Chapter Text
Ana brought her wine glass up to her lips and sipped the deep red liquid. She watched as everyone made their way to their assigned tables. She glanced around her table. Across from her sat two younger couples – she didn’t recognize them, so she surmised they must be either relatives of TK’s or friends of the couple. Her mother sat next to her, deep in conversation with a distant relative who’d lost his wife a year ago and was talking about this being his first event solo. Maddie sat on her other side, her eyes similarly flitting around the room as she too sipped her wine.
“Not gonna lie…” Maddie trailed off. “I am very happy to have at least been seated with you. Over 200 people and I barely know anyone outside of the wedding party.”
Ana chuckled softly. “I am suddenly realizing how disconnected I am from my own family except for a few.”
“Good Evening everyone! My name is Steve and I am going to be the life of the party for the next 5 hours as your DJ. If everyone would please make their way to their seats and turn their attention to the large french doors, our newly married couple along with the wedding party is about to make their entrance. Then we’ll transition right into our happy couple’s first dance as husband and husband.” The DJ, Steve, announced over the speaker system.
Ana watched as the last few people standing made their way to their seats. Everyone followed direction, turning in their chairs if necessary to the french doors as they all awaited the wedding party.
Evie and Danny appeared in the doorway. They were holding hands and looking around curiously. The other flower girl and ring bearer, previously identified by Maddie as TK’s baby brother, Joshua, could be seen behind them as they were just a little taller. Ana watched Buck appear behind the twins, crouching down momentarily to say something to them.
Her tía and tío suddenly appeared in the doorway as well as the woman she’d met a couple nights ago, Gwyn, and a man who could only be TK’s father. He was a 20 year older version of the young man – their was no denying that.
A soft party beat began to ring out throughout the venue as the DJ began. The lights somewhat softened in the room, now instead of a bright white were more of an evening glow. A spotlight illuminated the doorway.
“We are going to get started folks – please welcome the parents of our groom, Mr. Gabriel Reyes escorting Mrs. Andrea Reyes.” The DJ stated as the couple made their way through the crowd to the outskirts of the dance floor. He continued. “Please welcome – the parents of our other groom, Mr. Owen Strand escorting Mrs. Gwyn Morgan.”
Ana watched them follow the same path as her tía and tío just a minute before. She turned her attention back to the doorway.
Evie and Danny stood with a crowd behind them. Their eyes were suddenly wide as saucers as they looked around. Buck’s grin from his kneel behind them made his blue eyes sparkle with delight. “We are going to continue with our mini people – please welcome one of our flower girl’s and ring bearer’s, Ms. Evie Diaz escorted by Mr. Danny Diaz.”
Ana watched Buck point to Maddie who sat next to her. Their table was in the far corner of the ballroom, just off the end corner of the dance floor. Ana noticed Maddie wave in her peripheral as the twins started their descent into the ballroom. There was a clear path splitting all the tables that lead to the ballroom dance floor. They made their way hands held – smiles bright before coming to stop at the corner of the dance floor just a few feet away from them. Ana watched Maddie turn her attention slightly towards her niece and nephew. When Ana glanced back to the double doors, she watched Buck rise to his feet – confident they had made their way to their designated spot on the dance floor before he disappeared into the crowd of people behind him.
“Please welcome – our other flower girl and ring bearer, Ms. Leyla Ryder escorted by Mr. Joshua Morgan-Rossi.” DJ Steven announced as the slightly older kids, hand in hand made their entrance. They followed the same path and came to stop somewhere next to the twins on the dance floor.
Ana’s eyes fell on Christopher standing in the doorway, his partner with her arm looped softly within his much like earlier at the church. DJ Steve continued. “Please welcome – Ms. Isabella Vega escorted by Mr. Christopher Diaz.”
Next up – Eddie appeared. He was as handsome as ever in his tuxedo – his green vest below his jacket bringing out the honey brown in his eyes coupled with the soft light. Ana’s feelings for Eddie were long gone, but her breath still hilted in her throat at his appearance. He very well might have been one of the most beautiful creatures she’d ever laid eyes on. All these years later, that still hadn’t changed. His smile was more vibrant than she ever remembered. She attested it to his true happiness now, something he probably didn’t even realize back then. His arm was looped softly with a young lady. Ana didn’t notice it at the ceremony, but now she was pretty sure the young girl at Eddie’s side was the twin sister of Christopher’s partner.
DJ Steve interrupted her thoughts. “Please welcome – Ms. Ivy Vega escorted by Mr. Eddie Diaz.”
It continued much in that fashion as the DJ continued to announce the wedding party.
“Please welcome – Ms. Sophia Reyes escorted by Mr. Mateo Chavez.”
“Please welcome – Mr. Nicholas Raider escorting Ms. Nancy Gillian.”
“Please welcome – Mr. Johnny Hernandez escorting Mrs. Tommy Vega.”
“Please welcome – Mr. Paul Strickland escorting Ms. Marjan Marwani.”
“Please welcome – Mrs. Grace Ryder escorted by Mr. Judd Ryder.”
Ana must not have quite realized at the church ceremony how large the wedding party was. She vaguely remembered Eddie’s joke from the day before as he headed out to deal with the flower situation about how large the party was. She knows they are approaching the main event when Buck appears in the doorway. He’s holding hands with a darker haired woman who looked to be a good 10 years older than him. She’s laughing at something he’s said because of course she is – he’s perfect and everyone loves him! Oh. Ana realizes the red wine she’s sipping makes her painful past make her feel a little more bitter. She schools those thoughts. There’s no place for her bitterness.
“Please welcome – our best woman, Ms. Michelle Blake escorted by our best man, Mr. Buck Diaz!” DJ Steve boasts.
The two begin their entry into the ballroom, following the same path as the many before them. Buck has their hands raised in the air between them as the two dance their way towards the dance floor. This Michelle Blake, Carlos’ best woman, seems just as carefree as Buck. They are enjoying themselves before they hit their spot on the dance floor. Ana steals a glance at Eddie. She finds her breath caught in her throat at the look of fondness on his face. It is so simple, but breathtaking. His eyes are locked on his husband. The second Buck catches his glance down the line of the wedding party as they stand on the outskirts of the dance floor – it’s like the rest of the room ceases to exist. Eddie’s smile brightens and Buck returns it. Ana looks away – feeling like she’s intruding on a private moment, again. Her heart flutters in her chest – she aches for someone to look at her like that and to look back at someone like that. The music turns a notch or two louder as Ana looks back to the doors. The main event has arrived.
“If everyone could please rise…” DJ Steve paused for dramatic effect. “Please give a loud round of applause and a warm welcome to our newly married couple, Mr. Carlos and TK Reyes-Strand!”
The ballroom erupts as everyone is now on their feet, clapping and cheering. Carlos and TK are in the doorway. Carlos is blushing like nobodies business and TK – he looks ever the life of the party much like his best friend and best man moments before. He’s eating it up – loving the attention. Their hands are gripped together between them as TK raises them into the air and the two make their way through the sea of now standing people to the dance floor. Ana watches them come to a stop in the middle of the dance floor, the spotlight following them. The soft upbeat party music that had been playing during the introductions fades away. A soft melody begins as the volume slowly increases and transitions throughout the speakers. TK and Carlos are now wrapped in each other’s arms as they begin to sway in the middle of the dance floor.
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Ana looked away from the newly married couple. Her eyes landing on the now empty spot where Eddie had stood just a minute before. She watched him as he made his way behind the wedding party on the outskirts of the dance floor who were all watching the couple dancing in the middle of the parquet floor.
That every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes, He did
Eddie came to a stop behind his husband. His hand landing softly on his hip. Buck glanced over his shoulder, his smile brightening as soon as he sees him. Ana watches him turn his body slightly, allowing the shorter man to come stand before him. Buck slips his arms around Eddie’s shoulder’s and leans forward to rest his chin on his folded arm near Eddie’s ear. Eddie says something to him, his head turned as he talks into Buck’s ear. Buck’s smile brightens and his hold on Eddie tightens as he pulls the man even tighter back against his chest. The two turn their attention back to the couple on the dance floor, but their swaying softly. Ana glances at Carlos’ best woman next to them, she’s smiling so softly at the couple before she turns her attention back to the newly married couple on the dance floor as well.
I think about the years I spent just passin' through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Ana reaches for her wine glass, it’s nearly empty now. Her eyes are still trained on the couple. She doesn’t want to feel like she can’t look away, but that’s how she feels. How did these two go multiple years not realizing how much they loved each other?
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yeah
Buck and Eddie are still swaying gently from their spot on the outskirts on the dance floor. Their eyes trained on the couple in the middle of the dance floor. Eddie raises his hand to find one of Buck’s wrapped around his shoulders. He entwines their fingers without looking away – the gesture so natural. It’s so soft and loving. Buck turns his head slightly, kissing Eddie’s temple. It’s barely a second before he’s back looking at his best friend and his new husband in the middle of the dance floor, but Ana doesn’t miss it. The love they share is like a drug to them and everyone around them or maybe just Ana.
And now I'm just a-rollin' home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Ana forces her eyes away from Buck and Eddie. Her cousin and his new husband are absolutely glowing as they dance in the middle of the wood floor. She downs the rest of her wine.
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, mm, mm
The soft music ends and the ballroom erupts as Ana follows suit with everyone else who stands to clap and applaud.
A soft ringing is suddenly hammering as many clink their forks against their glasses, urging the newly married couple to kiss, which they oblige. They come together to appease their guests and share a kiss – their cheeky grins blinding as neither seems to be able to stop smiling at the other.
“Next up.” DJ Steve suddenly interrupts. “As a thank you to their wedding party who got them through this crazy time – our grooms ask that you remain seated for just this next song. They would like their wedding party to join them on the dance floor, for a celebration of love, family, and friendship.”
Everyone is clapping again as an upbeat party music rings out. Everyone in the wedding party is suddenly crowding the middle of the dance floor around TK and Carlos. Ana’s eyes fall to Christopher. He’s swaying on his crutches, laughing with another woman from the party – Ana doesn’t know who she is, but notes how beautiful she is. The DJ had announced her as Marjan Marwani. Ana can’t help but notice how the soft white hijab she wears atop her head makes her eyes pop with her green colored grooms-woman dress. Her eyes flit to her cousin, he has Evie in his arms as one of her hands is holding Buck’s hand who stands in front of them. They are dancing to the music. Eddie is just next to them, little Danny sitting on his shoulders as he swings his arms over his head to the music. TK is laughing as he dances with them.
A few moments later, Carlos hands Evie over to Buck before turning his attention to the dark haired woman – his best woman, Michelle, and moving his hips with her to the music. TK has moved on to another couple of his groomsmen as they dance.
Ana notices the other little flower girl as she’s swept up into one of the groomsman’s arms. He then snakes his arm around a woman as they cradle the little girl between them. Ana remembers they were announced as Grace, Judd, and Leyla Ryder – they are the sweetest little family!
Her eyes lands on Buck whose moving across the dance floor with Evie in his arms. She sitting on his hip, his arm loosely around her waist keeping her secure. He reaches his destination where Eddie is swaying to the music. Danny is standing by his side, one hand clutching on to Eddie’s while the other is holding his big brother’s. Christopher is leaning on his crutches, one hand softly holding his baby brother’s. Buck’s free right arm curls around Eddie’s waist, his left arm securing Evie on his hip. Eddie mirrors the sentiment, his free right arm cascading up and down Buck’s back as the family of five stands in a small circle amongst the crowd, dancing to the music. God, they’re perfect! They’re everything!
—
Maddie is telling Ana a story about Jee when the DJ interrupts. He requests they all turn their attention to the head table. Maddie promises to finish the story after as they look to Buck whose now standing just to the right of where TK and Carlos sit in the middle of the head table. He’s holding a piece of paper in his hand and dare Ana say, he looks slightly apprehensive. That’s not an emotion she can ever remember seeing on him before this moment.
He cleared his throat. A nervous smile displayed on his lips. “Hi everyone! First off, I want to thank you all for being here to celebrate the beautiful love story that is TK and Carlos. Ever since TK asked me to be his best man, I’ve been teasing him about beating his best man speech at my wedding which made me bawl like a baby. Thus thrusting upon myself a great deal of pressure. TK and I met in kindergarten – our parents will tell you we’ve been inseparable since. It’s true. In the 8th grade, my family moved from NYC to Pennsylvania and I remember worrying that along with my home, my school, I’d lost my best friend, too. That never happened. Ever since the 8th grade, we spent more time apart than together – except for one small period where I lived with TK and his dad, Owen, but TK’s friendship never wavered.”
Ana glanced to TK whose blinding smile up at his best friend only made her smile in response.
Buck continued. “TK likes to tease me about always copying him. In our early twenties, he was a bartender then I tried it in Peru a year later. TK became a firefighter and soon after so did I. You can imagine the jokes when I told him I’d fallen in love with a man – he joked about it, asking if he had to be concerned about being chopped to bits and his identity stolen. Jokes on him because I made it to alter first and he copied me.”
Buck winks at TK and Everyone laughed as Buck stole a glance at Eddie who was watching him with fondness. Buck looked back to his best friend. “The truth is, TK might have only been a few months older than me – but I always wanted to be just like him! Family was complicated in my household, with the exception of my sister – I never felt loved. TK’s love was abundant back in kindergarten and it too never wavered. He weathered so many storms in his life and yet his beautiful heart and love never wavered. How could I not want to be just like him? I don’t know what I would have done without you the past 35 years – especially when I FaceTimed you to ask you how to tell Eddie that I was in love with him.”
Everyone laughs again and Buck glanced back down at the paper in his hands. “I remember when you called me not long after you moved to Austin and told me you’d met and I quote ‘the hottest cop’! I remember thinking – no way – TK and a cop? He’d be arrested by the end of the second date. TK didn’t mention the cop much after that. In fact, weeks later when I asked on a FaceTime, TK blushed so bright and told me they were just friends. I let it go, but I knew that was far from the truth. I visited TK a few months later and the first time I met the cop – who TK finally introduced as Carlos – I knew it was all over. TK told me they were still just friends. That Carlos was interested, but it was too soon for him after a rough break up before leaving NYC. I told TK that night that he better lock Carlos up before someone else did and TK rolled his eyes at me. The way Carlos looked at TK took my breath away. I could only dream of someone looking at me that way – little did I know, he was out there. In fact he was already in my life, we just weren’t there yet. I just had to be patient.”
Buck paused again to look at Eddie whose smile is so proud, it’s a beautiful sight. Buck blushes slightly as he glances back down at the paper in his hand before looking back to TK and Carlos. “I am so glad that Carlos knew TK was worth being patient for. I couldn’t ask for a better man for my best friend!”
Ana watched as Carlos leaned in and kissed TK’s cheek as Buck continued. “That was one of the few times in my life, I was right. TK and Carlos – your love is inspirational. It’s patient and kind. You guys are the best godfathers to our twins, the best uncles to our eldest son, and your children one day will surely be some of the luckiest kids on this earth. I wish nothing but the best for you both – I love you so much!”
TK wiped furiously as tears streamed down his cheeks. He stood up, enveloping Buck in a tight hug. Buck returned the hug before TK pulled back and sat back down, finding his husband and kissing him. Ana watched as Buck sat down – looking at Eddie before mouthing ‘I love you’ clear as day. Ana looked to Eddie whose smile widened as he mouthed the words back to his husband.
—
Ana stepped up to the bar, smiling at the bartender. “Can I have a glass of Pinot noir, please?”
He nodded in response, turning to get her drink.
“Hi Ana.” Eddie comes up beside her.
Ana suddenly freezes, she wasn’t expecting him. She schools her expression, turning to offer him a smile. “Hi Eddie.”
He returns her smile as the bartender returns with her wine. He slides it to her and she reaches into her clutch for some money. Eddie reaches out and places his hand on her wrist. She inhales sharply at the touch, Eddie doesn’t notice. He shakes his head and looks to the bartender.
“It’s on me.” He offers and then his hand is gone, but the tingling on her skin is still present. She looks up and his attention is on the bartender.
“Can I get a couple IPA’s, Andy, and put the ladies on my tab as well?” Eddie requests
Andy, as Eddie had named him, returns the smile and nods. “Diaz, right?”
“Yessir.” Eddie replies before Andy reaches below the bar and pulls up a couple bottles. He removes the caps and slides them to Eddie.
“Thanks, man.” Eddie states as he takes a beer in each hand.
Ana remembers her manners, as she takes her glass of wine from the bar top and steps over to the side of the bar out of the way of the few people behind them. “Thank you for the drink!”
Eddie follows her to the side. “My pleasure.”
She clears her throat nervously. “You must be glad that this is nearly over.”
Eddie chuckles. “I will not be sad to return home to a little normalcy.”
“You know.” Ana sips her wine as a distraction. “I know this shouldn’t feel so awkward…”
“But it does.” Eddie finishes for her as he sips one of the beers in his hand.
Ana nods slowly. The next words leave her mouth before she can stop them. “You’re so happy!”
It’s not a question. It’s a statement. She blames the wine. Eddie just stares at her in response. She can tell he’s not sure what to say.
She can see the inner battle in his eyes as he looks to his feet, his soft smile lighting up his face. He looks back up – the battle in his eyes now gone. Instead his eyes are dancing and his smile brightens. “I never knew I could ever be this happy. I honestly didn’t know happiness like this existed or that I deserved it.”
His statement is honest and raw. She inhales sharply. Eddie doesn’t notice again. It takes her breath away. But he’s somewhere else, his eyes looking over her shoulder. She follows his gaze.
Buck is sitting at the long head table. Danny is on his lap, happily eating the cake in front of him. Buck’s smiling softly and his eyes are on Evie as she alternates between taking a bite of cake and sweetly feeding a bite to Christopher who sits next to her laughing as they play some sort of game with sharing the piece of cake. She looks back to Eddie.
“You deserve it.” She whispers to him.
He pulls his eyes away from his family and back to her. His smile grows wider at her words.
“Your family is beautiful!” She adds. “I have to admit – when I walked out of your house on that day all those years ago, I never pictured this reunion down the road.”
Eddie laughs at the sentiment. “That makes two of us. That day was one of the most terrifying days of my life. It was the first day I let myself face the cold, hard facts of being in love with my best friend. I had no idea what was next. I remember feeling like I was about to fall off a cliff.”
Ana stares at him in shock. His openness and honestly is quite new. He’s like an open book before her. She doesn’t say anything.
“The inner turmoil raging inside me.” He exhales loudly. “God I never could have imagined ending up here. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself because I’m afraid it’s not real.”
“Pieces always fall into the right place, Eddie. No matter how bumpy the road. I’m happy for you!” She responds, sipping her wine again.
Eddie nods. “Thank you, Ana. Well – I better get back to my family.”
Ana nods as he steps around her.
Eddie hesitates before turning back to her momentarily. “Take care, Ana. Be well.”
Ana smiles. “You too, Edmundo.”
He laughs at her tip of his full first name before turning away from her and continuing across the ballroom. She watches him come up behind Evie, stealing a bite when she’s not paying attention from her fork, and then kissing her forehead as she pouts. He hands Buck a beer over his daughter’s head, and tickles her quickly with his free hand. Evie’s pout soon disappears as she laughs. His free hand then softly ruffles his eldest son’s hair before taking a seat next to his husband. He places his beer down on the table and leans in. His hand goes to the back of Buck’s neck. Ana watches Eddie quickly glance to Danny in Buck’s lap whose still enthralled with his cake. He says something, Danny grins around his fork, nods, and continues to eat. Eddie and Buck both chuckle at whatever was said. Buck looks to Eddie whose still playing softly with the hair on the nape of his neck. Buck leans back into the touch and closer to Eddie. Their lips meet gently, they pull back ever so slightly. Their eyes are locked on each other. Their smiles are light. Buck says something and Eddie’s smile only brightens. Their lips connect again. Ana feels a tear roll down her cheek. She wipes at is furiously with her free hand, turning her attention back to sip at her wine. One day. Maybe. Hopefully. One day she’ll find the perfection they’ve found.