Holiday Happenings
This story is a sequel to "Sickness & Health, Good Times & Bad". You don't have to read that story first but this story will make more sense if you do.
Brian and Justin are established partners, sharing custody of Gus and raising Brian's nephews. This is how they I think they would celebrate fall & winter holidays.
I don't own the characters just the situations.
Chapter 6
During the week of Thanksgiving Brian was aware of the number of phone calls that seemed to be made and received when he was at home. He had a couple of presentations that he was working on. They required a lot of consolation and research on his part so he preferred to work in the study at home.
When Brian heard that the O'Briens were planning to spend Thanksgiving alone at home he actually invited them to join the mass dinner he knew was being planned for his house. When he told Justin that Greg, Roxanne and the boys were coming for Thanksgiving Justin eyebrows raised just a bit as he kissed Brian. Justin said nothing out loud.
Brian recognized that meant Justin was happy and proud of him. It sort of annoyed Brian that he knew what that eyebrow raise and kiss really meant. He thought about his carefree, hedonistic life before a certain blond twink wormed his way into his heart. For a second he thought about spending a night cruising at Babylon. Then he thought about waking up with that blond curled up beside him and being the recipient of a full blown sunshine smile and Brian wondered how he even existed without Justin in his life.
Justin knew that the dinner count stood at 38 people. Everyone in the household was aware that Brian did not want to know that number. Alice was convinced that Brian was excited about Thanksgiving and that was why he was working from home. Justin was certain that his partner would have some sort of meltdown if he knew 38 people were going to be having dinner at their house so he made sure everyone was sworn to secrecy.
Jennifer, Alice and Debbie were in charge of the menu but Justin did take part in some coordination for the event. He had extra table and chairs delivered and stored in the pool house. Charlie, Justin, John & Peter moved some family room furniture out to the pool house so there would be room for the extra table and chairs.
Emmett was in charge of appetizers. Viola's specialty was pumpkin bread so Ted, Blake and Nina were assisting her in making the pumpkin bread. That family group was also making homemade applesauce.
Ben was making a butternut squash casserole and he and Michael were also making a spinach salad. The O'Briens were bringing Roxanne's special dinner rolls and champagne.
Alice and Charlie's daughter and her family were arriving on Wednesday from Virginia. Linda & Scott would sleep in the sorority house while their three children stayed at their grandparents' cottage. They were bringing 2 pumpkin pies, 1 apple pie and 1 blueberry pie.
Their daughter in law was making her signature corn pudding. Chuck and the kids had been making apple cider, some of the apples were from Justin & Brian's trees. They were bringing a couple gallons of their apple cider for Thanksgiving. Several bottles of wine was the last part of their contribution to the celebration.
Debbie was making her famous puttanesca sauce for pasta. She was also making two trays of au gratin potatoes that could be warmed in the oven before dinner. She cooked a turkey breast and sliced it down. The plan was to put the sliced turkey in a crock pot with gravy.
Jennifer was also cooking and slicing a turkey breast and making green bean casserole. Molly and Mark got the job of making 15 pounds of mashed potatoes on Wednesday. The mashed potatoes could be heated and kept warm in crock pots on Thanksgiving.
Alice had made several batches of cookies along with a pumpkin pie and 2 peach pies made from peaches they had harvested and frozen. She was making cole slaw and mashed turnips on Wednesday. On Thanksgiving Day there was a huge turkey to be stuffed and roasted along with two extra trays of stuffing. Outside Charlie and Chuck were in charge of deep frying one Turkey and smoking another one.
Part of the Thanksgiving plan was to use the cottage oven to roast trays of cauliflower, asparagus and Brussel sprouts. Justin was going to stir fry vegetables just before dinner. On Wednesday John was making candied yams, Peter volunteered to help John peel the yams.
Justin worked out a spreadsheet on his laptop to keep track of what needed to microwaved, cooked on the stovetop or roasted or baked in one of the ovens on Thanksgiving Day.
Mel and the kids moved into the new house the week before Thanksgiving. They were still getting settled. Lindsay was having her first at home visit for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Everyone agreed that Gus and JR should spend most of the weekend with their Dads. The plan was to have them come home on Sunday so the "family" could spend the day together. Mel was taking Monday off and after getting the kids off to school she would drive Lindsay back to the halfway house.
On Tuesday Justin got a couple surprise phone calls on his cell. Ben called to let him know that Hunter had surprised them by flying in from California so there would be one more person at Thanksgiving dinner. Justin said how thrilled they would all be to see Hunter.
Later in the day an excited Daphne called to say she was able to arrange to have the weekend off. She was going to be staying with her parents but wanted to get together with Justin some time over the weekend. Justin asked what their Thanksgiving plans were. When Daph said she and her parents were just going to hang out together Justin insisted on them coming to dinner.
After the phone calls Justin went down the kitchen. He made sure Brian was not anywhere within earshot.
"Alice I had a couple phone calls. We have four more people coming to dinner. So our total is now forty two!"
Alice chuckled.
"We have plenty of food and I'm sure we'll fit another table in somewhere. Are you sure Brian is going to survive this dinner?"
Justin shrugged.
"I just hope he doesn't run screaming out of the house. Mrs Chanders is going to bring her special cranberry sauce which is amazing. I'm betting she will bring a cake as well. She is a fabulous baker. She could give you some competition."
Alice just shrugged. "We'll see."
Justin laughed.
"I wanted to talk to you about the seating. If we put all the leaves in the dining room table you will be able to get all twelve of your family around the table."
"Justin! We can get some tables together here in the family room area. We are not going to take over your dining room."
Justin frowned.
"Your family is going to be in that dining room! There is not going to be any discussion. You were supposed to have the house for your Thanksgiving. I know you have some family traditions that you like to do around the table. I am pulling rank here! You will all be together around the dining room table and that is that!"
Alice was quiet for a moment and just looked at the very determined Justin. She finally just nodded her head and Justin gave her a hug.
Justin smiled. "I'm glad we got that settled."
Alice has made a salad with chicken for lunch. Justin filled two bowls and filled a tray with the salad bowls, some dressing, drinks and flatware and walked down to the study. He knocked on the door and a couple minutes later Brian opened the door. He smiled when he saw Justin standing there.
"Hello Sunshine. You look delicious and the lunch doesn't look too bad either."
Justin chuckled as Brian closed and locked the door behind him. They ate their lunch at the table and talked about the presentations that Brian was preparing for. Brian wanted Justin to look at a few presentation boards to see if he had any suggestions to improve them.
When he finished his salad Brian sat back in his chair and looked into Justin's eyes.
"Just tell me one thing. Will I recognize all the people who will be eating Thanksgiving dinner here?"
"Yes Brian. No one has been invited except close friends and family. Don't forget you added four to the guest list yourself when you invited Greg, Roxanne and the boys."
Brian smirked.
"I'm still not sure what came over me."
Justin just smiled. He moved to the sofa and crocked a finger at Brian inviting him to join him. It wasn't long before both men were naked and Justin was perched on all fours while Brian thrush into him from behind.
Since there was lube and wipes for cleanup in almost every room in the house it made little impromptu romantic encounters like this easy to manage.
Half an hour later they were reviewing the boards and Justin made a few suggestions for changes in colors and fonts which Brian loved. After their work was done and some serious kissing happened, Justin took the dirty dishes back to the kitchen.
Alice smiled.
"Did you tell Brian the attendance total for Thanksgiving?"
"No! He does not want to know that number. To be honest I'm not sure I want to know that number."
Alice and Justin both chuckled.
When Justin picked up the boys at school, John & Peter were very interested in the Thanksgiving attendance. This was a huge departure from any Thanksgiving they had ever experienced. On the good years they went to Joan's for dinner. She ordered the full precooked dinner from a supermarket. The worst years were when their mother served them turkey TV dinners.
Today was the last day of school for the Academy until Monday. John was looking forward to helping Alice in the kitchen tomorrow and making his candied yams. Bill Gardner was taking Josh and Peter out to lunch and the movies.
Alice prepared a big dinner because tomorrow was going to be more of a pot luck dinner day. Tonight they had roast pork, with roaster asparagus and mashed carrots.
Fort Pitt School had a half day of school on Wednesday. The plan was that Brian and Justin would pick up Gus, Jr & Nina. They would drop Nina at Ted & Blake's house where they would be waiting with Viola to get started on their pumpkin bread baking. The three of them had spent the morning peeling and cutting up apples for applesauce.
Brian & Justin were taking Gus and JR to the diner for lunch. Michael would meet them for lunch and take JR back to the comic book store for the afternoon.
Gus was very excited about Thanksgiving at the house. He and JR were also competing on the car ride to tell Brian & Justin all about their new home. They both were delighted with their new play area in the basement and their new bedrooms. Gus and JR were anxious for Justin to start painting the murals on their bedroom walls.
Michael was waiting in a booth when they got to the diner. JR slid into the booth beside her father. Brian, Gus and Justin slid into the other side of the booth.
Michael gathered JR in a tight hug and kissed the top of her head.
"How's my little Honey Bunny? Did Daddy's precious Girl have a good morning at school?"
Gus looked at Justin and rolled his eyes in such a perfect imitation of Brian that Justin burst out laughing. Michael looked across the booth.
"What's your problem Justin? I'm just happy to see my baby."
"Gus made a funny face and it made me laugh. Get over yourself Michael."
Michael directed his attention back to his daughter who was happy to have a dedicated audience. She launched into a detailed description of her morning at school.
Gus looked around the diner.
"Papa. I don't see Grandmom Debbie."
"She's at home today. She cooking stuff for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow."
That distracted Michael from JR.
"With Ma cooking all the food I'm not sure why we all have to drive down to your house for dinner."
Justin shook his head.
"Debbie is not cooking ALL the food. She is fixing some things because there is no way to stop her but lots of other people are making food too. Alice and John are both making food today. Tomorrow Charlie and his son are deep frying one turkey and smoking another one.
We have more room for everyone and this will take some of the pressure off Debbie to do everything."
Michael looked confused.
"Why are Mr and Mrs Simpson cooking stuff for our dinner? Shouldn't they be worried about cooking for their own Thanksgiving dinner?"
Justin glanced at Brian who was doing his best to ignore the conversation before answering Michael.
"The Simpson Family is eating dinner with us. We had already agreed to let them use the house for Thanksgiving again this year. When we switched our dinner to the house we couldn't very well tell them to change their plans at the last minute."
Michael was annoyed.
"I thought it would just be us for dinner. I can't believe we have to put up with your servants and their family. Who else is coming to dinner?"
Gus answered with a big smile.
"My friend Kevin is coming with his family. His Mommy is making rolls and Kevin gets to help her!"
Michael gave Justin an exasperated look.
"Why did you invite them? We hardly know them. Thanksgiving should be just for family. Now we have your servants and these other people. Just how many people are going to be at dinner tomorrow?"
Justin smirked.
"I didn't invite the O'Briens. Brian invited them."
Michael turned to look at Brian really not believing what Justin said.
"Brian? You invited those people to our Thanksgiving?"
"Mikey if you really concentrate and try very, very hard I bet you could act like less of a butthead. Alice and Charlie are on our payroll but they are more like part of our family than servants. Greg and Roxanne are nice people, for heteros, and their sons are good friends with John and Gus. Justin and I are free to invite whoever we want to OUR house."
"With Ma and Ben making all this food we should just stay home and have our own Thanksgiving with just our family!"
Brian turned his attention to his old friend.
"You are free to do whatever you want Mikey. I suspect we'll still have a houseful without you."
Justin chuckled at that statement and Brian smiled at him.
JR was not pleased with her father.
"Daddy! I want to go to Uncle Jus and Uncle Bri's house for dinner. It will be fun there and Nina will be there to play with me."
Brian laughed.
"Don't worry little girl. We'll make sure you get to come to our house for dinner if that is what you want to do. Plus I doubt your Grandmother will go along with Mikey's plan."
At that moment the waitress came to take their lunch orders. After they gave their orders Michael pointedly directed all his attention to his daughter. He ignored the other side of the booth. Brian and Justin kept up a conversation with Gus who was delighted to have the full attention of his fathers.
Michael left with JR when they were finished lunch without any thought of paying his share of the lunch check. Justin didn't want to say anything in front of Gus but made an exasperated face at Brian who just shrugged.
Gus couldn't remember spending Thanksgiving in the USA. He was beyond excited to be part of this big Thanksgiving celebration. When Justin told him they were having deep fried turkey, smoked turkey and traditional roasted turkey Gus said he was going to taste them all to see which he liked the best. He asked for a full rundown of the menu and when Justin told him all the different food there would be to eat Gus was wide eyed with amazement.
Brian kept chuckling at the conversation between his partner and his son. Gus had decided that Justin was in charge of Thanksgiving, which was basically true, so all his questions were directed to his Papa.
Eventually Gus asked the million dollar question.
"How many people are coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner?"
Justin looked at Brian, he didn't want Brian to panic and cause an accident. Brian just shrugged.
"Go ahead and answer him. I'm not stupid I know there are like fifty people coming to dinner."
Justin smiled and shook his head.
"Not fifty, only forty two."
Gus was delighted.
"I bet that is more people than anyone else in my class is having come to their house for Thanksgiving!"
Brian groaned.
"I bet no other private home in the state is having that many people come to Thanksgiving dinner."
Justin laughed.
"You always like to have the biggest and best of everything!"
Gus joined in the laughter even though he wasn't 100% sure why he was laughing.
When they got home, Gus grabbed his school backpack and was first into the house. Alice was supervising Charlie, John and Peter into arranging tables in the Family Room. There were five tables that seated six people each. The leaves had already been put in the Dining Room table. Gus was fascinated by the preparations. He watched it all from a safe place on one of the kitchen stools. Brian all but ran to the study and shut the door.
Gus's excitement level built to a new high when the table were arranged to Alice & Justin's satisfaction and now it was time to carry chairs in from the pool house. Gus could manage one chair at a time and was thrilled to be part of the big setup for dinner.
Pizza was ordered for dinner. Charlie and Alice went to the cottage for dinner but Gus was happy to eat with his fathers and cousins at one of the special Thanksgiving tables.
The Simpsons' daughter, Linda, and her family arrived late in the evening. Brian and Justin were just about ready to go up to bed when Linda and Scott came over from the cottage to spend the night in one of the sorority house's bedrooms.
The next morning Gus was awake early and came into the master bedroom to be sure his Daddy & Papa were awake. He was anxious for this big day to begin. He was surprised that both men were up and dressed in casual clothes. Papa was not a sleepy head this morning.
Breakfast this morning was cold cereal with some cut up bananas to satisfy Brian's desire for something healthy. Alice had bought some fabric with a Thanksgiving theme and made tablecloths for all the tables in the family room, kitchen area. Gus and Peter got the task of putting the tablecloths on the tables. John set up each place with flatware.
The house was filling with the marvelous smell of the turkey roasting in the oven as Gus moved around the tables placing a holiday paper napkins at each place. Alice and Justin set the dining room table with all the good china and silverware. Alice still protesting about the Simpsons using the dining room instead of Brian and Justin.
Jennifer had picked up Debbie and they arrived early in the day to work on Thanksgiving dinner with Alice. Molly and Mark were coming later with Tucker. Carl was driving down, closer to dinner time, with Ben, Michael, Hunter and JR.
Gus watched the beehive of activity in the kitchen from his safe perch on a kitchen stool. Brian tried to temp his son into watching a movie in the media room but Gus was much more fascinated by Thanksgiving preparations.
At the last minute Debbie had decided to bring a large dish of lasagna. That led to some discussion about the oven schedule and how to fit the lasagna into that schedule. Justin solved the issue by announcing he had left the pool house oven unused for just such a contingency. Debbie gave him a big hug and kiss and told him he was a "fucking genius" for figuring all this scheduling out.
As dinner time approached Molly, Mark and Tucker arrived with two crock pots full of mashed potatoes. Alice knew by heart which kitchen outlets were on which circuits so she made sure the electric load was evenly distributed. Gus was wide eyed at the preparation spectacle.
Next to arrive was Emmett and Rusty with appetizers. As the two men worked to place crab puffs and cut vegetables on trays as the pigs in a blanket warmed in an oven. Charlie walked over from the cottage with Linda, Scott and their three children. They brought the pies that had been baked in the cottage oven. John and Peter took the grandchildren down to the playroom but Gus was still too interested in kitchen activity to go with them.
Ted, Blake, Nina and Viola arrived next. Viola offered to help in the kitchen but was actually kind of grateful to be told everything was under control. They all grabbed some soft drinks and went into the Parlor with Tucker, Charlie, Linda & Scott. Molly and Mark headed down the game room once their potato duty was completed.
Chuck and Nancy arrived with their children. Chuck and his father went outside to check on the turkey that Charlie had put in the smoker earlier and to put the turkey in the deep fryer. Nancy joined the group in the Parlor and their three children ran down to the game room.
Michael, Ben, Carl, Hunter and JR arrived. Ben's casserole went in the oven according to Justin's schedule. JR and Nina headed to the media room to watch a Thanksgiving video. Brian finally put in an appearance and he Carl headed to the parlor each carrying an alcoholic beverage to help them cope with the day. Michael and Ben went to the media room to oversee the girls. Hunter felt he was young enough to join the fun in the game room.
Daphne and her parents arrived and settled down in the little remaining family room furniture with Justin. This way Justin was close by to make sure the oven schedule was adhered to. The last guests to arrive were the O'Brien Family. Their arrival finally pried Gus away from his kitchen stool so he and Kevin could go up the Gus's bedroom and read the new Thanksgiving story book that Justin has bought for them. Patrick went to the game room to join the activities there.
Justin took the opportunity to stow the kitchen stools in the garage. The counter area had to be cleared so the mountains of food could be set up as a buffet there. Debbie kept saying what a fucking perfect house this was for Thanksgiving and how great it was to have everyone here. She occasionally shouted comments across the room to Daphne and her parents who were very amused by Debbie's antics.
As the time for dinner to be served arrived Brian went upstairs to let Gus and Kevin know it was time to come downstairs. He could hear the boys laughing as he approached Gus's bedroom. They were sprawled on the floor with the pillows off Gus's bed. The storybook was open on the floor in front of them. Once Brian mentioned dinner was about to be served both boys were up and ready to go downstairs.
The last to arrive, just before dinner was served, were Melanie with a very nervous Lindsay. Tucker got them drinks as they settled into the Parlor group. When he returned he whispered that if the crowd got too much for Lindsay Justin said they should retreat to the study. Lindsay smiled at the offer but had little to say. Ted came over and sat on an ottoman in front of Mel and Lindsay and kept up a conversation.
Justin was busy stir frying vegetables but was still able to organize the buffet line. He announced that the buffet line was to be organized by age. Gus and Kevin were determined to eat dinner at the same table so Roxanne and Greg helped them load their plates with food.
Mr and Mrs Chanders sat a table with Jennifer & Tucker and Debbie & Carl. The O'Briens were joined at their table by John and of course Gus. The Simpsons all took their plates loaded with food into the dining room.
Michael & Ben sat at a table with Nina & JR along with Lindsay and Mel. Emmett & Rusty joined Ted, Blake and Viola at a table and Peter decided to grab the extra chair at that table sitting next to Ted. Brian and Justin sat a table with Molly and Mark and Daphne with Hunter grabbing the last available chair.
As everyone was starting to eat Tucker stood up with his glass of wine and proposed a toast to their hosts. Everyone cheered and clapped and Brian wanted to sink under the table. When things got quiet Justin stood and proposed a toast to Alice, Debbie and Jennifer for all their hard work. Again there was cheering and clapping before the serious eating started.
Gus and Kevin sampled all the different preparations of turkey and discussed the merits of each before deciding they both liked the traditional roasted turkey the best. Roxanne helped Kevin with cutting up his food and John supplied whatever assistance Gus needed.
Everyone was pretty amazed by the quantity and variety of food that was served. Many attendees were used to much smaller and quieter holiday dinners but shouted conversations from table to table, the delicious food and the general feelings of happiness had everyone agreeing that this was the best Thanksgiving ever.
Debbie announced that they should do this same celebration every year. Brian groaned as many people loudly agreed with Debbie. Justin smiled his sunshine smile as Gus and Kevin cheered.
It took a while but eventually everyone was full. John, Peter, Patrick and the older Simpson grand children were assigned kitchen duties. They scraped plates and loaded the dishwasher. Alice had purchased lots of throwaway plastic containers which she piled on the counter along with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Everyone was invited to take leftovers home.
As people started to load what food they wanted in containers or wrap thing up to take home, Brian and Justin glanced at each other and nodded. Brian went over to John & Peter and told them he needed to talk to them in the study. Justin went over to Gus to tell him the same thing. Gus asked if Kevin could come with him and Justin laughingly agreed.
Jennifer watched the six of them walk down to the study with a frown on her face. She looked across the room at Alice who nodded and shrugged. No one else paid much attention.
In the study a nervous John and Peter sat in chairs facing the sofa where Brian and Justin sat with Gus and Kevin between them. Justin smiled at the nephews.
"We have something we need to talk to you guys about."
Noticing the anxious expressions on John and Peter's faces he quickly continued.
"It is nothing bad! You guys need to stop anticipating trouble. Brian and I have been working on a kind of project. We decided to announce something to everyone today but we need to tell you guys first."
Gus kept looking between his Daddy and Papa wondering what was going on. Kevin held Gus's hand and was curious about this big announcement. He was happy to be in here among the first to find out what was going on.
Brian took up the conversation.
"Justin and I decided to expand our family. We hired a surrogate."
He looked down at Gus and Kevin.
"That is a lady that helps people to have babies. We were lucky that we were successful on our first attempt. The end result is that we are having twins at the end of May or the beginning of June."
John & Peter were astonished. This was not anything they were expecting to hear. John was quickest to recover.
"WOW! That is amazing. Are the babies boys or girls?"
Justin answered.
"It is too early to determine that yet."
Gus was sitting next to Brian and he looked up at his Daddy.
"Where will the new babies sleep? Will they use my room?"
"They will have their own bedroom, probably in the guest room across the hall from our bedrooms. Your room will always be your room Sonny Boy."
"Will the babies live some of the time with their mommy?"
Justin smiled down at Gus & Kevin who were both wide eyed.
"These babies will live with us all the time."
Gus nodded and looked at his Daddy.
"If they are boys will they be your Sonny Boys too?"
Brian put his arm around his son.
"You are my only Sonny Boy. The babies will be your brothers or sisters but Papa and I will always love you just as much as we do now."
Gus looked a little skeptical so Justin chimed in.
"Gus the more people we have to love the more love there is. We will love the new babies and they will love you as their big brother. There will be lots of things that you will be able teach them. Babies are kind of helpless and they will need a lot of attention and we will need your help with them. You need to remember that nothing could ever make Daddy and I love you any less than we do today.
You know that when John and Peter came here to stay that we all got to love each other. You love your cousins and enjoy spending time with them. We are all really happy that they came to live with us; when the new babies come it will just make us all even happier."
Gus looked a little happier but Brian & Justin knew he would have more questions later.
Justin stood up.
"I have to go get my Mother. She will kill us if we don't tell her about the babies before we announce it to everyone."
John got up from his chair.
"I'll go get Grandmom Jen and bring her here."
"Don't tell her why!"
John smiled.
Don't worry Uncle Justin. I won't tell her anything about the babies."
When John left Gus and Kevin had a few more questions. Kevin had very little experience with babies so he was excited to think about the additions to the family that he considered himself to be part of. He told Justin that he would come over and help take care of the babies whenever they needed him.
Justin gave him a hug and kiss and thanked him, saying they would be glad for his help.
Meanwhile John had made his way down the hall to the chaos at the other end of the house. Now that dinner was over people were moving between tables to visit with other guests. John saw Jennifer visiting with Mel and Lindsay and walked over to them.
"Grandmom. Uncle Justin needs your help with something in the study."
Jennifer turned and put her arm around John's waist. She excused herself and put her arm around John's waist.
"Okay Honey, lead the way."
Jennifer walked into the study and looked around at the faces of everyone in the room. She had no idea what was going on but no one looked really unhappy so she was fairly sure nothing was wrong.
Justin came over and took his mother's hands in his.
"Mom I know you and Alice have suspected something was going on with Brian and me. What we have been working on is expanding our family. We purchased some eggs and hired a gestational surrogate and now we are expecting twins in late May or June."
Jennifer actually sank back into a chair that was luckily right behind her and burst into tears. Gus and Kevin looked concerned, Peter and John looked confused, Brian looked uncomfortable and Justin enveloped his mother in a hug.
Jennifer got herself under control and clung to her son.
"Justin Sweetheart! Nothing you could ever say could make me any happier. What a fantastic surprise, it's just wonderful!"
Jennifer held out one hand in Brian's direction and he slowly came across the room to her.
"Brian, I am so happy for you and Justin. You know I love you like a son and this will be such a great adventure for you both."
Brian just squeezed Jennifer's hand with a smile on his face.
The boys came over to gather around Jennifer. Peter looked down at her.
"Pretty exciting stuff! Guess you are happy to be a real grandmother soon."
Jennifer stood up and pulled John, Peter, Gus and Kevin into a group hug.
"I know you are trying to be nice by saying that but I am a REAL grandmother now! I could not love anyone else more than I love you guys and I am so happy and proud to be your Grandmom. The new babies won't make any difference to the way I feel about you guys. Please never, never doubt how much I love you and how much I enjoy spending time with you."
Kevin was feeling very proud to be included on this group.
"I love you Grandmom Jen. You are the best Grandmom I ever had!"
Jennifer best over to deliver a kiss to Kevin.
"Thank you honey! I know I have told all of you that some families are linked by blood but we are joined together by love. I think the love bond is even stronger than a blood bond."
Justin had a huge sunshine smile on his face. He and Brian stood watching Jennifer interact with her "love" grandsons.
"We still need to make this announcement to everyone else. Gus and Kevin why don't you guys go down to the kitchen and tell everyone to quiet down for an announcement."
Gus grabbed Kevin's hand and they ran down the hall shouting "Announcement! Announcement! Everyone has to be quiet now!"
That got everyone's attention. By the time the rest of the group arrived in the kitchen area everyone was quiet and turned toward them.
Brian and Justin with their arms around each other as Justin announced the pending arrival of two new members of the family. The roar of shouts and screams actually made them take a step back as most people rushed towards them with congratulations.
Both men noticed the shocked look on Lindsay's face and the annoyed look on Michael's face. They didn't have much time to think about them as the other guests crowded around them.