…..Six months later…..

Brian stepped out from the Maybach Landaulet and handed the keys to the valet.

"She's new, so take good care of her," he told the young man then placed a fifty-dollar bill in the top pocket of his ridiculously ostentatious green and gold jacket.

The valet eagerly took the keys- his mouth salivating to get behind the wheel of the rare beauty.

"You can count on me sir!" he said, "But, if you don't mind me asking, why are you driving yourself?" he asked.

Maybachs, particularly this model, was a chauffer's car. And with its' hefty price tag, it certainly warranted one. However, Brian had yet to interview someone he trusted enough with his baby. He still couldn't believe he had purchased the extravagant car, yet he refused to let another buyer have it after the mind-blowing fuck he and Justin had in the backseat – an incident, incredibly, he had to thank Emmet for. The pretentious queen –( and he referred to him as such with the deepest affection) - had recently been in a Maybach on his date with George Sickle, one of their clients, and couldn't stop raving about the car, or the date for that matter.

Brian was in the market for a new car and decided to check out the German luxury car. BIG mistake. Being the big label queen that he was, he of course immediately fell in love with the car, so much so it gave him a hard on. One that Justin, who had accompanied him on his car quest, was happy to relieve him of in the back seat. It was the best fuck by far he'd ever had in a car. After that…he was had. To the tune of $375 thousand dollars! Oh well, he thought, it was a small price to pay for the memory….

Brian eyed the eager young man in front on him and noticed the way he was ogling his car. His eyes hungrily devoured the black beauty. Brian reached into his pocket, pulled out his business card, and handed it to him.

"Call me," he said.

The valet's head whipped around to stare at Brian; a new hunger now gleamed in his eyes. Brian silently cursed.

"Not for a fuck, for a job," he clarified.

"Oh…Yes Sir, I will Sir!" The young man said taking the card. He then slid in behind the drivers' wheel and drove away. Brian turned, smiling, and bounded up the steps to the building.

He was late, but then again, he usually was to these affairs. However, this one particular affair was special and there were two blondes now in his life who would have his balls, and not in a positive life affirming way, for his tardiness. The first, yet least concerning to him since she'd long time ago grown accustomed to his foibles, was currently standing at the Gallery's entrance glaring at him. Sidney Bloom, owner of the Gallery, stood by her side as they greeted their 'by invitation only' guests.

Brian walked up to Lindsey and placed a conciliatory kiss on her cheek.

"You are looking positively ravishing this evening," he crooned in her ear then turned to shake Sidney's hand.

Lindsey let out a small choked laugh, "I'm not the one you should be appeasing," she said.

Brian raised a brow at her but was prevented from responding when Sidney grabbed his hand, "Brian! So glad you could make it," he said giving him a hearty handshake.

Brian returned his handshake with a wry smile. He was astutely aware that the enthusiastic welcome was fueled by expectations of the shit load of money he would be spending tonight.

"Don't worry Sid, I brought my checkbook," he said then released his hand.

Sidney had the good manners to blush. Brian turned his attention back to Lindsey.

"How pissed off is he?" he asked.

Lindsey wore this Cheshire grin that Brian couldn't quite figure out.

"Oh, he's not so much pissed, as he is anxious. He's been waiting for you, and I might add, causing some mischief in his impatience," she said.

Brian was about to question her when he heard his son call his name.

"Daddy! Daddy! You're here!" Gus yelled as he came barreling through the doors.

Brian picked his son up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Yes, I'm here!" He returned just as enthusiastically; Lindsey's words now making sense. His son was anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Gus laughed and wiggled down out of Brian's arms.

"Come on Daddy, you have to see it! We're famous!" Gus said grabbing his fathers' hand.

Brian cast Lindsey and Sidney an apologetic look.

"Apparently, I'm needed elsewhere," he said before letting his son drag him away.

Gus maneuvered them through the throngs of people mulling around, bumping into more than one patron on the way, to the back area that hosted the 'emerging new artists' exhibit.

He stopped in front of a large illuminated painting.

"See Daddy, that's us! Justin painted us!" Gus informed him proudly as he looked upon the exquisite artwork.

Brian stopped and stared at the painting before him. His breath caught in his throat. It was them. Though how his son knew that, was a mystery to him.

Brian was still in awe that Justin had managed to get a few pieces ready for this exhibit. Between his fundraising work at Mercy Hospital, attending classes at PIFA, training the new recruits at Private Dicks, and of course, his number one priority, fucking and getting fucked by him, he couldn't imagine where he found the time to paint. No less paint something this brilliant!

Brian took in the hodgepodge of abstract lines and colors titled 'True Love' and wondered how his son came to the conclusion that it was a painting of them. Oh course he was right, Brian immediately saw it too, but he was surprised Gus made the connection. Justin couldn't have told him. He never revealed his interpretation of his work. He didn't want to influence peoples' reaction to his art. He believed that art was subjective and that his intention wasn't important – what was important was how others viewed it so it became more personal to them. That theory was coming into play at this very moment. His son, apparently, saw the painting as a representation of them.

"It's certainly beautiful Gus, but what makes you think this painting is of us?" he asked.

His son rolled his eyes – the act was so 'Kinney', it made him smile.

"Daddy! Look here," he said as he pointed to one particular splatter of color.

"That's the color mauve! That's me! Justin knows it's my favorite color. He say's it's dig-nee-fied!" Gus boasted jubilantly.

"Ah," Brian said eyeing the picture, "So which color is me?" he asked.

Gus pointed to the greenish brown swirls that dominated the painting.

"That's you daddy! It's the same color as your eyes and see how it's all around me? That's you hugging me!" Gus explained.

Brian was totally impressed with his son's analysis of the painting.

"I do believe you're right Sonny boy. You truly have an artist eye," Brian said smiling down at his son. Gus beamed at his fathers' praise.

"Jus' say's I'm a natural! Oh Daddy, Jus is the bestest artist here!" He proclaimed then lowered his voice, "I don't like any of the other paintings," he admitted making a sour face.

Brian laughed and scooped his son up in his arms, "Neither do I Sonny boy. I agree with you, 'Jus' is the bestest," he said.

His heart couldn't be more full at that moment. The person he loved most in the world, his son, was crazy about the second love of his life. The man he chose to spend the rest of his life with. His 'Jus'.

Brian kissed his son, ran his hand through his hair, mussing it a bit, then put him back down.

"Now go find Gram and tell her to get you some real food. I'm sure you'd much prefer a peanut butter and jelly sandwich over liver pâté and orange marmalade canapés," he said.

Gus screwed his tiny face up, "Can of peas? No wonder they're so yucky! I hate peas!" he said.

"No, can of peas, canapés,"he started then sighed when he saw the look of confusion on his son's face, "Never mind. There's Gram over by the painting of the lady with the hat. Tell her I said to make me a sandwich too. I'm not too fond of the 'can of peas' either," he said smiling at his son.

Gus laughed then turned and ran towards his Grandma Deb. Brian watched him run off with fatherly pride. There wasn't much he'd done in his life he was proud of, but having Gus was the best thing that's ever happened to him. And if that miracle wasn't enough, the fates that be blessed him with another miracle in the form of one very hot blond.

As if conjured up from his thoughts, the object of his musings encircled his waist from behind.

"You're late," he said.

"I was just thinking about you," Brian said as he grabbed a hold of Justin's wrists and pulled his arms tighter around him.

Justin snuggled up against his back and placed a kiss on his shoulder.

"That doesn't make up for the fact that you're late to my first showing," he said.

Brian looked over his shoulder at him.

"Something came up," he said.

Justin met his gaze with suspicious eyes,

"Something as in…"

"Yip," Brian said turning around to face him.

Justin's jaw dropped, "Oh my God! You're serious? It's official?" he asked, his voice matching the exuberance Gus displayed over his painting.

Brian pulled Justin in for a hug, "It's official. We are now the new owners of the old Bathhouse that, God help me, I can't believe I use to frequent regularly. Did you notice all the cum stains Sunshine? I don't envy you. You got your work cut out for you, turning that den of debauchery into some semblances of a respectable business."

"It's advertising, I do believe a touch of debauchery is required," Justin said impishly then shook his head half in wonder, half in disbelief.

"I can't believe we're actually going through with this! I'm so proud of you. You know, you're going to be fucking brilliant, don't you?" he said.

Brian snorted, "Or make a complete fool of myself. I also enrolled at Carnegie Mellon. I already have my Business and Marketing degree, I'm adding on some Advertising courses," he said.

Justin gave him one of his dazzling smiles, "Perfect. I signed up yesterday for a Graphic Designs course. By this time next year, the building should be completely renovated and ready for the launch of – what the fuck are we going to call it?"

Brian pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek in thought, "Hmmm…Something hot of course. Sex sells after all," he said.

Justin looked at him pensively, "True. Our first introduction into the Ad world has to make a statement. It needs to be sizzling hot."

Brian graced him with a sexy smirk, "How about we just run promos of us fucking? I can see it now, right in the center of downtown Pittsburgh, a life size billboard of us naked, engaged in hot angry sex, with a caption that reads …

'Britin. The agency that knows how to fuck the competition',"

Justin laughed heartily. He could just imagine Brian being bold enough to make a grand entrance into the advertising world in the most blatantly sexual manner.

"I think the FCC might have issues with such an add. Too pornographic even in today's market. Britin however is…."

"Is hot as fuck, like us. You like the name?" Brian asked a little nervously.

"I fucking love it! And now that I think about it, I believe your concept could make it past the censors if we strategically shoot it from the side so no sex parts are actually showing, and change the word 'fuck' to 'screw'", Justin paused as his mind raced and his eyes widened.

"Oh my God Brian? It really could work! We are sooo going to be great at this!"

Brian pulled his blond against him. "You just might be right Sunshine. Sex is our forte'. Speaking of….all this advertising talk is making me horny."

"Hmmm…there's not much that doesn't make you horny," Justin replied, his tone growing low, and husky.

"H-hey you t-two. G-get a room," Liam said.

The familiar voice washed over them like a cold bucket of water. "Later," Brian whispered into Justin's ear before turning to face his brother.

"Liam, I'm impressed! Is that Armani you're wearing?" Brian asked as he pulled his brother in for a hug.

"Anne p-pick it out," Liam said.

Brian released his brother and leaned over and kissed Anne on the cheek.

"Looking beautiful as ever Anne," Brian said.

She and Liam had been living together now for the past two months and from all accounts and appearances the arrangement suited them both.

"Thank you Brian, and of course, it goes without saying you look gorgeous as ever," Anne said.

"Of course," Brian replied tongue in cheek.

Justin laughed and slapped his arm lightly, "You know a little modesty wouldn't kill you," he said then greeted both Liam and Anne with affectionate hugs and kisses.

"I'm so glad you two could make it!" Justin said as he released them and stood back by Brian's side.

Justin and Liam had grown really close over the past few months. Ironically it was Justin who Liam came to for guidance. Though Brian and Liam were very close, sharing a bond that was unbreakable, once Liam was granted emancipation that bond did little to stop them from bunting heads on more than one occasion. The brothers fought – a lot. They were both thick headed and stubborn. In fairness, Brian was use to making all decisions for Liam. He was having a hard time letting go. Liam wanted to live his life on his own terms – make his own mistakes. When he needed advice or help, he found it easier to go to Justin; Brian's idea of help was 'fixing' it for him. Liam didn't want his brother fixing things for him anymore; he wanted to do things on his own.

"We're sorry we're late. We had to take a little detour," Anne said. She and Liam exchanged nervous looks.

Justin automatically put a firm hand on Brian's arm and squeezed in warning.

"Oh?" Justin said calmly.

"What the fuck happened?" Brian said.

"Bb-rian, ss-top. I'm ff-ine." Liam warned.

'Fuck!' Justin thought. Here they go again.

"Why the fuck can't you just answer a question straight? Why is it always a contest with you?" Brian shot back at him.

"Brian…" Justin started but was startled into silence by Liam's laugh.

"You know tt-there was a tt-ime you would never tt-alk to me like tt-hat," he said.

Brian's anger deflated and a smile found its' way to his face. He pulled his bottom lip in and studied his brother. A full grown independent man, standing right there in front of him, giving as good as he got. He couldn't be prouder, yet, he a small part of him felt a loss.

"And there was a time you trusted me," he said. There was no mistaking the hurt in Brian's voice.

Liam grimaced at his brother's pain. It was his own, "Bri, I'm ss-ory. You know I tt-rust you. I wouldn't bb-e the man I am tt-oday if it wern't ff-or you," he said.

Brian snorted, "Bullshit. You're the man you are today, 'despite' me", he said and the truth of it suddenly hit him. He'd been so overprotective of his brother and as a result, he'd been holding him back. 'Fuck', he thought. He hated these 'light bulb' moments – and when the fuck did he start using 'Oprah' references?

Liam started to protest, but Brian held up his hand.

"No Liam, it's true. I haven't given you much room to breathe. I was smothering you, yet somehow, you managed to become the independent man you were always meant to be, despite my interference. I can't promise I won't always worry about you, because I will, but I can promise you that I will respect your choices from now on, even if I don't agree with them." He said.

Liam's eyes welled up. He reached out and pulled his brother in for a hug.

"I love you," he said clearly and Brian's heart soared. He hugged his brother back.

Liam pulled back and smiled at him, "Remember tt-that when I tt-ell you where we were," he said.

Brian's brow furrowed.

"Why don't you two go talk somewhere private while Justin shows me his paintings," Anne diplomatically suggested.

"It would be my pleasure," Justin said taking Anne's arm. "Why don't you go out to the garden and check out Owen's metal sculpture. It's stunning," he added then turned and guided Anne towards his exhibit.

Brian had a bad feeling in his stomach. He grabbed Liam's hand and walked him outside to the garden. The found a bench not far from the sculpture.

"Are you in trouble?" Brian blurted out as soon as they were seated.

Liam shook his head, "No. You worry tt-o much."

Brian snorted, "Maybe I wouldn't worry so much is you weren't so secretive. Tell me what's going on."

Liam took a deep breath, as if fortifying himself for what he was about to say.

"I wa-went tt-o ss-ee m-mom,"

Brian noticed his stuttering got worse. It always did when the subject of their mother came up. Mainly because Brian refused to speak of the woman.

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, "I'm assuming she's still alive," he callously threw out.

Liam didn't flinch. "Yy-es," he said.

He was use to his brothers deep disdain for their mother, and in truth, he didn't blame him. But his experience with their mother was very different than Brian's. Joan, up until she gained custody, had been the doting mother to him for years. Never missing a visit. Always showing him affection. An affection, she wasn't able to show her other son. He resented his mother for not loving his brother. He could not forgive her for that. Yet, he could not disown her completely. Liam's heart and loyalty was first and foremost to his brother, but here was a part of him that could not deny his gratitude, and yes, affection for his mother even after all she did, to both of them.

"Liam, Joan is not my business anymore. I told you I don't want to hear about her," Brian said.

Liam took a deep fortifying breath. He knew his brother was going to fight him on this, but it was a battle Liam intended to win.

"I n-need a ff-favor," he said.

Brian crushed his cigarette out beneath his Armani designer black derby shoe and turned to face his brother.

"A favor for you, or for Joan?"

Liam cringed back at the coldness in his brother's voice.

"S-she's v-very ss-sick Bri-ian. I w-want her out of tt-that pp-lace," Liam boldly spoke his request.

Ironically enough, after Joan lost guardianship of Liam, Brian gained guardianship of her.

Liam's 'kidnapping' spurred an investigation into Joan's care of Liam. Charges were filed against her for reckless endangerment and willful neglect. The courts deemed her mentally impaired and appointed Brian her guardian. Claire was going through a divorce and Liam had just gotten emancipated. The judge felt Brian was the logical choice. It was no surprise to anyone when Brian immediately placed her in a state home and washed his hands of her. Joan had no money, so the State accepted her. Technically though, Brian was still her guardian and the only one who could make decisions on her behalf.

Brian pulled his bottom lip in and studied his brother.

"She is getting the care she needs there," he said.

"Tt-the ss-ame kind of cc-are tt-hey gave me," Liam countered.

Now it was Brian who cringed. He snarled and turned away from his brother.

"She deserves to be there," he said.

"N-no one dd-serves tt-o be tt-there. Bri…pp-please."

Brian cursed under his breath. "Fine. I'll make arrangements to put her in a better place. But Liam, promise me you won't hold false hope in your heart. Years of alcohol abuse has destroyed her mind. Don't let yourself get pulled into her hell. Remember, she created that hell for herself."

Liam sighed sadly, "I know. Ss-till, ss-he has no one. Claire dd-oesn't visit her anymore. Ss-he's all alone."

Claire, like Brian washed her hands of their mother. What she did to Liam was the last straw for her. She was making major changes in her life. Divorcing herself from her mother, and her deadbeat husband was just the beginning. She, with Brian's help, was going back to school to get her degree. Brian was proud of her, and happy to help. However, he had to admit that selfishly, he was glad Claire deserted Joan. He was still very bitter and angry with his mother. He felt ashamed he took such glee in Joan's downfall. Liam was right, no one, not even Joan, deserved to be kicked when they were down. Liam suffered the most at their parents' hands yet it was Brian who held the most resentment.

Brian wrapped his arm around his brothers' shoulder and pulled him close.

"You're a good son Liam. You deserved better parents. Joan is lucky to have you. You pick the place and I'll make arrangements," he said.

Liam smiled and hugged him back. "I love you," he whispered into his brother's ear and Brian hugged him tighter as he held his tears back…

Two hours later they were all leaving the exhibit. It was a huge success. Lindsey and Sidney made a shit load of money from commissions, including a hefty sum from Justin's pieces. All his stuff sold. The first to go was 'True Love', which Brian had purchased upon Gus's insistence. The abstract portrait of them would hang in his room at his moms house until Brian and Justin got their own place. It was already decided between them that they would sell the loft, keep Justin's apartment for family visiting from out of town – mainly his mother – and purchase a bigger place together.

The family were all saying their goodbyes, and congratulating Justin on his success, and both of them on their new business venture. Debbie gushed over the news they were moving into together, Emmett insisted on helping them decorate both their new home, and 'Britin' offices, and Ben and Michael offered 'relationship' advise to which Brian made a face like he was going to through up, which was all their cue to high tail it out of there before they were witness to a full 'Kinney' queen out moment. Liam and Anne were the last to leave, making Brian and Justin promise to come next Saturday for dinner.

By the time Justin climbed into the passenger side of the Mayback, he was both exhausted and elated.

"I don't think I've ever been happier," he mused out loud as he rested his head against the soft leather seat, his eyes closed.

"Hmmm….hold that thought until I get you home. I think I can up your joy level, not to mention other parts of your anatomy once I get you in bed," Brian said as he put the car into drive.

Justin peeked over at him, but said nothing. He just basked in the sight of his lover. Strong, beautiful, his….."Did you ever think…" he said suddenly, his tone very serious.

Brian cast a weary glance at him. "Honestly? No. I would have scoffed in the face of anyone who would have told me a year ago that today, I'd be sitting next to the most beautiful man, thinking about our future. And I'm not just talking about the long hard fuck I'm going to give you tonight," he said tongue in cheek.

Justin laughed and turned to look out the window, "Yeah, well first things first," he said then paused and bit his bottom lip. "Does it scare you?" he asked.

Brian drove in silence for a few minutes before he answered.

"Yeah, it does. It scares the shit out of me. For years I walled up my heart. Only letting my son and my brother in. And even with them I was a little guarded. I didn't think I was capable of loving 'properly', if that makes sense. Between my parents and Conrad, I figured my views on love were too skewed to be reliable. I never trusted myself to be a good father to Gus. Oh, I tried, but I relied heavily on Linds and Mel to do the 'right' thing. Same with Liam, I trusted that fucking Doctor too much. I thought other's new best. I wanted so many times to pull Liam out of that hospital, to at least try to get him to be more independent, but every time Liam or Anne broached the subject, I let Denno talk me out of it. I thought I was being selfish in wanting my brother with me. And everyone time I listened to others, it hurt, it always fucking hurt. So I built these walls around my heart…not only to protect me, but to protect those I cared about. And men…well, you know how I felt about opening up my heart to men. But then, you came along, like a fucking jackhammer and broke down all my walls. So if I'm a sentimental fag at this point in my life, it's your fault!" he said.

Justin looked back over at him and placed his hand on his thigh.

"First, you are an amazing father and brother to Liam. Always have been and if you ever doubt that, both would be all too happy to prove you wrong. And second, if I broke down any walls you had up, I'm glad. But I'm more glad that you broke down mine. God Brian, if it weren't for you, I'd still be living with all that fucking baggage I was carrying around. I would have never found out about the traitor in my own unit, or about Hobbs innocence…"

"Well that's all over now. And we're together," Brian said interrupting Justin's train of thought. The last thing he wanted was for his blond to be thinking about his ex when he was about to fuck his brains out.

Justin exhaled loudly and smiled. "Yes, we are. And we're about to embark on a new adventure. A new business, and a new house! Fuck Brian, do we really need a new house? The loft is fine, and there is a room for Gus there. Maybe we should rethink this. It's a big expense, and we'll need the money for Britin." he asked turning their talk to more pleasant things.

"No, we need a new place. I have the money, I'm rich remember? Besides that you're going to need a space to paint. You are too talented to not follow that path. When you're not working at our new advertising agency, I want you painting. Eventually, that's all you're going to be doing. You are that talented, so don't argue with me. But more importantly we're going to need more space for the new baby."

Justin felt like several hours passed as he starred unblinking at Brian, trying to decipher his words. Brian continued to drive, eyes on the road, with a smirk on his face.

"Baba..bay?" Justin finally answered, not even bothering to address Brian's assessment of his talents, and his goals as far as his career as an artist went.

"Channeling Liam are we?" Brian quipped.

Justin snapped out of his haze and slapped his arm, "Shut up and answer me," he demanded.

Brian laughed, "Shut up AND answer you? I'm not a ventriloquist, Sunshine. Make up your mind, do you want me to shut up or answer you?"

Justin growled in frustration, "I swear to God Brian….!"

Brian held up one hand in surrender, a smirk still playing on his beautiful mouth.

"Ok, I give. The baby Justin, the baby. You remember, the one you thought you'd never have? That baby. We're, as in you and me, are going to find a surrogate to carry our baby. Gus has been asking for a little brother. I think it's time we worked on that."

Justin sat up in his seat and turned his body towards Brian, "I never said…"

"Yes you did Justin. That first week we met. After we caught Riker, remember? Dumpster boys' killer? You fell and got hurt and ended up spending the night at the loft. It was your first night there. I showed you a picture of Gus. You told me then you wanted a kid."

Justin's jaw dropped open, "I never said anything about wanting a kid!"

Brian looked over at him, "Yes you did. You said it all in your eyes. Unless I read you wrong. You tell me, did I?"

Justin was caught off by the question. He thought back to that night. That fateful night. It was the first time he realized how much he wanted Brian, yet also believed at the time it was impossible for them. Since, he found out there was nothing impossible when love was involved. And that included having a baby with the man he loved. Was Brian right? Had he always longed for a child? A family?

Justin lay back in the seat as he Brian pulled on their street.

"Brian?"

Brian parked the car and turned to Justin, "Yes?"

"Stop making decisions for me."

"Ok."

"Brian?"

"Yes Sunshine?"

"How do you think Gus would feel about a little sister?"

Brian sighed dramatically, "I don't know Sunshine. We might just have to keep trying until we get a boy. You know how demanding my son is," he said as he exited the car.

Justin followed Brian out of the car and up to their loft.

"No more demanding than his father," he said.

And Brian proved just how demanding he was over and over that night. There was no more talk of businesses, babies or careers. There was just them, together, raw, exposed.

Broke Open.

Each swimming in the abundant love that flowed from that space within that had been locked up for so long.

The End.