1 Year Later
"Has anyone seen Brian?" Brock walked through his childhood home, weaving his way through the throngs of people preparing for the next day's festivities. His father was eating a bowl of cereal at the table, dutifully ignoring the chaos around him. "Dad?"
"Last I heard, he was terrorizing the caterers." Joe said, not looking up from the newspaper in front of him.
"Oh no." Brock turned quickly on his heel and headed outside. Sure enough, Brian was in a heated discussion with the woman in charge of food for the wedding.
"There will absolutely not be anything even resembling coconut in this wedding." Brian was saying. "And Brock cannot stand…"
"Brian," Brock said quickly as he approached. "What are you doing?"
"Oh hello, darling. I'm just making sure she knows what can and cannot be served." Brian smiled brightly at his fiancé.
"Brian, the menu has been set for a month now. She knows everything." Brock put his arm around the other man's waist and sent an apologetic glance to the caterer. When Brock had proposed for the second time, he had no idea that his future husband would be a bridezilla. "Let's leave these guys to work, yeah?"
"But, Brocky…"
Brock steered Brian away. "Mom and Gammie have this covered. If they can plan a wedding in a day, they can certainly handle planning one in a month."
"I know they have it completely under control." Brian told him. "I just…"
"Need to have control too. I know." Brock laughed quietly.
"Have you tried on your suit?" Brian asked him.
"Gammie is already tailoring it."
"And what about the officiant? Is Jonathan still willing to marry us?"
Brock pulled him to a stop and turned to him. "Brian, everything's being taken care of. The only thing you and I need to do, is think about the two of us spending the rest of our lives together. Can you do that?"
Brian smiled sheepishly. "I think I can manage that."
"Good. I love you." Brock kissed him softly.
"I love you too, Brocky," Brian grabbed his hand and began to walk again. "So, since I can't talk about the wedding, can we talk about the game proposal you sent through to my desk?"
"No. No wedding, no work...just relax." Brock rolled his eyes. "I know that's a hard concept for you."
"I know one way to relax." Brian said coyly. Even though they hadn't completed that particular activity, the two had found creative alternatives.
"None of that!" Gammie shouted from behind them, scaring both men horribly.
Brock held his chest as he turned to face his grandmother. "Gammie!"
"There will be no baby making until after the wedding. In fact, it's almost time for the two of you to separate." Gammie told them.
Brian checked his watch. "But it's only 8:30."
"And you have to be up early in the morning! You're getting married tomorrow!" She clapped her hands excitedly. "Brock, dear, I need you to try on your suit just one more time. So, say goodnight to your groom-to-be, and come come."
"Alright, Gammie. I'll be right there." Brock watched as she walked off. "She's a menace."
"She's wonderful." Brian amended. "And you know she's not going to leave us alone until you go with her."
Brock looked at his groom. "I know. So, tomorrow then?"
"Tomorrow. I'll be the guy in the old suit." Brian teased.
"Hey, watch it. My great-grandfather wore that suit." Brock kissed him through his smile. "Goodnight, Bri. Love you."
"I love you too, Brock. Now go, before she comes back." Brian pushed him lightly in the direction that Gammie had disappeared.
Brock obliged to her request, and tried the suit on one last time before the big day. It fit him perfectly, as Annie's tailoring skills were amazing, and he couldn't believe that in the morning he would be getting married, for real this time. A smile graced his lips as he thought about the man he'd be marrying, his Brian. This past year had been one of the best of his life, and it was all thanks to his future husband. They were in the process of buying a house in LA, selling their apartments, and Brock was managing production for his very own game with Brian supporting his every decision. To say life was good, was an understatement.
"So, what do you think?" Gammie inquired, pulling her grandson out of his thoughts.
Brock gave the older woman a kiss on the cheek, "It's perfect Gammie, as usual. And Brian's is fine too?"
She nodded, "His was still tailored from the first wedding." She chuckled. "And if he pulls that crap tomorrow, let's just say that he's not going to make it out of the barn."
At that, Brock had to laugh. "Oh, I'd kill him myself." He began taking the suit off, careful not to mess anything up. "I think I'm going to head to bed now Gammie. Thank you, for everything."
"Goodnight, Brocky. Let me know if you need anything else." She replied before exiting the room that Brock would be sleeping in for the night. He was grateful he didn't get stuck on the couch again; there were plenty of spare bedrooms in the giant house and though they had many guests, it was his wedding after all. With that, he put on pajamas and crawled into bed, wondering if Brian had fallen asleep yet. God, they hadn't slept without each other this whole year they'd been together. However, Brock knew that they both couldn't wait to finally be married to one another.
When morning finally came in Utah, the two were up bright and early as the sun rose, taking showers, fixing their hair, and doing any other last minute preparations. Annie and Grace ran around the house making sure that everything was perfect for when it was time for the wedding to start. The barn was decorated beautifully, even more so than before, and when Brock's friends and other family began to arrive, Brian started to get nervous.
Surely they would remember him from the last wedding, right? He was a bit worried as to what they would think, but he quickly shook it off, knowing that Brock would be by his side no matter what. As he finished gelling his hair, Gammie peeked her head in the door. "All ready?" She asked.
"Just about," Brian exhaled, nerves propelling through just about every inch in his body.
"Oh, Brian," Gammie gushed as she walked into the room. "You look so handsome."
He couldn't help but to grin, "Thanks, Gammie…I'm really nervous. Is Brock okay?"
"He's about the same as you," She answered with a smile. "It's okay to be nervous. In fact, I'd be worried if you weren't. It means you love him."
"If you say so." Brian laughed as he picked up a towel to wipe the sweat off his hands. "Is it time?" He asked, before Gammie nodded. This was it; it was time to marry Brock. The weather was perfect as he and Annie linked arms and made their way to the barn. Everyone else was already there, seated and waiting for everything to start. And Brock? Well, he was already at the end of the barn with Jonathan, anticipating Brian and Gammie's presence as they would walk down the aisle. God, he couldn't wait any longer.
Gammie yanked his arm, hard enough for Brian to stop his fast trek down the aisle. "Don't look desperate, sweetheart."
Brock had a huge grin on his face as he watched the two argue in the middle of their family. This was his life now. Brian looked immaculate in his great-grandfather's suit, and Brock was blown away by how handsome his almost-husband was. The fact that he was about to spend the rest of his life with him- waking up next to Brian, eating meals together, loving and living peacefully (well as peacefully as they could with a neurotic Brian O'Shea)- was truly a dream come true.
Finally, Brian reached the altar, and Gammie patted his hand as he bent down to receive a kiss from the older woman.
Brock held his hand out, and Brian took it, standing to face the other man in front of Jonathan.
"Second time's a charm, as I always say." Jonathan started with a grin, and there were a few uncomfortable laughs from the guests. Evan visibly covered his face in the crowd with a quiet groan. "Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here again today to witness the marriage of Brock Paxton and Brian O'Shea. I have spent enough time with both of these men to know that they are truly in love. Their love is so strong, so pure, that after the fiasco last year, they still decided to unite their bond in holy matrimony."
"Jonathan…"
"Sorry," But they could all tell that he was anything but. "On a more serious note, I know that Brock and Brian are going to be together for a very long time. They make each other laugh, they compliment each other, and most importantly, they are able to move past any arguments without interfering with their relationship. Their flaws are acknowledged and loved. Despite all odds, they stayed together and thrived. Theirs is a relationship that we should all aspire to accomplish in our short lives, and they are a model of pure love. I am honored to be standing here today, to bind my two friends in the truest and most physical form of love. Have you both prepared your vows?"
Brian wasn't sure if he was going to make it through either of their vows when he was already so close to tears from Jonathan's words. Brock didn't look like he was faring much better, but nodded anyway.
"Brian," Brock took both of his fiancé's hands into his own. "I never imagined that I could love you as much as I do. There were times, before we got together, where I imagined a different way to kill you each day. Now, there are still those times, but they are also times that are filled with laughs, and teasing, and when all I want is to hold you as we watch whatever stupid Terminator movie you decide to put on. We fight, but we always apologize as soon as one of us realizes how stubborn we were being. I can imagine growing old with you, having kids, throwing food at you across the table even when I'm graying and you're bald." Brian slapped him lightly, tears already falling down his face. "I love you, so much, that I can't imagine my life without you in it. I can't wait to be your husband."
Brian had to compose himself briefly before he was even able to speak. Even then, his voice came out a little squeaky at first, before growing stronger with each passing word. "Brock, you infuriate me. But you bring so much color to my life in the process. I never thought that I would find anyone who loved me so purely, who was willing to give me a family to love with them. I have a family with you, and with every person who is sitting behind us. That is something I never thought I would be able to have again. Even after all of the horrible ways I tortured you when I was your boss, you never gave up on me. Still now, you aren't giving up on me. After fights, after a long day of work, I can always rely on you to be there for me, waiting with open arms. I love you so completely, and with all of myself, that sometimes it scares me. But then, you bring me my favorite coffee, or you hold me so closely, that those fears instantly vanish. Because, even though our personalities may conflict, I've never been as happy than when I'm with you."
Once both men were finally finished with their vows, even Jonathan had to wipe away a few stray tears that had managed to escape. After composing himself, he began to speak again, "Well, that was beautiful. Do you have the rings?" He inquired, gesturing to the couple, who nodded again and pulled the wedding bands out from wherever pocket they were being stored. "Brock, do you welcome Brian as your husband, offering him your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, while you create your future together?"
"I do." Brock answered without missing a beat as he slipped the ring onto his husband-to-be's finger.
"And Brian, do you welcome Brock as your husband, offering him your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, while you create your future together?" Jonathan asked once more.
Brian grinned, "I do." He said as he reciprocated, and slid Brock's ring on as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, I present to you the newly wedded couple. You may kiss your man!" Jonathan finished enthusiastically, and Brian and Brock didn't hesitate at all before their lips met, while everyone cheered for them, Gammie easily being the loudest. They were finally married, and it still didn't feel real.
When they finally separated, neither of them could hide the huge smiles adorning their faces. Pictures were taken and celebratory rice was thrown as the new couple made their way back down the aisle, getting congratulated from their family and friends. Next would be the reception, and the two men were sure that Annie and Grace had went all out for that as well.
It started out with dinner, the food being done just how Brian had wanted it, and once everybody had eaten, Brock and Brian took place in the traditional first dance. The Irishman led, while Brock attempted to follow along, praying that he wouldn't step on his husband's feet; nonetheless, it was nice to be in each other's arms after what seemed to be the most nerve wracking morning of their lives. After their dance was over, family and friends took over the dance floor, causing the real party to begin.
Brock could only shake his head and laugh as he looked over to see Gammie and Tyler practically grinding on each other, knowing that Gammie had already had iway/i too much to drink. In another part of the room, Evan was trying to get Jonathan to put his shirt back on as he dragged him off of the dance floor, while Joe and Grace slow danced contentedly in the corner.
It wasn't until Brian threw his arm around Brock that he was brought away from his thoughts. "Are you ready to get out of here?"
Brock laughed but nodded. "Did you see Gammie? She's crazy."
"I think the really crazy one was Tyler, to be honest." Brian said. "Did Jonathan start stripping?"
"He did. Evan was on top of it."
"I'm sure he was." Brian wiggled his eyebrows.
"You are a lunatic. Come on, let's see what they did to the boat." The couple said their goodbyes, amidst the suggestive stares and not-so-subtle giggles. When they did finally make it out to the dock, both men stared in horror at the sight of their transportation.
iJust Married/i was written on the front window pane, and blue and white streamers were flying through the air from where they were tied on the railings. Balloons adorned the seats,iHusband 1'/i and iHusband 2/i respectively written on each. To make matters worse, there was rice covering the floor, which was the biggest safety hazard on a boat that was about to carry a man who couldn't swim to save his life.
"Don't you love it?" Brock and Brian both jumped at the sound of Tyler's voice. "Jon and I spent all afternoon working on it."
"It's...uh...something all right." Brian said as nicely as he could manage.
"And where exactly was Evan during all of this?" Brock asked. He grew up with these guys, and he knew that he and Evan were typically the voices of reason when it came to the destructive tornadoes that were Jonathan and Tyler.
"Sitting on the dock and drinking, the lazy fuck nugget. Didn't lift his finger to help once." Tyler said. "Well, enjoy the honeymoon! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"That's not a long list, Tyler!" Brock called to his retreating back. Tyler just waved as he walked towards the house.
"This is a monstrosity." Brian said. Brock helped him into the boat, making sure that neither of them slipped on the rice.
"Jon and Tyler will be the ones to clean it." Brock told him. "Actually, I may make Evan do it for not stopping them."