Culture Aftershock

by jtrue

A sequel to Culture Shock. Emmett McCarty's Emirati partner Nasir has a new job and a green card, but will their lives together be as easy as they think? And what will happen to Seth and Garrett? SLASH LEMONS MA

16. Chapter 16

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

A very happy long holiday weekend to all my friends in the States and Canada, and wherever else you might be enjoying a long weekend. I hope everyone has fun and time to relax with your loved ones.

Huge thanks to my Council of Ladies, Liz, Maureen and Rebecca. Rebecca styled all ladies at the wedding. Maureen is invaluable with kids. Liz, you keep me going.

Soooo close now. There might be a surprise in here...

Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions should go do so right now. Links to both stories are in my profile.

WARNING:

This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!

AU/AH/OC

All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just take them out and play with them.

---

Chapter 16: Final Preparations

Saturday
Afternoon
(Wedding minus 1.5 hours )

Bobby waited patiently behind the wheel of his stretch, white, Lincoln Town Car limousine with the darkened windows in the drive of the Sorrento Hotel. He had been on hand for a couple of hours now. Seth Clearwater had instructed that one limo be made available early, and of course specified that Bobby should be driving it. Bobby was happy to be driving for his favorite regular customers on their special day. Mr. al Qasimi and his partner and friends had always been kind and generous with him.

Taxis and other vehicles came and went from the Sorrento, but Bobby could not fail to notice the white Rolls Royce Phantom as it slowly glided past where he was parked at the side of the drive. Especially as he saw it at the limo company garages nearly every day.

"Oh, hold up," Bobby said aloud as he got out of the stretch Lincoln. The Phantom rolled up under the porte cochere to a gentle stop at the hotel's front doors and Bobby followed it on foot.

"Tom! Hey, Tom!" Bobby yelled to get the attention of his coworker as he got out from behind the wheel of the Phantom.

"Oh, hey, Bobby," Tom greeted as he shut the driver's door. He wore a grey uniform suit while Bobby wore black.

"Tom, you gotta let me drive these guys. You gotta switch with me," Bobby urged.

"I'm responsible for this car, Bobby," Tom protested.

"These are my regular guys, man. It's just four blocks. When have you known me to come back to the garage with so much as a scratch?" Bobby argued.

"Okay, yeah. I guess it's not a big deal," Tom agreed.

"Thanks, man," Bobby offered his fist and Tom bumped it with his own.

Seth Clearwater, still in his leather vest and jeans, emerged from the hotel at that moment. Garrett, Nasir and Edward were close behind, with four small overnight bags between them for those few items they would need in addition to the tuxes that already awaited them at the mansion. All three wore a simple tee shirt with their jeans and sandals.

"Is this for us, Sethy?" Nasir pointed at the Phantom.

"Of course it is," Seth gestured to their smiling regular driver as he walked around the car to get the rear door. "You and Emmy will go to and from your wedding in proper style, and your groomsmen with you."

"I'll sit up front," Edward offered.

"Edward, where are Leo and Zack?" Nasir asked.

"I left them there when we took over the newspapers and tuxes. I've only been back fifteen minutes," Edward answered. "I have their bag," he held up the second one he carried.

"Mr. al Qasimi," Bobby smiled his greeting.

"Hello, Bobby," Nasir patted the shorter man on his shoulder. He and Garrett seated themselves in the back of the big car and Seth stuck his head in before Bobby could close the door.

"Go straight upstairs to your groom's room," Seth instructed. "It's down the hall on the left when you get upstairs. There will be a sign I know you will recognize," he leaned further into the car to give his husband a kiss on his lips. "You too. C'mere," Seth hooked a finger at Nasir. The Arab groom leaned over to give Seth a kiss.

"I'll be right behind with my groom," Seth retreated and the driver was finally able to close the rear suicide door. Edward was already seated in the front of the Rolls. Seth opened the front passenger door while the driver walked back around the car.

"You get a kiss too!" Seth grabbed Edward's face and planted one on him while Bobby took the wheel. "Come right back, Bobby. I'll have groom number two down and ready to go in ten minutes," he instructed.

"Yes, sir," Bobby agreed.

"Kay, see you in a minute," Seth bounced away from the car and back into the hotel. Edward just chuckled to himself as he pulled his door shut again. Bobby started the car and they rolled out from under the porte cochere.

Nasir grabbed Garrett's hand and just held it silently as their Phantom rolled out onto Madison. Garrett just smiled at him. They sat comfortably together in the plush back seat for the two blocks down to Minor Avenue, where they turned left and headed into the neighborhood. Two blocks further they came to Seneca Street. Bobby drove through the intersection and pulled up to the curb in front of the imposing structure.

"It is beautiful," Nasir commented as Bobby got out to get their door.

"You've never been, Nasir?" Edward asked from the front seat.

"I have not even driven by," Nasir admitted. Bobby opened both the front and rear passenger doors at the same time and all three men climbed out.

"Thank you, Bobby," Nasir patted his favorite driver on the shoulder again.

"My pleasure, Sir," Bobby smiled and shut the doors. Nasir, Garrett and Edward carried their little bags up the walk and steps to the pointed front door as the Phantom drove away behind them.

"Hey, guys!" the door was opened for them by a smiling Zack. Within the mansion everything was almost completely in readiness and the front door had been given over to the wedding ushers.

"Zack," Nasir had not seen the younger men that morning and took Zack in his arms.

"Hi, Nasir," Zack happily hugged and kissed the taller man back.

"Your bag, safely delivered as promised," Edward handed it over to Zack.

"Thanks, Edward," Zack happily accepted it.

"Where is Leo?" Edward asked.

"I'm in here," Troy called from around the corner. A few steps further and Edward could see Leo in the French Tea room opposite the library, on his knees digging in boxes.

"Look at all this stuff, Gem," Troy held up a light colored wooden stick the length of a full sized umbrella.

"So this is a camel stick," Edward took hold of the curved handle end as Troy handed it to him.

"Ah," Nasir caught sight of his groomsman with the stick in his hand. "Edward, you look good holding that."

"Hi, Nasir," Troy jumped up to hug the tall man.

"Leo," Nasir held the smaller man to him a moment. "Give me two more of those," he bid as he let Troy go. Troy pulled two more from the box and handed them over.

"Garrett," Nasir handed one to his best man.

"Okay, you guys," Troy took charge. "Seth called two minutes before you got here with specific instructions. We are to make sure you get right upstairs, so get goin'," he pointed.

"The stairs are right through here," Zack pointed as well.

Nasir could not help himself and walked across the vestibule, into the open doors of the library. There were no workers now. The space was quiet and magnificent with every chair and flower in place.

"Allah! Look at this!" Nasir was struck by the beauty of this place where he would share his joy with Emmett, and theirs with everyone.

"It is beautiful," Garrett stepped up beside his best friend and put an arm around him.

"Guys," Troy appeared before them. "Right upstairs, so get goin'," he repeated as he put his hands on their chests and pushed gently.

"Okay, we are going," Nasir pulled Troy under his arm. Once back in the vestibule, he let Troy go.

"You guys gotta get dressed too," Edward reminded. "Cute as you two know you are, you can't greet Emmett and Nasir's guests in tee shirts."

"We should have gotten them thongs," Nasir's face lit up with his lewd suggestion.

"They're saving those for the reception," Edward was quick.

"Ha!" Troy found that very funny.

"I would love to see you in a thong, Lee," Zack expressed once they were alone again. "How come we don't have any?"

"I would love it if you would wear one for me too," Troy agreed. "And I can think of a pretty long list of guys who would be happy to buy us a pair or two."

"And help you try them on," Nasir quipped.

"I'll bet!," Zack laughed. He hooked his fingers in the belt loops of Troy's jeans and pulled their hips together, face to face. "Next time I come home from study group, I would love to find you waiting for me in a tight, tiny, packed thong."

"C'mon, guys," Edward chuckled as he herded Nasir and Garrett up the four steps into the Great Hall.

"I'll make you rub your face on it," Troy smiled at his partner.

"No prob. And I'll do more than that," Zack put a gentle finger under Troy's chin as he leaned down to kiss his lover.

Above them, once Nasir, Garrett and Edward arrived on the second floor, camel sticks in hand, they found it was very much like stepping back in time a hundred years. With one exception. Nasir immediately spotted the sign that told him he was in the right place, as they walked down the corridor to the left.

"Look!" Nasir pointed.

"What is that?" Edward asked.

"It makes me think of a flag," Garrett shared his thought.

"It is!" Nasir laughed. "It is the flag of the Emirates."

"Seth said there would be a sign you would recognize," Edward opened the door to the bedroom.

"We must be in the right place," Nasir said as he and Garrett followed Edward into the old world bedroom. It was filled with heavy, dark, masculine, wood furniture. The posts of the big four poster bed were great, solid, square columns. A massive wardrobe stood open with their tuxes and other needed clothing within. The only modern thing in the room was the ice bucket and tray of three crystal flutes that stood near the door.

"Wow. This place might just be a little bit creepy," Edward stated.

"I was just going to say how much it reminds me of my parents' home," Garrett placed his bag on the bed.

"You grew up in a place like this, Garrett?" Edward asked.

"It's laid out differently, I think, at least from what I've seen so far, but much the same, yes," Garrett answered.

"You know, I just realized, the only difference between the three of us, is that Garrett has two parents who are nice people," Edward assessed. "I have one parent that's great and the other I don't care if he lives or dies, and I'm sure that feeling is mutual. Nasir, I guess I don't know about your mom, but I know your dad is about as bad as mine."

"My mother is good," Nasir was almost sure. "Or, at least, she was. I have not spoken to her since. I do not know what she thinks. And I never will," he cast his gaze down and slowly shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Buddy. I shouldn't have brought it up," Edward offered.

"I'm sorry too, Nasir," Garrett put an arm around his best friend. "I'm sorry that they cannot be loving and supportive, and that they are not here to share in your life and your joy today."

"I am sorry for that as well," Nasir gave a sigh.

"We are your family now," Garrett assured.

"Yes," Nasir nodded. "Yes you are," he wrapped his arms around Garrett and held him tightly. "Come here, Edward," Nasir bid. Both men opened their arms to welcome Edward into their three man hug.

---

The McCarty brothers both wore plain white tee shirts that fit them much the same. While Emmett's chest was a bit bigger than his brother's, two sets of McCarty nipples were on display through the thin material. With the older brother, this was by design. The younger brother wore what his wife bought for him. The similarities ended there. Emmett's jeans were snug and form fitting. Carson's, while also low on his hips, hung on him. Seth was still in vest and tight jeans, though not for much longer. All three men carried a small bag. Carson also held a fresh, cold, open beer that he obtained at the lobby bar on the way out.

With perfect timing, they walked out the front doors of the hotel behind Seth just as their white Phantom pulled up. Bobby didn't have a chance to get out from behind the wheel as one of the hotel valets opened the rear door.

"This is really nice, Sweetie," Emmett approved.

"Groom," Seth gestured for Emmett to climb in first.

"Alright, Seth. I like your style, man," Carson patted the ring master on the back as he followed his brother into the back of the car. "Uh, oh. Where's Seth gonna sit? Probably on my lap!"

"No," Emmett opened his arms and legs. "Come here, Seth," he sat up straight in the big, plush back seat and made room for Seth who quickly made himself comfortable perched on the edge of the seat between his best friend's legs. Emmett had his arms wrapped around Seth and his chin on smaller man's shoulder before their door was shut.

"To the mansion, Robert," Seth bid.

"Yes, sir," Bobby smiled and stepped on the gas.

"Don't you two look cute," Carson teased.

"That's because we are," Seth flipped his hair over the shoulder that didn't have Emmett's chin on it. Emmett held Seth tightly, but not enough to hurt him, drinking up strength from his little best friend all the way to the mansion. Seth was content and rubbed Emmett's arm. He knew what Emmett was doing.

"You okay, Bro?" Carson put a supportive hand on his big brother's shoulder.

"Yeah," Emmett tried to sound convincing.

"Not getting cold feet are ya?" Carson pressed.

"Fuck no. Don't be stupid. Nothing is gonna change. I love Nasi with all my heart and soul," Emmett stated firmly. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."

"It's perfectly natural, Emmy. Garrett was too," Seth revealed.

"Self assured Garrett? That's hard to believe," Emmett could not imagine it.

"Ask him. He'll tell you," Seth patted one of the arms that held him.

"Oh, is this it?" Carson asked as their Phantom pulled up before Stimson-Green.

"Sure is," Seth confirmed as Bobby jumped out to get their door.

"This is really nice," Carson surveyed the facade of the mansion as he got out of the big car.

"Wait till you see inside," Seth followed with a quick smack on the straight man's butt.

"That little shit," Carson swore as Seth bounced out of his reach.

"C'mon," Emmett had not time for antics. He walked past his brother up the walk toward the house.

"Oh, Bobby," Seth turned and called back. He continued to walk, backwards, up the cobblestones. "Go back to the hotel and help bring the family over when they're ready. You guys should have a list."

"We do," Bobby called back with a wave before he got back in behind the wheel.

"Hey, guys," Zack greeted with a wide smile when he opened the door.

"Boys," Seth walked into the vestibule.

"There's my cutie door boys," Emmett took Zack under his arm as he followed Seth. "Hey, Leo," he took Troy under the other arm. Then he looked around. "Holy shit."

"Yeah, check this out," Troy pointed into the library.

Emmett let the younger men go and walked into what was immediately obviously the space for his ceremony. "Seth."

"Wow, Em," Carson stepped up beside his brother.

"I thought you'd like it," Seth appeared at Emmett side and leaned on him.

"Like it? I'm blown away," Emmett admitted. "Has Nasi seen this?"

"He has," Troy confirmed from behind them.

"What did he say?" Emmett turned.

"He said, 'Allah' and, something. Suffice it to say, he liked it a lot," Troy informed.

"He liked it a lot," Zack repeated with a nod.

"Well, of course he did. Okay, upstairs we go," Seth urged. "You two as well. Time to get dressed. You two come with us."

"Oh, let me grab our bag," Zack dashed quickly into the French tea room to retrieve it.

"How come we're both changing with you?" Troy asked as they all walked back out into the vestibule. "Should one of us go change with the tops, like, me, for example?"

"Hey! There's at least one top, or the equivalent to it, in Em's room," Carson stressed.

"You don't count," Seth gave the straight man a dismissive wave.

"Just stick close to your top," Zack put his arm around his partner's shoulders.

"Fine with me," Troy rested his head against Zack. "Mine's the only one I want anyway."

"And besides, if anyone should get the pleasure of seeing me naked again, it's you two," Seth smiled.

"Oh, yes, please, more nakey time," Carson shook his head and drained his bottle.

"Come, gentle persons," Seth led the way up the steps into the Great Hall. They turned and just started up the grand stairs, but then they saw it. Emmett and Carson caught sight of what the others had already seen. They could see across the Great Hall into the dining and drawing rooms.

"Em!" Carson jumped down the two steps he had climbed and crossed into the dining room. His brother was right behind him. They both took in the sight of the gleaming crystal, china, chargers and flatware on the immaculate tables. The huge and magnificent flower arrangements above the tables on risers created a veritable cloud layer of beautiful flowers.

"Em!" Carson repeated and looked at his brother.

"I know. God, I'm gonna cry. Has Nasi seen this?" Emmett turned to Troy and Zack.

"You know, I don't know," Troy admitted.

"If he hasn't, he will. At this rate your tux is gonna get married without you. Come on," Seth took hold of Emmett's free hand. He led the group back to the stairs and up to the second floor. In the Upper Hall they headed for the wing to the right.

"Is Emmett's room this way?" Troy pointed with a furrowed brow. "I thought," he pointed back over his shoulder and looked to his partner for confirmation.

"I switched them," Seth answered. "Emmy will know his room when he sees it."

And Emmett did.

"Seth!" Emmett laughed. "The flag of the Bundesrepublik?"

"Bunda re whatsa?" Seth asked.

"Bundesrepublik," Carson repeated.

"The Federal Republic of Germany, in German, is," Emmett started.

"Bundesrepublik Deutschland," Carson finished.

"You big German studs," Troy teased.

"You know, there really should be two flags. We're half Irish," Emmett gestured to his brother.

"That's right," Carson confirmed.

"Well, it's the German half that's getting married today," Seth stated.

"Not necessarily. Length comes from German blood, but thickness comes from our Irish blood," Emmett smirked.

"I know that's right, Bro," Carson gave a grin and patted his big brother on the back.

"Just get in here," Seth opened the door to Emmett's groom's room and walked in. "And I have neither German, nor Irish blood in me. To what do you attribute my size?"

"You must have Buffalo blood or something," Emmett teased.

Seth just shook his head as he threw his bag on the enormous antique bed with the tall, pink satin canopy. The others did the same.

"Oh, hey," Seth untied and pulled at the laces of his vest. "Somebody crack open the champagne," he gestured with his head toward where the ice bucket sat near the door. Another silver tray sat nearby with three crystal flutes.

"I don't want any," Troy stated. "I'm saving myself for the reception," he pulled his tee shirt off over his head and dropped it on the floor with Zack's. "But I'll open it for you if you want."

"That would be most helpful of you," Seth accepted the offer.

"No more fru-fru juice for me either. I'm gonna get another beer," Carson declared. "Where's the bar?"

"Go back down the main stairs the way we came up and make a U turn," Seth tossed his vest on the bed. "Go straight out onto the verandah."

"I'm already straight," Carson could not resist. "And do you mean, the porch?"

"I mean, the verandah," Seth repeated carefully.

"Okay, I know not a one of you gay boys is wearing underwear, so you guys go ahead and get naked while I'm gone," Carson headed for the door.

Troy had the foil and cage off the bottle and popped the cork. "We'll think about you," he said as Carson passed him. Carson just chuckled as he opened the door and closed it again behind him.

Emmett, Seth and Zack all dropped their jeans and just as Carson predicted, were naked.

"I packed the snug boxers you like, Lee," Zack dug them, along with two pair of black dress socks, out of their bags.

"Thanks, Zacky," Troy poured two flutes of champagne. "Did you want a glass?"

"Na. I'll wait till later," Zack answered.

"I hate wearing underwear," Seth pulled his own out of his bag.

"I do too," Emmett agreed as he pulled on the snug, pale blue, Diesel, low rise trunks that his best man had dictated he wear under his tux today, the pouch of which held Nasir's property most provocatively.

"I do too," Troy echoed.

"We all do," Zack finished.

"I have to wear it every day to work," Emmett added.

"Me too. I tried wearing my coveralls without it just one time," Troy informed. "Talk about chafing! I won't make that mistake again," he walked to the bed and handed the groom and his best man their flutes.

"Thanks, Leo," Emmett smiled.

"Yes, thank you, Leo," Seth took his. He took a sip while Emmett took a gulp.

"Quick, get outta those pants and into these before Carson comes back," Zack held up Troy's boxers. Troy just laughed while he dropped his pants. He kicked them aside as Zack squatted down beside him.

"Thank you, Zacky," Troy put a hand on his lover's bare shoulder as he stepped into the boxers Zack held for him. Zack pulled the underwear up Troy's legs and carefully into place at his hips. He stood up and as subtly as he could ran a hand over Troy's pouch while he gave his partner a soft kiss on the lips.

All four men turned as the bedroom door opened again. Carson appeared with two Spaten in hand.

"That's what I wanted to see. Everybody in their underpants," Carson nudged the door closed with his elbow.

"And what about when you start to change?" Troy challenged. "You think we're all not gonna watch you put your underwear on?"

"You think I'm not already wearing underwear?" Carson grinned at Troy as he walked across the bedroom.

"Oh, yeah," Troy had forgotten that point.

"You're gonna drink two fisted?" Emmett asked his brother.

"No. This one's for you, little boy blue," Carson made reference to the color of his brother's underwear as he offered one of the bottles.

"Oh, thanks," Emmett accepted the Oktoberfest and took a swig with his brother.

"We're drinking champagne, you Philistines!" Seth protested.

"If by 'Philistine' you mean 'real man', then I'm a Philistine," Carson stated.

"I would actually rather have this," Emmett held up his bottle. "Thanks, Car."

"I gotta take care of my big bro on his big day," Carson put a hand on Emmett's bare shoulder.

"You have one job today. Keep these coming," Emmett instructed.

Seth just rolled his eyes as he pulled on his tux shirt. "You," he pointed at Carson, "get out of those pants. You two," he turned to Troy and Zack, "get into yours."

"Yes, sir," Troy walked over to the open wardrobe and pulled out their suit bags.

"Let's concentrate on you two first, since you're up before the rest of us," Seth finished buttoning his tux shirt and helped Troy pull the garments out of the bags.

Garrett, Edward, Carson, Troy and Zack all had the exact same tux. It was a classic black jacket with a single button and notched lapels. The pants were matching black, devoid of any satin stripe. The younger men got into their socks, pants and tux shirts.

"Oh, hey, where are our cufflinks?" Troy asked.

"I got 'em right in here," Zack dug through their bag. "It was nice of Pops and Baba to lend us these. We can't loose them," Zack produced a small box and extracted the two sets of cufflinks. He fixed Troy's cuffs before he did his own.

Seth helped them to tie their charcoal, pinstriped euro ties just right and once Troy and Zack put on the matching, solid, five button charcoal vests, primped them some more. Lastly, they held their jackets for each other, and they were dressed.

"Look how dapper, Emmy," Seth enthused.

"Damn, do you guys ever look nice," Emmett agreed.

"You really do look nice, Zacky," Troy admired as he ran a hand up his lover's lapel.

"You do too, Lee. Really nice," Zack took Troy's hand.

"Okay, one last thing. Run down to the kitchen and see Carla. She has all the boutonnieres in the cooler. Bring them all to me and I'll tell you which ones go where," Seth directed.

"Be right back," Troy agreed as he and Zack paused only long enough to slip their feet into their shoes, and they were off.

"You two can take your time," Seth addressed the McCarty brothers. "Carson, you can come and go as you wish, once you're dressed properly that is, but Emmy has to stay here until it's time," Seth dug into his own bag.

"The only place I wanna go is the bar," Carson dropped his tee shirt with his jeans and pulled on his tux shirt. "And to kiss my wife and son when they get here."

"They shouldn't be long now," Seth found his bolo tie with the Eagle head slide made of the sacred red pipestone and slipped it over his head. Seth's tux differed from the other groomsmen in that he wore his bolo in place of a euro tie, and his vest was custom made for him from leather in the same charcoal gray. Finally he donned his black tux jacket and he too was ready.

"Damn, Sweetie," Emmett smiled. "You look as hot at my wedding as you did at yours!"

"I know," Seth flipped his hair over his shoulder and bent to pull on his black leather shoe-boots with a three inch Cuban heel.

"Those can't be men's shoes," Carson expressed his doubt as he tied his euro tie. Beside him, his brother the groom, just stood in pants and half buttoned tux shirt. Emmett had plenty of time.

"I suppose men with your unnatural height have no need of custom boots, but some of us do," Seth countered.

The bedroom door opened at that moment and the ushers reappeared, their arms full of various sized clear plastic boxes. And they were not alone.

"Look who we found," Troy brought attention to that fact.

"Oh, Dane! Good," Seth walked across the room to greet the photographer. Like at Seth's wedding, Dane was in a dark brown suit with a very expensive professional camera hanging around his neck.

"Hi, guys," Dane gave Seth a kiss first.

"Hi, Emmett," Dane kissed the groom.

"Dane, I want you to meet my brother, Carson. Car, this is Dane, our friend and photographer," Emmett introduced.

"Yeah, I got that from the camera and kisses," Carson smiled and he buttoned his charcoal gray vest. "How's it goin'?" he offered the man who was now, thanks to the best man's heels, only slightly taller than Seth.

"Nice to meet you, Carson," Dane smiled at the obviously straight guy.

"Dane, take pictures of everything," Seth directed. "Nothing is off limits. You have access everywhere," he gave a sweeping gesture.

"Even the men's room?" Carson thought he was funny.

"Especially the men's room. And doubly especially if he's in there," Seth cocked a thumb at Carson.

"You asked for that," Emmett told his brother.

"Get some shots of me pinning the boutonnieres on the boys," Seth walked over to the bed where Troy and Zack had lined up all the boxes.

"There were corsages down there too. We brought up everything," Troy stepped back as Seth came to examine the merchandise.

"Oh, good. I should have told you to bring them too. I'm glad you did. Ladies over here," Seth sorted the boxes into clusters. "Grooms right here. And these are all ours. There," he opened two of the boxes and pulled out the first boutonniere. The groomsmen all had a small white calla lily with lily grass and Italian ruscus.

Troy noticed immediately that Seth looked him in the eye as he began to pin on his boutonniere. "Hey, how'd you get so tall?"

"You too can have height like this," Seth stood on one foot as he finished and bent his other knee to bring his high heeled boot clad foot up behind him.

"Zacky, I so want boots like that!" Troy laughed.

"There, now you're even cuter, if that's even possible. Next," Seth plucked up the second boutonniere and did the same with Zack. A task that would have been much harder for him with the taller young man, were it not for his heels.

"Em, quick, put my boutonniere on me before Seth gets over here," Carson pulled on his tux jacket.

"This one, right, Seth?" Emmett picked up a clear plastic box.

"That's the one. Are you sure you don't want me to do it, Carson? I can brush the lint off the front of your pants for you while I do it," Seth offered.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Carson stood still for his brother to do the job.

"Excellent, guys, very natural," Dane commended them on their ability to go about their business and not pay attention to him while the camera went off around them.

"You should have been here when we were all in our underwear," Seth teased.

"Oh, I am sorry I missed that," Dane was sincere.

"I'm not. I don't want pictures taken of me in my underwear. Fuck knows where they would end up," Carson stated.

"Right next to your calendar is where," Seth snickered.

"Oh, fuck," Carson swore and looked up at the ceiling. "Seth."

"You're in a calendar?" Dane asked with clear interest.

"Carson, Carson," Seth shook his head. "Dane is just the next of many thousands, possibly tens of thousands, of gay men in greater Seattle who will learn all about the hot and humpy firemen of Minneapolis, courtesy, of yours truly."

"Have you done the photo shoot yet?" Dane asked.

"No," Carson shook his head.

"If they're looking for a photographer, I'd be more than happy to fly in," Dane offered. "And if it's for charity, I'll gladly donate my time."

"Ha! You can't find a better photographer, Carson," Seth assured. "The Fire Department should strongly consider this offer. What's the Chief's number? And, Dane, I'd be happy to pay for your time, for copies of all the shots that don't make it into the calendar!"

"No offense," Carson held up his hands, "but if the photographer is not a woman, or a beer bellied, truck drivin', cigar smokin' dude, I'm not doing it. I don't care what my wife says," he did not get why that made all of them laugh at him. "What?"

"Car, there's a bar just a few blocks from here called the Eagle," Emmett put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "where we could probably find a dozen gay men who fit exactly that description, even at this time of day."

"No shit?" Carson could hardly imagine that.

"Okay, Leo. Do me," Seth opened the appropriate plastic box and presented himself.

"Seth, I thought you'd never ask!" Troy teased with a smirk as he took Seth's boutonniere out of the box.

"Hee!" Seth squeed while Troy pinned his flower onto him. His boutonniere was distinguished, as was Garrett's, by a slightly larger calla lily.

"There," Troy finished. "Gorgeous!"

"Well, obviously," Seth flipped his hair over his shoulder. "Now, you two," he pointed at Troy and Zack, "to the door. I'll be down in a minute. Emmy, relax. Carson, do whatever it is you're doing. Dane, follow me," Seth gave out his orders and selected from the remaining clear plastic boxes on the bed. "Okay, I need this one and this one right now. Let's go," he headed for the door. Seth, Dane, Troy and Zack all marched out and shut the door behind them.

Seth led the way into the Upper Hall and while Troy and Zack headed down the stairs, he and Dane continued on into the opposing wing.

In the other groom's room, where there were only the three men, it was much calmer. Garrett alone was completely dressed. Edward was in everything except his tux jacket. Nasir also had on as much as he would wear under his bisht. Like everyone else he had on black tux pants, devoid of the satin stripe, and a white tux shirt. Nasir had on a red, five button vest with matching euro tie. The bisht, along with his ghutra, lay on the bed. Nasir and Garrett sat in the only two chairs in the room, sipping their champagne, while Edward sat across from them on the bench that sat at the foot of what was Mr. Stimson's big four poster.

"Smile, guys," Edward said as he held up his phone. The groom and his best man held their flutes touched together as they struck a regal pose for Edward.

"There, that's great. I'm gonna send this to Jasper," Edward flipped open the phone and typed his message.

Your absinthe buddies
drinking something safe
All is well here
Ready for the big event
Counting down the minutes now
and missing you
Hope all is well there
I love you
E

Even as Edward finished typing the door to their groom's room flew open.

"I hope you're all naked, 'cause I brought the cameraman!" Seth burst into the room. "Damn, Dane, everybody's dressed!"

"Well, that's no fun," Dane let his camera hang on it's strap and carefully shut the door while Seth walked to the bed with his boxes of boutonnieres.

"Dane, always nice to see you," Garrett rose to give the photographer a kiss.

"Hi, Garrett. Hi, Nasir," Dane had a hug for both men.

"Dane, I am very glad to see you," Nasir began.

"Get pictures in here of these guys too, Dane," Seth instructed as he opened the plastic boxes containing Garrett and Edward's boutonnieres.

"You remember that picture you took, or was taken for you, of Emmett at the Eagle, with all of you in it with him?" Nasir asked.

"I'll never forget it. Sit back down there, you guys," Dane requested as he snapped a picture of Edward and Seth.

"I want a copy of that, poster sized and framed. And I don't care what it costs," Nasir said as he sat back down at the small table with Garrett.

"Then you shall have it," Dane agreed as he snapped their picture.

"Okay, Honey, stand up again," Seth held Garrett's boutonniere and set about affixing it to his husband's lapel as soon as Garrett stood up.

"I love when you wear your bolo, Sweetness," Garrett ran his hands up Seth's arms and over his shoulders. "And I love this tux on you. You look so handsome. You make me very proud to be your husband."

"Thank you, Honey," Seth was touched. "There," he took a step back to look Garrett over. "You know what? I am so spoiled!"

"There's a newsflash," Edward muttered. Seth slowly turned a powerfully withering gaze on Edward.

"Sheesh, Edward. If looks could kill, you'd be standing there dead right now," Dane observed.

"I was just about to note, before I was so rudely interrupted," Seth continued, "that I am not blown away by how wonderful my husband looks, because he looks like this every day!"

"You are so sweet, Seth," Garrett put a hand to his husband's face and gave him a soft, loving kiss on his lips.

"Now," Seth turned back to the bed and picked up Edward's boutonniere. "Put your jacket on, Cullen. And let's do hope I don't run you through with this long pin."

"Get your camera ready, Dane," Edward slipped into his tux jacket. "If I'm done in, I want there to be evidence," he smirked as Seth began. "Ow! Jesus!" Edward put his hand inside his jacket. "You really did stick me!"

"Perhaps you could hold still and be quiet," Seth was not in the least apologetic.

"Perhaps Emmett will need a new best man in a minute," Edward threatened back.

"Do I get a flower, Sethy?" Nasir asked.

"You do, Mr. Groom, but not yet. Everything in order. There," Seth finished pinning on Edward's boutonniere properly. "You really look great, Edward. I think I'll send your picture to Jasper," he pulled his cell out of his inner jacket pocket. "Smile. Give us some of that patented Cullen sexy," Seth instructed and when Edward gave his trademark smirk, clicked the picture. "Ha. Perfect!"

Just then, Edward's own phone beeped in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out.

"It's a text from Jasper. I just sent him one like two seconds before you came in," Edward opened the message.

Thanks for the pic
Emmett and Seth are lucky guys
Almost as lucky as me!
I so wish I could still be there
Dimi's out of ICU, but
he still needs another surgery
I'm on my way home
to get some sleep
Give my absinthe buddies
and everyone else all my love
I miss you too, so much
I love you
your J

Edward read Jasper's text aloud to the men who were with him in Nasir's groom's room.

"We are absinthe buddies," Nasir smiled. He very much liked that and it showed.

"Not anymore we're not," Garrett countered. "The Green Fairy most decidedly does not like me, and she likes you even less, my friend," he took a sip of his champagne.

"I cannot argue with that," Nasir shook his head.

"Okay, Honey, I, oh!" Seth's cell beeped in his hand. He flipped it open. "Jasper texted me back too."

That's my STUD right there!
Give him a kiss like it's from me
and tell him I said so!

"Ha!" Seth read the text out loud. "Kiss you like it's from him," he scoffed. "There's one thing I'll not be doing."

"C'mon, Seth. Pucker up," Edward reached for Seth.

"No!" Seth giggled and bounced around behind his husband.

"You can't hide behind Garrett," Edward reached for him again.

"Oh yes he can," Garrett stood up between Edward and Seth. "The only stud who will be kissing my husband, with tongue, is this one," he tapped himself on the chest.

"I could climb right up you right now, Gar," Seth stepped in front of his partner and ran his hands inside Garrett's tux jacket, suddenly cursing the fact that the entire wedding party was wearing vests.

"I think I saw another bedroom across the hall," Garrett ran his thumb over Seth's cheek. "Or, I suppose, while Dane is here..."

"Oh, now that's a great idea!" Seth's whole face lit up. "Dane, how much would you charge to document my husband's cock down my throat and up my ass for posterity?"

"Like we all haven't seen that," Edward shook his head.

"Normally standard rates would apply, but to watch you two fuck, it would be free," Dane stated.

"Damn, if only we had the time," Seth primped his husband's vest and tie, though Garrett did not at all need it. "So much to do. I have to get downstairs. Dane, pictures of everything and everyone. You," Seth leaned closer to his husband and stood up on his tip toes, "Mr. Thompson, are gonna get swallowed whole later on." And with that, Seth walked out the door and shut it behind him.

Before anyone in the room had a chance to speak, the door opened again and Seth returned.

"I'm sorry, Nasir," Seth went to Nasir's chair and seated himself on the Arab groom's lap. "I feel like I've been neglecting you. How are you doing? Not too nervous?"

"Hey, Seth," Edward spoke up. "Go handle your groom. We got Nasir," he put a supportive hand on Nasir's shoulder.

"I am good, Emira. Garrett and Edward are taking very good care of me," Nasir assured. "The only thing I ask of you is to take extra good care of my Emmett."

"Done and done, Sir," Seth gave Nasir a kiss on his lips. "And as it's your wedding day, I'm gonna let that one go," he got up from Nasir's lap and flew out the door a second time.

Far below in the vestibule, Troy and Zack were getting themselves organized.

"Zacky, I'm gonna put a stack of programs and newspapers on this table over here," Troy said as he placed programs on a console table beneath an ornate mirror.

"Good idea. These boxes aren't very pretty. I think I'll keep them in here, around the corner, out of sight," Zack dragged the open box of camel sticks into the tea room. Troy placed a stack of newspapers beside the programs and lined them up neatly.

Troy turned when two sets of feet came down the four steps from the Great Hall. Two even younger men who looked like high school seniors stopped and looked Troy over carefully. They were both taller than Troy, naturally, and both dressed in a white tux shirt with black bow tie, black pants and clean sneakers. One was good looking with Bieber style, sandy blonde hair and the other one was equally athletic with vividly red hair.

"Hi," Troy smiled in greeting. Smiles were not returned. It was immediately clear that these two were aware today's wedding was for two gay men, and they were none too comfortable with that.

"We usually leave this right inside the door," the red haired teen held up a small, tan metal lock box.

"Okay, sure," Troy agreed amiably. Zack stepped out from the tea room at that moment and the two boys in the bow ties grew even more wary. Until they looked the taller man over and decided he was slight of build and of no possible threat to them.

"Matt?" Zack asked.

Shock and alarm painted the teen faces. The sandy haired young man looked finally at the face of the man who recognized him. And recognized him back.

"Zack? It's Zack, right?" Matt pointed.

"Yeah. I thought that was you. Your brother was on the football team with Moose," Zack smiled. He had fond memories of Matt's older brother Mark, who was among Moose's crew of bigger, stronger guys who protected him in high school.

"Yeah! Oh my God! These guys are okay, Tim," Matt nudged his red haired friend.

"I don't think you ever met my partner," Zack put his hand proudly on Troy's back. "This is Troy."

"Hi, Troy," Matt had a smile for him now.

"Hi, Matt," Troy shook the offered hand. "You guys went to school together?"

"Zack and my older brother did. I was a few years behind them, obviously. This is my buddy Tim," Matt had become perfectly friendly.

"Hey," Tim remained unconvinced. He did not offer his hand.

"Well, we gotta get outside. Catch you guys later," Matt gave a wave and pushed his friend out the front door. "Dude, that was so rude!" he said just loud enough to be overheard as he and Tim went down the steps to the front walk.

Neither Troy nor Zack heard the quick shuffle of feet as Seth flew down the stairs from above. They only saw him appear in a flash as he came down the last four steps from the Great Hall.

"Who was that, the valet boys?" Seth asked.

"Yep," Zack confirmed.

"Are they cute?" Seth asked what was, as far as he was concerned, the most pertinent question.

"One is," Troy stated. "The other's a bit of a phobe."

"Oh, well. His issue. But keep an eye on him," Seth thought twice. "If he's rude to Emmy and Nasir's guests, I'll have him sent packing," Seth looked around the vestibule. "Looks like you two have everything ready down here, I see. Papers and programs are ready to go, gifts for the men and women," he ticked off aloud as he pointed at each.

"Yes, Sir. Don't you worry about a thing," Troy assured.

"I'm not worried about you two at all. I do have some last minute instructions, however, so pay attention," Seth commanded. "People should start arriving at any moment, especially the family."

"Oh, yeah, about that," Troy interrupted. "Think they can find their own way? I'm gonna blow Zacky in the broom closet in about five minutes," he fought to keep a straight face.

"In about five minutes or for about five minutes?" Seth could not help himself.

"Oh. Yeah, I could blow him in five minutes," Troy looked up at his lover, "but I'm gonna take much longer."

"Why are hot boys so difficult?" Seth asked the ceiling. "Now listen up. When Emmy's family arrive, bring them upstairs to Emmy and Carson. Same goes for Maggie and Rosalie when they arrive. Everyone else, goes in here," Seth pointed into the library and walked into it. Troy and Zack obediently followed.

"Now, when you bring people in here to seat them, no Emmett or Nasir's side, type questions," Seth continued.

"Right, normally we should ask, bride's side or groom's side, kinda thing," Troy understood.

"How many people does Nasir know?" Zack was astute. "Not through Emmett, I mean."

"And there you have it exactly," Seth took hold of Zack's arm. "I am not going to have Nasir walk in here and wonder why everyone is sitting on one side. Just fill in the rows as people come in."

"You got it," Troy agreed.

"And last, Nasir was adamant about this, seat the Thompsons in the front row on his side," Seth directed.

"Which side is his side?" Zack asked.

"The right," Seth pointed.

"Tops on the right, bottoms on the left. Got it," Troy gave a nod.

"Okay, Emmy and Nasir's wedding guests are in your hands. We'll schedule time for Leo to blow you a little later on, Zack. I just have to check when Dane is free and get back to you. I have my phone on me, so call me if you need anything. Otherwise I'll buzz through. I'm off to the kitchen now!" Seth flew up the four steps and disappeared into the Great Hall.

"What a whirlwind," Zack observed.

"That's our Seth," Troy agreed. He stepped up to his partner and put his hands on Zack's chest as he looked up into the taller man's eyes. "You don't mind if Dane takes pictures of us with your dick down my throat?"

"Oh, not at all. We'll share them with all our friends. My class, your coworkers. And I'm sure your dads and my mom would love to get one blown up and framed for their living room walls," Zack teased.

"That'll be the day!" Troy laughed.

The front door had been left open and would remain so until the actual ceremony began. Troy and Zack heard the loud muffler before they actually saw the car.

"That sounds familiar," Troy stepped away from Zack and into the open doorway.

"It sure does," Zack agreed. He stepped up behind his partner and put his hands on Troy's shoulders as the expected, thirty year old, pale blue Camaro pulled up to the curb. The valets standing by at the curb also knew this car well. Tim opened the passenger door for the woman only a few years his senior, while Matt walked around the car with the intention of parking it.

"Hey, Matty! What the hell are you doing here?" Moose asked as he got out of the driver's seat. He grabbed his good friend's kid brother in a quick headlock and ruffled his hair.

"Moose! Fuck!" Matt struggled for a quick second before the bigger man let him go. "I work here, obviously," he straightened his hair as best he could. "You remember my friend Tim," he pointed. "We park the cars. So hand over your keys."

"Do I look dressed for a wedding?" Moose held out his arms. He wore the dark tee shirt and baggy jeans that he had worn to work that day.

"Well, you can't park here," Matt pointed.

"Relax. I'm just gonna walk my lady inside and say hello to my boys," Moose walked around his car.

Molly waited on the sidewalk with Tim. She wore a pretty, flowery, spaghetti strap dress with a thin, dressy white sweater over it.

"Moose," Tim had an admiring smile for the older guy.

"Hey there, Timmy," Moose greeted amiably as he took Molly's hand to walk her up to the house.

"Oh, wow," Molly beamed as she preceded her man through the door. "Don't you guys look nice!"

"Thanks, Mol, you too!" Zack gave her a hug.

"Hey, Zack," Moose gave Zack a none to gentle clap on the upper arm. "Hi, Leo!" he took Troy's hands in his and did the silly, over the top greeting that had become a running joke with his best friend's partner, by leaning down, puckering up, and giving Troy a quick peck on the lips. Troy, of course, was expecting this and was all too ready to give the big, straight guy a kiss.

"I'll bet that little soul patch really tickles your balls, Zack!" Moose chuckled.

"It feels pretty damn good, actually, and are you never going to get tired of that joke?" Zack let Molly go, who moved to hug Troy.

"Naw," Moose confirmed with a shake of his crew cut head.

"It's always nice to see you, Leo," Molly held the smaller man tightly. She remembered well the many times back in high school that she held Zack's hand when he was missing his guy so badly.

"You too, Molly," Troy had always been grateful to Molly and Moose for looking out for his man in their respective ways when he was far away.

"Okay, you guys, take care of my woman," Moose bid.

"We will," Zack smiled.

"Go already, ya big goofball," Molly grabbed a handful of Moose's shirt and pulled to give him a kiss. Moose gave her a playful pat on her butt as he did so.

"I'll need about twenty minutes to get back here tonight, so call me a little before you're ready to go," Moose instructed. "Be good, guys. Hey, these yahoos aren't giving you any trouble, are they?" he cocked a thumb out the door. It was meant as a joke, but he saw the way Zack and Troy looked at each other and his smile faded. "Are they?"

"Well, Tim might not be the warmest soul," Troy confessed.

"Really, it's nothing, Moose," Zack dismissed.

Moose put a reassuring hand on Zack's shoulder for a brief moment. Then he turned and headed out the door. "Hey, num nuts, c'mere. I wanna talk to you," Moose commanded as he headed down the steps to the front walk. Matt and Tim stood their posts near the curb, watching over Moose's beloved Camaro. They looked to the approaching man with wide open expressions. Neither teen had any idea what caused the change in the older man's demeanor.

"Zack and Troy in there are my friends, my good friends," Moose pointed. "You know that, right?"

"Yeah," Matt answered.

"You guys give 'em attitude?" Moose demanded.

"A little, at first, but we didn't know who they were then," Matt defended.

"It don't matter who they are. Guys like them got as much right to be who they are as we do," Moose laid down the law. "They're not hurtin' nobody."

"Moose, it's all cool," Matt held up his hands. "Really, it is. Right, Tim?"

"Yeah, we're cool," Tim agreed.

"Be very cool. 'Cause those two guys in there," Moose pointed back at the mansion again, "are good guys. And they know that I always got their back. You get me?"

"We got their back too, Moose. Really," Matt protested. "Friends of yours and Mark's, are friends of ours."

"Okay. I'll be back to pick up Molly later on," Moose spoke in a softer tone as he stepped off the curb and walked around his car. "Zack and Troy had better not have anything to say about you two except that you were polite and friendly. But you know what, guys? Don't be nice 'cause I said so. Be nice 'cause it's the right thing to do. I'll catch ya later," Moose got into his car, started it up, and drove away.

"I don't know about friends," Tim muttered mostly to himself.

"Dude, really?" Matt spread his arms.

They had no more time to discuss the finer points of their social interactions, as a big, white Rolls Royce Phantom pulled to a stop at the curb beside them where Moose's car had just been a moment before. Like the proper valet's they were, Matt and Tim opened both the front and rear passenger doors and offered their hands to the ladies seated within.

From within the open front door of the mansion, Zack, Troy and Molly saw this.

"We're on, Lee," Zack smiled.

"Yep, here's Emmett and Nasir's family," Troy picked up programs and newspapers.

Auguste sat in back with Sonja and Connor, and was first out of the car. She wore a royal blue, floor length, shift dress with a beaded neckline. The matching jacket had beaded cuffs and hem that matched her neckline, and a complex pattern of beaded flowers and vines that kept the ensemble from appearing too matronly. She carried Connor's pale blue and chocolate diaper bag along with her purse.

Noreen was a sunny Irish ray of sunshine in her canary yellow embroidered and beaded dress. She had a perfectly matched handbag and a great shawl of Irish lace lined in white velvet. On her head was a matching yellow pillbox hat that was encircled by a gossamer veil.

"Thank you, young man," Noreen patted Tim's hand after he had helped her out of the big car.

"You're welcome, ma'am," Tim smiled. He was a perfect young gentleman with an older lady.

Sonja had not been overly pleased about transporting her son sans car seat, but it was an enormous car and a distance of only four blocks, two of them residential, so she held him on her lap. The young mother wore a very fitted ice blue cocktail dress with three asymmetrical shoulder straps that connected to the right side of the bodice with an attached, sparkling brooch. The ruching down both sides only served to accentuate her supple curves further. Silver pumps with a four inch heel matched her small clutch.

Connor was dressed in a cute tiny suit that complimented both his parents. His jacket and pants were black, like his father's tux. He also had a black vest, and his shirt and striped tie were the same color blue as his mother's dress. Connor immediately leaned over in his mother's arms and reached toward the ground. Sonja put her son down, but held onto his hand lest he fall on the slightly uneven walk. It was a moment before they started toward the house after his grandmother and great grandmother. Connor needed to stare down at the little black patent leather shoes on his feet that he found so fascinating.

Auguste needed no help climbing the steps to the front door of the mansion.

"Miss McCarty," Zack smiled as he slipped past her to give Noreen his hand to help her up the stairs.

"Hello, Miss McCarty," Troy greeted as she walked into the mansion.

"Jungen," Auguste patted Troy gently on the cheek. "Oh, so nice!" she stepped further into the big, old house and looked around.

"How about this, Auguste?" Noreen was equally impressed as she walked in behind her daughter-in-law.

"Miss McCarty, this is Molly," Troy introduced.

"Ja, I remember. Hello, Molly," Auguste was pleasant.

"Molly is here to babysit and relieve the parents with the little ones," Troy explained.

"Would you like me to take the bag?" Molly offered.

"Ja, ja," Auguste handed it over. "Danke."

"Ladies, programs and newspapers about the happy couple," Troy smiled and held them out.

"Oh, ja!" Auguste took them both.

"Emmett and Nasir have gifts for everyone," Zack added and picked up two small white boxes.

"Oh," Auguste noted the Kühn label on the lid of the box. "Nein. You save those for the other guests," she patted Zack's arm.

"What is it?" Noreen stepped forward.

"For the ladies, Emmett and Nasir have a beautiful pendant," Zack opened one of the boxes. A pewter and white enamel edelweiss flower the size of a quarter lay within on a thin silver chain.

"Oh, pretty! I want one," Noreen declared.

"Here you are," Zack closed the box and handed it to her.

"Miss McCarty and little Mr. McCarty," Troy greeted Sonja and Connor.

"Hi, guys," Sonja smiled. Her son just stared up the the men with a knuckle in his mouth.

"Hi there!" Molly bent down to smile at Connor. "What a cutie!"

"This is Molly, Miss McCarty. She's here to help with the kids," Troy informed.

"Oh, okay," Sonja noticed that the younger woman held her diaper bag, and was sure she remembered her from somewhere. "We've met. Oh, was it at that gallery?" Sonja pointed, as if she knew the direction of Pioneer Square from Capital Hill.

"Yes, I met all of you there. My boyfriend works for Melinda and Garrett and I help out when I'm needed," Molly confirmed.

"Right, right," Sonja nodded and felt much more at ease.

"Program, newspaper," Troy handed them to Sonja.

"Gift for the ladies," Zack added a little white box.

"Oh, thank you," Sonja opened the box. "Isn't this pretty."

"We were left very specific instructions to escort you up to Emmett's groom's room just as soon as you arrived," Troy informed.

"Go ahead, Lee. I'll man the door," Zack bid.

"Okay, Zacky. Ladies, and little gentleman, if you'll follow me," Troy led the way up the four steps into the Great Hall. The ladies followed easily, but Sonja had to lift Connor up. Following Troy, they turned and started up the grand front staircase.

"Need an arm, Mother McCarty?" Troy asked.

"Thank you, young man, but I'm alright, long as I have something to steady me," Noreen put her hand on the foot wide, carved wood banister.

"Would you like some help?" Molly bent down to Connor again.

"These stairs look pretty big from where you're standing, huh?" Troy picked Connor up in his arms and held him astride his right hip. Connor leaned back slightly. He didn't know this person, but he sure seemed like a nice man. He looked to his mother and back to Troy.

"Is this okay?" Troy asked the child's mother.

"Sure it is. Thanks for the help," Sonja answered as she and Troy started up behind the older ladies.

"Oh, please. I love kids. And this one's just adorable," Troy ever so lightly tweaked Connor's chin. "He's gonna be an Emmett and Carson sized heart breaker when he grows up. I can already tell."

"It's Troy, right?" Sonja asked.

"Yes, ma'am," Troy was polite.

"God, please don't call me ma'am. I am so not old enough for ma'am," Sonja complained good naturedly.

"Sorry, Miss McCarty," Troy smiled.

"I'm not old enough for that either. My mother-in-law is Miss McCarty. I'm Sonja," she instructed.

"Sorry, Sonja," Troy corrected.

"I was just going to say that I think you'd make a good big brother," Sonja complimented as they arrived in the Upper Hall.

"I think I would too. If only everyone thought so," Troy tried very hard to keep his feelings to himself as he slipped a masking smile into place and set Connor down on his little feet. "Ready to go find your dad? He's with your uncle Emmett. It's right down here," Troy's smile became genuine as Connor's face lit up at the prospect of finding his father. Troy led the way and Connor toddled right after him.

"Ach! Wunderbar," Auguste was thrilled at the sight of her fatherland's flag.

"Auguste, Noreen, Sonja," Seth called as he approached from behind them, trailing the photographer. "Don't you ladies look nice! Oh, and Molly's here. Good. I see you've all met. Dane, this is the family. Mom, grandmother, Carson's wife and son. And then this is Molly who will be helping the parents with their kids during the ceremony, or reception, or both," Seth pointed each one out, though from that description, Dane could easily figure it out. "This is Dane, everyone. He'll be taking pictures of everything."

"Hi," Dane smiled and gestured with his camera.

"Look at all the handsome young men around here. Especially you, Seth!" Noreen grabbed him and planted a wet one on his dark cheek. Seth gave his best friend's little Irish grandmother a hug as they ate each other up.

"And look at this handsome little man!" Seth squatted down to get closer to Connor.

The commotion outside the door of the big bedroom could be heard from within. Everyone turned as the door opened and Emmett appeared. He was now, though he did not know it, dressed exactly like Nasir in his red vest and euro tie, white tux shirt with black pants and dress shoes.

"Hey, Mutti," Emmett smiled as he saw that his family had joined him.

"Oh, mein Emmett!" Auguste was so overwhelmed with joy at seeing her older son dressed for his wedding that she wanted to cry. She grabbed him in a tight hug and kiss. "Look at your beard!" Auguste put a hand to her son's face.

"You like it?" Emmett smiled.

"Ja, this I do. So handsome!" Auguste approved.

"Is everybody here?" Carson asked from within the room. Connor, upon hearing his father's voice, toddled past his uncle and grandmother's legs to find him.

"There's my little man!" Carson was thrilled at the sight of his son dressed so much like him. He snatched his son up in his arms even as the boy reached for him. "I love this suit on you, Buddy!"

"Gram," Emmett moved to his grandmother to kiss and hug her as well. Noreen just patted and rubbed his shoulder.

"Hi, Sonja. Wow, you look really nice," Emmett bent to kiss her cheek.

"Thanks, Emmett. You look pretty handsome yourself," Sonja smiled.

"Oh, Connor, look at your mom!" Carson caught sight of his wife. Connor, of course, did not see what his father did. He did not now, nor would he ever in his life, appreciate his mother for the beautiful woman that she was. Sonja could not help but smile at the sight of her men, father holding son, and both looking so handsome.

"I gotta put you down, Buddy, so I can give your mother the attention she deserves," Carson set his son down on his little patent leather clad feet. Sonja was only too happy to step into her husband's embrace.

"Sonja," Carson ran his hands down the sides of her form fitting dress and felt it in his pants. By the time his hands came to rest on her hips he was more than half hard. "You look so beautiful," he brought one hand up to cradle the back of her neck as he bent to kiss her ever so gently. He knew she would not want him to touch her face right now, lest he mess up what little make up she wore. "God damn. Am I the proudest man on the planet, or what?" Only the presence of his mother and grandmother stopped him from pulling his wife's body to his so that she could feel what she had done to him. As it was, Carson made sure his back was to them while his dress pants were tented.

"Thank you, Carson. You look pretty handsome yourself," Sonja primped his lapels. "Both my boys do," she smiled down on their son who held onto both of their legs.

"Emmy, would you like to do the honors?" Seth picked up the larger boxes that contained the mother and grand mother's corsages.

"Absolutely I would. You first, Mutti," Emmett reached out and Seth placed the correct box in his hand. Emmett opened it and extracted a corsage of lavender tulips, blue hydrangea, white roses, red huckleberry and seeded eucalyptus.

"Oh, schön!" Auguste's eyes lit up at the sight of her corsage.

"You want it on your wrist, Mutti?" Emmett asked.

"Nein," Auguste shook her head. "Right here," she patted herself.

"Okay," Emmett smiled and set about pinning his mother's corsage on her.

"Can I do you, Grandma?" Seth asked as he opened Noreen's box.

"Sure you can!" Noreen enthused. "Oh, so pretty!" she admired the yellow roses, white freesia, stephanotis and variegated ivy corsage as Seth brought it to her.

"Did you want it pinned on?" Seth asked.

"Yes. If I have it on my wrist I'll be hitting people with it all night," Noreen stated.

"Well, we don't want that," Seth smiled and pinned the corsage that was slightly smaller than Auguste's to the jacket of the grandmother's dress.

"You look so beautiful, Mutti," Emmett rubbed his mother's arms.

"Stop now, you make me cry," Auguste gave him a tap on his chest.

"Okay, put your jacket on now, Emmy," Seth instructed. "It's mother-son time. Everyone else can come with me," the ring master herded everyone else back out into the hallway. Carson picked his mini me back up and held him in one arm.

"Carson, you remember Molly from the gallery?" Seth gestured to the young lady who waited patiently in the corridor.

Emmett put on his white dinner jacket with shawl lapels and a single button as Seth closed the bedroom door, leaving him alone with his mother.

"So handsome!" Auguste beamed.

Emmett picked up one of the two remaining boutonniere boxes and handed it to his mother. "I want my mom to pin this on me," he smiled.

"Ja! Of course I do!" Auguste opened the box and paused to look up at her oldest son. Emmett rubbed her arms again as it was clear she was tearing up.

"Now you do make me cry," Auguste shook her head as she pinned the small red calla lily with lily grass and Italian ruscus to Emmett's lapel. "There," she put her hands on his broad chest on top of his tux and looked up at him again. "Now you are ready to get married. I am so happy today."

"I know, Mutti. I am too. Thanks for pinning my boutonniere on me. Nasi needs a mom too," Emmett expressed.

"Oh! He has one! Ja, he has one. I go help him too," Auguste picked up the last remaining box.

"Wait, Mutti," Emmett urged. "Put that down for a sec," he went to the bed and reached into his bag to produce a small box wrapped in red paper with a large white ribbon. "Nasi and I wanted to get you something for being such a great mom. We wanted to give it to you together, but we're not allowed to see each other right now," he handed his mother the box.

"Was ist das?" Auguste asked as she pulled the ribbon. Emmett did not answer and just watched her unwrap her gift. Auguste tore the red paper away to reveal a pale blue Tiffany box. She opened the box and gasped when she saw the ornate silver locket.

"Schön!" Auguste exclaimed as she lifted the heavy locket out of the box.

"Open it," Emmett bid with a smile.

"There are pictures inside? Already? Ach, I need my glasses," Auguste handed the locket to her son and went to fetch her glasses from her purse which had been discarded on a chair. Emmett opened the locket and had it ready for her to examine when she returned. On the left side was the picture of Emmett and Nasir, and on the right of Carson, Sonja and Connor, that Sonja had so carefully inserted in Emmett and Nasir's bedroom two days before.

"Oh! All mein kinder!" Auguste took the locket in her hands and held it reverently for a moment. Then she carefully closed it and handed it back to her son. "Put it on me now."

"Nasi will be thrilled when he sees you have it on," Emmett opened the clasp on the heavy silver chain and fastened it around his mother's neck.

"Now I have all mein kinder close to mein heart," Auguste turned around to face Emmett with both of her hands pressed over the locket. "You are such good, sweet jungen, all three of you," she put one hand to her oldest son's face.

"I'm glad you like it, Mutti," Emmett smiled.

"I love it," Auguste patted his arm. "I go help Nasir now," she picked up the last remaining boutonniere box and Emmett opened the bedroom door for her. The family was gathered out in the Upper Hall and Emmett watched his mother walk to join them.

"Where is my Nasir now?" Auguste asked as she stepped into their midst.

"He's right down here," Seth led the way.

"I wanna see Nasir!" Noreen called.

"I actually haven't seen him either," Carson commented.

"Follow me, everyone," Seth turned around and walked backwards for a moment as he marshaled the group into the opposing wing. "Okay, I really have to knock this time to make sure my boys are decent," he said and did so. Seth then opened the door just enough to stick his head inside.

Nasir, Garrett and Edward were all dressed, just as Seth last left them, and sitting in the same places, champagne flutes in hand. They all turned when Seth poked his head into the room.

"I have special visitors! The family's here!" Seth declared and pushed the door open wide. Nasir, Garrett and Edward all stood as, behind Auguste, the family flooded into the room.

"My Nasir," Auguste headed straight for him.

"Mutti, you have your locket!" Nasir reached for her as well. "You have seen Emmett!"

"Ja, ja," Auguste admitted as she embraced him ever so carefully so as not to crush her corsage. "I love it! Danke!"

"Thank you," Nasir held her more tightly. "It means so much to us to have such a wonderful mother."

"Now you going to make me cry too!" Auguste kissed and patted his, for the first time in her experience, smooth cheek.

"Honey," Seth leaned close to his husband. "Can you go take care of Emmy for a minute?"

"Of course I can, Sweetness," Garrett kissed Seth's temple and slipped out of the bedroom. He walked through the Upper Hall and into the other wing like he was born to the Stimson-Green. Garrett gave a soft rap on the door of Emmett's groom's room and opened the door.

"Hi, Garrett," Emmett smiled at the unexpected visit. He stood in the center of the big bedroom.

"Emmett, don't you look splendid," Garrett crossed to him. "I can't wait for Nasir to see you!"

"Thanks. How is my baby?" Emmett asked.

"Wishing he could be with you, just as much as you with him," Garrett smiled.

"I'll bet," Emmett nodded. "Just a little while longer, and then forever. Or at least until he goes back to work."

"We will make a point of having dinner and cocktails with you during the week, so you can be in Manhattan on the weekends when he can't come home," Garrett ran his fingers up under Emmett's lapel.

"I don't know what we would do without you guys," Emmett put his arms around Garrett.

"You are my husband's brother, Emmett, so you are mine too," the smaller man made sure their hug was askew to protect their boutonnieres.

"I'm so glad Seth found you," Emmett hugged Garrett tighter and rested his cheek on Garrett's head.

"I'm glad we all have each other. And that you found Nasir," Garrett patted Emmett on his broad, muscular back before he let him go. "Now, can I get you anything? It looks like you've switched to beer. Do you need another?"

"I will soon, but that's Carson's job. Thanks for checking on me, Garrett," Emmett put a hand on the shorter man's shoulder. "It means a lot to me."

"Of course. I'll send your men back in," Garrett patted Emmett's arm and headed back out.

Seth was busy herding all of Nasir's visitors back out of the other groom's room. All but one.

"Nasir, you need to finish getting dressed now so mom can pin your boutonniere on you," Seth directed. He started to shut the door, but leaned out quickly. "Edward, get back in here."

Nasir walked over to the bed and began to assemble the final parts of his formal wedding attire. He first put his round, white taqiyah on his head. Nasir then picked up the large, square ghutra cloth, folded it in half, corner to corner and draped this over his head atop the taqiyah. This was held in place by the double, black cords of his igal. Last he put on his floor length, gold trimmed, black bisht. Nasir at last turned toward his audience and spread his arms. Over his white tux shirt, black pants, red vest and euro tie, his bisht and ghutra made him the perfect blend of West and Middle East.

"Oh, Nasir!" Auguste clasped her hands to her bosom.

"I love him dressed like this," Seth agreed.

"Nasir, buddy, Emmett is gonna melt," Edward smirked.

"Do I pin his flower on his robe?" Auguste opened the final plastic box.

"Yes!" Seth enthused. "Another mother-son moment. Edward let's step out and leave them alone," Seth opened the bedroom door as Auguste stepped forward.

"Come in, get out. Make up my mind," Edward complained.

"Oh, shut up. It's our turn to entertain the family," Seth turned to find his husband. "Oh! How's Emmy, Honey?"

"He looks like he's ready to get married," Garrett answered as he ran a hand down the back of Seth's silken head. "Is Auguste with Nasir?"

"She is," Seth confirmed.

"Then I'll wait to go in," Garrett decided. "Oh, Carson, Emmett said he needed another Spaten."

"What a coincidence, so do I!" Carson's face lit up. "You guys want anything? A glass of wine, Honey?"

"Not right now," Sonja concentrated on watching their son toddle up and down the hall.

"I'd love a coffee," Noreen spoke up. Everyone there knew she didn't mean coffee when she said coffee.

"Actually, I have a sitting room down here off Emmy's room for the family to relax until it's time to go down. Edward, will you go down and find Juan or someone to come up and take drink orders?" Seth orchestrated.

"Sure," Edward headed for the back stairs.

There was a time when Nasir never would have conceived of being left alone with a woman who was not his mother, sister, or wife, but now, as he was left alone with Auguste McCarty, that it should seem unusual to him, never even entered his mind.

"I pin Emmett's flower on him," Auguste stated as she set about doing it again with an identical small, red calla lily, lily grass and Italian ruscus boutonniere.

"Did you?" Nasir smiled.

"Ja. Is for the mutter to do this. I do this now for all my jungen. All three of you," Auguste finished and smiled up at him as she patted his chest.

"This is probably the first bisht in the history of the world with a boutonniere on it," Nasir looked down, "but it means so much to me. In my language we say, shukran jazeelan. Thank you very much."

"Bitte!" Auguste gave a firm nod and a final rap on her son-in-law's chest.

"Not just for this, Mutti," Nasir took her hands in his.

"Ja, I know," Auguste held his bigger, stronger hands tightly. "I am so sorry your family cannot be here to share the joy and love you have with Emmett today."

"I have you," Nasir smiled.

"You always have us," Auguste confirmed. She leaned up to give the tall man a kiss on his cheek. "I like your beard this way. Oh! Emmett's is the same!"

"I can't wait to see it on him. Do you like it?" Nasir asked excitedly.

"Ja, I do," Auguste confirmed. "Is a little hard for me to tell. He always let himself be scruffy when he was young man at home. I always say, 'go shave!' But now I like it. Especially this way," she ran her thumb over Nasir's chin. "I send your men back in," Auguste turned and headed out. She found Garrett waiting for her when she left Nasir alone.

"Our boy is all set, Auguste?" Garrett asked.

"Ja. My boys are ready to be married," Auguste confirmed.

"Wonderful. There's a lounge for the family right down here," Garrett gestured and set off with her. "Perhaps we can get you a glass of riesling?"

"Danke. That would be very nice," Auguste nodded.

---

Saturday
Afternoon
(Wedding minus 45 minutes)

Matt and Tim had yet to park a car and, as autophiles, it was something they loved to do. They counted themselves especially lucky to have landed the job at Stimson-Green as the guests here often had expensive sports cars. On the occasion of a particularly rare vehicle, they rushed to beat each other to the driver's door. When the next guest to the McCarty al Qasimi wedding arrived in a taxi, neither of them rushed to open the rear passenger door. The sophisticated looking man in the expensively tailored black suit paid his fare with a generous tip and, bag in hand, stood up out of the cab.

"Thank you, boys," the tall, blonde man said with a smile as he slung the strap of his Dolce and Gabbana bag over his shoulder.

"Enjoy the wedding," Matt called after him. He and Tim watched the man who looked and carried himself like a model, walk toward the mansion.

"Thank you, I will!" the man called back over his shoulder.

"You think he's gay?" Tim spoke quietly, his voice well masked by the engine of the cab as it pulled away.

"Oh, yeah," Matt confirmed.

At the door of Stimson-Green, the McCarty al Qasimi ushers were also manning their post. They sound of the back door of the taxi as it shut caught their attention.

"Our first real guest, Lee," Zack peered out the open door.

"Looks like," Troy agreed. He gathered up program and newspaper while his partner picked up one of the gifts for the men. Troy turned toward the door, ready to meet and greet, and noticed that the man had luggage. "Why does he..?" Troy looked carefully at the man's face and his eyes went wide. "Oh, my God!"

"What?" Zack was alarmed and followed his lover's gaze. It took less than a second for Zack to see what Troy already had. "Oh, my God!"

"Hi, guys!" the tall man saw who waited to greet him and took the steps two at a time. He let his bag fall from his shoulder on the threshold as he reached for the two younger men.

"Cap!" Troy grabbed his other big brother in a tight hug.

"Hey, Cliff," Zack was right behind.

"I didn't know you guys would be at the door!" Cliff held both his younger brothers to him tightly.

"We're Emmett and Nasir's ushers," Troy declared proudly. He held onto Cliff's arms as they all pulled apart. "But what are you doing here? No one told us you were coming! Where's Derek?"

"Slow down, Lee," Zack put a restraining hand on his partner's back.

"No one knew I was coming, because I said I couldn't," Cliff began to answer. "Things changed very last minute, like yesterday, and so I decided to come. Derek couldn't get away."

"Well, when you talk to him, you give him our love too," Troy insisted.

"Of course I will," Cliff assured with a smile that was so slightly forced, neither younger man noticed it.

"Everyone will be so thrilled to see you!" Troy enthused.

"Especially Edward," Zack added.

"I would love to see him, and everyone! I've never even met Nasir. I've never even seen a picture of him," Cliff stated.

"You'll love him. He has the cutest accent," Troy assured.

"Is there someplace...?" Cliff reached for his bag.

"Right in here," Zack grabbed the shoulder strap even before Cliff could and picked it up. He carried it into the tea room and placed it behind the last box of gifts. Zack pulled a stick out of the box and presented it to Cliff. "Emmett and Nasir have gifts for all their guests. This is for the men."

"Oh," Cliff took it and held it in his hand. "What the heck is it?"

"It's a camel stick," Troy informed and managed to maintain a straight face.

"It's a camel stick," Cliff repeated the words as he looked at the cane length stick with a forked end and curved handle entirely without understanding. "Well, I don't have one," he added slowly with raised eyebrows. At which the younger men burst out laughing.

"Now you do, Cap!" Troy patted Cliff on the back.

"And what do you do with it?" Cliff asked.

"According to the Arab groom, when you ride a camel, this is what you use to, um, steer, or whatever," Troy tried to explain.

"I don't think I've seen many camels around Wilmington," Cliff was dubious.

"What, all your friends don't have one?" Troy laughed.

"Surprisingly, no," Cliff answered.

"Maybe you can use it on Derek. He might enjoy getting steered for a change," Zack suggested.

"Ha!" Cliff's laugh was short and not entirely mirthful.

"Okay, Emmett and Nasir's grooms' rooms are upstairs. Everyone is up there. I'll take you up," Troy took Cliff's hand.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Cliff asked.

"Of course it is. And I'm an usher. I'm ushering you upstairs," Troy's logic was inescapable.

"Zack, will you hold onto my camel stick until I come back down?" Cliff held it out.

"Sure," Zack agreed and took it back.

"C'mon," Troy led Cliff up the four steps into the Great Hall and then up the grand front stairs to the Upper Hall on the second floor.

"How are you doing on the new medication?" Cliff asked as they climbed. He and Derek had been home to Spokane only a couple of months ago and knew that Troy's doctor had changed his regimen.

"Oh my God, I can't tell you how nice it is to have all my HIV meds in just one pill, once a day. Dad T was so right. I take a vitamin. I take my pill. That's it," Troy expressed.

"You're being monitored closely though, right?" Cliff was concerned for his little brother.

"I was going in every other week, but starting this month I'm down to just once a month. So far so good. No acidosis and my liver's fine. And Zacky takes good care of me. If anything was even a little bit wrong, he would know," Troy explained.

"He loves you. We all do," Cliff put an arm around Troy's shoulders. "Wow, what a place, huh?" he took in the opulent, old world character of the massive, old house. "I feel like I walked right into The Others."

"I know, right?" Troy agreed as they headed down into the near wing.

"What is that? Is that a flag?" Cliff pointed.

"Yep. The country Nasir is from. United Arab, something or other," Troy tried to remember.

"United Arab Emirates?" Cliff asked.

"Yeah, that sounds right," Troy reached to rap on the bedroom door.

"Leo," Cliff grabbed his little brother's wrist, suddenly apprehensive about being shown into the groom's room of a man he had never met, "are you sure I can go in there? I mean..."

"Of course you can go in there. You know Edward will want to see you," Troy stated. He gave a soft rap on the door and opened it. A glance told Troy the three men he expected to find within, were in fact all there. He stepped aside with a hand on Cliff's back so that the unexpected guest would be framed in the center of the doorway.

Cliff did not have to be the sharp and intelligent man that he was to figure out who was who. Only one man wore a bisht and ghutra. The other man he did not know was elegant with long, rich, wavy dark hair and could only have been Garrett. Edward, who stood between them, stared at Cliff with a look of wonder and amazement on his face.

For a long moment, no one moved or spoke. Nasir and Garrett looked at each other, then at Edward. Clearly Edward knew this man and Troy did too. Then, suddenly, Edward was on the move. He all but ran to the doorway.

"Cliff!" Edward grabbed him and they hugged each other with their whole bodies.

"Ah, Cliff," Garrett nodded to himself.

"It's so good to see you!" Edward held Cliff tightly. "I didn't think you were coming!"

"I know, right? No one told me and Zack either, but what a fantastic surprise!" Troy enthused.

"Fantastic," Edward repeated. "Come here, Leo," he and Cliff both pulled the smaller man into their hug.

"Garrett, do you know this man?" Nasir asked softly as he stepped closer to his best man.

"I know of him," Garrett replied in kind.

The three men broke apart at last.

"You'll have to explain later. Right now, let me introduce you to the groom you haven't met yet and his best man," Edward slipped one arm around Cliff's waist and led him into the room, where Nasir and Garrett waited patiently side by side.

"Alright, Gem. I leave him in your hands. I have to get back to ushering," Troy announced and headed back toward the stairs.

"Guys, this is Leo's older brother and my good friend, Cliff," Edward began proper introductions at last. "Cliff, this is Nasir, Emmett's husband to be, and Garrett, his best man and Seth's husband."

Nasir and Garrett both had warm smiles for the man who was clearly close to Edward's heart.

Out in front of the mansion, Matt and Tim finally had something to do, when a Honda Odyssey minivan pulled to a stop before them. In an unusual turn of events, they both wanted to open the passenger door, for the stunningly attractive woman with long blonde tresses that cascaded over her shoulders. Matt reached it first and opened Rosalie's door for her while Tim was forced to walk around the minivan to the driver's door. Rosalie wore a striking white pant suit. The two button jacket was fitted perfectly to her form so that while buttoned, only a little of the red silk camisole she wore beneath was visible and displayed her ample cleavage beautifully. The pants were cut quite full and long, such that without her high heels, she would have been walking on them.

"Here you are, ma'am," Tim handed Maggie her claim ticket as she paused to touch the control to slide open both rear passenger doors.

"Thank you," Maggie smiled sweetly as she slid out from behind the wheel. She wore a flowing, floor length white and lavender print dress of silk chiffon with a rouched bust and chunky, beaded, halter style straps from the center of the bust.

In the back seat of the minivan, Liam and Owen sat patiently in their booster and car seats. They were dressed in identical suits of a medium gray color, right down to their shoes and striped red ties. Owen, on Rosalie's side, needed help getting out of his car seat, but Liam was able to get out himself and his feet were on the pavement just as soon as Maggie's were. It only took a moment for Rosalie to free Owen from his trap and the smaller boy wasted no time in jumping out of the family car. The ladies grabbed their purses and Rosalie also carried a bag with some favorite toys and coloring books. Tim drove the minivan away while the family made their way up to the mansion.

"Hi," Liam gave a wave and walked into Stimson-Green like he owned the place. He led the way and his brother and mothers were not far behind.

"You guys look so cute!" Troy squatted down. "Hi, Liam. Hi, Owen," he greeted them both specially.

"Ladies," Zack had a smile for their mothers.

"Hey, kid. Don't you guys look sharp!" Rosalie complimented.

"Oh, thanks. So do you. Look really nice, I mean," Zack expressed.

"Hey, you guys want a program and a newspaper?" Troy asked the boys as he stood up.

"No," Liam answered quickly.

"I know. That's boring, huh?" Troy prompted.

"Yeah," Liam confirmed.

"Emmett and Nasir have gifts for the ladies," Zack offered two of the small boxes.

"Oh?" Maggie opened one of the boxes. "Look how pretty, Rosie. I'll just stick these in my purse."

"They have a camel stick for the men as well," Zack gestured. He would let the moms decide if their little men would get one.

"Mom!" Liam's eyes lit up.

"I don't think so, Liam," Maggie shook her head. But this did not stop him. Liam grabbed one out of the box and wielded it like a sword.

"Liam!" Rosalie got his attention. "It's all fun and games until a camel looses an eye. Put it back."

"Aw, Mom," Liam moaned.

"Now," Rosalie added and her older son did as he was told.

"We'll find other more fun stuff to do later," Troy help to smooth this over.

"Yeah?" Liam looked up at Troy.

"Yeah. Right now though, I need to take you upstairs. You wanna see uncle Emmett and uncle Nasir? And uncle Seth and uncle Garrett? Uncle Edward is up there too!"

"Yeah," Liam nodded enthusiastically and his little brother did too.

"Let me get a program now. Gotta see when we're on, Freckles," Rosalie picked one up.

"You ready to head up?" Troy asked the adults.

"Please," Maggie answered.

"C'mon, guys!" Troy did his best to keep Liam and Owen engaged and having fun. He ran up the four steps into the Great Hall and they followed suit. This became a game all the way up to the second floor. Troy ran up four steps and stopped, only long enough for Liam and Owen to both join him on that step, and then he ran up four more. Liam and Owen laughed their way all the way up the stairs. They were, in fact, having too much fun to pay any attention to the two men who stood in the near corridor off the Upper Hall.

Maggie, however, recognized her brother at once. And less than a second later, she recognized the man who stood with him. "Oh, my God! Rosie, look who's here!"

This got her sons' attention as well. While Owen had never met the man with his uncle Edward, Liam knew him well.

"Liff! Liff!" Liam shouted and tore off in the direction of the two men. The man with Edward knelt down and Liam shot right into his arms. Owen followed, but somewhat warily. Clearly, Liam loved this strange man, but Owen had no memory of him. Maggie and Rosalie followed their children down the hall. They saw that Owen was a little reluctant with Cliff, but his trust in his uncle Edward was such that when Edward said it was okay, Owen went ahead and hugged the man anyway.

"Cliff, you sure are a sight for sore eyes," Maggie reached for him when her sons were done with him and he stood up.

"It's so nice to see you too, Maggie," Cliff was happy to receive her hug and held her just as tightly.

"C'mere, Cliff," Rosalie pulled him into her embrace as her wife let him go. "We had no idea you were coming."

"Neither did I," Edward saw Rosalie look at him over Cliff's shoulder as she hugged the man.

"Neither did I, until yesterday," Cliff admitted.

"I need a hug from you little monkeys too," Edward squatted down. Liam and Owen both did not hesitate to fling themselves into Edward's arms.

"You two look so adorable," Edward kissed both boys and let them go. "I gotta get back in to my groom," he stated as he stood back up.

"I'll take Cliff back down," Troy offered.

"Thanks, Leo. I'll see you after the ceremony, Cliff."

Edward disappeared back inside Nasir's groom's room while Troy led the group back into the Upper Hall.

Seth emerged from the other groom's room at that moment and caught sight of who walked toward him beside Troy. "Holy crap! Cliff!" he set off at a run to close the distance. Even as Seth ran down the hall, the door to Emmett's groom's room opened.

"He can't have said what I think he said," Emmett leaned out to look. "Oh, holy crap, it is Cliff!" he walked right out into the hall and his brother followed him.

While he didn't jump up on Cliff, Seth ran into him just as Liam had.

"Hi, Seth," Cliff laughed as Seth's arms closed tightly around him and the side of Seth's face pressed into his chest.

"It's so nice to see you!," Seth leaned back to look up. "It's been so long!"

"It has. Too long," Cliff nodded.

"Emmy will want to see you," Seth let go of Cliff only to discover that Emmett was right behind him. "Oh."

"Cliff, I'm so happy you could come," Emmett took Cliff in his arms and lifted him off his feet.

"Oh!" Cliff laughed. "It's been a long time since anyone did that!" he said when Emmett set him down.

"Cliff, you remember my brother, Carson," Emmett gestured.

"Of course. I was his tour guide, if I recall. Nice to see you again, Carson," Cliff offered his hand.

"Likewise, Cliff," Carson said as they shook.

"Emmy, you can't be out here," Seth put both hands on Emmett and pushed, but the much bigger man did not budge.

"Hey, where's Derek?" Emmett asked.

"He couldn't come," Cliff answered simply with a smile. Seth turned to Cliff, as he had been meaning to ask the same thing, and narrowed his gaze as he observed that Cliff's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. No one else noticed it, but nothing escaped The Oracle.

"Look how cute you are with your short hair," Emmett ran his fingertips through Cliff's hair just above his right ear while he ignored Seth. "Has Edward seen you?"

"Thank you and he has. I also had the pleasure of meeting both of your very handsome husbands," Cliff looked to Seth and back to Emmett. "And I can't help but notice now, in addition to a lot of what you are wearing, your beards match," he ran a thumb across Emmett's chin.

"Yeah, you like it?" Emmett asked with a grin.

"Very sexy on you both," Cliff assessed.

"Oh, brother," Carson rolled his eyes.

"Emmy, you have to get back in there!" Seth pushed again.

"Okay, I'm being corralled, Cliff. Let's make time to catch up later, though. It's so nice to see you," Emmett put a hand on Cliff's shoulder and squeezed it.

"You guys too," Cliff smiled.

"C'mon, Cap," Troy put his arm around Cliff to lead him away.

"And you girls are so beautiful! C'mere, Mags," Emmett gave the full blooded Irishwoman a hug first.

"You look great, Em," Maggie reached her arms up around his neck.

"And Roses," Emmett let Maggie go and reached for her wife. "You ready to marry a couple of gay boys who love each other?"

"Yes, Sir," Rosalie assured.

"Emmy!" Seth stamped his high heel booted foot.

"I gotta get back in my pen. And I'm gonna take a couple of little monkeys with me!" Emmett squatted down and grabbed Liam and Owen, one under each arm. He then carried them, laughing and squealing into his groom's room.

"They're gonna be all riled up now," Rosalie shook her head.

"It'll be okay, Rosie. They'll be good," Maggie took her wife's hand as they followed with the group.

"Oh, hey, you guys, Molly is here too, to look after the kids for us," Seth informed as he followed last into Emmett's room and shut the door.

Emmett put Liam and Owen down on their feet, whereupon they immediately began to jump up and down.

"Do it again! Do it again!" Liam yelled.

"Boys, settle down," Maggie urged.

Emmett picked up the last remaining plastic box from where it waited on the bed. "Roses, time for your roses!"

"I'll do that, thank you," Maggie took the corsage out of the box as Emmett opened it. "I don't want men's fingers in my wife's blouse," she stepped up to Rosalie and reached into her jacket to pin on the flowers. "I know where they've been!"

Rosalie smiled broadly at her partner. She absolutely loved it when Maggie was possessive.

The Thompson family, save the one who was already present, arrived in a caravan all at once. Melinda's Mercedes Benz GLK 350, with her husband behind the wheel, stopped at the curb where Matt and Tim waited. The Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II, that by this time tomorrow would also be Melinda's, pulled up right behind.

Justin, like his father, whom he led here from the Fairmont, wore a dark, three piece suit. While the judge was completely put together and looked quite comfortable that way, his older son's suit jacket hung on the back of his seat over the headrest. Melinda was at once classy and flirty in her new burgundy, tea length, taffeta dress. The strapless, pleated bodice emphasized her bust in such a way that caused her husband to declare it his new favorite dress.

Celeste emerged from the front passenger seat of the Rolls in a floor length, midnight blue gown with an intricately beaded bodice. The matching collarless blazer she wore framed the enormous, round blue diamond that rested on her chest. Her long, blonde hair was, as usual, worn up, which only highlighted her huge, marquise blue diamond drop earrings that sparkled brilliantly in the evening sun.

Mother E might as easily have been attending a garden party at Windsor Castle in her dress of subtle paisley in shades of lime green. The silk lapels of the matching suit jacket top were held together by an antique diamond brooch. A great silk bow like a massive flower adorned the right side of her matching lime green hat.

The youngest Thompson hopped out of the back of the Mercedes, feeling every bit the little princess she looked. Stephanie paused to twirl, again, in her dress of red and white to match the wedding colors. Her white bodice had red embroidery and her full red skirt had white trim. Large red and white bows at the small of her back kept the dress from looking too old for the five year old.

Justin slipped his suit jacket on as he rushed around the car and quickly stepped to his grandmother's side. "Mother E," he offered his arm.

"Thank you, Justin," Estelle took her grandson's arm.

"Honey," Justin paused and held out his free hand to his wife. Melinda did not in any way resent her husband's attention to his grandmother. She had no doubt that she could get herself up the walkway to the mansion, but doubted that was the case for the older woman, whose eyesight was not what it was. Melinda smiled as her husband, while attending to his grandmother, still had a thought for her. She happily took Justin's hand.

"Stephanie," Melinda held out her hand to their daughter and all four of them walked together up to the big, old house behind George and Celeste.

"Afternoon, Judge Thompson, Mrs. Thompson," Troy was perfectly polite as he greeted them. "Program and newspaper."

"Son," George could not remember their names even though he met them yesterday.

"Thank you, Dear boy," Celeste took the offered program and paper.

"Emmett and Nasir have gifts for the ladies," Zack handed Celeste and her mother little boxes.

"What is this now?" Estelle opened her box.

"Oh, isn't that darling," Celeste looked into her mother's box.

"Mother E," Troy smiled as he offered her the papers as well. "Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Thompson," he finished with Justin and Melinda.

"Mrs. Thompson," Zack offered two little boxes to Melinda. "Would you like one for your daughter?"

"And welcome, little princess," Troy dropped to one knee. He took Stephanie's hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, Sir," Stephanie took the opportunity to twirl for him.

"Wow! You're gonna be the prettiest girl here!" Troy enthused.

"Steph, look how pretty," Melinda bent down to show her daughter the edelweiss pendant. "Would you like to wear yours?"

"Oh, yes, please!" Stephanie was all for pretty things.

"May I?" Troy offered.

"You may," Melinda held out the box to him. Troy lifted the necklace out of the box and opened the clasp.

"Turn around for him, Stephie," Melinda instructed. Her daughter was only too happy to spin herself half way around.

"Lift your hair up," Melinda continued to instruct. Rather than slip a hand behind her neck and pull her hair to the side, Stephanie fought to lift up all of her hair. It was enough for Troy to slip the pendant over her head and secure the clasp behind her neck.

"There," Troy helped to smooth her hair back into place. "Beautiful!" he endorsed as she twirled around for him again.

Justin watched this exchange with the smile of a proud and loving father. He slipped his arm around his wife.

"And for the gentlemen," Zack handed George and his son a camel stick.

"Well, how about that?" George held his out.

"What is it?" Justin asked.

"It's a camel stick," Troy informed.

"In case we see a camel we need to stick, Dad," Justin made his father chuckle.

"Shall we take you to your seats?" Troy held out an arm.

"Please," Estelle took his arm.

"Mrs. Thompson," Zack stepped into place and offered his arm. Celeste just smiled at the tall, thin young man as they followed after her mother and Troy into the library. George walked behind his wife as was proper.

"C'mon, Justin," Melinda took her husband's arm and held out her hand to Stephanie. "There's no reason to wait."

"You don't want the arm of one of these fine young men, Honey?" Justin teased.

"I already have the arm of the finest man here," Melinda smiled at her husband and reached up to adjust his tie.

"I don't know if I'm the finest man here, but I'm damn sure the luckiest," Justin leaned to give his wife a soft kiss on her lips. They headed into the library behind the rows of chairs and headed down the central aisle. "Oh, look at this, Mel. We're in the front row."

"Hello," the lone guest who had been seated in the second row on the other side of the aisle, hung his camel stick on the back of the chair in front of him, and stood up. "I'm Clifton Barringer," he offered his hand.

"Justin Thompson," he shook Cliff's hand.

"Oh, I think I might have just met, probably your brother?" Cliff surmised. "I do think I see a family resemblance. Best man, longer hair?"

"My little brother Garrett," Justin confirmed. "And this is my wife, Melinda."

"Nice to meet you, Melinda," Cliff offered his hand to her as well.

"You too. You must be a friend of Nasir?" Melinda asked as Cliff just held her hand gently for a brief moment.

"Actually, I had the pleasure of meeting Nasir and Garrett at the same time just now," Cliff informed. "I've known Edward and Emmett and Seth for years, though, I must admit, it's been several years since I've seen them."

"I wonder why we're not sitting on the same side, then?" Justin mused. "You don't think they're sitting us by straight or gay, do you?" he furrowed his brow with distaste at the thought of such segregation. As far as the Thompsons were concerned, they were all one, big, happy family.

"Oh, I can't imagine they would do that," Cliff doubted.

"I very much doubt that, Justin," Melinda agreed.

"Should I go ask?" Justin turned back toward the doors.

"No," Melinda pulled on her husband's arm.

"And who is this delightful, little princess?" Cliff attempted to distract Justin.

"I'm Stephanie," she proudly spoke for herself.

Out at the curb, Matt and Tim began to get busy. Two Lexus pulled up at the same time. A black IS 350C was followed by black LX 570. Roberto was handsome as ever in his black suit, but Matt and Tim didn't even see him emerge from behind the wheel. Their eyes were riveted to the shapely female leg that slipped out of the passenger door as Matt opened it for Leah. The stunning Native American woman wore a skin tight, asymmetrical, red gown with a slit from the floor all the way up her left thigh. The left side was also ruched, giving her the perfect hourglass figure.

Leah could not help but smile as she noticed the teen boys gawk at her. By the time Matt gathered enough of his raging hormonal teen wit to offer Leah his hand, Roberto was around the car.

"I got this, boys," Roberto gave a very proud smile as Leah took his hand and got out of her car. She took his arm as they headed up toward the mansion. Roberto and Leah smiled at each other. They needed no words between them. They both knew she had the teenage boys tongues hanging out of their mouths. And they both equally knew that Roberto Diaz had no competition for Leah Clearwater's affection.

A family of five emerged from the Lexus SUV. Paul Cathers, Emmett's boss, wore a pale gray suit with a tie that perfectly matched his wife's mocha dress. Holly was dressed in a simple, floor length, wrap style dress that was gathered at her right hip with a large, beaded brooch. Their fourteen year old daughter, Sarah, was the picture of young poise and elegance in a short, strapless, prom type dress. She had a sequined, sweetheart bust with a large floral embellishment at the empire waist, all in shades of fuchsia and pink. Kitty, who preferred to be called Kit, was her sister's polar opposite. At ten she was very much a tomboy and it was always a battle for her mother to get her into a dress. The result of today's war and subsequent armistice was white, capri length tights, worn under a satin and chiffon, turquoise, A-line jumper. Little Paul, the youngest at seven, was dressed exactly like his father.

In the library Leah was escorted to her seat by Zack, while Roberto followed behind. Leah naturally wanted to sit near her close friend Melinda, so accordingly Zack seated them in the second row on Nasir's side. Justin only became more distressed that the lone gay man so far in attendance was still by himself on the other side. Until Troy escorted a lady in her early forties, trailed by her husband and three children, and seated them with Cliff.

The Donovan family were the next to arrive. Troy escorted a beautiful Yvonne in her deep purple, empire waisted, satin halter dress. The open back dipped into a chapel train that highlighted the ample, curvaceous bottom that her husband was so very fond of. Roger was striking in a dark blue, urban style, three piece, wide pinstripe suit with a long, seven button, square cut jacket. With this he wore a royal blue tie and matching pocket square. As usual his hair was braided tightly to his head in neat, narrow rows. Roger walked with his daughter and held her hand. Larissa wore a pretty, princess style, taffeta dress in shades of purple to match her mother, embellished with small, abstract, silver butterflies. Ren followed behind and was dressed in a small scale replica of his father's suit.

"Oh, my God! Cliff!" Yvonne all but screamed when she saw the man who rose to greet her. She quickly abandoned Troy to wrap her arms around Cliff's neck as tightly as she could. Roger smiled as he saw his son's eyes grow as wide as he had ever seen them.

"Uncle Cliff?" Ren gaped. He remembered well the man who used to babysit him with uncle Edward when he was very small.

"Oh, there he is!" Cliff let go of the boy's mother and fell to one knee. Ren at once rushed into his arms.

"It's so good to see you, Ren! Let me look at you," Cliff took hold of the boy's shoulders and moved him back just enough to get a good look at his suit. "Aren't you a handsome young man! I love this suit," he gave a gentle tug on Ren's lapels. "And who might his lovely young lady be?"

"This is my sister," Ren even sounded proud.

"This is Larissa," Roger said with a hand on the back of his daughter's head. "You can say hi, Sweetheart."

The fact that her brother liked this man, coupled with her father's endorsement, made him good enough for Larissa. She stepped forward and without a word gave Cliff a gentle hug.

"Oh," Cliff held her lightly and let her go when she pulled away. "Well, that was such a sweet hug."

"How you doin', Cliff?" Roger extended his hand as the blonde man stood up.

"Great, Roger. Nice to see you," Cliff said as they shook.

"Edward didn't tell us you were coming," Roger stated.

"He didn't know. I didn't even know until yesterday," Cliff explained.

"Ren!" Liam charged down the aisle toward them and his little brother was not far behind. Maggie just shook her head as she followed her sons. Liam nearly reached Ren when he was distracted by Stephanie as she appeared at the far end of the aisle.

"Hi, Stephanie!" Liam was always ready to hug her and especially today.

"Hi, guys," Maggie had a kiss for Roger and hug for Yvonne. "Would you mind handling these two while I play?"

"You go right ahead," Roger assured. "We got 'em."

"Thank you," Maggie turned and found Justin rising to greet her. "Hey, Justin," she kissed his cheek as well.

"Hi, Maggie," Justin passed her on to share a hug with his wife. "Roger," he offered his hand.

"Justin," Roger shared a strong handshake with his fellow father.

Maggie made her way finally to the front of the library, lifted her skirts, and climbed the four steps to the raised level. She then seated herself at the baby grand piano and began to play.

In his groom's room above, as guests continued to be greeted and seated by Troy and Zack, Emmett watched the clock so closely that it seemed time stood perfectly still. He held his beer and paced back and forth.

"Was I this nervous when I got married?" Carson asked from where he sat on a nearby sofa. "You know he loves you. He's not goin' nowhere. What are you worried about?"

"I know that. I'm not worried," Emmett countered. "I guess I am kinda nervous, but I don't know why I should be," he confessed.

"I don't think you should be," Carson took a swig from his bottle. "How about one more beer before the ceremony to calm your nerves?"

"I probably shouldn't, but yeah, I think I'll take you up on that," Emmett nodded.

"Be right back, Bro," Carson rose, gave his brother a clap on the shoulder and headed for the door.

"Oh!" Seth was startled when he reached for the doorknob on the other side of the door and it suddenly opened.

"Sorry, Seth," Carson chuckled as he stepped past the smaller man.

"Emmy, I'm glad we have a moment to ourselves," Seth shut the bedroom door behind Carson.

"I am too. I need my best man right now," Emmett did not hesitate to take Seth in his arms.

"Never worry about that, Emmy. Nothing can take me away from you," Seth wrapped his arms around Emmett's torso inside his white dinner jacket.

"How is Nasi? Is he nervous too?" Emmett asked as they just stood together and held each other.

"He has Garrett," Seth assured.

"Oh, yeah. I guess that was a stupid question then," Emmett rubbed Seth's back. "We're all lucky to have him."

"Yes, we are," Seth could not disagree with that sentiment. "And speaking of Garrett. It's the time for one last tradition," he pulled back enough to look up at Emmett. "This is an American, white people thing, but since you are both, and since all the old wives tales of my people are true, we're gonna do this too."

"What could you be talking about?" Emmett wondered.

In answer, Seth reached into his outer jacket pocket. "This is Garrett's," he produced a magnificent, three carat, round diamond stud tie pin.

"Wow, Sweetie. That's beautiful!" Emmett admired.

"Sit on the edge of the bed for me," Seth bid. Emmett did as he was told and Seth stepped between his legs. He carefully stuck the tie pin through Emmett's tie midway between the knot at the groom's neck and where the euro tie disappeared into his vest.

"There. Something borrowed," Seth patted Emmett's chest. "I saw you put on the boxers I told you to wear, so that's something blue."

Emmett could not keep the smile from his face.

"Now for something old and something new," Seth stepped to the end of the bed to reach into his bag. "This," he produced a small black box, "is something pretty old."

"What is it?" Emmett asked as Seth handed him the box.

"Open it and see," Seth bid.

Emmett did, and his eyes went wide. "Seth!"

"Before the Hohenzollern Emperors came to power and coined one currency, each German State minted their own," Seth explained.

"I knew that," Emmett turned the box to tip the solid gold coin the size of a fifty cent piece, into the palm of his hand.

"I know you did. This is an 1877 gold ten mark coin from the State of Hessen," Seth informed.

"Sweetie!" Emmett was at the same time touched and impressed.

"It's yours. You need something old today and that is very old. Put it in your pocket," Seth took the empty box and tossed it on the bed.

"Where did you even get this?" Emmett turned it over and over in his hand.

"An auction house in Frankfurt. Now, something new," Seth stepped back to his bag and pulled out another box. This one was long and flat, and Seth opened it himself. He pulled out a red, silk scarf with fringe on the ends and put it over Emmett's head to hang around his neck.

"Wow, this is beautiful," Emmett held up one end of his new scarf. "Seth, thank you so much, for everything!"

"And last," Seth reached into the pocket of his leather pants that lay on the bed where he left them. "A penny," he held it up. "This is probably the most silly part, but, look!" Seth knelt down before Emmett and held up the small copper coin.

"Oh, my God, a pfennig! Where did you get that?" Emmett laughed. "That's not even the currency anymore! They're on Euros now."

"From your mom," Seth bent down and slipped the pfennig into inside of Emmett's right shoe. He stood up finally and smiled as he put his hands on Emmett's broad shoulders. "There. Now my best friend is ready to marry the man of his dreams, just like I did."

"Seth," Emmett was instantly choked up. He pulled Seth to him and held him tightly. "God, what would I ever do without you?" Emmett rested the side of his face on the top of Seth's head.

"Grandfather Spirit brought us together for a reason, Emmy," Seth spoke against Emmett's chest. "Nothing will ever part us. I just know it."

"However it happened, I'm sure glad it did," Emmett expressed. "I can't imagine my life without you."

"Me too," Seth agreed.

The bedroom door swung open at that moment and neither Emmett nor Seth let go of each other as Carson walked in, two frosty cold Spaten in his hand.

"Uh, oh. Am I interrupting a gay moment?" Carson thought he was very funny as he elbowed the door shut behind him. "Here's your beer, Em," he walked toward the bed and held out one of the bottles. Emmett let go of Seth and rose from the bed, but as Carson quickly learned, it was not to take his beer.

"Whoa," Carson was taken by surprise as his big brother gathered him into his arms.

"I'm so glad you're here with me today too, Car. I couldn't do this without my brother," Emmett gave his little brother a tight hug.

"Jesus, Seth, what did you do to him?" Carson had a beer bottle in each hand. "He was already gay. Now you turned him into a girl."

"God, you're such an asshole," Emmett let go of his brother. "Give me my damn beer," he snatched one of the bottles from Carson's hand.

"That's better," Carson took a swig as Emmett did the same.

A rap came at the door at that moment, but the visitor did not open the door. Seth crossed to the door and opened it. Rosalie, resplendent in her white pants suit, stood on the outside.

"Seth, it's time," Rosalie announced.

"Yes it is. I'll get the family downstairs to Leo and Troy so they can seat them," Seth stepped past her out into the corridor. "You go get Nasir."

"I will," Rosalie agreed. She walked into the room to join the McCarty brothers. "You ready, big guy?"

"I'm ready. Thanks, Roses," Emmett slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"Give me a minute to get your man and then join us, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am," Emmett agreed. Rosalie just smiled at him and walked back out the way she came in.

Carson gave a sigh. "I love lesbians."

Emmett just shook his head.

In his room in the opposing wing, the Emirati groom was on the verge of being emotional as well. Nasir had one hand on Garrett's shoulder and the other on Edward's.

"I am so happy to have you both by my side today," Nasir expressed. "And Sethy and Carson. It means so much to me, to both of us."

"We would be nowhere else, my friend," Garrett assured.

"That's right, Buddy," Edward grasped the arm that rested on his shoulder.

"Edward, I am so sorry Jasper could not be here with us today, for you," Nasir added.

"So am I and so is he, Nasir," Edward assured.

"I thank Allah every day that I came to this country, that I met Emmett, and all of you," Nasir was visibly choked up. "When I think what my life might have been..." he closed his eyes against that horrifying thought.

"When you found Emmett, and all of us, you came home, Nasir," Garrett expressed with conviction.

"That's right," Edward wholeheartedly agreed. "You belong with us."

A rap sounded at the door and Edward quickly moved to answer it. "Hey, Rosalie. Is it time?"

"It's time. The family is being seated right now. Are you ready, Nasir?" Rosalie smiled.

"I am. I am," Nasir nodded. Rosalie stepped back and gestured for the men to proceed. Edward picked up their three camel sticks from where they waited by the door and handed two of them to Nasir and Garrett. Nasir paused to retrieve a long, flat, black velvet box from his bag and then walked out into the corridor. Garrett followed him and Edward took up the rear.

At the same time Emmett, Seth and Carson walked toward them from the other wing...