The Fourth Catch

Chapter 20: A Glitch In the Plans

After Brian finished getting ready. He exited out of the bedroom to head back into the living room. Anthony was still trying to get ready. Since Victoria was there, Brian decided to make some small talk with her as she got Jon's dinner ready. "Was there anything I can help with?" He asked as he came out of the room. Victoria glanced over as she was cutting up some banana for Jon, along with grabbing a few other things for him to try. "Thank you but no." She smiled. "I almost got everything ready." Brian nodded wandering over to Jon who was sitting in the high chair and appeared to be getting impatient.

Victoria glanced over momentarily as she watched Brian with Jon. Chuckling a bit as he grinned at the other man. Her son looked as if he was unsure of what Brian was doing. But after a few moments started to giggle. "Gin." Jon stated wanting Brian to repeat his actions. Victoria laughed slightly as the two interacted. Glad Brian was there to distract for a few minutes so she could finish getting the meal prepared. It didn't take too long, but unfortunately her son was developing an impatient personality to him. "You seem like you are quite good with children." Victoria commented. Brian glanced over at her. Giving a small grin. "Children are easy to please most of the time. They can be amused with the most simple things. The trick is finding what that is." Victoria nodded. "I would agree with you. I have been able to figure a few stuff out when it comes to my son. Though it is tough. As it appears what works one minute won't work another."

Brian laughed. "That does seem to be the case doesn't it?" He said. Brian took a sideways glance noticing Jon was reaching his arms up, wanting to be held. Brian gently poked his nose. "Not just yet little one. You have to eat first." Jon squirmed as he felt Brian poke his nose and began to whine a bit. "Up!" He yelled. Brian crossed his arms across his chest scrunching up his nose. "Your mother almost has it ready. It'll be ready in one minute." Brian stated as he held up his pointer finger to emphasize the word one. Once again Jon whined and began to squirm in his chair. "Out.. Out.." He mumbled.

Brian studied Jon closely before he slowly took a few steps forward closer to Jon's chair. He crossed his arms back across his chest and leaned slightly forward so he was eye to eye with the child, but didn't get too close so not to freak him out. "Hey.." He said in a deep voice. "No being grumpy at the dinner table." This seemed to catch Jon off guard as he didn't expect Brian's actions. Jon blinked a few times as he stared at Brian, his face showing a confused look.

Victoria watched with a hint of a smirk on her face to keep from laughing at her son's reaction. Once the shock wore off, Jon began to giggle. Victoria watched a few more minutes as Brian interacted with her son. She then turned back around to finish getting the meal ready for him, just as Brian had squatted down just enough past the high chair table so Jon couldn't see his face. She heard a laugh a few seconds later coming from her son, as Brian had popped his face up slightly over the high chair tray, and yelled out "boo!" In a deep voice. Victoria shook her head at the two as she made her way over with the plate of food in her hand. She then set it on Jon's tray so he could finally eat. "Now why didn't I get a video of that." Victoria commented. Brian glanced over at her chuckling. "I am very glad you didn't." He smirked. Brian was more of a serious type person. So it was very rare to see him act in a goofy manner. He had loosened up a little when Melanie was born. However, after awhile he had grown back to being serious. Though just as everyone, he does tend to have his moments. "My family might try to use it against me."" He teased when he noticed the strange look from Victoria. Victoria laughed. "I don't think I can see Mel and Jennifer doing that." She took a sideways glance at Jon who was now eating the food off his plate.

"Alright, I think I am ready." Levi said as he came out of the bedroom. Brian looked over glancing at Levi. "Let's go." He commented. Brian could hear Levi speak to Jon as he headed towards the door. "Now you behave for your mother." He commented using Victoria's words she used the other day. Victoria smirked. "He will be a perfect gentleman." She teased back. Brian chuckled as he stepped out of the apartment and into the hall. Giving them a few moments alone.

After Levi stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind him, the two men headed down the hall and out of the apartment building. Then headed towards the bar that was only a block away. Levi was getting a bit more nervous the closer it came to them meeting Anthony. He was starting to think it was a bad idea. Though with the talk he and Brian had earlier, Levi figured they might be okay. He thought he maybe had been able to persuade Brian somewhat to give Anthony a chance.

Once the two men reached the bar and grill. Brian opened the door to let Levi walk inside first before he followed in afterwards. "What would you like to drink?" He asked as he stepped up next to Levi. Brian scanned the restaurant for a moment before he spoke. It surprisingly seemed quiet for now, but Brian was sure it would change later on at bar time. "Oh, I can get that." He said. Levi shook his head. "No no, I will get the drinks.." Brian raised his eye. He sort of took Melanie's side when it came to such ideas. He didn't like other people to buy him his meals, or other stuff. "How about I will get this round and you can get the next." Levi suggested as he noticed the look Brian gave him.

This seemed to settle with Brian and Levi let out a small sigh as Brian nodded his head. "I think I can work with that." After Brian told Levi what he would like, Levi headed over to the bar and got their drinks ordered, while Brian walked over to grab one of the empty tables. Levi looked at his watch as he waited for the bartender to hand him their drinks. It was six fifty seven. Anthony was usually on time, so he should be here in about three minutes. Levi took a deep breath. He hoped this all was going to go well. That this wasn't going to be a mistake.

As Levi turned around to head back to his table, his face grew pale and he stopped in his tracks. Once he spotted Anthony walk into the building. He noticed Anthony stood still as well when he recognized who was with Levi. Brian. Anthony thought as he spotted the familiar figure. Growing nervous by the minute. Levi could see in Anthony's face, he was tempted to turn around and exit right then and there. Except for him coming to their house to collect Melanie, Anthony hadn't seen Brian since the incident at work happened.  But even so, it didn't look like Brian changed at all.  So Anthony was able to realize who it was right away when he walked in.

Levi watched as Brian pulled his head up. As he heard the door open to see who it was. Levi could see Brian's face change to annoyance and a hint of anger. "I thought I smelled a rat." He heard Brian say. "The hell are you doing here?" He hissed.