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It feels like Price has finally gotten his exhausted eyes to shut when his phone buzzes on his side table. He sits up, eyes snapping open in an instant. Calling his cell phone meant something was about to explode and the world was about to sink into World War III. Price snatches the phone up and slides it open, pressing it to his ear.
"Price."
"John, it's Kate." Ah, Laswell. Not a reassurance that nothing was wrong. "Did I wake you? You sound awful."
Price exhales a laugh. "Thanks Kate." His ears prick up at the sounds behind Laswell on her end. Was that... screaming? Explosions? Now fully awake, Price stands quickly moving to get dressed and grab his kit. "What's happening?"
"Wh- Oh. John, it's not-" Another scream, this one much closer, and Kate... Laughs?
Price freezes. "Kate?"
Kate must shift away from whatever's happening, her voice much easier to hear over the din. "Turn on the news, John. It's not... the usual reasons why I call."
John sighs. So he won't get a straight answer from her. Great. He grabs the remote off the dresser and sits on the corner of the bed. Still keeping the phone at his ear, he turns on the TV, still set to the news channel from the last time he used it.
"-legalized in all 50 states. States cannot keep same-sex couples from marrying and must recognize their unions, the Supreme Court says in a ruling that for months has been the focus of speculation. The decision was 5-4," the anchor was saying. The image behind her was the American flag next to a rainbow flag. "Now we go live to Americans celebrating outside of the White House right now."
John's breath hitched as crowds of people cheering and waving flags came on the screen. The screams over the phone were cheers, the explosions must have been fireworks. "Kate?"
Kate sounds happier than John has ever heard her. "Did you see it?"
"You in DC?"
"New York. Marie will be here in an hour."
John smiles. He's only met Kate's partner once, but she'd been lovely. A foreign correspondent for a reputable news network, she and Kate met, where else, but on the job. They'd been together for about 10 years now. "You two going to wait, or go straight to the courthouse once she touches down?"
"Well, we're not getting any younger." John laughs at that. "We might get legally married tomorrow, but we want to have a ceremony."
"I'll send a card."
"John."
"How about a blender? That's always on the registry."
"John."
"Kate."
"We want you to be there."
"You do know that I don't do social gatherings, right?" John sighs, running a hand up his face.
"And you think I do?" John actually laughs at that. "Come on, at least tell me you'll think about it."
John hums. "I'll think about it." He rolls his shoulders. "Will need to get refitted for a suit. Been a while since I was a wedding guest."
"Guest? Oh, shit." Kate fumbles with the phone. "Sorry, I forgot to ask. Do you want to be my best man?"
If John had been drinking from the water bottle on his side table, he would have spit it out. "What? Kate."
"I'm serious! We want to have a full wedding party, and we've been making a list of people we want at our sides."
"Why not just let me be a groomsman? Er, bridesman?" John rubs at his eyes. "Fuckin'- Kate, do you even know what time it is right now?"
"... Oh shit."
"Yeah, 'oh shit'. I quite literally just got back from an op."
"Sorry," At least Kate sounds genuinely apologetic.
John sighs. "It's alright. I'm happy for you and Marie. And everyone over in that godforsaken country you call home." He smiles at Kate's laugh. "I'll think about it, okay?"
"Thank you, John. I appreciate it."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I knew you were secretly a softie."
"Tell anyone, and I'll... I don't know. I'm too exhausted for colourful threats."
"That's a first."
"I'll put one in my speech for the reception." Another laugh. John preens. "As long as I don't have to help you buy a bloody dress."
Silence.
John groans. "Kate, don't tell me."
"I don't know! Maybe!"
"You? In a dress?"
"You only get married once! Maybe I want the full experience."
"God. I'm going back to bed. Give Marie my love."
"I will," Kate is smiling. He can hear it. "Get some sleep."
"Oh, I wasn't. But now I guess I have to."
"Shut up, Price." John laughs. It's comfortably quiet for a moment, John listening to the celebrations in the background. "Thanks, John."
John smiles. "Goodnight, Kate. Congrats."
She quickly said her goodbyes, and they hung up. John turned off the TV and tossed his phone back onto the side table, settling back into bed. He made a mental note to look up a good tailor when he woke up the next day.