LONDON CALLING

"Give them a bit," Angus said. "At their age, they really do spend more time in the bathroom primping than any teenage girl."

"God, that's for sure," Robert said. "Brian was horrid at that. He easily took the better part of 45 minutes for whatever he felt he needed to do in there when he was a teen."

"My apologies, Robert," Angus said. "Robert, this is Evan, my baby brother. Evan, this is my dear friend and also my boss, Robert Lupin."

"Any relation to 'the' Robert Lupin?" Evan asked.

"I'm the only Robert Lupin that I know of," Robert laughed. "Nice to meet you, Evan."

"It's an honor, Sir. And am I correct that this is your place?"

"It is," Robert said.

"It's awesome," Evan said. "If I were to believe the legends about you, though, I'd have had you in something much more like a country estate or a French chateau."

"Well, that would be dull, wouldn't it?" Robert laughed. "No, I enjoy a quiet farm life."

"Me too," Evan said, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Donna motioning to him. "My apologies, but I'm being paged by my other half."

"Certainly," Robert said, and Evan headed over to Donna. It was at that moment when Natalie announced the arrival of Edward and Simone to the reception, and every eye turned to see them enter. They had both changed to jeans as well. Edward had a stylish turtleneck with a cardigan over top, and Simone had olive colored jeans, a black v neck tee, and a maxi length tapestry coat over the v neck and she had some style taupe colored ankle boots. She and Edward looked as if they were walking on air. As the applause died down, Ian served them each a cocktail.

"Go show them the cake," Robert told Angus. Angus looked at Ruby.

"Coming?" he asked her. Andrew came out of the house, and he had the boys with him. They didn't look entirely elated, and Angus knew the expression well because it was one that he had often had himself at that age. "Andrew hustled them out of the bathroom," Angus laughed.

"That was my exact thought," Robert laughed. Angus pushed his chair over to Edward and Simone.

"I don't need to call you Grandma now, do I?" Angus teased Simone.

"God, no," Simone laughed out loud.

"I have something to show you," Angus said to them.

"Okay," Edward said. "Lead on." Angus took them over to the cake table where the wedding cake was at the center and the cupcakes had take position in what looked like a pair of matching small trees or bushes that flanked the main cake, and Kate's sculpture topper looked perfect right on top.

"Oh my god, look at that," Simone was astounded. They were both speechless for a moment. "I've seen hundreds of cakes in my years, but this...this is the most fantastic cake I've ever seen."

"You did this yourself, didn't you?" Edward looked at him. "With all your obstacles, and you still could create something this incredible."

"Not by myself. I had a lot of help from Andrew and Ruby and the boys. And Kate made the topper," Angus said. Simone and Edward both hugged Angus and Ruby and thanked them for a cake that was far and beyond any expectation they'd had.

"

Ruby looked at Angus and nodded " all right" she said then heard Robert and chuckled " wow he took that long" she said and saw behind them Andrew walking out with Sam and Victor beside him. Staying at Angus's side she heard them talking before Evan excused himself to return to Donna.

When she saw Edward and Simone return in casual clothing she smiled and then nodded as Angus asked if she wanted to go with him to show them the cake " of course " she said and followed him to the cake table where the wedding cake was at the centre. She could see Ian had done a wonderful job with the cupcakes and the position of the cake topper on the cake. She stood while Angus spoke of how they all pitched in to get the cake done in time and she smiled hugging Simone and Edward back. " it was the least we could do to show how much we care for you" she said smiling.

"Well, the feeling is entirely mutual," Edward smiled. The boys came over to see what Edward and Simone thought about the cake, and they set in telling them all about how Angus had taught them how to make bugs and flowers and leaves out of fondant and how they had watched him paint the cake to make it look so real. The two boys chattered to Simone and Edward, excited to show off the pieces they had made for the cake.

Ian came up to Angus and told him quietly that the meal was ready and asked him to call the guests to the meal. The tables were laid out as 6 round tables with eight chairs at each table, and then there was one rectangular table facing the round table. The rectangular table was set so that, from left to right, there were places for Ruby, Simone, Edward, and Angus. Angus understood it. The maid of honor needed to be seated next to the bride, and the groom was, of course next to the bride, with the best man next to him. That was standard.

"Ian says it's time to eat," Angus told Ruby. "We're up there at the rectangular table. You're on the left end, I'm on the right end. And Simone is next to you on your left, on Edward's right, and that puts me on Edward's left. Now, got that? If we go take our places, I'll try to call the rest of the guests to their seats." He steered his chair, taking his time, across the reception area so that he didn't run into anyone, and he made sure Ruby was at her place and as comfortable as he could make her before he went to his own place. Someone on the catering team had put a chair at Angus' place. He couldn't stay in his chair and move the chair at the table both, so he elected to stand and try to move the wheelchair out of his way and sit on the chair that was already at the table. It was awkward, but he managed it. Andrew saw Angus's difficulty too late to help him. By the time Andrew saw it, Angus had handled it as best he could. Andrew went and had a quick word with Robert and then, as the wine was being served, he took Angus a different glass of wine and he switched it out for the glass that the servers had given him.

"Drink that instead," Andrew said to him quietly. "Robert put a dose of energy potion in it so you have a little boost to help you through the evening. We can boost it again if we need to." Angus nodded slightly, understanding the message." Then he went down to Ruby and told her quietly. "Robert boosted Angus' energies a wee bit and we can boost them again if we need to. Robert thinks Angus is doing very well, but he wants to keep it that way. If you see him starting to tire, say something to me or to Robert, would you, and we'll boost him again."

Angus stood briefly to his feet, tapped his fork against his wine glass and asked the guests to take their places for the supper, and then he sat back down.

Ruby looked to Angus as she heard them say dinner was ready moving with him she held his hand as they moved to ensure herself everything was okay he was only next to Edward and she smiled at him, leaning down she kissed his cheek " I got it I'm the left end, you're on the right end. And Simone is next to me on my left, on Edward's right, which puts you on Edward's left." she repeated to him. Still holding his hand she moved with him to the table and sat down next to Simone but she watched as Angus moved from his chair to the normal chair.

Her heart raced alittle when Andrew brought a change of glass knowing and having a feeling it was one from Robert a it loked similer to one they had seen that morning. When Andrew walked oevr to her and expained she listened and glnced at Angus " okay , I will" she told him and glanced at Angus hoping he could see her quetion of was he okay on her face.

He glanced at Andrew speaking to Ruby and he saw Ruby look at him. He gave her a relaxed smile to try to encourage her to relax. He was fine. He hadn't thought of being tired, but still, a bit of an energy potion before fatigue caught up with him wasn't a bad idea. He had to agree.

Edward escorted Simone to the table and they settled in between Angus and Ruby. Edward stood up, talked for just a moment about how both he and Simone had been blessed with amazing spouses for their first marriage and how this love they had now for each other was one of the best things either of them had had in their lives. And as they now split their time between this new house here in England and at the family home in Tuscany, they hoped to make a lot more memories with family and friends. He thanked all their family members and friends who had come to celebrate today with them, and he encouraged them to feel free to relax, enjoy the American barbeque with their fingers and have a great time. Then he sat down so that Ian's people could serve the meal. Ian had decided to serve the meal family style, and his crew put big platters of barbeque on the table--barbequed chicken, ribs, and brisket. Bowls of cole slaw, baked beans, potato salad, mexican street corn salad, and American style buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. There was plenty of food for all. To serve it family style, there were serving bowls put on each table so guests pass the serving bowls and could serve themselves.

Angus was interested in the brisket more than anything else. He took some brisket, a rib, a chicken wing, and some street corn salad, and a biscuit with honey. He figured he would try some of the other dishes when he had finished what he had already served up on his plate

Ruby saw Angus look at her and smile she smiled back and relaxed knowing he was okay. When the food was served she took a little of everything and ate slowly so not to over fill her self just yet. From what she saw every one was enjoying the food and atmospher. She actualy relaxed as well turning to look for the boys and finding them happily talking to others at their table she smiled reasuing her self nothing could go wrong now, everything was perfect and soon Edward and Simone would head out to the cottage in cornwall by the sea that Rowan had let them use just for a getaway for their honeymoon.

The low key, informal food did seem to relax this mixed band of people that didn't all know each other. People began having conversation, relaxing, laughing, pitching in with their fingers to try all the different kinds of meat that Ian's crew had fixed, talking about the American dishes they were served and their surprise that some of America's food could actually be full of flavor.

Angus was hearing snipets of conversation particularly with his family members. Some of them were wondering why Angus needed a wheelchair at all. They'd seen him walk down the aisle. They'd seen him stand and move his wheelchair out of the way. Some of his less charitable relatives were questioning if it as some sort of sympathy ploy. Angus and Edward had both anticipated this. This was so typical of some of the Donohues. It was typical of what they thought of Angus since he was the one grandchild that Edward had raised. Angus knew that some of his relatives thought he was the favored child, and, in a way, Angus knew he was the favored child, but only because he had never wanted or needed Edward's riches. He had only ever wanted his grandparents, just as they were.

"Ignore them," Edward told Angus. He looked over at Simone, and she looked like she was about thirty seconds from trying to defend Angus. "Calm," he told Simone and Ruby. "Angus and I knew this would happen. It's just who they are. We know the truth about his health. Angus knows who loves him, and that's all that matters. Enjoy your dinners. If Angus needs defending, I'll be the one to do it. So, tell me. Which meat do you like the best? Angus likes the brisket, and I like the ribs."

"I love the chicken," Simone smiled. "It's amazing. We need to get Ian to send us barbeque again sometime."

"We can do that," Edward smiled. "Ruby? What do you like?"

Ruby heard the snide comments about Angus and it made her mad the longer she listened to it, looking at Edward she felt Simone place her hand on hers and she relaxed " your right, they don't understand and I liked the brisket too, it had a good texture and well I think the baby liked it too " she chuckled as she looked in thanks to Simone " it does irk me they think that way, but I know there just ignorant of who he is, which is a hansom caring loyal man." she said and smiled at Angus " and all that matters is that I love him so much and the boys do too".She sipped some water feeling that's all she wanted to drink right now.

"It is frustrating, I agree," Edward agreed with Ruby. Simone agreed too. "And I'm sure he's frustrated to by them, but they've done this to him his entire life. It's an old story. It's the very reason I didn't invite them. But, pay attention to how he handles it. He is not going to give them the satisfaction of showing them that it gets to him. He will never ever show them that it bugs him one iota."

When dinner was over, Edward and Simone chose to start the dancing. Since there were no parents of the bride and groom it was going to probably need to be handled a bit differently. Angus motioned to Andrew as they were getting ready to start the music to dance, and he sent a little note over to Jessie. His note was simple.

"Jessie, I'm going to need to represent, but I am not going to be able to represent long. Come and cut in my dance with Ruby at about the end of the first chorus please?"

Andrew took the little note to Jessie and whispered in Jessie's ear that the note was from Angus and, with Jessie as Ruby's older brother, he needed Jessie to step up and lend a hand.

Edward and Simone danced the first song together, a lovely waltz and then started second song, a slow dance song. Angus stood up and held out his hand to Ruby. He wanted to try. He wasn't Edward's father, but as the best man, he saw it as his place to step in and open up the dancing. And there was no one else he wanted to dance with more than Ruby.

"Come dance with me," he said to her. "Just a little."

Ruby listened to Robert and smiled " he handls it like a true diplomat" she said and chukled. Now dinner was over she saw a note move from Angus to Andrew then to Jessie she knew it was probaby to ask him to take over and she was happy about it. Hearing Angus and seeing his exstended hand she smiled and took it " I would love to" she said softly and walked with him to the dance floor.

She held her self against him partly to hide the fact she wanted to take some of his weight so he wouldn't tire so quickly as they danced. Moving together , him on his feet she was happy and relaxed " I missed this " she said and looked up at him " and Im proud of you for doing this. even if is is for a short time" she said leaning up and gently kissing him on his lips as she saw Jessie walk over and tap his shoulder.

"may I cut in?" he asked as Ruby sighed and let go of Angus "you'll have plenty more dances together sis" Jessie said and took her hand once Angus was settled back in his chair.