Disclaimer: See chapter 1

--

Reid moved his knight and Evan responded with, "What did you do that for. That was a bonehead move. You left your king wide open!"

"Huh, what," Reid replied absently.

"Oh brother," Evan raised his eyes heavenward. "Hello, earth to Spencer, you're either not concentrating, or worse yet, you're still drunk!"

"No, I'm not," Reid came back indignantly.

"Well, look at the move you just made. I know you're not being nice and letting me win. You never do that. Not that you're not nice, I didn't mean that but…"

"I know what you mean." Reid cut him off, looking at the move he'd just made. Evan was right, there was his king, wide open, just waiting for Evan to swoop in and take it. He hadn't made a move that dumb since he was five and his dad was teaching him to play. He hadn't thought of that in years. Why would he be thinking of that now? Probably because it was his wedding day and family, even one like his, wasn't far from your mind at a time like this.

"You okay," he heard from across the table.

"Yeah, just thinking of something from a long time ago. Well, aren't you moving," he asked?

Evan looked at his brother, sighed heavily and moved his bishop, "Check."

--

"Okay everybody," Garcia said excitedly, "I have to get my hair done first."

"And why do you have to be first," Emily wanted to know.

"Because, I have to go be with my boy. I am the best woman," she turned to the bride, "No offence Allie."

"None taken, you're right, you have to get done so you can be with Spencer," Allie replied as the doorbell rang heralding the arrival of the hairdresser.

--

Reid pulled a cardboard box out of the storage closet. It had never been unpacked when he moved in here. It had never been opened since he packed up the house when he was eighteen. He ripped the tape. The box contained some old rare books, a lace tablecloth that looked a century old and was yellowed from sitting so long unprotected, a rosary that had belonged to his mother's grandmother and some very old jewelry. He wondered if he should give the pieces to Allie. On the bottom of the box he found what he was looking for. It had been stored in an old cedar trunk and his mother must have forgotten it was there when she went through one of her destructive binges.

He ran his fingers around the ornate gold frame as he looked at the picture it housed. His mother was smiling into the camera; her long blonde hair gleamed in the sun. She had red and white tea roses in her hair and wore a long white dress with a high neckline of lace and an empire waist with a floor length skirt that ended in a large ruffle. The sleeves were see through and poofy with ruffles at the wrists. She held a bouquet of red roses. Beside her with his arm around her was his dad. He looked so happy in his grey suit with a rose in his lapel.

What had gone so wrong from this happy day? He guessed life had reared its ugly head. The life that you didn't pose for and capture in pictures. His parents had let illness, insecurity and weakness beat them down. He wouldn't allow that. He was going to do whatever it took to make his marriage work. He would be there for Allie and their child during the times you didn't record in photographs. He ran his fingers over the picture one last time and put it back in the box. He looked at his watch. He was getting married in a couple of hours. He'd better get a move on.

--

William Reid sat on his bunk absently staring into space. Today was the day Spencer was getting married. He wondered if the wedding had taken place yet. He pulled out the pictures he hid under his mattress and looked at his sons, imagining them in their tuxedos. They were both such handsome boys. His eyes filled with tears which he quickly held in check. You couldn't cry here. Showing that kind of weakness was suicide.

--

Reid came out of the bedroom dressed in his usual cords and jacket. His and Evan's tuxedos were under plastic on hangers in the hall closet. He picked up the box on the hall table and opened it, checking to make sure the rings were there. "They haven't moved since you last checked them ten minutes ago," Evan said from the living room. Reid sat at the island and pulled some papers out of his inside pocket. "You've got an eidetic memory; you won't forget your vows. Relax already!"

"That's easy for you to say, you're not the one getting married. Allie offered twice to have a small intimate wedding and what do I say," he looked at his brother. "I say, hell no, I don't mind having a big wedding. Am I nuts!" He folded the papers and put them back in his pocket and went to check the ring box one more time.

The downstairs buzzer sounded. "Yeah," Evan said into the microphone.

"Hey sweet boy, the best woman has arrived," came through the speaker.

"Hi Garcia, come on up." Evan pressed the button unlocking the door downstairs. "Maybe she can calm you down," he said to his brother.

"I'm calm," Reid said as he paced the floor.

The doorbell rang and Evan yanked the door open pulling a stunned Garcia into the room. "Thank God you're here, he's really nervous."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," Garcia said.

"Garcia, he checks the ring box every five minutes and," he paused for effect, "I beat him at chess."

"Ooh, that's not good is it," she said, going into the living room.

Reid looked up when Garcia entered. She'd taken more than the usual care with her makeup, highlighting her lovely eyes behind blue eyeglass frames. Her hair was done in a stylish updo with flirty tendrils falling around her face, giving the impression of playful elegance. Whoever had done her hair had captured her personality. "Garcia, you're beautiful," Reid exclaimed as his friend entered the room.

"Why thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself sweetcheeks. What's this I hear about you being nervous," she asked.

"I'm not nervous Garcia," he said, beginning to pace again. Then he stopped, adding, "I'm terrified."

"Of what, getting married to Allie," she prodded.

"No, the "being married" part I'm totally fine with. It's the actual wedding part and all those people. What if they think I'm a jackass?"

"Nobody will think you're a jackass. Everybody who gets married is afraid they'll screw up but in the end it doesn't matter does it, if at the end of it all you're husband and wife," Garcia told him.

"You're right, thanks Garcia."

"You're welcome, well, should we go get you married?"