The Baby Game: The Ringbearer

“What are you doing!?” Alex exclaimed, as shrill as any alarm clock. He pushed against Mark's bare chest, but the still half-asleep boy only chuckled and pulled him up to him.

“Good morning to you too.”

“There's a second bed. Get out!” Alex sputtered. “Get out!”

“Oh come on, Baby Lexie! Don't you remember?” Mark smiled as Alex's curiosity won out over his anger.

“Remember what?”

“You had a bad dream.” Mark's voice was entirely sincere, even though it was a lie. “And asked me to sleep with you to keep the bad dreams away.”

“I did not!”

“Did too.” Mark chuckled. “And then you fell asleep and were talking in your sleep about how much you love being Baby Lexie, the silliest little boy.”

“Get out of my bed!”

“Fine.” Mark relented, letting Alex push him out of the bed. “Oof.” He landed on the floor.

“Ha.” Alex said, retreating back to the center of the bed as Mark got to his feet.

“Well,” Mark walked around the bed, pretending to go to the other, untouched bed. “It's time to get up anyway!” He lunged for the bed before what he said could fully register with Alex, grabbing the blanket and its contents up in both arms and trying to contain Alex as much as possible.

“Let me go!”

“What? You wanted to stay in bed and now you can, all day long. Cozy Baby Lexie, all so snug and safe.” He adjusted the blanket so only Alex's face was exposed. “It's perfect. You can talk, we can feed you, what more do you need?”

“Mark.”

“Baby Lexie, don't start. You know what to call me.” He rocked the bundle.

“Bubba.”

“Yes, Baby Lexie?”

“Let me go.”

“Not until you agree to be good.”

“You're the one who-”

“Baby Lexie, if we listed off everyone else's naughties, we'd miss the rest of our lives.” Mark leaned in and kissed Alex's cheek, sitting down to better manage the awkward bundle. “Promise to be good.”

“Fine.”

“Fine what?”

“Promise to be good.”

“That's a start.” Mark said. “But should I let you out just cuz of that?”

“Yes!” Earned Alex a few bounces to calm him.

“Today's a very important day.”

“I-”

“You'll need to introduce yourself, you know. What's your name?” Alex groaned and tried once again to break free. “Say it, say it, say it.” Mark's tone was playful, but Alex knew he wouldn't let him go until he gave in.

“Baby Lexie.” He said, rolling his eyes.

“Hmm.” Mark frowned pensively and Alex felt his heart race. Was Mark going to change his name again? He had mentioned last names the night before, but… “Should be a full sentence, don't you think?”

“I'm Baby Lexie?”

“Close. Let's say ‘I'm Baby Lexie, the ringbearer.”

“Everyone will know who I am.” What I am, it's more like.

“Because of your adorable outfit!” Mark seemed like he was on the verge of squealing with delight. “Which reminds me-”

“What now?”

“You are not handsome, remember? What are you?” He bounced the bundled boy. “Here's a hint. Just said it.”

“Adorable.” Why couldn't Mama or Dada walk in and check on them? What time was it anyway?

“Very good. I expect you to correct everyone, understand?” Alex nodded, figuring he would just avoid Mark as much as possible. Besides, based on what he remembered of his outfit for the day, no one would ever call him handsome. He looked like a freak! “We'd better get to work, huh?” His tone made it clear he was expecting a reply.

“Yeah.”

“Here's what we'll do. I want you to get out of your pajamas while I'm getting your fancy ringbearer outfit ready. Understand?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah what?”

“Yeah, bubba.” He muttered. He was barely even out of bed and he was already sick of Mark. How can I get him put back in timeout? He wondered, but felt the tiniest twinge of guilt for even considering it.

“Okie dokie, five! Four! Three! Two!” Alex wasn't sure what he was counting down to. “One! Blast off!” The blanket and the boy within were launched onto the bed. Alex struggled upon landing, finally managing to extract himself from the blanket, his pajama shorts already halfway down his thighs. “You've got a headstart!” Mark exclaimed in mock surprise. “I better hurry!”

Despite saying that, Mark didn't move as he watched Alex undress down to his Bunnydale briefs, smirking as he thought about how, in just a few hours, Baby Lexie would officially and for forever be his little cutie of a brother.

“Undies too.” Mark said as he saw Alex hesitate. “Unless you love your bunny unnies that much?” Alex grunted and Mark grinned. Even when he was grouchy in the morning, Alex could never quite manage to hide his natural adorableness. He walked over as Alex pulled down his underwear. “Now, I need to take a shower, but I don't want you getting into trouble while I'm gone.”

“I won't.”

“Do I need to make you sit in the bathroom or do you promise to be real good and not move from this spot while I'm showering?”

“Why?” Mark sighed.

“Guess that means you'll be keeping me company in the bathroom.”

“No!” Mark chuckled.

“Make up your mind, Baby Lexie! Do you want to keep me company or stay still as a statue out here?” Neither, Alex thought. “Choose or I'll choose for you.”

“Out here.” He said. Once Mark was out of sight, he'd never even know if Alex obeyed or not. As long as I go back to the same place when I hear the shower shut off.

“Ask me.”

“Thought we were in a hurry.”

“We are, which is why” Mark pulled Alex toward him. “My chubby cheeked, squirmy worm of a little brother needs to ask me to let him stay out here.”

“Get off!” Alex pushed his hands away. “Fine. Can I stay out here?”

“Get all your grouchies out now. We've gotta be happy and polite to all the wedding guests.” With that, Mark disappeared into the bathroom.

As soon as he closed the door, Mark worried he had done the wrong thing. There was no real guarantee that the little boy would stay put and who knows what sort of trouble such a silly, silly little boy could get up to? Still, he needed a shower. He compromised with his concern by doing a bare minimum shower: hair, pits, privates, feet, and then hurried back out to find Alex right where he left him.

“There's no way you're done.”

“Just cuz you like to play in the tub doesn't mean everyone does.” Mark said with a laugh. “Now keep staying put while I get dressed.” He had considered going back and forth: put on his boxers, do Baby Lexie's undies, and so on, but he preferred making him stand there naked, getting progressively more annoyed by his own nudity as Mark got his suit on.

“Hurry up.” Alex muttered. Mark grinned. It was a good sign that he was waiting for him to dress him, though he knew that what he was about to dress Baby Lexie in would not be what he wanted.

“Alright, time to get our ringbearer all ready!” Mark's suit had come in a navy blue suit bag and he had hoped Suit Up! Kid did similar suit bags that were still undeniably childish. He was a little disappointed that Alex's outfit had come folded and wrapped in clear plastic.

“Shirt, vest, shorts, socks, what are we missing?”

"Shoes." Alex said with barely contained frustration.

"Sure, but we need something else first. What are you gonna wear under your shorts?" Something about the way he said it told Alex that it was not underwear.

“I am not wearing a diaper!”

“Well, yeah. Only babies wear diapers and a baby's too little to be the ring bearer.” Mark had entertained himself with imagining Baby Lexie waddling or even crawling down the aisle in nothing but a diaper. Maybe for his wedding, he thought, liking the idea of him growing up while Baby Lexie stayed little and adorable. “You're not a baby, are you? What are you, Baby Lexie?”

“A silly little boy.”

“That's right.” Out of his bag came a white and blue rectangle. “I think it's reasonable for a silly little boy to wear Pull-ups as the ringbearer, just in case, don't you?” He loved that they matched the white and blue color scheme of Alex's outfit.

“B- Mark!” Alex protested. “You can't!”

“No, you can't. Can't interrupt the wedding to go peepee. This is what you're wearing and if you keep arguing, you can forget about the shorts to go over it.” Alex fumed, but Mark knew he would see things his way.

“Fine.” Alex said at last. No one would see it under his shorts. He would make sure of it.

“Here.” Mark tossed it at Alex's chest. “You can put it on yourself, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good! Get dressed, Baby Lexie! We don't want everyone waiting on us, do we?” He placed himself in front of the mirror so he could tie his tie while watching Alex step into the papery Pull-ups.

As soon as they were on, Alex grabbed the shorts, determined to cover up the infantile underwear as soon as possible. Both Mama and Dada had told him that it was very important that he only come bother them -- their words -- with emergencies. He felt like Mark being, well being Mark, was an emergency, but-

He grimaced as he noticed something off about the shorts. They were short and tight, almost more like underwear than shorts. He glanced at Mark, but he was busy with his tie. And do I really want his attention? Alex asked himself. He pulled the shorts up and groaned. They were shorter than the pair he remembered trying on in that stupid store. All at once, Mark's plan was obvious. He had found a way to get him shorts that were too small so he would have to go pantsless or something. Mark always got away with things like that.

Well, Alex thought triumphantly, I can still button them, so your plan failed. They were ridiculously short, barely even having legs, but they buttoned around his waist, possibly thanks to having a snap rather than a button.

"Now for your shirt!" Mark decreed. Clearly, Alex's chance to dress himself had passed.

With both of them dressed minus shoes, Mark would have liked to have them stand side by side, almost like a first moment as official brothers, but Alex had other things on his mind, namely turning this way and that, trying to see if anyone could tell he was wearing Pull-ups under his snug shorts.

"Is that a new dance?" Mark asked, amused. "If it's brand new, we could call it the Baby Lexie and have you teach everyone tonight." Just the thought of it was enough that Mark couldn't resist scooping Alex up and smothering his cheeks with an onslaught of kisses, surely only the first of many, many to come over the course of the day.

"Bubba, stop!" Alex protested.

"You just look so adorable! An adorable little boy who's gonna be the bestest ringbearer."

"I was supposed to be a groomsman." Alex muttered.

“And what would we have done then?”

“Huh?”

“Well, all those groomsmen but no one to keep the rings safe and bring them? Mama and Dada can't get married without you.”

“I'd… still have the rings.” Alex said. He knew there were weddings without ringbearers.

“Oh? So you want to be a groomsman, with the rings?”

“I guess. Like, there are lots of-” Mark squished his cheeks.

“Baby Lexie, you're the ringbearer. That is a very big responsibility and having cold feet isn't going to” he grinned all of a sudden. “Maybe I need to warm them up, huh?” Alex was reduced to squeals and giggles in no time, sprawled on the bed, his vest open and rumpled under him. “See? The Pull-ups were a good idea after all.” A tiny whimper escaped Alex's lips as Mark's hand came right down on his crotch.

“I didn't… I didn't!”

“But you could have, couldn't you?” Mark took Alex's silence as confirmation. “See? Bubbas know these things. Now sit up so we can get you fixed.” It was only after his vest was fixed and he stood next to Mark in the mirror that it dawned on Alex what Mark had been saying: he planned to tickle him into wetting his pants. When? He had some suspicions and none of them seemed good.

“Don't we look handsome?” That was not what Alex would've said. He looked every bit like the little boy Mark constantly said he was, which only made him more suspicious that Mark hadn't started smothering him with kisses, cuddles, and bizarre claims that they should be the ones getting married, not Mama and Dada. “Two handsome young men.” Had he slipped in the shower and hit his head? If he had not just tickled Alex nearly to the point of wetting himself, he would have thought an alien had replaced Mark. What am I thinking? Alex thought in a panic. He's acting normal for the first time in forever, why am I questioning it? “Baby Lexie, I just said you're a handsome young man.”

“I heard.” Mark was staring at him. "Uh, thank you?" That must have been the wrong answer, or maybe the right one, because Mark scooped him up and kissed both cheeks.

“We need to work on that, remember?” He chuckled as Alex's groan made it very clear that he did. “You're a handsome young man.”

“No, I'm an adorable little boy.” Mark kissed his cheek and was about to tell him to make it sound less rehearsed when there was a knock at the door followed closely by the sound of a keycard in the slot.

“Who's that, Baby Lexie?” Mark asked as a man in the same suit as Mark stepped into the room.

“Dada.”

“Good boy.” Mark set him down and patted his butt, both to remind him of his Pull-ups and to coax him into crossing the room and giving Dada a hug and kiss.

“Oh, good. You two are dressed.” A silent conversation passed between father and son in an instant. “The ladies are busy, obviously, so I figured we'd go get some breakfast-lunch-brunch, something to pass the time.”

“Do you think that's smart?” Mark said, shrugging into a backpack before picking Alex up as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You two are dressed very smart.” Dad said with a sly smirk that was almost identical to Mark's, especially with them dressed the same. Mark looks just like Dada, Alex realized, feeling even more self conscious as he tugged at the leg of his shorts, whimpering as his finger brushed his Pull-ups. They were basically exposed with Mark carrying him like this. “My two handsome young men.” Alex felt Mark's hands clench as he held him.

“No, Dada, I'm an adorable little boy.” Dad laughed.

“Sounds like Mark's got you trained. Let's go, boys!”

“Yeah,” Mark whispered to Alex. “You gotta make it sound less robotic, kay?” Alex remained silent as they left the hotel room.

“I'm just worried, Dad.” Mark said in the elevator. “Eating in nice clothes? Baby Lexie might make a mess. You know your history with restaurants.”

“That was one time!” Alex muttered.

“It'll be fine.” Dad said. “You're gonna let Mark feed you, right, Lexie?”

“Yes, Dada.” Maybe Mom was having second thoughts right this second.

“Oof, you're getting heavy, Baby Lexie!” Mark said as they emerged into the lobby. “Gotta save my strength, bud, so I'm gonna have to put you down.” He kept holding Alex for a second, almost as if he was wondering if he might beg to keep being carried.

As soon as his feet made contact with the tiled floor, Alex realized he wasn't wearing shoes or even socks.

"My shoes!" He exclaimed as he noticed Mark had his on.

"Oh, right. Guess we'd better keep carrying you, huh?" Alex's feet left the floor again as Mark passed him over to Dad.

"Can't we go back up?"

"I'm so hungry, Baby Lexie!" Mark said at once. "And I'm sure you're starved too."

"Yep, I can hear his tummy rumble-grumbling!" Dad said, kissing Alex's cheek and flooding his nose with the smell of his aftershave.

Brunch came with the usual comments from strangers, especially since all three of them were dressed up. Without even being asked, the server brought Alex a coloring sheet and a bib, both of which Mark insisted Alex use.

“It's not like you've never worn a bib before.” He said, bouncing Alex on his lap and messing up his efforts to solve the maze on his coloring sheet. “And it'll keep you oh, so clean.” Following his dad's lead, Mark had draped his suit jacket over the back of the chair, feeling so mature compared to the little ringbearer on his lap who hadn't even remembered his shoes. If I'd known Dad was going to show up right then, I wouldn't have even bothered hiding them last night, he thought.

“Take this thing off!” Alex whined while Dad was paying the bill. Mark smiled, pleased once again that it did not even occur to Alex to take it off himself.

"It kept you clean." Mark said, intervening when Alex began to try to pull the plastic bib up over his head. "If you'd gotten all dirty, what would you have worn?"

"I have other clothes." I'm sure Mom and Dad would just love you wearing casual clothes to the wedding, Mark thought, but that wasn't what he said.

"We're not going back to the room."

"What? But my shoes!"

"You can be barefoot." Mark said at once. "And if your feet hurt, I'll just have to carry you, won't I?" Alex's nose wrinkled. "But that's why it was so important to keep you clean. I'd hate for you to have to walk down the aisle in just your" He patted Alex's bottom. "Pull-ups."

"I hate you."

"I know you don't mean that, Baby Lexie." With Alex distracted, only Mark had seen Dad signal them across the café. He set Alex down on his chair and slipped into his suit jacket. "Show time!"

It was not actually show time. When they reached the venue, they were told the women weren't ready yet. Mark slipped his backpack under a chair and they settled into waiting, with Alex on Mark's lap 'to save a chair'.

"Oh, but that must be our ringbearer!" The wedding coordinator said with a smile, seemingly taking it in stride that Alex was in Mark's arms. "We have a special surprise just for you!" From under a white tablecloth, she pulled out a red plastic tube of bubbles.

"Say thank you, Baby Lexie."

"Thanks." Alex mumbled. The coordinator smiled and hurried away, mouthing something to the photographer, who had just emerged from a side room. "What am I s’posed to do with bubbles?"

"I've got an idea." Mark said, hoping the coordinator had not heard Alex's rudeness. "I'll blow a few and you can pop them."

"Don't you have-"

"This is what we're doing." Mark said, squeezing Alex's cheeks to preempt the question. He opened the bubbles and blew. "Pop them before they hit the ground!" He said loudly, drawing the photographer over. Mark blew another batch of bubbles, letting them flutter down around Alex as the photographer grinned and raised his camera. With any luck, Mark thought, we just got a perfect photo of Baby Lexie surrounded by bubbles. He smiled, wondering just what other photo moments there would be for his baby brother.

The coordinator emerged again, taking care to stay out of the way as the photographer got a few more photos of Alex reluctantly chasing the bubbles. Once the camera came down, she stepped in.

“Alright, gentlemen.” She looked at Mark and Dad. “We're about five minutes away from the bride being ready.” She looked over her shoulder to the photographer. “So we'll be doing First Looks next.”

“Sounds groovy.” The photographer said. “For the sake of framing,” he tapped his chin. “Should we have you” he pointed to Mark. “What's your name?”

“Mark.”

“Nice to meet ya!” He laughed. “Alright, Mark, can we have you hold the ringbearer?”

“I think,” Dad interjected. “It might be better if we're all on the ground, for natural emotions.”

“Works for me.” Just then, a door opened and Craig slipped in.

“Where the… heck have you been?” Dad asked.

"Dude, karaoke." Craig at least had the good sense to fake sheepishness.

"Dude, my wedding?" Dad said. Craig was about to say something, but then he noticed Mark and Alex.

"I'll be ready."

"Did you-" The wedding coordinator ran over and Dad smirked at Craig. "It can wait.” He jutted his chin at the coordinator. “She's gonna murder you, which is probably better than my wife doing it." The coordinator glared daggers at Craig before brightening up.

"Alright, gentlemen. Let's get you all with your backs to this door." Alex knew how important this was, so he allowed Mark to hold his hand as they got into position. "Photographer here, excellent. No peeking, boys."

"Let's have the ringbearer look over his shoulder." The photographer interjected. Alex was not sure who took precedence, so he did a half turn of his head, feeling a spike of panic as the camera went off several times in succession. "Oh, perfect."

"Now look away again, uh... Lexie!"

"Alex." He muttered, wishing even just one person would call him his actual name.

"And you'll all three turn after I count down. Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Turn!"

The trio turned as one and the camera seemed to go crazy as Alex's mom walked toward them. He vaguely remembered Dada telling them what to say, but all he could do was stare. He knew a whole lot of work went into making her look beautiful, but that hardly did her justice. He heard voices as if they were coming from the next room, but only dimly realized that Mark and Dada were walking toward her. He grunted. That's not fair. She's my Mama! Before he even knew what was happening, he was running toward her. It was his only hope of getting ahead of them.

"Mama!" He heard some little kid yell, but he couldn't get distracted.

"Oh, Lexie!" She said, kneeling down and giving him a big hug as he ran full-bore into her dress. "I love you too, monkey." She hadn't called him that in years, even with everything that had happened since Mark and Dada had come into their lives.

"Mama." He pulled his face back so he could try to see her. He couldn't remember what Dada had told him to say.

"You look beautiful, mom."

"You really do. And, I think Lexie agrees."

"Princess" was all Alex could get out, but that seemed like the right thing to say as Mama kissed him where she had only smiled at Mark and Dada.

The next hour or so was spent in a small garden for photos. There were a lot of family photos, even a few of just Alex and his mom, but the ringbearer really did not feature in many photos.

"Should've made me a groomsman." Alex muttered as he sat on a bench, watching Dada, Mark, and Craig come up with goofier and goofier poses.

"What if we toss Baby Lexie?" Mark suggested. Alex immediately looked up. Toss me?

"I'm not sure we need a trip to the emergency room when he breaks an arm." Mom said.

"I bet we could get him a cast in wedding colors." Dad teased, kissing her cheek.

"No kissing yet." She teased back. "I think we have all the photos we need." She patted Mark's shoulder. "You and Lexie will get plenty of opportunities for fun photos tonight." She smiled at Alex. "We need to keep you clean and handsome until after the ceremony."

"Baby Lexie." Mark said, looking at him.

"What?"

"Didn't Mama just say you look handsome?"

"Thank you." Alex said, walking over to give her a hug.

"And what else?" Didn't Mark ever quit? He sighed.

"I'm not handsome, I'm adorable."

"Oh, right." She kissed his cheek. "My adorable little ringbearer." If she heard his stifled whimper, she didn't show any sign of it, handing him over to Mark. "The pillow is inside. The rings should be in your dad's pocket." She looked at Alex for a second. "And where are his shoes?"

"They're too small." Mark said at once, covering Alex's mouth.

"Oh, shoot." Mom smiled at him once again. "You're growing so fast! That explains the shorts, I suppose." Resting against Mark's chest, Alex felt him snort.

"Alright," Mark said as they returned inside. "We're close to the big moment. Remember, you're walking all by yourself. I'll already be down with Dada and Craig, you should call him Uncle Craig, he's like Dada's best friend, you know." Mark was talking a mile a minute as if it wasn't something Alex already knew. "How's your Pull-ups?"

"Fine." Mark's finger plunged into his shorts all the same.

"Hmm, are you thirsty? You haven't gone all day."

"I'm not going to- to use it!"

"In the potty, silly little boy." He stopped in front of a mirror, clearly admiring how they looked. "Wave hi to Baby Lexie!" He kissed Alex's cheek again and again. "Though the one in the mirror's only half as adorable as my actual little brother."

"I am not your-"

"Hush. Do you really want me to go around saying the ringbearer in Pull-ups is older than me?" He chuckled as Alex thought it over. "Besides, your name's Baby Lexie. Everyone knows you're the little brother." He kissed Alex's cheek. "Maybe you can be ringbearer at my wedding. Or Best Man, but in the exact same outfit." The very thought filled him with such joy that he almost forgot they needed to get Alex some water.

Retrieving his backpack, he pulled out a bright yellow sippy cup.

"I don't want that!"

"And I don't want you to spill all over yourself." Mark replied. "You need water before the ceremony?"

"Why?"

"Because it'll feel like hours long if you're thirsty the whole time." He filled it up and took a drink before screwing the lid on top. "There, we both drank from the sippy cup."

"It's not the same." Mark knew that just as well as Alex did, but he remained silent and watched until Alex gave in and drank the water.

"Good. Finish it or you'll be walking down the aisle with it in your hand." He nodded approvingly as Alex drank it as quickly as the spout would allow him to, stowing it back into his backpack as soon as it was empty. “Getting excited?”

“Nervous.” Alex admitted.

“Why's that? You're gonna be great.”

“What if I lose the rings?”

“It's not that long of a walk. And you'll be fine.” Mark hugged him so sincerely, it quieted the butterflies that had begun to flutter in Alex's stomach.

“Mister Lexie!” The coordinator said, rushing over as if she had been looking for him for hours. “You ready, kiddo?”

“For what?”

“For the wedding!” Mark said, tousling his hair. He grinned. Alex had had that mushroom cut for so long, he almost forgot about it until he was touching it. Such a cutie!

“Remember,” the coordinator kneeled down. “We're gonna walk, not run. Imagine you're” she looked down at Alex's bare feet, frowned, but quickly recovered. “Imagine you're stepping very gently. We don't want your cute little feet to get hurt!”

“He's practiced a lot.” Mark said.

“I'm sure, but you're the star, Lexie! It's only mommy after you.” Mama, Alex almost corrected. She licked her thumb and rubbed Alex's cheek. “You're super cute, kiddo.” Mark wholeheartedly agreed, but he noticed Dad gesturing to him. He got up and walked over.

“I gotta be up front, so” he reached into his pocket. “Make sure these get to your brother.” He grinned roguishly. “It's happening, dude.”

“I know!” Mark hugged his dad, feeling just the slightest hint of tears welling up in his eyes as they released each other. He returned to Alex, who was hopping from foot to foot, shaking his hands. “Whatcha doing?”

“He's shaking out all the nervousness.” The coordinator explained. Alex stopped as he saw Mark's enormous grin.

“She made me.” He muttered as the coordinator finally left him alone.

“Are you still nervous? Or just embarrassed?” Alex rolled his eyes.

“Did Dada give you the rings?”

“So responsible.” Mark cooed, sitting down on the floor and pulling Alex to him to check his Pull-ups, just for fun. “Baby Lexie's gonna be in the Ringbearer Hall of Fame.”

“The coordinator said it's not nice to call me a baby.”

“And did you tell her that you’re not? That your name is Baby Lexie?” Mark began to tickle Alex, just enough to get him to smile. “There we go. Keep that smile on, cutie patootie with the booty!” He cupped Alex's face in his hands, still unable to fully believe that in just a few minutes, he would officially be his brother. And then we'll live together and I'll get to see him all day, every day! "Remember, you are a silly little boy, Baby Lexie. We gotta be serious for the ceremony, but tonight, at the party, you're gonna be the silliest silly little boy ever!" Alex wondered just what that meant as Mark finally let him go and got to his feet. As if on cue, the coordinator returned to him and took his hand.

"C'mon, Lexie, it's time to line up." She glanced over at Mark. "And you need to be where you need to be." Mark watched her lead Alex away, sticking his tongue out at her bun. That thing was so tight, it was cutting off the blood to her brain.

"You can call me Alex." Alex tried as the coordinator led him along.

"Everything I've got says Lexie." She said, flourishing the program and pointing to each word as she read. "See? Ringbearer, Lexie Little, son of the bride."

Since the wedding party was small, Alex ended up behind Mark and in front of his mom. To his relief, Mark seemed to not even realize Alex was there, chatting too quietly to hear with Daisy.

Part of him was glad that Mark was paired up with Daisy. Sara, the Maid of Honor, had babysat him, so she would probably be more than happy to regale Mark with stories about his most babyish moments. She might've even changed my diapers!

Daisy, on the other hand, was Mama's coworker. He had met her a few times, but he didn't think she had anything juicy. Unless Mark is telling her stories about me. Alex thought in a panic.

"We're starting!" The coordinator hissed. "Quiet, everyone!"

Alex rocked back and forth, a little nervous again. The rings! He didn't have them! He habitually patted at his shorts and vest, only to remember he didn't even have pockets. The wedding was ruined! He looked over his shoulder, but Mama looked like she was about to cry, so he didn't want to bother her. But this could- no, I can't ruin Mama's special day. She wants to marry Dada and- and maybe having a brother won't be so bad. Even a brother like Mark.

As the gentle music played, Mark and Daisy began to walk and Alex realized he was next as the coordinator's hand fell on his shoulder.

"Once they pass that first row of chairs, it's all you, buddy." Alex held the pillow on both hands, but tried to keep her from noticing that it was completely empty. "And go!"

Alex's ears rang as he took his first step forward. His bottom lip slipped into his teeth and he realized his hands were trembling. Months of trying to stop the wedding and now he had ruined it without even trying. It would be fine, he told himself. They didn't need rings, just the certificate that Mama and Dada would sign.

His eyes settled on Mark, who immediately mouthed two words to Alex. I'm not even going that fast, he thought, making a point of dramatically slowing down for a few steps before resuming his steady pace down the aisle. He noticed other familiar faces in the crowd and reality set in. He was the ringbearer, walking down the aisle all by himself in a little boy outfit nothing like the suits Mark, Dada, and Craig wore.

Finally, he reached the end of the aisle, smiling at Dada before dutifully going to his place at the end of the line of men. At least he could feel like one of them for the cere- Mark swooped down and picked him up, kissing his cheek to soft coos from the crowd and then covering his mouth to prevent an outburst.

"You did so well, Baby Lexie." He whispered. "You're gonna spend the ceremony right here with me, so you can see." Alex's worried face probably made for a great photo before the photographer -- and everyone else in the room -- turned to look at the bride.

The ceremony was short, Mark gently bouncing Alex in his arms from time to time. He even managed to keep holding Alex as he fished the rings out of his pocket and had Alex hand them off. Alex knew that the photographer caught him clapping in Mark's arms as the officiant declared Mama and Dada husband and wife, but everyone clapped, so why wouldn't he?

"Mwah!" Mark kissed Alex's cheek. "And I pronounce us brothers."

"I gotta go after them, bubba." He said, looking at his parents' retreating backs.

"We're gonna improvise cuz I'm never putting you down, Baby Lexie." Daisy smiled and walked alongside them as Mark carried Alex up the aisle and out to the foyer, where the crowd was gathering.

"You were so precious!" Daisy cooed, poking his thigh as if to remind him how short his shorts were.

"Thank you." Alex mumbled after some prodding from Mark.

"I was just telling Mark about how cute you were in your third grade play as the sleepy baby bear, but this might have been even cuter."

"It was first grade." Alex told Mark after she had moved on.

"Reminds me though."

"Of what?"

"We never looked at our presents, did we?" He laughed. "That brightened you up, huh?" He kissed Alex's cheek. "I saw them in the other room when I was stashing my bag."

"Can I walk there?" Alex asked, the question almost answering itself when he saw how full the foyer had become. Even getting over to the room took some time as they kept getting stopped. It didn't help things that everyone wanted to tell Alex how adorable he was and Mark made him thank each and every person.

"Thank you, but I'm not handsome, I'm an adorable little boy." He said dutifully, wishing for the day to be over. Can't believe I'm actually wanting an early bedtime. The sun shone through the windows and he realized that even someone as crazy as Mark would never put him to bed now. Maybe I can fake sick?

As soon as the door closed behind them, a soft silence settled in. Mark sighed contently.

"Finally alone." Mark kissed Alex's cheek, but even then, he did not put Alex down. He wondered just how long it would take for Alex to realize he would be spending the rest of the day in Mark's arms. You're my little brother now, Baby Lexie. I'm never letting you go. "There they are!" Mark pointed to a box and a gift bag on a table. "Whose is whose, do you think?" Alex sighed at the sight of the Bunnydale logo on the gift bag. Seriously? "Oh, they're labeled. See? L-E-X-I-E"

"I can read!"

"Yours is so much bigger, though maybe that's just the bag."

Alex's irritation over the babyish bag was no match for his curiosity about what the present might be. He hoped that Mark would set him down, but instead, he held Alex on his lap as Alex pulled out the baby blue and white tissue paper. Finally, all that remained was a light brown teddy bear wearing a very familiar outfit.

"Ooh, you two are twins!"

"Why?"

"Cuz you're the ringbearer and he's a ring bear."

"I got a teddy bear?"

"A very cute teddy bear." Mark said with a smile.

"What did you get?"

"Oh, you're my present." Mark hugged Alex, adjusting his new watch as he did so, an exact match to the one Dad had got Craig. "Now that we've opened our presents, we'd better get back out there. There's a party after dinner, you know!" Alex rolled his eyes. "But first, we better get you changed."

"What?" He looked at Mark's smile and shook his head. "I... I didn't use my... I didn't!"

"Well, I'd hope not, though that's a good reminder that we should take you potty before the reception. But we need to change your outfit. Fancy clothes and a party don't mix, do they?"

"Oh, we're just gonna change into normal clothes?"

"We? I'm staying in my suit." He kissed each side of Alex's face. "But you, cherub cheeks, you need an outfit change."

"You can't make me go out there like this!" Alex protested, staring down at his new outfit. Mark kept calling it his reception outfit, special ordered from Suit Up, but there was no doubt: it was a lacy white nightgown, complete with a broad collar that was a little too similar to the bib Alex had worn that morning. The only thing keeping him from pulling it over his head right then and there was the fear that Mark might make him go out in nothing but his Pull-ups.

"It's longer than your shorts." That much was true, though it still only fell to about his mid-thigh. "And this way, you can party all the way until bedtime without having to leave early for jammies."

"Bubba!" Alex protested, making the split second decision in the hopes of appealing to some sense of reason. Expecting the guy who makes me do diaper victory dances to ever be reasonable.

"Baby Lexie." Mark said. "Now that we're officially brothers, it's my job to do nice, considerate things for you."

"You can't seriously think that this is nice or considerate or anything!"

"It is." Mark said, surprisingly gentle. "I bought this for you myself."

"Oh. Uh, I... I guess" Alex let his voice trail off. He still didn't want to wear it. "Maybe, I- I can wear it- put it on closer to nighttime?"

"Thought you hated your ringbearer outfit."

"I do."

"'Zactly." Mark grinned in that devious way that always made Alex nervous. "You're perfect just the way you are. B'sides, I can absolutely make you go out there like this."

"Bubba, no!" Alex protested as Mark picked him up, tucking his nightgown under his bottom to prevent flashing any more of it than the hint a close examination would give you through the somewhat translucent fabric.

"You're gonna get like a million compliments before dinner, I bet." Mark kissed Alex's cheek as he took him out to what he knew would be his adoring public.

Unsure of what else to do, Alex buried his face into Mark's shoulder, hoping that no one would pay him any mind. Everyone wanted to compliment and congratulate Mama and Dada, it was their big day. And after everything that's happened today, why should I even care about acting like a little kid?

Was that the answer? Just act like it didn't bother him? Mama had told him that bullies lose interest when you show that you don't care, but that was always easier said than done. And it's never worked with Mark.

"Hey, man." An unfamiliar voice close to his age said. Curiosity got the better of him and he pulled his head off of Mark's shoulder to look at the face of a redheaded boy.

"Hey! Saw you in the audience, but couldn't really stop to say hi." Mark said smoothly.

"Figured." His eyes glanced at Alex, but then returned to Mark. "So, did you see what the Marlins did?" Alex returned his head to Mark's shoulder and sighed. Just my luck, they're talking about baseball.

"Bubba." He mumbled once their conversation got too boring to stand.

"What, Baby Lexie? Oh! I didn't even introduce you two!" That's not what I meant! "Alex," Alex's head shot up. "This is Baby Lexie, Baby Lexie, my cousin Alex. I know I've told you about him!" The two Alexes stared at each other, neither sure what to say to the other.

"Uh, I gotta go find my dad." Alex said after a moment. "See you later, Mark. Nice to meet you, Lexie."

"My name's Alex too." Alex whimpered. Mark bounced him slightly.

"Did you have a nice nap?"

"Wasn't napping. I was bored!"

"A bored silly little boy? That's dangerous." Uh-oh. "Where'd we put your bubbles?"

To Alex's relief, the wedding coordinator found them en route to the bubbles.

"There you two are. We're gathering the wedding party so that we can do the" she noticed Alex's outfit. "Oh, we're gonna have to change plans!"

"Why?" Alex asked pointedly. She only smiled it off.

"Well, my thought was Mark would just carry you, but obviously, you should get your own moment in the spotlight, shouldn't you?"

"No!" Alex protested at the same moment as Mark wholeheartedly agreed. "I don't want to be in the spotlight." He said as she hurried away.

"Says the little boy who was grinning from ear to ear as he walked down the aisle."

"You stole the rings!" Alex remembered just then.

"Forgot to give them to you, actually, but I gave them to you once I realized my mistake, didn't I?" Alex frowned. He was right, but only technically.

"I still don't want another moment in the spotlight."

"It'll be fine. This one, you're just gonna dance, so you can do a really fast dance that gets you back in my arms lickety split. You know we get to sit up at the big table, right? Right next to" he thought about it. "Actually, I'm not sure who we'll be next to." He bounced Alex in his arms, as if to confirm his cheeks still wobbled whenever he was bounced. "Ooh, maybe you could bunny hop!"

"What?"

"For the entrance! It'll be adorable, but also get you out of the spotlight quickly, won't it?"

"Maybe I can just run." Alex suggested, a bit fearful Mark would forbid him from doing so. That was the one plus of wearing a freaking nightgown. It wouldn't get in the way at all. And Mark couldn't stop him. "Is it the same order as the wedding?"

"Sounds like you're getting excited." Mark said. "How about you come up with something fun, but keep it secret from me. A cartwheel would be adorable." He laughed as Alex pictured trying to cartwheel in a nightie and Pull-ups. "We can save that one for another time." He kissed Alex, loving that he seemed so comfortable in his arms, even in nothing but a nightgown. "But yes, you'll go after me, before Mama and Dada." Alex nodded. "Ooh, since you'll be the only one alone, do you want to bring your new Ring Bear with you?"

"No." Alex said, already having an idea for what he could do. Running would probably be inappropriate, but if he just did something basic and then kept walking, that had to be acceptable, right? The Disco finger was pretty wedding-appropriate, right?

"Mark, Lexie, get over here." The coordinator hissed, taking Mark's free arm and pulling him. "It's almost time."

Mark kept holding Alex all the way up until the last moment. Mark had been wrong. He and Daisy went first, then the Best Man and the Maid of Honor.

"You're up, sweetie." Mom said behind him, still wearing that same transcendentally happy expression. Dad whispered in her ear and Alex was almost certain he was commenting on his new outit.

"And now," the DJ boomed. "Give it up for the hardest working member of the wedding party, our ring security, Leeeeeeexie!" Alex was suddenly beset by nerves as he took a step, his heart pounding in his ears. The ceremony had been quiet except for the music. Now he was stepping into a large room full of clapping and cheering people. They're all cheering for me, he realized.

With the spotlight on him, he could not see just where the table was, but he was pretty sure he was halfway before he realized he had forgotten to do anything. He stopped and, raising his arms, spun in place. He had no clue what made him think of it, but the crowd cheered and clapped as he spun and spun to the point that he was a little dizzy as he continued on his way, still slightly blinded by the bright light as he came right to Mark kneeling.

"That was great, Baby Lexie!" Mark cooed, scooping him up. "Guess you're not so shy about your Pull-ups, huh?"

"Hm?"

"You just showed everyone in here." Mark sounded so pleased that Alex didn't even know what to say. Maybe only he had noticed because he knew what to look for?

"Very cute, Lexie." Daisy said, but all the focus in the room shifted to the door.

"And now, give it up for the couple of the night, the beautiful bride and her handsome groom!" The room erupted in ecstatic cheers and applause that made Alex realize that no one really cared about his faux pas. Well, no one except for his brother.

"If I'd known you wanted to show 'em off." Mark teased, hand going up Alex's nightgown to boldly pat his Pull-ups.

"It was an accident."

"But an okay one." Mark replied. "Did I tell you the best part of sitting at the head table?"

"Everyone's looking at us?"

"I think they're looking at the couple next to us." Mark cooed, kissing Alex's cheek and lingering just for a moment to admire just how soft his skin was. Soft as a baby's bottom. "But we get all of our food first!"

As if on cue, salads arrived. It was only after the salad was gone that Alex was able to pull away from Mark's attention enough to notice that there was no empty chair at the head table. The place card in front of them even said 'Mark and Lexie'.

"We gave you some extra," the server whispered as she placed the next course in front of Mark. "Since the little guy's eating from your plate." She seemed unbothered by Alex's glare.

"We want you to look your best for photos." Mark said. "No messy Baby Lexie tonight!"

* L *

"Excited to dance, boys?" Mom whispered as the dinner plates were being cleared. "We're" she gestured to herself and Dad. "Starting things off, but then you two will be cued to come out on the floor." She reached out and touched the hem of Alex's nightie. "It'll make some very cute photos!"

"I bet." Mark said with a smile. "It's just for a bit, Baby Lexie. The first dance never lasts long." Alex knew it would take forever.

"After that, I don't want to dance."

"Oh. Okay." Did Mark sound genuinely disappointed? He was so good at manipulation, Alex could never be sure. "But if you change your mind," his voice trailed off and Alex worried that he actually was disappointed.

"Don't we get cake?" Alex asked as his parents began to get up. Mark stood too. "Bubba!"

"Cake comes in a little while. We've gotta let our dinner digest."

"By dancing?" Alex muttered as Mark shifted him to his shoulder.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together as the bride and groom take the floor for their first dance." The DJ said grandly. Alex dutifully clapped, leaning up against Mark's chest as he watched Mama and Dada walk out onto the dance floor.

"Mama loves this song." He murmured to himself as it began to play. He felt so happy for her, but he still did not know how he felt about the fact that Mark was really, actually his brother now. It takes some getting used to, he thought.

"Joining the beautiful couple on the dance floor now are their handsome sons, Mark and, of course, Lexie!" Mark snapped to action, flipping Alex over so that they were chest to chest and immediately falling into step with the rhythm.

"You're not handsome, you're adorable." Mark murmured as his hand guided Alex's head to his shoulder as they slowly turned. "My adorable little brother, from your chubby cheeks to your tiny feets."

"Ok." Alex mumbled, feeling like Mark wanted him to say something. The cameras clicked and flashed, though Alex had no clue what he looked like for photos. Did Mark just pull up his nightgown? He tried to reach around, but Mark only rubbed his back and shushed him as the song -- genuinely one of Mama's favorites -- played on and on.

"Give them a big hand!" the DJ finally said as it ended.

"All danced out?" Mark asked. Alex nodded. "We can rest for now."

In fact, the dancing stopped for speeches. Sara told a few stories about her college days with Mama, then Alex missed part of Craig's speech when Mark covered his ears the moment Craig began to swear.

"Do you want to say anything?" Mark whispered in Alex's ear.

"Uh" Mark chuckled and took the microphone from the DJ once it had been torn away from Craig.

"Hi, everyone, my name's Mark. I'm, well, the groom and I met on my birthday." A few people laughed and Mark grinned. "I didn't meet the bride until much later. Uh, it took a few sad things to lead up to that, for all of us, but soon as I saw her, I hoped that Dad would do the smart thing for once" He grinned as his dad feigned offense. "And, heh, here we are! But today's really all about our new family. Dad, me, a new mom and a new brother." He kissed the top of Alex's head as the crowd cooed. "Dad won't let me have champagne, probably one of Mom's rules, but still, a toast to the bride and groom!" He raised the microphone. As it came back now, he brought it to Alex's mouth. "Go on." He whispered.

"Um..." Alex felt like the microphone made his voice so loud, and so high compared to Mark's. "Love you, mama and dada." He winced as Mark relinquished the microphone to the DJ, not even giving him a chance to try again.

"Very sweet." Mom mouthed, though he was certain she was talking to Mark and not him.

"Alright, let's settle in." Mark said, sitting down and setting Alex on his lap while the dancing began in earnest.

They hadn't been sitting there long when a boy ran up to them, almost getting stepped on by a few guests trying to get to the dance floor. He grinned at Alex. What now?

"Do you wanna come play with me?" Alex looked at the honey-haired boy.

"Probably better than sitting here." Mark murmured in his ear. "He'd love to, bud!" He said to the boy, wiping Alex's face one last time. "What's your name?"

"Milo."

"What do you say, Baby Lexie?"

"Nice to meet you, Milo. My name's"

"Lexie, I know! They announced you and everything!" He grinned as Mark slid Alex down off his lap, immediately seizing his hand. "C'mon, my mom and I are over here and I have a bunch of toys!" Mark sauntered along behind the pair, smiling and taking a few pictures with his phone as Milo led Alex by the hand. Alex nearly stumbled when Milo suddenly stopped and looked up at Mark as if expecting him to be there. "Oh. When's he gotta go to bed?"

"Not for a while. Why?"

"Cuz he's wearing his nightie already. My baby brother always wears one at bedtime. He's at my grandma's tonight though, but don't worry, I know how to play nice with Lexie." He took off again, dragging the now miserable Alex along. He thinks I'm a baby, he thought as they finally reached a woman who looked so much like Milo, she had to be his mom. "He said yes, mom!" Milo exclaimed. "C'mon, it's like a fort under the table." Alex squatted, taking care to make sure his nightie was long enough before crawling under the tablecloth with Milo.

Any awkwardness that Alex had felt seemed to wash away as they disappeared under the table. Maybe it was because Milo had the same Spidey and His Friends toys Alex had or maybe it was the fact that Milo was welcoming of whatever ideas Alex provided for their pretend play. It could even have been just the fact that he was doing something out of Mark's sight for the first time all day.

"So Green Goblin's throwing water balloons at everyone." Milo said. Knock, knock.

"But Spin catches them and throws them back!" Alex retorted, making the little action figure do just that. Knock knock. "What's that sound?"

"Oh, Mom wants us." Milo crawled around Alex and led the way out from under the table. "Yeah, mom?" Alex adjusted his nightie as he looked around. Where was Mark?

"It's almost time for the kids dance, Milo." She noticed Alex looking around. "So how about you and Lexie go dance? That way, you can help me keep an eye on him until his big brother comes back." She gasped excitedly at Alex. "You have a big brother now, huh?"

"We've spent a lot of time together before today."

"Milo's a big brother too, you know." Milo beamed, chest puffed with pride.

"He told me."

"Where are your shoes?" She lifted the tablecloth as if he had left them under there.

"I haven't worn them all day." Alex said, trying to figure out a way to make it sound reasonable for a thirteen year old to have gone barefoot all day. "I don't mind."

"Mom won't let me take my shoes off. I'm too big, she says." Alex wasn't sure why Milo had told him that. Little kids always said random things.

"Ok, well, I guess you're all set to dance. It's the next song."

“Where is Bub- my- you know.”

“He just went to the bathroom.”

Alex dodged away as she seemed like she might try to check his Pull-ups. Why had he spun?

"Let's go dance." He said to Milo. Milo nodded and took his head, quickly getting ahead of him.

"I don't really want to dance." Alex admitted. "I just wanted to get away from your mom."

"Dancing'll be so fun!" Milo reassured him, tugging him along.

"Well, maybe if we just stay on the edge." It was too late. Alex's bare feet slapped against the dance floor as Milo took him right to where all the colorful lights of the disco ball were. "What even is the" for a half of a second, he worried that it might be the bunny hop, so it was a relief, albeit a minor one, when it turned out to be the Hokey Pokey.

"Form a circle, kids!" The DJ instructed. Milo helpfully took charge, grabbing Alex's shoulders and driving him right where he wanted him. "That's what it's all about!"

Alex put his right hand, then his left hand in. Then came his feet in the same order. Of course I'm the only one without shoes. Alex thought irritably.

"You put your backside in! You put your backside out!" Milo giggled alongside Alex, who once again made sure he wasn't flashing everyone as they danced.

"Finally, that's done." Alex tried to seize the opportunity to escape Milo, but the five year old grabbed his hand.

"C'mon, Lexie!" He pulled him where he wanted him and then put his hands on Alex's waist.

"This is a slow song."

"Duh! Me and my cousin did this at the last wedding, but he's not here. It's fun!" Alex awkwardly put his hands on Milo's waist and they began to sway back and forth, Milo giggling as if it was the funniest thing he could imagine.

"Maybe we could go play?"

"After the song's over. It's bad luck to leave in the middle of a song." Milo said. Alex was pretty sure that wasn't true, but he kept swaying and turning slowly in a circle. At the edge of the dance floor, he spied Mark. He was recording him!

"Oh, there's your big brother." Milo said once the song stopped. He immediately tugged Alex along, delivering him to Mark.

"Is it my turn?" Mark asked Milo, who nodded, then giggled as Mark lifted Alex up, almost definitely giving him an eyeful of Alex's Pull-ups.

Alex lost count of how many songs he 'danced to' in Mark's arms. For slow songs, Mark swayed slowly in a circle with Alex's head resting on his shoulder as he cooed nonstop in his ear about what an adorable little boy he was, how much he loved him, how excited he was to live in the same house and go to the same school as Alex. For fast songs, Mark jumped up and down, a hand holding the back of Alex's head as he was jostled to the beat. When a conga line started up, Alex rode Mark piggyback, expected to bounce up and down to the beat like a little monkey.

"Isn't this fun, Baby Lexie?" Mark said when he finally seemed to be getting tired of dancing. "We're gonna party all night long, huh?" Alex stifled a yawn and Mark laughed. "You're right. It'd be more responsible to go to bed." He rubbed Alex's back as he carried him away from the raucous dance floor, not that he planned to keep them away long. "After all, Mama and Dada are going on their honeymoon. It'll just be you and me for a whole week, won't it?"