AN: I was writing another story that I am trying to get done for Xmas season coming up when I thought of this. What did Justin do for that first Thanksgiving after he was kicked out? This is AU though because I changed things while I was writing it. I also added things to it today as I edited it. I know it's long, but couldn't figure where to stop and add chapter so it's all together. Happy Holiday to all.
AN2: It will probably be December before I post again. I have been struggling with all the things going on in my life right now. One my sisters is sick and it's that time of year that missing a lot of family that are gone. I also have to do two laser treatments one next week and then the following week. So not fun, six hours with an eye patch and can't see anything really.
Summary: Justin's down not feeling the Thanksgiving holiday since he's been kicked out. So, Brian surprises Justin taking him to see his Mom and sister for Thanksgiving.
Title: A Thanksgiving Surprise
Brian had walked in the door at Debbie's not seeing Justin there. Michael had tried talking to him, but he'd ignored him. He'd asked Debbie where Justin was at. She'd turned around from the stove waving towards the table, then stopped. She opened her mouth then closed it before yelling out Justin's name. He could have done that, but Justin hadn't appeared. Michael finally had said that Justin had probably left. He was in the way anyway and it wasn't his home. It was supposed to be family for Thanksgiving, not strays. Debbie had taken the dish towel hitting Michael with it. She told him that Justin was family. Brian had reached over to take the phone from the wall calling Justin's phone. His was dead at the moment since he forgot to put it on the charger. He then tried the loft's phone.
Justin didn't answer, but he left a message telling him to pick up the phone or call him back. Michael of course was complaining that he was trying to find Justin. They could have one day without the boy wonder ruining it. Brian didn't want to put up with the complaints, so he left. He had planned on staying at the loft and drinking. He'd find someone that was just as lonely and fuck them. It was his usual tradition, but he'd broken it already by not sleeping in. It didn't take long to get back to the loft. He figured if Justin was there, they might have missed each other.
He opened the door finding the lights on and TV playing. He hadn't been wrong. Justin was sitting on the couch watching something. He tossed his jacket and keys down going over to the couch looking at Justin. He was wrapped up in two blankets up to his chin. He was also wearing a shirt he'd gotten out from his dresser. He knew that today was probably going to suck. It was Justin's first not being with his parents and sister. His asshole sperm donor had kicked him out two months ago. He didn't say a word about the fact Justin's eyes were red. He doubted they were allergies either.
"Got room for me?" Brian asked kicking his shoes off waiting for Justin's response.
Justin untangled the blankets pulling one side back lifting it up for Brian. He'd gotten here not long ago expecting to find Brian. Brian had said he was sleeping in, wasn't about to help cook no stupid bird at Debbie's. So after being bitched at and constantly told he shouldn't be there himself, he left. He hadn't said a word, just got up and walked out of the house. It was bad enough he couldn't spend the holiday with his mom and sister. He'd called last week and Molly had answered. She'd said they were going away for the holiday like they did sometimes. He had hoped maybe they would at least call to say Happy Thanksgiving. He wasn't sure if it would happen, but he had sat on Brian's couch turning the parade on. It was one tradition he could keep if he had been tossed out.
Brian wrapped his arms around Justin's shoulders pulling him to him. "Screw them all." He said kissing the side of Justin's head. "I want you." He added not meaning it towards sex right then.
"Thanks." Justin got out resting his head against Brian as they watched the parade starting. "The year before Molly was born we went there to the parade in person. It was so cool to be there. I had on this huge coat and two layers below it. My nose was so cold, but I had so much fun." He said watching the first floats.
"Maybe next year we can go." Brian offered. "The two of us, do a New York thanksgiving."
Justin smiled not sure if Brian meant it or was just trying to cheer him up. "That would be nice." He replied watching the parade from the couch.
~BJ JB BJ JB~
It was when Santa came on the screen that parade came to an end hours later. Brian wasn't sure how much Justin's spirit had been lifted while watching the parade. He had seen a slight smile from him. There had also been singing along, but it wasn't at Justin's usual outgoingness. He had gone to the bathroom at one point and called Mother Taylor. He wanted to know if she'd really left town or if that was what Molly had thought was happening. He hadn't gotten an answer on her cell phone so he took the chance calling the house. It was there that the phone had been answered.
He asked one simple question, was the sperm donor going to be there. He'd been told no, so he asked a second one, could they come for Thanksgiving? He wasn't sure if Justin's mom would let him back in the house. She wasn't fond of him, but it was more Justin that needed cheering up. He refused to even think he was falling for Justin. That would be nuts, but he felt something. He had to if he had risked being rejected himself to ask if Justin and he could come to Thanksgiving. He'd seen Mother Taylor more than once at Debbie's. It was Justin was supposedly living, though nine times out ten he ended up here at the loft. Weekends he didn't even go back to Debbie's until Monday night. She had said she left Justin a message about today on his phone, she'd invited both of them.
So now that the parade was over he got up off the couch stretching looking at Justin. He wanted to do a lot of things to him. Justin wasn't in the mood though, he'd let him kiss him. He knew that was all he'd be doing though. He flipped the TV off after finding the remote. He ignored Justin's protests because they were going elsewhere.
"Get your shoes and coat, we're going out. No, we are not going to the crap fest at Debbie's either." Brian said before Justin could say anything. "You'll like this, I promise."
Justin gave him a skeptical look, but he got up from the couch. He had wanted to feel close to Brian when he hadn't been there. He'd put one of his shirts and hoodies that Brian only wore at the loft on. He'd also put a pair of the pants that were Brian's and he had to hold up, on. He was curious even if he didn't feel like going anywhere. He had thought he could take a few hours at Debbie's today. He'd been helping her in the kitchen just fine until Michael had shown up. He'd gotten up at five helping Debbie with things. It had felt like at home when they didn't go away a few years ago.
The night before he had helped Debbie with the deviled eggs, macaroni salad, potato salad, making of the stuffing or dressing depending on where you were from. It didn't go into no turkey either, it was in a nice large pan made from scratch. They'd made sausage balls and pigs in the blanket. She had said the secret was to make most of it the night before then pop it in the oven as if she'd done it all in one day. He'd laughed, but they'd been up til almost twelve doing that. Then got up at five to work on the turkey, the mac and cheese that she made especially for Vic, and a sweet potato pie. He had been working on making ham biscuits when Michael had shown up. He didn't want to make Debbie pick between them or start a fight so he'd walked out. It was simple he was the stray.
"Where are we going?" Justin asked putting his coat on.
"It's a surprise, but it's not Debbie's." Brian said opening the door and letting Justin out before he set the alarm. "You are so closing your eyes on the way there too." He grinned putting his arm around Justin's waist and pulling him in close. "I'm even allowed there and I'm the devil." He laughed kissing Justin's cheek.
"You're not the devil. You are wonderful and kind and the guy I love. I thought the girls and Gus were at one of their friends for Thanksgiving. You hate Lesbian stuff so I doubt we're going there." Justin said.
"Correct, I'm not dealing with that." Brian said. "I'm not going to tell you where we're going though." He added as Justin kept guessing. A few he wasn't even sure where they were with Justin calling off odd places.
"You are lucky I love you or this wouldn't be happening today." Justin said when they reached the Jeep. He got in watching Brian start it up. Though before they started moving he found a blind fold covering his eyes. "Kinky huh. This should be good then."
"Don't go peeking either you sneaky twat." Brian said before leaving the parking area.
~BJ JB BJ JB~
It didn't take long to get to where they were going. Justin knew that Brian wouldn't trick him by saying they weren't doing something only to do it. He wanted to take the blindfold off, but Brian promised him denied release if he thought about it. He had a love hate relationship with being denied. He didn't feel like dealing with it today though, so he was good keeping it on. Brian took longer than he thought to get around the side. He was fixing to think he'd left him, but then the door opened and he was being lead somewhere.
"Just so you know it's only going to be four of us here." Brian said pushing the doorbell.
"This best not be some kind of fucking orgy, Brian. I will seriously hurt you." Justin said as the door opened.
"MOM, Justin's here with his boyfriend." Molly yelled causing Justin to take off the blindfold and Brian to wince holding his ears. "About time you are getting here, you weren't sucking face, were you?" She asked.
"You said you all were leaving town." Justin said as his mom came to the door. "You didn't leave?"
"Of course not," Jennifer said. "He's not here, but Molly and I weren't going away. Didn't you get the message I left you last night?" She asked.
"I was helping Debbie cook til almost midnight. I never checked my phone." Justin replied. "I walked out earlier and left it upstairs." He said wishing he'd checked it sooner. He would have come here or gotten Brian and dragged him here sooner. "You want us both here, right? He can stay." He didn't want Brian to go back to the loft to be alone.
"Yes, your boyfriend can stay with us." Molly said. "Now get the big oof in here so we can eat. I'm starving and she won't let me have anything until you got here." She said giving her brother a look.
"I'm not…" Brian started, but Justin elbowed him hard in the ribs before he could finish the sentence.
"You can call him Brian." Justin said. "But big oof is funny." He laughed at Brian's annoyed look.
"You both are here for Thanksgiving." Jennifer said. "Molly will take your coats. Wash up and come on in the kitchen." She gave them a smile.
She had refused to go away somewhere and not see Justin today. If the bastard that threw their child out didn't want to be here, he could go elsewhere. She already knew their marriage was ending. She wasn't cutting her first born out of her life. She hadn't expected Brian to call her or for Justin to not have gotten her message. She hadn't even known until Brian called that Justin thought they were leaving as usual. Craig had been saying it for weeks they were. Of course, Molly had heard and thought that.
When she'd called Debbie's Michael had answered and when she'd heard his voice she'd hung up. She seriously hated that man with a passion. She was learning to be a mom to a gay son. She wasn't sure if she was ready for the other half part, but she could tell if she wanted Justin to stay in her life he came with Brian. It was why when she'd left Justin the message the night before, it had been for both of them.
~BJ JB BJ JB~
Molly was skipping in front of Brian and Justin as they came back into the kitchen. The table was set with plates. It was like an assembly line with the food on the bar area and along the sink. Jennifer told them to get what they wanted. She had made a little bit of each which included Justin's favorite the turkey casserole. He preferred that over having a cooked turkey to eat in slices. Potatoes, turkey gravy, pigs in blankets, sausage balls, deviled eggs, mac and cheese casserole that included cut up hot dogs and bacon were lined up on the sink area. On the bar there was the turkey casserole, baked beans, sweet potato casserole, ham biscuits and macaroni salad. Brian got a small spoon of each except for the potatoes. He did try the turkey casserole that Justin put an extra scoop of on his plate. Justin had then poured his mom's turkey gravy over it telling him it made it taste even better. Molly had insisted he had to try the baked mac and cheese since she had helped make it this year.
Justin couldn't help smiling when he saw that Brian's plate had most of the stuff there. It was also food that Brian tried avoiding. He didn't say anything right then, but he'd tease him later when they were alone. He figured they'd work the food off once they were back at the loft. The food was wonderful as usual. He was also happy unlike earlier in the day when he'd felt miserable.
He sat there having Thanksgiving lunch with his mom and sister who were letting Brian be there too. He listened to Molly going on about school and the play she'd signed up for that would start rehearsals in January when school went back. Molly asked a ton of questions for Brian too. Most of them were answered. He was just glad she didn't ask how they did it again. That had been a question she'd asked before he'd been thrown out. His mom was talking to Brian too and it didn't feel strained after a bit. She asked him about work. Brian told her about a new client that they had gotten. It was a small company which turned out to be one of his mom's friend's family own businesses that needed advertisement.
Justin listened to them talk and it felt like they were an actual family. There were even a couple of laughs. He didn't remember laughing like this the last two years. It had felt forced and quiet at the table. Even though they had gone away last year it hadn't seemed like they were a family during the time. He laughed multiple times at the funny faces that Brian made to get Molly to laugh. He wasn't surprised because without others around them, this was the Brian that hid underneath the mask.
~BJ JB BJ JB~
When the food was gone off of their plates they got loaded into the dishwasher. Molly grabbed Justin and Brian's hands saying they had to come see her room. He loved her even if they did drive each other nuts at times. She showed him the newest books she had from the school's book fair. She told them about the new student in her class that had two moms, but she hadn't told their parents since she wanted her to come over and play.
"Feel funny if he ends up with two gay kids." Brian said in a low voice. "Or a house full and doesn't know. Oh, wait he has that now."
"Behave before she hears you." Justin said giving him a look. "She can hear everything."
"I can, but I never tell daddy anything anymore." Molly said pouring pretend tea into the cups she had in front of them. "He's a nasty bully, tossed my best friend out. So, I don't talk to him. He tries all the time, but I ignore him." She smiled at Justin. "Don't let it get cold you two."
That was news to Justin, but he was more into watching Brian playing tea party with Molly and him. He did it sure, but Brian doing it was not what he expected. This day was getting better and better. He drank the pretend tea and laughed when Brian faked that it was too hot. Molly put her hands on her hips fussing at him for not blowing on it like he was supposed to. She then gave his forehead a kiss saying all better.
"Thank you, I'll remember that next time." Brian said.
He looked over at Justin who had a huge smile on his face trying not to laugh at him. He reached over getting Justin in the side which had him letting out a squeal. Justin jumped not expecting it. Justin started laughing when Brian did it again. He watched him try and squirm away. Molly was laughing too and Brian told her to help him get Justin. However, she came over to him and started tickling him. That was not at all the plan, but it gave Justin time to recover before coming after him too.
Brian ended up on his back with a Taylor sibling on either side of him getting his ticklish spots. Justin was at an advantage since he knew them, but Molly found them easily too. He let out sounds that he refused to admit to making. At some point Jennifer must have heard them because when he looked up from water eyes from laughing so much she was standing in the door way. There was a smile behind her hand and she was stiffening a laugh trying to use a cough to cover it. He finally called mercy because he was worried about his bladder erupting.
"The bathroom's across the hall." Molly said laughing. "Mommy we got Brian good. Can we adopt him? He plays tea party with me like Justin and you." She smiled hugging Jennifer's legs. "Today's been awesome so far."
"I'm glad you're having fun honey." Jennifer said running her fingers through Molly's hair. "It has been a good day."
She had been worried it would be uncomfortable, but that wasn't the case at all. Brian wasn't the devil like the bastard claimed he was. What she'd seen here today was a man that was kind and cared for her son. He took the time to make her daughter smile and laugh too. Molly hadn't been the only one down lately. She'd seen Justin at Debbie's, he looked lost at times. She felt it too, it was why she'd known she couldn't keep living like this. She made the effort to make Brian feel welcomed because she didn't want to widen the gap and lose Justin forever.
"If you help me wear him down, one day he can be in the family a different way." Justin grinned once Brian was in the bathroom. "Don't let him fool you either, even if he says no, he eventually does it." He added.
"Cool, I'll let him know he has to give a separate gift at Christmas. There is no doubling up since you two are boyfriends." Molly said. "I expect two from both of you and I will give you the list as soon as I write it." She smiled.
"It might be before Christmas, but I'll remind him." Justin said. He was going to see his mom and sister for Christmas. He'd talk to Brian about having them over at the loft. Maybe put up a tree and have a decorating party.
"We're not going away for Christmas this year either. If you let me know where you're at we'll come by Christmas day." Jennifer said. "He may not want you, but I'm not going stop loving you." She added before pulling Justin into a hug. "Brian's not so bad, just if you are there, please hide anything that might be your eyes only."
"We'll child proof the loft if you like." Brian said coming out of the bathroom. "Justin proof it too." He grinned before Justin swatted at him. "What's up next on today's list of things to do?" He asked them hiding behind Jennifer so Justin couldn't get him.
"Cheater." Justin laughed. "She won't protect you forever. We'll eventually go home." He smirked.
"By then you'll have forgotten." Brian grinned back.
"We usually decorate the Christmas tree and then watch a Christmas movie, if we're home." Molly said. "MOMMY, can Brian help us, please? He's tall enough to reach the top and if he can lift Justin he can lift me too. So, I can put on the tree topper. OH, please let him stay." She jumped and down with her hands together.
"We haven't gotten the tree yet." Jennifer said with a sigh. "He was convinced we were going on vacation. So, we didn't get it yet. We could watch a movie though, then have some pie." She offered. If they'd gotten the tree she wouldn't have said no. She'd do anything to make today's happiness last. It was feeling like Thanksgiving unlike the night before when it had felt like nothing.
"Christmas Vacation." Justin and Molly said at the same time which got a laugh from their mom and a confused look from Brian.
"Christmas Vacation is a great movie. Let me go find it and we can watch. One of you can explain what it's about." Jennifer said. "Or surprise him."
"Surprise." Came them reply from Justin and Molly who started pushing Brian towards the living room.
"I'm going I'm going." Brian laughed when Molly told him to move his caboose faster. He quickly turned surprising her and picked her up fireman style getting a squeal of laughter from her.
"So not fair I have to walk." Justin pouted, but he was glad that his sister was happy.
He was too and his face was hurting from smiling and laughing so much. He'd seen multiple smiles on his mom's face too. He knew last month when she'd stopped by Debbie's she'd been upset. He'd listened on the stairwell before he came down. It had sounded like she'd been crying. When he'd gotten in the kitchen she'd claimed it was from sneezing. There had been too much pepper, but there wasn't even food out. He'd taken her out to lunch and spent the rest of the day with her. When Molly had gotten out of school they had gone to their favorite place and gotten double scoops of ice cream sundaes. It had been fun and for a while they forgot how broken things felt. They had even gone to the roller rink and spent two hours there before they had dropped him off at Debbie's.
He'd called Brian before going inside and spent the night with him. He hadn't wanted to deal with questions on what they'd done. Brian hadn't asked anything and he hadn't said anything either. He hated crying over things, but he'd wanted to go home with them. Brian had held him while he'd broken down. He hadn't told him it would be okay or any bull crap. He'd held him tight letting him deal with the pain in his way. He had forgotten for the day that he didn't live with them. He forgot that he'd been tossed out because he was gay. It was like the wound had boiled over again. He'd kept it together until he'd been at the loft. Then he couldn't keep hiding the pain. He really hoped it wasn't where this lead tonight when Brian and he went home.
~BJ JB BJ JB~
Christmas Vacation was watched along with Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving. The TV had Jurassic Park playing too. Jennifer wasn't sure about Molly seeing it at first, but Justin and she started laughing saying she'd seen it like ten times since it came out the year before. It had gotten a sigh from their mom who gave in. By the time Jurassic Park went off Molly was almost asleep. Her head was lying on Brian's lap and her feet were on Justin's. A blanket had been put over her when she'd gotten chilly.
"I think we better take off." Brian said looking at Justin who was trying to stay awake too. "I can take her to bed if you want me too." He offered before noticing that Jennifer was asleep on the other couch.
Instead of waking Jennifer up he carried Molly to her room after Justin had moved. Though he'd watched him flop on the couch when he left. Before they had started Jurassic Park Molly had gotten ready for bed. That way all she had to do was get in once it was over. Brian pulled the covers back. He covered her back up once she was on the bed. It had been a fun day and he was glad that he'd brought Justin here. Maybe they had both needed people that didn't hate them around them today.
Jennifer had told him when he'd been helping her with the popcorn and drinks earlier that she got why Justin loved him. She couldn't change her husband's mind, but she wasn't going to fight what Justin wanted. If that was him as a boyfriend, then he best treat her son right or she would hurt him just like any girl that might break her son's heart. She had then taken the two bowls of popcorn with her. He'd tried saying he wasn't Justin's boyfriend, but Jennifer had glared at him before he got the rest of it out.
"Night, Brian. Justin said you can be my brother too since he's going to marry you one day. I'll be the flower girl since your son be the ring bearer." Molly said yawning. "Love you, thank you for bringing Justin here. I miss him." She added. "I think mommy and daddy are getting divorced. They argue even more now, and we sometimes go over to Debbie's for a few hours. Though I think her son is a nut job. I stomped his foot the other day when he called me brat number two."
"I heard about the foot stomp. Next time tell him Captain Astro sucks, it will have a better insult." Brian said not sure why, but he didn't want anyone picking on Molly. "If ever need to get away call Justin, you can stay with us if you want. You're not a bad sister to have around. Better than mine." Brian added. "Glad you had a good day, I did too." He smiled before standing up. He didn't have a comment on a wedding because that was not something he saw in the near future.
"Good. Please don't break Justin's heart. I love him and I don't want have to stomp your foot since you my new brother." Molly added before she slid farther down under the cover going to sleep.
Brian walked out of the room closing the door part way. He'd had both Taylor women warn him about hurting Justin. He hadn't even said anything against the boyfriend thing this time. He walked in the living room finding Justin and Jennifer still asleep. He opened the chest behind the couch where he'd seen Molly get the blanket she'd been covered up with earlier. He got one of the larger blankets out before covering Jennifer with it. He turned the TV off before picking up the dishes they'd used for the popcorn and their drinks. He cleaned them up setting them in the strainer before checking the time.
It was almost ten and he hadn't even bothered turning his phone back on after he'd called to tell Lindsay and Gus Happy Thanksgiving. He saw the missed calls from Debbie and Michael. There were six voicemails too, he didn't even listen to them. He deleted them before turning the phone back off. He didn't want to hear their complaints about him not coming to dinner. He was where he'd wanted to be, with Justin. He walked back in the living room getting two more of the blankets out of the chest and a pillow from the chair. He tossed the pillow down on the floor. He put one of the blankets over Justin and then he laid down next to the couch.
He didn't want to wake Justin up to leave and he didn't want to walk out leaving Jennifer not knowing they'd left. There was another thing that he'd been told that Jennifer hadn't said to the kids, but Molly had known. She'd went to a lawyer and was filing for divorce. She was seeking full custody of Molly since Craig had already written off Justin. She had given Craig the papers the other day. She'd told him he wasn't going to destroy their lives anymore. She was spending Thanksgiving with her son and if he didn't like it, he could leave. He'd packed a bag and left refusing to be near Justin.
He had told her he wouldn't say anything. He had also told her she was better off and there was someone out there that would love both her children as well as her. She'd find them one day when she wasn't looking. She had given him a smile. It was a work in progress. She'd let him be here and she didn't hate him. So, he laid on the floor instead of sharing the couch with Justin. He wasn't looking to piss her off. He liked her, she was a mom that worried about her kids. She loved them and wanted the best for them. He wished he'd had that, but at least Justin had it.
He knew the three of them were struggling. He still remembered weeks ago when Justin had broken down forgetting he couldn't go home with them. It had broken his heart too because no one should go through that. Jennifer and Molly loved him, he was screwed because he knew he was there too. He loved all three of them which was why he'd spent today here instead of elsewhere. They needed this and who knew maybe it would end up with some new tradition. He was going to make sure they had Christmas together too. He hadn't done anything at the loft ever, but maybe this year he'd do something.
~THE END~
EN: Okay so I wrote this in one day after drawing a blank on what I could post for Thanksgiving. I am sorry that it's a day late, but I ended up with a headache and didn't finish it until 8:13 pm. I didn't have time to read back over it, but I'm posting it today which is Friday. I hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving for those that celebrate. Mine was spent writing this since most family do their own thing and my Uncle was working. We did ours on Tuesday instead.