Chapter 56

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Chapter 56: I Got a Love and I Know that it's all Mine

I got ready for bed after saying good night to Zack and Leo at the door to their suite and tipped the bellman for bringing up everything Seth had given me earlier and hanging the wedding party tuxedos in my room closet, before closing and locking the door and breathing a sigh of relief that the long day was finally coming to a close. A quick glance at my watch told me I'd been up for nearly 24 hours, and while the power nap in the middle of the afternoon helped, the weariness was finally catching up with me. I brushed my teeth and stripped off my clothes, placing my cell phone on the bedside table. I looked at it for a moment, knowing it was much too late to call Jasper, yet desperately longing to hear his voice. With a sigh, I picked up the phone and held it in my hand. I knew he would be even more exhausted than I was, the stress taking a higher toll, so I couldn't call. I could, however, send a text.

Broke some dishes for you

Everyone misses you and sends their love

Hope everything is okay there

I love you

E

I set the phone aside and my eyes fell on the box of Jasper's things that sat exactly where the bellman had placed it earlier in the day. I could have had the hotel seal and send the box to Jasper, but holding onto it a few days longer was akin to having him closer. I stood up and walked to the box, taking out one of his tee shirts and inhaling his lingering scent. I decided to bring the tee shirt back to bed with me and was nearly there when the phone rang with Jasper's ring. I lunged to grab it off the nightstand and flipped it open.

"Jas?" I breathed, not quite daring to believe my luck.

"Hi, Edward," he said quietly.

"I can't believe you're still up! It's nearly four in the morning there," I pointed out.

"Yeah. I went home earlier to get some sleep, then came back to relieve the others. Ross needed to sleep, but he refused to leave the hospital until I offered to take the night watch," Jasper explained. I ground my teeth at the imposition his so-called friend placed on Jasper, and then another, even more disturbing thought crossed my mind.

"You came back at night? By yourself? You didn't walk, did you?" I instantly recalled every conversation we'd ever had while he walked home alone from work late at night. I'd worried about him before, but now we had tangible proof of the danger involved. Suddenly I was terrified. What if on one of these late night walks he ran into assholes just like his friends did? Jasper wasn't a fighter. He'd never be able to defend himself. And he'd be all alone. "Jasper, I don't want you walking around by yourself after dark!"

I couldn't miss his deep sigh. "I took a cab tonight," he told me. "But Edward, I've lived in this city for many years and I am not going to let a bunch of goons scare me into behaving differently than I did before this attack."

"Jas, I know you want to be brave and make a point, but be reasonable," I pleaded.

"Edward, it has nothing to do with being brave. I swear I'll be careful, even more careful than I normally am, and I've always been careful. I usually stick to the busier streets, and it's not like I walk home alone from gay bars. I'm not making myself a target."

"They don't have to be gay bashers to hurt you," I pointed out quietly, wishing that instead of arguing with him about this across thousands of miles I could just bring him to Seattle, where I could keep him safe.

"That's true, but it doesn't have to be dark for someone to hurt me either. I know you're worried, and I'd be a fool if this didn't make me think long and hard about my safety in the city and what I can do to avoid dangerous situations. But Edward, please do not ask me to completely change my behavior, because I won't allow these assholes to have that kind of influence, not even for you. I'm smart and I know what I'm doing. Trust me," he made it sound like a request, but there was an edge to his voice that told me he would do what he thought was right regardless of my response. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand with worry and frustration. I knew he was right, but I still felt so helpless, and absolutely terrified.

"Okay." I finally said. "I do trust you. Of course I do. Just be careful, please. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you."

"Thank you, Edward," he sounded both grateful and relieved. "And I know. I feel the same way about you."

I took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. "So how's Dimi?" I asked, his friend's name slipping easily from my lips, as if I already knew him.

"He's okay. The surgery went well, but he was in recovery for a long time, so nobody got to see him pretty much all day, at least not until after I went home," Jasper wasn't quite able to keep the exhaustion from his voice. "He's sleeping now. I probably won't be able to actually talk to him until tomorrow. But that's fine," he quickly added, and I could hear his unspoken reference to the earlier possibility that he might not have been able to talk to his friend at all.

"I'm so glad to hear that. I wish there was something I could do," I sat down on the bed, holding Jasper's shirt to my chest.

"Just hearing your voice helps," Jasper murmured. "It makes me feel like your arms are around me."

"I wish I was there to hold you," I told him, clutching his shirt tighter.

"I do too. And I wish I was there. It sounds like dinner was fun. How are Emmett and Nasir holding up?"

"They're both great. Emmett was none too pleased about all the china they had to sweep up, but Nasir was a good sport and kept him in good spirits. Before dinner Seth did a pipe ceremony. I wish you could have been here for that. It was surprisingly spiritual. And of course everyone sends their love and best wishes," I told him.

"Please give them the same from me tomorrow. Oh, I guess I mean today now. Give Emmett a big hug for me, Edward. One as big as his are," Jasper requested.

"I'll do that, Jas," I assured him. "And you can give them both a hug in person soon. I heard Emmett will be flying out to New York City for some weekends when Nasir can't fly out here."

"Oh, good! That's fantastic. Maybe you can fly out with him sometime and we can all go out together. Maybe Seth and Garrett can come too," I could hear the excitement growing in his voice. "It would help me not feel so far away from you all," he confessed.

"That's a great idea, Jas. I'll talk to the guys about it after the wedding and we'll definitely plan something. Coordinating all our schedules might be a challenge, but I'll put Seth in charge. You know he can make anything happen," I was getting excited as well. I could hear Jasper chuckling his affirmation and the sound warmed my soul. "And in the meantime, “I reminded him, "I already have plans to see you in a few weeks."

"I know, Edward. I'll be counting the days," Jasper confided.

"Me too," I said quietly. "That weekend can't get here fast enough."

We both fell silent for a moment, probably both reflecting on the difficulties that lay ahead. Finally, Jasper broke the silence. "Okay, I should get back. I had to leave the ICU to use the phone, and I don't want to be gone long just in case Dimi wakes up. Ross would never forgive me if that happened and I wasn't there. Sleep well. I'll be thinking about you," he relayed.

"I'll be thinking about you too. I brought one of your shirts to bed with me," I revealed.

"Oh!" he laughed quietly. "I slept with your shirt this afternoon," he admitted. "Maybe you can send me a few more, to tide me over while we're apart?"

"I can send a few every week," I agreed. "And you please do the same. I'll let you go now. I love you."

"I love you too, Edward. Have a good time tomorrow. Don't worry about calling me. I have no idea what my schedule will be like," he explained. "We can talk on Sunday. Text me when you wake up."

"Okay, Jas. I will. Goodnight, Love," I said the words I loathed to utter over the phone.

"Goodnight, Edward. Sweet dreams," Jasper said and ended the call. I held the phone for a moment longer before I set it down and climbed into bed, pulling the covers over me and reaching to turn off the light. Before I could do so, however, the hotel telephone rang.

"What the hell?" I spoke out loud as I reached for the phone. Everyone I could think of who would call me at this hour would have used my cell number and it wasn't like I was doing anything that would make the hotel contact me. "Hello?" I answered brusquely.

"Hey, Edward, what are you doing?" I instantly recognized Seth's voice.

"Well, I'm not sleeping," I told him sarcastically.

"Good. Get down here," he commanded. "We're in the corner suite at the other end of the hall, five oh one. Bring boxers. Emmy doesn't have any extra. Unless you'd rather be naked, which, obviously, we don't care."

"Seth, I'm already in bed," I complained. I was tired and all I wanted to do was turn off the lights and go to sleep thinking about Jasper.

"Then get up. Just put your robe on. It's just down the hall," Seth pointed out the obvious.

"Eddie?" Emmett's voice was clear as he obviously took the handset from Seth. "What are you doing? I need you."

There were few things that would have convinced me to leave my room, but Emmett needing me was right there at the top.

"I'll be right there," I told him and hung up. I looked at Jasper's shirt and thought about putting it on for a second, but I knew Seth wouldn't let me wear it to bed and even if he did, I didn't want to pollute Jasper's scent. I sighed and returned it to the box filled with Jasper's things, before pulling on jeans and a white tee shirt and grabbing my sleeping boxers, which I stuffed into my pocket before heading down to Emmett's suite.

This night with Seth and Emmett was much like the previous one, with one significant exception: I was no longer a terrified mess wondering what would happen when I saw Jasper the next day at the wedding. This time, even though Jasper would not be in the wedding, I felt calm and secure in the knowledge that even though he couldn't be at my side, he was very much in my life. Despite my assurances that I was fine, Emmett insisted that he needed the three of us to spend his wedding eve night together, just as we had done for Seth, and just as they planned to do before my wedding to Jasper. I didn't bother saying that they were a little premature planning a wedding after we'd been together less than a whole week, or that the stipulations of my grandfather's will would make the decision to marry Jasper more complicated than it was for either of them. Instead, I focused on the warmth that filled me at the thought of spending the rest of my life with my soul mate and partner, something that in only a few months, changed from impossible fantasy to reality.

After some teasing, joking, talking and drinking, we finally went to sleep, Emmett claiming the middle. I slept surprisingly well, though I must have moved during the night because even though I fell asleep laying on Emmett's huge, hard chest, I woke up hugging a pillow with Seth spooned up behind me. Thankfully he was sleeping, and the King right along with him, or else that would have been a real eye opening experience.

While Seth still slept Emmett got up to order breakfast and I went to Zack and Troy's room to get them. The two of them helped us wake Seth and we were soon joined by Carson, who was good natured enough to obey Seth's "underwear only" rule. From their subtle glances I could see Zack and Troy enjoyed the show much more than Seth or I did. The only shame was that the man who would probably have appreciated the underwear clad groomsman the most, was not allowed in the suite.

After breakfast we all got our manicures and Seth groomed first Emmett, then Nasir. Time was running short, so I recruited Zack and Troy to help me get the tuxes and Seth's newspapers to the mansion where the ceremony and reception would be held. Seth, of course, thought of everything, so I didn't even need to get my car from the valet, as a limousine was already waiting for us. I was reluctant to use it at first, but Bobby assured me that he was there expressly to help the wedding party take care of pre-ceremony errands.

"This is pretty classy, huh, Gem?" Troy said from where he sat next to Zack on the forward facing seat of the limo. "Other than Zacky's prom, we've never been in a limo, and here we had that stretch hummer yesterday and now this. Seth has a lot of style."

"He does," I agreed from the rear-facing seat. "He's also pretty lucky he found a husband who can afford all that style."

"Right," Zack agreed. "Between, you, Garrett and Nasir, we're definitely the poor country mouse couple," he chuckled, indicating that he was joking, but I saw Troy shoot him a searching look.

"Are you wishing you waited for your prince charming?" Troy quipped, but there was a hint of insecurity in the question.

"Of course not!" Zack sounded shocked at the suggestion and immediately turned to Troy and pulled him into his arms. "I didn't need to wait - I found my prince charming as soon as I got to Seattle." He punctuated his sentiment with a lingering kiss on Troy's full lips. "I was actually thinking about you. You're so hot, you could have found a rich boyfriend instead of a poor college student who you have to work so hard to help support." This too was clearly intended as a joke, but Troy answered it seriously.

"I love my job, and I love working to support us, Zacky. You know why?" his tone changed to a teasing one and Zack, who'd tensed a little at the serious tone of the conversation, relaxed again.

"No, why?"

"Because it's an investment. You may be a poor college student now, but I know you're a genius and someday you'll be a gazillionaire just like Bill Gates and that guy from Facebook. And that's when I'll sit back and put my feet up and watch you bring home the bacon."

Zack laughed. "You're a dreamer, Leo. That's why I love you so much," he pulled him in for another kiss just as we pulled up in front of the mansion.

Not being close to the door, I waited for Bobby to walk around and open it. "Leo may be a dreamer," I said, "but you certainly have the potential to have that kind of success, Zack." I remembered his enthusiasm the previous night when he was describing his senior project. Zack was very intelligent, but judging by his project and its real world implications, he had a good business sense too. It would serve the boys well in the future, though I couldn't imagine Troy sitting back and playing XBox all day. Like Seth, he was a little too independent and restless to spend his days sitting at home doing nothing.

"Thanks, Edward," Zack said, obviously somewhat surprised at my endorsement. At that moment Bobby opened the door and Zack turned to get out of the limo.

"Thanks, Gem," Troy said and jumped forward to give me a hug before he followed his partner. "Sometimes he forgets how smart and talented he is, and he doesn't believe me when I tell him, especially when he's surrounded by all those braniacs that think so highly of themselves. I'm glad he heard it from you too."

I said nothing, but gave him a tight hug before letting him climb out of the limo, with me right on his heels.

We brought the boxes and tuxes inside, leaving the newspapers near the entrance and taking the tuxes up to the two groom rooms. Our work done, it was time to head back to the hotel to pick up our bags and get right back to the mansion.

"You know," I said, the thought occurring to me as we descended down the wide staircase to the double doors of the mansion, "I have to go back to the hotel, because Seth wanted each groom to arrive with his groomsmen, but there's no reason for you guys to have to go back and forth. Why don't you guys stay here? We'll be back in no time."

"That's a good idea, Gem," Troy agreed. "Maybe we can unpack some of the newspapers and see what's in those other boxes."

"It is a good idea, but I wish we had thought of it earlier," Zack frowned. "Our bag with shoes and socks n'shit is still in our room. I didn't think to bring it."

"Is it all packed and ready to go?" I asked and Zack nodded. "Give me your key and I'll get yours along with mine. You're just across the hall from me, so it won't take but a minute," I offered.

"Another good idea, Gem," Troy commended. I smiled and gathered them both up for a quick hug and a kiss on their heads, then grabbed the key card from Zack and walked out of the building and into the waiting limo.

Back at the hotel, I had just enough time to get back upstairs, finish packing up my own small bag and go across the hall to grab the boys' bag before meeting up with Nasir and Garrett in the luxury suite two floors above. This was my first chance to see Nasir, and I greeted him with a warm embrace and brief kiss.

"I filled in for you last night, buddy," I teased him with a hand on his shoulder. "It was a tough job, but someone had to keep that husband to be of yours happy."

"Did you? I am glad he was in such good and capable hands," Nasir responded without blinking an eye. Clearly Nasir didn't believe me for a second.

We laughed and I hugged Garrett, even though we saw each other earlier in Seth's suite. We didn't, however, even have a chance to exchange a few words before Seth came into the suite and shepherded us out.

"We're on a schedule, boys. I will not tolerate any problems or delays today, which means you three have to get into that limo pronto!"

Seth led us to the elevator and then was the first one out, with the three of us following in his wake. Outside, a white Rolls Royce Phantom waited beneath the porte cochere. I immediately offered to sit in the front, figuring Garrett should be with Nasir. We were all seated and Seth firmly instructed us to go to Nasir's groom's room as soon as we arrived at the mansion, before kissing each of us and sending us on our way.

Seth had already contacted Zack and Troy, so we didn't have a lot of time with them once we got there, just long enough for Nasir to say hello, for me to give Zack their bag, and for us to receive the camel sticks that served as the wedding favors for male guests, before the two ushers followed Seth's instructions and corralled us up to Nasir's groom's room.

"Wow. This place might just be a little bit creepy," I said, looking around the antique filled room.

"I was just going to say how much it reminds me of my parents' home," Garrett noted.

"You grew up in a place like this, Garrett?" I was surprised, though having met his family I suppose I shouldn't have been.

"It's laid out differently, I think, at least from what I've seen so far, but much the same, yes," Garrett confirmed.

"You know, I just realized, the only difference between the three of us, is that Garrett has two parents who are nice people," I mused. "I have one parent that's great and the other I don't care if he lives or dies, and I'm sure that feeling is mutual. Nasir, I guess I don't know about your mom, but I know your dad is about as bad as mine."

"My mother is good," Nasir said, though he didn't sound fully confident. "Or, at least, she was. I have not spoken to her since. I do not know what she thinks. And I never will." He shook his head dejectedly and I instantly felt horrible for bringing up such a sad subject on his wedding day.

"I'm sorry, buddy. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"I'm sorry too, Nasir," Garrett said as he pulled his best friend to him. "I'm sorry that they cannot be loving and supportive, and that they are not here to share in your life and your joy today."

"I am sorry for that as well," Nasir said with a sigh.

"We are your family now," Garrett assured him. I nodded in confirmation, though neither of them could see me.

"Yes," Nasir agreed, holding Garrett tightly. "Yes you are. Come here, Edward," he said, turning towards me. Both he and Garrett opened their arms and I stepped in, the three of us exchanging a warm hug.

"Well, I guess we'd better get dressed," I said when we were done, "before Garrett's tyrant husband comes in here to read us the riot act."

"Seth is just making sure everything flows smoothly today. He's worked very hard to plan the entire wedding on very short notice." Garrett valiantly defended his spouse.

"And he has done a beautiful job," Nasir chimed in. "I still cannot believe how beautiful this place is. Not just the mansion, but the flowers and decorations. Emmett and I could not have done this even if I worked in Seattle."

"Everything is beautiful, but that doesn't make Seth any less of a tyrant, and the two of you know it." I said, pointing at the two other men. "And he'd be the first to admit it. Right after he chained us up and whipped us for not being ready."

"That might be interesting," Garrett said as he calmly removed his white tee-shirt. "We haven't tried that yet," I could see him crack a tiny smile at Nasir's surprised expression.

"Just do me a favor and if you end up trying it, keep it to yourselves," I continued to tease. "I would rather not know."

"You may be assured of my discretion," Garrett answered seriously. From the corner of my eye I could see that, for once, Nasir wasn't sure if we were joking.

"Garrett?" he asked tentatively, taking off his own shirt as I did the same.

"We're kidding, Nasir," I laughed and pulled off my jeans. "Seth hardly needs chains and whips to be fully in control."

Nasir waited for Garrett's smile and confirming nod before sighing with relief. "Good," he pronounced. "I do not like the thought of people I love deliberately hurting each other."

"Neither do we, my friend," Garrett patted Nasir's upper arm. "Though I might not mind some less industrial restraints," he mused with a grin.

"Too much information, Garrett!" I protested and placed my hands over my ears, making us all laugh.

"I suppose, when we are done with these ties..." Nasir held up the euro tie he would wear with his tux. I just shook my head and pulled the boxer briefs I planned to wear under the tux out of my bag.

Garrett, however, took that idea and ran with it. "What a marvelous idea, Nasir," he held up his own tie. "They're silk, so they won't be uncomfortable at all. Then Seth can have his naughty way with me."

"Seth does not need to tie you up to have his naughty way with you and we all know it," I pointed out as I pulled on my boxers.

"Perhaps I will tie up Emmett," Nasir considered.

"How did I end up in this den of perverts is what I wanna know!" I teased further.

"If Jasper wanted to tie you up, you would not let him?" Nasir asked me.

"Jasper can do anything he wants," I admitted without reservation. I could not keep the smile off my face.

It didn't take long for us to get dressed. Garrett was the only one of us who had put everything on, including his tux jacket. In the interest of comfort, Nasir and I elected to leave off my tux jacket and his bisht. I took a seat on the bench at the foot of the bed while Nasi and Garrett took the two chairs across the room and sipped champagne. Seeing them together gave me an idea, and I reached into my pocket for my phone.

"Smile, guys," I said as I turned on the phone camera. Garrett and Nasir struck a pose while I snapped the photo.

"There, that's great. I'm gonna send this to Jasper," I opened my phone and started typing a text to Jasper.

I hit the send button just as the door flew open.

"I hope you're all naked, 'cause I brought the cameraman!" Seth announced gleefully. "Damn, Dane, everybody's dressed!"

Seth swept in like a tornado with his photographer friend in tow. Dane officially documented the scene, snapping pictures of us together and Seth affixing boutonnieres on his husband first, then me. I didn't much appreciate him stabbing me with the flower pin in retaliation for some harmless teasing, but I smirked at him anyway when he pulled out his phone to take a picture of me to send Jasper.

In the same instant that he was sending his text, my phone beeped. I quickly pulled it out to see Jasper's response to my earlier message.

Thanks for the pic

Emmett and Seth are lucky guys

Almost as lucky as me!

I so wish I could still be there

Dimi's out of ICU, but

he still needs another surgery

I'm in my way home to get some sleep.

Give my absinthe buddies

and everyone else all my love

I miss you too, so much

I love you

your J

"It's a text from Jasper. I just sent him one like two seconds before you came in," I explained and read his message out loud.

"We are absinthe buddies," Nasir said, clearly pleased with the description.

"Not anymore, we're not," Garrett objected. "The Green Fairy most decidedly does not like me, and she likes you even less, my friend."

"I cannot argue with that," Nasir conceded.

"Okay, Honey, I, oh!" Seth was interrupted by a beep from his phone. "Jasper texted me back too."

That's my STUD right there!

Give him a kiss like it's from me

and tell him I said so!

"Ha!" Seth read the text out loud. "Kiss you like it's from him," he turned up his nose. "There's one thing I'll not be doing."

"C'mon, Seth. Pucker up," I reached for him playfully, though of course I had no interest in his kisses, which would never do justice to those of the man I missed and yearned for.

"No!" Seth giggled and jumped behind his husband.

"You can't hide behind Garrett," I pretended to try to catch him again.

"Oh yes he can," Garrett blocked my way. "The only stud who will be kissing my husband, with tongue, is this one," he pointed to himself.

We continued to joke until I finally suggested that Seth go back to take care of his groom. Thankfully, he listened, and went off with Dane following in his wake. Nasir and Garret and I sat sipping champagne and talking. I was impressed with how calm Nasir was. Were it me getting ready to make a lifelong commitment to Jasper, I would be pacing and chomping at the bit. Seth and Emmett combined wouldn't be able to hold me back. Nasir, however, seemed to take his cue from the ever-cool Garrett, which I supposed was a good thing. Seth really had done a beautiful job and it would have been a real shame to ruin all that effort by being impatient.

A short while later Seth returned, this time with Emmett's family. We all watched as Nasir greeted Emmett's mother, now his mother as well, the only one he would probably ever interact with. It was very poignant, so when Seth shepherded everyone but her out of the room, I naturally followed, only to be called back by the master of ceremonies. We watched Nasir put on his traditional head covering and bisht over his traditional western wedding clothes. The result was stunning.

"Oh, Nasir!" Emmett's mother clearly approved.

"I love him dressed like this," Seth echoed.

"Nasir, buddy, Emmett is gonna melt," I added.

"Do I pin his flower on his robe?" Auguste opened the box with Nasir's boutonniere.

"Yes!" Seth brimmed with excitement. "Another mother-son moment. Edward, let's step out and leave them alone," he said as he opened the door.

"Come in, get out. Make up your mind," I grumbled, though I really didn't mind.

Outside we ran into Garrett, who had just been to see Emmett and gave us an update on his status. Carson left to get beer for himself and his brother while Seth directed the rest of the family to a sitting room set aside specifically for their comfort. I had to hand it to the little dictator. He had this wedding firmly in hand, with everything planned out to the smallest detail.

After Emmett's mom left, Garrett and I went back into Nasir's groom's room and resumed our champagne tasting. There was a new excitement in the room air now that Nasir was fully dressed for the ceremony, and we could all feel it. After a few minutes Nasir stood, and Garret and I joined him.

"Not too long now, my friend," Garrett said, placing a calming hand on Nasir's shoulder.

"I am not nervous," Nasir reassured us. "Well, maybe a little, because of everyone who is there to watch. But mostly I just cannot wait to see Emmett. Somehow this is even harder than being away from him when I am in New York."

"He is just as eager to see you," Garrett assured him. I couldn't say anything, because Nasir's words were yet another reminder of the distance between me and Jasper. More than anything I wished he could have stayed and been by my side for this event. I missed him incredibly. I pulled out my phone and re-read his next message, smiling at the way he signed it. My J. I couldn't keep the smile off my face as I thought of it. After all the pain and wait and misunderstandings, he really was mine and I his.

"Of course you can go in there. You know Edward will want to see you," I heard Troy's voice through the door and for a moment I was flooded with confusion. It sounded almost like my wish came true and Jasper made it to the wedding after all. There was a soft rap before the door opened and I realized it wasn't Jasper at all. Any disappointment I might have felt was overwhelmed by the joy and excitement at seeing the newcomer. Standing in the doorway to our groom's room, looking absolutely gorgeous in a well-tailored black suit, his blond hair cut in a short, professional style, and a small, uncertain smile gracing his lips, was my Sunshine. My stomach clenched. I hadn't seen him in person since Troy's graduation and he was a sight for sore eyes. I stood and stared, drinking in all the details, all the differences and everything that was as familiar as ever. I was rooted in place, dumbstruck, until I remembered that neither Garrett nor Nasir had ever met Cliff, and were now looking at each other and me with confusion. Cliff, too, was beginning to look uncomfortable, and I realized I had to move. In seconds I propelled myself to the door and pulled him into a strong hug.

"Cliff! It's so good to see you! I didn't think you were coming," I said, absorbing his warmth as he wrapped his arms around me as well, our bodies fitting together as naturally as they ever had.

"I know, right? No one told me and Zack either, but what a fantastic surprise!" Troy exclaimed excitedly at our side.

"Fantastic," I agreed, and opened up my arm to beckon him to join the hug. "Come here, Leo."

Cliff made room for our little brother too, and the three of us shared a long tight group hug.

"You'll have to explain later," I told Cliff when we finally broke apart. "Right now, let me introduce you to the groom you haven't met yet and his best man."

"All right, Gem, I leave him in your hands. I have to go back to my usher duties," Troy explained. He didn't even see my nod as he turned and sprinted back to the stairs to rejoin his partner. I put my arm around Cliff's waist and led him to Nasir and Garrett, who were looking at us with interest.

"Guys, this is Leo's older brother and my good friend, Cliff. Cliff, this is Nasir, Emmett's husband to be, and Garrett, his best man and Seth's husband."

Cliff and the guys shook hands and he congratulated Nasir, wishing him and Emmett happiness together. I could see recognition in Garrett's eyes as he put all the pieces together from stories he undoubtedly heard from Seth, but Nasir still looked confused.

"You are Leo's brother? But you two do not look anything alike either," he said.

"Don't feel bad, Nasir. It is really confusing," I laughed. "Cliff and Leo aren't really related. Cliff was sort of unofficially adopted by his gay neighbors, Bruce and Tyrone, who later took me under their wing too. And then they legally adopted Leo. So even though we're not related, Cliff and I always thought of Leo as our little brother, and it stayed that way even after we split up."

"Oh," Nasir's eyes finally brightened in recognition. "Now I remember. You work in television, like Jasper, only you are on the news. And you live with your partner in North Carolina," he said to Cliff.

I wasn't sure if I was imagining things, but Cliff's smile suddenly seemed strained. "That's right," he replied, "I'm a news reporter in Wilmington."

"And where is your partner?" Nasir asked, clearly not sensing the same tension from Cliff that I was.

"Unfortunately he couldn't make it. He had a work commitment."

"Ah," Nasir nodded, "sadly I know all about work commitments keeping me from the man I love. Work is necessary, but it is evil when it keeps you and your loved ones apart."

"You remember I told you about Nasir's immigration problems," I told Cliff. "He found a new job in New York that sponsored his green card, but it means he and Emmett have to be apart much of the time."

"Much too much of the time," Nasir nodded.

"And I bet you can't tell anyone at work that you're gay," Cliff speculated.

"No," Nasir denied. "Thank Allah that is not a problem. I tell everyone about my Emmett. I even have his picture on my desk! I would not want to work there if I could not be open. Do your co-workers not know you are gay and have a partner?" he asked curiously.

"I don't generally talk about my personal life at work, though I could, I think, without any major repercussions. My partner, however, cannot."

"That is very unfortunate," Garrett chimed in. "It must make things more difficult for the two of you."

Cliff nodded. "It is a challenge. But that's not a topic for this happy day. Garrett, I have to apologize for not being able to make it to your and Seth's wedding. Derek and I really wanted to be here, but we have conflicting work schedules that often make travel impossible. In fact, I didn't think I'd be able to make it out here today either, but there was a last minute change of plans and I jumped at the chance to finally meet you and Nasir. I've heard so many good things about you both from Edward, Leo and Zack. Plus, I wanted a chance to meet Edward's Jasper."

Garrett and Nasir responded, but I didn't hear them, a sudden rush of blood filling my ears with white noise. Cliff came out to meet Jasper? So that meant, at least in part, he once again flew to Seattle for me.

"I'd better leave you all to your pre-wedding tasks," Cliff was saying when my hearing returned. "I'll see you after the ceremony. Best wishes, Nasir."

"I'll walk you out," I said and turned to follow him to the door and out into the corridor. We stood for a moment just looking at each other. A whirlpool of emotions was swirling inside me. There were so many things I wanted to say, yet nothing made it past my lips. I felt much the same way I felt when I got my first glimpse of Jasper at Seth's wedding. I was nervous, excited, and reminded of just how much I had missed him.

"I'm so glad you're here," I finally managed to say, and my voice almost sounded normal.

"Me too. It's good to see you. It's been too long."

"I was an idiot for too long. I should have called you sooner," I said apologetically. He shrugged.

"Maybe not. Maybe you were right all along," he spoke bitterly.

"Wait, what?" I was taken aback. "Cliff, what's going on? What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Just ignore me. This is a happy day and I know you, in particular, have a lot to be happy about. I can't wait to meet him."

"Jasper's not here," I told him. It was his turn to be surprised.

"But I thought...why not? Are you okay?" he was concerned.

"I'm fine. He would have been here, but a couple of his friends in New York got bashed on their way home Thursday night. One ended up in intensive care. It was touch and go for a while, so he had to fly back."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that. Is his friend all right?"

"He's better. He's had a couple surgeries already and they just transferred him out of the ICU, but he needs another surgery. Jasper's pretty upset. We've been texting, but with everything that's going on here and there, I haven't had a chance to speak with him today."

"Oh, well, I'm certainly sorry about the circumstances that pulled him back to New York, and I'm sorry I won't get to meet him. I was really hoping to," Cliff said. There was something in his tone that sounded off. He was almost too disappointed at missing his opportunity to meet Jasper in person.

"I have to go back in there," I pointed to the groom's room, "But let's make time to talk later, all right?"

He nodded. "Thanks, Edward. I'd really like that."

"Oh, my God!" we both heard Maggie exclaim from down the hall. "Rosie, look who's here!"

We turned to see my sister and her family as they reached the top of the grand front stairs. Maggie looked beautiful in long white and lavender print dress with elaborately beaded decorative straps and Rosie looked equally gorgeous in a white pant suit with a flash of red camisole underneath. Liam and Owen looked slightly uncomfortable but dashing in their matching gray suits. Liam followed his mother's gaze and stopped in his tracks for a moment, clearly confused. Then he broke out into a wide smile and started running in our direction.

"Liff, Liff!" he shouted as he ran.

Cliff, smiling broadly, lowered himself to one knee and opened his arms wide to welcome my running nephew before sweeping him up into a tight hug. "Liam, is that you? You're so big, I barely recognize you!"

"It's me! It's me!" Liam answered through happy high-pitched giggles as Cliff cuddled him closely.

"And who's this behind you?" Cliff asked, looking down at Owen who had cautiously approached the stranger hugging his older brother.

"That's my brother, Owen," Liam introduced proudly.

"Owen?" Cliff asked softly. He looked at my younger nephew and then at me, and I could tell he instantly knew the unspoken secret. "Can I have a hug from you too, Owen?"

Owen hung back shyly and didn't answer.

"Go on, O," I encouraged him. "Cliff's a friend. A good guy."

Owen walked forward and allowed Cliff to lean down and sweep him into his free arm. Still shy, he pressed his face into Cliff's shoulder. A lump rose in my throat, watching Cliff embrace the boys, especially when he looked towards me over Owen's head.

"That's a great hug! Thank you, Owen, and Liam," Cliff said as he released both boys, then stood up to greet and receive hugs from Maggie and Rosalie. I hugged and kissed them both and the boys, before explaining that I had to get back to Nasir and Garrett and left them to finish catching up.

Back in the groom's room I spoke with Nasir and Garrett, but a part of my brain stayed with Cliff. I couldn't get the image of him holding Owen out of my head. He'd looked so natural with the kids - so right. I knew damn well it was wrong, but I couldn't keep back the memories that were overwhelming my mind. For the briefest of moments I wondered what would have happened if he hadn't made the decision to move to North Carolina. Without him, I had no incentive to get over Jasper. I hadn't been able to do it even while I was with Cliff either, but with more time...

"I'm really sorry Jasper couldn't be here, Edward," Garrett said. "Does it feel awkward to have Cliff here, also without his partner?"

"What? No, not at all. I just wasn't expecting it and it's been so long since the last time I saw him. I wish Derek and Jasper could have been here, of course, but it's not an issue that they're not."

I was grateful for Garrett's interruption and inadvertent reminder of Jasper and Derek. I chastised myself for my mental lapse and focused on the disturbing comment Cliff made earlier. Why had he said that I may have been right all along? Why was he here without Derek? What was going on back in Wilmington that had him so sad and disturbed? He hid it well, and I was sure none of the others had noticed, perhaps not even Troy and Zack, preoccupied as they were with their usher duties. I wasn't fooled, however. We'd been together too long and I knew all of his tells. Something was seriously wrong and I knew I'd have to get to the bottom of it. But there was nothing to be done until after the ceremony.

It was a good thing I wasn't alone, or I might have kept on brooding. As it was, Garrett and Nasir engaged me in conversation until Rosalie came to the door to tell us it was time to start the show. I distributed the camel sticks which we had set aside earlier and the three of us headed out to meet Emmett and his groomsmen at the top of the stairs. When Nasir and Emmett saw each other for the first time since last evening, the look of love that passed between them was so electric it could have powered the entire reception. It almost felt too intimate to have all of us around them as they spoke quietly to each other, until Carson decided to clear his throat.

"Anybody gonna get married sometime today?"

Both Seth and Emmett gave him looks that could kill along with lectures, but I was glad for the interruption. It was a beautiful moment and I certainly didn't begrudge Emmett and Nasir after all they've been through to get to this day, but the tenderness between them was a powerful reminder that the man I wanted to spend all my time with was across the country.

"I guess we do need to get downstairs, everybody's waiting," Emmett admitted. "Oh, Babe, did you?" he started to ask but stopped when Nasir showed him a long velvet box he had brought out with him from our room. "Yes you did. Okay, gather round guys. We need Leo and Zack too."

"I'll go get them," I said and ran downstairs. The two ushers were waiting by the front entry, awaiting any last minute arrivals.

"All right, guys, time to start. Emmett wants you two upstairs for a minute."

They followed me to the upstairs landing, where everyone else seemed to be removing their cuff links.

"Your family is all seated. You guys are on," Troy announced.

"We just need another minute. All you guys take your cuff links off," Emmett directed.

"Is that all you want us to take off? That's no fun at all," Troy quipped as he held out his arm to Zack, who removed first one cuff link, then the other. "I can't get these at all," Troy complained with a grimace.

"A little later on, we might ask you two to take off a little more," Emmett said with a smirk. "Alright, guys, these are for all of us," he opened the box. Inside were eight sets of cuff links in two long rows. They were all of our initials made of diamonds set in white gold. We all admired them and protested against the extravagance, but Emmett and Nasir insisted we accept them as a token of their appreciation and, with time running short, we all accepted and added our new cuff links to our outfits. Even Garrett commented that these were going to be the finest of his cuff links. That went without saying for the rest of us, especially Zack and Troy, who I knew borrowed their cuff links from Bruce and Tyrone.

Dane snapped some pictures of the grooms and the entire wedding party, and then it was time to go down to the library, where the ceremony would take place. We all filed in as Maggie played Pachelbel's Canon. Rosalie led the way, followed by Seth and Garrett, who walked in holding hands. Carson and I were next, and Emmett's brother surprised me by grabbing my hand as well. I appreciated the joke and gave his hand a small squeeze, which only made his smile broader. We walked to the chorus of chuckles from the audience, most of whom knew very well that Emmett’s brother wasn't gay. As we walked I searched the audience until I found Cliff. He was looking at me and seemed very content with Liam snuggled up to his right side. Apparently Ren had remembered him as well, and made himself comfortable in the chair on Cliff's left, leaning on the man who had known him from infancy.

It was surreal to see him there, fitting in almost as if he'd never left. It should have been Jasper sitting there with my friends and family, but even if he had been here, he wouldn't have fit in as well, since he didn't know anyone other than the grooms, their best men and Maggie. It was a disconcerting thought, but even though Cliff and I hadn't spent as many years together as Jasper and I had, Cliff had actually been there for more of the most important events in my adult life and knew more of the people who were so important to me. I was looking forward to shifting that balance back to where it belonged as Jasper and I spent the rest of our lives together.

Carson and I lined up at our places on the steps, as Seth had carefully instructed us before. The music changed again and everyone stood and turned to see the grooms, who also walked in hand in hand until they reached the step right below Rosalie. My sister conducted the ceremony beautifully, getting a couple of appreciative laughs from the audience by infusing her missives with inside jokes about the couple. I did my best to pay attention, but my mind kept wandering back to Jasper, thinking how much I wished he could have been here to witness this.

Even as I thought about Jasper, my eyes strayed to Cliff, and I was happy that he, at least, was able to be here. Although we spoke regularly now, there was no substitute for an in-person heart to heart, and I could sense he really needed one. While he may have looked fine to others, I saw the tiny frowns and the layer of sadness just beneath the serene smile. I had seen that same sadness in him once before, and that recollection was definitely driving my concern. Until I saw him earlier, I believed he and Derek were extremely happy together, but then everyone thought Cliff and I were happy together too, before we weren't and he abruptly relocated across the country. I had a bad feeling that he was in the midst of considering something similar, and having gotten to know Derek through recent conversations, I felt a twinge of pain for him. Then again, I knew nothing about what was going on, and forced myself to reserve judgment and concentrate on the wedding until Cliff and I could find some quiet time to talk.

The ceremony continued as the grooms exchanged vows and rings, while I and the other three groomsmen enthusiastically pledged to support their union. There were kisses, cheers and applause, and Seth crying with joy into his husband's chest. Zack and Troy brought up champagne for the grooms and then we were all following Nasir and Emmett out of the room, Carson and I walking out together with his arm slung around my shoulder. By the time we reached the Great Hall, the grooms and their best men were already hugging.

"Okay, one big gay pile," Carson joked as we joined the hug. Nasir pulled me in close and we all clung tightly to each other until Emmett's family was escorted out by Troy, Zack and Rosalie. Emmett & Nasir accepted hugs from Rose and the family, and then we quickly arranged ourselves into a receiving line as Zack and Troy began to usher out the other guests. Fortunately, the wedding was small and I already knew the vast majority of the guests, so the process wasn't as awkward as I might have feared. Also, as the last man in line, I wasn't so much a greeter as a traffic director, pointing guests in the direction of the bar set up on the veranda.

The Thompson family came through the line first, minus Stephanie, who apparently chose to spend the ceremony next to Liam. Leah and Roberto followed and I was happy to exchange a warm hug with Seth's sister and a firm hand shake with her boyfriend, whom I'd grown close with as we coordinated efforts to reduce domestic violence incidents in Seattle. I liked Roberto and judging by the now familiar look in Leah's Clearwater eyes, so much like that of her brother when he finally let himself fall in love with Garrett, she was getting ready to settle down as well. In my opinion, she could not have found a better match.

Roger and Yvonne were next, followed by the kids and Cliff.

"Lookin' good, boss," I complimented Roger on his urban suit, which he already modeled for Emmett and Seth.

"I figured someone needed to spice things up at this wedding, since Seth can't be his usual flashy self!"

I glanced over in Seth's direction, to see if he heard the comment, but he was distracted by the kids.

"You're lucky he wasn't listening," I said as I tilted my head in Seth's direction. Roger just waived his hand.

"Seth and I have an understanding. We know we're both hot and interested in different things. It's not a competition."

I chuckled, so happy with how well Roger and Yvonne had integrated into my circle of friends. I'd been really lucky the day I met him up on the Mountain. That meeting changed the course of my life.

"It's good to see Cliff again," Yvonne commented after I kissed her cheek and complimented her dress. "I told him he's been away too long."

I grimaced, feeling partially responsible for Cliff's extended absence. "It is good to see him," I agreed. "I'm so glad he was able to make it."

"Now you both have someone to keep you company in Jasper and Derek's absence," Roger commented. "Cliff told us what happened with Jasper's friend. We're really sorry, Edward. How are you doing, bud?

"I'm OK, Rog," I was happy not to have to feign sincerity. "I wish he was here, obviously, but I also know he wishes the same thing, and that makes all the difference. He needed to be there, though. I get that."

Roger looked like he was going to say something else, but the line was moving and we didn't want to cause a jam.

"Grab a cocktail on the veranda, you two," I said, pointing the way. "We'll have time to talk later."

The kids, who had clearly been instructed by Cliff on how to behave in the receiving line, were just getting done shaking Carson's big hand. I knelt down and gathered all five of them into a giant hug.

"Okay, c'mon now, kids," Roger tried to move them along. "Uncle Edward has to say hello to everyone. Ren, help me out."

"C'mon, guys," Ren, as usual rising up to his father's expectations, took Owen and Larissa's hands and pulled them to join his parents. Liam followed with Stephanie. I stood up and found myself face to face with Cliff. We smiled and grabbed each other's hand. I liked feeling the familiar warmth.

"It was a beautiful wedding," Cliff observed.

"Yes it was," I nodded. Words were not necessary as we simply stood in place and beamed at each other. No matter what else was going on in his life and mine, I was very glad to see him and I could tell he felt the same.

"Well, I'll see you in a bit," Cliff stepped back, but didn't release my hand.

"There's a seat for Jasper at the head table," I suddenly remembered. "Would you like to sit with me at dinner?"

"Oh, I wish you'd asked me sooner," Cliff said regretfully. "The kids asked and I promised to sit with them."

"Oh, okay," I tried to hide my disappointment. Though the idea just occurred to me, I found myself regretting that we wouldn't be able to talk over dinner. Then I realized I was being selfish, remembering how excited Liam had been to see Cliff as well. "I guess I'll let the kids have you during dinner, but I get you after they go to bed," I said with a smile.

"I'll save you a dance," Cliff promised.

"See you in there," I told him. Our hands stayed in contact as he moved towards the veranda until we finally had to let go.

More people came through the line, including Seth & Garrett's crazy neighbor Sylvia, who was still convinced I was a police officer. This time I didn't even bother to correct her, just went along with her illusion. Simon was there as well, with his side-kick Wayne, and I had a warm hug for both of them, but especially for Simon. I would always have a soft spot for him not only because of what he did for me after Cliff left, but also for the many times he's helped me since then, especially with Troy.

The last person to come through the line was also the biggest surprise to absolutely everyone: Nasir's sister Samira. No one understood how she came to be at the wedding, but the look of pure joy on Nasir's face to have his one supportive family member at the ceremony was absolutely priceless.

After the receiving line Dane organized us for pictures, and the wedding party and the grooms' families arranged ourselves in various multiples and poses. Dane requested a photo of me, Troy and Zack, giving Emmett the idea to have a picture taken with him and Nasir and the three of us plus Cliff. Thinking that all four of us plus Bruce and Tyrone would appreciate that photo, I volunteered to run and retrieve Cliff while other pictures were being taken. I found him sitting on a bench on the veranda, talking with Molly. Wordlessly I held out my hand and he immediately took it and stood.

"Kay, um, be right back!" Cliff called over his shoulder as I guided him back inside the mansion. "Where are we going?" he asked, laughing, when we were back inside the mansion.

"Pictures," I explained. "Emmett and Nasir wanted one of us and Zack and Leo with them."

"Oh," he said, furrowing his brow a little.

"What's wrong?"

"Well," he said reluctantly, "I understand why they might want that, and I'd love a copy myself, but I just wonder how Jasper would feel seeing that photo."

I paused and looked at him thoughtfully. It didn't escape my notice that he'd expressed no concern about Derek's feelings. It certainly could be because he knew Derek, and felt Derek was more secure in their relationship, but I had the impression that it was more than that.

"He knows about you," I said quietly. Cliff's expression didn't change.

"Knowing is one thing," he said. "Seeing you and me together, where it should have been you and him, might be a little different."

I paused, thinking hard, knowing that seeing a similar photo of Jasper with Rick would bother me, but that as long as he told me there was nothing between them, I would believe him. I hoped Jasper would feel the same way. He'd always been the more reasonable of the two of us, so I had good reason to believe he would.

"I think he'll be OK," I finally concluded. "We'll stand on opposite sides. The picture will be better balanced that way anyway."

"Okay," Cliff agreed, though he was still strangely reluctant.

"Will Derek be okay with the photo?" I took a shot in the dark. "Because if not, we don't have to..."

"He'll be fine," Cliff replied immediately. "He knows you're with Jasper now, so he's got nothing to worry about."

Cliff smiled, but I wasn't convinced. There was still something under the surface.

"Come on," he said, moving forward and tugging me along. "We don't want to keep everyone waiting."

We walked into the library together and didn't even have to instruct Dane, who arranged us for the picture just as I imagined, with me standing beside Nasir, Cliff beside Emmett and Troy and Zack in front. Other pictures and group configurations followed until we were finally done and made our way, as a group, back to the veranda. We got refills of our drinks and the group dispersed, leaving Cliff, Troy, Zack and me with the first opportunity to talk amongst ourselves.

"It sucks that Derek couldn't be here, Cliff," Troy offered, resting his head against Cliff's shoulder. "He needs to change careers or something. You two can hardly ever travel together anywhere."

"He may be changing jobs," Cliff said. The rest of us looked at him in surprise. We all knew that Derek loved what he did for a living.

"Really? Why didn't you say anything?" Troy asked the questions we were all thinking. "What is he going to be doing."

"I didn't say anything because it's all in the preliminary stages. And he's going to be doing more of the same, just in a different place at a different level. I guess it's not so much a change of career as location."

"Where?" I asked simply.

"Durham," Cliff said and we all nodded. He didn't need to say more. We all knew this was the chance Derek had been dreaming about.

"Oh, man, so are you gonna have to move?" Troy complained.

"It's much too soon to tell. Right now he's just talking with some people. In fact, that's why he had to stay this weekend. There was a meet and greet dinner he was invited to."

A meet and greet dinner that Cliff was not invited to. The unspoken words hung between us. I caught his glance for a moment before he looked away.

"Well, I hope you don't have to move. It's so great to visit you in Wilmington. Gem, you gotta come next time, you and Jasper," Troy enthused, oblivious to the sudden tension. "The beaches are so beautiful. Way nicer than anything we have around here."

We talked about their visit to Wilmington, including a stop the three of them made at a nude gay beach. I wasn't at all surprised to hear that Troy enjoyed that experience while Zack refused to take off his swimsuit until he was in the water. I was a little surprised that Cliff had decided to keep his clothing, but I thought it was more to maintain the illusion of a straight older brother visiting a gay beach with his younger gay sibling than out of any fear of pictures of him naked showing up on the Internet. I was going to suggest that such pictures could actually boost his career and propel him to New York City and the major networks, but I was interrupted by a voice that made me cringe.

"Officer!" Seth's neighbor Sylvia was bearing down on us, husband in tow.

"Now you're in for a treat," I muttered under my breath so that only the guys could hear.

"Is this your boyfriend?" Sylvia pointed at Cliff, wasting no time in her near constant effort to annoy me.

"No, Sylvia. This is not my boyfriend," I made an extra effort to speak slowly and clearly, not wanting there to be any other misunderstandings. All I needed was for her to get the wrong idea and then continue shouting it every time she met me in the future. Then, realizing that I may have been too harsh and may have offended Cliff with the vehemence of my denial, I softened my tone and smiled at him. "Though I was once pleased to call him that."

"Oh, your ex then?" I relaxed with relief when she got the message. "An amiable parting? You are on good terms I see."

"We are now," I glanced at Cliff and grinned, happy that the troubles between us were over. "Sylvia, Cliff," I made the introductions. "Cliff, Seth and Garrett's neighbor, Sylvia. And this is her husband," I pointed to the tall, elderly gentleman who walked up behind her.

"Professor Crittenton?" Cliff exclaimed. Once again, Zack, Troy and I looked at each other, amazed. It turned out that Sylvia's husband was one of Cliff's former professors and even remembered the class Cliff took with him, if not much else. The two of them spoke for a while and then, mercifully, Sylvia and Miles moved on, leaving the four of us to discuss life's coincidences. It wasn't much later that dinner was announced and everyone started making their way to their assigned tables inside.

"And Liff!" we turned our heads at Liam's excited shout. "We hafta sit with uncle Liff!"

I smiled at Cliff. "I suppose it's a good thing that Nasir's sister is here. If she wasn't, I might have tried to convince you to sit with me for dinner, and things would have gotten ugly. I doubt I would have been able to pry you away from your biggest fans."

"They're cute. I'm surprised Liam and Ren remember me," Cliff confessed. "They were still pretty small the last time I saw them."

"You leave a lasting impression, Sunshine, even on kids," I teased and threw my arm around him. For a moment I felt him lean into me and it was just like he never left, like we were still together. We both seemed to recognize this simultaneously, however, and we both pulled apart.

"So I guess this is where we split up for dinner, huh?" Troy, oblivious to the slightly awkward moment between me and Cliff, asked as he leaned against Zack.

"I don't think I can get out of sitting with the rest of the wedding party," I said regretfully. "And Cliff has to sit with his cheering section."

"Hey," Zack said suddenly. "I know we all have assigned seats, and Edward has to sit where he does, but maybe Lee and I can switch to eat at the kids table too?"

"You don't have to do that for me, Zack," Cliff protested.

"It wouldn't be just for you," Troy gushed, clearly liking the idea. "Zacky, you are brilliant! We'd have so much more fun at the kids table! And I'm sure Cliff and Molly could use some help."

"Those tables seat 8 people, Leo. I don't know that there would be room..." I tried to calm him down to reduce potential disappointment.

"But the kids are small. And I can hold Owen on my lap. He could reach the table better that way anyway. Come on, Zack, let's go see if we can get our place settings moved." He moved forward so fast he was practically dragging Zack behind him.

"Guess we'll see you inside," Zack called over his shoulder and disappeared before we could answer.

"Crazy boys," Cliff muttered, but I could tell he liked the idea too. I knew exactly how he felt. Now that they were living in California, any time I could spend with Leo and Zack was priceless.

"Cliff, did I mention how good it is to see you?" we heard Yvonne's voice behind us and turned to see her and Roger approaching. "Edward, you don't mind if I steal him away for a few minutes, do you? I want to hear all about his life in North Carolina."

The truth was I did mind, a little. I wanted to hear about life in North Carolina as well, and specifically what about it was bothering Cliff, but I knew we would not have enough time to get into details before dinner, so I graciously stepped away from him and made room for Yvonne to walk up and slip her arm into his. She and Cliff began chatting as they made their way into the reception while I waited for Roger so we could walk in side by side.

"I'm really sorry your man couldn't make it, Edward," Roger said, "but I'm thrilled to see you holding up this well. Quite a difference from how you felt when you called me from Seth's wedding," he observed. I grimaced slightly at the reminder, but then smiled. There was no point in dwelling on the pain I felt that day, now that Jasper and I were together.

"You gave me some great advice that day," I told Roger gratefully.

"It was nothing," he shrugged. "Deep down you knew what you had to do. You just needed a reminder, and maybe a shove," he leaned sideways to bump against me playfully, but hard enough to make me stumble a little.

"You know," I recalled. "That was probably the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. He shot me down cold twice, and very nearly did the same the third time. I don't know if I would have had the balls to keep trying if it wasn't for you and Emmett."

"Doesn't matter, because you did it and look where you are now. How did the trip go, by the way? I assume it went well because you wouldn't look this happy if it hadn't, but let's hear some deets. Any dancing in the sheets?" he elbowed me knowingly and winked. For anyone else, it might have been awkward to discuss sex with their straight boss, but Roger and I had been friends first, and no subject was taboo.

"We're two gay men in love who haven't seen each other in six years," I teased instead of answering. "What do you think?"

"I think it's surprising that you even bothered to leave town instead of just hiding out in Covington the entire time. But to each his own."

"Even with everyone busy with the wedding, there would have been too many interruptions if we'd stayed. And the drive was beautiful. I took him to Stehekin and we even camped out."

Roger frowned.

"I thought you told me he wasn't much of an outdoors guy."

"He's not, normally. He wanted to do it for me, I think. It was just one night and I have a feeling we won't be doing it again anytime soon, but it was still good. Except..." I giggled, remembering our frustrating woodland dilemma.

"Except?" Roger prompted, obviously curious.

"Except we both forgot lube!"

"Get the fuck outa here!" Roger exclaimed, then looked around, embarrassed. Fortunately, except for the bar staff, we were the only ones left on the veranda. "What the hell, Edward? Weren't you thinking at all?"

"Apparently not with the right head," I snickered and Roger chuckled. "It didn't completely stop us, it just limited what we could do. But yeah, I'll never be unprepared again."

"So if Jasper walked out through those doors right now..." Roger trailed off, obviously thinking he was going to catch me in a fib. I calmly reached into the pocket of my tux jacket and pulled out a small tube of lubricant with a triumphant smile, hiding it in my cupped hand to make sure only he could see.

"Sonofa..." Roger was first stunned, then broke out laughing.

"Just call me a fucking boy scout," I said, slipping the tube back in my pocket.

"Nah, you wouldn't want to be in that crowd. They're a bunch of homophobic bigots. I'm gonna call you a ranger, cause that's what you are and we're always prepared too, or nearly, except when the wrong head takes over." Roger chuckled at his own joke and I joined in.

"So what did you two do besides camping?" he asked when we stopped laughing. Jumping at the opportunity to relive the memories, I probably answered his question too thoroughly, but he listened patiently until Seth texted me to let me know that I was holding everyone up.

"Time to get back to my groomsman duties," I sighed. "It was good talking to you, Roger, thanks," I said, pulling him into a hug that would have been too tight for any other straight guy. Roger, however, had long ago become used to the full body hugs and, secure in his masculinity, hugged me right back.

"We'll talk more at work Monday," he said. "Go on now and do your thing."

I walked with him as far as his table, where everyone else, including Yvonne, was already seated. I stole a glance towards the kids' table and saw that Zack and Troy had indeed moved to sit there. I gave them and Cliff a small wave and went into the Grand Hall to line up for the wedding party's grand entrance.