"So you won Clare over," Dave told Aaron over the link.
"Yes, I did," Aaron said.
"I'm very happy for you my friend and I'll be glad to be your best man," Dave promised, his dark eyes twinkling happily for his friend.
"Good, because if you had said no there's always Clare's brother Chad," Aaron said.
"There was a little chance of that happening," Dave said happy for his friend.
"Still, Clare's brother was rather disappointed that I already had someone in mind, but took it rather well considering, but only after Clare told him he could be head usher. He was afraid that we weren't going to include him," Aaron said.
"Why would he be afraid of that he is your mate's brother after all," Dave said.
"Because he was trying to push Clare towards his longtime friend Ricky Martin who Clare can't stand by the way," Aaron explained grimacing. Aaron then went on to explain the entire story and Dave listened intently.
"Alright, so the brother wouldn't listen to his sister that she didn't like Ricky and when you finally got Chad to stop bothering her about getting together with his friend, Ricky found out the city and the area she was living in by going through her brother's things and attacked her."
"That's why we think he hung out where he could see the entrance to the grocery store, as everybody needs to eat. It was good odds that's where Clare would shop at least sometimes, because it's close to where she lives. You know that most people stick to their routines and shop near where they work or live. They don't usually go out of their way unless they're looking for something specific that they can't get at their normal shops."
"Well, it sounds like this Ricky has at least a few brains, because you're right, most people don't go out of their way to shop for groceries or anything else with some exceptions. So he didn't find her actual address and so couldn't approach her there," Dave said. "So when is the wedding so I can buy me a tuxedo since I'm assuming that's what all the men will be wearing."
"There's no rush it's not gonna be for a few months," Aaron said "There's still a lot to do to put it all together. You also could just rent a tuxedo, as that's what Chad's going to do. It's not like you go to many events that require one."
"I suppose I could," Dave admitted. "It's not really about the money in this case. Just what's the point of buying one since most places I go I don't need anything so fancy.
"You should put one on reserve for three months from now as wedding plans are well underway," Aaron said. "We'll be getting married in June, in the morning, before it gets so scorchingly hot, as it will be an outdoor wedding."
"You better hope it doesn't rain," Dave said.
"That is a concern," Aaron admitted. "We'll have to remember to check the weather a few days before and I'll tell Clare to pick a second venue just in case it's supposed to rain."
"I'm glad you have finally found your mate," Dave told Aaron sincerely.
"But you wish you could find yours," Aaron said knowing that this was one of the deepest desires of his friend, as they had talked about it several times in the past. He couldn't really blame Dave for wanting the same thing he now had. Someone to share his life with. Dave was older and he would think he would've found his mate long since, but it just didn't work that way.
The only way to find your mate was to run into them literally or be introduced to them by someone else. It was a crapshoot, as you had to be in the right place at the right time. You also had to convince that person you were telling the truth when it was time to tell them you were different from other humans. Immortals had been rejected in the past and would be in the future and as much as an immortal wanted to force the issue they wouldn't if they knew what was good for them. No immortal wanted to anger the goddess who had made their race in the first place as the consequences were severe.
"You know I do," Dave said. "I'm trying to keep up my faith in the goddess that I will eventually find my mate."
"I hope you do my friend, as I've never been so happy, as I have been since I met Clare," Aaron said.
"That's been obvious," Dave laughed.
"I'll make sure Clare sends you an invitation when they go out in a few days," Aaron promised.
"I'll be expecting it," Dave agreed. "You know my address at least at present."
"Yeah, I do," Aaron agreed.
Immortals moved around a lot, because they couldn't stay in one place all their lives considering they lived forever.
They signed off after Dave promised to be in Dallas at least a week before the wedding.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~

Day of the wedding
Reception

"It was a lovely day Aaron," Clare told her new husband.
The wedding had been very pretty and Clare had even hired a pianist to play the wedding march and provide music throughout the reception afterwards.
"Yeah, it was," Aaron agreed softly, even as he held his mate close to him. "I'm so glad you agreed to be mine. I've been lonely for a long time until I met you."
"I know I was reluctant at first," Clare told him softly, even as they danced. "But after Ricky Martin held me prisoner outside of my normal grocery store was when I realized I could very easily have died without acknowledging that I love you. It was then I knew I would accept your offer."
"While I'm sorry you were hurt, I am glad that it finally allowed you to acknowledge your feelings for me," Aaron said.
"I just had trouble accepting that immortality was real, as it was such an impossible concept, even though you gave me a demonstration," Clare said even more softly.
Clare was now immortal, as she and Aaron had been indulging in quite a lot of sex ever since Clare had accepted his proposal.
"I know I know," Aaron said kissing her softly as they continued to dance. The ceremony had been short and sweet and now here they were at the reception that had been arranged at one of the finest hotels in the city of Dallas.
"Your friend did a wonderful job as best man and so did my brother as head usher," Clare said.
"Yes, they did," Aaron agreed smiling softly. "You'll get to know Dave better soon as we'll be in and out of each others lives a lot as the decades pass."
"Your friend seems rather lonely," Clare told Aaron. "I noticed he didn't bother to bring a date to our wedding."
"I'm not surprised he didn't bring a date," Aaron told Clare.
"Oh, why?" Clare asked curiously.
"Because Dave wouldn't want any woman to get a attached to him unless they were his mate like you are mine," Aaron explained softly. "Bringing a woman, even if you make it clear beforehand, that it's just for this one event, a lot of them can try to get the man to agree to more dates, because they like that guy a whole lot and the fact that Dave is very wealthy just like I am doesn't help. Women can often not want to let go of that man, even when it's been made clear, it's just one date to one event, which does not a relationship make. Dave wouldn't have wanted to risk that at our wedding and whatever date he brought possibly making a scene."
"I see," Clare said understanding what Dave was coming from once Aaron had explained. "Yes, some women can be rather clingy and don't want to let go of a particular man, even if it was made clear that a date to one event is not a relationship."
"As for being lonely yes, Dave's very lonely, as he has yet to meet his mate. We've talked about that very subject on numerous occasions over the last couple of decades at least," Aaron said.
"So you've been his sounding board," Clare suggested.
"I never thought about it in those particular terms, but I suppose I have," Aaron said. "Dave was in the same position I was until I met you, so I understand those feelings of loneliness very well. You know the ironic thing?"
"What?" Clare asked curiously.
"I was the first to find my mate instead of Dave, because he is considerably older than I am. By several centuries actually," Aaron explained
"That is ironic," Clare admitted softly with a sympathetic expression. "I would've thought he would've found his mate long since."
"You would think that," Aaron agreed softly, "but unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Finding your mate is rather a crapshoot actually. The only way to do it is to run into them accidentally like I did with you or have somebody literally introduce you to somebody they know who just happens to be your mate."
The song ended and the two of them headed for the buffet that had been set up as both were hungry after having danced for so long.
The two of them filled two plates that were sitting on the sideboard and then went to sit at one of the tables that had been set up. The plates were nice, white, high quality China with a thick gold edging around the rim and also inside.
It was mostly finger food just little bites of different things that Clare and Aaron had decided on together. Clare had thought about having dinner at a restaurant instead of a reception, but had changed her mind in the end. It hadn't had anything to do with cost since Aaron was paying a lot of it with Chad contributing.
Chad finally came and sat across from his sister and her new husband.
"It was a lovely wedding Clare," Chad told his sister. "You did a good job with planning."
"Thank you Chad," Clare told him with a smile even as she took a bite of one of the things she had gotten off the buffet. "It probably would've gone faster if I had help, though Aaron did help some.
"You're welcome," Chad said. "Welcome to the family Aaron."
"Thank you, I can't think of a better family be part of," Aaron said sincerely while smiling at Clare. "Really, all I did was give my opinion on some things for the wedding."
"Still that was a big help," Clare said with a smile. "You also helped by going with me to the caterer and helping me pick out what foods you wanted."
"Now that was a pleasure," Aaron said smiling, as he remembered. "We got to taste test the things that we wanted at the reception."
"Now that sounds like something I want to do if I ever get married," Chad said.
"A lot of little tidbits we ate were really delicious," Clare said smiling as she remembered.
"We might just use them again sometime just for a intimate dinner for two," Aaron said.
"That would be good," Clare agreed smiling at the thought. "I wouldn't mind getting food from there again and I did happen to notice that they have an extensive menu and also deliver."
While Aaron had been living in New York he had moved to Dallas some months before so he could be nearer to Clare. While he didn't mind traveling back-and-forth it was just simpler to move to where Clare was, since he didn't have a job technically. Sure he invested in different businesses just like all immortals with any sense did, but he didn't technically have a job and didn't need one. He and Clare had gone apartment hunting together and it hadn't taken long to find a nice one bedroom apartment close to Clare's. He had signed only a year lease because he knew they'd be looking for a house before he got his mate pregnant. He hadn't been sure at the time he had moved if Clare was going to agree to mate with him and to allow him to turn her immortal but still, he had hoped she eventually would. His patience had been rewarded and he was very happy it had been.
"Any chance of nieces and nephews in the next year or so?" Chad asked.
"We'll see, I make no promises," Clare said.
"We need to find us a house, before we consider having children," Aaron said firmly. "Neither of our apartments is adequate since they are only one bedroom."
"No, they're big enough for you and me, but not for a child," Clare agreed.
"I hadn't thought of that," Chad admitted.
"Don't worry you'll get a niece or nephew sometime in the next two or three years," Clare told him. "We'll see how things go. Aaron, however, is absolutely right that we need to find a house before we consider starting a family as we don't want to be buying furniture and things like plates and linens when I'm heavily pregnant. That doesn't even include things like painting or wallpaper in whatever house we find and possibly having to do something like install a new cooling/heating unit and things of that nature."
"I'll look forward to the announcement," was all Chad said before he got up and wanted away.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~

Meanwhile

David Rossi sat at one of the tables with his plate of food and a glass of wine in his hand. He was very happy for his friend as Clare was a lovely lady. He's gotten to know her better over the last week or so and he had never seen Aaron so happy.
He had already danced with quite a few of the single ladies here and been out on the dance floor for several hours. He hadn't bothered to bring a date as women could misinterpret the fact that he was only interested in taking her to one event and try to get him to ask her for another date. And asking a woman for a date around Christmas had people asking you if it was serious, so he never dated around then if he could help it or at least he didn't bring a woman to any kind of formal event, a party or wedding for the entire month of December.
"Can I sit here," came a female voice bringing Dave out of his thoughts. He had cleaned his plate of food without realizing it Dave thought looking down at his empty plate. He had remember the taste of a single thing that he had put in his mouth, which told him he had really been lost in his thoughts.
Dave looked up being rather intrigued at the soft voice.
"No I don't mind," Dave said, even as his mind reeled in shock. When he had least expected it he had met his mate. What was so ironic was this was his friend's wedding to his mate.
Aaron and he might only see other once every couple years, sometimes longer, but that didn't mean they weren't good friends. A decade was nothing to an immortal after all.
"I've been watching you," the woman told him, even though she sat down with her own plate of food.
"Oh? Why is that?" Dave inquired, even as he took a sip of his alcoholic beverage to give himself a minute to think.
"Well, for one thing, I noticed you didn't bring a date," the woman said honestly.
"To many expectations," Dave answered. "Especially if you bring them to a formal event like a wedding."
"True," the woman agreed. "In my case, if I did bring a date to such an event they would have expectations that we continue to date, even if I told them beforehand it was just for this one event. Many men think they're so charming that a woman can't possibly resist them."
JJ rolled her eyes to let Dave know what she thought of those type of men causing Dave to chuckle.
"Why do you think I came stag?" Dave snorted. "I didn't need some clingy woman who could possibly cause scene when I didn't agree to go out on another date with them. No offense," Dave added to the woman who was eating her plate of food and she listened.
"None taken, as I know that my sex can be rather temperamental and difficult," the woman said. "Besides, it's only fair, if I can complain about men and not take offense then you can complain about women."
"So can I inquire as to your name my lady?" Dave asked,
"I'm Jennifer Jareau," the woman answered. "I go by JJ though."
"So you didn't bother to bring a plus one either and I can certainly understand why considering what you just told me," Dave asked, even as he filed his mate's name away in his brain.
"I'm David Rossi," Dave introduced himself finally.
"I knew you were best man, but I didn't really know your name until now," JJ answered.
"Well, now you know," Dave said smiling.
"So since you were best man you and Aaron must be close," JJ said.
"Oh, Aaron and I have been friends for a long time," Dave said not telling her when he said a long time he meant centuries in this case. "I was the first one he thought of for the role of best man, though there was always Chad, Clare's brother if I had turned down the opportunity. So how do you know Clare, as I'm assuming you are a friend of hers."
"Oh, Clare and I have known each other for a number of years. We grew up together at least from the time I was about 13," JJ answered. "I was so happy when she met Aaron, as I know she's been wanting children for awhile now she has and opportunity to have some. She's also been lonely as well. She had me and her other friends of course, but every guy she dated just wasn't right for her."
"So has Aaron," Dave agreed. Dave didn't bother to tell JJ exactly why Aaron had been lonely. "And also, her brother, trying to push her towards his best friend."
"Chad is so clueless," JJ rolled her eyes. "Believe me, Clare and I have had a lot of conversations about Ricky Martin and how Chad was absolutely clueless about her feelings. How he wouldn't listen when she tried to tell him she didn't like Ricky at all. You can't make a human being like another and that's exactly what Chad was trying to do. Women have instincts about people and sometimes those instinct tells you there's something wrong with a specific person, which was why she never liked Ricky Martin."
"From all I've heard about one Ricky Martin I agree with you," Dave snorted. "Let's just say Aaron wasn't very complementary."
"I can believe it. I can imagine very easily what your friend said about him," JJ said and the derision in her tone was obvious. "I know how much it annoyed Clare that her brother kept suggesting she try to date Ricky."
"Aaron said that Chad just wanted Ricky and her to be happy. Ricky apparently had a crush on her," Dave said.
"That's what Clare said," JJ agreed. "A crush can easily turn to obsession though. After he held her in a headlock and gave her those bruises on her neck I would say he was obsessed."
"I heard all about that from Aaron and believe me, he was pissed off at Ricky. I don't think Ricky realizes that he could easily have crushed her windpipe if he had added just a little more pressure," Dave agreed. "Ricky held Clare so tightly that she was actually hoarse for a few days because her throat was sore."
"That's true and there's also the bruises that he caused," JJ said. "If he really loved her like he claims he would have never done what he did and just let her be, even if it hurt him to do so."
"Even if that meant her getting married to someone else," Dave agreed wholeheartedly.
"Well, looks like we agree on that subject," JJ said smiling.
"So what about a date, Miss Jareau?" Dave asked her.
"That sounds great," JJ said enthusiastically. "I was wondering if you were going to ask me or not."
"How about tomorrow?" Dave suggested.
"Since it's Saturday I don't have to work, so that sounds just fine," JJ said.
"I'll see where I can get into at this late date," Dave said.
"Just casual is fine, Dave. I know it's short notice and I'm more of a casual type girl anyway," JJ said.
"Casual it will be," Dave agreed knowing he needed to talk to Clare and Aaron to get some suggestions before they left for their honeymoon. They continued to talk for sometime before Dave kissed the back of JJ's hand like a gentleman and got her link number and address before departing. The reception was still going strong, but since Dave had already given his toast he didn't need to stay and he had plans to make.

~~~Aaron and Clare~~~