One Year Later
Luke and Reid stood together at an altar in Luther's Corner Church. Despite living in Dallas, they thought it best that they get married in Oakdale; it was easier than asking everyone to travel to Texas, and Luke had wanted to exchange vows in the town in which he had grown up and the town in which they had first met.
The pews behind the altar were full of their family and friends. In the front row, Katie Snyder was beaming, ecstatic that she had managed to match-make her best friend and Luke without really trying. Next to her sat Holden and Lily Snyder, who was crying over the fact that her baby was getting married and that it wasn't to Noah. The priest stood behind a podium that faced out into the church.
"Welcome. It is my honor to preside over this historic wedding," Father Jones said. "Luke, Reid, as you set out on your journey into marriage, remember that love is a precious and beautiful thing. Cherish and honor it. And now, your vows."
Luke and Reid turned to face each other.
"Luke, it's no secret that when you first dragged me here I wasn't the nicest person to you. And, I think it's safe to say that you annoyed the hell out of me whenever you were around. You got under my skin immediately, from the second or third time I laid eyes on you. I tried endlessly to stay away, but I never could manage it. You always seemed to be around. No matter how rude or mean to you I was, you were nice to me anyway. You helped me to keep my medical license and you helped me to build my neurology wing at Memorial. You could have said no, but you didn't. And I could no longer fight the feelings I had for you. I had to give in. You have given me something to live for other than my job and I love you for that. I love you more than I have ever loved anything in the world. I could never love anyone or anything as much as I love you. You are my whole world, Luke, and I am so happy to be standing here today with you," Reid said, smiling.
"Reid, I spent two and a half years in love with someone who most of the time didn't seem to love and appreciate me. But, still, I did everything I could to try and make him happy, no matter how many times things went wrong and he pushed me away. The final straw with him was when I blackmailed and kidnapped you into coming here so that he wouldn't have to be blind for the rest of his life. But, even that wasn't good enough for him. And then there was you. You were rude and sarcastic and mean, but you spoke the truth so many times I couldn't ignore it. It was refreshing to have someone so blunt and open about their feelings tell me that they like me. You were constantly challenging me and making me a better man. And for that, I fell in love with you. I never knew what it was like to truly love and be truly loved in return until I met you. I love you, Reid, with my whole heart and soul, and I am so happy and honored to be standing up here with you today – even if it is four years later than it should have been," Luke said, returning Reid's smile and chuckling.
"The rings, please," Father Jones said. Luke's little brother Ethan walked up to Luke and Reid with a pillow bearing two solid gold rings.
"Luke, with this ring, I pledge to eternally love and cherish you," Reid repeated after the Father and placed the ring on Luke's finger.
"Reid, with this ring, I pledge to eternally love and cherish you," Luke repeated after the Father and placed the ring on Reid's finger.
"It is my duty, honor, and pleasure to now pronounce you married," Father Jones said.
Luke and Reid flashed matching smiles and kissed like they had never kissed before as the church erupted in applause.