Chapter Twenty Six
A/N: I do not own anything other than my OCs when they come out to play. Everything else belongs to Disney. Literally—even the song belongs to Disney (HSM3).
*blows horn in celebration* Guys, I can't believe that we're over 600 reviews! Thank you all so much for your continued support. It truly means the world to me! :D
Katt Kiki: So could I!
Tracie Adams: I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Angel Cauldwell: Thank you so much, I'm so glad you're enjoying the OC characters!
LOST MUSES: I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :D
61394: Only if it's wrong that I want to now write Ben drunk!
danifan3000: Yeah but then again denial seems to be a common theme around these parts!
AmethystDragon14: Yay! Chip and Ben will never change!
Bananaboat2009: Oh thank you, I'm so glad you liked them! And yeah, I could definitely see Carlos not approving of those!
Maybelle Rose: thank you so much1
OceanBlueSeaEyes: I'm not sure if that would exist either but if it does, Chip might just try it!
billyandkimfan1994: While he's not Chip, you can actually see the video on Tiktok—the user's name is marcusterritory. I've laughed my butt off at it probably a thousand times!
Guest: Oh thank you!
Air Bruno: I…I didn't know I needed this in my life before today!
Anonymous Reader: Hey sometimes an older brother needs to get his youngest brother drunk! And not if they never find out! :D
smc-smfan1: Thank you!
twilightgirl587: Yep, it is! I was feeling very uncreative when giving the pupper its name and I figured Chad would want to honor his mom in someway. Also that is adorable (the Tourney puppy playdate)!
Urmimala Hazra: Thank you so much!
Kaybugg1: Thank you!
lilyflower101: I'm sure they'd be chuckling for years!
CyberDragonEX: Right, right, sorry about that. That's a good call out—I meant to say that they had blocked it on his phone and, being busy being king, he'd forgotten about his computer but it didn't really come thought.
catdoghorselover123: Of course!
Hope you all enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think! :D
Chip sighed as the day he'd been waiting for finally arrived. No, not Ben's wedding unfortunately. Maybe it would be better to say the second day he'd been waiting for.
The day of his wedding with the man he loved. Gods he never thought he'd be able to say that and now he was going to experience it!
"You ready Chip?" Ben asked as he poked his head into Chip's room. Or should he say Ben's room? They were using the quad at Auradon Prep for their venue and Fairy Godmother was kind enough to let them use the dorms to get ready in. Ben had readily offered his old dorm for Chip's usage while Chip's brothers used Emir and Akiho's and Ben got ready over at his castle. Meanwhile Lucas and his groomsmen used the other Tourney team member's dorms.
Gods help the poor soul who got ready in Jay and Carlos' dorm.
"I'm ready," Chip nodded and turned to look at Ben.
"Hard to believe you're the same guy who used to babysit me," Ben said with a small smile as he went to go straighten Chip's tie. Both grooms were wearing a similar black tux—made by Evie of course—however the designer did allow them to use their own colors in their ties.
Chip had originally wanted to go with a tie with purple, gold, and white stripes but after getting shot down by Cynthia, Evie, Bonnie, Mrs. Potts, Belle, Ben, and Audrey of all people, he decided to go with a simple gold tie as a nod to his surrogate little brother.
Yeah he hadn't exactly expected a budding friendship with Audrey either but it had happened. And of course, Lucas had been the brains behind it.
"Is there a reason why you're bringing the people I'm not the fondest of home with you?"
"Liam called me, her car got a flat tire and asked if I could take Audrey home," Lucas said with a shrug as Chip stood in the doorway.
"And why did—?"
"Apparently mom and dad have been pestering him about finding a partner since we've got the wedding coming up," Lucas said, shaking his head. "He didn't want them getting the wrong idea about Audrey so he called his big brother."
"Okay, and why didn't Phoebus do it? Or Derek? Or Harriet? Or hell call Ben or her brother!"
"Captain Phoebus didn't want me to be out in the open too long," Audrey said, speaking up. "We were right by the barrier to the Isle, just went through it actually when our tire popped. Thankfully we didn't fall off the bridge. But anyway Derek wanted to stay with Captain Phoebus since changing a tire is a two person operation, Harriet was to provide security and Phil was busy with Melody and I didn't want to bother him."
"Well I think Queen Ariel will be happy in a few years," Lucas said with a small smile.
"And to answer your question as to why Ben didn't come, he was in a meeting. With your brothers," Audrey said as she looked at Chip.
"Oh that reminds me. I need to kill them," Chip muttered.
"Oh Chip, you're not still upset that they gave you alcohol are you?" Lucas asked with a chuckle.
"When I stop getting texts from Ben of all people asking me if my cheekbones are strong and mighty and can support a family is the day I'll stop being upset with them!"
Audrey couldn't help the small giggle that slipped out. "Well, to be fair, you sent him 'ridiculous' jokes all the way to his graduation. I think he's due for some brotherly teasing in return."
"You know, I think that's the first time you called me Ben's brother," Chip said as he sat down.
Audrey shrugged. "I know I wasn't the nicest and I can say it was Grammy's conditioning but that would only fly when I was a kid. I'm an adult or at least close enough to one and I should own up to it."
"In all fairness, your grandmother was horrible. I'm honestly surprised no one tried to kill her at the viewing."
"Lucas prevented that remember?"
"Oh yes, and why did my wonderful fiancé allow that waste of oxygen to live?"
Lucas sighed and shook his head. "Of course that'd be the way to get them on the same page. Just trash Leah. Well you both have fun with that, I'm going to make sure Lacey doesn't pick up any bad habits from you two and see if Hermie, Gia, and Brooke need anything."
"We're not going to teach Lacey any bad habits Luc," Chip said as Lucas got up and left the room.
"Well we might teach her a hatred of my grandmother," Audrey pointed out.
"True but that's something any gold-blooded Auradonian should have!" Chip decreed.
Audrey nodded as they both sank into a rather awkward silence, Chip absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the table as he sat down. After all, there was about sixteen or so years of distrust between the two of them to get over.
"…so you're into fashion right?"
"A little, yes," Audrey said, nodding her head and feeling more than a little confused at the question.
"Okay so if someone suggested a purple, gold, and white striped tie—?"
"I'd assume they lost a bet and weren't seriously considering wearing that monstrosity at their wedding."
"Well I mean, Ben shot it down—."
"And that should have been your clue that it shouldn't see the light of day! Ben's the same person who thought a green and gold plaid blazer would look good over an orange and blue striped polo!"
Chip shuddered at the reminder of the eyesore as he used to call it. "Gah, I thought I had finally forgotten about that!"
"If Ben thought that tie was worse than that blazer, you're definitely not wearing it," Audrey stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "What did Evie suggest when you told her you were thinking about wearing that?"
"…she may have burst out into peals of hysterical laughter for about five minutes before Doug led her out of the room."
"There you go. Honestly Chip, let me handle the tie selection."
And handle it Audrey had. Chip honestly had never owned a nicer tie—granted he had never owned a tie before either. Working in freelance videography didn't really provide a lot of instances for ties after all.
"You look great Benji," Chip said as Ben backed up to look at Chip. The groomsmen were also wearing black tuxes so the color looked a little out of place on Ben but that didn't mean anything. Ben had been wearing blue and gold for so long that any color that wasn't that looked a little out of place.
"Thanks Chip," Ben said. Since he wasn't acting in a 'Kingly' persona and rather a brotherly one, he had forgone the crown. As Ben said when Evie asked him about it, this was Chip and Lucas' day. They should be the ones to get the attention not him. "You ready? Mom and Mrs. Potts are about ready to burst."
"I'm surprised they're not still laughing about that video," Chip sighed as he shook his head.
"Oh they'll be laughing about that until the day you give your mom grandkids," Ben stated. Chip chuckled—that had been a conversation he and Lucas had had before they even proposed but it had also been something they'd talked about while planning the wedding.
"Hey teacup?"
"Yeah Luc?" Chip said as he looked up from the designs Evie had sent over for his suit.
"I wanted to talk to you about something," Lucas said as he sat down. "I know you said you wanted kids—."
"Lucas, babe, we're just getting married. We don't have to think about that right off the bat."
Lucas shook his head. "No, no, it's not that. I love the VKs we brought in to our home and I know Belle and Beast have expressed interest in adopting Gia's daughter…"
"I'm sensing a but," Chip said.
"Lacey's twelve and Gia's fifteen," Lucas said and sat down next to him. "We can foster all we want but at some point they're going to want actual parents. And you know as well as I that when it comes to adoption, the older kids miss out if there's a choice between a baby and a tween."
"So what are you saying? You want to adopt Lacey and Gia?"
"I know it's a lot to ask which is why I'm not saying we need to do it right away but I—."
Whatever Lucas was going to say was cut off by the kiss Chip planted on his lips.
"I think that's a great idea," he said as they separated. "Just…maybe not right after the wedding? Let me have a few weeks alone with my husband before we bring a child into the mix. Not to mention they're going to ask about Brooke and Hermie so we should figure that out too."
"Sounds good Mr. Potts," Lucas said with a faint purr to his voice. "Now, are you going to go back to those designs or are you going to kiss me again?"
"Hmm, I don't know…"
"Chip?" Lacey's voice called out and Chip chuckled, looking at Lucas' disappointed face.
"Hey, we've both had little brothers. You should be used to this," he teased as he got up to go see what was going on.
The plan was they were going to talk to Lacey and Gia first before they told any of their family. It truly didn't matter that the kids were daughters of Gaston. All that mattered to Chip was that he was providing a safe home to a kid—the way his mom did for Adam and the way Adam and Belle did for him.
Making his way to the top of the Isle, Chip grinned upon seeing Lucas standing there with his mom; both of them waiting to walk down with Mrs. Potts and Chip.
"Hey you," Lucas said, kissing Chip on the cheek.
"I think that part's for later," Mrs. Potts said with a small chuckle as she brought Lucas in for a hug. "Welcome to the family dearie."
"Thanks Mrs. Potts."
"Ah ba ba, you're family now. You can call me 'Beatrice'."
Lucas shook his head. "Yeah we've got a best friend by the same name. That's going to be strange considering you've been Mrs. Potts since I've known you."
"Imagine her changing your diapers," Ben chimed in. "But I think we're holding everyone up."
Chip grinned and held out his arm. "Shall we?"
"We shall," Lucas nodded, taking the arm and waiting as the groomsmen made their way down first before the grooms walked down the aisle with their mothers.
Okay, so there is a benefit to your brother having a Godling for a fiancee, Chip thought as he realized that Hera was the officiant. I mean Goddess of Marriage, it made sense but he'd been joking when he made the suggestion!
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this man in holy matrimony," Hera spoke as everyone took their seats. "If anyone can think of a reason as to why this couple should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Chip felt himself almost freeze as he waited for someone, anyone, to speak up. To ruin his wedding, to cause some drama. But no one did.
"Before we read the vows, I have a selection from one of William Shakespeare's works , in honor of one of the grooms, that I believe sum up the steps Chip and Lucas have taken to lead them here today. And no, to alleviate any worries, it's not from Romeo and Juliet."
Chip chuckled as Beast sighed in relief.
"No sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy; and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage." Hera read and Chip and Lucas smiled at each other. As You Like It.
"Chip, would you like to start with the vows?" Hera asked and Chip nodded.
"Lucas, I know everyone here likes to believe in 'Love at First Sight' but I think I prefer the notion of 'Love at each sighting'. Every time I saw you, I fell more and more in love with you. As a person. As a friend. And as a boyfriend. Your kindness, your compassion for others rivals even Ben's at times and I know that I'd do anything for you. Even spend another ten years as a teacup. I love you and I will love you until we become old and decrepit and need Benji's grandkids to carry us around."
The crowd chuckled and Chip saw Ben shake his head out of the corner of his eye.
"Chip, what can I say except thank you? Thank you for being the one to always bring a bit of humor to my day. For being the one who's able to bring me out of an artistic block, for being the one who drags me outside to see the world that exists outside my sketchbook. You were the one when we were in school who made me realize no one we knew was going to judge me for loving you and it made me fall in love with you all the more. Teacup, you are the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Even if our cheekbones aren't strong or mighty or can't support a family."
It was Chip's turn to shake his head in amusement as Hera gestured to the ring bearer—borrowed of course from Carlos. They didn't know anyone young enough who wouldn't have been insulted so they roped in Dude.
"Chip, do you take Lucas to be the one. The one you hold above all overs, the one you hold in highest regard, the one you hold when he needs to be held and the one you hold first and foremost in your heart and soul?"
"I do."
"And Lucas, do you take Chip to be the one. The one you hold above all overs, the one you hold in highest regard, the one you hold when he needs to be held and the one you hold first and foremost in your heart and soul?"
"I do," Lucas nodded.
Hera smiled as Dude trotted up. "Thank you Dude. These rings have been around for all of time. They are made with the same atoms that existed at the every start of everything, just as the atoms that made you were. They are infinite and eternal, they are forever. Just as your love is, just as you both are. Chip, please repeat after me:"
"Lucas, each time I see you, it's better than thee time before, which I though impossible as each last time was near perfection. I am so lucky, happy, and honored to be yours forever. With this ring, I thee wed," Chip recited.
"And Lucas, please repeat after me:"
"Chip, each time I see you, it's better than thee time before, which I though impossible as each last time was near perfection. I am so lucky, happy, and honored to be yours forever. With this ring, I thee wed," Lucas said, repeating Hera's words as he never looked from Chip's eyes.
Hera shook her head slightly as she saw that. Mortal love never ceased to amaze her, how besotted they all were with each other.
"Before we end, I'd like to say a few words to the couple. Chip, Lucas, love is not static. Like everything else in life, it is subject to change. The love you feel today is very likely different than the love you felt when you first met. The love you feel today will be different than the love you feel when you celebrate your one year anniversary and then your tenth, then fiftieth and beyond. Love is more than the feeling you get when someone makes your heart happy, love is your heart remembering the history you share with one another during times that are tough. And somehow getting through those tough times makes the good times all the more lovely. And now by the power vested in me by…well me, I hereby pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss your groom."
"Finally!" Chip chuckled and wrapped an arm around Lucas, pulling him into a tender kiss. As they separated, Lucas grabbed his hand and they made their way back up the aisle; ready for the reception and to start their lives together.
It seemed like no time had passed before they were gathered back in the quad for the reception. It helped of course that they had freaking fairies to help with the set up!
"And now, please welcome the happy couple for their first dance after which the best men will give their speeches!"
Chip smiled as Lucas led him out to the dance floor, though he was a little confused to see Audrey and Derek at the mic rather than their hired singers.
"Cynthia said the singers we hired got laryngitis last minute so she asked Audrey to fill in," Lucas whispered. Derek was, of course, invited as he was practically family as is and he'd brought Audrey as his plus one though Derek insisted they were just friends.
"Hey, I'm not mad. Just confused," Chip whispered back as Audrey started to sing.
"Take my hand, take a breath. Hold me close and take one step. Keep your eyes, locked on mine and let the music be your guide…"
As both grooms stared lovingly into each others eyes, even as Derek joined in the singing, no one noticed Cynthia lean over and whisper into Liam's ear.
"You know matchmaking costs extra right?"
"Just put it on my tab," Liam whispered back. "If this doesn't break Derek out of his ridiculous notion that he shouldn't be with Audrey, nothing will."
"It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do. And with every step together, we just keep on getting better."
"I have to say Chip and Lucas picked an excellent first song," Ben murmured to Mal. "Makes you think about what our first song will be."
"It's not going to be 'Did I Mention'," Mal said with a small chuckle.
"Why not? It's our song!"
"We'll talk about it," Mal promised. "Now I do believe it's time for you speech."
Ben chuckled as she was right; the song had ended and Cynthia was nearly shoving him to the mic.
"As everyone can see, I'm not the best at time management," Ben said when he finally got to the mic. Thankfully, Carlos and Jay had offered some input on his his speech, mainly how to edit it down. "Hi everyone, I'm Chip's best man though since we're all family here, I don't know why I felt the need to say that. Chip, Lucas, you two are as always perfect for each other. Lucas, you somehow know how to temper Chip's insanity while providing your own insanity to make life interesting. Chip, you're my brother—no if's ands or buts about it, and I wish you nothing but happiness in the years to come. Lucas, welcome to the family! Even if you did steal my joke about the cheekbones!"
"Seriously? At my wedding Benji?"
"Hey, I guess I'm just ridiculous," Ben said with a chuckle as he handed the mic to Liam.
"Well now, how do I follow that speech?" Liam asked with a chuckle of his own. "Hey everyone, I'm Liam. I'm Lucas' best man and little brother. Normally I'd ramble on and on with embarrassing stories but my mom is motioning for me to hurry it up so they can get to the mother son dance part of the night. Chip, you make Lucas happier than I've ever seen him. After you proposed, I don't think he stopped smiling for a week. Seriously, he once said his cheeks hurt from the smiling. Welcome to the family—and may Lucas always want to kiss you no matter flawless you look."
"I'm deleting that video!"
"We have it memorized!" Liam told him as the music started back up for more dancing. Chip shook his head but smiled as he led his mother out onto the dance floor.
"Oh mom, don't cry," he said softly, seeing the tears in his mother's eyes.
"I can't help it. My little Chip, the first to marry!"
"Hey, this just means you can put the pressure on the others now," Chip told her, never noticing that the hired singers had taken their places once more. "Might I start with Julian? He's the one who gave me the alcohol after all."
Mrs. Potts nodded. "That is a wonderful idea Chip. I may just do that."
Chip grinned as he continued to dance, seeing the VK girls they brought into their lives having fun with the others off to the side. After all, they were family too—even if they didn't know it yet.