Dragged to the Wedding(8)

James leaned against the wall, waiting, wondering what they were going to do. After ten minutes, he took a seat at the nearest gate, watching the door, wondering if he should knock to see if Daniel was all right, when the door opened and Daniel dressed as Daniella stepped out in slacks, a blouse, auburn wig, and even makeup. James stood and approached, extending his arm to him. “Thank you for being prepared.” He sure as hell hadn’t been.

“I wasn’t planning on changing in the airport, but this will have to do for now. My makeup is a little thin, but I put on some base to smooth out my skin.” Daniel tied a scarf around his throat, tucking it into the top of the blouse.

“You look beautiful,” James said without even a hint of hesitation. He extended his elbow, Daniel looped his hand through, and they sauntered arm in arm toward baggage claim. It seemed a little strange, and a touch wicked, to be walking like this through the airport knowing that he was with a man, but he was the only person there who would know.

“I can feel your tension,” Daniel told him softly. “Just relax and act like everyone else.” They went through the security barrier of no return. “Where’s your family?” Daniel asked warily, looking from side to side.

“Jimmy!” They both turned as James’s mother, father, sisters, and future brother-in-law all marched down the hallway, his mother picking up speed as she got closer. She came to an abrupt halt right in front of Daniel. “Look at you.” She pulled Daniel into a hug.

“Mama, this is Daniella Bonafonte,” James introduced, his mother still hugging Daniel.

“It’s so wonderful to meet you,” his mother told Daniel and finally stepped back. James had been worried he was going to have to call in the jaws of life. “I have been looking forward to this for sooooo long.” She took Daniel’s hands and stepped back. “Isn’t she lovely, Phillip?” She looked to James’s dad and then right back to Daniel. “She’s just beautiful.”

“Grace, she isn’t a race horse, for Pete’s sake. Let the young lady breathe and have a minute before you scare her away.”

She released Daniella, and James stepped closer. “You’ve met my mama.” Boy, had he ever. “This is my dad, Phillip, and my younger sister, Margot.” They both shook hands with Daniel. “And of course, this is my older sister, Holly, and her fiancé, Howard.” Holly hugged Daniel much more gently.

“I’m so glad you’re both here,” Holly said with a strained smile. “All the arrangements have been so stressful.” Holly glanced at her mother and then back to James.

“Oh, honey, don’t worry about it,” Daniel told her. “Your day is going to be magical, and we’re all here for you. I’ve been part of many wedding ceremonies, and believe me, the day is going to be a whirlwind preceded by five days of sheer nervous hell. It’s completely normal.”

Holly brightened considerably, and James put his arm around Daniel. “We need to get our luggage, and then I have to pick up the car. Do you want us to meet you at a restaurant for lunch?”

“I thought we’d surprise you. Get your luggage, and Phillip will bring up the van. Then we’ll head back to the house. On the ride, Daniella and I can get to know each other,” his mom pushed. “I’m sure you can wait a little while before you eat.” James’s dad seemed taken aback, and Margot turned away, studying the departures and arrivals boards like she was going to be tested on them.

Thank the stars for Holly. “Mom, I’m hungry too. James and Daniella can get their things, and we’ll go on to Mastriano’s,” she offered. “It’s right on the way back into town, and they can have a few minutes to decompress from the flight.” She stepped forward and hugged James. “I got your back, bro. Just return the favor later, I’m going to need it.” James squeezed Holly a little tighter and then hugged his younger sister and mother.

“We’ll be along in a few minutes.” He swore his heart only began beating once again when his dad led his mother toward the exit and the rest of the family followed. They walked to the baggage claim area, finding the carousel for their flight.

“Holy shit,” Daniel breathed from next to him. “Your mother is a force of nature.”

“Like a hurricane,” James deadpanned. “The luggage seems to be arriving.” They wandered over to the carousel, and James grabbed his bag when it came by. “Which is yours?”

Daniel smiled and pointed to the lavender hard-sided luggage. “All of them are that color.”

James swallowed. “All of them?” He knew he was in trouble when Daniel’s hands returned to his hips. “Let me guess, queens never pack light.”

“Damned straight,” Daniel said as James began pulling bags off the carousel. “Now you’re learning.”



* * *



After a long line at the car rental, where James wished he could have flashed his badge just to make the young man behind the counter move a little faster, and once they’d filled the trunk with lavender luggage, James drove to the restaurant. “Last chance to back out. I could tell them that you got a call and had to go home.”

“Or we could fake a riot in Schaumburg because Ikea ran out of Swedish meatballs and you have to go home and mediate a standoff outside the store between vegans, meatball fanatics, and the board of directors.” Daniel wagged his eyebrows slightly. “I think it’s full speed ahead.”