Chapter 88: Matrimony
Hiroki finished tying his tie as he stood before the mirror. He wore an ecru white English tailed suit with a blue tie…the same blue that matched Nowaki's eyes. Hiroki did not feel nervous or even sweat…he just felt this was not going to change them. Nowaki and he would always be the same, but…they would be legally partners. His parents agreed to this as well. He stared at his profile.
He did not change his hairstyle as he rubbed his hair absentmindedly. Hiroki gulped his dry mouth as he took the water beside the mirror and sipped the water. He sighed as he placed the water down. Hiroki tried to think…but all he could think about was the end of all of this…and being in Nowaki's arms.
Hiroki flushed at his silly thoughts, but…he smiled brightly. He knew that he loved Nowaki; every fiber in his being belonged to that fool… Hiroki gasped when the door opened to Akihiko. He turned as Akihiko said, "Are you ready? Everyone is all set."
He turned red and turned away. Hiroki said, "I…am ready."
Akihiko came in and hugged Hiroki. He said, "Relax, we practiced and this should be simple. Just remember to breathe and watch your feet, okay?" His large hand rubbed Hiroki's head as he went out the door.
Hiroki fixed his hair again as he went to the door and grabbed the bouquet of various roses. He took a quick smell as he smirked. Hiroki bought this at the flower store Nowaki used to work at… He chuckled at the small but wonderful memories flowing into Hiroki's mind. Hiroki took a deep breath and exited.
He went down the hall and gasped. The line turned to him as Machi shrieked and ran to Hiroki. Her basket fell to the ground as she hugged his legs and said, "Hiroki! Hiroki! I am your flower girl!"
Hiroki smiled as he bent down to hug her. He held her close as she hugged him back. Hiroki opened one arm to allow Bachi, who gently set down the rings, run into Hiroki's embrace as they cuddled close.
He kissed their heads as he said, "soon, once again, we will be together."
Machi smiled and said, "Maybe next week!"
Hiroki snickered and said, "Mrs. Kusama's gift, I presume…well, do not fret, kids. Just walk down the aisle to Nowaki and relax. Okay?"
Bachi and Machi nodded as they went back to their positions. The staff opened the doors as the age-old wedding song rang out. Machi walked forward as she gently dropped the flower petals.
Hiroki went to the back behind Akihiko. He gulped as he watched Machi slowly walk to Nowaki. She gently dropped the petals as she dropped the last petal before three chairs before Nowaki. Machi shrugged and walked towards Nowaki, and she gracefully curtsey to the crowd and stood beside Tsumori.
Everyone cooed and watched Bachi come down the aisle next. He walked slowly as he smiled at a few wedding guests. A few people cooed as Bachi stood in front of Nowaki. Nowaki rubbed Bachi's head as Bachi smiled at Nowaki.
Hiroki flushed and smiled brightly. He slowly realized Mio in arms with a new guy… Hiroki stiffened, but Akihiko turned to whisper, "relax…Mio can handle himself."
Mio and this new guy walked, arm in arm, down the aisle of red and cream roses. Both boys looked slightly comfortable as Mio parted from the boy and stood on Hiroki's side. The other boy stood behind Machi.
Taminago and another new kid slowly went down the aisle. This pair was vastly different than Mio and his new partner. Taminago was slightly uncomfortable, but the other boy was emotionless. They came to the end and parted; Taminago stood behind Mio's partner. The other boy stood behind Mio.
Akihiko came to the doors and bowed before he slowly walked into the hall.
Hiroki took deep breaths as he felt his heart was racing. He was soon going to walk towards his husband…it was not different than walking towards Nowaki before. But…he felt his body shiver as he gulped hard. Hiroki sighed out a long breath as he turned towards the small room beside the main chamber.
His mother, dressed in a cream kimono with gentle roses on the sleeves, came to her son. She smiled brightly as she stood on Hiroki's left; she raised her hand to allow Hiroki put his hand on top. They slowly entered the hall and paused at the door; Akihiko stood beside Mio as he bowed towards the Kamijos.
Everyone in the seats stood as Hiroki and his mother walked down the aisle. Hiroki's eyes attached themselves to Nowaki's… He could not help but flush and giggle into a smile. Nowaki was slightly pink with pride and love as he watched Hiroki walk towards him.
Hiroki could not hear anything but his rapid heartbeat. He wanted to run than walk this silly wedding march. Slowly, Hiroki's eyes lowered to Machi and Bachi… He stalled.
His mother slowly stopped as Hiroki stared at Machi and Bachi with huge eyes. Hiroki could see many problems for these little kids than he thought of before…the kids could be ridiculed, teased, and have problems with two fathers as parents…what about Nowaki and him? Could that start to hate each other? What if Bachi got sick again…could they afford two funerals? Also they had to bury Takachici still…the pain could refresh in Machi's heart? What about Bachi…? What about the future and could they be a family? Would they survive all the torture of being a homosexual family?
The wedding march slowly died away as Hiroki heard whispers… Hiroki felt his body urging to run, but the wedding march continued. He kept his eyes down as he clenched his bouquet of roses. Hiroki felt his choices were not through enough! He had to think more! The kids could be…
His mother's hand rubbed his fingers as she said, "Hiroki, I know you are scared…please, look at your beloved."
Hiroki did as told… Nowaki stood proud and stared unblinking towards Hiroki. His eyes were full with passion and fear…but he kept his timeless and beautiful smile on his face. Nowaki looked so beautiful and madly in love with Hiroki… Hiroki just stared back at Nowaki with his emotionless and fearful stare of this future that he could not control…
Kizuna said, "Hiroki, listen. You are no different than any other blushing bride. Afraid, nervous, and madly in love…you forgot some minor details in the future planning but…that will come. You are young and have a wonderful partner; and your kids…they love you so much. Do not worry so much…" She grabbed his hand and said, "Do you want to continue or need more time?"
The hushed breath or the crowd…Nowaki's intense glare…the fearful glances from Machi and Bachi…the smiles from the Usami brothers…and the gentle smile from the priest. Hiroki could only see Nowaki as Nowaki slowly calmed down.
Nowaki smiled and lipped, "I love you; choose what you want…my beloved, Hiro-san."
Hiroki nodded as he said, "common Mom…give me to my husband…"
Kizuna chuckled lightly as she and Hiroki continued to Nowaki. Hiroki kept his eyes locked on Nowaki's as Hiroki smiled again and blushed. Nowaki smiled and reached for Hiroki's hand when the Kamijos came to him.
Hiroki tried to reach Nowaki's hand, but Kizuna held onto Hiroki. He smiled as he kissed his mother's cheek. Hiroki said, "Thanks mother."
Kizuna smiled as she said, "Father, I give my son to this man…with all the hopes and love for their happiness." She gave Hiroki's hand to Nowaki as the men enjoined their hands and looked deeply at each other.
The priest nodded and said, "Welcome, you may be seated."
The crowd and Kizuna slowly sat down. The crowd took a small pant of relief as some chuckled. Hiroki reddened at that reaction, but Nowaki rubbed Hiroki's fingers.
Hiroki looked deeply into Nowaki's eyes as his smile brightened even more…he knew that he made the right choice. Nowaki was a better man than any man Hiroki ever loved… Hiroki breathed slightly easier in Nowaki's presence than before.
The priest continued, "I would like to say that love come in all shapes, ages, and forms. God bless these men for seeing the beauty of love and sharing this in front of this crowd of friends and family. I will pray for them as I hope all of you will as well."
A general murmur of agreement came from the crowd as Hiroki and Nowaki smiled at the murmur. They took each breath slowly as they kept their eyes only for each other.
The priest said, "Now, I will allow these men to proclaim their love in their own vows as the rings will be given. Kusama, Nowaki, you may speak your heart to your beloved."
Nowaki nodded as he said, "Hiroki, I know we met on the sunny day at the park while your heart was breaking…but that day…I never felt so impassioned to help and protect you from the tears. I love you, from the moment I saw your tears, and I knew you were destined to be my love. We have been through so much through the years, but my love for you has never faltered due to my deep reasoning for staying with you…" Nowaki took a breath and finished, "for I know we are a match. I know we can fight and see the worse times; I rather think of those times as stepping stones to the higher foundation of love we built together. Hiroki, I will give you this ring…" He turned to Bachi for a moment to get the ring, a blend of Hiroki's platinum engagement ring and a new copper ring, as Nowaki placed the ring on Hiroki's finger. Nowaki finished, "may this ring be a sign of my never-ending love and respect for you."
Hiroki gulped as he said, "Nowaki…dear Nowaki…I must deviate from the original vows for a moment to say why I paused…" He gulped and said, "I was fearful of the future; like so many homosexuals, we have children and our future to worry about. I want the best for them, and I feared so much that our union could harm them in the long run…" Hiroki's eyes connected with Nowaki's. Nowaki, as always, smiled and waited for Hiroki to finish. He gulped and continued, "but then I looked into your eyes and saw…some of the same fears; losing a love that we fought so hard to keep true and deep. But the reason why I continued was not because of your comment or your gentle glance at me…" Hiroki said proudly, "I continued because I love you more than anything. You have been so kind and gentle…I have been rough and cruel…but we still hung onto each other. For this love…is worth every battle."
Nowaki's fingers passionately embraced Hiroki's as Hiroki sighed happily. Hiroki said, "This ring…" He smiled at Bachi as Bachi gave Hiroki Nowaki's ring, and this ring matched Hiroki's blended metals. He gulped and finished, "this ring is my eternal promise to love you…even though all the tough and cruel times…I will continue to love you, for I love you as much as you love me…"
A low wave of cooing and comments came from the crowd. They were silenced by Hiroki's mother and the glances from the ushers. Hiroki did not care…he was deeply immersed in staring at his husband than listening to the rest of the world. Nowaki was glancing as passionately at Hiroki as the priest sighed happily.
The priest said, "May your love continue to overcome the challenges of life. Also, may your future little ones continue to look up to you for love and support. So, I must ask, Kusuma, Nowaki, do you take Kamijo, Hiroki to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Nowaki said, "I do."
The priest said, "Kamijo, Hiroki, do you take Kusama, Nowaki, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Hiroki said proudly, "I do."
A few chuckles from Hiroki's answer, but Hiroki kept his smile only for Nowaki. The priest said, "I pronounce you husband and husband; you may kiss your husband."
Nowaki brought Hiroki closer as Hiroki wrapped his arms around Nowaki. They chuckled at each other and kissed.
The crowd cheered and clapped; they cat called and rooted happily for the couple.
Hiroki could almost not hear them…his mind was solely inside Nowaki. Nowaki gently kissed Hiroki as his hands rubbed Hiroki's back. Hiroki rubbed Nowaki's head as they slowly parted. They blushed at each other as they turned to the crowd.
The priest declared, "I now pronounce Mr. and Mr. Nowaki Kusama."
Hiroki and Nowaki walked, hand in hand, down the aisle to the exit. They were showered with praise as they went out of the church with the ringing of the bells… Hiroki smiled as the limo came to the couple. Nowaki brought Hiroki to the limo as they entered and sighed as one. The limo turned and went towards the Imperial hotel.
Nowaki turned to Hiroki and said, "I was scared, but…I am glad you finished the few steps towards me."
Hiroki rubbed Nowaki's fingers and said, "You are worth this and more…my beloved."
Nowaki reddened as he kissed Hiroki gently. Hiroki accepted every kiss as they embraced each other tightly.