing alright?"
Feeling grounded with Brian's hand in his. "Yeah, just nervous excitement, I guess."
Rubbing his thumb over the back of Justin's hand Brian's soft voice warmed him.
"Everything will be fine. They will be so excited to see you. You have nothing to worry about."
They soon landed and collected their luggage and then the rental car, which turned out to be a kickass Jeep Cherokee. It was perfect for what they needed.
Once everyone was seated and buckled up Brian turned the key to start the Jeep, looking at Justin he smiled.
"Here we go Sunshine, time to meet your grandparents again.