FAMILY VACATION

Chapter 3

Justin noticed as the group approached the Magic Kingdom from the boat launch that while Gus had just the right amount of enthusiasm for an eight year old, Brian was in awe.  Since their reunion and marriage, four years earlier, he rarely thought about Brian’s tainted childhood.

Having been to Disney World a couple of times with his family, as a child, Justin was comfortable in the new role of parent, sharing with his children their ten day fantasy, but Brian was another story. 

Justin wasn’t sure how to approach his husband without turning him away or embarrassing him.  He decided that, for the time being, he wouldn’t say a word but would attempt to subtly take the lead on this excursion, so as not to usurp Brian’s pride.  In addition, he wanted Brian to experience some of the joy that he had -- before his father became the biggest asshole to walk the planet, next to Jack Kinney.

Brian was overwhelmed with all the people, the orderly movement and the beauty that surrounded him.  He particularly noted that there wasn’t one piece of litter to be found, despite the mobs moving in and out of the park entrance.

After blinking a few times, Brian helped Justin get Jessica into her stroller, handed her a teething ring and some toys that were attached to the stroller bar (all the entertainment any five month old needs) and proceeded through the gates.

Before they had walked more than a few feet, they spotted the famous floral arrangement that illustrated the head of Mickey Mouse and welcomed all newcomers. 

Under his breath, Justin could hear Brian murmur, “Unfuckingbelievable.”

Gus kept pointing at things as they walked down the main street of the park.  His nonstop chatter enabled Brian to take it all in while remaining silent.  He was shocked at the detail that was brought to every single store facade to create the appearance of an early 1900’s avenue.

“Shit, Justin, they’ve thought of every fucking thing here.  No wonder this place is a gold mine.  There’s not a goddamned flaw.”

Justin smiled, “Uh huh,” and then squeezed Brian’s hand as he slowly continued to push the stroller through the crowds.

“Hey, Sunshine, am I seeing things or are those two couples walking down the street holding hands?”

Justin laughed.  “Only you would spot the other gay couples in this sea of people.  Oh, and by the way, I hope you noted with your keen eye for detail, that you’re the only one who’s even giving them a second glance.”

Brian looked around and saw that all the families, groups of teens and assorted others didn’t even appear to notice those two couples.  “Hmmm.”  Brian had no intention of making any judgments just yet as they still had the whole vacation ahead of them.

“Dad, Daddy, come on.  You’re walking too slow.  I want to get to the rides already.”

“Gus, be patient, you’ll get to see everything more than once before this vacation is over.”

“Everything!  Yay!”  Gus jumped up and down while holding Brian’s hand so as not to get lost.  “Where can we go first?”

“Brian, why don’t we stop at that bench and get our bearings.  Everything went so smoothly at the hotel, that we have more time at the park today than we anticipated.”

“Lead on, Mr. Taylor.”  Justin was happy to do so, and the little family sat huddled on a bench.

“Okay,” Justin took out the map they had received at the entrance.  “First of all, look over there.”  Gus and Brian both eyed where Justin was pointing.  “That’s a first aid room.  If you get separated from us, Gus, go to the nearest person with a Disney badge and ask them to take you there.  From there, they’ll find us.  I’m also slipping my cell phone and Dad’s cell phone numbers into your pocket.”

“Gotcha, can we go on the rides now?”

“Gus, this is big place with a lot of rides.  Do you have any idea where you want to start?”

“Pirates of the Caribbean!”

Brian smirked, “I could have guessed that, Sunshine.  His fucking dvd has grooves in it, it’s been watched so many times.”

“It doesn’t hurt that you sit with him all the time and ogle Johnny Depp.”

“Jealous?”  Brian glanced at Justin with a half grin.

“Hardly.  I somehow don’t think you’re his type, but he is kind of nice to look at.”

“Says you and every gay man and straight woman on the planet.”

“Dads,” Gus whined.

“Here we go, Sonny Boy.  Off to...” Brian leaned into Justin and whispered, “Where the fuck are we going?”

“Adventureland.”

“We’re off to Adventureland, Sonny Boy.  Let’s go.”

Having had no time to really prepare for this trip, Justin and Brian weren’t sure what to expect in terms of lines and crowds.  As it was the time between Christmas and New Year’s, the park was very crowded, but they learned quickly about the fine art of Fast Passes.

In addition, when they reached the front of the first ride, they soon discovered that not everything was baby-friendly.  Justin envisioned watching Brian and Gus ride everything that was more intense than “It’s a Small World” while he sat on the sidelines with Jessica.  They were instructed upon their visit to the first ride that this was not the case.

When Brian and Gus went on the ride, Justin was given a special location to wait for them just off to the side.  When the two returned, Justin was able to pass Jessica to Brian and join Gus for his second time, which the boy certainly had no complaints about, and then they would immediately get on the next ride -- no waiting a second time around.

As Brian held Jessica, he talked to the one person he felt securely wouldn’t divulge his secrets.  “You know, kid, this is pretty fucking amazing.  No one seems to give a shit that your fathers are gay, and they do everything so no kid ever seems to feel the need to cry.” 

Jessica began to coo and babble, then she grabbed at Brian’s nose, enjoying the one to one attention from her tall Daddy with the strong arms. 

“And you know what’s even crazier, Jessica,” she looked directly at Brian upon hearing her name, “I think I just may like this den of materialism.  It doesn’t feel like I’m here just to pour money into this place.  It really does feel like it might be something set up for the sole purpose of making people, dare I say, happy.”  Brian tickled the baby’s stomach and she giggled.

By the time he’d finished that last thought, Gus and Justin had returned from the ride.  “I’ll take her and put her back in the stroller.”  Justin began to reach for the baby. 

“No, Sunshine, I think I’ll carry her for a while.”

“Can I push the carriage, Daddy?”

“Sure, Gus.”  Justin wasn’t sure what was going on, but he had a feeling that something special was happening to Brian, and he didn’t want to miss any of it.  He’d been concerned that the overly sweetened atmosphere would irritate Brian right from the start, but instead he seemed calmer by the minute.

Not wanting to break any spells, Justin kept his thoughts to himself and gently held Brian’s arm, leaning into him slightly as they continued on to the next ride. 

It didn’t hurt that the weather was beautiful in the Orlando area during this time of year.  It was comfortable enough to wear a sweatshirt or light jacket, at the most.

Justin looked up at Brian as they walked, stopping at each ride and either going on as a family or continuing to pass the baby and take turns.  He couldn’t believe how relaxed Brian looked.  Could this environment really hold his interest for ten days?  Justin was concerned that they’d hit a wall at some point, and that Brian would want to take at least one or two days alone on the beach when the family got to be too much.

This was a long time to spend with the children, and it would be a real test as to how well they handled both kids at the same time.

The dinner hour was approaching, and dusk was beginning to settle into evening.  Jessica had eventually fallen asleep in her stroller for her afternoon nap and woke up wanting a bottle.

Knowing their time was limited, Justin picked up Jessica to hold her and stave off any tantrums that might be on the horizon.  “Brian, I think we should find a place to eat.  I know we didn’t make any reservations, so we might have to go back to the hotel.”

“No, Daddy, then we’ll miss the fireworks and the nighttime parade.”  Gus had obviously been finding out all kinds of things during their momentary breaks while reading the park’s schedule.

“Brian, what should we do?  I can take her back.”

“No, Justin, this is a family vacation.  Isn’t that supposed to mean the family stays together?”

“Well, of course, but...”

“No buts.  There was an Italian restaurant near the park entrance.  Let’s go there.  It didn’t seem as popular because there aren’t characters that interrupt your meal for photo ops.”

“You really have been paying attention.”

“Well, while you were resting with our daughter on the plane, and Sonny Boy was napping, I just happened to read the guide book you ran out to get the minute we found out about this trip.”

“I didn’t think you’d have any time or interest.”  Justin bowed his head.

Brian looked at Justin, wondering if he should be insulted by the lack of faith he obviously had in him, but then thought better of it.  The example he’d set over the years would certainly indicate that kind of behavior.  “Look, Justin, I know that my experience with family vacations is minimal, at best,” he picked up Justin’s chin to make sure they could look directly into each other’s eyes, “but I really want to change that.  I love you and our family, and this is part of what a real, normal family does.”

Justin leaned in, still holding Jessica, gave Brian a chaste kiss and hugged him.  “I love you, Brian.”

“I know, Sunshine.”  Brian brushed his hand through Justin’s hair.  “Now let’s get back to that restaurant before this little lady makes a scene that will turn this place into far less than a magical kingdom.”

With only a fifteen minute wait, the four were seated and Justin immediately gave Jessica some of her bottle as he pulled out a jar of her organic baby food -- purchased with Brian and Daphne’s insistence because, “Jessica should only have the best and healthiest.”

When their meals were served, Gus announced that he remembered watching the movie “Lady and the Tramp” with Uncle Michael, knowing that the theme of the restaurant, Tony’s, was based on the featured restaurant in the animated film.

Brian laughed out loud and decided to regale his family with a story about Michael and his former boyfriend, with whom Michael had reenacted the scene proudly from said movie in front of Debbie and Vic a number of years earlier.  Brian wasn’t even sure why he remembered the ridiculous story, but then recalled that it was almost the same time that Justin had moved in with him -- for the first time.

He wondered if everything became more alive, more interesting, the moment that Justin walked into his life.  It certainly seemed that way, and this special time was no exception.

The three laughed and enjoyed their meals as Jessica interjected with a babble and burp to accentuate some statements. 

After dinner, the little family found a spot on a corner of the sidewalk where they would have a great view of the parade and the fireworks that would follow.

Brian took out a camera that he had brought, and was quietly using throughout the day, to capture special moments.

Justin was shocked when he watched Brian approach a hetero couple and asked them to take their picture as a family.

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“What, had our picture taken?”

“Yeah, that, and approached a straight couple to do it.”

“Well, Sunshine, I figure I have to start trusting someone at some point.  You’ve brought me this far, it just might be worth the risk to take a few steps out there on my own.”

Justin sat down on his curbside spot and looked at Brian with love and awe.  He just might have to send the President of Liberty Air a thank you note and a gift -- not for the vacation, but for helping bring his husband that much closer to leaving behind his miserable past and allowing himself to look towards a happy future.

At that point the parade began and when the music of Justin’s childhood began to play, he watched the light in Gus’ eyes brighten, and even more so, the light in Brian’s.  He found himself watching the parade through moistened eyes.

[TBC]

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