Brian pulled the loft door open, the words "get lost" on the tip of his tongue, but found himself incapable of speech at the sight before him. Justin's ex-girlfriend was a beautiful light-skinned black woman with crazy curls (though twirled into a bun) and an engaging smile. But she wasn't what shocked him into silence. It was the little girl standing behind her. She had crazy curls, too, but they were shorter, bouncier, and loose. She was holding onto her mother's dress. A little black dress reminiscent of Holly Golightly's. Daphne was even wearing a strand of pearls. The little girl was similarly attired, wearing a red satin dress with a poofy skirt. If nothing else, Justin's ex-girlfriend had taste, or so Brian thought. The little girl was holding onto her mother's dress and peeking up at Brian (from behind her mother's leg). Peeking up at him with crystal blue eyes. After an uncomfortably long pause, Brian recalled himself. He smiled his deal closing smile (he would have used his pick up smile, but he didn't want to overwhelm the girl) and drawled, "You must be Daphne. I'm Brian, Justin's boyfriend."

It might have been Brian's imagination, but he thought he saw Daphne flinch a little at the word boyfriend. If she had, she recovered quickly, replying warmly (with a smile to match), "Nice to meet you, Brian."

Brian turned his deal closing smile on the little girl then and extended his hand. "I'm Brian."

The little girl giggled (as expected) and slid her little hand into his. Then she half-spoke, half-whispered, "I'm Kayla." Brian shook her hand firmly (eliciting another giggle) and said, "Nice to meet you, Kayla."

Then he straightened up and flourished. "Come in. Have a seat. I'll get Justin."

Brian walked to the bedroom and up the stairs, but then stopped. He had no idea what to tell Justin. He didn't want to push Justin into anything, but … those eyes. How could he not recognize them? They'd entranced him that first night in Ian's car, even in the dim light of the street lamps. Justin might not be able to forgive Daphne, might not want to speak to her (and he had every right to feel that way), but... Brian ran his fingers through his hair and looked back toward the living room. Daphne was holding Kayla on her lap, bouncing her up and down. Kayla was smiling brightly, her blue eyes twinkling. Brian shook his head. Just like Sunshine. He sighed and let his hand fall. Then he slid the door to the bedroom open, walked in, and closed it again.

At first, Brian didn't say anything. He just started grabbing clothes from the wardrobe. Then he sat next to Justin on the bed (Justin was still lying there, under the duvet). "Sunshine."

Justin poked his head out from under the duvet. "She gone?"

Brian frowned. "No."

Justin's face was all alarm. "What?"

"You need to get dressed."

Justin shook his head. "No. Brian, I told you …"

Brian sighed. "I know. But she has someone with her that you need to meet."

Justin was genuinely puzzled now. "Who?"

Brian asked softly, "Did you and Daphne ever … ?" He didn't finish. But he didn't have to. The knowing look sufficed.

Justin blushed a bright red. "Uh … well … "

Brian couldn't help but smile at that. He had no clue how it was that Justin could still be embarrassed by sex talk, but he could, and Brian thought it was fucking adorable.

Brian prodded, his voice filled with amusement, his eyes dancing, "Well … "

Justin ran his right hand over his eyes and then through his hair. Finally, after a heavy sigh, he replied, "Just once. We'd agreed to wait until after we were married, but just before prom, she said she thought waiting was dumb. After all, we'd been dating for years, and we were pre-engaged. When the 'big night' arrived, I was a wreck. At first I thought it was just performance anxiety. But then, when she started touching me … (dropping his voice to a whisper) jerking me off … suddenly Chris popped into my head."

Brian stiffened slightly. "Chris?" Justin hadn't told him the name of his attacker, but somehow Brian just knew …

Justin swallowed hard. "The friend (he made air quotes) who bashed me … "

Brian slid his hand over Justin's and threaded their fingers together.

"I thought about Chris the whole time. I barely even looked at Daphne. The next day, I came out to her."

Brian squeezed Justin's hand and said, in a husky whisper, "You need to get dressed."

"You still haven't told me who's with her, and why were you asking me about …" Justin's eyes widened. "Oh God. I got her pregnant?"

TBC…