Tying the Knot - Ch. 12 (Sunny Hill Extra Story, Patreon Exclusive) (Patreon)

Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight / Chapter Nine / Chapter Ten / Chapter Eleven 

Chapter Twelve – What Was the Question Again?

“So, what is that guy doing here? I heard some gossip,” Rusty asked under his breath.

Maddox shrugged and helped Rusty with his bowtie. “There you go. Looking all fine and dandy.”

“I’m totally a dandy,” Rusty agreed and admired himself in the mirror. “No one’s dandier in the whole world. But flattery will get you nowhere. Did Jonathan invite him?”

“No, I was actually the one with the idea,” Maddox explained. He didn’t cower under Rusty’s signature quirked eyebrow. “I met him several weeks ago, and he looked like a kicked puppy over not getting an invitation to the wedding. So, I thought, why not?”

“Why yes?” Rusty countered. “Have you seen him?”

“Well, yeah, he’s among the attendees, along with his parents. I did see him.”

“Why?” Rusty repeated like a broken record. “I thought you’d want to plant a fist in his face. After what he did to Jonathan.”

“I know, and he got slapped once by my darling, which I think that it might have served him to get his head screwed on right.”

“Aren’t you afraid that he might jump to his feet and yell ‘I object’?”

“Nope, it hasn’t crossed my mind,” Maddox said brightly.

“But what if he says that he’s entitled to Jonathan’s hand in marriage because he popped his cherry?”

“Rusty, I swear,” Maddox groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. “He didn’t pop anything. I did.”

“Okay, I was just checking the facts,” Rusty said back. “Now, tell me more about why you don’t mind the infamous Drew being present when you tie the knot with Johnny boy. Ah, I know. You want him to eat his heart out. I can respect that.”

“You’re going to give me a headache and the ceremony hasn’t even started.”

“I am both the curse and the cure, baby. Need an Advil?”

“Shut up already. Damn, you look good as a groom,” Maddox praised his bestie.

“You too, but we’re not going to swap, just for the record,” Rusty warned him with a lopsided grin.

“No need to worry about that. I wouldn’t trade Jonathan for anyone in the world, and yes, that means you included. However, if it puts your little heart at ease, you’ll always be my bestie. Better now?”

“Better. Hmm,” Rusty said and looked at himself in the mirror again. “Do I need to brush my hair again? I feel like I need to.”

“No, you’re perfectly fine. Okay, you’re amazing,” Maddox added quickly at Rusty’s displeased look. “As for Drew, yeah, okay, maybe I want him to witness how Jonathan walks into the sunset with yours truly. This way, I know for sure that chapter is closed.”

“And how does Jonathan feel about this? He does know, I hope.”

“How else? We don’t keep secrets from each other. He wasn’t sold on the idea at first, but eventually he agreed with me. And since I do think he cared about Drew at one point in his life, I believe that he wants the guy to have closure too. What better way than attending the wedding? That will wrap it up.”

“If you say so, but I have to warn you that the guy looks rather dashing, and that suffering look in his eyes makes him look quite the romantic character.”

“Then maybe he’ll find someone at the wedding. Someone who’s into the suffering look. Before you ask, no, Jonathan isn’t into that type. He’s into sunshine and rainbows. That’s totally me.”

“And unicorns, don’t forget those,” Rusty said and grinned. “You know, because they have a phallic object on their heads--”

“I could seriously do without that explanation of yours. Let’s consult with the powers that be so that we don’t miss our cue.”

“Right. It looks like we’re really doing this.”

“Yep, definitely. By the way, good for you, Rusty. You found yourself a neat guy.”

“I know. Although he’s not so neat all the time. He can be messy, too.”

“I’m just going to pretend that I didn’t hear that.”

***

Seeing his mom walking in just as he was getting the last touch-ups with Ray’s help made him ask, “Is everything okay?” Francine had been on her feet for the last week more than everyone else combined, and he didn’t want his mom to learn that she was actually human, with limits when it came to energy and doing too many things at once. Still, to his surprise, she was her usual self, and now looked great all dolled up for the wedding.

“I know it won’t be long until your dad will walk you down the aisle to surrender you to the Kingsleys, but there’s someone who wants to talk to you.” The guarded look in his mom’s eyes told him that he might not particularly like what was coming next.

“Is it Andrew?” he asked directly.

“Yes. You and Maddox both insisted that we should invite them, and I recall not being thrilled. But I respect your decisions. And I will respect this one as well. Do you want to see him?”

“Yes. I want to get this over with, after all. Ray, I’m afraid I’ll have to abandon you for a moment. And after you’ve done such a great work with my bowtie.”

“I’ll take care of Ray,” Francine promised and offered Jonathan’s bestie her hand.

“If you don’t need assistance with kicking the ass’s ass, I don’t mind going,” Ray said promptly. “Oh, shoot, so sorry, Mrs. Hamilton, I shouldn’t use such language in front of polite company.”

“Call me Francine, Ray, for the umpteenth time. I do think Andrew is an ass, as well, so no harm done. However, I’m sure that Jonathan is above kicking his ass.”

“Only because I don’t need any drama on my wedding day,” Jonathan said. “But I’ll put him in his place if he dares to say anything that warrants that.”

He appreciated his mom’s concern, but he wasn’t afraid of Drew or his intentions, whatever they were.

***

“Come in,” he said when the inevitable knock came, minutes later.

Drew looked his best in tailor-made suit, but it wasn’t only because of his suit. According to the latest updates, his old pal was off the drugs and had kept it that way for a while now. There was still a chance for him, and Jonathan wished him the best. Even though that was what he was thinking, he didn’t say it out loud. Far be it from him to give Drew even a speck of idea that he was still interested in him. Perhaps he was being too cautious, but he preferred to be that way as far as certain people were concerned.

“I wanted to thank you in person for the invitation,” Drew said as he observed him quietly, standing close to the door instead of moving closer. He leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His stance, however, was far from slack and casual. There was tension in his body, and Jonathan could feel it from a distance.

“I think you should thank Maddox instead. He insisted, and I agreed with him.”

“That must be easy.”

“What do you mean?” Jonathan asked, feeling a slight frown forming between his eyebrows.

“To agree with him. He’s easygoing, nice.”

“Yes, he is.”

Jonathan waited. After all, if Drew was here to see him, he needed to be the one to say why he came and talk directly about his intentions. He didn’t intend to be the one to extract the words out of his mouth.

“Why do you think I failed?” Drew suddenly asked.

Jonathan blinked. “Besides the obvious?”

“I know what you mean, of course. But, you know, on a deeper level, why do you think we didn’t happen?”

“I hope you’re not here to put me in charge of your flagellation. I’m not the right person for that.”

“I know that I wanted you.”

Good, at least, he wasn’t using present tense. That could be progress, but Jonathan wanted to keep from jumping to conclusions. “You always showed it in the same way. Only one way.”

“Sexual,” Drew added.

“I was thinking more about reciprocity. The lack of it on your part,” Jonathan said.

Drew closed his eyes and banged his head lightly against the wall. “I felt so entitled to you after I had you.”

“I know. I was a prize or something. Are you taking that back?”

“No. After all, it says a lot about my character. Or lack of it.”

“I told you. Self-flagellation is not allowed either. You’re free to do it in your spare time, in front of anyone who cares to listen.”

“Not many people of that type are around me now,” Drew said.

Jonathan examined his former friend with thoughtful eyes. Treat others with kindness; he had heard that piece of advice many times and understood its meaning more deeply the more he grew up and experienced life. “If it helps you, Andrew, I think you’re better off without me.”

“What?” Drew stared at him, looking startled by that sudden statement. “How can you even say that? Compared to you, I’m--”

“Hear me out. Don’t think for a moment that I don’t share any of the blame.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I knew you were using. I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t insist strongly enough that you stop. I agreed to the secrecy and the lies. Most of all, I wasn’t honest with myself. And I wasn’t a good friend to you, either. You need someone else, Drew. Someone stronger, capable of putting you on the right path.”

“And where do you suppose I could find such a man?” Drew asked, visibly intrigued.

“I have no idea, to tell you the truth. All I know is that I wasn’t the right person for you, just as you weren’t the correct choice for me. And what I’m saying now doesn’t mean that you should forget about working on yourself. That’s the place to start. While you do that, search for that person who can give you what you need.”

“I guess--” Drew started and stopped for a moment, in search of words. “I guess I wasn’t expecting a life lesson when I walked in here.”

“What were you expecting?”

“A bit of forgiveness, but only if you’re willing to give it from the heart.”

“That’s all right. I have a bit of it to spare.”

Drew threw him another dumbfounded look, but then his harsh features softened in a smile. “You’re a pretty swell guy, Hamilton.”

“I guess,” Jonathan said with a shrug.

“I’m sure Maddox will make you happy.”

“He’s already doing that.”

“Right.” Drew ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll be on my way then. You gave me something to think about. Thanks for that.”

“No problem. Next time, I might start to charge you for it though,” Jonathan joked for the sake of finishing on a light note.

Drew smiled back at him, and it felt like it was only then that they had a moment of absolute honesty between them. Better late than never.

***

“Weren’t you supposed to walk Rusty down the aisle?” Jonathan asked his mom when he saw her talking to his dad and then replacing him by his side.

“Last-minute change. His mom wanted to do this for him, and I could tell Rusty didn’t want to break my heart. I saved them both by courteously stepping down. And between you and me, I’m so happy to be the one to hand you over to Florence and her tribe. I wouldn’t want her to think that I leave all the responsibility for the heavy things to George.”

“Heavy things? You’ve been on top of everything for months.”

“Don’t give me lip, child. This is the hardest thing a mom can do, and if Florence is brave enough to do it, I can do it, too. Also, she has had the experience before, so you can tell that I’m at a disadvantage here. Help a mom out already.”

“How could I not?” He covered her hand with his for a moment. “Okay, then, is everyone ready? I know how hard you worked on our choreography, so this is the moment you have been waiting for.”

“I left your dad in charge of what happens once we start walking. I hope he doesn’t mess anything up.”

“Have a little faith in him. He basically runs a business empire.”

“That might not qualify him for being temporarily in charge of five weddings. All right, all right, don’t give me that look. I trust him.” Francine set her chin high and looked at him again.

“Mom, are you nervous?” Jonathan teased her as they took their place in front of the others. “You can tell me. I can keep a secret.”

“Keep whatever secrets you like. I’m perfectly fine.” Then, she smiled at him. “I wish you all the happiness in the world, hon.”

The music began, cutting their words short. Jonathan felt reassured by his mom’s hand on his arm as he started walking.

***

Rusty had fought a fierce battle with Francine so that he and Matty would enter last, which almost earned him a cuffed ear, and now he regretted having caused all that commotion for nothing. If he had wanted to come, he would be there already.

Pulling his eyes away from the crowd, he focused on the handsome man in front of him. Matty beamed at him and smiled to reassure him. It told him what he needed to know. All he needed to know. The minister’s words, repeated for the fifth time already, but with different actors, floated to him as if from a different world.

“Will you take Matthew to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

He caught the ruckus made by chairs being moved and people turning their heads with only a smidge of attention, but he looked nonetheless.

Myra and his siblings waved happily at him. His dad hushed them and made them take their seats. And then, he looked at him and offered a brief nod.

Rusty smiled. So, Myra must have come through, eventually. Or maybe the kids. Who knew?

“May we continue?” The minister asked politely.

“Yes. What was the question again?” A wave of laughter moved over the audience.

The minister sighed but smiled ruefully. “Will you take Matthew to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“Definitely. I mean, yes.”

He grinned so hard his face hurt. And his heart was so light, it could just soar.

***

“Jonathan, I’m so terribly sorry,” Zoey rushed to him, brushing her veil to the sides as if she were being attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. “I didn’t mean it.”

“What is it that you’re apologizing for?” Jonathan asked, confused.

Maddox snickered and nudged Rusty while being nudged back.

“Zoey got Drew in the eye with the bouquet,” Rusty promptly replied.

“For real, I didn’t mean it,” Zoey moaned.

“My girl has one great throwing arm,” Dex added, laughing and embracing Zoey from behind.

“I so seriously envy you,” Hanna said. “I knew from Ray who he was, but it didn’t even cross my mind to gun for him. Awesome shot, sister.” She gave a reluctant Zoey a high five.

“Please, don’t encourage me,” Zoey said, covering her face.

Nonetheless, Louise and Hanna had no qualms about doing just that and expressing their disappointment in their bouquets having landed in other girls’ hands instead of acting as deadly projectiles.

“I am certain he’ll live,” Jonathan said with a smile. “No worries about it. And it’s better that it was you, not me, Zoey. I would have been instantly suspected of foul play.”

“I checked on him,” Kane informed them, always the responsible one. “He said that he was fine and that Zoey shouldn’t worry. I had the strange feeling that he was happy about it. Is he a masochist?”

“Kane, Kane, Kane,” Rusty said with an all-knowing smirk, “don’t make Johnny boy think he missed his chance at having a sex slave.”

“It’s a chance well missed if that’s the case,” Jonathan said smoothly and wrapped one arm around Maddox’s waist. “I have everything I need at home.”

“Kinky,” Rusty drawled. “What sort of rope play are you into these days?”

“Did you mean roleplay?” Jonathan asked.

“Nope, just as you heard,” Rusty said, nodding sagely.

“Oh, right. How could I forget that I should take everything you say at face value?”

“That’s me, the king of words everyone has to take at face value,” Rusty said promptly.

Matty wrapped his arm tightly around his husband’s and pulled him down for a kiss.

“What was that for?” Rusty asked, making the others laugh at his breathless reply.

Matty shrugged. “I felt like we needed a do-over. I was so nervous when we said the vows and everything that I only just realized that I can’t remember the kiss part. And I need to take something from the wedding, I mean, this particular thing.”

Jonathan snickered when Maddox embraced him fiercely from behind. “Are you in need of a do-over, too?” he asked.

“Nah, I’m good. I rehearsed a lot,” Maddox whispered in his ear.

“By yourself?” Jonathan whispered back.

“Are you serious right now? Like how would I have done that? By making kissy-kissy faces in the mirror?”

“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking.”

“Look at them, their honeymoon hasn’t even started and they’re bickering like a twenty-year-old couple,” Rusty remarked loudly.

“We weren’t bickering,” Jonathan replied, hoping the look he gave Rusty was withering enough.

“I bet you’re all about who’s getting on top this week, who’s doing the dishes, who’s taking out the dog--”

“I’ll let you know, Rusty, that we are perfectly capable of being organized,” Jonathan stopped his husband’s bestie’s tirade.

“If you’re so good at that,” Dex intervened, “let’s get going for that group photo. Your mom is already in a murderous mood because I think we missed the deadline on that one by a minute or so.”

“Well, that’s where my organizing skills come from.” Jonathan wrapped one arm around Maddox’s shoulders and another around Ray’s. “Let’s go, guys. I’m sure we can stretch my mom’s patience only so much.”

TBC

Next chapter 

Author's note: And now that all the guys and gals said 'I do', we have just the epilog left for this extra story! I hope you enjoyed spending some more time with these nice fellows (and Rusty, not that he isn't nice, but he'd rather be called something else). We're not leaving the Sunny Hill universe, as we'll continue with Jamie's story. The Plot Whisperers are already helping me make him into a compelling interesting character, so the forces of good are at work!

See you next time, with another happy end!