oOo
'Please be upstanding for the grooms' came the announcement as Jackson and Aaron entered the wedding reception. They entered to rapturous applause. Walking hand in hand through their friends and family being kissed and hugged and patted on the back they made their way to the top table where Paddy, Chas, Hazel, Adam and Joe were already waiting for them. As they sat down Aaron turned to Jackson and simply kissed him. This caused the room to erupt in hoots and hollers and whistles. Once everyone was settled and the dinner orders had been taken Adam and Joe stood up.
'As there were two grooms and therefore two best men' Adam started.
'We decided to split the speech in two' continued Joe.
This caused everyone to begin laughing, the two guys voices almost polar opposite to each other. They had obviously been practising this as it flowed seamlessly. First Adam then Joe and back and forth. Anecdotes on the two grooms, how the boys first met, fought, got arrested, went to court, made up. Their whole history was played out by their two best friends. Coming to the end of their joint best man speech they picked up their glasses.
'Please be upstanding to raise a toast to be grooms,
'Aaron and Jackson' said Adam
'Jackson and Aaron' said Joe at the same time.
This caused more laughter as the room toasted the couple in the order they preferred.
The grooms were both beaming as they clinked glasses and kissed each other briefly.
'I love you so much' Aaron whispered to Jackson staring into his chocolate brown eyes.
'The feelings mutual' Jackson replied looking at Aaron as if all his Christmases had come together.
Adam had begun speaking again 'I know this is a slightly unusual wedding what with two grooms, three dad's, two mam's, two best men and a partridge in a pear tree but I'd like to ask Paddy to say a few words on the happy couple'
Paddy stood slowly looking at fondly at Aaron and Jackson.
'Well, where do I start? As everyone here knows Aaron is not my biological son but that never stopped me from being a dad to him. The 'where are you going?, who are you seeing? Will you be home tonight? Kind of dad. I know I annoyed Aaron with all my questions when he was younger but it was only because I loved him and wanted him safe. The proudest day and the hardest was the day Aaron came out to me. He was hurting so much and so confused but through that confusion came grew the man I see before me. He has been through so much and through the majority of it he has had Jackosn by his side. The day Aaron met Jackson is the day Aaron's life truly began. I know, as everyone here knows, they had their ups and downs. The good times and the bad but they made it through. I am so proud of them both but none more so then my son Aaron. Now I have a second son too. I welcome Jackson into the family and hope they have a long, happy and hopefully very uneventful life together. So I'd like to raise a toast to my son Aaron and his new husband Jackson. Welcome to the family'
As Paddy finished Aaron stood up from his seat and hugged the man who had been his true father for the last 7 years tightly. 'I love you Paddy' whispered Aaron into the older mans neck.
'I love you too son' came the teary reply.
Aaron felt a hand on his back as Jackson moved to hug Paddy as well. 'Thanks Paddy, that was lovely'
Once the cheering and clapping had died down Joe stood up to introduce Hazel. 'Well to complete the whole randomness of this wedding we are having the other grooms mam speak for what we hope is only a few minutes. We have a timer and a buzzer to keep her in check' Joe joked. 'Hazel, the floors all yours'
'Well, I said to myself, I said Hazel, how do I follow up after Paddy's wonderful speech. I suppose I'll just speak from the heart so here goes. When Jackson came out to me when he was 17 I wasn't that surprised. When he came home with his first boyfriend I hoped he'd change his mind, right minger so he was. But then as Jackosn matured and found his groove he also found a slightly confused young man who he fell in love with. When Jackson first met Aaron he wasn't at all sure what to do, I told him to leave it but as any mother or father knows this usually means they are ignored. And I was right, even after the initial problems he kept going back until eventually I had to ask him why? The answer surprised me, even though they had only been together three months Jackson had fallen in love with Aaron. After a few problems and some fairly eventful years these two eventually found each other. They'll probably eat me for saying it but the many times they broke up, or kinda broke up or sorta fought they were a bloody nightmare to live with and I lived with both of em. Apart they just don't work, they are two halves of a whole being. Together they just make everything look possible. I have never been happier for my son and the fact that he ignored me when I said to let Aaron go. I have never seen two people as happy as these two today. I thought Jackson was gonna go mental waiting this morning. He couldn't wait to get here and by the look on Aaron's face when we walked towards him he felt the same. I love you both and I wish you every happiness for your future together. Just one more thing! I'm never living with either of you again! Jackson and Aaron' laughing as she said the last thing choruses of 'Jackson and Aaron' surrounded them. Jackson smiled at his mam and gave her a kiss on the cheek 'thanks for that mam! Love you'
Jackson stood up 'As there are two of us we both decided to say something. I've decided to keep it short for once' winking at Aaron as he said this 'Aaron you make me so happy. I know we have had our ups and downs but I wouldn't change a thing. I've loved you from the start. The more I get to know you the more I love you. I hope that we have a long life together and I know that our life together will be anything but boring. I love you so much, thank you for marrying me'
Jackson kissed Aaron without a second thought and Aaron reciprocated not worrying about the fact that there were so many people watching.
Aaron stood up to make his speech; his hands were shaking at the thought of speaking in public especially talking about feelings.
'I'm sure you all know how much I love talking! But tonight I've decided to actually say something instead of just grunting' everyone laughed at this as Aaron was hardly the loquacious type. 'When Jackson and I first met I was so far in the closet I was in Narnia. I hated who I was and who I wanted. Unfortunately for Jackson I wanted him so I showed how much the best way I knew how, by punching him. Thankfully he forgave me after I came out in court, mind you! Any we've been together ever since. Well except for the time he left me cos of my fight with Mickey and when I reacted oh so well to him telling me he loved me oh and the time when he dumped me cos he thought I was too young to settle down. So yeah, overall we've have a bit of an up and down relationship but when I was finally able to tell him how I felt and how much I love and need him we got back on track. Oh and for the record, I wanted to ask him to marry me first! I sometimes can't believe how lucky I am that you wanted to marry me, actually to go out with me in the first place. I promise that I will always try to let you know how much you mean to me and I am never letting you get rid of me. I have you in my heart and on my finger forever. I love you Jackson and I always will'
Looking at Jackson Aaron could see the tears in his husband's eyes. 'I love you too Aaron' was all he managed before the tears started to fall. Aaron wrapped his arms around Jackson and held him tight whispering how much he loved him into his ears. All the guests 'Aaawwwweeed' at the sweetness of the moment. When Jackson finally composed himself they turned to their guests who had raised their glasses in a final toast and then dinner was served.
The speeches and dinner were over and now came the first dance, the only part of the wedding that Aaron was truly dreading but he'd promised Jackson that he would do the traditional first dance.
Speaking into the mike the lead singer of the band introduced the couple 'Please welcome Jackson and Aaron to the floor for their first dance'
As the guests clapped, Aaron and Jackson moved to the dance floor. As the music for the first dance started Jackson pulled a reluctant Aaron into his embrace on the dance floor. The opening strains of 'Just Say Yes' by Snow Patrol started. This was the song they had their first proper kiss to and the night that started this whole relationship off. Jackson gently laid a hand on the back of Aaron's neck as Aaron put his arms tightly around his new husband's waist, the lyrics washed over them.
I'm running out of ways to make you see Just say yes, just say there's nothing holding you back It's so simple and you know it is Just say yes, just say there's nothing holding you back Just say yes, coz I'm aching and I know you are too I can feel your heart beat through my shirt Just say yes, just say there's nothing holding you back
I want you to stay here beside me
I won't be ok and I won't pretend I am
So just tell me today and take my hand
Please take my hand
Please take my hand
It's not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
You know it is, yeah
We can't be to and fro like this
All our lives
You're the only way to me
The path is clear
What do I have to say to you
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
It's not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
For the touch of your warm skin
As I breathe you in
This was all I wanted, all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
It's not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
Just say yes, coz I'm aching and I know you are too
For the touch of your warm skin
As I breathe you in
Slowly rotating around the floor they were lost in each others eyes. Their happiness was spilling out to everyone around them. Aaron's insecurities about public displays of affection were long gone. He was holding the man who made his life worthwhile. His entire being was filled with love for this man and he wanted everyone to see it, to experience it. Jackson was so happy there were not words to describe it. His right hand massaged the back of Aaron's neck as his left hand rested gently on his new husbands arm, his wedding and engagement rings glinting with the lights. Slowly Paddy and Hazel took to the floor. The two couples rotating around each other. The newly weds lost in their bubble not even noticing what was going on around them. Neither man had ever looked as handsome, it was as if their love shone through every pore and bathed everyone in its glow.
As the song finished the two kissed gently telling each other without words how happy they were with each other and the love they had for each other.
Adam stood to the side looking at his best friend, he had never seen him happier. He liked to think that he had a little something to do with it. Maybe interfering is for the good sometimes he thought to himself with a small smile, well it is if tonight is anything to go by.
Once the first dance was finished Jackson pulled Aaron off to a quiet corner so he could talk to him.
'Aaron, I need to tell you something. Don't get worried it's nothing bad or anything. It's just, well, my dad turned up this morning and I invited him to the wedding. I was wondering if I could introduce you to him. You don't have to meet him.' Jackson said quickly.
'I thought you hated your dad. I thought he didn't like you being gay. I'll meet him if you want, of course I will but why?' Aaron queried.
'He apologised to me, I never thought he would. He came to our wedding and I think I want to try to start afresh with him but I really need you if I'm gonna do this.'
'Oh Jay, course I'll meet him. I can never say no to you and you know it!' Aaron replied laughing as he said it. Deep down though he was nervous, Jackson's dad didn't like gays. We'll that's what he was lead to believe and he really didn't want a fight on his wedding day. As if reading his thoughts Jackson said 'I know its shit timing, I'm sorry'
'It's not your fault love. Come on, the sooner we meet him the sooner we can get back to having fun' Aaron replied.
Standing up he put out his hand for Jackson. Holding his hand Jackson stood up intertwining their fingers as he walked towards his dad. Aaron saw him straight away, he was basically an older version of Jackson, it was really odd. He was looking at Jackson in 25 years.
'Aaron this is my dad Jerry. Jerry this is my husband Aaron'
'Hi' said Aaron shaking hands with his new father in law.
'It's nice to meet the man that's making my son so happy. Son, congratulations on your marriage. If you want to meet up when you get back off your honeymoon I'd love it. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long. Please forgive me Jackson. I want to make it up to you.'
'Ok dad, I'll talk to you later. We have to do the rounds now.' Jackson said as he walked away from his father hand in hand with his new husband. Aaron squeezed his hand trying to comfort Jackson as he could feel that he was a bit down over the whole thing.
Getting back to their guests Jackson's mind was still on his conversation with his dad. He didn't know what to do. Aaron sensing that his husband's mind was elsewhere tugged his hand and pulled him away from their guests.
'Babe, Are you alright? You know I love you don't you? It's just us if that's what you want? Try not to dwell on your dad, I know it's hard but don't let him ruin our day'
'I'm trying, I really am' Jackson replied. Pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind he decided that his dad was not going to ruin his day. Smiling to himself as he saw Aaron surrounded by their guests he moved to his new husband and kissed him on the neck.
The rest of their night went by with them dancing, drinking and talking to all their guests before finally deciding to retire for the night. Leaving the room to catcalls, whoops and suggestive remarks they were laughing as they walked to the lift to go to their 'Bridal site' both laughing at the title of their room. 'No brides here' they both shouted as they entered their room, lips crashing together as they did.
