One Hour Later...

Justin held both daughters against his side as he looked wistfully over at Brian; he knew it was silly. He was only going to be gone for a few days - a week at best - but it almost felt like he was abandoning them. He knew this time, however, he would be back. There was bound to be an adjustment period upon his return, but going forward his life was here now - with Brian and both his daughters.

"I'll be back just as soon as I can," he promised them as he hugged them hard against his body and his eyes bored into his partner's. He smiled, trying to make light of the hard lump that had settled in his throat. "You won't even know I'm gone," he joked.

"Yes, we will," both girls said in unison as they sniffled against him.

"We don't want you to go," Katie told him as she and her sister peered up into their father's beautiful face. Normally the stoic one, she found her resolve faltering now that her father was once more leaving her, even though her brain told her it was temporary; her heart was another matter, however. "Stay," she whispered fervently.

"Katie, you know I have some things to wrap up in Chicago," Justin murmured as he placed his cheek against the crown of her head and wrapped his arm around her slender shoulder. "I won't be gone long. And I'll miss both of you like crazy until I return." He kissed Katie, then Kaylee as he whispered, "Somebody has to take good care of your father while I'm gone." He lifted his gaze to stare over into Brian's eyes, noticing a flicker of apprehension there. It would have been barely noticeable to anyone else, but he had no problem recognizing it as the same look of separation anxiety that he himself was experiencing at the moment. He didn't want to leave Brian so soon, not after last night and not after they had just reunited, but it was a necessary part of their progression as a family.

He reluctantly let go of the two girls as he picked up his small satchel and placed it in the backseat of Vic's old vehicle; Gus had volunteered to drive his mom back home and then take him on to the airport, meeting Brian later for lunch. Debbie had volunteered to stay at Britin with the girls until Gus returned later that afternoon. Everything was being taken care of and he was doing what he had to do. As he closed the back door and turned to face his family, though, he couldn't help thinking, damn; then why is this so hard?

He glanced up as he heard the front door open and his mother and Gus emerged, headed down the sidewalk toward the car. "I guess this is it," he told the small group, even though his gaze was frozen on his partner. Brian's eyes bored into his as he stood there hesitating.

"Yeah," Brian replied softly as he stepped a little closer; the heat between the two of them, their bond, was strong as ever as he stood a few inches away. He reached over to lightly brush the tips of his fingers against the discolored skin where Justin's cheek was healing from his not-so-accurate punch the other day. He grimaced as he recalled his actions, still regretting hurting his partner physically, even if it HAD been an unfortunate accident.

"Brian, it's going away," Justin murmured, knowing instantly what he was thinking. He placed his own hand to rest on top of Brian's for a moment, before he linked their fingers together by his waist. Brian tightened their grip, not wanting to let go but knowing it was inevitable.

"Sure you can do all that packing alone?" Sure you WANT to do it alone? he should have asked instead. All Justin had to say was one word, give him one sign, and he would be traveling with him to Chicago in a heartbeat.

Justin nodded. "I'll be fine, knowing that the girls are being taken good care of. And besides, you can't just up and leave Kinnetik without any prior planning. I know how important your company is to you."

Brian shook his head. "Not as important as you - and the girls."

Justin's throat constricted at the sincere tone in his partner's voice. "I know. But I'll be okay," he assured him as he smiled tenderly at their two girls. "You've got a couple of angels watching over you."

Katie huffed at the sweet moniker as both men laughed over her insulted expression.

"Maybe I didn't phrase that right," Justin conceded with a grin. He reached over to affectionately ruffle his daughter's hair as she rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean," he told her as her lips slowly drew into a smile.

"Daddy, don't forget the most important thing," Kaylee spoke up from beside her sister.

"Your drawer full of cosmetics that would rival a department store's?" he asked with a gleam in his eye.

"No! YOU know...!"

Justin dropped Brian's hand to kneel down and cup his daughter's face. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry, Sweetheart; I'll be bringing your babies back with me," he told her as her face lit up at the prospect of being reunited with her two beloved pets again. He peered up at Brian as his partner grimaced back at him. "Even if your dad isn't crazy about the idea."

"You got THAT right," Brian muttered as the other three smiled in amusement. He was about to mention that there would have to be some game rules set up regarding their newest additions to the family when he was interrupted by Jennifer and Gus walking up to join them.

"Ready to go, Justin?" Gus asked as Brian clamped a hand on his son's shoulder. "We'd better get going; security can be a real hassle nowadays."

"Yeah," Justin told him as Gus nodded.

"See you at lunch, Dad," he reminded his father as Brian nodded back at him. He opened the door and slid into the driver's seat as Jennifer gave Justin a quick peck on the cheek in greeting and told the girls, "Your Grandma Deb is looking for you two in the kitchen; she's got breakfast ready for you, and it's getting cold."

"Better get going, then," Brian told them. "I'll be along in just a minute."

"Okay, Dad," Kaylee and Katie answered together; it seemed the more they were around each other, the more frequent these 'synchronized responses' were becoming.

They turned to Justin, identical looks of sorrow on their faces, before they both flung themselves at their father and he held them tight. He took turns giving each of them a kiss on the cheek before he told them gruffly, "Go on, now. You're making this hard enough as it is. We don't want to get your grandma all hot and bothered because you let her breakfast get cold."

They sniffled again a little before he let go of them and, with one last look and sagging shoulders, they walked hand in hand back toward the house, leaving the two partners alone by the side of the car.

Brian brushed his hand through his hair restlessly; the pang of separation already setting in, even though Justin was still there. "Call me if anything comes up and you need something," he told him as Justin nodded silently. He let out a deep breath as he walked closer to him and placed his hands on Justin's upper arms. "Hell, what am I saying? Call me anyway. I want to know what's going on and when you'll be back." Back at home, back in my arms and back in my bed, he thought fervently.

Justin smirked. "So bossy," he murmured with a grin before his face grew more serious. "I'll call you when I get up there." His voice lowered to a sort of sultry tone as he added, "And maybe later, when I'm in bed all alone jerking off while I'm thinking of you and me and what happened last night..."

"Shit, Justin!" Brian hissed as Justin grinned back at him impertinently. He slid his arms around Justin's back to hold him tight, making sure he knew precisely what that sort of talk was doing to him. "That's not a good way to say goodbye."

Justin swallowed. "There IS no good way to say goodbye; not to you."

"Well, until we can be together again, this will have to do." And with that Brian slowly lowered his head to stare into his lover's eyes before he fastened his lips onto his, his tongue pushing to gain entrance to his partner's mouth. Justin sighed as he willingly parted his lips to deepen the kiss, his own arms winding around Brian's body to press them closer together.

Brian's left hand came up to cradle Justin's head firmly as he angled his face to ravage his lover's lips until the sharp toot of the car's horn startled them apart.

Gus slid the window down and stuck his head out with a sigh. "Daaaaaad," he protested. "Are you planning on keeping him here permanently? He has a flight to catch, remember?"

"I think that's the idea," both men could hear Jennifer exclaim wryly from the passenger seat as Gus smirked.

"Well, it's not going to work," Gus told them firmly. "The sooner Justin leaves, the sooner he comes back. Now let him go, Dad!"

"Never," Brian whispered before with great effort he did just that. He rested his head against Justin's forehead for just a moment before he took a deep breath and let it out, his lips still tingling from their kiss. "Go and do what you need to do," he told his partner. "The girls and I will be here when you get back."

Justin nodded, his eyes glistening as he turned and opened the driver's side passenger door and slid in behind Gus. Closing the door shut, his eyes fastened on Brian's as Gus started up the car and they slowly pulled away, Justin's hand pressed up against the coldness of the glass as if he didn't want to let go.

Brian stood there for several seconds watching the car disappear into the distance until Katie stuck her head out the front door. "Dad, come in and eat!"

His promise to watch over their two girls until Justin returned fresh in his mind, he called out, "Be right there!" before he turned and went back inside.

Mid-Afternoon, Chicago

"Justin!" Mrs. Bailey shrieked in delight as she opened the door to see her neighbor peering back at her through the screen door. "You're back! Come inside before the kitties escape!" she told him as she reached over to open the door and lightly tug at his sleeve to pull him in.

Picasso and Dali immediately scurried up to him and meowed loudly for his attention, brushing up against the legs of his jeans as he laughed. "Yes, yes, I know; it's been a while," he admitted as he scooped up Picasso first and rubbed his fur against his cheek as the cat rumbled appreciatively. He gently laid the cat back down, running his hand over the cat's upraised tail as he stroked the other one that was clambering for equal attention. "Poor baby," he cooed with a chuckle. "Don't worry; I've finally come to take you both home."

"They're certainly glad to see you," Mrs. Bailey observed with a smile as she wiped her hands on her half-apron and had a chance to look at Justin a little more intently. She frowned in concern as she noticed the residual of what appeared to be a bruise on his cheek. Instantly, her previous conversation with Justin's boyfriend rose to the surface. "What happened to you?" she asked in alarm as she reached out her hand toward his face.

"Oh, it's nothing," Justin assured her with a smile. "Just an accident."

Mrs. Bailey eyed him dubiously as she dropped her hand to her side. Isn't that what everyone said about their abuser to cover up what really occurred? She wondered what had happened regarding Alex, also. Had he found Justin in Pittsburgh? And if he had, had he been too late to prevent more violence between her neighbor and his former partner? Perhaps Alex had been right. She was dying to ask, but chose to proceed with caution as she nodded before asking, "Where's Kaylee? I would have thought she would have rushed over here the moment the two of you got back."

"Actually, she's not with me, Mrs. Bailey. She stayed in Pittsburgh."

The older woman frowned. "Oh? She's coming home later?"

Justin shook his head, wondering how much he should tell her. He supposed she would soon find out anyway, once the 'for sale' sign went up in the yard. "No, she's staying there; actually, it's in West Virginia, about thirty minutes out of town." He took a deep breath as the two cats continued to mew softly at his feet and weave in and out of his legs. "I'm just back for a day or two. I've decided to put the condo up for sale and move back to my home town. I want to be closer to my other daughter and to my partner."

The woman's eyes grew large with worry over the mention of his partner. She noticed that he had called him 'partner,' too, not 'ex-partner.' "Other daughter? Partner?"

Justin nodded. "Yes. Brian. The man who was with me in the limo that day. But you already knew who he was, didn't you?" He had to admit; the thought that Alex had managed to pry that information out of his neighbor was a bit disconcerting to him, despite all the kindness this woman has bestowed on his daughter. But he knew how persuasive his former boyfriend could be, so he supposed he couldn't blame her for what she had done.

His neighbor's expression changed to one of remorse as she admitted, "I saw you leave with another man that day, but I didn't know it was him at the time."

"No, I guess you didn't," Justin told her. "But Alex told you about him later, didn't he?"

She had the decency to look ashamed as she nodded; at least that answered one question. "He talked to you?"

"Yes, he did," Justin told her tersely. "I know he can be very charming, Mrs. Bailey," he conceded. "But I wish you hadn't told him where I had gone. He wound up confronting me at my home with my partner and daughters present, along with my partner's son, and it was very awkward."

"I'm so sorry, Justin!" she exclaimed in horror as her hand flew to her mouth. "But I was afraid for your safety; otherwise, I would have never told him. And now you have that bruise..."

Justin scrunched up his face in confusion. "My safety? Why? I told you this was an accident," he said a little stiffly.

She bit her lip in hesitation before explaining at last, "He...He told me that this Brian used to abuse you, and he was afraid he would do it again. That's the only reason I gave him the information about where you went; you have to believe me."

"What?!" Justin exclaimed in disgust. "That son of a bitch," he growled. He took a deep breath before saying, "Mrs. Bailey, Brian and I have had some difficulties in our relationship, but he has NEVER abused me and never would! That was just some bullshit that Alex made up to pry the information out of you." He shook his head in irritation. "Brian would never lay a hand on me. My God, I can't believe him!" Now, even more than before, he knew he had made the right decision in dropping Alex and returning to Brian. It could have happened eventually, anyway; who knows? But he now knew to what depths Alex would have gone to prevent their reunion - and just what a nasty, conniving bastard the man really was.

"I'm so sorry, Justin!" she exclaimed, her face contorted in apology. "I was just doing what I thought was best."

Justin sighed, letting the anger dissipate as he reassured her, "I know you did; I don't blame you. It's okay; he's out of my life now," he told her. "And besides; I have much more pleasant things to think about now." He couldn't help smiling a little at the thought, which did not go unnoticed.

"You do seem happy," she observed as she stared over at her young neighbor. "I'm glad that he was wrong," she told him, making up her mind. She sighed. "I'm going to miss you and Kaylee. And the cats, too," she admitted as she glanced down at the animals who had provided her with so much companionship while their owners had been gone. "I don't suppose...?" she asked hopefully.

Justin shook his head sympathetically, quickly realizing what she was about to ask. "No, I'm sorry. You know how much Kaylee adores them. She would kill me if I went back to West Virginia without them. She's constantly been telling me how much she misses them. And while I know you've taken wonderful care of them, I'm sure they miss her, too; you know how it is."

Slightly crestfallen, Mrs. Bailey nodded. "I know. I just feel so lonely since I had to say goodbye to my own cat." She reached down to stroke Picasso's fur as the car meowed softly in reaction. "I'm going to miss you guys," she murmured as she straightened back up. "And I'm going to miss you and your daughter, too, Justin. I've become very attached to her, too."

Justin smiled. "I know; and I appreciate everything that you've done, Mrs. Bailey. You were a godsend when I needed someone to watch over her and the cats. You know, you are more than welcome to come and visit us sometime in West Virginia. It's a beautiful place, and there is lots of room." Boy, is THAT an understatement, Justin couldn't help thinking.

The woman's countenance brightened as she replied with a smile, "I'd love that! I just may take you up on your offer. In the meantime, I'll think I'll be visiting the humane society. I think it's time to get a new cat. He won't replace Mr. Peepers, but he and I can take care of each other."

"Mr. Peepers?" Justin asked in amusement.

She nodded as she explained wistfully, "He was the most beautiful black-and-white cat; he looked like he had rings around his eyes like he was wearing glasses, so I named him Mr. Peepers."

Justin nodded back at her as he slowly edged toward the door. "Well, I think that's a great idea," he told her politely. "I'll be right back, then. I have to go get the cat carriers from next door, and then I'll be meeting with the real estate agent in a couple of hours to put the place up for sale." His mother had already arranged for a meeting with one of her contacts here, which made things a little easier. He paused momentarily as he saw an unspoken question on the woman's lips.

"Uh, could you...?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Yes?"

"Why don't you come get them after you're done with the real estate person? I can watch them a little longer."

Justin grinned in understanding. "Okay. Sounds good; thank you." He bent down once more to pet each cat briefly as he told them, "I'll be back for you soon." A few minutes later, he was headed out the door, over to his own condo to begin figuring what he wanted to keep and what would remain with his residence.

Later that Evening...

Justin lay back on the bed with a groan, his back stiff and sore. He had spent the better part of the day after listing his condo, scooping up cherished mementos and photos to wrap them carefully and place them in boxes to be taken back to West Virginia in his SUV. He did not trust the movers to pack them meticulously enough to avoid having them damaged, and they were all too precious to him: framed photos of him and Kaylee, along with others of Katie and Brian that either were taken several years ago or his mother had taken and forwarded on to him so he had some more recent shots.

The other items were related more to his art: numerous awards - trophies and plaques - that he had received at art shows and exhibitions, in addition to framed articles in several art and cultural magazines where he had either been interviewed and photographed, or his works had garnered attention. He was unwilling to part with any of these treasured memories.

All the other items - with the exception of several larger paintings and his grand piano - could be left with the condo to help it sell. Brian had more than enough furniture already at Britin - and in the carriage house - that there was no need to incur the added expense of shipping them back there. He was a little leery of movers being in charge of some of his most important works, but he had found a local moving company that specialized in transporting valuable and fragile items through the art gallery he worked with, so he was somewhat confident that his artwork - along with his piano - would arrive back at Britin in good condition. The smaller pieces that would fit fairly easily in the back of his SUV he decided to wrap in bubble wrap and take with him personally.

Now, as darkness descended upon the room, he sighed in relief. Most of what he needed to do was finished, even earlier than he had expected, so if all went well he should be able to start loading up the boxes into his vehicle tomorrow and begin heading back to Britin sometime in the morning. He figured it might take a couple of hours or so to pack all the boxes and smaller paintings into the SUV, but then he could at last say goodbye to his current home and start planning his new life with Brian and the girls.

He found himself with mixed feelings about that, to his surprise. Yes, he was definitely eager to return to his partner and their daughters, but he had enjoyed his time here in Chicago. It was where he had put down roots for him and Kaylee, and where he had made a name for himself. He had made contacts here and become friends with other artists and important patrons and sponsors. He had proved to himself, also, that he could strike out on his own and be successful. He hadn't needed Brian's financial assistance or his wherewithal to do that. It had provided him with an inordinate sense of pride in his accomplishments.

A niggling ambivalence in the back of his mind threatened to encroach, but he pushed it back. It was nonsense to think that he couldn't continue his success back in the Pitts. Yes, it wasn't Chicago and certainly not New York, but he had established himself firmly in the art world. Brian had a state-of-the-art studio waiting back at Britin for him where he could paint to his heart's content and continue his success. With the spate of instant technology at his fingertips and the ability to travel to and from New York and Chicago as the need warranted, he would be just fine. And now he had the added inspiration of being able to paint with his daughter beside him - and be reunited as a family again. That more than made up for any smidgen of insecurity on his part. No, things would work out, both professionally and personally. It just had to; there was no other option this time.

The ringing of his cellphone brought him back to his present situation - and also caused his pulse to quicken in anticipation. It could be anyone - his mom, the real estate agent, Daphne, Emmett, any of the group of art gallery owners he dealt with. But at that moment, there was only one person he hoped to speak to as he reached over to peer at the incoming call information. Smiling in realization, he brought it up to his ear.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself," was the silky response, causing him to reach down and begin to unzip his jeans. He had been so tired that he hadn't even bothered to get undressed. "How are you? Get everything taken care of?"

"Well, almost everything," Justin responded as he reached inside his briefs and slowly slid his hand down to grip his cock. Just the mesmerizing sound of Brian's voice was enough to make him begin to harden. He slowly began to stroke himself in preparation as he huskily explained, "There's one little problem I hadn't had a chance to take care of yet. But I'm about to."

Brian chuckled deep in this throat. "Well, don't start on it just yet," he warned him. "I have a couple of girls who would like to talk to their father first."

"Oh!" Justin exclaimed, red-faced and heart thumping as he immediately pulled his hand out of his briefs as he heard Brian saying in the background, "He's on now. Go ahead, girls."

"Hi, Daddy!" both daughters exclaimed into the phone. "We miss you!"

Justin took a deep breath in hopes he didn't sound quite as breathless as he felt as he told them, "I miss you, too. So much. I can't wait to get back home to all of you." He realized it was the first time in a long time that he had called Britin home. It still sounded a little strange tripping off his tongue, but he found that it didn't seem quite as odd now that he was returning there and leaving his old life behind.

"When will you be home, Daddy?" Kaylee asked him. He had finally discovered that Kaylee has a slightly different inflection in her voice when she spoke; that was the only way he could tell them apart by sound. Strange how he had never figured that out before, but then again, he hadn't known there were two of them at the time, either.

"How about tomorrow night sometime?" he told her as both girls shrieked in surprise.

"Really?" Katie interjected. "That soon?"

"Yep," Justin told her with a smile. "I got the condo listed earlier today and most of what I need to bring back is already boxed up; I just need to put them in the back of the SUV. I should be able to start back around mid-morning, so it might be pretty late when I get there. But I should be home sometime late tomorrow."

He held the phone back from his ear as both girls screamed in delight. "Girls, girls, quiet down," he could hear Brian say with a laugh. "I want to talk to your father for a while; why don't you say goodbye and then head up off to bed, okay? You'll see him tomorrow."

"Okay, Dad," Justin heard Katie say as she spoke into the phone.

"Can we paint when you get back, Daddy?"

Justin smiled. "You bet, Princess. That's one of the first things on my list. I can't wait."

Katie beamed as she told him, "I can't, either. I love you, Daddy. Have a safe trip home."

"I love you, too, Katie," Justin replied, his voice hitching slightly. Until he heard their voices, he hadn't really realized just how much he missed them, too, even though it had only been less than a day. Tomorrow night couldn't come soon enough for him. "I'll see you soon."

"Okay. Here's Kaylee. Goodnight, Daddy."

"Goodnight, Princess. I'm sending a kiss your way."

"Me, too." There was a brief pause before Kaylee came onto the phone. "Daddy, are the cats coming with you?"

Justin grinned. "Of course, Sweetheart. They were glad to see me, but I can tell they really miss you. I'm bringing them with me tomorrow, though, so it won't be long before you're all together again."

"Yes!" Kaylee shouted out as Brian covered his ears to protect himself from the noise. He shook his head in amusement as Kaylee added, "Better bring their cat food and their treats, Daddy. Dad has no idea how to go pet food shopping yet."

"Hey!" was the protest as Justin laughed.

"Don't worry, Kaylee," he told her. I'll be bringing plenty of that back with me. There's no point in leaving it here. They'll be more than enough for them before we need to go to the grocery and educate your father on the differences between wet food and canned."

"Good, because he's going to need it," Kaylee reported as Justin heard Brian huff in mock insult. "Dad's wanting the phone," she advised. "I love you, Daddy. Get here quick, but don't speed and get a ticket."

Justin grinned. "I won't. I love you, too, Princess. Have a good night; I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night, Daddy," was the soft reply. "See you soon." There was a slight rustle as Justin heard Brian giving what sounded like a kiss to each girl and wishing them goodnight and instructing them not to stay awake too long in their beds before he returned to the phone.

"Okay, the two tornadoes are off to bed," he reported wryly. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything before," he snickered, his lips rolled under knowingly.

"What do YOU think?" Justin growled as his hand once more snaked inside the front of his briefs to begin stroking himself. "You could have warned me," he scolded him as his breathing slowly began to quicken.

"I tried," Brian reported as he closed and locked the door to his bedroom and walked over barefooted to the bed, turning off the light to bathe the spacious room in moonlight. Cradling his cellphone in the crook of his neck, he sat on the edge of the mattress to tug his jeans and briefs down his legs to kick them off before pulling his tee shirt over his head. Sinking down onto the mattress to lie on his back, he continued to hold onto his cellphone between his neck and shoulder as he murmured, "Well, they've gone off to la-la land now, Sunshine, and we're all alone now. How did your day go?"

Justin sighed as he continued to fondle himself, his cock slowly hardening as Brian whispered to him. It didn't really matter what Brian was saying; his voice alone was enough. "Okay. Tiring. Boxing up all that shit to bring back there was exhausting. My back's fucking killing me right now."

"I thought you weren't bringing a lot back with you?" Brian replied, languidly stroking his own cock as he savored the sound of Justin's voice on the other end of the phone. How long had he dreamed of a moment like this? He longed to have his lover back home and in his bed again, but it was almost surreal, talking to him like this. It hadn't been too long ago that he had practically given up hope of ever seeing - or hearing him - again.

"I'm not," Justin assured him as Brian brought his attention back to the present. "But there're photos and some art awards I just couldn't part with. And obviously whoever the new owner winds up being, he won't be interested in any of it. I certainly wasn't going to throw it away. I have to bring it with me, along with some smaller paintings that I'm able to fit into the SUV."

"Of course," Brian said softly as he continued his leisurely pace. He found that he wanted to make this last. The longer he held out, the sweeter it would be. There would be time for some frenzied lovemaking when he and Justin were reunited tomorrow night. And he had no doubt of that; Justin might be planning on living in the carriage house for now, but he didn't plan on sleeping alone in his bed very much. Not if HE could help it. "You always were the sentimental twat."

Justin snorted as his fingers squeezed and kneaded the swollen flesh while he imagined Brian's hands working their magic on him. "And I suppose you kept those photos of me and Kaylee because you didn't believe in spring cleaning."

"Something like that," Brian murmured in response, his eyes closed as he imagined Justin lying in bed beside him. "I can almost feel you right now," he revealed, his voice low and velvety. "I can feel you stroking me, slow and easy. I can feel your hot breath washing over me as your mouth opens up to take me in, all the way to the back of your throat."

"Yesssss," Justin breathed out as his breathing grew shallow. He continued to pump his cock, building up speed as he held his cellphone in his left hand and closed his eyes to imagine Brian lying beside him, his hand curled possessively around his member as his thumb flicked playfully at the pre-come now oozing out of the tip and he nuzzled his neck before working his way down to the erect nipples on his chest to tease and torment him. "I would wrap my warm lips around your dick, using my tongue to brush against your silky skin. I always loved the way you smelled and how you tasted, Brian, and how soft your skin is, but so muscled and strong..."

"Ah, Justin," Brian groaned, his previous vow forgotten as his fingers flew over his cock faster and faster while he imagined Justin sucking him off in only the way that he could do. "So good," he murmured as he fantasized about last night and how they had worn each other out making love after being apart for so long. "What then?" he urged, concentrating on his body's reaction to his lover's voice as he breathed the words out.

"Then after you came and I swallowed every drop," Justin continued sensuously, his own pace quickening as he struggled to speak, "I would slide up your body as our dicks tangled together to get you hard again while I kissed and licked every part of your chest. Then I would bite down hard on your shoulder to mark you and make sure that everyone knew that you're mine again before I tongue-fucked the shit out of you."

Brian moaned even louder in response, his chest heaving up and down in the throes of passion as he admitted, "I was always yours, Justin. Always...Fuck, I wish you were here in this bed right now."

"Brian," Justin whispered, his chest rising hard up and down in time with the strokes of his hand, feeling the impending climax coming. "Always you, too..." he managed to say just before his body clenched and his face contorted as he exploded, no longer able to hold back.

His lover's familiar, hoarse cry of release was all it took for Brian to follow him immediately afterward, his fingers becoming coated with his sticky seed as his body erupted, his mouth forming a large 'O' as he, too, came with a vocal cry. He bit his lip to keep any further moans from escaping for fear their daughters would hear as he collapsed, spineless and sweaty, onto the much too large and lonely bed.

Several seconds passed before either man could speak, their lifeline still clutched tightly between them as Brian held the phone to his ear and listened to Justin's ragged breathing as he, too, tried to regain a regular rhythm.

"Brian?" was the eventual, throaty whisper as Justin finally slowed his breathing down enough to speak.

"Yeah?"

"I'm ready to come home."

Sweat trickling down his face and his hair damp and plastered to his forehead, Brian had to smile lazily at the word home. "I'll be waiting, Sunshine," he whispered back. "Get some sleep."

"I'll try," was the soft response, although Justin wondered how easy that would be, lying in his old bed and feeling particularly alone now. Talking to Brian was both heaven as well as hell. "Good night, then; I'll see you tomorrow."

Brian blinked the moisture back from his eyes. It's just sweat, he told himself. ...Right. "We'll be waiting for you. And, Justin...?"

"Yeah?" was the sleepy response; he could hear his partner slowing succumbing to his tiredness, the strenuous events of the day slowly catching up with him.

"I...uh..."

"I know," Justin assured him; certain of that now. Perhaps he always had been. "Me, too, Brian. Later."

"No," was the unexpected response.

Justin frowned, about ready to hang up when Brian had spoken. "No, what?"

"Let me say it," Brian explained as silence permeated the other end as Justin held his breath. He took a deep breath. It's not that hard, Kinney. Just fucking say it already. It's not the first time, and it definitely won't be the last. He inhaled one more deep breath before he let it out. "I love you; come home soon."

Justin smiled as his eyelids struggled to stay open. "I love you, too, Brian Kinney," he whispered before he quietly disconnected the call and fell asleep.

Early the Next Morning - Chicago

Justin groaned as he placed his hands at the small of his back and leaned backward to stretch; he was even stiffer this morning than he had been last night when he had spoken to Brian. "And not in a good way," he murmured with a smile, figuring what Brian's response to that would be. He sighed; at least he only had a few more boxes to go, and then he and the cats could finally get going back to West Virginia.

He pushed the living room curtains aside to stare at the "For Sale" sign now prominently displayed on his front lawn. It felt odd to see it there; almost out of place. He took a deep breath as he turned around to survey what had been his residence for so long. The movers would be coming shortly to pick up his piano and the oversized paintings he couldn't fit into the SUV, along with a few miscellaneous boxes. Other than that, he was leaving his condo in pretty much the same condition as when he and Kaylee had lived in it. It had been a perfect home for them; warm with old-world charm and in an established, friendly neighborhood, close to the park and to all the galleries he frequented. It had been the springboard for his career as well as the place where he had raised his daughter. So many memories had been crafted here.

But as he stood there in the place he had living in for so long, he found that he wasn't regretting his decision; it was time to move back, to work on creating a new life with the man he loved and with their daughters. It was also time to rekindle his friendships back home, to reconnect with those he cared about. It was scary in a way; yes. Leaving your comfortable cocoon always was. But it was also exciting and promising. And it felt right. He looked all around the room one more time as if memorizing it before he picked up the last, remaining box to be fitted into the SUV and walked over to the door to open it, hearing the cats meowing in protest from inside their cat carriers. Picasso and Dali detested being caged up, but he had placed a couple of toys in with them to keep them occupied, along with some food and a small water bottle, so they would be comfortable enough on the way to their new home. "I know," he concurred with them sympathetically. "But it'll be worth it," he assured them softly. "It'll be worth it for all of us."

Smiling, he opened the door and stepped outside; his back to the front yard as he closed the door behind him, he didn't notice someone walking up the sidewalk, but his body stiffened as he heard a familiar voice - one that he never thought he would ever hear again.

"So you really did it, didn't you? You went back to that asshole."

Justin slowly turned around to confront his former boyfriend, his lips pressed firmly together in irritation. At that moment, he didn't know if he was angrier over Alex's showing up unexpectedly or the derogatory name that he had just used for his partner. "What I do or don't do is none of your business."

Alex shook his head in dismay as Justin continued to clutch the box, almost like a shield of armor between them. "How could you, Justin? He's not worth it; he's so beneath you."

Justin smirked. "No, normally it's the other way around."

Alex's mouth hung open in disgust. "Don't you realize what he's doing, Justin? He's manipulating you! He's using - what's her name? Katie. He's using her to get to you! Once he has you back where he wants you and gets tired of you, he'll move onto someone else and throw you away like yesterday's garbage! How can you trust him? I know men like him; he's a player! He likes the thrill of the hunt, and once he's gotten what he's after and gets his fill, it'll all be over and you'll be left out in the cold, without your daughters and without your home!"

Justin rolled his eyes. "Oh, please; don't be so melodramatic. It doesn't become you."

Alex looked at the "For Sale" sign, remembering all the times he and Justin had spent together there. "So you're just dropping everything and moving back in with him. Just giving up everything you worked for and doing whatever he wants. I thought you had more sense than that."

"Shut up, Alex!" Justin erupted, his face red with fury, as he dropped the box at his feet. "You don't know shit about Brian or me! We have something that you will never understand!"

Alex shook his head sadly. "Justin, you're so much better than that egotistical jerk. Don't make the same mistake twice."

Justin crossed his arms over his chest, his body language all too clear as he told him firmly, "I won't." He thought he detected just a bit of smugness on Alex's face before he clarified what he meant. "This time Brian and I are going to make it work." He walked up closer to his former lover to look him directly in the eyes, his own flashing a deep shade of inky blue as he told him with deadly calm, "You don't have the right to talk about Brian at all, because you don't know shit about him. Not the way that I do. And one more thing - if you EVER show up again at our home or come anywhere near my daughters, I will take out a restraining order on you so fast you won't even have time to turn around before I knock your ass to the ground and drag you over to your car. Do I make myself clear?"

"Justin," Alex gasped out. "You can't be serious. Even if you don't want us to get back together..."

Justin laughed in derision. "Are you out of your mind? That's never going to happen. I mean it, Alex; leave my family the fuck alone; ALL of them. Got it? GOT IT?" he repeated when Alex just stood there, stony faced.

Finally, the other man huffed out, "Yeah, yeah, I got it, Justin. I still think you're making a big mistake. But if you're that dense, then maybe the two of you deserve each other. I guess I never really knew you at all." He shook his head as he turned to go. Just before he left, however, he turned to eye him sadly. "I really did love you, you know. But then I never had your heart from the start, did I?"

Justin stared over at the man he had thought he knew well. There WAS a time when he had cared for this man; at least, the man he thought Alex was. But after the way he had treated his daughters, especially, the man he thought he had known had turned out to be an imposter. Had he really known him, then? Well, it didn't matter now anyway.

"No," he finally told him honestly. "You didn't. And you never would."

Alex nodded. "I didn't think so." He paused for a few moments to study the man he somehow knew he would never see again. "Goodbye, Justin." Silently he turned around and headed down the sidewalk.

Justin watched him for a few seconds until, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders in determination, he picked up the box he had dropped and proceeded to take it over to the SUV. When Alex's car started up and the man slowly pulled out into traffic, Justin never gave him a second look.

Chapter End Notes:

There will be another part to this posted very soon.:) Thank you as always to my beta, Boriqua522, for her assistance.