Tarlos: We're A Family, All Four Of Us

Part 9: Wedding

Having the single glass gave him perspective a little bit. Louise was playing by the door, "Hey Lou where's your dad and Harper?" "In the kitchen cleaning," "Why aren't you with them?" "It wasn't my turn remember," that is completely true, "Daddy! Papa's home!" Louise called out. Carlos remained by the door like a stranger in his home, TK emerged from the kitchen in Carlos's sweatshirt, "What's the occasion you look so hot," TK commented trying to lighten the mood, "Did your dad call?" "You mean did he rat you out?" TK asked, "He called when you left," "He kept me from making a mistake TK, I'm sorry and now I'm about to not make another." Carlos got down on one knee, "Hey if your not doing anything this Saturday will you marry me?" "Of course," "Eww," the girls squealed. Both turned to see them sat on the kitchen side, "Get down," Carlos ordered, "How did you even get up there?" "Carlos I've always been a good climber you know this, they take after me." TK laughed wrapping his arms around Carlos's shoulders and kissed to the annoyance of the girls.

TK rolled over the bed, the Texas sun light streamed in from the open curtains softly illuminating his soon to be husband's beautiful face. How lucky he has been to find Carlos, after Alex had done to him and Louise he thought he could never love again. Yet here he was Carlos once again, proving he was right. Though he didn't know it. "Mhm Tiger?" Carlos whispered searching the sheets for his hand, gently he slotted his hand into his pulling his torso closer to him. Careful not to disturb the slumbering man he gently rested his lips on his hair whispering, "I love you Carlos Reyes and we're getting married today." He smiled gently admiring everything so hot about Carlos. Hearing the bedroom door click TK sat up slightly only to have two five year olds leap upon them, "Easy girls don't jump on me you'll hurt your baby sibling, don't jump on your papa either," he laughed but too late Carlos was awake, "Hey Harp, hey Lou," Carlos teased placing each hand on his girls shoulders and dragged him into a big hug with them squealing. "Come on Louise, Harper we have a big day today."

TK was stood in the bathroom admiring his bloated belly in the mirror, Carlos encroached from behind to wrap his arms around TK and hold the tiny bump, "Hey baby, hey baby," he whispered to the bump, "I'm marrying your daddy today," Carlos continued, "Just wait a few more weeks and the baby will start moving," "Then I have something else to look forward to."

As it's a special day they had pancakes in front of the telly. All were shocked when the doorbell rang so early in the morning, "I'm going!" "Harper don't you dare make me run," TK scolded as he was closer to the door, he was behind Harper when she swung it open, "TK hi!" A group of people shouted, "Who's, oh god," Carlos froze looking at his mum, Owen, Grace, Tommy, Evie and Issy stood in the doorway, "Get your stuff boys including honeymoon bags your going to your parents we're getting Harper and Louise ready," Tommy ordered backed by scary Mama Reyes.

Louise and Harper were on there best behaviour as Tommy and Grace helped them shower, slip into their flower girl dresses. Harper was in a pale pink dress and Louise a pale green but the dress were the same empire regency era style in miniature version and the square neck a lot higher. Owen had left a present for the girls to wear today, a pendant of there birth stones. Louise had a sapphire and Harper an opal. Both looked gorgeous with there hair half up half down.

Carlos stared nervously into the mirror, the same one his dad would have looked into, "Do you not like your bowtie we can always switch it out?" Andrea asked smoothing the folds of his suit, "Are we doing the right thing?" Carlos asked adjusting his cufflinks, "I've only ever seen your dad that happy twice when we got married and when you asked him to be your best man so yes this is a good idea. Now lets sort your pocket square," "Mum, thanks."

TK and Owen forever early are already at the venue wandering around under the glass ceiling just talking about nonsense till TK bit the bullet, "So what do you think?" He asked nervously rocking back on his heels, "Perfect. For a perfect day," "Almost perfect," "TK not even the grave could keep Gabriel and your mother from being here today just remember they are in here," Owen smiled pointing to his heart, "Your forgetting something," Owen teased with a devilish smirk. Carlos had seen that smirk on TK and the pair had seen it on Louise and now Harper, he felt the back of his head, "Oh no my kippah I must have left it by the front door," Owen pulled it out from his pocket, "Thank you dad," "What are best men for?"

The girls ran down the aisle behind Paul, Owen and Andrea just tossing flowers at people in the crowd instead of on the ground. They were quickly grabbed by Carlos's sister and Andrea to keep them out of the way. Music changed and to Somewhere Over The Rainbow, ironic they thought. "May they laugh together often and may they stay out of the ICU for more than a year," howling laughter at that line, everyone except Marjan's date knew that story and she promised she would explain later. "With the power vested in me by the internet I now pronounce you married you may kiss your husbands!" They stepped forward wrapping there arms around each other sharing a gentle kiss.

Dancing they walked together back up the aisle after hugging Louise and Harper. The intention was to get photos before the reception started and to keep everyone entertained they had made it into a game getting everyone in then out, kinda like the hokey-cokey. Then the photographer asked the family if they wanted another photos just them and/or with/without there daughters. They did get a really cute photo of them on a swing cupping the baby bump. TK undid the bottom two buttons on his shirt to accommodate the fact that he bought this suit without the baby bump so it was a little snug.

"Ladies and gentlemen pleased put your hands together to welcome Mr and Mr Reyes-Strand!" Judd announced to the room, to the joy of the room they walked in with smiled from ear to ear stopping in the centre of the dance floor. Every Time We Touch, a really personal moment there first dance even if it was interrupted by Louise and Harper but they were grateful as it made the moment even more memorable. The family danced the night away Harper couldn't be taken off of the dance floor, "Harper I'm going to show you something that I learnt in Scouting, perfect timing, I'm going to teach you the Cotton Eyed Joe," TK smiled taking her hand to catch the beat, he clapped he alternated between tapping the back of each of his heels then in front, box step, crossover box step then a 90* pogo stick jump clock wise to start all over again. Harper got the hang of it by the second go getting others involved as well all following TK's lead. "Since when could you dance!" Carlos shouted over the music, "Since I never got the chance!" "I love you do you know that," "Honey it's our wedding day so yes of course I love you," they stole a cheeky kiss to the toots of everyone else. That beautiful family in the wedding photos.

Waving to the crowd Andrea was stood with the girls as she was minding them the week Carlos and TK were on their honeymoon. You best be sure as soon as Carlos got TK into that hotel room the clothes went flying, "Good thing I'm already pregnant just the sight of you today would have done the trick," TK teased tracing the lines on Carlos's chest. "Look how far we've come though from scared shitless single parents to married and number three on the way," Carlos sighed holding TK close, "Lets sleep."