A/N: Attending Luke's sister's wedding…

Chapter Thirty Nine

Plus Ones and Archways

Luke and Spencer sat side by side as they watched the beautiful wedding unfold, there was something so lovely about everyone being dressed up and ready to celebrate the young couple of Mariana and Eduardo. Prior to the ceremony everything was as expected and running around and making sure everything was perfect, but when the music played and nieces and nephews walked down the aisle and the bride was walking down the aisle on her father's arm all the noise faded away. Lilliana was doing her best not to cry the whole time and once her husband and her were in the seats he made sure to hold her hand before everyone watched the couple exchange vows and say their 'I do's.

The archway was decorated in flowers with pale blooms framing them, and the light sparkled around the room and the respectful photographer captured the precious moments as the rings were exchanged and they kissed to a cheer. It was quite incredible how just an old human ritual could still bring a great deal of joy to so many when the union was happy and meant to be. Luke saw his new in-law, who was usually very casual and chill, getting choked up and he couldn't help but in that moment feel the man did deserve to stand there with his sister, if for only caring so much in the first time he's displayed it in public so boldly.

Mariana was the last of his sisters to wed, and frankly she seemed the most surprised as she'd always been very casual around such formal ceremonies and as much as weddings seemed to make their parents happy none were pressured to do anything they didn't absolutely want, but after she'd met her now husband everything had fallen into place. And admittedly Luke was slowly realising his world seemed similar, he'd never been against the idea of marriage but it was so far from anything in his life except occasionally attending a wedding.

He had no idea what Spencer's opinion on it was as he'd never voiced any but had seemed perfectly supportive for others and he wasn't going to ask about it, they'd only just moved in together and anything remotely like that was ways down the line, but it was a cute little daydream. And marriage as a concept in general he had to think about for himself, regardless of a partner, and while if it never happened he'd be perfectly fine, in fact it was how he'd assumed his life would be, but it was absolutely welcome in the future.

Meanwhile as Spencer watched the ceremony he was more taken by the atmosphere, he'd always felt a bit out of place at weddings, well, more out of place than even the usual given the few he'd ever been to, perhaps the most comfortable had been JJ's but the whole celebration had been thrown together quickly though professionally with Rossi's help and they were surrounded by friends in a casual manner. He supposed the difference was how thoroughly welcomed he was by the Alvez family and that for once in his life he had someone to be with, in fact, he was the plus one and there was something so fun about that.

As they had joined in the clapping and cheering for the newly wedded couple there was a sweet moment that both men just looked to each other and smiled. No words needed, just enjoying the event and the many thoughts and feelings it inspired in people and being very happy for the pair of the evening. Soon enough the wedding party moved to reception and between drinks, food and dancing the wedding was in full swing, the tear filled speeches were made and cake was cut and all the other traditions passed one by one.

Eventually Luke's mom managed to stop crying, the ceremony and speeches were the worst of it and she'd fixed her makeup though everybody knew fresh tears could be triggered easily, waiting just below the surface from the happy mother of the bride. The father meanwhile got a lot of impressed looks as he had made a beautiful speech, but each time he got a smile he just reminded the room to celebrate and have fun. Spencer had been a little surprised by the sisters insisting he stand with Luke for many photographs including some with the bride, though he shouldn't have been shocked as apparently Mariana was Spencer's biggest cheerleader in the family beyond Luke.

Watching couples fill the dance floor Luke couldn't resist and took his boyfriend's hand "Spence, dance with me..?" he invited with a charming smile, adding to that the vision of the already handsome man in a fine suit and Spencer almost forgot how to speak. Nodding long before he could summon a worded answer and although a little embarrassed about being around other people but so long as he was with Luke he felt safe even when not the most confident.

Luke pulled him to the dance floor and into the shuffle of other people, the band playing a lighthearted romantic piece at the time and the pair started to step and sway together to the rhythm, one of Luke's arms found its way to that slim waist as Spencer's rested on Luke's shoulder and their other hands were held as they just gazed at each other for the first while. "I don't feel like I dance with you enough…" the ex-ranger mused gently, his brown eyes appreciating the sight of his boyfriend softly watching him back, the suit hugging him just right and that pretty face always able to make Luke's heart beat faster.

"Oh Christmas wasn't enough for you?" Spencer teased with a smile, recalling how cheesy they'd been on the holiday dancing to the radio and kissing under the mistletoe, "or the first night we kissed?" he then added with a smirk, fond memories flooding into Luke's mind.

"I suppose they're plenty…but let me be greedy" he replied with a smirk and both found themselves giggling, just feeling really good as they continued to dance for a couple more songs.

As the third song started up there was an unexpected little audience member and both men looked down to see Luke's niece Maya, the young girl looking adorable in her flower girl dress and floral decorations in her hair too. "Hello Maya…you look so pretty, did you like being in the wedding?" Luke asked with a smile and the girl nodded with a smile.

"You wanna see me twirl?" she offered and it was too cute, likely feeling like it was a big day of playing dress up and her uncle nodded and she held the sides of her flowy skirt and did a slow little turn. Before either could say anything she said "I wanna dance" and looked up with big eyes and she was just too sweet.

"Of course, who would you like to dance with?" Luke said, offering either and although Spencer might have assumed the girl was just wanting a dance with her uncle the genius underestimated just what an impact he had made on the young children on the Alvez family. As if to prove that very point the girl was beaming at getting to dance and and she went to Spencer a looked up at him with a grin and asking "will you dance with me, Uncle Spencer?" and just hearing the girl refer to him as uncle was sweet to hear.

"I would be honoured, Maya" the genius said with a smile and Luke decided to leave them to it, but not before placing a brief kiss to his boyfriends cheek and flashing him a smile, loving just how precious the whole thing was.

Luke went to the bar and got himself a champagne, happily watching as his boyfriend danced with the happy little flower girl, stepping to the song beat and easily spinning her from time to time given their height difference and he couldn't hear what they were saying but no doubt she was likely asking him a million questions appreciating just how much the genius knew and about seemingly everything. He'd been so distracted he took a moment to realise someone had moved to sit next to him at the bar and ordering a drink - Uncle Jaime.

Both men slowly met each other's eyes and a certain layer of tension lay between them since the last time they'd spent time together and around the man's appalling behaviour. Unexpectedly it was the older man who sighed, his shoulders sinking considerably as he said a huffed "I'm sorry."

"Wh…what?" Luke said, almost questioning what he'd heard.

Jaime took a sip of his drink and while he faced the bar he did glance to Luke and repeated "I am sorry…about my conduct before" the man admitted and while Luke's body language softened he was still a little on edge until his uncle explained bluntly "okay, I was a dick."

Luke stared in disbelief before finding it in himself to chuckle and reply "yeah…yeah you were" but the amused smile on his lips betrayed there was a little attitude surrounding it.

"Your ma made it very clear that if I did that again I wasn't coming to the wedding" he added "then I said it wasn't up to her and then Mariana told me if I was a dick to either of you I could go be a jerk back in Canada" and Uncle Jaime seemed to be telling the truth. "We talked it out, Lilli was real clear and…yeah, I was an ass to both of you. It won't happen again" the man said simply and while Luke appreciated it be was still curious, no doubt one of the conditions was he had to apologise though he didn't make a big deal about it.

"You wanna talk about it?" he offered and the man grimaced and it almost made Luke laugh again but he held it in, the older man not quite the best at talking about this sort of thing "like…what bothered you exactly?"

"I don't know…" the man said before taking a long sip of his drink, clearly wanting to have any other conversation but he didn't run off or dismiss himself, he made himself sit through it "in my day you just didn't…you know, you just didn't wanna be known for anything other than normal" he used the word with emphasis and to the man's credit he himself picked up on it without Luke pointing it out "and I'm aware now, you, Spencer, queer folk, whatever you are…it's normal. I just grew up being told it wasn't, alright?" the man said, the best he could do and actually Luke found it in his heart to forgive and accept his uncles flawed but well intentioned apology.

"Okay, we're cool" Luke said and he saw his uncle let out a sigh of relief but didn't let him off that easily "but you have to apologise to Spencer too" he laid the words down before taking a refreshing sip of champagne and watched his uncle look more than resistant. "What…don't you think Spencer deserves an apology?"

"Yeah, he does" the older man let out defeatedly but still glared at his nephew but it only served to make him laugh, at least his uncle was trying and making positive steps but he did owe an apology to the guy he'd insulted repeatedly during his last visit. "Where is he anyway?" Jaime asked.

Luke pointed out to the dance floor and both watched as Spencer continued to dance with the little girl sweetly, Maya clearly having lots of fun and unexpectedly Luke heard Jaime sigh "okay, I'm not interrupting that…but I will talk to him" he agreed.

"Good" Luke chimed and then with a smirk said "you'd better, Spencer's here to stay."

Luke found himself talking to the groom Eduardo who was a bit merry on champagne while he watched his Uncle Jaime talking to Spencer and from their expressions the apology was being made albeit in the older man's begrudging fashion, but he was doing it so that was progress. Luke had been so concentrated on his boyfriend he almost didn't hear the tipsy groom teasing "so man, when's your wedding?" and by the time he caught onto the man's question he was already saying "I'm only joking, though you did look real cute dancing, your mom's gonna be counting the days."

Luke just shook his head with a smile, and while his mom wasn't gonna pressure anything especially given the short time they'd officially been a couple but the implication was more based on how he was the last of Lilliana's kids still unmarried. "Too right we look good on the dance floor" Luke beamed "can you even stand up straight right now?" he asked and as if to answer Eduardo deliberately stopped leaning against the bar and placed his arms up as though to say 'no hands' with a triumphant grin.

Mariana then came up behind her brother and hugged him over his shoulders, he saw a flurry of dress and perfectly styled hair before being able to actually see the smiling bride, she too a little rosy cheeked from the drinks and she asked "where's your lover boy? I want a dance."

Luke just chuckled and detangled himself form his giddy sister and said "Spencer's not gonna get off the dance floor at this rate."

"I am the bride, and today I get what I want" she said with a smirk.

"And…you want my boyfriend?" Luke questioned as though it was odd but it was actually very sweet she wanted to have a dance with him.

"I want to dance with a genius and gentleman…" she said with deliberate clarity before looking to her new husband "then I will leave later with this mess" she teased and both chuckled at the cheekiness before she placed a kiss on her new husbands cheek. Luke glanced over and saw Spencer smiling as he spoke to the older man and Luke's father had joined them and all seemed well

"Uncle Jaime's just apologised to Spencer for the bullying last time, I think you could nab him now" Luke suggested and she followed his eyeline to the genius.

The bride pursed her lips a little before admitting "I was this close to letting grandma whoop him for those shenanigans" she said in a way that both men knew not to mess with and without another word, only the faintest wave she then made her way over to the genius. Luke and Eduardo watched her enter the chat before she asked Spencer to dance, the whole thing so lovely to see, before Eduardo's even tipsier best man got the groom's attention.

Luke quickly found himself talking to his mother as she had walked over and said to her son "oh hasn't today been lovely, Luke" she beamed like the proud mother of the bride she was.

"Yeah ma, Mariana looks really happy" Luke replied and gave his mom a little hug.

"And she looks so beautiful," the older woman said, loving the wistful atmosphere before saying "so, do I get a dance with my boy?" with a smile that didn't leave any room for argument.

"Sure, ma" Luke matched her smile and lead her out to the dance floor and sweetly started to dance with his mom while a few feet away Spencer and Mariana were chatting while they danced, the bride happy as could be without how perfectly her big day was going.

"I'm glad you brought Spencer too," Luke's mom said as they stepped and swayed to the music, "I do hope he feels welcomed" she added and from her tone it showed how important it was to her.

"He does," Luke reassured "he says everyones been really nice to him, and he's usually a bit anxious around functions like this but he's clearly doing fine" Luke pointed out and both glanced at the genius talking with Mariana as they moved to the music.

"Will I'm glad…and you both look so good in suits, it makes a mother happy" she said before reaching up and tracing Luke's jacket lapel for emphasis making both chuckle "and thanks for the visit to see your home, seeing you not on the move all the time is a big change - and you do seem so much happier" she said softly, genuinely pleased to see the positive things in her sons life.

Luke took a moment to give his mother a warm hug "I am, ma" he said as he looked over her shoulder to his boyfriend in a similar way with Mariana and both men flashed each other a smile just between them before both returned to the ladies they were dancing with.

Spencer had managed to get off the dance floor though it had taken a while given the number of sisters in the family but he eventually got to spend more time with Luke before his boyfriend went to check on his grandmother and the genius ended up chatting with Luke's father. Given the music and noise of the party they we're using sign language as they spoke and from afar Luke could tell they were talking about classical music which they both enjoyed. Mariana and Eduardo were back to dancing with each other and Gabriella and Alicia were doing the rounds through party guests and passing out small cards with flowers from the archway pressed into them, a cute little takeaway from the day.

Luke received his from Gabbie, the embellished card with a peony between the pages and another for his grandmother whom was sitting bopping to the music, she was tired but smiling as Luke showed her the pressed flower. She popped it slowly in her handbag, the elderly lady much slower these days but she was still enjoying herself and almost randomly she looked over to her grandson and said "Lilli and Mari wouldn't let me whoop Jaime" making Luke laugh shamelessly.

"That's probably for the best, and he apologised to me and Spencer today" the ex-ranger informed and she huffed a little which was only more entertaining.

Even though she wasn't the most talkative anymore it was clear she liked the company sometimes, and she just bopped her head for a while and her aged hand that was soft in the way grandmother's hands often were had reached over to Luke's and gently held it. Slowly she turned to him fully and looked him over before chiming "you've got a good one."

"Spencer?" he replied, assuming that's who she was talking about and she nodded "I know, I'm very lucky."

She started to nod and said with a playful smirk "and don't forget it or I'll give you a whooping" before she started giggling, her threat half joking but it had some meaning and Luke was quick to follow in the laughter.

"That's a threat I don't take lightly, grandma" he replied.

Her hand moved to pinch Luke's cheek and the elderly woman beamed "and that's why you're a good one too."

Quote: "The little boy nodded at the peony and the peony seemed to nod back. The little boy was neat, clean and pretty.
The peony was unchaste, dishevelled as peonies must be, and at the height of its beauty...
Every hour is filled with such moments, big - with significance for someone."

― Robertson Davies, What's Bred in the Bone