Blueblood

Story: Blueblood: V5H Exposed

Chapter 8 The Wedding

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

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Our five couples marry!! One colossal, all male wedding and done in a unique way! An international event rolled into one!

The Wedding

Having breakfast with the people who were members and people that were not exactly members...people that worked closely with us are bound to pick up on the things that were odd. Vlad and Gaius were odd at times. Ellis and Kev were odd at times. Amasis? Odd. They each had been out of the modern world, thrust back into it and that was just odd. We were all odd in some way.

Dr. William Canaday, the Navy Commander, and two assistants went to take over that daylight hours in the lab. Not because of the venom or vampire thing, but to keep the lab working twenty-four hours a day. I hate to admit it, but...they didn't do much more than observe and report, that I knew of. George had lab technicians and he had more than capable people to run every test. The military presence was more so the President was informed. I think Bill knew it. He was smart but had no way of competing with George or Kev. George had degrees on degrees and Kev had more than a century of experience. I worried that Bill could feel less necessary and therefore, not important. Before Colin and I went to continue our evening as we were leaving the table. I stopped George and Kev.

"I need to ask you two something," I said cautiously. "What is Bill doing here at the VUN?"

George looked puzzled by the question. "What do you mean? He's a scientist. I assume he's working."

"Most of the time, I see you two in conversation." I pointed out. "Never the three of you. Commander Canaday, Bill, is a doctor and scientist, too."

Kev understood almost. "Why? He's intelligent, but we have to bring him up to even understand what he's looking at." He looked at us more carefully. "Do we just give him busy work?"

"Would you appreciate busy work?" I asked a little annoyed. "What are his credentials? What I was told, he was the top of his class. He is supposed to be a genius, too."

Colin nodded understanding my concern. "Given time, could he catch up?"

"I suppose, but we should stop what we're doing to get him up to speed?" George asked.

"Yes!" I said instantly. "If you want hard feelings, keep him out of the loop."

Kev frowned. "He's a grown man. He can ask."

"He has been the star of the show for a decade or more," Colin said firmly. "He is a human being who worked hard to get to where he is and if you offend him...and you will if you don't utilize him more. So, he takes a while to catch up with what you, George, have been doing for seventy years!?" He pointed at Kev. "And you for a hundred years! Professional jealousy," he looked at Kev," and you know full well that happens, we do not need. He may not know what to ask about. Embarrass him and he will be offended. It will happen."

"You have time. Take that time, please?" I urged them both.

Colin moved closer to George. "I know you have a tendency to get so involved in what you're doing, you don't remember or think about things like this." He looked at George firmly. "You can not let him become jealous or feel like an idiot. You can not let this happen in the slightest form." He was right in George's face. "Do you understand?" George nodded but didn't say anything. Colin shook his head. "George! Do you understand? This is so important. Say it back. Tell me what you understand."

"I'm not a child, Colin," George said a little offended.

"No, George, you're not." Colin agreed touching our friend. "I'm sorry, but you do tend to get caught up. You know that. I want to make sure you understand. This is so important."

George looked surprised but nodded. "Keep Dr. Canaday doing work and have him contribute."

Kev nodded. "We do need to get him appraised at what he's doing and why." He shrugged and looked at George. "You are teaching me about some findings, we need to make sure he's in on that when you do."

George nodded with a sheepish chuckle. "I guess we do tune a lot out. Including Dr. Canaday. I'll make sure he's included."

Wayne came over, followed by Amasis. "I'm sorry about that...what happened." He thumbed to the table where we'd sat. "I should watch what I say."

Colin's eyes widened. "Absolutely not, Wayne." He threw an arm over Wayne's shoulder. "What did you say?" He shrugged. "You expressed affection to Devon. You called him Dad. Nothing was said that would harm anyone."

Wayne nodded. "It started questions."

I smiled at Wayne. "There will be questions," I said helplessly. "We are what we are. They know that. They also can't tell who is and who isn't a vampire. They know I am and you are. Don't govern what you say." I chuckled at Colin. "However, Bill's giving the Don't Ask, Don't Tell was interesting. He knows."

Back in Colin's and my bedroom, after a few...I wasn't sure how long, Colin and I collapsed, spent after making love. Rolling us over so Colin was on top of me again as I liked his weight on me, he smiled at me as he ran his lips over my jaw. He held me tighter as he caught his breath. "I love you, Devon."

I smiled at him and softly replied. "I know. I love you."

Colin nodded as he kissed me more directly. "I know." He shook his head. "I say it again since we got together, things have really come into focus for me."

I know my eyebrows rose. "You have said it before, but why?" I saw his puzzled expression and kissed him quickly. "I should say, what do you mean?"

Colin shrugged. "Since you arrived, things have just gotten...better." He grinned. "Cause and effect? Good luck? I'm just saying it may be because of you."

I was noticing some other things. Chuck was a man that was pretty well satisfied with being on his own during the off hours. He'd read or find something for himself to do. I did, however, notice him speaking with Amanda often as we were spending more time at VUN in New York. I'm not too nosey usually, but Chuck was a friend and Amanda was one of the first vampires I'd seen right after she had been bitten and...she was walking down the corridor, dressed as an office professional, but I noticed it was now...a bit more dressy. Her blonde hair down and attractive. No power suit this time, but a nice lavender dress. As she was touching her large computer pad, I came up to her.

"Hi!" I greeted her as we were about to pass each other.

She looked up and smiled at me. "Hi, Devon! Is everything alright?"

I chastised myself for not speaking to her unless I needed something. "Fine! I'm meeting Colin in Vamps." I answered readily. "How's...what was his name again? Doug?"

She rolled her eyes and let out a disgusted grunt. "We aren't exactly together anymore." She confessed and frowned. "He needed space." She said using air quotes on the word space. "He is so immature."

I nodded. "I see. I'm sorry." I shrugged. "He must have had some quality that you liked. You lived with him a while." Okay, I was fishing to see if it was over and she was dressing like this for someone else. Someone, I hoped she was dressing for.

She nodded. "I suppose so, but..." she shook her head. "Right after I was bitten, he was in shock." She laughed. "I was in shock! Then he started worrying about his aging and my lack of aging and I won't necessarily die...suddenly he needed the space."

"It is a difficult thing to accept," I said hoping she understood that.

"I haven't heard from him in over a year." She said, but not too upset. "I guess it wasn't meant to be." She sighed, but it wasn't a too disappointed sigh.

Okay, I wasn't planting the idea, if the idea occurred to her...I could put fertilizer around the idea "There are men that can accept it, as you know." I offered. "There are men here that have known for years now. It wouldn't be a surprise for them."

Amanda chuckled knowing what I was doing. "Matchmaking at the VUN?"

"Amanda," I said in a low growl. "No one should be alone. Having someone to share life with is what we do. I know of a man...very smart and very good looking...very blond...and very big! He knows what you are."

She nodded. "Chuck." She frowned again. "Is that fair? I can't have children."

"Does he even want children?" I asked. "Besides, that's not exactly true. Gaius fathered a son; he's a vampire. We both know George will figure it out. Who knows what the future has in store?"

She thought a moment more. "We haven't discussed his plans for the future or even mentioned dating. I just don't want to rob him of one."

"You won't be," I said simply. "If he does want children, there are ways to do that. Adopt or even surrogates. You aren't done. I've never thought of it, but can a female vampire be a surrogate? If you can, you could be pregnant, just not conceived by you. Of course, the venom and blood...you can talk to George about that when the time comes. Until you decide, you can enjoy his company. I've seen you two talking. There is interest and there is a chemistry there. I see it."

She looked back down the hall and I knew she was looking back to where Chuck had been. "You're right." She said and walked back the way she came.

That's when I felt familiar hands come around me. "You are determined to have everyone married." The deep voice I knew without looking rumbled as he had come from around the corner.

I pulled his arms tighter around me as I watched Amanda go down the corridor faster than she had before. "Of course!" I turned in Colin's arms. "Being part of a pair is healthy for us as humans. Marriage is wonderful. Everyone deserves to be happy like we are."

Colin nodded, kissing me gently. "I agree." He embraced me tighter. "I am very happy." He broke from me enough to kiss me again. "With you."

The time with the boys was ongoing. I taught them about the Earth and time passing and what we called the different segments of time. Concepts again. An understanding was going to come, but they hadn't quite gotten it yet. Emotions. How do you teach them that what they felt was what happened when they are happy? Sad? The various emotions we all had in between. Disappointment? Saying you feel good when happy and bad when sad, doesn't really explain all that.

Vlad also spent time with them as I worked with them. He even helped me with teaching them.

I made rounds. I circulated everywhere now. I would pop in the lab to see George, Kev, and Bill Canaday in discussion now.

"...the identification of the venom...is there a genome for it? Can't we extract that pairing?" Bill was asking.

George shook his head. "No. What it rewrites makes subtle changes that makes the person the creator of the venom. Finding that configuration is almost impossible! The pairing is extremely hard to find..."

I rolled my eyes. This was too deep for my little bit of medical understanding to follow. I was very happy that Bill was being included now in those discussions. I then went to bother Stan. Coming up behind him, I grinned as I saw he was not working on anything for VUN or Holms' Laboratories. On the screen were two rings that rotated. Wedding rings! I looked at the two simple gold bands.

"Nah," I said startling him and making him jump with a small yelp. "Those aren't good enough...assuming they are for you and Mark."

"Jeez!" Stan gasped as he tried to regulate his breath again. "You scared the shit out of me!" He swatted backward but never made contact with me. "Sneaking up on me!? I often forget you are a vampire, but when you sneak up like you do...I'm reminded!"

Not bothered a bit I came up behind him closer. "You two need something nice, something that says Stan and Mark, Mark and Stan. Unique."

Stan nodded waving at the two bands. "Mark just wants a simple band." He shrugged and looked at me. "What do you think works better? Goddard-Martin or Martin-Goddard?"

I smiled at him bigger. "Combining your names? That's great! Who cares whose name is first? If you both have it, that will be your name. I took Colin's!"

Stan nodded and typed again quickly. "I helped Amasis and Wayne design a couple of rings." He waved at the screen overhead again. The new rings turned on the three-dimensional screen so I could see them from all over. They were wide, darkened black gold, but alternating was the shinier yellow gold cross-like symbol I'd seen with the oval at the top...and the symbol I knew was the loop the sideways figure eight. "Both are symbols or eternity. The infinity symbol you know and perhaps you know the Ankh for Egyptian Eternity." He shrugged. "That got me to thinking about ours." He grinned. "I was searching for something to make them special."

"You apparently want something special, so tell Mark that." I reasoned simply and grinned at him. "He'd do it for you."

Stan nodded. "He would." He looked at me. "Since you and Colin are all of our Best Men, you'll have all those rings!"

I grudged a nod. "I just want to keep them straight." I sighed. "Ten rings...I just don't want us to give Wayne's to Mark by mistake. We will definitely jingle."

Stan grinned. "It will be a different wedding than I've ever heard of." He shrugged at me. "We may have to come up with something equally as different."

I looked at Stan carefully. "You don't mind that?"

"Mind?"

"It's not the traditional wedding...even if you don't consider the all-male aspect," I said. "It isn't a regular wedding."

Stan shook his head. "I'm marrying Mark. That's the most important thing. He's marrying me. To say I do and then do it...is traditional. How we do it is not. I don't want it to be traditional because Mark and I aren't."

I smiled again. "I knew the day you showed up here, you two were meant for each other."

Stan nodded and being fair complexion, I saw his face pink up. "Some of us are slow learners."

"You got it finally," I said and decided on another topic. "We made arrangements for Kev and Ellis, as they haven't been out in the world to know what's where, so we booked two islands, including the one Colin and I stayed on to send them each somewhere." I chuckled imagining. "Ellis would probably be okay out there but might deck someone if they gave either of him of Kev trouble. Gaius and Vlad aren't bothered about their relationship and I doubt anyone would give them trouble if they want to survive, but to be on the safe side...we're sending them to one of those islands. George and John, Wayne and Amasis and you two...we left the honeymoons to you. You and Mark chose somewhere?"

Stan looked at me uncertainly. "If we all do, won't that leave you guys shorthanded?" He asked me. "George and John will be gone, as will Kev and Ellis, Vlad and Gaius, Wayne and Amasis..."

"We got along before you," I said and saw his eyes grow alarmed and touched him quickly. "Not to demean anyone. You know how valued you all are here. We've gone a long way since all of you joined us, but...we'll manage a couple of weeks without you. You each need time to just be a couple."

Stan waved at the computer. "What about Buddy?" He wasn't joking.

I squeezed Stan on the shoulder. "I admit, no one knows Buddy better than you do, but we had someone here do this before. They won't be anywhere near as good, but we'll get by."

Stan wasn't convinced but nodded. "Mark wanted to scuba dive and all that. We're going to Key West."

I chuckled knowing the reputation there. "No problem there. You'll be among quite a few men that are holding hands there."

Wentworth had the rooms. We had those extra houses built for just such a thing! Guests that were not in the wedding were being housed in those outbuildings or a hotel. Gaius' son, daughter-in-law, and children had one house. Wayne's daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren in another. Stan's and Mark's family in others. Others were put in a hotel! We had five couples in the main house. It wasn't long before the wedding day was about to arrive.

The first weekend in June. That was the date set for the wedding...or weddings? Ten of our friends were getting married at the same time. Okay? Someone set the time to marry to be in June and we held to that tradition...hardly any other traditions, but the date. The weather in this part of the world was always mild and never cold; the summer here could be brutal...for me. Swelteringly hot often...like the day I met Colin. It wasn't now! It was warm with a nice breeze from the ocean. The late spring and flowers bloomed everywhere. The plantation was alive and fragrant with the smell of those flowers and grass growing that had been freshly cut. There were workers all over the grounds working and inside the house.

This wedding was something I did not have that much to do with...as in the planning or anything. Mom and Gabriella were women possessed with getting things together. We were back in Charleston a week before. Dr. Canaday did not like it one bit. Both George and Kev were going to be gone for three weeks at minimum, but it was their wedding! Which had been planned before Dr. Canaday had arrived so how could he argue? I thought it was good for our Navy Commander to research things on his own. It wasn't that we didn't invite him, but...how long had he known George or Kev? He knew the wedding was odd and very few outside of a certain circle were coming.

I had watched men building something in the yard. It turned out to be a rounded platform like a half moon. There were five pedestals set up in a semi-circle that looked like small waist-high pillars. I was told that was where the rings would be placed just before the ceremony. Then I saw things come in the ballroom and I was startled when I saw a huge gold head of an Egyptian Pharaoh with the striped, blue headdress that stood about three feet high, the headpiece that rose over his head, but very, very Egyptian, and very majestic. I know you've seen one. There were suits of armor from different countries and times. Swords and shields. The flags of the United States, Great Britain, and the Romanian were displayed. There was a cake that was delivered that had to be assembled at the house. It was huge! It had to be for the five couples. It had blue icing with white decorative trim! I hadn't realized how much planning Gabriella and Mom had put into this wedding. Even the cummerbund and little bowtie colors were planned. I looked them over as Gabriella came in the foyer as she was looking at a clipboard she carried marking things off as she saw something was done. The tuxedos had been pressed and delivered but not taken upstairs yet and I looked at the plastic covered suits and the dangling cummerbunds with the matching bowties. I smiled as I saw what they'd done.

"What do you think?" She asked me.

"These colors are an interesting choice." I pointed out to her. "One is missing."

Gabriella gave a slight rise of her head. "No, they are all here."

"There are five couples," I said. "You have the red, orange, yellow, green and that light purple."

"That's lilac." Gabriella corrected and looked at me smiling. "All the colors will be there. There are six couples going to be up there."

"There is no blue."

She touched me lightly. "The Wentworths are blue. Remember? Indigo? You and Daddy will be wearing that color." She chuckled. "While doing research, I found the colors for the Gay Pride flag." She shook her head marveling. "Your own flag!? Who would have imagined you would have your own flag?" She nodded again amazed. "The world has really changed!"

"Well, being what we are is the one thing we all have in common. We don't have a flag as vampires, but...not all are vampires...so," I shrugged.

Gabriella chuckled again. "With your love of movies and naming things, I surprised you haven't thought of one."

My eyebrows rose. "I think we need to be a little more united first. I'll have to give it some thought. I've been busy! I'm working on it!" To which she just laughed and kissed me on the cheek and went to do...Gabriella things elsewhere.

We were having more than a few guests. The grooms' families were going to be there. Wayne's daughter Katie, her husband Sean with there his grandchildren. Amir for Amasis. Gaius' son Nicolae and daughter-in-law Helga and their children. Mark's parents and brother were coming. Stan's mother and a sister were coming. Ruben Chance and his wife were coming. Dr. Hathaway from England was coming. Edwin and Matt, also from England were coming. Mitch McKenzie, his cousins David and Sasha were coming. Of course, Chuck was coming and bringing Amanda! I sensed a possible victory there.

"Devon!" I heard Colin call as he entered the foyer. "Stan's and Mark's family just came through the gate."

"I can't wait to meet them," I said honestly and smiled going with Colin to greet them at the door. Seeing the constant activity as people were doing things about the house, I couldn't help but smile. This was an important week. Now, I was meeting the people that helped to shape Stan and Mark into who they are.

Okay, this was very dramatic to me, but we went out on the wide front porch and stood together as the limousine, a stretch but not one of those super-stretches, pulled up to a lazy stop. Colin's arm came around me as we stood together. Mark didn't even wait for the chauffeur to open the door for anyone as he quickly got out and ran to the other side and opened the door on the other side. Stan came out from the same door Mark had used but stooped to offer his hand to someone. The woman that got out was in her late fifties, hair was done up in a rather matronly way, but her blonde was now dusting the color with grey. While not fat at all, she had a few more pounds than necessary. In a nice pink dress, her purse on her arm her free hand touching her chest as she gaped at the house, looked back at the fountain and surrounding yard.

"Oh, my!!!" She said in a near whisper.

Then a young woman about sixteen or seventeen got out. She wore a floral dress she'd worn for travel. She had blonde hair also the same color as Stan's. She was pretty.

"Blonde hair is a trait for the Martins," I whispered to Colin shaking my head smiling. "Poor things." I felt Colin tighten his arm around me as he chuckled.

Mark was helping a woman out with dark black hair. She was well dressed, but clearly...she was Latina! Dark hair was done upon her head, but not cut, but adorned on her head. She was in her mid to late fifties. Her figure was trimmer wearing one of those colors that was not quite purple...I told you women make up names to confuse men, it wasn't dark like a grape, but it wasn't lavender like on the gay flag. Puce? As a child, I thought they said puke is why I remembered it, but... The man in his late fifties or early sixties followed got out next. In a dark sports jacket and shirt with no tie, he was comfortable. He had dark hair but was grey in the temples and some mixing through his dark hair, but he had Mark's face...or Mark had his. He wasn't fat either, I believe the word would be "thicker." He was a distinguished looking, handsome Caucasian man. You know what I mean. He too was staring up at the house.

"Wow." The man said simply.

A young man about five years younger than Mark got out. He was thinner than Mark but he and his brother shared the dark hair and similar facial features. "Damn!" His brother said.

His mother rolled her eyes. "Dios mío, Marvin, muestra buenos modales."

Even without the translator, I took enough Spanish in high school to know what she said. I chuckled at the maternal display telling her son to show some good manners.

"That's what I wanted from people." Colin, who understood, told me quietly. "The wow-effect." His eyebrows danced and then said to them. "Welcome to Wentworth Manor!"

Mark looked up grinning at me and Colin. "Mom, Dad...this is Colin and Devon Wentworth." He introduced bringing his mother up the steps to meet us. "Devon, Colin, this is my mother Marcella Goddard and this great guy." He pulled his father closer. "This is my dad, Dean Goddard." He thumbed with a grin to his brother who followed his parents up the steps. "My brother Marvin Goddard over there." Marvin merely smirked with a grunt at his older brother for the praise-free introduction. It was clear Mark's usual antics and behaviors were also shared and probably honed from years of interactions between him and Marvin.

We were shaking hands with them and I leaned into Marcella. "I think that was just fine what Marvin said. It wasn't bad manners; he was doing what Colin wanted him to do."

Marcella smiled but shook her head. "You speak Spanish?"

I nodded. "Sí, perosólo un poco." I said I spoke a little.

Stan came up with his mother and sister. "This is my mother Doris Martin and my beautiful sister Cindy."

Colin and I shook their hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," Colin said. "This is an important week for Stan and Mark. I'm glad you could come to be a part of it."

Doris was still taking in the flowers and the front of the house. "When Stanley said he was getting married here...I'd seen it on that show on TV..."

"At Stan's insistence, but this is much bigger in real life," Cindy added.

"This sure beats what I saw on Gone With The Wind!" Marvin said.

Colin chuckled. "Well, the only Scarlet here is my cousin Gabriella and Devon's and now...my mother."

"They never say fiddle-dee-dee," I added,

Colin motioned toward the wide front door. "You can come in a make yourselves comfortable." Then he thought. "If you aren't tired..."

The answer was that they were following us to the door.

"Things are a little busy, but that shouldn't be a problem for us," I warned. "We have coffee and other drinks..." I considered the time. It was about three in the afternoon. "We can have something to eat or prepared if you would like something, but dinner will be about six-thirty."

Mark practically bounced. "Wait until you see inside!" He said not quite rushing them forward toward the front door.

Once more, there was the slight echo of the footsteps in the cavernous foyer and they all did the turn at the intersection of the hallway and corridor.

This time Marvin let out a much quieter and longer. "Daaamn."

Marcella said something again with her eyes rolling at her son's lack of what she thought were good manners. Dean Goddard's mouth was now gaping, too.

"My Stanley is a part of this!? How?" Doris asked not quite getting it.

Colin nodded. "He and Mark are very much a part of this. They are family." He explained logically.

Marvin turned when he heard that. "So, that makes us what? In-laws?"

Colin shook his head. "No. You're Mark's family. That makes you family to us, too." He grinned at Marvin.

"I can have access to this!?" Marvin grinned pointing at the floor to make sure.

Colin nodded. "Sure, just let us know first, but sure. Anytime."

Marvin looked up at the high ceiling. "Can I pick a room!?"

Mark frowned. "Not this time, pendejo. It's big, but not that big." Using the Spanish word for stupid was just a matter of course for the two. No surprises for anyone.

Stan bowed a little. "I run their computers." He said simply to his mother.

I walked closer to Stan. "Do not minimize what you are, Stan." I looked at his mother. "Your son is brilliant. A genius. He doesn't just run our computer. He's done amazing things with the computer."

Stan was getting pink. "Well, Buddy is..."

"No, Stan." I interrupted. "Buddy is a tool. It's a good one, but the magic you are able to do with Buddy is miraculous."

Colin nodded to Stan. "Devon's right. Buddy, the computer he uses who your son named, is a good tool that you know Buddy backward and forward. The truth is...with you at the keyboard, Buddy is you, Stan."

I grinned as Stan bowed again a little more growing redder. I walked to Mark. "Mark and Stan ingratiated themselves with no problem. In fact," I looked closer at Mark, "tell them and I'll deny it. These two became family quickly and loved within days. Opposed to the longer period for Chuck and Shelly. They are now, but you two...Stan with his brilliance and personality. Mark for his keen wit, compassion, and sense of duty...firm sets of values that he carried every moment."

Dean chuckled. "Yes, that's Mark. When he told us about Stan...it was sort of short, kind of cut and dry." He smiled at Mark. "Dad, Mom, he said to us, This is what's happening and here's how it will work. I've found someone that means so much to me and I'm going to marry to make a part of my life. Stan is the one I'm marrying. He's a great human being. Now, if you have issues with the fact that he's a man, fine. My mind is made up. Have your issues, questions on how and why, but just know, this is what's happening." He reached over and patted his son's shoulder proudly.

"What choice did we have?" Marcella nodded and shrugged. "We got to know Stan and he is what Mark said. He's a great human being. So, we just accepted it."

We walked further into the house and headed to the library/music room.

"Well, I took a little longer," Doris admitted. "I was not surprised about Stanley, but when I met Mark, I was not prepared." She saw our eyes and shook her head. "No, I pretty well knew Stanley was gay. He was always a very sensitive little boy." She shrugged. "I thought he would be, but when I met Mark." She gave a sad smile. "Understand, I didn't mind, but...I guess I'm a victim of stereotyping as well." She looked at Mark with a smile. "When I met Mark, he was so...masculine." She quickly turned to her son. "Not that you aren't, Stanley, but...when he said he wanted to go into the FBI, I thought he wouldn't make it, but he did."

I nodded. "We aren't all the same, Mrs. Martin."

Doris shook her head. "No, you're not."

"The reason Stan left the FBI is because they would have broken Mark and Stan up after they married," Colin said. "I challenge you to find one man in this wedding that would qualify for what you think they would be."

"No," I shook my head. "There are some soldiers...all very male men getting married on Saturday. Not a limp wrist among them."

"I rather think..." Colin ventured, "we are just male members of our species that saw something in another male of our species we decided to include in our lives."

Robert, our faithful houseman, came in wheeling a cart with the fancy silver set with that shined silver coffee pot, all the different creamers and things to the side. "I have coffee for everyone if you like." He said happily pointing to the big pot. "There is tea, Earl Grey." He pointed to the other smaller pot. "I can do sodas or iced tea as well." He reached down and brought out two larger mugs and handed one to Colin. "This is Colin's favorite coffee. Death Wish. It's very strong, but I'll give that to anyone interested." He handed me mine. "Devon likes his Death Wish cold. Can I interest anyone in something?"

Once we got to talking, I saw the dynamics of these two families. Mark and Marvin...they were brothers. They had a good-natured teasing and knew how to irritate the other well. It's just what brothers did. There was a connection between them as they laughed and joked with each other. Marcella took her sons antics with the occasional comment she had apparently done from the time she gave birth to the two. Dean was tolerant and seemed unbothered at his sons' behavior. He was used to it and approved!

I found out Stan's father had left, why I didn't find out, but shortly after Cindy's birth. He was gone. Doris coddled Stan as a child and still did a bit. Overprotective. She loved him. She was his mother! I did see that she had not expected him to achieve what he had. I was curious that she didn't understand Stan's ability to achieve recognition for what he did so she hadn't expected it. Stan was a genius. I didn't have to see his IQ scores to know that, but it puzzled me how she couldn't see that. Doris was a nice lady, but she hadn't passed brilliance to Stan, or it might have skipped a generation or two? I don't know! I wasn't being mean, but...she was not a sophisticated woman. I'm sorry. She was Stan's mother. End of discussion. He was abused, according to Mark by an uncle. I knew that. Yet, Stan triumphed. That said a hell of a lot about Stan to me.

The formal dining room was filling up. No complaints from Colin or me, but we had to add the leaves to the table to expand the table! And put another table in the library/music room because the next day Gaius, Vlad, George, John, Nicolae, Helga, Rica, Gina, and Jan arrived and we introduced Mark's and Stan's family to them. Doris was shocked at Vlad, Gaius, and Nicolae. They were large men! Nothing about Vlad and Gaius said anything about any of them except they were Romanian! Oh, and Gaius' eyepatch added a little something she hadn't anticipated. Kev and Ellis also arrived. Then Wayne and Amasis arrived with Sean, Katy, Karen, Scott, and Kelly! The house was getting crowded! Add Willie, Mom, Gabriella, and Alex to the mix. It was wall to wall people! It was great!!

Colin pulled me over as we came down to the evening meal after changing. "Look at this!" He said happily as he pointed from the bottom of the stairs as they all talked and laughed. "When I was bitten...even after I got back here. I knew of a few vampires, but now...look at all of them!"

I grinned put my arms around him. "And they are all family!"

Colin nodded. "I may have to expand!" He sounded excited about that!

Ellis was entertaining as he often went into his Cockney accent making people laugh and asking what he said. We had worried about Rica, Gina, and Jan not having anyone to socialize with their age. Now, they had Scott and Kelly. Karen was too adult now for such juvenile things. Marvin had zeroed in on her. Gina was in conversations with Scott if not talking with Kelly. There were no language barriers here. If there was a problem, we had the translators available. There was no bachelor party, just a lot of great people under our roof. There was a symphony of sounds of laughter and talking to be heard. We had hired additional servers for the wedding and reception, but also to serve when the family arrived. They were needed.

Getting people settled for the night was not challenging. Mom and Willie had their own house, so did Gabriella and Alex. There were guest houses for everyone as not everyone could have a room in the main house.

I almost felt guilty as we went to our huge bedroom. Almost. Colin was in the bathroom this time; I was waiting for him. He grinned at me as he came over toward the bed as I was doing my come here gesture with my finger.

"We'll have a busy day tomorrow," I said as he slid in his arms coming around me as we settled back together.

"Yes." He cocked his head. "Does that mean you want to postpone any activities now that we're in bed?"

"Of course not!" I answered readily. "You and I don't have to be so...vigorous." I ran my fingers in his hair and gazed into his emerald eyes. "I don't want you tired tomorrow."

Colin smiled. "Well, passion just happens." He shrugged. "We can't really control it." He smiled as we kissed gently. "I'll have my coffee ready if needed." He rolled us so I was on top of him. "I love you, Devon."

I nodded. "I know you do, Colin," I said softly. "I love you, Colin."

"I know."

The advantage of the vampires' ability to hear had its downside; because as the morning began for us, someone dropped something outside with a bang, waking me up. The house was pretty sound proof for the most part, but I heard it. Rolling away a little from Colin, I hoped that was a clumsy bang and no one was hurt. From the warmth and comfort of the bed, I felt Colin's protective hold on me tighten as it normally did when he woke up. I pulled his arm even tighter around me. Then I heard a raised voice that sounded annoyed, not hurt or frightened.

"What was that?" Colin asked groggily having heard it, too.

I shrugged. "Someone who did something they didn't mean to, I guess." I loved that Colin's first instinct was to keep me secured to him. I turned around I kissed him gently. "My husband."

Colin nodded with a smile and light chuckle. "Yes, I am." His arms coming around me the way it was supposed to go. "You're my husband." He chuckled as he kissed me more deeply.

Morning love, afternoon love, evening love...it was all love. It was always good.

Getting up and showered, of course, together...it was about ten on this special morning when we came downstairs.

"...unbelievable!" We heard a woman's voice say with that distinct British accent.

"Yes, Colin and Devon are living pretty well." Edwin's voice said to Dr. Hathaway.

They had left the big round foyer with its marble mosaic floor that seemed to spiral out from the center with the table in the center with the large vase with the flowers, now even more fragrant with roses of red and white. The grand chandelier dangling high about a story and a half up. All the glass windows allowed the sunlight in making the crystals sparkle like diamonds. They were at the intersection of hallways as Dr. Hathaway had finished the slow spinning turn trying to see it all.

Reaching the foyer, we came into the hallway.

"Enough with the house-envy!" I groused to Edwin.

Edwin smiled. "It's not envy, it's appreciation!" He justified.

We saw our three friends at the intersection. "Colin had it bad at Thornwood!" I said.

Matt looked up and smiled grandly. "Devon! Colin! Hello!" Matt was right beside him. They were still dressed as they had traveled in and was casual. "Hi!"

Colin ducked his head slightly as we got a little closer. "Well, now it's not so much since we invested in Thornwood." He grinned hugging Edwin. "It's partly mine now. I can't envy what I own part of. Hello, my friends."

Greeting each of them we went in search of Colin's coffee. I guess I'd get mine while we got his. What I noticed were the many more people here. Not family, but staff! What was noticeable to me were the uniforms. We didn't ask people that worked here to wear those normally. Now there were ladies in those black dresses with the white aprons, men in the black pants and white shirts with the black vests. It was noticeable! Entering the formal dining room, we were greeted by Wayne, Amasis, Kev, Ellis, Sean, and Katy. Kelly, having finished her breakfast, was kissing her mother on the cheek for something.

"Remember, the wedding is at 3 pm." Katy reminded her firmly. "Swim for a few hours after your breakfast settles, but you need to be back and dressed by 2 pm."

Kelly was now a little older, but still a little girl in many ways. She was growing into a beautiful young woman as her long dark hair cascaded down past her shoulders. She stopped by Wayne and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind as he ate, hugging and kissing his cheek and then did the same with Amasis. "I wouldn't miss this! I'll be on time, Mom." She said and kissed her father before heading off.

"Remember the time difference!" Sean shouted before Kelly was gone. He brightened seeing us. "She's going swimming!" He chuckled. "She still functioning on time back home. She was awake at four this morning!"

Colin smiled as he and I watched Kelly head for the door to go back to the house that they were staying in.

"To be young!" Ellis smiled. "I could do with a little dip meself, I could."

I chuckled as with Ellis, when he was excited or just happy, his Cockney was more pronounced, but he was always exuberant. "I see the British Empire is well represented here." I grinned as I sat down, "And I hear it."

Kev nodded with a smile. "Except for Amasis and Ellis, I don't hear anything except from you two right now."

Dr. Hathaway was still looking at the house's interior but walked in further. "This is a just lovely home, Colin." She said coming to the table as Matt held her chair for her. "I look forward to seeing more of it."

Colin grinned as he waggled his eyebrows at me with the "told ya" look. "All the bedrooms are occupied right now. If you stay tonight after the wedding, you are more than welcome to stay in one. You can help yourself now to the house, nothing's off limits or secured." He went to the silver serving containers that had been set up so our guests could choose what and how much. The...not big flames, but under them to keep what they contained warm. "Or, you can come back and stay as long as you like."

"...doesn't matter." Robert, our houseman was saying to someone behind him as he came in the dining room from the kitchen. He looked up, seeing us, and smiled...sort of. "Good morning." He said a little glum. I knew it was because of how he was dressed.

I looked at our friend. Yes, he was in charge of most everything in the manor...more than a butler and kept everything organized. We never had him wear anything that said what he did here. He never wore jeans to work, but today...he wore a black suit! Not a tuxedo, but a well-tailored solid black suit. I mean, not just black pants and vest, but the jacket, red tie and even that red handkerchief thingy that was stuck in the breast pocket that matched his red tie. He was followed by Bertie, our chef. She was also not dressed as usual in clothes she wore to work normally. She had on the blazingly white chef's coat with her name stitched on the front left breast side. That said she was a chef and the hat that said so as well. I couldn't help it, I let out a wolf whistle. I grinned at them. "I don't know, Colin, maybe we should have them wear uniforms! Very nice, Robert, Bertie!"

Robert was blonde, remember? People with fair complexions did not hide much as he blushed. "Aw, come on guys..."

Colin shook his head. "Absolutely not, Devon." He said in all seriousness. "I can't have them walking around like that." Then he grinned at me. "I'd lose you."

I didn't miss a beat. "Nah," I waved at Robert and Bertie, "they're good-looking but he's blond and Bertie's married."

Bertie chuckled and hit Robert lightly. "It's a special occasion, Robert. We can do it for the weekend." She smiled brightly at us. "Coffee is ready and waiting, Mr. Colin."

"Bless you, Bertie," Colin said appreciatively and bowed slightly.

She nodded and turned to go get it, but looked back at me. "I have shrimp and grits!" She waved chuckling at one of the covered silver servers but looked at me knowing I didn't eat grits.

I growled a little.

"It is a combination of Southern style and Cajun. Spicy but not too spicy." She said, not worried at all about my reaction. She knew I didn't like grits and had said that on purpose. "There is the applewood bacon and eggs. Pancakes and waffles if you want." She turned to head back in the kitchen. "Your coffee is on the way, Mr. Colin." She knew who the priority was.

Coffee consumed along with breakfast and now things were going to get even more...not chaotic, but intense.

Amir and Shelly arrived with Chuck and Amanda. There was again the reaction to the house by Amanda and turn in the hallway.

There was a more concentrated purpose the closer we got to the time. The part of most weddings was to separate the bride and groom before the wedding. There was no bride and every one of our friends had lived together a while. There was no point. That was another something, not a tradition. What we were to each wear was uncovered and ready. All of the grooms were dressing in Colin's and my room. Ellis and Kev hadn't seen it. Then again, neither had most of the others, but it was Ellis that finally said something after gawking a few seconds.

"Cor blimey." He managed quietly as he looked at our spacious room. He looked at our bed and grinned. He thumbed toward the bed. "I know that's for more than a lit'l Bo Peep!" He winked at me.

Mark waved his hand at Ellis. "There he goes again!" He smiled at Ellis and did the quick head shake. It was becoming a thing between those two. "What!?"

"Bo Peep!" Ellis replied simply. "Sleep!"

Mark shook his head. "Just say that!"

Ellis again wasn't bothered or offended. He liked this game. "Why?" Then his eyes widened. "Ooo, Mickey Bliss!"

I chuckled. I had heard that enough on the shows I watched. "The loo's that way!" I pointed at the door and Ellis raced off.

Kev laughed. "I suppose he's a little nervous."

"What!?" Mark said again. "Mickey Bliss?"

I laughed. "Piss, Mark. He needed to piss." I explained.

"What happened to, I've got to go to the bathroom, or I need to take a leak even?" Mark asked. "Drain the snake even."

I laughed more. "It's more...colorful."

"Come on," Colin laughed as well and waved at where Ellis had gone. "He's funny!"

We all dressed. Except for Ellis and Kev, we had taken communal baths in Amasis' city, remember? There were no secrets here. Some of the guys were too anxious to sit. Mark sat with his pants off so he wouldn't wrinkle them. Stan sat beside him. Ellis did have to take a few bathroom breaks. Even a vampire can be nervous apparently. I looked out of our window where we could see where the weddings were going to happen as our guests were being served drinks and small things to eat if they wanted. It was on our back lawn between the pool and great oaks that would allow some shade. Mom and Gabriella had thought of everything. The servers weren't dressed as waiters but had English barmaids and tavern workers were serving. Then I noticed men and women dressed as Egyptians in those short, but white linen wrapped dresses and black hair done in the Egyptian style. The men in those short white kilts and small blue headdress. It was warm out, so they at least would be comfortable. There was one aisle with the chairs covered in blue coverings instead of white. The center carpet runner up the grass in the center up to a semi-circular platform covered in a blue carpet and adorned with a hanging American flag, the flag of Great Britain, Romania, and a statue of Amun-Ra! Over the head of Amun-Ra, the great, gold Human head wearing that striped, blue headdress, below the other three flags was another flag below the other flags were the six colors in stripes, red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet. There were even two large standing Egyptian brass lamps, very wide and standing on the ends of the platform with those wide bowl shape to light the area at dark. Now, they were there instead of the candles that would have been there if there wasn't the breeze and this was a more traditional wedding. There were even the thinner taller ones at the beginning of the aisles. There were tall free-standing Greco-Roman columns...a continuation of the columns at the end of the pool that was holding nothing up which had ribbons of blue draped. However, I knew the columns around the seating for guests were really speakers.

Colin was finishing getting dressed. I know, you've heard me say it. He was just...beautiful! I knew what was meant when people say their breath was taken away. I gasped as I had actually forgotten to breathe. The black pants and that white shirt, that black hair groomed and curling a little telling me it was time for a haircut, but not yet. Damn, he looked good. His emerald colored eyes came up as he tried to put on with his cufflink with his left hand. His warm smile lit his whole face as he looked at me. He took the cufflink and held it out to me. "Help me?"

"Always," I said to him coming over. I took the cufflink. "Anytime."

Colin leaned closer, kissing me gently. "I love you."

My response was to kiss back with a much feeling as I could. "I love you."

As we dressed, all the white tuxes went on and we dealt with issues. We were the Best Men. Including Ellis' inability to put his bowtie on. Kev was putting his shoes on, so I helped him.

Vlad was putting on his orange cummerbund. "Why these colors?"

Colin looked up. "These colors are on the flag for us."

Gaius frowned. "Us? Not as vampires surely."

"No, as human beings that are in relationships with the same gender," I answered.

Vlad's eyes widened. "We have a flag!? We are a nation?"

I gave a shrugging nod. "We are united, yes. Composed of many nations."

Stan nodded. "We fought hard to be seen as just a part of human nature. We are not deviants or odd."

"No matter the country or religion," Mark added as he smoothed his shirt down that was already pressed, "we are in every one. We are united that way. It is gay pride."

Gaius frowned. "We just are." He reasoned. "We are proud to love men!?"

Colin came over putting an arm on Gaius. "Yes, we are." He sighed. "I think to say unashamedly is better. We number in the hundreds of millions worldwide. No pride necessarily, but also...no shame."

For some here, they knew repression. That was why they had been hesitant to "come out." They all felt it, except Amasis who as a god, no one would tell him who he loved or what he did is was wrong.

I saw George looking a little...uncertain. I went to my redhaired friend. "Is there a problem, George?" I was his...and all of their best man. So, was Colin.

I did it again. I interrupted that train of thought he had going and he looked at me with blank eyes. "What?" Then he understood. "Oh, no...no problem."

I put my arm around his shoulders. "That's not what your face says."

"I'm really doing this." George confessed not really as a question...more of an affirmation.

"Marrying? Sure. Is it right?" I asked worried he might be having doubts. "You love John."

George nodded instantly. "Very much." He smiled. "I never imagined loving another human being as much." Now he looked puzzled again. "I just don't want to mess up." He confessed again. "I get so...caught up, I forget things...I don't want to make John feel like he's second in anything. I want him to know he's not!"

I smiled at George. "I think John worked through a lot of that." I squeezed him gently. "John knows you do that. You've been good at keeping him close and knowing to look up from the microscope occasionally. John won't let you go." I grinned. "He knows you love him, but that you're worried about you might...tells me you won't forget."

"Okay, gentlemen." Chuck's voice suddenly from the door as he came in. "Devon, your mother says it's almost time. You need to be downstairs." He looked around at the men in the room and his eyebrows rose slightly. "Wow. You guys almost wish I were gay, or bisexual."

Wayne smiled waving at Chuck and looked at Gaius and Vlad. "See!? It's not odd at all!"

I glanced over at Mark who was walking toward the door. "Put the pants on, Mark." He looked down at himself and nodded, going to put them on.

Stan put a hand on Mark as Mark fastened the pants. "Come on. Time to make honest men out of all of us."

Mark grinned leaning in kissing Stan. "Sure, but I'm marrying you."

Going down the stairs to the foyer, people were pretty much outside getting to their seats. The downstairs was pretty empty now. We gathered at the rear door as our guests were sitting as a lady with a harp was played.

At last,...and I swear, there was a loud and long "bong" sound. Big Ben? I'd been to London and I knew that unique sound. The second bong, and then the third.

Gabriella waved at Amir and Nicolae. "Now."

We watched as Amir and Nicolae dressed in black versions of the grooms' white tuxedos, as they walked silently up the aisle and onto the platform carrying large polished wooden boxes about the size of shoeboxes. There short pedestal stands that were in the semi-circular pattern, the rounded end near our guests. On those pedestals were pillows of blue. They opened the boxes and placed a smaller box on each one. Then stood to the side and waited on opposite ends of the platform.

"All rise!" A man called from the side and all our guests rose to their feet.

Then we heard the beginning of the My Country Tis of Thee that only lasted a few seconds or a minute, maybe. Then again it could have been God Save the Queen because the next song began I didn't know that well, but I heard it once, in Romania. Wake up Romanian. To my surprise, another song began I had no idea what it was. Egypt's national anthem? Those songs morphed into a grand fanfare fit for royalty to proceed in. I would come to find out they were royal processions from two of the countries, Great Brittan, and Romania. I wondered where Gabriella or Mom found them. They were recordings, that's why the speakers were there.

"Colin and Devon," Gabriella said in a whispering hiss. "Go."

Colin grinned at me reaching his hand out taking mine. "Let's go."

Going at a comfortable pace we went to the platform where we parted, me going to stand by Nicolae and Colin by Amir. Stan and Mark were next to come to a stand in the center before the center pedestal then turned to see the others come up. Then Gaius and Vlad came next moving toward Nicolae and me but stood before another pedestal. Then Amasis and Wayne came up and moved toward Colin and Amir to stand before the next pedestal. Kev and Ellis were next and moved to stand before another pedestal near me and Nicolae. George and John came and did the same to stand before a pedestal near Colin and Amir.

The officiator came up to stand on the platform on a raised portion for him to be seen. He was a dark-haired man in his mid-forties dressed in a black judge's robe. He was not a preacher or religious leader, but a judge that could legally perform weddings. All the grooms turned to face him. The judge smiled at everyone on the platform and our guests sat. "I have got to say...this is the most...different approach I've ever seen when performing a wedding. Then again, as a judge, I do trial law mostly, I've only done a few weddings." He shook his head. "Five couples from different cultures and countries, all joining their soul with another they found love with." He smiled again looking in the faces of the grooms. He turned back to look up at the flags. "I find it appropriate that these flags are displayed." He turned back to the grooms and guests. "The colors on each of you. For even with the many countries from which these men came from, there is one thing they have in common. They have each found a soul that they want to spend their lives with. They have discovered...love. Someone to spend their lives with and know their secrets. They have also decided they would publicly share this joining with you...family and friends unashamed." The judge chuckled. "So, this will also be a slight change as they will all take the vows at the same time." He held up a hand. "Understand, it would take a long time to get to each one." There were the chuckle and laughter from our many guests. "I do not really know these men. I certainly know Colin Wentworth and Devon Wentworth, not because we've had dealings with each other, but by reputation. They are sort of...celebrities if you will. They stood before the world and told everyone they were getting married. That was a few years ago. Now, I see them together and it's evident. I'm a judge! I know evidence when I see it. Those two men love each other. Spend five minutes with the two of them and it is plain to see. Now, they have brought ten men...five couples that want love as they have. I can say that is also evident." He smiled again. "Now, it was given to me to make this legal. So, I must ask. Does anyone have an objection for any of these men to wed the person they have chosen?" He looked about the crowd and waited a second. The only sound was the wind in the trees and a few birds. "Then, I will ask you each take the hand and face that one person you wish to have in your life." Each of our couples up there did as instructed. "Do you, take this one soul, this one person to be joined in your life as your partner, your friend, and confidante? Do you take this one person to be their friend, partner, and confidante?"

All our friends were looking into the others' eyes and said. "I do."

"Will you stand fast beside this person? To promise to be there in those many good times and sometimes bad times, whether they are healthy or sick? Whether it be a life of wealth or poverty? Will you promise that this one person will be that one person and that you will not stray from this person emotionally in any fashion from this moment until death takes them or takes you away?"

"I do." They all said.

"Before each of you is a box containing rings." The judge motioned to the many boxes on the pedestals. "This ring you place on the finger of the other one you've chosen to spend your life with is more than just a claim. You are not just marking that other person as yours for the rest of your life. It is a symbol of the bond you forge at this moment. It will tell the world that this person belongs to you. It is also the symbol for the very emotion you have for this person. The ring, like this emotion, has no beginning and no end. As you place that symbol on the hand of this one soul, you will say, I take you as my husband from this moment forward for the rest of my life."

I watched our friends take the rings. I saw them smile at the other, I saw happy tears in many eyes...not just up here, but on the faces of some of our guests, too.

"I take you as my husband from this moment forward for the rest of my life." The many voices, many accents, but all heartfelt and said.

"I will now pronounce you, by the government of this land, by the power I have...I pronounce that you are all...married!" He looked at them all. "Kiss your husbands, gentlemen!"

I watched as each couple, some tears wiped and chuckles, but they lean into each other kissing the other person that meant so much to them. Our many guests were instantly standing and cheering, applauding and the music again began. The Wedding March! That was a tradition as all the guys were reluctantly letting the other go. I really wanted Colin now. Looking over at him, I saw he was looking at me the same way. He mouthed to me, as even with vampire hearing I wouldn't hear him. I love you. I saw and nodded mouthing back, I know. I love you. Colin smiled and mouthed. I know.