Midnight:
Chapter 15:
May 22nd
Room 205
10 AM
Alexander was seated in the chairs in the hotel room as he looked between Gilbert and Hercules. He rose an eyebrow as he sat back in the chair. "I really don't want to know how the two of you found not one, but, three outfits in such a short amount of time for this wedding."
Hercules hummed a moment or two, a small smile on his lips as he looked up from the outfit before he looked back at Alexander. "Well, it wasn't easy, but never underestimate a fashion major, a friend with a credit card and a shopping mall all within a three-mile radius of each other."
Gilbert gave Hercules a look before shaking his head, walking over to the bed, and laying the outfit he was holding up across the bed. "Well, I am glad that you mentioned it helps to have a friend that can pay for it all so we all can look well."
Hercules shrugged as he handed Alexander his own outfit. "Well, I knew if I didn't do that then you would still somehow work that into the conversation."
Alexander couldn't help the small frown that settled on his lips as soon as he was handed the outfit. There was something to be said about dressing in a nice suit and tie and going to a wedding that you were probably not even invited to at this point. "Are you both sure I should be doing this?" He asked, looking between the two of them.
"We came all the way here for the wedding."
Alexander raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Gilbert. "I came here to get clourse, which I did. You two came for the wedding."
Hercules took the other two outfits and disappeared into the bathroom, giving Gilbert and Alexander a moment to be alone. "I may just be a romantic at heart, but you should say something."
"That doesn't sit well with me." It was something did in movies or books as a big romantic gesture to oppose the marriage that they didn't believe should be taking place. He wanted no part in doing that only to be hurt again.
Gilbert shrugged his shoulders. "It's just a thought I wanted to present you with. You could attend with us and sit quietly of course."
"Or you two could go and I could stay here in the hotel room. That is the option that I like the best." Alexander said as he sat back down on the bed, looking at Gilbert, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Of course, he wanted to go and see John, but at the same time, it just didn't feel right to him. He glanced down at the floor, staring at his feet for a long moment.
"We're not going to push you to say yes or no, but the wedding is in a couple of hours," Hercules said as he stepped out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him once again. "All we ask is that you think about it."
Alexander sat there for a long moment, letting out a soft sigh, saying words that he would come to regret. "I'll think about it."
Manning's Backyard
11 PM
John was pacing back and forth, trying to calm himself down. Marta was leaned against one of the trees, watching her brother ping-pong back and forth. The people around them were still trying to put the finishing touches on the wedding that was supposed to be starting soon. "Do you need a drink?" Marta asked, after a moment.
Marta wasn't fully dressed for the wedding quite yet, not wanting her new dress to be ruined before the ceremony.
John stopped in his tracks, glancing over his shoulder at Marta. "A drink? Are you serious?"
Marta shrugged as she hummed and smiled at her brother. "Well, that got your attention. I just mean, you look so tense. I thought a drink could loosen you up."
He shook his head. "I don't think that'll help at all, Marta."
"It was worth a shot." She paused as she looked away for a long moment. "Are you nervous?"
"Of course, I'm nervous, Marta. I'm getting married."
"To a woman you don't love. Have you told her?"
"Of course I have. She wasn't very happy."
Marta rolled her eyes. "Of course, she wasn't. I can't imagine any woman would be happy as soon as they find out they're just being used as a cover for a gay man."
"I'm not using her as a cover! I don't think she wants to go through with it either, I just need to think of a way to make this all not happen."
Marta pulled out her phone, checking the time. There wasn't that much time before the wedding and guests would be arriving soon. "Well, you're running out of time, dear brother. Sooner or later, we're going to need to start the wedding, no matter what."
John sighed as he brought up a hand to his hair. Everything just seemed to be going in the wrong direction. "Can you talk to her, please?"
"Fine, I'll be the one to tell her you want to call this whole thing off."
"She already knows that Marta. Ugh! I wish this whole thing was easier."
Marta sighed, shaking her head at her brother for a long moment. "I wish that you would have felt the need to tell us sooner rather than have all of this happen." She gestured around the room for a moment before letting her hands fall back down by her sides as he gave her brother a small smile. "I understand that it's hard though with both of our fathers pushing for this."
"That's just it, they both keep pushing for this and it makes it hard to say no."
"I know none of this is fair, John."
"What do you think I should do?"
"I can't tell you what to do, John. You need to make that decision."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, it's just hard."
Marta simply nodded, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. "I know."
Manning's Backyard
2 PM
"I cannot believe that you two actually got me to agree to come."
Gilbert just grinned as he sat next to Alexander in the chairs near the back. He flipped through the small program they were given as they entered the ceremony area. "I told you, you needed to come."
Alexander stared at him for a long moment, not saying a word but sitting back as he just shook his head. He didn't say a word for a long moment as he sat there. "Well, as soon as this is over I'm leaving."
Gilbert glanced over at him a moment, not saying anything but letting out a small hum. "If that is the choice you're going to make, that is fine with me."
"It is," Alexander stated before pausing for a moment, glancing over his shoulder. "Where is Hercules, by the way?"
"I have no idea. Why?"
"Well, he was here when we got here and now, I don't see him anywhere around here."
Gilbert waved his hand dismissively for a moment as pulled Alexander back down to his seat. "No, no, don't get up and stay here."
Alexander gave Gilbert a look or two. "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to hide something from me?"
The Frenchman just grinned at Alexander for a long moment, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck as he shrugged his shoulders for a long moment. "Perhaps, but you need to stay here with me."
"I don't like where this is going."
"Would I ever steer you wrong, mon ami?"
"I don't know. Would you?"