Roman awoke once again with a smile on his face to the sounds of barking and laughter coming from what he was sure was the kitchen. It was almost unfathomable, but there it was.
Yesterday morning had been heart wrenching, but last night had ended with the most perfect moment of his existence. He had no idea what Seth was up to, but once he realized what it was he could barely contain himself. He had tried to let Seth get it all out, he really did, but he couldn't help himself.
Nothing had ever felt as good as slipping that ring where it always belonged, then having one slipped on his finger as well, even if he did have to hold Seth's hands steady. Life's ups and downs were dizzying, but he now believed with everything he was, it was all necessary, and that he would never for one minute take any of it for granted again.
Seth began stirring in his arms as Roman gently kissed him awake thinking of what they'd never gotten to last night, and while what actually happened was precious and perfect, and he loved just holding his fiancée and kissing and cherishing him, it didn't mean he didn't still want what had been originally intended.
Seth's gorgeous chocolate brown eyes finally slid open looking a little confused, but full of love. His immediate responsiveness to Roman's touch only spurred him on as he deepened the kiss, and just as he slid his hand down Seth's abs a pounding on the door made them both freeze.
"Lexie says she doesn't give a fuck what you're doing in there, it's Christmas Eve, and time for family!" Randy was shouting as though he was only concerned that Lexie could hear him. The door opened a crack, "Sorry guys," He whispered loudly before pounding again and shouting. "Hurry up!"
Roman grumbled 100 % sure Lexie was the biggest cock block he'd ever met, and that they should probably wait a little while for kids. Seth looked disappointed, but he couldn't hide his sudden excitement as he realized what day it was. Christmas was Seth's favorite holiday, and Roman was sure he was itching to start celebrating as much he was itching for what Roman had in mind.
He looked so torn, it actually made Roman laugh despite his inevitable discomfort. He shook his head as Lexie's voice rang out telling them that breakfast was ready, and they should have gotten it out of their systems last night.
"Come on baby," Roman chuckled at Seth's blush, and kissed him hard making him a promise, while Seth kissed him back making his own before squealing a little and hopping out of bed and dragging Roman with him.
Everyone was already in the kitchen, but still in their pajamas, and while Lexie's voice sounded stronger than yesterday he could tell she was still weak by the fact that Randy was the one cooking and she was sitting on the counter with Dean standing in front of her worriedly.
"Sorry guys," Gavin mumbled a little embarrassed after Seth hugged him and wished him a Merry Christmas before letting go to rush Lexie. "She's been bugging us to get you guys for the last 40 minutes. It was either Randy pounding on the door or her joining you…"
"It's alright man," Roman patted his shoulder glad Gavin was actually talking to him. "She's more of a handful than Dean and Seth combined…" Roman cut himself off when Gavin looked suddenly sad, and changed the subject, "Merry Christmas by the way."
"Yay!" Lexie squealed suddenly cutting off Gavin's reply and leaping off the counter into Seth's arms almost giving them all heart attacks. "Rome, come here let me see!"
Roman gave Gavin an apologetic smile who looked floored at her outburst as she did her best to rush over to him not bothering to wait.
"Careful baby girl," Roman admonished as she stumbled forcing him to catch her making his heart skip a beat, but she ignored him.
"I knew it! Yay, I love weddings, and a Christmas Eve wedding too!" Lexie was more excited than he'd ever seen her as she kissed him, but he was a little too stunned to say anything back. "I have to call the courthouse!"
He looked up and met Seth's eyes who he thought would look just as stunned as he was, but Seth's eyes told him he would love nothing more. Roman went from stunned to elated in the drop of a hat, and while Lexie clapped excitedly and Dean did his best to hold her steady he closed the distance between him and Seth in three strides scooping him up into his arms kissing him.
"You really mean it?" Roman couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.
"You've always been my forever," Seth's eyes were shinning with unshed tears, but sparkling in a way he'd yet to see.
Roman's own eyes filled with tears and he could barely keep himself together as he squeezed his very soon to be husband as tight as he dare and kissed every inch of his face.
"We're getting married," Roman said excitedly to no one in particular, because they all just heard, but he would shout it from the mountain tops if he could.
Seth had tears sliding down both cheeks, but he was beaming up at him making his heart absolutely melt, and Roman just squeezed him again mostly because he didn't know what else to do.
If you'd have told him yesterday morning he was going to marry the man of his dreams today he'd have told you to go to hell, but there it was, and he never felt so certain about anything in his whole life.
Roman felt nervous, happy, excited, but a little sad at the same time as they walked up the court house steps. He was beyond ecstatic about the whole thing, but he sort of wished his mom and dad and the rest of his family were here with them, he missed them.
He loved his family, and it wasn't like they weren't happy for him when he called to tell them, but he knew they would have liked to be here as much as he wanted them here. His mom had cried, and told him she loved him and even after everything told Seth she was proud to call him son, but it didn't stop it from hurting.
It was a very teary phone call, and it had been Seth that suggested they wait, but without knowing how long it might be too dangerous to be around them, especially with the extra uncertainty hanging in the air after Lexie survived, Roman stuck with his original decision. He was unwilling to waste any more time.
What made it harder though was it wasn't like they could even explain everything to them, so they didn't completely understand why they felt it had to be here and now, or really why it had to be without them, but he was grateful they loved him enough to accept it for what it was.
"We'll have another ceremony with everyone babe," Seth squeezed his hand sensing he needed it. "Mom can help plan and we'll do whatever it is she wants"
Roman smiled and kissed him as his heart swelled with the impossible amount of love he had for him. Seth was a bit of a control freak sometimes, and Roman knew that not getting to plan every detail would be hard for him, but he would let that go for Roman, and it made him love him just that much more.
It had actually been sort of amusing listening to Lexie and Seth make the hasty arrangements for something such as they were doing today, and was surprised it seemed to be so involved. He was slightly worried about those two and his mom planning a big wedding though, but he would have to take it in stride when they got there.
"Oh yay," Lexie said suddenly excited again at Seth's words handing the tablet she was messing with to Dean and hooked her arm through Seth's. "When? We're getting married March 21st!"
"You're getting married on March 21st, then?" Roman asked Dean chuckling a little dropping back as Seth who had been a little peeved about the whole getting engaged and not saying a goddamned word, as he put it, started in on Lexie now that she had given him an opening.
"Yup, sounds like it," he shrugged then smiled excitedly at the screen like he just cracked a code.
Roman was a little shocked at the way Lexie had reacted this morning considering neither her nor Dean had mentioned the fact they seemed to be engaged as well, and now had apparently set a date. Gavin seemed to just be in shock in general and actually sort of made a choking sound as Randy laughed and shook his head.
"You haven't talked about it?" Roman asked incredulously.
"Nope, don't care, as long as it's what she wants, and as long as she says "I do"; I only need a time and a place," Dean replied distractedly.
Roman shook his head sort of amazed. Dean was one person he'd never thought he'd ever see married, and he showed no signs of cold feet. Roman was pretty sure he'd be fine with now if that's what Lexie wanted.
"Hello? Can you see me? Can you hear me?" Roman heard his mom's voice which made him freeze.
"Hi!" Dean waved excited and proudly at the tablet he'd been messing with.
"What the hell happened to your face?" He heard his dad's voice as well, which only served to keep him frozen in surprise.
"Seth punched me," Dean shrugged.
"Oh yay, good job, babe!" Lexie said excitedly ignoring Seth's angry protests as she walked away and kissed Dean's cheek.
"Hey!" Lexie waved happily at the screen too. "I'm so glad it worked!"
"Jesus did Seth punch you too?" Roman's dad asked irritably making Lexie laugh, and everyone else scowl, while Roman found his feet.
While his dad was happy he was happy, he was still a little worried considering what happened last time.
"No Hunter did that," he heard Jimmy or Jay's voice now too as he reached out for the tablet, which only served to surprise and excite him farther.
In his surprise and excitement he snatched the tablet from them a little unceremoniously and spun it around. He couldn't help the tears that sprung up in his eyes when he looked at the screen and saw not only his mom and dad, but a lot of his extended family too, and it left him speechless as he just stared at them.
"Isn't this wonderful?" His mom said excitedly with tears in her eyes, but all he could do was nod extremely grateful, before pulling Lexie into his arms thinking it was her idea.
"Don't thank me," Lexie kissed his cheek then pulled Dean forward, "It was all Pretty Boy's idea."
Roman chuckled delightedly and pulled Dean into him while Randy plucked the momentarily forgotten tablet out of his hand and waved at the screen happily, and Seth tried to shake off his annoyance with Lexie, and waved too.
"Genius," Roman muttered ruffling Dean's hair affectionately when he found his voice.
"I know this," Dean replied indignantly, though he beamed at the compliment making Roman unable to resist kissing his head. "Besides I wouldn't let momma and papa Reigns miss seeing their baby boy tie the knot."
"You gonna let them miss seeing you tie the knot?" Seth said a little irritably apparently just as mad at Dean as he was Lexie, and unable to drop it. "Or are you two just going to go get married and not tell anyone like you did when you got engaged?"
"Relax, Bambie," Lexie pulled Seth into her arms and kissed his head. "I won't make any more decisions without my best man, promise. You'll be the first to know."
Roman laughed as Seth's eyes widened in surprise, and he knew her words meant the world to him, but then his eyes narrowed at her suspiciously, "even before Dean?"
"Even before Dean," she kissed him again making everyone laugh and Dean shrug.
"I just need a time and place; you two have fun, I'm not getting involved," Dean kissed his fiancée then Roman's, but their joy was cut off by his mom's voice.
"Dean Ambrose!" His mom chastised angrily. "How dare you not tell me you're getting married! You're as good as a son to us, and we find out like this?"
Dean's eyes teared at her words, and while Roman knew his whole family felt that way about Dean, apparently Dean had no idea, and it left him speechless.
"Don't worry momma Reigns you'll know everything else before Dean too," Lexie cut in kindly. Randy refocused the screen on Lexie as his mom's face softened and she beamed. "I would love any help you'd like to offer, it's March 21st, my parents anniversary."
"Which for the record, I only found out about, like 5 minutes ago," Dean cut in quickly, before he could get yelled at again, "same as everyone else."
Roman probably would have laughed at Dean's slight panic or at the way Randy was concentrating so hard on focusing the tablet on whoever was speaking if the whole thing wasn't so fucking heartwarming and leaving him choked up with emotion.
Suddenly someone cleared their throat behind them making them turn around and laugh when they saw it was the Judge whose eyes told them in the politest way possible to hurry the fuck up, which Roman quickly complied with. Not only because it was Christmas Eve, but because now everything was as perfect as it could be under the circumstances.
Roman fidgeted slightly with a mixture of nerves and excitement as he grasped Seth's hand as tight as he dare and the judge began the ceremony. The Judge seemed to have shaken off his annoyance at Randy who refused to let them start until he found the perfect angle from which his family could watch and Roman swore the old man was almost smiling at their collective excitement.
Roman knew his palm was sweating, but neither he nor Seth cared as the Judge began their vows. He turned to face Seth and his heart began to pound as he met his momentarily to be husband's watery eyes.
"Do you Roman take Seth to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Roman said firmly making Seth smile and Lexie and what he thought was his mom let out a quiet sob.
"Do you Seth take Roman to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Seth was a little choked up and his voice was thick with emotion, and it made Roman's heart swell even more so as he brushed away a tear that had finally escaped down Seth's cheek.
The Judge asked for the rings, and Roman felt his face flush a little realizing in their haste and excitement they had never thought to even take their rings off. He started to stutter out and embarrassed apology, but Dean tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a thin ban lined with diamonds while Lexie did the same to Seth.
Seth's tears began to flow a little faster and Roman felt his actually begin to fall as Lexie winked at them letting them know they had their back as Dean squeezed his hand letting him know the same.
"With this ring I thee wed, and pledge my life," Roman repeated after the judge, and was surprised to find that this time it were his hands shaking so badly Seth had to steady them so he could slip it on his finger.
"With this ring I thee wed, and pledge my life," Seth's voice had become slightly firmer, though his tears still fell and his hands shook a little.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Maryland I now pronounce you husband and husband, you may kiss the groom."
Roman couldn't help but put everything into that kiss, and wasn't surprised when he found Seth seemed to feel the same. Everyone cheered and clapped, and while he was glad they could all bear witness, both his families, everything seemed to disappear as he shared his first kiss with his husband.
Roman was floored and excited and joyful, and so much more he couldn't even put into words. While it was just his husband, his siblings, and Humberto, and Ms. Izzy they were able to keep the tablet open leaving a connection to the rest of his family.
Ms. Izzy and Humberto had been at the house when they'd gotten back, and apologized for not being there seeing as how they had been tasked with cooking for the reception, but promised they wouldn't miss the other ceremony for anything in the world.
After a few hours Lexie who he could see had been weakened more so than she tried to let on began to fade a little making them all worry. She refused to go to bed not wanting to ruin their special day though allowed Randy to carry her to her room so she could get in her pajamas.
They all decided it would be best if Humberto and Ms. Izzy left, so that Lexie wouldn't feel like she was the one who was cutting the party short. Gavin, Roman, and Seth quickly cleaned up before Lexie and Randy returned while Dean was busy talking to Roman's mom about god knows what.
Randy came down stairs a little while later carrying Lexie who was resting her head on his shoulder seemingly asleep. Dean carefully took Lexie from his arms who stirred as they all waved quiet good byes to his family,
"Bed time angel," Dean kissed Lexie's head making her pout, but she was too tired to fight with him, and just climbed down and hugged and kissed everyone good night, before Dean and Randy said good night with more hugs and kisses then set off for bed as well, while Gavin followed after offering his own congratulations.
Roman felt beyond blessed as he pulled his husband into his arms kissing him gently. When he pulled back Seth was smiling up at him with that glint in his eye that made his heart begin to race, and his cock immediately swell.
"I believe you made me a promise this morning," Seth purred.
"Yea?" Roman smirked back pushing Seth's hips flush against his own feeling that he was already rock hard, which made his own cock throb with anticipation.
Seth just smiled and tangled his fingers in his hair as he pulled him closer to kiss him gently causing goose bumps break out across his skin and a shiver to run up his spine. He caressed Seth's bottom lips with the tip of his tongue, and was rewarded with a gorgeous moan as their tongue met beginning a loving unhurried dance.
Roman let his hands slide down to Seth's ass and lifted him so he could wrap his legs around his waist. They continued their slow sensual kiss all the way down the hall, and both refused to break contact as he carefully lowered them both down to the mattress.
The others often joked about his preferences in the bedroom, and while it was mostly true that wasn't was he wanted right now. Seth seemed to sense it or maybe it was what he wanted too as he felt him gently nudge him to roll on his back.
They each took their time tenderly exploring and cherishing every inch of one another, while their clothes slowly disappeared. Quiet, but no less sexy whimpers and moans emanated from his husband as he gently nibbled on his ear, and while they were both enjoying the intimacy of the experience both their hips were beginning to buck begging for friction.
Roman was becoming painfully hard, and when he pulled back a little Seth's eyes were begging for his cock inside of him, but Roman wanted something else.
"Baby, I want to feel you inside me," Roman said gently.
It was something they'd only done one other time, which was the only time for Roman, but he wanted nothing more right now than to give himself to his husband.
Seth smiled and nodded before kissing him one last time and rolling him on his back. He did his best not to tense as Seth carefully prepped him with his fingers and tongue. While there was pain, there were also pleasure, and moans were soon escaping him in between gentle kisses.
It was sort of intense when Seth slowly pushed into him, but gentle kisses kept him distracted as well as praises and curses at how amazing it felt that tumbled from Seth's lips. It felt amazing for him too, but even more so when he gave him the okay and he began to move.
It was just as tender and loving as the rest of it, but when Seth found that sweet spot Roman couldn't help meeting him thrust for thrust. It was intoxicating and almost overwhelming, but he loved every second of it, and gradually it picked up.
Seth reached between them and began stroking Roman's cock letting him know he was close as he captured his lips in a sloppy, but no less searing kiss. He bucked his hips meeting him thrust for thrust, and even without Seth's hand he would have been done for.
What left his mouth as he came was nothing intelligible, and Roman himself wasn't even sure if it was supposed to be a moan, or a curse, or praise, but it seemed to do Seth in none the less.
Roman closed his eyes surprised when they began to sting as he felt Seth carefully slip out of him, not because he was in pain, but because he was so unbelievably happy.
It felt so stupid, and so unmanly, but Roman didn't care as he pulled Seth down to kiss him hard. He wanted to thank him, and tell him how much he loved him, and everything he was feeling, but words just didn't seem like enough.
After everything they'd been through he was positive no matter how long or how many languages he searched, he would never be able to explain what this moment meant to him, what Seth meant to him, but when Seth gently pulled back and he looked into his eyes, Roman knew he didn't need to put it into words, because Seth could feel it.