BRIAN

Justin is checking upstairs, and I am checking down. It doesn't look like we have left anything, it is a blank canvas for Ben and Benson to move into. I smile as I hear the melodious humming of Ems coming down the path, though I can't see him for the enormous vase of flowers he has in his arms.

“Want some help?!” I call out.

“Oh, Big Bad, don't scare a lady like that!” He grumbles after jolting to a startled halt. “I could actually, can you take these and put them in the lounge, note I said put, I will place!” He smirks as our battles over placement are legendary. “You can put them higgledy-piggledy in Britin, but not in Blue Moon!”

“I shall make sure the edict is followed.” Justin laughs as he comes down the stairs, I look over my shoulder at him and frown. “He does it better than you, you are the concept guy and he is your eyes.” I am about to defend my honour  when he holds up his hand. “Only when it comes to styling a house, everything else you are the master at.”

“Nice save, Jiggle!” Ems titters, then frowns. “What you got there?” We both grin at him. “What? What is it?”

“Our tattoo brands.” Justin hands the iPad to him. “We would be honoured if you, instead of Todd, conducted it.” I manage to catch the pad before it hits the floor, then glare at Justin. “Okay, okay, I should've asked then showed him! Uh...Ems, are you going to answer?”

Ems has one hand clapped over his mouth, the other clutching his heart, and tears streaming down his face.

“Are we to take it, you Nelly Big Bad Deflowering Bottom, that this is a yes?” I open my arms and he stumbles, nodding, into them. “Good.” I murmur, then kiss his ear while Justin rubs his back.

“What’s wrong?!” Brandon exclaims as he comes in with cupcakes from Del.

“Nothing bad…” Ems sniffs, and nuzzles my shoulder to wipe his eyes. “...stop scowling; it is last season! Besides, you will get crow’s feet!” All three of them snicker as my face drops. “They asked me to do their ceremony and I said yes.”

“Oh, I am so glad.” Brandon heaves a sigh of relief. “Kitchen?” He indicates the cloche. “Or bedroom?”

“Bedroom.” Ems replies, starting to pull himself together. “Right, people, let’s get this place B&B perfect!”

WOODY'S - AN HOUR LATER

KITCHEN

VLADIMENKO

I taste the borscht and add a bit more salt. Blake and the chefs are doing the final testing of the wedding feast, and Debs insisted that each of her boys, of whom Teen is now one, have a dish of choice. I am so proud he has chosen this, it is the first time we have made it together. “So, move in day is tomorrow, Teen?”

“Yeah…” He is unusually contemplative before he looks at me seriously. “...the summer ball next year, put his name down.”

“Your father already did.” I smile and then lean across to kiss his forehead.

“Also can…”

“I will have my best man look after your man. Worry not.”

“Good. Now come on, we have black bread to make!”

HOUSE OF MAHATMA AND MILQUETOAST - EARLY AFTERNOON

OFFICE

DEBS

I am not often rendered speechless, but I am truly stunned into silence. “You...” I pause. “...are a Dom, and you…” I point at Leroi, who I have known for years but as an immigration officer. “...are his sub and have been together for eight years?” He nods and I turn to my boy, Emmett. “And you and Brandon are…”

“In training, but want to have what they have, but without the backroom bit.” He replies, grinning.

“Brian is a...did either of you teach him?”

“I did.” Todd smiles. “And Leroi taught him how to sub.”

“I don’t quite understand why you are telling me though.”

“Because we need you to explain to Carl how the commitment ceremony works, and it would sound better coming from you…”

“Commitment ceremony?” I echo. “Who is being committed?”

“Brian and I…” I am startled when Justin comes through the door looking nervous. “...I wanted to ask you officially…”

“Where’s Brian?”

“Asking my Mom.” He sits down. “I will ask Carl when Brian asks my dad and sister…”

“Wait back up. Ask Carl what?”

“For Brian's hand in marriage. It is not going to be yet, we want the kids to be there, know what we are doing and why…”

“Then you have it. Anyone got a pen and notebook? I suspect I need to write this down.” I grin as everyone else sighs in relief.

JENNIFER’S HOUSE - TWENTY MINUTES LATER

KITCHEN

JENNIFER

I pour the vintage Beam and smile at his incredulous expression. “When you two made up after that row, I knew, and it took everything to just be Mom, so I went and got this…” I tap the bottle. “...for when you wanted to ask for my permission for the ceremony, which of course you have.” He smiles and we clink. “And this is also for you both.”

“What is this?” He swivels the box.

“Not telling, open it with him, but don't start it until six months before.” We clink glasses, but he frowns. “Trust me, when he sees them he will follow my instructions.” He knocks back his drink and I chuckle. “He said that about you.”

“What?” He puts on his coat in such a rush that he messes up buttoning it and has to do it again.

“You are not known for your patience…” He pauses and I hold up a finger. “...and that was all he said, but the next day he was walking funny and sitting gingerly. It doesn't take a genius…”

“Well...uh...of course...uh quite!” He mutters and almost uses the window to leave.

“Oh, Craig and Molly…” I raise my glass to the heavens. “...how you would have loved Brian so.”

BRITIN - THREE HOURS LATER

KITCHEN

BRIAN

“She said you didn't divulge the intimidate details.” I call over my shoulder as I pull a smoldering Justin behind me. “But that combined with your failure to act sensibly earlier, well you can see why…”

“Actually, no I can't.” He complains and sets his feet, thus halting our progress. When I let  go of his hand he pinches the bridge of his nose then puts his hands on his hips. “Brian, I don't understand why you are all Dom for something you admit I haven’t done, and…” He trails off when I move and he can see the candle lit table. “...Brian?”

“Come here, Jiggle.” He slowly starts to approach. “From your Mom. Said I should open it with you.” We open the box in silence, and inside is a whisky advent calendar, I check out the list and whistle. “Wow, where the hell did she get this from? One of those alone for a small bottle is $110…” He sniffs, and a tear drops onto the table. “...Justin?”

“They are my dad’s favourites.” He takes the list from me and nods. “He was a whiskey nut, and would try and find the rarest ones. He...he said once that he would share his appreciation of the fine amber nectar, as he called it, with me when I was old enough. But the one thing he always did was buy his calendar six months in advance of Christmas and store it away.”

“Then that is what we will do. Let’s rewrap it and put it in the bo...no, get a special box for it.”

“Thank you.” He wipes his eyes and then frowns. “What’s this?” He points at the envelope.

“I went to see Clara after your Mom said what you said about me.” I hand him the envelope and wrap my arm around his shoulders as he opens it. He sniffs again. “Let me tell you something, if you go down the clichéd route then I will tan your hide.”

He looks up from the picture. “No pink?”

“No. Rose Grub does not do pink.” I kiss his trembling mouth. “So, can we talk names?”

“Yes.”

ZHERNAKOVDAKOVICH PALACE - DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING

DEBS

I still can't believe it! We are all silent as we enter the lounge, Ben clears his throat, and Benson looks around from the fireplace very smugly. “Well, get your coats then you can come out and see it properly!” He demands, as he strides out, we just follow shaking our heads.

“Uh, Benson!” Ben has been trying to pull an explanation out of his boyfriend since we got here, but he has refused to say anything until we are all present.

“Wonder what they are thinking?!” Benson muses as he watches for their arrival.

TEN MINUTES AWAY FROM PALACE

BRIAN

I don’t think I have ever seen a building so beautiful, or been so freaking cold! All that can be heard is the sound of panting of the dogs and swooshing as the sleds pull us towards the palace. “He can’t be serious?!” I mumble as I take in the full majesty of the building.

“Brian?” Justin’s muffled gasp from under my chin makes me smile. “But I thought…”

“So did I.” I reply, and look around, I can see the wide-eyed expression on Emmett’s face as his sled draws level. “Did you know?!” I yell out, and my tongue almost freezes. He wisely just shakes his head. “It doesn’t look real…” I sigh. “...it can’t be real!”

As we sweep up the drive, I see waving. “I think that is a heavily bundled up Debs. And isn’t he cold?!” I demand as Benson starts to applaud our arrival in just a puffa jacket, jeans and no gloves! We glide to a stop and he grins as he lopes towards us, waving at those behind him to follow.

“No looking back! You promised!” He yells, and heads bobble.

“Can we look now?!” Ben’s attempts to angrily cross his arms are thwarted by the thickness of his coat.

“It is not my fault you guys wanted to come up last night instead!” He laughingly retorts as he shuts Brandon’s mouth. “But yes, turn around.”

Nobody says a word for a while before Ben moves to Benson’s side. “So this is the winter palace then?”

“Yep. Will it do?” He grins at Debs and she, like Emmett, just nods.

“Come on, everyone, back indoors! It’s a bit chilly out here!” Wilson shouts from the front door.

“A bit chilly?” Emmett declares, trying to run and almost landing face first when he skids, but he is saved by Brandon. “It is colder than Siberia!”

We gingerly make our way inside, and now it is their turn to smile at us. “Not that I am complaining about being here, but why are we here? This is utterly breathtaking!” Justin gasps, wide eyed.

“Oh my God!” I splutter, and Benson’s grin gets wider. “Everyone look up!”

“Is that a…” Jennifer begins only to start to chuckle.

“Wilson saw it and couldn't resist.” We all look astonished at him while he snickers.

“See, I do have a sense of humour, despite my dour countenance!”

“Does that come in a smaller size?” Justin blinks.

“That is small.” Wilson replies. “And a pain in the ass to clean. Now come and get some refreshments, their majesties will join you shortly. They have some duties to perform, one of which is slightly unpleasant.”

We follow him into the lounge, and those in the sleds almost run to the fireplace and crowd around it. “You will warm up soon enough. Oh, and Emmett, you are wrong, Siberia is colder. It’s lucky we aren’t closer to the border.”

“Back to my original question…” Emmett takes the steaming mug with a smile. “...because?”

“The winter ball is on Sunday, and old folks and the grands have to be there.” Benson explains, licking the cream off of his lip. “And this was the only way for them to attend the wedding as well.” He smiles softly at Debs. “You should have seen his face when he opened that invite.”

“We were, no are, very touched.” Vlademenko strides in. “And there was no way we were going to miss it. Now that the unpleasantness is finished with, the celebrations can begin!”

“If you don’t mind me asking…” I take a sip of the hot toddy. “...what was it you were doing?”

“Changing his nappy.” Micheline comes in, carrying Gus with a smiling Mel and Daph behind her.

“Ah.” I put the mug down and take him in my arms. “What did he eat?” He grins gummily up at me.

“Lentil soup.” She shudders. “I don’t want to see that for a while!”

“It is gorgeous, son, a real rib sticker.” Carl advises. “Got the recipe.” He looks up at the silence. “What?”

“Think that’s the first time you’ve called me son.” I hand Gus over to Justin and go over and kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Always and anytime.” He murmurs, squeezing my hand, and I swallow hard.

“So, you going to show us around this little hovel of yours, your highness?” Ben teases Benson. “I saw the hallway and the bedroom and…”

“The ceiling. And that howling last night was not a wolf!” Benson teases back, and Ben almost goes magenta with embarrassment.

Two hours later, we are settled in our rooms. The nannies, which Micheline insisted that she provide, are looking after Gus and Henry, so we can make the most of the time. I have just hung up on Carlos, he completely understood about the wedding being moved so he’s catering our ceremony instead.

“Oh my gosh, we have to get one, please can we get one?” Justin pads out of the bathroom in his robe.

“One what? The robe?” I pull him by the collar closer to me. “This is like an overcoat, it will be too hot in the Pitts.”

“Go and look.” He kisses the side of my mouth and shoves me gently towards the bathroom.

“I doubt there is…” I trail off and stare. “...but this is a Russian palace!” I mutter as I take in the bathroom.

“I know. So pick an end.” He sashays in front of me and drops the robe. “Left, right, ass or mouth?”

“Against the wall, ass out!” I order, and ache as he gets into position. “And…” He groans as I work him open. “....we are definitely getting one!”

WOODY’S - SAME TIME

CARLOS

When I suggested to Kinney that he ban Michael from this place, I was surprised when he said no and to let him live his life. I just can't understand why! He’s been hawking around like a bad smell. I sigh as he slithers up to the bar. “Another visit - how much is it costing you in petrol to come back and forth? What can I get you?”

“A beer, unopened.” He retorts, I wait for him to pay first, as usual he makes no move to do so. “Put it on my tab, I will pay eventually. After all, they are not hurting for money. I have no other bills to pay. You do know that I got a free house, I have…”

“A free running mouth that nobody wants to hear!” I snap, and put the bottle down.

“I need a bottle opener, unless, of course, you want me to use the edge of the bar. And we know how badly that will go down with the son of the mother, no longer my mother, thank Christ, of Liberty Avenue.”

I open the bottle for him, which he swipes then turns his back on me. “You can drink that elsewhere…” He turns back looking puzzled. “...yeah, that’s to takeaway.”

“I will drink it here, thanks.” He takes a long pull and holds my gaze. “Another, Mr Barman! Keep them coming, until...”

“Ah, there you are!” A heavyset man with an even heavier accent strides up to the bar and the idiot’s face falls. “How many is that?” He gestures at the bottle.

“First, but sadly I doubt it will be his last!” I retort, and reach for another when he shakes his head.

“No, that is enough. Oh, my manners, Jarenko.”

“Carlos.” I reply and we shake hands and his face lights up.

“Ah the infamous Carlos! As for me, I am one of his many shadows, much to his great annoyance. Wherever he goes, one of us will follow.” He turns to Michael, who looks like he is going to implode. “Like I said, this is your last one…” He points to the bottle again. “...so drink up and let us go. You have to do some shopping, all this take out is playing hell with your waistline...again.” He starts to go red. “Although you are not as fat as the last time I walked you.”

“Walked him? What does…”

“Let’s go!” Michael snaps, quickly draining the bottle, then gestures to the door.

“I walked him naked on a lead all the way from the Palace to his house…”

“Do you have pictures?!” I gasp, and now the idiot has gone as white as a sheet...not so cocky now!

Jarenko sniggers and grins at me. “...oh yes, it makes sense now. Wilson said that I should tell you when I met you. As for pictures sadly no…” He leans closer. “...but if that were to get around from a trusted Avenue source, then that would curtail his visits somewhat, would it not?” We look at him as he gurgles in outrage, fear and disbelief!

“Oh, that it would, Jarenko, leave it with me.”

“With pleasure.” He laughs, and then clears his throat. “So salads, and maybe use the gym in our enclave for something other than cruising where nobody wants you to dock!”

WEDDING DAY - MORNING

DEBS’S ROOM

MICHELINE

I try again to do her mascara, but again she starts to cry.

“Debs, please try!” Jennifer sighs, although her eyes are suspiciously bright. “If you are like this now, how are you going to cope when the suit is put on?”

“Okay, soon-to-be Mrs H, get it together!” Debs chides herself, and I decide now is as a good a time as ever.

“So, where are you going on honeymoon?”

“Ah, no idea.” She chuckles, and we both frown at her. “Brian wants, of course, to pay for it, but Carl said no. We can do this ourselves. Took a lot of arguing, but he has promised to let us do that, so we’re going to dip into our savings for it. Why?”

“Vlad and I want to give you something to come home to.” I put down the mascara and go to the door, I chat to the person outside and then shut it again with a smile. “Won't be long. Let’s get her dressed in the meantime, eh, Jennifer?”

CARL’S ROOM

CARL

My hands are shaking as I do up the buttons of the cloak, but then start to sweat like a pig despite the coldness outside. “Dad, calm down!” Brian orders, handing me a handkerchief. “What's with the nerves?!”

“Waiting for the shoe to drop…”

“Why the hell would it?!” He looks surprised.

“I asked before...you know, but she wanted to wait.” He sits down looking stunned. “She wanted to wait until he was finally settled and thought it was going to be with you and…”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah, I know, right. I didn't ask again because once she knew it wouldn't be with you, I was afraid she would want to wait again, and I thought she did when she didn't say anything for a month.”

“Little Grub fever.” He chuckles, and then reaches in his pocket. “Some liquid courage…” He hands me the flask. “...not so fast!” He exclaims, laughing as he takes it back off me.

“So this commitment ceremony...I uh have seen my kids grow from birth...could you wear pants or something?!”

“Yes, Dad, we will wear pants!” He snorts and then reaches for his phone, I wait for him to stop tapping. “How about these?” I look at the leather pants approvingly. “Good. I shall put a rush on them. Won't be long.” He scampers, definitely scampers, out.

I think for a bit and shake my head. “Brian!” I call out.

“Yes!”

“Are they are assless?”

“Yes!”

DES'S ROOM

DEBS

He is going to love that! I lean across and kiss Micheline on the cheek. “I thought it appropriate, since it is so true.”

“They will take pride of place in…”

“You have to use them, no gathering dust in a display cupboard!” Jennifer rebukes me gently, and I nod and survey the mugs one more time.

“First thing in the morning!” I declare, and put them on the dresser.

“Debs...” Jennifer looks at her watch. “...the ceremony is in an hour, and I know you well enough now, so shall ask. Do you want to give the room a once over?”

I grin and nod, we troop down the stairs and that chandelier still makes me laugh heartily. “It is a shame we can’t get married under that.” I muse. “Which way is the room?”

“Wilson!” Micheline calls. “You were right, let’s get the stuff moved!”

KITCHEN - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

TED

Blake scrutinizes and then smiles his it is perfect smile. Del and I hug and then we hear Wilson calling. “I knew it! Typical Debs!” I laugh, and we go to help!

TWO MINUTES BEFORE THE CEREMONY

CARL

“Why the hell does she want me to wear a blindfold?!” I step away from Justin, but run straight into Brian.

“Because she does!” Brian growls, and wraps his arms around me. Within minutes, the blindfold is tied around my head, and I can hear the door being opened.

“Here comes the groom!” I hear Vlademenko shout, and the room goes quiet. “Stop!”

I can hear tittering. “Come on, guys, what is it?!” I grouse.

“We may be in Russia, but we are getting married Liberty Avenue style…” Debs chuckles, and I feel her kiss on my cheek. “...open your eyes and look up!” She demands.

I close them again and start to smile, as only she could want this! “Okay, Mrs soon-to-be Horvath, where do I stand?!”

“What a question!” She exclaims, and strides to stand under the chandelier. “By the cake of course! Am watching my figure!”

Brian’s arm slips into mine. “Ready for your short walk towards long-time happiness, Dad?” He grins his eyes bright.

“Son, I was born ready!”