Hard To Believe

The next morning started with another rainy day. The smaller space of the New Jersey house, led Quentin to convince Eliot to take lunch to the penthouse, where everyone would be more comfortable. Even with the change of location, it was a success. Eliot seemed to be cooking even better. They stayed until the end of the afternoon, when with the excuse of preparing everything for the barbecue, left before anyone suggested having dinner together. If the weather didn't improve the next day, they would place a spell in the garden to create a magical awning.

Josh was in charge of making the buns for the hamburgers and hot dogs. Quentin thought he'd be too busy to go shopping with Margo, but Josh's look at him and wink, letting him know he'd rather be baking. They would also take care of the drinks. Ted texted and confirmed that he would arrive on Sunday morning, around breakfast time. Assured he would take care of the grill.

When they returned, Eliot started to prepare the hamburgers. His exceptional mix of meat is always wonderful, while Q, by his side, is making some special sauces, following the instructions Eliot is giving. The plan was to leave only to finish the dessert for the next morning, which would be apple pie and brownie. The cream and the ice cream, that will accompany the pie and the brownie, will be ready tonight.

After they had everything stocked in the fridge for the next day, Eliot reached an agreement with Quentin to make them spaghetti carbonara. Something quick and practical, so they could enjoy the last few hours alone.

They ended up eating earlier than they usually did, and went upstairs to lock themselves in their room and focus only on each other. They were in no hurry, and Eliot delighted in making Quentin react to every touch, kiss, and light bite. He made Quentin come twice before reaching his own release.

Before going to sleep, they cleaned the bed with a spell and Quentin took Eliot for a long bath full of new pleasures. Eliot admired his partner's oral fixation. He could not help but feel in cloud nine about Q’s magnificent blowjobs. He always reciprocated, making his lover claim his name. Sleep came quickly but Eliot remembered to lock the door first. He wouldn't let Ted see them naked if he came earlier.

They wake up with the alarm clock. It will be best if they are already dressed when Ted and Maryl arrives. They still use a good few minutes to make out, before they go to the bathroom. When Eliot is ready, using navy shorts and a light pink polo shirt, while Q is still only in his jeans shorts. Outside, the sun is shining and they can already feel a warm breeze coming in through the open window. Eliot chooses a plain white t-shirt for Q.

They are walking down the stairs, hand in hand when they hear a noise in Ted's room. They stop and Q goes back and knocks on his father's door.

"Dad?"

The door opens and a smiling Ted comes in sight, and lovingly hugs his son who reciprocate.

"Curly Q. So good to see you again. You're relaxed and happy." Looking behind his son, he smiles a little more when he sees Eliot.

"Eliot son, glad to see you here, and happy too. Anything I need to know?" He has a smile of complicity at his face.

Quentin blush and before Ted can give Eliot a hug, the older boy raised his hand in a clear sign of waiting.

"Ted, you know I love your son." As Eliot spoke, he reach out and take his boyfriend's hand. "Your son could pick anyone in this world, but luckily for me, he's crazy and he loves me back. Yes, we're together, and I hope you can have me, being around more often."

Ted hugged Eliot and Q hugged them both after letting go of El's hand. There is so much love in that hallway it can change the world.

"As far as I'm concerned, it will be a pleasure to have my son-in-law next to me."

"Dad we're not married yet." Quentin groaned.

"Details, just details." Eliot laughed aloud and received an even tighter hug in return.

They finally go downstairs and six hand made the breakfast together. Ted explained that Maryl went home to drop off her bags, take a shower and change her clothes. Ted had showered when he arrived, and had changed into gray shorts and a short-sleeved white polo shirt.

When Maryl arrived, the table was set and the smell of coffee was heady in the kitchen. She stopped for a moment when she saw them and Q had that same feeling that she was scrutinizing them. They sat down and had a good coffee. One moment, Q thought she was going to say something, but the doorbell rang. Margo and Josh came over early to bake the buns.

Quentin did the dishes while Eliot prepared the apple pie filling and the dough. While the buns were baking, El made the brownie dough. Quentin, Maryl, and Margo set up the outdoor table and multiple chairs, while Ted set up the grill and charcoal.

By the time the other friends arrived, the buns and the apple pie are ready. When taking it out of the oven Eliot put the spell to keep it at the correct temperature and set the brownie to bake and set up the timer. He cannot miss the perfect time to take it out of the oven.

Ted started making the hamburgers and hot dogs and after the first round was ready, everyone sat down at the table. The conversation flowed freely and lightly. Ted was delighted to meet Fen, and he loved the almost childlike way in which she was so happy to experience things from Earth. From food to TV shows.

Shortly after, the second round was ready. The sauces were a hit, and Eliot kept saying that Q made them himself. He was proud. As in previous days, they were always around each other. When they were side by side they were always touching. They continued this dance until late in the afternoon, when Penny got tired of listening to the buzzing, and decided to talk there at the table, in front of everyone. 23 isn't exactly a subtle person.

"Okay everyone. We're all happy and all, but one thing needs to be said."

A hush fell over the table and the only person who seemed unsurprised was Maryl. Part of his friends knew what he meant, but did not expect this speech, not now. Ted, like Quentin and Eliot, had no idea what 23 was talking about.

"Penny, why now?"

"Kady, there's no right time and I'm getting a headache."

"Baby, you looked fine until a minute ago."

"Julia, please. Let's talk, clarify. It's even better with everyone together."

"What the fuck is going on?"

"Calm down Quentin. It's not a bad thing." Maryl intervened.

"I don't really know if it's good or bad. You look at me, well, you look at me and Eliot, in a, I don't know, in a different way."

"Son, I told you it wasn't bad at all."

"But it's weird, and now, and now, 23 looks differently to us too." Eliot squeezed his hand showing his support. The same hand he had taken as soon as Penny started to speak.

"Sweetheart, I'm with you."

"This isn't an interrogation. It's just that you're behaving differently and our traveling friend can't be in peace." Margo smiled and continued. "We love you both."

"Maryl, do you hear the buzzing too?"

"Yes Penny. I can hear it."

"What buzz?"

"Eliot, you know we can hear everyone thoughts, when people don't raise barriers. If we get inside your head, we can see images, memories, what you are thinking, whatever you allow us to see." When Maryl took a breath, 23 continued.

"Now we're hearing an incessant buzz. Seeing a haze. It's been driving me crazy every day since you two started to be a couple again."

"And are we to blame for that? It's not our fault that your head picks up a frequency that might not even be ours." Eliot saw the frown on Q's forehead and knew he is just as stressed as he is.

"Did you guys do some kind of spell together?" Kady got straight to the point.

"Nope."

"No, nothing special." The couple responded at the same time.

"Nothing special? What did you do?" This time it is Julia questioning. She has a worried look on her face.

"We just combined our energies, you know, for the mending spells. With our energies together I was able to finish the repairs much, much faster, which gave us time, you know, to spend together, all those last days."

"Yes, Q just channeled my energy to leverage his. I saw what he did. Not what you've been imagining. I am offended that you think we did anything to any of you."

"It's none of that El." Margo tried to calm her friend down.

"Can I speak?" Maryl has a calm voice. She made everyone relax a bit. She exchanges a look with Ted who smiles encouragingly. When Q nods, she smiles slightly, looking at him and then at Eliot before speaking.

"First of all, I apologize. There are things I haven't said before. For a good reason I may say. I think Penny will understand better and you can all calm down."

"Okay. We're ready to listen." Josh said, silent until then.

"I have the same psychic abilities as Penny, but also some differences. Penny can travel, an ability I don't have, but I can see things he can't."

"Like what? Magic is so fascinating."

"Fen!" Julia amiably scolded.

"But it's fascinating!"

"Yes it is." Maryl laughed softly. "For you to understand better, I can better interpret people's wishes, that's how I am so successful in business. I can understand what my customers want."

"Oh, you're always ahead of them!" Exclaimed Julia.

"I just want them to be happy." She continued. "I can also see more than just the decor or theme of a party. In some special cases I can see connections, so to speak."

"Like us? Can you see our connection?" Eliot couldn't help but ask as he tried not to squeeze Q's hand even tighter.

"The first time I saw Quentin, I knew he has magic. His energy is understated, very different from the force of nature that pulses through you, Margo."

"I hope that is a fucking compliment."

"It certainly is." When everyone laughed, she knew Margo was managing to relax the atmosphere too. "Each one of you has a specific signature. I can see the nuances of energies of you guys. I waited to get to know a little more about Quentin, and I was happy to see that Ted knew about it. I liked him and didn't want to hide that part of my life." She looked into her boyfriend's gentle eyes.

"I was also happy that you were able to participate in my life, with Q being a magician." Ted knows he is a lucky man and his smile shows it.

"Yes dear. It was great for both of us." She smiled once more before resuming her explanation. "When you all came that day for lunch, I got to see Eliot and Quentin together for the first time. At first the reading was confusing, an energy I had never seen and it took me a while to recognize it."

"What exactly did you see in us Maryl? You said it wasn't a negative thing." Eliot is at peak curiosity and Q's tense hand demonstrates that he is too.

"It's not. It's something beautiful, rare and special. So rare I had never seen it before. I couldn't say it before because you weren't a couple, but now I can."

"Okay, okay… just, please, tell us." Quentin almost begged.

"Soulmates. You were made for each other."

"Fuck!"

"What?"

"OMG!"

"What the fuck?"

"Jesus fucking Christ."

"No way."

The friends' expressions showed disbelief, but the couple thought otherwise.

"Oh...El." Quentin looked into Eliot's eyes, feeling that everything in his life made sense. All the people who rejected him, the ones who did not even look at him.

"Q, baby." The love that emanated from his man was all that mattered at that moment. Eliot finally understood why he was so unhappy about being apart from Q.

Margo was the first to recover. "We're all fucked up. If they were already insufferable, now they're going to be impossible to be around."

"Let me explain a little better. When we all find a compatible person, we change our aura a little bit. Our energies tend to adapt to the other, so that we are in tune. This way relationships flow better. Some people are more rigid and they take longer to fit in. Others try to fit in with people they don't really love, and the results can be catastrophic."

"I can say that I have been through negative situations like the one you mentioned." Kady pointed out.

"Who never?" Josh added.

"Me too, and I'm not a magician." Fen mentions remembering the whole incident with Eliot and the rebels.

"Guys, let's let Meryl finish." Julia asked.

"Yes. Please continue Maryl." Eliot supported.

"In all cases we have levels of compatibility, so to speak. I can see your levels of compatibility and they are great. Even with different personalities, the friendship is there." She had a smile on her lips as she continued. "Some of the love interests are also very promising, but that's a topic for another time."

"Please explain to me better what is between our idiots in love." Penny requested.

"Their compatibility is 100%. It's not 99.9%, it's 100%. As if they were two parts of a whole. You told me about other lives, about several other situations. These two would have ended up together in any of them, if they hadn't died too soon. They were happy together whenever they had the opportunity. They were happy like Brian and Niguel or the fifty years in the mosaic. They will be now."

Everyone looked at the couple in question and both didn't even notice. They were lost in each other. "How are we going to survive these two?" It was Julia who spoke but the question belonged to everyone.

"I think I'll go." Joked 23. He still needs more information and Maryl can give it to him. "About the buzzing and the fog, what's the explanation?"

"When they finally got together, even if it wasn't the first time, it must have been the first time they were both really aware of loving and being loved."

Eliot and Quentin still couldn't take their eyes off each other, nor the goofy grin on their faces.

"Boys, did anything different happen when you slept together?" Maryl asked.

"I don't want any details of their sex life!" Kady complained, bored.

"Maybe I do."

"Stop Margo. None of us care for details." Julia objected.

"It's not about sex, it's about energy." Maryl corrected.

"El, the light. Do you remember?"

"Yes. The light we pretend to ignore."

"Tell me more." Maryl asked.

"The first two times we made love there was a different light, as if it was generated by us."

"It was generated by you. By both of you." For a moment, everyone was silent.

"Will I have to suffer until the end of my days with this sound in my head?"

"No. Neither you nor I. For everything to be okay, they need to do a ritual. That buzzing is a melodious sound. It's their souls singing to be together again."

"Wow, it is beautiful! So romantic!" Fen is super excited about the whole situation.

"Fen, dear, don't encourage them further." Julia asked, even laughing.

"Back to the important subject, what about the mist?" 23 don't let the subject drop.

"That won't change unless they want you or me to access their minds."

"I can live with that. Better than having visions of them naked in bed."

"You're forbidden to see my Q naked. He's mine alone now."

"As you are just mine El."

"Maryl, can you see it? What about this excessive possessiveness? It's hard to talk to one without the other being by your side too. I still haven't been able to take Eliot shopping. "

"Margo, this usually resolves itself with the ritual as well, but some couples with more possessive personalities can still be difficult to separate, even over a short distance and a short time. Let's see what happens with them."

"Can we do this ritual later today? I'd love to get that noise out of my head."

"It depends on the couple. When do you want to do it?" Maryl could not decide for them.

"Does it have to be done quickly? Does it need prep?" It's Eliot's question.

"It would be good to do it soon. I just need to get some things together and inform both of you what you will have to say. I'll help you."

"Make an appointment soon and I can be there. Fray can't take care of Pick forever."

"I worry more that she's going to wipe him out before we get back there." Fen laugh. She is proud of the girl even though she is not her daughter.

Once again, the new couple seemed to have a non-word conversation. Q answered for the duo. "Ok. We can do it tomorrow. That way we won't be blamed for any murder in Filory." Margo made a naughty sign at him, and he chuckled and continued. "Tomorrow I intend to work only part of the day. Can we do it in the afternoon, around 3 pm?"

"Ok. Where?" Maryl confirmed.

They agreed to do it right there, at Ted's house. After that, everyone started to tease the couple again. After a few minutes, Q got up and pulled Eliot into the house saying they would get dessert.

"Honey, I love you so much." Q spoke, already pulling Eliot down to take possession of his mouth.

"Oh Q. No more than I love you." Eliot already had his eyes closed wanting to kiss him.

"My soulmate." They kissed and kissed until Julia screamed, asking for the dessert.

At the end of the day, when the friends were leaving, Margo said they would meet again for the ritual. Q and El were happy to know that they were both soulmates, but mainly that they were both aware of the love that united them, of the reciprocity, without a doubt.

Eliot didn't want to be separated from Q, but at the same time, he didn't want to get in Ted's way, even though the man said about him sticking around. Anyway, it is different from staying there all the time.

Q notices his concern and approaches hugging him from behind, sliding his hands over his stomach. "What worries you? And don't even waste your time saying it's nothing." Q leaned his face against his back.

"We were living together here for a few days and now I have to go. I don't want sleep and wake up without you by my side." He said sighing like a lament.

"You can stay. My room, your room." Q hugged him even tighter.

Eliot was quiet for a moment, enjoying the warmth of Q's body enveloping his, but he pulled back a little so he could turn around and face him. "Baby, I want but..."

"No but. Why don't you want to stay?"

"I know Ted said he counts on having me around, but staying here all the time is another thing, baby."

"It would be for a little while."

"What do you mean?"

"I had already talked to him that it would be good for me to leave the house, you know, to give him more privacy, now that he has Maryl. That would be good to have my own space."

"A space only for you?" Eliot's serious expression made Q explain.

"I said that before you came back."

"Ok. Now do you want to live together, to have a home for both of us, right?"

"Yeah. What do you think?" Q asked with eyes full of hope.

"It would be perfect!" Eliot then kissed him as if sealing the deal they had just made.

A little later, they went to clean up the house while Ted said goodbye to Maryl. When Q's father returned, he approached the boys and called them to talk.

"I can see that Eliot is worried. From what I understand of your relationship, all you want is to be together. That's why I want to talk to you."

"Ted you don't have to..."

"Please Eliot. Let me talk." Eliot then nodded and sat with Q on the sofa, as Ted sat on the armchair.

"Maryl and I, we are also thinking about moving in together."

"Great dad!"

"Congratulations!"

"We will not getting younger, and this experience, spending those days together, has shown that our routines won't be that difficult to adjust."

"We are thinking of getting a place for us."

"Ok son, just let me finish." Ted laughed at the look of surprise in the new couple's eyes. "We decided to live together here, in this house."

"Ted..."

"Calm down guys. We want to renovate this place first. We will live at her house while we do it. What want to tell you is that Maryl’s brother has a house two blocks away. He is living in Germany and wants to sale it. We though you could visit the place and, if you like it, have your own house sooner than you expected."

"Oh!" That's all Eliot could say for a few seconds. Quentin just gaped. El recovered in a moment. "Thank you Ted. I cannot believe it is possible."

"I think it will be good for you. The place has four bedrooms, one is a master suite, three bathrooms and a half. He did a good job with a recently renovation. He did all the hard work with pipes and electricity. It is simple, no furniture, but I am sure Eliot would love to decorate it."

"Would be wonderful, but..." Eliot stopped when he saw Ted's hand raised, asking him to wait.

"You can go there tomorrow. I think it will be a good place to start your lives. I do not know about your money Eliot, but Q, you can use that amount we saved for your master's degree in Columbia. With the money you are making you can pay the mortgage. In the meantime, I want you, both of you, here with me. No worries and no need for you two to be apart."

"Ted you are amazing."

"Dad how did you solve all this in such a short time? Won't you need that money for this house, I mean, for the renovation?" Quentin spoke quickly, almost afraid it isn't true.

"Take it easy Q. Actually, since the night I came here at dawn, saw you sleeping together, and already knowing that you are soulmates, I've started to talk to Maryl about what we could do." Ted laughed when he saw his son turning red. Even Eliot looked a little embarrassed.

"You could have told me." Said Q in a low voice.

"No, I could not. You two had to work it out, and it turned out as we predicted. You just needed to spend time together."

"Ted I don't even know what to say. Q looks so much like you. We helped our son too. You guys think alike."

"That is what you do for your kiddo. From what I know, you helped your son too. You have a huge heart Eliot."

"No I am..." Eliot tried to speak but Ted cut him off.

"You are someone who went through bad and hard times, but overcame it all. Today you can love and you are allowing Q to love you. Knowing how to love is knowing how to let someone loves you. You didn't have anyone to tell you that, but you learned, by loving Quentin."

Eliot let go of Q's hand, got up, and went to embrace the man he already loves more than he could ever loved his own father. "Thank you."

When he released Ted, Quentin was crying beside him. Eliot realizes at this moment that he is the luckiest man in the world. He got everything he ever wanted, without even knowing what he wanted. He has the love of the man who is perfect for him, the unexpected love of a caring father, and the love of his friends…love. Love is all he needs. He walked away for a moment, with the excuse of getting some wine, to send a message.

The next morning brought a sunnier day, and Eliot had arranged to accompany Q to the store, to help him to work faster. They will visit the house around 2 PM, before the ritual. Suddenly all his friends invaded the store. Everyone was there, including the busiest people in the group, Kady and Margo.

"What? Why are you all here? Wouldn't we meet later for the ritual?"

"Don't be a brat, Coldwater. Eliot told me that you are thinking about buying a house. I couldn't go back to Filory without being part of it. I can give you some decorating tips, you know."

"Margo, you..."

"We all want to help. I still remember the architect I was for a few months, I can help too."

"Jules..."

"Eliot is my ex, I can help too."

"Don't even try to stop us Coldwater." Kady laughed.

"Fine." He gives up after Eliot shrugs and smiles, allowing himself to be embraced by Fen.

"You need to know that Margo was talking to Maryl about the ritual you have to do."

"Fuck. She will try to control it Josh. Maybe I can postpone."

"I need you to do it today. Even if I have to tie you two up." Penny muttered.

"I didn't say I wouldn't do it."

"Baby, 23 is just being annoying."

"Fuck you Waugh."

"Behave children. I think we'd better get going."

"Jules you are nobody's mother." Julia laughed and just stuck her tongue out at her best friend. They closed the shop and walked to the house, which is only a 10-minute walk away.

Ted and Mary were already sitting on a porch swing of a two-story house, with a white clapboard façade, and a dark gray roof. The shuttered windows are a darker shade of gray with a red front door. A stone path in different shades of gray with a beautiful lawn and flowers of different colors surrounding the edge of the porch. There is a garage for two cars with the same colors and a side red gate to the backyard;

Everyone greeted each other and Eliot waited for the door to open and walked in, pulling Q by the hand. The foyer had a marble floor and a closet. The open style living room to the kitchen and dining area has an oak floor and white walls, ready for Eliot to put his touch on.

The kitchen has a beautiful island and two-tone cabinets, white on top and moss green on the bottom. A beautiful staircase led to the second floor where there is a master suite, with a small balcony, a giant walk-in closet and a spa bathroom. Three more rooms, two beautiful bathrooms, and an attic space with lots of light, which they can transform into whatever they desired.

They went down to see the basement, with a laundry, and an open space that need to be finished. Lastly they went to the backyard. A beautiful lawn, two trees, and space for an outdoor kitchen and even a swimming pool if they wanted to. Eliot could see himself gardening with Q at his side, as they did at the mosaic, but without missing a cosmopolitan way of life with Manhattan just a portal away.

It's a dream house. Eliot had all the blank walls to use his imagination and good taste. He can already imagine everything he wants to do in that house. Showing all his love for Q is his priority. Setting up their house, where they both feel at home is one more way to express his love for that special man. The house still had room for the family to grow when the time came.

They had already looked all over the house and the garden, when Eliot pulled Q aside. There is nothing less than a peach tree at one corner. "I know you said fate is bullshit, but we're under this beautiful tree. I prefer to think it's a sign that this must be our home."

"Darling, you are especially romantic today." Quentin smiled before going up on tiptoes to kiss him softly.

Eliot didn't let him go. He held him gently against his chest, tucking his chin on top of his head. "You know we have to do the ritual today. What if we do it here?"

"Now?"

"Why not?"

"Yeah, it's simple." He replied after thinking for a second. Maryl had passed all the information on to them first thing in the morning. They had agreed to do it after the visit, at Ted's house.

"Yes?" His eyes glittered with anticipation.

"Yes." Quentin wasn't going to deny Eliot anything right now.

"We can do it here in the garden. It has a good energy. First, I want to ask you something. Are we going to buy this house?"

"We haven't even asked the price yet. What if it's too expensive?"

"Don't worry that pretty head of yours." He pulled back to look into his chocolate eyes. "We have the value that Ted offered us, I intend to work, and I also have some money that I made somewhat, shall I say, not very honestly."

"Eliot Waugh! What have you been hiding from me?" Quentin asked, punching him lightly in the arm.

"Once Margo and I became best friends and mastered the art of portals, we made some forays into a few casinos. Telekinesis can be quite useful at roulette wheels."

"El! I don't believe it! Please don't tell me you made a fortune scamming casinos."

"Not a fortune, but I admit I probably have enough to match Ted's offer. I had more money but keeping my fabulous look wasn't cheap."

"At first I thought you were rich. When I learned about your past, I didn't stop to think about that aspect. Maybe I believed that Margo helped you."

"She did, in the beginning. Then I started my short life of crime. Of course I was banned from the first one without a coin, but I learned that if I alternated a victory with a defeat it would be believable, it wouldn't raise suspicion." He laughed as he recalled that incident. He would tell Q about his adventures in detail soon. "I stopped after just three nights. When we met I hadn't been at a casino for a while, and Bambi helped me invest the money."

"I hope it was your only crime, I don't want to be away from you and I won't commit a crime to serve time in prison to be with you." Q was laughing but wanted to make sure nothing would separate them.

"I promise that we won't be separated and that we will live in this beautiful house if you agree."

"I agree." There was a twinkle in the nerd's eyes that didn't deny the happiness of the moment.

"The answer I wanted to hear. I felt a connection with this place as soon as I saw the facade." Eliot breathed a sigh of relief to see that Q had fallen in love with this place as much as he had.

"Yeah, me too." Q has a dreamy look.

Eliot sealed their deal with a long kiss. They broke apart when they heard the others approaching.

"Will you buy the house?" Fen was thrilled for them.

"Yes. We love this place. We want to buy it. Quentin is worried about the price. Maryl, can you calm him down?" Eliot asked Maryl for help.

"Quentin, I wouldn't bring you here if my brother were asking an exorbitant amount. He's happy the house will be in good hands." The ever-calm magician was sincere with her future son in law.

"Curly Q, if you need a little more financial help, you can count on me."

"I'm here to say that too. As a former High King, Eliot can get some help from Filory."

"Bambi, thanks, but Q is doing well with the store and after we settle in, I intend to find an honest way to make money."

"You? All you can do is drink." 23 knew how to poke the wound.

"Don't be naughty." Q complained rolling his eyes.

"I don't care baby. In a way, he's right. Remember when I talked about having my own business? I'll be able to work the same period as you, and it will be romantic to take you with me, when I go to meet beautiful vineyards or a whiskey-producing castle, where I will seduce you countless times."

Many laughed, including Ted, and Kady took the opportunity to send her message. "You need to learn to be silent at times 23."

"Yeah." Julia agreed. "Now I have this terrible mental image of these two making out in the middle of the plantation, or...aff." She shakes her head with her eyes closed to push the thought away.

"I have to agree with the ladies, man. You just made it worse." Josh tried not to laugh at the situation.

"Let's just do this ritual. As much as I love these two idiots, I have to go back to my throne."

"We thought we can do it right here. What do you think, Maryl?" Asked Eliot.

"Do you really want to do it here?"

"Yeah. Is it a problem?"

"There is no problem Quentin. I'm going to get my bag from the car."

"I'll get it for you Maryl." Ted quickly responded.

In moments, he returned with a purple velvet bag, from which his girlfriend took an enormous rose quartz crystal, a special chalk, a thin golden rope, a golden candle, a copper candlestick, a simple golden dagger, a beautiful crystal goblet and a clear glass water bottle.

She drew a circle on the courtyard around the boys, using the dagger to scratch the stone floor, while chanting. Quentin and Eliot positioned themselves in the center, facing each other. Maryl handed the crystal to them. Holding the stone with their four hands, they lifted it until the sun made it glisten and together they said; "Firm and strong like this crystal, our love is solid. There is no doubt in our hearts." Then they placed the stone on the ground between them. The crystal was still glowing.

Maryl gave them the candle and the candlestick. Together they placed the candle on the candlestick, and lit it with a snap of their fingers. "Our union has the soft heat of love and the burning intensity of passion. A flame that will last forever." They also placed it on the ground next to the crystal. The flame was high, illuminating the crystal even more.

The next step was to put the water in the chalice. Q brought the cup to El's lips, who after taking a sip, took the cup from his hands and brought it to Quentin's lips who also ingested the liquid. "Water is essential to our lives. We also need love. I receive your love. We are together, body and soul."

She guided them to hold hands and tied their hands with the thin and delicate golden rope, which despite not looking like it, is smooth as silk. The boys then spoke together "I join you through love. A pure and dedicated love. A love that takes care of the other. I am ready to live the best time of my life, because it is with you."

Quentin and Eliot could not see the tears of their loved ones. They couldn't see the gentle breeze surrounding them. The even brighter light from the candle and the crystal. They looked at each other deeply. Their connection was intense and it was impossible not to give in to that love, so strong, so beautiful. Q always thought he needed to change for others. He just needed to be himself for Eliot to loves him. Eliot always believed that no one would love him for who he really was. Never been so wrong. They are proof that love exists and that anything is possible.

"Eliot, I accept you as my soulmate."

"Quentin, I accept you as my soulmate."

They kissed and the rope vanished into thin air, creating a soft golden mist. At the same time, the light they produced before, when they made love, came back and illuminated the pair. When they stopped kissing, it gently faded and the mist dissipated. The crystal light faded too and the candle vanished in the air as well.

They still stood there, just looking at each other with so much love that no one moved. Everyone could see what Maryl told about their special connection. Everyone there went through difficult times. The couple was no exception. Their bond with each of those present seemed to intensify. They had to witness this union of souls.

As the couple finally looked around, they saw their beautiful family and all the love they have. Q looked at the faces of everyone, landing last on his father and saw Ted smile even bigger as he looked towards Eliot. Q turned his head slowly, and understood everything. Eliot was on his knees with an open jewelry box. On the royal blue velvet rested a ring that is similar to the one they used in their mosaic time. Eliot's gaze is one of pure love. Quentin doesn't hold back.

"Yes!"

"My love, I haven't even did the question yet." Eliot's voice cracked with emotions.

"Okay El, but please don't make me wait too long." Laughter can be heard, and more tears rolled down some faces.

Eliot cleared his throat to begin with a clean and clear voice. "Yesterday I thought that since we are accepting each other as kindred spirits, why not do our best in a non-magical way too. I love you and will always love you. Q, what if we give it a shot?"

Quentin laughed, his eyes practically closed, his dimples exposed at his wet face. "Why fucking not?" He let Eliot place the ring on his finger and then pulled his man into his arms before they kissed once more.

"You started dating on Thursday and got engaged on Monday? Now what are you going to do, get married tomorrow?"

"Good point Kady. They had the fastest courtship in the world." Endorsed Josh.

"I, you know, would get married today and have the shortest engagement as well. However, this is not my decision alone. My fiancé, if I know him well, must already have plans." He ended by giving his love a peck.

"My fiance, always so thoughtful." Everyone heard Margo pretending to vomit after that sentence. "I would like to get married in this house. The guests, our family, are already here, but we don't have furniture, much less food and drinks." He lifted his hand to run his fingers lovingly through Q's hair. "Be assured it will be very soon."

"Maryl, didn't you say they would back off?"

"What I said was that with some couples this happens. They are definitely not in this group Julia." She responded, laughing.

After the ritual Margo, Josh and Fen said their goodbyes. They had to get back to Filory but Margo promised she'd be back sooner, in case Eliot needed her for the decoration. The next day they filed the down payment on the paperwork to buy the house, and paid the down payment. Maryl handed Eliot the keys to start some renovations.

The couple's new daily routine begins with breakfast with Ted, Eliot taking Q to the store, and after that, begins a pilgrimage to different stores together with Julia. She got all the knowledge from her time as Amanda, which was timely. Eliot wanted to change the tiles in some of the bathrooms, wallpaper in the master suite, paint some walls, and change the countertops in the kitchen.

Another point of attention was the backyard. There was already a patio, but Eliot wanted something like an outdoor kitchen, with a pizza oven, a grill, to share the barbecues with Ted, and a space for a fire on the coldest nights. The size of the backyard allows them to have a swimming pool, but they will do it later.

After a morning of choosing, they went to lunch with Q and took samples of the tiles and countertops. Quentin offered some opinions but knew that Eliot just wanted to insert him into the decisions. His good taste is impeccable and the only thing he was afraid of was spending too much money.

When Julia got back to Manhattan, Eliot said good-bye to his fiancé and went to order what they'd already chosen. His next appointment is a meeting with a contractor recommended by Kady. The fact that he is a magician would get the job done more quickly. Eliot picked Q up at the end of the day and together they went to Ted's house to make dinner.

The next day they did all the same. This time Julia helped El choose wallpapers and paint colors. Q was once again delighted to see Eliot happy, building their home. At the end of the day, Eliot was arranging to choose the mattress for their new bed together, the next day. That particular choice, almost caused both of them to be expelled from the store, when for seconds the charm they put on, so that no one would notice them, failed, and some costumer saw them making out. They were just seeing if it was really comfortable. Q almost died of embarrassment

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed, the work at their house was going well, and Margo is coming to help with the furniture. Kady showed up with 23 to take Eliot to one of the best outdoor decorator, a smart hedge, to work on their outside spaces. He offered to build a swimming pool in record time and Eliot excitedly called Quentin to see what he thought.

"Baby, the man we're hiring made a wonderful suggestion for our backyard. It is really a wonderful project, with a swimming pool. What do you think?"

"Do you think he'll deliver in a short time? I mean, he can promise but..."

"Do not worry about that. Kady saved him from Marina. He owes her a lot. He won’t mess it up."

"El, hum, do we really need the swimming pool?"

"We do. I'm going to ask for a cave where we can make love, behind a small waterfall."

"Eliot!" It was supposed to be a reprimand, but he could not hold back his laughter.

"Q, we talked about having a family the other day. To have a kid or two."

"Yeah. I want it too, at least one child."

"Honey, do you remember how we taught Teddy to swim? All those afternoons in that creek…I want to do it again." Eliot was daydreaming. Memories with Teddy always spoke loudly to his heart.

"Ok, Eliot Waugh. We are going to have a swimming pool. Now I'm going back to work. We will need more money." Despite his concern, his voice sounded less anxious. He also wanted a family. He wanted children with Eliot. He knew that his future husband would be an even more wonderful father than he had already been.

"Soon I will also make money."

"You're going to have to be great at making money, because you really know how to spend it." The provocation is explicit.

"Oh darling, only the best for our family."

The days gone faster. When Eliot had finished picking out all the furniture, Margo returned to her throne, promising to coming back to arrange the furniture and decor throughout the house. Quentin came to see their house once, but Eliot kept him informed with daily reports. They were in bed, side by side, exhausted after making love all night, taking advantage of Ted being at Maryl's house.

"Honey, I was thinking about our first dance. Shall we waltz?"

"El, you know I can't dance." Quentin had an expression of embarrassment in his eyes.

"I think anyone can learn. You just need the right partner." Eliot tried to put some trust in him.

"You are the best partner in the world, believe me, I was born with two left feet."

"Okay, sweetheart." Quentin can hear a note of disappointment in his fiancee's voice. A few seconds passed before Eliot changed the subject. "Q, earlier you said we must wait before finalize the house purchase. Why?"

"I thought that, hum, it would be easier to sign everything after we were married. Mr. and Mr. Coldwater-Waugh." He is holding Eliot’s hand and kissed the ring finger.

"My hopeless romantic baby boy." Eliot ran his free fingers down Q's spine, causing a shiver. "I know we did that in Filory, but I wanted to do it differently now."

Lifting his head Q turned so he could see the expression of his love. "Don't you want to get married anymore?"

"Oh, it's not like that, not at all! I want to marry you, more than anything in my life. I want to have a family again in a few years. I just thought I wouldn't hyphenate our names." Eliot was serene, looking calmly at Q's curious expression.

"Okay, we won't change the names if that's what you want, but El, can you tell me why did you change your mind?"

"Actually, I want to change my name to Coldwater. You're my family, and Ted means more to me than my biological parents. He did more in order to help me these last few weeks, than those bastards did in a lifetime. Our kids had better have Ted's last name. Your last name."

A smile, still a little uncertain, appeared on Q's face. "Are you sure? I would love it and so would Dad."

"I am sure honey. It will be the best for our future."

"People will wonder why the famous Eliot Waugh changed his name."

"They can think what they want. I'm yours. Yours alone. I'll wear your name with pride. I want to show the world that I'm the luckiest man, darling. Let them be jealous."

"Easier to be jealous of me. You are so, so…you are charismatic, intelligent, affectionate, beautiful... I am the lucky one."

"Q, honey, you are all that and more." They then gave themselves over to another kiss full of love.

-----------------

Picking Quentin up from work one afternoon, Eliot was in for a surprise.

"Hey babe." He entered the shop and waited for Q to finish a repair before kissing him.

"Hey."

"Finished for today?"

"Just waiting for Mrs. Lesiam. She is coming to get her mic."

"The one that drowns out all other voices but hers?"

"Yeah. She's great you know? She sings really well."

"I know." He replied with an air of boredom.

"El, stop being jealous." Q came out from behind the counter to hug him around the waist. "Neither she nor anyone else can sing better than you."

"I know. I just prefer it when you're fawning over me." He hugged his man, bringing him close. "Now I've got what I wanted. I have your full attention." He earned a playful slap on the arm.

"I'm going to close everything up. She should be on her way."

The customer didn't take long to arrive and as soon as she left, Eliot dragged him to a store on the next corner, which was empty. Until recently, it was a fabric store, but the owner, an elderly man, moved to Florida.

"This place is closed El."

"Not anymore."

"What?" The pretty pup eyes showed that he didn't understand anything.

"Remember my liquor business? This place is going to be perfect. Maryl has already given me some of her contacts. As soon as we get back from our honeymoon, I'll open the shop. We'll be so close that I can go and help you if you need me and you can come here and help me too, or just give me a kiss if you want." He made a flowery gesture after opening the door for Q to enter.

Quentin looked around the shop, which seams ancient, frozen in time with wood paneling on the walls, an oak counter, and some pretty beveled mirrors. He was sure that his fiancée would transform the space into something of great taste.

"It's going to look beautiful here. I'm happy and proud honey. How do you intend to do with the renovation?"

"I'll have help with the electrical and plumbing. I've already spoken to the builder who is doing the alterations to our house. I think with your help I can turn this place, frozen in time, into something of style."

"I have no doubts El." He turned to see his love's teary eyes. What a wonderful man he has as soulmate.

Eliot elaborated a little more on his plans for the store before heading back to Ted's house who was waiting for them with a delicious dinner.

Eliot was so excited about the renovations to their home and his business place, that Quentin even came to understand a little more about decorating and lighting. He spelled out every decision, and Quentin happily agreed to it. Eliot might have a future with this if he didn't already have another goal.

Two days later, when Eliot picked him up in the late afternoon, he was quieter than usual. Quentin watched him closely as they made their way back, but he didn't noticed anything other than that he was quiet. Eliot's hand holding his was light, without tension. The face was calm, serene, without any lines of tension. The eyes didn't shy away from exchanging languid glances, the mouth held a soft smile. He remembered a time when Eliot had been like that, as Eliot and as Nigel. Once was when Nigel surprised Brian. What was Eliot up to?

"Love, is everything okay?"

"Perfectly fine, sweetheart."

"Okay...okay" Quentin decided to wait. After all, Niguel's surprise was a wonderful trip for two. Maybe it was something about the new house, or about the upcoming wedding and honeymoon.

When they arrived they heard voices and Quentin knew it was Margo and Ted. When they opened the door they saw that Josh, Julia, Kady, 23, Fen and Maryl were also there.

"I knew you were hiding something from me." Quentin accused Eliot. With a smile he released Eliot's hand to hug his friends.

"You don't know why we're all here?"

"No idea Kady."

"We are planning your wedding." Julia announced happily as she hugged him.

"Hum, I'm sure Eliot can handle it."

"Of course he can, but he wants our opinion, silly."

"About what Margo?"

"We came to try the food. Why do you think I would come?" Joked 23.

"Hey man, I'm going to make the cake but I need to see what you like. I want to make the couple's favorite."

"Thanks Josh, but I think Eliot could pick. I like everything."

"Don't try to spoil our fun, Coldwater!" Margo punched him lightly on the shoulder before hugging him.

"Far from me to do that." He looked at Eliot and smiled. "You know better than I what I like."

"My love, the important thing is to be with our family."

"Son, let's go to the kitchen. Our gifted Josh has eight options of cake with different fillings. I'm dying to try it."

"Not to mention the canapés and food options." Margo was already pulling him into the house, following Julia, Fen and Josh. He barely had time to look at El, so he shrugged his shoulders, giving up. He saw his partner's amused smile.

23 and Kady, pushed past him. They want to reach the table before the grooms. Ted and Maryl were close behind.

In the kitchen Q found the table set with several mini cakes. On the counter there were canapés and some portions of food that from a distance he couldn't tell what they would be. Margo released him and El put an arm around his waist, pulling him into a chair next to his. Josh was already tearing slices off each cake, letting them know what they would taste like, except for the last one.

There were several flavors, from truffled chocolate, to Sicilian lemon, including red velvet with champagne, whipped cream and strawberries. Quentin turned away from his friends' comments, focusing on Eliot's words, who in his ear spoke what he thought of each slice they tasted, when Josh broke the last one he placed just one slice in front of the couple, and asked everyone to wait. Eliot picked up just one piece of the dough with a fork. White Chocolate. Delicate, not too much sugar, buttery enough to melt in your mouth. Q heard Eliot's groan of approval as he tasted the cake. Then he took a piece with the lighter filling. It was peach, slightly citrusy. It looked like foam, delicate. He looked at Eliot as soon as he recognized the taste. The look they exchanged leaves no doubt of what they were both thinking. Eliot took another piece, this time with the second filling, and placed it in Q's mouth before quickly taking another mouthful for himself. They tasted while looking at each other. Yes. It was plum. It had a slightly alcoholic flavor and a silky consistency. As soon as they finished that portion, they smiled at each other and kissed. Q then got up and went to hug Josh without saying a word. He felt Eliot hugging them.

"What the hell is that?" Demand the High King.

With tears in their eyes, Q and El respond together. "We chose our cake."

"What flavor is that?" Julia was about to pick up the spatula.

"Stop Jules." He looked at his childhood friend with a smile wet with stubborn tears. "Let it be a surprise."

"I thought we were going to vote." Fen looked a little disappointed.

"Okay, okay. Josh, can you see which one is their favorite and make one part ours and one part their choice?" suggested Eliot.

"No problem man. I can handle it."

"We'll talk about it later. Pick your favorite my friends."

"I don't understand this unnecessary mystery." Grumbled 23

"Leave them alone. The lovebirds have a world of their own." Julia laughed. "After all we have seven cakes to delight us."

"Let's not forget about the other foods. My mouth is watering here."

"Maryl, let's help these two by choosing the flavor of the other cake." Ted spoke up.

"They don't care. They just want to know how to get laid." Kady teased, shrugging at Eliot who was beside her.

"Funny. You guys are very funny. Me and Q are giving you the pleasure of choosing one of the cakes. Take your chance." Eliot replied without even stopping to caress the hair of his love who was now sitting on his lap.

"Yeah. We've already chosen. Josh, what else do we have to try?"

"Better come to the kitchen counter, where we have dinner options."

Quentin got to his feet and pulled Eliot by the hand. Josh showed them options with chicken and beef. Margo and Fen joined them and without much delay they set the menu. Everyone ended the night with a glass of wine and a good laugh.

Before leaving, Josh approached them with information that touched them.

"Hey guys. That last cake, well Margo told me about peaches and plums. You already mentioned the mosaic, and I did some research that resulted in finding your old house."

"What?" Q couldn't believe it.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course man. I wasn't going to joke about that. I took advantage of being there and picked the fruits that I used in the cake."

"My fucking God!"

"Baby the fruit came from our orchard." Quentin was squeezing Eliot's arm as he spoke.

"I don't even know what to say. Josh we owe you a debt." Eliot still looked in disbelief.

"When you go to Filory, I can show you how to get there, if you want, of course."

"Thanks again!"

That night, after his shower, Q sat on the bed while Eliot put on his night creams.

"Sweetheart, you should let me take care of your skin."

"El, please. You already put a lot on me in the shower." There was a laugh in his voice. "Besides, we have a wedding date to set."

"Yes, we do. You know I'm waiting for the house to be ready. The inside of the house is ready. All that's left to do is finish the garden. Some furniture has already arrived but some won't arrive until next week, if there's no delay. Tomorrow I'll leave with Bambi, to buy some decoration items and our trousseau."

"Trousseau?"

"Bed and bath linens, tablecloths, that sort of thing."

"Ok."

"I thought we'd make it in 15 days. What do you think?" Eliot said this after sitting down next to Quentin.

"I will love it." To prove it Q kissed him.

"Where do you want to go on our honeymoon?"

"I don't know, I didn't think of that."

"A warm or cold place?"

"Hum, if it's a cold place, we can stay under the covers most of the time. If it's a warm place, we can swim and you'll be wearing next to nothing all day. I think I win anywhere."

"You're getting naughtier." Eliot laughed and gave him another kiss.

"I remembered a program I saw on TV about Lord of The Rings."

"Q, I don't want to share you with Legolas or Aragorn, it doesn't matter if they're hot."

"You're a nerd in disguise. You know the characters' names." Q teased.

"After you made me act it out a few times for Teddy how could I forget?"

Quentin just chuckled before continuing with his thought. "The movie was shot in New Zealand. There we can have cold peaks and warm beaches. We can have a little bit of everything and we don't need to visit the filming locations."

"We'll look at the options tomorrow, before heading to the store." Eliot gave Q another kiss. "Now let's go to bed, I need you in my arms urgently." Laughing, Q allowed himself to be pulled under the covers.

The next day brought Margo for Eliot to go shopping for the last of the decor items. Eliot promised that they would choose the best place for their honeymoon later. At lunchtime, Q got a call from Margo asking him to join them for lunch. It was a fun lunch, but not a very long one. Margo showed him some pictures she'd taken during the morning. Again, Q gave some opinions but left the final decision up to the two best friends.

Just when Q thought he might make it back, he was dragged to a tailor, to buy his wedding suit. Eliot went to another place, so he wouldn't see his groom. Margo helped him choose a light gray suit, white shirt, and soft floral pattern tie in shades of peach and pink.

The next day was more of the same, only now he went to buy shoes, a comfortable model in soft Italian leather. Margo wanted to take him to the salon to improve his haircut, but they ended up agreeing that Julia would take him the day before the wedding, and Margo would accompany Eliot.

Eliot no longer let him go to their house saying he wanted to surprise him. He stated that in a few more days everything would be ready and they would get married. He had already talked to a magician about celebrating their marriage, whom Maryl knew, and had given a tentative date. Quentin saw no reason to object.

They decided to go to New Zealand. They found a beautiful chalet in the mountains for the first few days and then a village by the sea that had an exclusive beach. Both houses had great facilities and as per the contract, they would iron out items that were supposed to be left in the pantry.

Two days later, they finally confirmed the wedding date and the honeymoon hideaway stays, only slightly adjusting the dates. From there it all turned crazy. He talked to Eliot all the time about the details. The only thing his fiancee asked was to enter through the side gate when he arrived at their house. They would enter the house together after they were married.

Quentin informed all of his clients about his marriage and that he would be gone for twenty days. Fifteen would be in New Zealand, and few more to come back and establish a new routine, finishing Eliot's shop.

They set the wedding for Sunday morning, and on Saturday he went to meet Julia after a long farewell to Eliot. He cursed the tradition that they must sleep separately the night before the wedding. Julia was already waiting for him at one of the most exclusive spas in New York.

"Q! I was afraid you wouldn't come." She hugged him effusively.

"As if I had a choice." Margo and Eliot would never forgive him if he didn't. Julia laughed at his resignation.

"My friend, you deserve to relax and Margo is right. This is the best place for it." She slipped her arm through his and began to gently pull him towards the front desk.

"Who made up that I have to sleep away from Eliot?" He was now really mumbling.

His friend laughed again. "Q, you won't die if you're away from him only one night. We'll have a nice little rooftop party."

"As if I would care about that."

"I know, I know. But think that when you see him again tomorrow, the nostalgia will make the sex even better!"

"You have no idea what it's like with him!"

"OMG. Please don't tell me!" Giving him a light pat on the arm, she addressed the attendant.

Upon presenting the card, they were taken to a locker room where they changed into fluffy white robes and were welcomed with champagne in the manicure room. Q didn't paint his nails, but they were cut and filed to perfection, finishing with a clear base coat to fortify. Julia had her nails painted with a shade of peach color to match her outfit the next day.

Then they did lymphatic drainage, massage with hot stones, and Q even dozed off while Julia talked about the chaos that was in the penthouse because of Josh's work in the kitchen.

Julia woke him up slowly and they went to have some lunch. The food was light and the vanilla ice cream with red fruit sauce made the friends happy.

In the afternoon, they had a body exfoliation and then took a hydrating bath. Then they went for a haircut, also performing a capillary massage that left Q's hair silky. Julia did a hydration but would only do the hairstyle the next day. They left the urban spa around 6PM and that's when Quentin started the countdown to meet Eliot again.

Quentin was happy to see that Ted and Maryl were there too, along with Josh and Fen. Margo and Eliot were going to spend the night alone. Q was given a glass of wine as soon as he entered. They ordered food so as not to disturb Josh, who had the help of another cook, also a magician. The guy did all the mise en plat, and Josh was doing the cooking and according to him, there was little left. The cakes are now ready and refrigerated.

Q took advantage of the arrival of the dinner they ordered, to sneak out onto the porch and call his love.

"Baby!"

"El, I miss you so much!"

"Me too." Eliot spoke quietly. "Margo forbade me to talk to you."

"Julia did the same, but I needed to hear your voice. I pretended to came for a smoke."

"She's coming back. I'll call you after she sleeps. I love you."

"I love you too."

Quentin hung up and lit the cigarette, his alibi. He smoked quickly and was finishing when Kady appeared.

"Hi Coldwater. Did you get hold of Waugh?"

"What?"

"You can fool Julia, but it's another story for me." She laughed and lit a cigarette for herself. "Don't worry, I'm not telling anyone. I think this tradition is a joke."

"Thanks." He was silent for a few seconds. "Kady, can I ask you something?"

"Why not?"

"Do you think you'll ever get married?"

"I don't know. Penny was my, well the love of my fucking life. If he were here, I could believe it. Today...no clue."

"I can't think of getting married either, except for El."

"When you started dating the blonde, I thought you and Eliot wouldn't give each other a chance."

"I thought that too. I felt a lot of guilt over her death. I almost destroyed both of us."

"When Penny died, it was crazy too. I went to the hospital."

"I remember our rescue being a bit fumbled."

"Just a bit?" She laughed even though she didn't really want to. "In that moment I got a better look at you. How you fight for people, even if they don't want to."

"Guilty."

"Sometimes it's a problem but without you we might not be together today." She looked at the horizon, and in a quiet voice continued. "Julia was the person who showed me that I could have people by my side. Friends, family. My mother was a self-destructive person and I went down the same path. Julia and you showed me that I could do things differently." She turned to him then. "Be happy Q. You deserve it. We all deserve it. We've already had the worst shit in the world. We deserve a peaceful time, happiness."

"Thanks Kady. You know you can count on all of us. I want to see you happy too." He hugged her and despite an initial resistance, the girl relaxed in the embrace for a few seconds.

"Let's go inside before Julia suspects I'm covering for you." They both laughed and putting out their cigarettes, they went inside.

Q returned with Ted and Maryl to New Jersey. Ted swore to Julia that he wouldn't let him be late, because Eliot would die at the altar. Silly Julia. As if he would go longer than necessary without seeing Eliot.

He went straight to bed. Looking around it was sad not to see more of Eliot's things. His own closet was nearly empty. Eliot had already taken almost everything to their house, including his suitcase, ready for the trip. There was just the clothes he wore that day, a night outfit and tomorrow's clothes in addition to his hygiene products, and a perfume for him to use tomorrow. It would be his last night in that bed, in that house. From tomorrow, he would have a home with his husband. The thought brought a smile to his lips. That's when his cell phone lit up.

"El?"

"My love, Margo is in the bathroom but she won't give me any more alone time. Where are you?"

"On bed, already. I think sleep will make this last hours past faster."

"Have some tea to relax."

"Yeah. I just got it."

"Bambi was never so quick in the shower." Sighing he prepared to hang up. "I will wait for you tomorrow."

"I'll be there. I intend to marry the most beautiful man in the world."

"Impossible. I'm going to marry this man."

"I love you."

"I love you more."

"Good night sweetheart."

"Good night honey."

Eliot was having trouble sleeping even after all the busy hours of the day with Margo. They went to the most exclusive spa in Washington. Margo had sent Q to New York's finest, they wouldn't settle for second. He spun around on the king size bed of the luxury hotel where he and Bambi had stayed. It seemed like the hours did not pass. He thought about getting drunk, but he didn't want to be like a trash. He only managed to sleep after his best friend gave him some medicine. Woke up to the alarm clock. He was going to get ready at the hotel. Margo was already in the suite's living room, her makeup done, except for her lipstick, and her hair being done.

"Good morning Bambi. Beautiful as always!"

She smiled. "Ready to become a married man?"

"I can say that nothing else matters to me today." He was still a little sleepy but he couldn't waste no time.

"I just ordered coffee for us El. Go take your shower. Baby Q will want his man smelling good."

Eliot let out a laugh and headed for the bathroom. Before that, he sent a message to Q. "Good morning my love. It's not long before I have you in my arms."

"Morning baby. I can't wait."

He took his shower and put on his robe. It moisturized the skin and put on the foundation that was perfect for his face. Upon arriving in the living room, his coffee was already waiting for him. He and his Bambi had breakfast and the beautician began her work on the groom's eyes. When they finished, he brushed his teeth and the professional went to take care of the beautiful curls, leaving them silky and shiny. In the end, he just gave it his personal touch. His eyes were given a subtle shade, with the eyeliner highlighting the beauty of his eyes.

He wore a suit, also light gray, in a model a little different from Q's, a shirt in a very light lilac and a floral tie, in shades of lilac and purple. He was looking at himself in the mirror when he saw his friend enter. Margo looked exuberant in a dress that matched the color palette of his tie. A long, one-shoulder dress in a fabric that had a soft sheen. Fitted at the waist, it had a slit that showed off part of her shapely legs. His best man was amazing.

"Bambi. You are a stunning bitch."

"I know." Giving a sly smile she comments. "I thought you were going to shave."

"I took care of it in the bath with a good cream. It is soft. Q likes this look."

"Honey, you could be wearing a sack of potatoes and Q would still loves you. You're perfect now." She said after a slight adjustment to his tie. She took out a red velvet box and gave it to her friend.

"What is that?"

"Something new and blue to wear to your wedding."

They were beautiful platinum cufflinks with E&Q written in tiny topazes.

"Bambi! It is perfect. You are the best!"

"Now an old thing." She walked away to return with a ring that Eliot wore back in Filory, at the mosaic time. Q had given it to him for his birthday. "Josh recovered a lot of things when he found the mosaic. He just didn't tell me about your secret cake."

"Bambi, I am speechless. I don't deserve you."

"I know, but what can I do if I love you?" Margo had always been tough but he saw a tear. "I think I'm testing this makeup out too soon." They both laughed and hugged each other so tightly that they had to use a spell to make their clothes look impeccable again.

They arrived at the house and entered through the side gate. The backyard was like something out of a fairy tale. The beautiful pool had a golden web that reflected the sun in the fine strands. A giant round table with a white linen tablecloth and chairs of the same color, were in the covered part. Crockery, bowls and cutlery all had a gold filigree detail. A small altar with white, lilac and salmon flowers, mixed with lush green foliage, showed where the groom and groom would say their vows. There was a white and gold dance floor. A sideboard was already ready to receive the delicacies. In the background Eliot saw the person who would marry them talking to Ted and Maryl.

"Son! Margo! Join us!" Ted was wearing a nice medium gray suit, white shirt and navy tie. Maryl was wearing a long dress, also navy, with a nice square neckline and not too wide straps. Hair tied in a bun and light, smooth makeup.

"I'm admiring how everything turned out. It's perfect! Thank you so much Maryl!"

"I couldn't help but prepare your wedding." She then showed a young woman who had the same smile as her, wearing a short dress printed in shades of blue and pink. "I would like to introduce you to Vivian, my daughter. She found out about magic in the last few days. Now she will be able to live with all of us more, when she is not with her father."

Eliot and Margo were being introduced to the young woman when their friends arrived, except for Q and Julia.

Kady looked exuberant in a long black strapless dress. Fitted and with a slit in the back of the dress. She looked gorgeous with her hair down and her curls defined. Josh was in a cream suit and tie in shades of brown and gold. Fen twirled to show how beautiful she is in a green long dress. It was made with organza, a voluminous skirt, with a princess cleavage. The look was almost ethereal. Penny rounded out the group in a blue hipster suit with a different buttoning, no tie. He was chic and cool.

The friends chatted for a while, until Margo's phone received the message. "Q and Julia just arrived. People, take your positions. Andalo!"

Q was admiring the house from the outside. He could already see the decor on the front porch, some new plants, and the curtains on the windows. He was anxious, wanting them to come in soon, but he waited for Julia to inform Margo that they had arrived.

He remembered how he could only sleep after taking his anxiety medicine with chamomile tea. He woke up with his father by his side.

"Curly Q. Finally your day has come!"

"Yeah. I'm happy but there's an edge of sadness that I won't be seeing you as much as I used to, but I know we'll be close."

"Yes. I want to continue to be a part of your lives."

"When will the renovation work start here?"

"Soon. Do not worry about that."

"Okay. Um, thanks for everything dad." Ted hugged him for a few seconds.

"Son, they say you need to have something old for luck. I was wondering what to get you."

"You don't have to, hum, give me anything. You already gave all that I need." Quentin said with love.

"I know that, but I want to." He took a small box from his robe pocket and gave it to the groom. "It belonged to your grandfather. I've always wondered when I would give it to you, and I don't think there's ever a better time."

Q opened the box and found an antique watch, with a gold case and leather band. You could tell it was old, but it was shining.

"It's beautiful! I don't even know what to say." Ted simply gave his son another hug.

"Now let's get you ready for when Julia arrives. Get in the shower while I make pancakes."

He showered and shaved, and had his underwear and pants on when Julia arrived. Lush in a long, peach-colored, sleeveless dress, fitted at the bust, with a ruffled v-neck, the looser skirt, and a detail that showed the skin in the waist area. The hair was with a part of the front secured with a clasp of diamonds, and the curls loose in the back.

"Jules, you look amazing!" He said without even breathing.

"Of course! I'll be by your side at the altar." She placed a kiss on his cheek. "You can take off those pants. I know you haven't eaten yet and I won't risk getting your clothes dirty, even if it's easy to clean." She saw the sweatpants he had slept in and threw them to him. "I'll wait for you downstairs. I'll dry that hair properly before you get dressed."

He changed and went downstairs to have coffee with his father. Julia just stole a piece of the pancake and then reapplied her lipstick.

She dried his hair, brushing it until it was silky smooth. She sent him back to the room to change and Ted, who got ready while Julia combed his hair, said goodbye because he was going to get Maryl and Vivian. When Q had put on his pants and shirt, she walked into the room.

"Well done Q. It's getting stylish."

"I don't need wedding clothes, but you know El."

The brunette laughed and went to get the perfume for Q to put on. She helped him with his tie, and gave his hair one more fix after putting on the blazer. She smiled when he put the watch on.

"I knew Ted was going to get you something old. I got you something new and blue."

"Jules...no."

"Don't even waste your time. Margo and I wanted to give you both something." She handed over the box with the cufflinks where the letters Q&E were in the same blue sapphires.

"It's beautiful." He went to hug his friend who had tears in her eyes.

"I was always rooting for you to find someone. I'm so happy to see that you have someone who loves you like you deserve."

"I thought I wouldn't find anyone."

"Your future husband was an idiot, but he got his head out of his ass. You're perfect together. Only you can turn that hedonist into a romantic." They laughed together.

"He was always romantic, just, you know, didn't show it."

"Ready?"

"More than ready."

Q blinked back to the present moment. He saw Julia put his bag away in the house while he waited. He could hear the music coming from the backyard and he was startled when he felt Julia's small hand on his shoulder.

"Let's marry you off Coldwater."