A/N: OK this is my first Queer as Folk FanFic. I do not own QAF or anything to do with it except this story Idea. Anyways some characters maybe a little OOC but I am tryin to keep them in character as possible. Also sorry if Debbie isn't true to her charactrer I am working an angel here she's sentimental in this chapter I'll work harder at making her herself after this. Again I am sorry I it's how she turnedout in this chapter. I finally got a beta Mirrorsandglitter. Thank you for your help I think I got all the mistakes.

Chapter 7: Old Habits Die Hard

The sun shone through the window across the room. The sun was barely up and everything was tranquil. Justin and Brian both lay sleeping in bed wearing nothing but pajama pants, on Justin's insistence and Gus' knack for running in on them in the morning.

The silence was shattered by the cry of Gus. "Daaaaaaaadddddy!" he screamed as he ran into Brian and Justin's room. The small boy jumped up onto the bed. "Daddy," he said as he began jumping up and down. "Wake up, wake up," he said.

Brian slowly sat up part way to look at Gus. "Hey there Sonny Boy," he said. He grabbed Gus and stopped the hyperactive child from jummping anymore.

"Hey Gus," Justin said sitting up. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the small boy.

"Mommy said it's time to get up," Gus said looking from Brian to Gus.

"It's Saturday," Brian said. He let go of Gus and laid back down. He closed his eyes and pretended to go back to sleep. Gus frowned and jumped on Brian.

"But daddy you promised to have a cook out with me and gramma Debbie is coming and everything," Gus said. Brian sat up and looked at Gus shocked. He hadn't invited Debbie. Dinner was at hers tonight there was no way he was putting up with her twice, unless this meant he didn't have to go her place tonight.

"Who invited Debbie?" Justin asked.

"I did, mommy said it would be nice to see her and everyone again so I asked her if we could invite them," Gus said proudly. "I called gramma Debbie and she said she would be here after noon," he said.

"I guess we have to get up now," Justin said.

"Come on mommy said we gott go shopping to get the stuff for everybody," Gus said pulling on Brian's arm.

"Fine go tell you mommy, we'll be down in a few," Justin said. Gus's face lit up with a smile and he ran from the room. Justin smiled as he looked at the doorway for a moment. Gus was definitely a joy to have around.

"Looks like you're going shopping," Justin said with a grin. Brian groaned and fell back on to the bed.

"You know Sunshine if I'm going down I'm taking you with me," Brian said.

"No, I have a show in two weeks and I still have paintings to do," Justin said.

"What's one Saturday with the family?" Brian asked as he stood up and walked to the adjoining bathroom.

"Fine but that means I'll be working late tonight," Justin said as he followed Brian.


Michael yawned as he made his way down to the kitchen. Ben and Hunter were already up and eating when he arrived.

"Morning," Hunter said.

"Morning," Michael yawned as he grabbed a box of cereal. He grabbed a bowl and set it on the counter and filled his bowl. He yawned again as he put the box away and went to the refrigerator to get the milk.

"So are we going to Brian and Justin's for lunch then?" Ben asked.

"Is that today?" Michael asked.

"Can you pull yourself away from your comic books long enough to join us?" Hunter asked teasingly. Michael turned around to look at Hunter. He was still a kid in so many ways, yet he wasn't.

"Yes, I can," MIchael said, "I actually need to talk to Justin anyways," he said.

"The next issue of Rage?" Hunter asked. Michael nodded as he sat down at the kitchen table with his bowl of cereal.

"Isn't Justin supposed to meet you at the store?" Ben asked.

"I'll call and cancel and tell him I'll see him at his place for lunch," Michael said. He started eating. The last week had been nice. Everything was calm and for once peaceful. Michael loved having JR back and Justin was back and they could actually communicate face to face now. Everything was going great actually, so why was Michael waiting for things to fall apart? He knew better by now, good things never lasted. He had known Brian for too long to trust all this good luck. He knew Ben would think he was being silly, but Michael knew better.

He sighed and continued eating. He tried to shake the feeling of dread he was having. He couldn't help but think something bad was about to happen.

"I was talking to Melanie the other day and she said I could babysit sometimes," Hunter said.

"Did she now?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, I asked and she said yes as long as I knew what I was doing and I assured her you two would fill me in," Hunter said.

"I don't see a problem if you wanna watch her," Ben said.

"Me either," Michael said. JR was another worry of his. He was constantly worrying about her, but that was his job as a father. He loved JR almost as much as Brian loved Gus. JR was his daughter something he had never even thought would happen. He had never thought about having a kid until Melanie and Lindsey asked him. He had been scared at first, until he laid eyes on her. That changed everything. JR changed everything for him and Ben. They now had a kid to care for, once she got older. He, Melanie, and Lindsey had reached that agreement now. Once she was old enough she would spend equal time in both house and it worked better now that they were moving back.

Michael finished eating and decided to give Justin a call.


"Glad you two could join us," Lindsey said as Brian and Justin walked into the kitchen together.

"You invited everybody?" Brian asked.

"I had to once I invited Debbie, Gus wanted to see Michael and so in the end I invited Emmet and Drew, Ted and Blake, and Justin's mom and sister adn Tucker," Lindsey said.

"That last one was my idea actually," Justin said raising his hand slightly.

"Great why didn't you tell me," Brian asked looking from Justin to Lindsey.

"I thought Justin would've told you," Lindsey said.

"I have an art show in two weeks and I have no art to show," Justin said, "my mind is else where most of the time," he said. It was true he did have a show in two weeks and he had yet to finish his paintings. On top of that he was worrying about his dad and brother. His and Brian's search last night had proved to be somewhat helpful. They had found out Harry still lived in Harrisburg like Jenifer had said. He was a lawyer with his brother at a firm that had a branch here. "Where's Mel?" he asked Lindsey.

"Out back with the kids," Lindsey said.

"I'll be right back," Justin said. He ran to the patio door and outside. He spotted Melanie and the two kids in the back yard. Gus was playing with JR while Melanie watched. He walked over to Melanie. "Hey Mel," he said.

"Hey Justin," Melanie said turning to look at him.

"I have a question," Justin said.

"What?" Melanie asked curiously.

"Brian and I did some research on my father and we found out he's a lawyer at a firm in Harrisburg that is a branch of your old firm," Justin said.

"I'm going back to work there next week and you're wondering if I maybe met him?" Melanie asked. Justin nodded. "What's his name," she asked.

"Harry Holder," Justin said trying not to sound hopeful.

"Harry," Melanie said, "no," she said after a moment, "I do know a Neil Holder though," she said.

"He works with his brother," Justin said.

"How do you know this?" Melanie asked.

"Brian and I found an article on my dad saying he was set to be New York's next big thing years ago, but gave it up to go to law school and work with his brother," Justin said, "He was an amazing artist why he gave it up I'll never know," he said.

"You've seen some of his works?" Melanie asked shocked.

"I knew I had heard his name before," Justin said, "My publicist had showed me some of his work he said i reminded him of him," Justin said.

"I can give you Neil's address and phone if you want," Melanie said. "I don't know if he's related to Harry or not but it's worth a shot right," she said. Justin nodded.

"That would be great," Justin said, "Later though Brian and I have to go and get the food for today," he said. Melanie nodded and looked over at Gus and JR. "Gus wanna help Daddy shop?" Justin asked. Gus turned around and looked at Justin.

"Can I?" he asked Melanie.

"If it's alright with you mom," she said. Gus ran past Melanie and Justin and inside. Melanie shook her head and walked over to JR. Justin smiled and turned around. He headed inside.

"Please can I go?" Gus begged.

"If it's alright with Bri-your dad," Lindsey said.

"Alright Sonny Boy let's go," Brian said. He picked Gus up and started for the garage.

"Wait where's Jus'n he has to come too," Gus said looking around for Justin.

"I'm right here," Justin said. He ran over to Gus and Brian. The three headed out to the garage. The decided against Brian's car and took Justin's black jeep. Justin had saved enough money and finally bought his own car. He bought the jeep because it reminded him of the one BRian had when they first met.


Emmet looked around his room. It was so bare now that he had finally packed everything away. He was moving out of Debbie's to live with Drew. It was what he wanted, but he wasn't sure he wanted to leave just yet. He would miss having Debbie around.

"Em, hon your welcome to visit anytime you know that," Debbie said scarring him. Emmet jumped and placed a hand over his heart.

"You scared me," he said, "and I know I'm just gonna miss having you around," he said walking over to Debbie.

"And I'm gonna miss you, but you're only moving across town it's not like you're moving across the fuckin' counrty," Debbie said tearing up, "it's only across town," she said. She walked over to Emmet and hugged him. Emmet smiled and placed his arms around her in a hug. He was definately gonna miss Debbie, crudeness and all.

"I know Deb, I know," Emmet said. Debbie let go of him and took a step back. "I have to go but I'll see you at Brian's later right?" he asked.

"Of course Gus wants to see me," Debbie said, "I don't want to disappoint the kid, he adores me," she said smiling to herself.

"Well alright I'll see you in a few hours then," Emmet said. He turned and left. He walked down the hall and down the stairs to Drew who was waiting for him.

"You ready?" Drew asked.

"I think so," Emmet said looking around.

"Em don't forget to call," Debbie called, "Or I'll just have to come over and make sure your phone works," she added.

"Will do Deb don't worry," he said, "If there's a problem I'm only a phone call away," he said as Debbie appeared at the top of the stairs.

"And you better take care of him or I'll chop off..." Debbie began.

"I am definately gonna miss you Deb," Emmet cut her off. Debbie looked at Emmet for a moment before smiling.

"Ok we're leaving," Emmet said. He grabbed Drew's hand and pulled him to the door. With one final wave to Debbie he left. This wasn't goodbye, yet for some reason it felt like it was. He knew he was being silly he was going to see her and the other in just a few short hours. He walked back to Drew's SUV and got in the passenger seat. Dew got in on the other side. He looked back at Debbie's house as Drew drove away. He didn't mind leaving though, becuase he knew Drew was worth it.


Brian looked around his back yard which was now filled with his family and friends that he considered his family. He watched Hunter play with Molly, Gus, and JR. Michael and Ben were talking with Melanie and Lindsey. Debbie was talking with Jenifer and Tucker. Emmet and Drew were talking to Ted and Blake. There was one person missing though, Justin. He looked around but saw no sign of him.

"Looking for someone?" a voice asked from behind him. Brian turned around and looked down at Justin.

"This is an odd bunch," Brian said as he looked out into the backyard.

"Yeah, well you can't choose your family," Justin said.

"Family?" Brian asked. He liked how that sounded. It was true they were a family, all of them. THey had all grown so close over the last few years and now that Justin and Melanie and Lindsey were back things were looking up.

"Do you ever get the feeling that something bad is gonna happen?" Justin asked as he leaned against the rail next to grill as Brian grilled.

"Sometimes, but old habits die hard," Brian said as he flipped a burger.

"I guess," Justin said. '

"Hey Justin come here," Michael yelled. Justin looked up and saw Michael waving him over.

"Gotta go don't burn the food," Justin said as he stood up. Brian nodded once. Justin left him and walked over to Michael who was with Ben, Melanie and Lindsey.

Brian watched everyone. Things had just fallen into place somehow. He didn't know how, but he wasn't going to ask how. He knew better than to question things. He had learned to just go with things and see where they'd take him. As much as he hated it Justin had changed him. He was no longer the man he was that night he first laid eyes on Justin Taylor. He was very different, he was a man who loved his family.

"Daddy is the food done yet?' Gus asked as he pulled on Brian's pants leg. Brian looked down at Gus and smiled.

"Almost Sonny Boy," he said. He reached down and ruffeled Gus's hair affectionately.

"I'm hungry," Gus whined.

"I'm almost done," Brian said. Gus ran over to play with JR, Hunter, and Molly again. Brian smiled and shook his head. Gus had such a short attention span. He finished grilling and brought the food over to the picnic table and called everyone over. Justin walked over to him as everyone started making their plates.

"THis turned out pretty good didn't it?" Justin asked.

"Yeah for a last minute thing," Brian said.

"I never doubted you Mr. Kinney," Justin said playfully as he made himself a plate of food. Brian decided to make a plate as well. Everyone sat around enjoying each others company talking and laughing. Brian had never been in a more relaxed enviroment. Justin sat down next to Brian. "This is family," he said.

"An odd one but a family none the less," Brian agreed.

"Hey Bri i think I got to much ketchup on my hotdog," Justin said pushing his hotdog under Brian's nose. "What do you think?" he asked.

"Get it away," Brian said looking at the hotdog like it was evil incarniate.

"Make me," Justin said. Brian tried to push Justin's hand away. Justin struggled and pushed it closer to Brain. They struggled for a few seconds before a glop of ketchup fell of Justin's hotdog on to Brian's shirt. Justin froze and suddenly it was dead silent. Everone had seen the struggle and was waiting for Brian to queen out. Justin burst out laughing.

"You think this is funny?" Brian asked. He reached across the table and grabbed the ketchup bottle and squirted some on to Justin's shirt causing everyone to laugh. Brian smirked and stood up. "I am going to go change," he said. He walked into the house.