A/N: Hope you have enjoyed the story and thank you to those who have commented. I took I always take too long to post sometimes but I don't have as much time to write anymore :(
Anyway here it is, the final chapter
Three months later
As soon as he stepped in the room, his eyes were scanning for him. John and Randy had told Cody early on that Ted was going to be the Celebrant at the wedding and he was anxious to see how he was. Since Ted had stepped away from the WWE, the two had yet to speak. It was always going to be a tricky conversation but Cody knew he wanted his friend back.
He knew Ted had moved on and was in another relationship, he was also expecting Ted to bring him along today to share in the celebration. If he was as happy as everyone told him, Cody was pleased. Ted deserved to be happy and have a full life.
"Looking for someone," the familiar voice said from behind.
Cody turned on his heel and saw Ted for the first time in nearly four months. He hadn't changed, he didn't expect him to have changed, but for some reason he made a mental note about it.
"An old friend of mine," Cody said playing along making Ted smile. "It's good to see you."
"You too," Ted nodded in agreement, clearly feeling awkward in the situation.
"Dad, Mrs Cena wants to know if you want a drink?" a teenage lad asked walking up to Ted. Cody recognised him immediately as Tate, Ted's son. Even if he'd met Ted for the first time today, Cody would know the two were related.
"I'm okay, thanks, son. Tate, I'd like you to meet, Cody," Ted introduced. Tate's eyes lit up with recognition, and Cody thought he spied a little bit of resentment causing the guilt Cody had felt when he was with Ted rise up again.
"It's nice to meet you, Tate," Cody said pressing the guilt back down and offering his hand out to shake.
"Yeah, and you," Tate said quietly before being polite and receiving the handshake. Definitely some resentment, and who could blame the kid. Cody had refused to be a part of Ted's life with him and hurt his dad at the same time. Cody would have a lot of work to do to build bridges there. "I'm going to let Mrs Cena know you don't want a drink."
"Ted, he's the spitting image of you," Cody said shaking his head in disbelief.
"I know," Ted said with a huge smile on his face.
"Ted, I know you're going to be busy with the ceremony, but is there any chance we could talk today, there's something I want to let you know, something I only realised after you left the company."
"The service won't be starting until John's brother and his wife get here with the kids, so we can head outside and chat now if you want," Ted suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Cody agreed nervously. He wasn't sure exactly how he wanted to say it but he'd figure it out as he started talking.
They went outside and sat at one of the tables in the courtyard area and Ted looked at Cody expectantly. Cody felt pressured to get this right but he was just going to talk from the heart and see where it got him.
"Okay," he breathed. "First off, I understand you're in a relationship-"
"Cody, don't do this," Ted warned. "I'm happy."
"I know. That was what I was going to say. I'm glad you're happy. I can see it in your eyes," Cody said smiling. "Look, I messed up, big time. I put you in an impossible situation and I hurt you. That will always be my biggest regret in life."
"Cody, everyone makes mistakes. I made some as well," Ted admitted. "In all honesty, I should never have tried to keep two separate lives. I shouldn't have given into my weakness that last night we were together; it just caused us to end on a sour note."
"Well, if we remember that night as the last moment in our relationship, it was good," Cody said with a nervous chuckle. "I mean, I fell asleep in the arms of someone I cared for. Let's face it; we both knew it wasn't going to sort things out between us. We were already over. But it didn't make it any less special than the other times we were together."
"We did have some amazing times together," Ted agreed with a hint of recognition from a long lost love.
"Um, anyway, what I wanted to tell you was, even though we didn't work out, there isn't anyone in the world I would have wanted to go through that with, but you. I think we possibly felt pressure because of John and Randy's relationship and the way they've worked out, not to mention Darren came out and is in a long-term relationship. The whole world expected us to do the same," Cody said running out of breath and making Ted relax watching a classic case of Cody talking too much. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I think our fate was always to help each other find out who we were in this crazy life."
"I agree, and I think after knowing each other so long, my Christian beliefs are starting to rub off on you," Ted half-joked before turning serious. "Are you happy Cody?"
"I am," he said nodding with a smile. "I've just started seeing someone, it's not that serious at the moment, we're just dating, but he's a nice guy."
"You think he could be the one?"
"I'm not putting that kind of pressure on myself. I really do want to have a successful career and if I find love along the way then that's even better," he said with a happy shrug.
"Ted, can I interrupt, Mrs Cena said to let you know the rest of the family will be here in about ten minutes." Cody figured the man was Ted's new boyfriend.
"Okay, thanks, Isaac I'd like to introduce you to Cody," Ted said.
"Cody, it's nice to meet you, Ted's told me so much about some of your exploits on the road," Isaac said laughing. "I think Randy and John need to watch out today before you two start with the hi-jinks."
"Randy and John would be joining in," Cody said shaking his hand and laughing along with them.
"And I hope he's not said anything too bad about me."
"A few gripes about you not enjoying the fishing trips, but I can appreciate where you come from on that one," he said taking a seat. "I get bored."
"Totally, I use to take a rucksack full of things to do while we were out there, I hated it," Cody told him, looking horrified at the thought of the trips. "Actually, the guy I'm seeing would probably enjoy a fishing trip. Maybe you two could come over to Tampa and we can arrange a trip. Ted and Philip can go fishing while we stay at home. You should bring Tate of course."
"Sounds like a plan, but you two are coming out on the boat as well."
"I've got to stop calling you Cutie," John commented as Alanna stepped out of her room.
"What do you mean?" she asked confused.
"You look stunning," he said making her blush.
"Well, someone has to," she joked as Randy joined them both in the upstairs hallway.
"You're going to break my heart one day," he said taking in how his daughter looked.
"Oh dear god," Alanna rolled her eyes. "Are you two going to be like this all day? I could wear a burlap sack and you'd get all emotional."
"Yeah, but he wouldn't be worried about a broken heart," John elbowed Randy.
Randy rolled his eyes and checked his suit again. He hated wearing suits, the only reason he was today was that he was getting married. John had been laughing at him all morning and kept promising that as soon as the service was over they could change back into their everyday clothes; or at least a smarter version of them.
The wedding was only a small affair held in West Newbury. John's mom had agreed to let them use her backyard. Nate had laughed when they told the family not realising how big the space was. John's mom had hired a landscaper to clean it up after they asked her if she would be okay to marry there and with the decorations, Alanna, Becky, John's sister in laws and their moms had done, it looked amazing and like what they would get if they'd gone to some country estate. Randy had been anxious about how it would end out, knowing the women were in charge of organising it, but Alanna was true to her word when she said she would make sure it stayed tasteful and there weren't too many flowers.
"How are things with Ted and Cody?" Randy asked having not seen them since they both arrived.
"Fine, they're laughing and joking around like they always have done," Alanna said.
"Cody's okay with Ted bringing his partner and Tate?"
"Yeah, turns out Cody's dating someone," she shrugged. "He kept that quiet."
"I knew he'd gone on a date back along but didn't know it had turned into more," John said.
"Al, can you do me a favour and keep an eye on them," Randy asked. "I know I shouldn't ask you to do that but I don't want any dramas today. I'm already convinced Dad is going to have a sudden change of heart and say something when the minister asks 'If anyone here present-'"
"Randy, honey, will you relax," John said taking hold of his hands to calm him. "Your dad has been fine with it. In fact, since we got engaged he's been completely supportive."
"I know. I just want this day to be perfect," Randy said. "For both of us."
"And it will be," John said kissing him. "We're getting married. Me and you for the rest of our lives; and Ally can come along for the ride as well. Someone has to keep us in the real world."
"Thanks dad. That's such a lovely comment," Alanna said punching him in the arm.
Randy started checking his pockets, making sure he had everything he needed for the service. He and John had written their own vows and Randy had insisted on buying new rings. They now wore engagement bands on the right hand so he could give John a wedding band. What he hadn't yet told John was that he'd had them engraved with the date they were getting married.
Alanna was going to be the bridesmaid and ring bearer and they had decided not to have anyone else in the wedding party. Just the three of them, as it always was.
"Umm, dad," Alanna said interrupting his thoughts.
"What is it?" he asked concerned at her the confusion in her eyes.
"I don't know whether I should tell you this, and I'm sorry if you don't want to hear it, but I had a phone call from Mom," she explained. "It's nothing bad, but I know you two don't see eye to eye anymore."
"What is it sweetheart," Randy asked bringing her close.
"She said to tell you, congratulations and that she hopes you're happy with John."
"Tell her, thank you, the next time you speak with her," Randy commented. "How's your brother?"
"Half-brother," she said pulling a face. "He's fine. I'm surprised she stopped talking about him long enough to give me her message."
"Half-brother or not, he's your brother. And having a child is an exciting time, I remember when you came along, she was exactly the same, and so was I," Randy chuckled.
"He couldn't go two minutes without mentioning you," John said joining them in the conversation. "He was showing everyone your picture and he had this goofy grin on his face. If I had been comfortable admitting it, I would have said he looked cute."
The three of them relaxed for another five minutes waiting for the last few members of John's family to arrive, Randy checked again that Alanna was happy to stay here with her grandparents while John and he went away for a few days. They were a whistle-stop trip up to Maine for a brief honeymoon and then they were coming back down to West Newbury before heading back to Florida in time for Christmas.
With the wedding bringing the family together, they decided not to head back to either St Louis or West Newbury and have a Christmas, just the three of them, in Florida. John and Randy were concerned that Alanna didn't want to go back to St Louis to see her mom, but she said she'd rather be with her dads.
A couple of minutes later, Carol popped her head into the room and told them everyone had arrived and were heading outside to take their seats. A couple of minutes later they made their way downstairs and Alanna met Becky by the back door to tell her to start the music. They weren't having the traditional wedding march, instead opting for an instrumental version of one of their favourite love songs.
Alanna walked down the aisle just ahead of them as John and Randy went hand in hand toward the makeshift altar.
She stood to the right of her dad with her bouquet in hand. She had a small purse holding the rings; she just hoped she gave the right one to each of them.
"Welcome everyone and thank you for coming and joining John and Randy on this momentous day," Ted said with a smile. John and Randy had decided they wanted someone they knew running the ceremony and with Ted being a Christian, they could think of no one better. "When John and Randy approached me about being the Celebrant at today's wedding and told it would be in Massachusetts in December... outside; I thought Dear Lord, why me? However, being here today, and seeing how much Randy hates being in his suit, well, it's worth it.
"John and Randy have prepared their own vows which is good, because then I don't have to come up with some grand speech. I do want to say one thing though," Ted pointed out. "These two men aren't just retired wrestlers, lovers, fathers, sons, brothers, friends; they are also inspirations. You may be thinking, really Ted, Randy, inspirational? I would say yes, because both of these men have helped me and another close friend realise, and help come to terms with, our sexuality. It wasn't because they wanted gay friends but because they had been there themselves. They knew what it was like. And from conversations I've had with their fans, it's not just their friends they've helped, but so many people across the world."
As Randy listened to the words, he smiled, catching his imminent mother in law wiping at her eyes with a handkerchief. He discreetly nodded his head toward Carol and John looked around rolling his eyes at his mom.
"John do you have your vows," Ted indicated for him to take his turn reading his vows.
He took the card from his pocket and took a deep breath, hoping he held it together and did the words justice.
"I'm usually good with words but I have to admit that when it came to these vows, I've struggled. I couldn't work out how to summarise just what you mean to me," he said squeezing Randy's hand for support. "For the last twenty five years you've been my constant ally and friend, you were always the one I turned to for support. For fourteen of those years, I have fallen in love with you just a little bit more every day. I hope that I have been and promise that I will always be there for you as a friend and a lover for the rest of our lives."
Randy reached across with his free hand to cup John's face, rubbing his thumb across his cheek as to wipe away the tears of joy that John was struggling to keep in.
"Don't even think about kissing until I give the word," Ted warned them. "Don't forget I know you two well enough to read your minds. Now, Randy do you have your vows?"
"I have no idea how I'm supposed to follow what you've just said, but here goes," Randy said holding both of John's hands. "The simple truth is I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for you. When I found out I was going to be a father, I freaked out and made some bad choices, certain habits got worse, so bad in fact that it took a strong man like you to spell out what would happen. Now I'm not saying I've been perfect, I make mistakes still, I'm probably going to make them in the future, but it's nothing as idiotic as the ones I used to. You mentioned about us being constant allies, for me, you're nothing more than my guardian angel on earth and I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives has in store for us, because together, I know we can overcome anything that is put in our way."
John stepped closer to Randy and moved his arms around his waist, he was about to kiss him when a hand shot between them and pushed John back.
"Again, with the kissing," he joked. "You two are terrible; there is an order to this ceremony. However, since Cody looks like he's about to burst into tears I think we need to move this along. Alanna may we have the rings."
Alanna gave John and Randy the rings and as Ted was about to start the proceedings for this part of the ceremony, Randy told John to check the inside of the ring. When John saw the date and word Always engraved on the ring he smiled, "Can we get on with this, cause I want to kiss him again."
"In ten years, if you choose to renew your vows, I'm not officiating," Ted joked. "Now, John, repeat after me, I give you this ring, as a sign of my everlasting love."
"I give you this ring as a sign of my everlasting love," he repeated.
"I promise to have and to hold from this day forward, as long as we both shall live."
"I promise to have and to hold from this day forward, as long as we both shall live," John repeated sliding the ring onto Randy's finger.
Ted repeated the words with Randy as he gave the ring to John, wiggling his eyebrows at John knowing what was coming next.
"I take great pleasure in and have the honour of pronouncing you, husband, and husband. And, yes, finally, you can kiss each other," he laughed as they stepped into each other's arms before he'd even finished the words. "Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce to you, Mr and Mr Orton."
A/N: I know, I know, no final sex scene but I was writing it and I felt like it didn't fit to end it like that. The story finished with them getting married for me. Hope you don't hate me too much