Chapter 15: From the Heart

"Well that's just fucking great!" Joe thought as Samuel Cohen took his seat after a stirring and tear-jerking tribute to his younger brother and his new husband. "How the Hell am I supposed to follow that? Good going, not writing anything out and depending on your wit, dumb ass!" Joe berated himself inwardly as he plastered a smile on his face and joined in the applause. As if she could read his mind, Vanessa leaned in closer to her husband.

"You'll do fine." Vanessa whispered in his ear and discreetly placed her hand on his upper thigh, giving him a reassuring squeeze. Color rose in Joe's cheeks as his wife's hand worked it's way higher. He looked to Vanessa with eyes wide. She had a deadly serious look on her face. "You can do this." He nodded, that wasn't just encouragement, that was an order. Joe took a quick sip from his champagne glass to wet his whistle and rose to address the guest who were now seated and gathered in Beachwood Manor's banquet room.

Joe could feel everyone's eyes on him as he walked up to the space dedicated at the head table for speeches, right next to the new husbands. Phil had one arm draped over the back of Frank's chair, and held Frank's left hand with his own. The silver of their wedding bands glinted off their intertwined fingers. Frank gave his brother a sympathetic smile, knowing how badly Joe hated public speaking. Correction. Joe enjoyed the spotlight, he liked being the life of the party. But when it came to being serious, Joe would rather have his wisdom teeth pulled.

The younger Hardy brother took another small sip of champagne and picked up the microphone.

"Good evening everyone. For those of you who don't know me, I am Frank's younger and better looking brother, Joe. Now, there comes a time in everyone's life when they meet their one true love: their soul mate. The person that's going to know and love them for the rest of their life. That moment came for Frank about twenty three years ago, when I was born." Surprised laughter rose up from the guests.

"To be asked by Frank to be his best man is an honor for me, but it's also very honorable of him, because he's finally admitting to each and every one of you that I truly am the best. Yes Frank, I said it. Now, for those of you who don't know or are among those who do, growing up, Frank and I were polar opposites. He was the brains, I was the brawn. He was the Abbott to my Costello. And until my last growth spurt, he was always the big brother I looked up too. Now he looks up to me, but not by much. Because I still look to him for encouragement, strength, and for the love and understanding only brothers can share.

I wish I could take credit for introducing Frank to Phil. But a playground bully gets credit for that. He couldn't be here tonight, I understand he's too busy with his anger-management therapy practice to get away for the weekend. I have to admit, when I was a kid I was kind of jealous of all the time Frank spent with his new buddy, but little did I know that I had a front row seat to a love story that was over fourteen years in the making.

Phil has proven to be the kind of guy who could be trusted and counted on when needed. He was there for Frank during a time when I was too young and immature to understand what my big brother was going through. And when they finally started dating, I could not have asked for a better man to be in my brother's life. He has been by Frank's side ever since, through the ups and downs, showing him a life full of the love they both deserve. The time that Frank has been with Phil is the happiest and most content I have seen him in years.

Frank, through think and thin, good and bad, you're my big brother. I will always look up to you and admire you. Phil, I couldn't be any happier that you are now part of our family, and that I have a new big brother. Seeing you two together, just looks complete. I wish you nothing my happiness, love, and prosperity for the rest of your years.

And if you'll join me in raising a glass to toast a happy couple, Frank and Phil. Love is a force more impressive than any other because it cannot simply be seen, but it can transform you in a moment and offer you more joy than any material possession ever could. Congratulations! To Frank and Phil!"

The crowd joined in the toast and applauded Joe's short, but very sweet salute to Frank and Phil. Frank stood up and gave his brother a brotherly bear-hug.

"You did great Joe!" Frank whispered.

"Hey, I just spoke from the heart."

ooOOoo

During dinner the courtyard had been converted into a space for dancing and socializing. All the French doors that lined the dining room were opened to allow an easy flow for guests to move from their tables to the dance floor. Frank and Phil took to the floor first for their first dance as a married couple, swaying easily to "Your Song". Frank's cheek brushed Phil's as he leaned into him.

"You shaved."

"You like?"

"Mmm hmm." Frank squeezed Phil's hand.

"That's not the only place I shaved." Phil said hotly in his husband's ear. The raven haired man could feel the heat from Frank's cheeks and he snickered.

"Are you blushing?" Phil teased, even though he knew the answer.

"What do you think?"

"I like it when you blush, those little freckles of your's stand out. I can't wait to get you to Mexico, laying naked in bed all day. I might actually get to count all those freckles, even the ones across your shoulders."

"Keep talking like that and our honeymoon might get started sooner that expected." Frank said, then planted a kiss on Phil's smooth cheek.

"Wonder if anyone would notice if we sneak away to our suite upstairs? We have to be at the airport at six in the morning to check our bags, that's going to make for a very brief first night as husbands."

"I think our mothers would notice. We're due to dance with them next I believe. Cock-blockin' moms!" Phil giggled, Frank didn't swear often, especially when so many people were around. But their quiet little conversation on the dance floor couldn't be heard over the music and the general noise of the guests talking and milling about. The song finally came to an end and Frank surprised Phil once again by leaning heavily against him while supporting his back and going in for a dip. The crowd applauded as Frank and Phil left the dance floor hand in hand.

ooOOoo

Ezekiel Turner had a very cross look on his face as Biff plucked two glasses of champagne from the young vampire's cool fingers.

"Hey!"

"I don't care what year is on your birth certificate, to these guys you still look like a fifteen-"

"Sixteen! And alcohol has no effect on me!"

"Okay, you still look like a sixteen year old kid. And as you are aware there are laws about underage drinking, even at weddings. This place could lose their ABC license if someone ratted them out for letting you and your date drink. For that matter you're damn lucky her father did catch you two with these or he'd be breathing his hot wolfie breath down your neck! Lest you forget she can be affected by the bubbly."

Biff set the glasses on the bar and turned to see Stanley Wood's daughter waiting shyly at a table a few yards away.

"So this is your "gaming" buddy, huh? Nell Stanley? Do you have a death wish?" Biff was amazed at the transformation that a dress and a little make up had on the tomboy-ish middle child of the local pack leader.

"We just like to play video games, honest." But Biff rolled his eyes, only believing half of what the one hundred sixty-five year old had to say. Ezekiel was a perpetual teenager after all. Biff turned to the bartender and asked for two Pepsi Cola's. He handed them to the teen vampire and shooed him off.

"You handled that rather diplomatically. You would make a good father one day." Biff nearly jumped, not realizing Amy was so close by.

"Well it's not like he's going to grow out of being a teenager, and I was sixteen once, I remember what it was like." Biff smiled and handed Amy one of the confiscated glasses of bubbly. Amy watched Biff as he took a sip. She'd known the vampire hunter over a year now, and he was still a young man, but already Amy's keen eyes could detect the signs that Biff was physically aging. Imperceptible to humans on a year to year basis, but Amy had known and loved enough humans to pick up on the subtle tell-tale signs of aging. Signs that Biff won't notice for another five or ten years, but Amy could already see where the skin by his temples would weaken and laugh lines would form. She saw it happen to Ilia.

"Have you ever considered wanting children of your own?" It was an innocent question, and the response Amy got was just as she expected.

"Amy, I have you and Ezekiel. Someday when Chet and Beth tie the knot, the three of us can be our own little dysfunctional family. So long as I have you, that's all I need." He leaned over and kissed Amy's cool cheek, leaving a warm place where his lips had touched.

"You are a good man Allen. I…" The tempo of the music changed and Biff set his drink down.

"Care for a dance?" No, a wedding was not the time and place for this discussion, Amy decided.

"I would love to." Biff led Amy out to the dance floor and held her in his arms, swaying and twirling her in time to the beat. And for a while, Amy allowed herself to let go and let herself be adored by someone who loved her. Their discussion could wait another day, week, or a month if need be. But it was one that they would have to have before the small window of opportunity for the human she loved was gone.

ooOOoo

"Something's not right." Amy said in all seriousness when they left the dance floor. Without an explanation Amy headed toward one of the tables with Biff close on her heels. The approached a table where Riona Magee was seated. She was flanked by her daughters, Bridget and Keeva, and Laura Hardy was knelt down in front of her. Riona had her forehead cupped in one hand and her other hand above her ample bosom. Her cheeks were redder than usual for someone of Irish descent and a sheen of sweat was noticeable on her face, neck and chest.

"Ree, honey do you need a doctor? Do we need to call an ambulance." Laura was fretting as her friend took one of the wedding programs and began to fan her self.

"No, no, Lala. I think I'll be fine. I may have over done it out of the dance floor, and it has been a long day. I think I'll get a taxi and go home."

"Like Hell you will!" Keeva spoke up. "I'll drive you home and let you have one of your potions. If that doesn't do the trick, then we'll go to the Emergency Room."

"Me too Momma, I'll go home with you." the usual bubbliness that Bridget exuded had gone flat at the severity of the situation."

"Girls, please, you don't have to escort me home! There are so many young and available men here, you might meet someone nice.

"Momma, half of them are gay!" Keeva said flatly.

"Hey!" Biff squawked, but Keeva ignored him. Laura looked from Biff, to Amy, then to Keeva, and for a moment she seemed to lose focus and Biff was worried that Laura was taking ill as well. But the petite blonde shook her head and stood from her crouch in front of Riona.

"Here Ree, have some ice water." Laura held out a glass and the redhead gladly accepted.

"Your mother is right. You girls work hard, you deserve a night to enjoy yourselves. I will take her home and see to her well being. When I am certain she will be fine, I can return quicker than either of you could. I will call if she gets worse, I promise." Amy's tone was that of one who wasn't going to take "No" for an answer. Keeva and Bridget nodded.

"Momma, my phone's in my bra, call me when you get home." Keeva said, and the small group looked at her like she'd grown a second head. "What? It does me no good if someone calls and my phone's sitting in my clutch on a table while I'm on the other side of the room!"

Amy kissed Biff quickly. "I'll be back soon." And with that she helped her friend to her feet.

"I'll walk with you to your car too." Laura said, and held on to Riona's other arm.

When they were finally in the parking lot, Amy fished her keys out of her small purse and hit the "unlock" button on her key fob.

"Ree, what was that all about back there? You're healthy as a horse!" Laura asked her childhood friend, noticing she was no longer sweating and her color had improved.

"I sensed something back there, but I had to get you two away from the crowd to talk about it… And I did feel a little faint, but I usually get that way when I'm around…"

"Dark magic." Laura finished.

Amy had been silent, dutifully helping Riona into the passenger side of her silvery grey Jaguar.

"Where?" Amy asked finally.

"Around the gift table. There's a gift on that table that has been tainted by dark magic. The closer I got to that table, the more I could sense it."

"Well don't worry, Ree. Frank and Phil didn't plan on opening their gifts until they got back from their honeymoon. That will give Joe plenty of time to have every box X-rayed, inspected and re-wrapped before they get back from Mexico."

"An X-ray may help with a bomb or booby-trap, but it won't help with dark magic." Laura rubbed her hand wearily over her forehead as she leaned against the car's door.

"So what do you suggest?"

"How is Joe taking the gifts to the Police Department?"

"He was going to put them in the back of Vanessa's mini-va…"

"No!" Riona said sharply. "Too dangerous. You tell Joe to go get a small U-haul trailer. Don't bring those gifts into your home, Mrs. Cohen's, the boys' or Joe's! After Joe's had them inspected and doesn't find anything, call me. I'll comb over them too and see if I can single out the culprit. It must be destroyed!" Laura nodded and closed the car door.

"I will be back before Allen can miss me." Amy called out. Laura smiled and waved them off. The silver Jaguar speed off lightening fast out of the parking lot. Laura walked back up to Beachwood Manor, all the while stewing over the unfairness of it all. Her son's wedding, and it figures something had to happen. Now she had to discreetly pull her youngest son aside and cover for him while he tried to find a local U-haul dealer that would still be open this time of night and line all that up without Frank, Phil, or other Cohens knowing about it.

"Well that's just fucking great." Laura muttered under her breath as she ascended the manor's front stairs to rejoin the reception.

ooOOoo

Author's Note:

Yep, you called it! Things were just going too smoothly.

Oh, and there will be smut in the next chapter. It's been far too long since we've had some good ole M/M action.

Woot!