Hawaiian Wedding

Chapter 1-3

His first thought was the wedding would be small, just the two of them. Hawaii was on the other side of the continent, six time zones away, and a quick look at the cost of travel packages curbed any thought of inviting anyone else along for the trip. Besides, they could get the ceremony out of the way and then dive right into the honeymoon, lounging on the beach, watching the sunset, sipping margaritas, and enjoying each other. As if they didn’t already do that enough. Still, as newlyweds, Remy wanted Lane all to himself, and one way to ensure that happened would be to tell no one else of their plans until they came home married men.

Only once again, things didn’t quite work out according to plan.

When they got back to Richmond at the end of their two weeks at the cabin, Remy first drove to Kate’s home in the West End to drop off Braden, who had to be back to school the next morning. He bounded out of Lane’s Jeep with a much happier attitude than he’d had when he left home, a huge smile on his face. But the presents filling the back of the Jeep were only part of the reason for his happiness. “Mom!” he cried when he saw Kate on the stoop by the door that led into the kitchen. “Guess what? We’re going to Hawaii!”

She laughed and looked from Remy to Lane and back again, seeking an explanation. “Oh, you are, are you?”

Lane exited the passenger side door and gave her a tired grin. “Hey, Kate. How was your cruise?”

“Wonderful.” She came down the few steps into the garage, her slippers silent on the concrete floor, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Then she ruffled Braden’s hair as he brushed by her on his way inside, his backpack and duffel bag slung over one shoulder. “Take those bags all the way upstairs, young man. Did you like your presents?”

“Loved them!” he called as he raced up the stairs. “Thanks, Mom!”

“Thank Santa,” she told him.

Remy had gone around the back of the Jeep and begun to unload the gifts, which they’d put back into the large black trash bags Kate had used to hide them in originally. With her hands on her hips, she watched him a moment. “So, what’s this about Hawaii?” she finally asked.

“We’re going to Hawaii,” Remy said. “Lane and me. Not Braden.”

Kate frowned as Lane came up beside her to lean against the Jeep. “Why?”

With a flamboyant gesture, Lane held out his left hand. A moment later, Remy followed suit. Kate looked at both of them, her brows knitted together, unsure what she was supposed to be looking at. “I’m not…”

Remy wriggled his ring finger to draw her attention to it, and Lane did the same.

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened in a surprised O. A moment later, she squealed in delight. “Oh my God! You didn’t!” She slapped Remy’s arm, then gripped it hard and shook him. “Oooh, come in and tell me all about it. Did you plan this? I know you did, I know you. I love those rings! Lane!”

Releasing Remy, Kate flung herself at Lane and he caught her in a tight hug. With a laugh, she swung from Lane to Remy, and planted a wet kiss in the corner of his mouth. “I’m so happy for you both,” she sighed. “I want details! Come in, come in! I’ll put on some coffee. I have to know!”

She took Lane’s left hand in her right, and Remy’s right hand in her left, and led them up the steps towards the open door into the kitchen. Halfway there, she slipped her arms through theirs and hugged them to her, pleased at their news. “Oh, I’m so excited for you both!” she cried. “Wait. Why Hawaii?”

Lane looked over the top of Kate’s head at Remy, who shrugged. “Well, we can’t get married here,” Remy pointed out.

“D.C.’s closer,” Kate said. “I can be your best man. Best maid? Best matron. What would they call that, anyway? Whatever, I’d be able to be there.”

“Still, Hawaii,” Lane said, as if that was all the argument needed.

Kate laughed, a deep, throaty sound that warmed the cold garage. “Yeah, right? Hawaii, it is. I’m sure we can find a good deal online somewhere. I mean, how often does your ex-husband get hitched to another man, anyway?”

Remy stopped in mid-step. Kate took another step and turned to look back at him. Lane made it to the top stoop before he, too, was stopped by Kate’s arm through his and turned, as well. “Wait, what?” Remy asked. “No, you don’t have to go.”

But Kate shook her head. “It’s Hawaii. Why wouldn’t I?”

Remy glanced past her at Lane, hoping his lover would read the beseeching look in his eyes. Say something, he tried to project silently. Tell her she doesn’t have to go. Tell her it’s just going to be the two of us. Tell her…

What, exactly? Kate was a stubborn woman, and when she set her mind on something, there was no dissuading her. If she had her sights set on going to Hawaii for his upcoming nuptials, the only way Remy could hope to change her mind would be to call off the wedding or elope. While he wasn’t going to let Lane slip from him so easily, he might consider a quick jaunt out of state to tie the knot if they could get away with it.

From the set of Kate’s jaw, he didn’t think that was an option, either. “Come on,” she said, tugging on Remy’s arm to get him moving again. “I want to hear about how things went in the mountains with Brae, but mostly I want to hear about those rings! And Hawaii! God, there’s so much to do. Have you even set a date yet?”

Lane smirked at Remy behind Kate’s back. “Best matron?” he mouthed.

Shoot me now, Remy thought.