"Stand still!" Henry growled, grabbing the tie around his son's neck. He straightened it, nudging the knot gently upwards at Shawn throat so it no longer hung loose and disheveled over Shawn's shirt.
"Daaad!" Shawn groaned, pulling away from his father's grip and loosening the tie again so he could breathe. "Leave me alone!"
"Shawn," Henry grunted. "I'm not going to let you walk into the church looking like a slob!"
"I can look like a slob if I want to!" Shawn argued, mussing his hair and loosening his tie even more. "It's my wedding, Dad!"
Shawn nodded firmly when he was done running his fingers through his hair, satisfied he looked suitably rumpled, and started to walk up the church stairs. Henry pulled him back down.
"Shawn!" he snapped. "I mean it! You're not marrying that girl looking like a slob!"
Shawn met his father eyes, immediately seeing how serious he was about this. "Fine," he rolled his eyes. "I'll straighten the damn tie."
"Thank you."
Shawn sighed, reluctantly yanking the knot up to his Adam's apple. "There?" he choked dramatically. "Are you happy?"
Henry rolled his eyes, not impressed by his son's performance. "Just get in there, Kid," he grunted, pushing his son towards the door. "You're twenty minutes late. Gus is probably wondering where the hell you are. If you're lucky, he hasn't told Jules you're late yet."
"It doesn't start for an hour," Shawn shrugged, starting up the stairs again. "And it's not like I have to rehearse standing there at the front…I think I can handle that."
"You'd think." Henry muttered, not sounding convinced his son actually had that capability.
Shawn laughed.
After five slow, plodding steps he finally reached the top stair, pausing in front of the large, white doors that led inside.
Henry came up behind him, stopping when Shawn did.
"Come on!" he urged, pushing ahead and opening the door while Shawn remained frozen in place on the top step. "Let's go!"
"Dad--"
Henry turned back around, groaning as he let the door slam shut again. "Don't do this now, Kid," he growled. "You're not getting cold feet an hour before your wedding!"
"I'm not!" Shawn insisted. "My feet are fine! I'm wearing three pairs of socks. See?" He lifted his pant leg, showing his father his layered socks.
Henry rolled his eyes. "Then what is it?" he demanded.
"I don't know…" Shawn mumbled, dropping his pant legs and wiping his hands off on his tux vest. "I guess I just need a minute."
"You don't have a minute, Shawn! You're already running late!"
Henry went for the door again, but Shawn pushed it shut before he could get it open. "Dad!" he snapped. "Just give a minute, okay?"
Henry blinked in surprise. "Why?"
Shawn sighed, releasing the door and slowly taking a seat on the top step. "I don't know…my life's about to change forever. I'm getting married! Don't I at least a get a minute to process it?"
Henry let go of the door, adjusting his own tux vest as he took a seat next to his son. "You get a minute," he agreed finally, looking down at his watch. "And I mean sixty seconds, Shawn."
"Thanks," Shawn mumbled sarcastically.
They sat in silence for a moment as Shawn fumbled with a few stray pebbles that were on the stoop next to him.
"You're going to be fine, Kid." Henry told him finally.
Shawn nodded, staring down at the step, not meeting his father's gaze. "I know."
"You're ready."
"I know," Shawn looked up, his eyes locking with Henry's. "I know I am. You made sure of that."
Henry smiled almost imperceptibly. Anyone who didn't know him might have missed it…but Shawn knew where to look.
A real Henry Spencer smile wasn't in the mouth…it was all in his eyes.
"Just don't screw it up, Kid," Henry mumbled, rumpling his son's hair as he stood up and walked inside.
