Life Goes On.
Writer: Invader Johnny.
Summary: Jade and Tori are about to see their son about to get married and while it's hard to say good bye they know it's all part of life, AU of the Saga "Parenthood."
Author Notes: Hello there my dear readers, Ok first things first I gotta give credit where credit is due as this idea was partly inspired by my friend's Azkadellio's iCarly fic "You Are Cordially Invited" so if you read that one then you might have an idea as to where this story is going and if not then you're in or a surprise.
Also I gotta point out that this story is an "alternative universe" on my "Parenthood" chapters "Letting Go" but it's a bit more fleshed out as in my original version I didn't put some of Tony's friends among other things that will be explored in this AU.
Disclaimer: As always, I don't own Victorious, the show belongs to Nickelodeon, simple as that but i I did own it then Jori would be endgame.
"Hot damn! We really have the house full now don't we?" Jade asked rhetorically as she entered her and Tori's bedroom.
"Um hum." Tori said, looking down not really paying attention to the question.
"It's been a while since we had the family under one roof, huh Tor?"
"Did everybody finally get comfortable for the night?" Tori inquired, looking up from the book she was flipping through.
"After much time and effort? Oh yeah." the Thespian replied as she sat down next to her wife on their bed. "Let's see, your mom who I can't believe is still alive is sleeping in her bedroom."
"Better late than never to forgive and forget." Tori reminded her spouse "So, what about the rest of the family?"
"Well let's see, Danielle and Rachel are in the guest room, and no matter how much Ruby and Scarlett complained, they have no choice but to share the room with their parents, geez... When did kids become so bratty and unreasonable?!"
"Some kids are always a pain." Tori answered sadly "We raised three, remember?"
"True... Now Tawny and Lukas are sleeping in the twins' old bedroom, Matt and his brother Wally got the attic." Jade said with a grin "Good thing my brilliant idea of turning it into my woman cave came to great use, they're having a blast seeing all my collection from the horror genre."
"Will they be able to sleep with all your nightmarish toys in there?"
"For the last time Vega, all the stuff I have there are books, masks and pieces of history of the horror golden era!" Jade snapped "they're not toys but pieces of history!"
"Whatever you say Jade."
"Now as for Jamie she's very afraid of what I have up there so she's going to be sleeping with her parents instead."
"Still unhappy that our youngest granddaughter isn't into the horror bit, I see."
"She's half West, eventually she'll come around."
"She's also half Shapiro, remember?"
"I knew I shouldn't have let Cat and Robbie have her for so many weekends in a row!"
"Speaking of them, how are they?"
"I left the couch ready for them." Jade replied "So they better get comfortable, because we ran out of space."
"What about Tony?"
"In his old room trying to sleep." The former Goth said gently "Although to be completely honest, I doubt he will do much sleeping though… I mean nobody does the night before their big day."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"I think he's probably split in two at the moment." Jade said. "I mean on the one hand he can't wait to wear his wedding dress and walk down that aisle but at the same time, he's thinking the worst case scenario for the wedding; I should know I was in his shoes the night before our wedding. But you know, we made it through. Now here we are…After so many years and to think, after tomorrow all of our kids will be married."
"Time does fly." Tori said nostalgically, she then chuckled. "You know, it's funny,"
"What is?"
"After we got married, I thought the day would come when I would probably have given my wedding dress to our firstborn daughter, I never expected to give it to my son and don't get me wrong, I'm happy to do it… I just didn't see it coming you know?"
"Well you know how Tony is." Jade shrugged. "Our boy may be as straight as an arrow but he's clearly in touch with his feminine side."
"Truer words have never been spoken." Tori agreed. "He's lucky to have someone who accepts him for who he is."
"Emily is very open minded." Jade agreed "Hey, what are you looking at?"
"Just some old pictures."
"These are from the day we came out of the City Hall," Jade commented. "The day we adopted Tony."
"Uh-huh." Tori nodded, smiling down at a picture of when their family became whole, beaming as she held a small bundle in her arms "My baby boy."
"He was so small," Jade chuckled, wrapping an arm around her wife. "Seems like it was just yesterday when we could just carry him in one arm."
"Yeah… He really was." She wiped a tear from the corner of the eye "And now he's all grown up and getting married."
"Are you alright?"
"NO! I am not alright!" Tori snapped. "My only son, my last child is getting married and leaving me, I'm everything but alright!"
"Need I remind you that we gone through this twice before? I mean Tawny and Lukas have been married for fifteen years and then two years after Danielle and Rachel followed suit."
"That's different, you were on edge!"
"And you weren't?"
"I handled it with grace and dignity." Tori countered with her nose high.
"Uh huh, sure you did" Jade said with her arms crossed "Then mind telling me in what universe does hiding their wedding rings falls under that definition."
"Erm, Jade, You did that."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"See?! Not every parent is ready to handle seeing their kids spreading their wings and fly into the world!" Tori cried "But Tony and his wife are moving all the way to stinking France! Allowing him to leave home to study there once was bad enough but now he's going to be living there permanently!"
"He'll visit us."
"It's a fourteen hour flight!" Tori hissed "We're only going to see him like once or twice a year now!"
"Then he could call us or video chat with us." Jade said "Let's not forget, we live in the digital age, Tor."
"A computer could never replace a hug from my son."
"I'm not saying it will."
"I hate France! And I hate Emily!"
"Oh Come on, you love Emily."
"She's taking my son across the freaking globe!" Tori growled darkly. "So love isn't the right word I would use, maybe mildly appreciate the mere fact that she is helping make his dream of being a chef a reality."
"Well technically they're moving to France because they both have a new job there," Jade pointed out. "So if anything it was a mutual agreement between soon to be husband and wife."
The Latina glared at her spouse.
"So NOT helping Jade."
"Living with me for so many years made wonders for your evil eye, Vega." Her spouse said sheepishly. "But come on! Don't take it personally, this is meant to be a joyful occasion!"
"I know." Tori sighs dejectedly "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that Tony found someone to love him as much as I love you but..."
"It doesn't make it any easier." Jade said knowingly.
Tori nodded silently.
"Like I said Vega, this is supposed to be a cheerful time," The former Goth said, kissing her wife on the forehead. "You knew this day was coming, yeah it sucks that Tony is leaving but not because he doesn't want to see us anymore, he's getting married to the woman he loves, he's starting his own family!"
"I am happy about that," Tori admits. "But…he's still... He's still..."
"You still see him as your baby boy don't you?"
Tori didn't say anything to that, which was more than enough of an answer for Jade.
"Baby... He can't be your little boy forever."
"I know that, it's just that he grew up so fast."
"They all did."
"It bites."
"Oh, very much so." Jade agreed "But we'll always have the memories and our grandkids will surely give us some more years of crazy shenanigans, parenthood is one never ending cycle, after all, and nothing made our babies appreciate us more than when they became parents themselves, Danielle, Tawny and Anthony may be adults now but they will always be our children and they will always come to us when they need us the most."
Tori gave Jade a peck on her cheek before resting on her shoulder "You always know what to say to make me feel better."
"That's because I love you."
"I love you too."
For the rest of the night while Jade slept like a log, Tori's eyes remained open, looking at the pale face of her spouse.
"She's the love of my life... Like Emily is is Tony's."
The next Day:
"People are starting to arrive," Trina told her sister as family, friends and other guests arrived at the Gibson (Formerly the Vega) household, due to Tori's dislike of anything religious, (which of course included the church) it was agreed that the wedding would happen in the backyard of Tori's childhood home.
"Gibby's handling the seating."
"Is that such a good idea?" Tori questioned "He's not exactly known for making a first good normal impression."
"Don't worry, I ordered him not to talk and simply to point in the direction of where the guests have to seat, if he doesn't do that then I won't sing for him tonight."
"That's actually pretty merciful." Tori said under her breath
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I said I just talked to Chad and Alan."
"Who?"
"Oh or the love of... Emily's parents."
"Oh... Them!" Trina said then began to giggle uncontrollably "I bet Jade's very happy about becoming a relative of those two."
"She's trying not to stab them with her scissors so it's an improvement." Tori said "Just as long as neither of them say babe sandwich, everything will be fine."
"Why?"
"Because Jade said if she so much as hears either of them say that, she'd cut their throats and dump their bodies in the dumpster behind the Del Taco, down the street."
Trina scrunched her face, briefly. "That's awfully specific."
Tori couldn't help but shrug. "She tends to be very specific in her threats. She finds they're more effective that way."
"Translation..." Trina said dryly. "You took her scissors away again, didn't you?"
"She knows the rules." Tori said firmly "No pointy objects at social gatherings, especially at our son's wedding!"
"Where is that psychopath you call a wife anyway?"
"With Tony, probably telling him, her about the time she had bats in her stomach before getting married."
"Is that a wise move?"
"If I know Jade, she's most likely doing it as a way of telling him that he's not alone feeling jittery before the big day."
"Ok... I guess that makes sense."
"Oh, hey, Trina? Would you mind doing me a favor? Can you go check on Danielle and Tawny? Tori requested "They're in charge of the music and I just want to make sure everything is set before Tony walks down the aisle."
"Oh I've been waiting for you to ask me to sing for tonight!" Trina said excitedly "You can count on me sis! I won't let you down!"
"What?! No! I didn't say anything about you singing! I didn't.. Trina? TRINA?!"
But it was too late; her older sister went running down the hall.
"It's up to my daughters now to handle her." Tori said to herself "This won't end well."
Tori walked towards a nearby wooden door and gently knocked on it.
"Who is it?"
"One of your future mother's in-laws." Tori replied "Emily, are you decent? Can I come in?"
"Uh... Sure, it's open."
The Latina pushed open the door and saw her soon-to-be daughter-in-law standing, in front of a mirror, already wearing her tuxedo, as nervous as she could possibly be, fidgeting as her best man, Brad was helping out with her tie.
"There you go, Em." Brad said with a chuckle. "One of these days, you gotta learn to put one of these by yourself."
"Oh Ha, ha." The Blonde said sarcastically "I can do my own tie, thank you very much! It's just wedding jitters."
"Sure, always an excuse for everything." He teased.
Emily punched him in the arm, which only made Brad laugh.
"Why oh why did I ask you to be my best man?" She asked sarcastically.
"Because I'm awesome." He shot back. "And who else would you pick? I've been your best friend since elementary school."
"True, true." She agreed before turning to meet the eyes of Tori West, who looked on the exchange with amusement.
Brad also saw that they weren't alone anymore and sensing that Emily was going to need some privacy with her soon to be mother in law, he coughed before he made his leave.
"Ok, Em, see you at the big event." He said. "Nervous?"
"You wish." She scoffed with a coy smile. "I'm not you."
They both chuckled before doing a fist bump.
Brad soon walked out the door leaving the two women by themselves.
"Wow, Emily, you look great," Tori said, shutting the door behind her. "No, scratch that, you look simply beautiful."
"Thanks," Emily said sincerely. "It's so weird thought."
"What is?"
"You know, as far back as I can remember, I never liked the idea of wearing a big over the top wedding dress." The blonde replied "And that's assuming I even got the chance to get married, I mean, I not once I thought I would find a guy who would say, screw the traditional marriage way and now here I am wearing my tux picturing this day in my mind over and over, but now that the big day is finally here, it feels so surreal you know?"
"Believe it or not, I know." Tori said "I understand what you're feeling, I was in that exact same spot at my own wedding."
"Did you feel anxious yet ready to walk down that aisle in a heartbeat?"
"I did, that's what happens when you love your media naranja so much."
"Media Naranja?" Emily parroted confused "Doesn't that mean half an orange or something in Spanish?"
"It does." Tori nodded "But it's also a slang meaning Kindred Spirit or in some cases soul mates."
"So you think Tony is the guy for me?"
"I have no doubt in my mind that he loves you Emily." Tori said seriously "The question here is... Do you love him?"
"As much as I love cooking and that's saying something."
"Look Emily... Last night I was thinking and what I'm going to tell you is.. Kinda... Very important so listen... In under an hour you're about to become Tony's wife."
"Not to mention your daughter-in-law."
"That too..." She acknowledged "And I just wanted to let you know that despite everything I said and done... I do care a lot about you."
"That's nice to hear Mrs. West."
"I bet." Tori chuckled "it's not every day a daughter in law gets a compliment from her suegra."
"I'm going to go on a limb here and assume that's Spanish for Mother in law" Emily then grinned, "or is that actually a different kind of fruit."
You're catching on..." Tori said with a smile "Anyway, over the years I seen you grow up, making both my son's life a living hell and a wonderful dream... When I saw you two, it often reminded me of how Jade and I were at that age, which undoubtedly made me believe that you two will have a wonderful life together."
"You really think so?"
"Trust me Em, I know so." Tori replied confidently "I experienced firsthand that opposites do in fact attract."
"Technically speaking, so have I."
"The point is Em, I seen how happy you make Tony and I love you for that, because that's all I want for my son... To be happy, but just because you make him feel on cloud nine, I'm still keeping an eye on you."
"All the way to France?" Emily teased.
"Don't push it." Tori warned "You already know the story of how he came to be my son, I'm not gonna lie, I'll always be overprotective of Anthony, I loved him the moment Jade and I found him all those years ago and I'll continue to love him till the end of time and now you're going to love him just as much but in a very different way... So Emily I'm going to ask this from you..."
The Latina puts both hands gently on the younger woman's shoulders, her chocolate eyes pleading "Please take care of each other, Tony will no doubt look after you in every way shape or form, you're about to become his wife after all and to him you're always going to come first, but don't forget that marriage is a two way street, he will have your back so I expect you to have his... Take care of my son, Emily... Because... Because... You're never going to find such a good man in this or any other life."
The blonde puts her hand over her soon to be mother in law's "I know what I'm getting... You have my word... I promise."
"That's good to know." The Brunette says emotionally "Another thing I wanted to tell you is that you don't be afraid to come to me if there is anything I can help you with, just ask. Spontaneously Tori tightly hugged the younger woman "Welcome to the family."
"Wow, thanks, Mrs West," Emily spoke, stunned but nevertheless returned the hug. "That... That means so much to me."
The Latina let go, giving her a small smile "Don't call me that, you're about to take that name yourself Emily and more importantly, by now I think you reached the point where you can start call me Mama."
"S-Seriously?"
"I think you earned it."
"That's so cool... Mama."
"But you might want to wait for Jade to give you the OK Before you start calling her Mom."
Emily chuckles "Of course."
"Well, I need to go check on Tony now, but I'll see you out there."
"I can't wait to see him walking down the aisle in his wedding dress." Emily said with a goofy smile. "I do wonder if he's as nervous as I am?"
"He is but I also know for a fact that he can't wait to marry you," Tori replied as she headed out the door. "So don't worry, you'll do fine, you both will."
"You think so?"
"I'm not just talking about the wedding."
"I know." Emily said with a smirk "Today is the first day of our lives together."
"Then you better make it a great life."
Tori walked directly towards her old room and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Jade chortled.
The Latina raised an eyebrow, when her wife was heard laughing, it only meant that A) She was doing so at the misery of another human being or B) She was watching the scissoring yet again."
"It's not funny West!"
"I see it is the first option."
"What is going on here?" Tori asked as she entered the room, watching as her wife and son were laughing their ass off.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you Aunt Tori." Amy said between giggles. "And Tony! Don't you dare cry from laughter! I just did your make up!"
"Sorry, Amy." Tony said to his best friend/maid of honor between laughs before turning to meet his Mama's confused stare, he tried to explain but it was impossible given how he continued to laugh and the fact that Jade was howling just as loudly was a good indication that their 'comedy fest' was not appropriate.
The first clue to confirm that was when she saw the sour faces of Chad and Alan.
So Tori pinched Jade and Tony at the same time."
"Ouch! Vega!"
"Mama!"
"That's enough." Tori snapped "Now, would care to tell me what's so funny?"
"I'll do the honors." The Thespian smirked "See Chad and Alan were giving Tony here 'the talk' about keeping Emily safe and never to lay a hand on her."
"Ok... And?"
"We were simply making Tony understand that if he hurts our little girl, if he ever causes her any unhappiness of any kind." Alan spoke, trying to sound intimidating "We will hunt him down and kick his ass!"
Jade and Tony began to laugh anew.
"We're serious!"
They just laughed harder.
"Ok, break it up you two!" Tori commanded, walking in front of her son "The last thing Tony needs is to wet himself under such stupid circumstances, The last time that happened was when you were seven."
"Wha? Mama!"
"Oh relax, it's not worse than say... Wearing a pink ballerina suit at the tender age of five."
Jade stopped laughing; instead giving her wife a deadly glare "You play dirty Vega."
"Learned from the best." Tori replied cheekily.
The Latina then inspected her son, the wedding dress he was wearing looking as pristine as the day she used it at her own wedding ceremony many years ago.
Wow, looking great Mijo," Tori said to her youngest child. "You look better in that dress than I ever did."
"I hardly think that will ever be the case, Mama." Tony replied dryly. "Thanks though."
"Hey if the woman says you look great then you better believe it!" Amy said seriously. "Now please shut up and do a duck face, I still have to do your lipstick, Tony."
The young man rolled his eyes but still obliged, allowing Amy to put the pink lipstick across his lips.
"Pink, eh?"
"It's your favorite color, Tony." Amy said bluntly. "It's only fitting you kiss your soon to be wife with pink lips, and as your best friend/maid of honor, it's my job to make your wedding day as memorable as possible."
"Oh Amy! Tony said emotionally ready to hug her.
"Tony! No! Your dress!"
Tony quickly stopped, inches away from the brunette.
"Oh what the Hell!" Amy said before she embraced him.
Both best friends hugged each other while the two older married couple watched with some smiles, Jade tried to pretend like it was no big deal but deep down, she was happy of the unique bond her son has with Andre's youngest daughter.
"I love you so much." Tony said as they broke apart, but he was now holding both of her hands in his. "You're more than just my best friend you know? You're like another sister to me, Amy."
"Right back at you Tony, you're like the brother I never had." She replied loyally. "But if you cry, I'll kill you."
They both laughed in good humor before they turned around, discreetly washing away their shared tears of joy.
"Ok, if we're done with this mushy fest, I still got to check on your sisters." Amy said "Can't have my co-bridesmaids looking like something the cat dragged in on your big day."
"Thanks again Amy."
"Think nothing of it, West." She teased. "I'll say this in my toast later tonight but I wish you and Emily nothing but happiness on your marriage."
"That means a lot coming from you."
"Look Tony, it's no secret that Emily and I never got along." Amy said. "Honestly I still think she's the spawn of the devil."
"HEY!" Chad and Alan said offended, while Jade snickered evilly and Tori rolled her eyes.
"However I know she loves you and you love her and because you're my best friend, I'm thus forced to at the very least like her but make no mistake, if she so much as breaks your heart, I'll be sure to rip her heart from her chest and nail it to her ass!"
Chad and Alan gaped speechless.
"And that is how you actually sound intimidating." Jade quipped.
"You should know." Tori said. "My dad told you he had a bullet with your name on it if you ever hurt me in anyway shape or form."
"VEGA!"
"No bickering you two!" Tony admonished his parents. "Today's my wedding day and I rather not spend it, trying to prevent my folks from making a scene or discussing who's going to kill who! I had enough of that growing up."
"Don't worry, Tony, that's numbers two and three on the list." Amy said. "Seriously though, I gotta go, see you at the altar!"
"Just make sure my sisters don't kill each other."
"I'll see what I can do." She replied with a smile before she closed the door.
As soon as she did, she accidentally stumbled into someone else, who almost fell.
"OOF!"
"OOF!"
"I'm sorry; I think I may have gotten lost." Brad said. "I've been looking for the groom's room."
"Well you actually found it." Amy replied while massaging her head. "What do you want with Tony anyway?"
"I wanted to talk to him, just to have a man to man talk to make sure he will never hurt Emily."
"Her parents already beat you to the punch actually." The brunette replied. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"
"I don't think so?" He said unsurely. "I'm Brad, Emily's best friend/best man."
"I'm Amy, Tony's best friend/Maid of honor."
Both eyes widened in recognition, after all it's been years since they saw each other.
"Oh wow, she's beautiful." He thought.
"That's one hunky dude!" She thought at the same time.
"I may not be dateless at this wedding after all."
"So… Mijo you feeling?"
"Well, right now I'm wondering how I got so lucky to have such an awesome best friend." He replied "Before that I was embarrassed… Thank you very much for that Mama… Before that, I having a blast and before that my feet were killing me."
"Oh really?"
"Yup… I'll never understand why women have such a fascination with high heels." Tony said. "The last time I wore heels was that one Halloween party years ago."
"I remember." Jade said. "You went out dressed as Wonder Woman."
"And Emily as Black Widow, I still remember when she took me into her arms bridal style and kissed me right after we won best couples costume." Tony said dreamily. "Funny how I went from dressing up as my favorite super-heroine to dressing up as a bride."
"And I bet you wouldn't have it any other way Huh, Tony?"
"And you would be right, Mom." He replied. "Emily said she wanted to wear a tux and I always dreamed of wearing a wedding dress on the big day, so we just went with what feels natural for us, you know?"
"So, you aren't feeling a little nervous?"
"Not at all, Mama."
Tori raised an eyebrow.
"Ok fine, I'm freaking out here!" Tony exclaimed, getting up from his chair. "What if I forget my vows? Or if I drop the ring? Or if I forget how to walk in heels and hit the floor face first?! Or what if an asteroid hits us and kill us all!"
"Then we all go out with a bang."
"Not helping Jade."
"Besides you practiced your vows, right?" Chad asked.
"About a million times."
"Then you have no reason to worry about that." Alan said afterwards.
"I have to agree with them, Tony." Tori said, helping her son sit down in a nearby chair. "Don't let your imagination run wild, the last thing you need is to give yourself a heart attack."
"Ok... I'm calm... I'm calm... I'm very calm."
"That's the spirit." Chad said "Relax, it's not as if Emily will change her mind and say 'I don't' at the last minute!"
"Oh my god I didn't even think of that!" Tony exclaimed. "What if she gets cold feet and becomes a runaway bride! Or Groom! Or… Whatever!"
"Honey! Honey! I talked to her before I came here!" Tori said at once "She definitely wants to marry you!"
Tori glanced over at her wife and gave her a quick look. Jade got the message and turned to the other married couple.
"Alright, you two nitwits, I think you still need to check on your daughter, give her some parental wisdom or some shit."
Chad began to cry "My baby girl is getting married."
Alan rolled his eyes at his husband's emotional state.
As they left the room, Jade gave her son a hug "I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Mom." Tony said sincerely, still looking like a deer in headlights.
Once they all left, Tori and Tony simply sat in silence for a few moments.
"Here," the tanned woman finally spoke, reaching over to her son's veil. "Let me fix this for you…You were never any good with this part of the outfit."
"Thanks."
"I bet Jade told you all about what she was feeling on our wedding day huh?"
"Yeah... Mom said feeling like you're going to puke is excellent... If I feel nervous it's a good sign…. I just don't want to throw up all over my dress."
"You won't." Tori replied "And the feeling really is a good sigh, but you're excited too, right?"
"Of course I am Mama!" He nodded "I been waiting for this day for a very long time!"
"There! All done!" Tori said as she finished fixing the veil on his head, "Take a look Mijo."
Tony got up from his seat to look at his reflection at the full length mirror nearby, the wedding dress he's wearing is the traditional white. It's a bustier-top with the dress portion widening as it goes down, starting at the same size as his waist and spreading out as it reaches the bottom, ending at almost triple the size it started out, frills circling from the waist down to the bottom of the dress. From the bustier-like top to the waist, it tapers, giving a slim appearance. The back shows the upper back of Tony's body, barely showing below the shoulder blades. The zipper is hidden by the material of the dress, giving the illusion that the dress is all one piece.
He smiled as the next thing he noticed was the extensions that his best friend, Amy put in his hair; they are the same shade as his hair, making it look natural, while the updo that his aunt Cat gave him certainly looks professionally done. The tiara he was also wearing added to the elegance as well as the veil his Mama recently put on his hair.
"I feel like a princess." Tony chuckles. "Guess Emily's little pet name she had for me finally became true."
"So, you're ready Mijo?"
"Almost, Mama."
"Almost?!" Tori parroted. "I don't like the sound of that… You're not getting cold feet are you?"
"No!" He denied "It's nothing like that, see I got something old, the underwear I wore when Emily proposed to me."
"Ok, that's both kinda sweet and kinda eww, Mijo."
"I may we wearing a dress but I'm still a guy, Mama." Tony replied with a chuckle. "Anyway as I was saying, I got something old, the underwear, something new, the chocker Emily gave me when she proposed to me, and something borrowed, my wedding dress… Thanks again Mama."
"Think nothing of it Mijo." Tori said with a smile. "So, you were saying?"
"Oh yeah, I just need something blue."
Tori then from her pocket pulled out a small box and opened it to reveal a blue pair of earrings. "It's a bit odd, but I have these."
"They look a little worn down but still look great, are they yours?"
Tori shook her head, with a tiny bit of a sad expression. "No. And there's a bit of an explanation. First you don't have to wear this pair if you don't feel comfortable about it. Jade and I both have blue earrings to match. They were given to me in the hopes you may wear them."
"Who gave them to you?" Tony asked with a raised eyebrow "Come on Mama you don't have to beat around the bush.
Tori took a deep breath and exhaled. "These belonged to Gwen Foster."
Silently Tony stared at the earrings with a thoughtful but distant expression. "My birth mother."
"Yes. I know her parents weren't part of your life, but they did request that we keep them up to date on you and what you had going on. The whole thing with her kidnapping and the subsequent events, were obviously a lot for them and it took a long time to come to terms with it... I can tell you, now, that besides keeping up on you, they provided some of the money you used for college and every single Christmas, one of the presents, that were supposedly from us, were actually from them. They wanted to be a tiny part of your life. After all you're all that is left of their daughter and her dreams. They're here. You don't have to meet them if you're not comfortable with it or wear the earrings. They thought you may like them as it's a part of their daughter and your biological mother."
Tori wasn't sure how Tony would react and had discussed this with Jade beforehand. All they could do is hope for the best.
For a long moment, Tony once again looked at the earrings. He then touched one of them. "I remember Mom telling me, she wanted to be a dancer."
"Yes."
"I remember seeing her pictures; she was quite pretty and from what I know, very nice."
"From everything I've heard yes." Tori then sighed. "I don't want to bring you down, by bringing this up…"
Tony smiled and cut off his mother. "I'd love to wear them."
Tori instantly breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad to hear that mijo."
"I can't say I know a lot about her, but I do think of her. I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all." Tori quickly reassured him. "It makes perfect sense."
"I think wearing these would be a nice tribute to her. And I would like the meet her parents. And with these earrings, she can be here in spirit. I owe her that much at least. She deserves to be remembered. Especially on a day like this."
Tori then removed the earrings from the box. "Here, Mijo."
"Thank you mama."
Both mother and son hugged afterwards.
Tori gently puts the earrings on Tony's ears, she then grabbed both his gloved hands, squeezing them gently which puzzled the crossdresser.
"Mama?"
"So you're leaving for your honeymoon first thing in the morning, right?"
"Yup, we're heading to Holland," Tony affirmed. "That's a place we always wanted to visit."
"And then you'll be moving to France," Tori sighed. "On the other side of the planet."
"Yeah... Pretty much ," He said uncomfortably, it never got any easier to talk about moving so far away with his mother. "The restaurant is ready for us, the apartment too, so we're all set."
"That's good... That's... good." The woman said heavily.
Tori suddenly looked up at her son's face, even with all the make-up he was wearing, she could still see that Tony had a striking resemblance to Beck, minus his eyes which were light green instead of dark brown, he was nothing like the scumbag who abandoned him on the day he was born.
"Abandonment, the least of his crimes. Just look what he did to that poor, Gwen." Tori fumed mentally. "But he's gone and will never come back from where he is. But he's not Beck's son, he's Jade and my son and we're proud of him."
She gently touched his cheek "I'm going to miss you so, so much Mijo."
"I know, Mama," Tony said, giving her a small smile. "I'm going to miss you too."
"I still can't believe this," The tanned woman said sadly, shaking her head. "It seemed as if yesterday you were just taking your first steps and now...You're leaving me…"
"Mama, I-I'm not leaving you," Tony said, his voice breaking while trying not to cry. "I'm just, you know, spreading my wings."
"Spreading your wings." Tori repeated. "Thousands of miles away… Couldn't you have found a job here in California? I'm sure you could've done just fine here."
"I took the job in France because I feel that's where I'll achieve my full potential, Mama."
"Reaching for the stars." She chuckled sadly "Just like I taught you."
Tony put his hand over hers.
"Mama…you know that no matter how far away I am, you're still going to be my mother," he told her. "And don't tell Mom but you are the best mother anyone could've asked for."
"This will be our little secret." She grinned.
"Let's hope so, the last thing I want is for Mom to start a contest with you."
"If she knows what's good for her, it won't be today."
"Mama, it's because of you that I'm even here to begin with." Tony said with empathy "You found me and loved me even if I wasn't your son to begin with, then you fought so that I could be your son in the eyes of the law and more importantly your eyes... Then you encouraged me to cook despite what others though and you believed in me! That is a pretty good mum and when the day comes when I become a parent, I hope to be as good as you."
Tori wiped a tear from her eye as she pulled him into another hug.
"You're my child no matter what people say and I know you will be a pretty terrific father when the time comes."
"I love you, Mama" Tony said as he hugged her back.
"I love you too, Mijo." She said softly. "So very much."
"Do you Anthony West accept this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"And do you Emily Donovan accept this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"I hereby pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. West." The priest said "You may now kiss the groom."
Emily lifted the veil off Tony's face and kissed him, the guests were clapping, but they didn't notice, it was just them at that moment in time.
Meanwhile their parents were crying, or more accurately Tori and Chad were doing all the waterworks while Jade and Alan shared a look and an eye roll at their spouses' overly emotional response.
"Our baby boy got married." Tori sniffs.
"Not our baby boy Tor." Jade corrected "He's a man now."
"He will always be my boy." Tori thought as she saw Anthony and Emily walking down the aisle.
"Always."
Well my dear readers, this is the end of the first chapter If you noticed I made a few references to some chapters in my original "Parenthood" saga like the Halloween night Emily and Tony had as well as the act that Tony's a bit o a crossdresser.
Plus, I gotta admit that adding a bit on Tony's biological family was a good idea since I never fully explored who they were aside from Gwen and how Beck killed her in the main storyline so I thought this might be the best way to explore that plotline without going way too deep into what could potentially be a pretty dark place.
Another thing is that I didn't like the fact that in the original fic I didn't explore the friendships Tawny Danielle and Tony had this is because I created such characters like Amy way too late in the story and thought in here I might be able to fix that.
Anyway, what do you guys think so far? Good? Bad or In between? Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated as always.
Also I wanna thank Quitting Time for helping me with the story
Invader Johnny Signing Off.