“Hello” said Casey into the intercom.

“Hey big sis, you going to let me up?” Said the familiar voice.

“Oh my gosh! Yes! What are you doing here?” Said Casey as she pressed the button to let me him.

Ethan looked over,

“Joel came early!” Exclaimed Casey excitedly as she opened the door. The lift finally brought Joel upto to the top floor. He stepped out of the lift and saw Casey standing in the doorway. He made his way down the hallway to Ethan’s apartment and hugged Casey.

“You’re early!” Says Casey. “I was lead to believe you were coming with mum and dad.”

They enter the apartment. Casey formally introduces her brother to Ethan. Despite having spoken on face time, both men were happy to finally meet each other in person. Joel finally answers Casey’s question.

“Mum and dad knew I was coming early. When I put in for my time off, I requested from today.”

Casey hugged Joel again.

“It has been far too long since I last saw you”

“I know Case, that is why I came early. I still can not believe my big sister is getting married.”

“Well it is happening”

“And I could not be any more happier for you if I tried.”

Joel and Casey spent the rest of the day catching up. Despite both taking very different career paths they were both very proud of each other and what they had accomplished.

Joel knew his sister would do great things but he was also happy that she had found love too.

As the week went on, Joel got to meet, not only his fellow groomsmen but the bridesmaids as well. He had known about these people from chatting to his sister and also his parents but it was great to meet them in person and to be able to put names to faces.

One thing he marveled at the most though, was the love that Ethan had for his sister. The love and devotion that he had witnessed all week was reminiscent of the love that their grandma and grandad shared.

Friday came, it was rehearsal day. He could figure out why but he was expecting his sister to be nervous but she was the most relaxed he had seen her. The rehearsal went well and then the bridal party and parents went for dinner.

It was a lovely meal, with a gorgeous view of Boston to boot. Between courses Joel decided to give a speech.

“I think we can all agree that we are all looking forward to the ceremony proper tomorrow. This week has been the first time that I have met all of you and even though I feel that I knew most of you by talking to Casey, however I have enjoyed getting to know you all. There is also a big difference between knowing that Ethan and Casey love each other and seeing it properly with my own eyes. This is the first time I have spent any significant time with Casey since she graduated medical school. She has been the happiest I have ever seen her and seeing her with Ethan has reminded me of what I remember of grandma and grandad and the love that they had not only for each other but their family and friends also. I know if Grandad was alive he would not only be proud of the woman and doctor that you have become but he would also be happy that you have met your partner in life. I am sure he is here in spirit but he would be proud, as I am of you. Welcome to the family Ethan and here is to Casey and Ethan.”

Everyone raises their glass while Casey wipes a tear from her eye. There had been many times over the last 17 years that she missed her grandad and now was another time.

Casey finally managed to catch Joel.

“Thank you for your kind words at dinner.”

“I meant it to, he would be so proud of you.”

“I know he would, I have always missed him and it hit me a bit more after that speech.”

They hug.

“I am so glad that you and Ethan found each other, sis.”

“‘Me too, baby bro, me too.”

They then separated to enjoy the rest of the night and more importantly to celebrate her marriage to Ethan tomorrow.

Authors note:

Thank you for @jamespotterthefirst for the Easter reblog game that inspired this short and sweet fluff.

I headcanon that growing up Joel and Casey were close (2years age difference roughly) but their chosen careers kept them apart as adults. Joel was not expecting to be asked to be a groomsmen but he was honoured as Ethan knew how much Joel meant to Casey.

Also so excited as my babies get married this weekend.

Tagging: @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @genevievemd @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @bex-la-get @a-crepusculo @crazy-loca-blog @cariantha @trappedinfanfiction @binny1985 @schnitzelbutterfingers @peonierose

Buck looked affronted as he snatched his phone back. “Yeah, Eddie, you know, the dance we’re supposed to share in front of our closest family and friends on supposedly one of the best days of our lives?”

“Okay, first off,” Eddie said, holding his hands up in surrender. “Marrying you is definitely going to be one of the best days of my life, no matter what, so get that in your head. And second, we don’t need to do a formal dance thing. It’s just supposed to be us.”

“‘Us’ won’t look good after I stomp all over your feet a gazillion times,” Buck grumbled, sliding his phone on the coffee table before resting his head back to stare up at the ceiling. Eddie studied him for a bit, traced the familiar curve of his throat down to his crossed arms, fingers tapping against his biceps. He followed that down to where Buck’s long legs were stretched out in front of him, socked feet crossed at the ankles and propped on the coffee table. His feet were also tapping an invisible beat. 

In some ways, he got Buck’s anxiety over the dance. They’d been planning their wedding for what felt like years, even though it’d only been a couple of weeks. Neither of them were fans of a huge production, but Buck had very specific ideas of how he’d wanted their small ceremony to go and look. 

Naturally, Eddie let Buck and Christopher make the decisions. If they were happy, he was happy; that was a done deal. As it was, the three of them tended to line up with most of their choices anyway.

Eddie hadn’t done this before, either, so he was entirely out of his depth. It was all way too quick with Shannon, and he still regretted not giving her the wedding and marriage she’d dreamed of. He would never be able to make up for that, ever.

But he had grown as a person, more confident and settled in his skin than he’d ever been before. He’d learned the basic foundations of a relationship, how love — even as unconditional as it was — wasn’t the only thing that held people together. Trust, communication...those things were important, too, and it took a lot of time to learn them.

He couldn’t let Buck stress over this. In three days, he wouldn’t be allowed to see the man at all until their wedding, on the insistence of their sisters. Buck was anxious about the dance, Eddie was anxious about not getting to see Buck for three days. He didn't think they'd gone a single day without each other in the past four years, save for extremely rare occasions.  

Shaking those thoughts off, he pulled his own phone out, tapping the song they’d chosen and letting it play on repeat. 

As the familiar music floated through the stillness between them, Buck turned his face to grin softly at him, the same smile that made Eddie fall in love with him every day. “Feeling particularly romantic tonight, are we?”

Eddie laughed softly. “No, get your lazy ass up, we’re gonna practice.”

“Practice?” Buck asked curiously as Eddie gestured for him to take his feet off the coffee table so he could push it flush against the couch. The space in the living room widened enough for the two of them to move comfortably without tripping.

Satisfied, Eddie offered his hand to his fiancé, feeling his lips curve up with how content he was. “Come on.”

Buck placed his hand in Eddie’s, letting himself be pulled up into Eddie’s arms. “Show me what you’ve got.”

“I’ve got nothing but you, Buck,” Eddie grinned, kissing him once as the song started. “Okay, all we have to do is just sway together.”

Buck threw his head back in laughter, eyes crinkling merrily at the corners. “That’s your grand plan? Just sway together?”

“What, did you think I was a pro-dancer or something?” Eddie wrapped one arm around Buck’s waist, clasping his hand tight with his other. It was the hand that had Buck’s ring on it, pressing against their entangled fingers in a reminder of how lucky Eddie was. 

“Thought maybe you had more than that,” he teased, reciprocating the hold until they were pressed tight together, swaying slowly to the music. 

Eddie only smiled, tilting his head up the necessary inch to look Buck in the eye. The playful moment melted into something low and mellow, settling peacefully over the room just as Andy Grammer’s voice filled it.

Just another love song from a simple man I been searching for some chords underneath these hands So I can try to tell you I love you

“Marrying you is going to be one of the best days of my life, too,” Buck whispered. Eddie smiled wider, pressing the hand that had his own ring on it flatter against Buck’s back. It was a good reminder that he hadn’t dreamt their whole relationship.

This was real. Buck was real, Eddie was going to marry him, and none of that was a fever dream.

You know I need you Like your oxygen Be my atmosphere Let me breathe you in So I can try to tell you I love you

They were due to do this exact dance five days from now, in an open venue, dressed to the nines in their suits. Then, there would be matching wedding rings on their fingers instead of these engagement rings, and matching names right with it. There would be their friends and family surrounding them as they shared their first dance as husbands.

I been lost, I been found But I know I am now, I am yours

Still, Eddie didn’t think it could match what the dance was now. They were vulnerable like this, just in thin tank-tops and sweatpants, holding each other close in the dim light of the living room. The hair gel had been washed out of their hair a while ago, leaving Buck's hair in curls that made him look years younger than he actually was. Eddie's flopped wildly on his forehead, sticking up in random curls and cowlicks.

It was open, vulnerable. Neither of them standing with a defense against the cruelty of this world.

Eddie still struggled with letting his guard down after he passed the threshold of the house, but here, in the safety of their living room, he was free to just...be. Here, he was Buck’s Eddie, Christopher’s father, and the most open version of himself he could be.

Christopher and Buck did that to him. They made him brave.

I am yours Now and always Wouldn't dream to be anything more You take my breath away every night Still can't believe it when you say your mine and I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

“See? It’s just as I told you. Easy,” Eddie said, leading them into a circles. 

He wanted to do this all night. Just keep the love of his life close, sharing soft moments under the roof that held Eddie’s sole purpose — his family.

I was free falling through the open sky 'Til you smiled at me and you saved my life and I Knew I was put here to love you

“Now this part...is for us,” Eddie whispered, dragging his arms up to link behind Buck’s neck. His fiancé’s smile only grew as he wrapped his own around Eddie’s waist. They closed the last inch of distance between them, simply swaying side to side.

You got the universe swimming in your eyes I’m an open book when you look in mine You'll find that I was put here to love you

Buck’s eyes shone brightly, even in the dimness of the room. The only light was coming from a sole lamp, casting shadows across their faces that highlighted every feature. Eddie could read the love on his face clear as day, surely reflecting his own expression.

I been lost, I been found But I know I am now, I am yours

“You know...I’m so happy I get to do this with you,” Eddie told him honestly. He moved to cup Buck’s jaw, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. “I love you, Buck.”

I am yours Now and always Wouldn't dream to be anything more You take my breath away every night Still can't believe it when you say your mine and I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

“Better save some of that sap for next week,” Buck replied, turning his head and capturing his lips in a proper kiss. “I love you, too.” Then, on an afterthought, he added, “I told you you were feeling romantic.”

I been lost, I been found But I know I am now, I am yours

Eddie laughed. “Always for you, Buck.”

Thinking of something, Eddie grinned cheekily before dipping Buck backwards. He let out a yelp at the sudden movement, glaring up at Eddie.

“I’m not going to let you fall,” Eddie promised, laughing at the stricken look on Buck’s face.

“Think it’s a little too late for that,” Buck quipped meaningfully, a hand coming to the nape of his neck to drag Eddie’s face down into a movie-style kiss. As they shared the quiet moment, Eddie slowly brought Buck back up to their original position, keeping them connected all the while. 

“Feeling better now? About the dance?” Eddie asked quietly when they separated, taking Buck’s hand to put them back in the same position they’d started in.

Buck hummed as they swayed together. “Yeah. I just don’t want to mess this up.”

“Not possible. I’m marrying you no matter what,” Eddie said, smiling when Buck laughed.

“Even if all your toes get flattened in the process?”

Eddie peered down at where their feet were moving in a slow circle, in sync like everything else they did. “We’ve been doing this for a while now, and we haven’t stepped on each other yet. Pretty good news to me. But yes, even then.”

Buck hooked an elbow around Eddie, dragging him into a slow kiss that warmed him down to his very bones. “I’m gonna hold you to that. You’re never getting rid of me now.”

I am yours Now and always Wouldn't dream to be anything more You take my breath away every night Still can't believe it when you say your mine and I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

Eddie believed his every word, in ways that he'd never trusted anyone before.

It was this surety that’d taken Eddie the most time to get used to. Everything with Buck, even their arguments and fights, had come easy. They managed to work things out between them while only growing closer in the process, instead of distance growing — something completely against anything Eddie had ever known. 

Eddie thought it was because they were getting better at communicating like adults, but deep down, he knew that if soulmates were real, Buck was his.  He’d never had a better partner, and without a doubt, he never would.

Clasping their hands together again, Eddie looked into his fiancé’s eyes, letting the remaining lyrics wrap around them. “I’m counting on it.”

I am yours, I am yours, I am yours I am yours, I am yours, I am yours

Buck smiled, leaning down to press their foreheads together. "Good, 'cause I'm yours, and you're mine."