A/N: Sorry for the confusion; I overlooked posting Ch. 10 before 11. I have now corrected it, and added the remainder of the story. Please accept my apologies.

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Just when rhe newlyweds felt safe...well, you know...

Thirty Minutes Later...Master Bedroom...

"Hmmm...Brian...?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you hear that?"

Standing behind Justin near their walk-in closet, Brian only half-listened to his lover as his lips traveled from Justin's earlobe and then slid down the cord of his neck to rain kisses over to his left shoulder; he knew what he was doing always made Justin horny, and truth be told, hearing Justin's sighs of approval always made HIM horny as well. He smiled against his husband's skin as he heard Justin's vocal appreciation and felt him shiver under his touch. He lifted his head and nuzzled the side of Justin's face, his hands lightly traveling up and down his husband's shoulders. "What?" he whispered, biting playfully down on the fleshy lower part of his earlobe. He always loved Justin's ears for some reason. Well, all of him, actually.

Justin turned around in his arms. "Stop that," he chided him breathlessly, placing his hands on Brian's chest.

"Stop what?" Brian whispered against his cheek, his lips sliding down along his husband's jaw while his fingers continued to caress the soft, warm flesh beneath his touch. Justin had the softest skin, he decided.

"That!"

"I thought you liked that?" Brian curled his lips under playfully, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he finally pulled back to look him in the eyes.

"I do," Justin replied with a little stammer, trying to concentrate on the sounds filtering in from the reception out in the backyard. It had been at least 45 minutes since the ceremony, so while he knew their family and friends no doubt knew precisely what they had been doing during those 45 minutes, they were here to celebrate their marriage, and logically it dictated that they should be out there celebrating with them. It was with more than a little effort that Justin was able to disentangle himself from his husband's embrace as he managed to explain, "I think we'd better get back outside before Emmett has a coronary. You know he went through a lot of work for that reception. I thought I heard his voice just now."

Brian scoffed. "Come on, Sunshine! There's no way you could have been concentrating on anything else except me for the past few minutes."

Justin chuckled. "Well, good to know your humility is still intact." He shook his head as Brian grinned back at him, his hands now linked behind Justin's neck while his long fingers played with his still-damp hair. They had somehow managed to travel from the master bathroom back into their bedroom, and Justin had been 'permitted' to put some briefs and pants on despite a determined Brian who kept trying to prevent it. But his husband was still standing there in front of him, entirely naked and proud as a peacock, making it a little hard to concentrate. "But I'm sure I heard Emmett's voice calling us." He stopped to listen intently for a moment, but the only sounds he could hear presently through the open windows were the voices of their guests below, and the music the DJ was now playing - accentuated with an occasional, unhappy yip or bark from one of the dogs who were being held captive behind the fence.

At last Brian sighed and his body slightly drooped, signaling defeat, at least temporarily. "All right, Justin. If you really would rather go back out and pig out on two millions carbs, just say so." He shook his head in disbelief. "I must be losing my touch."

Justin grinned. "Your 'touch' is just fine," he assured him as he gently stroked his husband's just-shaved face, earning a smirk in return. "But my 'country-club manners,' as you so often describe them, won't allow me to shirk my newlywed responsibilities and ignore all the guests who showed up for our ceremony."

"Even though they're currently being musically entertained and provided with unlimited libations?"

Justin laughed softly. "No, not even that." He paused before admitting softly, "And I want to show my sexy, handsome husband off and perhaps engage in just a little bit of eat your heart out, gay boys, too," he explained. Brian smiled at him as his further conceded, "And maybe...just maybe...I might want to taste our wedding cake...and have all the obligatory photos taken of this incredible day." He peered into the familiar, hazel eyes, his heart fluttering. "Brian...our wedding vows...and you wearing the ring I gave you...and what you said to me..." Justin suddenly was overwhelmed by all of it and for just a brief period, he was unable to continue, his eyes watering. Damn it. But he just couldn't help it.

Brian stared into his shining, blue eyes, his hands momentarily stopping their movement as he replied with a grimace, "I'll do it for you, Sunshine. Even though you know how much I hate these sort of hetero displays. I'll do it...because it makes you happy." Justin's smile was blinding as he also admitted, "And maybe I'd like to show off MY beautiful husband as well." He pecked Justin on the lips as the strains of a familiar tune greeted their ears.

Justin frowned. "I think Emmett's resorting now to a different tactic to try and get us to make our reappearance," he observed.

"Huh?" Brian's fingers once more stroked Justin's bare shoulders.

"Isn't the DJ playing I'm Coming Out?"

Brian listened for a few seconds before snickering. "Yeah. You don't think it's a coincidence?"

Justin chuckled. "Knowing Emmett? No, I don't think so. I don't think he's using it as some gay anthem; I think he's trying to tell us something. Emmett is anything but subtle."

Brian snorted. "You've got a point there," he conceded. The song that had been playing abruptly stopped and both men winced as a screeching, squelching sort of noise replaced it, along with some type of chuffing noise, followed by a couple of taps against the microphone. "Attention...you! Yes, I mean you! Get your asses down here, Misters! Don't make me come up there...not that it wouldn't be a real eyeful, no doubt," was the quickly amended statement. "You've got five minutes before I roll out the big guns and send Debbie up there to get you!"

There was a few seconds' pause before a different voice was heard. "And just don't think I won't do it! You have a boy down here who's wanting cake! I don't care WHAT you're doing!" In a lower but still distinguishable voice, they could hear Debbie mutter into the microphone, "It wouldn't be the first time." Just as quickly as the music stopped, it started back up then as if nothing had happened; except the laughter that resulted in Emmett's announcement and Debbie's added commentary indicated that they had not dreamed it up.

The two men laughed as Brian turned to retrieve Justin's shirt from the bed. "You heard the woman, husband," Brian told Justin sternly, taking brief delight in smacking a certain wondrous ass and earning a yelp in return. "We have a hungry boy and a fearless redhead down there, demanding our presence." He chuckled over the scowl he received as Justin began to shrug into his shirt; he watched as Justin stopped, however, and just stood there. "What? Weren't you the one insisting we head back down so you could stuff your mouth with some other type of cream?"

His attempt at teasing was met with an enigmatic smile. "Justin?"

"Say it again."

"Huh?"

"What you just said. Say it again."

Brian frowned. "What? That you have a stomach with the capacity of an industrial-sized Frigidaire?"

"Ha, Ha." Justin smiled at him, appearing almost shy as he replied, "No. Not that. The other thing." He knew that Brian was aware of precisely what he wanted him to say, and was merely prolonging the wait. "Say it again...and then we can go outside."

Brian rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "You are so easy. Say the right word, and you're putty in my hands." To emphasize his point, he slid his arms around Justin to give his linen-clad ass a squeeze, earning a soft mix between a sigh and a whimper in return. Still cupping the ample flesh, he leaned in closer to him and whispered in his ear, "Husband. My husband." He smiled as he pulled back. "OMG. You're getting horny just from that?" He grinned. "Wow, I think our wedding night will go down in the record books tonight, and maybe even set a record for how fast I can get you to come."

That at last made Justin blink as he snorted back at him; Brian merely rolled his tongue into his cheek. "Oh, really? Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?" He tried to pull away to begin buttoning up his shirt, but a pair of strong arms prevented him. "Maybe we'll just see about that, Hot Stuff."

Brian chuckled, causing Justin's lips to break out into a grin in spite of himself. "Oh, I like the sound of that...husband. Care to make a bet on just who can last the longest tonight, Sunshine?"

His bravado notwithstanding, Justin shivered at the thought as he fought to maintain his composure. Just the sound of the words 'wedding night' was enough to thrust him into the upper stratosphere of desire. He groaned inwardly at the use of his word 'thrust,' which just made it all the worse. And Brian's present smirk didn't help, either, but it DID fuel his determination. "Sure," he told him with a smile. "Either way, I figure I'll come out the winner...on top."

Brian chuckled. "We'll see about that, Mr. Taylor-Kinney."

"Stop it."

"What, squeezing your ass?"

"Yes! I mean, NO! Stop using those...words. The ones that you know set me off."

Brian's smile was downright smug now as he whispered in his ear, "Okay, husband...Justin...Taylor...Kinney..." Justin groaned as Brian gave the ass cheeks another squeeze before finally letting him go. He wasn't about to admit that the thought of a certain beautiful blond spitfire topping him didn't make him just a bit horny himself. But something told him tonight's play for dominancy between them wouldn't be quite as easy as he thought. He would never tell Justin that, though.

"Get dressed," he told him, his voice a little thick with desire. "Before I throw you over my shoulders and fuck you into the mattress. As much as I like a little kinkiness sometimes, having Debbie watching us fuck would really kill the mood."

Justin grinned as he finished buttoning up his shirt, noticing Brian just standing there ogling him. His face felt like it was on fire just by the look he was receiving. "Will you please get dressed?"

Brian laughed. "Why, afraid you won't be able to control yourself?" His laughter was muffled then by his pants being throw into his face in response. "Hey!" he growled. "Watch it! These cost me a week's salary!"

Justin reacted to that statement by tossing his just-as-expensive shirt at him, giving Brian barely enough time to grab it before it landed on the floor beside him. "Ohhh...poor man. Now you only have $2,999,000 in the bank," Justin quipped. "Hurry up." He purposefully turned his back to bend over and pick up his shoes and socks from the floor by the dresser where he had thrown them previously, grinning as he heard a barely audible groan from behind.

"Fucker."

Justin stood back up and turned around, a big Cheshire-cat grin on his face. "You got THAT right. But no time now; it'll have to wait until tonight." Brian rolled his eyes again, prepared to issue a snappy retort of his own, but he was stymied immediately.

"You have one minute!" Was the unexpected demand from below as another song ended outside. Justin thought he heard something in the lyrics about They're coming to take me away, but he didn't recognize the song. "Come on, guys! My cake frosting is beginning to melt!"

Both men laughed as, at last fully dressed, they turned and headed out of the bedroom.

Brian peered warily over at the fenced-in part of the backyard as he and Justin emerged onto the back patio; all three dogs had barked furiously at them when they had rushed back into the house earlier after the ceremony, surging against the fence as the two of them disappeared inside, and this was no different. As soon as Tricky, in particular, caught wind of Brian coming out of the house, he began to yelp and bark excitedly. To Brian's concern, he noticed the dog was tall enough to place his front paws on the top of the fence. "Do you see that?" he asked Justin as he stopped to gawk at the spectacle. As soon as Brian looked over at Tricky, all three dogs began to bark excessively, making for a cacophony of sound between them and the DJ who was presently playing a thumpa-thumpa sort of tune.

He turned as he felt Justin grasp his wrist. "Brian, don't think about it," he told him as he waved at Sandra, who waved back, even as she was trying to pull Tricky back down off the fence. "Sandra's watching them. Everything's fine," he added, even though he had to wince at the loud trio of deep barking now becoming even more incessant. "Let's concentrate on the reception, okay?" He took a deep breath and let it out, trying internally to relax as well, as they slowly walked toward the tent located several dozen feet away. He could tell the dancing was literally in full swing at the moment, and felt a momentary twinge of regret that the first dance hadn't been reserved for him and Brian. But he also knew realistically that they couldn't have expected everyone to just mill around while he and Brian engaged in their after-wedding fuck, either. He sighed, silently vowing the two of them WOULD get their chance; it was one of his wishes to dance with his husband after their ceremony. How he wished he could remember more about the other moment in time when they had danced so formally...He turned to gaze over at Brian as he returned to the present, who seemed to discern the concern he now saw in his eyes.

"Hey...What is it? It really will be okay, Justin." Now it was Brian's turn to be the reassuring one.

Justin smiled with a nod. "I know. I'm fine." Under the probing stare he received, he admitted, "I was just thinking how much I wanted to dance with you in front of our friends and family...and how much I wish I could remember the other time we danced...well, you know..."

Yes, Brian knew exactly what he meant. It wasn't the dancing under the strobe lights and glitter of Babylon, or the dancing they sometimes did casually at times when they were alone here at Britin after having had perhaps just a little too much booze. No, he knew exactly what it meant, and it briefly caused a flash of pain to lance through him, even now. But he pushed that aside. No matter how much he knew Justin wanted to remember the happy moments from that night so long ago, he also knew it apparently would never happen. He could work hard, though, to replace them - and substitute some of his own horrific memories of what had occurred afterward - with some more pleasant memories. "Come on, Sunshine," he told him softly. "We have a fox to trot."

That at least made his husband laugh, and Brian was rewarded with a smile through Justin's glistening eyes as he nodded in agreement. Pausing just long enough to bestow a gentle kiss on Justin's lips, Brian reached for his hand and clasped it as they slowly proceeded toward the tent, the dogs' attempts at attention suddenly unimportant and disregarded.

Sandra sighed as she finally managed to pull Tricky down from the fence with a stern command and a firm grasp on his extra-large sized collar. She definitely knew why her neighbor seemed so exasperated with this unwieldy behemoth. He had to be at least an additional one-third the size of her own dog, Sadie. And at least her dog wasn't bouncing up and down on her front legs like Tricky had been. But Sadie did seem agitated and overly excited. She instantly recognized her dog's emotion by the back-and-forth trotting she was doing along the fence line facing the reception. She glanced over at the smallest member of the group, relieved that at least Xena was still too small to be able to create much havoc. But that didn't stop her from wondering how in the world Justin had been able to talk Brian into keeping one of the puppies. She knew the younger man a lot better than Brian, but she knew enough from what Justin had told her during their 'over-the-fence' talks to know that he seemed like the fastidious type. And fastidious and puppies definitely did not go hand-in-hand. She supposed that merely demonstrated how much in love he was with Justin. She smiled at that; Justin was such a nice man. She was happy for him that he had found someone to love him the way he deserved to be loved. Watching over three rambunctious canines was the least she could do for him to make sure today turned out to be a happy, worry-free occasion. She paused for just a moment to look once more at the newly-married couple walking hand-in-hand toward the reception tent. She smiled, feeling her eyes tearing up over how handsome they looked, and how they were presently staring at each other as if nothing or no one else existed in their world. She nodded to herself; that is how it should be.

As they disappeared inside the tent, she focused her attention back then on the three feisty mutts surrounding her, hoping her energy and stamina would hold out until the festivities were over.

Emmett's eyes widened as he heard voices rising near the back of the reception tent and then clapping, noticing his two old-time friends heading toward him. "Thank God!" he cried out as he rushed over to them. "Don't you know how receptions work?"

"Of course I do!" Brian retorted sarcastically. "I've participated in so many."

"Come on!" Emmett barked with a scowl as he told hold of the two men's sleeves and began to pull them toward the front corner where the buffet had been set up.

Brian glared back at him, but his face quickly softened as he saw his son galloping up to him, having broken free of his mother's hand. "Daddy! Papa!" he cried out as he threw his arms around his father's body. Brian hugged him for a few moments before letting him go. "Is it time to eat?" He jiggled up and down excitedly on the balls of his feet in anticipation. "Did you see all the food? There're chicken wings, little tiny sandwiches, all kinds of cheese, and little hot dogs! And...and they have these things on a stick named Bob!"

Brian eyed him in amusement. "Bob?"

"Shish kabobs," Jennifer explained as she walked up to stand beside them.

"Ohh," Brian responded in understanding. "Did you eat any of the food named Bob, Sonny Boy?"

Gus shook his head. "No...it had ve'tables on them." He scrunched up his nose as everyone around him laughed. "Red ones."

"I thought you liked vegetables."

"They looked funny," he told his father. He glanced over at the enticing display of desserts, including the chocolate fountain and the cake. "I'd rather eat some cake. Can I, Daddy? Please?"

Emmett appeared horrified. "Oh, no, Gus! Not until your Daddy and Papa cut the cake and feed themselves a piece first. That's what you do at a wedding."

"No," Brian answered to everyone's surprise. He turned to gaze into Justin's eyes. "Before we cut the cake, my husband and I are going to have our first dance."

Justin's eyes watered again as he nodded with a delighted smile, swallowing the emotional knot in his throat as Brian took his hand and began to lead him toward the portable dance floor. Everyone stood encircling them as they walked out to the middle and stopped to face each other. "This one's for you, Justin," Brian whispered. He nodded once at the DJ, who nodded back at him. A few seconds later, the music that Brian had chosen for them to dance to - unbeknownst to Justin - began to play: You Are the Sunshine of My Life.

A collective gasp seemed to arise from the crowd as Brian took his husband's hand in his and slid his other hand around Justin's back as Justin placed his other hand around Brian's neck. Together, they began to sway in time to the music:

You are the sunshine of my life

That's why I'll always be around,

You are the apple of my eye,

Forever you'll stay in my heart

I feel like this is the beginning,

Though I've loved you for a million years,

And if I thought our love was ending,

I'd find myself drowning in my own tears.

You are the sunshine of my life,

That's why I'll always stay around,

You are the apple of my eye,

Forever you'll stay in my heart,

You must have known that I was lonely,

Because you came to my rescue,

And I know that this must be heaven,

How could so much love be inside of you?

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,

That's why I'll always stay around,

You are the apple of my eye,

Forever you'll stay in my heart.

No one needed to know how the two of them felt; as they continued to dance, their love was clearly obvious in their faces and in the soft smile that Brian was bestowing on his new husband. As the song progressed, it was as if they instinctively knew how to move in time with the music as their feet seamlessly flowed across the dance floor. At one point, just like he had done so many years before, Brian held tightly onto his lover as he dipped him backward, Justin's head almost hitting the floor, before he swung him back up; the smile and joy on Justin's face made everyone's heart skip a beat. Soon, there wasn't a dry eye among them.

Shortly afterward, the rest of the guests moved to join them, the two men switching partners so they could dance with the two women who had played such important parts in their lives. As Jennifer was swept away by her newly-married son, Debbie held her hand to her heart as Brian asked if he could cut in between her and Carl, telling her it was only fitting that the groom dance with his mother after dancing first with his 'bride.' That earned a snort from Justin nearby, a grin from Brian, and a flood of tears from his dance partner. Carl smiled accommodatingly and nodded, graciously backing away as he watched a delighted Debbie glide off with Brian leading her.

Soon the dance floor was filled with celebrants, including a reluctant Gus, who was pulled onto the dance floor by his younger but very stubborn sister, who desperately wanted to 'shake her tail feather' with the others while she was still bedecked in her frilly, new dress and shiny, patent leather shoes. The videographer shot away as Gus managed after a few swings of their hands to break away, rolling his eyes as JR watched in dismay, only to shrug after a few seconds and continue dancing on her own, caught up in all the sights and sounds. After a few minutes, Michael left Ben's side to sweep her up into his arms, the little girl shrieking with happiness as he swung her around in time with the music while he held her.

The dancers finally stopped when the song ended, and the DJ announced that it was time for the grooms to cut the cake.

Grinning bemused at a somewhat hesitant Brian, Justin grabbed his arm and eagerly pulled him toward the corner of the tent where the libations and food had been set up. As they got within a few feet of the display and he could get a closer look, Brian groaned as he noticed an obscenely large chocolate fountain set up, surrounded by a moat of strawberries and marshmallows with skewer sticks nearby. Next to the fountain was their equally obscenely-large wedding cake - a cake that was made out of multiple tiers of rainbow colors. "Shit," Brian muttered as Justin's mouth hung open in wonder, and his eyes lit up. "Which clown threw up on our cake?"

Brian smirked as he noticed the cake topper, which was the only somewhat tasteful part of it. "I think someone took some license with your height, Sunshine," he commented.

"Hey, I have the...length where it counts," he replied smugly as Brian chuckled.

"Can't argue with you there," he agreed as Justin grinned, receiving a peck on the cheek ck as a reward.

"Isn't it great?" Debbie raved as she came over to stand by them, along with several of their closest friends in addition to Justin's mom and sister Molly. "I helped Emmett make it," she proudly informed them.

Justin gave his husband a 'you'd better behave' sort of look, but it was unnecessary. The last thing Brian would do to Debbie would be to insult her in any way, even though she did have the oddest sense of style and taste (well, after Emmett, anyway, so that was a lethal combination to begin with, he decided).

"Yeah, Deb," he replied after a couple of seconds. "It's very...uh, colorful." He smiled at her. "Just like you."

"Damn straight I am," she told him. "Well, you know what I mean," she added with a guffaw. "Okay, enough with this. Cut the cake, you two!" she ordered them.

Clearly thrilled to finally be able to participate in yet another wedding tradition, Justin happily reached over to pick up the silver cake slicer, arching an eyebrow expectantly at Brian, who rolled his eyes but nonetheless gripped his husband's hand as the two of them cut into the lower layer of the cake together, first one side and then the other, and then repeating the same action until they had two medium-sized wedges of the cheesecake separated from the rest of the cake. As they set the slicer down, Justin grinned impishly at him and waggled his eyebrows, immediately raising Brian's suspicions. He twisted his face as Justin giggled at him, shuddering at the thought of having cake - especially something with the soft texture of cheesecake and slathered with a ton of kaleidoscopic frosting - smashed into his face by a certain, impish blond. He knew that Justin had promised to maintain decorum as they fed each other cake. But he knew Justin...too well. "Justin...you promised me," he warned him quietly, earning what he expected was supposed to be an innocent look in return. But there was also a gleam in the familiar blue eyes, also, so he decided that wasn't very reassuring as Justin reached to pick up his piece of cake, holding it between his fingers as he arched his eyebrow expectantly at him, obviously waiting for Brian to do the same.

Resigned to his fate - whatever it might be - Brian looked around for a napkin.

"Brian...just pick the damn cake up!" Justin urged him impatiently.

His husband huffed indignantly. "I'm not getting icing all over my fingers..."

"If you do, I promise I'll clean it up for you...without using my fingers at all."

Brian considered that for a moment, deciding that didn't sound too bad after all, as the observers tittered knowingly. He arched an eyebrow at Justin and nodded. "I can live with that," he told him as everyone laughed. He reached over and gingerly picked up his piece of cheesecake, holding it between his now-sticky fingers and trying not to grimace at the somewhat oily feeling under his fingertips. Both of them could hear the soft click of several cameras nearby as they held their slices in front of each other.

"You first," Justin told him, licking his lips and grinning.

"Oh, no," Brian told him immediately. "We're doing this together."

Justin nodded. "Fine with me," he told him. "Open up," he commanded, a twinkle in his eye. "After all, it IS two of your favorite words."

More chuckles erupted as Brian smirked at him. Each of them held the piece of cheesecake toward the other's mouth, hovering within inches of each other's lips, moving closer and closer...until...

"Oh, for God's sake!" Emmett exclaimed. "Do it already!"

Brian directed his gaze at their impatient wedding planner and glared at him before turning his head back to face Justin...suddenly noticing the piece of cake was almost against his lips. He flashed a 'don't you dare' kind of look at his husband, silently praying he wouldn't do what he knew he was tempted to do, as he parted his lips and held his breath, relieved when Justin slid his fingers inside, along with the piece of cake. Brian felt obliged to return the favor, then, holding his piece out in front of Justin's mouth as his new husband obediently sucked on his fingers that just 'accidentally' happened to be attached to the dessert, unable to prevent a moan from escaping his lips.

The two men turned what should have been just a standard wedding tradition into more of a 'R-rated' exhibition as they took their time thoroughly swabbing each other's fingers before they slowly pulled them out of each other's mouths, both men grinning back at each other as Justin's tongue slid out to wipe some of the excess cake off the corner of his lips, the entire episode forever caught by the videographer.

"Mmm...best tasting cheesecake I've ever had," Brian declared smugly, eliciting a blush from his spouse.

"I totally agree," Justin replied with a nod. "Must be the icing." He chuckled as Brian scowled at him. "Well, part of it anyway."

"Uh...children?" Mel responded in exasperation at the not-so-unexpected erotic display.

Brian shrugged. "Mikey's seen it all before," he maintained as Mel rolled her eyes at him and Michael gave him a 'Brian, come on!' look.

"Yeah, Daddy, children!" Gus joined in as everyone looked at him. He was jiggling excitedly up and down on his feet in not-so-patient anticipation. "Children need to eat cake, too!"

Brian laughed with a nod. "Okay, Sonny Boy! One big slice of cheesecake coming up for my favorite son."

"I'm you're ONLY son," Gus astutely pointed out.

Brian grinned. "Wouldn't matter," he told him. "You'll always be the first no matter what. That makes you extra special."

That comment left Justin wondering just a bit, but for now he was too caught up in the significance of the moment as he watched Emmett and his assistants begin to slice into more of the cake.

Same Time...

Sandra huffed heavily in exasperation. Her assurance to her neighbors that she would be able to control the three dogs was quickly fading, to be replaced by feelings of anxiety. Tricky seemed determined to pull his body over the top of the fence with his front paws, and twice he had almost succeeded, while her own dog kept pacing side-to-side along the fence, seemingly trying to find a hole somewhere from which to escape. Only Xena's relative smaller size as a puppy prevented their offspring from trying some Houdini work of her own, but she seemed extremely interested in what her parents were doing, eagerly trotting from one to the other as they continued their canine scheming.

"Sadie, down!" she commanded as she watched her dog join Tricky at the fence, both of them placing their paws on top as they looked longingly over at the hive of activity. She watched as Tricky hopped up and down on his hind legs, obviously trying to get enough momentum to jump over the fence. She huffed in annoyance as she reached to pull her dog down, struggling with every muscle to do so. "Stay down!" she sternly told Sadie. She patted the dog on her head, feeling a bit guilty over the tone of her voice. "Why couldn't I have had a nice, little poodle?" she bemoaned. Her attention diverted temporarily with her back to the other dog, however, she didn't notice when Tricky managed to hoist himself up just enough to pull his body over the fence and promptly jump down onto the other side.

That was all the impetus Sadie needed as she unexpectedly pulled away from her owner, backed up, and then quickly rushed toward the fence, taking a giant leap that just barely managed to clear the top.

In horror, Sandra watched as the two dogs made a direct beeline straight toward the tent unbeknownst to the guests...and the grooms. Visions of a disaster of epic proportions immediately entered her mind as she hurried over to the gate and unlatched it to rush outside and follow after them.

Xena took advantage of the opportunity to follow HER, ecstatic to find that she suddenly had her freedom. Like soldiers engaging on the front line, human and canines charged toward the tent.

Same Time...

Brian rolled his eyes as he placed his hand over Justin's as the two of them ceremoniously cut the next piece of cake from the bottom tier, figuring they would only need to cut one or two slices before one of the event planners would take over. Their back to the rear of the tent, neither he nor any of the other guests noticed the newest arrivals quickly approaching from down the aisle.

"Daddy! Look!" Gus suddenly squealed as two big, furry blurs rushed up to the buffet tables. "Tricky!" he cried out excitedly. "Come here, boy!" The dog had somehow managed to secure one of the large ribbons of navy blue around his neck, and it was trailing along on the ground like some long-tailed kite as he and Sadie rumbled up to the group.

"No, Gus!" Brian warned him in alarm as he turned around and saw who their newest arrival was. But it was too late. Tricky - attracted to the navy-and-gold tablecloth's corner flapping in the breeze, grasped the enticing fabric with his teeth and spontaneously engaged in one of his favorite activities - tug-of-war. It only took two pulls with Tricky's strong back paws before the tablecloth - with the cake on top of it - started to slide partially off and the cake began to topple.

"No!" Justin cried out in disbelief. He watched helplessly as the cake teetered. "Brian, catch it!" he instructed, his husband closest to the dessert.

Brian didn't have time to respond to that with an 'are you kidding me?' type of comeback as he instinctively reached out with his hands to try and catch the top four tiers that were about to fall onto the ground, but all he managed to do was deflect them - right onto him. The soft cake splattered against his shirt and pants as he held onto a glob of cake between his hands, his mouth hung open in astonishment as he was rendered temporarily speechless.

Thinking he had accomplished something spectacular, Tricky decided to celebrate with his favorite person by jumping up onto Brian's chest. Dropping the cake he held in his hands and instinctively grabbing for whatever he could find to hold onto so he wouldn't fall, Brian made the unwise decision of reaching for the closest anchor - the tablecloth on top of the table. As he pulled on the tablecloth, the rest of the cake began to slide off. Soon Brian was flat on his back, part of the cake resting on top of his body with the rest lying scattered around him like the remnants of a cake hurricane...or more like a canine one.

A collective gasp resounded around the couple as Sadie unintentionally knocked into the adjoining table holding the chocolate fountain, causing it, too, to teeter. This time, however, there was no one to break its fall as it fell promptly onto its side, spraying a surprised Tricky with the gooey, sticky substance. The dog blinked in surprise and the room fell quiet - except for the sound of Gus giggling in delight over their antics. "Look, Daddy! Tricky really IS a chocolate lab now - just like Sadie and Xena!" He hopped up and down excitedly as his sister clapped her hands in glee. Gus reached down to wipe his index finger over Tricky's nose and then push it into his mouth before his moms, Brian, or anyone else could stop him. "Mmm," he responded with a grin as he pulled his finger back out. "That tastes good!"

Justin stood there with his mouth hanging open, trying to digest what had just happened. He shook his head, hoping it was all just a mirage. This couldn't be happening. But he knew all too well that it was reality...only Tricky could produce the disaster he was now viewing. He didn't have time to elude Tricky when he shook his body like a dog would after a bath, coating him with some of the chocolate as well.

He peered down at Brian, who blinked some of the residual chocolate out of his eyes where it, too, had sprayed him in the face. He slowly rose to his feet, struggling to maintain his dignity as he stood up straight and took a moment to smooth out his drenched shirt as he pulled on his shirt tails. He noticed everyone staring at him, no doubt waiting for the typical volcano to erupt. But all he could think about for some reason was how damned unbelievable it all was...and how ludicrous it looked.

He sighed as he faced Justin, who had been battle damaged, also, although not as much as he. "Well, Sunshine, like they say...for batter or for worse, I guess." He reached over to mimic his son's action as he swiped his finger through a glop of icing that had become stuck to Justin's cheek. He stuck his finger in his mouth to suck the icing off before he smirked at their guests, acting as if nothing unusual had occurred. Tricky peered up at him, and at the first sideways glance from Brian, he began to wag his tail furiously at him as if he had just performed a great feat.

Suddenly the music roared back to life as the DJ blared out a new tune. The crowd couldn't help tittering in reaction. It wasn't every day that Who Let the Dogs Out was played at a wedding reception.

It was then that even Brian couldn't stand it anymore. The disgust he thought he would feel over what had happened transformed into laughter that slowly bubbled to the surface as he looked over at Justin. If he looked halfway as ridiculous as his husband did, he knew their dignity had already been shot to hell. Justin slowly began to grin at him and then giggled. "It's not funny, Justin! We look like a couple of hot fudge sundaes!" He tried to sound aggravated and disgusted, but he couldn't help grinning ruefully back at him instead.

"Oh, my God!" Sandra cried out as she finally caught up to her charges. She looked on in horror at all the calamity they had caused. "Oh, no...I'm so sorry!" She bit her lip in apprehension. "Tricky pulled himself over the fence and then Sadie jumped out after him...And Xena...Where is she?" She looked for the puppy, noticing her over near some of the appetizers, gnawing on what looked like one of the shish kabobs; she could see what appeared to be a silver skewer between her big paws while she happily munched on a chunk of steak. "Xena!" she called over to her. The dog merely lifted her head briefly with interest and cocked her head, her eyes lighting up in reaction to her name being called, before she turned her attention back to her treat.

Sandra sighed. "I'll round up the dogs. I promise! Oh, my God!" she exclaimed again, trying to take all of it in. How did three dogs cause such a mess in such a short period of time? She looked around helplessly until Ted and Blake walked over to her. "We'll help you," they offered as she nodded at them gratefully. "Blake, you get Xena the Warrior Princess over there...and I'll try to grab Tricky. You can take care of your own dog," Ted told Sandra, who nodded in agreement.

"Theodore, I take everything back that I've said about you," Brian told him solemnly, impressed that his friend and associate would even try to control the beast.

"Thanks...I think," Ted remarked as Sandra handed him one of the leashes she had brought with her - the heavy-duty one that was the strongest one the manufacturer made. The one that was guaranteed to keep any dog under control and restrained at all times. Yeah...right. Now she knew better. But it would have to do for now.

Ted, however, found that he was no match for a dog the size of a wooly mammoth. As soon as he tried to grasp the dog's collar to click the leash to it, he lurched forward, almost causing him to tumble onto the slippery floor as Tricky dragged him a few feet Only through Carl stepping forward and intervening did the two of them manage to get him leashed and restrained.

The reluctant, lovelorn dog was finally led away toward the creek in the back of the property where he could be washed off. Blake and Xena soon joined them, as Sandra took hold of Sadie, grimacing as she felt the dog's sticky fur. Tricky hadn't been the only one to get covered with chocolate.

"Gus, where are you going?" Lindsay called out to her son as he turned to follow the contingent heading toward the creek.

"I'm going with them!"

"I thought you wanted cake?" Although she had to admit, the cake - well, what was left of it, anyway, on the table - didn't look too appetizing.

"I'll get some later," was the surprising reply from the little boy. "I'm going to the creek to hunt salamanders!"

Lindsay groaned as she rushed after him. "Not in that suit, young man!" She could be heard saying as she hurried to catch up to him. "Gus! Wait for me!"

Debbie shook her head in sympathy as she looked at her two boys. "You look like shit," she told them flatly. "But good enough to eat!" she added with a guffaw over her own joke.

"Gee, thanks, Deb," Brian told her. "Always the flatterer." He wrinkled his nose. "I guess we've looked better," he had to admit. He noticed the DJ's choice of tune had ended, and he was now playing a somewhat familiar Michael Jackson tune. He had to think for a few seconds before the title came to him: Dirty Diana. He rolled his eyes as Justin covered his mouth to hide his smile. "Michael?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell the smart-ass DJ to play Take this Job and Shove It, because the musical portion of our entertainment is now over." He looked down at his shirt in disgust, plastered to his chest. "Great. Now I'm a fucking Hershey bar." He wrinkled his nose. "I need another shower now."

"A wedding shower?" Justin asked innocently. "I like Hershey bars," he added.

"You like ALL food."

Justin shrugged, deciding not to argue that statement. "Well, I think I need a wedding shower now, too."

Brian gave him a thorough ogling, so much so that it made Justin blush. "Yeah, you definitely do, Sunshine." He looked around to his audience before addressing Emmett. "Emmy Lou, you can serve the cake now."

"But...It's...It's in shatters," he couldn't help pointing out. All that icing, all that rainbow beadwork he had done by hand with the multi-colored candies, all for naught. All destroyed in a matter of minutes by a furry bulldozer and his henchmen. All that remained were chunks of cake with a little colored glitter and a few candies interspersed on top of the table. Even the two grooms he had so meticulously placed on the top were now lying on their side, looking decidedly unregal.

"It's not the look that's important," Brian commented. "What?" he pressed when he received an odd look from his friend.

"Oh, my God! I never...!"

"You haven't done a lot of things I've done," Brian told Emmett with a smirk. "Which one?"

"I've never heard you say that!"

"What?"

"That looks don't matter!" He looked at Brian in disbelief. Could getting married have changed him that much? First he doesn't explode when the dogs ruin their wedding cake and topple over the chocolate fountain. And now he doesn't care about appearances?

"I only meant the cake," he corrected him, making Emmett feel just a bit better that they hadn't lost the fashion-plate, narcissistic Brian they all knew and loved. He snorted. "You think I would be seen in public looking like this? Why do you think I'm going to go take a shower?"

"So you can fuck Justin...again?" Daphne volunteered with a knowing smile.

"Daphne!" Mel scolded her as she covered JR's ears and held her in place. The little girl squirmed under her mom's touch before sliding out from her grasp, bestowing an irritated look on her. Mel sighed, not surprised that her impatient, active daughter wouldn't cater too well to being held stationery for long.

Brian grabbed Justin's wrist. "Come on, Chocolate Boy. You've gotten really dirty, and now you need some serious intervention."

Justin giggled as Brian quickly pulled him toward the back of the tent. "Feel free to go on without us!" Brian shouted as they left the tent and headed back to the house.