Makarovia! Yes, I Know Where That is! Sophomore Year - 38. Chapter 38

The Wedding

Part Five

I sat talking with Anderson when Olek came to the table we had deserted a while ago. He slumped down with a sigh in a chair by us.

“The next occasion like this,” Olek said. “We need to rethink this mingle and dance thing.” He smiled. “I'm am...” he looked at me and Anderson confused, “What is an English word for tired?”

Anderson and I chuckled. “There are several.” I said. “I think pooped is the one your looking for here.”

Olek nodded. “Yes, that's the word. Pooped. Light, but conveys the idea of a good type of tired.” He smiled at us again. “I am pooped.”

“Olek, have you met Anderson Cooper?” I asked.

Olek nodded. “He was fourth for me.”

Anderson nodded. “I got the Jack of Spades for him.”

Peter came back and sat with us. “Hi, Anderson!”

“Hi.” Anderson replied and turned to me. “I got the nine of clubs for him.” He looked at his chair. “I'm probably taking someone's seat.”

“We have other chairs.” Olek said simply. “Stay if you want to. Anyone interviewing more than once is allowed to stay.” He looked around quickly. “I've had some that have interviewed me a few times. I hope they didn't hear that.”

I looked at Anderson. “Are you with someone here we should bring over?”

Anderson shook his head. “Naw, the crew CNN sent with me are fine.” He shrugged. “I didn't choose any to show any preference between them. So, no.”

It was nice to see him being less the professional journalist and just a guy. He was relaxed with us.

“How soon do you have to get up in the morning?” Peter asked.

Anderson physically waved that away with a swipe of his hand in the air. “My internal clock is out of whack. I'll be up for an update at eleven in the morning.”

Olek's eyes grew. “Out of whack? I've never heard that.”

I chuckled. “No one's said that to you?”

Olek put his hands out helplessly. “Apparently not. Is it like crazy?” He looked at Anderson. “I'm not saying you are, but...”

Anderson laughed. “No, my body is still on Eastern Standard Time. It's only about nine in the evening there. My body has to reset.”

Olek was nodding as Anderson was explaining. “Oh, I certainly understand that.”

Peter chuckled as Olek learned a new phrase. “I asked because I was going to invite you to our Send Off party after this.”

Anderson grinned. “It's a Bachelor Party?”

Drew came over. “It is a party and they will be bachelors. Yes, it's a bachelor party.”

“Yes, yes,” Peter said and looked at Anderson. “To all that. Would you come?”

“It's a party with just friends.” Olek added.

Anderson chuckled. “I'd love that.”

People were coming back as they finished their interviews. I looked over at my grandmother. She was popular. To me, she was Grandma, but she once was a celebrity of her own in the past. That connection to me and my new family wasn't brought up. She had been the Queen of the Ballet! Even Anderson knew who she was and said his mother had often seen her, but what happened next I never would have expected.

Grandmother came over with a smile. Anderson and I stood up and as she got closer she smiled at Anderson. “Hello, Anderson! It's wonderful to see you again!” Extending her hands which Anderson took and they kissed cheeks and hugged! They didn't just know about each other, but knew each other!

'It's good to see you, Miss Katrina.” Anderson said her name as a child would address a friend who was older. “The last performance I saw was Sleeping Beauty. It was as always spectacular. I was a lot younger then.”

Grandmother gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment of that. “I was, too.” She then smiled again.

“Wait.” I held the time out signal with my hands. “Time out. You knew Anderson before?” I asked grandmother surprised. “You saw the interview we had with him, why didn't you tell me?”

Grandmother shrugged. “I didn't think of it. I'd seen him often with his mother when he was younger. His mother a patron of the arts. She frequented my performances. Sometimes he'd come with her.” She looked at Anderson. “I am sorry you lost her. She was a good soul.”

Anderson nodded. There was a brief look of pain in his eyes. There would be. She was his mother. I knew this pain having recently lost my own mother. “Thank you.” He said.

“It's hard. I know.” Then I smirked at Anderson. “Okay,” I said, “you two met when?”

Grandmother chuckled. “Quite a few times. From when he was this...” she held her hand to her waist, “to this.” She waved to Anderson.

Anderson ran a hand through his hair grinning. “I still had dark hair then.”

“I think you look great with silver hair.” Grandmother ran her fingers in his hair. “You're more handsome than ever.”

I shook my head at them in a grudging nod. “You are so going to that party tonight, Andy!” I gave him a playful shove. “I told you about her was in that interview last year!”

Anderson laughed. “Yes, you did, but only said where she was from, not who she was! There have been a few defecting Russian ballet dancers.” He shrugged pointing at us. “And I wasn't there about her, but about you and Peter. I didn't think of it. I had a limited time to get to things.” He explained grinning grandly as he said it.

I slowly nodded. “I will except that. For now.” I looked at grandmother. “Is there anyone else you may have forgotten to mention?”

Grandmother smiled giving a slight, grudging nod. “I'm sure there are.” Her eyes twinkled at me. “I had a life, you know? I'll mention it when the next one comes around.”

I adored that woman.

As this part of the pre-wedding party came to a close, I did notice that the male portion of the Ivanovs were missing. I still had Peter, so I was good. I knew what they were doing. I've drank before and gotten wasted only a handful of times. I really didn't care for beer. I would try to not get too drunk and hurt in the morning. It would be unthinkable to puke at this wedding. The world would be watching! Unforgivable! I chuckled at a thought. Seeing a drunk General Hammond might be worth it. David Burke I could imagine. I didn't see either of them as a mean drunk, but you never knew.

Then I saw Fedir Hycha, the man who located the missing files and pictures about the Holocaust Survivors, come over, followed by his husband Kurt.

“Fedir, Kurt! Hello, my friends.” I greeted them rising to do what I do. Hug. Peter did the same. “This our friend Anderson Cooper.” I waved to Anderson. “And my grandmother, Katrina Sams.”

Hands shook and all that, Fedir looked at me. “You know what's going to happen, so let's go.” He looked at my grandmother. “They didn't exclude you, Mrs. Sams.”

“To attend a men's party?” Grandmother chuckled. “I'll pass. Beauty sleep and all that. You boys go on.” She got up and kissed my cheek. “Have a good time. We'll see you tomorrow.” She kissed Peter's cheek and headed off.

We got up to the palace's main floor and headed away from the media stragglers from the party below. Rounding a corner we saw a line of Makarovian guards at the door of the family room. There was a recessed door? It was never closed before. I didn't know that. As we got near, it slid open a little.

Olek's head came out and asked. “Are they...” He saw us. “There you are!” His head disappeared and we heard. “They're coming!” There was a whoop in Drew's voice and some other voices speaking English, Makarovian, Russian from Yuri and Mario's deep Italian accented voice spoken English. They didn't sound like a group of grown men right now. Teenage boys maybe.

“English, Gentlemen.” Wayne urged, “for the language challenged Englishmen!”

“And American!” David added. “Hey! I'm outnumbered here!”

Anderson grinned at the sounds that were supposed to be hushed, but weren't. “Do you really want to go in there?” He chuckled to us.

“We have to.” Peter chuckled. “But you don't.”

I grabbed Anderson's coat sleeve. “Oh, yes, he does!” Making Anderson laugh.

We walked into chaos. I didn't see a lot of order yet as they moved to do different things. Suddenly Peter and I were wearing white wedding veils as Drew and Wayne put them on our heads. The kind of veil that was a ring around the head and the white veil behind us.

“There is no bride!” Peter said laughing.

“There is right now!” Yuri said loud.

Anderson smiled bigger. “This looks like fun!” He slipped off his jacket and tossed it over a chair on the side and loosened his tie.

The long table was slid to the side of the room with the chairs. On the table were many bottles of various alcoholic drinks. All top shelf.

“As of now,” Olek said, “As king, I declare all things not fun are forbidden from this room.” He held up two empty glasses. “But first, he poured something brownish amber colored in the glasses. He looked at me. “You drink scotch, right?”

“I do,” I held out my hand. “Mixed drinks the last few months only...”

“I know, the first one burns.” Olek nodded. “So, just a splash for now.”

I glanced back at Fedir knowing how Kurt had restricted his husband's consumption a year ago. Kurt nodded. “It's a special occasion. A splash now, and moderation after that. If I sense any...”

Fedir kissed Kurt quickly and accepted the glass with a smile.

“As wonderful as things are going for Makarovia,” Olek began. “Things for my little brother are going very well. Two years ago, he stepped out out of his discomfort to help Makarovia and met someone that meant something to him. In little more than a dozen hours, he will bring that someone into this kingdom and my family. I can't wait to see what happens next.” He raised his glass. “My brothers, to a very happy future.”

Glasses raised and clicked together and the contents thrown back. Yep, that first “splash” burned. My head did it's usual involuntary quick shake as I swallowed.

“Now,” Drew said. “We play a game. Beer pong?”

“Shot Roulette?” Olek asked.

Face it, all the games were drinking games. The fun was not the game's point, really. The more drunk the guys got, the funnier things got! The game of “if you never” or “if you ever” was played where you took a drink if you never or ever. You had to trust the man answering was honest. Let's just say, the question of who and who wasn't gay or straight was a little blurred. It wasn't one of the ones you would think. It was given by David. “If you've never kissed a man and meant it, take a drink.” No one took a drink. He was looking at me. Was this David's way of telling me or us he had kissed a man and meant it? That no admission of anything. Of course, those of us that were gay had kissed men and meant it. Edmond, too. Did that mean Olek and Mario were bisexual? Maybe, the interpretation of “if you meant it” could be questioned. When asked if we'd kissed women and meant it. I couldn't drink. I had meant it. Peter didn't drink either. He'd meant to kiss her, as well. Then was the Charades! A few had gotten slightly toasted by then and acting things out was quite humorous.

A lot of these were “you had to be there” things. Being drunk helped, too. It was nice to see some rather reserved individuals try to keep that reserve. Edmond and Mario were funniest in their attempts to maintain that reserve. Anderson just blended with the rest of us acting as crazy as the rest. He was hilarious at Charades! What he had tried to get us to guess was “golden shower.” Embarrassment and not wanting to act them out made it more funny! All of the things we had to make the others guess was about sex. I nearly lost it when Mario got “tea bagging.” He had to have that translated by Olek who could speak a little Italian. It was even funny as Olek spoke softly in Italian when we saw Mario get it as his eyes widened slowly as he understood. The man was turning red before he even started! Peter got “hung like a horse.” I got “pearl necklace.” David was not surprising. He got “banana hammock.” He did fine with it. Edmond was like Mario when he got “chocolate highway.” it went on and on! I know we were loud.

The quick drunk was preferred as was the quick sobering. It would be. The four or five hours passed when Eloise and Helen came to collect their husbands at the agreed upon hour. They were dressed more for lounging than sleeping now. Edmond and David had insisted the guards be Makarovian to avoid as many as possible from seeing them in this condition.

“I hate that they are returning to Skoal.” I said to Peter.

“They're not.” Olek said happily behind us. “They have rooms downstairs.” He shrugged. “It seemed logical.”

“We don't to destroy their reputations.” I smiled as Olek was starting list to one side. I stood him up straighter. “How many drinks have you had?”

Olek shook his head. “Iduno. I lost count. How many have you had?”

“Enough.” I said smiling as I pulled him up straight again. I was drunk. I'd never pass a sobriety test now, but not that drunk. “Should we send for Helga and Mom?”

“Don't bother,” Helga laughed coming in the room. “We sort of figured we better come.”

Looking at Mario, he was having trouble keeping his balance, too.

“Did you boys enjoy yourselves?” Mom asked looking at Mario closer.

Mario nodded. “We did.” He looked at the surrounding guys. “A greater bunch of men I don't know of.” His accent thicker.

“Oh,” Boris piped in. Yuri and Boris were supporting each other. “When the morning comes and you are feeling a little hungover, come here and I'll administer a sure way to get rid of it.”

“It's tradition!” Olek said shrugging.

“And we are big on traditions here.” Peter threw his arm around Olek. He looked seriously at Olek. “My big brother. My protector, but most important one of my closest, dearest friends. I love you, Olek.”

Olek was drunk, too, but said surprisingly sober. “You're one of my closest and dearest friends. I love you, too. I watched you grow up. I saw when you suffered,” he said with pain in his voice, “and it hurt me. I didn't know what to do.” He ran a hand over his brother's face in almost a caress. “I treated you as I would normally to show you it didn't matter to me. You were normal. You are my brother! Then, I was gone a lot. You were left here to deal with it alone. You shocked me when you told me you wanted to go to Northeastern. You were a hermit practically, but insisted on going.” He pulled Peter closer with in a one armed hug kissing him loudly on the cheek. “I was prepared for anything, even a call telling me he wanted to come home. Instead, in a few months' time, he meets Eric. He brought Eric to a dinner at the American President's House!” He shook his head. “He told us nothing about what he was doing there, but the man I met showed me this new Peter! He was still Peter, but this...” He shook his brother's face. He pulled me into his hug with Peter. “I meet Eric and I quickly fell in love with him, too.” He looked at Peter. “Not like you did, but I am in love with Eric.” Maybe the alcohol was working as he spoke with a little heavier accent. English was the language everyone understood. “How could he find someone in America that speaks the language so well? The switch from Ukrainian to Makarovian he did in only a few weeks! Whatever or whoever in charge of all things had to be involved. This was destiny! Who am I to argue?” He looked at Peter and me. “I love these two. My brothers. And today, you become an Ivanov!” He touched my face with both hands. “A welcomed member of the family.” He kissed me again. He might have been a little drunk, but meant every word.

Helga came up again and smiled. “Which you will miss if you don't get some sleep, engel.” I didn't need to speak German to know she called him angel. Yay for Olek. I wondered what he called her.

Fedir and Kurt were fine going home through the tunnels.

I watched as partners helped the other to get upstairs. I looked at Anderson. He didn't look like the top journalist right now, but was smiling at Peter and me. “You two have a great family.”

I nodded. “Yes, we do.”

The tie was on more loosely now and the jacket still off. The top buttons on his shirt was unbuttoned.

I took the veil off. We were forbidden to remove them until this was over. “Do you need help to your room?”

He stood up and stumbled a little. “I might.” He chuckled. “Which way do I go for the elevator?”

“We'll help you.” Peter assured.

I got on one side of him and Peter got to the other side. Anderson looked at us and frowned. “Why are you two so lucid?”

“The drink I had, I had most of the night.” Peter confessed.

I nodded. “Mine, too.” I laughed. “I had maybe three or four little drinks. I'm a little drunk.” I admitted. “I'd never drive like this.”

Anderson shook his head. “That's not right. That was for you! It was a Bachelor Party and you were the bachelors.”

“And we enjoyed it.” Peter smiled at me. “You did, didn't you?”

I chuckled. “I loved it. Mario was losing his English and so was Olek.”

Peter laughed. “It was good to see those disciplined personas dropped a while. Tonight they were just men.” He hugged Anderson in that masculine one armed hug men often give. “We were all family and good friends. One that was a delightful surprise.”

The Gallery was almost deserted. There were a few crewmen worked quietly on somethings. I heard something about the best angle as they worked. I saw the logo on the privacy “tent” they had. CTV. They were Canadian. What secret did they have they wanted the security for? There was a wedding. Everyone knew about that. They all had those tents.

Anderson wasn't falling down and puking drunk, but we made it to the elevator and took him to his room.

We got to our room and undressed.

“Are you too drunk for a little love making?” Peter asked.

“Never.” I said crawling into bed with him I saw his erection. “You're not.” I chuckled stroking it.

“I get erections with you just standing there. That's why I use those boxer briefs. I love you.”

“I know you do.” I kissed him gently. “I love you.”

He grinned. “I know.”

I don't care what people think, but having that one person that you are so familiar with is priceless. We knew each other so well we knew what the other wanted and liked without using words now. We discovered new things and enjoyed trying new things, but now a slow physical affirmation of our love for each other was happening. It was a deep love that required that we did it slowly.

I've painted a very positive picture of the events that happened. There were some pretty negative happening in the world. Protests were recorded. People tried to get into Makarovia and as we had no commercial flights yet it was harder. This was Spring. There were roads into Makarovia and they tried coming in that way. At the bottom of the palace people were watched. If signs came out to protest, they were arrested immediately. People had a right to think what they wanted, but speaking out against the King or his brother was treason! Couples like us, male and female, were approached in the underground and attached verbally. One man was going to paint something on a couple. Not in Makarovia! They were thrown out by the people of Makarovia, no police or guards needed. No one was attacking our citizen's friends and family.

It was the conservatives in the world...and I'm ashamed to say those in the USA where the most vocal. Preachers, pastors and whatever religious leader condemned us from their pulpits.

On a national and international conservative Christian news show, two discussed it sadly. They didn't scream that we were going to Hell. Makarovia, King Olek and Queen Alla were misguided souls who didn't see the sin they were promoting and needed salvation. Peter and me in particular.

“What sort of message are we sending our children when these two, obviously lost souls are rallied around by so many people in the world? They have become media darlings for millions of impressionable young people that see them and think, maybe it's not so wrong. Their being seduced by the glamour of what they see.” The older man asked shaking his head, using that soft voice telling people he was a meek man by not verbally attacking us.

The man with him had nodded his agreement while the other spoke. “God ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman. The immorality of what their doing is sweeping the globe!” The other said agreeing.

“Makarovia did some courageous things in Europe during those horrible years with Hitler during World War II by they opened their hearts and doors to those people that suffered during that just awful Holocaust. But this is just a slap in God's face...”

Yet interviews of citizens of The United States on the streets, most didn't care and was looking forward to watching us get married themselves so didn't see the problem.

Canada and Australia were not as bad, but the Middle East was very upset. They banned watching the wedding, cutting off any network broadcast and computer access was forbidden and even had criminal charges attached if they even tried! Sure, that always helped. (Heavy sarcasm just then.)

The next morning after coffee, we didn't want possibly make things worse by eating too much, we saw a man I'd seen before looking for Olek, who wasn't in his office at the moment. The man was our Makarovian IT guy, Denis Babuch, Romania's loss because he might love a man and didn't feel comfortable where he lived. Watching to be careful who knew and who didn't was exhausting! He didn't say whether he was gay or not. He was effeminate and condemned for it by others. He just wanted to be free to be himself. Here, he could be. He was a nice man! Who is to judge whether he's man enough for anyone's standards? Who made them the authority to be judge? Denis told us there were hundreds of threats of death from many of the countries such as Iran and Iraq.

Then we met Yasin Bergir. I was shocked! Peter was shocked. Yesin was from the Middle East. The darker skin and black hair said he was from the Middle East. There hadn't been one here before! Maybe in history, but not a couple of hundred years. Why would they come here? We had nothing in the past. That showed on our faces.

“He's fine.” Denis wrote on a clipboard as an eye caught our expressions. “He has been more than thoroughly checked.”

“Yes,” the man said in English with no accent. Even with just that one word there were vowel sounds that told you someone wasn't from the United States or Canada. He glanced behind himself to thumb at the security that was there and not really looking at Yasin, but still standing with a clear view of Yasin if needed. “And still am.” He chuckled looking back at me and Peter. “But I got used to it. Even after I married Brian, they still weren't sure about me. Sometimes I think they know me more intimately than my husband.”

He was an attractive man in his mid thirties. A bit thinner than I liked, but I wasn't marrying him. His hair was groomed, short and had a little overhang on his forehead that I knew would be a problem to keep out of his eye if not cut.

“Not that I care that you are, but how'd you get here?” Peter asked astonished. “Why did you get here?”

Yasin had a charming smile. He had very white teeth. Dentists loved him, I bet. “I was a translator in Iraq for the Americans,” he shrugged. “I met Brian and we fell in love.”

“That was very dangerous. Wasn't it?” I said knowing how harsh they were with people like us.

'Yes,” Yasin nodded. “When Brian told me he loved me,” he shrugged with a softer smile at the memory. “He promised to take me away and married me on US soil there to get me out. It was legal there. We'd be happy he promised and we have been. My parents said I was dead to them when they found out. I was disowned by my brothers and sister. I had no one until Brian came.”

I smiled hearing this. Love is universal. Yasin clearly loved this Brian and I had to meet this man. “I have to meet him, but his family? It's getting better in America, but not always accepted.”

Yasin laughed. “His mother only took a day or two to get over the shock.” He chuckled with a light shrug. “Now she loves me and even asks to speak to me on the phone just to chat. His brother is a few years younger and didn't care. His older sister said she knew he was gay for years and was glad he came around and finally found someone. She was thrilled.”

“You left someone out.” Peter said. “Is there a father?”

“Oh, yes. Robert Peterson.” Yasin sighed, but smiled. “Bob took a little longer,” he chuckled at some memories scratching his right ear. “He served in the US Marine Corp for sixteen years. I had to convince Bob I wasn't a threat to Brian, his family or the United States. That took a year and lots of on purpose family dinners for him to relax and see me as someone that really loves his son. Now he's very friendly with me.”

“I can't imagine.” Peter said. “My family excepted Eric right when they found out about him.”

Yasin nodded. “And that's why we're all here. Your family and country didn't care. They saw love and are displaying that proudly to the world!”

A young man in US Air Force blue came up. He bowed to us. “Forgive me, Your Highness, Your Lordship, but I preparing the daily report for Yuri and King Olek expects in a few minutes.” He looked at Yasin. “This I didn't get.” He pointed to something on the paper. He said something in a language we didn't know.

Yasin nodded, “An easy mistake. It says not a veiled threat,” Yasin handed him the paper back. “Yuri wants one every morning.”

Peter and I grinned at each other. “We know he can be tough.” I said.

Yasin looked at us with a little suspicion. One eye narrowed as he smiled. “You know him.”

“We love him like family.” I smiled. “We owe him our lives as he's saved us many, many times.”

Yasin nodded. “I saw the footage of the attack in London.” Yasin said. “That must have been awful, it was pretty rough!'

“How'd you see that?” Peter's eyes widened as he asked. “There were people recording it?”

“No one recorded it. London has a pretty good setup with traffic cameras.” Yasin said.

“So, what wasn't a veiled threat?” I asked.

Yasin looked a little hesitant to answer.

“That's okay. We can ask Yuri,” Peter said simply to ease Yasin's worry. “He never holds back the truth.”

Yasin shook his head and gave in. “There are groups that threaten us daily here. That just now was an extremist group that threaten almost daily. It would take an attack from the air to threat Makarovia now, what with the Americans and the UK forces here, they wouldn't stand a chance.”

“Thank God.” Peter said.

“Speaking of whom. We're okay with whatever, but how devote are you?”

Yasin nodded with a smile having been asked many times. “I was raised with Islam, but I sort of stopped going to any Mosque before I even met Brian.” He smiled and shrugged, “I don't have a prayer mat or bow to pray at scheduled times a day toward Mecca.”

“But it is the religion you were raised in.” I said now feeling sorry for him. His family failed him, his religion failed him...he'd lost his his emotional security. His very foundation was destroyed. “I don't know about your faith, but I was raised in the Eastern Orthodox Church and protestant churches in South Carolina and North Carolina. There are parts I can not agree with. I also did research about why we where so hated for loving our own gender. That and biology. I found out about the Catholics and how they assembled the Bible so it says what they want. The very first book I can not believe.” I said. “We have been shown things that tell us the world is billions of years old. It couldn't have been made in just six days. Not that short of time. By the preponderance of evidence I was shown it wasn't true. And don't give me that shit by asking how long was a day. Sunrise and sunset, that's a day.” I began getting a little charged up as I spoke. “And Cain, after he killed Abel went to a village and got a wife.” I threw my hands up. “Where the hell did she come from? Was it his sister? Adam and Eve lived hundreds. Did poor Eve give birth every year? She had perfect DNA and it says they had sons and daughters and she could have twins and triplets...”

“Eric,” Peter pulled me close from behind and smiled at Yasin, “He gets this way sometimes.” He said in a stage whisper.

“Well, it pisses me off.” I turned to Peter. “It should piss you off, too. I'm supposed to live my life by this book!?”

“Can I get pissed off about it after the wedding?”

“Oh, yeah,” I grinned as he brought me even closer. “I sort of forgot a second or two.”

“Just don't forget to be there at three o'clock in the ballroom.” He hugged me. “I'll be the guy down in front. Nice to meet you, Yasin.” He kissed me and began leading me somewhere.

I turned to Yasin, “You're staying in Makarovia, right?”

“Yes. Brian's in the Air Force and was sent here. I will be here a while to translate for General Burke and for King Olek.” He said loud to be heard.

“We have to meet your Brian!” I said as we too far away. I looked at Peter. “Where's the fire?”

“Olek and Mom wanted to explain the ceremonies again. We tell everyone I do and then you get the crown. We will be announced as as married and announced as Princes then. It will be too late to back out.”

“For you, too.”

His grin said that wasn't a problem.

We entered Olek's office as we heard Olek say in Russian. “... oni delayut, i eto opredeleno, chto eto prishlo iz vashey strany, budut posledstviya ot nekotorykh mogushchestvennykh stran, yesli vy prervete ikh polucheniye urana.”...they do and it's determined it came from your country, there will be repercussions from some powerful countries if you interrupt their getting the uranium. He looked up and smiled waving us in farther. “Moi brat'ya tol'ko chto prishli, i u nas svad'ba. My budem na svyazi.” My brothers just came in and we have the wedding. We'll stay in touch. He hung up and came around his desk.

“Was that about the threat?” Peter asked pointing at the phone. “That extremest group?”

Yuri was at another desk looking at laptop screen. ”They are limited on where they can launch an attack. Even if they managed to acquire a Russian R-36, which they could fire from Iran and hit us, it takes some skills for that. They would just do it if they could. This is for everyone to panic about. ICBMs are carefully inventoried and watched. General Burke assured me none are missing from the US arsenal inventory. ” He reported to Olek. He turned to Peter and me. “Yes, it's them.” He looked at Olek's surprised face. “I can't hide the truth from them, Olek, and I never hold anything back.”

“Are they ISIS or Taliban?” I asked. “Or maybe affiliated with one of them?”

“They claim to be,” Yuri nodded. “Those in military intelligence in the US and the UK have made contact with them and they of course deny knowing anything about them.”

“They are going to launch a missile at us?” I asked.

“That's what they say they are.” Yuri nodded with a bitter smile.

“Just because we're getting married!?” Peter balked at that and started to do that circular pace he did. “I am ignorant about this, I know. I can't understand it. What's the big deal? Millions of guys are marrying now. Why us?”

Olek smiled stopping Peter. “It's not about your wedding. Not really. It's a symbolic act that tells the world no one is above their laws. Even you. These guys want show whatever group they should be included in their ranks. They aren't afraid of us.” He brought Peter close, hugging him, but grinned at me. “This is what I didn't want to happen. Nothing can stop others' hate, but I didn't want it to effect you. Not today.” He kissed Peter and grabbed me and hugged me. “I wanted nothing but happy emotions today.” He kissed me. “You're getting married!”

I smiled at Olek. “Yes, but they could still launch a missile.”

“Yes, they could.” Yuri agreed coming closer. “They don't have an alliance with any country in Europe, East or West. The countries close enough have been warned about this group. Romania and Ukraine wouldn't dare. Russia? Sure. If they don't mind a hornet's nest of angry countries. Claiming they didn't know about any group in their country won't work in this situation. They have been told. Olek was speaking with the Moldova President just now. They can't afford to be involved, the repercussions would be too great.” He chuckled. “There are noted dignitaries here and news crews from around the world here.” He shook his head. “No. It won't happen.”

Olek looked at his watch. “You've got five hours left!” He bounced. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Peter grinned. “Fine. How did you feel?” He asked Olek and Yuri.

Olek frowned at that. “Well, it started a little rough.” He admitted and turned to Yuri. “Boris needs to patent that hangover cure. He'll make millions!”

Yuri chuckled nodding. “Yes, he would. We're dehydrated. He starts with one of those sports drinks that replaces the water loss and adds something for the upset stomach and headache. It take a few minutes to absorb, but when it does, it works!”

“There you are!” Mom said loud and annoyed from behind us at the door. There are certain behaviors that are in our genes I guess. After millions of years of conditioning a mother's cross indignation with the fists on her hips was one of them. The fear response from her children, despite our ages, was another. “I've been waiting for you three for over half an hour!”

Even Olek bowed to her maternal authority and he was in his forties and King! She wasn't even his biological mother. She had been there after he was just entering his teens, so in a lot of ways she was his mother. The only one he remembered. “Sorry, we got caught up with things here.”

Mom was a beautiful woman even in a nice, but simple dress. No one would guess she was in her early fifties. “Well, come on. Things need to be ironed out for the wedding and coronation.”

The wedding, as you know, was not a religious ceremony. The man performing the wedding was a judge. He was from the Ukraine, but was attracted to men. He was treated nicely when he was here. It was nice to be somewhere there were so many of us. He came here to get away and met someone here. An educated man in Makarovia!? We practically begged him to stay. That was seven years ago. He and his husband were very happy here. In fact, he ended up bringing three other couples to Makarovia, One was a doctor! Yes, ladies, one lawyer and the partner were female.

The ceremony followed the religious service to a degree. And there was even a prayer and blessing for me and Peter, not for our marriage, but as people.

The towel. I didn't fully understand it at first. Makarovians did it differently than our neighboring countries. There was a single towel that all Makarovian royal weddings were done upon. It was hundreds of years old. Peter's and Olek's father was married on it, their grandfather and his father...you get the picture. When they brought out the sealed bag the cloth was in, breaking the seal, air went in for the first time since Olek the First was married on it to Mom. They took this white silk cloth out that was so clean. Even the woman bringing it out wore gloves to protect it. Eastern Europe was known for their stitching and embroidery. They were famous for it. The entire towel was silk! When it was unfolded, you saw how sheer and delicate it was. Thin lines of red, blue, green and gold made these floral designs on it. Bright enough to be seen clearly. I saw the symbol language in the design. There was a message written on it. This wasn't a bathroom towel or any other towel I knew of. This was a tapestry!

Mom knew what I was looking at as my hand moved over the delicate stitching, but afraid to touch it, following the symbols to get the meaning and what it said softly. “It's a prayer.” She explained the stitched symbols. “Written all over the cloth. The Church may not ask for a blessing for this wedding, but all of the Ivanovs will.”

I was afraid to touch it. “You you want me to stand on this!?” I asked turning to them.

“Just this one time for a few moments. Today.” Peter chuckled. “You sort of have to. I don't know if we can marry if you don't.” He looked back at Olek who shook his head sternly. I couldn't tell if he was joking or not. I waved my hand at it. “I don't want to go down in history for being the one that rips this!”

“So don't.” Peter said simply.

“This is absolutely beautiful. This is true Makarovian Art! This is priceless!”

Olek and Peter nodded. “Yes. It is.” They said together.

As if I needed the added pressure! “Thanks.” I grumbled. “But I'm serious! This is real art! It should be on display in the Gallery and seen. Not just seen by the family once at a wedding, There are ways to seal and protect it. Even from fading from light. Makarovia and the whole world should see this!”

Olek looked at Mom. “I don't mind. Do you?”

Mom chuckled. “Not at all. That is his job after all. You gave it to him, if I recall.”

I saw Anderson Cooper having finished an update with CNN. I loved that I was allowed to walk around freely now. After they had gotten here it was hard when they first got here, but after they were all here, Olek made a law. No one in the media or with the media could approach any one of us or would be jailed and fined. Anyone hoping to skirt around that law using trickery would deal with Makarovian Law. Him. No one dared. We could approach them, but until we did, no questions or badgering. So, I wasn't bothered by anyone. Anderson was again that top reporter for CNN. He looked great.

“Hi, Andy!” I greeted my newly discovered friend.

He turned from his colleagues and smiled a smile he used only with his friends. “Hi!” He greeted. “You don't look ill, so I'm guessing you had no hangover.”

“Not really.” I grinned at him. “You?”

“Me?” He asked surprised. “It's never a problem.” He gave a superior sniff.

I smiled at that. “It just felt a little high school to me. Getting together for the sole purpose of getting drunk.” I shrugged, “whether we were of age or not.” Shoving him lightly. “I guess where you went to high school that didn't happen.”

“And that would be wrong.” Anderson shook his head. “Dalton had parties. The kids from the Upper East side just had more resources. And the party here had a reason. Your family and friends love you and were wishing good things for you in the future. They are happy for you and Peter.” He looked around me. “You're getting married, but where's the other half of you?”

I chuckled. “He's never too far. He's coming.”

Last was Jori. He had that reputation to keep so he had to be sure we were dressed right. I knew he got more pleasure than he should have doing his job. I didn't care that much, but mentioned it to Peter.

Peter nodded with a shrug. “Sure, I hope he does.” He saw my surprised expression. “Jori is a sexual being and we are the same species.” He gave a slight nod. “And the same gender, but we know about that now, so not an issue.” He smiled, “We don't mate on instinct anymore. If he gets some sexual pleasure with what he does,” Peter shrugged again. “Fine. If he gets aroused by me or you that's also fine. He's confirming our choices in future mates.” He grinned. “You know your attracted to David. I am, too. We would never cross that line. He belongs to Helen. I'm attracted to Wayne, but he belongs to Drew. Even if that wasn't true, I'd never just go after him. I'd have to know him first.” He cocked his head smiling. “You see guys that attract you. I know it.”

“What a conversation right before our wedding.” I grinned as I walked closer to him. “Yes, I'm aroused by others.” I put my arms around him. “I'm attracted to David and Edmond. I'm attracted to Drew and Wayne, Boris and Yuri. Anderson now. I was and am with Olek. It leads to a deeper caring than just friends. I'd never hurt them.” I laughed. “And Mario!” I blew a breath in a sigh putting my head against Peter's chest. “That man is hot!” I looked up.

Peter chuckled. “Anybody else?”

“There is this one guy,” I smiled. “That one night at a little apartment in Boston...as I was washing dishes that man just rubbed my arm...brushed it really. I can't tell you the explosion of sensations went through me. Sexual tension? Hell, yeah and lust and such strong desire...” I saw his smile grow as I said that. “That first kiss was the closest I've ever come to a spiritual moment. I was short of breath and so dizzy...”

“So was I.” Peter chuckled.

“I love you, Peter! No one has aroused me like you. They never have and never will. I love you, Peter.”

Peter nodded pulling me into a kiss that was mind melting and said softly. “I know you do. I love you.”

“I know you do.” I said just as softly. “Let's get married.”

Peter grinned. “We should.”