Good Love - Chapter Six
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
“Dearly beloved,” he started and Nick took a deep breath, Miley’s hand fitting into his own. Taylor and Selena were the maids of honor and they held the bouquets, watching with smiles on their faces as their friends got married. “We are gathered together here in the sign of God - and in the face of this company - to join together these two couples in holy matrimony.” Nick noticed Joe shiver at the words and knew he was feeling like he was living a big lie to God no matter what happened. They’d done a lot of bad things together, but this was probably the worst.
Their father continued as Nick sighed and squeezed Miley’s hand in his, and noticed Demi link her arm through her fiancée’s. “Which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly - but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together - let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Nick waited for someone, anyone, to call them out for what had happened. Waited for Garbo or Jack or Hell, even Kevin, to point out their fraud and let loose the sick truth that Joe and Nick had fucked like rabbits the night before and loved it - loved it so much it hadn’t kept them from doing something about it several times the next day. The same day they were supposed to get married to other people.
But no one did. No one said a word in protest to the unions and Paul opened his mouth to speak once more, smiling as he brought them to the next stage. “Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy - and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly - it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained.” Their dad was so formal sometimes and now Nick wished it would go faster instead of slower so they could get it over with. They were about to start their vows when a commotion could be heard from the back.
“Wait!” someone yelled and Nick paled, knowing this was it. Someone, one of their friends or someone who had seen, well…they were going to tell all. “Wait…” The man sounded out of breath and Joe and Nick turned to see who it was, not recognizing him in the slightest. Nope, not a clue, and Joe didn’t look like he knew, either. “Uhm, sorry to break the news but Mr. Jonas can’t get married today.”
“Which one?” someone asked, female, and their mom stood up. She walked over to him and asked, “Which of my sons can’t get married…Joe, what have you done?” Joe blushed profusely and Nick felt bad for him, he always got blamed for everything almost automatically. Granted, things tended to actually be Joe’s fault, but whatever…
“Uhm, well, neither of them can legally get married today,” the man said apologetically, flashing an I.D. that identified him as working for the state.
“Well why not? All our paperwork has been in order for over a week!” That was Paul now, stepping down to join his wife in questioning the official.
“Uh, yes, and until last night things would have gone smoothly, no hitches.” He looked over at Nick and then Joe who both froze, wondering if they’d done something illegal and were going to get arrested. “Maybe we can take this conversation somewhere more private?”
Denise’s lips parted in a silent gasp and she asked, “Have they done something wrong?”
“I, er, not technically, no. I suppose that depends on your definition of ‘wrong.’” This guy was so less than helpful it wasn’t even funny.
“Whatever it is, just say it, you’d better tell us now. If they owe money or if they’re in trouble, we’ll fix it as soon as possible.” Paul was once more trying to make the world make sense. Nick wanted it to make sense, too.
Joe gasped and said, “We should go inside now…please let’s just listen to him in, erm, private?” From the desperate note in Joe’s voice Nick realized he remembered something important and was trying to save them from public embarrassment. But that just made Paul frown more and Nick dreaded the words that came next.
“No, whatever it is can be said here, let’s just get this over with.” He turned back to the man whose name was apparently Bob because he said, “Please, Bob…when can they get married?”
“Uhm, well, the soonest would be three days…” Bob was a nervous wreck, voice a little shaky as he continued. “When their marriage license goes through and they’re legally married. Then they can get divorced and marry someone else…if they want to.”
Marriage license. Bob was talking like they were already married, but to who? Their parents seemed to reach the same conclusion and Paul rounded on them while their mom turned to Bob. They asked at the same time,
“Who are they married to?”
“Uhm, well…” Bob said, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, sweat beading on his forehead. “Each other,” he finished quietly, but not quite quietly enough the microphone didn’t pick it up and everyone seemed to gasp in unison.
”Do you, Joseph, take Nicholas to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”
Joe stared directly into his eyes, both hands around his own, all four palms sweaty but neither noticed. “I do.” His heart soared, leapt, felt like the sun and the moon, the earth and the universe all revolved around him for just that moment. He was king of the world and he bet even being President wasn’t this amazing.
“Do you, Nicholas, take Joseph to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”
“I so, so do,” he whispered, feeling tears in his eyes and not daring to blink them away for fear he’d miss something when his eyes were closed.
“Do you have rings?” the pastor asked and Joe nodded, pulling out the small, blue Tiffany box that held the ring Demi was supposed to put on his finger at the ceremony. Nick’s hand dipped into his own pocket where his own set of Yurman rings had settled. “Now repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”
Joe turned Nick’s hand in his own and watched as if amazed, slipping the ring onto one of those pale fingers as he said “With this ring, I thee wed.” The words were soft-spoken but Nick heard them loud and clear.
And then it was his turn as he slipped his own ring onto his brother’s more tanned finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.” His own voice was sure, confident, and the smile Joe gave him made his heart skip a beat.
“You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss.”
Joe smiled that beautiful smile that reminded him of a little kid, that slapstick happy grin that meant he was feeling the same way Nick was and they each took a step closer to each other automatically. Heads tilted slightly they leaned forward, lips tingling as they pressed against Joe’s and he let out a happy sigh, wrapping his arms tightly around his brother’s neck and just clinging to him. “I love you,” he whispered as they finally pulled apart, and Joe was crying now, too. “I’ve always loved you…”
Nick’s face flushed and he realized tears were dripping down his cheeks like they had been the night before and he wiped them away hastily as his mother grabbed him roughly by the arm. Paul was talking to Bob and asking if that was even legal, and when he realized it was he rounded on Joe, asking “How could you do something so stupid?”
Nick gaped and pushed past his mother to grab Joe’s hand and lied, “It was my idea.” Okay, maybe it wasn’t a lie, but he didn’t know if it was or not. Maybe Joe had been the one to first suggest it and Nick didn’t really remember but he couldn’t take it anymore, all the blame seemingly going to Joe as if on auto-pilot.
Paul glared and said, “Excuse me?” He gestured to everybody sitting down, some people trying not to listen but everybody wanting to overhear. “And you couldn’t have mentioned it say…this morning? Or maybe after the concert?”
Nick blushed furiously and said, “We, er…forgot.”
“You forgot?” Denise asked incredulously. “You forgot you got married?”
“Too much drinking last night,” Joe supplied, “Which was my fault so…guess this mess is my fault.” He gave Nick’s hand a squeeze and smiled sadly. That was a lie, too. Garbo had drugged them, but it wasn’t the bassist’s fault either. Kevin and Jack had been their witnesses, but Nick wasn’t going to bring any of that up. Joe turned to Nick seriously and took a shaky breath. “I’ll sign whatever you need me to…”
Miley looked properly scandalized and Nick felt so, so badly. He doubted from her expression he would ever be able to make this right and didn’t think she’d marry him even if he and Joe got divorced or whatever.
Divorced. The word made his heart hurt and he clung to Joe’s hand that much harder, and said, “No.” He looked over at Demi but she didn’t look as upset as Miley or the other two girls were. She…looked understanding, like maybe she’d known all along how Joe felt about Nick. Joe stepped closer and cupped Nick’s cheek in his hand and the younger man’s eyes slipped closed, nuzzling into the touch much to the surprise of their audience of friends, family and various other celebrities and news crews. “No…” he whispered again, not wanting to break the vows he and his lover had made together. They were still wearing the rings, he realized with a jolt, and he looked up, meeting Joe’s tear-filled eyes with his own. “Tell me you want a divorce, Joe…”
Joe just chuckled and said, “No. I don’t.”
“Well you have no choice,” Paul said, pulling Joe away from him. He turned to their guests and apologized to them, giving them a bit of a speech that Nick and Joe didn’t hear as their mother led them back inside the hotel, not looking at either of them.
“We do have a choice,” Nick said firmly, “And Dad can’t make us sign those papers.”
“I know, Nicky…” Joe said, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek as they got to their parent’s room. Once inside the safety zone of no cameras or reporters, Joe pulled Nick into a tight hug that might have been unbearably close with anyone else, but Nick just inhaled his brother’s scent and buried his face into that tan neck. “We’re gonna be okay,” Joe said, but not like he really believed it.
Nick appreciated the words anyway and pressed a quick kiss to the skin his lips were pressed against, loving how safe he felt in Joe’s arms. “Okay,” he said simply, pretending to believe him. Maybe they would be, who knew? Maybe somehow this would all work out okay…probably not, but just maybe.
Chapter Seven
Chapter Six
“Dearly beloved,” he started and Nick took a deep breath, Miley’s hand fitting into his own. Taylor and Selena were the maids of honor and they held the bouquets, watching with smiles on their faces as their friends got married. “We are gathered together here in the sign of God - and in the face of this company - to join together these two couples in holy matrimony.” Nick noticed Joe shiver at the words and knew he was feeling like he was living a big lie to God no matter what happened. They’d done a lot of bad things together, but this was probably the worst.
Their father continued as Nick sighed and squeezed Miley’s hand in his, and noticed Demi link her arm through her fiancée’s. “Which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly - but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together - let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Nick waited for someone, anyone, to call them out for what had happened. Waited for Garbo or Jack or Hell, even Kevin, to point out their fraud and let loose the sick truth that Joe and Nick had fucked like rabbits the night before and loved it - loved it so much it hadn’t kept them from doing something about it several times the next day. The same day they were supposed to get married to other people.
But no one did. No one said a word in protest to the unions and Paul opened his mouth to speak once more, smiling as he brought them to the next stage. “Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy - and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly - it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained.” Their dad was so formal sometimes and now Nick wished it would go faster instead of slower so they could get it over with. They were about to start their vows when a commotion could be heard from the back.
“Wait!” someone yelled and Nick paled, knowing this was it. Someone, one of their friends or someone who had seen, well…they were going to tell all. “Wait…” The man sounded out of breath and Joe and Nick turned to see who it was, not recognizing him in the slightest. Nope, not a clue, and Joe didn’t look like he knew, either. “Uhm, sorry to break the news but Mr. Jonas can’t get married today.”
“Which one?” someone asked, female, and their mom stood up. She walked over to him and asked, “Which of my sons can’t get married…Joe, what have you done?” Joe blushed profusely and Nick felt bad for him, he always got blamed for everything almost automatically. Granted, things tended to actually be Joe’s fault, but whatever…
“Uhm, well, neither of them can legally get married today,” the man said apologetically, flashing an I.D. that identified him as working for the state.
“Well why not? All our paperwork has been in order for over a week!” That was Paul now, stepping down to join his wife in questioning the official.
“Uh, yes, and until last night things would have gone smoothly, no hitches.” He looked over at Nick and then Joe who both froze, wondering if they’d done something illegal and were going to get arrested. “Maybe we can take this conversation somewhere more private?”
Denise’s lips parted in a silent gasp and she asked, “Have they done something wrong?”
“I, er, not technically, no. I suppose that depends on your definition of ‘wrong.’” This guy was so less than helpful it wasn’t even funny.
“Whatever it is, just say it, you’d better tell us now. If they owe money or if they’re in trouble, we’ll fix it as soon as possible.” Paul was once more trying to make the world make sense. Nick wanted it to make sense, too.
Joe gasped and said, “We should go inside now…please let’s just listen to him in, erm, private?” From the desperate note in Joe’s voice Nick realized he remembered something important and was trying to save them from public embarrassment. But that just made Paul frown more and Nick dreaded the words that came next.
“No, whatever it is can be said here, let’s just get this over with.” He turned back to the man whose name was apparently Bob because he said, “Please, Bob…when can they get married?”
“Uhm, well, the soonest would be three days…” Bob was a nervous wreck, voice a little shaky as he continued. “When their marriage license goes through and they’re legally married. Then they can get divorced and marry someone else…if they want to.”
Marriage license. Bob was talking like they were already married, but to who? Their parents seemed to reach the same conclusion and Paul rounded on them while their mom turned to Bob. They asked at the same time,
“Who are they married to?”
“Uhm, well…” Bob said, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, sweat beading on his forehead. “Each other,” he finished quietly, but not quite quietly enough the microphone didn’t pick it up and everyone seemed to gasp in unison.
”Do you, Joseph, take Nicholas to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”
Joe stared directly into his eyes, both hands around his own, all four palms sweaty but neither noticed. “I do.” His heart soared, leapt, felt like the sun and the moon, the earth and the universe all revolved around him for just that moment. He was king of the world and he bet even being President wasn’t this amazing.
“Do you, Nicholas, take Joseph to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”
“I so, so do,” he whispered, feeling tears in his eyes and not daring to blink them away for fear he’d miss something when his eyes were closed.
“Do you have rings?” the pastor asked and Joe nodded, pulling out the small, blue Tiffany box that held the ring Demi was supposed to put on his finger at the ceremony. Nick’s hand dipped into his own pocket where his own set of Yurman rings had settled. “Now repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.”
Joe turned Nick’s hand in his own and watched as if amazed, slipping the ring onto one of those pale fingers as he said “With this ring, I thee wed.” The words were soft-spoken but Nick heard them loud and clear.
And then it was his turn as he slipped his own ring onto his brother’s more tanned finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.” His own voice was sure, confident, and the smile Joe gave him made his heart skip a beat.
“You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss.”
Joe smiled that beautiful smile that reminded him of a little kid, that slapstick happy grin that meant he was feeling the same way Nick was and they each took a step closer to each other automatically. Heads tilted slightly they leaned forward, lips tingling as they pressed against Joe’s and he let out a happy sigh, wrapping his arms tightly around his brother’s neck and just clinging to him. “I love you,” he whispered as they finally pulled apart, and Joe was crying now, too. “I’ve always loved you…”
Nick’s face flushed and he realized tears were dripping down his cheeks like they had been the night before and he wiped them away hastily as his mother grabbed him roughly by the arm. Paul was talking to Bob and asking if that was even legal, and when he realized it was he rounded on Joe, asking “How could you do something so stupid?”
Nick gaped and pushed past his mother to grab Joe’s hand and lied, “It was my idea.” Okay, maybe it wasn’t a lie, but he didn’t know if it was or not. Maybe Joe had been the one to first suggest it and Nick didn’t really remember but he couldn’t take it anymore, all the blame seemingly going to Joe as if on auto-pilot.
Paul glared and said, “Excuse me?” He gestured to everybody sitting down, some people trying not to listen but everybody wanting to overhear. “And you couldn’t have mentioned it say…this morning? Or maybe after the concert?”
Nick blushed furiously and said, “We, er…forgot.”
“You forgot?” Denise asked incredulously. “You forgot you got married?”
“Too much drinking last night,” Joe supplied, “Which was my fault so…guess this mess is my fault.” He gave Nick’s hand a squeeze and smiled sadly. That was a lie, too. Garbo had drugged them, but it wasn’t the bassist’s fault either. Kevin and Jack had been their witnesses, but Nick wasn’t going to bring any of that up. Joe turned to Nick seriously and took a shaky breath. “I’ll sign whatever you need me to…”
Miley looked properly scandalized and Nick felt so, so badly. He doubted from her expression he would ever be able to make this right and didn’t think she’d marry him even if he and Joe got divorced or whatever.
Divorced. The word made his heart hurt and he clung to Joe’s hand that much harder, and said, “No.” He looked over at Demi but she didn’t look as upset as Miley or the other two girls were. She…looked understanding, like maybe she’d known all along how Joe felt about Nick. Joe stepped closer and cupped Nick’s cheek in his hand and the younger man’s eyes slipped closed, nuzzling into the touch much to the surprise of their audience of friends, family and various other celebrities and news crews. “No…” he whispered again, not wanting to break the vows he and his lover had made together. They were still wearing the rings, he realized with a jolt, and he looked up, meeting Joe’s tear-filled eyes with his own. “Tell me you want a divorce, Joe…”
Joe just chuckled and said, “No. I don’t.”
“Well you have no choice,” Paul said, pulling Joe away from him. He turned to their guests and apologized to them, giving them a bit of a speech that Nick and Joe didn’t hear as their mother led them back inside the hotel, not looking at either of them.
“We do have a choice,” Nick said firmly, “And Dad can’t make us sign those papers.”
“I know, Nicky…” Joe said, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek as they got to their parent’s room. Once inside the safety zone of no cameras or reporters, Joe pulled Nick into a tight hug that might have been unbearably close with anyone else, but Nick just inhaled his brother’s scent and buried his face into that tan neck. “We’re gonna be okay,” Joe said, but not like he really believed it.
Nick appreciated the words anyway and pressed a quick kiss to the skin his lips were pressed against, loving how safe he felt in Joe’s arms. “Okay,” he said simply, pretending to believe him. Maybe they would be, who knew? Maybe somehow this would all work out okay…probably not, but just maybe.
Chapter Seven