Chapter 8 – Condo tour
Sunday evening, August 6, 2006
Brian was at his new condo in New York. He'd been unpacking for a couple of hours and listening to the radio. A song came on that he stopped to listened to. It was Billy Joel's 'You're my Home'.
When you look into my eyes and you see the crazy gypsy in my soul
it always comes as a surprise when I feel my withered roots begin to grow.
Well I never had a place that I could call my very own
but that's all right my love cuz you're my home.
When you touch my weary head and you tell me everything will be all right.
You say use my body for your bed and my love will keep you warm throughout the night.
Well I'll never be a stranger and I'll never be alone
wherever we're together that's my home.
Home could be the Pennsylvania turnpike, Indiana's early morning dew
high up in the hills of California, home is just another word for you.
Well I never had a place that I could call my very own
but that's all right my love cuz you're my home.
If I travel all my life and I never get stop and settle down
long as I have you by my side there's a roof above and good walls all around.
You're my castle, you're my cabin and my instant pleasure dome.
I need you in my house cuz you're my home … you're my home.
He felt the words go through him and reach his heart. It was how he felt about Justin. There never had been and never would be anyone that he loved and needed as much as Justin.
Just as the song ended there was a buzz from the intercom.
He gathered himself and answered it, "Yeah?"
Justin's voice replied, "Hey, Brian. It's me."
"Come on up." Brian buzzed him in.
A few minutes later Justin was knocking at the door. Brian let him in and they kissed and hugged their hellos.
Justin looked around the condo. The last time he saw it, about a week before, it was mostly unfurnished and pretty barren. Now it was properly furnished with the stuff from the loft and had the details added to make it distinctly 'Brian' in its design. "Wow. The place looks great. I see you have the Mies Van Der Rohe coffee table and the naked man painting. It's like being back at the loft… well, sorta."
"I didn't move everything from the loft. I gave some pieces to the Vic Grassi house. I might get a new entertainment center console. I'm still thinking about that. But, anyway, you like it?"
"It's great, Brian." Justin hugged him and they kissed.
"I ordered in for dinner. It should be here in about half an hour."
"Sounds great."
Dinner was delivered and they sat down for a nice meal. During dinner they talked about living in New York and all of the challenges that go with it. But, both agreed that, for them, it was worth it.
After dinner was cleaned up, they sat on the couch and looked out the window at the city skyline.
"You have a beautiful view here." Justin remarked.
Brian looked at Justin, seeing the city lights sparkle in the young man's blue eyes. "I think so."
Justin returned his gaze and then blushed a little. "You know what I mean." He put his head on Brian's shoulder.
Brian inquired, "So, you've been living here a year, working and making your way. Do you feel you've proven that you can make it on your own? I do, but I wonder how you feel about it."
"Oh, yeah. I worked as a waiter enough to pay my way, until the art took off. I've sold a good number of paintings this year, which allowed me to put some money in the bank. The new agent has already sold two pieces for me. Things are going well."
"And, the important thing, I think, is that it was all you … proving to yourself that you could do it."
"With some emotional support from the man I love."
Brian turned and kissed Justin. "I'm so proud of you."
"Am I the best homosexual I can be?"
"More so now than when I told you that right before you left Pittsburgh."
They kissed again and sat and looked out the window again for a few minutes.
Brian sighed. "So, d'you like the condo?"
"It's great here. You should be very happy."
Brian looked intently at Justin. "I'd be happier if you'd live here with me."
"Really? This isn't exactly the home of a starving artist." Justin said, smiling.
"You're not starving. You're doing too well selling pieces for that. You've proven that you can make it on your own, so, now be with me again. Every day…" Brian nuzzled Justin's neck and kissed it. "And every night."
"Mmm, that sounds good." Justin replied with a smile on his face. He turned to Brian and stroked his cheek. "OK. I'll move in. Having you with me all of the time will make my dreams come true. Finally, together again."
"We have been together, but now we can do it officially under one roof." Brian observed, smiling.
"One home."
"You're my home. I can't imagine being here without you."
They kissed and embraced.
Justin thought of something, "I should make sure Regina has a new roommate to share the rent with her. I don't want to leave her out on a limb."
Brian nodded. "Sure. She's been great. You can continue to pay your half of her rent until she finds another roommate. … whether you're living here or there."
"She might be able to find someone pretty quickly. We know enough artists and we're always in a state of transition." Justin chuckled. "She'll be able to find someone, I think." He thought for a few seconds and then said, "When I'm not chipping in for her anymore, I want to be able to pay my way around here. I don't want to live here without feeling like I'm contributing."
"I understand. Partners again. We can set up a joint checking account and both put money in for the mortgage." Brian stood up and pulled at Justin's hands. "There's something I want to show you."
"I'll bet." Justin said with a knowing smile.
"Not that. Well, yes to that, but later. But, no, something else." He pulled Justin over to a curtain hanging on a wall in the living room. Brian opened the curtain to reveal a sliding door. He opened the door and flipped on the light, then stood aside for Justin to see what lay within.
As Justin entered, he couldn't believe his eyes. It was a studio. It had the same high ceilings as the rest of the condo with a little exposed ductwork. The walls were white and there was a work table set up at along one wall. There was a huge window that would let in morning light. There were shelves stocked with art supplies. An easel and blank canvas sat in front of the window.
"Oh, my god, Brian! This is incredible! I didn't even know this room was here."
"The listing said that this was a large storage room, but I thought it was a pretty good sized studio. I asked George to help me get it set up with the right supplies. He and I went shopping this week. If you still want to share your studio space with him, that's fine, but I also wanted you to have a space at home."
"It's amazing! I don't know what to say. … If I have this space I probably won't need to share the other studio with George." Justin threw his arms around Brian's neck and kissed him. "Thank you so much."
Brian gave one of his sexy grins. "You can thank me later, over and over again." He began kissing Justin's cheek, ear and neck.
Justin smiled and then looked around the room again. There was a small covered canvas on the window sill. "What's this?"
"Something I worked on this week." Brian said.
"You … painted something …?"
"Just look and see."
Justin uncovered the canvas and gasped when he saw it. On top of a painted background the words "Marry Me" were written. A red ribbon hung to one side with two rings tied with a bow.
"Brian, I …"
"We're together in the same city finally. We have this place to live. We love each other. Let's get married."
"I wasn't expecting this." Justin was stunned.
Brian smiled sweetly. "Well, fucking unbelievable is a trademark of my proposals."
Justin looked intently into Brian's eyes. He could see the love there. He knew Brian was sincere. "Yes, I'll marry you."
They kissed and held each other tightly. They were ready this time. They both knew they were established in New York and it could be home for their new life together.
Justin untied the rings from the canvas. "Are these the same rings?"
"I never returned them. I'd always hoped we'd be able to use them." Brian slipped the smaller of the two rings on Justin's finger. Justin took the other ring and put it on Brian's finger. They kissed and hugged again.
Justin's head was filled with so many questions. "Shall we get married here? Or back in Pittsburgh?"
"I had a thought about that. I'm due for a vacation. I haven't taken any time off from work for months, unless you count that fabulous Halloween weekend in Canada." Justin crinkled his nose and shook his head. Brian smiled and continued. "You just sold your last piece from that gallery show. What do you say we go away and get married on a beach somewhere?"
"Like where?"
"Hawaii? Ibiza? Greece?"
"That all sounds wonderful! Ibiza? Actually go?"
"I've never been there. I've heard it's nice. Homo heaven."
"Won't our family and friends be PO'd if we go away to get married?"
"We can renew our vows and have a ceremony and reception in Pittsburgh right after we get back."
"You'd actually marry me twice?" Justin smiled.
Brian got a very serious look on his face. "I've proposed three times. I'd marry you one hundred times." He kissed Justin, sweetly at first, then with more passion.
Justin pulled back. "Let's break in that bedroom, shall we?" They kissed. "Then later, the studio."
"Then the living room… the kitchen…" Brian said as he pulled Justin toward the bedroom.
After the first round of lovemaking that evening Brian and Justin showered together, trying out the new walk in shower. Brian was soaping Justin's back when he leaned over to say something that had been on his mind. "You realize that we've been exclusive for about five months now?"
"Mmmm hmmm."
"We should get tested again soon, so that we can confirm that we can …"
"Do it raw? Oh, god, Brian. Let's do that before we get married."
"Let's do it before the week is out." Brian leaned down and captured Justin's lips in a passionate kiss.
Justin's mind reeled at all of the events of that evening and he gave himself utterly and completely to Brian.