DJ - 17. Chapter 17

Wednesday morning, January 10th, Joe and I had the alarm set for 7:30 AM, because Joe has to leave by 9:30 to pick up his Mom at the airport at 11:30. I started a pot of coffee, and joined Joe in the shower, (the boys aren’t the only ones that like to share showers), and we were sitting naked at the table having coffee at 8:00.

“Joe, I’m really happy that your Mom is coming to our wedding, and that she is so open-minded to our lifestyle. At least you have one parent that will see you get married, mine are both gone. I never really questioned it, until I noticed it on the invitations, what does the V in your name stand for?”

“Victor,” Joe replied, “Joseph Victor Reynolds, when I was in school, the kids nicknamed me ‘Jovic’ combining my first and middle names, and that pretty much stuck with me through graduation. Victor was my father’s first name.”

“Well, Jovic,” I said, grinning, “as long as we’ve know each other, we can still learn things about each other, and I hope we have many more years to learn. I still can’t believe this day is actually coming, and now its only 5 days away! Until recently I thought I might die a bachelor, but I have hope now, thanks to you.”

“Doug,” Joe lamented, “what we’re doing Sunday, we probably should have done twenty years ago. Think of all the years of married bliss that we have lost.”

“Twenty years ago, we couldn’t have done it, it wasn’t legal.”

“But we could have formed a domestic partnership, and shared our lives together, even back then. I love you, and I’m so glad the laws have changed in our favor. Our Son isn’t to be shackled by those archaic laws. He and Jamie live in a better time, and most of the time can be themselves. I don’t think they even know about living in closets.”

I replied, smiling, “Joe, they way you just referred to DJ as ‘Our Son’ made my heart feel warm.”

“Doug, I think I probably love DJ just as much as you do, if we had been married sooner, I would have wanted to share his adoption, he’s my Son too!”

“Oh my god, Joe, speaking of adoptions, I forgot to send an invitation to Steve and Valerie, and it’s too late to mail it, I’ll stop by his office and hand deliver it today.”

The boys were still sleeping at 9:30 when Joe and I both left, Joe headed to the airport and I headed to Steve Jones’s office. I climbed the stairway, and walked in, invitation in hand. I didn’t see his secretary, but could see that Steve was in his office.

Steve, coming to greet me, “Doug! It’s good to see you, did you come to set up that appointment?”

“No,” I said, a little embarrassed, “I realized this morning that I had not mailed one of these to you, so I am hand delivering it.” I handed him the envelope with ‘Steve and Valerie Jones’ written on the front. Steve opened it.

“This Sunday, huh?” Steve smiled, “Can we bring the little ones?”

“I don’t know why not,” I replied.

“When are the boys going to Disney World?”

“Heh, they’ve already been, and got back Friday night, and they had an incredible time.” Steve smiled.

“I can tell you right now that Val and I will be there, we wouldn’t want to miss this occasion for the world. It will be our first gay wedding to attend, but somehow, I suspect it won’t be the last. While you’re here, do you want to set up that appointment?”

“I guess I can, would it be appropriate to bring my husband with me?”

Steve, grinning, “That sounds a little strange, coming from a man, but I think it would be quite appropriate, after all, he will be your spouse. When would you like to set it for?”

“We’ll be returning from our honeymoon on the 22nd of January, so how about Wednesday, the 24th, Joe and I are both off on Wednesdays.”

Steve, checking the appointment scheduler on the computer, “Would 2:00 PM work, on the 22nd?”

“That should be fine, Steve,” I replied

“Brenda, my secretary, will call and remind you on Tuesday, the day before, or early Wednesday morning. Valerie and I will see you this Sunday to share your special day.”

When I got back to the house, the boys were gone but had left a note. They had gone out to Jamie’s so they would be there when DJ’s Granny arrived, and we were all to have dinner at 2:00, and Jamie was not working today, but DJ was working my delivery shift from 3 to 9.

* * * * * * *

DJ and Jamie finally got up about 10:00 AM, got some breakfast and headed out to Jamie’s to await the arrival of DJ’s Granny. Since Joe and Granny weren’t really expected until after 1:30 PM, the boys decided to have some fun on the play station. After a couple of games, they just lay on the bed for a while.

Jamie told DJ he was gonna catch a cat nap, and DJ decided to go to the kitchen and keep Karen company while watching for Joe to pull in with his Granny.

“Honey, can you do me a favor,” Karen asked, “Go in and wake Carl up, he needs to get ready for work, and he probably will want to meet your Granny when she gets here.”

“Sure, Mom,” DJ said, “I’ll be right back.”

A few minutes later Carl appeared dressed in his work clothes. He came to the kitchen, kissed Karen, poured a cup of coffee and headed to the living room and turned on the TV to kill some time before dinner.

* * * * * * *

Joe arrived at the airport about 11:20 and parked, then walked into the arrival area. He checked the flight board and it showed his Mom’s flight to be on ‘schedule’ so he selected a seat and sat down to wait. A few minutes later the announcement came, ‘flight 248 from LA is arriving at gate 8.’

Joe was pretty excited, he hadn’t seen his Mom since his father had passed, over 10 years ago. He walked up toward gate 8, ready to give his Mom the biggest hug she had since they last saw each other. He could see out the window, as passengers started to de-bark from the plane, and saw his mother coming down the gangway steps, the stewardess had her arm holding his mother’s arm, just as a precaution.

Joe’s Mom walked into the terminal, and through the turnstile, and Joe could hardly wait to wrap his arms around her. She didn’t look much different than he remembered her just that her hair was maybe a little whiter, actually it was pure white.

“Mom!” Joe blurted, as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly.

“Careful Son,” She said, “you’re going to squeeze the life out of me!”

“Sorry, Mom,” he replied, “I’m just so terribly happy to see you, it’s been way too long! I know it will be a few minutes before we can get your luggage, so let’s sit over here.” They sat down.

“Joe,” she asked, “how long have you and Doug known each other?”

“Actually, we’ve known each other for 20 or 25 years. We dated each other for quite a while, and then drifted apart.”

“You never brought him around to meet Vic and me?”

“Mom, I could never bring any of my boyfriends around back then, you know how Dad was, he didn’t even want to accept me as gay.”

“I know, Son, how did you happen to get back together, and get to this point of finally getting married?”

“Mom, that’s a long and complicated story, but DJ is highly responsible, I’ll try to explain how this all came about on the way home. Let’s see if we can get your baggage, do you have your claim check?” Mom dug it out of her purse.

Joe retrieved his Mom’s two large suitcases, and they walked outside the terminal. Joe told his Mom to wait there, with the luggage, and he would get the car and pick them up. A few minutes later he drove up, placed the luggage in the trunk, and opened the passenger door for his Mom, and she got in.

Joe, as they pulled away from the airport, “Mom, you’re going to be meeting a bunch of people soon, Doug and I call them our ‘extended family.’”

“Joe, I’m getting hungry, can we stop and get some lunch?”

“Can you hold on for about an hour and a half, Karen is planning a dinner for all of us when we get back to our town.”

“Who is Karen?”

Joe, snickering, “I knew that was coming, Karen and Carl Seldon are Jamie’s parents, and Jamie is DJ’s boyfriend. The Seldon’s are part of our ‘extended family’ and we’ve made arrangements for you to stay with them while you’re here, as we don’t have a spare bedroom. Karen is excited to have you stay with them, and you will love her.”

“Mom, Doug and I have spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Seldon’s, and they have truly become family to us, thanks to DJ and Jamie. Karen and Carl are simply awesome people. I’ll try to explain how DJ brought Doug and I back together, and I did warn you that it’s a rather long and complicated journey.”

Joe spent the next hour of travel, explaining how DJ and Doug met, and how DJ captured Doug’s heart, all the way from their meeting each other, through the adoption, and now DJ will be Joe’s step-son, and how both Doug and himself unconditionally love DJ, their son.

“Joe, you sent me that photograph of DJ, he’s the most beautiful young man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I just want to hug him and kiss him!”

“I think the feeling is mutual, DJ has never had any grandparents that he knew, and he is so excited to be able to meet his Granny! I think, when you two meet, in about an hour, it’s going to be love at first kiss, and yes, DJ is a kisser, just like you, Mom.”

About an hour later, just about 1:45 PM, Joe and his Mom pulled into the Seldon’s driveway. The car had hardly stopped motion when Joe saw the back door open, and DJ was literally running towards Joe’s car, and to the passenger side. Joe turned off the ignition, releasing the door locks.

DJ, pulling the passenger door open, “GRANDMA!”

DJ took the elderly lady’s hands and helped her out of the car seat, onto her feet, then wrapped his arms around her, hugging her warmly. Tears were sliding down DJ’s face.

“Can I kiss you?” DJ asked, softly.

Granny smiled, “Sweetheart, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t!”

DJ and Granny shared an affectionate kiss, their lips meeting, and Granny wrapped her arms around DJ. It was almost as Joe had pictured it, except he thought it would happen inside the house. Yep, love at first kiss!

DJ placed his arm around Granny and walked her to the house, easing her up the back steps, and into the kitchen, where Karen was still preparing the food.

“Mom,” DJ announced, “this is Joe’s Mom, my Grandma, and Granny, this is Karen Seldon, Jamie’s Mom.”

“Mrs. Reynolds,” Karen said, “I’ve been so looking forward to your arrival, how was your flight?”

“It was very nice, Hon, but, my name is Agatha, and most folks just call me Aggie. When people call me ‘Mrs.’ it makes me feel even older that I already am, can I call you Karen?”

Karen, smiling, “That’s what most people call me, except for the boys, they both call me ‘Mom’ even though I am not DJ’s actual mother.”

“Mom!” DJ blurted, “you’re the closest to a mother that I have!”

“I’m sorry honey,” Karen apologized, “I didn’t mean it to sound that way. Aggie, Carl and I regard DJ as a second son, and he really means the world to us, just like Jamie. We do try to treat them equally.”

Joe walked in the back door with Aggie’s suitcases and set them down.

Karen, stepping to the living room, “Carl, can you come out here?”

Carl seemed oblivious to the fact that anyone had arrived, and wandered into the kitchen, and did a double take.

“Aggie, this is my husband, and Jamie’s father, Carl Seldon, and Carl, this is Joe’s Mom, and DJ’s Granny.”

Carl, taking Aggie’s hand and kissing it, “Welcome to our home, Aggie, I hope you enjoy your stay at the Seldon Hotel. We’ve been looking forward to your arrival.”

“Carl,” Karen requested, “we’re going to put Aggie up in the bedroom where Joe and Doug slept on Christmas Eve. Can you take her luggage, and show her to that room, please?”

“Sure, Karen,” Carl replied, picking up the luggage, and leading Joe’s Mom to the bedroom. A couple of minutes later they returned, and DJ was instantly next to Aggie, and placed his arm around her shoulders, more tears sliding down his face.

Aggie, grabbing a couple of napkins from the table, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” she asked, blotting the tears from his face.

“Nothing, Granny, I’m just so incredibly happy, I can’t control them,” and then came that patented smile.

“Oh my golly!” Aggie exclaimed, “Sweetheart, you’ve got the most beautiful smile!”

“Thanks, Granny,” DJ said, blushing slightly, and smiling even broader, “I’ve been told that before.”

“Aggie,” Carl commented, “when DJ smiles, the world becomes a brighter place! Aggie nodded in agreement.

Joe, looking at his watch, “I wonder where Doug and Jamie are, they knew they were supposed to be here at 2:00, Oh, Doug is pulling in now, maybe Jamie is with him.”

DJ suddenly, a strange look on his face, “No, he’s not, I forgot to wake Jamie up, I’ll be right back.”

DJ, entering their bedroom, “Jamie, get up, Granny is here!”

Doug walked in the back door, and Joe met him, giving him a loving kiss and hug, then pulled Doug over toward his Mom.

“Mom,” Joe spoke, “this is my fiancé, Doug Kendall, and Doug, please meet your, soon to be, Mother in Law, Agatha Reynolds.”

Aggie, standing up and putting her arms around me, “Thank you, Doug, for accepting my Son’s proposal, I’m finally going to have my second Son-in-law, I’m so happy to be here to see this ceremony. How about a kiss?”

I took Aggie in my arms, and gave her a warm and loving kiss.

DJ returned to the kitchen, towing Jamie with his hand, Jamie is rubbing his eyes with the other hand. He brought Jamie over by Granny.

“Grandma, this is my boyfriend, Jamie Seldon, and Jamie, this is Joe’s Mom, my Granny!”

Jamie, with a little uncertainty, “I’m pleased to meet you, and took her hand.”

Granny, “I traveled across this country to meet my Grandson’s boyfriend, don’t I at least get a kiss?”

Jamie, caught a little off guard, “Of course you do, Gram.”

Jamie leaned over to kiss Granny’s cheek, but Granny turned her head and her lips met Jamie’s lips, full on. No backing out now! DJ is grinning, ear to ear. Granny put her hands on the back of Jamie’s head, and held him there for about 30 seconds, getting a good taste of Jamie’s lips. Joe, Carl and Karen were all grinning.

“Jamie,” Granny stated, “you’ve got some mighty sweet lips, I see why my grandson fell in love with you!” Jamie’s face is crimson.

Karen spoke, “I hate to break up all this lovey-dovey stuff, but DJ has to work at 3:00 and Carl has to leave by 3:30, so we really need to eat dinner, like NOW!”

Typically Seldon style, Karen had prepared a delicious meal, and we all ate and enjoyed each other’s company. DJ called Randy and told him he was likely going to be 15 or 20 minutes late. Then he informed Joe and me that he planned to stay here at Jamie’s house tonight so he could spend more time with his Granny. I have a feeling that DJ and his Granny are going to grow really close, there is a really strong attraction between them.

After dinner, and DJ and Carl had both left for work, Jamie helped his mom put away the leftovers and clean up the kitchen and dishes. Joe and I spent some time with Aggie for most of the afternoon. Karen fixed us a light supper and we ate again about 7:00 PM. About 8:00 Aggie was expressing a desire to go to bed, as it had been a pretty long day for her.

Joe and I left after supper and went home, Jamie wasted some time on the play station while he was waiting for DJ to come home from work. Karen had already gotten Aggie settled in for the night, and wasted a couple of hours watching TV. When DJ returned from work, Karen fixed both boys a snack, and soon the whole house was tucked away for the night. Carl got home about 1:00 AM and quietly stripped, and slipped into bed with Karen, trying not to wake her.

* * * * * * *

Thursday morning Joe and I woke fairly early, and we were having coffee together about 9:00 AM. We both miss having the boys around, but DJ had wanted to stay at Jamie’s, mostly because Granny was there.

“Doug,” Joe asked, “what do you think of my Mom?”

“Point blank, I think she’s awesome, It’s hard to find people her age that are so accepting, you know, of our lifestyle. She’s made this trip to see her son marry another man. I doubt that my mother would have even traveled across town to see us marry!”

“Joe,” I said, smiling, “I think I’m in danger of losing my son, your Mom is quite capable of stealing him away from me.”

“I had a feeling,” Joe replied, “that Mom would latch on to DJ pretty easy, but I’m a bit surprised that DJ has taken to her with the velocity that he has. It’s like they are long lost friends that have found each other after years of separation.”

“Mom is very affectionate,” I said, “it was really funny to watch Jamie when she kissed him the first time, he was so shocked, and his face turned red! What are your plans for today, baby?”

“I think Mom and I have a lot of catching up to do, I thought maybe I would pick her up and take her someplace nice for lunch, better yet, why don’t WE take her out for lunch. You don’t have to be at work until 3:00 PM and I am off until tomorrow.”

“What time are you thinking, and I can give Karen a heads up.”

“Maybe about 11:30, it will give you two a chance to get to know each other a little better, and then, after you leave, I can give Mom a tour around town and show her our house.”

I made a call to Karen and explained our plans, Karen said she would have Mom ready to travel by 11:30.

* * * * * * *

Karen was up quite early, about 8:00, and made coffee, not certain what time Aggie might want to get up. The boys made their way to the kitchen about the time coffee was ready, both in their boxer-briefs. Karen suggested that, since we had a houseguest, they might want to put on some more clothing out of respect for Aggie.

Karen’s suggestion was just a little too late. Granny was walking down the hall just as the boys were heading toward their room.

“Do you boys have a good morning kiss for this old lady?” she stated, holding her arms wide open.

“Granny, we were just going to put on some clothes,” DJ said.

Granny, wrapping her arms around DJ’s almost naked torso, “Sweetheart, I could care less if you were butt naked, gimme your lips.”

DJ and Granny shared a loving kiss on the lips, and Granny was caressing DJ’s backside, from his neck down to his buns, even sliding her hand inside his boxer-briefs and giving his buttock a squeeze. Jamie started to open the door to their room.

“Jamie!” Granny exclaimed, “Stay right there, Sweetheart, you’ve got the silkiest, smoothest skin!” She then turned her attention to Jamie.

“Your turn, Jamie,” as Granny gave Jamie the same treatment, kissing him on his lips and even giving him the same squeeze on one of his buttocks. Both boys had to lower their faces to reach Granny’s lips, as they were both about 6” taller than she.

“Boys,” Granny stated, to their surprise, “I’m not exactly a stranger to the view of naked young men, my Joe was a nudist at heart, I think, and I saw his naked body almost every day, until he left home and went out on his own. Let’s go sit down at the table.”

Granny and the boys sat down, the boys both in their boxer-briefs. Granny sat on one side of the table with DJ next to her on the left, and Jamie on her right at the end of the table. Karen’s cell phone rang, and it was Doug.

“Aggie,” Karen stated, “Joe and Doug are coming to pick you up and take you to lunch about 11:30.” Aggie nodded.

The four of them enjoyed Karen’s breakfast, and they finished eating about 9:30.

“Karen,” Granny asked, “I don’t have to get ready for Joe and Doug for about an hour and a half, would it be ok if I take these boys to the living room for a while, so we can talk?”

“Sure, Aggie,” Karen replied.

Once in the living room, the boys instinctively sat next to each other on the sofa, DJ on the right end and Jamie in the center. They figured Granny would take the chair next to the sofa.

Granny standing in front of the boys and sticking her hand in between their touching thighs, “Move that butt over, Jamie, I want to sit in between you.”

“OK, Gran—is it OK if I call you Granny?” Jamie asked.

Aggie, smiling, “I’d be proud if you do, honey.” Granny snuggled down in between the two boys.

“How long have you two been boyfriends?” Granny asked.

“About 8 months,” DJ answered.

“I’m nosy,” Granny said, “please tell me the story, how you met, and how you got to where you are now, and what your plans are for the future.”

The boys spent the next hour, sharing their love story with Granny, starting with the first time DJ and Doug picked up that pizza, how they started school together at the community college, and how they’ve become nearly inseparable ever since they first met.

“So, for you two, it was love at first sight,” Granny commented, “and I do believe in love at first sight, any plans for marriage?”

“Granny!” DJ blurted, “we’re only 20, and we’ve been boyfriends for not even a year yet.”

“We’re not saying we wouldn’t consider marriage,” Jamie responded, “someplace down the line, but right now, our education and careers need to be on the front burner. Maybe, after we graduate, and can settle down, we might tie the knot, and maybe even raise a family.”

“I hope I’m still around to see that,” Granny remarked, “I can feel the love you two have for each other, and you would make a most beautiful and handsome couple, and I’ll bet, good parents too.”

About 11:00 AM Granny told the boys she wanted to freshen up a bit, as her ‘son’s’ were coming to pick her up in about a half an hour. After Joe and I picked Aggie up, the boys decided to play some games until they needed to shower and get ready for work, as they were both due at 3:00 PM today.

* * * * * * *

Joe and I took his Mom to the ‘Hometown Café’ for lunch, a small quiet café that specializes in ‘down home, homemade meals’. They even make their own rolls and pies, but they are a tad pricey, lunch will typically run about $12 to $15 per person, and dinners start at about $20 and go up from there.

Aggie asked us if we had our Tux’s rented yet. Joe and I looked at each other, this was something we’d never considered. We admitted that we had not considered even having Tux’s, and there was no place local that rented them, and we’d need to go to the city to find a rental place. Aggie insisted that we needed to have Tux’s for this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Joe called Jeff, his best man, to confirm his plan to stand with Joe, and to see if he might have a Tux. Jeff said he was looking forward to the ceremony but didn’t have a Tux. An hour later, our plans were made. The schedule is going to be tight. Monday, the 15th, is the boys’ first day back at school, and they had classes at 9, 10 and 11. Carl is taking Joe and me to the airport early Monday morning for our flight to Miami.

Okay, we’ve got it together. Joe is going to take DJ and myself to the city tomorrow (Friday) morning early, picking up Jeff on the way, to get fitted and rent the Tux’s. DJ and Jamie are both off on Mondays, and would make the trip back to the city after classes, to return them. We need to leave early, about 8:00 AM, as both Joe and Jeff are scheduled to work at 3:00 PM, and so are DJ and myself.

It was nearly 2:00 PM when we finished our lunch with Mom. Joe drove us back to our house so I could change and head for work. Joe then took a few minutes to show her our home, and she loved the shiny, ebony furnishings in the boys’ room.

Joe walked his mother back to the car, preparing to take her back to the Seldon’s, helped her in and closed the door, and walked around to the driver’s side, got in, and drove off.

“Joe, I have fallen hopelessly in love with my new grandson. He is just the most precious young man, well, both he and Jamie are pretty awesome. I can’t believe how much in love they are, and DJ has that killer smile, wow.”

“Mom, when we first knew DJ, we never saw that smile, it’s developed over a period of time. I have to show you something.
Right there is the Southside Drug store where Doug and DJ both work, and over here is Anthony’s Pizzeria, where Jamie works, and where our wedding will take place on Sunday.”

Driving about 5 minutes away, Joe pulled into the projects. The overall sight was one of disrepair, broken windows covered with cardboard, kids playing in dirt covered yards with no grass.

“Why are we here?” Aggie asked.

“Mom,” Joe said, tears in his eyes, “this is where we rescued DJ from, in early April, about 9 months ago.”

“Oh my god, Joe, I can’t believe he lived in a place like this!”

“He didn’t live here, Mom, he existed here. He was like a dying plant, Doug gave him love, and made him feel wanted, and secure, and now he bearing fruit! He just needed to know someone cared, and Doug and I care more than he will ever know.”

“Mom, please don’t tell DJ I showed you this, it’s an era of his life that he wants and needs to forget about, and his future, with the family that has adopted him and loves him so much, is quite bright. DJ is a very special, somewhat fragile, and well loved young man.”

“He’s a thief too,” Granny said, “he reached in and stole a chunk of my heart before I knew what was happening.”

“Mom,” Joe said, chuckling, “you put it out there to tempt him!”

Joe took his Mom back out to the Seldon’s about 4:00 PM, and then left to take care of some last minute plans, primarily making arrangements for the food for the reception. Anthony had told Joe that he could bring the food in on Saturday and put it in the walk-in cooler to keep until it was needed on Sunday. Even for a small wedding, such as ours, the details can get quite complicated!

When DJ and Jamie finished their shifts Thursday night, they returned to our house to spend the night, as we were all, except Jamie, leaving at 8:00 AM Friday morning, to go to the city to rent the Tux’s.

* * * * * * *

Friday morning, Joe and I woke at 6:30 AM to the sound of that pesky alarm. I made coffee while Joe shook DJ awake. DJ quietly slipped out of bed, leaving his boyfriend to sleep. Jamie was already planning, once he woke up, to go out to his house and entertain his future grandma-in-law. Jamie, also, was developing quite an attraction to Granny. DJ, Joe and I were having coffee, and I was planning to cook us up some breakfast before we left.

“DJ,” I said, “I know we talked earlier about maybe having Joe’s Mom stay here with you boys while we’re on our honeymoon. I really think though, that with your school and work schedules, it might be better to let Mom stay with Karen and Carl. If you guys spend your nights there, you’ll still have just as much time to spend with Granny, and she wouldn’t be spending any time alone.”

“You’re right, Dad, Jamie’s Mom is almost always home and I think she really enjoys having Granny around. I sure wouldn’t want anything to happen to Granny, and have no one around to help her.”

“DJ,” Joe commented, “Mom told me she would love to take you back to California with her.”

“I’d love to go with her,” DJ responded, smiling, “but only if Jamie can go with us too.”

“I kind of figured that!” Joe replied, smiling.

At 8:00 AM we all left in Joe’s Taurus, DJ sat in the back, and I occupied the front passenger seat. About 10 minutes away from our house, we picked up Jeff, and he took the other side of the back seat with DJ, and Joe introduced us all. We arrived at the rental place just a little after 10:00 AM, and spent the next hour getting measured and fitted. I couldn’t help but smile looking at DJ in a Tux, he looked especially stunning and handsome. Maybe some day he can wear one again, along with Jamie, on their own wedding day.

On the way back to town, we stopped at a roadside eatery and Joe treated us all to lunch. I had never met Jeff before today, and he seemed right decent, he was quite friendly and very likeable.

“Jeff,” DJ asked, “what’s it like, having a gay cop for a partner?”

“Most of the time,” Jeff replied, “no different than having any other partner. Once in a while one of the other guys would make a comment about me, and my queer partner, but I never let it bother me. Joe never flaunted his sexuality, and never once made a pass toward me. I always knew that he had my back, and I always had his. I was a little surprised, when Joe asked me to stand with him, but after the years we’ve known and trusted each other, I was honored to be asked to be his best man.”

We dropped Jeff off at his home, and the three of us arrived back at our home about 2:00 PM. DJ and I left about 2:30 to work our shifts at the store, and Mike was to pick Joe up about 3:00 PM. Being a Friday night, DJ and I will be getting off at 9:00 PM, and Jamie will be working until 11:00. When DJ and I clocked in, Randy told DJ he needed to talk with him.

“DJ,” Randy said, “this next week is probably going to be one of the toughest you’ll ever experience. You’re getting hit with a double whammy, it’s your first week back in school, and with your Dad being on his honeymoon, I’m going to need you to cover his delivery shifts too, and I’m going to need you to work Monday.”

“Somehow,” DJ lamented, “this doesn’t come as too great of a shock, but we may have a problem Monday. I have classes from 9-12, and then I have to make a trip to the city to return the rented tuxedos. I don’t think there is any way I can be back here to work at 3:00 PM. When I agreed to return them on Monday, I thought I would be off work that day.”

“I understand,” Randy replied, “just come in as soon as you can, and we’ll tell the customers their deliveries may be later than normal. DJ, I’m going to need you for at least a few hours, every day next week. I know you can do it, son!” Randy smiled, and hugged DJ’s shoulders.

DJ looked at next weeks’ schedule. He is scheduled from 3 to 9 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 5-9 on Thursday. At least he wasn’t doubling on Tuesday, but that still totaled 40 hours! Randy was right, it’s going to be a tough week.

When DJ and I clocked out at 9:00 PM that night, DJ headed right out to the Seldon’s house, anxious to spend what time he could with Granny before she went to bed. Jamie would be there about 11:20. DJ and Jamie are both scheduled at 3:00 PM on Saturday, so they will have some time to spend with Granny before they leave for work.

* * * * * * *

Saturday morning was nearly a replica of Friday morning, Karen, Aggie, DJ and Jamie all shared breakfast together. After breakfast, Granny got the boys back on the Sofa, and was, again, sitting between them. They told her about their Disney experience, and Granny was giggling like a little girl when they told about the two girls chasing them. Granny sure likes being close to these boys, and it seems the feeling is mutual. Being Saturday, Carl doesn’t have to work today.

Karen prepared a lunch for all of them, so the boys could eat before they left for work. After lunch, DJ and Jamie changed into their work uniforms, kissed Granny and Karen goodbye and left. Granny, Carl and Karen were still sitting at the table, conversing.

Aggie suddenly had tears running down her face, and grabbed a napkin to blot them, and Karen noticed, placing her arm around Aggie’s shoulders)

“Mom!” Karen exclaimed, “what’s wrong?” (Karen feels more comfortable calling Aggie ‘Mom’)

“Karen,” Aggie sniffled, “I don’t think I want to go back home!”

“But Aggie,” Carl spoke softly, “you have your daughter, and your grandchildren out there, and your home.”

“It’s not the same,” Aggie sniffled, “my grandchildren have grown up, and I maybe see them once every 5 or 6 weeks. My daughter picks me up to take me to my Doctor’s appointment, and take me shopping, but I feel that it’s out of obligation. I don’t want to go back, and leave DJ and Jamie behind, I love them too much.”

“I suppose,” Karen lamented, “it’s something that could be considered. I think having you visit here is like a novelty to DJ, as he has never had any grandparents that he knew. He and Jamie are adults now too, and they have their own lives to live. They might not have time to see you very often either, even if you lived close by.”

“Aggie,” Carl added, “you’ve still got about 10 or 12 days before you’re scheduled to return, so there is plenty of time to talk about the options.”

Sometime during the afternoon DJ received a text from Jamie: ‘when you get off tonight, I cud use some help here, luv ya’

DJ returned a message: ‘luv u 2, baby I’ll c u about 9’

* * * * * * *

When DJ and I clocked out that night, he informed me that Jamie wanted his help with something at the pizzeria, and they were going to spend the night at Jamie’s house (no surprise) and that he would be coming home before noon to dress for the wedding.

DJ walked in to the pizzeria and located Jamie.

“DJ, I still have customers to take care of, but Anthony said I could work on getting the party room set up for tomorrow in between, and I sure can use some help. We need to get something from the back room.”

DJ followed Jamie to the back room, and Jamie pulled a sheet of plastic off of a portable altar, quite nicely decorated with artificial flowers. The two boys carried it to the party room, and stood it up.

“Where did this come from?” DJ asked.

“Anthony has had it all along, he said this isn’t the first wedding to be performed here, and likely won’t be the last. Then we have to fold up most of the tables and arrange the chairs. I think the altar needs to go up there, at the far end.”

The boys located the alter at the far end of the room, then started to fold up tables, stacking them against one wall, and leaving just two long banquet tables against the back wall, opposite the altar. Jamie left to care for his customers, and DJ started to arrange the chairs, 6 chairs wide and 5 rows deep on each side of the room, leaving an isle down the center, utilizing all 60 of the available chairs.

Jamie, returning, “I think we better bring in a few more chairs from the dining room, I don’t think 60 will be quite enough.”

They brought in another dozen chairs from the dining room, and now the party room would seat 72 people, probably adequate. Jamie went and asked Anthony something, and Anthony went into his office and returned, handing Jamie the last two rainbow tablecloths left over from the Alliances pizza party.

DJ and Jamie spread out the tablecloths on the two banquet tables, and Anthony walked into the room, a gave it a once-over.

“Looks great, guys!” Anthony exclaimed, smiling, “it’s a perfect layout for a gay wedding!” The boys smiled, and shared a kiss.

“Jamie,” Anthony spoke, “I didn’t schedule you early tomorrow because I knew you’d want to attend this wedding, as we all do. Since you know where we keep everything around here, like serving spoons, I’m going to ask you to kind of keep tabs on the needs here tomorrow for anything they may need, and you can clock in at 4:00 PM and close. By the way, I’m closing the restaurant to the public between 1:00 and 3:00, so we can all witness the ceremony.” Then, “Jamie, are you guys ready to leave? Let’s get out of here!”

DJ and Jamie drove both of their cars to Jamie’s, as DJ needed to leave early to go home and get dressed for the wedding. By the time they got to Jamie’s house it was nearly midnight, and Granny was long gone to bed, and so were the boys, within minutes.

“Baby,” DJ said, as they lay in bed, “I can’t believe the big day is here! Tomorrow night at this time I’ll have both of my Dad’s, legally married! My biggest dream is coming true.”

“This is awesome, DJ, I’m so happy for you, and for them.”

* * * * * * *

DJ had set his phone alarm for 10:00 AM as he needed to be to his house by noon to get dressed for the Big Day, the day he gets to walk his Dad down the isle, and give him away. On a scale of 1 to 10, his excitement is on 11.

Everyone was up, and Karen had prepared a nice breakfast, and DJ was almost to excited to eat, but Karen convinced him he needed to at least eat a little. Karen told DJ that she and Carl would be happy to bring Granny to the wedding. Shortly thereafter DJ left for his home to shave and dress in his tuxedo.

Joe and I broke tradition, as we had slept together the night before, and the night before that, and the night before that and…Oh, well.

Marla and her husband pulled up to the front door of Anthony’s about 1:15 PM and she walked in, greeted by Anthony. She told Anthony she had a wedding cake to deliver here. Anthony stood by the door to hold it open while Sam, (Marla’s husband) carried the three tier cake in, and then Anthony led them to the party room and Sam placed the cake on one of the two banquet tables.

Sam returned to the car and drove it to a parking space, picked up his photography equipment and returned. Jamie had come in early, and he was carrying containers of food and placing them on the tables. Anthony brought a rack in, that had sterno candles to keep food hot, then brought in a large, restaurant pan of lasagna, and set it over the flames.

A punch bowl was placed next to the cake, and Jamie started to pour gallon jugs of cold punch into the bowl, then set several stacks of clear plastic punch cups, with wedding decorations, next to the bowl.

A lady entered, carrying a black robe and a bible, and told Anthony that she was Pastor Evelyn White, and that she was to perform a ceremony here today. Anthony showed her the altar and she seemed pleased with the layout of the room.

When Joe and I arrived, we were quite pleasantly surprised at the number of cars in the parking lot. It was still only 1:30, and when we walked inside, it looked like about 40 people were sitting in the party room, mostly toward the back of the room. Some of them I knew, and some Joe knew and a few that we both knew.

Carl and Karen arrived with Aggie in between them, and they walked Mom to one of the chairs in the front row and sat with her. Jeff arrived and was talking with Joe, then about 15 police officers entered, several of them in uniform. I spotted several of my coworkers, including Randy and Daryl, Cindy, Lois, and Gloria. I was becoming somewhat overwhelmed, somehow I didn’t realize we had quite this many friends, that were willing to honor our marriage.

Jamie and Anthony started to carry more chairs in from the dining room, creating a 7th row of chairs, any more guests would likely need to stand.

Pastor Evelyn, approaching us, “Gentlemen, I need to verify a couple of things. First I need to know, who is who in this wedding party.

“I’m Doug Kendall, and this is Joseph Reynolds, we are the grooms, and this is Jeff Strobel, Joe’s best man, and this is my loving Son, DJ, who is giving me away today.”

“Fine, have you guys written any special vows, or are we going adlib?”

“I thought we thought of everything,” Joe replied, “but we didn’t consider special vows, so, I guess we’ll go adlib.”

“That’s fine,” Pastor Evelyn said, “I think we’ll start with Jeff bringing Joseph down the isle to the altar, and if you’ll stand on the right side, then DJ, you’ll walk your Dad down the isle, and you two will stand on the left. Is that OK?” We all agreed.

Pastor Evelyn put on her robe, picked up her bible, and walked to the altar. The room was suddenly as quiet as a morgue.

“Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and relatives. I am Pastor Evelyn White, of the Universal Life Church. Although my Church does not condone marriages, other than between members of the opposite sex, as a Pastor, I am a very strong believer that love has no gender. I firmly believe that two people that are in love with each other, regardless of gender, have the right to marry, with God’s blessing.”

“We are gathered today, to witness the commitment of two such people to each other.” She turned and started a CD playing on a boom box that none of us had noticed. It was not the conventional ‘Here comes the Bride’ but was soft music that we could stroll to.

“Jeff, if you will accompany your groom to the alter?”

Jeff took Joe’s right hand in his left hand, and they strolled down the isle to the altar, Joe standing in front of the Pastor.

“Now, DJ, if you will walk your father down the isle?”

DJ took my left hand in his, and strolled me down the isle to the altar, tears in his eyes, and that patented smile on his face. Arriving at the alter, Joe and I instinctively held each other’s hands. The Pastor spoke.

“Joseph V. Reynolds, do you take Douglas R. Kendall to be your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and honor, to love and to care for, in good times and bad, through sickness and health, until death tears you apart?”

“I do!”

“Douglas R. Kendall, do you take Joseph V. Reynolds to be your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and honor, to love and to care for, in good times and bad, through sickness and health, until death tears you apart?”

“I do!”

“Do you have rings?” Evelyn asked. Joe and I both fished in our pockets, producing the wedding bands.

“You may place the rings on each other’s hands.” Joe and I slipped the rings onto each others left ring fingers.

“By the powers given me by the Federal Government, and from our Creator, I hereby pronounce Joseph and Douglas to be legally married husbands! You may kiss each other.

Joe and I wrapped our arms around each other, and shared our first passionate kiss as a married couple. It was wonderful, and as we kissed, the room erupted in applause, and pastor Evelyn smiled.

“If I may say something!” Joe hollered, “not only are we two extremely happy husbands, I know we have made someone else very happy today, I’d like to introduce OUR SON, DJ, I put an emphasis on the OUR for a reason. My husband, Doug, went through all the hoops to legally adopt DJ as his legal Son. Now, today, DJ is MY SON TOO, and I am so extremely proud of him.”

DJ stepped between us from the back and placed an arm around each of our necks, hugging us both and Sam got a beautiful shot of the three of us together, DJ sporting that patented smile.

“OK EVERYBODY!” I hollered, “My husband spent a lot of money on all this food, so DIG IN! We sure can’t eat all this.”

Daryl, approaching me, “Doug, I know this is your big party, but can I make an announcement?”

“Sure Daryl.”

“HEY EVERYBODY, CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION? I know that most of you have no idea who I am, I’m kind of a tag-a-long today. My name is Daryl Cartwright, and I’m a housemate of Randy Shultz, the General Manager of your local Southside Drug and Pharmacy, and I’ve recently been transferred here as an assistant manager of the local CVS.”

“Randy, can you come over here please?” Randy reluctantly came to where Daryl was standing.

“Folks, Randy and I have known each other for seven years, we met at the university, studying to be pharmacists. We were Dorm-mates, then, after graduation, became apartment-mates, and now, we’ve rented a house together, so we’re housemates.”

“I’ve loved this man for seven years, and—I know this is a little awkward—but…”

Daryl, grabbing a small box from his pocket, and dropping to one knee, “Randy, will you marry me?” The room erupted with cheers.

Randy, tears flooding his face, “I thought you would never ask! Yes, Daryl, I will marry you!”

Daryl, “HEY EVERYBODY! HE SAID ‘YES’!” Daryl pushed his fists into the air, smiling. The room continued to cheer.

“Daryl” I said, grinning, “that was a mighty unique proposal, congratulations, guys!”

DJ, smiling that patented smile, “Congrats, Randy, I’m very happy for you two, did you know what Daryl was going to do?”

“No DJ, it was a complete shock, but the best shock of my life!”

Gloria, speaking to DJ, ”Didn’t I tell you they were soul-mates?”

Somebody handed Joe a knife and said we had to cut the cake.

“I’ve just been informed” Joe hollered, “that we’re supposed to cut the cake!”

In traditional fashion, Joe and I both with hands on the knife, cut out the first slice, and placed it on a small plate, then fed forkfuls of it to each other, grinning all the way, while the guests cheered.

I suddenly had hands wrapped around me from behind, and this deep voice said “Congratulations Dad, awesome wedding!” I spun around, looking right into Matt’s face, and he is grinning.

“Why, thank you Matt, I didn’t recognize your voice.”

Matt, snickering, “That’s OK, I don’t recognize it either, I’m really happy for you and Joe—and DJ, he finally has his step-dad.”

It’s about 4:00 PM and the crowd is thinning. All the policemen have left, except Jeff. Randy and Daryl caught up with Pastor Evelyn and got her information, and told her they likely would have another wedding for her in the near future. Gloria had opened that morning, and she and Jerry had left.

Randy had to re-open the store at 5:00 PM, but Daryl had the entire day off. Randy asked Daryl to hang around the store with him until closing, at 9:00 PM.

Joe asked Anthony how the lasagna happened to appear. Anthony said that everything Joe bought was cold stuff, salads and the like, and he thought they ought to have something that was hot, so he made the lasagna, his gift to our wedding reception. Joe told him thank you and it was much appreciated. Looking at the pan, it was also gone.

We asked DJ and Jamie to take whatever food was left to Karen’s, since Granny was still there, and the boys were staying there while Joe and I were on our honeymoon. We took the top tier of the cake home with us, and put it in the fridge.

Sam took our phone numbers, and told us it would be about 2 weeks before the package would be complete, and we could meet some place to get it. DJ paid Sam the $100 in cash, and I paid Marla in cash for the cake. Joe took care of Pastor White, and I never knew what she had charged for her service.

Randy and Daryl were kidding with Joe and me about the cruise. I told Randy that Joe and I likely would be the oldest old queens on the ship. Daryl mentioned that even old queens enjoy the eye candy that will be flitting around that deck, and wagging their tails.

Carl asked, “Joe, do you and Doug have plans for this evening?”

“Yes,” Joe answered, grinning, “I’m taking my new husband home and consummate our marriage!” then, “in actuality, we’re going home and pack for our honeymoon.”

“I’m sure,” Carl said, grinning, “you’re well practiced on that consummation thing! Your flight is at 11:00 AM, so you need to be there at 10:00. I’ll be at your house to pick you up at 8:00 AM tomorrow morning. Enjoy your first night sleeping together as husbands.”

Joe and I went over and kissed Aggie goodbye, and reminded her that we would be coming back a couple of days before she had to leave for California. Carl and Karen gathered Aggie up and they left for home.

Joe and I left Anthony’s and returned to our home, DJ and Jeff followed us in separate cars. Once at the house, DJ and Jeff went to the boys’ room, took off the tux’s and changed into regular clothes. Joe and I just removed the tux’s, leaving our underwear on, as we were about to do our packing, and then go to bed.

DJ gathered up all of our tux’s and put them in the Tracker, and came back in. We thanked Jeff, and he left for home. DJ gave both Joe and me a very passionate hug and kiss, and reminded us how thankful he was to now have both Dad’s, legally.

“I’m going to miss you both,” DJ said, “but at least I will know that you are having fun, and doing something you’ve wanted to do for years, and be able to do it as a married couple. I’m so incredibly happy. It’s hard to believe that winter break is over, and we have school tomorrow already!”

DJ ran back to their room and grabbed both his and Jamie’s backpacks, and left the house and headed back to Anthony’s. It was still only 7:30 PM and Jamie was scheduled until 9:00, and DJ figured Jamie probably needed his help to clean up from the reception. He figured right. Jamie’s face lit up when DJ walked in the door.

With DJ’s assistance they had everything cleaned up and back in place by 9:10, Jamie was actually off duty at 9:00. They gathered up the leftovers, and put the containers in the back of the Tracker.

“DJ,” Anthony said, “Thanks for coming back and helping Jamie clean up, I’ve told you before, if you ever need a job, I would hire you in a heartbeat, and when you two work together, you’re like a well oiled machine.”

“Thanks, Anthony,” DJ stated, “We’ve got school tomorrow, first class at 9:00 AM, so we need to get home and get to bed.”

When the boys got back to Jamie’s house, Granny was already in bed. The boys brought the leftovers in from the Tracker, and Karen told them to go on to bed, and she would put the stuff away, and Carl helped her. Jamie told Karen that their first class was 9:00 AM this semester, so they needed to leave here by around 8:30 on most mornings.

Carl planned on getting up about 6:00 AM tomorrow as he was to pick up Doug and Joe at 8:00 and wanted time for a couple cups of coffee before leaving.

(to be continued….)