Coming of Age

I’m here to tell you all of that is ok to be feeling, just don’t get stuck there. You have the family you were raised with that loves you, you now have the O’Brien clan that loves you, and if you choose you can get to know the McKinley family as well – on your terms. Just know that I am here for you and will kick you in the butt if needed.” AJ hugged Chase tightly – “Let’s grab some wine.”

Chase and AJ made their way to the wine cellar.

They both heard the chatter start as they opened the basement stair door. When it closed, they descended the steps together – “AJ, thank you for that. You said everything that was spinning in my head and it felt like I was being stupid because everyone was excited for me. Don’t get me wrong, I am excited as well but there are so many things spinning in my head about this shit show that I don’t know which end is up. Nanny and I had a great talk about my Dad and Mom, she was a fan of Ava’s but not as much of her dad’s. Then there is you, I now understand why I was so drawn to you; yes, it was more than your looks and that fine-ass chassis you have. Something I could not put my finger on always pulled me to you.

I’m glad you went all AJ on everyone including me. I am pissed, happy, sad, numb, scared and God only knows what other emotions running around inside me. So, thank you for validating my confusion and I’m really glad you are my big and my cousin – shit that is just too cool for school.”

AJ unlocked his private reserve and grabbed 4 bottles to take upstairs to celebrate.

When the door closed, everyone was talking at once and again Evie whistled for quiet. Nanny spoke first – “Well that was an interesting way to cut through the bullshit. Leave it to our AJ to grab the bull by the balls and cut to the heart of it. Just know he was 100% right – Chase is feeling all of the emotions that AJ called out. In the end, this will be a great thing for all of us.”

The conversation went in circles for a bit but at the end of it, everyone agreed the tension was cut and they would see what the fallout would be.

The door to the basement opened and the sound of laughter rolled out with AJ and Chase stepping out onto the first floor. They turned and went to the kitchen, the heartfelt laughter and discussion continued as they made their way into the family room. Scott was the first one to speak – “Sweet, we need to find more family members on the regular so we get to taste the nectar of the Gods.”

AJ shook his head – “You really are a dork Sam. Albeit my dork, but a dork nonetheless.” The guys all started talking at once, asking what the hell Popo was talking about. In the end, Scott conveyed that while he enjoyed wine occasionally, the stuff in AJ’s hand was like liquid heaven and is kept locked up in the cellar with a lock only AJ’s thumbprint can open. AJ shook his head at Sam – “My love, if you ever truly listened to me, you would know that your thumbprint works as well.” Scott jumped up and ran downstairs with Brent, Brett, and Steve in tow. When they arrived back upstairs Scott had another bottle in hand – “just in case someone would like a third glass, after all, it isn’t every day, you find out your little is actually your cousin.”

AJ closed the distance between him and Scott and pulled him into a deep embrace and kiss, when they broke apart AJ whispered in his ear – ‘God, I love you to the moon and back.’ ‘Always and forever my Taz.’

Nanny had taken the pour – she deftly stretched two bottles to 13 glasses, which were very close to equal in volume. Chase was handing out the glasses, and JJ made sure no one drank before the toast. JJ raised his glass when everyone had a glass: "Family is precious, whether by blood or by choice we are all bound as a family. Chase, I know the last few hours have been a whirlwind, but just know that we are here for you as you journey through your new truth. To Nathan and Ava, God rest their souls, salute.” Everyone clinked glasses looking the other in the eye before anyone drank.

As the third round began to be poured AJ had slipped away unnoticed and brought up one more bottle of his reserve and four other award winners, allowing everyone to have 5 short glasses of wine. As he stepped into the family room, he heard Scott say – “Which 2 of you will get one more glass of AJ’s nectar?” Seth was quick to poke fun – “I’m guessing none of us will get AJ’s nectar but I’m sure we would all arm wrestle for another glass of that delicious wine.”

AJ cleared his throat and held up the additional bottle – “No one will go without. Sam, do you think you can do 13 even pours?” “Yes, but if I’m being honest two will be a bit heavier than the others.”

Nanny took the bottles from Scott and AJ and poured 13 even pours. AJ set the 4 additional bottles on the table and Evie and JJ each picked one up. The bottle in JJ’s hand was from Thanksgiving 2004 and was a great red that Ray created. The one in Evie’s hand elicited a bit more praise and a tear running down her cheek – “AJ, I didn’t realize anyone had this wine left. This is the last wine Ed and Jon made before Jon died. You were 4 when this was made, where did you find this and how did you keep it a secret?”

Nanny had the other bottle in her hand – “Are you sure you want to open these last two bottles of this wine?” AJ smiled – “First, who said these are the last two? Second, I know it is fitting that our final glass of wine tonight was created by our Papa. After all his grandson found his way home and Mama, I don’t talk about everything that happens in my life – I love you all but having a few secrets is not a bad thing.”

The conversation continued around the room – school, travel, work, and love were all topics discussed. The other four bottles had been opened and left to breathe while the conversation continued. When he was finished, Brett went for one of the bottles but was quickly reprimanded by Nanny. She made it clear that the pouring duties were hers and that she would complete them when everyone finished.

When they got to the last two bottles, Nanny handed them to AJ and asked him to do the honors. A couple of smart-ass comments were heard from the frat boys which were met with a comment from Chase to short-pour the heathens. AJ did as his cousin asked – there were 4 short pours and 9 slightly longer pours. Complaints were heard from Brett, Seth, Steve, and Brent but they were shut down by the others. The difference in the pours was so minute you had to look closely to see that AJ did short those four glasses.

AJ raised his glass – “To Gramps and Papa, thank you for continuing to watch over us on this journey we call life. Please make sure Syd is welcomed by the family.” A tear slipped from AJ’s eye as he clinked glasses with his family. It was getting late and the boys were dancing around asking for dinner. No one was in the mood to cook so they ordered – Italian food – pizza, pasta, bread, salad, and vegetables for a family-style dinner.

Nanny and Evie dished up for Conor and Caleb while AJ and Scott got the table set for the rest of the family. Food was placed on the table and the merriment continued for over an hour as everyone ate, talked, and enjoyed themselves.

Scott and AJ got the boys bathed and in bed while the rest of the family continued their conversations throughout the house. When AJ and Scott joined their friends in the family room, Steve asked AJ where the family’s painting had disappeared. AJ was vague with his response and it was clear he was not going to talk about it, Scott thought the response odd but was going to let it go for now. AJ asked Chase to join him on a walk around the property – he wanted to chat in private.

As they left the house, all eyes were on them and they both felt the weight of those stares. Once the door closed AJ joked the tension just dropped 1,000 percent. He and Chase fell into their old banter, they talked about everything including the big surprise – they are cousins. AJ asked Chase if he and Brent would join them in NC for the end-of-the-year celebrations, he wanted to spend more time alone with Chase to talk about all the crap surrounding the shit show of his birth. The two friends/cousins walked around the property in silence for a while. AJ broke the silence – “Well?”

Chase was not sure how to answer so he deferred - “Well, what?”

AJ somewhat annoyed - “Don’t be an ass.”

Chase tried to play it off - “North Carolina?”

AJ was now annoyed - “Ass.”

Chase decided to deal with it head-on - “I’m not sure we can afford the flights. I’ll talk to Brent and see what he thinks.”

AJ now understood the hesitancy - “When I asked you down, I didn’t mean for you to buy airline tickets, I meant for you two to join us on my plane.”

Chase was completely flabbergasted - “What the fuck Skeeter, when did you buy a plane? How fucking much money do you have anyway?”

AJ was on the defensive now - “I bought the plane in November and none of your damn business. I would make sure you both get to from NC. If you want, you can have Brett and Steve get one of your cars over to Pullman so that you and Brent have one and Steve and Brett have one. That way we can fly you straight back to Pullman with no driving from Seattle.

Do you think that your mom and dad would want to come to NC with you to get to know my Mama and Pops and our Nanny?”

Chase shook his head, it was just like AJ to try and change the subject when he was not wanting to address the big elephant/plane in the room - “I’m not really sure, this has been a whirlwind for me and I have never talked to them about finding my birth parents so let me think about it.”

AJ tried to get things back to even - “Chase, I don’t understand what you are going through so if I overstep, please pull me back. I have loved you like a brother since I first met you even though I could tell you were attracted to me, ouch you little turd and I am just excited to get to know you as a cousin and all that entails so bear with the eager beaver.”

The two headed back to the house when they realized it was after midnight.

While AJ and Chase walked the grounds, Scott organized sleeping arrangements. Nanny, JJ, Evie, and JR were all set up in rooms upstairs. Miranda was invited to stay in her room or with JR, her choice. There were enough rooms upstairs for either arrangement. Scott showed Brent, Brett & Steve, and Jordan & Seth rooms that they could use for as long as they stayed, he pointed out there were toiletries in each bathroom and if anyone needed clothes, he and AJ had enough to outfit them all.

When AJ and Chase came into the family room the lights were out, save a lamp and the stair lights to the second floor. There was a sticky note on the lampshade – ‘Chase you are in the last bedroom on the right on the second floor’. AJ hugged Chase and they both headed off to bed.

AJ stopped and checked on the boys – kissing them both again. He went into his and Scott’s bedroom where he found Scott sound asleep with the bedside lamp on. AJ quietly showered and got ready for bed; he slid in behind Scott after he shut the lamp off. Scott wiggled his butt into AJ’s crotch by instinct as he did not wake fully. AJ kissed his neck and joined him in dreamland.

AJ woke at 5:30 and headed to the gym, Scott was still sleeping when he left. AJ got in a good 90-minute workout, when he returned to his room Scott was still asleep so he locked the door, removed his clothes, peeled back the covers crawled onto the bed with his body as close as he could get without touching him. Scott began to react by taking deeper breaths, and his cock began to rise. Just as AJ was getting ready to kiss him, there was a banging at their bedroom door and two voices – “dada, dada, dada”. Scott woke with a start – “What the hell are you doing Taz?”

AJ chuckled, trying to hide his amusement – “Testing my theory that you are gone for my smell. Don’t even start, I got back into bed with you and put my armpit in your face and you got instantly hard and within minutes you were leaking like a faucet just a minute, boys.”

AJ got up and opened the door, in ran the boys needing a morning diaper change and a cuddle with dada and papa. AJ locked the door, grabbed Caleb, and hauled him toward the bathroom for a shower. Scott had Conor in his arms and was following AJ into the bathroom staring at his ass as he went.

AJ knew his man was staring at his ass – “Scott, it’s not polite to stare so openly at your man’s behind.”

Scott was chuckling as he knew he was busted but was still going to hold firm - “I am not.” Scott was certain that he loved this man more than he should but damn how could he not.