Before There Was You, There Was You

Chapter 74

“It's better to be hurt by the truth than to gain satisfaction from the lies.”

-David Allan

***

“You are NOT fucking serious with this! We need to be ready in an hour!” Justin said stomping through the loft clutching a dress shirt in each hand, undecided on which to wear.

Brian smiled as he watched his blond storm away from him. He should feel bad about starting a fight one hour before they had to be at the grand opening of their newly acquired business venture, Babylon 7, but he didn’t. He simply got too much joy at times provoking his little tiger. He loved it when Justin showed his claws.

“You just don’t like hearing the truth.” Brian had to push, just a little more.

Justin turned on him, shirts flaring. “Oh I got some truth for you, Mister!”

Brian grew hard.

“You are one arrogant, stubborn, self righteous son of a bitch!” Justin said, eyes blazing.

“True. And you are a reckless, selfish brat,” Brian threw back.

Justin stopped dead in his tracks. He scanned the room searching for something to throw at Brian. Having found nothing suitable, he decided to throw the black Malik shirt he was holding in his left hand at him, knowing it was Brian’s favorite.

Brian ducked nearly escaping being hit by the silk garment. “Did I mention violent, too?” he said unable to keep the mirth out of his voice.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“I’m hard if that’s what you mean.”

“Argggghhh!” Justin vented then threw the blue cashmere shirt he was holding in his other hand at Brian.

Brian caught it and laughed. He truly was getting too much pleasure at watching his hot blond’s pale skin flush in anger. The argument he started was paying off…though he knew it was unfair of him. He had already decided to relent to Lizzy’s request, but he was far from letting Justin know that.

Lizzy had asked them if she could go to New York with her friends to see a concert next weekend.

Justin felt it was a reasonable request. He thought she was old enough and the situation was safe enough.

Brian decided to argue against it, just one hour before they were to meet their other business partners at Babylon 7, stating that it was too dangerous for her to be traveling to New York alone with her friends, even though they would be staying with one of the girl's relatives once they got there.

But that wasn’t what set Justin off. Brian accused Justin of being irresponsible and reckless in his decision-making. He then proceeded to throw in Justin’s face each impulsive act Justin had committed over the years, none of which Justin could deny. It infuriated Justin, and Brian loved an infuriated Justin.

Well, sometimes.

“With the long list of fuck ups you have under your belt, you actually have the nerve to throw my past mistakes in my face? Even you’re not that arrogant!” Justin proclaimed then raised an eyebrow at Brian. “Or are you?”

Brian tilted his head contemplating his answer.

“Asshole,” Justin snapped and went and sat on the couch and picked up the remote. “Fine, you win,” his voice now taking on a dejected tone.

Brian frowned. “What are you doing?”

“One, I’m not talking to you. Two, I’m going to watch some TV, and, three, I’ve decided not to go tonight. Though I’m sure you’ll just chalk that up to another one of my ‘reckless, impulsive’ decisions. But hey, you should be used to them by now,” Justin answered petulantly.

Shit this was not good. Brian wanted Justin fighting mad at him, not sullen and morose. When angered, Justin’s ‘natural’ passions surfaced, wild and unabashed. It was a part of his impulsive nature that Brian loved.

Nothing was better than having a heated argument with his tiger followed by equally hot sex.

But instead of engaging Brian with his fire, Justin was tuning him out. He needed to change his strategy and fast. He wanted that fire back in his blond’s blood.

“Well, before you get too engrossed in another episode of “As the Gay man Pouts,” you should know I’m also seriously thinking of ending that relationship she has with that Devil boy. He’s bad news; I’ve been saying it for weeks now.” Brian ventured in a new direction.

The threat was feeble at best. Justin knew he’d never make Lizzy unhappy on purpose, but hey, he was desperate at this point. His dick was now involved in this argument. The situation just turned dire.

Justin slanted a scorching sideways glance at him. “His name is Devin,” he said, a knowing smile played on his lips.

“Whatever,” Brian replied shrugging his shoulder and walking over to stand in front of Justin.

Justin looked up at him. Brian noted the intense dark blue of his eyes, signifying his anger. His nostrils flared from the sudden onslaught of lust that filled him. The look he was getting from Justin was so fucking hot. Brian was so turned on; it took all his will to not jump him right then and there.

“Don’t be spiteful, Bri. It doesn’t suit you, and it won’t get you what you want,” Justin said in a tauntingly seductive voice.

Brian audibly groaned and put his hand over his now engorged cock.

Justin leaned forward so that his mouth hovered over Brian’s hand. His eyes never left Brian’s. “I know exactly what game you are playing, Mr. Kinney, but it’s not going to work.”

Brian could feel Justin’s breath caress his hand as he continued to rub himself.

“So tell me, Sunshine, what will work?” His own satisfied smirk emerged.

Justin slowly stood up, making sure his cock brushed against Brian’s inner thigh as he rose.

“First, agree to let Lizzy go to the concert.” He pushed forward so his cock pressed firmly against Brian’s hand, forcing Brian to apply even more pressure to his throbbing member.

Brian’s breath caught in his throat. His eyes locked onto Justin’s. “You’re not playing fair.”

Justin let out a small laugh and slowly slid his hand into the waistband of Brian’s pants. “No, I guess I’m not.” He dipped his hand down a little further, eliciting an aching groan from Brian.

“Though I never did play fair when it came to you, did I? I believe I broke just about every rule to get what I wanted,” he said, satisfied with the effect he was having on his lover.

Brian leaned down in a lust filled haze and pulled Justin’s bottom lip in-between his teeth. He sucked on it a bit before releasing it. “And what did you want?” he whispered huskily, his lips mere inches from Justin’s.

“You. Always you. Even before you, there was only you…” Justin said and reached up with his other hand to bring Brian’s mouth down once again to his.

Brian opened his mouth to received Justin’s kiss. Justin moaned deeply into his lover's mouth as his tongue caressed Brian’s, engaging in their oh so familiar sensual duel. It was the one thing Justin craved more than anything from Brian.

His kiss.

Brian’s kiss was so much more than a meeting of mouths and tongues. It was a symphony of sensations and a statement of intent. Every one of Brian’s kisses was like a work of art. He used his lips, tongue and mouth much like an artist uses his brushes and pallet to express all his emotions, thoughts and dreams. And Justin was his canvas.

Brian moved his mouth over Justin’s possessively. He was aggressive, and determined. Justin’s body responded in kind.

Brian pulled his mouth away from Justin’s to run his lips along Justin’s jaw line. He nipped his way up to his lobe.

“You know what I want,” he panted into Justin’s ear.

Yes, Justin’s mind and body responded to the unspoken request. He knew exactly what Brian wanted, what he needed.

Brian wanted to stalk, conquer, and then devour his prey. It was so primal, and elemental to his nature that Justin couldn’t help but react to it. When it came to Brian’s needs, Justin always found a way to give it to him. Even if it meant denying his own immediate needs.

Without warning, Justin abruptly pushed him away, breaking all contact. It was a brave move; one that Justin wondered how the hell he had the strength to do considering his own raging desire. But giving his “Lion” what he wanted, what he needed took precedence over his own current state.

Brian smiled triumphantly at Justin’s sudden rejection. It still amazed him how Justin could pick up on Brian’s needs even when he didn’t recognize them himself. It was purely intuitive on both their parts. And this, ah well this was exactly what Brian was hoping for.

Justin backed away from Brian and raised his eyebrow at him. “I don’t care what you want,” he said then turned away from him.

Brian came up behind him and pulled him back against his chest roughly. He wrapped his arms around his waist and nipped at his ear.

“You should care, Sunshine, I could easily go get it elsewhere,” Brian growled into Justin’s ear.

At one time those words would have cut right through Justin, but not anymore. Though they never spoke about it, Justin knew Brian had not tricked in months, nor did he believe Brian wanted to.

It took him a while to get here, but here he was. Safe and secure in their relationship.

Justin responded to the taunt with a harsh laugh. “Yes, you could, so why are you still here?” he challenged knowing the harder to get he played, the harder Brian was going to fuck him.

Brian ran his hand down Justin’s leg before it covered Justin’s full erect cock.

“Because I can’t find “this”… He squeezed Justin’s cock for emphasis…“in the back room of Babylon,” he said massaging Justin’s hard on.

Justin groaned, but was not about to give in so easily.

Once again he pulled away and turned to face Brian. “What about the Baths?” he goaded, taking a step back.

Brian reached out again and pulled him back to him. He was loving the cat and mouse game they were playing.

“Ah, the Baths…fond memories there, Sunshine. Speaking of baths, how about you join me in that new fancy hot tub you had installed. We’ve only christened it about a dozen times. It’s still practically a virgin,” Brian suggested leaning forward to nip at Justin’s chin.

Justin let out a small moan...”Hmmm… Sorry, but no time. You have to be at the club in less than an hour.” Justin used the excuse to once again deny Brian.

“Fuck that,” Brian said hoarsely and backed Justin up to the couch and unceremoniously pushed him down over the armrest.

Justin didn’t expect the sudden move. He squealed out Brian’s name as he lost his balance and fell back onto the couch. He went to roll off of the couch but wasn’t quick enough.

“…Oomph!” The air rushed from Justin’s lungs as Brian threw himself down on top of him.

Brian grabbed Justin’s wrists and pinned them over his head.

Justin’s chest rose and fell rapidly in his excitement.

“You were saying?” Brian asked rotating his cock against Justin’s while kissing the side of his neck.

“Um, I was…we… ohhhhhh…” Justin closed his eyes and gave in to the feelings Brian was evoking.

“Mine,” Brian murmured in victory against Justin’s soft skin.

Justin smiled at Brian’s words. Oh yes, his Lion was happy now. He stalked, pounced and captured his prey. Now he was going to enjoy the spoils of his conquest.

Brian released Justin’s wrists sensing his surrender and freed him from the confines of his pants leaving Justin naked and vulnerable beneath him.

Brian then straddled his lover and looked down at him as he lay wantonly on the couch under him. He loved seeing Justin like this. Totally open to him, trusting and giving.

God he was beautiful, the humbling thought struck him. As beautiful as that first time he took him home.

Brian smiled at the memory and reached between his legs to take hold of Justin’s cock. He gently started massaging him.

“So, what do you like to do?” he asked raising his eyebrow at Justin.

Justin arched his hips and moaned deeply in response.

Brian stopped his movements. Justin looked up at him, wondering why he stopped.

“Well?” Brian asked, now raising both his eyebrows, as if expecting Justin to know what the fuck he was talking about.

Justin’s eyes narrowed in confusion. “What?”

“I asked you, 'What do you like to do?'”

It took only a minute before it hit him what Brian was doing. A wide grin spread across his face.

Brian smiled back and continued his careful ministrations on Justin’s beautiful cock.

“Um, do? I don’t know. I like watching TV and playing Tomb Raider,” he said, replaying their first night together in his head.

“Hmmm…Interesting. But I meant in bed,” Brian responded in kind.

Brian was masturbating him so expertly, Justin felt just like he did that first night. It was taking all his control not to cum.

“Oh, well this is nice.” He practically purred.

Brian licked his lips as he leaned over to stare in Justin’s eyes. “So, are you a top, or bottom?”

“Top…and bottom,” he said then laughed at his own answer. Though it was a lie at the time, things had changed a lot since then. He both bottomed and topped now.

“Oh, so you’re versatile then,” Brian said tongue in cheek. He was holding back his own laugh.

“And ambidextrous, which is so confusing ‘cause I never know which hand to throw with.”

Brian chuckled at that. “It’s a good thing then that you had a shirt in each hand when you decided to throw them at me.”

Justin started laughing, giddy with the moment. It was infectious and Brian started laughing with him.

Each was enjoying the easy manner in which they transitioned from one emotion to the other, without ever losing their connection. They truly had come such a long way.

“Hey,” Justin said once their laughter subsided.

“Hmmm, “Brian answered and started massaging Justin’s cock again.

“Do you remember what you asked me that night? Right after you stripped in front of me? Which by the way I thought was not only the bravest thing I ever saw, but the coolest.”

“I remember asking you if you liked special K.”

“Yeah, I remember that too, but it was what you asked me right before I walked into your arms I’m talking about.”

Brian stilled his motions and stared intently into Justin’s eyes as memories of that night flooded him. He knew exactly what question Justin was referring to.

“Are you coming or going? Or cumming, then going… Or cumming and …Staying…”

Brian fucking Kinney NEVER asked a trick if they were staying. Ever.

He remembered being shocked at his own words at the time, yet also being very afraid of the answer. As if it should matter either way what the kid said.. But it did.

Though he’d never admit it back then, not even to himself, the reason why he asked Justin the unthinkable was because he saw hope in Justin’s eyes. Not Justin’s hope, but the reflection of his own hope and it scared the shit out of him.

Brian never dared to hope. Hope was a dangerous thing. Hope could drive a man insane.

But there it was. Unmistakable, and in some twink’s eyes, staring right back at him, mocking him.

He needed to know. Was it real? Or was it some cruel irony, an illusion that the fates had bestowed upon him? Could Andy’s vision all those years ago be his salvation?

Justin must have seen the desperate need to ‘know’ in Brian’s own eyes so he answered him the only way he knew how to at the time. He came to him freely and with no fear and gave himself up totally to Brian.

Brian knew that very first night that Justin was not going to leave him. Ever. Though he tested that theory over and over again, being the consummate cynic that he was, he still knew it.

Brian leaned over and kissed Justin full on the mouth, pouring all his love and commitment into him. Conveying the irrefutable hope he had in his heart for them, and their future.

When he finally pulled away, there were tears in his eyes.

“Thank you for staying.”

Justin reached up and cupped his face in his hands.

“As if I ever had a choice. You should know by now there is nothing, no one that can drive me away from you. Not even you,” Justin said, tears shining in his own eyes.

Brian put his tongue in his cheek. “So I’ve learned,” he said then proceeded to make love to his Sunshine, for that was what Justin truly was. The light to his darkness. His ray of hope… his Sunshine…

It took a long time getting here, but here he was. Safe and secure in their relationship and ‘hopeful’ for their future.

Little did he know that fate was about to once again intervene and test that hope.

 

***
 

“To Babylon 7!” The guys lifted their drinks and toasted each other.

“I can’t believe we’re actually owners now!” Michael exclaimed.

“I can’t believe all the renovations were actually done in just less than two months,” Ted added.

“I can’t believe I didn’t end up slitting my wrist over all the demands Brian put on me in decorating the VIP lounge,” Emmett complained.

“I can’t believe I let a fucking queen like you decorate the place,” Brian threw back.

“I can’t believe that right now I’d give my left tit to be a gay man. Wow, these guys are hot!” Cynthia said. She had joined the party of 7 just moments ago. She flew in from New York for the grand opening. Brian was surprised and very happy she did.

“Well I CAN believe how wonderful it’s turned out! Emmett and Brian working together on the theme for the new and improved “Babylon 7”, was nothing short of genius. Look at this place! People will be coming from all over the state, hell, from all over the world, to experience all this place has to offer. The VIP room alone has 36 members already signed up!” Justin boasted.

“I have to admit, Brian, that it was a brilliant idea. I didn’t think it would work at first, with the cost for membership being so high, but I was wrong. Apparently lots of gay businessmen out there are wiling to pay $10,000 a year membership dues to have a special place to go to for dinner, drinks, and um, other entertainments,” Ben added.

Brian smiled. When Ben had come to him with his idea that they all become partners, he jumped on it. Babylon was theirs, as well as his. They all had a special connection with the place. He was even more thrilled at their suggestion that Brian would run the place, and they be silent partners.

Brian insisted that Emmett help him decorate it though. For all Emmett’s personal outrageous tastes in décor, he had an eye for matching design to the client. It was what made him an excellent event planner. He always managed to create exactly what the client envisioned.

Brian told Emmett his vision for Babylon 7, renamed because of the 7 new owners, Himself, Justin, Mikey, Ben, Ted, Emmett and James; and Emmett had magically, and probably with the help of some fairy dust, transformed the place into a palace.

Babylon 7 was now a true Mecca for gay men of all social and economic means.

The downstairs remained pretty much the same except for some upgrades to stage and lighting, and some “perks” Brian had installed. The go go boys now danced in cages that sat on hydraulic platforms that rose and fell in beat to the music. The catwalk was extended so that it encircled the entire floor from above. And a juice bar was added for those clubbers who enjoyed the scene, but not the booze. Also, the back room and bathrooms were cleaned up, and condoms were available in every fuckable corner of the place.

But it was the third floor of the club, which was previously used for storage that was the gem of their acquisition.

Brian had it transformed it into a private lounge/restaurant and of course, elegant back room complete with plush couches, secluded alcoves, and every sexual amenity you could think of, available only to VIP members. For a membership fee of ten grand a year.

It was extravagantly decadent, resembling a sheik’s harem. Only the most beautiful men worked the top floor of the establishment. Brian had hired a young PR major straight out of college to manage it. His name was Brandon and he exemplified every gay man’s fantasy. Posh, elegant, intelligent and fucking sexy as hell.

Justin had insisted on being in on every meeting Brian had with the walking golden god, much to his amusement, though he had nothing to worry about. Not that Brian wasn’t tempted, but Brandon’s managerial and PR skills were too valuable to risk losing over a fuck with the boss. Besides, these days there was only one golden boy that held Brian's interest.

All in all, he was very satisfied with how the place turned out.

“I can’t believe we are actually going to make some serious money from this investment!” Michael exclaimed.

Brian shot him an offended look. “When have I ever undertaken a project that didn’t turn a profit?”

Michael had the good grace to blush. “It’s not that, everyone knows you’re an entrepreneur genius. You’ve had your own agency for only a short time and you’ve already opened up another office in New York!”

“A very successful New York office,” Cynthia boasted being CEO of Kinnetik NY.

“With you at the helm, I’m not surprised,” Michael said smiling. “It’s just that when Ben and I agreed to invest, we only did so because we wanted Babylon.”

“Babylon 7,” Ted corrected.

Michael shot him a look. “Ok, Babylon 7, to stay open so that there’ll always be a place for young gay men to go and feel at home. We never expected to make money off of it. It wasn’t our intent,” Michael said.

“Nice save, Mikey,” Ted jibed.

“Well it was my intent. I know Brian’s business savvy, and was confident my investment would pay off.” James supplied the compliment and lifted his glass to Brian in acknowledgement of his achievement.

“Please, you’re making his head swell more, if that’s even possible,” Shane said.

She was leaning back against Adam who was sitting on a barstool. She was comfortably ensconced between his legs, as he idly stroked her protruding belly.

“Speaking of swelling, good lord child, you look like you’re about to burst any minute! When are you due?” Emmett asked.

“She’s still got three months,” Adam answered.

“Same as Lucy,” Justin said.

Just three more months. The excitement was building every day in their house. Everyone was thrilled and anxious about the new arrival. The kids were all gearing up for the ‘event’. Justin knew they were planning some sort of baby shower but he couldn’t get any information out of them.

It was amazing how much they had all bonded over the past several months. He knew it had much to do with them all helping Jagger through his recovery. But it was the arrival of a new baby that truly brought them together as a ‘real’ family. The baby represented the connecting link that bonded them all together. Their new sibling was the common denominator in their makeshift family.

“Speaking of Lucy, isn’t that her with Rena?” Ben said looking towards the club’s entrance where Rena, John, Robert and a very pregnant woman just entered.

All men turned to look.

“Fuck! She shouldn’t be out this late in her condition!” Brian said.

“Hey! Why is her condition any different than mine?” Shane asked perturbed.

Brian shot her a look. “Because you eat fucking nails for breakfast. Lucy is much more delicate.”

Shane turned to her husband. “Was that a compliment or an insult?”

Adam laughed. “Probably both.”

“I didn’t know Robert was coming,” Ted said eyeing John’s brother.

“Hmmm, down boy. You’re starting to drool,” Emmett teased.

Rena approached her brother and threw her arms around him. “This place is fucking amazing!”

“Congratulations. You’re going to make a mint here you know,” John said embracing both him and Justin.

“Thanks. Lucy, what are you doing here?” Brian asked pulling away from John.

“Oh stop, I’m fine. I couldn’t miss your grand opening!” she said and hugged him.

“I asked her to come with us. She’s fine, Bean, and stop being so overprotective,” Rena scolded.

Justin walked over to Lucy and hugged her. He then stepped back and held her belly.

“Twins. I’m telling you I don’t care what the doctor says. We’re having twins,” Justin declared proudly.

Brian laughed. “Justin’s banking on double trouble.”

“You had a sonogram, didn’t you?” Shane asked.

“Yes. But Brian and Justin don’t want to know anything other than the health of the baby. They don’t want to know sex, or if there is more than one.”

“But you know, right?” Rena asked.

Lucy smiled. “Yes I know. I knew before the sonogram.”

Brian pulled a chair over for Lucy to sit. “One hour, then I’m driving you home.”

Lucy sat and sighed.

“Who’s watching the kids?”

“Jacqueline and Victoria are old enough to watch Elliot. You really are too overprotective, Brian.”

“How is Elliot doing?” Rena asked.

“Oh he’s doing wonderful! The scars are all nearly gone now. The whole ‘incident’ is nothing more than a bad memory at this point. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

“That’s great,” Rena said smiling down at the woman.

“Speaking of kids, who’s watching your brood, Bri?” Michael asked.

“They don’t need babysitters. Lizzy is sixteen, Peter is fourteen and Jagger is fucking thirteen going on forty. Johnny is the baby at ten and Lizzy is certainly old enough to watch him. Anyway, Joan is at the house as well.”

“Why is Joan at the house?” Michael asked.

“Haven’t you heard, sweetie? Brian’s mother has moved in with them,” Emmett said.

“No fucking way! How come you didn’t tell me?” Michael asked his best friend.

Brian snorted. “Because it’s not true. She had a bad spell over the winter and it was much easier having her stay with us until she gets better than having to pay a nurse to watch over her. As soon as she’s on her feet again, she’s going back home.”

Justin frowned. That was not going to happen. Joan was getting worse. Brian had moved her in because he didn’t want her to be alone. He couldn’t face the fact that she might not be with them much longer. Justin hoped she would live long enough to see their child be born. She talked about it every day. It was the one topic she and Brian could communicate on for hours at a time. Their baby wasn’t even here yet and was working miracles in healing all of them, in so many ways.

“Hey, there’s Lins and Mel!” Ted announced turning everyone’s attention to the new arrivals.

Lindsey walked up to Brian and Justin and gave them quick hugs, congratulating them both then went over to Lucy. She bent down and put her ear to Lucy’s belly. “How’s the little darling doing today?”

Lindsey had surprised them all by her friendship with Lucy. She immediately bonded with the woman, knowing that her baby was Gus’s little sister or brother. She’d become a confidante and true friend to the woman. Even Mel felt an attachment to Lucy.

Brian and Justin couldn’t be happier. They were all going to be family. The new baby connected them all now, and Lucy would need their support once the baby was born. They knew it would be difficult for her to hand over the baby immediately after giving birth, but they all agreed it would be best. Mel and Lins would be there for her while she adjusted. Brian and Justin intended to keep Lucy in their lives. They simply were too attached to her and her children not to. But a separation period was needed first before they could come together again as a family.

The baby kicked in response to Lindsey’s question and she laughed.

“I see he has Brian’s temperament,” Mel said.

“And Justin’s appetite. I swear I’m hungry all the time!”

“Speaking of food…” Shane turned to her husband.

“Yeah, I know. McDonalds.”

“Well, guys, that’s our cue. Baby wants junk food again,” he said getting up and taking Shane’s hand.

“You guys leaving? We just got here,” Rena said.

“Sorry, Re, but it’s almost midnight, and my warden here insists I be in bed by midnight.”

“You should take Lucy home with you,” Brian said.

“No. I have a ride, thank you. Mark is picking me up.”

Her little disclosure brought several curious eyes upon her.

“Mark?” Justin was first to voice the question.

Lucy blushed. “He’s a friend.”

“Oh girl, no way are you going to get off that easily! Dish!” Emmett said pulling up a chair and straddling it.

Brian scowled at him.

“Honestly, he’s just a friend. I met him through the school. He was Elliot’s advisor. We spent a lot of time together arranging tutors for Elliot to catch up on all the schoolwork he missed because of his surgeries. Then after, well, we have a lot in common, so we started going out. That’s all.”

“What does ‘going out’ mean?” Brian asked ominously.

“Brian! That’s none of our business!” Justin said.

“That’s ok, Justin. It’s a reasonable question. I understand your concern, Brian. But there is no need. I would never do anything to jeopardize the baby’s health.”

Brian nodded his head.

Justin was furious. It was beyond rude for Brian to ask such a thing. What Lucy did in her private life was her own business! They knew her well enough to know she took very good care of her body and their baby.

“Well then, as long as that’s settled, we’ll be leaving. I’ll call you in the morning, Robert. There’s a case I’m working on I’d like you to look at if you don’t mind,” Adam said.

He’d been passing some clients off to Robert to lighten his load. He wanted to spend as much time with Shane as possible once the baby was born.

Robert signed his consent and they all said their goodnights.

“So, tell me. Is this Mark guy hot?” Emmett turned his attention back to Lucy and the gossip.

“What do you say we all go to the VIP lounge? Mel and Lindsey haven’t seen it yet,” Brian suggested, changing the subject. He did not want to hear about Lucy’s love life. Especially not when she was carrying his and Justin’s baby.

James pushed away from the bar. “Great idea.” His voice then took on a commanding air. “Come on, Em.”

Emmett rolled his eyes. “I swear the man's a brute. Always ordering me around,” he complained then winked at Lucy. He got up and helped her to her feet.

“You know, maybe one day we can have dinner up there,” Ted asked Robert nervously.

Robert smiled and signed, “I’d love to.”

Ted surprised everyone by signing back, “Great.”

“When the fuck did you learn to sign?” Brian asked.

Ted blushed. “I’ve been taking classes.”

Robert smiled. “Well I’m very glad,” he signed. Ted signed back that he was glad too.

“Taking the initiative…Way to go, Theodore. About time,” Brian teased.

“Honey you’d be surprised at how well Ted can take the initiative when he wants to,” Emmett defended his friend.

“Yeah, like the time he got the Sparkle account. Took great ‘initiative’ to land that one,” Cynthia teased referring to Ted’s ‘bathroom conference’ that landed the account.

“Ok, enough,” Ted said stopping the round of gossip.

“I thought we were going up to the lounge?” he asked diverting the attention away from him.

“Yeah, let’s go! Wait till you see it! It’s amazing,” Michael said to Lindsey and Mel as they all headed towards the back elevator.

Rena grabbed Justin’s arm, holding him back as the gang went on ahead.

He gave her a curious look. “What’s up?” he asked once everyone was out of earshot.

“I’ve got some great news.”

Justin could see the shine in Rena’s eyes. Whatever it was, it had a very positive effect on her.

“What?”

John found a surgeon who thinks he can fix the damage to my uterus.”

Justin beamed. “That’s great, Re!” he said hugging her.

Rena hugged him back. “You know what this could mean, don’t you?” she asked pulling back from him.

Justin looked at her confused. “What?”

“It means I might be able to get pregnant, and carry the child full term.”

Justin’s mouth dropped open. “OH MY GOD, RE!! That’s wonderful!” he said throwing his arms around her and pulling her in for a tight hug. “Brian is going to be so excited!”

“Well I’m not going to tell him yet. I don’t want to get his hopes up. I want to wait to see how the procedure goes. The surgeon said he’ll know right away once he’s inside. I’m having the procedure tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow! That soon?”

“Yeah, that soon. By this time tomorrow Justin I could be fixed. All better, and then it will be over. Finally over.” Tears formed in her eyes.

“Oh, Re, I’m so happy. But what about Brian? I mean, when are you going to tell him? I know it will ease the blow if you can fix the injuries Emilian caused before you tell him, but what if, God forbid, the procedure doesn’t work? You still have to tell Brian,” Justin said.

Rena choked back her tears and averted her eyes.

“That’s another thing I want to talk to you about. Brian thinks I can’t have children, because of some defect I was born with. Whether or not this procedure works, I’m not going to correct that assumption, Justin. I’ve decided I’m not going to tell him. Ever,” she said, hoping Justin would understand.

“No fucking way, Rena! You can’t hold something like that from him forever! It’s dishonest, and I won’t be a part of it!”

“Justin, listen to me. I’ve spent hours agonizing over this decision. Let me ask you something. What good will telling him do? It won’t help me. I’ve dealt with the rape in therapy. It’s MY issue. It most certainly won’t help Brian. In fact, telling him would only hurt him, and me! He’ll feel guilty and betrayed. It will only cause him pain. Is that what you want?”

She saw doubt in Justin’s eyes so she decided to press forward. “Justin, you have to listen to me! You can’t ever tell him. You have a baby on the way for God sakes! Do you want to cause him pain now? Just when his life is finally good? When he finally has love and trust back in his life? You know how he’ll react. Think of your family, Justin. You have to do what’s best for them.”

Justin turned away from her, angry and confused. Angry with himself because he should have told Brian back in New York. Then they would have been past it by now. But he didn’t, he listened to Rena trusting that she would tell him and now, now she was right. It was too late. Telling him now would only hurt him, bad. He would not get over this kind of betrayal, and Justin knew that was exactly how Brian would view it. As a betrayal.

He had to think of what was best for their family. And damn her, but she was right. He would not tell Brian. He couldn’t do that to him, to them, to their children.

He turned back to Rena. “We take it to our graves then.”

Rena sighed in relief.

“But don’t think I’m happy about this. You should have told him back in New York like you promised me you would. We better pray he never finds out, Re. Because if he does, it will be a million times worse then if we told him to begin with.”

Rena lowered her head in shame. Justin was right. She should have told him, but how could she when she couldn’t face it herself? It took months of therapy to deal with it, and heal. Now that she was able to discuss it with her brother, she couldn’t because it was too late.

Justin turned from her and headed towards the VIP lounge. She watched his retreating form with a heavy heart.

“Dear God, please don’t let this come back to bite us in the ass,” she silently prayed then followed Justin.

 

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