JESSICA

Chapter 5

Brian carried the baby into the diner while Justin stayed close behind him with the infant carrier and the diaper bag. Justin looked at Brian from behind and had a lump in his throat watching this tall, dark and handsome man carrying a tiny baby so tenderly. He thought back to some of the moments he’d been privileged to witness Brian holding Gus.

A moment of anger flashed in his mind as he recalled how Brian agonized over the decision to ultimately give up his rights to Gus. Brian had been left out of so much of Gus’ infant and toddler development. At least that situation had finally been rectified. They now had a wonderful, bright and beautiful eight year old in their lives, completely and legally.

Another strange thought passed through Justin’s mind. The thought that he’d never experience the joy of holding a child he brought into the world. He laughed at the memory of donating sperm, with Daphne along as moral support. His pride had kept him from asking for money from Brian or his mother, and his squeamishness kept him from donating a pint of blood. Jerking off wasn’t nearly as stressful and the sperm bank just asked a few questions before the whole procedure was complete.

In and out with a minimum of bullshit, although not too much pleasure was involved. He may actually have a child, but it just wouldn’t be the same as knowing who the kid was. At least he’d chosen to allow his name to be revealed if the child ever needed medical support in the future. That waiver had been a big decision to sign but Justin couldn’t bear the thought of abandoning someone he may have helped bring into the world who might suffer because he couldn’t be found.

Ah well, that was all water under the bridge. Now he had a husband, a son, a great (if not somewhat lunatic) extended family and an amazing career in his chosen field -- what more could he want. Justin shook himself out of his brief reverie when he heard someone calling.

“Justin, Justin.”

“Sorry, Brian, what is it?”

“Are you okay? You look a little concerned about something.”

“No, no. I’m just tired from last night and hauling all this baby shit is no help.” Brian looked at Justin and didn’t question him further, but it was clear that Justin wasn’t telling him everything.

“Well, then can you bring that carrier over. Jessica may be small but carrying her around is like carrying around a sack of potatoes. What’s in that formula Daphne’s feeding her -- pure fat and sugar?”

“Brian, babies grow a lot during the first year. I read somewhere that they grow almost three times their size or more from birth to their first birthday.”

“Thank you for that timely bit of useless knowledge. And as for three times her size at birth -- well this kid feels like she’s already reached that goal.”

Justin snorted. Brian might complain and whine, but it was obvious that he was enjoying the opportunity to be a full-time parent of an infant for a brief stint.

The three settled in the back booth and placed the baby on the table in her infant seat. She blinked a few times as she looked around. Brian and Justin looked up to see what she was staring at. It’s amazing how easily an adult can become immune to their surroundings.

“Fuck, this whole place is decorated like one big, fat rainbow mobile.”

Justin laughed, “Maybe we should take her to a Calder exhibit while she’s with us?”

“Only an artist would think of taking a three month old kid to an art exhibit.”

“Sunshine, Brian, I didn’t know you boys were coming in today. Michael and Ben should be here soon.” Deb cracked her gum to seal her statement.

“Hey Deb, we thought we’d come in and introduce you to...”

“Oh my god! That’s Daphne’s little bundle of joy, isn’t it? I’d know that little angel anywhere.” Deb came over and started to tickle the baby’s tummy, being careful not to jab her with one of her long fake fingernails.

“Believe it or not Daphne left her bundle of joy, as you refer to her, with us for about a week while she’s off to care for her sick mother.”

“Well that sucks.”

“Thanks a lot, Deb. I know you don’t think I’ve ever been a good parent but...”

“Brian, shut up and let me finish. It sucks that she had to go help her mother because she’s so sick and couldn’t take the baby.”

“Yeah, Daph was all upset and she insisted we were the only ones who could do the job.”

“Now I wonder why she thought that. I would have taken time off from work to care for this little one. Look at that beautiful punum.”

“Punum?”

“Justin, you should know by now that with Mel and JR around regularly, Deb has picked up quite a bit of Jewish phrases to describe a variety of things. What was the last phrase I heard you utter...oh yes, that fucking putz.”

Justin looked from Brian to Debbie a bit confused. “A putz?”

“Deb, care to explain to our resident WASP?”

Debbie glared at Brian and then turned to Justin whispering so the baby wouldn’t hear, “A putz is a dick.”

Justin and Brian both laughed. “You do know Debbie that the baby really won’t be repeating things for a while.”

“Well you never know what may end up staying with her until that time, and it’s good practice to watch your language around any kid. Look at Michael, I made sure I kept my fucking mouth clean while raising him...”

As if on cue the bell over the diner door announced Michael and Ben’s arrival. “I don’t care what that fucking kid says. He is not getting a motorcycle even if he is an adult. I can’t deal with worrying my god-damned ass off every time he’s not around.”

Brian snorted, “Yeah Deb, that clean language really had a profound effect on our little Mikey.”

Deb gently cuffed Brian on the back of the head and then glared as the order’s up bell rang three times. “Keep that fucking bell to one ring. I’m not deaf and you’re not a god-damned Swedish bell ringer.”

Justin smirked, “Yep, glad Deb didn’t say dick out loud in front of Jessica.”

Michael and Ben immediately noticed Brian and Justin at the back table and rapidly approached. “Hi, Justin, Brian.”

“Hey, Professor. How are you?”

“He’s healthy as a horse.”

“And hung like one too I bet.”

Justin kicked Brian gently under the table. “Brian.”

“Brian, thank you for the compliment, I’m hung quite satisfactorily and am quite healthy these days.”

“Who’s the kid?” Michael leaned in and tickled the baby under her chin. She looked at him and smiled and cooed.

“This is Jessica Chanders. Daphne had to go stay with her sick mother in Arizona so she left her with us for the week.”

“She’s cute.” Justin moved from his side of the booth to sit next to Brian, and Michael followed by Ben immediately slid into the vacated side. Michael continued playing with the baby. He really was a natural with little kids. It’s no wonder JR loved spending time with Michael. Working in a world of comic book characters didn’t hurt either.

“So what do you two plan to do with her all week? Babies can keep you very busy, especially at this age. I remember how much attention we had to pay to JR when she was an infant.”

“Well, Professor, despite the fact that Sunshine and I are clearly not a couple of old house fraus, I think we’ll be able to think of some way to care for the kid. In fact Justin has this thing Daphne brought over so he can look like a kangaroo while he’s working at the gallery.”

“I am not wearing that thing unless it becomes absolutely necessary. And that would mean she’s screaming her head off and I’m the only one at the gallery.”

“I hope someone gets a picture of you like that. There’s a vision I’d like to see, Boy Wonder.”

“Thank you for the support,” Justin deadpanned.

“Hey, maybe we can work this into the next issue of Rage. JT and Rage have an abandoned baby left at the doorstep of their lair and no one knows where the fuck she came from so they adopt her.”

“Mikey, get a grip. Jessica’s not abandoned and we’re not adopting her. Her mother will be home in a few days and the world will right itself on its axis and Gayopolis will be boring as shit once again.”

“You may think it’s boring as shit, Brian, but Michael and Justin earned quite a bit of money from the last couple of issues.”

“Well, I’m sure the return of Juice Pig didn’t hurt.” Brian glared at Ben.

“You’re right, but at least Rage destroyed Juice Pig’s supplier and saved the day once again, so Ken Kirshner could go back to Zephyr and live a long, happy life watching him keep Gayopolis safe, alongside Rage and JT.”

“And it had better fucking stay that way,” Brian added. All four men quietly acknowledged Ben’s last foray into medication roulette and its nearly tragic results.

The silence was soon broken. “So what’ll you boys have, since we are running a business here?”

“Gee, Deb, maybe we should alert the health inspector. My guess is they forgot about this place ages ago.”

“You first, asshole...will that be a tossed salad with arsenic dressing.”

“Ha, ha. I’ll have a turkey burger, lean, no bun, with a tossed salad and oil and vinegar on the side.”

The rest of the group ordered and Deb left to place the ticket at the kitchen window.

Soon after, just as she returned with all the orders, Jessica began to cry and almost immediately elevated the volume to a full blown wail.

“Shit, this kid has a set of lungs and she’s fucking demanding.”

“Brian, move out and I’ll pick her up. She doesn’t smell; I think she’s hungry. It’s about time for her bottle.”

“Okay, Sunshine, I’ll take her bottle into the kitchen and warm it. I’ll just be a minute and then we can feed her and ourselves. She timed this perfectly. Not only will our food be greasy, but now it’ll be cold too.”

Michael laughed and Ben just smiled as they dug into their own meals.

“No comments from either of you,” Justin glared.

“Hey. We didn’t say anything, although I’d love to see how you two handle the rest of the week. Neither of you has ever cared for an infant full-time.”

Justin tilted his head. “And I suppose you had lots of practice before JR came along.”

“Fair enough. Just get her fed; she screams louder than my mother.”

Once Jessica had her bottle lunch continued peacefully. As expected Emmett and Ted and their partners showed up for lunch after morning work-outs at the gym and everyone played with the baby. Emmett got the opportunity to burp her and was proud of his grand success. “As loud and deep as any bear.”

Soon Mel showed up with Gus and JR. Michael and Ben gave both of the children hugs and then Michael lifted JR in his arms and handed her to Ben for kisses and tickles. After JR’s lunch they were all going to head to the park.

When Brian spotted Gus he winked at him and Gus ran to greet his Dad and Daddy. Then he spotted the baby on Justin’s shoulder. Her head was up as she was looking at all the commotion.

“Hey, Sonny Boy, there’s someone we’d like you to meet and get to know. You remember that Aunt Daphne had a baby a few months ago.”

“Yeah, Dad, is this her? Why do you guys have her?” Gus ducked behind Justin and started making funny faces at the baby.

“That’s right, Gus. This is Jessica and she’s staying with us for about a week while Aunt Daphne had to go away,” Justin explained.

“Cool, that means I can play with her when I come back to Britin on Sunday night.”

Justin was pleased with Gus’ easy going response. Gus continued to entertain the baby and she cooed and wiggled more and more as Gus played with her.

“Can you all come to the park with us?” Gus didn’t want to leave his fathers or the baby so soon.

“Look, Gus, this is your time with your Mom. I don’t want to...”

“It’s fine, Brian. Why don’t you all join us? Unless you have other plans.”

“No, that should work out just fine. We have her stroller in the car so she can have her next nap while we’re outside.”

Mel nodded, “You know babies sleep better and longer when they’ve had an active day in the great outdoors.”

Justin and Brian looked at each other. “We’ll definitely be joining you. I hated waking up twice last night.”

“Justin needs his beauty sleep.”

“Shut up.” Justin smacked Brian on his stomach and handed Jessica to him. She seemed very wide awake with all the activity and different voices swirling around her. “You take her for a while.”

“Yes, dear.” Brian smirked and held the baby until it was time to place her in the stroller for their walk to the park.

[TBC]

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