"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." he didn't hear another word the officiant said.
God, Max was gorgeous. His sharp hazel eyes, always so full of intelligence, were trained on the officiant. Down just a little to his straight nose and then to his full, pink lips. He knew exactly how soft those lips were and how they felt against his own. And his fresh, perfectly groomed beard that traced his jawline and scratched his chin. Further, to his broad shoulders and tall bearing; to the just-right shade of navy in his tux. To their linked hands, warm and a little sticky. It was all real.
The officiant switched over to talk about the significance of their vows. Both of them knew exactly how important their vows were. Max glanced at him, caught his gaze, and winked. The look in his eyes was nothing but melting. They had their ups and downs, but Max's eyes always held the truth.
He was the one, with his big vocabulary and his loving nature. Always there and always sweet, yet passionate and intense at the same time. A little moody, and maybe more than a little flawed. Perfectly imperfect.
Then the man he was going to spend his life with; experience with; explore with; grow old with; turned him and took his other hand.
"Adam Montoya," he spoke clearly, though his hands were trembling, "I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness, and to have the patience that love demands. To speak when words are needed, and to share the silence when they are not; to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home." It was just the two of them at that altar. No one in the pews, no parties, no preacher.
"Max Gonzalez," he tried to control the tightness in his throat, "I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love. I promise to encourage you and inspire you and to love you truly through good times and bad. I will forever be there to laugh with you; to life you up when you are down, and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together."
Their hands parted for just a moment as they drew their rings. Simple silver bands. They exchanged as the preacher preached something about symbolism. Adam wanted to move, to leap, to do something with his excitement. His heart was racing.
"I now pronounce you Mr. and Mr. Max Gonzalez," the officiant stepped back and they stepped closer. Max's hand found his waist and they leaned in and
Adam opened his eyes to cold sheets. The clock blinked 3:17 A.M. The moon gazed in at him through the window, full and distant. Alone.
He couldn't hold back his sobs. Montoya pressed his hands to his face and clenched his eyes shut. His crying filled the room, his sobs broken and deafeningly loud in the silence. He kicked and writhed, his entire being mauled by grief.
A wet nose and tongue found his covered face. Malcolm. Adam gathered the husky into his chest and sought to regain his bearing. He buried his face in the dog's fur and let himself scream instead.
Max had been dead for three years, snatched away late one Saturday night by a drunk driver.
Just a week before their wedding.