Ice Fairy; The Friends - 7. Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Caleb’s POV

Just one more day and Caleb would be proudly claiming Ryan as his husband. It was unreal the amount of angst and planning and long nights with the parents to iron out the details for a single day’s event; but he knew it’d be all worth it.

He’d dressed nicer than usual; in a long-sleeved, collared shirt in a hue of dark crimson. His dark brown pants that he’d bought in a new, smaller size fit just right. Caleb was thrilled he’d lost so much weight for the wedding; though it didn’t appease the tux rental store. Three alterations later, it finally fit perfectly.

Hell, Caleb was happy just to be off for a week after this for their honeymoon; which would be at a secluded cabin in the woods; a spot they both agreed on and which was affordable for their parents.

Tonight though, was the rehearsal for the wedding and the dinner. They were having very casual fare of sandwiches, sides, and basic desserts. Neither of them liked anything fancy. Besides, Mr. Patterson was a good cook when it came to the Irish favorites; he was making up his famous soda bread and colcannon.

Caleb liked his future in-laws very much; they’d all gotten back on track very well after the misunderstanding that’d caused their brief breakup on New Year’s. But it was all water under the bridge now and all that was in front of them and on their minds was the wedding.

A knock on the door broke his concentration.

“Hey baby, you ready?”

It was his fiancé; who looked handsome as always. Ryan made anything look sexy; especially nothing at all. He wet his lips and turned to face the man.

“Very.” His eyes looked Ryan up and down. He was wearing a nice long-sleeved button-down shirt in the same shade of green as his eyes. His black pants were perfect with them. His auburn hair was fluffed out a little, fresh and dried from the shower he’d finished a half-hour ago. His love, his man, his fiancé. His Ryebread.

Ryan smiled at Caleb and drew the big guy closer. “You look lost in though. What’s on your mind?”

Caleb drew a finger through Ryan’s hair and couldn’t even speak at the moment; his mind was so engrossed with the wedding rehearsal and of course, tomorrow.

“Have I told you today how freakin’ awesome you are?” Caleb asked, wanting to both keep the mood and be funny at the same time.

Ryan nodded and ran his hands down Caleb’s front. “Yes you have. Hell, you tell me that every day, baby. Just by staying with me and agreeing to be my hubby.”

They both smiled at each other and moved in for a deep, wet, passionate kiss. Caleb held Ryan tight and just breathed in the scent of his aftershave and the feel of his body. All at once he regretted their decision to spend the night apart later on.

“Shit, I don’t wanna be away from you tonight.” Caleb breathed huskily.

“It’s a stupid superstition, baby.” Ryan held him closer and Caleb could feel his lover’s body react. “Stay with me, we’ll have a pre-honeymoon.”

As tempting as that was; he knew they’d both be exhausted from the dinner party and dealing with their friends and family. Tomorrow night would be worse from that standpoint; Caleb had his whole family coming, everyone. Including the sisters and brothers that barely spoke to him. That was a huge plus and stressful at the same time.

“We’ll be zonked out later, hon. Plus isn’t it bad luck to see the bride before the wedding?” he teased.

Ryan stuck out his tongue. “Why am I the bride?” he asked in a very joking way. Hell, they both knew Ryan had some feminine traits; but in bed he was all man. All Caleb’s man.

“You’re my groom.” Caleb quickly covered. “My husband-to-be.”

“Damn, that sounds so awesome.” Ryan sighed and laid his head above Caleb’s heart. “Ryan P. Jacobson.”

Caleb was honored beyond words that Ryan was taking his name; making his much-loved Irish surname his second middle name.

In the still moment before they headed out; Caleb took one last opportunity to soak in his fiancé. “I love you to death, Ryan.”

Ryan raised his head and those bright green eyes met his blue ones. “I love you to death too, Caleb. My handsome man.”

“Shall we go?” Caleb held out his hand for his fiancé to take.

“Yeah, let’s go rehearse how to stand there and say ‘I do’”. He teased.

Caleb grinned and after a kiss to Ryan’s left hand, they took off for the evening.

*

An hour later

Ryan’s POV

The rehearsal was very short; and sweet and perfect. Everything went smoothly and calmly; which was always best.

Of course, the other best part was it was time to eat and meet Caleb’s siblings.

After getting a heaping plateful of dinner, Ryan sat beside his fiancé at the dining table and took in the happenings of the other people who’d joined them.

His eyes fell upon Sam and Brett first. Their best friends and former roommates and bedmates too; but he brushed the memories of those times aside, as tough as it was to do. He was happy they’d married and had settled into a nice life together; just like they’d planned.

“Hey, Zephyr’s.” He teased, getting their attention collectively and seeing their heads swivel in his direction. “Got your speeches all set to go?”

Brett rolled his eyes. “Hey, what can we say about you two? Perfect match, way to go. The end.” He teased, taking a long drink of his beer. “Nah, we’ve got it, Ryan, no worries, bro.”

Sam snuggled into his husband’s side. “We’ll be just fine. We’ll polish up those rings and have our speeches letter perfect. You guys did fabulous on our day and we wouldn’t dare short you anything.”

Ryan was so glad they’d remained friends after the revelations had happened at the first of the year; especially the breakup and finding out Caleb was in love with Sam; but his own feelings for Brett had gotten out of control as well. He took a quick breath and calmed himself.

“Everything is awesome, ain’t it?” he felt Caleb’s arm go around him and leaned into his side, feeling very at ease and love beyond words.

“Yeah it is.” Brett agreed.

Caleb dropped a kiss on Ryan’s head and they both glanced up at Colby, who was seated right beside Jake.

“You did good, Cheese man. Course you had practice from last time.”

A sweet smile formed on the young man’s lips and he put down his sandwich.

“Yeah I did. I’ll walk your mommas down the aisle proper.” He was the ideal usher; quiet and serious.

“My mom said you did great.” Sam added.

Colby blushed and took a quick swig of his beer. He glanced back at Jake, who was sitting so close it looked like they were getting chummy again.

“So… everything better with you two?” Ryan couldn’t resist asking the obvious question. He liked for people to be happy and with the people they plainly loved. It was written all over Colby’s face and especially Jake’s.

Jake opened his lips slightly, but teased them all by having a drink of his own beer.

“We’re better, thanks. Ironing things out slowly.” He patted Colby’s hand before removing it again. “Anything worthwhile takes time and effort.”

Ryan saw the softest look he’d ever seen in Colby’s blue eyes be directed at Jake. It gave him a warm feeling all over and a sense of hope that they’d work everything out.

“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried.” He admitted.

His father spoke up all of a sudden. “Dontcha’ be worryin’ about yer friends. T’ink about yer weddin’ tomorrow. Get yer rest, boys. Both of ye.”

The playful, teasing glint of fun in his father’s eyes made Ryan laugh aloud.

“Speaking of which, I think we’ll just stay at our place tonight; like we have been. There’s no reason to be superstitious.”

His mother gasped. “But it’s bad luck!” she exclaimed.

“Oh, mom.” He groaned. “It is not. Even for a man and a woman much less two guys. We’ll be fine.”

But she didn’t seem appeased. “Hmpf. It’s not proper. You shouldn’t see each other before the wedding. Your Aunt Bridget did that and they called the whole thing off.”

Oh here we go again; the family stories and tales of yore. Yippety. Ryan just rolled his eyes and sank into Caleb’s side. He whispered into his man’s face. “Hide me.”

Caleb wrapped his arms around him. “It’ll all be fine, baby.”

Mrs. Jacobson threw in her two cents as well. “Well, if you ask me, I don’t see what the big deal is. You’ve been living together for all this time and the wedding is at 10 tomorrow. Just make sure there’s no surprises.” She waggled her finger at them.

Ryan had to laugh at the absurdity of the thought. There were no jealous exes or anyone even close to being that in their lives.

“It’s okay, Mom.” Caleb assured her. “We have no bitter, suicidal exes that’ll come beating down our door and demanding we not get married.”

“That’s right, Ryan is your first boyfriend, isn’t he?” Sam commented.

Caleb nodded. “Yup. First, best and only. Like him being an only child.” He tossed a look at the Pattersons. “You raised a wonderful guy.”

Mrs. Patterson smiled at them. “You make a wonderful couple. Ryan wasn’t supposed to be an only child; but the good Lord blessed us with just him. All our love and attention went into making him the finest we could.”

Ryan blushed. “Aww, mom.”

“Dontcha be ashamed now.” His father shot back. “Yer a fine lad and yer marryin’ a fine one too. Caleb, I’m glad ye made up for what ye did. I had my suspicions; but ye put ‘em to rest. May ye have a glorious life.”

Brett raised his glass. “Now maybe he should do the toast.” He teased, getting a laugh from everyone.