(BL)Alpha Made-Chapter 528: An expected visitor, with an unexpected result
Thomas, Ben and Ford were a godsend for Andrew. The three men were single-handedly keeping Andrew held together.
Andrew hadn’t realised how grueling of a process getting ready for a wedding was. Not for him, but for his partner. Andrew was already ready, hours ahead of time, just twiddling his thumbs. However, he couldn’t go see Maxwell, and he’d already taken his control away from himself so...he had nothing he could do.
He was just...stuck waiting.
Even his newfound grandmother had to put more work into getting ready then Andrew did. Thomas and Ben kept him grounded, distracted. Thomas taught Andrew a card game, something simple to help keep his mind off of things while Ben, who had most recently gone through this, kept him focused and would go do checks with Maxwell for Andrew.
Ford was Andrew’s eyes and ears on the venue itself. Keeping an eye on the weather, the plants, making sure that the flowers were perfect. Ford knew the little things that Andrew would be worried about outside of anything concerning Maxwell, and Andrew was grateful to have him with him.
Ford’s eyes would water every now and then, just from looking at Andrew. It seemed that this day was a very overwhelming day for him and when Rose and Jordan came to check on Andrew, little baby Fern in tow, Rose’s expression was soft.
"He’s pretty choked up that you asked him and Mom to do a mother and father of the groom speech." Rose told him. Andrew relaxed. Even when he’d asked them, Ford had broken down crying then too. Even May had gotten teary-eyed. It was like they hadn’t expected it, but they should have. They were parents to him. Andrew had had two moms and one dad.
Of course he was going to ask them to speak for him.
"Is that why he’s crying whenever he looks at me?" Andrew confirmed and Rose started laughing. It was a wet laugh, and Andrew realised that she was emotional as well. They were sitting in the waiting room, a room quite similar to what Ben had when Andrew had been at his wedding. In fact, he had the room right next door to Maxwell’s, which he only found out through Ben.
It was a small comfort to know that he was nearby. Just in case. It made him feel closer.
Rose smiled at Andrew, reaching out and grabbing his hand, giving it a squeeze.
"Who wouldn’t be emotional after seeing the little brat that grew up next door to us grow up into a good man, marrying an incredible person?" Rose asked, nearly choking on her own emotions. Andrew felt his eyes water.
"Come on, Rose. You know better. I’m going to cry at anything right now." Andrew sniffed, wiping at his eyes. Rose let out a laugh.
"I made sure that the artist put waterproof makeup on you, and everyone around you. Thankfully, Maxy knows his soon-to-be husband and they were all warned." Rose said, love radiating out from her. "Oh god, Andy. I’m so happy that you’re getting married and that we get to be a part of it." Rose gushed and Andrew felt a twinge at the reminder that Richard wasn’t there with them at the moment, before he laughed. Noah was, and Nicole was with the girls, along with Elijah.
He had his family with him.
"I’m glad too. We just have to make sure that when Richard gets married you miss it. That way, we complete the cycle." Andrew teased. Rose’s eyes went wide before both Rose and Jordan laughed.
"I’m telling him that." Jordan told Andrew, grinning, and Andrew laughed.
"I’m sure he’s already made the joke to Ellis already. Have you spoken to them today?" Andrew asked and Rose proceeded to update Andrew on what was going on with Ellis, Richard, and Fern. It was a nice moment, a distracting moment before Noah joined the fray, along with Ben and Amir and another round of cards started.
Amir told Andrew that Maxwell and Maria were drinking champagne already and Andrew just shrugged. Whatever helped him, and he knew Andrew would be responsible. He did warn Amir to watch Maria, and tell her she’d be cut off. Andrew’s words.
Amir was grinning as he went over to tell them, and then a worried Maria came into Andrew’s room and told him that they were being very responsible. Fear was in her eyes, as if she took Andrew’s words to heart. It was a sweet moment, cutting into the excitement and anxiety that filled him.
Time felt like it was ticking on endlessly. People coming and going from the two rooms in waves. It was endless, but halted slightly when Rue arrived. They knew he was coming, but Andrew wasn’t sure when he would arrive.
When he entered with Luis in tow, Andrew smiled warmly. He clearly was unsure if he should be there, but Andrew welcomed him easily. While he was one of the Beckett’s that he had gotten to know the least, it was always nice to have him there.
Rue relaxed into the hug, accepting it gratefully as Andrew asked about him and how he was doing. It was clear that Rue didn’t want to answer honestly on such a special day, but Andrew managed to get it out of him.
He was doing okay. The first little bit back home had been rough, but thanks to Luis not letting him mope and keeping his own parents in the loop, Rue had gotten the right kind of care. He was doing a lot better. He’d started taking classes for pottery, something he had always enjoyed, and was helping with fundraisers again.
He had even joined a board with Luis and they were helping on it together. He seemed to be more relaxed, happier. They didn’t talk about William, didn’t talk about Rue’s love life. None of that was important. Andrew was just glad to see he was well.
Andrew made sure that Rue knew that Maxwell would be excited to see him too, and asked if he had met his niece. Rue’s face had twisted slightly at that, his eyes watering, before he had nodded sharply.
He eventually was able to say that he had met his niece, and she was beautiful. It was a perfect segue into introducing Andrew’s own messy family. From that, it seemed that Rue could understand why Andrew could speak easily of him still being a part of the family. Andrew’s family was big, full of those blood related and those not.
Rue relaxed, laughing with the others. Andrew was glad for it.
Even when William arrived.
The silence was thick, Rue freezing, William freezing, before William let out a heavy sigh. He was wearing the proper attire, but he looked damn exhausted. Rue, despite seeing him, clearly was worried for the man even if he didn’t want to be in the same room.
Thomas went on the defensive, Luis having gone back to Maxwell’s side, but Andrew didn’t think that they needed to. In fact, Andrew was sure that they didn’t.
William asked Rue if they could have a word, with someone Rue trusted nearby in case he was worried. Andrew thought that was rather...mature of Willian, but it was up to Rue to make that decision.
The room was silent until Rue decided that he would take Ben with him to have this conversation. He glanced at Andrew, making sure it was okay, and Andrew gave him a big thumbs up, and a warning look to William. While he thought this was a good idea, he wanted it known that Andrew wouldn’t be kind if he fucked up.
William had given him a small head nod.
The trio then disappeared. It was the longest half an hour of Andrew’s life since everyone wanted to know what was going on. Andrew was sure things were going well, because if they weren’t, Rue wouldn’t have stayed for that long and someone else would have been called in. Probably Thomas.
Rose made sure that during this time of tension that everyone was eating, and checked in on Maxwell at the same time. Andrew was grateful for her doing that work, even if it was only to take care of Jordan. He knew the secret reason for her attentiveness.
Make sure that Jordan didn’t feel singled out as the only person eating and tending to himself. She was making sure her introverted husband was well taken care of, so that in turn her whole family was.
Nicole arrived at the same time that Rue, William and Ben came back.
Rue looked...relieved. Relaxed. He had been crying, but it also looked like William had as well. Ben pulled Amir away shortly after he came back, probably to give him a full debrief while Rue came over to Andrew and subtly asked for comfort. Andrew gave it willingly while William went to speak with his father.
Andrew didn’t think the two were getting back together. That wasn’t the energy that was coming off of the two, but it did appear that something had been settled between them. Andrew was glad for it.
Nicole, unaware of what had transpired, introduced herself rather proudly as the half sister of the groom to Rue. Rue, knowing a bit of the complicated situation of Andrew’s birth, but not the whole story, was rather confused. He took to Nicole’s bubbly personality well though, and when Andrew had a moment, he pulled Nicole aside and explained who Rue was, and asked that she and Elijah keep an eye on him during the wedding and everything after it.
Nicole, her eyes flashing amber, nodded seriously. She was off crutches, relying subtly on a rather expensive-looking cane just for a bit more support. She was going to take Andrew’s words to heart, and also told her to ask Ben if she needed any help or clarification. Andrew also told Elijah separately as well, and he reacted almost in the same way that Nicole had.
It was sweet to see the two that Andrew and the others had protected getting protective themselves. It was why Andrew had turned to them first. They would want to pay it forward the most, and they would be the most free to help.
Finally, the wedding planner entered Andrew’s room, glowing, but serious.
"The weather’s remained good, and it is now time, Andy. Are you ready?" She asked and Andrew felt his heart jump into his throat. He nodded, his hands sweating and Noah reached over, patting him on the back. His amber eyes glittered as he looked at his older brother.
"You’ve got this." Noah told him warmly, before everyone else encouraged Andrew as well. It was like a soft, warm blanket wrapping around him. Andrew nodded, letting out a shaky breath as he got to his feet.
"I’m going first, right?" Andrew confirmed and she nodded, grinning.
"He’s getting rather impatient, so I suggest you move those feet, Dr. Knox." She teased. Andrew let out a surprised laugh. Of course he was. His groom would be impatient at a time like this.
