"I'm glad you think so," Cavan groused. "I can't wait for this day to be over and just wear my boxers and a vest,"
Camilla tutted and swatted his arm affectionately, "Don't you start that rubbish. This is a big day!"
Cavan sighed, "Yes, Mama, I know. I'm just saying I do this sort of shit for Lucas and that's it. This isn't my sort of scene and I'm not about to make a habit of it."
"Lucas does loads of things that he wouldn't normally do."
"I'm aware," Cavan grinned, fond memories of taking Lucas to an amusement park for the first time resurfacing. "Eh, it's only one day right?"
Camilla chuckled and nodded. "Exactly, it's all about balance."
"Hey Mama …"
"Yes, sweetie?"
"You like Lucas, right?"
Camilla's eyes looked up at him with amusement and concern. "Darling, of course I do."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you like him? For me?"
"I like him because he makes you laugh," she finally said. Her smile never wavered. "He's uptight, don't get me wrong, but he makes the effort to relax around us. He even gets along with your sister, and that's not something many people can do."
"I don't think whooping her arse at karate counts as liking."
Camilla laughed. "Well, they were smiling afterwards, so I'd say it counts."
More fond memories resurfaced in Cavan's mind. It gave him butterflies and made him feel even hotter in his suit. A knock came at the door.
It clicked open and Sophie poked her head inside. "Hey, you guys nearly ready?" she asked.
"Yes, we were just ironing out some last minute nerves."
"Good because I have a very anxious little girl out here who wants to see her Uncle Cavan!"
She'd barely gotten the words out before an anxious pair of blue eyes came into view. Cavan felt his heard melt as Evie toddled into the room in a frilly white and blue dress, her sleek red hair curling gently around her cheeks. She grinned toothily up at Cavan as he bent down awkwardly in his suit and scooped her up into his arms.
"Hey there little one, I missed you!"
Evie pressed a huge kiss to his cheek and didn't squirm when he picked her up and planted her on his hip. It was such a natural pose for him these days, he didn't think anything of it. He saw a teary glimmer enter his Mama's eye and he did his best not to sigh. She still thought he would change his mind about wanting children. As much as he loved Evie, he wasn't sure he and Lucas could take a life-time of it. Lucas could be quite selfish, and Cavan just about coped with keeping his own life running, let alone anyone else's.
His Mama wasn't convinced though.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
(11:44) Better get ready to come out, kid. We don't have all day.
Cavan rolled his eyes. Trust Lucas to try and suck any of the romance out of the day. "Well," he said turning to the other three, "I guess it's time we all head out and get this thing over with."
"Oh Cavan!" his Mama tutted. "This is a big day, try and be happy about it."
"I'll smile in the photos for you, how about that?"
"I'll take it. Now grab that little missy’s hand and let’s go!"
The venue was beautiful; one of the best manor houses in the British countryside they'd been able to find. The ceilings were high, the ornate windows letting in copious amounts of dazzling sunshine, and the high arches down to the chairs were decorated with thin curtains of white and blue gauze. The flowers were arranged in large ornamental stands at either end of the aisle.
Not that Cavan knew why they needed flowers anyway since it was the end of summer, but whatever.
Sophie and Camilla edged down the aisle and into their respective seats. They were sitting close to the front with Arthur on Sophie's other side looking incredibly dapper in his best suit. His hair and been cut and tamed into a stylish, bright blonde quiff and Cavan had to admit it suited his friend.
On the other side of the aisle, Rodrick's hulking figure dominated the second row. Cavan felt bad for anyone daring to sit directly behind him. They wouldn't be able to see any of the ceremony.
The room really was breath-taking. He had to admit that it looked like something out of a catalogue. Maybe the flowers hadn't been such a bad idea after-all. From his vantage point he spotted Lucas in his steel grey suit and a blue tie. Fletcher stood beside him, both men looking like the most elegant and composed versions of themselves. Cavan was impressed.
Evie nudged at his leg.
Grinning, Cavan bent down so that they were eye-level with one another. "Alright there little one. You remember what you have to do today?"
Her bright blue eyes stared up at him. "I get to throw the flowers!" she chimed.
Chuckling, Cavan nodded. "That's right love. Show me how you throw them."
Clutching the little white basket in one hand, Evie crumpled a pink flower in her other hand and tossed it with all her might. It flopped, barely grazing Cavan's chin and he felt his insides melt. "Well done, petal! You ready to show everyone how well you can throw flowers?"
Evie nodded her head eagerly, her cheeks bright pink with excitement.
Taking her hand in his own, he turned to face the aisle, "Alright little one, let's show them whose boss!"
"Flower for Cavan?"
He was going to turn into a puddle if he wasn't careful. Taking the pink flower from Evie, Cavan slipped it behind his ear. Evie beamed up at him, even nodding her little face in approval before he scooped her up in his arms and made his way towards the end of the aisle. Music followed them as Cavan carried Evie, his heart thudding loudly in his ears. In his arms, Evie threw brightly coloured flowers at the carpet and guests all around her, squealing with delight as they went.
Cavan caught Lucas's eye and felt his stomach flip. Damn, the man scrubbed up impeccably well. Lucas winked at him. Cavan felt his cheeks heat up as he came to stand at the front, gently setting Evie down on the ground.
The music suddenly changed, and all heads turned to the back of the hall.
Bonnie glided into view in a long, mermaid cut dress. It hugged her figure nicely in layers of snow white silk and beads. There was a single stripe of blue cross her waist with an ornate brooch pinned into the fabric. She looked ethereal as she kept pace with her father. The veil was quite impressive, but Cavan was still able to see her elated expression and pink cheeks.
Turning his head back to the front he watched as Fletcher visibly stopped breathing as he gazed down at his bride. His bright eyes sparkled as she drew nearer, her smile as wide as his own. He looked like the luckiest guy in the world.
Cavan looked back at Lucas. The older man winked at him –damn why was he so sexy when he did that? –and felt his insides flip.
At the front of the aisle, Bonnie's father lifted the veil away from her face and kissed her lovingly on the cheek. Fletcher took her hand in his and together they turned to face the officiant.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today …"
As the words melted into the beauty of the moment, Cavan couldn't help but feel his chest swell with pride. He was grateful to even be in attendance, let alone be the one to help Bonnie deal with such a huge event on her own. Fletcher had very little interest in the minute details and Lucas nodded along with whatever Fletcher bemoaned. Bonnie had shunned them both, favouring Cavan and his tastes. She hadn't wanted anything girly, but had wanted it to by classy, too.
Looking around at the décor, Cavan thought they'd nailed it.
Bonnie and Fletcher said their vows and exchanged their rings.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Bonnie barely let the man finish his sentence before she threw her arms around Fletcher's neck and kissed him. He staggered, laughing into the kiss and gripping her tightly as everyone applauded.
They walked back down the aisle. Evie slipped out of her seat and hurried over to Cavan. Lucas crossed the walkway to them and smiled his
slow, sexy smirk that made Cavan's knees go weak. Before Cavan could bend down, Lucas scooped up Evie into his arms and took Cavan's hand in his free one. They followed the bride and groom outside before everyone else, for the formal photos.
The reception was even more beautiful than the ceremony. Evie was passed around, gaining almost as much attention as her parents. She giggled madly and loved to pose for photos. Bonnie and Fletcher were almost too happy and excited to even bother with cutting the cake, but Evie really wanted some of the sugar roses, so they quickly cut the cake and mushed it into one another's faces. Bonnie was howling with laughter, tears sparkling in her eyes.
Finally, they settled down to eat, Bonnie and Fletcher and Evie at the head table with their parents on either side. Lucas and Cavan were settled further down the table. The clinking of the glass made all the chatter ebb away. Cavan felt his heart swell as Lucas cleared his throat and stood up, champagne flute in hand.
All eyes turned to him.
"As many of you know, I’m Lucas, Fletcher's best man." There were a few whoops of encouragement, which Lucas silenced with a glare. "Today, I stand here not only celebrating one, but two of my very closest and dearest friends. Growing up, Fletcher was the closest thing I ever had to a brother; we bought our first bikes together, tore the roads up and had a few amazing adventures before I was shipped off to the army.
"Several years later we met up again, this time with Bonnie in tow. She was everything I'd ever dreamed of having in a sister, but she quickly became more than that. She became the worst alarm clock in history. She was and is hyper, mad, eccentric and absolutely terrifying when she doesn't get her twenty hours of beauty sleep."
People chuckled throughout the hall.
"However," Lucas continued, "She has been a wonderful woman in my life. I couldn't even be standing here today if it wasn't for these two people. Fletcher, Bonnie; you two are the first people that I ever loved. You have accepted me exactly as I am. You are my family. I'm so happy that you found one another. Not only am I grateful for what you've done for me, but also for helping Cavan and me officially get together. It would have suffered greatly without your support."
He raised his glass. Slowly, others raised theirs, too.
"I pray you have a lifetime of madness, laughter and love. And pretty decent coffee, so you don't come and steal mine."
The hall burst into laughter and toasted with cries of 'cheers!', 'what a speech!' and 'BRAVO!'
When Lucas settled back into his seat, Cavan leaned close and whispered in his ear, "That was a lovely speech. How long did it take you to write?"
"More than I care to admit," Lucas stated, quirking a dark eyebrow.
Cavan grinned, "Well, it was perfect."
"Thank you."
Cavan slid his hand into Lucas's. "You're a remarkable man, Lucas Trunell."
"You're not so bad yourself, Cavan Geisler."
Cavan smirked. He leaned his head against Lucas's, kissing the sleek black hair under his chin. People were shifting all around them, getting ready to start dancing in the space marked out in-front of the stage. "Do you want to dance?"
Lucas frowned slightly, his grey eyes glancing over towards the couples hurrying to the dance floor. Bonnie had somehow snuck past them, dragging Fletcher alongside. They were already swaying together, little Evie clasped close between them. A huge part of him wanted to say 'no'. However, a larger part of him reasoned, they wouldn't be attending many weddings together. Not really. They didn't know that many people. And if they weren't going to have their own wedding …
"Okay," Lucas slid his hand into Cavan's. "I'm going to lead."
"Of course, sir."
"Dumb brat," Lucas groused, unable to hide the twitch in his lip.
Folding their napkins onto their plates, they stood up and walked towards the dance floor. Lucas felt a little too hot and stiff in his suit, but he let Cavan slot easily between his arms, his hand resting firmly on his lover's hip. Taking Cavan's other hand, Lucas started to guide them lazily to the slow music that melted in the air like honey.
As they swayed, Cavan glanced around the room. "It's almost a shame that we're never going to have this, isn't it?"
Lucas hummed, casting an eye around the room. "I suppose. However, we can have a big party anytime. Doesn't mean we need to get married."
"I know, just makes me think, that's all."
Lucas looked up at Cavan and frowned. Maybe the kid had a point.
"It's okay. Just me thinking out loud," Cavan hummed. "I still can't believe they're actually married! Look at them being all grown-up."
Lucas snorted, "And we get stuck with looking after a little girl who thinks she's a bumble bee."
Cavan tutted, "You adore Evie. There's nothing you wouldn't do for her!"
"She does have my resting bitch-face down, I'll give her that," Lucas smirked.
"It's just surreal. Do you ever wonder where the next year or so will take us?"
Lucas blinked up at his lover and felt the air sucked out of his lungs. "Sometimes," he conceded. "I also know that you wouldn't even be here with me, if you hadn't text the wrong bloody number a few years ago!"
Cavan laughed outright, the sound rumbling through his chest as he clutched Lucas tighter. "Aren't you grateful I'm as dumb as you claim I am?"
Lucas shook his head, "Never dumb, brat, you're many things but 'dumb' is not one of them."
"Woah there, Lucas. If you carry on giving me compliments, I may just need to bed you tonight."
"I thought you were going to anyway," Lucas challenged.
"Oh, I am," Cavan smirked down at him. "Doesn't mean you can't butter me up first, though."
"You're an awful flirt."
"I know."
"No, I'm serious kid. You're an awful flirt."
Cavan let out another howl of laughter, the rumbling making Lucas's heart quake in his chest. He couldn't contain his smile as he leaned his head on Cavan's chest as they swayed to the music.
By the time 11PM rolled around, it was time for Bonnie and Fletcher to go off to their honeymoon suite. A tipsy Bonnie cuddled her daughter tightly and smothered her little cheeks in bright pink kisses. Evie giggled and swatted tiredly at her mum. It wasn't that late, but Fletcher and Bonnie were clearly eager to make baby number two, and Lucas was so worn-out from the entire day that he wanted nothing more than to go to their hotel room and relax.
Fletcher scooped Evie up and walked over to where Lucas stood beside Cavan. Handing the yawning toddler over to his best man, Fletcher said, "Take care of my little princess, yeah? No ice cream for breakfast, Cavan!"
Cavan looked affronted. "I would never!"
Fletcher rolled his eyes, unable to hide his big goofy grin. "I'm married, man! I'm married!"
Lucas snorted and smacked Fletcher on the back, "Then go back to your wife before she drives off without you!"
Fletcher's eyes sparkled, "Yeah … My wife."
He turned, as if in a daze, and hurried back across the gravel path to where the cab was waiting. He ducked inside, slammed the door closed, and they drove away, Bonnie waving frantically out of the window.
Cavan and Lucas waved until they were out of sight. Evie yawned and burrowed into the crook of Lucas's neck. "Awww," Cavan crooned, "She's knackered."
"Let's get her into bed," Lucas said, nodding his head back towards the hotel.
It didn't take long before they'd stripped off and into comfortable clothing. A small case of Evie's clothes had been packed for them, and Lucas bent down by the edge of the bed and helped ease her little flowery shoes off her feet. He dressed her gently into her cotton pyjamas and pressed a doting kiss to her forehead before scooping her up.
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