Chapter 16
DeAnna Zankich
Sequel to | Sweet Redemption
Summary: The days leading up to the big `I do'.
Warnings: None
Author Notes: A thousand thanks to my sweet friend Kristina Grönberg for the title.
Spoilers: None
Standing in his mother's kitchen, Stuart leaned against the counter and took one deep breath after another, trying to get his heartbeat back to normal. Margaret came in and reached for his hands, holding them tightly in hers.
"Vince is upstairs putting some polish on his outfit," she said. "He looks bloody gorgeous, if I do say so myself." She gave him a questioning smile. "Are you all right, now?"
He nodded in a way he knew was unconvincing but he couldn't help it. "Sorry about all that."
"No need to be. You were understandably upset. The panic is all over now, though." Margaret lifted his chin on the end of her finger. "I hope you're planning on dancing with your old mum later."
He smiled in spite of the fact that he was still trembling a bit. "Of course I am. I'll even let you pick the song."
Hazel and Vince came around the corner then and stopped at the entrance to the kitchen. Stuart saw Vince for the first time that day and felt himself bite his lower lip. For a moment, he was unable to breathe.
"Oh my God," Vince said, his lovely blue eyes widening as he looked Stuart up and down. "I . . ." He was clearly unable to think of a thing to say. "Stuart . . . you look . . . so lovely."
With his heart racing like mad, Stuart walked slowly across the kitchen and stood very close to Vince--close enough to feel the warmth from his lover's body. He was smiling a little as he leaned forward and brushed their noses together. "Hiya," he whispered.
"Hiya." When Vince smiled then, his face lit up beautifully. "All right? I heard you went a bit mad because I as late. I'm really sorry about that. We had a bit of car trouble and had to get a cab back."
"Thought you'd changed your mind about marrying me," Stuart confessed.
Vince's jaw dropped. "You have GOT to be joking." Looking down slightly, his cheeks flushed with a sweet blush. "You're the man of my dreams, Stuart Jones. You think I'm letting you get away? Today of all days?"
Hazel and Margaret walked over to the door that led to the deck, waving down to Sister Anne. Margaret gave her a thumbs up and a big smile.
"Right, lads," Hazel said. "You've got five minutes and then we're getting underway." The two mothers left the kitchen and walked down the stone steps to the garden.
Stuart and Vince stood holding hands and softly kissing each other's lips for a long, quiet moment. Both of them seemed to know it was their last chance to be alone together for a few hours. The sound of the music from the garden floated into the sunny kitchen along with the light laughter of the guests waiting for them outside.
"I can hardly stand being alone with you dressed like that," Vince whispered, touching the soft wool of the kilt with this fingers. "I don't think I can be trusted."
Stuart grinned and batted his eyes. "You'd better behave, you bastard. You're the one made me wait a whole bloody day to get shagged."
"You've waited longer than that before," Vince reminded.
"Yeah, but never happily. Where the fuck were you today?"
"Bernie was helping me with something. I don't want to tell you, Stuart. It's a surprise. I'm really sorry we were late."
Stuart squinted. "A surprise? Give me a hint?"
Vince shook his head. "I don't think so . . ." He leaned forward slowly and covered Stuart's lips with another kiss.
Just being near him made Stuart shiver, he missed Vince so much. He knew it was mad since they had only been apart for one day, but he was literally starving for his lover's touch and attention. He wanted to be hugged until he couldn't breath and shagged until he just couldn't come any more. And then, he wanted to sleep in Vince's arms for at least a week with no interruptions. Stuart smiled, thinking he'd just discovered the impetus for the age-old tradition of honeymoons.
From the garden, they heard the soft whistle of the pipe and flute as they joined the gentle melody the guitarist had been playing all along.
"I hear we've got a gardenful," Vince said.
"Yeah. Everyone's here. Well, except Dad's friend Frank and his wife."
"Right, they're on a cruise." Vince remembered the nice card they had sent with their regrets. "Well, we should go to it, then."
Stuart pouted, pressing his body against Vince's. "Just a bit longer." He put his arms around his lover's neck and squeezed him.
Vince sighed and groaned in mock misery. "Luv, please . . . I can't walk down the aisle with a hard-on. Sister Anne would send me straight to hell."
Stuart laughed, stepping back to look in Vince's eyes. "She might turn the hose on you, but that's as far as her punishment would go. Why do you think I asked her to officiate?" He turned to the open kitchen door and they both listened to the music for a moment.
"Stuart?" Vince said softly.
Looking back into those pale blue eyes, Stuart thought he might cry from the sweet, slightly terrified expression on Vince's face. "What, luv?"
Breathing a laugh, Vince squeezed Stuart's hand in his. "I'm nervous about being up there in front of everyone."
"Don't worry," he said. "I'll be right there, too. We'll look like twats together--side by side."
A clatter of footsteps up the stone stairs made them both turn around again. Thomas and Benjamin bounded into the kitchen in their full kilt regalia, laughing in that breathless way children had.
"Uncle Stuart, come ON!" Thom demanded. "I want to go to the party!"
Stuart laughed. "All right, you little beast. Get your grandparents and Aunt Hazel. Is Alfred down there?"
"Romey's got him in the front row," the boy said.
"All right. Ben, come here." Stuart turned to Vince and held out his hand. "Give me your ring, luv. Ben will take them down to our ring bearer."
Reluctantly, Vince worked the Claddagh off his finger and handed it to his lover. Stuart took off his own platinum wedding band then gave them both to his nephew. "Get those down to Romey right now. Then come right back up with the adults."
Ben scampered down the stairs with the rings clutched in his hand.
"Blimey," Vince muttered, rubbing his ring finger. "I feel so naked."
"We'll have them back in a minute." Stuart squeezed his hand and gave him a little wink.
Thom went to the door and bellowed down to the crowd below. "Grandma! Aunt Hazel! Come on!"
A burst of laughter rose from the guests and a moment later Margaret and Clive came up the steps. Clive walked into the kitchen and went right up to Vince, giving him a tight hug.
"Ah, there you are, lad. Glad you could make it."
Vince laughed and blushed like mad.
Hazel came up the steps slowly with Alfred in her arms and Ben at her side. "He wants to go down with his daddy," she told Stuart as she brought the child to him.
Taking the baby and kissing his cheek, Stuart turned so Vince could see his son's little waistcoat. It was the same pattern as the tartan of the older male's kilts. "Nice, huh?"
"You all look fantastic," Vince said, admiringly. "The Clan Jones of Manchester."
"Right, then. We decided the Tyler's are going down first, didn't we?" Hazel said. She stood by the door and held out her hand for Vince. "Come on, Vinnie. Walk your old mum down the aisle, eh?"
He smiled at Stuart one more time, then he walked up to this mother and took her arm in the doorway. Hazel straightened his tie again and brushed some lint off the sleeve of his tux jacket.
Behind them, Stuart and his parents lined up and checked each other's clothing. The nephews had wanted to be part of the procession, even though that hadn't been in the original plan. Marie agreed to let them if they promised to behave. Truth was, Stuart thought they all looked quite lovely together--all dressed in the traditional colors of their family. Even Margaret had a bit of the Jones plaid represented in the piping of her shawl.
Upon seeing Vince and Hazel at the door, the musicians finished the time they had been playing and began the soft refrain of the song Stuart requested his grandmother to sing. He watched his fianc step forward and start down the stone stairs to the garden and Stuart's heart began to pound fiercely.
This was it. They were doing it. The wedding had begun.
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Marie:
She looked back toward the garden stairs when Grandma Maeve began to sing in her sweet, high voice. Marie barely remembered the words to the song, but the melody was etched in her soul. It reminded her of her childhood and of the rolling green landscape of their home. Almost instantly, she was overwhelmed with emotion.
Hazel and Vince were both smiling as they stepped slowly down the stairs. The flowers her father had planted among the steps blew softly in the late afternoon breeze. Hazel clutched her son's arm with both hands and Marie could see the sparkle of joyful tears in her eyes.
They reached the grass and began toward the aisle down the center of the gathered chairs. Vince looked beautiful in his black tuxedo. She remembered the very first time she'd met Vincent Tyler. He was fourteen years old, a slightly scruffy local lad that her little brother met at school. At first she thought he was a bit dull but once she got to know him, Marie grew to respect him. He was an honest person but he still managed to remain kind. She always thought that was a most admirable and rare quality.
Grandma Maeve's voice rang out clear and lovely as the Tyler's took their time moving toward the fountain. Marie watched as the guests who were able to catch Vince's eyes smiled at him lovingly. The American woman, Kate, was already crying as well. She was quite lovely, Marie had to admit. And her hat was fantastic.
Upon reaching the front row, Vince kissed his mother and guided her to her seat. Then he walked up to the fountain where Sister Anne stood in her long white Renaissance-style robe, her hair plaited down her back in a soft grayish blond rope. The Sister gave Vince a reassuring smile.
Maeve Jones reached the second verse of that ancient song and Marie watched as her family descended the stairs. Her sons were out front, resplendent in their kilts and jackets. The boys went too quickly and the guests murmured gentle laughter as they all but ran into the aisle, giggling to each other like brothers will. She heard a few people comment on how handsome they looked in their gear and she had to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. The boys found her and scampered into the front row with her, giggling like mad. They were having a blast.
"Oh, sit down, for Christ's sake," she whispered to them, laughing in spite of herself. "You promised you'd behave."
Everyone within earshot of her laughed along with her.
Then, with his baby in his arms and his parents right behind him, her little brother started down the stairs. He looked right at her as he reached the grass and she had to bite her cheeks to keep from bursting into tears. God, he was magnificent. So proud and elegant. Her mother wept happy tears behind him as she clutched her husband's arm. Clive caught Marie's eye as well and nodded to her, his dark blue eyes sparkling.
Stuart and Alfred walked on their own down the center of the aisle. She saw her brother and his friend Kate exchange a long glance and the pretty American blew him a kiss. She laid her hand over heart to tell him silently how beautiful he looked. Marie was touched by the gesture and slightly envious of their obvious connection.
She watched Stuart look at a few other guests as he approached the fountain. He smiled at his other American friends, Rebecca and her young niece, and he gave a nod to his boss and his wife. As he reached the front of the short aisle, he knelt down and stood his son on his own legs beside Romey. She heard him speaking to Alfred softly.
"Now, you stay here with your mother, big fella. You've got the rings, yeah?"
Alfred nodded once, emphatically.
Stuart smiled and kissed his son's forehead. Romey supported the baby's back with her hand but otherwise, Alfred stood strong on his own. Stuart gave her a kiss before he stood up, walking across the front row over to where their grandmother stood singing the last lilting Gaelic lines of the song. Stuart kissed her cheek and the older woman squeezed his hand. Marie heard him whisper his thanks and Maeve touched his cheek affectionately.
Walking back to his parents, Stuart kissed them both then took them to their seats in the front row. Then, finally he walked to the fountain and faced Vince before Sister Anne.
They laughed nervously as they turned to the Sister and everyone gathered waited for Maeve to finish that beautiful, melancholy song. After, Clive stood up and brought her to her seat beside him and Margaret.
Marie clasped her mother's slightly trembling hand and they smiled at each other with tears rimming their eyes.
Now that the song had finished, the garden was silent. The guests shifted in their seats, turning their attention to the fountain. Marie took a deep breath and squeezed her mother's hand.
God. Her little brother was getting married.
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Kate:
I'm sitting here trying not blub out loud but they both look so totally gorgeous. I think I've squeezed the circulation out of Richard's hand, poor love. And that song! Stuart's grandmother, Maeve, has the most beautiful voice. I have no idea what she's singing about because all the words are in melancholy Gaelic, but it's so lovely and perfect for the moment that I can hardly stand it.
I see his sister Marie on the other side of the aisle watching her family as they come down to the fountain. Her boys are adorable and they run through the crowd like loons, making everyone laugh. I love to hear Marie talk. It's like listening to a female version of Stuart.
Finally the boys are up there facing that sweet Sister Anne. Vince's friend Alex clears his throat up front and gets ready to do his reading. I have to say, I'm impressed with his suit. It's this nice, understated charcoal single breast with a very low-key tie. Last time I saw that guy, he was wearing a chartreuse sweater with tangerine vinyl pants. Understandably, I was a little worried about what he would choose to wear today.
"Friends and family," the Sister begins and I get goose bumps all over. "Welcome. Thank you for being with us today and sharing this wonderful occasion with Stuart and Vince."
The boys steal a glance at each other and I see Stuart wink. Look at him, he's even flirting when he's standing at the alter. Alfred squeals suddenly and we all laugh again. Stuart looks back at the baby and brings his finger to his lips with a sweet smile.
"Quiet, luv," he whispers, his dark blue eyes glimmering. He looks so happy. I can't help but be reminded of the day I married Richard-- the love of my life, the man of my dreams. I never imagined I could feel as happy as I did that day. Just looking at Stuey, I can tell he feels exactly like that. He's dizzy with it.
"Before we begin the ceremony," Sister Anne continues. "Vince has asked his friend, Alexander Perry, to give us a reading." She looks to Alex and nods. "Mr. Perry, if you would."
Alex stands up and smiles shyly at the crowd, walking up to a designated spot beside the fountain. He turns to us and clears his throat, then he takes a folded piece of paper out of his coat pocket. I'm nervous for him as he begins to recite what he's written down.
"Vince and Stuart have requested a reading from a poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson," Alex says, his voice wobbly at first but when he speaks again, he's much more sturdy.
I breath a little sigh of relief for him, knowing how freaked out I would be if I were up there in his place. He clears his throat again then we are all happily surprised when the flutist starts up a soft, sweet accompaniment. Alex begins to read.
"Catch us now for I am your future. A kiss on the wind and we'll make the land. Come over to where When lingers, Waiting in this empty world, Waiting for Then, when the lifespray cools. For Now does ride in on the curl of the wave, And you will dance with me in the sunlit pools. We are of the going water and the gone. We are of water in the holy land of water And all that's to come runs in With the thrust on the strand."
He smiles with impish relief when he finishes, then he steps back to his seat. Vince looks over his shoulder at his friend and smiles with affectionate approval. I'm pleased to see Stuart give Alex a nod, as well--especially since I know they don't get along. Sometimes I'm afraid Vince regards me in the same way Stuart regards Alex, even though Vince is always the perfect gentleman in my presence.
"Thank you, Mr. Perry," Sister Anne says. "Lord Tennyson always seems to know just what to say, doesn't he?"
We all laugh softly.
The nun lifts her chin and raises the volume of her voice just a bit, giving it an air of authority. "We are gathered this afternoon to celebrate a union of love and the spirit of commitment," she says. Somehow Sister Anne manages to make eye contact with each and every one of us as she speaks. "I am blessed to have known Stuart since he was a boy and I have watched him grow into a fine young man. It is my great pleasure to be here today to join my good friend to his life long companion, Vincent Tyler, in a bond of partnership, love and joy.
"The commitment of marriage is never easy. It is a long and often difficult road paved with the uneven stones of compromise and struggle. But the rewards of the journey are infinite. Knowing the true joy of a loving partnership is one of God's greatest gifts to us. Today we shall celebrate as Stuart and Vince make this commitment, and promise each other the full breadth of their love."
The Sister speaks to them quietly but we can still hear her. "You each have chosen your own vows for this occasion?"
The boys say they have.
Sister Anne smiles at Vince. "Vincent, would you please begin?"
He and Stuart turn to each other and from where I'm sitting I can just make out Vince's profile. But I can see Stuart's face completely. His focus is entirely on his lover. To him, there is no one else on the planet at this moment. Of course, I start crying again and my Richard pulls my hand into his lap to hold. Bless him. God, I'm such a girl.
Vince reaches for Stuart's hands and they stand there for a moment just looking at each other. Then Vince begins speaking quietly, his voice tight with emotion.
"From the first moment I met you, I knew I wanted to marry you. I wanted to care for you and make you happy for as long as you lived. Today you are making all my wishes come true by standing here with me and taking these vows. Today and every day following, I promise to listen to your voice and your heart, to respect your sorrow and your joy, to be a source of strength, comfort and compassion and to love and honor you for all the days of my life."
I sniffle as I see Stuart start to cry. He trembles slightly and I see him struggling not to let the tears fall. He takes a deep breath, still looking right into Vince's eyes. Even though I can only see his profile, I see the flash of fresh tears on Vince's cheek.
"Stuart," Sister Anne says, keeping things moving. "Please share your vows with Vincent."
I watch him wrestle to keep it together and then he takes a step closer to Vince. He looks at us briefly and we can all barely hear him as he says "this first bit's personal." And with that he leans in and whispers in Vince's ear.
We all hold our breath as we watch Vince lose his composure and really begin to cry.
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Stuart:
Vince's soft hair tickled his nose as he leaned in to whisper. Stuart repeated the two lines of Gaelic one more time and tried desperately to keep his voice steady. He had never felt so full in his entire life, or so fragile and vulnerable. After speaking the two lines in his native tongue, he finally gave Vince the translation. The last couplet in the first stanza of "Annabel Lee":
". . . and this maiden, she lived with no other thought than to love and be loved by me."
He took a hitching breath and looked in those beautiful pale blue eyes again, completely lost in the ocean of love he saw there. Pulling himself together enough to continue, Stuart went on with the promise he'd memorized almost a year before.
"Few people are fortunate enough to spend their lives under the loving protection of their best friend and then, at the age of thirty, to be able to make that person their lover. You have made me the most fortunate man alive. I have always wished to learn from you, to grow in the warmth of your incredibly loving and patient heart. I will never deserve you, Vincent Tyler, but I promise to spend every day of my life trying to. You are the tenant of my heart and I wish to give you a home in my love forever."
Sighing, Stuart squeezed Vince's hands. He was enormously relieved he'd made it through his vows without falling apart. He sniffled and smiled at his sweet lover, not moving until his smile was returned.
Vince laughed softly and the tears that had been resting in his eyes brimmed over and rolled down his cheeks.
Sister Anne touched both their arms comfortingly, knowing they were both gutted emotionally. Thankfully she could tell they would need her to guide them from then on. "Now we will exchange the rings," she said, looking over at the baby. "Alfred? Please bring us the rings now, sweetheart."
Romey held her hands out behind her son as he walked slowly toward his father and Vince. Stuart bent down and opened his arms, waiting while his boy ambled up to him. Alfred reached for the pocket in his little waistcoat that contained the rings and they all watched while he got them out. Surprisingly, he didn't drop them. He smiled brilliantly at his father and handed over their rings. Stuart gave him a kiss then picked him up and hugged him briefly as he handed him back to Romey.
She was crying, too, as were many of the guests. He wiped a tear off her smooth cheek quickly, then he turned back to Sister Anne. He stood beside Vince again, handing the Sister the rings.
She held them in her open palm, the two bands lying gently next to each other and glinting in the dappled sunlight. "These rings symbolize your promise to each other. They are an unending circle with no beginning and no end. Wear these rings as a constant reminder of your love and let them show all others that you are two individual halves of a solid whole." She looked at Stuart with a gentle smile and he took the Claddagh out of her palm.
Taking Vince's hand again, he slipped the ring onto his left ring finger. There was a slight sun mark there in the shape of it and seeing that made Stuart smile. The ring had become an indelible part of Vince.
"Repeat after me," the Sister instructed. "Let this ring be a symbol of my love."
Stuart repeated the line, glad to hear his own voice sounding a bit more sturdy.
"Wear it always and let it remind you of my ever-present faith in you and in our union."
He took a moment to touch the gold with his fingers as it rested so securely on Vince's finger. Then he looked up into those lovely eyes and repeated the last line the Sister had spoken.
Sister Anne smiled at Vince then and he reached for the platinum ring remaining in her palm. He slipped it on Stuart's finger and boldly stated the lines without the Sister's help.
"Let this ring be a symbol of my love," Vince said with quiet confidence. "Wear it always and let it remind you of my ever-present faith in you and in our union."
The Sister turned around then and gestured to the fountain behind her. "Usually at this juncture in a commitment ceremony, there is the lighting of a unity candle. As a part of their ceremony, Stuart and Vince have requested a slight variation on that." She looked back at Clive and Hazel. "I'll ask Stuart's father and Vince's mother to come up and bring their sons each a silver coin."
Clive stood and held out his arm for Hazel. They walked up to the boys and handed them each a coin. They had chosen a fifty pence piece both for its pretty shape and for the symbolism of fifty years. Hazel pressed the coin into Vince's hand with a loving squeeze and Clive did the same, leaning forward to put a kiss on his son's cheek. Then they returned to their seats.
Stuart and Vince stood so the guests could see them and they held the coins tightly in their hands while Sister Anne went on.
"With these coins tossed into the water of this fountain, Stuart and Vince will make a secret wish for their future. This wish is something they will share only with each other."
Smiling almost playfully, they tossed the coins into the fountain at the same time. Then they took each other's hands again.
Sister Anne held her arms open in a welcoming gesture to the guests. Her long robe rippled gently in the afternoon breeze. "The promises made between these two gentlemen today have been shared with and witnessed by their friends and family and will hold true for them for as long as they both shall live. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Stuart and Vince to this new phase of their lives as loving partners." She leaned over and kissed them both on the cheek. "Now, please," she said. "Kiss each other and go forth with great joy."
Stuart touched his forehead to Vince's for a moment and then tilted his chin and kissed his lover softly. They were both smiling into the kiss and they closed their eyes momentarily as they listened to the sudden outburst of applause from the guests. For a moment, there was no one else in the garden but them, no one else in the entire world.
When that first soft kiss broke, they looked at each other again and Stuart took a deep breath. The joyful sounds around them rushed in on him then and he turned to their guests with a bright smile. But he could feel Vince's gaze lingering on the side of his face, watching him for one more private moment before he, too, turned to face their loved ones.
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Vince:
Outside in front of the Jones' house a sleek black limousine waited to take them back to their flat for the party. The limo had been Kate's doing, as Romey and Hazel thought it was be a bit much.
The guests had tossed flower pedals and birdseed at the boys in lieu of rice. Clive thought it would be better for his garden and, as it turned out, the combination was quite lovely. The pedals filtered through the air and the seeds weighted them down like confetti. As the boys made their way out of the garden and to the front of the house, Vince felt a bit like a celebrity rushing from an award ceremony out to his waiting car.
The driver stood by the limo dutifully, dressed in a black suit with a polished hat. He congratulated them as he held open the door and once they were safely closed inside the posh car, everything went silent.
Through the windows Vince could see their guests all making for their cars as the wedding party moved on to its next location, but the strange silence of the limo's interior made it seem like he was watching a movie through the glass.
"Blimey," he said to Stuart. "That was . . . incredible. Unbelievable."
Grinning hugely, Stuart settled back on the plush bench seat. He never took his eyes off Vince as he sat there with his lovely thighs slightly exposed under the kilt. Vince couldn't help touching his knee very gently.
"Oi," Stuart purred. "At least wait until we're on the road. Don't want my grandmother seeing you feeling me up."
Vince laughed, settling into the soft seat beside his husband. Husband. Christ, that would take some getting used to.
"Ah, look," Stuart said, leaning forward to pluck a bottle of champagne out of an ice bucket in the limo's tiny bar. Two crystal flute glasses were secured against the bar with a bit of dark blue satin ribbon and Stuart untied it as the long car pulled away from his parents' house. A small white card was tucked into one of the glasses and he tweezed it out with his fingers, holding it so they could both read it.
"Congratulations! May you live and love together for many years to come! With love from Kate and Richard."
"That's so nice," Vince said. "God, she's given us so much."
"Don't worry," Stuart said. "It makes her happy." He wriggled the cork out of the bottle without spilling a drop of it and then he poured them each a glass of the bubbling libation. It smelled crisp and lovely and Vince's mouth watered to taste it.
Setting the bottle back in the bucket, Stuart turned to him and softly tapped the glasses together as the car rolled slowly down his parents' residential street toward the motorway. "Cheers, luv," he said and he gave Vince another soft kiss.
"Cheers," Vince said and that small word seemed packed full of a thousand others as they took a sip of the delicious champagne.
Still smiling, Stuart let out a contented sigh. He scooted over on the seat so they were almost sitting on top of each other and then he draped his right leg over Vince's lap. Lifting his eyebrows playfully, Vince slid his warm fingers up the inside of his lover's silky thigh and caressed him there.
"Naked?" he asked.
"Of course." Stuart kissed him again, that time with a wave of heat as his tongue slipped between Vince's lips and touched all the sensitive places in his mouth.
Vince reveled in the softness of his lover's skin as he gently stroked that lean, succulent thigh. He didn't go all the way up, just enough to make Stuart shiver against him.
"God," the handsome Irishman said. "I cannot wait to make love to you. Over and over again . . ."
Smiling a bit smugly, Vince nodded. "See? I made the right decision about us not shagging last night. Isn't it nice to want each other so much?"
"I always want you this much," Stuart whispered, coming in for another passionate kiss. He tilted his hips as though he meant to crawl into Vince's lap.
"Ah ah," Vince warned, gently pushing him back down in his seat. "Don't get me started. I would really like us to wait."
Rolling his eyes, Stuart sighed and took a sip of his champagne. "Oh, fine," he conceded. "We'll wait. But I swear to God, Vince . . . you won't be able to walk for two weeks after tonight."
He laughed. "I won't have to. I'll be lying on my back on a beach in Greece."
Stuart tapped his glass against Vince's again, laughing along with him. The limo had joined the M6 and they were headed back to their flat at Mariners Court. For a moment they just sat there, resting against each other in the luxurious seat, quietly sipping the champagne. It was far too soon to process the intense emotions from the ceremony, but nonetheless Vince felt like they had truly crossed over. They were indeed two individual halves of a very solid whole.
He rested his head against Stuart's, breathing in the warm perfume of his beautiful curly hair. "I can't believe you got your legs out and wore this lovely kilt for me," he said softly.
Stuart bit his bottom lip and grinned. "I knew you'd like it."
Vince pet that naked knee again. "Oh, yes."
Giggling seductively, Stuart reached for the bottle and poured them another glass. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Vince an almost secretive smile. "Oh my God," he said. "We're married."
Reaching over with his left hand, Vince laced his fingers with those on Stuart's right. They both looked at the Claddagh ring as it glinted in the golden light from the setting sun.
"God, you really made me cry, luv," Vince whispered. "What you said . . . I'll never forget it as long as I live."
Stuart leaned over and snuggled against him, resting his head on Vince's shoulder. "Almost didn't make it through saying it."
"Yeah. Me, neither."
"I had no idea I would feel so . . ."
"Yeah," Vince concurred. "Me, neither." He put a soft kiss in that tangle of satiny black curls and then rested his chin on Stuart's head.
For a long time they just sat there riding toward their home in the back of that shining limo, neither of them needing to say anything more.
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Brian:
The pilot had just announced that they'd caught a good tailwind and would be arriving a few minutes early in Pittsburgh. Brian looked at his watch--6:48 in the UK. Sipping a glass of Merlot from dinner, he finally set his watch to Pennsylvania time, even though it pained him physically to do so. Michael had been right. This was going to be the longest Saturday in the history of the world.
At their destination, the time of day was just before 1:00 in the afternoon.
He sighed and settled back in his seat, feeling like he had a huge weight pressing on his chest. He sensed Michael looking at him and tried not to show his mild irritation. He knew his best friend only wanted to help, but Brian still wished Mikey would just leave him alone to wallow in self-pity.
"Why don't you watch a movie or something?" Michael suggested. He looked at his own watch then offered Brian a consoling smile. "At least it's done now."
"Yeah," Brian agreed. He tried to smile but must have failed miserably because Michael leaned over and kissed him.
"You'll get through it," he said softly.
"Don't have much choice, do I?" Brian finished his wine then looked for a flight attendant to bring him more. The least he could do was get good and drunk.
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