Now that everything was settled, the two climbed from the car, and AJ finally turned his eyes to Brian’s house. The sight of it left him speechless. It was an English Tudor style two level house. The outside was worked in stone, with dark wood edging. Surrounded by evergreens and grass, it was one of the most beautiful homes that AJ had ever seen.
“It’s a five bedroom, with four baths. Property’s about 6 acres. If I remember right, the house is something like 4800 square feet. It’s, well, it’s my favorite piece of property that I’ve ever owned.” Brian said softly. He stood by AJ’s side, reaching out to twine their fingers together. “Inside it’s not as fancy as some places I’ve seen, but that’s part of what I liked about it. Some of the rooms are actually average size. I want to remodel a few things, but the moment never seemed right.”
“How come you don’t live here?” AJ whispered reverently. “I don’t know if I’d ever be able to leave.”
“Something was missing.” Was Brian’s simple response. “I guess you could say I was waiting for you without even knowing it.”
AJ turned and threw his arms around Brian. The two lovers held tightly to one another for a few minutes before Brian pulled back and took AJ’s hand again. “Let’s go in so I can show you around.” He said. Everything seemed to click in to place with AJ here beside him. That feeling of waiting that Brian had always had with this house was gone. He couldn’t wait to show it to the man he loved. He knew, without even asking, without even thinking about it, that this place would be their home. They might have other houses in different areas, but this, well, this was going to be home.
They gathered their bags, bringing them with them up to the front porch. Through AJ’s eyes it was almost like Brian was seeing the place for the first time all over again.
“Look at this door! The woods white, so it’s a little out of place, but it’s beautiful with the glass here!” AJ was exclaiming. He tested the knob and found it unlocked. With a grin AJ let himself in. The entry wasn’t large, and the side of a staircase faced them, but AJ still looked around in awe. There was tile in the entryway floor. “I like the tile here.” Brian said. “But I want a different tile. Something not so modern.”
“Something kind of colored like the stone outside. So the inside and outside bleed together.” AJ said absently. His eyes were traveling all over.
Leaving their bags in the entry, Brian set about giving AJ the tour. He showed what he used as an office. There was some old furniture in there. Large mahogany pieces. Bookshelves, a desk. It very much screamed Brian with its natural colors and comfortable feel. There was a half bath downstairs, as well as a formal living room.
In that room there wasn’t much for furniture. Against one wall a wood burning fireplace made a great focal point. Brian looked around and grinned sheepishly. “I haven’t had a chance to furniture shop much, so you’ll find a lot of empty rooms.” He explained. AJ had moved to the glass doors at the edge of the living room and was staring out at the view. With a soft laugh he spun back around. “Show me the rest!”
They went to the formal dining room next, which was perfect for a table that would hold large dinner groups. From there they moved to the kitchen. Now, unknown to most people, both AJ and Brian loved to cook. So the kitchen was important to them. This one did not disappoint. Brian fell in love all over again with the house as he looked around at the warm wood for the cabinets, and the hardwood floor. He ran a hand across the countertop, envisioning what he wanted to do.
AJ’s voice caught him off guard. “The skylight is wonderful.” He said, standing in the middle of the kitchen and staring up. “My God, when it storms it’ll be beautiful. The countertops should be replaced, though. Granite, I think. Slightly darker than normal to accent the light, warm woods.”
“There’s space over there for a smaller table.” Brian pointed to the other side of the counters. “More for when it’s just us.”
“There are so many windows. I love it. All this natural light.”
Brian raised a hand and pointed again, this time to a doorway. “Over there’s the family room.” He said. Leading AJ through there they looked at the small fireplace in there and the row of windows. Then they were moving on. They went back to the entry and headed upstairs. The landing at the top was open enough that they could set something there, and enjoy the view and the light.
He showed AJ the four other bedrooms, none of which had any furniture, and the bathrooms as well. Then he took him through the addition that had been added on. A media room dedicated solely to music, which a room branched off of it that he wanted to use to create a place to write. One bled into the other, so they were going to have the same theme.
Last but not least he brought AJ back to the master bedroom. It was a decent size room on the second floor with a view to the yard that was magnificent. AJ stood at the window, staring out, for a few minutes. Then he turned back to Brian and walked straight to him across the empty floor. “It is the most beautiful house in the entire world.” He said as he wrapped Brian in his arms.
A kind of pride flittered through Brian, as well as joy. He had been hoping that AJ would love the house as much as he did. To hear and see how happy he was there made the image all the more right. “We don’t have any furniture.” He reminded AJ with a chuckle. “Though I did order a bed. It should get here while we’re gone. I’ve used the delivery crew before with my office, so I trust them to bring it by and set it up.”
“I don’t care if we sleep in sleeping bags.” AJ said, framing Brian’s face. He kissed him, over and over, until they were both grinning. “This house is beautiful, and it’s going to be a blast making it a home.”
“It already is. Now that you’re here, its home. Our home.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AJ wanted nothing more than to go run around the yard for a while and explore the grounds. His mind was racing with ideas for their home. There wasn’t a lot that he would change, and each thing he had thought of Brian had listed in his plan to change anyways. In this, like in other things, their minds ran together.
But they needed to get to Brian’s appointment first and foremost. So they loaded up into the car yet again, this time with Brian behind the wheel, and headed to the hospital. Still, the whole way over they discussed the tiling, and maybe removing some carpet as well as furniture types and when they could start shopping for pieces.
The furniture discussion carried them all the way to OHSU and even on the walk from the parking garage to the physician’s pavilion.
“The bedroom, though. That I am in love with.” AJ said as he held the door open for Brian. “It doesn’t need changed. Just the furniture needs brought in. You said you got the bed?”
“I got it. It’s a cherry wood bed. It’s gorgeous, really.”
They kept their voices low as they discussed the rooms. By the time they reached the office they were chuckling with one another. Almost absently Brian checked in at the front desk and was asked to take a seat. AJ watched him as he did, noting the way that Brian was starting to distance himself again. He wished that he could hold his hand here, but OHSU was a large hospital with tons of people inside. This wasn’t the best place for them to do something like that, with the risk of being recognized.
So when they sat down and Brian took hold of his hand, AJ had to hold back his surprise. He didn’t let go, though. They sat like that until someone came out and called Brian back to the room. It was a testament to Brian’s nerves that he didn’t release AJ’s hand as they stood and followed a nurse back to a room.
The nurse opened a door for them, gesturing them inside. “Dr. Lorry will be with you shortly, Mr. Littrell.” She said pertly.
“Thank you.”
Brian sat on the exam table. Since he was still holding AJ’s hand, AJ grabbed a chair and scooted it close enough to keep holding on. “We’ve got this, baby.” AJ said softly. He looked up into Brian’s eyes, trying to give him strength. “No matter what he says, I’m right here.”
Briefly Brian nodded. Not even a minute later, Dr. Lorry came into the office. He was a gentleman in his mid to late forties, with salt and pepper hair and a smile that was bright and full of life. Instantly AJ could see why Brian liked this man. He carried himself so comfortably and confidently. You found yourself smiling back at him before you even realized it.
“So I see the ASD’s been giving you some trouble here, Brian.” Dr. Lorry said, taking a seat on the customary doctor’s stool. “They think there’s a chance it’s grown. Well, the MRI and the ECG were both well done, so those aren’t tests you’ll need to redo. But there are a few I’m going to order, as my receptionist probably let you know. Just to get a better understanding on this hole and how much it’s changed, if it’s changed at all. Are you up for an afternoon of hospital tests?” The last was said with a wry smile that had Brian giving a reluctant smile. “Ready as always, Dr. Lorry.”
Looking up from the chars, Dr. Lorry’s face was sympathetic. “You know what test we have to do next, Brian.”
A deep sigh showed that Brian did. AJ tried to stay back out of the way and just watch, but he couldn’t resist asking “What test?”
Dr. Lorry’s look took in Brian, their joined hands, the way they were leaning in to one another, the small nod that Brian gave, and AJ’s earnest face. After that look he didn’t hesitate in answering. “A TEE, also known as a transesophageal echo. Basically we numb Brian’s throat to stop the gag reflex, and we use a gel to numb his esophagus as well before we stick a probe down his throat to be able to better image his heart. This should give us an idea of the size of his hole. With that information we can decide if it’s grown or not, and from there we can plan the best outlook to heal it.”
Looking up at Brian’s face, AJ saw him grimacing. He squeezed Brian’s hand and spoke without thinking. “Just open your throat and swallow, basically, huh baby? You can do that.”
Red stained Brian’s cheeks and the room was silent for a split second. Then Dr. Lorry threw his head back and laughed, loud and hard. AJ just grinned at his lover as if to say ‘Gotta love me!’
“Oh, I do think I like this young guy.” Dr. Lorry told Brian when he had finally stopped laughing. He wiped a tear of mirth from his eye. “Yes, I do. I take it you’ll be around a lot?”
“So long as I’m allowed by staff I’ll be pretty much everywhere he is.” AJ said.
Dr. Lorry stuck his hand out and AJ took it. The two shook, grinning at one another. “I’m AJ, by the way.”
“Glad to finally meet someone who can keep up with Mr. Littrell here.” That said, he turned serious again and brought his attention back to the still blushing Brian. “Until the tests are done, there’s not a lot that I can do for you. You head on over to the hospital and get started on them. Have you eaten or drank anything today, by any chance?”
“Not since about midnight. I had a feeling on what I’d be doing.” Brian admitted.
“I thought you might, so I have you scheduled in with me for the TEE at three. If you head on over now the other tests should be done by the time three rolls around.” Dr. Lorry stood up and held his hand out to Brian. “Much as I hate why you’re here, it is good to see you again, Brian. You bring your man with you whenever you want. I’ll make sure they don’t give you too much trouble.”
“Thanks again, Dr. Lorry. Especially for seeing us on such short notice.”
“Not a problem. Let’s just get you tested and get this taken care of!” That said he ushered the two out of the room.