Hi all!
Apologies in advance for the utter fluffiness of this chapter, but I need it after tonight's episode or I may actually have to scream/hit something!
Syed woke up alone for the first time since Christian had come back to him all those months ago. He rolled onto the cold side of the bed, Christian's side, and grinned into the pillow, which was infused with Christian's scent. Today was the day!
Christian woke up on Jane's sofa bed, feeling well rested despite the uncomfortableness of the bed. He had called Sy late last night, not being able to sleep until he had wished his fiancé, soon to be husband, good night. And to check he hadn't gotten cold feet at the last minute. He had to suppress the urge to call him now, and only the fact that his sister had taken his phone from him was actually stopping him.
Hearing a stirring in the next room, Syed adjusted his tie for the millionth time and went in to check on his waking daughter. It was cruel, really, that Amira had been so cruelly killed in the fire at the B&B*, and he was upset that Yasmin would grow up without a mother, but in reality, it had made things a lot easier. There was no longer a constant tug of war between his ex-wife and his fiancé for his affections, and Syed felt that things would finally work out for the best from now on.
If only his mother would get past her prejudice and be happy for him and Christian...
Christian arrived at the registry office and was suddenly a bundle of nerves. He saw Tam and Afia sitting to the side, enjoying the autumnal sunshine, and realised for the first time that he was genuinely afraid that Sy wasn't going to show. Nevertheless, he pushed the nerves down and went to greet his soon-to-be brother-in-law.
"Tam, Afia, glad you could both make it!" Christian's cheery persona shone through, and he was even starting to convince himself that he was alright.
"It is my brother's wedding, Christian," Tam reminded him, and instantly, Christian felt like an idiot. But he was damned if he was going to let anything ruin this day, even if he did have to exchange a few choice words with certain in-laws.
"Sy not here yet?" Christian asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but probably failing miserably. Tam gave a slight nod behind Christian, and Christian automatically turned to be greeted by the most stunning sight.
Sy was standing behind him, Yasmin in his arms, a breathtaking smile on his face, his eyes lit up at the sight of his lover. Christian walked towards him, unable to keep the grin from his face.
"Sy, you look..Amazing," he said, his eyes roaming unashamedly over his lover's body, loving the blush which crept over Sy's features.
"You hadn't given up on me now, had you, Clarkey?" He raised his eyebrows in mock insult. "Because I didn't spend hours getting this little one ready to stand you up," he gestured to the baby in his arms, who was now struggling to reach Christian's grasp. Christian gladly took her from Sy, brushing a stray lock of hair behind his lover's ear as he did so.
"Course not," he replied, moving in closer so he could whisper into Sy's ear. "But I did miss our usual routine of morning sex," he grinned at him.
"Well, you did choose to spend the night apart, Clarkey."
"Hey, I wasn't taking any chances," Christian said, putting his free arm around Sy and herding him into the building. "With our past luck, I was half expecting Amira to rise from the grave and tear us apart again." Christian's voice was serious, no trace of humour present.
"Hey, don't even joke about that," Sy told him seriously. "You don't get rid of me that easily!" Christian bumped his hip against Sy's, effectively bouncing him into the room where their marriage ceremony was to be held.
The ceremony was a simple affair, in complete contrast to how Christian and Sy's love had been over the years. There was only Tam and Afia, for Sy, and Jane and Roxy, for Christian, as witnesses, and their vows were simple declarations of the love they felt for one another. After all they'd been through to get to this point, they had both agreed that the more straight forward their marriage ceremony, the better. They had the photos outside the registry office and headed back to the Vic for their reception, and the newly married couple finally got some much needed alone time in the back of the cab.
When Christian finally allowed Sy to surface for air, much to the embarrassment of Sy and the uncomfortableness of the cab driver, Sy ran his fingers over Christian's wedding band; plain silver, with their names engraved on the inside. He clasped Christian's hand in his before resting his head on Christian's shoulder.
"You happy?" Sy asked, though his question wasn't exactly necessary; Christian was practically vibrating in his happiness.
"I just married the most gorgeous, perfect bloke in the world, of course I'm happy!" Christian laughed. "Are you?" he asked, almost scared of the answer.
"Yeah," Sy looked up from his resting place and stared deep into Christian's eyes. "I finally feel like I can close the chapter of my life which was full of nothing but heartache and pain. I've got everything I could possibly want," he told him sincerely. "I've got my daughter and my husband by my side for when I undoubtedly mess up. I feel like the luckiest man alive."
"Not possible, I'm afraid," Christian said, and Sy lifted his head from Christian's shoulder to look at him in confusion. "Because I am the luckiest man alive," he grinned at him, and Sy could do nothing but draw him in for a long kiss. "Damn, I want you, Syed Masood," Christian growled in Sy's ear.
"Too bad you'll have to wait til after the party then, isn't it?" Sy teased, nipping the skin at Christian's neck before jumping out of the taxi as they pulled up outside the Vic, leaving a very frustrated and turned on Christian to pay their fare.
*Please excuse my personal prejudice against Amira, but I can't help but hate her for her part in the Chryed break-up!
I may do another chapter, depending on reader response!