Chapter 18: Love is in the Air (Arikado, Mathias, and Joachim's POV)

Time was at standstill at that moment when I heard Father scream no. I turned and saw Soma throw up on my father's suit and the look on my proud father's face was priceless. He looked as if he was about to cry. Soma's face banished any impulse of laughter and switched for concern. He was heartbroken and humiliated. As he ran from the altar, I called out to him but the poor creature went to our room and locked the door. I turned to Yoko and she nodded.

"Go on, we can wait." She said. "I'm sure your father can keep the guests at bay."

"Not when I smell like barf I can't." My father said gloomily. "I stink!" I bit back my laughter and followed where my beloved went. I knocked on the door and waited. I didn't have to wait long for Soma opened it a bit and through it, I saw his tear swollen eyes and tear stained face. Wordlessly I asked if I could be allowed in. Soma looked down but let me in, going to sit at the vanity. I clasped his hands in mine and looked at him with a smile.

"Now, what ails you?"

"Adrian, I just threw up on your father!"

"And, he's still alive."

"I'm so embarrassed." Soma whispered. "I had no idea that I would do such a thing." I looked down at him and chuckled, rubbing my thumbs over his knuckles in comfort.

"With all that my father has been through, getting thrown up on is not the end of the world."

"Just the end of my suit..." I heard my father added as he entered with Joachim in tow. I looked at the suit and raised an eyebrow, for I had never seen my father in wine red. It looked good on him. He looked at Soma and sighed. "Child, there is nothing to worry about, I'll just get it dry cleaned."

"That's beside the point!" Soma cried. "It shouldn't have happened!"

"Well we're not perfect." I said. Both Joachim and I looked at my father who was ready to say otherwise. "Not even those who think they are." I added, causing my father to shut up and Joachim to chuckle. Soma smiled a bit and looked at me. I ran my hands through his hair and smiled back.

"Now, can we get back to our wedding?" I asked. Soma looked at me and the others and nodded. We all knew that Soma was still nervous but it was Joachim this time that helped out.

"Child, we're all here for you. Me, the Young Master and…others we will not name at this time." He looked at my father and rolled his eyes. My father's mouth dropped and he looked dumbfounded. Joachim hugged Soma briefly and ruffled his hair as any parent would their child. "Now, you have a task to perform, so chin up and let's go." Soma nodded and with Joachim he went out, leaving me with my father.

"What is his problem?" My father asked when the two silver haired men were out of earshot. "He's been acting real bitchy." My eyebrows shot up to my hair at that. I never heard my father use such language!

"Father, you're a smart man, can't you read between the lines?"

"Look, my brain is not what it used to be."

"Stop that, we both know that you're smarter than that!"

"I mean what the man likes me or something?" He asked and I smirked as if to say no shit. He gasped at that as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "After the wedding, remind me to speak to him."

"No way are you stealing my spotlight." I said with a growl. "This is my wedding day. Remember on your own." With that I walked out, following the path Joachim and Soma took. The last thing I heard was my father's chuckle and 'that's my boy.'

We all returned to our places, exchanged rings, vows and had everything going without a hitch. At the reception, I watched as my father approached Joachim and asked if he could speak to him in private. I watched as the other man nod and allow my father to lead him out into the gardens. Soma placed a hand on my arm, causing me to look at him.

"What is your father up to?" He asked teasingly. I smirked and patted his hand.

"Making amends." I said with a chuckle. "And let's leave it at that." Soma nodded and we continued to entertain our guests and friends.

(Mathias' POV)

When we figured out why Joachim had reacted the way he has, it all made sense. I was being a jerk. I didn't 'read between the lines' as my son put it. If I had done so, I would have seen this coming. But in my defense, when was the last time anyone had fancied me in that way? It had been Lisa. I'll always love her, just like I'll always love Elizabetha. But both woman were no longer amongst the living, they lived on in my heart. Joachim was immortal, as I and he wouldn't leave due to death. In fact, he showed, without me realizing it, that he wasn't leaving without a fight. The devotion he radiated was overwhelming, almost scary. So I waited for my moment, without stealing my son's and asked Joachim to come with me. We entered the gardens and walked in silence.

"If a stroll is what you asked me for, I'm quite disappointed." He said, breaking me away from my thoughts. I looked at him and heard the impatience in his tone. I sighed and stopped.

"No that is not why I asked you to come out here." I said. "I was going to say now I know what's been biting you and that I was sorry that I was such a thick-headed fool." Joachim looked at me a bit shocked.

"Have you now?" He asked a bit amused. "What have you discovered?"

"That you like me…" I said. Joachim looked at me, tilted his head a bit then threw back his head and laughed.

"Oh my Lord, you have such an ego." He said as he walked away, laughing all the way. I felt my cheeks burn and my pride fall. Was I rejected? I stayed in the garden, thinking things out and fuming at the same time.

(Joachim's POV)

I knew that I shouldn't have done what I had to Mathias. It was a bit mean but he was acting like such a blockhead that I wanted to have revenge. I did like him, hell I loved him but I wasn't ready to tell him just yet. I decided to let him suffer a little bit more. I walked back to the reception and reassumed my seat next to Soma, wearing a smirk. Soma picked on it right away.

"You're playing hard to get aren't you?" He smiled. I looked at him and nodded. I noticed the young master looking at us and chuckled. He didn't have to ask, he heard what Soma asked and looked toward the doors. He waited as if he was counting down. In less than three minutes, Mathias stormed in and took his seat next to Adrian. I felt a little bad but the way Mathias was acting now was too amusing to pass up.

"What ails you Lord Cronqvist?" I asked. He looked at me with narrow eyes and huffed.

"That is none of your concern." He hissed. I had to bite back a chuckle. He was like a child throwing a tantrum because he didn't get the toy he wanted. Adrian looked at me then at his father.

"Ah, I see that if this doesn't get resolved now that there will be a battlefield." He said. Soma and I looked at him and shook our heads 'no'. He didn't heed.

"Joachim, stop this for I am not dealing with my father's temper today." I sighed and rolled my eyes in mock annoyance. I got up, walked around the newly-weds and looked at the fuming elder. He glared at me but didn't move. He was trying hard to restrain himself from strangling me. I had one option. I cupped his face between my hands and kissed him hard, putting all I felt behind it, leaving him breathless when I broke away and reassumed my seat.

"Does that satisfy you?" I asked as I went for my wine. The elder said nothing but he definitely wasn't fuming anymore. Soma looked at his father-in-law and laughed.

"Adrian, we may have to cut our honeymoon short."

"Why?"

"Because we may have to attend another wedding..."

Heh, if you want more, stay tuned!