Remembrances (12/14)

[dephigravity]

Title: Remembrances
Pairing: Jensen/ Jared
Characters: Tom Welling, Justin Hartley, and various other CW folks
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2758
Summary: Tom Welling is a college student that is asked to spend time with an elderly Jensen Ackles. Jensen is slow to come around but realizes the company is just what he needs






Aftershocks and Wedding Cakes


Tom watched Jensen speechlessly.

“I told you I was foolish and inconsiderate!” Jensen said as the little cat hopped into his lap.

“Yeah, note to self no telling the parents after a night with the boys...”

“And don't be overly defensive!” Jensen added.

“So did you and your dad talk the next morning like he said?”

“Not exactly...”


~~~

It was after 9 when Jensen woke up, still in last nights clothes and smelling slightly of spilled beer. He stretched out his aching back and slowly stripped down to his underwear and headed across the hall for the shower.
He tossed the briefs to the edge of the sink and climbed into the hot stream, letting it soothe his aching muscles and wash away the salt stained streaks across his face.

Thirty minutes later he was staggering down the staircase in what seemed to be the empty house. He went into the kitchen and made a fresh pot of coffee. He leaned against the counter and stared out the window as the coffee maker churned and spat out the rich brown liquid. He grabbed a mug from the cupboard and proceeded to fill it full, adding in a bit of sugar.
Jensen grabbed at the phone and sat down at the kitchen table and dialed.

“Hello?” came the groggy voice.

“Heya baby, sorry I didn't call last night.”

“Don't worry about it, it makes for a wonderful wake up call!” Jared's voice came over the receiver, Jensen could easily picture the smile over his face as he stretched and untangled himself from their sheets. “You go out with the guys last night?”

“Yeah we had a blast down at Pockets. Shot some pool, drank to much, watched Chad squirm as Steve pretended to hit on me. Good times.”

“That's good. You sound sad Jen. Everything okay?”

“I told my dad last night, it didn't go over so well.”

“Sorry babe. What happened?”

“I don't know... I remember something about butt fucking and abominations and me screaming a lot. I'm surprised we didn't wake mom.”

“That bad huh? God I wish I was there, wrap you up in my arms and tell you everything will be okay.”

“Me too.” Jensen said into the phone with a sad smile. “He said we would talk about it today but no one is home. I think I royally screwed up Jay. Maybe I shouldn't have told him.”

“Why? If you can't be yourself around your family and friend's what's the point? You shouldn't have to lie Jensen, not about something like this.”

“I know. It just really hurts, you know...” he said softly as he was rubbed the bridge of his nose.

The front door of the house opened and closed.

“Sounds like someone's back, Jare. I will call you later. I love you.” his somber mood very evident in his voice.

“Love you too Jensen!” Jared's silky voice declared before hanging up.

Jensen leaned back in his chair to get a better look at who was home. His mother's smaller frame was just coming around the corner, alone.

“Oh good you are up!” Donna said as she came around the corner.

Jensen fixed his eyes into his coffee, refusing to make eye contact. “Morning mom.”

She came over to him, he expected a heavy slap to the head and was bracing for the attack. What he got took him by surprise. Donna stood behind his chair and slowly wrapped her loving arms around his shoulders and neck. She kissed him motherly on the cheek. “Jensen, I love you son. No matter what and I am very proud of you.”

Jensen's throat seized as tears began to swell in his eyes. His whole body started to shake. “Momma...” he said in the quiet Texan drawl. He placed his cup down and turned into her arms.

“I know, I know, honey.” she stroked her hand over the back of his head as he sobbed into her shoulder. After an eternity in his mother's arms she gently pushed him away and took a seat next to him.

“Where's dad?” he asked while wiping the remnants of tears from bloodshot eyes.

“Your father...” Donna hesitated, “Is gonna take a while Jenny. It was a shock to him, and the way you told him didn't help either.”

He hung his head down. “I know, it's just....”

She placed a hand over his and cut him off. “I will work on him but don't expect miracles. Your father is a stubborn old man, with old beliefs.”

“Thanks momma. So it wasn't a surprise to you?” he looked up at her.

“Goodness no! I'm your mother, we know these things. I may not be a spring chicken anymore but I know my children better than they know themselves!”

He smiled.

“I've always know Jensen, I have just been patiently waiting for you to come to terms with it on your own.”

Jensen continued to look at his mother in amazement, not knowing what to say. “You don't mind it? That I like other guys, I mean?”

“Let me ask you this, son. Are you happy? Does Jared treat you good?”

“Yes! God yes! To both. Mom I am so happy. We are so happy!” he affirmed with emphasis on the 'We'.

“Then Jensen, I couldn't ask for anything more for you. It is a wonder to find happiness and love in these crazy days where things are thrown to the side in a matter of minutes.”

Jensen dove into her arms once more, trying to hold back tears of happiness.


~~~


“That is so awesome that your mom was cool with it!” Tom cheered.

“Momma was great, a woman ahead of her time in so many ways.” Jensen recollected.

“So did your dad ever come around?”

“Impatient aren't we?” Jensen chuckled as he stroked down the tiny feline.

“You expect any more of me old man?” Tom grinned as his green eyes flared with anticipation.

“Guess not!” the smile crossed over the wrinkled lips.

~~~

Jared slammed down the phone.

“What?” Jensen said as he took of Sebastian's leash.

“Gen, being her normal bitchy self. She refuses to let Katie to 'participate in any such orgy of depravity in the eyes of God!', It's not like I don't have the right to have my own daughter at my wedding. Why should it matter who the bride is?”

“Who said I was the bride?” Jensen tried to lighten the mood and succeeding.

“I'm taller that makes me the husband!” Jared took a a large step forward and grabbing Jensen's hips.

“Is that right? Here I thought it was who was more manly and rugged.” Jensen brushed his stubbled chin over Jared smooth cheek.

“Are you saying I'm not manly? I can be plenty butch!” he said as began to nibble at the shorter man's throat. He reached down and forcibly grabbed at the jean covered crotch, making Jensen yelp in surprise.

“I like my mens all manly!” Jensen teased.

Jared sighed and pulled away. “Seriously though... I can't believe she won't let her come. I barely get to see her as is! I don't even know if she knows I'm her dad or not, just crazy uncle Jared.”

Jensen sat back on the corner of the table, slightly disgruntled but understanding. “I know how frustrating it's been. Maybe we shouldn't do this? I mean the only reason why the courts ruled in her favor was because of me. If I wasn't in the picture maybe you could get her?”

“Don't you even say such a thing! There's got to be another way! I am not giving you up just because some damned backwater judge doesn't understand. We are getting married if I have to drag you to that altar myself!”

“What altar? You decided on a place?” Jensen tried to skillfully change subjects.

“Maybe...” he leaned in and kissed his soon to be husband gently on the lips.

___


The wind blew softly through the field sending small white helicopters up from the dandelions in the distance. Jensen sat down looking back towards the house. A few cars lined the driveway of Jared's childhood home. People wandered in and out of the patio doors. Jensen squinted to see Chad squeezing his date's ass, getting a sharp smack across his face.

He sighed and looked down to his feet. He didn't know why exactly but he felt slightly depressed. He should be happier than ever. In less than twenty four hours he would be saying 'I do' to the most wonderful person he could possibly have. A small group of family friends were here to share the occasion with them and show their support.

Jensen couldn't help but to dwell on that night two months ago. That night when he told his father. He had flown back to L.A. without seeing or hearing from his father. He had talked with his mother over the phone in the weeks since but it didn't sound to promising. Mom had told Josh and Mac for him. Josh was surprisingly okay with everything, as a matter of fact it was quite a shock to arrive and see Josh helping Jeff and Megan set up the backyard. Mackenzie, the more religious of the siblings leaned more towards their dad's way of thinking.

“Penny for you thoughts?” Jared asked as he sat down in the long grass beside his man.

“I don't know.” Jensen leaned into him. “Still no word from my parents or sister?'

“Wish I could tell you yes. Sorry.” Jared wrapped his arm around him tightly. “It'll be okay Jensen.”

“I know, I just wish they wouldn't be this way.”

“I know.” Jared grabbed the side of Jensen's head and brought it in closer to kiss his hair.

Their two dogs ran towards them, escaping form Chris and Steve. A small little puppy bounded after them. Sebastian plopped at Jensen's feet, panting heavily. Theo plopped his large mass down to the side of Jared, the large old St. Bernard rolled over as the little puppy nipped at his tail.

Jared laughed and picked up the small reddish pup. “Who are you?” he asked as the little guy squirmed and tried to lick his face.

“He is kind of your wedding present.” Chris said as he squatted down to scratch the tired retriever's head. “Got him down at the rescue.”

Steve approached from behind them and laid another little bundle down in Jensen's lap. The small Shepard mix yawned lazily as she laid her head against Jen's crotch and stared upwards, directly into his green eyes. “And she would be from me, figured you guys needed a bigger brood to start your new life together off right.”

The Shepard gazed continually upwards and the further Jensen's smile grew the more rapidly her little tail began to wag.

“Thanks guys they are beautiful. Look boys now you are gay dad's too!” Jared leaned over to ruffle Sebastian's big belly, getting a confused look from the gentle beast.

___

Jensen stood in the bedroom and looked himself over thoroughly in the mirror, making sure he looked perfect for Jared. He decided everything that he could do had already been done so he stepped aside to grab the white linen shirt off the bed and pulled it around his shoulders and fumbled with the buttons. As he got the buttons done up there was a gentle rap at the door. He stepped over and turned the knob to see his smiling mother.

“Mom! You came!' He crushed into her.

“Of course I came dear boy!” she patted his back.

He pulled away. “Dad? Megan?” he asked curiously.

“I'm sorry Jenny, I tried. I really did try. Those two are just too damned stuck in their ways.”

Disappointment spread across his face but melted as his mother grasped his chin. “They love you Jensen, that will never change. In time, perhaps they will grow to understand. You have me and Josh for you though. Now which one of you is walking down that aisle?”

“I don't think either of us is momma.” he laughed. “This is as new to us as to all of y'all!” he smiled happily and slipped on his leather flip flops.

She stood in front of him and smoothed out the easily wrinkled fabric. “Let's go get you married.”

___

The tall man fidgeted nervously. The warm breeze blew over his white linen shirt, causing it to flap against his jeans. Jared beamed happily as Jensen escorted his mother to her seat. She gripped tightly onto his hand as she took the chair in between her older son and Jared's mother. Jensen lifted up the small withered hand up and kissed it gently and let it fall as he turned to approach the tall old oak tree and the tall man beneath.

“Hey you!” Jared said gently.

“Hey back. Can you believe we are about to do this?”

“It's about damn time!” Jared smirked.

Jared took hold of Jensen's hand and the both of them turned to look at the small assemblage of friends and family.

“Thank you everyone for coming today, it means more that all of you will ever know.” Jared began.

“As you can tell we aren't your typical couple, obviously,” Jensen proclaimed, drawing laughs from the crowd, “and we are pretty laid back so this isn't going to be the most formal of occasions.”

“What he is trying to say is that we are gonna be a bit unconventional. Just a few short vows, none of all that other nonsense and maybe if y'all are lucky a kiss or two!” Jared broke in.

“Woohoo!” Chad yelled. Hillary smacked his arm and mouthed a silent apology.

“Calm down Chad! Jen's gonna be off the market so you are just gonna have to give up that fantasy!” Jared teased.

“Hey! Eww...” Chad squirmed into silence.

“And yes there is cake...” the taller man grinned.

Jensen shook his head at the comment. “So anyway.... shall we Sasquatch?”

“No time like the present.”

The two men turned back toward each other and grasped both sets of hands together.

“Jensen, ever since that first day we have been the best of friends. You have always been so much more than a friend to me, more than a brother. Somehow I always knew that I was never truly whole without you standing by my side. You were there with me in all the most wonderful moments of my life and you saw me through all the darkest times. Without you I don't know how I would be who I am today. Back when we were kids I offered you a piece of licorice, today I offer you my heart and soul, my entire being, as your husband.” Jared choked through the last sentence as tears dripped down his cheek causing the waterworks to start all around.

“That is so not fair, making me cry before I can say anything.” Jensen chuckled, causing the crowd to laugh.

“Jared, god how do I follow that?” he tried to calm his nerves. “You are my best friend, my lover, my soul mate. You opened a whole new world of wonder to me that I never knew could exist. I always knew you were witty and amazing, you could make me laugh when no one else could. You could make me smile even when the darkness threatened to claim me. You can make the world stop when you wrap your arms around me. To me I cannot express in words all that you have given me. You are my mine, and I am yours forever.”

Sherri reached over and squeezed Donna's hand as the two older women cried tears of happiness.

“Kiss already!” Chad yelled out again. Hillary full out decked him this time “Ouch!”

“Moron...” she growled.

The boys laughed through the tears and looked into each other's eyes. Jared slowly brought his hands up to Jensen's neck and pulled him forward. Jensen shoved his thumbs through Jared's belt loops and tiptoed slightly upward to connect their lips. The world disappeared during their embrace. Although the world in general would never know or understand, they and these select few people would know the love between them.

~~~

Tom wiped away a tear on his denim sleeve. “That was the same tree wasn't it?”

“Yeah. A few months later and it was gone, as was the house. It was Jared's gift to me. Sharing his favorite spot in the world one last time.”



(Next)

Comments

[dcillusioned.livejournal.com]

You have no reason to worry. Loved them, and the whole story. There's a lot of emotion in your writing and I love when people can portray that so vividly. Well done.

[dephigravity.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, that means a lot to me! :)