Sorry it took me so long to update, this was a really difficult chapter to write and unfortunately I think it shows. Please review anyway. And I don't own anyone or anything you recognize.

Brian smiled as Justin carried their sleeping 7 year old in his arms, from the car to the house. Justin was a natural at practically everything he did, and parenting had not been an exception. Though the blonde claimed that he'd had practice with Gus and J.R. before they'd had Charlotte, Brian knew it was just Justin being amazing at everything he did.

"Let me put her in bed, and then we can talk about me going to New York next week, I need your opinion on some stuff." Brian nodded, kissing Justin softly, before the blonde headed up the stairs to Charlotte's room. Brian sighed, part of him hated when Justin went to New York, even if it was necessary, there were days when he considered begging Justin to never leave again, but that was insanely selfish, and Justin wouldn't go for it anyway, he loved his art too much. The answering machine blinked that they had 3 new messages, he pressed PLAY as he went through the mail that had been left on the table the day before.

"Pops, I was wondering if I could stay over next week. The cwazy webians, also known as my mothers, are driving me up the fucking wall! Text me back, if you're busy or something it's whatever, I can go over to Michael and Ben's or better yet, Debbie's I'm sure she'll let me have lots of sex on her couch too." Brian wasn't going to lie, he loved how much his son was like him. And though Gus was straight and did have a girlfriend, they all knew he was too much like Brian Kinney to still be a virgin. "Yeah so let me know. Love you. Tell Dad he's awesome, even if he didn't get me those skates I wanted. Bye" Brian laughed as the machine beeped. All Gus thought about, other than his girlfriend, was hockey, and he'd wanted a pair of $600 dollar hockey skates and Brian knew he had to draw a line. Gus's other pair was less than 4 months old and still in good condition, his son had pouted for a day or two before getting over it, though he still liked to mention them once in a while.

"Justin, It's Mack, tell me those sketches of Charley are done. Please. I need them, please." Once again Brian laughed as he opened an envelope from the insurance company. The machine once again beeped and another voice came on, this one he hadn't heard in over seven years.

"Brian-" Brian still recognized the voice of course, still as grinding and whiny as ever. "Mom's dead, I could use your help, if you can spare some time." Somehow this request wasn't a guilt trip, clearly, Justin had made his point in the hospital all those years ago. Part of him felt guilty for not feeling sad at the knowledge of his mother's dead, and maybe part of him twinged for the little boy that knew his mother would never stop his father's beatings. But the man already had everything he needed, and after Justin had made Joan leave that last time, Brian had rarely spared another thought for the woman who gave birth to him. "Let me know either way," Brian realized that Claire was still talking. "Bye," Brian stared at the machine for several seconds after it had quieted. Joan was different than Jack, Jack was a bastard, but in the end had redeemed himself in a small way. Joan was a bitch to the end, choosing to take money instead of fighting to see her son.

"That girl, as soon as I laid her down she was wide awake-" Justin entered the room, looking at Brian his face shifting slightly in confusion. "Baby?" he approached hesitantly, setting several sketches on the counter before turning back to Brian. "Talk to me," he said softly, cupping Brian's scruffy cheek with his hand, searching his eyes for how to react, how to help his partner.

"My mother's dead," Brian claimed casually, kissing Justin's lips lightly before pulling away and turning to the sketches, picking them up. "This one is my favorite," he held up a sketch of Charley, her smile soft and thoughtful as she looked up from the paper. Justin gently took them out of Brian's hands and put them back on the counter, grabbing his chin lightly.

"Nope, you don't get out of talking about this, no shutting down," Justin ordered. Brian sighed, leaning against the same counter,

"There is nothing to talk about Jus, she was a bitch, she was hateful and mean, and now she's dead." Of course, Justin wasn't fooled,

"She is still your mother,"

"Only by title, come on, let's talk about New York." He diverted, but Justin kissed him deeply, his arms wrapping around Brian's waist, and despite trying to fight it, Brian's arms disobeyed his brain and hugged Justin back tightly, cursing how well this man knew him.

"If you need to help Claire with the plans, I'll help," he offered into Brian's shoulder.

"You hate them both," Brian reminded him, Justin nodded, in agreement,

"Yes, but I love you, and if you need me, I'm here, for whatever and everything you need."

"Thank you," Brian muttered, kissing Justin's hair without detracting from the embrace. "I know I can't trust Claire to handle everything, Christ knows she couldn't handle Dad's death." Justin smiled softly and nodded, "But I don't want Charley involved, she doesn't need to know what a bitch her grandmother and aunt are, all she needs to know is that Jen and Debbie love her." Justin once again nodded, "Any chance you'll kill Claire for me?" Brian whispered into his husband's ear. "Then we can get both funerals out of the way, or better yet, just put them in the same coffin,"

"Of course, as long as you give me an alibi," both men chuckled as Brian nodded.

"You think it's too late to call Claire back?" Brian asked after several comfortable silent moments. Justin glanced at the clock, it was 10:53 pm, he shrugged,

"Do we really care?"

"No," Brian smirked at Justin's answer. Justin could be the most caring, loving person in the world, unless you pissed him off, in which case the object of his anger should be afraid, very afraid.

Brian grabbed the phone and punched in his sister's number, unsure as to how he still had it memorized.

"Hello?" came the voice that had been on the answering machine, after two rings.

"Claire, it's me," Brian greeted, looking into Justin's eyes, which were soft and supportive with just an edge of protectiveness which Brian knew was for him.

"Brian? To be honest I didn't expect to hear back from you, your husband made it clear we weren't welcome," Claire's voice had turned biting and Brian scowled.

"My husband's name is Justin, and you aren't. But I don't trust you do be able to do this right, so I figure I might as well help." Justin's lips turned upward slightly in a proud smile,

"Well, I could use it, tomorrow?" Claire continued,

"Do we have anything tomorrow?" Brian muffled the phone in his shirt as he asked Justin.

"Not other than work, I'm sure Cynthia can handle any meeting you have." Brian nodded at Justin's answer and put the phone back on his ear,

"I'll be at Joan's at 10," he reported.

"Thank you, Brian," Claire almost sounded genuine, but Claire would always be fake. Brian grunted in reply, hanging up, less than a second passed before Justin had his lips firmly on Brian's. Brian knew what Justin was doing, but let himself be kissed anyway, because even though he knew this was just Justin's way to get him talking, one didn't turn down a Justin Taylor-Kinney kiss. Justin had known Brian long enough to know that the way to his emotions, was through sex, or at least the promise of sex. Making out usually got Brian's mouth open in more ways than one, but that was later. Now, Justin was focused on making Brian feel as good as possible, sucking on all the places he knew Brian loved to have sucked most, rubbing his finger against his back, pushing the shirt up. Brian moaned softly at his partner's well practiced and perfectly place ministrations, marveling at how well the blonde knew him, how he knew the amount of pressure to put, the amount of time to linger. It was as though there was something written on Brian's skin that said 'suck here, 11 seconds', 'press here, 15 seconds,' 'kiss here, 4 seconds.' And maybe there was, it was just writing that only Justin could see. Joan and Claire was the furthest thing from either of their minds, as heat, hands, taste, and smell engulfed their entire beings. Brian sighed in contentment at his husband's ability to make him forget….everything. Work stresses, friend drama, family issues, the beautiful man could, with a simple flick of his tongue make it all disappear.

"Oh God, Justin," Brian breathed as Justin grabbed the front of Brian's pants firmly, massaging the hard on, expertly. Justin smiled and hummed, kissing his lips again before nuzzling his neck, lovingly, his hand not leaving Brian's groin.

"Come on, the bedroom is a better place to continue this," Justin claimed, his hand moving to grab Brian's shirt collar, pulling him playfully, with a sunshine grin on his face. Brian smiled back softly, he wouldn't trade this man for a million tricks.

Once in the bedroom, Justin pulled him over to the loveseat as opposed to the bed, and Brian pouted for a moment before being pushed down onto the small couch, Justin falling promptly in his lap.

"All right you horny bastard," Justin cooed affectionately. "You have to spill your guts before I touch that beautiful dick of yours." Brian sighed heavily and in replied grinded up into Justin's ass. Justin gasped but didn't waver, instead taking Brian's chin in one hand, "Brian, I have been your partner 17 years, that's right, even those first five though you denied all the time, I've been here, and I plan on being here for the next 17 years. So you can sit here in silence until you develop blue balls, or…" Justin kissed him deeply, "You can tell me what you are thinking and in 30 minutes you will be pounding me into the mattress, your choice." Brian smirked at the stubborn blonde who had crossed his arms in front of his chest, waiting expectantly.

"You are such a little twat," Justin beamed and wiggled in a way that hit Brian's erection just right and the older man groaned. "That's just mean," Brian panted, but Justin just shrugged, grinning impishly. Brian inhaled deeply and the grin was replaced with a soft, caring smile, his arms uncrossed and instead both of Justin's hands grabbed the hand that wasn't supporting Justin's back.

"Talk to me, Stud, don't shut me out," Justin pleaded and Brian felt his will power fade away.

"I shouldn't care, she was mean and loved me conditionally, at best. She watched me get beaten by my father without doing a damn thing to stop it. She took money over fighting to speak to me. She's told me countless times, I'm going to hell for loving you. So why the fuck do I care?" Brian asked angrily, though his kiss to Justin's lips was gentle.

"Because that little boy in you still wants his mother to tell him she loves him, and is proud of him." Justin replied, his voice carrying only love and sincerity and maybe a little anger for the woman who hurt his partner so badly.

"That's fucked," Brian growled at himself, but didn't deny it as he knew Justin's words were truth.

"It means you are human Bri, as much as you like to deny it." Justin smirked, as did Brian. "You aren't pathetic, you were treated like shit as a child, of course you want approval." Brian expected Justin to say 'But you don't need theirs, you've got mine.' But Justin knew that wouldn't make Brian feel better so he didn't. "Can I write her epitaph?" Justin asked after a moment of silence. Brian looked down at him, he was grinning impishly.

"What'd you have in mind?" Brian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"'Selfish, bigoted, bitch.' Or if that's too harsh, how about, 'I failed as a human being and a mother but son is still fucking incredible.'" Even though Justin had said it in jest, Brian could hear his anger towards Joan. Brian knew that even if managed to forgive Joan, Justin probably never would. They were both much quicker and more willing to forgive their own offenders than someone who had hurt the other. There were days he pitied the people who ever hurt their children. Having one of them pitted against you was bad enough, but both of them…. that person should be afraid to step outside.

"We can mention it to Claire," Brian chuckled. Justin laughed, nuzzling his nose into Brian's neck, kissing it lightly. "If you don't end up punching her in the face it'll be a miracle." Justin grinned against,

"Would you mind if I did?" the blonde asked coyly.

"Only if you didn't let me watch," Brian admitted. Justin laughed, but knew that Brian was still hurting, but perhaps what would help his husband in that moment was what the couple did best.

"Come on, I know a way to make you not spare another thought for either of them, at least, tonight." Justin claimed, kissing Brian in a way that was passionate and gentle at the same time, again, Brian remembered why you didn't turn down a Justin Taylor-Kinney kiss.

They ended up on the bed, panting and soft sounds of love and lust filling the air, along with the smell of sex and them, they had a different smell together than they did separately. It didn't seem to be their two smells combined; it was a different smell entirely. Brian couldn't help but cry out Justin's name as the younger man did everything in his power to make Brian forget. Brian would never regret being with Justin, never regret being married to him, and never, ever regret loving him.

The next day as they entered Joan's house, Claire looked at Justin as though he were a rabid dog that didn't have a leash. Brian had his arm securely around his waist, their sides pressed close together.

"Thank you for coming," Claire said softly, knowing any decision they disagreed on, would be 2 against 1.

"What do you need us to do?" Justin asked, defensiveness to his voice.

"Father Tom is stopping by in a few minutes, and I was hoping you could talk to him while I go through some of the stuff." Brian met Justin's eyes, before they turned back to Claire,

"I'll help you, we don't need two people to speak to Father Tom." Justin offered, both he and Brian chuckling softly as Claire's eyes widened fearfully.

"He doesn't bite Claire," Brian claimed but a look of disbelief from both Justin and Claire caused him to continue, "Well….I'll pay your hospital bill." Justin laughed as Brian smiled, lovingly at him. They exchanged a soft, lingering kiss, Claire looked on with slight envy. Despite being raised by the same people, Brian had bettered himself. Her beautiful brother had a family and friends that loved him, without question, while she was a forty something divorcee with nothing to show for her life.

"Where do we start?" Justin asked just before the doorbell rang.

"That'll be the good father," Brian stated, Justin squeezed his hand as Claire headed to answer the door.

"Don't you forget that you are married, Mr. Kinney," he murmured softly so Claire wouldn't overhear and alert Claire to Father Tom's secret.

"Don't worry, Dear, the ball and chain are firmly attached," Brian replied playfully, causing Justin to grin and crash their groins together roughly, Brian released a gasp as Tom entered.

"Ah, little has changed since our last meeting, I see," Father Tom smirked, warmly at the couple. Justin smirked as Brian winked, Claire was unaware that Father Tom had presided over Justin and Brian's wedding, not to mention that Father Tom had become a close family friend of theirs. She looked at the three men, knowing she was missing something but unable to even begin to decipher what the secret was. Brian motioned into the kitchen, Father Tom nodded and headed that way. Brian leaned over to kiss Justin's lips softly once again before whispering,

"Remember, Babe, don't hit her, unless I'm there to watch." Claire looked surprised at the agreement but Justin brushed passed her and went into the living room where several of Joan's boxes were, she followed her brother in law in a daze.

The first ten minutes were spent in a tense awkward silence until Justin pulled out an old picture of Brian, he was probably about seven, he was smiling shyly at the camera.

"I took that," Claire stated, seeing what Justin held. Justin looked up at her surprised, she smiled sadly,

"We weren't always enemies, there was a time when we were all each other had. Daddy was always drunk and mean and Mom was always in denial, I cleaned more cuts and treated more bruises than I care to remember." Justin swallowed hard, he knew about Brian's abuse, they'd talked about it, but never in great detail, Justin had never pushed something like that. "I've lost count of the broken bones that went untreated," Justin felt nauseous and wanted to hold his partner and never let him go. "I was so angry when I caught him kissing some guy, I thought, even though our parents were screwed up, we didn't have to be."

"He's not screwed up because he's gay, he's screwed up because his entire family treated him like dirt. Did you know that Joan took money and promised to never talk to him again. What kind of mother does that?" Justin cried angrily.

"Huh, maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," Claire murmured, and Justin glared at her, until he realized she was referring to herself.

"What do-" Justin began,

"Here," Claire cut him off, "Throw this box out, there's nothing but a bunch of receipts." Justin considered pressing the issue but instead just accepted the box and headed to the porch to place it with the rest of the trash that had gathered. He stopped and peeked in to see Tom and Brian smiling and catching up.

"Father," Justin said, Tom looked up at him, "It's Gus's 18th birthday next Saturday, we're having a party, a cookout, if you'd like to join us." Tom smiled,

"Thanks, Justin, I'd love to," he agreed. Brian smirked,

"My sister still alive?" Justin looked in the direction of the living room,

"Yes, though if you hear a scream, just ignore it." Tom and Brian chuckled softly, before Justin headed back into the living room.

The funeral was 3 days later, Father Tom resided over it, all of Brian's friends had shown up, except Gus and Charlotte, Gus and his girlfriend were watching Charlotte, and all she knew was that they were going to a funeral. Claire got up in front of the small group, hardly anyone, except a few people from the church had come, but a big chunk of the audience was Brian and Justin's friends, no their family, Ted, Blake, Michael, Debbie, Carl, Hunter, Ben, Emmett, Drew, and Cynthia, all there, not for Joan, but for Brian.

"I'm going to need a blow job after this," Brian whispered softly in Justin's ear.

"I'm going to need a rim job," Justin replied, kissing Brian's cheek. "I love you," he said as he turned to look back at Claire, who was dabbing her eye dramtically, as if she had shed tears.

The graveside had even fewer people, though their group remained at full attendance. But as Father Tom finished and almost everyone walked away, Brian approached the coffin, which still hadn't been fully lowered into the ground.

"You know, Saint Joan, I hope you got into your heaven, and I hope you met God, and I hope he told you what a shitty mother you were." Brian's voice didn't change its tone or volume, he sounded as calm and collected as if he chatting about the weather. "But I want to thank you, because of you, I am an amazing father, because I refused to make your mistakes. Though you are the reason I can't tell my husband that I love him as often as I should," at these words, Justin looped his arm around Brian's waist, burying his face in Brian's shoulder. "Still, I am a millionaire because I worked my ass off to make sure I was better than you and Jack. And I have a family that loves me now, and what do you have, in the end you died alone, without anyone, what does that say about us mom, whose the horrible person now?" Justin could hear the bitterness in his partner's voice, and knew he was trying to keep the hurt out. Brian was far too self deprecating to actually believe the words that were coming out of his mouth, Justin picked up Brian's hand with his free hand and kissed it lightly. "This person," Brian said to the coffin, squeezing Justin's shoulder tightly, "This MAN is one of the best things to ever happen to me, he got me to open up so that I can love others more fully, he got me to trust, and feel, and I'm sorry, Mom, but there is no way this is a sin. When I'm with him and our children, it's as close to heaven as I can imagine." He kissed, a slightly shocked, Justin deeply, pulling him into a hug. Brian had said things like that, but never like that, never that gently. Justin looked over Brian's shoulder and his eyes widened at the two men standing slightly off to the side,

"Bri," he whispered, Brian separated and saw Justin looking pass him, he followed his gaze to the men.

"Fuck," he muttered. The men were in their late twenties, their hands were securely linked in a way that Brian and Justin knew was a way that one of them was drawing strength from the other. They held hands like that often. Justin pulled him slightly, as they headed to the other men, the most familiar of the two looked around nervously as though expecting an ambush.

"Give him a chance," the other man murmured, he was blonde, with soft blue eyes. The other held a resemblance to his uncle that hadn't been their when the kid was twelve.

"Hello, John," Brian greeted, the sharp edge gone from his voice to be replaced with surprised and maybe a little bit of amusement.

"This is what Claire meant," Justin claimed, "She said the apple didn't fall far from the tree when I told her Joan took money and agreed to never see Brian again." Brian looked at him before looking back at John,

"Well she didn't take money, but she did tell me if I ever came in her house again she'd call the cops." Every man but John flinched slightly,

"I'm Justin, we didn't ever really get properly introduced before," Justin held out his hand to Brian's nephew. He may have been a shit, but being kicked out by your parents is never fun.

"That's entirely my fault," John said as he took Justin's hand, shaking it, "and I don't think I ever apologized for that, not that I will ever deserve your forgiveness, but I truly am sorry. I was scared shitless seeing all your…stuff, because I liked it and—"

"John, being raised by your mother and having to deal with your grandmother, is punishment enough I think," Brian said, and Justin nearly beamed with pride. John smiled in relief and turned to his partner,

"This is Matt," Justin smiled warmly and held out his hand, which the other blonde took, smiling in reply. "Matt this is my Uncle Brian and his husband,"

"Nice to meet you both," Matt said, shaking Brian's hand as well.

"So how have you been, other than your bitch of a mother," Brian asked, intertwining his hand with Justin's.

"I'm a graphic designer, work a lot with websites and ad agencies, funny enough. I'm doing well for myself, and I have you to thank for that." John admitted to Brian,

"What do you mean?"

"You were successful, and knowing you were gay and how you grew up, I realized I didn't have to be defined by my circumstance, so thank you,"

"Damn, I didn't know I was so awesome," Brian smirked while Justin swatted him,

"Yes you did." He replied, they met eyes and Brian saw the question and nodded, "Our son, Gus is turning 18 and we are having a party for him Saturday, we'd love if you could join us. 5 minutes isn't enough to catch up on 15 years. And you can meet our daughter, Charlotte." John's eyes burst with relief and hope and he smiled happily,

"We would love to!" he claimed, looking over at Matt who was smirking smugly.

"Follow us to the car and we'll give you the address," Brian motioned as they started toward the car. "Hey, did Joan know you're gay?" John nodded,

"Yep, she asked me if you really had molested me and 'infected' me." Matt and Justin both scowled,

"God I'm glad she's dead." Matt hissed,

"If she wasn't I'd kill her," Justin growled. Brian smirked at John,

"I see it runs in the family, having a thing for fiery blondes," John chuckled.

"So it would seem," he replied, pecking his boyfriend on the lips. Justin watched as Brian and John talked, smiling and comfortable, despite their history, time removed anger and hurt. And Justin knew Brian felt for John having to deal with being kicked out, as he had taken in another displaced youth that had been kicked out. Justin was happy for them, it was good to know not all Brian's biological family were hateful. Sometimes the apple landed right next to the tree, and sometimes it fell so far that it landed under another tree with apples that accepted, and loved it. Justin rolled his eyes at his own thought and kissed Brian lightly as they walked. Brian smiled at him, throwing his arm over Justin's shoulder.

"I love you," he whispered in Justin's ear and Justin smiled,

"I love you too."

Ok hate the ending I felt it was rushed and lame… Please review anyway. Please. I need them, please. I'm going through withdrawl. Thank you. School is almost over so HOPEFULLY, I'll be able to write more and can get the next chapter out faster. Teaser: Gus and Charley are in a car crash… Thank you all for reading and review *heart*