 | ShatterStorm Productions
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| ShatterStorm Productions
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Primary Character(s): Art Goldston
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++ Art ++
"I'm gonna get you!" I growl at Cory, mock-dropping him down so I can blow a raspberry at his stomach. This earns a wild, high-pitched shriek of delight from my younger son, and an echoed laugh from Elana, along with a well placed kick against my thigh. I can't help but laugh with them, using the moment to take a bit of a breather from playing this game for so long. Cory's feet kick at my ribs, signaling his desire to play again, and I happily extend my arms to lift him up into the air and start the game all over again.
This time, instead of a raspberry, I move him just enough to rub the curls at my forehead against his stomach…and very nearly get kicked in the throat for my efforts. He squeals even more loudly, the sound echoed by his sister. These two never tire of this game, and truthfully neither do I. I'd been far more careful with Cubby and Fawn, mainly because they'd been so small when they were born. I partially blame that on their mother. Janet was far more coddling of the twins than she has been with this new batch of babies in the house.
Another hard kick from Elana reminds me that she wants to play again. Curling Cory against the left side of my chest, I drag Elana up with my right arm and roll over with practiced ease to lay them on their backs on the bed. Reaching up, I pull the elastic out of my hair, freeing my own riot of curls to tease both of their bellies until they're little more than red bundles of squealing, hiccupping, kicking flesh.
An amused chuckle from the doorway stops me from playing any further. I glance up to see Fin standing there, watching us. He's wearing that indulgent smile he picked up from seminary, the one that has always reminded me of Bahbas. We middle Goldstons are so much like our father, which can be both good and bad. The fact that we look so damned much alike has helped promote this farce that I am forced to live with.
"You know, he used to do that to you when you were a baby," he says in that tone Zo dubbed as "Father Fin."
"Yeah?" I ask, shifting up onto my haunches to casually keep tickling the babies. Better to keep the little ones happy than cranky, especially when they're starting to get tired like they are now.
"Oh yeah. Cory, the bigger one," he says with a sly grin, "says that Bahbas did it with all of us. Of course, he remembers it being done to me, you, and Zoey. He always took it for granted that he got the same thing, based on all the stories." He moves into the room, easily scooping young Cory into his arms. "And this one squeals just like you did."
"I did not squeal," I retort without even realizing I've said it. "Zoey squealed like a girl, not me."
"Yeah, and you're taller than I am, too, right?" he teases, elbowing me in the side.
"You're such a…" I pause and listen for Fawn and Emily's voices. Satisfied they're nowhere near, I continue. "Such a bastard sometimes, Phineas Goldston. Okay, so maybe I squealed once or twice, that doesn't mean anything."
"Nope, nothing at all," he replies with a knowing chuckle. "Just that your older brother can still tease you like nobody's business." He grins and tickles Cory's stomach. "You know, you treat them like Bahbas treated us."
I blink at that, taken completely off guard. "You think so?"
Again that easy smile that goes with the "Father Fin" voice. "Yeah, I do. You're great with the kids, Artemis, even the ones that aren't yours. He'd be so proud of you."
"So proud? Fin, I can't even claim them as my own. I have to lie and say you fathered my children. Bahbas was always honest with us, taught us that honesty was, is, and always will be the best policy. How proud would he be to know I'm lying every damned day of my life about being gay and about the paternity of my four kids?"
Fin regards me for a long moment before moving to set Cory in the playpen, Elana following quickly behind him. Strong, comforting arms surround me and I'm crushed against my brother's broad chest, letting the tears soak through his shirt. "He'd say that it doesn't matter what the rest of the world thinks. The people who are important know the truth."
"And what about our brother and sister? Their families? Aren't they important enough?"
"There will come a day when you'll be able to be completely honest with them. I can feel it's going to happen. They'll understand, Art. Trust me. Would I lie to you?"
Pouting only slightly, because I know he's right, I punch Fin in the arm. "When the hell did you get to be so wise, Fin?"
"Same as you," he replies with a smirk and a shrug. "The day I became a father."
"Fucking smartass," I mutter.
And from the other room, we hear Fawn's voice. "Quarter, Bahbas!"
