Their ride back to Kevin’s house was quiet and peaceful. Again they snuggled on the seats, but they spoke not a word. Brian concentrated on driving through the light falling snow, and on the warm body at his side. AJ focused on the beat of his lover’s heart. They both felt a sense of peace. It was a wonderful feeling after all the drama they had lived through.
When they got back to Kevin’s house, they walked inside hand in hand. Kevin was sitting almost where they had left him, but this time he had just finished his lunch. The couple hadn’t realized how long they’d been gone.
“You’re back!” Kevin exclaimed when his saw them. Then the shutters went down over his eyes and his voice turned deeper, a sign of nerves. “How’d everything go?”
Brian smiled at his cousin. “Everything’s fine, Kev. I laid that demon to rest today, I think.”
He felt AJ shift, and arms went around his waist. He was held back against AJ’s chest, and his lovers face came over his shoulder so that they were pressed cheek to cheek. Brian brought his hands up, laying them over AJ’s. The embrace made him feel loved, and cherished. “I realized that it doesn’t matter what he did, or who he told, or anything.” Brian said. He looked into Kevin’s eyes as he spoke and all he felt was contentment. “I refuse to be made to feel ashamed about this. I love him. He loves me. Nothing Dad does is ever going to change that.”
“So he was the one to tell the press.” Kevin said huskily. Disappointment flashed into his eyes, as well as a slight anger. To find out that his Uncle had done this was a devastating blow for him.
“Kevin.” Brian stepped out of AJ’s arms, moving around the table to pull his cousin to his feet. When they were looking one another eye to eye, Brian gave him a smile. “Don’t be angry about this. I have a Father who I know is proud of me, and in the end of all things, no opinion is higher than His. The rest of it isn’t worth being upset for. If I do, I’m spoiling the gift He gave me.”
A light was in Kevin’s eyes. “When did you get to be so wise, little coz?” he teased. “You’ve sure grown up over the past year.”
“I’ve had to.” Brian replied. His voice was low and soft, but full of emotion. He leaned in and wrapped Kevin in his arms, holding him tightly for a minute. When he stepped back, both of their eyes were wet.
With another smile, Brian stepped away and went back to AJ’s open arms. He leaned in and kissed him. In AJ’s eyes was the same thing that Brian felt. A peace that they hadn’t had before. They had withstood everything that had been thrown at them, and they were still standing here. Nothing had knocked them down. They knew their hearts, and they knew their lives. They were meant to be intertwined together.
“We’ve been through a bit of hell in the past year.” Brian turned his eyes back to Kevin, speaking the words in his heart. “But AJ and I both have grown. We’re different than we used to be. I think we’ve earned our happiness. Our home, and our family.”
AJ spoke up for the first time. “We’re ready to settle down together. We want to finish our house, and fill it with memories. We want to have our holidays there; have friends and family around. Maybe get another dog at some point. Record some music there. Laugh, cry. Live. We’re ready for that.”
A sniffle told them that Kristen had been listening from the doorway to the hallway. She moved in, embracing the two men. A second later Kevin was there, and their hug was complete. They stayed that way for a few minutes before pulling back. Even Kevin wiped at his eyes. “I’m happy that you’ve both found peace.”
“So are we.” Brian said. He took a deep breath and ran his hand over AJ’s cheek. “It’s going to be Christmas soon, baby.” He reminded him.
AJ smiled and pressed his forehead against Brian’s. “Let’s go home, snuggles.”
“I think that sounds like a good idea, tiger.”