For you diehard Ellis-Caffrey family fans. Here's a story I wrote a while back and found while cleaning - a short conversation between Neal and Liam on his wedding day. I wrote it as a gift for one of my readers who was particularly fond of Liam. Perhaps this short text will appear as part of a longer story someday.

Father and Son

'How you doin' buddy?'

The voice came from the doorway where Neal stood in a dark blue suit, his salt and pepper hair perfectly coiffed, his tie impeccably knotted as always.

Liam turned to face him, looking just as handsome as his dad in a similar coloured suit and matching tie.

'Dad!' he said, as if he was surprised to see him standing there.

'Are you almost ready? The natives are getting restless out there.'

Liam returned to checking himself out in the full length mirror, adjusting his tie for the umpteenth time. His dad took a few steps and stood behind him, his hand resting on Liam's shoulders.

'You look great' he exclaimed with a gentle squeeze.

'How's Cody doing?'

'Mindy and Mike are with him. I have a feeling he's just as nervous and excited as you are.'

Liam turned to face his father and nodded. Neal could see his son's eyes were wet.

'I'm so proud of you, son' he said, his voice shaky. 'Proud that you've always stood up for who you are.'

Liam exhaled, trying to hold back a sob. 'Don't do this to me, Dad' he said with a smile. 'Not today.'

'What? Parents are supposed to get sappy on their children's wedding day. It's a thing' Neal said with a chuckle. 'I mean it Liam, I couldn't be prouder of you and I'm so happy you and Cody have found each other. You two are going to be very happy together.'

Liam nodded, unable to speak.

'Back when you first came out to us… well, I have to admit I was scared for you. I was afraid life was going to be difficult for a gay man in today's world' Neal continued, despite the tears filling his eyes. 'But you've handled yourself with so much class and so much integrity… I'm just… you're everything I could have ever wanted in a son.'

At those words, the sob Liam had been trying to hold back escaped as the two men hugged.

There was a discreet knock at the door and it opened, revealing Sara wearing a beautiful off the shoulder dress with a flared skirt in a beautiful shade of taupe. She looked amazing and both Neal and Liam smiled at the sight of her.

'Great!' she said in her usual acerbic tone. 'I leave the two of you alone for five minutes and this is what happens.'

The two men laughed, both of them wiping their eyes.

'I brought your corsage' she said, taking a few steps towards her son.

He smiled at her and not so unexpectedly, Sara burst into tears, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight.

'Dad and I are so proud of you honey' she managed to get out.

The two men exchanged a knowing look. 'Yeah, Mom… we've already covered that' Liam said with a loving smile.

He looked at both of them, his arm still around his mom. 'The two of you… you've been amazing. It hasn't always been easy… this journey the past few years. There were times I wished I could just… I wished I didn't have to deal with all of this. But you two have always been there for me, supporting me and I… I love you both so much.'

Sara was sobbing and Neal wasn't faring much better.

Sara stepped away, facing Liam and smoothing his lapel. 'You look so handsome honey. Wait until you see Cody…'

'Hey, hey, hey' Neal cautioned. 'You're not supposed to talk about that before the wedding.'

Sara turned to face him, handing him the corsage; it seemed fitting that he be the one to do the honours - considering she couldn't see much through the avalanche of tears.

Without hesitation, Neal pinned the flower to his son's suit lapel, swallowing to keep from blubbering.

The door opened once more and Will stood there, hand on the doorknob. As best man, it was his job to make sure everything went off without a hitch. 'What the hell's going on in here? We're ready to start. What's the matter, are you getting cold feet Caffrey?'

'No!' Liam declared, his voice trembling.

'Well, get yourself out here' Will said. 'Your groom is getting antsy.'

Through the open door, Liam could see Cody out in the hallway, his back to him, the man he loved, the man he was about to commit his life to. His heart filled with joy at the sight of him.

At the sound of footsteps, Cody turned to find his soon to be husband standing there. His face lit up, his lips curling up in that unmistakeable smile of his.

'Babe…' he said, his voice full of emotion.

La fin