Chapter 29 – Aunt Tilda

"Gus," Lindsay said from where she sat with Brian across from Justin and Gus, "You need to calm down a little bit."

"I like riding in limousines, Mom. It's fun!" Gus hit another button and laughed with delight when it lowered a television from the ceiling of the car.

"Guess he does take after you, after all," Justin grinned at Brian. Justin grabbed the remote and found Power Rangers for Gus. Gus settled down to watch. "We should introduce him to designer kids' clothes next."

"Don't you dare, Justin," Lindsay interjected, groaning. "I can't afford all this."

"Yes, you can," Brian said firmly. "I'm not going to hire a New York cab to move the four of us around."

"It was nice of Aileen to invite Gus and me to stay this week while we're house-hunting. That should save me a bundle. I think we'll shift over tomorrow though. I don't want to arrive late and tired."

"I'm hoping you'll be house-fixing instead of house-hunting," Justin quipped. He glanced slyly at Brian, "What did you think of your cousins?"

"They're okay," Brian shrugged. "I guess we can show up for that Sunday dinner thing."

"Aileen seems quite determined that we all show up," Lindsay agreed. "It'll be nice for Gus to have cousins his own age to play with. I'm not sure what to make of Aiden, yet. That scene with Eric…"

Brian sobered, "A bisexual me, Linds? I would have thought you'd be all over that."

Lindsay shuddered slightly, "He may look like you, Brian, but he's not you. No history. It'd feel like…" she paused for a moment, "I don't know how to explain it, but it'd just feel wrong."

Brian smirked, "He seems okay, though."

"Don't get me wrong. I think I'll like him, although that scene with Ari and Eric was any indication, he's got the morals of an alley-cat."

Justin grinned, "It's tomcat, apparently. Family legend has it that the tall, skinny Kinney's are very sexually active until they finally settle down. Then they're faithful to a fault." At Brian's rolled eyes, Justin started laughing, thinking back to the scene in the living room. "It wasn't really Aiden's fault. Eric kissed him, thinking he was Brian."

"Why would Eric do that?" Lindsay demanded, glaring at Brian.

"What? It's all his fault," Brian said, pointing at Justin. "He started it."

"I was just doing him a favor. You're the one who insisted on kissing him, too."

Brian snorted in response then grinned. "From the look on Eric's face when he and Ari left the living room, he's decided he's not feeling too gay today."

"It seemed to bother Aiden a bit when they took off." Justin grinned, mischief in his eyes. "We've got to take him to Babylon. I wonder if he can dance? We know that skill isn't genetic."

"I dance well enough to get what I want." Brian smiled broadly, "I can just see everyone's faces when two of me walk in."

Lindsay grinned in agreement, "I want to be in the diner when Debbie meets Aiden for the first time. There's got to be a good way to set that up. If he wore sunglasses, you couldn't tell the difference."

The three of them continued to plan until the limousine pulled up in front of the Wiltshire.

"Are you sure about the church, Justin?" Lindsay asked.

"Positive." Justin grinned, "Let's go meet Aunt Tilda Avery and convince her we're wonderful."

As they entered the restaurant on the top floor of the Wiltshire, Justin spotted Miranda Avery sitting by herself at a table with a spectacular view of the harbor. Miranda waved them over with a smile. "Aunt Tilda called. She's running a bit late but should be here soon."

After introducing his family to the realtor, Justin commented, "I'm glad to have a friendly face for the inquisition. Any advice?"

"Be polite but be yourselves. Aunt Tilda hasn't held on to her billions by being stupid. She can see through any lie." Miranda grinned, "Half the Avery's love her, like me. Half hate her because she doesn't let them get away with anything. That half are just waiting for her to die so they can inherit it all."

"What does John think of her?" Brian asked, watching as Lindsay got out some drawing paper and crayons for Gus to occupy him until the meal came.

"The two of them get along great," Miranda responded. "The family grapevine told me that she called him last week, demanding to meet Marc – wanted to know why John was hiding him."

Justin grinned, "Marc will be relieved if John introduces him. John's attitude was starting to bug him."

"Don't worry, she'll meet Marc. What Aunt Tilda wants, Aunt Tilda gets." Miranda's face turned serious, "She'll have checked you out. She'll know everything about the four of you, your family histories, your financial situation, Gus' grades on his kindergarten report card. Don't lie to her. Refusing to answer is okay. Telling her to mind her own business is okay, but don't lie." Miranda's face lit up, "There she is."

They all turned to look at the entrance to the restaurant. A tall, regal woman with short, strawberry blond hair stood looking around. She was dressed in a designer pant-suit with a long white scarf dangling between the jacket lapels. Perfect makeup on an ageless face gave the impression of a woman in control of her life, as well as beautiful in her youth. As she walked towards the table, her hands gave away her real age. Cosmetic surgery hadn't touched them as it had her face and although the fingers were slim and graceful, the aging spots and wrinkles belonged to a woman in her seventies.

Both Justin and Brian stood as she arrived at the table. A moment later Gus stood, too, following his father's lead when his mother gave a nod in his direction. Brian politely pulled out a chair for the older woman, executing proper behavior flawlessly.

Tilda Avery gave a regal nod with a slight smile as she sat down. "Aren't you a well-mannered group?" she murmured. "I wouldn't have expected it of you, Brian, given your reputation." Tilda gave no pretense of needing introductions. It was obvious she knew who everyone was.

"I know how to behave myself when I choose to," Brian responded politely.

"And why do you so choose today?"

Brian leaned back in his chair, considering the woman in front of him before responding frankly. "Justin wants the church."

"And you'd like him to have it." Tilda smiled, "And if Justin didn't want the church, would you be a little less polite?"

"No, I'd still make nice," Brian responded easily. "You're the majority shareholder of three fortune five hundred companies based in New York and own a significant minority in several others. I'm moving my advertising agency to New York." Brian smirked slightly, deciding to be frank, "I'd be polite even if it made my…" Brian paused, clearing his throat at Justin's warning glare, "teeth ache."

Tilda threw back her head and gave a hearty laugh, "I'm starting to see why John likes you so much. He called to plead your case."

Justin relaxed slightly as he watched the interchange. The most likely thing to throw off this meeting would be Brian and Tilda not getting along. Lindsay and he could be polite regardless of the behavior of the other party, but Brian had an extremely low tolerance for bullshit. He smiled at Brian, grateful his partner had decided to work for the church.

Tilda caught the smile and gave a small chuckle, "You weren't at all sure how Brian and I would get along, were you, Justin?"

"No, ma'am," Justin answered. "Being with Brian has taught me to expect the unexpected. I like that, but it does make evenings like tonight a bit unpredictable." Justin's rueful glance caused Brian to smirk slightly while Lindsay coughed to disguise a chuckle.

Tilda turned her attention to Gus. Her voice softened considerably as she asked, "Can I see what you're drawing, Gus?" Gus looked up, deciding. When Lindsay started to intervene, Tilda simply shook her head at Lindsay. "Only if you want to, Gus."

Gus paused for a moment then decided. He turned the picture around to show a swirling pattern he had drawn on the page. In each of the segments that made up the pattern he was using different colored crayons but was allowing the colors to bleed into the adjoining sections. The background around the central pattern was mottled when Gus had taken the paper and laid it on top of the patterned tablecloth before coloring it in a wide variety of shades.

Tilda's eyes widened slightly at the quality of workmanship, "That's very good, Gus. Are you going to be an artist when you grow up?"

Gus shook his head, wrinkling his nose at the thought, "I'm going to be a hockey player."

Tilda smiled in response, "Also an excellent choice." She looked up at Lindsay, "You must be very proud."

Lindsay gave Gus a small hug as he went back to work on his picture, "I am."

"Are the two of you definitely moving to New York?" Tilda asked bluntly, causing both Brian and Justin to freeze, waiting for the answer.

"Yes, we are," Lindsay replied firmly. She smiled down at Gus. "We need to make a major change for several reasons."

"Can I ask what those are?" Tilda inquired.

Lindsay smiled back politely, "They're personal reasons."

"I understand," Tilda demurred graciously, seeming satisfied with the non-informative response as the waiter arrived with their drinks and appetizers. Tilda tilted her head with a smile in Lindsay's direction, "And how do you feel about taking up residence next door to two such serious young men as these," she nodded towards Justin and Brian.

"I'm not sure I follow," Lindsay queried. "Serious young men?"

Tilda chuckled, "It's a euphemism from my grandfather's youth which has stuck in my mind all these years. It refers to young men who prefer not to attend come-out balls, don't really enjoy dancing with young ladies and in general, enjoy the company of other young men."

Lindsay smiled, relaxing, "Given that definition Brian and Justin are very serious. I feel great about setting up house next door - they're family." Lindsay quirked a brow, "Is there a similar phrase for women who prefer the company of other women from that time?"

"Yes, but you won't like it," Tilda responded with a laugh - "spinsters." Lindsay joined her laughter and the atmosphere lightened as the waiter's arrived with dinner. The food was delicious, the company excellent and the conversation ranged widely with a central focus on modern art.

As the desserts were brought out, Tilda started to explain her attachment to the church. "When I was growing up in the thirties and forties, the one constant in my life was my grandfather, Julian Breen. My grandmother had died just after I was born and my mother wasn't very stable. She had a lot of trouble with addictions and a wide variety of not very nice men." Miranda's wide-eyed glance indicated that even within the Avery's the story of Tilda's upbringing wasn't widely known.

"Grandpa and I lived in the house beside the church. The church had long since closed for business, but he couldn't bear to part with the building he and grandmother had been so happy in. He still painted in the loft. He was in his sixties, but he had all the time in the world for me. He tried to turn me into an artist, but unlike Gus here, I simply had no talent." Tilda chuckled slightly, "In the end I took after my grandmother the most. She was a hardheaded businesswoman with amazing commercial sense. Money was never a problem for Grandpa or me."

Tilda paused, sighing reflectively as she stirred her coffee while watching Gus devour his chocolate cake. "I want to see the church used again. Preferably to make wonderful art. The church has stood idle for far too long, but, like Grandpa, I couldn't bring myself to sell it. I was always worried that my grandfather's art might be destroyed if I left it in the hands of strangers. I am, however, getting older and possibly wiser. Boarding up the church and keeping everyone out is no longer sufficient tribute to my grandfather. It's not what he would want." Tilda gazed over at Justin, "I went by your show."

Justin froze at the abrupt change of subject, "What did you think?"

"You are remarkably talented. With Jared Bannerman as your agent, I have no doubt you will achieve the commercial success my grandfather never did." Tilda smiled in response to Justin's blindingly bright smile. She gave Matilda a small nod.

Matilda reached down and took out a large file folder from the briefcase she had brought with her to the restaurant. "Here is the transfer of ownership of the church and all property associated with it. It does need significant renovation to be modernized but that shouldn't be a problem. The only stipulation is due to the church being an historic site. The artwork cannot be touched. The apartment and the house can be remodeled any way you'd like as can the main church building."

"I can't imagine anyone wanting to destroy the paintings – they're incredible," Justin responded.

She looked at Brian and Lindsay, "There's only one question left. Are you two willing to take the property sight unseen? You know you'll have to use it for Kinnetics, Brian, if you take it. Selling it immediately after I sell it to you would not be a good business move. You can back out now with no hard feelings."

Lindsay spoke up first. "I'm sure the house will be fine for Gus and me."

Brian sat, staring at Tilda, lost in thought. She wanted proof that he trusted Justin. He pondered the levels of trust possible in a relationship. He suddenly grinned and started to laugh, looking at Justin. "You're sure, right? I've already told you what'll happen if I hate the place."

Justin started laughing with Brian, remembering the threat to take it out of his ass for the next thirty years. "I'm sure."

Brian turned back to Tilda, who was smiling in response to the laughter. "Assuming we can afford your price, we'll take it."

"You can afford my price," Tilda assured him. "Before he died, my grandfather told me about his youth, how difficult it was for people to understand that his and my grandmother's marriage was a true partnership. I believe he sometimes felt like a kept man because he didn't earn a lot with his art. My grandmother supported the household." Tilda face softened as she remembered her grandfather. "That has massively influenced how I wish to handle the situation today."

Turning to Justin, she continued. "I understand that you and Brian have entered into a partnership sharing all assets." At Lindsay's gasp, Tilda raised a brow, "I take it that very few people are aware of that. It was a very wise move on your part, Brian." Brian simply nodded his head. "It is fine with me if you immediately transfer the church into that partnership, however, the initial sale is to you, Justin."

Tilda took a deep breath as she made the final decision. "Justin, do you have a dollar on you?"

Justin looked startled, "No. I don't have any cash with me at all."

Gus looked up from his chocolate cake with a smile as he dug around in his pocket. "Here you go, Justin. You can pay me back later." Gus handed over a slightly chocolate stained one dollar bill.

Tilda gave a light chuckle, "How wonderfully appropriate." She took the dollar from Justin while taking out a pen. "I assure you that the documents are in order," she stated emphatically as she signed her name. She then handed the pen to Justin and pointed to a signature box on the form.

"You're selling it to us for a dollar?" Justin asked disbelievingly.

"No. I'm selling it to you for a dollar. I am obscenely wealthy, Justin. The church's monetary value is nothing to me. Its' sentimental value is mammoth. I want you to have the church. I want you to make wonderful art in my grandfather's loft. Brian and Lindsay are delightful people, I have no doubt. But I would not give them the church."

Tilda paused for a moment, before continuing in a more personal vein. "I want you to understand, on every level, that you and Brian are partners. I know you are, but as things stand now, he'll always be more financially successful. That's not a bad thing, but it might wear on you over time as it did my grandfather. If anyone asks what you bring to the partnership, you'll now have an answer that the world will accept. You've brought a property valued in excess of ten million dollars to be used as the New York office of Kinnetics."

Tilda smiled slightly as Justin simply stared at her in disbelief. "Sign, Justin." Justin took a deep breath, picked up the pen with hands that only shook slightly and signed his name.

"Gus," Tilda said. Gus looked up with a smile. "I hope to see you again soon. You may call me Aunt Tilda, just like your mother and fathers."

Gus nodded happily. He liked the older woman, "Okay, Aunt Tilda."

"It was a pleasure meeting you all." As Aunt Tilda reached for her purse, both Justin and Brian stood, Brian helping her with her chair. Gus, seeing the men at the table standing again, promptly slid back his chair to stand with them.

Aunt Tilda reached into her pocket and handed two cards to Brian as well as a large key. "The first is for a general contractor to help you with the renovations. Good contractors are notoriously difficult to find in New York. He's expecting your call. The second is for an architect for any renovations. The third is for one of my firms. We're looking for a new advertising agency. No guarantee as the final decision rests with my CEO, but Kinnetics is on the list of candidates." Aunt Tilda flashed a mischievous smile, "Welcome to New York."

"Thank you," Brian said sincerely, looking at the cards and the key. "For everything."

"You're very welcome." Aunt Tilda paused as she started to leave. "I had the lights and heat turned on in the church yesterday, if you want to go check it out. The equipment needs to be modernized, but it does function."

As Tilda left the restaurant, the small group sat in silence for a moment, absorbing the impact of the evening's events.

"What the hell just happened?" Brian demanded. "Is she always like that?"

Miranda started laughing, "It's easy, Brian. Aunt Tilda liked you. That's all that happened. Good things happen to people she likes." Miranda raised her glass, "To the sale of the Church of Angels – finally."

After everyone joined the toast, Justin asked, "What kind of commission are you going to get on a one dollar sale?"

Miranda looked stunned for a moment then groaned out loud. "I can't believe this. I've worked on that sale for years." After a moment of listening to the others laugh, she shrugged philosophically, "It's not like I wouldn't have done it for Aunt Tilda for free anyway. It would have just been nice to be asked."

Justin turned to Brian and Lindsay, "You want to go see it now?"

"We'll have to wait, Justin," Lindsay said, nodding at Gus. "It's getting awfully late. Maybe Aiden and Aileen can go with me to check it out tomorrow while you fly back to Pittsburgh."

Brian suddenly got up and pulled up Justin for quick kiss, "Let's go check out the whorehouse."

Taking Brian's hand, Justin waved good-bye to the women and Gus. "Great idea. I want to show you every room."