Happy birthday, my dear friend!

The smile he gave when his lips caught hers was genuine. Cheering erupted from all sides of the room but it was ambiance to him. Her veil was released from his fingertips and he palmed her hair instead. It was as if he hadn't had the opportunity in so long, and as if it was his last chance. He still couldn't feel his heart beating but he was okay with it. If he could, it might have distracted him.

The hug they shared after lasted even longer. Her nose found its way to his neck and she nuzzled into him, turning his red face darker. Stroking her hair he leaned in closer and whispered. "I love you, ya' know."

"I love you too. Really though, thanks for coming. I heard you went out on a trip before the show," she answered smiling.

"What was your first guess, the cans on the bike or Malcolm's inevitable concern?"

"His warranted concern you mean," she corrected. "You're nuts."

"Always will be," he said. "What, you think I'd miss seein' you walk down? An' miss your lovely face?"

"You're nuts," she repeated giving him another hug. He eagerly returned it, picking her up off the floor. The cheering hadn't let up, it only grew. Finally the pair separated and walked down the steps of the alter, hand in hand. Angus rubbed his thumb over her ring. The ring he gave her. Not the promise ring she wore the previous year while living with a criminal, this time it was a real ring. And it was him who gave it to her. He held her hand up and kissed it as they reached the doors and together they pushed them open, sunshine hitting their faces. 

Euphoria like none he had felt that day made his veins swell, adding to the various other emotions given him. A couple various attenders with closed fists left the church early, suddenly throwing their hands up, dousing the couple with a white rain.  Floods of guests followed them through the front doors, a few stopping to shake Angus' hand or give Hannah a hug before walking past them to find their cars. 

"What did we tell ya'?" Angus turned around to see Bon right behind him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. A glass of whiskey was already in his hand, despite the reception being held somewhere else. He took a drink then raised his glass and eyebrows. "'Ello, little lady, fine day, eh?" Before Hannah could answer, the remaining crowd had parted like the Red Sea, allowing for some very quick footsteps, and very loud swear words, to pass through. 

"-ya' fuckin' could have missed it, fuckin' takin' him along on your silly little trip-" At that moment the swearing increased as the man tripped over his own shoes trying to get through the crowd. Bon laughed behind his hand. "-ya' fuckin' buggers!"

"Mal! Glad you could catch the show, ya' saw it didn't ya'?" Malcolm sighed.

"Yes, I fuckin' saw it. But-"

Grabbing him with his other arm, Bon held the two brothers like they were his own siblings. "Took a bit longer than I thought, but I managed to pay attention." Bon laughed when Malcolm pushed himself out of his grip. "Almost had front row!"

"What are ya' thinkin'?" he asked. "Did you forget your brain on the nightstand this mornin' or did your woman last night trade ya' for her knackers?"

"Come on, Mal-"

"Fuckin' startin' in three minutes, Angus nowhere in the building..." Phil came up behind Malcolm giving Bon a mischievous grin, amused by Malcolm's annoyance. "George is no help, I had Stevie keep watch for you-"

"And a lovely job he did, right Phil?" Malcolm turned in surprise to see Phil, but his temper didn't falter. 

"An' you, were you drivin'?"

"As quick as I could go," he answered. Angus turned a little green at the memory. A few more people walked around the scene to get to their cars, one of which being George. He clapped a hand on Malcolm's shoulder. 

"I'm gonna get goin', eh, Mal?" He reached Angus before Malcolm could take his anger out on him next. "Ang! Come get your congrats before Mal skins us both." Angus gave George a hug, watching Malcolm light into Phil over his shoulder. When they separated George pointed at him. "Mal's right, ya' know. Takin' a car to the fuckin' moon on your weddin' day is a bad idea."

"Bon didn't give me a choice," Angus insisted. "You should have seen 'em, George, all three of 'em grabbed me an' shoved me in the car."

"You didn't ask for help?"

"Someone had a hand on my mouth!" George shook his head, apparently laughing at the face Bon made behind Angus. Hannah stood aside to let George leave but he took her in for a hug instead. 

"Welcome to the family then, Hannah. Took him long enough, eh?" Hannah gave Angus a cheeky grin when he sighed. 

"Part of it was my fault," Hannah admitted. "And it's better than a one second romance, right?"

"If ya' say so. Take care of him will ya'? He needs a bit of a kick in the pants every now an' then an' I got to get back home after all this, so while Mal an' I aren't there to get his gears checked-" George pushed Angus back with one hand as Angus' temper was rising with every word that came out of his mouth. Continuing his thought as if Angus wasn't there, George went on, "-maybe you could be the one to do it?" Hannah saluted him.

"I shall strive to be worthy of my post," she said. George grinned and made his way down the church steps, but not before messing up Angus' hair. Angus raised a hand to punch him but Bon picked the little man up by the shoulders and stood him a few feet away from some close proximity guests. 

"Quit makin' a scene of yourself, you look ridiculous," he said finishing off the last of his drink. 

"I'm not the one humiliating myself, George an' Mal are the loud asses-"

"Who's tryin' to humiliate you?" Bon asked. "Who's carin' about a few teases here an' there, certainly not any of us, we already know you're the baby. Your family? They're your family for Chrissakes, Angus. Hannah?" Angus turned to where Bon's finger pointed and saw she had been taken aside by a few distant family members to talk. "You think she's laughin' at you? If yeah then wait til' tonight."

"Bug off, Bon," Angus said, his whole demeanor much calmer than it had been. "A step at a time if you please."

"Angus!" Guests were stepping back and forth getting out of the way of the determined woman breaking out of the church. Bon also saw this new woman and raised his eyebrows at the shorter man. 

"Susan?" Susan caught up with him, the biggest smile on her face he'd seen since...he couldn't remember a time she'd looked so happy. He couldn't remember a time when she'd been so tall either...and so-so-

"It's so good to see you!" she cried pulling him in for a hug. Angus was knocked back by the hug, but the surprise didn't keep him from reciprocating it. 

"It's good to see you too," he admitted. Bon stepped around the two to stand behind Susan and give Angus a grin. After a full minute, Susan pulled away first and looked him over. 

"You haven't changed a bit," she beamed. Angus returned the inspection. 

"I'd say the same but-" His words choked themselves while Susan laughed at his hesitance to point out the obvious. 

"It's okay, Angus, I know more than anyone that I'm pregnant," she said taking his hands in hers and swinging them lightly. "I've guessed the same the first three times, I can't be wrong a fourth."

Angus' eyes widened. "Four?I mean-that's great! I just-didn't expect-" He swallowed. "To see you here, ya' know."

"I didn't expect to be invited, let alone the maid of honor." She laughed for a moment at the circumstance, Angus smiling politely. "Of course, it's no surprise you're the groom."

"'Bout time, eh?" Angus looked over his shoulder to see if his wife hadn't been kidnapped as well. Only by Margaret and his mother, and she didn't look too upset about it. Susan fiddled with her thumbs to pass the awkward seconds and Angus pinched himself for being so rude. "So, are-are you married now?"

"He's a doctor," Susan smiled. "Victor Krauss by name, you-probably won't have heard of him."

"He a gynecologist?" Angus laughed to himself. "Might have seen him. In the streets ya' know."

"Cardiologist actually," Susan said. "He took some time off work to sit the kids." 

"You say you have-four of 'em?" Susan nodded and Angus rocked on his feet. "That's-that's impressive."

"Thank you. Are you planning on...?"

"Uh, well-" Angus could have sworn he turned redder than the woman's dress."We haven't-we haven't really decided on-that yet..." Angus grabbed his tie and loosened it a little. "I mean-we already have a rabbit an' Hannah-she likes rabbits ya' know. An' she's got this thing goin' on, an' we haven't exactly-"

"Oh, I see," Susan stopped him. "Just a...wait and see kind of thing, am I right?" Angus tilted his head back and forth.

"Yeah, somethin' like that."

Susan looked up from her shoes into Angus' eyes. It'd been so long since she'd seen them. And Angus was sure he'd never see Susan again ever since he quit school. Ever since he ran away to Hannah's house to tell her how he felt...He shook his head to rid himself of that memory, instead thinking about today. The party that afternoon and the long night of sleep he was really looking forward to. A kiss on the cheek brought him back down to Earth to see a smiling Susan. "It's been great to see you again, Ang," she said looking down at him. "I didn't expect to see you again much, let alone invited to your wedding."

"It's the same here, I thought-" He shook his head. "Nothin'. Nothin'. Uh, Hannah invite you? I saw you up in front."

"Yeah, I got here pretty late."

"You wanna talk late?" They shared a laugh and Susan continued.

"I hope it's okay that I came, I-truth be told I wanted to see Hannah again. We weren't exactly enemies you know." Angus waited for her to finish her thought. "And-of course I wanted to see you again." Angus grinned. 

"I'm glad you came, ya' know, any guest of Hannah's is a guest of mine. You comin' to the reception?"

"If you'll have me." 

"Sure! If Hannah's asked you to come I'm sure she doesn't want you left out...hmm...guess Mum doesn't mind if she misses it though..." Angus turned around to see Hannah nowhere in sight. The throng of people had thinned out and the parked cars were becoming fewer and fewer. Bon had disappeared from behind Susan and Malcolm might as well have killed Cliff and Phil as the three were also gone. Stevie was getting a hug from another distant relative, the sun hitting the lipstick on his forehead just right. "I'll see you there, yeah? For dancin' you know, I'm sure Mal wouldn't mind a few steps with you."

"Goodbye, Angus," she laughed. Angus politely kissed her hand then continued his way down the steps. He rounded the corner of the church when an arm wrapped around his shoulders.

"Angie, lad, you never told me about her," Bon grinned looking back at Susan. "A lovely blonde like that? What happened?"

"Easy, Bon. I fell in love with someone else, that's all there is to it."

"You mean to tell me you never fell in love with her?" The two squeezed through a small gathering still keeping an eye out for Hannah. "A crush, somethin'?"

"A crush, an' that was it. After pullin' my head outta my ass I realized I was-" Angus laughed. "In love with my best friend, can you believe that? Biggest movie moment of my life, ya' know?"

Bon smiled. "I believe ya', I believe ya'. Where is the little lady anyway?"

"That's what I'm tryin' to figure out." A faint, smooth laughter erupted a few meters away getting their attention. Shouts of protest came from the same direction, where Hannah was a good five feet off the ground, praying Phil's arms wouldn't give out. Malcolm stood to the side, the knot in his boxers seemingly a bit looser as he smiled for the first time in hours. Cliff found himself a drink while he watched Phil lift Hannah as high as he could before lowering her, then lifting her again. Bon ditched Angus to run up to the group, his arms out like it was a big game. Catching on, Phil swung Hannah in his direction, holding on just enough to scare her. With Malcolm next to him, he made sure not to drop her. 

"C'mon, Phil, toss her! Toss her!"

"Do not toss her!" Hannah yelled back. Before Phil could try, however, Angus ran up and took her. 

"I've gotcha, I've gotcha." Phil practically dropped her in his arms, Angus then lifting her over his shoulder, restraining her kicking feet. He laughed as her fists lightly pounded his back. "Hey, thanks for the massage."

"We all takin' the same car?" Malcolm asked. The group walked towards the parking lot, waving to the remaining guests who finally decided to get the day going. A bit of traffic filled up the lot, slowly diminishing car by car. Bon kicked a rock on the grass in his direction and the two started a soccer game. 

"Nah, I'll take the bike. Ang, you can ride with me again if ya' want."

"I'm not steppin' anywhere near that thing," Angus said, adjusting Hannah. "I think I'll take the car this time, have a nice slow trip with this lovely lady here."

"You didn't ask her about it," Bon said. "You wanna ride in the boring car, Hannah? Or would you rather ride with me?"

"No thank you, Ronald," Hannah said, crossing her arms. "I don't mind riding in the car but I hope the view is nicer than the one I've got now."

"Oi, knock that off," Angus said tickling her side. "I've said it before, my arse is better than my face, you're lucky down there."

"I wanna ride in the side car," Phil said raising his hand. 

"With me?" Bon asked. When Phil nodded Bon kicked the rock in Malcolm's direction and took off. "Race ya' there!" 

With those two running for their lives, or for the last beer at the hotel, Cliff walked up beside Angus and took a drink. "I'll ride with you three, don't want to share a bike an' the side car barely fits one as it is."

"Alright, Cliff, you can ride with us. I'll drive, that alright?" Malcolm asked. No one objected. 

Upon reaching the car Cliff frowned when he saw a small white smear on his window. "Shit, why?" he asked. "Rudd parks in the one spot left, tons of other cars around an' this is the one that gets shit on it?" Malcolm opened the driver's door and let himself in. 

"You rent this thing?"

"And the bike," Cliff answered sitting down. "We'll have to take that back later, if those two don't trash it beforehand."

Angus finally set Hannah down and opened the door for her. When all four were comfortable inside, Malcolm set about looking around the controls. "Ain't this jus' a dinosaur," Malcolm said. 

"It's not that old, I drove a car like this when I was younger, it was much older than this," Cliff defended. With a shrug Malcolm put the car in gear and backed out. "You can try the radio if ya' want."

"Nah, it'll jus' distract me. Ang? Where is this joint?" Angus let his seat belt go and sat on the edge of the cushion. 

"It's down three blocks on East," he answered. 

"This place big?" Cliff asked.

"Big enough. The family rented it, Dad nearly spent a whole couple thousand on it, 'member?"

"Yes, I remember," Angus sighed settling back down in his seat. "Told me about it nearly a thousand times before the wedding." Letting Malcolm get out of the lot before navigating, he turned to his friend seated next to him. "And you," he said taking her hand. "How're you feelin'?"

"Much better," she answered leaning into him. "Good to be right side up again."

"You know what I meant," he said tickling her side again. "You glad it's all over?"

"The ceremony, yes. The whole wedding?  Well I wouldn't mind eating a bit of cake in a little while."

"I'm glad it's over," he said closing his eyes. "Fuckin' nearly threw up. 'Course, I wouldn't aim for you, sweetheart." She took her turn to tickle the back of his neck. "Don't regret a second of it. You alright up there, Mal?" 

"Doin' fine, doin' jus'..." Malcolm narrowed his eyes and lightly pressed his foot to the gas pedal. "Christ, there they are."

"Hmm?" Malcolm pointed out the front window where Cliff saw them next. He smiled and shook his head, taking a nice long drink to finish the bottle off. Waving his hand, and attempting to stand up, Phil grabbed a can he found in the bottom of the side car and placed it on his head. Bon revved the motor and sped up, slightly swerving as best as he could with an attachment to show off. 

"I think Bon's got his helmet on backwards."

"Maybe it's his head," Angus suggested.

More rice flew in every direction as soon as the doors opened. Tables were saved by various hats and purses while a multitude of cheering stood by the entrance. Malcolm walked through it first, driving a path through it for the second time that day, only with a lot less swearing. Angus led Hannah through next with Cliff behind, all four looking out for Bon and Phil. 

"Mal, oi!" George and Harry pulled Malcolm out of the throng, Harry then escorting the other three out as well. "There you are, 'fraid you lost the place."

"Twice," Angus said. Resisting the urge to punch his brother on his big day, Malcolm instead grabbed his unoccupied hand and squeezed rather hard.

"I just missed a few turns is all. We're here now, an' that's that." Angus pulled his hand away and gave him a rotten look. "Where's Mum an' Dad?"

"Table in the front there, we saved it for them. C'mon, you can sit with 'em." George and Harry led Angus and Hannah in the direction of the spoken table but Malcolm pulled them back. 

"Wait, wait, where're you two sittin'?" George pointed in a different direction. 

"With the rest of the band, see? Groom gets to sit with his mum," he said grinning at Angus. "Here we go, love." He took Hannah by the hand and led her to the table with two adults chatting happily to themselves, smiling when they saw their new company. "Found 'em, Mum."

"Thank you, George. Hannah! Come here, let me see you!" Despite being in the dressing room for a good portion of their morning, Mrs. Young stood up from the table and placed her hands on Hannah's shoulders looking her over. She had removed the veil leaving it in the backseat of the car, her bouquet sitting next to it. Hannah fluffed the dress out a little, returning it to its shape after sitting in a small car. "You look lovely, dear, doesn't she look lovely, Angus?"

"T's what I told her," he said grinning at them both. "Yes, yes she's very lovely."

"You could have been too, if ya' wore a dress," George said messing up Angus' already messy hair. "Mal an' I offered..."

"Go play patty cake with Stevie an' friends, if Stevie even made it, we've got a reception to host." Angus ushered his brother and Harry away from the table and pulled out a chair for Hannah. Malcolm pulled an empty chair from another table over to sit next to Angus.

"Ang," he whispered.

"Hmm?"

"How long we got this place for? How long are we stayin"?"

"Eager to leave, are you?" Angus asked checking his watch. "We got until eight, then we're goin' to the motel."

"How're you gettin' there? Oh, hello," he said as someone sat at the table he took the chair from. "Someone drivin' you?"

"Is the band all goin' home?" Angus asked. 

"Two aren't even here, an' they rented your car," Malcolm said. "Expectin' one of us to drop you off?"

"Wouldn't kill ya'." Angus absentmindedly placed his hand atop Hannah's, brushing her fingers with his thumb. "No other cars here."

"Ya' got a whole family o' cars here, anyone would be happy to take ya'." Malcolm sighed at the unusually long lashes Angus batted at him. Patting him on the cheek and taking a sip of Angus' water, Malcolm stood up. "Alright, either Bon or I will take ya', if Bon doesn't come back, or if he comes back pissed-or fast flyin' Phil can take ya'."

Angus paled at the thought. "You can take me."

"Of course, if I don't get pissed myself. Cliff was drinkin' this afternoon, you might not want him. Well, I'm off. Have fun openin' gifts, Ang."

Malcolm left the table, greeting a few more relatives , and ended up talking to his sister. The whole place was abuzz with action, talking, and laughing. The cake had been moved from the church to stand on a table in the back, with the presents surrounding it. A live band had been considered for the event, but with most of the money being spent on a venue, the idea was dropped. Instead a record player standing by a pile of speakers was enough to keep the guests entertained. George offered to play with his band but Angus wouldn't hear it. He couldn't have his brother work on his day off, not to mention they didn't have a lead singer with them. Angus couldn't help but notice Stevie's absence. It didn't surprise him. Besides, he liked the setup. It reminded him of that school dance, so many years ago...

The front doors flew open, with Bon and Phil stumbling in. Bon's hair was crazier than normal with the helmet under his arm, and a bottle in the other hand. He grinned upon seeing the bassist run up to meet them. "Oh, Cliff," he hiccuped. "Hold this, would ya'?"

The helmet was dropped in Cliff's arms, who set it on a spare table. "Where did you two go?" he asked helping the two find a place to sit. Phil, apart from feeling high on adventure, was capable of standing on his own. 

"Cliff, there's a whole boulevard loaded with women down the road," Bon said grinning into his bottle. He liked the sound his breath made when he spoke into it, so he continued a few more times. Cliff reached to take it before Bon pulled it away. "Ones that love motorcycles, ya' know. Hey. That's mine," he said. 

"Just drove by them," Phil said. "There were two at the most."

"Millions," Bon told Cliff. As Cliff lugged Bon while Phil followed, a couple guests picked up the presents from the back table and piled them where Angus, his parents, and Hannah sat. The ones who brought them seemed to be the ones who bought them as well, each looking rather excited to give them away. Mrs. Young organized them from biggest to smallest in a tower, Mr. Young moving some spare silverware. 

A mountain of silver ribbon and paper stood before them, waiting to fall if they didn't start opening them. Angus gave Hannah a few to open and took a little square box for himself. Under the white paper was a delicately carved box, a floral design running the length of the sides. There was nothing inside but a velvet lining. 

"That's a jewelry box, Angus," Mrs. Young said behind them. "Your great aunt left it behind in her will an'...I guess someone must have left it to you two."

"Oh that's-" He frowned upon further inspection, turning the box upside down letting a dead fly drop out of it. "That's thoughtful."

The next present was a new toaster. Angus, according to Malcolm, was whining about not having one so his distant cousin bought one for him. Accepting it with a cheeky smile, Angus turned around to check what Hannah had opened. Her face was red when the lid was removed, quickly placing it back. 

"What did you get?" he asked trying to sneak a peek. 

"Nothing," she said. The box was placed by her chair and kicked under the table, a few female spectators giggling in response. Mrs. Young gave Angus' shoulder a squeeze and just smiled. Mr. Young looked away for one second, missing the moment, and kept trying to ask his wife what it was that caused so much excitement. Mrs. Young only waved him off. 

After opening oven mitts, a knitted blanket, a set of pots and pans, and a cutlery set, all of their presents had been moved aside to make room for the cake. Before anyone could think about cutting it, another guest came running through the crowd, a million apologies leaving his lips as he reached the main table. Angus noticed him right away when a large box hit the table with a bang. "I'm not too late, am I?" he asked. 

"That depends, you here for presents or cake?" The man gave Angus a look in return to his smile.

"What does it look like, Angus?" he asked gesturing to the box. It was sloppily wrapped, a few corners of the paper sticking up. Tape was generously used, giving the box a glistening look. Angus gave his uncle a sideways look before pulling the paper apart as best as he could. A few minutes taken, he finally tossed the paper to the side to see a cassette player. Not quite remembering when he asked for one of them, he looked to his uncle. "Used to be mine. You see, I too was once in a band. You...may not have heard of us."

"I see."

"Anyway, we always recorded songs an' turned them into little cassette tapes. I've got some here." A bag was placed next to the player, filled to the brim with little tapes marked in chalk. Angus looked at some of the titles of the songs and realized why his uncle's band never made it past his garage. "There's quite a few in there, I was thinkin' maybe your band might give them a listen to." He laughed to himself. "Maybe you could use some of our songs, you might play 'em better than we did."

"Your band no good?" His uncle stopped smiling.

"Our drummer couldn't play drums," he said. Suddenly his eyes lit up as if he just remembered something. "Oh! An' uh, don't want to forget this one." Out of his leather jacket pocket he pulled a small black tape, with another chalked on label saying "PRESS". Angus took it. "That," his uncle pointed. "was our first interview."

"You got an interview?" Angus asked, seemingly impressed. 

"Well-Larry, our drummer...he uh...kind of had an old video camera lyin' around an' wanted to use it so...we sort of staged an interview down in his basement." Thanking his uncle and promising to listen to each tape at least once, he placed the tape labeled press in his back pocket. A knife was placed on the table next to the cake, Angus' parents stepping back to give them room. Another distant cousin brought a camera, making sure to get every angle he could and as many photos as he could to hand out to the family. Hannah grabbed the knife, Angus wrapping his own hand around hers. Making sure enough pictures were taken of the cake, they brought the knife down, coating it in frosting. Two pieces were cut from the whole, each gently given to the bride and groom. Both of them had the same idea, and soon enough frosting covered the knife, and their faces. The photographer was back for more pictures. 

George grinned at the scene. Finally his little brother had made the commitment of a life long relationship. Malcolm had done the same just months prior, with a wedding just as big as this one. He watched as some relative of his tinkered with the speakers up front. Suggesting that his band play for them wasn't as good of an idea as he thought, both Angus and Malcolm shutting him down. "Your lead singer's on more than hash an' we don't want you stressin' over anythin'. I've already got one brother on life support as it is."

The record stopped skipping and the sound grew louder than before, and the machine was left alone again. Harry sat across from him talking to Gordon, or 'Snowy' as they all called him. He hadn't paid attention to their conversation, only noticed their voices dying down and a hand clap his shoulder. "What?" he asked Harry. Harry didn't answer. He didn't need to. George followed their eyes to the doors where a little man stood, brown hair slightly covering his eyes. He wasn't dressed up for any wedding that was for sure. His shoe laces were tucked in his shoes and his shirt was half tucked, his outfit obviously planned last minute. Harry and George shared a look, Snowy standing up. "I'll go see what he wants."

"No, I'll talk to him," George said standing up as well. "I talked to him last before he left, I might as well welcome him back, right?"

"You think he's sober enough to talk to?" George pushed his chair in.

"C'mon, Snow-"

"What's he doin' here, he wasn't invited, was he?"

"Whether he was or not is Mal an' Ang's business, an' he has every right to be here as we do." Snowy didn't seem to think so but there was no changing George's mind. "I'll talk to him."

"Go ahead," he said sitting back down. "But I don't like it."

George made his way through the standing crowds and filled tables to get to the doors. The man stood there with his hands in his pockets looking absolutely lost. As if he walked in on accident. A sort of smile came upon his face when he saw George, however. "George," he said, taking a step towards his old friend. "George, I've been meanin' to talk to you-"

"Oi, one minute." The man lost his smile when George raised his hand to stop him. "When did you decide to come here?" he asked. The man looked surprised at his first question. He was unable to speak for a few seconds. 

"I uh-I didn't mean to crash or anythin', I..."

"You don't look like you planned on comin'," George said. The man looked at his sneakers and shook his head.

"No, no I didn't."

"What made you change your mind?" The man shrugged, looking anywhere except George. George waited patiently for an answer. 

"You uh, guys really went all out for this, huh?" The man looked around the building, admiring the decorations and guests. He knew the Youngs had a big family, but to see the numbers in front of him always surprised him. "Ang an' Mal...they don't know I'm here...do they?"

"Can't say we were expectin' ya'," George said. The man nodded.

"I've really fucked up."

"Stevie-"

"No, I did. I did." Stevie ran a hand through his hair, looking a little flushed. George saw he dressed a little warmly for the summer weather. "Can't even get the guys to look me in the eye."

"Snowy was about to," George said. 

"What stopped him?"

"Me. Somethin' tells me he wasn't gonna see ya' to talk. Look, they're over at that table if you want to see 'em, maybe Harry would wanna catch up-"

"I can't, I really can't." Stevie was now moving around quite a bit, not unlike Angus had been that morning. Nervous and scared. "I didn't tell them I was leavin'..."

"Steve, mate, you wanna sit down or somethin'?" George asked grabbing at the man's sleeve. Stevie pulled away, harsher than he meant. 

"They'll look for me. I'll come back an' get hell in my face."

"How long has it been?" Stevie looked to George puzzled by the question. "Since...your last-fix?"

"Too long to remember," Stevie sighed. "I'm clean, if you want to know." George nodded, turning around to see Snowy staring right at the both of them. His face didn't look too inviting, and George made the note of keeping Stevie by the door where he knew he was safe. Harry kept his eyes on his champagne, now being served around. When George turned around Stevie was already halfway out the door.

"Wait! Steve, hold on, mate." Stevie stopped, letting a light breeze in through the open door. George squinted from the sun, suddenly realizing how dark the room was. "Stay a minute. Can't ya'?"

"They'll come lookin' for me, George. They'll...they'll call. They'll call, an' someone ought to know you, they'll check your house..."

"Then why did you come here?" Stevie knew George wasn't daft enough to miss his avoidance to the question. "If it's so much a hassle, why leave?"

"Jus'...thought I'd see an old friend." Harry and Snowy were both watching them now, more curious than hostile. Stevie shifted his hands in his pockets. "If of course, we still are."

Between the good and the bad times the Easybeats had, George wouldn't have traded a single day he spent with the band for any other life. The experience with music and fame was too good to give up, despite the trench they fell into a few years ago. George couldn't speak for the rest of the band...but maybe, if he talked to them, sat down with them...

Stevie almost gasped when George grabbed him in for a hug instead of giving an answer. But perhaps, this was all the answer he needed. 

The music, now filling up the entire room, played through the speakers as the two danced around the floor. Hannah had never quite gotten the hang of it, but Angus insisted he never really had a knack either. Both were cleaned from cake and wrapping paper, arms around each other with a love in their eyes no one could replicate. They danced in a slower fashion than the song's tempo, but that gave them the chance to talk. "You're still better than I ever was."

"You never tripped over my feet," Hannah said nuzzling into his shoulder. Angus rested one hand on the back of her neck, feeling the necklace she wore. That locket never left her sight ever since the day he gave it to her. Surely his mother had seen it by now, prouder than ever. Now that he thought about it, he was sure she wouldn't have remembered Sherrie, or even met her for that matter. Not that Sherrie wanted a locket as old as that one in the first place. 

He thought it suited Hannah's neck well anyway.

His lips brushed against her hair, smelling a perfume he quite admired now. Not too strong, just enough to notice if one was close enough. Angus felt he could never get close enough. 

He listened to the song play around them, the quality much better than the cheap microphones they used at their school. He'd heard the song a while back on some record a friend had lent him. Hannah happened to be there and loved this particular song. Upon Angus' wish to surprise her he asked for this one to be played. 

Her smile was priceless.

A large space of the building had been given up to make room for the couple's first dance, but only a small sliver, if one could call it that, was used. The two waltzed in a circle the entire time, completely forgetting there was a whole group of people watching them. To them, it was an empty gymnasium. 

That empty gymnasium. 

"Uh oh," Angus said.

"What?" Hannah looked up from his shoulder to see him stamping his foot.

"Got an itch." He shook his foot around hoping to somehow shake the itch away but it hardly worked. It made Hannah laugh though. "Oh hush," he said hugging her again.

"I'm tired," Hannah yawned. Angus held one back himself.

"I can tell. You're trippin' every step now." With a huff Hannah nuzzled into him, closing her eyes, accidentally stepping on his foot. Again. "Hey, stand on my feet," he whispered.

"Hmm?"

"We did it once."

"Yeah but I was shorter than you then, it didn't look as funny."

"You think I give a rat's ass if we look a little funny?" Angus asked with a look. "These are Youngs you're surrounded by, none of them give rat's asses what we look like up here." He could see Hannah's hesitance. "C'mon, up you get." Hannah finally gave in, stepping carefully onto the tops of his shoes, now another inch taller. It took a little effort to keep her balance, and to lean into him made him stumble out of time to the music. But in the end, the two were comfortable. And nobody's feet got hurt anymore. "Not a bad idea, yeah?"

"Oh hush," Hannah said closing her eyes again.

A light screeching sound came from the side of the room a few minutes later. "Hello, hello, hello," an amplified voice said, giggling as it spoke. "Hey, can everyone hear me? Hello out there!" Hannah looked up as Angus turned around, their eyes adjusting to the light shining on the figure up front. "Angus! 'Ello!" 

Angus waved back at the man, holding back a laugh. Hannah stepped off of Angus' feet, smiling as well. Bon stumbled around the stage holding a microphone in his hand. A mutual friend of both Bon and Malcolm was at the base, fixing the microphone's wire. He shouted something only Bon who was close enough could understand. 

"Thanks, mate." He laughed again. "It's uh-it's been a real pleasure comin' to this weddin' tonight," he said, tripping once as he spoke. The amplifier used for the record player now connected the microphone, every corner of the room turning to look at him. "Of course it's always a pleasure comin', no matter where...if you know what I mean."

He had half the room near tears while the other half fanned themselves of their blushes, looking around for similar reactions from friends. George and his band were some of those near tears, while his parents were red as tomatoes. Stevie would have laughed had he stayed. "You tell 'em, Bon!" George yelled. 

"That's a good friend down there, the groom's brother. An' there's the man himself, give another wave, Ang!" Angus hid his face in his hand this time, laughing to himself. "An' there's the little lady! It's a special day for her alright, ya' know?" Bon hiccuped into his hand. "Pardon me, had to make a pit stop on the way here, ya' know? Uh, anyway, I'd like to take a minute here to thank Phil for drivin' us back, Mal for givin' us an incredible firework of 'fuck yous' outside an' all that, an' for invitin' us, yeah. Cliff? How're you goin' over there, eh? Mal? Phil? Did I mention you already? Uh-" Bon looked around the room, jumping over the cord and swinging it around to move to the other side. "Oi, can we move the light to shine right on these two here? Right over there." Angus and Hannah squinted when the beam hit them. "There we go, right there, eh?"

"What are ya' doin'?" Angus shouted, hands cupped around his mouth, more curious than upset. Bon hadn't heard the sentence properly, and therefore only the last syllable reached his ears.

"Sing? I'm gettin' to that part, Ang." Angus sighed. "Did I say hello to you yet?" he asked with a slight frown. "'Ello, Ang!
"Alright then, this one...is gonna take a few musicians who know what they're doin' to play, so...if I could get a few volunteers, yes? Thank you, George." Malcolm tried to stop him, remembering what he told him earlier, but then thought better of it. It was after all, George's decision. "Mal? You joinin'?" Malcolm stepped back but knew it was his guitar they brought for rhythm, and if anyone was going to be playing it tonight, it was going to be him. "Thank you, Mal, anyone else? Any drummers? Oi Phil, you play drums, right?"

George grabbed the bass, Harry followed after him to play the lead. Cliff stayed behind, watching Phil take up a small travel sized drum set with only two symbols. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get the song, as well as Bon, started. 

In the beginning, back in nineteen fifty five...
Man didn't know 'bout a rock an' roll show, an' all that jive...

"Don't be shy!" Bon yelled. The floor was filled in minutes. Angus pulled Hannah closer, the crowds of family and friends flowing this way and that, threatening to separate them. Some tired few stayed behind at the tables watching. Bon attempted to jump off the stage with the hopes of a good amount of Youngs below to catch him but George held him back, knowing his mother was right on target. 

As loud as the song was, as bright as the room had gotten during the chorus, and as stuffy as the summer heat and dance floor became, the newly weds didn't mind. They had each other, and that was enough. 

And one hell of a group of friends.

It was dark outside, the only lights coming from the windows above them. The distant sound of a car driving away was the only company they had outside, save for some aerial transportation. Two feet walked down the little sidewalk, a light sheen of water covering it. They walked slower upon reaching a set of stairs, then picked up the pace in the hallway. The door was unlocked, having stayed that way the whole day waiting for occupation. Angus pushed it open, carried Hannah into the room, and closed it after them. 

Saying the room was small was an understatement. A bed took up most of the space, with one other door offering a bathroom behind it. There was no television set, only a small cassette player on the wall with a potted plant on a nearby shelf. Next to the bed was a nightstand with a lamp, dimly lit. A certain smell lingered, Angus noticing a used cigarette sitting on an ashtray still burning. He gently placed Hannah on the bed, sitting on the edge looking over her. Her hazel eyes stared right back at him, closing when he closed the distance between them. Their noses lightly brushed against each other, fingers combing through hair. A good minute or two passed before they pulled apart.

"I needed that," Angus mumbled. "A lot."

"It's only been a few hours," Hannah reasoned.

"Yeah, but my mum was watchin'," Angus said playing with the locket around her neck. "An' Mal an' George, an' the Prime Minister an' everyone."

"You're exaggerating."

"Hardly." His fingers dropped the necklace and instead wandered their way back to her hair. She had gotten it cut earlier that month, no longer hanging in front of her eyes when she sat down to write or read. No longer getting a mouthful when she ate dinner and no longer leaving so much behind in the shower. Angus had to admit, it looked cute. She often stated that her ears were a lot colder. Angus would remedy it with a small kiss to warm them up and she'd be too speechless to answer, hiding behind her sweater sleeves. His lips found one of her ears and kissed the top of it, making their way down her jaw up to her cheek, smiling when she laughed. "Somethin' funny to you?"

"It tickles," she admitted.

"Hmm..." His hand reached around her neck and tickled the back of it. She squirmed underneath him laughing even louder. 

"Stop that!"

He didn't. 

"If I stop, then you stop laughin', an' I kinda like hearin' you laugh."

"If-if I don't-stop-laughing, then I can't-breathe!" Angus thought this over.

"Well it'd be a shame if you stopped breathin'. Alright, alright. Free to go." He moved his hands away from her waiting for her to catch her breath. 

"Thank you," she said. Angus removed his jacket and tossed it on a solitary chair, leaning in again before Hannah could sit up.

"Ah ah ah, I didn't say I was done with you yet," he said with a grin. Catching her lips with his, he spent another minute with her. Finally pulling away leaving them both breathless, he smiled. "I love you, ya' know."

"You don't say," Hannah said.

"Hey, don't get cheeky with me, that's what gets you tickled in the first place." She moved over on the bed giving Angus room to lie down next to her. He held her close to him, resting his head on hers. That perfume made another appearance as he kissed her hair.

"I love you too," she mumbled into his neck. Angus laughed when her breath tickled his skin, getting back at him. 

"You still tired?" he asked. "From dinner an' dancin'?"

"Even more so," she replied. "You?" He tilted his head back and forth.

"A bit." The two lay there in silence for a while, savoring the other's company. A few car horns went off outside, wheels of suitcases rolling by in the hallway. Angus shifted in his spot. 

"Can't sleep?" Hannah asked.

"Haven't tried too hard," Angus admitted. "But I can't say I'm driftin' off either." He shifted again. "That present you opened earlier...what was in it?" Hannah sat up.

"Which one?"

"The one you wouldn't show me?" The corner of his mouth turned upward as Hannah still refused to answer, her cheeks turning awfully warm. "Was it...It was, wasn't it?"

"Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't, the point is it's gone now, I gave it to someone else." Angus huffed.

"Spoil sport."

"Well? You can wear it then if you're so interested." The two were quiet again. Angus tapped his fingers on Hannah's shoulder. The marks up and down her arms were still there. Not as noticeable, but there. Serving as permanent reminders of him. "I can't sleep either."

Angus stirred, turning onto his side so he could look at Hannah. She lay her head on the pillow, staring with half lidded eyes into his own, too tired to sleep. Angus cupped her chin, running a thumb over her cheek. "Maybe we ought to...I mean, I don't know if you want to but, if neither of us can sleep...it might help."

"What do you mean?" His eyes darted over to the wall and back to her own. Hannah turned her head to see, and nodded. "Oh, uh, yeah. I guess it-it would help."They sat up on the bed, straightening themselves out. "Do you-do you still have it?"

"I believe so..." He felt around his back pocket. "Yeah, I've still got it."

"It's not broken, is it?" Hannah teased. 

"No, I jus' got it today, it's fine."

"You've been sitting on it a while..."

"An' it's uncomfortable, I'll be glad to put it to use." He grabbed his tie and pulled it, loosening the knot before taking it off. Hannah stood from the bed. "Where're you goin'?"

"Getting a bit more comfortable is all, this dress is getting a little scratchy." Setting his tie on the chair with his jacket he caught up with her and turned her around.

"Let me help." He took the zipper being as careful as he could, and pulled it down a ways. "There, can you reach that?" Hannah's arm twisted behind her and easily found the zipper.

"That's fine. Thank you."

"Nothin' to it." The bathroom door closed and Angus sat back down on the bed, crossing one leg over the other and untying his laces. Two shoes fell to the carpet in a hasty way, kicked to stand next to the chair. His feet were sore. The bathroom door opened again, Hannah stepping out in a black nightgown she wore under her dress, the dress itself folded over her arm. Angus grinned. "Don't you look a picture," he said fiddling with his shirt cuffs. "You can put it on the chair, it's where all my stuff is."

Before Hannah set her dress down she took note of the pile of laundry. "How many clothes are you taking off?" she asked.

"As much as I've got," he said, giving her a smug grin. He laughed when she swatted the dress at him before setting it down. "What, you can't expect me to wear pants an' all when all you've got is a...that negligee."

"It's a nightgown, Angus," Hannah laughed. Angus shrugged, undoing the first few buttons of his shirt, then taking the time to remove his pants. 

"Believe it or not I'm not too familiar with women's underwear," he said, setting his pants on the bed. "Well, not all those fancy names anyway." His hand felt around in the back pocket, grabbing the nuisance he was glad to be rid of sitting on. "Here, I can put it on."

As Hannah made herself comfortable under the covers, Angus took the cassette labelled press up to the player on the wall. Figuring out how it worked took two seconds and he turned the volume to a reasonable level. Only crackling static came out, before a few faint voices were heard.

"Has being in this band taught you any lessons, any useful skills?"

"Well, Joey over there taught me to open a can of beer with my teeth..."

A chorus of voices laughed. Angus slipped under the covers as well, knocking his pants aside, and pulling Hannah over to hold her again. She wrapped her arms around his waist and furthered her habit of nuzzling into him. Making sure she was warm and snug, he kissed her forehead. "Maybe my uncle an' his mates can put us to sleep," he said. "Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight."