Chapter Six: A New Family Dynamic

"This is all so unreal", Michael says. "First that Mel and Lindsey are gone, then we have children to raise and now they give us the gift of being able to have more kids."

Justin agrees. "They were always so good to me. They gave me a couch to sleep on when I needed it. They encouraged my art even when I was ready to give it up. They just accepted me into the family so quickly."

"They did that because they felt guilty that I was such a prick. Lindsey always felt it was her responsibility to take care of me and by default you too."

"I don't care. I just feel fortunate to of had them in my life."

Ted finally speaks. "I think we can all agree on that. They did a lot for all of us at one time or another."

Jennifer looks in and notices that the lawyer is gone, so she comes back in with Gus. He runs over to Justin, "Thanks Daddy!"

Justin is floored that Gus called him daddy so quickly. "For what Gus?"

"For getting me a real grandma. I always wanted one. She's even gonna bake me snickadoodles." Gus never really spent time with Lindsey's parents except when they moved in for a week. Lindsey was so upset by that stay that Gus had never seen them again.

Brian is very relieved that Gus is bonding with Justin and Jennifer. He hopes this will help him deal with Lindsey and Melanie's passing a little better.

Brian wants to forget about everything that happened and get out of there. "Thanks for everything Mikey, but we better get going. We have some shopping to do, right Justin?"

"Yeah, we need to get Gus some things. Hey, maybe we can rent a truck tomorrow and go to Toronto, to pick up all of Gus and JR's things. You guys can decide if there is anything else that should be kept, then the rest can be donated to charity.

Mom, maybe you and Debbie could watch the kids for us."

"Sure sweetie, I can do that. How about you Deb?"

"I hate to be Debbie downer, but I don't think you guys should be going anywhere until you have wills of your own."

"MA, what the fu…, sorry kids in the room. What are you talking like that for?"

"Honey, I'm just being realistic. These kids just got all new parents and those parents all leave together on a road trip. What if… God forbid, something happens?"

"She's right" Ben concurs, 'maybe just two of us should go. Justin and I can handle it. We'll call a moving company to help. We can call you guys with any questions. Brian, you and Gus can stay with Michael and JR while we're gone."

"Okay, whatever, I don't really care," Brian says.

"We might have to stay overnight. It's a long trip. Can you survive without me old man", Justin quips.

"I went two month without you. That was agony, but one night I think I can handle. I'm not a total pansy you know. Especially since I know you're coming back this time." Justin slides his arm around Brian's neck and gives him a peck on the cheek, which of course Brian turns into with his lips and makes Justin quiver.

"I know", Emmett says, "We can have a slumber party. It will be just the guys, with no partners. We can give each other facials. Oooh and we can decide how to decorate Gus' new room. Won't that be fun Gus? You're going to have a new room in a really big house."

"Aren't we a little old for slumber parties Em?"

"Are we still queers Teddy? Then we're never too old."

"You guys have got to be fu…"

"BRIAN, you have got to watch your language, now that we're going to have a child around full time."

"Are you kidding? What I say is nothing compared to the sh.., I mean crap I heard from my dad, talking to my face."

"I thought you didn't want to be like your father."

"Maybe I should take Gus back outside." Jennifer asks Debbie if she would like to join them and they go out back.

"I don't want to be like my fucking father, but are you trying to tell me that I can't ever curse. That's bullshit. That's like telling me I can't be queer. I don't think your ass would like that very much."

"Grow up old man. I know you're upset about Lindsey, but you don't need to take it out on me."

"I'm not taking it out on you, you little twat. I just want to know how you think I can stop swearing."

I don't think you can, and I would never ask you to, completely. I just don't think you want to get called into a principal's office because your son says he was just repeating what Daddy says at home."

"Okay, shit, you've made your point."

"Have I, do you think you can watch what you say, just when Gus is within earshot?"

"What choice do I have? I never liked getting sent to the principal's office when I was a kid and that was a lot, so I don't want my son to go through that. I'm not promising anything though. You're probably going to have to call me on it a few hundred times before it works."

"I can do that." Justin wraps his arm around Brian's waist. "So, did I just win our first fight as husband and wife? I can't believe it."

"Don't get used to it. That'll never happen again, and every time I win you'll have to think of new ways to make it up to me in the bedroom."

"I'll make a mental note."

"Good, not would you stop all this fucking around. Let's get Gus, get in the damn fucking car, go to the fucking shithole mall and buy some fucking clothes, before you fucking leave me alone with my son for two whole fucking days, while I deal with all the obituary and eulogy shit. Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, damn and fuck!"

Alright old man, did you get it all out of your system?"

"For now, I suppose. I do however think that we may need to sound proof the wall s to our bedroom, so I have somewhere to let it all out. I also wouldn't want Gus to go to school and tell all his friends how he heard his daddies going at it all night. Shit, having a kid full time is going to be fucking tough."

"And we'll handle it together, so everything will be fine. I'll go get Gus."

Next up is Chapter Seven: A Trip to the Mall

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

I'm not sure when this story will end. I'm trying to find a good way to have closure for the story but am finding it difficult. At some point I may just shut it down, like a cliffhanger finale for a show that winds up getting canceled at the last minute. We'll see how it goes.