Mike and Josh 4
Mike's alarm rang at five in the morning. Mike, accustomed to getting up earlier, moved to sit on the side of the bed, stretching and groaning. Josh mumbled something about Mike being crazy and turned to go back to sleep. Mike laid back down next to Josh and whispered in Josh's ear. "I'm not going running this morning, dear. I'm getting ready to go to LA."
Josh grunted and then sat up quickly. "Oh, yeah." Mike laughed as they both got up, pulled on their robes, quickly took care of things in the bathroom, and then returned to their room to dress. They were ready by five forty-five. Dad and Mom were waiting for them in the kitchen. The boys put their bags in the back of Dad's truck. They went back to the kitchen and had a cup of coffee with some Danishes. At six fifteen, Dad and the boys left for the airport, arriving just before seven. Dad dropped the boys off, hugging both and left. Mike and Josh followed the signs to their check in. Since they were the first to arrive for their flight check-in, they were able to keep both bags with them. They quickly passed through security and made their way to their gate. They stopped at a Starbucks on the way, getting each a venti. They also stopped at McDonalds and got breakfast.
They arrived at their gate at about 7:20 and settled in to wait. They finished their breakfasts and cleaned up. At about 8:45, their flight was called. Their seats were toward the front, so they had to wait about 10 minutes to board. They found their seats quickly and stowed their bags overhead and under the seats. They settled in. Mike grabbed Josh's hand and smiled. Mike then leaned to Josh and kissed him quickly. Josh was a little bashful about this. Mike smirked as he sat back in his seat. What a reversal. It wasn't too long ago that Mike was having trouble dealing with public displays of affection. Now he fully felt the meaning of Josh's phrasing about their relationship. Josh had said he didn't give a flying flock of fucking ferrets what others think.
Mike had been thinking about their impending marriage since he had ordered the jewelry. He was surprised when he received Josh's gift at the party last night. It made him want to make this legal as soon as possible. Josh leaned to Mike's shoulder and began to doze. Mike chuckled to himself. This was Josh's first time on an airplane. Josh hadn't been nervous. He was actually way too excited to let nervousness affect him. But Josh could sleep anywhere. Mike used the moment to do some research. He was able to get onto Wi-Fi with his phone. He looked for information about getting married the same day in California. He found a chapel near Anaheim that specialized in quicky marriages. He wasn't thrilled about the cost. He didn't want to surprise his dad with a bill on his credit card. Mike decided that secrecy wasn't really necessary. He messaged his parents.
'Hey, I'm thinking about things on our flight. Would you be put out if Josh and I got married while we're here? We can have a vows ceremony/reception later with family and friends. I just feel like I need to do this sooner than later. I have not yet discussed it with Josh. I wanted to get your input before proceeding.' He added a link to the chapel's website.
It took about fifteen minutes for a response. Mike was very anxious waiting.
Dad replied, 'Kind of sudden, but not unexpected. Your mother and I joked this morning that it would be funny if you came back married. I looked quickly at the website. Use the credit card. Try to keep it under $5000. Get lots of pictures. Mom is talking with Josh's parents right now and they seem to think that your plan is fine.'
Mom chimed in, 'They are a little disappointed that they can't be there but were encouraged by your plan for a ceremony at a later date. Do you guys need anything from us?'
'No, if they have streaming available, I will let you know.'
Both parents sent a thumbs up, Mom adding 'I love you' emoji.
Mike went right to the chapel's website. It linked him first to the County Registrar's office to fill out the online form. It gave the option to have it signed at the marriage venue. He paid the fee and went back to the chapel. He booked 7:00 pm. He chose the option to have the officiator, witnesses and photographer/videographer to be provided by the chapel. The photographer services offered streaming. Mike added that as well. Since they were going to have a bigger shindig back home, Mike decided that they would keep their outfits very casual. Besides, he could make it a surprise easier if he didn't dictate what Josh wore. His total amount was only around $2500. He looked up transportation options. He booked a cab from the hotel, then a limo to take them to dinner and then back to the hotel. He made reservations at a nice steakhouse between the chapel and the hotel. Mike messaged his dad the results and amount as well as the link to the upcoming stream.
Josh roused as Mike finished his plans. He asked where they were. Mike checked his travel app and found they were over southern Nevada, about an hour out of Anaheim airport. Josh reached into his bag on the floor and pulled out a few whips of licorice. He offered a couple to Mike and the enjoyed the snack together.
When they arrived at their gate at John Wayne Orange County Airport, they quickly grabbed their bags and headed off the plane, checked their map, and headed for the hotel shuttle stop just outside the main doors. They only had to wait about 10 minutes. The ride through Orange County was uneventful, but Josh was enthralled. His travels to school were the furthest he had been from home. They arrived at the hotel. They were both surprised at how close the hotel was to the front gate of Disneyland. They disembarked at the front of the hotel and checked in at the front desk. The went up to their room. Dad had booked a nice room with a view of the park from the balcony. The boys put their bags on one of the beds and moved to the couch. They called their respective parents to let them know they had arrived. They then cuddled together, kissing, and just relaxing.
Josh asked about dinner. Mike chuckled and asked if Josh was always thinking about food. Josh shook his head and grabbed Mike's crotch.
"No, I definitely think of this more than food, but I do need to eat," Josh said, kissing Mike quickly. They had missed lunch, but Mike didn't want to get too filled up. They checked the directory provided by the hotel and found a McDonalds within walking distance. They walked hand in hand out of the hotel and followed the directions to the restaurant. They ate casually and then headed back to the hotel. It was about four o'clock. Mike said they probably should get cleaned up for dinner. He then told Josh that Mike had made reservations at a nice steakhouse, and they should dress up just a little. Mike invited Josh to shower with him but told him they shouldn't take the time to play. Josh giggled but accepted the shower. They washed each other, stealing a little pleasure time for each other. They then dried, dressed, and preened each other a little bit.
They met their taxi at the front of the hotel. After an hour, the taxi pulled into a parking lot. Josh didn't notice where they were until after the taxi had left. Josh then noticed that they were standing outside a wedding chapel. He turned to Mike with a questioning look.
"What the hell is this?" Josh said.
Mike shrugged, grabbed Josh's hand, and pulled him to the chapel doors. Inside they were greeted by a smiling lady.
"Good evening, Mike and Josh. Welcome to the Orange Wedding Chapel. Please follow me."
She led them to a side hallway and then into an office. "Jason will be with you in a moment," the lady said and backed out.
"What the hell?" Josh said, maybe sounding a little more sternly then he had intended.
Mike just smiled and shrugged again. He was saved by a middle-aged man entering the office.
"Welcome, Mike and Josh. I am Jason, I will be your marriage officiator today. You met my wife, Julia. She will be one of the witnesses. We have set up the stream and have verified that all parties are present."
Josh looked at Mike again with surprise. "When did you set this up?" Josh asked.
"While you were asleep on the plane."
"Who are the parties that are present?"
"Our parents."
Jason looked surprised, "Oh, it looks like this is a surprise for one of you. As a matter of legal responsibility, I must ask if you are both participating of your own free will. I will ask again during the ceremony."
Both boys nodded.
"Very well," Jason continued. "We will move into the chapel in just a moment. I do have some things to iron out first. According to the reservation, you wanted a simple ceremony, no spoken vows and no ring exchange?"
Mike answered, "That's right. We will have a vows ceremony with our family and friends at a later date."
