I could hear the smile in Tom’s voice as he answered me, “Dylan, hi.” He said, “Of course we remember you! What can we do for you?”
I grinned, “I was just calling to say that Nathan and I would love to come to Sam’s wedding – and I, uh – I also wondered if they’d need my help with any of the planning?” My schedule was full to bursting but I loved the Fletchers so much and I wanted them to see how lucky I’d got with Nathan. This was as much about showing him off, as being the best wedding planner in the universe…
Tom chuckled, “I’ll just put you onto Sam,” he said, “I’m sure he would love to hear you say that.” There was a bit of a muffled shriek as Tom said something to him and then Sam was on the phone.
“Dylan!” He gushed, “Would you help me?”
I grinned, my heart melting a little to hear his desperation. “I would love to help you.” I said.
*
“Luca’s made all the cakes for the weddings so far but obviously he can’t make his own wedding cake…” He looked at me anxiously, quite clearly making sure I was on board with what he was saying.
I smiled and nodded to let him know that I really was, completely in agreement with him. It was a couple of days later and I’d come swooping in to help Sam with his wedding arrangements.
I’d have liked him to have asked before he’d sent out the invitations so I could have added a little of my “My Perfect Wedding” flair to them but in all honesty, Sam was artistic enough to have picked some really nice ones anyway.
And besides, it was more about making the day itself a wedding to remember for everyone – including a fabulous cake that hadn’t been made by one of the grooms…
“Of course Luca can’t make his own wedding cake,” I agreed, “What about us asking Emilio to make it, instead?” The grumpy old git could surely make a cake for his brother’s wedding?
“That’s a fantastic idea.” Sam breathed. “Thank you, Dylan. You’re amazing.”
I glowed. As much as I loved to do my job – and as good as I knew I was at it, it was still nice when someone really appreciated me and told me so. Not that Nathan didn’t tell me on a more or less daily basis – but he was biased because he loved me… “Would you like me to ask Emilio or are you going to approach him?” I asked. I wasn’t exactly scared of him – but that scowl of his was enough to curdle milk…
Sam grinned, “I’ll ask him.” He said, “He loves me.”
I blinked, “Does he?” I asked incredulously, “You’d never know.”
Sam laughed, “He’s not the grumpy bear that he looks.” He said, “He’s really lovely when you get to know him. He’s driven of course – you don’t get Michelin stars without being driven…”
I nodded, “Yeah, true.” I agreed faintly. I still wasn’t convinced. I was as driven as the next moody artist but I was always nice to people.
“But he’s secretly in love with one of the other workers here – but I think she’s in a relationship with someone. It’s on and off but they have a child together. It’s complicated.”
My heart went out to Emilio. That sounded rough. There was nothing worse than love triangles… “Well, I hope it all works out for him in the end.” I said sincerely. Not least because I might be back one last time to sort out the arrangements…
Sam nodded, “Me too.” He agreed, “She deserves better than that loser she’s with.”
“What about the entertainment?” I asked. “Have you already sorted anything out? Do you have a preference between a DJ and live music?”
Sam bit his lip, his cheeks reddening.
I raised my eyebrows. Sam was still really shy around people he wasn’t familiar with and we hadn’t seen each other in a while, so he was back to being a little awkward around me, “I don’t bite, Sam,” I reminded him, “You can run any ideas by me and if I can make them happen – I will.”
He nodded, smiling, “Well.” He said, “Luca’s really into a band that play at a nightclub near here.” He smiled as he started talking about Luca which I thought was adorable, “I like them too – but I don’t know if they’d be down for doing a performance at a wedding…”
I smiled, “Well, why don’t you tell me who they are and I’ll check them out?”
He grinned, “Okay.” He said excitedly, “They’re called Xavier’s sister,” He said, “And they play at…”
I nodded, “Studs and Steel.” I finished, “Yeah, I know them. Leave it with me and I’ll get back to you on that one.” I was pretty confident that they would be happy to play for Sam and Luca. Riverside was fast becoming the venue for weddings. If they could get this gig regularly, it would only be good publicity for them. They were still quite small-time but they were growing in popularity all of the time, just as Riverside was.
Chapter 3 – Luca
“You don’t think…” I broke off what I was going to say. I was being ridiculous. Of course Sam hadn’t developed romantic feelings towards the wedding planner. He was just trying to get his perfect wedding organised. His perfect wedding to me.
Emilio raised an eyebrow, “What’s the matter, bro’?” he asked, “Not having last minute wedding jitters, are you?”
I sighed and shook my head, “I’m just being stupid. I’m jealous of the amount of time Sam and Dylan are spending together.” I felt my face heating up at the absurdity of my confession, “I know nothing’s going on. Sam’s as attentive to me as he always is…”
“But you can’t help feeling the way you do.” Emilio said, leaning over and ruffling my hair affectionately. “Tell him.” He added, “You shouldn’t let things fester.”
I nodded, “And you should tell Josie how you really feel about her.”
He scowled at me. Par for the course…. “That’s not the same thing at all.” He growled, “She’s in a fucked-up relationship with someone else. If she was planning our wedding with the sexiest man on Earth, I’d be high as a kite on happiness.”
My heart ached for him. He and Josie were made for each other. If only she wasn’t still trying to please that waste of space she called her husband. Well, maybe one day she’d see the light…
The door opened and there, with the light from outside shining around him like a halo, stood my angel. “Sam,” I breathed, my heart beginning to thump with pleasure just to be looking at him.
He smiled, “We’re going to have the best wedding.” He said, rushing over to me and flinging his arms around my neck.
I closed my eyes and hugged him back, breathing in the wonderful scent that was uniquely my Sammy, “I know we are.” I said, “I love you Sammy.”
“Love you more.” He said into my neck, “Always.”
Chapter 4 – Toby
“Best men.” I said, grinning at my brother, “That has to mean we’re the best brothers?”
He chuckled, “Defo.” He said in agreement, “You’re definitely my favourite – you’re so handsome for starters.”
I laughed, “Same here.” I agreed, “I love your eyes.”
We fell about laughing, earning us a dirty look from True who was trying her best to get the twins to eat their dinner. “Can you try to be the best brothers and feed these two little monsters?” she asked.
I got up immediately. I absolutely loved feeding the kids. They were so easy to manipulate with just a few aeroplane noises. Something that annoyed True and gave me far too much pleasure…
“Come on, Trey – you can have one and I’ll have the other.”
True gave us a withering glare. “They have names.” She barked.
I grinned at her slyly, “But no one can pronounce them, never mind spell them.” I said, knowing it wasn’t true but loving seeing her face whenever I started to wind her up over their names. They all had beautiful names, by the way – I really was only joking.
Trey sucked his breath in over his teeth, “Don’t get her started.” He said in a mock whisper, “She’ll turn green and burst out of her clothes.”
At that True could
n’t keep the scowl going any longer. She burst into giggles, “You two.” She said, “Are a total menace.”
We both grinned at her, “But you love us.” We said in unison.
She nodded, “I really do.” She agreed.
Chapter 5 – Trey
The best men’s speech had to be good and it had to be clean. Well, piece of cake, then… not.
“What are we going to say?” I asked.
Toby shrugged, “Easy.” He said, “We tell everyone about their first kiss, catching them at it in the pool and then the snowball fight.”
“But there’ll be children there.” I reminded him, “There won’t be just our family.”
His face fell, “You mean we’ve got to rate it PG13?”
I nodded, “Yes.” I said, “I told you it wasn’t going to be a piece of cake.”
He grinned, “We’ll be fine.” He said, “Trust me.”
Well, theoretically, I trusted him with my life…
Chapter 6 – Dylan
I hadn’t promised Sam that I could get Xavier’s sister to perform at their wedding but I had gone to see them and I’d spoken to Justin who was technically their manager.
“I have a proposition for you.” I said.
He shook his head, “Sorry,” he deadpanned, “I’m already married. The deed is done.”
I rolled my eyes. Justin was always like this. “I too, am a married man.” I reminded him, flashing him my beautiful wedding ring. “But I have two unmarried men to look after, that want the most perfect wedding – and they’re both massive fans of your band.” I smiled at him expectantly.
His eyes lit up, “You want us to play at the wedding?” he asked, sounding slightly incredulous.
I nodded, biting my lip, “Is that too much to ask?” I looked at him, my eyes wide with hope.
He shook his head, “That sounds great.” He said enthusiastically, “Where’s the venue?”
“Riverside restaurant and B&B holiday lets.” I said, letting all the breath I wasn’t aware that I was holding go, “Do you know it?”
He grinned, “The Michelin star restaurant in Stoney Croft?” he asked. I nodded, mildly surprised but pleased that he already knew it. “Yeah, I know it. Fantastic!”
“Cool.” I said, “Can I ask you to make it a surprise for them?”
His eyes lit up, “What?” he asked, “Like, you tell them that we were otherwise engaged and we sneak in and hide behind the stage curtain?”
I nodded, “That was exactly what I was suggesting.” I said with a delighted grin. I’d got such an amazing vision in my head of the curtain going up and them all being there – like that video Maroon 5 did where they turned up at all of the weddings – total bliss! I’d have to get Toby and Trey in on it – not least for them to sort out a curtain for the stage. I wouldn’t know where to start with that…
Justin leaned forward, his eyes gleaming, “Count us in.” He said.
Chapter 7 – Luca
I wasn’t nervous about marrying my beautiful boyfriend but I had a healthy number of butterflies in my stomach at the thought of something going wrong…
Dylan, however, did a great job of allaying all of my fears with a well-timed pep-talk.
“Everything okay in Camp Luca?” he asked, poking his head around Emilio’s kitchen door.
I nodded. Emilio had made a snack for us, since Sam had all sorts of superstitions about us not seeing each other before the wedding. I know – he was totally cute…
He came bustling in, “Did you sleep okay?” he asked as he sashayed around the kitchen towards me.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his fussiness and nodded again. “Full eight hours.” I lied.
“Hmm,” he said, tilting my head back and peering at my face, “I’ll believe you.” He said in such a disbelieving voice that I wanted to laugh, “But you still need a little help. Finish up your food and then I’ll sort you out.”
I dutifully finished my sandwich and then I went to brush my teeth and got showered.
I went in search of Dylan, who had set up his makeup station in Emilio’s spare room – where I’d stayed the night before.
“I’m sure I don’t need…” I trailed off as Dylan glared at me.
“Don’t say a word.” He said, sounding impressively authoritative, “I know what I’m doing – and by the way – your fiancé looks stunning.”
My mouth watered slightly at the thought of Sam looking absolutely beautiful, “Okay.” I agreed, “Do whatever you want.”
He smiled, “You’ll look amazing, stop worrying.”
I wasn’t particularly worried. I’d been embracing the gay for long enough that a little makeup didn’t faze me one bit.
The same, however, couldn’t be said for my brother, “No way.” He said, “I don’t wear makeup.”
Dylan gave me a pleading look. I shrugged my shoulders back at him, “I can’t change his mind.” I said.
Josie, however, came to our rescue. Emilio just couldn’t say no to her…
“You’ll look good, Emilio.” She said warmly, “Trust him.”
Well, his whole demeanour changed in a split second. Don’t get me wrong, he groused about it a bit but he was totally on board with the whole thing as soon as he knew that Josie was cool with him wearing a little makeup… Who knew?
Chapter 8 – Sam
“Jesus,” Toby rolled his eyes, “How many times can you go to the bog in one morning?” he asked.
I winced, “Shut up.” I said, “I can’t help it. I’m nervous.”
He chuckled, “Aw, babe.” He said, “It’s cute.”
I pulled a face, “Try telling Luca that tonight when he’s expecting a wedding night to match the wedding day.”
Trey sucked in a breath, “Too much information, dude.” He said, “We don’t need to know who’s on top.”
Toby chuckled, “Well, assuming Luca isn’t suffering from a bout of nerves as bad as Sam, I think we can safely say he’ll be bottoming tonight.”
Trey’s grin turned evil, “Although, Sam probably won’t need to douche after all this, so…”
“Fuck off.” I said, trying not to laugh. Honestly. Brothers… “Go and write your speeches or something.”
I’d invited my natural brother and his wife to the wedding, but I’d really wanted Trey and Toby to be there at my side when Luca and I exchanged our vows and rings – they’d been there for me since I’d been rescued from my old life and I truly loved them. I knew that Steven would understand and he’d been wonderful about it.
“We wrote them ages ago.” Trey scoffed, “Stop trying to change the subject.”
I raised an eyebrow, “You really want to know what Luca and I do in the bedroom? Shall I give you a blow-by-blow account.” I challenged him, putting emphasis on the words ‘blow’.
He went red, “No.” he said firmly, “I was just winding you up.”
I grinned, “Good.” I said, “Because I wasn’t about to tell you anyway.”
Toby chuckled, “Trey’s way too curious about gay sex for a married man.” He said, “Way too curious.”
“He’s gorgeous.” I said, fondly, “Leave him alone.”
“Thank you.” Trey said, shooting me one of his looks, “I’m definitely straight.”
Chapter 9 – Trey
I was absolutely comfortable with my sexuality, thank you very much, and I knew that I was straight. I had never once fancied a guy in my life and I knew I never would. Well, never say never – but I was pretty confident that I never would because I was one hundred per cent in love with Clarissa, my beautiful wife. I’d asked her to marry me almost the moment she truly became my girlfriend. What can I say? When you know, you know.
Toby knew this too; he was just a terrible wind-up merchant.
We’d practiced our speech until we couldn’t do it anymore. We’d had a few arguments about it and had gone over and over it so many times that neither of us thought the funny bits were funny anymore… Would a
nyone else? It was totally nerve-wracking.
Sam, however, was completely oblivious to our dual inner-meltdown and was happily looking forward to the ceremony – well, we all were but obviously he was the most excited out of the three of us. I smiled as I looked over at him fussing with his hair. He looked an absolute peach.
Toby and I had sourced and fitted the most amazing stage and we’d fitted it with a state-of-the-art curtain that slid silently to either side of the stage.
Dylan had let us in on his surprise for the grooms and we were very excited to see the band.
They were apparently already here and were chilling out in the restaurant, which wasn’t being used today, apart from being a staging area for the all the food for the wedding party later.
Dylan came in at that moment, “Are we all ready, boys?” he asked.
We all looked at each other. “Hell, yeah!” Toby crowed, “Come on little brother,” he slung an arm around Sam’s shoulder, “Let’s do this!”
Chapter 10 – Sam
Wow. This was it! I was so excited, I thought I was going to burst.
Toby and Trey were beaming at me. “Come on, Sam.” Toby said, “Let’s go and get started with the rest of your life.”
I felt myself welling up. I honestly could not wait to marry Luca. I nodded, “Thanks guys.” I said, “I honestly don’t think I could do this without you both.”
Trey chuckled, “You could.” He said, “But it’s far more fun with us.”
We headed down the stairs and started to make the short walk to the barn, where Luca and his brother were waiting outside for us.
Chapter 11 – Trey
Luca’s face broke out into the most adoring smile as soon as he saw Sam.
“Sammy!” he shouted, “You look amazing.”
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