Wedding Bell Blues
Chapter 17
June 11, 2007
"Hello."
"Claire, thank God it's you."
"Emmett? It is you, Emmett and it's after nine in the morning, not four. What's wrong this time?"
"What makes you think something's wrong?"
"Emmett..."
"You're right. Something is wrong and if I can't fix it, I'll be one dead fairy godmother."
"Emmett, honey, take a breath and tell me what's happened. Not something with the hors d'oeuvres?"
"No, thank heavens. Brian's suits. Even with Giuseppe's miracle workers sewing around the clock, they won't be ready until Friday. That's cutting it very close."
"Too close. Are you sure?"
"I went to the tailor's this morning. Apparently Giuseppe is doing most of the work himself. He wants them perfect for the great god Kinney. I did get him to make a concession and let his assistants work on Hunter's suit. But Giuseppe won't allow anyone near Brian's or Justin's."
"Hunter's suit?"
"Yes, didn't you know? The kid had nothing to wear and Brian..."
"Brian ordered him a suit."
"Exactly. The big guy has a heart under all that Armani."
"Yes, he does, a very big heart. Too bad he's still afraid to show it most of the time."
"He is changing; we've all noticed it. And I think that has a lot to do with you."
"Me? No, Justin, more like it, not me."
"My dear woman, I may have flames burning bright but I can see through them. Ever since Brian found you and John, he's been a kinder, gentler Brian. That's your influence. Your immediate acceptance of him into your family was a first for Brian."
"What about Debbie? She accepted him first."
"But that was the teenage Brian. You opened your heart to the adult Brian, the asshole Brian and without reservation. No one has ever done that before not even Jennifer. It took her some time to realize that Justin's feelings were not going to go away. Her marriage broke up and if she didn't want to lose Justin, she had to accept Brian. Jennifer loves Brian; I have no doubts about that but you took him as he was from the very moment they arrived on your porch. Claire, you and John gave him the family he needs."
"Emmett, I'm going to hang up now. I think I'm getting one of Justin's allergy attacks. Just make sure the suits are up here on Friday. When are you coming up?"
"Everything is on schedule here. Teddy and I will be there by Wednesday."
"That's fine, dear and Emmett."
"Yes?"
"I'll tell Brian about the suits."
"Miss Claire, you are a godsend. Toodles."
Five hungry men joined Claire in her kitchen for breakfast and they couldn't help but notice that Claire looked a bit preoccupied.
"Mother?"
"Yes, Jackie."
"Mother, is something wrong?" Claire sensed five pairs of eyes staring into the back of her head as she was scrambling a panful of eggs.
"Not really. I had a call from Emmett. Things seem to be on schedule."
"So, what's the problem?"
"Not really a problem, not yet."
"Mother, you're scaring me."
"I'm sorry, Jackie. I don't mean to. It's more of a possible situation for Brian and Justin and Hunter."
The three aforementioned men stopped in mid chew of their toast and looked at the woman at the stove. Claire turned to address them.
"Now I want you three to remain calm and remember no one is at fault here. The suits won't be ready until Friday." Claire stood back a little and waited for Mount Kinney to blow. All eyes turned to watch Brian.
"Is that all? Shit, I thought something happened to the food." Brian took a sip of coffee and peered over the brim of the mug at the family before him who were staring at him with their mouths hanging open.
"What?"
"Brian, are you okay?" Justin asked as he felt Brian's forehead for fever. "The concussion, are your headaches coming back? How many fingers do you see?" Justin asked as he held up four fingers.
"Six hundred and ninety-two. I'm fine, Justin."
"But the suits?" John started. "Why aren't you blowing your stack over the suits?"
"John, I know we've only been brothers for two years but haven't you learned anything about me yet? We're only a few hours away from the Pitts and an hour away from Harrisburg. I packed enough shit in my garment bag to keep all of us in Armani for three years and I could go home and get more if necessary and Harrisburg has some decent shops. We won't be naked at your wedding."
"I wouldn't mind you being naked at the wedding," Hunter snarked and with a lustful gleam in his eyes for Brian.
"In your dreams, kid," Brian quipped as he cuffed the boy on the back of his head.
"So you're not upset?" Claire asked.
"No, I'm not. If I know Giuseppe, he's sewing his little fingers to the bone as we speak. He's never let me down and he won't this time. If he said Friday then it will be Friday. And if not, I'll come up with something."
"You always do, Bri," Justin said and winked at his lover. Brian winked back. A collective sigh of relief was heard and breakfast proceeded without incident.
"I guess Emmett was right about you," Claire stated. Brian looked at Claire with questioning eyes. "You have become a kinder and gentler Brian."
Justin nodded in agreement as Brian shrugged.
******************************************************************
June 12, 2007
Brian, Justin and John spent the day tidying up the edges of the cleared dance floor space. They wanted everything to be perfect when the floor arrived in a couple of days.
Bobby had been called into his office to deal with some contract that needed to be signed that day.
When the boys finished with the yard they sat in the screen porch having iced tea and discussing the Alaska cruise that John was taking Bobby on for their honeymoon. John got lots of advice from Brian about what clothes they should take. Since it was a gay cruise they would need to put forth the right sartorial image to keep up the Kinney name.
Finally John took Brian up to his closet to help him pick out what clothes he should pack. Justin stayed with Claire and they talked about everything they wanted to do before the wedding. Justin drove Claire over to the cottage to see a bit of the commissioned portrait that Justin had made for their wedding gift to John and Bobby.
When they returned they found Brian and John back on the screen porch. Brian had decided that they simply had to drive into Harrisburg the following day and get some items that were sorely lacking in John and Bobby's wardrobe.
Since everything else seemed to be falling in place, they had nothing pressing to do the following day. The four men could make an afternoon of it.
Brian smiled slightly as he listened to John telling Claire and Justin what he needed to purchase. He could almost believe that that this fucking wedding and the ensuing honeymoon were actually going to happen. There was just a slight buzz somewhere inside his head that was waiting for the next disaster to happen.
******************************************************************
June 13, 2007
The day dawned bright and sunny. Justin had his way with Brian before they put in an appearance at the big house. Everyone was chipper and happy. Brian knew something was going to happen … and it wouldn't good.
Realizing that Ted and Emmett would arrive in the afternoon the four men took themselves off to Harrisburg deciding to get their cruise shopping done before Emmett found more jobs for them to do.
Surprisingly they found a couple of decent haberdashers in Harrisburg. Brian made John and Bobby each invest in a couple of sweaters that they could wear if it was chilly or tie around their necks if it was warmer in Alaska. He convinced them to buy some walking shorts, because the temperature might be warm enough at this time of year that they would enjoy wearing them. He helped them pick out some shirts to wear to the clubs on board ship. By the time they were through Brian had them convinced not only that they would be the handsomest men on board ship, but also the best dressed.
All the time they were gone Brian kept waiting for his phone to ring. He was sure that something would go wrong and he would receive another panicked call from Emmett. When it didn't come, Brian's level of unease continued to escalate.
When they finished their shopping, they decided to have lunch at a little Italian restaurant that was near one of the shops. It would give Claire a break from cooking for them, and they could have a nice, long chat. Brian found it somewhat difficult to swallow his food. He was still waiting for that phone call from Emmett. He barely participated in the conversation.
As they walked out to the Cherokee, Justin pulled Brian aside. "What's wrong?" he asked a look of concern on his face.
"Nothing."
"Don't try to shit me, Brian. Something's bugging you. What is it?"
"I just have this funny feeling that all hell's going to break loose."
"What do you mean?"
"It's been so quiet the last few days. No crises, no hysterical phone calls in the middle of the night, no drunken old ladies."
"Hey, my mother is not a drunken old lady," Justin protested.
"I know, but I'm just waiting for something bad to happen. I can feel it."
"You have to be wrong and keep that to yourself. John and Bobby are doing just fine. We don't need any more queen outs."
Brian raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to say something. Thinking better of it, he closed his mouth and decided that he would let them all find out when the proverbial shit hit the fan.
Arriving back at the farm just after lunch time, they were somewhat surprised that Ted and Emmett hadn't arrived yet. Brian looked at Justin and mouthed something bad. They had John and Bobby model their new outfits to the approval of all concerned. Claire agreed with Brian that they would be the best looking men on the whole cruise. When that was finished there was still no sign of Ted and Emmett.
Brian pulled Justin out into the yard. He needed to vent.
"Maybe they've been in an accident like we were," Brian said to Justin.
"I doubt it," Justin replied.
"Maybe they're lost."
"They've been here a million times."
"Then where the fuck are they?"
"Brian, they'll be here. Calm down."
"I'm calling Emmett," Brian stated taking out his cell phone.
Justin sighed but let Brian do what he wanted.
"Emmett, where the fuck are you? You're supposed to be here. Oh okay." Brian closed his phone.
"That was fast," Justin observed. "What did he say?"
"He said to wave at them as they come up the lane." Brian raised his hand and gave a perfunctory wave as Ted's car pulled up to the house.
"See, I told you not to worry."
Ted and Emmett got out.
"Where have you been? You were supposed to be here a couple of hours ago," Brian chastised Emmett.
"I dropped off my hors d'oeuvres at the caterer. We managed to get them here still frozen in several refrigerated containers. The caterer wanted to go over the menu and check all the arrangements. I hope the fucker knows what he's doing. He didn't sound very sure of himself. It all took time."
"Well, you're here now," Justin said. "Is Sam picking you up?"
"Later tonight. I want to check out what you guys have done and talk to Claire. I'll spend the night with Sam."
"Lucky you," Ted said with a grimace.
"Where am I staying or so I have to go find a hotel room. Maybe you want me to sleep on the floor of the screen porch."
"Quit griping, Theodore," Brian responded. "You'll be bunking with us at the cottage."
"Oh great! I get to listen to you two fucking."
"And if you're good maybe we'll let you watch," Brian snarked.
"Ooh," Emmett replied. "Maybe I should stay here."
"Kidding, Emily, kidding," Brian said as they made their way into the house.
Claire greeted them and Emmett went off with Bobby and John to discuss last minute details. Brian, Ted and Justin helped Claire get dinner started. Brian still couldn't shake the feeling that some disaster was just around the corner.