Truly, Madly, Deeply - Sequel to Affirmation Part 1
It's finally done! The third part in my Whose Line series is practically finished in the typing stage, so now I'll be posting it.
Title: Truly, Madly, Deeply
Author: Shinigami518
Rating: PG-13, but with some bits of R in it.
Main Character(s) and/or pairings: Ryan/Colin, Tony/Paul, Josie/Richard, Jeff/OFC, Stephen/Hugh (growing near the end)
Summary: Taking place in early-mid June of 2007, Good news rings out through the Whose Line community: Ryan and Colin are geting married! (YAY!!!) But with all weddings, there's always problems along the way. From plane rides to Bachelor parties to relationships either gonig sour or rekindling to relatives. This includes Ryan's father, who wants Ryan to call off the wedding, saying that he's ruining everything he ever had with Patty. Will there be a happy ending around the corner?
And Now, on with the show:
Notes: I don’t own Whose Line or any of the guys and girls that participate in that show. There are only several characters that I do own and they are the ones you don’t know. This is the sequel to Affirmation and Against All Odds and will have some answers to some unanswered questions in those two. This will follow a series of several days from late May to early-mid June, leading up to the event of the century of this (as of now)three part series: Ryan and Colin’s wedding! And now -our feature presentation!
See previous chapters here to get refreshed:
View Affirmation here:
Epilogue, but with all parts linked
View Against All Odds here:
Epilogue, but with all parts linked
Part 1: A new beginning, A reason for living, A deeper meaning, yeah.
May 31st, 2007
The London Studios
Paul took a few seconds to check himself out before he left the make-up area for the stage. It was the last tapping of the season for “Have I Got News for You” and he was planning on going out with style. During this season, he had made some references to the fact he was ‘finally’ coming out of the closet, which his banter-partner/off-screen friend Ian Hislop, knew beforehand. Ian had accepted Paul’s change with minor surprise, noting all of the innuendos he had thrown out during the shows run, citing, among several examples, “The skipping through the field fantasy”, the airplane/love letter joke, the ‘flirty’ side glances he kept giving him, the joke about him and Ian apparently getting married two years ago once gay civil unions were allowed in England…
Paul had to hold back the urge of slugging his friend in the face with all his might.
Despite that, Ian was much receptive to Paul’s ‘coming out’ backstage and congratulated him on finding a new love. His expression turned to mild surprise when he discovered who Paul had fallen in love, though. After that, Ian just shrugged it off and muttered “He’s a bloody surprise every time I talk to him.”
“You ready to give the audience something that’ll scar them for life?” Ian asked from the other side of the room. Paul stood up and turned to face the shorter man.
“I’ve been waiting all season for this.” Paul grinned. The two began to make their way to the stage when Paul was called off-side by a man’s voice. Ian turned to see Paul make his way over to a man with graying black hair and dark brown eyes.
“What is it? Jo’s almost done with the warm-up.” Paul asked the man.
“Just wanted you to see this.” The man told him, handing him a white envelope that was open. Paul raised an eyebrow as he checked the contents of the envelope: a wedding invitation.
“Is this what I think it is?” Paul asked. The man nodded. Paul opened the card and read it silently to himself. He looked back up at the man with a big smile on his face.
“Well, it’s about time, ain’t it Tony?” Paul grinned. Tony grinned as well, nodding in agreement.
“So, what do you think?” Tony asked, referring to the wedding. Paul gave the invite another look, noting the date of the wedding was June 13th, a Wednesday. He looked back up, still grinning.
“Why not? It could be fun,” Paul replied, handing back the invite, “Now come on, it’s time to give these fans a major mind bugger.” Paul went on, winking mischievously. Tony’s grin turned into his infamous impishly naughty one.
“You’ve gotten quite dirtier since we got together, haven’t you?” Tony noted mischievously, putting his arms around Paul’s neck, pulling the taller man close. Paul in turn put his arms around Tony’s waste and leaned close.
“I’ve had a good influence…” Paul whispered passionately, planting a soft kiss on Tony’s lips.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 1st
Josie’s flat
“You’re joking!” Sandi exclaimed from the other end of Josie’s phone. Josie laughed softly, brushing her slightly damp hair. She had just got out of the shower and was hoping for a quiet evening when Sandi rang her up about the up coming wedding the two had just been invited to.
“I wish I was. I heard it from the two themselves. They also said they’re coming to the wedding, too.” Josie replied, having slight problems with a few small knots in her hair.
“Ah, so you’re going to it?” Sandi asked.
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for anything! What about you?” Josie answered, placing her hairbrush to her side.
“I’ll see what my schedule is like, but so far, it’s a go.” Sandi replied. She let out a soft giggle before speaking again. “Did Richard get an invite?” She asked, giggling childishly. Josie blushed slightly in response.
“W-why would I know that?” Josie squeaked, trying not to sound embarrassed. Sandi’s giggling continued.
“I take that as a yes.” Sandi teased. Josie’s blush deepened.
“We’re just friends, Sandi!” Josie shouted over the receiver.
“I didn’t ask you that, Wendy.” Sandi noted, calling Josie by her real name, making Josie’s blush deepen more.
“You bitch.” Josie muttered while Sandi laughed.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 2nd
Stephen’s flat
“So you’re going then?” Stephen asked, currently typing up some little ideas for the next taping of QI in case Alan tried anything like the Christmas special two seasons before.
“Depends on my schedule, Stephen.” Hugh replied over speaker phone. Even though they were working in different countries, the two friends still remained in contact with each other.
“Well I know Tony’s going, and hopefully, I’ll be able to go.” Stephen went on.
“Why? You hardly know the two getting hitched.” Hugh questioned.
“I do know them, though not as well as some of the guest going there.” Stephen replied. “Besides, after what those two went through, I felt sorry for them.” He added.
“Mind telling me exactly what went on over there in New York? No one’s given me the full story on it.” Hugh asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“It’s quite the story and I’m only relaying what I’ve heard from Tony, Paul, and the others.” Stephen said with a small laugh.
“I don’t mind. I’ve got nothing else to do.” Hugh stated. Stephen grinned, stood up and walked over to the phone.
“Oh Hugh, you’ve got no idea what I’m about to tell you.” Stephen remarked.
“Bring it. I can handle whatever you’ve got.” Hugh challenged in his “House American accent” as Stephen called it.
“Then first, are you sitting?” Stephen asked, chuckling.
“Yes.”
“Then get comfortable, Hugh, because this may blow your mind.” Stephen warned, sitting down next to the phone.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 3rd
Greg’s house
“So you’re able to come, Mikey?” Greg asked, searching through his liquor cabinet. He had Mike McShane on speaker phone and had been talking to him about the wedding.
“Damn right. Josie, Sandi, Richard, and the two lovebirds are coming too from what I’ve heard.” Mike replied. Greg laughed, knowing who the two lovers Mike referred to were.
“I heard they caused some trouble on the latest Have I Got News show.” Greg noted, finally removing a bottle of bourbon from the cabinet. It was Mike’s turn to laugh.
“They sure did. Speaking of lovers, how are the soon to be married lovebirds doing?” Mike asked. Greg groaned, running a hand through his hair.
“Nervous as fuck. I dunno if it’s pre-wedding jitters or something else.” Greg replied honestly.
“I’m sure everything’s alright. You’re just worrying too much.” Mike stated.
“I hope so, Mikey. These two don’t need anymore trouble in their lives. Not after what happened all those months ago…” Greg sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
The residence of Chip and Patty Esten
“Is everything alright, honey?” Patty asked, noticing Chip’s frown as he stared at the latest e-mail, which was from Wayne.
“Just worried.” Chip replied.
“About Ryan and Colin?” Patty wondered. Chip shook his head.
“Wayne. He just told me that he and Mandi are on shaky grounds.” Chip answered, still frowning. Patty grabbed a nearby chair and sat on it, startled by what her husband said.
“Are you sure?” She questioned.
“I’m going by what Wayne’s told me. Then again, we haven’t been really talking to each other, especially after the…” Chip stopped. Patty stared at him in confusion until she saw it.
Chips hands were shaking slightly and he was breathing a bit heavily. He grabbed his left wrist with his right hand to stop it from shaking, but it still shook.
Patty knew why he was reacting this way. It may have been six months since the incident, but Chip still had nightmares of his and his friends’ captivity by the hands of the woman that was known as “Lolita Ren”. He still dreamt of being in the bare and damp basement room, the voice inhibitor collar still shocking him for speaking a certain number of words, seeing his friends suffering from Lolita’s ‘karma torture’, and, worse of all, dreaming of waking up and wondering if he was really free or still Lolita’s prisoner.
Patty stood up, moved closer, and wrapped her arms around her husband, pulling him into a comforting embrace. Chip rested his head against Patty’s stomach, putting his arms around her waste. A few tears fell from his eyes as he nuzzled against his wife’s warm body. Silently, he thanked God that he was safe and free from his imprisonment, even though the incident still haunted him to that day.
“We’re gonna get through this, Charles, I swear it.” Patty whispered.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 4th
Colin’s house
“We’ve just got confirmation from Chip and his family. They’re coming to the wedding.” Drew noted to Brad, checking the home computer.
“So that just leaves Clive, Hugh, Sandi, and the three girls.” Brad checked off, looking at a clipboard. On it had a list of most of the guest coming to Ryan and Colin’s wedding. Many of the names were already checked off.
“I’m sure they’re coming, especially those three girls.” Drew noted as he looked back at the e-mails and noticed one from Josie that had a link attachment. He clicked on it, noticing the topic was “Chaos on HIGNFY”. He opened the attachment and, after a minute, started laughing hysterically. Sean’a and Nicole entered the room, hearing Drew’s laughter.
“What’s going on?” Nicole demanded. Brad just shrugged in response. The three then heard the sounds of laughter coming from the speakers and then shouts of “Ooooh’s” following. It was the same sound Brad recognized whenever someone made an innuendo or did something relating to sex and/or kissing on Whose Line. The three made their way over to Drew and the computer and saw what Drew was watching.
A youtube video with the caption “Paul Merton comes out on HIGNFY”.
“Well that’s… one way of coming out.” Brad said once the video ended.
“I’ll say!” Sean’a laughed, wiping away tears of laughter.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 5th
Anderson Residence
“Oh my God, I still can’t believe they did that!” Melissa laughed, closing out the link that was sent to her by her pen-pal, Alicia.
“I told you it’s a classic. I’m waiting for the fan girl video makers to put it into their next videos.” Alicia laughed through the video-chat they were having. Melissa wiped away the tears of laughter from her eyes before speaking again.
“So, you still going to the wedding?” she asked.
“Damn right I’m going. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from this. You?” Alicia replied, then asked, getting control of herself.
“Yup. Dad and Christy are going too. Dad wants to chaperone and Christy needs a vacation. Unfortunately, the latter isn’t as excited as I am with the whole thing.” Melissa replied, frowning while mentioning the last bit.
As if on cue, a blonde, older woman stuck her head into Melissa’s bedroom, a stern frown on her face.
“Hey, Mel, if your not too caught up with talking across the world with your friends, you mind telling me if you did the laundry?!” The woman asked, angrily. Melissa let out a groan, turned her computer chair so she could face the other woman and glared at her.
“I did do my laundry, Christy, did you do yours?!” Melissa snapped, very annoyed.
“YES! Just wanted to make sure we don’t have too much to do before we go on this stupid trip you got all three of us dragged into.” Christy snapped, turning and leaving the room, still fuming. Melissa sighed and turned to re-face Alicia, who wore a confused look on her face.
“Christine?” Alicia asked.
“Christine.” Melissa nodded, burying her face in her hands.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 6th
Sanders Residence
“Hurling again?” Will asked, walking over to Janet, who was staring up at the ceiling as the sounds of someone gagging and regurgitating their lunch into the toilet echoed from the second floor.
“It’s only the second time, Will. After this, she’ll be ok.” Janet replied. Will sighed, plopping down on the couch.
“Is she gonna be like this at the wedding?” Will groaned.
“No, she should be fine by the time we head out on the 10th. Janet reassured. Will glanced back up at the ceiling.
“The flight’s gonna be a pain in the ass. Not only if she’s gonna be sick, but she’s still afraid of flying.” Will muttered.
“She’ll be fine, Will. Besides, even if she was sick with her…,” Janet cleared her throat, “‘monthly visitor’, she’ll still want to go. After all, it’s not everyday your invited to the wedding of two of your favorite celebrities.” Janet went on. Will sighed as Hurley climbed across his lap and plopped down on his legs, letting out a loud meow.
“Comfy, Hurley?” Will asked, a bit sarcastically. The cat just stared at him for a few seconds before lying back down on Will’s lap, falling asleep right there. Will groaned, rolling his eyes.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 7th
London residence.
“Are you sure about this, Samantha? It’s a very long trip and you’ll be among all those… men.” The older man asked Samantha, who was sorting through her clothes. Martin London was a slightly tall, chubby man with graying blackish-brown hair and blue eyes that matched his daughter’s.
“Dad, it’s no big deal.” Samantha sighed, organizing her shirts that were going into the suitcase, separating the nicer ones from casual wear.
“No big- Samantha, you’re attending the wedding of two men who are, along with their friends, old enough to be-.” Martin fumed.
“-Old enough to be my dad or an uncle, I know!” Samantha finished, rolling her eyes. “But I have to go. I was invited, yes, but also it’s the least I can do. If it weren’t for me, Melissa, and Julie finding them, those two wouldn’t be alive now.” Samantha explained, continuing packing.
“Oh, don’t complain so much, honey. Let her go. She deserves a vacation after all that happened to her in December.” Samantha’s mother, Stephanie, sighed, walking into the room. She had graying sandy brown hair and light brown, almost green eyes.
“I’m not-,” Martin began, but stopped with a sigh, “Alright, but as long as you stay out of trouble, and Steph and I go with you.” Martin relented, turning to his daughter.
“No problem; in fact, both of you were already invited.” Samantha smiled, walking over to her dresser. Martin just blinked several times in confusion.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 8th
Stiles’ Residence.
Ryan laid the sleeping Ethan into his crib gently, doing his best not to disturb his sleeping, youngest child. Mackenzie watched him from the doorway, a wistful smile on her face. She watched him lay the small child in his bed and gently kissed the boy on the forehead. She had slightly vague memories of Ryan doing the same with her when she was Ethan’s age and with Sam and Claire.
‘He’s lucky to have a dad like him.’ Mackenzie thought. Ryan soon joined her outside the room, a warm smile on his face.
“You doing ok, dad? I mean, with everything going on?” she asked the tall man. Ryan turned to face his oldest child and sighed. Before he went in to put Ethan to sleep, Mackenzie and Ryan were talking about the up-coming wedding and the young woman was worried if Ryan and Colin were rushing into this a little too quickly.
“Mack, this is something I’ve put off for far too long. Col and I can’t wait any longer. We’re in love and we’re getting married on the 13th.” Ryan told her. Mackenzie smiled and patted her father’s arm.
“I know. Just wanted to make sure you hadn’t changed your mind or something.” Mackenzie said. Ryan let out a second sigh, but this one was very weary, filled with some slight sadness.
“I hope dad does, though…” Ryan whispered, moving past his daughter and made his way downstairs. Mackenzie watched with a frown as she saw her dad vanish down the stairs. Earlier that day, they received word that Ryan’s parents, Mackenzie’s grandparents, were attending the wedding, but there was a slight problem. Ryan’s father, Sonny, wasn’t completely thrilled over the idea that Ryan was gay and getting married to a man. His mother Irene, however, was absolutely thrilled. She had known that Ryan and Colin were close and had welcomed him to her family.
Mackenzie secretly prayed that nothing horrible was going to happen in the next several days.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
June 9th
Colin’s house
“Dad, you’re worrying too much.” Luke sighed, walking upstairs with Colin, who was carrying a sleepy Lea in his arms.
“I’m not, Luke. I’m just being cautious. Ryan told me about his conversation with his father,” Colin explained, his voice soft so he doesn’t wake up his young daughter, “Sonny said that doing this wedding is soiling the memories of our wives.”
“And do you think so, dad?” Luke asked, opening the door to Lea’s bedroom. Colin entered the room and laid Lea down in her crib.
“I loved Deb very much, Luke. Problem is I also loved Ryan the same way, but at that time, it wasn’t - and it still isn’t - a smart move for a man to be in love with another man. But after all that’s happen…,” Colin paused, running a hand over Lea’s soft, short light brown hair, “Losing Deb was hard, but the idea of Ryan possibly dying… it hurt even more.” Colin sighed. He then turned to face his son. “You understand what I’m saying, right?” he asked Luke.
“Not really, but I get it.” Luke replied honestly, a smile on his face. Colin chuckled, ruffling his son’s curly mop of hair.
“Sometimes you remind me of her, you know.” Colin told Luke. Luke nodded sadly.
“I miss her.” Luke said softly.
“Me too.” Colin whispered, nodding. Putting an arm around Luke’s shoulders, Colin led the young man out of the room. They had a long couple of days ahead of them.
After all, getting married to your long time best friend isn’t an everyday occurrence.
Part two will be coming soon, so keep an eye open for it.