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When You Least Expect By Josh Blake
Chapter 17
The day had finally arrived. Braden and I drove up on Thursday after work to get a good look at everything and to finalize plans with Rose on the food. After working with what we thought was the perfect caterer, we were forced to regroup when she simply could not deliver on our requests. She had presented herself as the perfect solution for our needs, but it was apparent that she could not meet our needs.
Rose saved the day by volunteering to handle the refreshments and the meal at the reception. While we had pleaded with her not to put herself through all of the trouble and work, she insisted.
"Josh, you boys are like family to us. If I can't make this day special for you, then what good am I?"
We relented. Rose did call in some favors at some local restaurants where she had connections. She was able to get some help for the day with serving and with preparing some of the food.
Bonnie had handled all of the other arrangements, with some last minute help from Ginger.
When we arrived on Thursday, Dorothy greeted us at the door. "Josh! Braden! So good to see you both! Come in, your room is ready!"
We both hugged Dorothy and pulled our suitcases in behind us.
"Rose! Rose! The boys are here!" Dorothy called out.
"I'm coming, Dottie!" Rose announced as she emerged from the kitchen. "I was just finishing up supper. Why don't you boys go wash up, and we'll eat in about half an hour," Rose said.
"Great, I'm starving!" Braden said.
"You're always hungry," I quipped at him.
"I'm still a growing boy," he said. "And, after all, I'm going to be a daddy."
"Well, you're not exactly carrying the baby yourself, now are you?" I laughed.
"What's this about a baby?" Dorothy asked.
"Baby? Who's having a baby?" Rose asked.
"Apparently Braden is. I can't wait to hear this one," Dorothy laughed.
"We both are, I said, putting my arm around Braden's shoulder. We'll tell you all about it over supper. Are there any other guests tonight?"
"No, just the two of you," Rose said. "We blocked off Thursday through Monday."
"Awesome! We'll be back down in a few minutes," Braden said.
Braden and I took a few minutes to unpack and freshen up before heading back downstairs. Over dinner, we filled Dorothy and Rose in with all the details about the baby and the adoption process.
"That's just so exciting!" Rose said. "I haven't held a baby in so long!"
"Yes, you'll have to bring him up to visit us as soon as you can!" Dorothy said, getting up to pat us both on the back.
"Oh, we will for sure," I said. "And you'll get to meet the birth mother and her mom on Saturday. They are coming to the wedding."
"Wonderful!" both Dorothy and Rose said at the same time.
After dinner, Braden and I walked out back to relax a little while before bed. The sun was setting, and the view over Lookout Mountain was spectacular.
"Josh?" Braden said.
"Yes, babe?"
"I can't wait to get old with you. This place is spectacular. I'm glad we told them we'd take it over someday."
"Oh I know!" I said. "But I do hope it's not for a very long time."
"Me too. I want to come visit Dorothy and Rose for as long as we can!"
We enjoyed the evening, but both of us soon grew tired and headed upstairs to bed. By the time we got into bed, we just cuddled up in each other's arms and drifted off to sleep.
That night, I had the strangest dream. I was older, and so was Braden. I'd guess that he was around 30, so I was in my early 40s. We were in the back yard of a house I didn't recognize. There was a little boy of about 10 and a little girl of about 5 playing in the back yard. The little girl yelled "Daddy!" and came running up to me. She jumped into my arms as I picked her up. There was a grill out back as well, and it was smoking as if there was food cooking on it. An older boy of about 15 years old walked about the back door carrying trays of food and put them on a table on the patio.
"The burgers are almost done, Dad," the teenager said.
"Oh yeah, those look good," Braden said, checking the meat on the grill.
"The potato salad is done!" yelled a woman from the back door. She was walking outside carrying a bowl. Wait...it couldn't be. I realized the woman was my mom!
"Meemaw Patti," will you play with me?" the little girl asked. She had somehow left my arms. I don't know when.
"I wish I could, baby girl. But I don't even know you exist."
Suddenly, I was awake. I looked at the clock, and it read 1:33 a.m. I suddenly recounted the dream. It was short, but it was vivid. I had chills. The entire mood of the dream was happy. I felt content. Who were those kids in the dream? The oldest one called Braden `Dad.' Was this boy the son we were about to adopt? I was so confused. Did it mean anything or nothing at all. Then I remembered the end of the dream. My mom told the little girl that she didn't even know she existed. Suddenly it hit me. My children would grow up not knowing who their grandmother was, all because my dad was so homophobic. I thought I was over that whole thing, but I guess not. Suddenly, I felt overcome with emotion. I couldn't hold it in. I started to sob.
"Josh?" Braden said groggily. "Baby, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
As he held me, I recounted the dream to him. He was obviously somewhat startled by it as well.
"Josh, I have let you handle this whole situation with your parents your way. But I need to say something. I think you need to call your mom."
"But I can't! If dad finds out..."
"What? What can he possibly do that he hasn't already done? He already disowned you. He can't do that again. Your mom needs to decide for herself what she wants, and I think she wants her son."
"Then why hasn't she called?" I said.
"I don't know, Josh. These things are complicated. I do know she drives by the house every day. I haven't told you that because I didn't want to upset you. But if she didn't care, she wouldn't keep driving by. Call her and ask if she wants to come. If she does, she can tell your dad she is going to visit her sister or something. You said she does that sometimes. She can ride up with Tammy or with mom and dad. They won't care. Please call her. Please do it first thing in the morning."
"Alright. I'll do it in the morning," I said. "But if she says no..."
"Then she just says no," Braden said. "But at least then you know you tried. It won't be on you to feel like you should have done more."
"I love you, babe. Let's try to go back to sleep," I said.
Pretty soon, both of us dozed off again. I don't remember dreaming anymore. If I did, the dreams were insignificant.
Friday morning arrived with sunlight streaming through the windows. I rolled over and met Braden's eyes.
"Good morning, sexy," Braden said in a low, sexy voice.
"Good morning yourself," I said, closing the gap between us to kiss his lips. What I intended to be a quick peck on the lips turned into a full blown make out session, which turned into me sliding down the bed and taking Braden's hard, leaking cock in my mouth. We both slept naked, so accessing his rigid manhood was no issue.
I peeled back his foreskin and popped the glistening head in my mouth. Ah, the taste of fresh precum. Since we hadn't fooled around the night before, it didn't take long before Braden was on the verge of a colossal orgasm.
"Oh baby, I'm cumming!" Braden shouted as he unloaded a huge load of cum in my mouth. This load tasted stronger than usual. I love the taste of his cum. I quickly swallowed before moving back up for a kiss.
"My turn," Braden said, pushing me off of him and onto my back. He moved down the bed and took my raging boner in his mouth. The expert moves he put on my cock with his tongue had me, like him, on the verge of orgasm in what seemed like seconds. I wasn't even able to warn him before I filled his mouth with my cum. Luckily, he could tell it was coming and he was ready. He swallowed me load and then kissed me again.
"Come on, let's shower," Braden said. "We have a lot to do today."
We showered, and other than a little fun helping each other wash our asses, we didn't spend too much time.
After we dried off and dressed, Braden looked at me and said "You know you need to call your mom."
I sighed. "Yeah, I know."
"Do you want me here when you do it, or do you want to do it alone?" Braden asked.
"I better do it by myself," I said. "Go on down to breakfast. Tell Dorothy and Rose I'll be down in a few minutes."
I knew my mom would be at her job as a nanny by now. She loved taking care of kids, and it got her out of the house for a few hours a day. Hesitantly, I scrolled through my contacts. I hit the contact labeled `Mom.' The phone began to ring.
"Hello? Josh? Is that you? Please tell me you're alright. Oh how I miss you."
"Yes, mom, it's me. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, dear. I'm at work right now, but the kids are taking a nap. They woke up early this morning."
"I knew you would be. I miss you, mom."
"I miss you too, baby. You don't know how much. Your dad does, too. He just doesn't know how to say it, and he won't admit it. You know how he is."
"I know, mom. But after the way he acted at my house that day, I just don't know. I mean, I know I shocked you both, but..."
"Josh, you may have shocked your father, but you didn't shock me. I've known for years. Maybe I didn't want to admit it, or maybe I thought you'd grow out of it. I don't really understand it, but I love you, son."
"How did you know?" I asked.
"I watched you. When you were younger, maybe 13 or 14, every time we went somewhere, the mall, the grocery store, wherever, anytime an attractive boy or young man walked past, you always followed him with your eyes. I don't think you even realized you did it. But a beautiful girl or young woman could walk past, and you didn't even acknowledge her."
"Wow, I never realized I did that."
"Well, you did," mom chuckled. "And then there's the time that you saved the J.C. Penney ad because it had pictures of men in their underwear. You hid it under your mattress."
"Oh my God! You knew about that?"
"You didn't change your own sheets, did you? How'd you think I wouldn't find it?"
"Well, I was only 10 or 11 then, so I don't guess I was that smart."
"I've done a lot of praying these last few weeks, Josh. I've talked to friends about it. I've even used that iPad you gave me to read some on the inter web about homosexuality. And I've come to the conclusion that if two people love each other, then it's not my place to stand in their way. Do you love him, Josh?"
"I do, mom. Very much."
"Does he love you? Is he good to you? Does he treat you like a king?"
"Yes, mom, he's everything I could have ever wanted. He makes me feel complete. I don't know what I'd do without him."
"Then I think you've found your soulmate, sweetie."
"Mom, I can't tell you how good it is to hear you say that. So I have to ask you something. What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Well, it's Saturday, so I'll sit and pretend to watch football with your father."
"How would you like to take a ride up to Chattanooga?"
"Oh, I haven't been up there in twenty years or more. You were a little boy the last time we went. What's going on in Chattanooga tomorrow?"
"Nothing much really. Just my wedding."
"YOUR WHAT? WEDDING? Oh wow, honey, I didn't know!"
"Well, I couldn't exactly include you in the process after what happened the last time I saw you and dad."
"This is so sudden! When did you decide to get married?"
"A couple months ago, right after Braden's accident."
"Accident? Oh honey, there's so much I don't know about your life."
"So will you come? I'm already here, but if you can make an excuse to dad to where you'll be, my neighbor Tammy will bring you up with her. I just have to call her. I know she won't mind."
"You don't want your dad there, too?"
"Well, mom, of course I'd love for dad to be here. But let's be real. You saw how he acted that day. I don't think he'd come, and if he did, I don't want him to cause a scene."
"Let me worry about your father, baby. But yes, I'll be there! What am I going to wear? Oh dear. I have to see if Nancy will let me go early today. I have to find a dress!"
"So I'll call Tammy and let her know. Just drive to my house and park in my driveway. Then you can ride with her."
"Okay, dear. Oh, I can't wait to see you tomorrow!"
"I can't wait to see you either, mom! I love you!"
"I love you, too, baby. Bye bye," mom said as she ended the call.
I headed downstairs to find Braden sitting at the table with Dorothy and Rose. Rose had prepared a spread of biscuits, a huge bowl of gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, and some of her homemade peach preserves. It looked delicious, and I was suddenly really hungry.
"Well?" Braden asked. "What did she say?"
"She said she'll come," I said with a smile.
"Oh, baby. I'm so glad," Braden said. He got up from the table and hugged me.
"I am too. I'll tell you all about our conversation, but let's eat. I'm starving!"
Over breakfast, I recounted the entire conversation with my mom. Dorothy and Rose were excited to meet her as well. After breakfast, Braden and I went for a walk before returning to start setting up for the wedding.
The company from which we rented the chairs showed up shortly after noon, and we spent a couple hours showing them how we wanted the chairs and the tables for the reception set up. Once everything was set up, Rose started putting up decorations. She was a genius at decorating. I'm glad we allowed her to handle it. With the beautiful fall outdoor setting, the only thing we really needed were centerpieces on the tables and some small decorations where the food would be.
Bonnie arrived later in the afternoon with Mark and Austin. They would be staying at the bed and breakfast. Since there were only 5 total rooms available, most guests who were staying Saturday night or coming in on Friday had chosen to book a room in downtown Chattanooga. We had made an arrangement with a hotel there to bring their shuttle van up to pick up any of our attendees who had a little too much to drink at the reception, since we would have an open bar available.
Before we knew it, the day was done. Rose prepared a wonderful dinner for everyone. We were all starving since we had skipped lunch. Rose served up baked pork chops, broccoli with cheese sauce, and mashed potatoes. As always, it was delicious!
"Rose, after eating all of this, I may not be able to fit into my tux tomorrow!" I said with a laugh.
"Oh, you'll be fine! Just start a diet next week!" We all laughed.
"Austin, I've been meaning to ask you," I said, "Where is Hunter? I thought he was coming up with you."
"Well, he's coming, but he's coming up tomorrow by himself."
I raised an eyebrow.
"And why is that?" Braden asked.
"Well, Hunter is a great guy and everything, and I like him, but more as a friend," Austin said. "We decided to cool it for a little while and just be friends."
"Well, that's fair enough, I guess. As long as you're both being mature about it. He's been through a lot," I said.
"Yeah, he has. And it was actually his idea. Well, I guess we came to the decision together. I mean, we are just good friends. I don't want to be in a serious relationship right now, and neither does he. So we're still going to hang out and stuff, but just as friends...maybe with benefits."
"AUSTIN!" Bonnie shrieked. "You don't say things like that, especially in front of Rose and Dorothy!"
We were all laughing hysterically, but Dorothy was about to fall out of her chair.
"Oh, Bonnie! Don't worry about us. That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while. It's just the way he said it! Besides, I'm just happy that we finally live in a time where people can at least be open about their feelings. Well, here anyway."
We stayed at the table having conversation for the next few hours. Dorothy brought out a good bottle of scotch, and we all had a drink. Mark even allowed Austin to have a little, much to Bonnie's chagrin.
"I'd like to make a toast," Dorothy said. "To Josh and Braden. Love brought them together, and I hope you have as many happy years together as Rose and I have had."
We all clinked glasses and enjoyed our scotch. By 10:00, we were all ready for bed, so we said our good nights and headed upstairs.
Once in the room, Braden and I almost immediately fell onto the bed and started making out like high school kids after the prom. We wrestled each other's clothes off until we were both down to just our boxers.
"I'm ready to make an honest man out of you tomorrow," I said to Braden. "But right now, I'm going to fuck you one last time as my boyfriend."
I ripped his boxers down his legs and off his feet, leaving him totally naked. Wasting no time at all, I pushed his legs back, exposing his ass. As he held his knees with his hands, I quickly buried my face in his hairy ass.
"Oh fuck! I love when you eat my ass!" Braden moaned.
"I love eating your ass!" I said, coming up for air for only a minute before I started licking the hairy pink pucker again. I ate him out for a good ten minutes, savoring his taste and smell. Have I mentioned how much I love the smell of Braden's ass? It gets me going so fast!
"I need you to fuck me now!" Braden cried out.
"Yes sir. Just let me grab the lube."
"No, just stick it in. It'll be fine. I want it now!"
"Alright, if you're sure. Here it comes!"
I positioned my hard, dripping cock at the entrance to Braden's love tunnel. The copious amount of precum helped lube the way as I slowly inserted my hard cock into his ass.
"Oh fuck! That feels so good! Keep going. Give me all of it now!"
I slammed the rest of my cock into Braden's hole, causing him to gasp. Fearing that I had hurt him, I stopped to make sure he was okay.
"Don't stop! Just fuck me! Hard!"
"Yes sir! You asked for it!"
I fucked Braden harder than we had fucked in a long time. This was not a passionate, gentle lovemaking. This was horny, sweaty sex. And I loved it.
After pounding Braden's hole for several minutes, his cock started spewing cum almost on its own. I don't think Braden even knew it was coming. It just happened. The huge orgasm he had caused his hole to constrict my cock, pushing me over the edge. With only a moan of pleasure, I creamed Braden's asshole with a huge load. After coming down off my orgasm, I just collapsed on top of him. We kissed before I rolled off of him. We were both sweaty and covered in Braden's cum.
"Wow. That was the most intense sex we've had in a while," I said.
"No kidding. We need a shower. Now."
My cock had slipped out of Braden's hole. His legs were still up with his feet flat on the bed, causing his hole to be on display. It looked red and inflamed. I stuck a finger in him, and I met no resistance.
"Fuck, your hole is still gaping!"
"Oh, that feels good. Do that again!"
I stuck my finger back inside, a little further this time. I hadn't really fingered his ass after fucking him before. I was surprised how slack and stretched out it was. I could feel my cum inside him. I got what I felt like was a good amount of cum on my finger and pulled it out. It looked clean, so I stuck it in my mouth.
"Did you just eat your cum out of my ass?" he asked.
"Yeah, and it tastes great. Want some?"
"Fuck yes!"
I got some more of my cum on my finger out of his ass and fed it to him.
"Mmm. Tastes just like it came straight from your cock!" Braden said.
We played around and snuggled a few more minutes before we decided to get up and shower. We were so tired by then that all we did was shower and return to bed. Both of us were out in seconds. I didn't know anything until the next morning when I was awoken by a knock at the door.
"Just a minute! I'm coming!" I said groggily, looking on the floor for my underwear from last night. I finally found them and put my robe on over my naked body. I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was 6:00 a.m. It was definitely time to get up. I looked over at Braden. He was sleeping on his stomach with his naked ass on full display. I'd sure love to eat that for breakfast, but unfortunately, there wasn't time. I did throw the sheet over him as I walked to the door of the room.
"Good morning!" Rose said, cheerfully. She was one of those morning people that, although I loved her, was always too cheerful in the morning. She was pushing a cart loaded with breakfast items.
"Good morning, Rose. What's all this?" I asked.
"I just thought you two might like to have breakfast in bed this morning, so I got up early and fixed this for you."
"You're so thoughtful, Rose. That's just one of the reasons we love you!" I said.
"Shall I bring this in, or would you like to take it from here?" she asked.
"You'd better let me take it from here. Sleeping Beauty is still out, and you might see more than you bargained for!"
"Well then, I'll let you take it. It's going to be a lovely day. The high is only supposed to be 72 degrees. That's nearly perfect!"
"Yes, it is. This is shaping up to be the perfect day!" I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then took the cart of food and rolled it into our room.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" I said to Braden as I rolled the cart over by the bed.
"Ughhh. What time is it?" He said, groggily.
"It's just after six on the day of our wedding, my love! Now get up. Rose brought us breakfast."
I uncovered the food to find French toast, syrup, butter, and fresh cut fruit.
"That looks delicious," Braden said, pulling up his underwear that he had found on the floor.
We quickly polished off the food. I'm glad Rose had been so thoughtful to do this. We probably wouldn't eat again until much later in the day.
After breakfast, Braden and I showered together again, but we refrained from doing anything more. We both wanted our first time as husbands to be special, and we didn't want to do anything that would take away from that experience later that night.
We went downstairs to find everyone out back making last minute preparations. The sound system was in place, all the decorations were where they needed to be, and Rose was busy setting up the heating elements for the food tables. We had put Austin in charge of sound and music, and he had some classic rock playing to test out the speakers. Doing that had saved a lot of money versus hiring someone. We were paying him, but not as much as we'd pay a professional. And it was giving him the opportunity to gain some experience in an area he was interested in.
My good friend Rachel was similarly handling the photography. After going through several photographers, she just said she'd love to do it if we'd let her. I knew she was good and would do a good job, so we of course took her up on her offer.
At noon, Bonnie ushered Braden and me in to start getting dressed. Guests would begin arriving at 1:00, and the wedding was scheduled to begin at 2:00. Braden and I would be wearing matching black tuxedos with black bowties. When we first tried them on, Braden looked so dashing in his that I wanted to take him right there in the store.
Finally, the time had arrived. The guests had all arrived and were in place. Braden and I had decided that instead of one of us walking down the aisle to meet the other like in a traditional wedding, we'd both walk out at the same time. Instead of walking down the center aisle, I'd go left while Braden went right. Then, we'd both meet at the altar.
The song we had chosen to walk out to was Marry Me by Train. I gave Braden one final peck on the lips before we parted ways when Austin started the music.
"Forever can never be long enough to me
Feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do..."
I was smiling as I walked down the aisle. I could see Braden on the other side, matching my steps. He was smiling as well. Some of the women were wiping their eyes. I made eye contact with David. He was sitting next to who I assumed was Robert, even though I had never met him. They were holding hands. David wiped a tear from his eye and gave me a smile. I had to look away to keep from tearing up as well. Train continued with their ballad of love as Braden and I both made it to the front of the audience.
"Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side..."
Finally we met. Dorothy was standing at the altar area, wearing a stunning black dress. I don't think I had ever seen her in a dress before, but it looked great on her.
"And marry me
Today and everyday
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this café
Say you will
Mm-hmmm
Say you will..."
Braden and I took each other's hands as the song finished and faded out. Austin was doing a great job with the sound so far. I looked out at the audience and saw my mom sitting next to Tammy. She was smiling and crying at the same time. Maybe she was crying because her son was marrying a man. Who knows. But she was here, and that's all that mattered. Mark and Bonnie were sitting beside them as well. Devin and Stephen were there, and of course David and Robert. It was obvious that Devin was a little confused that David was there with another man. He hadn't had the privilege of knowing the back story, but I'm sure he would soon enough. Ginger and Kiersten were there, as was Braden's nurse from the hospital. Hunter had made it, and he was at the sound control with Austin. I'm glad they are still good friends, even if they aren't meant to be lovers. A few of my teachers from school had shown up as well, surprisingly. I had given the details to a few of them, with surprising support. Some of Braden's friends from high school and college and shown up, both girls and boys. While it was a rather small group, everyone there was in our corner. They were part of our support system, and I loved them all for that. Suddenly, the gate from the front of the house opened. Who would be coming this late, I wondered. I squinted my eyes to see. Dad? Surely not. Yes. It was my dad. What was he doing here? He was wearing a suit, so he knew where he was coming. I hoped he wasn't there to cause trouble. I wouldn't allow him to. This was my wedding day and one of the happiest days of my life.
Dorothy began the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Joshua and Braden. Love is something that is not reserved for only one group of people in our society. Love is something that is available to us all, but only a few of us find it."
I saw Rose, in her beautiful black dress, smile and wink at Dorothy when she said the last part.
"Josh and Braden have been fortunate enough to find each other, and today we celebrate their union and allow them to begin their life as husbands together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them."
"Marriage is perhaps one of the greatest and most challenging of all human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other; through the good times and the bad. You will learn to recognize what is important and what is not. You will learn to support each other, when times are good and when times are hard. But with true love by your side, you can tackle any obstacle that stands in your way."
"Josh, do you take Braden to be your husband, your partner in life, to honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," I said. Smiling at Braden.
"Braden, do you take Josh to be your husband, your partner in life, to honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Braden said.
"Josh and Braden have written their own vows to share with each other at this time," Dorothy said.
"Braden, from the first time I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. I love your sense of humor, your laugh, the funny face you make when I try to make a joke but it's just lame. But most of all, I love how you love. You complete me in a way that I never thought possible. I promise to stand by you for the rest of our lives. I'll never betray you. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to be the best husband I can be for you. I love you."
"Josh, you complete me. You make me a better man. Until I met you, there was a void in my life that I didn't even know was there, but after I met you, I had to be with you. I can't imagine going through even one second of my life without you in it. I promise that I'll never do anything to betray you and that I'll spend the rest of my life loving you."
Dorothy picked up the first ring off the stand in front of her and handed it to me. They were matching gold wedding bands.
"Josh, please repeat after me," she said. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed," I said, slipping the ring onto Braden's finger.
She picked up the second ring and handed it to Braden.
"Braden, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed," Braden said as he placed the ring on my finger.
"If anyone here has any reason to object to these men uniting as one, speak now or forever hold your peace," Dorothy said. I looked back to see my dad still standing in the back. He had an emotionless expression on his face, but said nothing.
"By the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee, I hereby pronounce you husbands and partners in life! You may kiss your husband!" Dorothy said.
Braden and I were both smiling as our lips met. I was crying, and I'm pretty sure Braden was too. But they were tears of happiness. "Marry You" by Bruno Mars started playing. Dorothy announced that the reception would begin immediately. The help that Rose had hired had all of the food ready for people to begin being served.
Braden and I started mingling with the guests. Of course, we hugged his parents and my mom.
"Mom, did you know dad was coming?" I asked.
"No! He's here? Where?" she said. "How did he even know I was coming? I didn't tell him."
"He was in the back. I don't know where he is now," I said. "I'm going to look for him."
"You don't think he'll do anything crazy, do you?" Braden said.
"I don't know. But you stay here, just in case," I said.
"I'm coming with you," Tammy said. "You aren't doing this alone."
"So am I," said Mark. "If he tries anything, I'm packing."
"Oh Mark, must you bring that thing everywhere?" Bonnie asked. "You brought it to your son's wedding?"
"I'm always packing. You never know when you might need it," he said.
Suddenly, I spotted my dad standing in the back again, and I started toward him.
"Dad." I said.
"Son." He replied. We stared at each other for a few seconds, but it seemed like an hour.
"I'm glad you came," I said. "But I am surprised."
"Why, because you didn't care to invite me?"
"Dad, your reaction when you found out Braden and I were a couple...you practically disowned me. Why would I have invited you? And how did you even know?"
"I heard your mom on the phone talking to her sister. You know she can't be quiet on the phone. Then I picked up the iPad and saw her text messages to your neighbor. I put it all together. Decided I'd just take a drive up and see for myself. So this is real. You're really married to a man now."
"Yes, dad. I'm married to the love of my life. My soulmate." Braden came up beside me and put his arm around me. I put my arm around him.
"Hello, Braden," my dad said, offering him his hand. Braden shook it.
"Mr. Patterson," Braden said.
"You like sports, Braden?" Dad asked.
"I do. I run. I played baseball in high school, and I hope to coach it someday after I start teaching."
"Football?" Dad asked.
"Yes sir, I enjoy a good football game. Josh doesn't care for them, but I like it," Braden said.
"Tell you what. Why don't you come watch a game with me one Saturday. We'll have some beers, get to know each other a little bit."
"I'd like that," Braden said. I was floored by my dad's offer to watch football with Braden. I guess my expression said as much.
"Josh, you're going to have to give me some time with this. I grew up being told that all gay people were just men that wanted to be women. All a bunch of pansies. But that's not either of you. You're just regular men who like men." He put his hand over his eyes for a minute like his brain was overloaded.
"I'm trying here, Josh. I really am. I don't want to die without my son in my life. I don't have that many years left, I know. But I don't want to die without you," he said, crying openly now.
"Dad. I don't want to live without you in my life either." We were all openly crying by now. I never expected this kind of reaction from Dad.
"What's all the crying about?" It was David walking up with Robert.
"Just a little reunion going on," Bonnie said. "I don't believe we've met."
"I'm sorry," I said, wiping my eyes, "Everyone, this is David Turner, my superintendent, and his..." I trailed off. I wasn't sure David wanted everyone to know about Robert.
"My boyfriend," David finished my sentence. "This is my boyfriend, Robert."
I introduced Dad, mom, Bonnie, Mark, Tammy, and Braden to David and Robert. We all moved to a table where David told everyone the story that he had told me the other day about his life with Robert and living in the shadows of society. Devin and Stephen had walked up by then, and they joined the conversation.
"Wait a minute," Dad said. "Did you ever teach in Tuscaloosa?" Dad asked Robert.
"Well, yes I did, many many years ago. I taught eleventh grade English back then." David said.
"Oh my Lord, you were my teacher!"
We all had a good laugh over how old David was. It was good to see everyone getting along and that Dad was opening up a little bit. You could tell he was still rather uncomfortable, but he was adjusting. I just knew it would take time.
The food was great, and so was the alcohol from the open bar. We danced and enjoyed everyone's company until well after dark. Slowly, most of the guests started to leave until it was just immediate friends and family left. My parents, as well as Braden's, Austin, Hunter, and Tammy were still there.
"Patti, I don't really feel like driving home, let's say you and me get a room tonight and enjoy a little honeymoon of our own," Dad said. Mom agreed.
"Know of any good hotels around here?" Dad asked Dorothy.
"Well, yes, there are quite a few, but we actually have one empty room left here. Its yours if you want it," she said.
"That sounds good," Dad said.
"Oh, I forgot, I didn't pack any clothes. I wasn't planning to stay overnight," Mom said.
"I packed you an overnight bag," Dad said. Just in case.
"Well wasn't that thoughtful?" Mom said.
"If you're ready, I'll show you the room," Rose said. Mom and Dad agreed, and they all went upstairs.
"Where's Austin?" Mark asked, looking around.
"The last time I saw him he was going upstairs with Hunter," Braden said. "You know, his friend with benefits?"
Bonnie shook her head. "Well, at least he's being safe, I guess."
"Speaking of going upstairs," I said, "I'm about ready to go get our honeymoon started." I pulled Braden in for a kiss.
"Then let's go, husband," Braden said seductively.
We told everyone goodnight and headed upstairs. I closed the door and locked it, eyeing Braden like a piece of meat. He had the same look in his eyes for me. We closed the space between us and were soon engrossed in an intense make out session.
I didn't anticipate that either of us would get much sleep.
The next chapter in this series will be published soon!
I hold no rights to the music in the story. All rights belong to the singers and songwriters.
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