wl_fanfiction | Wedding Bells (1/3)

Title - Wedding Bells
Rating - PG
Pairing - Ry/Col
Disclaimer - I, sadly, own nothing but the story.
Summary - Sequel to Birthday Surprises....

Well, here it is...the sequel to Birthday Surprises. It's turning out to be quite a bit longer than anticipated so I've split it into chapters. I must say a big thank you to jerluvsdean for reassuring me when I got insecure about it! I hope you like it.....please comment!

Part One

Ryan sat down in the huge hotel foyer and glanced at his watch. 4.20p.m. He still had ten minutes so he sat back and leisurely observed the comings and goings of the hotel guests, his mind wandering. He found it hard to believe that in less than 24 hours he was getting married again. He and Colin had only been engaged for four months but they had both agreed that enough time had been wasted and they hadn't seen the point of a long engagement. A smile lit up Ryan's face as he remembered Colin's stunned expression when he had proposed at his surprise birthday party. He hadn't thought it possible to love someone this much.

The wedding plans had been pretty straight forward. Since only a handful of US states allowed same-sex marriage, he and Colin had decided to get married in Canada where it had been legalized nationwide. The obvious choice had been Vancouver since it was where they'd first met and started improv together, and he still owned a house in the city. They'd spent the last four months arranging everything and all their friends and family had been invited, although many couldn't make it at such short notice.

They'd both felt it important to ask the kids if they wanted to take part in the wedding. Mac had agreed to be a bridesmaid and Claire had been ecstatic when they'd asked her to be their flower girl. Luke and Sam were both too young to be a best man so each had the title of usher and honourary best man. Ryan had asked Drew to be his best man as he was his closest friend after Colin, while Colin had asked Greg as they had been close friends since they did the UK version of Whose Line. All their other Whose Line friends were coming too, and Wayne had agreed to sing as part of the ceremony with Laura Hall playing the piano.

The only black cloud hanging over everything was the fact that some people, including one member of his family, had refused to accept his relationship with Colin. He had hoped that, in time, they would come round and see how happy he was like Mac had. That didn't look likely though and if they were going to force him to choose it would be Colin every time. He'd be damned if he was going to let them ruin his happiness.

"Hey Ryan!"

Ryan looked in the direction of Drew's voice to see him and some of the other Whose Line gang approaching - Greg, Brad, Jeff, Wayne, Chip, and Laura.

"Hey! Right on time," Ryan said, getting to his feet and walking forward to greet them.

"So Ry," Greg said, slapping him on the back, "are you getting cold feet yet?"

"No, my feet are extremely warm, thank you Greg," Ryan replied as he finished hugging everyone and they all sat down.

"Man, I still can't believe you and Colin are getting married," Brad said, grinning.

"Took them long enough," Greg smirked, "where is Col anyway?"

"He's gone to pick Luke up from the airport," Ryan replied, glancing at his watch. "He should have been back by now though," he added, looking at the door expectantly.

"I'm sure he'll be here in a minute," Drew said reassuringly, "you know what airports are like."

Ryan was about to reply when his cell phone started to ring. He knew it was Colin by the ringtone so immediately answered it.

"Hey Col. Where are you?"

They all watched as Ryan listened with a small frown on his face, before saying, "Ok.......yeah they're all here."

"Hey Col," Brad shouted excitedly as Ryan rolled his eyes and chuckled at Colin's response.

"Yeah, I will. I'll see you soon........love you too. Bye," he finished, ignoring everyones grins and closing the phone with a snap.

Drew raised his eyebrows. "Well?" he asked.

"Luke's flight was delayed so they're just leaving the airport now. They should be back in around ten minutes. He told me to start the rehearsal without him.....and to keep Brad away from any alcohol," Ryan replied, smirking at Brad who pouted while Chip and Jeff patted him on the back sympathetically.

Everyone laughed at Brad's expression before Ryan got to his feet and said, "Ok, I'll go and see if they're ready for us."

Drew smiled as he watched Ryan walk towards reception and taIk to a woman at the desk. He'd never seen Ryan happier and it was all down to Colin. Sure, he'd always known that the two of them shared a special connection but he hadn't realised just how deep it went. If anyone ever wanted proof of true love, they just had to look at Colin and Ryan together.

Ryan walked back towards them with an attractive woman in her early thirties. "Ok guys this is Sarah, the hotel's wedding coordinator," Ryan said as she nodded in greeting, "she's going to take us through what's going to happen tomorrow. I need Drew, Greg, Wayne, and Laura to come with me." He waited as they got to their feet before turning to the others and saying, "Can one of you go up and get Sam, Mac, and Claire please? Sam's in room 503, which he's sharing with Luke, and Mac and Claire are in 504. They know where we'll be."

"I might as well go and get them if I can't drink yet," Brad grumbled getting up.

"Ok," Ryan continued, looking at Chip and Jeff, "we shouldn't be long. When Col gets back can you tell him that we're in the function room?"

"Sure," Chip said nodding.

Sarah led the group through the hotel to a spacious room, filled with sunlight, which backed onto a large terrace. The room was filled with flowers and there were rows of chairs on either side of a wide aisle, with a grand piano at the front on one side. Through the wide doors, Ryan could see a huge marquee where the reception would be held.

"Ok," Sarah said, turning to face the group,"we'll just run through how everything will go tomorrow so you all know your places and what to do. The minister will be here shortly to run through the order of the ceremony. Now I believe one of you will be playing at the ceremony?"

"Yes, I will," Laura said, smiling.

"And one of you is singing?" Sarah asked.

"I am," Wayne said stepping forward.

"Ok. So you two must be the best men," Sarah said, looking at Drew and Greg.

"That's us," Drew said as Mac, Sam, and Claire came into the room behind them.

"These are my children," Ryan told Sarah. "My oldest, Mac, will be a bridesmaid, Sam is an usher and honourary best man, and Claire will be our flower girl," he said pointing to them in turn as they reached him.

"Hey dad, is Luke here yet?" Sam asked quietly, looking around.

"No, he'll be here in a minute.....hopefully," Ryan replied, glancing towards the door.

"Right," Sarah said, smiling at the children, "lets get everyone in their places. Where's the other groom?"

Ryan was just opening his mouth to answer when a familiar voice behind him called, "Here." Everyone turned to see Colin striding quickly towards them. As everyone shouted out greetings, Drew noticed a look of relief flash across Ryan's face before it lit up with a smile.

"Sorry I'm late everyone," Colin said as he reached them, "don't you just love airports?"

He nodded in greeting to Sarah before giving Drew, Wayne, Laura, and Greg a hug as Ryan muttered, "I don't," with a shudder.

Colin chuckled and turned to Ryan. "Miss me?" he asked with a smile.
"Always," Ryan replied and dipped his head to give him a quick kiss.

"Hey, cut that out you two," Greg called smirking, "we're gonna see enough of that tomorrow."

Ryan grinned and released Colin. "Where's Luke?" Sam asked.

"He's just putting his bags in your room," Colin replied as Claire held her arms out, silently asking to be picked up, and he lifted her onto his hip.

"Right then," Sarah smiled, "let's get started."

As it turned out the rehearsal went fairly smoothly, the minister arriving a little after Colin. Everyone seemed to know what they were supposed to do, although Claire was so excited she practically ran down the aisle when it was her turn - much to the amusement of everyone else.

Afterwards, everyone headed to the hotel restaurant for dinner - Ryan and Colin having decided against a bachelor party as they'd both been there and done that before.

A few hours later, Ryan sat back smiling as he watched everyone he loved enjoying themselves. Brad, Jeff, and Chip had drunk a little too much and were daring each other to do increasingly stupid things at one end of the table, while Mac, Sam, and Luke were arguing about some tv show he'd never heard of at the other end. Next to Mac, Wayne was chatting to Laura about music and, across the table in front of him, Drew was trying to tell Greg and Colin a dirty joke without the kids overhearing. Colin was sitting next to him, his eyes sparkling with happiness as he laughed with Drew and Greg, one hand resting lightly on Ryan's thigh and the other wrapped around Claire who was fast asleep on his lap. Ryan couldn't help thinking that if he could bottle happiness he would be a very rich man.

The moment was broken, however, when a voice behind him said, "Ryan?"

The smile slid off Ryan's face as he recognized the voice and turned towards it.

"What are you doing here Robert?" Ryan asked coldly.

Silence fell over the table as everyone turned their attention to the newcomer. Ryan's brother stood looking awkward as everyone stared at him. Drew thought he looked like an older version of Ryan. He wasn't quite as tall but you could see the family resemblance, although he didn't have the easy-going charm and warmth of Ryan.

"Um...can I talk to you.....in private?" Robert asked, looking directly at Ryan and trying to ignore the others.

"Whatever you've got to say, you can say in front of my friends and family," Ryan replied icily. Drew noticed Colin slipping his hand into Ryan's and squeezing it reassuringly.

Everyone around the table was aware that something had happened between Ryan and his brother, although most didn't know all the details. Drew knew that Robert hadn't taken the news of Ryan's relationship with Colin well when they had both gone to see him over a year ago. It had turned ugly when Robert had started taking out his anger on Colin, ending with Ryan breaking Robert's nose. They hadn't spoken since.

Ryan was still staring coldly at Robert, who seemed to be deciding what to do.

"You'd better watch what you say man," Drew called, "there's a lot of people around this table who'd like to kick your ass." There was a murmur of agreement.

"Give him a chance Ry," Colin whispered to Ryan, before saying more loudly, "I think I'd better get this one to bed." Ryan smiled softly at him, before kissing Claire goodnight. Colin stood up, shifting Claire onto his shoulder, as Mac said, "I'll give you a hand," and got out of her seat.

As Colin passed him, Robert reached out and grabbed his arm. Ryan's whole body stiffened as he glared at Robert, poised to jump out of his seat in a heartbeat if Colin needed him.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you last time Colin," Robert said seriously. Colin studied his face for a moment, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, before nodding and moving away to join Mac who was waiting at the door. Drew watched as Ryan visibly relaxed and Robert turned back to him.

"Look Ryan, I know it's your wedding day tomorrow and I'm not here to cause trouble," Robert said, holding his hands up placatingly, "I just wanted to let you know that I've done a lot of thinking lately." He paused before continuing, "Last year, when you told me about Colin, I thought starting a relationship was a mistake, that it was just a rebound affair after your split from Pat. Even though I consider mself to be quite broad-minded, I also thought it was wrong to be with another man. Since then, however, other people have talked to me and urged me to reconsider. They've told me how happy you are, that there's a light in your eyes that they hadn't seen before, and that you seem to have found your soulmate."

He sighed, "What I'm trying to say is......I'm sorry for the way I behaved....and if you're truly happy with Colin, then you have my blessing."

Ryan stared up at his brother, his eyes bright, before getting up and standing in front of him.

"I am," he replied before holding his hand out. Robert grasped it as Ryan softly said, "Thank you."

Robert pulled Ryan into a hug as everyone around the table let out a collective sigh of relief. Ryan pulled back and asked Robert, "Will you come tomorrow?"

"Of course, if you want me to," Robert replied smiling.

When Colin rejoined them a few minutes later, having left Claire with Mac, the atmosphere was light and happy again and he was pleased to see that Ryan had worked things out with his brother. He knew that the rift had been bothering Ryan, even if he had refused to admit it, and was glad they could put it behind them.

Robert spent the next ten minutes talking to Colin and smoothing things over. The two had always got on well together so it didn't take long for them to be back to an easy banter.

It was now geting late, so everyone decided to call it a night and headed towards the hotel foyer which was now nearly deserted. Ryan and Colin had decided to do the traditional thing and spend the night apart so Colin was going back to their house with Greg. As everyone said goodnight and headed for the elevators, Ryan took Colin off to one side and pulled him into a fierce hug.

"I'm gonna miss you tonight," he whispered in Colin's ear. Colin hugged him tighter before replying softly, "Me too."

Greg and Drew watched, grinning, as Colin pulled back and tenderly stroked Ryan's cheek as he whispered something. Ryan smiled and reached up to cup Colin's face in both hands before meeting his lips in a gentle, loving kiss. It was a beautiful moment to witness, broken only when Greg cleared his throat loudly and the two reluctantly pulled apart.

Colin moved towards Greg and the door, his hand sliding slowly from Ryan's until their fingertips finally parted. As Greg opened the door, Colin looked back and smiled at Ryan before Greg slung an arm around his shoulders and led him outside.

Ryan let Drew steer him towards the elevators, wondering if he was going to get any sleep that night without Colin beside him.

To be continued.....