A/N – Let's play a game with this chapter! There are 5 movie references hidden within the chapter (2 classics from the 80s, 1 stoner classic from the 90s, 1 Disney movie, and 1 movie Gale has been in)…some easier to spot than others! Let's see who can find the most!
"So how did the appointment go?" Lindsey asked.
Everyone grew quiet; you could hear a pin drop at the formerly boisterous table.. On the way back from their appointment, Brian had called Debbie instructing her to round up the gang as they would all be dinning at the finest restaurant in town once the Munchers flew in. Lindsey and Mel would be arriving with the kids at the end of the week and their dinner was planned for the night they arrived. Childcare would be taken care of; this was to be an adult celebration: lots of alcohol and lots of food. Brian had told Debbie in no uncertain terms that everyone was to be there; no excuses.
As they sat towards the back of the dining room of Chez Luis, occupying the largest table in the restaurant, Brian couldn't help but feel particularly content as he scanned the round table. What was once their small rag-tag group of societal misfits had grown in to a much larger family that had long since branched out in many directions. It was getting harder and harder to come together in capacities such as this and Brian had to admit, he missed it. Sure he bitched about the mandatory Sunday dinners all those years ago, but it wasn't hard to see that once he and Justin broke rank and stopped going every week once they had moved, everyone started drifting apart. That sense of security, knowing they would always be there, was gone and Brian found that that idea didn't settle well with him.
Brian turned his attention back to the group who was staring at him and his husband expectantly. The individual conversations they had all been participating in had effectively been abandoned when Lindsey had finally broached the subject they were all dying to discuss.
Justin spoke up. "Well, we didn't actually speak with the doctor this time, but we did see Chrissy, the same nurse who has been with us from the beginning…Deb you would love her." Justin turned to Brian, winking conspiratorially before he continued. "We really should invite her down for dinner or a long weekend or something. She really has been great with us through all of this."
"That she has." Brian grinned. The others were becoming increasingly impatient as Justin skirted the topic at hand.
"Sunshine, the baby…what did they say?" Debbie attempted to redirect.
"Oh, the baby weighs 2.8 ounces and is 4.6 inches long." It was impossible to miss the way the blonde's eyes lit up every time he talked about the baby. When it looked as though Justin was going to continue, everyone leaned closer; their attention wrapped on his every word. "Can you believe the baby already has fingerprints?"
Debbie huffed out a loud breath, pointing her finger at the blonde accusingly. "If either one of you doesn't tell us if that baby is a boy or a girl, I will have your balls before this evening is through."
Brian feigned a look of ignorance. "Deb, we never said we actually found out what the sex is. What if we decided to keep it a surprise?"
Debbie smiled accusingly. "Do not mistake me for an idiot, because that could very well be the last mistake you ever make. If I was even inclined to believe that you actually didn't want to know, the look on all of your faces when you walked in was a dead giveaway. The three of you know and now you are just dicking around with us!" The redhead challenged.
Justin looked to Brian and then to Daphne who nodded her head. Bringing his attention back to their group, the blonde scanned the anxious faces that were fixated on him; his heart was beating rapidly in his chest almost as wildly as it had been at the clinic days earlier. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He wanted to shout their news from the tallest building in the city but for some reason, he was suddenly seemed incapable of forming coherent sentences.
Seeing his husband's unusual struggle with speech at this very inopportune moment, Brian couldn't help but grin at the irony. Snaking his arm around the blonde's shoulders he pulled him in to his side; without hesitation, he stepped in. "We're having a boy."
The noise that followed was indescribable and so loud, Brian's hands flew to cover his ears before he even registered the commotion. Debbie and Jennifer both squealed as the redhead pounded her hands on the table. She jumped out of her seat and ran around the table to envelope Brian, Justin, and Daphne in a tight hug; followed closely in succession by many of their other dining companions. This time, however, Brian didn't stop the congratulations with a cynical comment.
"Another grandson!" Jennifer cried out in wonder. One thing was for sure, what Gus lacked as far as grandparents went from his mothers' side he more than made up with Jennifer and Debbie. Their makeshift family was so intricately wound within itself that any and all children were treated equally. While not blood related, Gus, JR, and Suvi played and fought like siblings and were loved just as equally. Jennifer would take Suvi for what they called their "girl-bonding" days and when Gus and JR were in town if one went somewhere, they all went.
Brian had to admit that it was rather daunting at times when he thought of just how much his life had changed. When Linds had approached him to father her child over a decade ago, he never imagined that all those years later he would find himself manning a giant SUV while his husband and a backseat full of sticky-fingered, sugar-buzzing kids sang along to some inane children's song on the radio. Luckily, Gus had quickly grown out of that phase; the idea of children's song, now, made his skin crawl just about as much as it did his father. Brian liked the fact that he could at least count on one person to be on his side when the insanity kicked in.
"This is so exciting, we haven't had a little boy running around since Gus." Emmett practically cooed, his eyes glazing over.
"Well, there was Justin." Ted shot in, hiding his smirk behind his glass as he took a generous gulp.
"Ha ha, very funny." Justin lobbed a pouch of butter at the accountant, hitting him on his left cheek as the table erupted in laughter.
"I call dibs on babysitting." Molly spoke up practically bouncing in her seat. At 20 years old, the young woman had become much closer to her brother within the last few years. Having just completed her sophomore year of college, she had taken to alternating holiday breaks between her mother and Tucker's house and Justin and Brian's. She had her own room at Britin and had explained that she loved the freedom of not being under her mother's coddling when on break. Justin didn't care what her reasons were for wanting to stay with them, he was just glad that they had finally been able to be around each other without the threat of constant death. In their case, absence really did make the heart grow fonder.
"Honey, you've got college and that cute little boyfriend of yours to keep you busy." Emmett said. "I get first dibs."
"Hey!" Debbie exclaimed loudly.
Rolled his eyes dramatically. "Fine, first dibs behind the grandmas, heaven help me."
Molly scoffed. "You have your job and Drew to keep you busy, Em!"
"That's the beauty of owning your own business. My boss just so happens to love me. I can take a day off whenever I want. Which is exactly why you should focus on your school work and leave the little ones to me. Get that degree and then start your own business."
Brian's face screwed up before he started laughing. "Mol, I never thought these words would ever come out of my mouth, but you should listen to Emmett for once. Owning your own business does have its advantages."
Molly thought that over as the table grew quieter, everyone lost in their own thoughts before Mel spoke up. "Daph, have you felt the baby move yet?"
"Not yet, but Chrissy said I should start feeling him move any time now. I'll never forget the first time I felt Suvi move. It felt like a little bug was crawling up my belly." Daphne smiled.
"I remember that." Justin said, his face breaking out in to a giant smile. "Once you realized what it was, you practically climbed the back of the couch trying to get to me so I could feel it. For as pregnant as you were, you had no trouble moving so quickly."
"Have you guys thought of any names?" Cynthia asked from her spot beside Brian. Over the years, the blonde had become more and more entrenched in to the family fold. Not only had she known Brian since he was fresh out of college, but she had become close to Justin and Ted as well from working at Kinnetik.
Brian shook his head.
Justin sat up in his chair. "We haven't officially started talking, but of course I've been thinking of some myself."
"Well?" Hunter inquired after the blonde went quiet.
Justin shook his head. "I want to hear what everyone else thinks first. Any suggestions?"
"Jonathan?" Jennifer suggested.
Justin wrinkled his nose. "Too common."
"Flynn?" Hunter jumped in.
Daphne's eyes lit up. "Ohhh, like that guy from that Disney movie? He was hot for a cartoon." When she was met with odd looks, Daphne rolled her eyes. "I have a 3 year old. I've seen every Disney movie ever made and at this rate, a cartoon is the closest I'll get to a man. Don't judge me."
Justin looked to Brian who shrugged his shoulders. "That's not bad, I guess."
Hunter grinned, satisfied.
"What about Blaine?" Emmett asked.
Daphne and Justin looked to each other quickly before they stated loudly in unison. "That's a major appliance, that's not a name!" The two dissolved in to a giggling mess as the others moved on.
For a couple minutes everyone threw out name possibilities as Justin and Daphne worked at vetoing and accepting the suggestions. Brian remained largely quiet until he finally chimed in with his own suggestion. "Morrison?"
"I like it. Where did you come up with that?" Justin asked, leaning over to kiss his husband lightly.
Brian shrugged. "Saw it in a movie, once."
Justin finally spoke up. "I kind of like Milo. But only as a middle name."
"What about Jett? We all know how much Brian loves James Dean. Or Stark from Rebel Without A Cause." Michael said.
"Jett's pretty cool." Daphne nodded her head in approval.
"Ok, I have one more, but you all have to promise not to laugh. You promise?" Justin lowered his head as he looked around the table.
Brian snorted. "Fuck no!"
Justin elbowed the brunette in his side, rolling his eyes but decided to continue anyways. "I've always really liked the name Benji."
Brian couldn't contain his laughter and he found himself, oddly enough, joined by Ben.
Ben's hands flew up in defense. "I'm so sorry, Justin, but have you ever looked up the meaning of the name Benjamin? It is what Benji is derived from." Ben asked, trying to stop himself from giggling and further upsetting the blonde. He wasn't laughing at the suggestion itself, but the irony behind its meaning.
Justin looked around, confused. "No, I've never looked it up, why?"
"I almost thought you were joking at first when you said it. Benji, which is short for Benjamin, actually means 'Son of the right hand.'" Ben explained, blushing furiously. "I would know, it's kind of been with me my whole life."
Brian's face practically lit up. "I do believe we've found a winner, Sunshine."
Justin stared at the brunette. "You mean, you like the name?"
"Hell yeah. Especially now that I know what it means. What's more fitting than that. After all, I do my best work with my right hand." Brian stated loudly, chuckling when other patrons turned around to glare at the table in response to his flagrant remark.
"It is rather fitting." Daphne stated from behind her hand that was clamped over her mouth in an attempt to hold back her own laughter.
"That would be the understatement of the century." Drew spoke up, catching the brunette's gaze; a large smile forming within his pronounced features. Sitting between Emmett and Jennifer, the contrast between the three was particularly striking and rather comical.
Justin spoke above the hum of those around him. "Well, we definitely don't need to decide tonight, that is for sure." Sitting back in his chair, the blonde leaned in to his husband's side, relishing in the feel of the strong arm that enclosed around his shoulder, anchoring him in place. His hand fell to play with the hem on the inside of Brian's thigh as he absentmindedly kissed his neck softly as everyone returned to their various conversations.
They were interrupted, however, when their waitress returned. "How is everyone doing?" She asked, receiving random nods of approval as well as verbal thank yous. "Are we ready for desert yet, or would you like more time?"
She walked efficiently around the table, everyone giving their desert orders before resuming their previous conversations. As the young woman approached, Brian motioned for her. She leaned in closely, her cheeks burning. Between the expensive cologne Brian wore and the intensity he always seemed to carry with him, it was almost enough to make those unfamiliar with him a little heady when in close proximity to the man. "Make sure the check for the table is given to me. I don't care what anyone else says you give it to me, understand."
The woman stammered slightly as she stood back up. "Of course. Would you like anything for desert?"
Brian smiled in approval. "No thank you, I've got enough food to work off tonight as it is." He replied with a wink.
Pulling the blonde back to him, Brian contented himself to playfully biting at his ear, soft promises of what he fully planned on doing to him once they returned home floated between them. Justin actually snorted, his cheeks blazing red as he returned the sentiment, the two lost completely in each other until they were pulled back to reality when someone cleared their throat loudly.
"Should we just clear the table and let you both at it or are these seats adequate enough for you two?" Ted deadpanned, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the dazed look the two men shared. "If we charged people to watch, we could make a nice little dent in the bill."
"Theodore, you're always looking for a way to save a buck, aren't you." Brian shot back.
Ted nodded. "That is what you pay me a ridiculous amount of money to do, after all."
"Don't forget it either. Blake, please tell me Theodore isn't always this exciting at home. His enthusiasm holds no bounds." Brian stated dryly.
"Contrary to popular belief, I happen to think he is very enthusiastic." Blake smiled brightly, lacing his fingers with Ted's.
Brian closed his eyes tightly, scrunching up his face. "The image…it won't go away."
"I think I recall a time when you once said to me 'You could only be so lucky.'" Ted openly laughed, safe in the notion that only Brian would understand the meaning.
Brian nodded his head slowly, allowing the discussion to drop peacefully.
Justin pulled away from Brian's side, sitting up straight in his seat. "You know, aside from a couple get-togethers recently, this is the first time in…almost a year, that we've all been together."
"Sunday dinners are a thing of the past, Sunshine." Debbie sighed heavily. She had come to terms with her familys new-found independence, but she still longed for those nights every week when they would gather around her tiny table in her even tinier kitchen.
Well in to their 30s, all her kids had still needed her and they certainly needed each other. Now, everyone was scattered.
"Yeah, I guess." Justin stated, dejected at the notion. Everyone looked around awkwardly, suddenly somber. "Moving out of the state didn't help." Justin declared meekly.
"Moving out of the country helped even less." Lindsey sadly confessed as Mel looped her arm around her shoulder, kissing her temple lightly.
Emmett smiled sadly, almost defeated as his eyes glazed over thinking about the past. "I guess we all finally grew up. It just took us longer than most." He loved his life with Drew and wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything. But sometimes he found himself longing for the days when he and Michael had lived together, or even when he had stayed with Debbie and Carl for a while. When their biggest concern was what to wear to Babylon or who was going to team up with whom for a game of pool at Woody's. When thoughts of work only pertained to seeing how much they could drink while still remaining functional the next day. Truthfully, they hadn't been to Babylon, as a group, in longer than he cared to elaborate on. It's like that quote from that movie about high school girls, "I get older, they stay the same age." Every time they went to Babylon it seemed like the men got younger and younger when in fact, they were just getting older. It was enough of a blow to one's vanity to make any queen freak out.
The core of their group; four friends, two lesbians, one blonde would-be stalker and the matriarch that loved them all unconditionally, had spent nearly every day with each other for years. It was an easy habit to fall in to, and regrettably, an even easier habit to fall out of.
Brian made his decision. "This is bullshit." He said throwing the napkin that had been lying on his lap on to the table. "We're going to need help when this kid comes and I fully expect each and every one of you to lend a hand. And I refuse to send my kid off to someone he barely knows so starting immediately, Sunday dinners are back on the table. Our group is considerably larger now so we'll have it at Britin, Deb you will have full reign. I expect everyone to be there." Brian stated firmly looking around the table at the stunned faces that stared back at him.
"I think we're good to make it, right?" Jennifer asked turning towards her husband.
Tucker nodded. "We'll be there."
"No fair, college sucks." Molly pouted dramatically. "I guess I'll just have to come back during breaks."
"Oh and bring that cute little boyfriend of yours next time, what's his name again?" Emmett asked grinning wickedly.
"Joshua?"
Justin nodded his head. "Yeah, tell Josh that he…"
"Joshua" Molly corrected.
Justin rolled his eyes. "Whatever, tell Joshua he is more than welcome to come along." Molly beamed at her brother's invitation.
"We really should try to make it down more often." Lindsey pleaded with Mel.
"I know how much you want to move back, baby. Give it some time, maybe we can figure something out." Mel nodded, giving Lindsey just enough hope to be contented for the time being. She really hated being so far away from her family. Logically, moving away wasn't a terrible idea but Lindsey was the type of person who thrived on being around the ones she loved. The support system they had in Pittsburgh could never be matched anywhere else and with the kids getting older it was weighing more heavily on her mind than ever.
"I hate how Gus's birthday party turned out this year. I am never doing that again." Trekking back and forth between Canada and Pittsburgh for the major holidays had taken its toll so they had decided to have Gus's 10th birthday party at home. They had had a house full of Gus's friends from school and around the neighborhood, the table had been filled to capacity with gifts, but in the end only Brian, Justin and Debbie had been able to make the trip. Brian had even offered to pay traveling expenses for everyone but life and work had effectively gotten in the way. Even with all the excitement going on around them, Lindsey hadn't missed how Gus kept looking back to the front door, as if he was waiting for someone else to show up. They all saw the way the little boy's face fell when he would open his gifts from Emmett or Michael, offering his thanks politely as he quickly pressed on to the next gift.
"That was a disaster." Brian agreed. "Which is why, a month from now you all will do whatever you need to do to get out of work for a week. This is non-negotiable."
"What's in a month? And why an entire week?" Michael asked not really too concerned with the details, though he felt the need to clarify. Owning his own business meant he could dictate when he did and didn't work.
"A month from now we are going to give my son the birthday party he should have had in the first place. In Disney World." Brian's lips curled up when everyone went quiet. "You work out whatever the fuck you need to with your jobs and I will cover the rest. Ted, obviously you'll be fine. Cyn, would you be able to hold down the office? I'll pull Bradley up to help and I'll schedule any meetings for either before or after we get back."
"You got it." Cynthia shot her boss an assured nod. She was glad to see him taking some time off, even if it was under the guise of giving Gus the ultimate birthday party. She knew better, however. Brian was good, but not that good at hiding from her. She had known him almost as long as Michael and Lindsey. This was Brian's way of reconnecting with the only real family he had ever had, one that was slowly fracturing if someone didn't try to mend the cracks before it shattered all together.
Brian threw the woman a warm smile. She was definitely getting a raise.
"Anyone see any problems with making this happen?" He questioned.
Everyone started mumbling to each other and across the table. After a few minutes he was met with affirmative headshakes and audible agreements. With a little magic, everyone was determined to make this happen.
Everyone except…
Molly spoke up. "I'm sorry, but I'm already scheduled to take summer classes so I can graduate early. I wish I could go, though. Will you tell Gus I am sorry and give him a big hug and kiss for me?" Jennifer leaned over, hugging her to her side. She hated hearing the sadness in her daughter's voice.
"It's ok, Mol. He'll understand." Justin assured her.
Their deserts arrived soon after. Groans of appreciation could be heard as plates were passed around and forks and spoons speared in to the closest sugar confection that could be reached. Brian even managed to sneak in a bite or two from whatever Justin was sampling at the moment. Resigned to breaking one of his many long-since-broken rules, Brian had every intention of putting his blonde to work burning off all the calories he had consumed tonight with his favorite past time.
And then some.
Noticing the shift in Debbie's mood almost instantly, Brian searched her pinched face for a clue as to what was wrong. Realizing Brian was watching her, the redhead tilted her chin indicating for Brian to look behind him.
Following the petite hostess to a table in the back corner of the restaurant, his hand placed on the back of a very pregnant blonde who looked to be not much older than his own husband, Brian hissed under his breath when he caught Craig Taylor's eye.
Craig stood next to the table, stunned, as the woman he was with sat down and the hostess waited awkwardly for him to do the same. He finally pulled himself together to take the offered chair as Brian turned back to the group at his lively table before anyone else noticed the distraction. He was fairly certain that, with the position of their table to Craig's, and his group's preoccupation with the many sweet dishes being passed around, no one else had noticed the older man whose eyes kept darting nervously between the woman he was with and the table Brian was sitting at. Debbie kept looking anxiously to Justin and then to Jennifer who leaning in to Tucker's side, laughing deeply as she wiped a bit of whipped cream off her husband's chin. Justin was talking animatedly about some mural he was painting in the nursery, smiling his larger than life smile whenever he glanced over at Brian, his hand resting comfortably on the inside of the brunette's knee under the table.
Weary of Debbie's growing agitation, Brian shook his head as she took the napkin off her lap and threw it on to her now-empty plate, pushing her chair back to get up. Though he knew she meant well, a confrontation between Debbie and Craig would only draw attention as well as ruin the mood for the rest of the evening. Motioning for her to stay seated, Brian leaned in to Justin, his lips at his ear. "I'll be right back. Gotta make a quick phone call."
Justin smiled brightly, his lips brushing softly against Brian's. "Don't be too long."
Brian cursed under his breath when he felt Justin's hand remove from his leg.
Why the fuck did Craig Taylor, of all people, have to show up at the same restaurant?
Excusing himself from the table, Debbie nodded gratefully as she started talking rather loudly about the latest gossip to hit the diner in order to keep everyone's attention from Brian's retreating form.
Brian noticed Craig sucking in a sharp breath when he saw him approaching, knowing he had no logical way out without causing a scene, he relented to hoping Brian would simply pass by without incidence.
No such luck, fucker.
Dragging a chair from a nearby table, Brian pulled it up between Craig and his companion, straddling it as he picked up a roll, tossing a torn piece in to his mouth. "How's it going, pops?" Brian grinned as Craig shifted uncomfortably, throwing an apologetic grin to the woman across the table from him. "And who is this lovely young lady?"
Reaching his hand out, Brian kissed the top of the smaller woman's hand in his, noticing the furious blush that colored her pale cheeks.
Clearing his throat, Craig spoke quickly. "This is my wife, Cindy. Cindy, this is Brian Kinney…an old acquaintance."
Nodding, yet still not understanding the sudden tension that came with their unexpected guest, Cindy couldn't seem to take her eyes off of the handsome man.
"Now now, Craig, is that anyway to talk to your son-in-law? You did get the invitation, right? You must have been busy that day, I assume, but it looks like you've been busy a lot lately." Brian announced, purposefully eyeing the woman's swollen belly.
At the mention of her impending bundle of joy, the woman's eyes lit up. "Yes, we're due any day now, this is kind of our last hurrah before diaper duty." Running her hands over her belly, Brian recognized the gesture from seeing Daphne doing the same thing, sometimes without even realizing she was doing it. Must be some kind of weird, hormonal, sensory thing?
"Wait, did you say you were Craig's son-in-law? How is that possible, Molly isn't married?" The woman asked, confusion clouding her face.
Brian's eyes narrowed on the older man. "Didn't Craig here tell you, I'm married to his son. Or did that little piece of information never come up over dinner?"
Cindy lowered her voice, leaning across the table. "Craig, honey, I thought you said that Justin had moved away, married a girl from high school and was working for some big business in Minnesota?"
Craig squirmed in his chair; heat rising in to his cheeks as he stared down at the napkin he was twisting roughly through his fingers. Brian guessed he was trying to control his temper in front of his impressionable new wife.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. But no, his son is not off living the happy hetero life he has painted for you. In fact, his son is right over there; the nauseatingly happy blonde with his back to you." Brian pointed out as Cindy leaned around him to see the large group, loudly laughing; randomly clinking their glasses together.
The woman's face twisted angrily in a way that surprised Brian in its severity. Her hands balled into fists. "You mean, our son's brother has been in town this whole time. Were you ever going to tell me? How could you lie about something like that?"
"Well, you see. Father Taylor, here, never liked the idea of his son being particularly fond of the male persuasion, so he remedied that problem in a timely fashion after the boy came out when he was 17." Brian said, enjoying watching the man squirm in barely masked agitation. "But I am happy to report that a bashing, coma, and even a bomb couldn't hold that boy down, thanks in no part to your charming husband. He has become rather successful with his art over the years, a profession that your husband never agreed with. But, because of his enormous talent, Justin will never have to worry about having to wait tables to make ends meet."
Cindy's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes watering. "Bashing…bombs…he was in a coma?" She whispered to no one in particular.
Brian shook his head in confirmation. "You see, you two could have been over there with us, celebrating the impending arrival of our son," Brian looked back to Craig pointedly. "The fact that your son is about to become a father – for the second time, really." Brian corrected as he returned his attention to Cindy. "I have a 10 year old, myself. He was actually born the night I met Justin. Long story…interesting outcome, I've got to say." Brian smiled fondly at the many memories that always flooded his senses when he thought back to that fateful night. "Unfortunately your husband has a way of letting his ignorance and hate cloud his actions. Other than the one time when he refused to pay his son's college tuition and, oh yeah, when he had him arrested for standing up for his rights as a gay individual, he hasn't spoken to his son in nearly a decade."
Cindy gasped at the onslaught of information she was receiving at the hands of this total stranger. "Craig, is this true?"
Craig's eyes lit up in defiance. "Honey, this man…"
Brian leaned forward menacingly, his voice dropping. "I'd be careful what you say, Taylor. I've got an entire table full of people who have seen you in action. The list really does go on: Verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, abandonment. Congratulations Cindy, you really picked a winner." Brian growled, his eyes never leaving the older man's, the polite facade quickly slipping.
The vein in Craig's forehead looked as though it might pop at any minute. "That's enough. I'm going to ask you to leave before I get security involved."
"No problem." Brian pushed away from the table before he looked back to the stunned woman with a warm smile. "I noticed you said you were having a son. Please feel free to contact me or my husband at any time, as I know Justin would love to be a part of his brother's life." Glancing back to Craig, Brian added. "But be careful. Your husband seems to have no problem kicking his children to the curb for something that they can't change no more than he can change the color of their eyes."
Brian could tell that Craig was trying to quell his anger, both in public as well as in front of his wife. Brian smiled, satisfied, as he recognized the look in Cindy's eye. Craig was going to have a lot to answer for when they were ensconced back in the privacy of their home, there was no doubt in his mind.
"I trust that if we are still here when you leave, you will respect our right to dine in peace and leave without causing any problems?" Both men knew this wasn't a request.
"As you have respected mine?" Craig shot back.
"I think under the circumstances after everything you have done to Justin, I have been more than respectful to you. Much more than you deserve." Brian challenged in a low whisper. "If you feel the inclination to congratulate your son, by all means, please do so because I know how much your flagrant disregard for him has hurt him over the years and any sort of peace offering would be appreciated with time. But do not make the mistake of causing a scene because I will deal with you myself. You will not ruin this day for my husband and our family." Smiling curtly to the older man, Brian turned to leave but was stopped when a small hand gently grasped his forearm.
"There will be no scenes, Mr. Kinney, I personally give you my word." Cindy cut a glance to her husband before she smiled softly to the man that had just turned much of her world upside down. "I do hope we meet again as I would like to get to know you and your husband…you are family, after all." Cindy replied, silently challenging her husband to refute her statement.
For as young as she was, Brian was impressed with her resolution in standing up to her husband. Nodding in reply, Brian turned once more and headed back to his table. He could feel Debbie's eyes on him as he sat down, but he turned his attention to Justin. Slipping his arm around the younger man's shoulders, he pulled him back to capture his lips in reassurance…of what he still wasn't sure. Justin had no clue that anything was remiss and Brian was grateful. Locking eyes with Debbie, she smiled affectionately before returning to the conversation.
Slipping to his own thoughts, Brian let the rest of his group carry on enthusiastically as he let his husband's beaming smile ease the tension in his body as his hand found it's place on the brunette's thigh once again. He rubbed circles on the denim absentmindedly, an action that Brian found, oddly enough, soothing.
The group conversed for another 30 minutes before everyone started leaving one by one after Brian had threatened bodily harm to any who even attempted to pay the bill. Jennifer, Tucker and Molly were the first to go as Brian breathed out heavily knowing they hadn't been unfortunate enough to have noticed Craig. Cynthia and then Ted and Blake followed not long after with Drew and Emmett close at their heels. Michael, Ben and Hunter stuck around long enough to collect the ever-talkative Debbie after she had forced Justin and Daphne to agree to allowing her to take them shopping now that we knew the sex of the baby.
Lindsey and Mel were the only ones left as they would be returning to Britin with them. The pair chatted animatedly with Daphne, comparing notes on their experiences being pregnant while Brian and Justin remained as close to each other as possible, neither speaking.
Brian glared at them. "I'm glad my food has had time to settle. Can you not think of something better to talk about?"
Suddenly, Daphne clutched her stomach, her eyes growing wide. "Oh my god, give me your hand." She reached quickly for Justin, pulling him so he was sitting beside her, his hand pressed to her belly. Mel and Lindsey actually squealed as the flocked over just the same, pressing their hands on her belly as well. "Can you feel it?"
Justin's face grew serious as he focused all his attention on his hand, but he felt nothing. "I don't feel anything."
Daphne's face dropped a little as she moved his hand slightly to the left and pressed on his hand firmly. "Right there. Can you feel that?"
Justin's eyes lit up, his back going rigid as he froze. "Yes! I felt it. It feels like little bubbles."
Mel and Lindsey took turns kissing Justin and then Daphne on their cheeks before Lindsey approached Brian and grabbed for his hand. "You have to feel this."
Brian pulled his hand away quickly, backing up slightly away from his starry-eyed best friend. "Fuck that!" Was all he said.
Lindsey swatted at his arm. "Are you still hung up on that? You would never feel when Gus kicked, but I thought for sure you would have softened since then."
Brian only shook his head, grateful when another voice broke through the awkward scene. He looked up, surprised to see Cindy standing close by, her eyes focused largely on Justin who by now had both his hands cupped around Daphne's belly, oblivious to the woman's presence.
Cindy slowly approached Daphne. "I'm sorry to intrude, but I couldn't help overhearing; congratulations." Cindy sheepishly added as she placed her hands on her own swollen belly. "From one almost-mom to the next."
Daphne smiled at the woman who looked to be around her age. "Thanks, congratulations to you too. But I actually already have another one. This one is kind of just on loan." Daphne laughed as she rubbed her belly.
Noticing the woman's confusion she clarified. "I have a daughter, she's 3. This one belongs to my two best friends." Daphne motioned towards Justin and Brian. "Obviously, they lack the proper equipment for the job so here I am."
Justin helped Daphne stand before he motioned for Brian to join them. He was pleased when the woman seemed unphased by Daphne's statement. He wondered if he would ever stop waiting for strangers reactions when they found out he was gay; he also wondered if he would ever stop caring one way or the other.
Brian came to stand beside Justin as Lindsey motioned that they would be waiting in the car outside. Justin extended his hand to the woman who slowly accepted it. "My name is Justin Kinney, this is my best friend, Daphne, and my husband Brian." Daphne offered her hand first before Brian grasped the woman's hand for the second time that night.
"It's nice to meet you." He stated diplomatically.
"My name is Cindy." She stated simply. Before Justin could inquire in to her last name, Daphne jumped in.
"How far along are you? Do you know what you are having?"
Cindy smiled. "9 months. A Boy."
Justin's face lit up. "No way! Well, I mean, it can go only one of two ways, but we're having a boy as well." Justin instinctively laced his fingers with Brian's.
Brian could tell the blonde was two seconds from literally bouncing on the balls of his feet. Cindy was definitely getting the full-on Justin-Taylor-experience that was for sure. Once again, Brian was amazed at the woman's assertiveness. He could see it in her eyes. She was curious about the man who was her son-in-law. There was no malice behind her eyes; she simply wanted to make some sort of connection even if Justin had no clue as to her true intentions for coming over.
Cindy smiled once more as she took to the blonde in front of her. Her face fell, briefly, as the full impact of her husband's actions hit her. She knew without a doubt that Justin was not a mean-spirited person, he seemed truly happy and if truth be told, she had been watching him and his dinner companions periodically once Brian had left them. He was happy and content, more so than most people she's known all her life. He was so at ease with himself and everyone around him that it bespoke his young age in a way she understood completely. Was her husband really capable of so carelessly disregarding his son because of who he happened to love?
Pulling herself back to the present, Cindy looked once more to her son-in-law before catching the brunette's eye. "I must be going now, but I just wanted to offer my congratulation, I hope you all have a wonderful life." She said sincerely.
Justin and Daphne offered their own congratulations and goodbyes before they resumed their previous conversation completely unaware of the flash of sadness that crossed the woman's eyes. She nodded solemnly to Brian before she walked back to where Craig was sitting impatiently, having watched the entire exchange uncomfortably. Brian was too far away to hear what she said but the determined set in her shoulders was unmistakable. The look of panic that crossed Craig's face was just as telling. Cindy was not going to let this go without a fight.
A/N – So how many references did you find? I don't want to spoil anything so if you really want to know, comment or send me a PM and I will tell you what they are. I like to pepper my chapters with little things here and there, but for whatever reason, the references kept coming in this chapter. Again, sorry for the wait between chapters but I am happy to report that my dad is doing wonderfully and his surgery went perfectly. Thanks so much to those who expressed concern and/or shot any positive thoughts our way! I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, it is the longest of all the chapters BY FAR. In fact it is almost the length of the first few chapters combined, haha! A lot happened in this chapter that will pull us in to what I am considering the second half of the story. Please let me know what you think and if you have any ideas or suggestions. I already have a tentative name picked out for the baby, but any suggestions are welcomed because I am not above switching things up if I find something else I like even better!
Evelyn