Chapter 13

"Hey Lindsay, It's Justin," Justin said into the phone. "Just wanted to see when a good time to pick Gus up would be."

Lindsay laughed. "That was quick, but we're at Michael's, whenever you want to stop by. I'm really happy that you and Brian want to spend so much time with him."

"Brian would never let me tell you but he loves Gus so much. It's amazing how much he has changed."

"All thanks to you," Lindsay said.

Justin smiled and bit his lip. "You really think so?"

"Are you kidding me? Even in college, he was pretty much a heartless shit. But ever since he met you, it's like he became a whole new person."

"Well it took him long enough." Justin recalled the first time Brian said that he didn't believe in love and just believed in fucking. Then his mind raced to the night of the bombing at Babylon when Brian finally told Justin that he loved him. But it was worth it, he thought.

"Well that's Brian for you. Anyways, we are here, so come on by when you're not too busy."

In the background, Justin heard the sound of the shower. Knowing perfectly well what was going to happen in the next few moments, he responded "give us about an hour," before saying bye and hanging up.

Justin quickly stripped out of his sweat pants and hurried to the bathroom. He stopped right outside of the shower and studied Brian, who had his hands on his face, wiping away the water falling down on him. Justin stood in awe before he heard Brian's voice. "Are you just going to stand there all day or come join me?"

Justin smirked and happily obliged. He stepped in behind Brian, letting the warm water hit his body. Wrapping his hands around Brian's waste, Justin left a trail of kisses on the back of Brian's neck and shoulders. "What did Lindsay say?" Brian asked, turning around and grabbing the soap. He began to wash Justin's chest slowly, taking his time.

"They're over at Michael's. Linz said to stop by anytime to pick up Gus."

"I hope they aren't expecting us that soon." Brian kissed Justin, letting his lips linger on Justin's before pulling back.

"I said about an hour," Justin grinned and licked his lips. "That should be enough time right? I mean we don't want them thinking that we weren't serious."

"Well then I guess it's just as well," Brian said before crashing his lips into Justin's again.

Brian and Justin pulled up to the Novotny-Bruckner house. Before having the chance to get out of the car, the front door flew open and Gus came barreling out. "Daddy!" he exclaimed.

Brian got out of the car as quickly as possible and ran to meet his son. He laughed as he picked Gus up and twirled him around in his arms. "Hey sonny boy," he said.

"Hi daddy." Gus smiled and peered over Brian's shoulder to see Justin come up behind them. "Hi Justin!"

"Hey Gus," Justin said, ruffling Gus's short hair. "Did you have fun today?"

"We went to the park," Gus stated. By this time, Melanie and Lindsay appeared on the front porch, both smiling graciously.

Brian walked Gus to the house and Justin followed. "Gus has been going on all day about how he couldn't wait to spend more time with you," Melanie said, looking pleasantly surprised.

"Is that so?" Brian asked Gus.

"Yes," Gus responded, hugging his small arms around Brian's neck.

"Well we better get going then!" Brian let Gus down.

"Not without saying hello to everyone," Lindsay instructed, "Michael is waiting."

The group followed Lindsay and Gus inside the house. Michael was on the living room floor, playing with JR while Ben was in the kitchen cooking.

"Hey guys!" Michael greeted, not taking his eyes off of his daughter.
"Don't mind him," Melanie teased. "He's so infatuated with her. They've been playing for hours."

"I'm sorry! I can't help it!" Michael said, standing up and walking over to Brian. He gave Brian a hug and the two men shared a quick kiss.

"Hello to you too Mikey," Brian said, raising his eyebrows.

"Geez, I feel like I never see you guys anymore." Michael turned to give Justin a hug as well.

"It certainly feels that way." Brian rolled his eyes. JR let out a cry and Michael ran back over to her.

"Hey guys," Ben said, coming from the kitchen. "You staying for dinner?"

"Actually, we were planning on taking Gus out to dinner," Brian said. He turned to Lindsay and Melanie before continuing. "That's if it's okay with the munchers." He smiled.

"Brian," Melanie and Lindsay said simultaneously. They both laughed.

"Remind me to shoot myself if we ever start doing that," Brian whined, nuzzling his head on Justin's shoulder.

"Whatever you say, dear," Justin said. "But we do want to take Gus out, if it's okay."

"I think you spoil him too much," Melanie said.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," Lindsay sighed. "Just make sure he eats something somewhat healthy."
"What do you say Gus?" Justin asked.

"Yay, yay, yay." Gus jumped up and down.

"Gus, sweetie, why don't you go get your things," Lindsay said. Gus nodded and bolted up the stairs babbling to himself.

"He's looking more and more like his father every day," Lindsay noted, putting a hand around Brian. Justin and Melanie rejoined Michael in the living room.

"Don't ruin the moment," Brian said.

"You know, you're not a terrible father. No matter what you may think."

Brian rolled his eyes and smirked. "What did Justin say to you?"

"What makes you think Justin said anything?" Lindsay asked. Brian gave Lindsay a disapproving look. Lindsay smiled back. "Okay! So he may have mentioned that you love Gus quite a lot."

"That little twat," Brian said, biting his lips.

"There's nothing wrong with admitting that you love your son."

"Except for the fact that I'm turning into the one thing I despise the most."

Lindsay laughed. "What? A good person?"

"I'm ready," Gus said, coming down the stairs with his belongings before Brian had a chance to respond. He looked down at his son and without warning, felt a sharp pain in his stomach. He had realized that this was going to be his last night with Gus before he went back to Canada the next day.

Brian cleared his throat. "Alright Gus, what do you say we get out of here," he said with a weak smile.

"Okay," Gus replied, going to the door and putting on his shoes.

"When did he learn to tie his shoes?" Brian asked.

"A few months ago," Lindsay said. "He's getting very good at it too." Brian frowned. "Brian, what's the matter?"

"I just wish I had been there for that."

Lindsay gave Brian a kiss. "You are now and that's what matters."

"It's not enough. I want to be there for him always."

"You will be, or have you forgotten that you are stuck with him all summer?"

Brian smiled. "Justin, we're leaving. You ready Gus?"

Gus nodded. Brian watched Gus put his jacket on and open the door.

"Someone's in a rush," Justin said, giving Brian a kiss. Gus danced around outside on the lawn while the adults said their goodbyes.

"I just don't wanna miss out on anything." Brian said, walking out the door, his hands around Justin. Justin smiled as Brian pulled him in for a kiss.

"Brian-" Justin started.

"I love you and Gus and that's all that matters." Brian cut Justin off and kissed him again. Justin wanted to ask where this was coming from but stopped himself. Instead he just smiled and gave Brian a big hug. Whatever you said in there Lindsay, he thought, thank you.

Hope you liked it! New chapter to be up soon! REVIEW PLEASE! :)