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| Part 7 : I Wanna Dance With You With The Midnight Moon |
| "Is it over?" Jennifer Taylor asked her son. He had shown up at her door with tears in his eyes. When she brought him inside and made him a cup a tea, he told her the entire story about Brian going out and tricking and not coming home. She could see that her son's heart was breaking. "I don't know." Justin barely whispered the words. He truly didn't know that answer to the question. More than anything, he wanted to go home and hold Brian and make everything go back, but he knew that was impossible. He also knew that Brian was sorry. Otherwise he wouldn't have brought the flowers. "Go home and talk to him, Justin. If you don't communicate there is no way this is going to work." Jennifer said. She knew first hand what a lack of communication could do to a relationship. "I don't know what to say to him, Mom. He cheated on me, in the back room at Babylon. " Justin was shaking a little bit. "And I pushed him to it." "How?" Jennifer couldn't believe what she was hearing. Justin stayed silent for several moments before looking up at his mother. "I was supposed to go with them. We were all meeting at the diner before heading out. When Brian walked in, he had his arm around Michael. I had this irrational jealous reaction. I left and told Brian to go out without me, even though he wanted to come home and be with me." Justin started sniffling. "Honey, go home." Jennifer touched her sons arm. "There is so much more to be said." Justin nodded and stood. He pulled his mom into a hug. He wasn't sure how he knew that she would be able to help, but he did. He also knew that she would tell him to be with Brian, he knew she saw how in love they were. "Bye mom. Thank you." He kissed her cheek before walking out to his car. On the way home he tried to figure out what he was going to say. When he pulled into the driveway, Brian's Jeep was sitting there. He was both relieved and terrified. He had no idea what he was going to say. He looked down at the wisdom bracelet that had been adorning his left wrist for over a year. He didn't feel very wise. He climbed out of the car and, taking a deep breath, walked towards the house. When he walked in, he saw Brian sitting on the couch in the living room looking troubled. He was sipping on a glass of scotch and smoking a cigarette. When he heard the door open he turned to look at Justin, who could have sworn he saw tears in Brian's eyes. "Where the fuck were you?" Brian asked quietly. Justin stayed quiet for a moment. "I've been waiting here for hours." "I worked late and then I went and saw my mom." Justin said. Brian lifted his eyes to look into Justin's. He saw the hurt and fear there. "Still don't want to look at me?" Brian asked. Justin walked over to him and knelt on the floor in front of him. He was looking at him the whole time. "Brian..." Justin wasn't exactly sure what to say. "We need to talk." "Answer the question, Justin." Brian said firmly. "I don't know." Justin sat down in a chair across from Brian. They sat in silence for several minutes while each of them thought about what to say. "I didn't mean anything." Brian said. That was the only thing he could think of to say. He saw a pained look come to Justin's face. "Justin..." "It meant something to me!" Justin exclaimed. He stood and started pacing the room. "You went out and for a night you were the old Brian Kinney. You got drunk, you went in the back room, and you crashed with Mikey. Were you in his bed too?" "Justin..." Brian saw the anger and desperately wanted to soothe it. He had promised himself that he would do anything to ensure that this wasn't the end for them. "You were! He would have driven you home!" Justin turned to leave the room. The words that came out of Brian's mouth next stopped him dead. "How could I come back here, and sleep in our bed after what I did?" Brian asked. The sorrow in his voice was almost suffocating for Justin. He kept his back turned but didn't walk away. "I couldn't come back here to you after getting a blowjob at Babylon." "You shouldn't have gotten a blowjob then." Justin said before walking towards the stairs. "Don't come to our bed tonight either." With that, he disappeared up the stairs and locked the bedroom door. Brian crumpled to his knees and finally let himself cry. He felt like had been thrown off a cliff. His body ached and his mind reeled. He tried to figure out what he would have to go to make things between himself and Justin okay. The next evening Brian, who still hadn't figured out what he could do about Justin, came home to find his lover packing. He felt like Justin was giving up and he got angry. "Where the fuck do you think you're going?" He demanded. "I'm staying with Emmett for a while." Justin said. "Until I can find my own place." Justin might as well have kicked Brian in the chest because that's what losing him felt like. "You're just leaving?" Brian had to sit down on the bed because he knew he'd fall down if he didn't. Justin didn't even look at him, just kept throwing things in the bag. "Answer me, for Christ's sake!" "Yes. I'm leaving." Justin said simply. His own heart was breaking and he wanted nothing more than to run to Brian and throw his arms around him. He didn't have to. Moments later, Brian walked over to him and fell to his knees at Justin's feet. "Don't go." He said softly. He wrapped his arms around Justin's waist and let himself beg. He couldn't believe that he, Brian Kinney, needed someone in his life badly enough to beg. "Please." "What do I have to stay for?" Justin asked. The hurt and anger had been building up inside him for two days and had grown to huge proportions. "For us." Brian said. "I can't promise you that I'll never slip, but I can promise you that come what may, I'll love you until my dying day." Justin couldn't believe that Brian was quoting a long song. First flowers, then begging, now a love song. "Brian..." "Say yes, Justin." Brian whispered. He kept holding Justin until he felt Justin's hands pull his head even closer. They stayed there, holding each other for long minutes. Brian felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off him. "I'm sorry, too." Justin said. He pulled Brian over to the chair in the corner of the room. Brian sat and Justin climbed onto his lap. "I got a little jealous of Michael." "Why?" Brian asked with genuine concern. "You had your arm around him. I hadn't seen you do that for a long time. I guess my overactive imagination got me." Justin turned his head. He was ashamed to admit what he had been feeling. "Baby, you don't have to worry about Mikey. He's my best friend, and he always will be, but you're my lover. My partner. And the most important person in my life." Brian couldn't believe all the sentiments that were coming out of his mouth. "Thank you, Brian." Justin threw his arms around Brian's neck and hugged him close. "Justin." Brian said hoarsely. "I can't breath." "Oh, sorry." Justin said sheepishly. He had already forgotten about what Brian had done. He finally felt whole again and he knew that the only way to stay whole was to be with the person that filled him so completely, to be with Brian. "Baby, let's get you unpacked and then I want you all to myself. In our bed." Brian kissed Justin with all the passion he had inside him. "So, everything is ok now?" Lindsay asked. She and Brian were walking through a jewelry store, she was looked for a gift for Melanie for their 10 year anniversary. "Yeah." Brian was casually looking for something for Justin. Justin's birthday was coming up and he wanted to get him something special. In the week since Brian's slip-up at Babylon, he and Justin seemed closer than ever. "I'm glad." Lindsay said genuinely. "You're a better man because of him." Brian shot her a look and she giggled. "It's true and you know it." "How about this for Mel?" Brian pointed a gorgeous antique pearl ring. He thought it would look nice on Melanie's small fingers. "Oh, Brian. It's perfect!" Lindsay exclaimed. "Take Gus for a second." She put Gus's hand into Brian’s and asked to see the ring outside of the display case. After two minutes of staring at the ring she decided to buy it. It was even just the right size for Mel's finger so she wouldn't have to have it sized. "See, fags are good for something. Fathering children and picking out jewelry." Brian said dryly earning him a slap in the arm. "Can we go? Gus is pulling my arm off trying to get to the shiny things." "Don't you wanna get Justin a birthday present? It's next week." Lindsay said with her eyebrows raised and her lips pursed. "I know when his birthday is." He growled. "I just don't know what to get him." "I think that whatever you get him will make him happy. You already got him a car and a dream house." Lindsay reminded him. "There is one thing, but..." "You don't have to if you're not ready." Lindsay knew that he was talking about the commitment ceremony that she was sure Justin wanted. "What if he's not ready?" Brian asked. He knew that Justin was the person he wanted to spend his life with, and it was like they were married already. He knew Justin didn't need the ceremony, but for some reason he did. "He's ready, Bri." Lindsay said. "A couple of weeks ago he said something about wanting children." Hearing those words, Brian had to sit down. Only a week ago he had been afraid he was going to lose the only person he had ever been in love with and now Lindsay was telling him that Justin wanted children. "Oh god..." Brian took a deep breath. Having Gus was one thing. He lived with his mommies and only came to visit on the weekends, but raising a child of his own scared him to death. "Not right away." Lindsay tried to soothe Brian. "I was just trying to say that Justin is ready. He may be young, but he knows that you're the one he wants to be with." "How about that one?" Brian's voice was strangled but he saw a gorgeous platinum band that he thought Justin would love. "It's beautiful, Bri." Lindsay said. She had tears in her eyes. She was happier for Brian than she had ever been. Peter Pan had finally taken the last step out of Neverland to grow up with his very own Wendy... "Come on." Brian rushed Justin. "We have to pick up Gus. Linds and Mel have to be at the GLC in fifteen minutes." Justin hurried to put his shoes on and he and Brian locked up the house and left. They decided to walk, since the distance was so short. "Why didn't they drop him off?" Justin asked. He had been working all morning and had lost track of time. "They usually drop him off." He was grumbling. It was his birthday and he and Brian were stuck babysitting. It wasn't that he didn't love Gus but he had been looking forward to spending his 21st birthday with Brian. "I don't know." Brian said. "It isn't a big deal, we just have to hurry." When they arrived, Lindsay and Melanie were standing on the step with Gus. "You're late!" Melanie scolded. Brian held his hands up in surrender. "Blame Blondie over here." Brian said. "He was the one who was working all morning in his studio." Brian lifted his son onto his shoulders as Lindsay and Melanie hurried to the car and drove off down the street. "Hi, Gus." Justin pinched the boys nose. "Let's take him to play in the back yard." Brian said. The three of them headed towards the backyard. As they rounded the corner, Justin nearly fainted. "Surprise!" Everyone yelled. The people who were closest to him were there. Lindsay and Mel had just gotten out of the car in the lane and were standing at the gate smiling. Emmett and Ted were standing next to a table covered in food. Michael stood with Debbie and Vic near the swing set. Justin's mom and his sister Molly were there. Even Rick, his boss, was there. "What's all this?" Justin asked in shock. "Happy Birthday, baby." Brian pressed a kiss on Justin's temple and smiled. He wasn't sure Justin was going to buy the babysitting story, but he had. "Oh my god." Justin breathed. He then smiled a Sunshine smile and went to say hello and hug everyone. Brian watched as Justin made the rounds and was more sure than ever of his plan. "Looks like we pulled it off." Lindsay said as she walked up to Brian. "It's a good thing we kept him away from Emmett." "Yeah." Brian was preoccupied with watching Justin socialize. He had considered inviting more people, but was glad that he had just invited family. With what he planned to do, he only wanted to share it with those who were closest to him. "Did you give him his present yet?" Lindsay asked. She was excited to hear about Justin's reaction to the matching Platinum thumb rings. "Nope. Later." Brian said assuredly. Lindsay smiled knowingly and started away to get the cake. She knew that, no matter how old Justin was, that he would want to eat cake and open presents as soon as possible. She was excited to give him the present she and Melanie had decided to give him. It was actually for him and Brian, but she was sure Justin would love it. "Hiya, Sunshine." Debbie said as Justin walked up and hugged her. "Are you surprised?" Justin smiled. He was happy that all the people who were important to him were there. "Sure am." Justin said with a grand smile. "I thought I was going to be spending my 21st birthday babysitting Gus." "Shoulda known better Sunshine." Debbie said. "Linds and Mel would never make you baby-sit on your birthday.” Just then, Brian walked over and put an arm around Justin. "Cake time, honey." He said. He led Justin over to a chair that Lindsay had painted just for Justin to sit on to blow out the candles and open his gifts. Lindsay appeared with a beautiful cake with 21 candles on it. "Wow." Justin was still in awe that all these people cared about him enough to throw him this incredible party. As everyone ate cake and talked, Brian watched his lover closely. He was terrified about his own surprise that was coming up. He was hoping against all hope that it was going to go just as he wanted. "Time for presents!" Emmett announced once the cake plates were all thrown out. He handed Justin a flat package. "I hope you like it." Justin was faintly frightened by what the box may hold. On his 20th birthday, Emmett had gotten him a collectors edition Barbie doll. Justin ripped open the paper and inside found a sketchbook. It had a beautiful leather cover and was bound with leather cord. Justin fanned the pages with his finger and looked at the gift in awe. It was the most beautiful sketch book he had ever seen. "Oh, Emmett, it's beautiful." He said with soggy eyes. "I can't wait to use it." "Well, before you use it, open this." Ted handed Justin a box that was wrapped beautifully. Justin ripped open the paper and found a beautiful set of art supplies. There were different kinds of charcoal and pastels. "We figured that since you're working all the time you were going to forget to draw for fun. We decided to remind you." After hearing Emmett's explanation, Justin stood and hugged them both. He couldn't wait to put down his memories from this party on paper in his new sketchbook. He had been wanting to do a portrait of everyone in his life and this would be the perfect place to start. "Open ours next, Sunshine." Debbie handed Justin a box. He pulled the paper off and looked inside. In the box was a gorgeous baby blue sweater that he had been coveting. He figured Brian must have given her a hint. "I love it, Deb!" Justin exclaimed. "I can't wait to wear it." "Here you go, Boy Wonder." Michael said. He handed Justin yet another box. When Justin looked inside her smiled widely. It was a collector's edition comic book from Justin's favorite series. "This is awesome, Michael!" He exclaimed as he flipped through the pages. He remembered mentioning this comic to Michael and couldn't believe Michael had given him such an expensive gift. "Well, the gift of comics is the gift that keeps on giving." Michael replied humorously. "It's amazing!" Justin smiled. He saw his mother walking over with a small box and he smiled at her. "I love my birthday." He said happily. "This one is something I've been waiting to give you for a long time. I had to wait until your 21st birthday though. I hope you like it." She said. She handed him the box and he hurriedly opened it. When he saw what was inside he nearly burst into tears. There, on a small silk pillow was his Grandfather's gold pocket watch. "Mom..." He said. "It's wonderful." He pulled her close and held her. "I'm so happy that you gave it to me." She smiled and bit back the tears. When he father had passed away, he left the watch to Justin only to be given to him when he turned 21. "He wanted you to have it, sweetheart." She said. Brian stood watching, the gift he was holding in his hand causing him more excitement and unease than he could stand. When Justin looked over at him and smiled, he knew that everything was going to be alright. He started, however, to doubt his decision to give Justin his gift in front of everyone. "This is for you and Brian to use together." Lindsay said as Melanie handed Justin an envelope. Inside were two tickets for an Alaskan cruise. "This is awesome, you guys!" Justin jumped up and hugged the two of them. "I can't wait!" "Well, you can use them as soon as you can book them. They're usable any time in the next year." "Do you have anything for me?" Justin asked sweetly, batting his eyelashes at Brian. "Of course." Brian started walking over to him. Lindsay's mouth dropped open when she realized what Brian was going to do. Brian stood in front of Justin, but addressed everyone. "You all know who I used to be. Brian Kinney, the brass hearted shit that you all loved to hate. Justin knew me then too. And he went through a lot having to deal with my bullshit for the last four years." Brian stopped and looked at Justin who stared back at him quizzically. Brian continued. "And you all know, that I'm not that guy anymore, as much as I sometimes pretend to be. That's because of Justin. He opened me up and made me want to experience the things that the old Brian Kinney despised." Justin was starting to let the tears flow but wiped them away. "Don't cry, baby." Justin smiled and try to hide the emotions he was feeling. Brian continued. "So now, in front of everyone who is important in our lives, I want to ask Justin something that I have been dying to ask him for the longest time, but wasn't sure either of were ready for. In the last month, with finishing the renovations to our home, and realizing that he's the only man in the world that I need in my bed, it became clear to me that we've been ready for longer than either of us realized." Brian got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?" He asked quietly. His own emotions were starting to show, but he still held on to one piece of the old Brian Kinney and willed himself not to cry. Justin's eyes filled with more tears than he could blink back or wipe away and all he could do was nod. Brian opened the ring box but held it from Justin's grasp. "I got us two. They're thumb rings. I don't want either of us to put them on until the ceremony." He requested. When Justin smiled through his tears and nodded, Brian jumped up and swept Justin into a hug. An applause went up in the backyard. As everyone celebrated Justin's birthday and his engagement to Brian, Justin wanted nothing more than to go home and make love with Brian. When they got a moment, they slipped into the house to be alone. Brian took Justin's hand. "I'm glad you said yes." He said. "I'm glad you asked me." Justin replied. "I never really thought you would." Brian smiled as he sat down on the couch and pulled Justin onto his lap. "Well, I've gotta keep you on your toes somehow." Brian replied. He pulled Justin in for a kiss. "I can't wait until this part is over." He nuzzled against his lover's neck. "I can't wait to take you home." The coming months were filled with plans for the June 1st ceremony. Brian and Justin picked out their tuxedos. Emmett had designated himself as their fashion coordinator, and Lindsay was helping with all of the plans for the ceremony, which was to be held in Brian and Justin's backyard. As the big day approached, Brian and Justin became closer than ever. Three days before the ceremony, Brian and Justin discussed the idea of children and decided that in a few years, they would adopt or have a surrogate carry a child for them. Neither of them could have been happier. Emmett and Michael threw them separate bachelor parties at Babylon, and they both enjoyed themselves thoroughly even though they knew it was hardly going to be their last night out with the boys. "There's something I have to do." Brian said to Michael the morning of the ceremony. Michael was acting as best man, and he was helping Brian get ready. "What?" Michael asked. "Get in the Jeep. I'll explain on the way." And with that, a mere 45 minutes before the ceremony was supposed to begin, Brian and Michael were off. "Where is he?" Justin looked at his watch. All of the guests were sitting in the backyard waiting for the ceremony to begin and Brian hadn't even arrived yet. "He'll be here." Daphne, Justin's maid of honor, assured him. He fidgeted in the mirror with his white tux while he waited. "What if he doesn't come, Daph?" Justin asked with fear. He needed so badly for this day to go perfect and was terrified that the ceremony wasn't even going to happen. "Justin, he'll come. Brian loves you, and he wants this." Justin couldn't help but doubt what Daphne was telling him. Sometimes, he couldn't help but fear that the old Brian Kinney, the one who didn't believe in love and relationships, was going to return and he would be without his lover, the only man he could ever love. "Brian, what are you doing here?" Joan Kinney asked. She was surprised to see her son at the door wearing the all black tuxedo. "Mom, I know you hate that I'm gay and you hate my lifestyle, but couldn’t get married without you being there." Brian couldn't believe his own impetuousness but, for some reason, he needed to have his mother there at his wedding. "Married?" His mother was confused. "Gay men can't get married." "We're just taking the vows, Mom." Brian said. "You remember Justin." "The young man in your life?" Joan couldn't believe what she was hearing. After finding out that her son was gay during the media frenzy following Justin's attack she had been devastated. She began finding out more and more about her sons indiscretions. "After all that's happened..." She didn't know what to say. "Please, mom. I'm late for my own wedding, but I need you there with me." Brian reached out and touched her hand. Joanie couldn't help it, after all that had happened, she still loved her son and wanted him to be happy. "Well, we'd better hurry or you won't have a wedding for me to come to." Joanie hurried upstairs to change. She was still a very proper woman and couldn't attend her son's wedding dressed in her house cleaning clothes. She returned moments later in her church dress. "Let's go." "I don't think he's coming." Justin said to Lindsay as he stood waiting to walk down the aisle.. She wrapped an arm around him as she tried to think of something reassuring to say. "He'll be here, sweetie." Lindsay said. "And when he sees you he will fall in love with you all over again." She loved the idea that Brian was wearing all black and Justin was wearing all white. Suddenly, they heard a roar and Justin's Jeep appeared. "He's here!" Justin breathed a sigh of relief as they got ready for the ceremony. Everyone in the room gasped when they saw Brian walk in with his mother. He smiled at Justin and helped Joanie to her seat before taking her place at the end of the aisle. Justin took the arms of Jennifer and Debbie, who were walking him down the aisle just as the music started. When it came time to say their vows, everyone was surprised that they had prepared their own. Justin went first. "I remember the first time I met you. I fell in love with who I thought you were. And then when I really got to know you, I fell in love with who you really were, and when you changed, I fell in love with the person you became. Through all this, my love never wavered, only grew and changed. I know that for the rest of my life, though my love will change as you change and I change, it will always be as strong as, or even stronger than, it is today." Jennifer, Debbie, and Emmett were all in tears as Justin continued, "So today I promise to love you and be faithful to you as we grow old together, as our family grows, and as our lives grow." Justin could have sworn he even saw Brian brush a tear from his cheek when he was finished. As it moved on to Brian, two men wheeled in a big white grand piano. Justin was confused, but saw Brian smile. "I never knew how to play piano, but I felt that this was the best way to speak my vows to you. I said what was in my heart in my own words when we got engaged. Now I want to sing to you how I feel." Everyone gasped. Brain walked over to the piano and sat down. He started to play and Justin recognized the song immediately. "Never knew I could feel like this. Like I've never seen the sky. I want to vanish inside your kiss. Every day I love more and more. Listen to my heart, can you hear it sings . Telling me to give you everything. Seasons may change, winter to spring. But I love you until the end of time. Come what may! Come what may! I will love you until my dying day." Brian stopped and smiled at Justin. "I love you, and I always will." The man who was performing the ceremony smiled as Brian returned to Justin's side. They exchanged rings, which they both slipped onto their thumbs, and the man presented them to everyone. "Ladies and gentlemen, Brian and Justin Taylor-Kinney." All the guests stood and clapped as Brian and Justin made their way back down the aisle and into the house where Brian swept Justin up into his arms and kissed him. "We're married baby!" He exclaimed. And everything was right... THE END! |