Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Newly Weds
"Do you, Gordon Andrew Bombay, take Casey Morgan Conway to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
“I do,” Gordon Bombay said, unable to see anything else before him but the woman who was his wife, or would be his wife, shortly after they sealed their vows. Standing there in the backyard of his new home – the one that he, Casey, and Charlie had bought and were still in the process of renovating – in a white, short-sleeved pressed shirt and pressed slacks, looking at Casey, who wore a knee-length, ivory, cap-sleeved dress and white wildflowers pinned in her strawberry blonde curls, he decided he’d never felt happier. She may’ve been in her mid-fifties, but she was the most beautiful bride he’d ever laid eyes upon. She almost reminded him of Jackie Kennedy, classic and so elegant, understated, not at all showy.
It might not have been a full-blown church wedding. But it was perfect for them.
Saying those two words, “I do,” made it real. He felt his breath catch in his throat as he squeezed Casey’s hands, knowing he was this much closer to putting that ring on her finger, that she was going to be his, that finally, after all these years, he was going to be a stepfather and step-grandfather. He could feel his eyes stinging, and he knew it wasn’t because the sunlight of early June was beaming down on him.
“Do you pledge to stand by her side in good times and in bad, for rich or poor, and keep her in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to love her and honor her all the days of your life?”
“I do,” Gordon said, the tears finally clouding his eyes as he realized that it was Casey’s turn to say her portion of the vows.
“Casey Morgan Conway, do you take Gordon Andrew Bombay to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” Casey whispered, and Gordon could hear her voice shaking; he could barely see out of his eyes due to his tears, but he knew Casey’s eyes were just as teary as his were.
“Do you pledge to stand by his side in good times and in bad, for rich or poor, and keep him in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to love him and honor him all the days of your life?”
“I do.”
“Now, would you two exchange rings?”
Gordon nodded, taking his late mother’s wedding band off the pillow that Sammy Germaine carried as he acted as the ring bearer. “Casey, take my late mother’s ring as a sign of my love and fidelity,” he whispered, slipping his mother’s ring onto her left hand.
“Gordon, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity,” she said, slipping the gold wedding band onto his finger.
"By the power invested in me and the state of Minnesota, I, Theodore James Orion, pronounce you husband and wife. Gordon, you may now kiss your gorgeous bride." Ted smiled at both of them, seeming more than happy to pronounce them husband and wife.
Gordon nodded before leaning down and kissing Casey as though he’d never kissed her before. He heard everyone applauding as they kissed. The Don't Bothers were seated in the front row, cheering. He heard Alex, Julie, Connie, and Tammy cooing a chorus of "Awes." When he pulled away, he glanced at Ted, who gave him the thumbs up. Over Casey's shoulder, he saw Alex Morrow, Connie Germaine, Julie Banks, and Tammy Duncan smiling widely; Teddi Conway, his now step-granddaughter, stood behind Connie as the second maid of honor, tears sparkling in her blue eyes. And as Gordon and Casey walked down the aisle as husband and wife into what would now be known as the Conway-Bombay household, he couldn't help holding her even closer to him.
He was grateful they thought of holding the ceremony and reception at their house rather than going elsewhere. It was far less expensive, especially since Julie, Goldberg, and Logan had helped cook all of the food for the wedding (Goldberg made it a point to make all of Gordon and Casey’s favorites: deviled eggs, falafels, pastrami sliders, rotisserie turkey, smoked cod cakes, potato latkes with sour cream and apple sauce, shepherd salad, hummus, coleslaw; he made so much food, Gordon was convinced there would be leftovers after the wedding), and Logan had assisted Julie with baking and decorating the wedding cake. That, and there weren't many at the wedding. The only guests that came were the original Ducks, the USA Ducks, and the new generation of Mighty Ducks.
It was a very duckie wedding, to say the least. But Gordon wouldn't have it any other way. The wedding was all about family. Although not all the Ducks couldn't make it, he was grateful to the ones that could, especially Jesse Hall, David Karp, Peter Mark, Russ Tyler, Dean Portman, Luis Mendoza, Dwayne Robertson, Tommy Duncan, Tammy Duncan, and Ken Wu had come, and Russ, Kenny, Dwayne, Jesse, and Luis brought along their children. Though he was disappointed Terry Hall couldn't make it, according to Jesse, Terry got into legal troubles and was currently serving time, but Jee didn't go into the details behind it. It upset him too much to think about it. And Gordon was disappointed, as well – apparently, his influence on his kids couldn’t quite prevent them from getting into trouble.
They waited as all the Ducks worked to make space in the backyard, pushing the tables in and moving the chairs. The backyard had been decorated simply with white and lavender paper lanterns, string lights, and fresh flowers—flowers that were Casey's favorites: white roses, orange blossoms, and purple hyacinths, the same ones that appeared in her floral arrangements. Luckily, they saved a lot of money, as Tammy, Connie, Teddi, and Maya made the centerpieces themselves. Maya and Teddi were quite gifted in art and loved crafting just about anything. It all looked even better than Gordon could have anticipated.
Gordon and Casey would be going on their honeymoon in a week or so. When they first started dating years ago, Casey told him she'd never been to Disneyland. Given that the Walt Disney Company formed the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim team in honor of the District Five Ducks, Gordon felt it would be appropriate for him and Casey to have their honeymoon in the happiest place on Earth with Disney's famous ducks. Plus, it would be a perfect way for them to go around Anaheim and see the Honda Center – aka the Pond of Anaheim, where the Anaheim Ducks played, as well as Angel Stadium. Ken had even promised he'd give them a tour of the Honda Center locker room, which Gordon was thrilled about. It showed that the Ducks had left quite an impact on almost everything.
As they sat on the sofa in the living room, Charlie approached them, grinning broadly at his parents.
"Everything's almost set out there," he announced.
"Thank you, Charlie," Casey said. "I'm happy you and the other Ducks helped plan all this."
"Well, it was all sort of a rush, considering you guys didn't wanna wait a year. Not that I'm surprised, though, since you guys were so quick to jump each other like cats the night you got back together."
"Charles Francis Conway!" scolded Casey, her cheeks flushing deeply.
Gordon felt his own cheeks burning. "You're not funny."
"Sorry." Charlie rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Are you sure you don't want us to come along for the summer? Teddi, Henry, and I could easily turn this into a family vacation; we haven't had that in a long time."
"And spend part of our honeymoon with a couple of junior hockey players?" Gordon cast Charlie a skeptical glance. "We'll call every day and bring stuff back for you guys. But you know we'll be honeymooning with our favorite ducks, Donald and Daisy."
"I thought we were your favorite ducks." Charlie cast him a feigned hurt expression.
"Oh, you still are," Gordon said.
"Just don't do anything I wouldn't."
"Don't worry about us," Gordon said, smiling as Connie entered, grinning.
"Everything's ready," she announced excitedly as everyone in the wedding party filed into the house, preparing for the main entrance, which would lead into Gordon and Casey's first dance as husband and wife, and, afterward, would come Connie and Teddi's maid of honor speeches, and Charlie's best man speech.
“Okay, thanks, Connie,” Gordon said, squeezing Casey’s hand, but instead of guiding her out to the backyard, he led her upstairs to their bedroom in the new house they’d moved into two months ago, the home that they bought to symbolize their becoming a new family.
“I have something I need to grab from upstairs,” he said to Casey, and she nodded. They’d talked about this when they rekindled their romance. He’d only just gotten the papers notarized with Alex’s help, and Ted had written a new letter of recommendation. It was just a matter of his signing his name on the dotted line to make it happen.
Despite Gordon's reservations and his protests that he couldn't dance to save his life, his and Casey's first dance went smoother than he anticipated. Luckily, he'd gotten some lessons from Tammy and Alex, who told him to approach it like ice skating; he was plenty good at that and leading people when giving lessons. Who was to say dancing was any different?
He and Casey had debated which song they'd pick for their first dance as a couple, and they ended up settling on "Home" by Daughtry – it felt appropriate, given the new life they were starting together as husband and wife.
He didn't have to do much. He just held his wife close to him and rocked her to the beat of the song; they swayed back and forth, circulating and even sharing a sweet kiss at the end of the song, much to the delight of everyone there.
Afterward, they sat at the head table, where the maids of honor, Connie and Teddi, and the best man, Charlie, lined up beside them, all holding champagne glasses that were filled with sparkling cider – when planning the wedding, Charlie had insisted no alcohol be served. They didn't need to give Gordon any potential temptations, not when he came so far and was thirteen years sober, and luckily, everyone who'd helped with planning the wedding agreed. Besides, it wasn't necessary. The love from your family was just as intoxicating and gratifying as any alcoholic beverage; at least, that was what Gordon felt; that was something he'd found in his time during treatment for his issues.
Connie was the first to speak, holding her glass up as she clutched the microphone. "I'm not sure if I know where to begin," she said. "So, I might as well begin with what I do know. I've known Casey Conway for most of my life – it seems like just yesterday, I was running into Charlie, Jesse, Averman, Peter, and Guy on the school bus as we were heading off to kindergarten, and as we boarded the bus, Charlie and Guy knocked into me on our way up the stairs to the bus, causing me to fall on my face and my older brother Fabien to laugh at me, and my older sister Claire to punch him. I told them to watch where they were going. And Charlie ended up telling me to watch where I was going; we ended up shoving each other until Casey and my mother-in-law came in and broke it up, and Casey started scolding Charlie about being a little more respectful to young ladies." This elicited a few knowing chuckles, particularly from Guy and Jesse; Casey remembered the day quite clearly, how she yelled at Charlie to be a gentleman and not shove his way past a girl.
Connie laughed as she continued the story. "Who knew that he would become one of my best friends after that incident? Casey, you have the patience of a saint, putting up with him all that time because he was a piece of work, even when we were five." Everyone laughed again at Connie's teasing remark, and Charlie's face reddened. "Anyway, since then, I've come to know you quite well. You always fought for us; somehow, you were on the PTA board despite all the hours you worked at Mickey's, volunteering at our hockey games when we were just known as District Five and we didn't have a coach. Even though we weren't winning a single game, and none of us could skate or score a goal or handle the puck, you kept telling us to just keep trying and get back up again. And you always protected us. I still remember the day our new coach drove up onto the ice in a limo, and none of us had ever been in a limo before. It was Charlie's idea to climb on top of the roof, and we demanded that he let us inside. We then started egging him on to take us for a ride. That was until you showed up and ruined the moment."
Everybody laughed once again. Gordon could feel his face burning in embarrassment as he remembered his behavior that day, how he spoke to Casey with so much arrogance. She'd had every reason to hate him, considering he was endangering the children and putting them at risk.
"I still remember what you said. You said when it came to your kid, 'I just know' didn't cut it as an excuse," Connie continued. "So, who would've thought that would lead to the two of you getting together at all, let alone getting married after finding your way back to one another after all this time? And I know Charlie was upset with Karp for harassing him about it when we were in science class years ago; I remember he said, 'Likes his mom, you mean,' and Charlie ended up shoving Karp, but we all knew it was the truth. And look at where that got the two of you now. Casey, you've spent your whole life taking care of all of us, and I remember when you told me I was the daughter you never had, but always wished for, and I'm just . . . I'm really happy that you finally have someone there to take care of you after you've spent all this time worrying about and caring for us. And I don't think I could be happier knowing it's our coach; I know that was all Charlie's ever wanted. So, today, his dream finally came true. And so, I wish you both the best of luck and many more years of happiness together."
Everyone applauded. Casey felt her eyes sting tearfully at Connie's speech as she watched the girl she loved like a daughter since the day she'd met her pass the microphone to Teddi, who stood there in her junior bridesmaid's dress and looking absolutely beautiful, though she still looked much like a little girl, tiny and petite. And as she took the microphone from her godmother, Teddi's eyes were swimming with moisture.
"Somehow, I don't know if I can top that," Teddi said. "Um . . . I guess I should just start by saying, Nana, as your first granddaughter, I always knew Grandpa loved you. I knew you and Grandpa should've been together from when I was four, and it was all I ever wanted. I'm just happy my brother and I finally got it because I know it's a win for Dad. But it's a win for us, too."
Everyone applauded once more as Teddi passed the microphone to her father, who cleared his throat before beginning. Charlie's eyes were suspiciously misty as he started his speech, and Gordon knew it was taking his son everything he had not to start crying. Still, Charlie began the speech, his voice tight with repressed emotion.
"Um, okay. I said I wasn't gonna cry. We'll see how long I last." Everybody laughed lightly. "Um, well, Connie, you perfectly summarized my mom and dad's first meeting. And well, let's just say the reason why these two are even together is because I was the advocate. You're welcome." Everybody laughed again, and Gordon rolled his eyes lightly at his son. "I still remember when I thought I hated you, Dad. It was during one of our games, and you kept telling us to take falls and fake injuries. I was the only one who refused to do it. I didn't wanna win by cheating. And a couple of days later, you came to my apartment, and apologized to me, and said you admired that I did what I knew was right. You believed that I would be the heart of the team; you told me that when I did something, others would follow my lead. And during the Junior Goodwill Games, you told me I'd make a better coach than a player, and it made me want to give up my spot so Adam could have his shot. And after Hans died, and I nearly quit Eden Hall, you . . . you showed me what a jerk I was being, and . . ." Charlie paused, stopping to wipe his eyes before saying, "You made me realize everything Coach Orion sacrificed, and the two of you helped make me a better man, and a better father. And for that, I'm forever indebted to you both. You told me almost twenty-five years ago that I gave you a life, and that I made you start caring. And . . ." Charlie swallowed thickly, but Gordon saw the tears rolling down his son's face, and it was enough for him to feel his own eyes filling as he took Casey's hand in his, squeezing gently. "And that day, you saved me from myself. Before I met you, I never realized something was missing. So, that was why, before my daughter was born, I insisted you get clean again, because the Ducks and I will always need you regardless. You taught us that no matter what, even if someone in the flock loses their way, ducks fly together; you taught me never to forget my home. And even when they say it can't be done, ducks fly together. I love you and Mom, and I hope it stays this way for many years to come." With that, he finished, wiping his eyes as Gordon rose from his seat and embraced him, rubbing his back.
"I love you," Gordon murmured before pulling away, but he took the microphone from Charlie. “I also want to say a few words,” he said. “First off, I want to say thank you to the Ducks for organizing this. Second of all, Charlie –“ He turned his gaze to his stepson, or rather, his son, “– years ago, when your mother and I first started dating, we talked about something important, how . . . how whenever someone left, it got a little rougher on both of you. And, well . . . from here on out, today, I’m officially here to stay. So . . .” He fumbled in his pants pocket for the folded-up papers he’d kept stashed away in his underwear drawer at home, and he pulled them out before handing them over to Charlie, who unfolded them and, upon seeing them, released a held breath. “You are my son,” Gordon whispered. “You always were. Now, I wanna make it official.”
Charlie nodded, looking too choked up to speak. He went in and hugged his stepfather – or rather, the man who would become his adoptive father – tightly as everyone raised their glasses and quacked to the Conway-Bombay family.