A/n: Because I love all of you sooo much, I slogged through and finished this yesterday. This is the end of this story, and I am sorry to say it will be a good long while until you see the follow up. Hope you enjoyed this not quite typical story, considering the Boys never really had a clue they were in danger.
Chapter Thirteen
The reception lasted well into the night, and not just because it was delayed an hour due to the power outage. Joe was in his element; he loved being the center of attention. Normally that's the bride's purview but since she had no family left and only a few friends from before she had met the charismatic blond Hardy Boy, most of the guest list was from the groom's side. Joe worked the room, usually dragging Halloran along with him to show her off. She was content to be shown off, as she knew damn well she looked smokin' hot in her dress. While she got a little sad at certain times, such as when Joe got on the floor and danced with his mother, and she was unable to join him with her father, it didn't last long as she was never allowed to dwell. Fenton took her on his arm and adroitly brought her to the dance floor and then cleverly switched partners with his son about half way through.
Frank gave a suitably touching Best Man Toast, punctuated by a few helpful comments from the rest of their boyhood pals that had the guests laughing and Joe blushing. Halloran raised an eyebrow particularly high at a comment Biff made and she called out from the front of the room to have him call her after the honeymoon as she wanted details. That only made the guests laugh harder and Joe more scarlet.
Laura sat back and basked in the glow that all mothers experience when their children get married. Fenton mentally breathed a sigh of relief that Halloran and Joe paid for everything themselves. Frank, with the exception of his speech, stayed in the background just observing and dealing with any little things that came up, like when the cake was MIA for a frantic 15 minutes until somebody remembered it had been moved to a different cooler.
As the night slowly wore down, with most of the guests slipping away in twos and threes, eventually all that was left was the original gang: Tony, Biff, Chet, Sam and even Jack Wayne put in an appearance although he had long ago stopped flying the Hardys around. Phil had shown up earlier, but left after an hour and grabbed a few party favors on the way out and begged some cake to be wrapped to take home to his exhausted wife. Joe was sitting on the floor, his back up against the slightly elevated platform that held the small orchestra they had engaged to play throughout dinner and where the DeeJay held court for the reception dancing. Leaning against him, half asleep and a little rumpled, was his wife. Laura was also half asleep in her chair, and Fenton's yawns made his jaw ache. But no one seemed to be in any rush to get up and leave.
Eventually, though, the manager gently reminded the group that his employees really wanted to clean up so they could get home before dawn. Everyone slowly stood and began to leave. Fenton half carried Laura, and Halloran was leaning very heavily on Joe. Only Gloria seemed to be awake enough to hold her own and she offered to drive the newlyweds to their hotel. In between yawns, Frank promised to be on call for pickup the next morning but hinted strongly that they should avail themselves of brunch first. Late brunch. With final hugs goodbye between everyone, the party broke up and headed towards cars and taxi stands.
At the hotel, Joe and Halloran were escorted to the suite his parents had reserved as a wedding gift. Joe was really upset he was unable to carry his bride over the threshold, upset to the point where it wasn't treated with any sort of joke or sarcasm. Halloran had to talk him off the ledge and she insisted that it was okay although she did suggest that he go ahead and make an appointment for a real cast immediately.
"Already did, Babe. I tried to have it done the other day but just couldn't find the time. But I have an appointment at 730 Monday morning and we can go directly from the office to the pier." Joe promised her, trying very hard to reign in his despair at failing to do his husbandly duty. Joe had made himself a promise months ago when he had decided to pop the question. Always a romantic at heart, he vowed that every corny cliché out there, he was going to make sure he did. From proposing on bended knee to carrying his bride over the threshold and beyond, Joe was determined that Halloran never once doubt his intentions. So that meant that right now he was very upset at not being able to keep that promise, even if she had no idea why.
Halloran knew something was bugging him, but was too tired to worry about it. And she was too happy to finally be married and no longer alone to dwell on it for more than a minute. She chalked it up to her husband being just as tired as she was and rather coyly suggested that he help her get out of her dress. She knew that being one handed would limit his amorous intentions. Much as she wanted to celebrate their union, all she really wanted at the moment was a pair of extra strength Tylenol and a down pillow. But he manfully unzipped her one handedly without protest or lewd comment before divesting himself of the tux, needing Halloran's help on the tie and cummerbund.
"I need to wash my hair and get rid of the ten gallons of hairspray that got put in." She complained as she stepped out of the lace and satin gown, leaving only her extremely see through lingerie on, causing Joe's desires to come crashing back with a vengeance. Oblivious of the stir she was creating, Hall leaned over and gave Joe quite the view as she kissed him lightly on the lips. "Wanna help scrub my back?" she asked in a very sultry voice.
"Got a better idea." he whispered back. "You go do a quick hair wash thing, and I'll get the jacuzzi tub ready." her eyes lit up and Joe forgot all about the pain in his wrist or all the other little things that had been bugging him the last hour. While she was in the shower furiously massaging her scalp, Joe made a quiet phone call to Room service and asked for a bottle of champagne and 2 glasses. It arrived very quickly, accompanied by a plate of hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries 'compliments of the hotel' and a single white rose in a beautiful crystal vase. Joe signed for it and then made two trips into the bathroom to get it set up before turning on the tup and adding a generous pour of scented bath crystals. By the time Hall finished, he was already submerged up to his chin with a glass of bubbly in his good hand.
Having not even bothered to wrap a towel around her body, Halloran stepped from shower to tub in one swift movement. The tub was big enough that she could lean against his broad chest and still stretch out her legs all the way. She did exactly that, but not before snagging her own glass of champagne. They sat there a while, saying nothing, content to relax in each other's embrace. When the water had cooled to room temp and the bottle mysteriously became empty, they drained the tub and reluctantly got out. The hotel suite provided luxurious oversized cotton bathrobes, and neither one of them bothered to put any nightclothes on before slipping under the down comforter in between satin sheets.
They didn't realize it, but the majority of newlyweds spend their first night as man and wife exactly the same way... asleep in each others' embrace. The romantic notion of making love by firelight has always been that, a romantic fantasy. Between the anticipation and excitement, most couples are just plain too exhausted to do anything more exciting than cuddle. Frank was in no danger of being called too early either.
In fact they slept in til nearly noon and it was only the shrill ringing of the phone that roused them from their slumber. It was the front desk, asking if they were checking out as the room should have been empty by 11. Joe's sleepy voice caused the clerk to chuckle and she asked if they wanted to stay another night. "The room is not reserved and I can give you a good price an a second night's stay along with dinner in our dining room." Joe grunted what she assumed was an agreement and hung up, asleep again before Halloran even had a chance to sleepily ask who was on the phone.
When next they came aware of their surroundings, it was almost 1pm. Halloran almost panicked at the late hour but Joe just pulled her back down into his embrace. "Pretty sure I said we were staying another night. At least I think I did." his voice was amused as he lazily traced circles on her back. "And since no one has come pounding on the door I am pretty sure we're good." They decided to have room service for lunch. Halloran took a shower and found clothes that were presentable for public appearance while Joe called down to the front desk to verify his suspicion that he had agreed to spend another night. While on the phone he also made reservations for dinner and then asked to be connected to room service, where he asked for a light lunch "Manager's discretion". It arrived while he was in the shower so Hall set it out on the table.
"Shrimp cocktail, a Ceaser salad big enough for two, cucumber sandwiches and more strawberries for desert!" She happily showed off each item in turn as he came out of the bathroom toweling his hair one handed. They fed each other between giggles and kisses before deciding to slip into bathing suits and hit the hot tub downstairs. As they walked out arm in arm, they saw the housekeeper and let her know they'd be out of the room for a while so she could do her thing.
They spent the afternoon lost in each other. Anyone who walked by and saw them could not help but smile at their obvious love for one another. Oblivious to nearly everything around them, Joe and Halloran spent the afternoon relaxing in the hot tub, taking leisurely strolls around the hotel gardens and doing some light shopping in the hotel shops. Joe picked out an emerald tennis bracelet and insisted she wear it immediately; Hall followed up with a Rolex that replaced the G shock he normally wore. Only once did the outside world intrude, Frank called about 3 to jokingly ask if he was still on call for driver duty. Joe told him to be at the hotel at 7 the next morning to take him to the ortho clinic and to please have their luggage in the car as well so that they could go right to the pier afterward.
Dinner was a quiet, luxurious affair in a candlelit room with the faint strains of a harp in the background. They shared an order of bacon wrapped scallops as an appetizer, which was followed by French onion soup, surf and turf and Baked Alaska. The downed another bottle of champagne and then were invited into the Hotel's private lounge for brandy and cigars, although Joe declined the cigar and Halloran opted for Irish coffee instead of brandy.
After dinner was another stroll, this time down paths softly lit by moonlight. It was a short one, though, as they needed to get up very early the next morning to get everything taken care of. Another night of cuddling under satin sheets and he remembered to set the alarm for 6. The next morning they conserved energy and time by showering together. Really. Frank knocked on the door at five minutes before 7, handed two large cups of coffee to the still yawning couple and grabbed their overnight bags without a word. By the time they had gotten to the ortho clinic, they were awake enough to bore Frank to tears with all their excited commentary on their upcoming trip.
Frank and Halloran waited in the waiting room while Joe got another Xray and was ushered into the back into Mikey's domain once again. In under an hour, he was back out in the waiting room sporting a real cast. He decided to test it right then and there and leaned down to grab Halloran just behind the knees and easily swung her up into his arms. She squealed, he grunted and his brother winced. "Oof. Not saying you are getting fat or anything, Dear, but you may wanna go easy on the buffet this week."
Frank nearly choked at the comment and he gaped at the two of them, as he watched Joe trying very hard to keep a straight face as Halloran started beating him about the head and shoulders with a big grin on her face until they both collapsed with laughter, Joe still making sure he didn't actually drop his wife. Frank finally just shook his head in resignation and suggested that they get going before they missed the buffet altogether.
The trip into the city took about 2 hours and they arrived at the Cruise terminal just as the doors were opening to begin processing the oncoming passengers. Frank unloaded the car and handed the luggage off to the porters while Joe tipped them and offered his newly casted arm to his wife( I will never get tired of saying that!) for an escort through security but not before waving good bye at his brother. "We'll call you when we get back for a pick up!"
Frank chuckled and wished them well on their honeymoon. "Try not to break any other bones tripping over your own two feet. Hall, keep an eye on him. Lucky for you he can't get into the water with that thing on."
"Au Contraire, Mon Big Frere." Joe admonished in a really bad French accent. "It's waterproof! We will be parasailing, jet skiiing and snorkeling all week!" Halloran looked askance at the prospect but manfully gulped and plastered a big smile on her face, even if it was a tad bit strained. With a final wave from both of them the newlyweds disappeared into the terminal.
Five days later, Frank's cell phone rang while he was out running some personal errands. Switching the blue tooth on, he spoke into the air. "What's up, Sam?"
"Where are you?" came the slightly distorted voice of his father's oldest friend.
"Umm, in Southport, why?" he asked, curious since to his knowledge there weren't any open cases that needed any immediate handling.
"Can you swing by the office? There's something we need to discuss." something in the tone made Frank suddenly uneasy.
"About what?" he asked, a hint of alarm coloring his voice.
"Let's discuss it in person. Pick up your father on the way." Sam abruptly hung up, not letting Frank ask why on earth his retired father needed to be in on the meeting. 45 minutes later his fears were anything but allayed when he pulled into his family home to find Fenton already waiting outside, pacing along the front porch.
Things did not improve when, despite all of Frank's questions, Fenton refused to say a word the entire drive over to the office. He was wound tight by the time they entered the office and found Sam, Joanna and a stranger in the reception area.
"Frank, this is Carl Vincent." Sam began, with a glance at the stranger. "He has some very disturbing news to share." Frank shook the man's hand, noticing the nervousness and agitation immediately. He indicated they should all sit down, and Mr. Vincent did so as if he were about to collapse.
"Carl is just the name I go by. My real name is Giancarlo." The dark haired young man swallowed, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before continuing. "Giancarlo Vincente." He smiled grimly at the sharp intake of breath from Frank. "Yeah. That Vincente."
"Tell Frank what you told me, son." Sam said, kindly.
"Umm, Okay." another nervous swallow and he began. "Look, I love my dad, but I never wanted to follow in his footsteps. And he was always okay with that. Hence the name change of sorts. So believe me when I tell you this is not a set up, or a trap or any sort of double cross." he looked earnestly at Frank, who shifted his own gaze to his father and Sam for reassurance. When the both nodded, Frank turned back to Carl and indicated he should proceed.
"A couple of days ago, Dad and my brother got into this huge argument over a job that Junior ordered." eyes averted, the next came out almost in a whisper. "Junior had a bomb planted in your building."
Frank went pale and his heart leapt into his throat as it was obvious from everyone else's facial expressions that they knew all about it. "What the hell?!" he started, only to stop as his father held up a a hand.
"Long story short, it was discovered Sunday morning, taken care of by Sam and Joanna, including catching the ones who set the bomb. Nothing was said because I told them to handle it without involving you.. and definitely not your brother. We originally thought it was the Hollister twins acting alone for revenge." He moved his gaze over to Carl. "We were wrong, apparently."
Carl resumed his tale. "Junior hired them. He was going to use a sniper rifle to take out any remaining Hardys at the funeral. Dad found out and was furious. Things got really heated and.." He stopped, clearly choked up. "Junior killed him and took over the Family. He has sworn vendetta against your whole family, but particularly your brother Joe." he let that news sink in before dropping another bombshell. "He has help, someone who had asked for, and gotten, permission from dad to conduct Retribution. Aldo Mazzola. That flat tire you had the day of the wedding? Was an ambush by Uncle Aldo." he rushed ahead, not letting Frank get a word in edgewise. "Uncle Aldo is the eldest of the Mazzola brothers. Dom and Luigi were the ones that took your brother before." he didn't need to go any further, Frank understood exactly all the implications, but that didn't prevent him for nearly passing out in fear at the next words out of Carl's mouth. "Uncle Aldo taught them all his tricks. He's more vicious than both of them put together. And he wants to personally torture Joe to death. Junior has promised him he can." he stopped now, done speaking.
"Why have you come to us, telling us all this?!" Frank seethed through clenched teeth.
"Because I loved my father. And Junior killed him. I want my own revenge, Mr Hardy. And you are the only people my father not only respected, but feared a little. So you are the only ones who can help me avenge his murder." he spoke the words flatly, but with an undercurrent of emotion that Frank grudgingly had to admit he understood. He, too, would have done anything to avenge his father or brother.
After Carl had left, Frank turned to the others and forcibly made his face a mask of neutrality. "What's the plan?"
"As soon as they get back, Joe and Halloran are going into protective custody. Con and Greg have already set it up. In fact Greg will be picking them up from the cruise terminal and taking them straight there. You can give Phil a reasonable excuse for Hall's extended vacation." Fenton said. He knew that Phil could be told the truth if it came to that as well.
Frank shook his head, "Joe is not going to like that, Dad."
"Tough." Fenton spat. "You do not know Mario Junior. His father was civilized and honorable in his own way. His namesake is a sadistic bastard who has no problem leaving a trail of bodies behind him as he goes after us. In fact I'd feel a helluva lot better if you went into protective custody as well, but I know that's not an option. At least I have convinced your mother to agree to it."
"Mom?!" Frank said, aghast. "He wouldn't?!"
"He would." Fenton grimly corrected. "No arguments, Frank, and if for some strange reason Joe contacts you before they get back you are to say nothing. Let them have their honeymoon in peace."
Frank left the office in a cold sweat, scared beyond reason and with dread in the pit of his stomach. He was inordinately relieved to get a hold of Gloria and he begged her to come by his apartment that night. When she arrived, bearing Thai takeout, no one was more surprised than she when Frank pulled her into the living room and buried his head in her hair, clinging so tightly she couldn't breathe. He wouldn't talk about whatever was bothering him, but allowed her to comfort him as best she could. And when he begged her to stay the night, she didn't have the heart to say no.
A/n: and there you have the set up for the next story. I know it feels a little disjointed but that was on purpose. Frank is growing up too, and starting to open himself up to emotions such as love (other than family style), hence his turning to Gloria for comfort and support. and I will tell you up front that Carl is exactly what he seems.. a distraught young man who wants his father's death avenged and who is pretty well pissed off at his older brother for committing patricide. he is not a double agent or leading the Hardy family into a trap. If you though dad was scary, you haven't seen nuttin' yet.. Aldo not only taught his younger brothers, he was worshipped by Junior. who shares his sadistic tendencies and love of violence. Joe is in for a world of hurt. you have been warned. Enjoy the last hurrah of summer and I will see you, hopefully, before the end of the year.