Suddenly Summer, Spring is arriving 

Notes: Susan's wonderful husband James was a big part of making this wedding and honeymoon real. Thank you bunches - it would not have been the same without your beautiful descriptions. 

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Family and Friends arriving in Hawaii 


Jennifer's POV 


I look out the small window in the plane as it begins its approach. The mists clear and suddenly the summer like landscape appears. Molly excitedly peers down at the ground as the vibrant colors turn into more than patchwork and take form and shape as the plane meets the runway. 


The swiftness of the plane reminds me of how fast time has moved. It was only yesterday that I brought home an undersized bald little bundle wrapped in a fluffy blue blanket. I remember thinking when he was placed in my arms how little he was and how darn right homely he was and then he smiled. And that smile transformed him into the most beautiful baby on earth. My heart was lost to him in that instant. I wanted to protect him and keep him with me forever. 


I remember his first day at school. When he met Daphne and they became inseparable. How his little hand was always moving, always making pictures. The brightness of discovery in his eyes when he drew his first lines with the fat preschool crayons. 


And I remember the radiant glow that he had when he came home from school that day after spending the night at Daphne's. We thought, I thought, he and Daphne had their first experience with sex. I was all prepared to have his father give him the safe sex lecture. His father almost bragged about it to his buddies. I think even then he knew that Justin was different, softer, and somehow gentler than most boys his age and he was worried that he might not be able to hold his own in the little world of manly sports. It was quite a blow to his ego to find out Justin was gay. But somehow, I don't know how, I always knew. Daphne and Justin were too much alike to ever be romantically involved, but I could hope and wish. No mother wants their child to have to endure any kind of hatred or slights. Being gay wouldn't be easy. 


Justin spent the next few days alternating between moon-eyed daydreams, exuberant highs and depressing lows. I recognized the signs, for the first time in his life he was in love. I waited for him to confide in me and then I saw it. That first drawing of Brian, those telling sketches, he was in love all right and the love of his life was some man called Brian Kinney. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. 


It only got worse. The next weeks and months were a roller coaster of emotions on the part of Justin, his father and myself. The only rational one in the whole mess was Brian, yes the famous 'it was only a fuck' Brian Kinney. The first time I saw them together I knew differently. Brian might have been fighting it from the first, but he never stood a chance where my Justin was concerned. If he'd asked me then, I would have told him to give up already. When Justin makes up his mind about something nothing will stop him until he gets it, Brian Kinney you were the shiny brass ring. 


Molly is jumping up and down in her seat so excited. She wants me to stand up and enter the herd of departing passengers lining up like cattle, to walk down the steps. Molly can see the island greeters handing out leis and she's afraid she'll miss getting one. 


I don't want to do it. I don't want to see my baby leave me forever. I know he's going to always be there, but it won't be the same, it never is. I knew it was over from the start but I was right beside Brian fighting it all the way. If he only knew that we were allies from the beginning. 


We're walking down the stairs to the hot tarmac when Molly spots Justin and Brian standing behind the gate to meet us. Seeing them standing there, Justin's blonde hair reflecting the sunlight, Brian tall and dark beside him, always touching, always alert ready to pounce on anyone daring to harm his young lover. Even I know that my baby will be safe and protected forever. I can see it in the love light shining in Brian's eyes every time he looks at him. Molly rushes to hug her brother and his lover. When our eyes meet, Brian silently sends his thanks for giving him Justin and I return that thanks with thanks of my own for loving him as much as he does. 


Daphne's POV 


I can't believe it's actually happening. Justin is marrying the man he loves. It's not fair, I can't even find anyone to last more than four dates and the first time out Justin finds his true love. I remember how he was all but bouncing and gave me an instant replay on what happened from the moment he saw Brian walking toward him when he stood under the streetlight. Way more than I wanted to know about gay sex. It freaked me out for days. I could barely handle hetro sex at the time. But I smiled and listened even when I was hearing about rimming for the umpteenth time and how beautiful Brian was and how awesome his loft was. 


I'm still embarrassed at the memory of me trying to straighten Justin out. It was only later when I saw how pathetic Lindsey was always mooning after Brian that I realized there was now way I was going to end up like her. Justin is too good of a friend for that shit. 


The first time I saw Brian naked and the size of his cock I almost winced thinking 'that went there' - but he sure did look hot. Justin and I giggled for hours over it later. I bet Brian would have been pissed if he'd know we were discussing his cock size and how it felt in Justin. I wouldn't have minded trying it on for size myself I have to admit, but Justin wouldn't share his toys with me, darn. 


The night of the prom will be one of those 'never to be forgotten nights'. I saw Brian walk in the door and felt that little electrical spark that always was there between the two of them the moment his eyes met Justin's. I stood watching them dance and it was like magic, a Cinderella moment, my two very own queers in love. I guess I realized how much of a fag hag I was turning into right then. And then after, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it. I mean, I've read about things like that in books, but never ever thought I'd see a look like that on any body. Brian's eyes were actually black with grief and fear for Justin as he climbed into the ambulance, and his face, if I never see a face like that again it will be too soon. I knew then that Brian loved Justin as much as any man could ever love someone. 


We kind of didn't see much of each other after Justin got out of the hospital, he was busy with school and so was I, but we emailed a lot and I followed the soap opera that was Justin and Brian's life episode by episode. I could have cheerfully strangled both of them on many an occasion. 


And now this, Brian Kinney proposed to Justin, it seems like some kind of alternate universe dream. But here I am, sitting on the beach, white crunchy sand made of billions of seashells under me, a giant mai tai on the table next to me. The water from the sheltered inlet separated from the open ocean by a coral wall hundreds of feet high that reaches from the seabed to about five feet below the surface nearly flat in its placidity despite the huge ocean swells breaking on the coral wall. I look around at the various people lying on their chaises, drinks close at hand and smile anticipating the wedding of the century. I close my eyes, enjoying the sunlight when I hear a comment from the couple sitting five feet away. "Look at that, I've never seen two people so much in love. The dark one almost eats that little blonde one up with his eyes." 


I shield my eyes from the sun and look again toward the lagoon at Brian and Justin as they play in the water. I wish I had my camera, no one in the Pitts would believe Brian Kinney playing like a kid in the water with Justin. 


Debbie's POV 


I can't believe that Brian wants us to stay at this hotel. It's like something out of some movie set. The limo that Brian had meet us at the airport pulled up and I didn't want to even get out, I was sure it was some kind of mistake. The hotel is like a Grande duchess, steeped in the old world tradition of quiet, softly spoken refinement. There are no doors on the opening of the main lobby. A large overhanging roof covers the driveway and bell captain's station. If Vic hadn't given me a shove I'd probably still be sitting in that long white car. 


I wonder where Sunshine and Brian are. I remember the first time I saw that blonde brat. Michael had brought him into the diner. When he mentioned Brian and I saw that sunshine smile I knew Kinney was never going to survive unscathed. The kid was in love with an intensity that rivaled even Michael's love for his childhood friend. I almost wanted to comfort Michael right then and there; his hopes and dreams were about to be shattered forever. I hurt for Michael like any mother would, but my heart surged with joy at the thought that Brian finally had the love he deserved. 


The next two years where full of ups and downs. I can't count the number of nights I spent holding Sunshine while he cried his eyes out on my shoulder his heart breaking for my precious Brian. I knew Brian loved that little blonde bombshell, from the moment I saw his hazel eyes light on Sunshine's face. It was too bad that his hard Irish head couldn't have figured it out sooner. 


Vic's POV 


One thing I'll say about Brian, he knows quality when he sees it. The entrance to this hotel is something else. The heat and humidity were starting to wear me down on top of the long plane trip, but walking into the cool interior into this enormous lobby refreshed me instantly. I can't believe the size of this place. It must be at least fifty feet wide and two hundred feet long. And the little seating arrangements like small oasis in this vast desert of lobby makes you want to burst into a song and dance routine reminiscent of the grand musicals of the thirties and forties. I can almost see Fred and Ginger tapping and singing away under the forty foot ceiling and the massive hand cut crystal chandeliers each easily twenty feet long and ten feet wide throwing their multi colored sparkle over the happy couple. 


Deb can barely keep her mouth shut as she walks beside me. She reminds me of the look on Brian's face that time he came over to pick Sunshine up and take him somewhere. Sunshine came bopping down the stairs, headphones on, sloppy khakis and a hoodie completely oblivious to his surroundings. Brian stood beside me watching him and you'd swear to God it was like he was seeing Cary Grant in his entire glory stark naked coming down the stairs. He was damn near drooling. 


I don't think anyone realizes just how hard Brian had to work to capture his Boy Wonder. It's damn hard work breaking down barriers and walls that have been painfully erected over the years. I mean having his heart and soul torn out of him over and over again by his old man and that bitch of a mother, until he had not even a shred of self-esteem left. Then the walls began to build to shelter his heart. I tell you it broke my heart to see it happening. 


And then Sunshine came into his life. The day after he met him Brian stopped by on his lunch hour like he often did and all he could talk about was this blonde twink he'd had the night before. About how he looked under the streetlight, how brave he was facing down Michael, how kind he was when he named his son and how wonderful he was in bed. He told me about outing him in front of his schoolmates and he felt bad about doing it and didn't understand why he was feeling bad. But I knew, I could see it in his eyes, he had fallen and fallen hard. 


When he left I actually did a snoopy dance of joy. Brian Kinney had found someone to love. The next two years where like watching an extended movie, I'd have Sunshine in tears in the evening crying on Deb's shoulder and Brian in tears the next day crying on mine. I was starting to buy case lots of Kleenex. If it wasn't one it was the other. Of course in front of everyone else Brian was his usual stoic self but he's always been able to let the real Brian show through with me. 


I asked him the other day if all the angst of the past two years had been worth it. And his answer kept me smiling for hours, "He gave me back my childhood and my life, so yes it was all worth it" 


Ted's POV 


Christ look at these carpets. I mean hand made oriental carpets in a hotel lobby. I want to take my shoes off and walk through the plush pastels and let my feet sink into the blues and greens. An exotic garden of pleasure, hey maybe I can use that on my site. Of course Brian would find a place like this to get married in. To hell with the money it costs. He could have invested in something with a better return. I mean I told him that and he laughed. Told me Justin was the best investment he'd ever made or ever would make. What a lot of romantic crap. 


Emmett's POV 


Oh, my gawd, I've died and landed in homo heaven. Will you look at that circular staircase, goodness gracious me that wall has to be thirty feet high and black lava rock. And the smell of all those orchids planted on the wall, heaven it's definitely homo heaven. Oh the stairs lead to the pool and the Dolphin lagoon. Well this girl is going to be spending time down there. I'll wear my lavender and lace chiffon and those cute little platform sandals and sweep up and down that wonderful staircase until my true love finds me wherever he might be. 


Now that's a familiar blonde head coming up those stairs, followed by his Badness. They look so happy I could swoon. A good old southern lady swoon, I was thrilled to the bottom of my little pitty patty heart when Justin asked me to be one of his bridesmaids. 


Now that boy has been through hell and gone getting his man. I would have given up on his Badness well before the first go around. But I knew that look in the little twinks eye, my Great Aunt Maggie had that look and everyone knew, stand out of the way, what Maggie wants, Maggie gets. His Badness never stood a chance. 


I wasn't the least bit surprised when his blonde head appeared at Babylon, being underage wasn't going to slow him down when it came to capturing his man. That little dance he did, stealing Brian's tricks and then stealing Brian's heart right there on the dance floor for anyone with half a brain to see. I knew it was game over right then and there even if Brian and Michael for that matter couldn't see it just as plain as the nose on your face. The Justin and Brian show has kept me knee deep in fantasies to jerk off to on Teddy's site ever since. Gotta love those two. 


Joan Kinney's POV 


I know I should have responded to the invitation that Brian and Justin sent, but I just couldn't. I really didn't think I'd be welcome. I've said some awful things to Brian and I know I wasn't the best mother when he was growing up. Saying I'm sorry won't replace our lost years together. He'd probably spit in my eye and I wouldn't blame him. When Jennifer came over with the pictures from Christmas I actually felt jealous that she'd had this time with my son. And his lover. At first I resented her interference in my life and in Brian's life but by the third visit I realized she wasn't about to go away. Maybe her son is like her that way, maybe saying no to him only made him more stubborn. 


Jennifer told me all the things that had happened to my son and the man he loves. I can't believe I just thought that, the man he loves. Those words are so foreign too me but so true. My son loves another man. I've thought about it and prayed about it. 


I would never want my son to go through the hell I did in my marriage. So if Justin loves him, truly loves him and Brian returns that love. Well, it can't be wrong. 


So here I am checking into this hotel. I'm so nervous my hands are shaking, but I need to do this. It has to start somewhere. I hope he can forgive me and let me share at least a small part of his life. 


Lindsey's POV 


I'm enjoying this ride from the airport. The limo was a lovely gesture on Brian's behalf. Evan Mel seems to be happy about this little holiday. Gus is finally asleep and I can sit back and think. 


I really believe I knew from the first night that Justin meant something to Brian. Somehow Brian was 'different' - at first I put it down to Gus being born. But that after noon when Justin helped us home with the shopping and Brian appeared out of nowhere. I could feel the connection the two of them had. It made me so sad and unhappy, Mel thought it was the 'baby blues' that each new mother experiences. But really it was the end of any quiet time fantasies I might have had about Brian and myself. 


I love Mel, I really do, but Brian, well Brian was my first love. I guess I thought us having Gus together would bring us closer and it has but not the way I thought it would. Justin did what I couldn't do, what Michael couldn't do or the thousand and one tricks couldn't do. He loved him enough to break down the walls. 


I'll probably always resent Justin for that. I wanted to be the one. Why couldn't it have been me to soften Brian's heart? Justin has everything, he's young, good looking, a better artist than I'll ever be and he has Brian's heart. I have to constantly stop myself from feeling jealous. I thought at least I'd have Gus's love but now it seems Gus loves Justin as much as he does Mel or me. 


I guess it's true what they say. If you truly love someone then his happiness comes first. Brian is happy, really happy for the first time since I've known him. I could never take that away from him. Never. No matter how much it hurts me. 


Melanie's POV 


Here we are in Hawaii, not much of a vacation with Gus along, but better than nothing I suppose. I can't believe that asshole is actually going to do it. Get married; who'd have thought Brian Kinney the most selfish prick on the face of the earth would actually get married. 


The trip was hell but it'll be worth it to see him well and truly out of Lindsey's reach. I may be able to get a few tanning hours in before we head back to the Pitts. 


It's not as if I don't like Justin, I do, he's a good kid and I know he was responsible for Brian's decision about the parental rights. But he's still so young and I wouldn't trust Kinney to have a stable relationship with a cat. 


Vance Gardner's POV 


I can't believe I let my wife talk me into this. A fag wedding, I mean Brian is my partner, and a nice enough guy. He certainly been worth taking on as partner though I wouldn't tell him that, I don't want him getting any more stuck on himself than he already is. 


This Hotel is very much Brian Kinney's style. I'll let him sweat thinking of the big hotel bill. I sure wish I could be there to see his face when he finds out the weddings paid for by his 'partner'. I can do grand gestures too. Kinney doesn't have an exclusive. 


There's Kinney now and his little blonde honey. If the guys at work could only see Bad Ass Kinney now, he looks like a moonstruck wolf. Hope this new digital camera works, I've got to get this for the company newsletter. 


Shirley Gardner's POV 


Here's Justin and Brian now, they look adorable, so much in love. I remember that feeling. They'll be so surprised. Brian didn't know Vance and I would actually attend the wedding. Well he should never have issued the invitation if he didn't want us to attend. 


This is so exciting a romantic wedding, the flowers the whole atmosphere. I must try and pry Justin away from Brian for an hour or two. We need some good old-fashioned girl talk about how to handle a workaholic ad man, and how to get him to forget his work. Justin is going to be so surprised at our wedding present. I'll have to tell him what I did to pry old tightwad free of the money for the wedding. Maybe he'll be able to use later on Brian. 


Cynthia's POV 


It's been a week of hell in paradise organizing this wedding. Brian is lucky I love him and Justin as much as I do. The look on Justin's face was worth everything when he walked down that circular staircase and saw the Dolphin lagoon. Their room this week before the wedding opened up onto the courtyard and that giant pool, one hundred and fifty feet long by sixty feet wide, free formed from black lava rock is spectacular. The hibiscus bushes of red and yellow and all the bougainvillea framing the pool only adds to the wonder of it all. I know the two of them have taken advantage of the hidden from view spots around the pool during the night. Tomorrow though they'll move to the Bridal Suite for a day before they start on the honeymoon. 


Brian asked me the other day about him and Justin. I couldn't believe he'd even ask. I could tell him the day he met him and lost his heart, I even had it diarized, I wasn't sure what had happened at the time, I just knew that the Brian Kinney that had left the office the night before wasn't the one that returned. 


I followed this love affair from day one inadvertently. I had to deal with Brian when he sat housed in his office silent and brooding staring at Justin's picture that he kept in his desk. He didn't think I knew about it but I did. His moods that swung from ecstatic to almost suicidal made everyone think he had a severe coke problem. I knew his coke problem was blonde and in love with him. And I knew Brian had fallen hard for Justin as well. He wouldn't admit it to himself much less anyone else. But I saw him every day, I knew when the tears weren't allergies and I knew when he finally admitted to himself he loved Justin. I didn't think I'd ever get the two of them together. I'm going to take credit for that one. The Thanksgiving vacation was inspired. 


Michael's POV 


I waited until the last minute, but I can't put it off any longer, Brian wants me for his best man. How can I refuse him? We always said we'd be there for one another. I wish the damn plane would crash land on a deserted island then I wouldn't have to do this. 


If only I hadn't insisted we leave that night. He would never have seen the twink and that would have been the end of it. But he did see him. While they were playing out 'romance of the century' I was slowly dying. 


Every time I'd find Justin at Brian's I'd tell myself it was nothing. Every time I'd see them on the dance floor I'd lie and tell myself it was nothing. But really, I knew, I knew from that first night when Brian said he'd gone home alone to bed, an early night, it was the first time Brian had ever lied to me. Lied to me about a twink. I thought Brian's little Rage party would be the end of it. I should have known the twink would bounce back. It's all his fault that Brian isn't with me. 


Mom told me, Vic told me and even Ben told me that Brian loved Justin. It was only when Brian told me himself that I finally began to understand what I'd known from the beginning. Justin loved Brian and Brian loved Justin. All Brian's rules were only so much hot air where Justin was concerned. Like a comic book romance the hero wins the damsel. And like Zephyr I'm going to do my best to stand by Rage tomorrow and in the future. But it's going to be tough. I'm glad Ben couldn't come; I don't know if I could hide how I feel from him. He knows me too well. 


Gus's POV 


Daddy Daddy Daddy, I see my Daddy he's standing with Jus'n. I love Daddy, he smiles all the time when Jus'n is with him. I love Jus'n he gives the best hugs, way better than Daddy, but Daddy gives good hugs too. 


Justin's POV 


I really couldn't believe it was happening. Even boarding the American Airlines 747 I still wanted to pinch myself. It had to be a dream. I sat beside Brian in the large, overstuffed, gray leather seats in the first class cabin and breathed in the scent of orchids and roses that drifted luxuriously through the cabin. I was glad Brian was busy with ordering the Dom Perignon. It gave me time to stare into the moonlit night and relive the events of the past few months. 


I was so happy I wanted to shout and scream and let everyone know that this tall handsome man in his designer clothes was with me, was mine, was committing to me for the rest of our lives. Brian reached for my hand and I looked away from the black sky and into hazel eyes filled with love and wonder at what we were doing. He still didn't speak; he didn't have to, but instead squeezed my hand in that reassuring way that he had that spoke volumes. He handed me a glass and my eyes were drawn to the sparkling effervescence. I remembered the last time we had shared champagne and the lovemaking afterward and it was love making, no longer just a fuck. 


The blackness of the night over the mid-Pacific was darker than anything I had ever witnessed. The moon that had been so bright through the trip had quietly slipped behind some ominous looking clouds. I could feel the pilot of the giant airplane ease the yoke forward and effortlessly point the nose toward the Pacific Ocean. As the flight began to settle lower and lower into the morning skies, faint slivers of gold chased its across the emerald islands that lay just off to its right. I lay with my head on Brian's chest, reveling in the stead beat of his heart that was mine. Brian reached over and lifted the small window shade higher and the lights of Honolulu drifted into our view like a million sparkling diamonds. "Told you I'd give you diamonds" Brian whispered down to me then kissed the top of my head. A silly kiss but one that made me feel more loved that a thousand others could. Both of us gasped at the beauty that spread itself at our feet. I had never imagined anything so wondrous and was transfixed as the golden light of morning quietly extinguished the diamond-like glow and turned it into a sea of brilliant blue and emerald green. 


Ahead, the straight lines of the landing lights beat ominously into the cockpit as the pilots gently banked the craft into its final turn and pointed its nose toward the silver strips of cement that lay hundreds of feet below. We could now see the swarm of cars that were choking what must have been a freeway as the red and white lights they cast was formed into a blur when the plane streaked overhead. The lush green landscape that ran to either side sparkled with the lights of activity as Honolulu shook itself into another day. As the plane grew closer and closer toward the airfield, the view from our window began to reveal only ocean. I shifted my head slightly to look through the row of windows on the opposite side of the cabin and could only see the brilliant green-blue of salt water. It was as if the pilot intended to set the massive aircraft down in the choppy blue swells of the water below. I was about to say something to Brian, but the reassuring and gentle pressure of my hand in his told me everything was fine and suddenly the runway jumped into view. We were here, Honolulu International's infamous reef runway and the deep blue water of the Pacific licked gently against the piled rocks of the airstrip. Suddenly it was summer the bitter Pittsburgh cold and snow was far behind. 


The wheels of the giant bird squealed as if shouting to the world, "we have arrived." The long taxi that immediately followed took us through turn after turn as the plane was driven silently toward the waiting gate. The reef runway had earned its fame, not for the sensation of landing in the water that it created, but for the miles long taxi between it and the terminal building. The fervor of excitement that I had tried to keep in check all night once again threatened to fill the cabin. I thought we would never reach the gate, but the giant airliner turned sharply onto another taxiway, this one lined with the brilliant blue lights of the main ramp area and the terminal was finally visible. 


I could hear the gentle sounds of Hawaiian music drifting through the cabin once the gantry was finally slid against the smooth metal red and white sides of the now still aircraft and the flight attendant twisted the handle and unlocked the massive door sliding it up and way clearing the route to the terminal. 


Brian, being Brian wouldn't move until the plane emptied no matter how much I begged. He hated to be shoved from behind. Finally he slowly stood and stretched his hand still clasping mine. He leaned in to kiss me, my impatience died as his lips caressed mine. His smile, so much like Gus's caused my heart to flutter, now it was me who was reluctant to leave the comfort of the seat. But he released my hand long enough to get our carry-on luggage from the overhead compartments, then grabbing it again we made our way to the cabin door and the damp humidity of the Honolulu morning. I could tell Brian was uncomfortable in his Armani suit that he insisted he wear as he rushed us toward the relief of the air-conditioned terminal. Neither of us realized that we had learned our first word in the native Hawaiian language; humidity. It was the calling card of Hawaii that ripped through us and I was happy that I hadn't drank too much of the champagne during the flight. 


I was practically running as we burst through the glass doors separating the gantry walkway from the terminal, the icy cold air fell upon us like a February snowstorm. We stood waiting for the crowd to thin, Brian's hand still holding mine possessively, uncaring what anyone else might think, the Hawaiian music that had welcomed us in the plane was louder. Six local women dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire gently swayed their hips to the soft music. The aura of Aloha filled the waiting area we looked at each other and he actually whispered, "it's everything I dreamed for you." 


Only a man's voice shouting "Mr. Brian Kinney, Mr. Brian Kinney shook us out of the dream state we had fallen into once again. Brian, still looking into my eyes held up his hand to indicate his presence. A gray liveried man, the "RR" symbol of the Rolls Royce on his soft brimmed hat indicated that they follow him. Brian leaned down "It's a sign, that what we are doing is the right thing. I know I'm a superstitious Irishman, but everything I see today and everything I feel tells me I was right. I'm glad you waited for me" His lips barely touched mine but I knew he was right. What we had together was magical and we had come to a magical place to join our lives together as one. 


We had almost reached the liveried chauffeur, when I noticed two beautiful young girls standing to one side. They were dressed in the green knee length grass skirts I'd seen in the movies and only enough cloth to barely cover their breasts. In their hands each held a long rope like lei of soft white flowers. The small buds had been hand wound into a tight circle approximately two inches in diameter, and the sweet fragrance of the pikake flowers nearly filled the room. The stepped forward and put the lei's around our necks and adjusted its length properly across our shoulders. Kissing us quickly on the cheek and softly saying Aloha, they stepped away and began to sway their hips in time with the music. Before we could enjoy the rhythm of the dance, the chauffeur ushered us out of the crowd and into a special corridor that ran next to the main concourse. Through the glass walls surrounding the walkway, he led us to our waiting limousine. 


I asked about our baggage and the chauffeur assured us that the bags would be collected by his staff and delivered to the hotel. I had to smile to myself listening to Brian and the chauffeur. "I believe your reservations were at the Kahala Mandarin, is that correct sir?" He looked directly toward Brian when he asked the question, sensing I suppose Brian's authority and control of the situation. 


"That's right" Brian replied. "I was told that it was the best hotel in Hawaii" 


"As if he would stay anywhere else" I thought 


"At least on O'ahu, sir." The big man grinned and guided us toward the waiting gray Rolls Royce with a massive arm, but in a gentle voice said. "If you'll step this way, please, I will ensure that your bags have been collected. Can I have your baggage tickets?" 


Brian reached into the folds of his dark blue Armani and lifted the ticket pouch from its resting place within the inside pocket. Quickly ripping the ticket stubs from where they had been stapled to the back of folder, he handed all seven to the chauffeur. 


I settled back into the folds of the leather seat, and looked carefully at the interior of what appeared to be an impeccably maintained, but older automobile. I noticed the burled wood paneling along each door and in the polished top of the liquor cabinet that was nestled between the split in the front seat. The upper portion of the cabinet held a sterling silver ice bucket holding a small bottle of champagne. The beads of perspiration that fell in small rivers reflected the heat that was coming through the open passenger door, gradually overcoming the soft coolness of the air-conditioned interior. I sprawled across the seat followed quickly by Brian. The chauffeur pushed into the interior and opened a small door in the right side of the cabinet. Drawing two silver goblets from a refrigerated interior, he quickly sat them next to the sweating ice bucket. Pulling the champagne from its freezing nest of ice, he pulled the gold foil from the top and twisted the wire cage away from the cork. Pushing the cork gently from side to side and gradually twisting it upward, the pressure inside the bottle assisted in creating a small bust of energy as it broke the seal and spun into his large hand. 


He slowly poured the golden liquid into the iced silver goblets, handing us each one and welcomed us to Hawaii, then closed the door and moved into the front cabin of the long automobile. Before he started he turned to let us know some of the amenities contained in the plush interior. 


"This car is the former limousine of Queen Elizabeth," the driver said with obvious pride. "When Rolls delivered her new vehicle, my company purchased this, her old one. You will notice that the wood paneling on one door perfectly matches the opposite door. Each panel within the car also has an exact opposite that is maintained at the Rolls Headquarters in London. If any panel inside is damaged an exact duplicate can be obtained for replacement." 


Brian, his tongue in cheek smirk must have looked doubtful, but the driver was insistent, "Sounds unbelievable I know," the quick-witted driver said, "but it is indeed a fact. When I went through driver's school in London, they showed us the vault where each of the matching pieces are stored." He turned back toward the front and quickly guided the limousine out into the traffic; but continued his running litany about the quality of the transportation that we were enjoying. 


Brian turned to me, kissing me lightly "How about this machine Sunshine?" 


I could only look at him and smile, it was perfect, everything was perfect about this day. If I suddenly woke up and it was all a dream, the memories of this would sustain me forever. 


We ended up in the middle of morning rush hour traffic that made New York's seem tame by comparison. We could tell that it was going to be a long trip to the hotel. Brian was trying his best to behave, but he slipped a bit when he found out it was going to be at least an hour. But as usual he was easy to distract. I took advantage of the large backseat and climbed on straddling his lap and began to rain tiny kisses all over his face. He hates that, but it makes him almost giggle when I whisper that I love him with each kiss. 


We were both laughing and kissing, giddy from the champagne, the heady feeling of being in a strange place where it was always summer and the nervous thought that this was it, we were really doing it, really taking the step that no one ever thought we would do. When suddenly as we rounded a hairpin curve the tall buildings of downtown Honolulu jumped into view. The tall glass and steel spires sparkled brilliantly in the morning light, and turned the streets to a soft yellow glow with their reflections. The glow fell across the road as we traveled and onto the waters of Honolulu harbor, which was just to the right of the traffic. 


I lay my head on Brian's shoulder and he held me tight in his arms as we were once again reminded of the rightness of this trip and the eventuality that this week held. 


"We will be passing straight through the heart of the Waikiki on our way to the Mandarin," the driver said to no one in particular. Brian grimaced slightly at the unwelcome interruption to our peace, but quietly nodded his understanding. 


"The Mandarin is not a new hotel," the driver continued. In fact, it is getting on a little, but it has been meticulously maintained since it was renovated about five years ago. It used to be operated by the Hilton chain and was, in fact, their best property in the Pacific. But the Mandarin chain out of Hong Kong purchased the property and since they have owned it, they have limited themselves to improving the quality of the service, the food and the ambiance of the grounds. You will find lavish gardens, a dolphin pool, and some of the finest dining in Hawaii. I am confident that you will enjoy your stay." 


We both nodded, but said nothing as we watched the buildings give way to a white sandy beach on the right side of the car and I asked if that was Waikiki Beach. 


"Yes, sir." The driver said with some pride in his voice. "In the days of the King Kamehameha, it was a sacred spot, used only by the Alii; the noble class. If commoners were found using the beach, they were put to death. But is was a minor problem, because most of this area then was covered by a fetid swamp land, with mosquitoes as big as B-52s. The swamps were drained and the land filled with the coral that was dredged from the Ala-Wai canal and the Waikiki yacht harbor. But by then the kinds were gone, and Hawaii was a US territory. 


As the car moved away from the beaches and traffic of Waikiki, it began a slow easy incline that wound itself through an obviously wealthy neighborhood. The mountain to their left came right down to the road's edge and no more than a few feet off to their right was what appeared to be a massive drop off and the dark blue water of the Pacific Ocean. 


I was about to ask where we were when the driver told us we were climbing the side of Diamond Head. "It's a dormant volcano, and one of Honolulu's most well known landmarks. It received its name not from its shape, but from the crystal-like stones that were found there by English explorers." 


As the limousine leveled from the climb up the side of the mountain, it began to travel through an obviously affluent neighborhood that was dotted with beautifully landscaped mansions. Finally, the trip crossed a small bridge and a small sign proclaimed the Waialae Country Club. 


Brian asked if it was a golf course and if it was owned by the hotel, but the driver explained that it was private and where the Hawaii open was played each year. 


We were both pretty sleepy by the time our car passed through some very lush and well-maintained foliage, climbed a small knoll exposing the driveway of the hotel. A small circle was in front of what appeared to an extremely opulent lobby. We had barely stopped when a hotel employee in a white and gray tuxedo carefully opened the door and beckoned to us. "Welcome to the Kahala Mandarin" the voice said "May I have your names please?" 


Brian yawned, and told him his name. I had to kiss him, a sleepy Brian is irresistible. 


"If you'll come this way, sir," replied the concierge, "your suite has been prepared, "there is no need to check in, it's been taken care of." He paused then said "We've prepared a bungalow for you as you instructed as well as the Bridal Suite." I know he was wonder why we needed both. But Brian had plans for the nights by the Dolphin Lagoon and didn't want to have to move through the hotel when we needed privacy. 


We followed the concierge into the elevator and in a short time were standing in front of a massive door of beautifully polished wood. 


It was unbelievable, the plaque on the door said "Governor's Suite". I stood in the doorway looking at a panoramic view of the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. When I finally was able to tear my eyes away they were drawn instantly to the beautiful hand sewn oriental rugs that made the ones in the lobby pale by comparison. White furniture was grouped into different seating areas, and furniture made of the same wood as the doors sat carefully in front and next to it. I had never seen a more beautiful room. I turned to Brian speechless. He knew what I was thinking I'm sure because his arms wrapped around me and his lips found mine in a kiss full of promise. 


Where he found the strength, I'll never know after the long flight, but he actually picked me up and carried me through to the large bed. It was so "Gone with the Wind" and I started to giggle, which wasn't the emotion he was looking for. But when he looked into my eyes and I did try and repress the giggles he caught them too and damn near dropped me head first onto the bed. 


We were tired and sweaty and I was hungry. The bright Hawaiian sun made the room look like a fairy tale - which was somehow appropriate and I got the giggles again when I told Brian and he did too. We lay on the bed giggling, his head on my shoulder while I traced circles on his back and kneaded the stiff muscles in his neck. I couldn't believe the calmness that swept over me. Everything I'd yearned for was coming true. Brian Kinney loved me and even though the rest of the world would always see him as this arrogant selfish prick who drinks too much and tricks too much, I know the real Brian Kinney, the one who loves to cuddle on the bed or on the sofa. The one who can lie in my arms for hours as long as my fingers comb through his hair or trace patterns on his skin. The one who cries during sad movies and can laugh and giggle with me like a teenage girl when we find something amusing that Brian Kinney is mine and mine alone, we've both worked so hard to get to this point. 


Brian's POV 


I finish dressing, my tux a fine black linen Armani felt perfect for this humid climate. I pinned on the white hibiscus and then decided against it. It was too Pittsburgh, too ordinary though a hibiscus wasn't all that ordinary. Instead I picked up a maile/pikake lei that the hotel had sent. The green leafy plant had a pleasant spicy smell and it was wrapped around the sweetly fragrant white pikake flower. It somehow reminded me of the white silk scarf from another lifetime ago. I picked up the open ended lei and draped it around my neck. When the manager first brought it up I thought he was kidding, but he insisted that the pikake leaves once reserved only for Royalty and the five foot length of the lei was worn by men during special occasions and really what could be more special than this one. 


When I saw Justin standing there in that room, waiting for me it was like the first time I met only better. His blonde hair, bleached even blonder from our few days in the sun. His skin, usually so white was sun kissed providing just enough contrast with his white tux to make it interesting. I couldn't speak; my Irish ability to charm couldn't get past the lump in my throat. I draped his maile/pikake lei over his neck. As he caught the scent of the lei he looked into my eyes and we both knew that the smell would be with us forever as a reminder of this day. I knew that the first purchase we would make as a married couple was something to keep the two leis in as a remembrance. He is so sentimental. 


Our hands touched and I grasped his like a drowning man would I was never so scared in my life at the step I was taking. Not because I was getting married, something that I never thought would happen, but because I was putting my life, my heart and my very soul in the hands of this young blonde. The words meant nothing when spoken aloud, they never do, but when spoken from the heart, they mean everything. I looked into his eyes and he read mine, the words were silently spoken. 


A thousand steps, ten thousand heartbeats and finally we stood in front of our families and friends. He walked beside me so strong and sure that what we were doing was right, while I had all I could do not to tremble and shake. He looked at me again, his fingers clasped in mine. He squeezed my hand gently and I calmed. 


When his tears brimmed over during our vows, his nose running I wanted to hold him tightly. I knew he was embarrassed and I jokingly handed him my grandmother's handkerchief to wipe his eyes and nose before I'd kiss him. Everyone laughed, but really, I'd have kissed him anyway. I have kissed him a hundred times in worse states than this one. And I've felt it every time a thousand kisses deep.