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!"
"Sorry, Mom," he replied, "I'm just so terribly happy to see you, it's been way too long! I know it will be a few minutes before we can get your luggage, so let's sit over here." They sat down.
"Joe," she asked, "how long have you and Doug known each other?"
"Actually, we've known each other for 20 or 25 years. We dated each other for quite a while, and then drifted apart."
"You never brought him around to meet Vic and me?"
"Mom, I could never bring any of my boyfriends around back then, you know how Dad was, he didn't even want to accept me as gay."
"I know, Son, how did you happen to get back together, and get to this point of finally getting married?"
"Mom, that's a long and complicated story, but DJ is highly responsible, I'll try to explain how this all came about on the way home. Let's see if we can get your baggage, do you have your claim check?" Mom dug them out of her purse.
Joe retrieved his Mom's two large suitcases, and they walked outside the terminal. Joe told his Mom to wait there, with the luggage, and he would get the car and pick them up. A few minutes later he drove up, placed the luggage in the trunk, and opened the passenger door for his Mom, and she got in.
Joe, as they pulled away from the airport, "Mom, you're going to be meeting a bunch of people soon, Doug and I call them our 'extended family.'"
"Joe, I'm getting hungry, can we stop and get some lunch?"
"Can you hold on for about an hour and a half, Karen is planning a dinner for all of us when we get back to our town."
"Who is Karen?"
Joe, snickering, "I knew that was coming, Karen and Carl Seldon are Jamie's parents, and Jamie is DJ's boyfriend. The Seldon's are part of our 'extended family' and we've made arrangements for you to stay with them while you're here, as we don't have a spare bedroom. Karen is excited to have you stay with them, and you will love her."
"Mom, Doug and I have spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at the Seldon's, and they have truly become family to us, thanks to DJ and Jamie. Karen and Carl are simply awesome people. I'll try to explain how DJ brought Doug and I back together, and I did warn you that it's a rather long and complicated journey."
Joe spent the next hour of travel, explaining how DJ and Doug met, and how DJ captured Doug's heart, all the way from their meeting each other, through the adoption, and now DJ will be Joe's step-son, and how both Doug and himself unconditionally love DJ, their son.
"Joe, you sent me that photograph of DJ, he's the most beautiful young man I've ever laid eyes on, and I just want to hug him and kiss him!"
"I think the feeling is mutual, DJ has never had any grandparents that he knew, and he is so excited to be able to meet his Granny! I think, when you two meet, in about an hour, it's going to be love at first kiss, and yes, DJ is a kisser, just like you, Mom."
About an hour later, just about 1:45 PM, Joe and his Mom pulled into the Seldon's driveway. The car had hardly stopped motion when Joe saw the back door open, and DJ was literally running towards Joe's car, and to the passenger side. Joe turned off the ignition, releasing the door locks.
DJ, pulling the passenger door open, "GRANDMA!"
DJ took the elderly lady's hands and helped her out of the car seat, onto her feet, then wrapped his arms around her, hugging her warmly. Tears were sliding down DJ's face.
"Can I kiss you?" DJ asked, softly.