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Chapter Three

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Michael opens the door. He is the first one to enter, with Ben hot on his heels. Hunter follows, then Brian, and a very nervous Justin brings up the rear.

When Justin enters, the first thing he notices is that there are what seem like a million people there. Then he remembers that there are only fifteen, counting himself, and he feels a little better.

A moment later, a woman's arms are around him, pulling him in a too-tight hug. He steps back, caught by surprise, and can only think that he hopes he isn't percieved as rude. That wouldn't be a good way to meet these new people.

"Guys," says Michael brightly, "this is Justin."

The boy is suddenly aware of everyone's eyes on him. "Hi," he says softly, raising a single hand as if to wave.

Slowly, everyone around Justin begins to recite their names. His head swivels around as he tries to take in all the names and faces until at last, Brian takes pity on him and jerks a thumb at pair of women. "That's Lindsay and Melanie," he explains. "They're dykes. See the kid the blond one's holding? That's Gus, and he's my son, 'cause I donated a little something special. The woman holding him is his bio-mom, Lindsay. Next to her's Melanie, who's holding Jenny. Mikey gave the sperm for that one. Got it so far?"

A little taken aback, Justin nods his head. "Melanie, Lindsay, Gus, Jenny," he recites quietly.

"Good. Fast learner." Without thinking, Brian musses Justin's hair and proceeds. "That's Debbie," he says, indicating an older woman with a man on her arm. "Michael's mom, technically your foster grandma. Guy next to her's Horvath, her boyfriend. They'd be married, except Debbie's all gay-friendly and won't get married 'till we can do it legally."

Justin nods. "Okay. Debbie, Horvath. Not married."

Brian turns to where Hunter is standing with a girl pressed against his chest, kissing his neck. Justin recoils a little, and Brian laughs, noticing. "That's Hunter's girlfriend, Callie. He mentioned her in the car, but it figures you wouldn't remember, 'cause all you got out of that little discussion was the fact that he's bi and most of us are gay." At Justin's gobsmacked expression, Brian shrugs. "No problem with that."

"So this here," he continues, pointing to a group of three men standing together, "is Ted, Emmett, and Blake. Ted's the one who looks like he was a drug addict, 'cause he was, and he's also kind of pathetic." Brian smiles a winning smile. "Next to him's his boyfriend Blake, who was also on drugs but we don't mention that. And the other guy, the one who looks like he'd be more comfortable in drag, that's Emmett."

Taking it all in, Justin is silent.

"And that's everyone!" Brian sweeps an arm out, indicating the entire room. "Any questions?"

"Yes," he says quietly. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Debbie bursts out laughing. "This kid cuts right to the chase, huh? How old are you, sweetie?" she asks Justin more kindly.

"Fifteen."

Brian wrinkles his nose like this is a number he'd rather not have heard. "Come back in two years," he murmurs. Then he sees that Justin overheard, and looks a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."

"No – it's fine," Justin assures him, a tinge of pink appearing on his pale cheeks. "Really. Say whatever you want; I've heard it before."

"Is that good?" Hunter interjects, momentarily releasing himself from Callie's death grip.

Justin deliberates. Interesting question. "Maybe," he says.

Before anything else can be said, Lindsay approaches Justin, Gus in her arms. "Hi," she says brightly, extending Gus toward him like a peace offering. Melanie is hot on Lindsay's heels with Jenny clutching her neck for dear life. "Would you like to hold him?" Lindsay offers.

"Oh – I couldn't," Justin says, clearly upset with having to give this answer. "I'd drop him. I've never held a baby before…"

Gus squirms unhappily. "'M not a baby," he complains. "'M five whole years old." He holds up his palm, fingers outstretched, to demonstrate.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, I know you're not," Justin apologizes, suddenly entranced by the child. "It's just, I've never held anyone so little before, and I don't want to drop you."

Just like that, Gus takes to him. "Mommy," he whines, "let him hold me."

"He likes you," Lindsay informs Justin. "He doesn't like everyone. Here." She holds him out to the boy.

Nervously, Justin takes him.

"Like this." Melanie demonstrates, shifting Jenny off of her shoulder and cradling the baby in her arms. Justin follows suit, holding the boy awkwardly in a position meant for infants half his age.

Gus looks into Justin's eyes, and Justin into his. The older boy then, seemingly out of nowhere, reaches out and strokes Gus' cheek. "You're so adorable," he cooes. "I've never seen anyone so little before – well, except for your sister."

Melanie and Lindsay are in shock. For someone who has never been in contact with babies before, Justin sure knows what he's doing. His treatment and gentle nature to Gus are evidence enough.

"How do you feel about babysitting?" Lindsay asks, watching the exchange.

From his corner that he is sharing with Callie, Hunter grins. "Yes!" he hisses. "Up 'till now, I've been the babysitting choice. Good luck, new kid."

Justin looks around awkwardly. "Sure," he says agreeably. "Do the four of you live with the children's fathers?" he asks after a moment's pause.

"Oh, fuck no," Melanie laughs. "No. Brian and I don't get along, and besides, there are just too many of us. And if we let them live with us, well, then Deb would move in, and Emmett and Ted and Blake, and it'd be madness. No, Lindsay and the kids and I live in Canada – we're just here for the next week – and Brian lives in his ritzy little loft on the other side of town."

Lindsay interjects, "But you'll be staying here. This is Michael and Ben's house – and Hunter's," she adds, catching sight of the look on the other boy's face, "and now it's yours, too."

"Oh," Justin says, clearly surprised. "Okay."

"Food's ready!" Debbie yells from the kitchen. "Come and get it!"

Justin returns Gus to his mothers and walks to the table slowly. By the time he gets there, the only one not yet seated is Horvath, who went outside to take an important phone call. The only empty seats are between Debbie and Emmett and between Brian and Hunter.

And Justin knows that Horvath will want to sit next to Debbie.

Cursing every step he takes, he is seated beside Brian. "Hey, kid," Brian says cheerfully. "Good luck keeping that figure. Deb'll stuff you 'till you pop."

Justin wriggles uncomfortably on his chair. "I don't have a figure," he points out. "I'm too skinny. People tell me that at the center all the time."

"Better too skinny than Lindsay when she's preggers," Brian remarks.

A smack to the side of Brian's head silences him for a moment, and then he turns inquisitively back to Justin. "So, kid," he says, still ignoring the fact that Justin has a name, "tell me your story. How'd you get to the foster center, what other homes have you been in, whatever. I'm in the mood for a story, and not one of Deb's stories about P-FLAG."

Justin quietly sets his fork down on his napkin, having barely taken a bite of Debbie's too-dry chicken, and launches into an explanation.