Chapter Twenty-One: Love
One Year Later
Arthur reached up and straightened Alfred's bowtie against his throat. He patted the material affectionately and gazed up into his lover's eyes. They had been together for a little over a year now and it had been the happiest time of either of their lives. They had spoken about cohabitating for a while and Alfred was finally bringing the rest of his things over to Arthur's in the morning. For the time being, though, they had a wedding to attend.
"Are you ready for this love?" Arthur asked, looking deep into Alfred's sky blue eyes.
"As I'll ever be," Alfred said, huffing out a breath. "I just don't want people staring at me you know."
"No one will be watching you," Arthur chided. "Their eyes will be on the grooms you know."
"It could be us up there," Alfred said, a glint in his eye.
"Not for a while dearest," Arthur said, patting his pockets and looking around for his house keys.
"You wouldn't want to marry me?" Alfred looked a little hurt.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "I didn't say that," he glanced over and took in Alfred's babyish expression. "I merely said that we have a while to go before we start thinking about marriage. For the love of god, you're just moving in now."
"I know," Alfred huffed. "I just want to know that when I ask the question you'll say 'yes.'"
Arthur's features softened as he looked as his boyfriend. Alfred could be so emotional sometimes. "Of course I would say yes," Arthur said fondly.
"Good," Alfred breathed out. "That's good to know."
"You sound nervous," Arthur said, finally locating his keys and stuffing them in the pocket of his tux jacket.
"I'm fine," Alfred said with a small smile.
"Well good, let's get going or we're going to be late," Arthur smiled at his lover and held out his hand. They exited Arthur's condo, hand in hand and made their way to the car. It was a beautiful day outside and Arthur was grateful that the weather was holding out for the ceremony.
They reached the park grounds in record time after Alfred had shoved a pile of bills at the cab driver and insisted that they had to hurry. They weren't late, but he knew that Arthur liked to be early for every event he was scheduled at. They stepped from the cab holding hands and made their way through the carefully tended gardens until they reached their destination.
Fall flowers and shrubbery were cascading all around them creating almost another world. Arthur caught his breath at the sight. "It's beautiful," he breathed.
"It sure is," Alfred nodded. "Feli did a good job picking this place."
"He certainly did," came a deep voice from behind them.
Alfred and Arthur spun around to face Ludwig, being trailed after by Gilbert. Alfred directed a small glare at the albino man. He still hadn't warmed up to the waiter for pursuing Matthew. Their relationship was a bit rocky, much to Matthew's chagrin.
"How are you holding up old chap?" Arthur placed a hand on Ludwig's shoulder. "Anything we can do?"
"You wouldn't happen to have a flask would you?" Ludwig looked disheveled and somewhat nervous.
"I have one," Gilbert piped up and offered a small, thin flask to his brother.
"Then let's toast," Ludwig nodded firmly.
He took a large swig of burning liquid and passed the flask around the circle of four. Each man took a deep gulp of whatever Gilbert had offered them and they all smiled. "I never would have thought you would be this nervous," Arthur chided his best friend.
"I just want everything to be perfect for Feliciano," Ludwig said solemnly.
"I'm sure it will be," Arthur said.
"Hey," Alfred piped up. "Where is Feli anyway?"
Ludwig gestured to a small cottage like building behind him. "He's still in his suite getting ready."
"I'm gonna go see how he is," Alfred said, patting Arthur's back and leaving the trio to their flask amongst the flowers.
He made his way to the small cottage and knocked on the door. Mrs. Vargas pulled the door to the room open and delighted in seeing Alfred. "Oh darling, he's been asking for you," she said brightly. "Feli, Alfred is here."
Feliciano peeked out from behind his mother and threw his arms open to envelop Alfred in a large hug. The two men embraced for a moment, both beginning to sniffle a bit. "Don't cry you pansies," came the rough voice of Lovino behind them. "Your faces will get all puffy."
Feliciano sniffed once more and let go of his friend. "I'm so glad you're standing up with me Alfred."
"I'm so glad you asked me," Alfred said honestly. "I never thought I'd be in someone's wedding."
"I'm still the best man," Lovino said, pushing in between them.
Feliciano rolled his eyes good-naturedly and said, "Yes, yes I know fratello."
"You're a better man than me Lovino," Alfred chuckled. "I just had a drink from a flask outside."
"Oh no," Feliciano moaned. "Gilbert isn't getting Luddy drunk is he?"
"I don't think so," Alfred comforted. "And anyway, Arthur's helping them, he'll probably drink the whole thing himself if Gilbert doesn't beat him to it."
All three of them laughed for a moment before Mrs. Vargas called out to them saying it was time to begin and asking if they were ready. They nodded silently and all took their places at the door. Feliciano had told Alfred that he had always wanted to walk down the aisle and he didn't care that it was 'for brides'—he was going to do it anyway. So Alfred lined up at the door first, adjusting the boutonniere on his lapel. He waited for Mrs. Vargas to motion to him and he stepped out into the sunlight, and began to walk down the aisle toward the large topiaries set up on either side of where Ludwig was waiting.
Alfred watched Arthur the entire way down the aisle. His lover looked magnificent, standing behind Ludwig and Gilbert as Ludwig's groomsman. Alfred could hardly take his eyes off of his boyfriend for the entire ceremony. Lovino followed him down the makeshift aisle and then there was Feliciano. He was wearing a white tuxedo with tails and he perfectly contrasted Ludwig in his dark suit waiting for him.
The guests in attendance oohed and ahhed over how wonderful both grooms looked. They had happiness shining out of their eyes. Feliciano didn't walk down the aisle like he had planned, he ran; the tails of his suit flapping behind him. Upon reaching Ludwig, he threw his arms around his lover's neck and pressed a kiss against Ludwig's mouth.
"It isn't time for that yet," Lovino snarked. "Get a room."
The guests laughed at the grumpy Italian as he watched his brother kissing his lover. Lovino didn't quite approve of Ludwig and no one was sure why, but there was still love behind his eyes that day as he watched how happy his brother truly was.
As the ceremony began, Alfred found himself drawn to Arthur's face. He took in his lover's jewel green eyes and his messy mop of blonde hair. The way that his tuxedo clung to his frame and accentuated every beautiful piece of Arthur. As the minister droned on about 'happy ever afters' Alfred reached into his pocket and felt the weight of the small box nestled there. He had been carrying it around for weeks now and he knew that he was going to finally ask Arthur then and there. Well, sometime that day at least, when they had some privacy, and wouldn't ruin Ludwig and Feli's special day. Maybe after they got home that night? Alfred didn't know, he just was sure that he needed to get that time-bomb of a box out of his pocket and on to Arthur's hand.
When the minister finally announced that they were husband and husband, everyone in attendance burst into applause. "I love you so much Luddy," Feliciano shouted before he jumped into his husband's arms and began to smother him with kisses.
Ludwig looked thoroughly embarrassed by the public display, but Gilbert laughed and clapped him on the back saying, "You better get used to it."
The lovers walked hand in hand down the aisle, Feliciano practically skipping as he dragged Ludwig toward their waiting limousine.
Alfred walked quickly over to Arthur as the rest of the guests followed the newly married couple to their car, throwing flower petals in the air after them. He grabbed Arthur's hand and squeezed it, looking directly into Arthur's eyes. "Babe," he said tentatively. "There's something I want to ask you."
"Hmm?" Arthur said distractedly as he watched the limo carrying Feliciano and Ludwig away. They would meet them at the reception hall in an hour or so. Most of the guests were trickling away and headed to their cars to follow. Alfred and Arthur were quite alone, standing in the midst of a fairy garden. "What is it love?" He turned and gasped at the sight of Alfred down on the dirt path on one knee. "Alfred, you're going to ruin your tux!"
"Don't ruin this moment Artie," Alfred said tightly. "I don't care about my tux." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small black box that he had been toying with for the entire ceremony. Opening it, he revealed a plain silver ring, set with a large emerald. Arthur gasped loudly. "Arthur Kirkland," Alfred's voice choked up. "I know that it's been some rough going for us. We don't always agree and it's hard to balance work and our lives together, but we manage. I can't imagine loving anyone more than I love you. You are everything to me. I wake up each morning thankful that I have you by my side. I don't know what I would ever do without you. I want to wake up tomorrow and every other day after for the rest of our lives knowing that you're mind. I was wondering if you would make me the happiest man in the world and be my husband?"
Arthur couldn't breathe. His throat had tightened and he was gasping for air. This couldn't be happening. He never thought that something like this would happen to him. Happy Ever Afters were for people like Feliciano and Ludwig, not a grumpy, perpetually angry surgeon like himself. It was too good to be true. But as he looked into Alfred's earnest blue eyes, Arthur could feel his heart melt. Maybe he did deserve a happy ending as well. Perhaps now, was the time to take life by the hand and grab his own perfect fairy tale ending? Arthur could feel the tears well up in his eyes as he found himself nodding mutely.
"Is that a 'yes'?" Alfred's voice cracked nervously.
Arthur nodded again. "Yes," he said, bending down and throwing his arms around Alfred's neck. "A thousand times yes! Yes I will marry you!"
Alfred broke into a huge grin, his eyes sparkling. "Awesome!" He hugged Arthur back hard, pressing their chests together. Alfred leaned down for a sweet kiss and claimed Arthur's lips as his own. Their kiss deepened and Arthur felt his hands running through Alfred's hair. They were both kneeling in the dirt, making out for all the world to see—and Arthur didn't care. His world sharpened and focused on only the man in his arms. Nothing could penetrate their love and this moment and all they had to look forward to.
Breaking apart, Alfred pulled the ring from its box and slid the beautiful stone onto Arthur's hand. He admired the glint of the emerald for a moment before leaning in and kissing his fiancée once again. They stood clumsily, their hands grasped together. They knew they had to get a move on if they were going to make it to the reception on time, but they couldn't seem to break free of their own little world.
As they walked out of the park hand in hand, Alfred leaned down and pressed a kiss to Arthur's cheek. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said possessively.
"And you're the greatest secret I've ever had," Arthur said, glancing up at his lover. "I will never regret you, you're the most wonderful thing in my life."
"Not a secret anymore," Alfred chuckled.
"No," Arthur agreed. "Now we can let the whole world know that you're mine."
"And you're mine," Alfred added.
They smiled at one another and squeezed their clasped hands. Their fingers swung between them as they made their way out to the parking lot where their cab was waiting. This was the beginning of a beautiful life. Arthur knew that. He knew that when he was with Alfred, the entire world was right and whole and perfect. And Alfred knew, that no matter what, he would love his prickly, grumpy, irritated surgeon for the rest of his life. Dr. Arthur Kirkland was finally his and boy, did it feel amazing!
They kissed once more amongst the flowers as the sun set behind them, both men knowing that this love was one that would last forever.
The End
AN: That is the story...at least for now...I've left it open for some epilogues perhaps...we'll have to see. I don't know though. Go NaNoWriMo! It took me ten days and a LOT of sitting in front of my laptop but I did it in record time. I'm so proud of myself for reaching my word count this year! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I loved writing it! Hosptial AUs are a weakness of mine and I can never find any...Anyway, thank you again for reading! You're the best!
The follow up PWP one-shot story featuring Prucan called "On Duty, to Save Your Booty" will be published tomorrow...so if you want a little sexy Prucan action there you go :)