A/N: Pretty much the whole second half of the chapter is a bit gratuitous. I apologize in advance.

CH 31

As much as Phillip (and his new business partner Mel) had been redoing Bill and Abby's back garden as a present for them, Gareth knew he had to get something for them, too. Abby, although a work friend, was the closest friend he'd had for years, and the dearest. They met his first year teaching, her second, and had been fast friends ever since. She'd been his confidant, his sounding board, his ego booster, and his strongest ally until Phillip came along. He knew Abby had other friends, yet she still never hesitated to help whenever Gareth called, be it to watch the children, set out his lesson plans, or even to convince her lovestruck fiance to help him, and his partner, with legal woes. He loved her like a sister and wanted her wedding present to be something special.

Bill and Abby had registered at a few different stores, but nothing on the lists struck his fancy when Gareth scrolled through them online. He knew he wanted to get the couple something more personal than the table linens and china plates they'd put on their registry. Instead he decided to look at a few of the local consignment jewelers, since both seemed fond of antiques based on the furnishing he'd seen at their house. Gareth clicked through a few different sites until he found something seemingly perfect.

"What do you think of this, Phillip?" Gareth called across the room, gesturing to the monitor.

Phillip looked at the computer screen as he carried a load of clean laundry passed, almost dropping it when he saw that his boyfriend was looking at jewelry. Gareth's clean boxers slipped from the top of the pile, but Gareth snagged them in time. Phillip was really confused; was it supposed to be a hint? He'd not even met Gareth's parents yet. He cleared his throat uneasily. "What?" His voice still cracked.

"It's a pendant necklace with a matching set of cufflinks, you know, his and hers?" Gareth explained, not thinking it was that hard to determine what they were.

There were a pair of heavy sterling silver cufflinks on the screen with a geometric pattern of interconnected squares that matched a larger version on the pendant of the serpentine necklace displayed next to them. "Uh, they're very nice?" Phillip had no clue what was going on.

"Don't you think they'd look great on Bill and Abby? You know, as a wedding present?" Gareth looked over to Phillip, who hadn't given him the reaction he'd been expecting. Gareth thought they were perfect for the couple.

"Ooohhhh," relief crept into Phillip's expression. "Of course. Yes, they would be perfect." He nodded more animatedly than usual.

Realization struck Gareth, his eyes opened wide and he got a big grin on his face. Poor Phillip. "What did you think I was looking at?"

"Uh, nothing?" Embarrassed, Phillip rebalanced the laundry in his arms and proceeded to walk upstairs to put it away in their dresser. Gareth chuckled at his boyfriend's hasty retreat and placed a hold on the items on the website until he could get to the store later in the week to purchase them.

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Gareth and Phillip went over everything one last time before Jack and Beverly Lewis arrived. The men's suits were hanging in a garment bag on their closet door, dress shoes polished and safe in shoe bags, and the small box containing the present Gareth had purchased was wrapped and waiting on top of their dresser. The kids had also made a card under Daisy's direction and it was on the dresser alongside the card Phillip had chosen for the couple. The basement was cleaned from top to bottom, with fresh bedding on the pullout and a new set of towels hanging by the shower. Phillip also purchased a new anti-slip mat for the shower floor and bath mat for outside. He really wanted Gareth's parents to approve of him.

Gareth could feel the tension in Phillip's shoulders as he gave the anxious man a hug to try and reassure him. His parents had messaged from a rest stop a few minutes ago, were about thirty minutes from arriving, and Phillip was abuzz with nerves. The kids were all finishing their breakfasts, Daisy with her novel, and the other two talking excitedly about what kind of things they wanted to do with their grandparents. It sounded like they were all going to be exhausted.

Franny looked at her father and Phillip embracing, and stood, wiping her hands on her pants before bounding over and hugging both the men around their legs.

"Phillip, Gabe says the grapes along the side fence are ready to eat, but I don't think so. Can we go and look at them?" She bounced a little on her toes, trying to contain herself.

"Uh, sure. Would you like to help me pick some if they are ready?"

"Yes, please!" Now Franny was very definitely bouncing. "Can I use the pruners?"

"Only if you're careful." Phillip took a cloth grocery bag from under the counter then reached down and took Franny's hand, leading her outside towards the potting shed to get the appropriate tools. Gareth couldn't help but smile, knowing that Franny had purposely distracted Phillip because she could sense his discomfort. It never ceased to amaze Gareth how astute Franny was.

For the next little while he could hear snippets of their conversation, voices carried on the late summer breeze through the open screen on the door. Franny was asking all sorts of questions about the grapes and Phillip was patiently explaining everything.

When the elder Lewises arrived, Phillip was looking far more relaxed, pruning shears in hand and the exercise in the sun having calmed him. Franny stood next to him on the front porch, holding the bag of grapes ready for washing. Not all of the grapes were ready to be cut, but enough that Franny had succeeded in keeping Phillip's mind occupied.

"Grandma, Grandpa! Look, Phillip let me help him pick some grapes! We can have them with lunch!" She bounded down the steps to the driveway throwing herself at the older couple, thrusting the bag at them. The commotion brought the rest of the Lewis family out of the house, so Phillip was able to watch them interact first. He was surprised how much Gareth looked like his father, although obviously Jack was an older, but well aged, version.

After giving his parents a big hug, Gareth called Phillip down to meet them. "Mom, Dad, this is Phillip who we've all told you so much about."

Things went a great deal better than Phillip was expecting. Gareth's parents were very friendly and kind people. He supposed it made sense, since their son was so fantastic. They both greeted him warmly, with handshakes, but were content to let him make his own way into the conversation, rather than pepper him with questions. Phillip helped carry their luggage into the house, then made them some tea while the children entertained them with stories.

Later, while Jack Lewis played with the kids, Phillip gave Beverly a tour of his garden, front and back, including the new patio and slate walkway. She asked relevant and insightful questions about his plants, and listened intently to his answers. He explained all about how he grew many of his plants from seedlings in his potting shed, and how he was hoping to grow some special order plants for his garden club clients as an additional service in the spring. She seemed suitably interested, so Phillip felt a little better. As they went to step back into the house through the basement walkout, she surprised Phillip by pulling him into an embrace.

"I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for making my son's life so much better, making him so much happier, and thank you for everything you've done for the children. It's so obvious that you care about them as much as they care for you."

Phillip's cheeks coloured in embarrassment. "Thank you," he mumbled, unsure of the correct response and not wanting to seem completely awkward in her hug. "I do."

"Now, enough of this mushy stuff," she let him go and smiled widely. "I'm going to make everyone some lunch."

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They'd had some sandwiches and salad for lunch, along with a bunch of fresh grapes that Franny proudly washed for the table. Phillip had to pop out to a client's for a few hours, although Gareth suspected he was just going to escape to work in Mrs. Bentman's garden where it was quiet and people free, for a little bit. The children walked to the park with Jack, while Gareth and his mother did the dishes.

"He really does seem lovely, dear," Beverly told her son as she washed a plate. "Your father and I are so pleased that you've found someone so good."

"Thanks, Mom." He dried the plate and placed it in the cupboard. They continued on with the pattern familiar from his teenage years.

"His garden is wonderful and he explained about the new patio and grass. That was really nice of him to put it in for the children."

"Well, Gabe accidentally wrecked one of his plants, so he decided they needed a bit more space."

"It was his prize winning orchid, dear. Those are a huge deal in gardening circles," Beverly patted Gareth's arm, as if to reinforce that it was very important to his quiet partner. Maybe a bigger deal than Gareth realized, when he thought back to Phillip proudly saying his garden was 'on the tour' when they'd first met.

"Oh," Gareth said, feeling more than a little guilty. "He never told me. I just knew it was a kind of plant I hadn't seen before." For sure Phillip had made a lot of compromises for him and the kids. He really was the best man Gareth had ever met and his heart swelled full to overflowing. He just wished he had as much to offer to the quiet gardener.

Beverly smiled at the look on her son's face. "Well, no harm done, it seems he's such a green thumb that it's blooming again. He was able to force it."

Gareth nodded at this bit of information, unsure of what the last part meant exactly, but knew it was something good.

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"Have a great time, my lovely men," Beverly said as she gave both Gareth and Phillip a quick peck on the cheek before releasing them. She'd had them busy posing for photos for the past ten minutes, the kids in the first few, and the rest Gareth and Phillip alone. "At least this time one of you isn't coming back pregnant, like the last wedding Gareth went to."

"Mom!" Gareth was totally mortified, while Phillip chuckled quietly.

"Enough, Beverly, let the poor boys go," Jack said from the safety of the sofa. He'd been playing Sorry with the kids, rather than get caught up in the whole ordeal.

"Well, I don't have any prom photos or anything else where Gareth is dressed up. Unless these two get married, this is my only chance."

This time Phillip choked while Gareth picked up the wedding present. "Okay, on that note, we're leaving. We both have our phones in case there's a problem," he paused and looked at each of the three children with a sharp eye, "which there shouldn't be, and we'll be back tomorrow in the mid-morning."

"Oh don't you worry about us. We're going to have all kinds of fun!" Beverly stated.

The children ran to the door to give final hugs and kisses goodbye, then the two men made their way down the driveway to Phillip's car.

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The wedding was a grand affair, and everything that Abby ever wanted. The service was traditional and gorgeous, with a string quartet at the church, followed by a formal reception at the country club. The bride was resplendent in her creamy white silk dress, tasteful jewelry, and fancy updo, and Gareth didn't hesitate to tell her so in the receiving line at the reception, while Phillip nodded in agreement. Bill greeted the men warmly, thanking Phillip for the work he'd completed in their backyard.

"It was just a matter of getting the right plants for the right place," Phillip explained. "That garden will grow very well now unless the neighbour's tree encroaches."

Abby held Gareth's arm at the elbow, keeping the couple from moving on. "Yes, I think you have a real gift for getting things to thrive. I mean just look at Gareth, he's positively glowing," she teased.

"I think that's just getting to see Phillip all decked out in a suit," Bill joined in with a chuckle. "No dirt under his nails; he cleans up well. Now to get a few drinks in him, eh, Gareth?" Bill winked at Phillip, recalling how much he'd loosened up with a few margaritas. It seemed that maybe the groom already had one or two himself.

Gareth could see that Phillip was having a hard time with the conversation--the man's face was red and he was standing more stiffly than normal. There were a lot of people around, and the hall was noisier than Phillip's comfort zone. "He always looks good, although I'm pretty sure Abby's eyeing you in that tux," Gareth responded, taking Phillip's hand. "Now I think we'll get to our table. Everything looks wonderful Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, thank you for having us."

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Bill said with a huge grin, waving the couple on.

There was no detail overlooked in the reception, from the food to the wine to the music playing in the background. Dinner was excellent and the speeches typical for a wedding, just bordering on good taste and full of funny anecdotes. The men's tablemates were nice, a few of Bill's business associates, spouses, and a couple of cousins. Phillip relaxed after a few glasses of white wine, which set Gareth at ease, too, and soon the men were engaged in polite conversation. Andrea and her husband also stopped by the table at one point to say hi to the couple and inquire after the children.

"Why don't you two have a dance?" Abby's cousin Shelby suggested to Gareth after a little while. "I mean I know people from your school are here, but I'm sure no one will be upset."

Gareth knew that his principal and secretary already were aware and fine with him being with Phillip, as were the bride and groom, and really, no one's opinion truly mattered except his own, anyway. After spending the majority of his twenties resigned to a less than stellar homelife, it was like Phillip gave him a complete rebirth. A new home, a helping hand, kindness he'd never expected, and so much more. A chance for a life filled with love and support, and, of course, great sex.

"Well, Gareth?" Phillip must have overheard he and Shelby's conversation, because he was standing with his arm outstretched, his face flushed with the influence of the glasses of wine consumed with their meal. "Will you have this dance?"

"Of course." He placed his hand in Phillip's and stood, walking out to the dancefloor together. They loosely embraced and began moving in time to the music, surrounded by other couples. Gareth had his arms on Phillip's hips, while Phillip's hands were on the man's shoulders.

"This is my first dance," Phillip said quietly, looking up slightly into Gareth's shining eyes as they swayed in time to the music. "And I love that I can have it with you. I love all the firsts I have with you."

"And I'm so very grateful that you'll let me have them with you." Gareth tried blinking away the little bit of mist gathering in his eyes.

"Always."

The rest of the reception was a bit of a blur of food, drinks, and dancing. There were a few more dances, including each of the men taking a turn with the bride, then Bill and Phillip taking a spin, much to everyone's amusement. Gareth would be sure to request that photo from Linda, who was standing at the edge of the dancefloor with her phone at the ready. They each had a couple more drinks from the open bar before the men took the provided shuttle service back to their hotel.

As Gareth was struggling with the keycard for the heavy wooden door, Phillip wasn't helping any. The slot seemed to keep moving, and so were Phillip's hands. They were running up and down Gareth's backside while he nibbled on the man's exposed neck.

Gareth stifled a groan. "Phillip, quit it or we'll never get in."

"Oh I fully intend on getting in. Don't you worry about that," he giggled drunkenly into Gareth's ear, giving the lobe a lick.

"So do I," Gareth responded, redoubling his efforts. Fortunately the light flashed green and with a click, the lock released, the men stumbling into the room.

While Gareth fought to lock the door behind them, Phillip pushed Gareth up against the wall and captured his mouth in a bruising kiss. His tongue demanded entrance and their arousal was obvious between them, grinding together. Once Gareth managed to turn the latch, clothes were removed as quickly as possible, with more than one button being ripped from it's stitches.

This was going to be more than a night of firsts. It was going to be seconds and thirds, possibly fourths as far as Phillip was concerned. He was definitely tipsy bordering on drunk, and like his clothes, his inhibitions had also been stripped away. There wasn't a part of Gareth he didn't want to taste.

Pushing Gareth back on the bed, Phillip unzipped Gareth's fly then pulled his pants down swiftly, removing his shoes and socks at the same time. Gareth was wearing black boxer briefs, and Phillip could see the outline of Gareth's hard cock pressing against the strained material. He ran his hands over the clothed shaft then began mouthing the firm flesh through the fabric while kneading Gareth's ass cheeks. There was a damp patch forming at the tip of Gareth's cock, and he was begging for Phillip to stop teasing.

Phillip pulled away from Gareth's groin and sat upright to remove his own pants while Gareth shimmied out of his drawers. Soon they were both naked on the bed, chests heaving and heads spinning with drunken lust. Sitting with their bodies as close as they could be, Gareth and Phillip kissed wildly and passionately, tongues clashing and wrestling between their mouths, as Gareth's hand moved down to take both he and Phillip's hard erections in his hand to rub them together.

He began stroking slowly, squeezing and teasing at the heads with his thumb. The pure amount of heat and silky feeling of the two firm hard cocks rubbing against each other was completely exhilarating for them both. Phillip took one of his hands and moved it lower, rolling the two pairs of balls together underneath the clashing shafts as they groaned into each other's mouths.

Gareth moved his mouth from Phillip's and began teasing his way with his lips up and down the man's neck. The taste and smell of his flesh combined with the heat of their cocks rubbing together was even more arousing. The pace of his stroking quickened as he could feel his orgasm building inside him. His cock grew stiffer and the veins became more pronounced as he prepared to shoot his load. "Oh, god, Phil, I'm so close."

"Me too, Gare. Cover me in your come. I want it," Phillip begged huskily in reply, desperate for release. He was just so wanton when he was intoxicated, and Gareth, himself, was a whole other high.

With a shudder, Gareth followed Phillip's command and his load shot between them, but he continued his strokes, setting off Phillip's orgasm. Both men were streaked with their combined juices, but leaned into one another, tasting the mess, and kissing deeply.

"Let's clean up. Join me in the shower?" Gareth suggested, as he ran his fingers across Phillip's streaked chest, then put them to his lover's mouth. Phillip licked them clean of the salty fluid and nodded in agreement.

The hotel suite had a wonderful shower, large and more commodious than either of the ones at home, and both men loved the walk in marble space with multiple showerheads, large shelf seat, and glass door. They were easily able to fit and spent the first few minutes just enjoying the heat and massaging water. Taking Phillip's arms, Gareth wound them around his neck and began teasing and nuzzling Phillip while the water fell all around them. Their slick bodies rubbed together, flesh against flesh, both men's members beginning to stiffen with renewed ardor, although they hadn't fully softened before.

Phillip suddenly took to his knees and enveloped Gareth's cock in his mouth, the water from the shower diluting Gareth's usual taste. Still, Phillip was thirsty for a drink only Gareth could provide. He worked his mouth further down, trying to take every last little bit of Gareth's longer shaft inside him. He didn't just want to suck Gareth, he wanted to devour him, wanted Gareth to fuck his throat. Phillip put his hands firmly on Gareth's supple ass cheeks, pulling him forward, burying his cock even deeper. Phillip gagged, but wouldn't allow Gareth to pull back. He tried swallowing around Gareth's dick.

"Oh god! What was that?" Gareth exclaimed as he felt the muscles of Phillip's throat contract against the head of his erection.

Phillip began bobbing back and forth, fucking his face with Gareth's member. The hot water of the shower streamed down his face adding to the heady dizziness he was feeling. He wanted to be fully used by Gareth, he wanted a load like the one they'd shot earlier to flow down his willing throat. And Gareth obliged, pressing his groin wildly against Phillip's face. After a few minutes of Phillip forcing Gareth's cock deep down his throat, Gareth couldn't hold back. He thrusted wildly with his hips and did a series of deep smaller thrusts as the contents of his balls shot down Phillip's throat while moaning loudly.

For his part, Phillip knew he'd given Gareth the deepest blow job ever. His nose was tickled by his partner's trimmed pubic hair as he kept the softening cock in his mouth, just content with the feeling. But Gareth wanted to do something in return, so he pulled Phillip up to standing and tasted himself on Phillip's tongue.

"I'm going to make you feel so good, baby," Gareth said, as he spun Phillip around and forced him to lean over, elbows resting on the shower shower seat, ass in the air, legs shoulder width apart. Parting Phillip's cheeks, he let the water spray against his sensitive asshole, Gareth watching it contract before he leaned down and began to lick. The tender skin felt soft against his tongue, as he worked the tip inside with poking and prodding. Gareth could feel Phillip shiver under the swipes of his tongue, so he took one hand and brought it around to play with Phillip's cock, stroking it in time to his intrusions.

"Oh, fuck Gare. You make me..," his words cut short as he moaned again, overcome with the arousal on both sides of his body. "Unnghhhh...Work me open. Fuck me, please."

"Let's take this to the bed," Gareth said as he turned the water off and brought Phillip to standing. Phillip giggled a bit as they opened the shower door and Gareth pulled him by his erection out of the bathroom and over to the bed.

Throwing a towel down first, Phillip fell backwards to the bed and very deliberately put his legs up in the air, inviting Gareth to sink between his legs. Gareth shook his head back and forth, like a dog, spraying water from his floppy hair on Phillip, while laughing.

"Are you a little eager?"

"Eager for your dick," Phillip replied with a smirk and a bit of a hiccup.

"Why Mr. Cameron, you always get so dirty when you drink."

"That's why we had the shower, Gare. Now fuck me please. Bury your cock in me so deep I feel it in my throat."

"You mean like I fucked your face, earlier?"

"God, yes, please!"

Gareth took the lube from the bedside table and quickly slicked up his damp cock. Phillip was busy playing seductively with his own nipples, teasing and pinching them, while he watched Gareth. On his knees, Gareth approached Phillip's loosened hole and plunged in, burying himself to the hilt in one go, complying with Phillip's wishes. He pounded hard and fast, watching Phillip writhe beneath him.

Because they'd both already had two orgasms, this one was longer in coming, and the pace was too much for Gareth to maintain. He was sweaty and beginning to lag. Phillip, on the other hand, had far more stamina due to the physicality of his job, so he pulled away from Gareth and made him lay on the bed instead. Squatting over Gareth's erection, which he held upright, Phillip impaled himself and began to ride the man.

"Oh god, Phillip, you're so fucking hot," Gareth exclaimed as he rubbed his hands along Phillip's pecs, and tweaked his nipples, as Phillip had been doing before. "Stroke yourself, please!" Gareth moaned. He could feel pleasure building in his balls and it was going to be sooner rather than later that he was going to reach his peak.

Phillip began to stroke his shaft and squeeze his hole, but he didn't want to waste his seed on Gareth's body. "Fill me, please!"

Gareth couldn't contain himself any more, and emptied his load, what there was of it, deep in his partner. "But I want you to come, too," he complained, as he watched Phillip continue to stroke, his mushroom head purple with the attention.

"I will, don't worry." Phillip flinched as he pulled up off Gareth's member, and shimmied up the bed, bringing his needy cock to Gareth's mouth. Pressing it between Gareth's lips, he could barely contain his orgasm. As soon as Gareth began to suck and tease with his tongue, Phillip pitched over the edge, calling out in pleasure, shooting in his lover's mouth.

"I love you so much Phil," Gareth said, as exhaustion overtook him.

"I love you too, Gare," Phillip said, pulling the blankets overtop of them.

From there, they shared a few tired kisses and curled up naked on the bed, spent and wonderfully sore from the night's activities. Gareth had his face pressed into Phillip's chest and they were tangled around each other.

A/N: So Bill and Abby's wedding was a hit, as was meeting the parents. Umm...not sure what else to say about the rest of it. ;) This chapter might seem late or early, or whatever, but it's Daylight Savings Time today and the clocks changed. If only I could figure out how to set all the clocks, right now it's a mishmash and I need a nap. It's also a really long chapter (for me, anyway).

Next update is on Wednesday. Thank you all for reading, voting, and commenting!

<3 JJ