The Last Wedding of a Generation Part I
The alumni would all return to Dalton for the usual Warbler party at which the seniors performed, and the choice of songs was very much in the tradition of the inappropriate as always. The big change that year though was that as they left the school that evening, they found themselves with one of the graduating seniors for company. Peter had actually vacated his dorm room the previous day, all of his possessions packed up and transported to a temporary resting point in his uncle's house. However, he had returned to that room that afternoon to change into his costume for his final performance as a Warbler, and had then changed back into his uniform. He said his goodbyes to his fellow students, and found himself pledging that he would be back for graduation the following year. The brotherhood of song remained as strong as ever, and he had the added bonus that his uncle was an alumni too, and on the staff; he had no excuse not to be there.
He sat next to his uncle in the front passenger seat of Sebastian's car as they drove down the driveway from the school, and he felt his eyes growing moist. "We all do that," said Sebastian softly. "No matter what we think of this place whilst you are studying here, the day that you leave here after graduation is a traumatic one. The fact is though that us Warblers are always flying back to the nest to visit, to join the flock once more, year in, year out."
Peter nodded, then said, "I am luckier than some of my fellows. I will still get to see Mr Harwood every time I visit you, which will be often, and as I am going to be in New York, I will get to see him when he comes to visit his brother in the city too…"
Sebastian smiled, then replied, "I will admit that I am going to miss seeing you every weekend once you head back to the coast. However, I wouldn't have it any other way. I think that Columbia will suit you far more as a college than OSU ever would. I am glad that you have chosen to study science, because that is where you are strongest; I know that some people would rather you had gone into law, but you have to do what makes you happy."
"I know grandfather would have preferred it, but that was before he saw my scores in chemistry and physics. Columbia will be a good school for me; close to home, but far enough away that commuting isn't a practical option. Nick and Jeff have promised to take me on a campus tour one day in the summer, which is good of them. It is one plan at least. Other than that, my summer will be spending more time with dad…"
"Well, in your case, that won't be the torture that it would have been for me at that age," chuckled his uncle with a smile…
Julian was still in Ohio, and greeted them both warmly when they returned home. He was alone, as Isabelle had been forced to head back to New York, as she had an early morning meeting the next day. Dave was working late, so the three Smythe men spent a family evening together engaged in a long game of Monopoly, which somehow did not descend into drama, and then they sat to watch the late night chat shows together.
The next morning was much harder for them all though, as it was the moment when the room that had been Peter's would become just a spare bedroom again. There were hugs for everyone from the youngest of the Smythe men, and more than a few tears; he would be back, of course, but the house would no longer be his second home. As Julian's car drove out of the gate that day, Sebastian found himself being overtaken by a wave of emotion. It made him wonder how he would be on the day that Francis left home to go to college; that was still years away, but if his reaction today was anything to go by…
He cheered himself up by reminding himself that he would see his brother and nephew again in just a few weeks when he went to New York for Mitch and Gabriel's wedding. He headed back inside to his study, and busied himself by finishing up those last bits of end of term paperwork for the Warblers, then drove over to Dalton to hand them in. He had hoped to just be in and out, but on entering the admin building to file them, he found Thad sitting in the outer office, and before he knew it, a conversation with him had turned into a situation where he found himself in the Principal's office with his friend and the lady in question…
"I had hoped to catch you for a quiet chat yesterday, Sebastian," said Principal Lefevre, "but graduation is such a busy day, and you were occupied with your family. So, you might not be aware that Mr Sturgess, the drama tutor that you have been assisting, handed in his letter of resignation yesterday. His health has continued to deteriorate, and as such, we are not asking him to work a notice period. That leaves us with a gap in our non-teaching staff…"
Sebastian started to laugh then, shaking his head. "I've seen this moment coming for a while, and noted that conveniently, he worked on the opposite days of the week to the Warblers' rehearsals. You are about to suggest that I could easily cover his work as well…"
"Well, yes. You would also be the logical choice, and a great asset to the school. Your work with the drama club at Christmas proves that. It is also a non-teaching role, just as your work with the Warblers is…"
"Of course," said Thad, "you will need time to think things over. I mean, it would be a full-time role between the two jobs."
"Actually, I don't need time. I will take the position. I never thought I would say this, but I loved doing the Christmas show, and this is more of the same. Passing on my skills to others is rewarding, but then you both know that. Now, as I will be full-time staff, I believe that entitles me to a better benefits package…"
The news that Sebastian would be working full-time at Dalton came as no surprise to anyone. They had all known that it was the long term aim of Thad, a way to keep the former Broadway man occupied, although they were all quite impressed that he had managed to achieve his goal in under a year. Trent went so far as to send him an e-mail in which he stated that the President wanted Thad on his team for any future negotiations with reluctant Senators or Supreme Court Justices, as his ability to get someone to perform a complete 180 degree U-turn was now a legend. Thad laughed at that, until Trent said that he wasn't entirely joking…
The members of the Warblers and the various drama clubs at Dalton currently also found out the news through a message on the school website, and were equally pleased, as there had been some that had seen the news of his return to the stage over the summer in Columbus as a sign that he would be making a return to the boards on a permanent basis. The new drama coach would respond to the posts praising him on the school website with a request that they provide suggestions as to what they should perform the following year, saying that he intended they perform one world classic, one classic US play, and a comedy or musical. That he was inundated with suggestions within an hour made him smile. He was most pleased to see that they had avoided in the main all of the usual suspects, and more importantly, all of the shows he had starred in on Broadway…
At the end of May, Nick and Jeff found themselves headed to London again, a situation which had one of the airport staff, who had seen them back in April, joke that they should buy a season ticket. This time Wes was with them, excited to be heading back to London, and looking forward to seeing all of the people that he knew there. He had also been reading up everything that he could find about the Trooping of the Colour; they would be attending the event, seated in the VIP stand, as Nick was invited as an official representative of the UN for that part of the centenary events. It would all take place on the first day of June, which had been declared a public holiday, the day after the big church service at Westminster Abbey where the nation would give thanks for Her Majesty's longevity…
The UN Secretary General himself would be in attendance at the church service, but he then had to fly back to New York the same day, so Nick had been asked to take on the official badge thereafter, something that he felt honoured to be doing. The seats that they had been allocated were next to those of the representatives of the US, which would in this case be the Vice President, Michelle Obama, and her husband. As they were close to the Queen on a personal level, it made sense for them to be the ones to attend. Trent would be coming with them, as there was an official banquet on the Sunday afternoon after the service, and speeches would be made there that the whole world would report. It was therefore vital that they had the best support available.
Rory would not be able to travel with them, so Trent had asked if he could stay at the same hotel as Niff for company, and that had been agreed on. He would also be free like them on the Sunday afternoon, once the banquet had begun, so they had planned a return trip to Brixton, knowing that the atmosphere there would appeal to him, then head on to Brockwell Park as before. This time, Jeff and Wes would be taking their swimwear to enjoy the lido there, as long as the weather was fine…
The weather was indeed perfect on the Sunday morning, the skies blue and cloudless, the wind gentle, giving a cooling breeze, with the forecast for more of the same for the rest of the week. Trent had already left the hotel by the time that Nick and Jeff woke up, as he needed to run through the speech that the Vice President was to give one last time with her, and also to liase with the people at the Palace on anything that he needed to be aware of, so as to avoid a gaffe in the speech. If need be, he could rewrite it as the service was taking place, and hand it to her as she left for the banquet. It was an old fashioned way of doing things, but it was more secure than sending a text or e-mail which could be read by anyone with the right sort of scanner.
Once he had handed over the speech, he would be free to head to meet Nick and Jeff, and he had arranged to do so at Victoria Station. They would not be at the service, but would watch it on television at their hotel, and head off as soon as it finished, so hopefully they would all arrive at their meeting point at much the same time. Trent would also watch the service from a spot at the back, not on camera, alongside all the other advisors. He could only smile as he watched how sprightly the monarch was, still so active for a woman of her age. He also pondered the same question that had been asked by the media back in April. No-one knew if her Majesty had received the traditional message on her actual birthday, or who would have sent it if she had. The Palace was saying nothing, and much to Trent's annoyance, Jeff had also point blank refused to try and find out from the Duchess…
With impeccable precision, the service ran exactly as timetabled, and the fleet of cars that would ferry the dignitaries attending the banquet also appeared on time, an operation worthy of the best armies of the world. There had been no need for any changes to the speech, so Trent was able to hand over the final draft, then head off to enjoy his afternoon with his friends. He walked the short distance to Victoria station, and arrived there just as they did. They made their way down to the tube, and soon were heading south to that vibrant London suburb at the end of the line.
Trent was enthralled by it all, as Nick had expected, and particularly enjoyed the food at the café they returned to, the owner welcoming them back as if they were regulars, recalling Wes rather than his parents. With their stomachs full, they strolled the short enough distance to the park. The Lido looked busy, but there was no wait for entry. Nick dispatched his husband and son to the changing rooms, then headed with Trent to a seating area that had an excellent view of the water. They talked work as they watched the other two enjoy themselves, then moved on to discussing the plans for the following day.
"It is all so scripted and regimented, that it feels a trifle unreal. We all have to arrive at a set time specific to the minute, all two minutes apart, with a strict do not arrive late or early warning," said Trent with a grin. "I suppose that it has to be like that, or there could be a crush."
"Exactly. It is like when they ask you to board a plane row by row; it avoids chaos," replied Nick.
The following morning saw them all awake early. Trent had to assist the Obamas, then get himself dressed up for the occasion. Nearby Nick was doing the same, and ensuring that Jeff and Wes would also pass muster. Then it was off down to the parade grounds within sight of the Palace, timing it down to the last second in arriving as had been requested. Passes and accreditation shown, they all walked smartly to their seats, where conversation had sprung up amongst neighbours.
With all of the invited dignitaries from abroad now seated, it was time for the royal family to arrive. The Queen's cousins were the first to arrive, elderly themselves, but like her, still going. They were followed by the bulk of her grandchildren, and her nephew and niece. Her two middle children were the next to arrive, with her daughter coming last. She had decided against riding in the show this year, as she had taken a tumble whilst riding a few months earlier; instead, her youngest brother Edward would be the only one of her children on horseback. He would be joined in the parade by his elder brother and his two sons, leading the procession from the Palace to Horseguards Parade.
Their wives would be the last members of the family to arrive before the actual parade, and of course, the person for whom the pageantry was for. Her Majesty would arrive in the Golden State Coach, accompanied by a lady in waiting and her cousin the Duke of Kent. As the lady in question descended from the carriage, everyone stood, not noticing the way that the lady in waiting and the Duke assisted her, but then stood back to allow her to make her way to the viewing stand with no help whatsoever. The rest of the close family there also stood as she took her seat.
She had no sooner done so than the sound of the military bands, which had been silent until then, burst forth as they paraded the last few yards to the show ground from the Mall, where they had moved in silence. Then they appeared, leaving them all smiling at the spectacle. Trent watched in wonder, having only ever seen footage on the television, and realised the live show was so much better. Beside him, Nick recalled how he had watched the procession pass after the show during their year living in London, with his husband and son cheering at his side; the privilege of being able to witness the whole show was immense. The horses were magnificent and well trained, not deterred by the loud music, carrying the guardsmen in their bright red dress uniform. The whole thing was not practical for battle, but it was ideal as an illustration of the pomp and circumstance that Britain was famed for.
When the first notes of the National Anthem were played after the main inspection was over, the whole crowd joined in with singing the words with gusto as they celebrated the long life of one of the most recognisable women in the world; a woman that had seen so much, and had met so many of the great and the good in her years. Nobody could ever forget that her first Prime Minister as Queen had been the legend that was Sir Winston Churchill, and that she had met all but one US President during her reign. She had met so many world leaders, good and bad, but only one of them had ever been allowed the privilege of calling her Elizabeth. A dutiful woman that had a sense of humour, and could still shock and surprise her family - who could forget the reaction of the young princes back in 2012, when in the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, she had accompanied James Bond in a helicopter and then parachuted into the Olympic Park. The world had gasped, then laughed, the spectacle not yet equalled by another host nation…
With the spectacle now complete. Her Majesty now returned to the coach, this time joined by the Duchesses of Cornwall and Cambridge, and a smiling Prince George; his sister and brother would return to the Palace by car with their cousins. The Gold Coach did not take the lead in the procession, that honour being taken by the four Princes, and behind them came the assembled guardsmen. They watched as they left Horseguards, knowing that the Mall would be lined with people, thousands of them cheering and waving flags. Their voices could soon be heard by those still at the stands in the show ground, rising almost above the music that the bands were still playing.
Then they were lead from the stand to a line of luxury coaches that had been provided to ferry all of the invited dignitaries, including Trent to his shock, to the Palace, where a party would be held in the gardens. Wes sat next to him, clutching his handwritten invitation, the youngest person to receive one. He was the most excited of the four of them, as unlike his fathers and his Uncle Trent, he had never been inside the London landmark…
When they arrived at the Palace gardens, there were already a number of people there, as the Garden Party was for a larger group of guests. In those numbers, it would have been hard for most people to find a specific person, such was the size of the crowd. However, Wes was able to spot the person he was looking for at once amongst the respected politicians, foreign royalty, and the most famous of the United Kingdom's people. It helped that she was standing to one side, looking a little lost and overwhelmed. "Miss Frobisher!" he yelled, running to greet her. His youthful exuberance was noticed by everyone, and they smiled and laughed.
He brought her over to join his parents and uncle, and she was silent for a moment, as standing beside them still were the Obamas. Jeff made the introductions, and suddenly a kindergarten headteacher from Kensington found herself engaged in a conversation about early years schooling with the Vice President of the USA and her husband, the respected former President…
It would be the first of many such encounters for her that day, culminating in the moment that she introduced by the Duchess of Cambridge to Her Majesty, a moment that she would later tell Nick had probably been the greatest of her life. It was only then that she told them that she had received notification that she was to be awarded an OBE for her services to education, her name to be revealed on the list that would be published the following day. "My parents would be so very proud," she said with a tear in her eye. "They were never too sure of my career choice, my decision to put my work before marriage and a family, but my receiving this recognition would please them no end."
"I am sure that they will be watching you from somewhere with pride," replied Jeff, which made Miss Frobisher smile; she firmly believed that they would be too…
The little group that had been in London would return home the next day, and for Niff it meant a return to a city where the preparations for the wedding of Mitch and Gideon were in full swing. Although the couple had initially favoured a wedding in the middle of the month, the various quirks of the calendar had forced them into an earlier date. They wanted to marry on a Saturday as it suited so many more people, but the closest one to the middle of the month happened to be the 13th. Whilst neither of them suffered from tridecaphobia, or put much stock in that old superstition, they still didn't want to take a risk.
Their next choice would have been the 20th, but with the date on the previous Saturday, they quickly discovered that all of the venues they favoured were already booked, and even the rank outsiders were unavailable. For that reason, and that alone, they had decided they had to opt for the 6th of June as their date. That they were holding the ceremony in New York was also a compromise. Only a few members of Mitch's family would be attending, as his decision to marry a man had not gone down well. His bisexuality had been bad enough for their staunch conservative views, but for him to openly be with a man was beyond what they could endure.
Gideon did not have the same issue with his family, but the best venue that was available in his small hometown lacked the kind of ambiance that they were looking for, and then there was the issue of finding a celebrant there too. Although more liberal than the western part of Ohio that Mitch had been raised in, there was still a difficulty in getting someone to perform a same sex ceremony, and the cost of getting someone to come out from Boston was very high. That city had also been considered as a venue, but they had dismissed it in the end as it would have meant all of the most important guests having to find a hotel, and that would not be cheap.
Holding the ceremony in New York gave them many more options, plus it was home to so many of their mutual friends, that would be happy to help accommodate other guests if necessary. Then there was the fact that Gideon's best man, his older brother Matthew, lived in Brooklyn. Although his house was too small to host his parents and grandmother, he could have his brother there on the night before the wedding, thus keeping the grooms apart…
A New York wedding would also give the couple an opportunity to show off their new home in the city. Ethan had promised to find something for them, and he had not been found wanting. He had made use of all of his contacts, and had then scoured through all of the possible real estate. He had been elated to discover the hidden gem that he knew was out there, hidden away on a road that was overlooked by the majority on the northern fringes of Cobble Hill.
The street had suffered badly in the recent past; in the 1950s, a developer had come along at a time when the older style of homes that were so prized now were not valued at all, and had bought up most of the beownstone buildings that lined it. He had proceeded to demolish them all, and replaced them with a monolithic series of concrete apartment blocks in the brutalist style. From the day that they were built, they had attracted their fair share of critics, and that reputation kept those that sought the beauty and charm of the old buildings well away.
That meant that people missed out on the fact that hidden away amongst those blocks was a pair of brownstones that the owners back in the 1950s had refused to sell. One of them had come up on the market, as its owner, a single elderly man, the descendant of the couple that had refused the various offers, passed away. He had no family, having never married, and being the only child of only children. That meant that there were no greedy relatives to inherit that would seek to bump up the price of the property for their personal gain. The place did need a lot of work, as the last major renovation had been carried out over sixty years ago…
Normally it would have been snapped up, but the name of the street, plus a lack of photos in the realtors initial property pack had kept people away. It did not deter Ethan, who knew at once that it was the one. It was well within Mitch's budget, and would give them plenty of space to grow as a couple, and to start the family they both wanted in time. It reminded him of Niff's place in the West Village, having three bedrooms, two and a half baths, two reception rooms, a study and a basement kitchen arranged over the four floors. After his initial walk round, he went through the house again more slowly, shooting a video on his phone, and had then sent the film to Mitch with some details… The film allowed both Mitch and Gideon to overcome their misgivings; feelings that arose when they had typed the name of the street into Streetview. The video showed them the place was the proverbial diamond in the rough…
They visited it themselves the following day, hopping right on the train to ensure that they got the place, abandoning work and school for the day. They took one walk round, and immediately placed an offer with the realtor; they accepted it in a heartbeat as they had found the young couple adorable. Their purchase price left them plenty of money to do the initial basic works that would make the place liveable and comfortable, with the idea that they would do the rest over the next few years; as long as they had a bedroom, living space, bathroom and kitchen, the rest of the house could wait.
With his brother living in Brooklyn too, it came as no great surprise when Matthew informed them that he had friends in most of the trades they would need for that initial work, and they would all be prepared to give them friends rates. Now, with their wedding just days away, the house was more or less ready; the roof was watertight, the windows had been repaired or replaced, and the plumbing, heat and electrics were all in the best of working order. They had lived in furnished apartments before, so they also had a lot of furniture to buy, but they had stuck to the most basic essentials to begin with, things to tide them over until they had a chance to decorate the place in the style they truly wanted.
Mitch had already decided that he would leave the decisions there to his husband-to-be; Gideon knew what he liked in home décor and what would be suitable for their older home as well as he knew his fashion. He would also have time to commence that as he would not officially start as Isabelle's new PA until the middle of July. From the magazines that he had seen lying around, he had begun to see that a 1920s style of décor was being favoured, with the full glamour of the Art Deco age. He could live with that, and would also suit their home, which was full of so many original features, all of them in good order. It would thus be a great pleasure to show Gideon's family around the place on the day before the wedding, knowing that they would see it as part of his commitment to his future husband. He just hoped that they would approve of their choice of neighbourhood.