In Part 17
Joe's Mom comes to visit and
DJ meets his Granny
Finally, Doug and Joe get married
A real surprise during the wedding
DJ Part 17
Wednesday morning, January 10th, Joe and I had the alarm set for 7:30 AM, because Joe has to leave by 9:30 to pick up his Mom at the airport at 11:30. I started a pot of coffee, and joined Joe in the shower, (the boys aren't the only ones that like to share showers), and we were sitting naked at the table having coffee at 8:00.
"Joe, I'm really happy that your Mom is coming to our wedding, and that she is so open-minded to our lifestyle. At least you have one parent that will see you get married, mine are both gone. I never really questioned it, until I noticed it on the invitations, what does the V in your name stand for?"
"Victor," Joe replied, "Joseph Victor Reynolds, when I was in school, the kids nicknamed me 'Jovic' combining my first and middle names, and that pretty much stuck with me through graduation. Victor was my father's first name."
"Well, Jovic," I said, grinning, "as long as we've know each other, we can still learn things about each other, and I hope we have many more years to learn. I still can't believe this day is actually coming, and now its only 5 days away! Until recently I thought I might die a bachelor, but I have hope now, thanks to you."
"Doug," Joe lamented, "what we're doing Sunday, we probably should have done twenty years ago. Think of all the years of married bliss that we have lost."
"Twenty years ago, we couldn't have done it, it wasn't legal."
"But we could have formed a domestic partnership, and shared our lives together, even back then. I love you, and I'm so glad the laws have changed in our favor. Our Son isn't to be shackled by those archaic laws. He and Jamie live in a better time, and most of the time can be themselves. I don't think they even know about living in closets."
I replied, smiling, "Joe, they way you just referred to DJ as 'Our Son' made my heart feel warm."
"Doug, I think I probably love DJ just as much as you do, if we had been married sooner, I would have wanted to share his adoption, he's my Son too!"
"Oh my god, Joe, speaking of adoptions, I forgot to send an invitation to Steve and Valerie, and it's too late to mail it, I'll stop by his office and hand deliver it today."
The boys were still sleeping at 9:30 when Joe and I both left, Joe headed to the airport and I headed to Steve Jones's office. I climbed the stairway, and walked in, invitation in hand. I didn't see his secretary, but could see that Steve was in his office.
Steve, coming to greet me, "Doug! It's good to see you, did you come to set up that appointment?"
"No," I said, a little embarrassed, "I realized this morning that I had not mailed one of these to you, so I am hand delivering it." I handed him the envelope with 'Steve and Valerie Jones' written on the front. Steve opened it.
"This Sunday, huh?" Steve smiled, "Can we bring the little ones?"
"I don't know why not," I replied.
"When are the boys going to Disney World?"
"Heh, they've already been, and got back Friday night, and they had an incredible time." Steve smiled.
"I can tell you right now that Val and I will be there, we wouldn't want to miss this occasion for the world. It will be our first gay wedding to attend, but somehow, I suspect it won't be the last. While you're here, do you want to set up that appointment?"
"I guess I can, would it be appropriate to bring my husband with me?"
Steve, grinning, "That sounds a little strange, coming from a man, but I think it would be quite appropriate, after all, he will be your spouse. When would you like to set it for?"
"We'll be returning from our honeymoon on the 22nd of January, so how about Wednesday, the 24th, Joe and I are both off on Wednesdays."
Steve, checking the appointment scheduler on the computer, "Would 2:00 PM work, on the 22nd?"
"That should be fine, Steve," I replied
"Brenda, my secretary, will call and remind you on Tuesday, the day before, or early Wednesday morning. Valerie and I will see you this Sunday to share your special day."
When I got back to the house, the boys were gone but had left a note. They had gone out to Jamie's so they would be there when DJ's Granny arrived, and we were all to have dinner at 2:00, and Jamie was not working today, but DJ was working my delivery shift from 3 to 9.
* * * * * * *
DJ and Jamie finally got up about 10:00 AM, got some breakfast and headed out to Jamie's to await the arrival of DJ's Granny. Since Joe and Granny weren't really expected until after 1:30 PM, the boys decided to have some fun on the play station. After a couple of games, they just lay on the bed for a while.
Jamie told DJ he was gonna catch a cat nap, and DJ decided to go to the kitchen and keep Karen company while watching for Joe to pull in with his Granny.
"Honey, can you do me a favor," Karen asked, "Go in and wake Carl up, he needs to get ready for work, and he probably will want to meet your Granny when she gets here."
"Sure, Mom," DJ said, "I'll be right back."
A few minutes later Carl appeared dressed in his work clothes. He came to the kitchen, kissed Karen, poured a cup of coffee and headed to the living room and turned on the TV to kill some time before dinner.
* * * * * * *
Joe arrived at the airport about 11:20 and parked, then walked into the arrival area. He checked the flight board and it showed his Mom's flight to be on 'schedule' so he selected a seat and sat down to wait. A few minutes later the announcement came, 'flight 248 from LA is arriving at gate 8.'
Joe was pretty excited, he hadn't seen his Mom since his father had passed, over 10 years ago. He walked up toward gate 8, ready to give his Mom the biggest hug she had since they last saw each other. He could see out the window, as passengers started to de-bark from the plane, and saw his mother coming down the gangway steps, the stewardess had her arm holding his mother's arm, just as a precaution.
Joe's Mom walked into the terminal, and through the turnstile, and Joe could hardly wait to wrap his arms around her. She didn't look much different than he remembered her just that her hair was maybe a little whiter, actually it was pure white.
"Mom!" Joe blurted, as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly.
"Careful Son," She said, "you're going to squeeze the life out of me!"