Four
“More!”
Melody demanded. Lance smiled at her, not hearing the door open.
“Once
upon there was a handsome prince named Joshua. He was the most beautiful prince
in the world. He had a friend named Joey and a friend named Justin and a friend
named Chris.”
“Daddy,”
Melody announced.
“Right.
That's your daddy. There was also a princess named Melody.”
“Me!”
“That's
right. But Prince Joshua was very lonely, and he didn't have anyone to make him
happy. So one day, a man named Lance came to his castle.”
“Lance!
You Lance!” Melody pointed at Lance.
“Yep.
That's me. Lance was lonely, too, and he and Joshua fell in love. Lance moved
into the castle, and everyone lived happily ever after. The end.”
“Yay!”
Melody clapped her hands.
Josh
smiled from the doorway. “Hey there.”
Lance
looked up and blushed. “Oh. Hi. Chris and Joey went shopping.”
“I
figured,” Josh said. Justin looked over Josh's shoulder.
“Jussin!”
Melody yelled. She flew off of Lance's lap and ran to hug Justin's legs.
“Hey
there, babygirl,” Justin said.
“Where
Daddy?” Melody asked.
“At
the store. He needs to find a bed for you, and something for you to eat.”
“I'm
hungry,” Melody announced.
“It
IS dinnertime,” Lance said, looking at the clock. “How about something quick,
like spaghetti!”
“I
like pasghetti,” Melody announced.
“Pasghetti
it is,” Lance said, laughing. He went into the small kitchen and Josh followed
him. Justin took Melody out onto the balcony.
“Hi.”
Josh kissed the back of Lance's neck.
“Mmm.
Hi, yourself.”
“You
excited about going to school?”
“Not
as excited as I am about the thought of ravaging your gorgeous body tonight,”
Lance said. Josh moaned and pressed against Lance.
“Did
you ever notice how drama seems to follow Justin around like his shadow?”
“This
isn't Justin's drama, for once. It's Chris' drama.”
“I
cannot picture him as a father,” Josh said, shaking his head. Lance turned
around in Josh's arms.
“Do
you ever think of having children?”
“Me?
No…not really. I like kids…they're cute and all, but I'm too selfish.” Josh
kissed Lance on the nose. “I don't like sharing you with anyone. And I'd have
to share you with a baby.”
“You're
not sharing me,” Lance promised. “I'm all yours.”
Josh
was giving Lance a tender kiss when Justin and Melody returned. “And that's
Uncle Josh and Uncle Lance trying to get some booty in the kitchen,” Justin
told her.
“Booty,”
Melody repeated.
“Justin!”
Lance almost yelled. “Don't be teaching her that stuff!”
“She's
gonna hear it sooner or later, living here,” Justin pointed out.
Someone
knocked on the door, then opened it. “Hey,” Joey said. “Chris is up in the
apartment, unpacking, if someone wanted to talk to him.”
“Joey!”
Melody said happily.
“Go to Uncle Joey,” Justin said, handing her
over. “I need to go talk to Daddy.”
The
door to Chris' apartment was open. Justin tiptoed inside, then watched Chris
unpack the groceries. “Hi,” Justin said shyly. Chris froze and slowly turned
around.
“Hi,”
Chris said, not smiling.
“Look,
I know I was a big freaking baby, and I'm sorry. I just…okay, this is gonna
sound SO hypocritical…but I got jealous. You had sex with someone else. A
WOMAN. And she gave you what I never EVER could. And now…you have to watch out
for Melody, and maybe you won't have time for me.” Justin pouted and looked at
his feet. “And I know I sound about six years old, and I'm just sorry.”
“Justin.”
Chris came around the counter. He put his arms around Justin. “That means more
to me than you could know.”
“Huh?”
“I
know we've been together for a few months now, but I still worry. I'm worried
you'll go running back to the way you used to be, seeing all these different
guys and forgetting about me. But you saying this…that you're worried I won't
have enough time for me…it shows me you really do love me.”
“Of
course I do!” Justin said in surprise.
“Well…I
know it for sure, now.” Chris gave Justin a sweet kiss on the lips. “And Melody
will just add to our happy life, okay, baby?”
“Okay,”
Justin sighed, resting his head on Chris' shoulder.
