Chapter Ten: The Ceremony and what followed after
Brian and Michael walk out to the tennis court, where the aisle is lined with White Lilies, like there were out front. As they are walking, Brian glances to his left and says, "Hey Todd, glad you could make it."
As they get to the front Debbie stands up and gives Brian a big hug and a kiss. He says, "Don't go getting any ideas that you're special or anything. You know my mom had a prior engagement, probably to get her hair done."
She wops him on the head, "You either asshole" she says as she hugs him again and grabs another tissue.
Michael looks to Ben, "Any word from Mel and Linz yet?"
"Yeah, they just called. They didn't know about the wedding, so they just thought they were going to be a little late for a party. They said they should be here in about an hour, probably just in time for the reception."
Back in the room with Justin, Daphne is gushing over how handsome he looks and the beautiful bouquet that Brian had ordered. Justin explains the story behind the gardenias.
All of the sudden the door flies open and Emmett soars in. "Are you ready" It's time and Brian's waiting."
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be which is really, really, really ready."
"Okay, when we get to the back door, Daphne will head out first. Nothing special, just walk to the beat of the music. Then we will count to five, and Justin, you and your mom will head out. When you get to the tennis court, stop just behind the seats. As soon as Daphne's gets to the front the music will change to 'Grow Old with Me' (John Lennon). All the guests will rise and that's when you proceed down the aisle. Got it?"
"I think so."
"Do you need me to go over it again?"
"No, I've got it."
"Okay, when you get to the front Jennifer, you will take Brian's hand and Justin's hand and put them together. Then you will head to your seat in the front row, but don't sit down yet. The minister will ask who is giving this man to be married. You say 'I do' and then you can sit down." Jennifer said that she understood.
"Wow, I hope someone gets this on video."
"Don't worry baby, we have two videographers capturing you and Brian, plus two still photographers to capture all the perfect moments. I guess it pays to be marrying someone in advertising. Alright, let's go."
When they get outside they hear a string quartet playing the most enchanting music. Justin is doing his best to hold back the tears, but what bride can keep from crying at their wedding?"
Emmett hands him a handkerchief. "Here, just in case. It's blue, old and borrowed. I think we have plenty of new things here already."
Daphne heads up front, and then the music changes. A familiar voice begins to sing:
Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be
When our time has come, we will be as one
God bless our love - God bless our love
Grow old along with me, two branches of one tree
Face the setting sun - when the day is done
God bless our love - God bless our love
Spending our lives together
Man and wife together
World without end- World without end
Grow old along with me, whatever fate decrees
We will see it through - For our love is true
God bless our love - God bless our love
God bless our love - God bless our love
Justin looks ahead and sees Cyndi Lauper standing in front of the microphone. Damn, Brian did spend a lot of money.
As they reached the end of the aisle Justin notices Father Tom. He then looks to Brian and smiles as if to say 'You sick bastard'. Brian knew just what he meant and smiled back.
Jennifer joined Brian and Justin's hands, kissed them both and headed to her seat where she answered Father Tom's question with an 'I do'.
Brian put something in Justin's hand. Justin looked down and realized that Brian had found and brought the vows that he had written the month before. Justin thought 'he did think of everything'.
Father Tom Begins and everyone remains decidedly quiet when he asks if anyone sees why the two shouldn't be married. Justin is relieved. Father Tom continues, "Brian and Justin have decided to write their own vows. Justin would you go first, please."
Justin had already memorized his vows, so he doesn't have to look at the paper.
"Brian, five years ago I came to you as a naïve teenager, and fell in love at first sight. I know people have trouble believing that about a queer, but it's true. Over the years you have done so many things to make me love you even more and I didn't think that was possible. Even when we were apart I knew deep in my heart that one day we would be together forever, and I am so happy that that day is finally here. You truly are my better half, my best friend…" He tilts his head to the side, "sorry Daphne".
Back to Brian,"…my soul mate; the man of my dreams and my reality; my past, present, future and my one true love. I promise to love you and be with you for the rest of our lives. I promise to stick by you no matter what life throws at us. I promise to do everything within my power to keep you happy. And finally, I promise to let any hot guy, who approaches me, know immediately that I am spoken for, now and forever. Brian, take me, I'm yours."
Brian replies, "Justin, I am so damn lucky that you fell in love with me. I'm even luckier that you never truly gave up on me. I'm sorry for anything I have ever done that brought you even one moment of heartache or sadness. I'm sorry I didn't say 'I love you' sooner and I'm sorry I made you wait for me to grow up. Thankfully I have grown up and realize what a special gift it is to have you and have your love. I promise to return that love for as long as we live. I promise to give you the best life I possibly can. I promise to be true to only you and tell all the hot guys that I'm spoken for too. I will do whatever it takes to keep you happy because you are the one who completes me and makes me whole. Because you are the one who makes me a better man. Because you are my soul mate and the love of my life. I promise to never let you leave me or push you away, no matter what life has in store for us. I love you, Justin, for a thousand lifetimes past eternity. Take me, because I'm yours too."
They are both drenched in tears when the rings are exchanged, when the pronouncement is made and when Father Tom says, "You may kiss the bride, or rather groom."
"Bride will do just fine" and Brian takes Justin in his arms, dips him and gives him the single longest kiss of his life.
Everyone erupts into cheers and applause as Brian and Justin rush back down the aisle and into the house. Emmett announces to the guests, "Please follow me to the reception." He looks to Michael and Daphne, "You guys stay here for photos. Jennifer, Debbie, Ted, you guys stay too. Brian and Justin should be back in I'd say… 15 minutes."
Michael muses, "Why 15 minutes?"
"Really Michael, I thought you knew Brian better than just about anyone. You can't figure it out?"
"Ooh yeah, now that they are finally married, Brian won't want to wait to consummate it."
He was right. Brian leads Justin down the same long hallway, as when they arrived. When they get to the end of the hallway Brian opens the door. The room was all done in a pale Ivory; the walls, the carpet, the artwork, the bed and the linens.
"This room is beautiful."
"Just like you. This is our bedroom. I figured that if we have any accidents like we did that first we were together and we can't quite get the stain, it will just blend in. If you don't like it, you can decorate it however you like. The rest of the house is yours to decorate too.
"No, this room is perfect. I don't think I would change a thing, except maybe put the chaise in here. There's plenty of room.
Brian slowly starts to undress him.
"What are you doing? Don't we have a house full of guests to get back to?"
"Yes we do, but first we have to do something." He begins kissing Justin's neck as he undoes his pants at the same time. "We're officially married now and I want to consummate it so you can't turn around and ask for an annulment. Anyways, I can't wait any longer to see if feels different now that we are husband and wife."
Justin is starting to get a little stimulated and follows Brian's lead by removing his clothes. Brian picks him up and carries him to the bed where he lays him down on a blanket of ivory rose petals.
"Straight people have it all wrong. This is our threshold." He looks deep into Justin's eyes as he raises his legs. Justin pushes himself up on the bed so that he can meet his lips with Brian's.
Brian thought the most intense love making he had ever experienced was the morning after Justin came back from New York and said that he was never leaving again. Boy was he wrong. This was much more intense, passionate, and intimate. It was as if sparks truly were flying. Justin felt it too. When they were finished, Brian just softly caressed Justin and kissed him over and over and all over.
Justin was the first to speak, "Brian, do you think every time from now on will feel like this?"
"I'm sure it will fade eventually, but we can always keep this feeling inside of us. How we felt our first time as unlawfully wedded husband and wife."
"I guess we better get going before they come looking for us. We have wedding photos to take. Get every pose you want, but then I'm done modeling for the camera. Let's see if we can get your hair back in place.
They re-dress and head outside to where their "family" is waiting. Michael can't help himself, "So how was it?"
You know it's not polite for a lady to kiss and tell, so Justin don't say a word."
"Yes dear." He has a feeling he'll be saying this a lot. I want to ride you in the stables; yes dear. I want to slam you on the tennis court; yes dear.
The photographer positions them for their photos. First he takes several different shots of Brian and Justin. Then he inserts Jennifer between them. Next they have Michael and Daphne on either side. He then takes one with Debbie in the middle getting a kiss on both of her cheeks. Finally he takes one of the whole gang: Brian, Justin, Michael, Daphne, Jennifer, Debbie.
Brian looks over to Emmett and Ted and shouts, "That means Fairies and Pussies too." Emmett jumps with glee and he and Ted get into the picture.
Next in Chapter 11: The Reception