A Family Affair
Eric was pacing back and forth nervously.
“Chill out bro,” Justin said with a little laugh.
“I’m calm,” Eric said as he quickened his pace.
“Eric, your zipper is open.”
Eric stopped and looked down. “No it’s not. These damn pants don’t even have a zipper. I can’t believe they made me ware this stupid outfit.”
“It’s tradition,” Justin reminded Eric. The strange change in conversation had done what Justin wanted, to take Eric’s mind off of the ceremony just minutes away from starting. “You can’t change tradition.”
Eric sighed, “I know. But when I become Prince the first thing I want to do is outlaw button fly pants.”
Justin laughed while shaking his head. “Your first princely decree will be to outlaw button fly pants. I’m impressed.”
“Do you know how long it takes to unbutton these pants when I need to pee?” Eric said in his defense.
The music for the processional roared to life. “Oh shit!” Eric muttered.
Justin stepped up to his brother and straightened his tie, “It’s time, Bro.”
Eric pulled Justin into a tight hug, “Justin, thank you for being here with me. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“Bro, not so tight,” Justin pleaded. “The handle of your sword is poking me in the family jewels.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Eric said as he released his brother.
“That’s okay,” Justin responded in a high-pitched voice. Then Justin started to laugh at the shocked look on Eric’s face.
“Ass-hole,” Eric muttered as he gave Justin a punch in the arm.
“Dork,” Justin chuckled as he returned the action.
There was a knock at the door before it opened. A page announced that it was time.
Justin gave Eric a quick squeeze before he took his position in the procession. Justin took his place next to the Prime Minister, while holding the royal families bible.
Eric stepped out of the room to be greeted by his mother. They kissed briefly before Eric offered his mother his arm. Stepping into the main aisle of the cathedral, Eric looked down the long aisle to the high alter. His grandparents stood before the alter looking back at him with big smiles.
“It’s time, Son,” Lynn said softly.
“I know, Mama,” Eric said with a sigh. Taking one last look at Lynn, Eric raised her hand to his lips and gave it a soft kiss. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, Baby.”
With a slight nod from Eric they both stepped off. The first step in a new life; a life now filled with the love of his mother and brother.
The End.
Epilog:
That long walk down the center aisle of the Cathedral was not to be the last one for Eric. Just three years later Lynn was again on Eric’s arm as they entered the Cathedral for the wedding of Eric to Elizabeth. Justin was Eric’s best man and Jon was the ring bearer.
Two years later after Eric’s Grandfather abdicated the throne, Eric and his mother one again took that long walk down the aisle. This time it was Eric’s coronation.
Justin and Eric remained close. When Justin got some free time he would hop on a jet to visit his brother and sister-in-law and his nieces and nephews. When Justin finally decided to settle down it was Eric he asked to stand by his side as best man.
Years later the two of them would be sitting quietly reminiscing about the dreams they each had and the one dream they both shared. Both had wished for a brother to be a part of their lives. You never know what could happen when you wish for something hard enough. It happened to the Prince and the Pop Star.