Culture Aftershock

by jtrue

A sequel to Culture Shock. Emmett McCarty's Emirati partner Nasir has a new job and a green card, but will their lives together be as easy as they think? And what will happen to Seth and Garrett? SLASH LEMONS MA

14. Chapter 14

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

A very special Happy Birthday to my darling sister. In celebration of the event, we will both be updating today. To experience this chapter and the last, from Edward's point of view, check out Errors 55 when it posts later today.

The E&O Summit held here in Vegas was a HUGE success. Liz, we just can't do that enough. It was a whole day and we got a lot done, but it still felt like ten minutes.

A very big thank you to Miss Maureen. Your help with the kids is invaluable.

Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions should go do so right now. Links to both stories are in my profile.

WARNING:

This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!

AU/AH/OC

All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just take them out and play with them.

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Chapter 14: Traditions

Friday continued
(Wedding Eve)

A short nap after Seth's spa, light lunch and cocktails in honor of Emmett and Nasir, and they all were refreshed. Once the limo dropped them back at the Sorrento, those staying there headed for their rooms. Edward scarcely had the time to drop his bag and take a piss before a knock came at his door. Troy and Zack walked in from across the hall in their Sorrento robes, under which Edward discovered they wore only underwear, as they promptly shed them. They were very ready to nap and wanted to do so with Edward. Both younger men were a little droopy eyed from their cocktail at Venik. Edward took one look at them and could not help but smile. He could not refuse them. Edward stripped, put on his own underwear, and pulled down his bed. Troy and Zack crawled in on either side of Edward in the big king bed and snuggled up to him. Edward took them under his arms as they laid their heads on his chest and reached for each other. It was not terribly unlike having Liam and Owen in bed with him, except they didn't have well packed crotches pressed into his thighs. Troy hitched his leg over Edward's left leg and Zack hitched his longer leg over both Edward and Troy's legs. It might have made Edward uncomfortable, but these younger men were family and he loved them very much. Edward held them while they laid on him and both Troy and Zack were out in seconds. Edward was not far behind.

"That's pretty handy," Troy observed later from where he sat beside Edward as the driver used his key card to access the underground parking garage beneath Emmett, Nasir, Seth and Garrett's building. Troy deliberately did not sit in back with his partner as he did not want Edward to feel so much like a chauffeur.

"Yes it is," Edward put his window up while the gate rolled up and then continued down the ramp into the garage. He parked in his own private space and they all climbed out of the Q5. They all wore nice button shirts as they wanted to make a good impression on both Emmett's and Garrett's families. Edward had met Garrett's family before and was hoping to make a better impression this time than he did the last. They all wore jeans also, though Troy and Zack wore skinny jeans, just because they were built like that and they could get away with it.

They walked to the elevator and rode up to the fifteenth floor. As usual when Edward was expected, Seth and Garrett's door was open a crack.

"Hey guys, we're here," Edward called as he shut the door behind them.

"And you are all most welcome," Garrett met them in the living room as he came down the hall from the bedrooms. Garrett wore snug jeans, a dress shirt and was barefoot. "Come in. Carla and company only just arrived and haven't set up yet, but we can offer you a beer."

"Sounds perfect to me," Edward was fine with that.

"Maybe we could just split one, Lee," Zack suggested.

"Yeah, that drink I had at Venik knocked me out!" Troy stated. "Maybe it was the vodka."

"We don't really drink," Zack explained.

"You boys have whatever you would like," Garrett put an arm around each of the young men as he steered them toward the kitchen. "And if we don't have it, one of Carla's men will run out and get it."

"Hey, Eddie. Hi, boys," Emmett greeted with a big smile as he and Nasir both emerged from the kitchen, Spaten Oktoberfests in hand. Emmett wore a tight polo while Nasir wore a dress shirt. They both wore snug jeans. Emmett and Nasir had hugs for everyone.

"What are you guys drinking?" Emmett asked, ready to fetch it for them.

"Anything is fine," Zack smiled.

"We have Spaten, as you can see," Garrett began, "Heineken, Blue Moon for Edward, Dos Equis, Stella Artois, Coors, and my own personal favorite, Samuel Adams Imperial White, all cold, all in the big beer drawer in the kitchen. Or, you may prefer a glass of wine."

"No wine," Troy shook his head. "Not unless you want to put me right to sleep."

"Oh, maybe we can tuck him in, Nasi," Emmett ran a hand down the back of Troy's head.

"Hands off, you predators," Zack warned with the poke of a finger in Emmett's stomach. "We don't drink anything fancy, Garrett. When we do get a sixpack at home, it's usually Bud Light Lime, and it lasts us a week sometimes."

"Bud Light Lime," Emmett made a face as he considered. "Well, Garrett only has real beer."

"Emmett is a beer snob," Nasir said matter of factly.

"German," Emmett gave a shrug and a resigned face. "Try this," he offered his bottle to Troy. "Best beer in the house."

"If you like them earthy," Garrett wrinkled his nose.

"Malty is the word he is looking for," Emmett countered.

"Oh, this is real beer," Troy took a sip. "Try it, Z," he handed it to his partner.

"Wow. This is pretty good," Zack nodded.

"German," Emmett spread his hands.

"It's strong. One will do us," Zack handed Emmett's bottle back to him.

"Sorry, who will do you?" Emmett could not let that go.

"One beer will do us," Zack clarified.

"Lucky beer," Nasir quipped.

"I'll be right back," Garrett shook his head and headed into the kitchen.

The double doors to the terrace from the dining room swept open dramatically and Seth appeared in the doorway. "Oh, good. Everyone's here now. Is your brother coming, Emmy?" Seth asked. The other host still wore his leather pants, but had lost the denim vest for an equally form fitting, white, long sleeved, crew neck shirt. His heavy Emirati gold necklace hung around his neck on top of the shirt. Seth's most important accessory, however, was his Eagle feather, attached to his hair and hanging at the left side of his head. He was barefoot as well.

"Later, with the family," Emmett answered.

"Okay, then we might as well get started. Everyone join me out on the terrace, please," Seth turned and headed back out. Emmett, Nasir, Edward, Troy and Zack followed. A space had been cleared and Seth's red tribal blanket, normally adorning the wall in his office, was spread out on the tiles of the terrace. A long, red and white beaded and fringed bag lay on the blanket near one end along with two bundles of herbs, a pouch of tobacco, a small bowl, a silver lighter, two leather cords, and his Heineken bottle.

Edward could not help but notice the piles of mismatched china on the nearer table. A broom leaned on the table at the ready and a heavy duty dust pan and paint bucket from the home improvement store sat on the tiles under the table. "Oh, you guys are so screwed. There must be a hundred different plates and things there."

"The pieces of china number one hundred and four," Seth smiled.

"Oh, yeah. We're screwed," Emmett nodded.

"Now, we're all gonna just sit in a circle, more or less," Seth gestured to his blanket. "Everyone can sit where they wish, except I need Emmy and Nasir to sit together."

"Not that we wouldn't have anyway, but why?" Emmett asked.

"We're gonna sort of combine two ceremonies today. I'll explain as we go along," Seth assured.

"What are the leather cords for?" Emmett pointed and grinned.

"Stop asking questions. Sit down," Seth directed.

"Should we take off our shoes?" Edward asked.

"Oh, yes, please," Seth answered. Garrett emerged then with three beer bottles in hand. He handed a Blue Moon to Edward, a Spaten to Zack and took a swig of his own Imperial White.

"And I need you to sit beside me, Honey. On my right, at the head here, please," Seth pointed. Seth sat down near the end of the blanket, with all his paraphernalia before him. Everyone else joined him and sat Indian style as he did. Clockwise from Seth's right sat Garrett, Emmett, Nasir, Edward, Troy and finally back around, Zack was on Seth's left.

"The crew is setting up?" Seth asked.

"They are," Garrett confirmed.

"They won't bother us," Seth gave the open French doors not another thought. "Okay, boys. Let's begin," he opened what was clearly an old, beaded, buffalo hide bag and pulled out a nineteen inch long, flat stem made of red cedar. "This was my grandfather's chanunpa," Seth explained as he next extracted an inverted T shaped bowl carved from a solid piece of red pipestone. The part that faced away from the stem was carved in the shape of an Eagle head.

"That's beautiful," Zack expressed.

"Is it broken?" Troy asked.

"Broken? Oh, no," Seth placed the stem and bowl down on the blanket before him. "The pieces of the pipe must not be stored joined. Apart, what you see before you, are two sacred objects," Seth placed his hands on them as he explained. "I told you that there is nothing more sacred to my people than the pipe. When joined, the pipe is considered a living, breathing thing. This pipe has been present at all the Oceti Šakowin, the Seven Sacred Council Fires of the Lakota."

"How did you get your grandfather's pipe, Sweetie?" Emmett knew their shaman better than anyone. "Was it in that box of stuff where you kept your feather? Sorry, can I ask questions?"

"Yes, Emmy," Seth held up a hand. "I'm sorry. I want everyone to understand. Everyone should feel free to ask questions at any point."

"So what's the answer?" Emmett pressed.

"The answer is, I have this pipe for two reasons. Three really. When my grandfather died, he had only two children, both girls, my mother and my aunt Lynette," Seth turned to Garrett. "You remember, Honey. She and my cousin Alex were at my mother's house when we where there."

"I do remember, Sweetness," Garrett smiled and put his hand lovingly on Seth's back. He did not remember it fondly, but was not about to share that.

"Anyway," Seth continued. "Grandfather had no sons. I was the oldest grandson, and, like my grandfather, my spirit animal is the Eagle. The third reason, and most obvious if you think about it, though unknown to any of us at the time, is that I am Two Spirit. I have heard it said that the sacred pipe, in the hands of a Two Spirit holy man, is a great and powerful weapon. Now," Seth held up a hand, "before you point out the obvious. Let me just tell you this: It was the policy of the Cavalry, the 7th Cavalry in particular, to wipe out Two Spirit holy men, whenever and wherever, they encountered them."

"I'm gonna guess at least one Two Spirit holy man was present at the Little Big Horn," Emmett smiled.

"Of that, you may be sure," Seth gave a firm nod.

"Was your grandfather a Medicine Man?" Edward asked.

"He was, actually, though I should point out that Medicine Man is a label made by the white man. My people have always rejected that name," Seth explained. "The words in my language are Wicaša Wakan, which directly translates to, man sacred. This sacred man, or holy man, traditionally Two Spirit, was the spiritual father of the tribe, a healer, he sat on the Council of Elders, no matter his age, and occupied the most honored seat, at the left hand of the Itancan, the Chief," Seth put his hand on Garrett's knee. "He was the advisor his Itancan valued above all others."

Garrett could not help but smile at his husband.

"So," Troy reasoned, "any pipe you hold in your hands, because you're Two Spirit, is a powerful weapon?"

"Aren't we all Two Spirit?" Edward pointed out.

"Well, yes, strictly speaking, we all are," Seth confirmed. "Two Spirit Lakota Sioux, is what I meant. And, to answer your question, Leo, no. Any other pipe is just a pipe. It has to be like this one, blessed in a ceremony using another pipe connected to, and thereby connecting this one, to the original pipe that was given to The People by White Buffalo Calf Woman. This was in the before time, so that The People would have a bridge, a way to communicate between this world and Wakhan Thanka, which in my language translates to, Great Mystery. Or you will hear many of us say Grandfather Spirit. That blessing ceremony ensured that this pipe will forever be inhabited by a good spirit. This is also why my people believe the stem and bowl cannot be joined unless in use, because when joined, the spirit of the pipe can roam free."

"Wow," Troy commented.

"Why is it shaped like that?" Zack pointed.

"It's carved in the shape of an Eagle head at this end because that was my grandfather's and my spirit animal. Sometimes you'll see an L shaped one. My mother has one like that. L shaped ones are for a woman or a single man. The T shaped ones are for a man with a family. But those are not this big and don't have as long of a stem. This size is ceremonial, and in my hands, full of mysterious power. So watch it!" Seth teased and poked Zack in the ribs.

"Careful where you point that thing then, Emira," Nasir was wary.

"Oh, you're on the short list," Seth pointed his threat at Nasir.

"So what do we do, Sweetie? Do we all have to smoke it?" Emmett asked.

"Yes, you do. It's just a puff, though. You don't inhale it," Seth answered. "But we're not there yet. I want everyone to stand up," Seth did so. He waited for everyone else to do so before he continued. "Now cross your arms across your chest like this," Seth instructed as he made an X with his arms, his fingertips near his shoulders. "Now we all walk clockwise around the circle," he turned toward Zack. "Go ahead, Zack. Go everyone."

With their arms still in place, mimicking Seth, the group walked around the blanket until they returned to their original places.

"Now repeat after me. Mitakuye oyas'in," Seth instructed. Zack, Troy, Edward, Nasir, Emmett and Garrett all approximated the Lakota words as closely as they were able. Seth did not correct them and did not laugh at them. It was the effort that counted.

"What did we say?" Troy asked.

"We can sit back down now," Seth dropped his arms and sat down. "We said, 'all my relatives.' Basically it's a salute to our family, which, for me, is you guys," he smiled as spread his arms as everyone else sat back down as well. He reached for Garrett's hand. "Especially you, Honey."

Garrett's love and pride was more than obvious in his returned smile and the way he gently squeezed Seth's hand.

"And Leah," Emmett pointed out.

"Right. And Leah. And Roberto too, soon, I hope," Seth expressed. "Okay, first I need to smudge myself, then the rest of you."

"Smudge?" Edward was not sure he liked the sound of that.

"Just pay attention," Seth picked up the first bundle of herbs. "This is white sage," he lit the bundle on fire with the lighter.

"Really? A lighter?" Edward pointed out.

"We got guns and fire water from you as well," Seth smirked as he continued to burn the sage. When it really started to catch he blew it out and dropped the smouldering bundle in the small bowl. A goodly amount of smoke came off the bundle. "I have to cleanse myself, before I can cleanse any of you," Seth explained. He leaned down toward the bowl and used his hands to draw the smoke over his head and about his shoulders. He then rose and, going clockwise, started with Zack. "The sage will heal and drive away any bad spirits," Seth continued as he held the bowl before Zack in his left hand and used his right to direct the smoke toward him. Zack closed his eyes as the smoke swirled about his head. Seth stepped next to Troy and did the same thing. He continued around the circle, doing Garrett last and finally sat back down at his place. Seth did his best crush out the yet smoking sage as they were then done with it.

"The smoke of the sage bonds with all bad and negative things and carries them away," Seth raised his arm to indicate the sky above them. "Now, this," he held up a second thinner bundle of herbs, braided like hair, "is sweetgrass. It smells even better," Seth lit this as well and after a moment blew it out like he had done with the sage. He held the smouldering bundle in his left hand and used his right to direct this smoke over his head and about his shoulders, just as he had done with the sage.

"The smoke of the sweetgrass attracts all good and positive spirits. It is one of my people's most powerful blessings," Seth went around the circle to each of them, just as he had done with the sage, and then sat back down, dropping the sweetgrass braid into the bowl where it continued to smoulder. He picked up the bowl and stem of the pipe, and ever so reverently handed them to Garrett.

"It is for our Itancan to assemble the pipe for us when in council, and hand it to me. Over the bowl, Honey," Seth pointed. Garrett did as he was instructed and, over the smoking dish, inserted the male stem into the female orifice of the pipe bowl.

"Woah. Careful, Garrett," Emmett cautioned.

"I know. Keep still," Seth warned as he accepted the assembled pipe back from Garrett. Then he laughed at a memory. "Actually, you jest, but when I was a kid, I asked my grandfather if I could hold this pipe when he had it together, and he wouldn't let me. He said, holding this pipe was the same as holding a loaded gun," Seth placed the assembled pipe in his lap and opened the pouch of tobacco. "So I told you we're gonna kinda combine two ceremonies here. The pipe ceremony and the Hunkalowanpi, the making of relatives," Seth explained as he took small pinches of tobacco from the pouch, smudged each one in the smoke of the yet smouldering sweet grass, and only then added it to the bowl of the pipe. "Emmy, I know you're older."

"Older than Nasi? Yeah, by almost a whole month," Emmett smiled at his partner and took his hand.

"So that makes you, Hunka Até, and Nasir, Mihunka," Seth informed. "This will be somewhat abbreviated. I should be painting your faces right now, but my paints are at Edward's house. The Mihunka is supposed to get a new name too, but I think Nasir already has a really nice name, so we'll let him keep it."

"Yeah, I like it," Emmett smiled at Nasir again.

"I would like to keep my name," Nasir nodded.

"And so you shall," Seth confirmed. The pipe was now ready to be lit, but there was one more thing, possibly the most important, that Seth needed to do. He stood up and stepped to the center of the blanket. He faced East. "These are the words my grandfather taught me," Seth explained. He held the pipe with the bowl in his left hand and the stem in his right as he pointed the stem toward the East.

"The East is red. The East is where the Morning Star rises, the Star of Knowledge. Red is for the rising Sun which brings us a new day and another chance to learn. We thank Grandfather Spirit for each day that we are allowed to live on Mother Earth under Father Sky, and for the great and wonderful love in our lives," Seth smiled down at Garrett as he added that last part. "We pray for knowledge, for from knowledge comes peace," he finished and then turned to face and point the stem of the pipe South.

"The South is yellow. Yellow is for spring and the warm South wind. We give thanks for our strength, growth and healing that comes from the South wind. We use this as a time of planting, so that seeds may grow into new life," Seth recited. He then turned West.

"The West is black. West is where the sun sets. West is where the Spirit Helpers live. Black stands for the Spirit World. We will one day all go to the Spirit World where we will all know one another and our deeds. We seek our spiritual wisdom in the West and pray for help from our Spirit Guides," Seth spoke and then turned lastly North.

"The North is white. The White Giant covers Mother Earth with the white blanket of snow in winter. Ptecincala Ska Wakan Winan, White Buffalo Calf Woman, came to us from the North. We pray for endurance and health from the North," Seth then returned to his seat between Garrett and Zack in the circle. He turned the pipe around and touched the bowl to the blanket. "Green is for the Earth Mother. Okay, I really should be touching this to the ground right now."

"What, your people didn't use to live on the fifteenth floor?" Emmett was flip.

"Ha!" Troy found that very funny.

"Yeah, my people didn't have high rises in the before time," Seth agreed. "Ah, hem," he cleared his throat in an exaggerated manner and then continued. "We are all part of Mother Earth, every rock, every tree, every four legged thing, every two legged thing, every winged thing, everything that crawls, every plant. We are all related. Mother Earth, we seek ever to protect you."

"Amen to that," Edward agreed.

"The correct response is: mitakuye oyas'in, hecetu welo," Seth informed. All of them joined Edward in his best attempt to repeat that.

"And what did we say?" Edward asked.

"All my relatives, it is indeed so," Seth gave a nod. "And if I may continue," he turned the pipe around again and pointed the stem upward at an angle. "Father Sky, in union with Mother Earth, are our true parents. Father Sky gives us energy for our lives and heats our lodges, or high rises as the case may be. We are thankful for Father Sky," Seth then held the pipe pointing straight up and covered the loaded bowl with his thumb lest the tobacco fall out. "Grandfather Spirit, creator of all things, we thank you for the four directions, and for Mother Earth and Father Sky. We offer this pipe to you, that you may bless the union of Emmy and Nasir, Hunka Até and Mihunka, and bind them together for all time."

"Thank you, Sweetie," Emmett reached across Garrett to rub Seth's knee.

"Yes, thank you, Sethy," Nasir added.

"Am I allowed to touch you?" Emmett asked with a grin.

"I don't know if I would use the word allowed," Seth answered. "Out of respect, normally only a Two Spirit holy man's husband touched him," he spread his arms magnanimously. "But as my family and loved ones, you all have special dispensation to touch me."

"Oh, thank you," Edward was flip.

"We'll be sure to put that to good use," Troy teased.

"Now then," Seth handed the lighter to Garrett and held the bowl of the pipe toward him. "The person to the right of the sacred person lights it for him. That's why he sits on the Chief's left."

"Then I best do that," Garrett lit the lighter and put it to the bowl for Seth as the smaller man put the pipe in his mouth and puffed.

It took a moment for Seth to pull smoke all the way through the long stem, but he finally gave a puff. Seth held the pipe in his left hand while he used his right to draw his smoke over his head. "Mitakuye oyas'in," he spoke solemnly. "Now do just as I did, Zack," Seth handed the pipe to the younger man. "You always pass the pipe to the left. Hold it in your left hand, just like that," Seth coached.

"Like this?" Zack asked.

"Just like that," Seth encouraged. Take a puff and use your right hand to draw the smoke over your head."

Zack did his best to mimic the actions of their holy man. He gave a puff and used his right hand to draw it over his head as Seth had done.

"Mitakuya oyayson," Zack gave as close an approximation of the Lakota words as he was able. "Am I supposed to say that?"

"Yes," Seth nodded his approval. "Very good, Zack. Keep going you guys," he instructed as Zack handed the pipe to his partner. "I have one quick thing to do while you smoke," Seth directed. He picked up the leather cords and moved across to kneel before Emmett and Nasir. Behind him Zack turned to quietly take a gulp of his and Troy's beer in an attempt to get the taste of the tobacco out of his mouth.

"What are you doing with those?" Emmett pointed at the cords in Seth's hand.

"Put your arms together," Seth directed. Emmett and Nasir did so and Seth tied the first cord around their arms at their elbows.

"Okay, now sit so your legs are together," Seth directed. Emmett and Nasir both shifted and sat so their legs leaned against each other, bent at the knee.

"Is this okay?" Emmett asked.

"Perfect," Seth reached under their knees with the remaining cord and tied their legs together. Once done, he returned to his place beside Garrett.

"Blech," Troy stuck out his tongue from the taste of the tobacco as he passed the pipe to Edward. Edward didn't like the taste of it either, but wasn't about to say so. He did his best to replicate Seth's actions and words. Then he passed the pipe to Nasir. Emmett held his elbow out to make it as easy as possible for Nasir to hold the pipe in his left hand as he took a puff.

"Mitanya oyashin," Nasir was able to use his free hand to draw the smoke over his head. Emmett took the pipe in his free hand and took his puff. He didn't need to move his elbow much, but Nasir did his best to make it as easy as possible for Emmett to draw his smoke over his head.

"Mitanya oyashin," Emmett repeated after his partner. He then handed the pipe to the holy man's husband.

"It is for our Itancan to smoke last for his words are the most important and carry the most weight," Seth explained as Garrett finally took his turn taking a puff, drawing the smoke about his head and trying to repeat the Lakota words.

"The Chief is such a stud," Emmett teased as Garrett returned the pipe to the man who had custody of it.

"There," Seth took back the pipe again. "Emmett and Nasir, you have smoked with us, your brothers and loved ones, the sacred pipe while joined together. You are united as one by the Grandfather Spirit. Hunka Até and Mihunka you are to each other for all time."

"Thank you, Sweetie," Emmett was touched by Seth's words. He turned to Nasir and could see in his eyes, as he took his partner's hand, that Nasir felt the same way.

"And that's it. We're done," Seth turned the pipe upside down and tapped it on the bowl. "Milan should have the bar set up by now."

"Wow," Troy enthused. "This has to be one of the coolest things we've ever done, Zacky."

"I know," Zack agreed. He took a sip of their Spaten and handed it to Troy.

"That was really special, Seth," Edward agreed as he stood up. "Thank you for including all of us."

"You're all family," Seth gave a shrug as he cleaned the pipe.

"Can we untie ourselves now?" Emmett asked.

"Oh, didn't I mention you have to stay tied up for a week?" Seth tried to keep a straight face, but couldn't. "Ha! Of course you can."

"Smart ass," Emmett untied their arms and legs.

"I can see why we did this outside," Edward stepped back into his shoes. "You wouldn't want all that smoke in the house."

"No," Seth agreed.

"What can I do to help you, Sweetness?" Garrett put a hand on Seth's leg.

"You can keep your hand right there on my leg," Seth smiled as he slipped the stem of his grandfather's pipe into the bag.

"Well, that would be my pleasure. I meant, give me something hard to do," Garrett rubbed the leather clad thigh.

"Keep rubbing his leg like that, Garrett. You will have something hard to do shortly," Nasir quipped as he and Emmett rose to their feet.

"He did that earlier," Seth snickered as he finished cleaning the pipe bowl.

"I sure wouldn't mind doing it again," Garrett reached across Seth's lap. He rubbed Seth's left thigh where he knew his beloved King was resting down Seth's left leg.

"Oh, careful now," Seth slipped the pipestone bowl into the second compartment of the beaded bag. "We're going to have to abandon our guests," he leaned toward Garrett and gave his husband a soft and loving kiss on his lips.

"Can I hang the blanket back up for you, Sweetie?" Emmett offered.

"Oh, please. You know I can't reach," Seth picked up his pouches, lighter and beer bottle.

"I shall go purify the kitchen while I put this out," Garrett picked up the bowl with yet smoking sweetgrass and headed inside. Emmett tucked the leather cords in his front pocket while he picked up the blanket.

"You can keep those if you like," Seth offered. "Tie one around Nasir's cock and balls," he suggested.

"Nasi doesn't need any help staying very hard, thank you," Emmett countered while Nasir just laughed.

"C'mon," Seth led the way into the house.

"I am going to see our friend Milan, Habibi. You want another beer?" Nasir asked.

"Yes I do," Emmett confirmed. Nasir headed for the bar while Emmett followed Seth.

The box wherein Seth kept his feather and the beaded bag that contained his grandfather's pipe, sat in the center of his desk. He took the feather out of his hair and put everything away while Emmett attached the quilt hanger to the blanket and hung it back up on the wall.

"You know, it was really nice of you to do that for us, Seth," Emmett expressed.

"I wanted to. You and Nasir are worth it," Seth smiled. He took Emmett's hand and led him back through the house to where Nasir and Garrett waited at the bar.

"A Heineken and a Spaten, please, Milan," Seth ordered from their white tux shirt and black pants clad bartender as they bellied up.

"Habibi, are we married now?" Nasir asked.

"Oh," Emmett looked to Seth. "Are we?"

"Don't tell Rosalie," Seth snickered.

"C'mere, husband," Emmett wrapped his strong arms around Nasir.

"I like the sound of that," Nasir closed his eyes as he held his husband tightly and rested his head on the broad shoulder.

"I do too, Babe. I do too," Emmett rubbed Nasir's back.

Their moment was interrupted by Emmett's cell ringing in his pocket. Emmett kept one arm around his husband while he pulled out his phone. "Oh, it's Car," Emmett accepted the call and put the cell to his ear. "Hey, Car. Where are you guys?"

"We're downstairs. Why aren't you answering your phone?" Carson asked.

"This is me answering my phone," Emmett stated the obvious.

"I mean the intercom door thing," Carson was short.

"That would be because we're not home. The party's at Seth's, remember?" Emmett talked to his brother like he was an idiot.

"Oh, duh. Clearwater, right?" Carson knew the answer. "Push Clearwater, Mutti."

"Genius," Emmet muttered and ended the call.

"Milan, hand me the phone," Seth directed. The cordless Seth had stashed at the bar for Milan to answer rang even as the bartender picked it up. Seth answered it and touched the 9 button to unlock the building door without a word. "Thank you," Seth handed the phone back. "Now, open one of the rieslings."

"Yes, sir," Milan obeyed.

"Let's go meet them, Babe," Emmett took Nasir's hand and they walked through the penthouse to the front doors.

The McCartys soon discovered why the party was being held in Seth and Garrett's home. When the elevator doors parted they were greeted not by a corridor, but a small lobby decorated by a small table, two chairs and a vase of flowers. One of the two sets of double doors opened, and Emmett and Nasir appeared. Carson wore jeans and a button down long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His wife wore form fitting jeans and a thin, snug sweater. Auguste wore an orange skirt with a matching, yet casual, jacket and print blouse. Noreen wore a warm, cream colored sweater with an enormous shamrock on the front, and matching green slacks.

"There are my boys," Auguste reached up to pat both men on the cheek.

"Where's that little Indian boy?" Noreen called loudly.

"He's Native American, Gram," Emmett tried to correct her.

"Here I am, Grandma!" Seth bounced into his entry hall and right into the old lady's arms.

"Ohh!" Noreen and Seth ate each other up.

"This is my husband, Garrett," Seth introduced as Garrett joined them.

"Well, he sure is a nice lookin' fella," Noreen assessed.

"Ain't it the truth," Seth smiled.

"Pleased to meet you," Garrett smiled.

"Garrett, you remember my mom," Emmett gestured.

"Of course," Garrett confirmed. "Welcome, Mrs. McCarty."

"Nein! Auguste," she patted Garrett's arm firmly and then grabbed Seth.

"Garrett, I don't think you've met my wife," Carson put an arm around Sonja's shoulders.

"I have not," Garrett offered his hand.

"Sonja, Seth's guy Garrett," Carson finished.

"Delighted," Garrett smiled.

"Hi," Sonja returned his smile as they shook.

"And who is this handsome young devil?" Garrett looked down on Connor, who was very ready to get out of his stroller.

"Look!" Seth looked from Connor to his parents and back. "If Ken and Barbie had a baby, this is what he would look like!"

"Yeah, he's gonna be a heartbreaker. I can already tell," Carson was proud of his son.

"But whose heart, is the question," Seth cocked one eyebrow at Carson.

"Mom, Grandma, Sonja, this is our very dear friend, and one of Nasi's groomsmen, Edward. You might remember him from my graduation, and his little brothers, Leo and Zack," Emmett finished the introductions with one sweep.

"Hi," Edward smiled warmly.

"Ja, Edward," Auguste remembered him and gave him a hug with a pat on his back. "And look at these sweet jungen," she moved to Troy and Zack.

"Hi, Miss McCarty," Troy smiled as he embraced her. It reminded him of the hugs he always got from Zack's mother. Troy relished each and every hug he ever got from Zack's mom. He very much loved his fathers, but Jenny Gilbert was as close as Troy would ever get to having a mom.

"Nein. You call me Auguste. Such gute und sweet boys," she patted Troy's shoulder as she let him go and pulled the obviously more reserved Zack to her. Zack said nothing and she just instinctively knew to let him be. Auguste gave him a tight hug, rubbed his back, and let him go.

"Please, do come in, everyone. Make yourselves comfortable," Garrett bid.

"Where's the bar, Bro?" Carson slapped Garrett on his shoulder harder than the gay man would have liked.

"Right through here," Garrett gestured toward his living room. It was more than evident that this condo was many times the size of Emmett and Nasir's as they all walked through from the big entry hall.

"Oh, wow," Carson looked around.

"Connor wants out of his stroller," Sonja bent to help him out of it. "Is there someplace out of the way I can park this?"

"Any of the guest rooms. Right through there," Seth pointed.

"Connor, see all the pretty things? Remember what mommy told you? Petty things means don't touch," Sonja stressed as she set her son on his feet.

"Please don't worry. Our nieces and nephews are over all the time," Garrett tried to put the nervous parents at ease.

Connor took off like a shot. He held his arms straight out to his sides as was his habit, and dashed to the big coffee table in the very center of the room. He grasped the table, where valuable items were fortunately beyond his reach, and turned to look at his parents. He gave a great giggly laugh and took off in a different direction.

"You have a beautiful home," Auguste complimented Seth and Garrett.

"Thank you," Garrett smiled.

Seth took Noreen's arm in his and led her toward the bar. "I think we might have a bottle of Irish whisky with your name on it."

"I could just pinch you!" Noreen said and did so. "Isn't that Nasir a nice boy? Do you know him well?"

"I know him very well," Seth assured, "and yes he is."

"He and Emmett seem so much in love," Noreen confided.

"They very much are," Seth patted her hand.

"Spaten! Alright!" Carson enthused as Milan served him. He snatched it up and took a hearty swig.

"Glass of wine, Mutti?" Nasir asked.

"Ja," Auguste confirmed.

"A glass of the Hogue, please, Milan," Nasir ordered.

"One for Sonja too," Carson thought of his wife who was busy chasing their son.

Seth knew Emmett and Carson's grandmother preferred to be discreet. Or rather, that she pretended to be. Everyone knew perfectly well what she drank and how much of it. Seth walked to the kitchen and returned with a coffee cup.

"Milan," Seth walked behind the bar. "Pour a healthy Bushmills single malt on the rocks in this," he pressed the mug into the Czech's hand.

"Yes, sir," Milan did his best to be discreet.

"You're my special boy!" Noreen put her arm around Seth and squeezed him when he rejoined her.

"I know," Seth squeezed the small woman back.

"Your coffee, Ma'am," Milan placed it on the bar with a smile. Emmett, Nasir, Carson and Auguste all watched with a smirk.

"Thank you, young man," Noreen picked up the mug and took a sip. "Oh, just the way I like it," she happily smacked her lips.

"Alright," Seth took charge. "Before the party really gets started, and I finally have all the men here, we're gonna have a dress rehearsal. Well, not really a dress rehearsal, but all the tuxes are hanging in the first guest room closet. Let's try everything on. I don't want any surprises tomorrow. Everyone has their shoes?"

"Do I have my shoes for the wedding, Honey?" Carson called.

"They're in the suitcase," Sonja called back. Seth rolled his eyes. All the gay men knew precisely where their shoes were.

"Okay, Emmy and Carson first. Let's go," Seth commanded and led the way. Emmett and Carson followed with bottles in hand.

"What is it with you and grandmothers?" Emmett asked his best friend as they walked through the penthouse.

"Grandmothers are my size. It's something men like you two," Seth paused in the doorway to the first guestroom and reached up to poke both men in their chests, "with your great and unnatural height, will never experience. The garment bags are in the closet there and they're all labeled," Seth pointed as he shut the bedroom door behind them. Emmett opened the closet door and began to sort through the bags. He found his brother's first and handed it to him. His was at the end with Nasir's. Both men laid the bags on the bed and unzipped them.

"Try on the jackets first," Seth instructed.

"We gotta try on the pants too?" Carson asked as he slipped into his black tux jacket.

"Of course you do," Seth stated firmly.

"Aw, Seth, do I gotta take my pants off for you again?" Carson teased.

"Yeah, so strip! Wow, Emmy, that looks nice," Seth expressed as Emmett slipped on his white jacket.

"You know, it does," Emmett looked in the mirror.

"Nasir is gonna go nuts when he sees you in that," Seth was sure.

"Not half as nuts as I'm gonna go. He's gonna be fuck hot the way he'll be dressed," Emmett shrugged the jacket back off.

"He's wearing what you're wearing, right?" Carson did not get it.

"Not quite," Emmett put his jacket back on it's hanger. "Wait till you see Nasi in his bisht and ghutra, Car. Even you will want to sleep with him."

"I don't even know what those things you just said are, but if he wants to hand me the keys to a Maserati, he's got himself a deal!" Carson jested as he hung his jacket back up as well.

"Ha! I'm gonna tell him you said that!" Seth laughed.

"Way ahead of you. He already asked me what color I want," Carson snickered.

"As if you would really do that. You're so full of shit, Car," Emmett unbuttoned, unzipped and pushed down his jeans.

"Jeez, Em. Don't you gay guys ever wear underwear?" Carson complained as he dropped his jeans. Carson, of course, had on loose boxers while his brother was naked from the waist down.

"Nope, hardly ever," Seth gave the answer casually as he leaned against the door.

The McCarty brothers both tried on their black tux pants for the master of ceremonies, and both earned a nod of approval.

"This wedding is going to be just as elegant as mine was," Seth expressed as they took the pants back off.

"How come you don't have to try yours on?" Carson asked as he picked up his jeans.

"Because I did already, smart guy," Seth gave Carson a smack on his butt as he bent to put his jeans back on.

"Hey!" Carson straightened up quickly.

"Hee!" Seth opened the bedroom door and bounced right out of the room. Emmett and Carson buttoned, zipped, and followed him.

"Okay, now I need Nasir and Edward. This way please," Seth called from just within the living room.

Like a changing of the guard Nasir and Edward obediently headed in Seth's direction while Emmett and Carson rejoined the party.

"Next," Emmett smiled at Nasir and Edward as they passed.

"I hope you guys are wearing underwear, 'cause you're gonna have to take your pants off," Carson warned. Nasir and Edward just looked at each other. The looks on their faces made it quite clear that they were not, and did not care.

"Oh, who am I talking to?" Carson shook his head and continued on.

"Right in here, please," Seth stepped aside for Nasir and Edward to walk into the bedroom ahead of him. Edward went straight to the closet while Seth shut them in.

"Nasir," Edward handed out the bag with his name on it.

"Oh," Nasir observed as he unzipped the bag. "I have a white jacket too?"

"I wanted this available to you as an option, just in case you want to change out of your bisht at any point," Seth informed. He watched Nasir don his white jacket while Edward did the same with his black one. "Very nice," Seth nodded. "You guys are gonna break hearts. Now the pants."

Nasir and Edward dropped the jeans under which they both wore nothing, and neither man gave it a second thought.

"Dress pants feel funny without underwear," Edward observed as he buttoned his.

"I was just thinking that, Edward," Nasir agreed.

"Perfect," Seth nodded his approval. "Now I need your little brothers, Edward," he took the dress pants to hang them up for them as they pulled their jeans back on. "Send them in next, please."

"Thank you so much for everything you are doing, Emira," Nasir paused once dressed again to bend down behind Seth and wrap his arms around the smaller man. "We could never have had a wedding without you."

"I know that. And quit calling me Emira!" Seth elbowed Nasir gently in the stomach. Nasir chuckled and let Seth go. He walked out of the bedroom with Edward.

"You know he secretly loves it when you call him Emira, right?" Edward asked Nasir quietly.

"Not half as much as I love calling him that, my friend," Nasir put an arm around Edward's shoulders as they walked.

"Leo, Zack, Seth wants you guys now," Edward called to them.

"Oh, okay. Our turn, Zacky," Troy took his partner's hand and together they headed for the guest room where Seth awaited them. They walked into the bedroom to find Seth had the jackets and pants of their tuxes laid out for them.

"Do we need to try on the pants too?" Zack asked.

"Yes, sir," Seth confirmed.

"And the chicken hawks didn't wanna watch us do that?" Troy sounded a little disappointed as he picked up the jacket that was obviously his.

"Nope," Seth made a point of closing the door. "They left you entirely to me."

"I think a fox is watching the chickens, Lee," Zack quipped.

"What?" Troy adopted an innocent tone. "I'm sure we're perfectly safe, Zacky," he unbuttoned, unzipped and peeled his skinny jeans down, deliberately bending over away from Seth as he did so.

"It's a good thing this fox is a bottom, or I'd pounce right about now," Seth assessed his view of Troy's naked backside.

The combination of the strong beer, and the fact that he was alone in a room with his partner and a man they both knew well and trusted, made Zack unusually bold. "Well," Zack pushed his own jeans down to his ankles, "what about this?"

Seth watched the younger man tilt his head to one side with an inviting yet somehow still almost shy smile. Zack held his shirt up with one hand and ran his other hand down his thigh with his thumb under his balls. As Seth had observed earlier at the spa, Zack was either a shower, rather than a grower, or fairly well endowed. Only Troy knew for sure and Seth was not going to ask. The beautiful sleeping snake hung over two equally low hanging eggs in their smooth sac. Seth was not about to let Zack get away with that. He moved quickly and pushed Zack back until he fell backwards onto the bed.

"Hey! What?" Zack stopped talking as Seth pushed him back flat and climbed on top of him. Troy stood with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open as Seth straddled his partner who still had his shirt on, and pants about his ankles.

Seth bent down close to Zack and leaned his forearms on Zack's chest. "Young man, you are playing with fire. Before I met my husband, I used to eat boys like you for breakfast."

Zack just closed his mouth and swallowed hard.

"Now," Seth made a show of licking his chops, "be a good boy, and try on your pants. Okay?"

Zack just nodded in response.

"Good boy," Seth patted Zack's chest and climbed off of him, and the bed. Zack's cock did not respond in any way, but Troy's did. Seth could not help but notice the cock that was nearly as dark as his own, while not at attention, had plumped and risen considerably. And Troy made no attempt to hide it.

"That was actually fucking hot!" Troy declared. "Somebody needs to suck that dick right now," he pointed at his lover, "and that somebody is me!"

"Hold on there!" Seth gabbed Troy as he moved toward the bed. "Both of you, try on your damn pants! Then I'll leave you alone in here for as long as you like," Seth put his fists on his hips in full diva mode. "Am I gonna have this problem with you two tomorrow?" he demanded.

"What problem?" Troy played dumb as both he and Zack kicked off their jeans and reached for their dress pants.

"Instead of at the door or seating people, I'll find you two in a broom closet, one of you blowing the other," Seth answered.

"I'll be blowing him," Troy pointed at Zack again.

"Why are hot boys so difficult to train?" Seth asked the ceiling. "I should have had Rosalie get me two overweight, angry lesbians."

"So you would rather your ushers get in a fight, than make love to each other?" Troy was ever ready to be a smartass.

"Thank you, Zack," Seth acknowledged the fact that Zack now had his tux pants on. "Those look perfect," he endorsed. Troy fastened his pants, held out his arms and turned around.

"Now was that so difficult?" Seth asked.

"That's nice," Zack commented as observed how Troy's more than half hard bone tented his dress pants.

"Okay, take those back off now," Seth instructed and both younger men complied. "I'll just hang them up and leave you two alone."

Zack looked to Troy and blushed at Seth's suggestion. A suggestion he would very much like to have taken at that moment. He moved his hands to cover himself as the thought and sight of Troy's half hard cock had the expected effect on his own.

"There," Seth closed the closet door. "I won't let anyone disturb you. Come out whenever you're ready," he crossed the room to the door.

"Wait!" Troy insisted. "Don't leave us," he urged.

Seth paused with his hand on the doorknob and looked back at the two younger men who were still naked from the waist down, one partially aroused and the other, to Seth's regret, covering himself. "You two need to do this," Seth waved a hand at them, "on your own."

"Oh, no," Troy shook his head. "We're not doing this now," he snatched up his jeans. "Let's get dressed and go out with Seth," Troy reached to take Zack's hand for a second. Zack picked up his jeans as well and Seth was finally treated to the sight of almost how big Zack could get. They both pulled them on and worked to tuck themselves into the confining space of their skinny jeans.

"Should I ask Emmy and Nasir to come in here and help you with that?" Seth teased, noting their difficulty in tucking away cocks that were not soft into their very tight jeans.

"Zip up, Zacky, before the fox invites the hawks to join him," Troy warned.

"I know, right?" Zack buttoned and zipped. "We're always in danger around here."

"And you love every second of it. May we go out now?" Seth asked as they finished adjusting themselves.

"We're ready," Troy assured. Seth opened the bedroom door and walked out. Troy moved to follow, but Zack grabbd his arm to hold him back. Troy looked up at his lover as the taller man slipped one arm around the small of his back to pull him close. Zack put his other hand to Troy's face.

"Do you know how bad I want you right now?" Zack ran his thumb down the little patch of hair on Troy's chin.

"Me too, Zacky," Troy wrapped his arms around Zack. "I wanna lick you from head to toe and suck you all night long."

"I might just take you up on that," Zack ran his hand down onto Troy's ass. Troy moved his hand between them to grope Zack's packed crotch.

"Fuck!" Troy swore. "We gotta get out of this room before I knock you down and suck your dick till you scream," he stepped back from Zack and took his hand. "C'mon."

In the living room, Seth headed for the bar. "Edward, will you take charge of all the tuxes and see they get to Stimson-Green?"

"I will," Edward confirmed with a nod.

"What do you want me to do?" Carson asked.

"I would love it if you would bring and wear your fireman uniform," Seth gave Milan's questioning look a nod. "And then take it off, real slow."

"You haven't had enough of me taking my clothes off yet?" Carson asked with a smirk.

"For the permanent record, once and for all time, that is a threshold that will never be met, just so ya know. Thank you, Milan," Seth picked up his fresh Heineken and took a swig.

Sonja, who was letting uncle Emmett chase her son, stood by her husband's side with her glass of wine and found that very amusing.

"Yeah, that's funny," Carson was flip.

"You don't think so?" Sonja giggled. "We'll have to send Seth one of the calendars."

"Calendars?" Seth's undivided attention turned to Sonja.

"Honey, we said we weren't going to tell them about that!" Carson protested.

"You said that, I didn't," Sonja countered. "The Minneapolis Fire Department does a sixteen month calendar for charity every year and this year Carson and his buddy Chip were both asked to be in it."

"Who do I make the check out to?" Seth asked.

"What are we writing a check for, Sweetness?" Garrett asked as he joined them at the bar.

"Carson is going to be in a fireman calendar," Seth answered. He looked back to Carson. "I can only assume you firemen won't be wearing much."

"No," Sonja confirmed for her husband.

"Oh," Garrett nodded. "May I have a martini, please, Milan," he ordered and then looked back to Carson and Sonja. "Who do we make the check out to?"

"You're really enjoying this," Carson looked at his laughing wife.

"It's for a good cause after all," Seth justified.

"Oh, a good cause too?" Garrett asked with a hand on Seth's back.

"I figure I'll need a case. Every gay bar in Seattle will have one up," Seth outlined his plan. "There won't be a gay man in this city who won't know your face, and whatever else you'll be showing."

"That's it. I'm not doing it," Carson shook his head.

"Oh, yes you are," Sonja stated.

"Oh, no I'm not," Carson stressed.

"Yes, he is," Sonja gave Seth and Garrett a wink and a nod. There was no question that he would end up posing.

"Where is all the china?" Auguste asked.

"Right out on the terrace, Mutti," Seth pointed.

"Oh, ja?" Auguste headed for the open French doors. Seth followed her out onto the terrace.

"So much!" Auguste walked over to the table piled high wtih china. "Some of this is very nice," she picked up a dinner plate, looked it over carefully, and dropped it.

Seth jumped and clapped when the plate shattered on the tiles. "Emmy! Nasir!" he called and bounced to the doorway. "Somehow one of these dishes got broken!"

"Let me just take a guess," Emmett walked out onto the terrace. "Oh, it was you, Mutti?"

"Ja, I get to be the first," Auguste patted her son's arm with pride. "Now you two must sweep it up."

"Did we have to start this already?" Emmett lamented. "C'mon, Nasi," he bid as his partner followed him out onto the terrace.

"One of you has to sweep and the other hold the dustpan," Seth picked them up. He thrust the dustpan at Emmett. "You have to do the dustpan 'cause you're the bottom."

"Seth!" Emmett did not want to have to explain that to his mother.

"What does that mean?" Auguste asked the question they all knew was coming.

"Nothing, Mutti," Emmett bent down and held the dustpan while Nasir swept pieces large and small into it. Emmett then dumped the contents into the large bucket that stood by for this reason.

"There," Emmett stood up and looked down on his best man. "Do you need any help getting your great, big mouth back in the house?"

"I don't need any help with my great, big," Seth paused dramatically, "mouth."

Nasir could not help but snicker at that implication.

"Oh, ho, ho," Carson laughed as he joined them on the terrace. "Look at all that china! You guys are fucked!"

"Carson, language," Auguste scolded. Carson paid his mother no mind as he walked over to the table and picked up a tea cup.

"Oops!" he laughed as he dropped it.

"Car," Emmett slumped his shoulders.

"Habibi, let them drop all the dishes they like. If we must clean it up together, we can do it later," Nasir suggested. Emmett just shook his head. He knew the rules of this particular tradition only too well.

"Nein!" Auguste declared. "You must keep it swept up, together, so your marriage will be prosperous," she smacked both Nasir and Emmett on their arms. "Go!"

"Connor! Connor!" Sonja caught up with her son and grabbed his arm as he toddled out onto the terrace. "There are sharp things out here. We don't go out here," she steered him back inside.

"Oh, no!" Carson dropped the saucer that went with the deceased tea cup.

"I think you might be enjoying this just a little too much," Emmett told Carson.

"I'm sorry, Em," Carson spoke in an exaggerated manner. "Is it possible that my big brother does not remember the copious amount of beer he drank, and the many sets of dishes he destroyed at my polterabend?"

"Polterabend is what this dinner is called?" Nasir asked.

"Yes, it is," Carson confirmed. "And your husband to be is an expert."

"I wish I could have been at your wedding," Nasir expressed.

"I didn't know you then, Nasi, or you would have been," Emmett smiled at his partner.

"I wish you had been there too," Carson expressed. "Not only would my brother have been this happy that much longer, he would have been less out of control."

"What did you do, Habibi?" Nasir asked.

"I might have been a little bit wasted," Emmett admitted.

"A little bit, he says," Carson shook his head.

"Come," Nasir grabbed Emmett's arm with one hand and the broom with the other. "Polterabend with me."

"Ha!" Carson laughed.

"It's not a verb, Nasi," Emmett smiled as he picked up the dustpan.

"It is now," Nasir swept Carson's fragments into the dustpan for Emmett to dispose of.

"Your guy is so cute, Em," Carson found Nasir very amusing.

"I'm quite sure the feeling is mutual," Seth quipped as Emmett dumped the fragments into the bucket.

"Broken dishes bring good luck," Auguste announced with a final nod.

"Okay, how about we give you two a break? Ya know, for a minute or two," Carson reached to take his brother under one arm and his brother-in-law under the other. He walked them back into the house. And straight to the bar they went.

"Another round, Milan, my friend," Carson set his empty bottle on the bar. "Gotta keep these two drinking."

Milan saw them coming and had three Spaten ready.

"Good man!" Carson was impressed. "A bartender. I like your style, Seth," he lifted his bottle in the direction of their smaller host.

The children made their presence known first. A five year old boy, with his three year old brother hot on his tail, tore into the living room from the entry hall. Both wore bib overalls with a tee shirt beneath them.

"Uncle Edward!" Liam made a bee-line for his favorite uncle.

"Unca Seth!" Owen did the same.

"Oh, who are these little guys?" Carson asked as the boys flew past them to Edward and Seth.

"Hey, Liam!" Edward squatted down and took Liam in his arms.

"Háu, kola," Seth greeted.

"Hi, guys!" Troy knelt between Edward and Seth. He loved little kids. They reminded him of the siblings that he once had. Siblings that he loved and would never see again. To Troy's delight, Liam moved from Edward's arms to his.

"How cola," Owen did his best to say their special greeting.

"What did they say?" Carson asked his brother. He was sure he couldn't have heard correctly.

"Ah, here are my boys," Garrett squatted down for Liam and Owen. They each had a hug and kiss for him as well.

"I greeted my fellow War Chief with the traditional words one warrior uses to greet another," Seth explained. "Allow me to present Two Moons, Great Chief of the Cheyenne, known to you pale faces as Owen."

"Don't ask," Emmett advised.

"And his older brother, Liam," Seth finished.

"Hi there, Owen, Liam," Carson smiled down on the boys.

"Hi," Liam gave the strange man a little wave. "Uncle Emmett, uncle Nasir," he went next to them. Both men squatted down so they could hug and kiss him at the same time.

"Come here, Owen," Nasir urged the smaller boy into their embrace as well

"And who are these lovely ladies?" Carson asked as the caught sight of the children's mothers. The tall blonde wore dark blue capri pants, a long sleeved blouse that displayed ample cleavage, and open toed, high heel sandals. The redhead was dressed in a casual skirt that dusted the floor and a tight, short sweater with three quarter length sleeves.

"Hi, Mags," Edward hugged his sister first, as was his habit.

"Edward, where is he?" Maggie pulled back to hold her tall brother's arms and look into his eyes.

"He's in New York," Edward answered.

"What?" Maggie was distressed.

"What happened, little bro?" Rosalie leaned in to give Edward a kiss.

"One of his close friends got gay bashed, and really badly," Edward answered. "He's in the hospital and needed surgery. Jasper flew back this morning."

"Oh, no," Maggie expressed.

"I wish I had been there," Rosalie made a fist. "MFing punks," she swore in well practiced code.

"That's what I said," Emmett agreed as he reached for Rosalie first and kissed her cheek.

"Hi, Em," Maggie reached up as Emmett moved to her. "Did you guys at least get to see him?"

"Rosalie," Nasir took his turn.

"No," Emmett answered as he let go of Maggie.

"Hi, Nasir," Maggie gave him a hug last.

"Hey, Garrett," Rosalie pulled him into a hug.

"Rosalie," Garrett patted her back.

"Reverend Mother Amazon," Seth took his turn as his husband moved to Maggie.

"Oh, Seth," Rosalie gave a disarming smile. "Come to mama," she grabbed his head and pulled him into her breasts, because she knew he hated it.

"Ahh!" Seth cried and pushed her away. "Excuse me while I go soak my face in bleach."

Rosalie gave a most satisfied chuckle. She reached for Troy. "C'mere, kid."

"Hi, Rosalie," Troy accepted the tall woman's hug.

"Zack, don't be shy. Get over here," Rosalie commanded. She wasn't about to let him get away without a hug.

"Girls, I think you remember Nasi's and my family," Emmett began. He deliberately said it in just that way and took Nasir's hand while he did so. Emmett didn't need to look to see the smile on his partner's face "Mutti, Gram," he called to them and turned back to the girls. "Rosalie and Maggie, this is my brother, Carson."

"Ladies," Carson smiled and offered his hand.

"We met at Emmett's graduation, Carson, though that was a good few years ago," Maggie smiled.

"Carson," Rosalie took her turn.

"Oh, you're Maggie and Rosalie," the light bulb went on in Carson's head. "You're marrying the guys."

"I am," Rosalie confirmed.

"So," Carson's grin went from ear to ear. "You guys are like, lesbians."

"Boy," Rosalie put her hand on Carson's chest and leaned in toward him as she spoke quietly, "we're so much like lesbians, we even have sex with each other."

Carson's eyes went wide and Nasir's laugh was drowned out only by Emmett's.

"Was?" Auguste asked as she came from the dining room. "Oh! Look at the jungen!"

"And these are obviously their kids. Girls, do you remember my mom?" Emmett gestured to the woman who could not get enough of their sons. "And that's my grandmother. Auguste and Noreen. Mom, Gram, Maggie and Rosalie."

"Hello, Maggie und Rosalie," Auguste greeted them both with a handshake.

"What a couple of pretty girls!" Noreen smiled. She did not remember meeting them and was not even aware she was supposed to.

"Auguste, Noreen," Maggie greeted, "nice to see you again."

"We saw you at the graduation!" Auguste placed them.

"Yes, you did," Maggie confirmed.

"Ach!" Auguste pulled Maggie into a hug.

And then Connor appeared. Hearing the commotion in the living room, the perpetually toddling Connor beat his little legs into the big room, around the end of a sofa, and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw two other, bigger boys. He was at once interested and intimidated. His mother was once again trailing after him.

"Mom, looka the baby!" Owen enthused and ran over to him. "Hi!" he stopped close to Connor and bent down. Connor just stared and stuck his finger in his mouth.

"Ladies, my wife Sonja and my son Connor," Carson was proud of both and sounded it.

"Hello," Sonja waved.

"Nice to meet you, Sonja," Maggie smiled.

"Sonja," Rosalie greeted as she slipped her arm possessively around her wife's shoulders. The blonde Nordic beauty was just exactly her wife's type.

"And what a cute little mister," Maggie smiled at Connor who, of course, just stared back at her.

"Ladies, got something I need you to do. Come with me," Carson bid and headed for the open French doors.

"Oh, shit," Emmett muttered. Rosalie and Maggie looked at each other and then moved to follow Carson.

"I don't know if you ladies have been told about the fine German tradition of smashing china the night before a wedding," Carson led to the dish laden table.

"I think I might know a little bit about that," Maggie spoke up. "Seth and I obtained all this china."

"Well, in that case," Carson handed Maggie a dinner plate. Maggie smiled, looked at Rosalie, and dropped it.

"Mom!" Liam stood in the doorway and was horrified.

"Oh, this is gonna take some explaining," Rosalie realized aloud.

"It's okay, Liam," Emmett walked up behind the boy and squatted down. He put his big hands on Liam's shoulders. "We have a tradition of breaking dishes the night before people get married."

"We do?" Liam was still in shock.

"It's a German tradition. You know my mom is German," Emmett continued. "You know that Nasi and I are getting married tomorrow."

"Yeah," Liam nodded with enthusiasm. "Mom said we could come."

"Well, you better be there. We need all our family with us," Emmett wrapped his arms around the boy. "And one of the important things that we do, is break dishes the night before. Very special dishes that uncle Seth and your mom found for us."

"Is that why we got all those dishes? Mom said they were for you and uncle Nasir. Just so we could break 'em?" Liam was wide eyed.

"And you can help us break some too, if your moms say it's okay," Emmett looked up at the moms who watched and listened with broad smiles.

"C'mere, Liam," Rosalie bid as she picked up a saucer. Emmett let the boy go and stood up. Nasir's arms wrapped around him from behind as he did so.

"That was very sweet, Habibi," Nasir spoke softly into Emmett's ear.

"Here you go. Take this," Rosalie instructed as she handed the saucer to her son.

"I can really break it, Mom?" Liam was yet dismayed that one would be encouraged to break a dish, much less whole stacks of them.

"Only these special dishes out here that we got with uncle Seth," Maggie pointed out. "No breaking any of uncle Garrett and uncle Seth's china."

"Right," Rosalie agreed. "You can only break a dish that Mommy or I hand you to break. Are we clear on that?"

"Yes, Mom," Liam nodded.

"Go ahead," Rosalie gave permission. "Right here where Mommy broke hers," she pointed.

Liam grasped his saucer with both hands and then threw it down with all his might. When it hit the fragments of his mother's broken plate, and shattered, he laughed and jumped.

"Alright!" Carson encouraged. "Here," he picked up a tea cup and handed it to Liam. "Break this for me, Bud."

Liam grasped the cup in one hand, raised his arm, and then looked up at his mothers. "Can I, Mom?"

"Go ahead," Maggie smiled.

Liam again threw the cup down with all his might and jumped and laughed for all he was worth when it broke.

"What a good kid you ladies have," Carson observed. "You both must be very good moms. And I know a good mom when I see one. I have one and I live with one."

"Thank you, Carson," Maggie smiled up at her partner as she slipped an arm around Rosalie's waist.

"Hey! You guys gotta keep this swept up," Carson pointed.

"We are sweeping," Nasir quickly grabbed the broom and dustpan, handing Emmett's part to him.

"You're really good with kids, Em," Carson observed. "You guys ever think of having one of your own?"

"Nasi keeps trying to get me pregnant," Emmett snickered as he held the dustpan.

"And thank you for that visual," Carson closed his eyes and shook his head. "Seriously though, you guys ever think about it? I mean, I guess I don't know how you would do it. Sonja would probably donate an egg if you needed."

"So would I," Rosalie offered.

"We really haven't thought much about that," Emmett confessed as he dumped the fragments into the bucket.

"We are very happy being doting uncles," Nasir smiled and ran a loving hand down the back of Liam's head.

"Well, just something to think about," Carson nodded. "Hey, excuse me, ladies," he turned and dashed back into the penthouse. "Guys! Guys!" he called as he ran inside.

"Now what the hell is he up to?" Emmett wondered aloud.

"Uncle Emmett, you said a bad word," Liam informed.

"Oh, I did. Sorry about that. Sorry, girls," Emmett offered.

"That's okay," Rosalie offered. "He knows adults sometimes say words he is not allowed to use."

Their attention was taken by Seth as he ever so casually joined them on the terrace. Without a word he walked to the table of china, picked up a dinner plate, and dropped it. With a giggle he could not suppress, Seth turned and walked back into the house.

"This is gonna be a long night," Emmett said with a heavy sigh as he placed the dustpan again.

"I like it," Nasir smiled as he swept up the pieces.

No sooner than they were finished, Garrett strode out onto the terrace. With elegance and poise only he could manage, Garrett held his full martini glass in one hand, and even paused to take a sip, while he too picked up, and dropped, a dinner plate. Garrett then walked back into his home, also without a word.

"I think I see a pattern forming," Emmett held the dustpan again. Nasir just chuckled and swept again.

Just as Emmett dumped Garrett's broken dish into the bucket, Edward walked out to join them, beer bottle in hand.

"Okay," Emmett gestured to the table of china. Without a word, Edward picked up a plate, dropped it, and headed back inside. And this time Emmett followed. He found his snickering brother, with Troy and Zack lined up, just inside the doors.

"What?" Carson asked when Emmett leaned inside.

"Would everyone like to come outside and get this out of their system?" Emmett asked.

"Go ahead, Leo," Carson urged. With a giant grin, Troy walked out to the table of china, picked up a bowl, and let it fall. He walked back inside, just barely able to contain his laughter.

"Thanks, Leo," Emmett nodded.

"Oh, you're very welcome," Troy assured.

"Zack," Emmett invited.

"Hold up," Carson restrained the younger man with a hand on Zack's shoulder. "You better keep that swept up, Em."

"Really?" Emmett was dry. He gave his very amused brother a flat stare.

"You know the rules," Carson was very pleased with himself.

"Come, Habibi. I need the dustpan," Nasir called. He had swept Troy's pieces together in a small pile and awaited his partner. Emmett walked back, placed the dustpan for Nasir, and dumped the fragments.

"Next," Emmett called. Right on cue, Zack took his wordless turn walking out, breaking a plate, and strolling back inside.

"This is fun, Habibi!" Nasir was more into the spirit than Emmett was.

"It's gettin' a little old, Babe," Emmett expressed.

"No! I like it!" Nasir countered. "With all our loved ones breaking all these dishes, we will be happy and prosperous forever!"

Behind Nasir, Rosalie quietly slipped Liam another tea cup which he gleefully threw down.

"Thank you, Liam!" Nasir laughed.

"Yes, thank you, Liam," Emmett agreed with far less enthusiasm as he bent once more to collect the pieces as Nasir swept them up.

"Emmy, Nasir!" Seth appeared in the doorway. "The judge!"

"Oh," Emmett dropped his dustpan and Nasir abandoned his broom. They headed into the penthouse behind Seth.

The Thompsons arrived en masse. They had all been at Justin and Melinda's house all afternoon. The grandparents and great grandmother could not get enough of little miss Stephanie. Like Carson, Justin wore a button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up and jeans. Melinda wore bright blue capri pants, a white silk tank top and a short gray and blue blazer. The distinguished, silver templed judge wore a casual suit of dark blue with a sunny yellow polo shirt. His wife was chic in a simple, long sleeved, black silk blouse with a snug, dark patterned pencil skirt. As usual, the centerpiece was her jewelry. Today a long cord of large black crystals wound around her neck several times and had the gold and black tasseled ends tied together. Unusual was the fact that she did not wear her blonde hair up, but loose and straight over her shoulders. Garrett and Justin's grandmother wore a black blouse with small white polka dots with black slacks. Stephanie wore a cute red and white dress.

"Stephanie!" Liam tore through and around the forest of adults to embrace the girl he was so very fond of. She hugged him right back and off they went together, hand in hand.

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," Seth greeted as he walked into their midst.

"Hello, Sweetheart," Celeste had a kiss for him.

"Seth," George patted his son-in-law's arm while his wife had hold of him. "Son," he gave Garrett a quick embrace.

Emmett and Nasir hung back a moment to give Seth and Garrett space to greet their family. Nasir took in the self assured older man and was suddenly intimidated.

"Habibi, I am nervous," Nasir confessed in a whisper to Emmett.

"Don't be," Emmett grabbed his partner's hand.

"What if he doesn't like me?" Nasir expressed his worry.

"Nasi, everybody likes you," Emmett squeezed Nasir's hand. They watched Garrett give his mother a kiss, and then step aside with a gesture to them. They were on.

"Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Thompson," Emmett was respectful as he and Nasir stepped forward.

"Oh, here's Emmett," Celeste smiled warmly. "And this must be your Nasir."

"Yes, ma'am," Emmett confirmed. "I would like to present my partner, Nasir al Qasimi."

"Your Honor, Mrs. Thompson," Nasir began.

"Son," George finally spoke as he put a hand on Nasir's arm, "this isn't my courtroom."

"Call us George and Celeste, Dear," Celeste instructed.

"It is so very nice to meet you both," Nasir expressed. "George, I can never thank you enough for the help and kindness you have shown me."

"We are both very grateful, Sir," Emmett added. "I can't even tell you."

"I'm happy to have helped, what little I did. My son is a pretty good judge of character," George stated.

"Obviously," Seth appeared at their side, arm in arm with Mother E.

"Yes, obviously," Celeste smiled as she put a hand to Seth's face.

"There's Big Boy," Estelle called Emmett by her pet name for him.

"Hi, Mother E. I'd like you to meet my partner, Nasir," Emmett introduced.

"Hello," Nasir smiled.

"My, he's a big boy too," Estelle looked up at Nasir.

"Hey, grooms!" Justin had a one armed straight guy hug for both Emmett and Nasir.

"Hi, Justin," Emmett patted the straight man's back.

"Tomorrow's the big day! No cold feet, right?" Justin teased.

"Cold feet?" Nasir had never heard that expression.

"You see we're wearing sandals, right? Hot feet. Very hot," Emmett was emphatic. "C'mere, Melinda," he reached for the joker's wife.

"Ah, my Justin," Seth wrapped his arms around his brother-in-law and pressed the side of his face to Justin's chest.

"Gosh, it's good to see you too, Seth," Justin patted Seth's back.

"I thought about you all day," Seth confided.

"You did? Do I want to know why?" Justin was a little wary. He knew his brother's little husband well.

"I'm sure you'll hear all about it," Seth let the bigger man go.

"Hey, everyone," Emmett called to his relatives. "I want you to meet Garrett and Seth's family. This is my brother Carson right here," Emmett pointed. "That's my mom, Auguste. My grandmother, Noreen. And this is Carson's wife Sonja. Their little son is around here somewhere. Guys, Garrett's parents George and Celeste Thompson. Mother E," he gestured to each. "Garrett's brother Justin and his wife Melinda."

Each generation at once closed ranks with each other, eager to get to know one another. Noreen and Mother E hooked arms as they chatted. Celeste held Auguste's arm as they spoke.

"And you met our dear friend Edward at Seth and Garrett's wedding," Emmett continued. "And these are his little brothers, Troy and Zack."

"Oh, I remember Edward. How are you, Dear," Celeste asked with an expression of concern. Edward had made an impression and he feared it was not a good one.

"Very well, Ma'am. Very nice to see you again," Edward shook her hand.

"And your brothers," Celeste smiled. "Is that incense I smell? Was someone burning incense?"

"Oh, yes. That was Seth," Edward smiled. It wasn't quite incense of course, but the sage and sweetgrass could easily be mistaken for it.

"Carson, good to meet you, my man," Justin had a firm handshake for his fellow straight guy.

"Hey, likewise, Justin," Carson smiled.

"The straight boys are bonding," Seth announced.

"We need to, Seth. Safety in numbers and all that," Justin quipped.

"C'mon, Justin. Let's get you a beer," Carson gestured toward the bar.

"Now you're talkin', brother," Justin clapped Carson on the back as they headed for Milan.

"Coors, Mr. Justin?" Milan asked.

"Yes, sir, Milan," Justin placed his hands flat on the bar in anticipation of the frosty cold brew. Milan popped the cap and placed the bottle in Justin's hand.

"Let's get everyone a drink," Garrett took charge. "Mother?"

"Oh, just a glass of wine, Garrett," Celeste looked to Auguste. "What are you drinking?"

"Hogue late harvest riesling. It is very nice," Auguste answered.

"A riesling. I never think to have something like that. I'll have a glass of that, Garrett," Celeste smiled.

"Mother E?" Seth asked.

"What are you drinking, Dear?" Estelle asked Noreen.

"I'm having just a wee sip of whisky," Noreen answered in a mock whisper.

"Why ever are you having it in a coffee cup?" Estelle asked further.

"So no one will know," Noreen answered with a straight face.

"Oh, my dear," Estelle laughed. "At our age we can drink whatever we want and as much of it as we want," she looked up at Emmett. "Big boy, this is a traditional dinner of sorts, isn't that right?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Emmett smiled.

"What is the traditional drink?" Estelle asked.

"Well, in Germany that would be beer," Emmett answered.

"I shall have a beer then," Estelle decided.

"A beer, Mother? I don't think I've ever seen you have a beer," Celeste could not believe her ears.

"I don't think I've ever had one," Estelle admitted. "But a closed mind is an empty one. I shall have a beer."

"Milan, a Spaten for the lady," Emmett ordered. He turned back to her. "Would you like a glass?"

"Of course I want a glass. I'm not a barbarian," Estelle stated. Seth, Emmett, Nasir, Justin and Carson all looked at each other, gave a shrug, and took a swig from their bottles.

"Pour me a glass of the pinot grigio too, please, Milan," Garrett directed. "Dad?"

"Where is that box I gave you yesterday?" George asked.

"Oh, it's back here," Garrett walked behind the bar to fetch it himself as his bartender was busy. "You said to put it at the bar," he produced a box wrapped in plain silver paper.

"Go ahead and open it up, Garrett," George bid. "Nasir, I understand you're a scotch man."

"Yes, Sir. I am," Nasir confirmed.

"So am I as it happens," George smiled.

"Here you go, Mother E," Emmett handed the tall glass of beer to Garrett's grandmother.

"Here's your wine, Honey," Justin handed the glass of pinot grigio to his wife.

Estelle to a sip of her beer and considered a long moment. "Oh. Well. Curious taste."

"Would you prefer something else?" Emmett asked politely.

"I'm unaccustomed to beer, but never mind. It's all right," Estelle smacked her lips. "To your very good health and a long, happy marriage."

"Thank you, Mother E," Emmett touched his bottle to her glass and took a swig.

"Oh, my," Garrett tore away the silver paper to uncover a black box within, with The Macallan crest on the front. Packaged in such a manner, there was no question this was something special. The box opened like a chest and they watched Garrett's eyebrows lift as he examined the contents.

"Wow, Dad," Garrett stood the box up and turned it. Set in the deeper right side was a very impressive V shaped crystal decanter and on the left the crystal stopper.

"What is this?" Nasir asked with clear interest.

"This is the third decanter Lalique has made for The Macallan. It contains fifty seven year old single malt," George informed. "I was going to call it a wedding present, but then I thought you and I might want to crack it open together."

"Sir, I would be honored!" Nasir was well aware of the value of this bottle.

"Milan, two on the rocks, please. And do be especially careful," Garrett instructed as he lifted the decanter out of it's velvet cradle and set it on the bar.

"Yes, sir, Mr. Garrett," Milan obeyed.

"Anyone else care to join us?" George asked.

"Yes, please," Nasir enthused.

"No," Justin was firm.

"Yuk, but thanks," Seth made his feelings plain.

"Leaves more for us," George put a hand on Nasir's shoulder. Milan opened the seal on the decanter and poured two small tumblers of the cherrywood colored liquid over ice.

"Here we are," George picked up the glasses. "You can put that beer down. We're drinking the good stuff now."

"Yes, Sir," Nasir was only too happy to put down his Spaten and accept one of the glasses from the judge.

"There are some people who should be allowed to stay in this country, Nasir," George began. "I'm sorry our laws don't make that easy for men in your position. I'm glad for what little I was able to do to help. You and Emmett seem like good guys, and not just because my sons, all three of them, say so. I'm a judge and I say so. I hope you two have a long and happy life together."

"Thank you, Sir," Nasir was touched.

"Yes, thank you, Sir," Emmett echoed. George touched his glass to Nasir's, and Emmett's bottle, and all three drank.

"Oh!" Nasir was impressed.

"I thought you might appreciate some good scotch," George swirled his ice around and drained his glass.

"This is exceptional scotch, Sir," Nasir agreed.

"I told you to call me George," he reminded.

"I am accustomed to good scotch, George, but this is really something," Nasir drained his glass as well.

"You drink the Laphroaig," George pointed to the bottle.

"I do," Nasir confirmed.

"Hit us again, please," George instructed Milan. "Laphroaig is good, but not great. It's not Macallan."

"Well, you cannot compare what is in that bottle," Nasir pointed to the green Laphroaig Quarter Cask bottle, "with this," he picked up his second small tumbler.

"It doesn't compare at all," George let his ice swirl before he stole a sip. "I never met a Laphroaig that was anything on this level."

"Well," Nasir took a heavy sip. "I shall be right back and be pleased to introduce you," he put a hand on George's arm, set his glass down, and headed for the door.

"See how special you are, George?" Emmett smiled. "Nasi has some special bottles he's collected, but never opened."

"I look forward to it," George enthused. "Now I wish I had a cigar."

"I'm glad you don't," Celeste spoke up.

Juan emerged from the kitchen with a tray of mushroom canapés on pumpernickel toast points. Everyone was hungry and he wasn't out long.

"So how was boys' day?" Justin asked when he and his newfound straight pal finished talking sports.

"It was an experience like no other before in my life, I can tell you that," Carson took a swig of his beer.

"Oh, I can imagine," Justin chuckled. "What did Seth have planned?"

"Dude, you can't imagine," Carson stressed.

"Yes he can," Seth snickered from behind them.

"Maybe you can, but I was up to my eyeballs in gay today," Carson stated.

"Ha!" Seth found that very amusing.

"What happened?" Justin was curious.

"We went to the bathhouse," Seth tried to keep a straight face. He was well aware of how that sounded.

"It was a spa," Carson corrected.

"Spa and Russian bath," Seth added.

"We started out in this un-fuckin'-believably hot sauna," Carson relayed. "It was like five hundred degrees or some shit."

"Okay, it wasn't that hot," Seth dismissed.

"It felt like it. We even had to wear these special Russian hat things to protect our heads from the heat. That's fuckin' hot," Carson stressed.

"Sounds like it," Justin nodded.

"Then in the cold pool, then in the warm salt pool. And then a series of really nice massages," Carson continued.

"Oh, yeah?" Justin was intrigued.

"Yeah, and this girl who did it," the look on Carson's face conveyed his meaning. "It was a nice massage. It could have been a really nice massage, if you know what I'm sayin', but it was a nice massage."

"Salt scrub, honey massage, warm stones," Seth added.

"Honey?" Justin could not imagine that.

"Our skin is soft as a baby's bottom," Seth bragged.

"I'm trying to figure out what made you think of me all day," Justin stated.

"Keep going, Carson," Seth gestured with his bottle.

"Okay. Yeah, here comes the best part. After the massages it was time for the steam room. And of course, there's no clothes allowed in the steam room," Carson went on.

"And there it is," Justin chuckled.

"But nobody told me that in advance. That bomb is just dropped on you by the big Russian dude, right then and there, and in we all go," Carson gestured.

"I'm sorry I missed that," Justin laughed.

"Oh, yeah. What's not to love? It's just me and all the gay boys, sittin' around naked, taking a steam," Carson chuckled as well and took another swig of his beer.

"You found a spa with a 'no clothes allowed' policy in the steam room, Seth? That sure does sound like your kinda place. How do you do it?" Justin teased.

"It's a gift," Seth gave a sigh.

"Then they all offered to shave my nuts for me," Carson delivered his punch line as casually as he could. Justin was in the process of taking a swig from his own bottle and very nearly spit his beer all over Milan.

"Did we get it to come out his nose?" Seth leaned forward. Justin grabbed a napkin and held it to his face while he laugh-choked on his beer.

It was barely five minutes before Nasir returned with two bottles. One was in a black tin tube and the other was in a black wooden box.

"What have we here?" George's interest was piqued.

"Here, my friend George," Nasir opened the tin first, "is a thirty year old special Càirdeas bottle of Laphroaig," he pulled out a clear bottle with a black label and set it on the bar. "Milan, set me up four glasses with rocks, please."

"Yes, sir," Milan set about doing so.

"I've never seen a clear Laphroaig bottle," George picked it up.

"It is exceptionally rare," Nasir confirmed.

"It sure is a nice looking scotch," George held up the bottle.

"This scotch was double aged and is not available on this continent," Nasir explained. "I picked it up the last time I was in the UK," he took the bottle, opened it, and poured into two of the ice filled glasses. "This one," Nasir left the scotch to cool and picked up the box, "is a very special forty year old scotch. It is the oldest Laphroaig ever made." Nasir produced a green bottle from the box. "It was left undisturbed in the casks in the maturation building at the edge of the sea. The building is ancient, with stone walls and an earthen floor. Some mornings the building is full of the sea mist," Nasir relayed as he poured two more glasses. This older scotch was not amber like the first, but the color of liquid gold. "Let us try the first one."

"Let's do," George rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Are these both cask strength?"

"They are," Nasir confirmed.

Garrett and Emmett leaned on the far end of the bar, side by side. They both watched their families interact with each other. Emmett absently turned his bottle around and around on the bar. Garrett stirred his martini with his skewer of anchovy stuffed olives.

"I told him not to be nervous," Garrett commented.

"Nasi?" Emmett asked.

"Mmm," Garrett nodded his confirmation as he pulled the end olive off his skewer with his teeth and ate it. "He was so nervous to meet my father and now look at them, old scotch buddies."

"I know," Emmett chuckled. "I told him, everybody loves him. Why wouldn't they? He's sweet and kind and funny."

"Smart and generous," Garrett added.

"Smart and generous," Emmett echoed. "Hot and hung."

"Well," Garrett chuckled. "Perhaps your appreciation runs just a little deeper than most."

Juan and Kiril both emerged from the kitchen this time, trays in one hand and napkins in the other. As tomorrow would have a distinct German and Arabic theme, Garrett had asked for an Italian inspired menu for this evening.

"Oh, Juan," Garrett called when he saw what Juan's tray contained. "Make sure Nasir gets some of those."

Juan headed straight to Nasir and the judge, both of whom took a napkin and little cheese and mint turnover. Kiril was right behind with a tray of escargot in little puff pastries. Justin, Seth and Carson all popped a pastry into their mouths.

"Mmm," Justin enjoyed his snail. Seth was in full agreement. Carson however began to chew and stopped. He moved the escargot around in his mouth with his tongue, began to chew again, and stopped again.

"What are we eating?" Carson asked slowly and carefully with his mouth full.

"Escargot," Seth answered. He did not see understanding on Carson's face and further clarified. "Snails."

Carson gave a long, exaggerated nod. He picked up his cocktail napkin, brought it to his face, and expelled the foul creature.

"Oh my God," Seth snatched up the now very used napkin the very second Carson set in on the bar. Milan witnessed this as well and held out his hand. Seth placed the snail stuffed napkin in the bartender's hand and Milan disposed of it.

At the far end of the bar, Emmett hung his head. "Jesus," he muttered.

"I feel your pain, Emmett," Garrett reached up to rub the big shoulder.

Not far across the living room, the wine club consisting of Auguste, Celeste, Melinda and Sonja, stood chatting amongst themselves.

"He's very pretty and a fantastic father, but not so graceful in social settings sometimes," Sonja commented.

"I often have that exact problem," Melinda commiserated. The mothers of the problems in question just gave resigned smiles and nodded.

Carson took a hearty swig of his beer. "Blech!" he gave a visible shudder.

"They're delicious, Carson," Seth put his free hand on his hip.

"The more I chewed it, the bigger it got," Carson stated.

"Mr. Edward," Kiril smiled as he stepped up to the forbidden fruit he had heard so much about and so badly wanted a taste of.

"Thank you," Edward took a napkin and an escargot. He appreciated the view of the tall, lean, Russian with the shaggy blonde mop and inviting smile in his white tux shirt and snug black pants. But he was only a poor and pale imitation of the real and wonderful genuine article, his Jasper. It only made Edward smile more as he thought about that fact that Jasper was his, just as he belonged to Jasper, body and soul. No man, no matter how attractive, no matter how willing, no matter how talented his mouth or ass may be, could tempt Edward Cullen.

Juan was close on Kiril's heels. "Tart?"

It was Troy's turn to very nearly spit his beer. He and Zack were still nursing their original, now much too warm, Spaten, while Edward was on his third Blue Moon. Edward gave his little brother the eye, as he knew exactly why Troy was laughing.

"Sorry," Troy patted his chest. "Swallowed wrong," he lied.

"Thank you, Juan," Edward took a cheese and mint tart. Kiril and Juan moved on, both with longing looks thrown back at Edward.

"Another reason I wish Jasper was here," Troy expressed. "Then the waiters wouldn't look at Gem like he's on the menu."

"All these guys are super sweet, but I would take one minute with Jasper over a lifetime with the lot," Edward expressed.

"We really do wish he was here, Edward," Zack put a hand on Edward's back.

"I know you do, guys," Edward put his arms around the both. He held Troy's head to his chest and Zack's to his shoulder. "I'm sure glad I have you two," Edward leaned his head against Zack's. "I just wish he could have stayed to meet you and everyone else. He would love you guys, and you him."

Troy and Zack just stood there for a long moment, perfectly content to hold Edward and each other. As they were nearest the door, they saw the latest arrivals first.

Leah Clearwater, in tight jeans, a low cut, thin, red sweater and high heeled black boots walked into the living room hand in hand with her detective. Roberto wore jeans and a black suit jacket over a black tee shirt. With her tall heels, Leah was very nearly Roberto's height.

"Oh, hey! Hi, Leah," Edward let his little brothers go.

"Hi, Edward," Leah was only too happy to give him a hug.

"Roberto," Edward offered his hand. "And before you guys ask, he's not here," Edward preempted as he shook hands with Roberto. "Trouble in New York and he had to go back."

"Oh, it must have been pretty serious," Leah imagined.

"One of his really close friends got bashed," Edward explained. "He's in the hospital."

"Fuck," Roberto swore under his breath and shook his head.

"Well, I'm sorry for Emmett, I'm sorry for you, and I'm sorry for him," Leah expressed.

"Thanks, Leah," Edward nodded.

"Hey, c'mere, kid," Leah reached for Troy.

"Hi, Leah," Troy hugged the Native woman. Leah just held him for a long moment and rubbed his back. If there was one person who had been treated worse by his parents than her brother had, it was Troy.

"Hi, Roberto," Troy offered his hand when Leah let him go.

"Leo," Robert shook the smaller man's hand.

"Hi, Zack," Leah hugged Troy's partner as well. She was as happy for these two as she was for Seth and Garrett, and Emmett and Nasir.

"There's my big sister!" Seth bounced across the room.

"Hi, little brother," Leah let Zack go to embrace Seth.

"I don't like you in these heels! You're like Amazon tall," Seth leaned back and look up.

"Roberto thinks I'm sexy," Leah defended.

"Damn sexy, Chula," Roberto put a hand on the small of her back. "Hey, Seth," he offered his hand.

Seth batted the bigger man's hand out of the way and moved in to hug Roberto as well. "I hope you know by now that you get a hug," Seth pressed the side of his face to Roberto's strong chest. "And a pat on the butt!" he did so and bounced quickly out of reach.

"Seth," Leah leveled a warning finger while Roberto just laughed.

"Come meet everyone," Seth took his sister's arm and led her toward the bar. Leah quickly grabbed Roberto's hand to keep him with her.

"What is that smell?" Leah asked.

"What smell?" Seth wondered if her educated nose was able to detect what had gone on.

"Smells like someone smoked a chanunpa," Leah voiced her thought.

"Ach! It is Seth's sister!" Auguste saw her first and remembered her from Emmett and Seth's graduation.

"Hi, Mrs. McCarty," Leah hugged Emmett's mother.

"Nein, Auguste," she corrected. Leah received a hug from Melinda and Celeste, and a handshake from Sonja.

"Celeste, Auguste, Sonja, this is my guy, Roberto," Leah introduced.

"Ladies," Roberto turned on the charm with his bright eyes and gleaming white smile. Melinda, who knew him and was immune, smiled as she watched him dazzle the other women.

"Oh, Emmett," Garrett put a hand on Emmett's arm as he caught sight of his sister-in-law and Roberto.

"Sis!" Emmett rushed to her.

"Hi, big little brother," Leah loved it when Emmett picked her right up off her feet.

"Roberto, welcome," Emmett offered his hand.

"Tomorrow's the big day, brother," Roberto smiled as they shook.

"Yes it is and I can't wait," Emmett displayed his dimples.

"Leah," Garrett gave her a hug.

"Hi, Garrett," Leah relaxed into his calming embrace.

"Leah, you remember my father. Dad," Garrett tore his father's attention from his fine and expensive scotch sipping. "Seth's sister Leah."

"Oh, of course, Leah," George gave her a hug.

"Hello, Leah," Nasir had a hug and kiss for her.

"Dad, this is Leah's guy, Roberto," Garrett continued. "My father, George."

"You're the judge," Roberto was well informed.

"And you're the police officer," George was also.

"Detective, Violent Crimes," Roberto informed.

"Ah. And very worthy work you do, Detective," George stated.

"I just catch 'em and send 'em your way," Roberto over simplified.

"Not quite exactly. I'm on the Federal bench for the Third Circuit. Something to drink?" George gestured to the bar behind him. "Nasir and I were just enjoying a jigger or two of some very fine scotch, if you'd care to join us."

"Hey, Nasir," Roberto greeted the other groom.

"Roberto, good to see you," Nasir shook his hand.

"I usually stick with beer, but I might make an exception tonight," Roberto answered the judge's offer.

"Milan, two more glasses with ice, please," Nasir ordered.

"Hi, Justin," Leah greeted her best friend's husband.

"Hi, Leah," Justin kissed her cheek.

"Well, hey, pretty lady," Carson smiled.

"Carson, it's just been way too long. I'm so glad you could all be here for Emmett and Nasir, really, especially you," Leah put a hand on his arm.

"None of us would miss this for anything," Carson stated.

"Us too," Leah nodded. "And where is little Connor? I can't wait to meet your son!"

"He's around here somewhere," Carson looked around. "I think Rosalie and Maggie are looking after him. Their son Owen took quite a shine to him. Can we get you a drink?"

Even as Carson asked, Milan placed a Blue Moon on the bar.

"I believe I will!" Leah picked up the bottle and took a swig.

"You gotta love a woman who will have a beer with us," Carson smiled at Justin.

"And I very much do," Justin and Carson touched the necks of their bottles to hers.

"Did you meet Roberto?" Leah asked Carson.

"Roberto, get over here!" Justin barked.

"Excuse me, Sir," Roberto was extra polite to the judge and walked down the bar.

"Guapo, this is Emmett's brother Carson. He's a fireman," Leah began. "My Roberto is a detective."

"Seattle PD, Violent Crimes," Roberto offered his hand.

"MFD Station and Engine twenty two. Nice to meet you, Roberto," Carson smiled as he shook the police officer's hand.

"M? Oh, Leah said you're from Minneapolis," Roberto nodded.

"Yes, sir, born and raised. Suburbs, anyway," Carson confirmed. "How about you?"

"Right here, South side. My parents are from Mexico," Roberto answered.

"Justin's from Philly. Leah and Seth are from South Dakota," Carson began to list.

"Melinda is from Canada, but Nasir has us all beat," Leah stated. "He's from the farthest away by far."

"Is any of his family coming?" Roberto asked.

"No," Carson, Justin and Leah all chorused in unison.

"I told you, Guapo, his family is not cool," Leah ran a hand up Roberto's arm.

"I didn't think that meant every single one of them," Roberto admitted.

"I'm afraid it does," Leah made a resigned face.

"It's a shame," Justin stated.

"Well, he's got us," Carson affirmed with a fist on the bar.

"Yes he does," Justin agreed. "He's a good guy. They both are."

"I remember when my little brother first left the rez to head off to college in the big world," Leah reminisced. "He was so nervous. I was living in Indianapolis by then and I flew out here to check on him. I remember meeting Emmett for the first time. They were both a couple of green kids, making their way. Emmett was huge, even back then, but not as big somehow. Thinner, maybe. Like you, actually," Leah gestured to Carson.

"But not as handsome," Carson gave a grin and spread his hands.

"Oh, not nearly," Leah rolled her eyes.

"Hey, what the hell are you drinking there?" Justin pointed at Roberto's tumbler. "Is that dad's shitty scotch?"

"This is really good, actually," Roberto looked down into his glass.

"All that shit is nasty. Have a beer with us," Justin dictated.

"You drink what you want. I'll drink what I want. How about that?" Roberto defended.

"Hey, wait, you guys. Hold up, hold up," Carson interrupted. "You guys hear that? You hear that?"

"Hear what?" Roberto bit.

"That is not the sound of dishes breaking! C'mon," Carson, with Spaten in hand, walked down the bar. "Judge George, Sir, if I could borrow you for just a minute," he turned toward where his wife and mother stood with Celeste, Melinda and now Rosalie. "Ladies, if you wouldn't mind joining me outside for a minute, that would be great. Thank you," he called. "Edward, Leo, Zack, come on. This way, everyone," Carson strode out onto the terrace.

"Oh, dear," Garrett expressed to Emmett who stood at his side.

"Oh yeah," Emmett agreed.

"We've all been so busy yapping and getting to know each other, we've lost sight a little bit of why we're all here together tonight," Carson took charge. "The purpose of the polterabend, or dish breaking dinner, is to break some dishes, and here they all sit, all in one piece. I know my brother and Nasir don't want that, so let's help 'em out. It's everyone's duty here tonight to break some china. So grab a plate, or a bowl, or a cup, or whatever, and break it. Like this," Carson picked up a dinner plate and dropped it.

"The wedding party is about to be one short," Emmett confided in Garrett.

Seth stepped up between Garrett and Emmett, and leaned on his big best friend. "He couldn't be doing a better job if I paid him," Seth gave a satisfied sigh.

"Make that two," Emmett looked down on Seth.

"Two what?" Seth had not heard Emmett's threat. Their attention was taken by the china as plates, cups, saucers and bowls rained down and smashed on the tiles.

"Come, Habibi," Nasir smiled as he took Emmett's hand. They grabbed their broom and dustpan, and this time it took several minutes to clean up the mess.

"Perhaps I should have them hurry dinner along," Garrett mused aloud.

"I wish I had a shovel," Emmett commented to the amusement of many.

"Oh, no," Seth answered his husband's thought with a shake of his head. He was enjoying this far too much.

Dinner was eventually served buffet style on the large sideboard in Seth and Garrett's dining room. In keeping with the Italian theme the entrées included eggplant parmesan, chicken and fettuccine alfredo, and steak gorgonzola. Additional sides of pastas and sauces, and a salad were also on the buffet. A few stuck with their beers while everyone else opted for the bottles of chianti Milan poured at Garrett's instruction.

Justin and Carson took joint charge of the kids like the good dads they were. Justin cleared off one of the big, square coffee tables in the middle of the living room. The adults sat on the floor while Liam, Stephanie and Owen knelt at their places. Connor stood and held onto the table next to his father. Owen took pains to make sure his place was just on the other side of Connor. The usually quite picky eater was only too ready to eat, though no one at the table paid him enough attention to notice.

"Connor," Carson tried to feed his son a small piece of eggplant, which the toddler promptly spit out.

"The baby don't like that," Owen informed the child's father.

"Oh, he doesn't?" Carson could not help but smile. The fact was not in dispute, but Carson found it amusing that the little boy felt compelled to point it out to him.

"No," Owen assured the adult. "I don't neither," he picked out a small piece of chicken from his alfredo. "You want this, Kano?"

Connor, who by now had bonded with Owen, took the bite from the other's boy's fingers, just as he did his father. He chewed the chicken, swallowed and smiled.

"He likes that," Owen nodded to himself. "I thought he would."

"Yeah, it looks like he does," Carson nodded. "Thanks, Owen," Carson shared a smile with the other father present at the table. Justin just smiled back and shook his head.

After dinner groups gathered at the bar, in the living room, and out on the terrace for coffee or one more drink. The children faded fast at that point. It was well past bedtime for all of them. Then the exodus began. The Thompsons had all arrived together, and while they left at the same time, they did so separately. Justin and his family headed for home, while George and his family headed the few short blocks to their hotel. The four generations of McCartys headed out at the same time. Both Justin and Carson carried their sleeping children.

Maggie and Rosalie headed for home at the same time. Emmett carried Liam and Nasir carried Owen for them. The minivan was right where they had parked it half a block down. Rosalie unlocked and slid both back doors open with her remote as they walked up to the vehicle. Emmett and Nasir placed the children into their respective car and booster seats and strapped them in.

"Thanks, you guys," Maggie rubbed Emmett's huge bicep. "You didn't have to do this."

"We wanted to. We love your little monkeys and we love you!" Emmett grabbed Maggie in a bear hug and lifted her off her feet.

"Hey, quit manhandling my woman," Rosalie teased.

"Alright. See you girls tomorrow," Emmett put Maggie back down on her feet.

"Good night, Rosalie," Nasir gave the blonde beauty a kiss.

"Night, guys. I'll see you at the church," Rosalie jested. Nasir joined Emmett on the curb as they waited for the girls to pull away. Emmett took Nasir's hand as they walked back toward their building in the cool night air.

---

Seth stood between the white Maybach and his red Mercedes in the parking garage. His trunk was open and he waited just a few minutes before Edward's Audi zoomed up to him and stopped. Troy and Zack had helped Edward carry all the tuxedos down to the car, but they needed to pick up just one more thing. Edward and Zack jumped out of the Q5 and joined Seth at his open trunk.

"What are these again?" Edward asked as he hefted a heavy box out of the trunk.

"Wedding newspapers that I did," Seth explained. "It's another German thing, evidently. Someone close to the couple, like me for example, puts out a little paper with pictures and stories about them."

"I see," Edward placed his box in the backseat. Zack did the same with the second box and then climbed in with them.

"There aren't shots of us all in the hot tub in Telluride, are there?" Edward asked.

"I guess you'll just have to pull one out and see," Seth smiled.

"Seth," Edward warned.

"Oh, relax. Do you remember me having my camera or phone or anything in the hot tub with me?" Seth put his fists on his hips.

"I seem to remember Garrett keeping you pretty busy," Edward smiled.

"That was a fun time. Let's get Jasper to join us this year," Seth shut his trunk and locked his car.

"You think we all wanna watch Garrett go down on you again?" Edward smirked.

"No, I think we all wanna watch you go down on Jasper. So let him know, I'm putting that on the agenda," Seth stepped behind Edward and put his hands on the taller man's lower back.

"You actually think Jasper and I would put on a show like that for you?" Edward shook his head.

"No arguing. It's settled," Seth pushed Edward toward his car. "See you at the hotel," he pushed the taller man all the way around to the driver's side before he turned and headed for the elevator.

Once back upstairs he found Garrett sitting in the living room with Emmett and Nasir. Milan had poured four honey bourbons on the rocks before he cleaned up the bar and Garrett handed Seth his as the smaller man took a seat beside his husband.

"Thank you, Honey," Seth took a sip. "Are you about ready, Emmy? Are you packed?"

"I am packed, but," Emmett put his arm around Nasir's shoulders and pulled him close. "I kinda hate to not sleep beside the love of my life every single chance I get."

"Me too," Nasir spoke softly and gave Emmett a gentle kiss on his lips.

"I get that you two are not together as much as you might like to be, but this is the night before your wedding," Seth stated. "No spending the night together, the night before you get married. It's a rule."

"Well, really you already married us, so," Emmett gave a grin with his shrug.

"You spent the night with me before my wedding. I'm spending the night with you," Seth dictated. "So get your ass ready to go. We'll take the Maserati."

"I just have to grab my bag and the car keys on the way down. Get your ass ready," Emmett countered.

"All right, I will!" Seth got up and headed for the master bedroom. His black leather trimmed Gucci bag was ready and waiting on the big bed, right where he left it. Seth picked it up and marched back out to the living room.

"Are ya ready now, Mary?" Seth dropped his bag.

"I guess we're ready to go then," Emmett took his arm from around Nasir and stood up. Nasir and Garrett stood as well.

"Hey," Nasir put a hand to Emmett's face and slipped his other arm around Emmett's waist. "I am going to marry you tomorrow, in front of everyone."

"I know," Emmett smiled with his dimples. Nasir leaned in to give his lover another soft, lingering kiss.

"You, come here," Garrett crooked a finger at Seth. He put his tumbler down and met Seth half way. Seth happily embraced his husband. Garrett held Seth to him with a hand on Seth's head and the other around his back.

"Take good care of your groom. I'll take care of mine," Garrett instructed.

"I will, Honey," Seth looked up at his husband. Love and devotion was clear in both men's eyes.

Garrett gently took hold of Seth's chin and lowered his head to kiss him lovingly on the lips. "Have fun and we'll see you tomorrow."

"I love you," Seth smiled.

"I love you too," Garrett returned.

"What do you guys have planned?" Seth stepped back and picked up his bag.

"We thought we'd run over to R Place and tuck large bills into the little thongs of the dancing boys," Garrett stated.

"Oh, Garrett, do they have any hunky German dancing boys?" Nasir asked, still in Emmett's arms. "I am quite partial to those."

"We shall have to examine them closely to find out," Garrett gave a grin.

"I'm sorry, I don't think so," Seth laid down the law. "I want you two to spend your time doing what all moneyed gay men should be doing."

"What is that?" Nasir bit.

"Discussing what you plan to buy your husbands," Seth gave as good as he got.

"Our very plan. You figured us out," Garrett smiled.

"Good, but as worthy as that is of your attention, try not to be up all night," Seth instructed. "We need our men rested and relaxed tomorrow."

"As do we," Garrett rubbed Seth's back.

"C'mon, Emmy," Seth headed for the door.

Emmett took Nasir's hand as they walked together behind Seth and Garrett to the entry hall.

"Goodnight, my beautiful habibi," Nasir kissed Emmett again. "Until tomorrow."

"Goodnight, my sexy Arab prince," Emmett smiled into Nasir's soft brown eyes for a long moment and then let him go. "Garrett, hold my guy for me," he gave his brother-in-law a hug and kiss.

"And I know you'll do the same for me," Garrett patted Emmett's broad back.

"Nasir," Seth reached up.

"Goodnight, my Emira," Nasir bent to hug and kiss Seth. Seth let that go and headed out his front door.

Nasir put an arm around Garrett's shoulders as they stood in the doorway together watching their partners wait for the elevator. It was there in just a moment. All four men gave a small wave before the elevator doors closed Emmett and Seth in. Garrett shut his front door. Just as soon as the caterers were wrapped up, which would be any moment, they could turn in as well.