"Holy shit, we're getting married today," Keith said with wide eyes as reality hit him.
"We are," Lance said with a smile. "Are you doing okay?"
"Fine," Keith said with a forced smile.
That was a lie. Keith could already feel himself stressing out like crazy. His nerves were everywhere. He honestly felt a little sick with how stressed he was.
However, Keith found himself pulled out of his thoughts when a knock at the hotel door echoed throughout the room.
"That would be Shiro and Adam," Keith said with a sigh. "10 am, on the dot."
A moment later, Keith heard the door open and in walked Shiro and Adam, the twins running to hug the couple. He almost regretted giving them a key to their hotel room.
"Alright," Lance said with a smile. "Let's get this show on the road."
Thankfully, Keith didn't take long to get ready. He mostly got to sit and try to calm his ever raging nerves as he watched his friends get ready.
Allura was wearing a beautiful teal gown, her hair loose, and a silver necklace around her neck. Shay was wearing a light green gown with floral detail on the bodice, a green necklace around her neck, and green earrings. Romelle was wearing a pink gown with a keyhole back and a bow on the back, a silver necklace around her neck.
His mother was wearing a purple gown with her hair tied up in an elegant bun, a golden necklace around her neck with matching earrings. Kolivan was wearing black pants, a white blouse, a grey blazer, and brown shoes. Shiro was wearing black pants, a soft pink blouse, a black blazer, and brown shoes. Adam was wearing white pants, a white blouse, a beige blazer, a light blue tie, and beige shoes.
Camilla and Marina were sitting on the other couch beside Shiro and Adam. Marina was dressed in a white dress with a tool skirt, and a lavender sash tied around her waist, her hair tied in a curled ponytail. Camilla was wearing a similar dress but with a light grey sash around her waist instead, her hair tied in a braid behind her neck.
It was an hour until the ceremony. The photographer was in the room taking pictures of everyone getting ready and the décor in the room. Her twin, the other photographer, was probably in the room Lance was in taking similar pictures as well.
"Knock knock," Rosa said as she knocked on the door and entered the room. She was dressed in a magenta gown with a black necklace around her neck. "I see you're just as nervous as Lance is," Rosa said with a smile as she sat down on the couch beside Keith.
"Is it that obvious?" Keith asked with a nervous chuckle.
"Only if you let it show," Rosa replied before holding an envelope out to Keith. "This is for you, from Lance."
"Thank you," Keith said with a smile as he took the envelope. "I see he wasn't joking when he said he was writing a letter."
"That boy always stays true to his word," Rosa said with a laugh.
"Will you give this to him?" Keith asked as he got off the couch and headed to the dresser, picking up a similar envelope and holding it out to Rosa.
"Of course love," Rosa replied with a smile as she took the envelope out of Keith's hands. "I'll see you in a bit okay?"
"Okay," Keith responded with a nod. With that, Rosa gave him a short hug and turned back to Lance.
"Can I come to?" Camilla asked hopping off the couch and running over to Rosa.
"Me too!" Marina cried out following her sister.
"It's up to your Daddy girls," Rosa said with a kind smile.
"Go on, I'll see you in a bit okay?" Keith said with a nod.
"Okay!" the twins cheered before following Rosa out of the room, the door closing behind them.
"Do you want me to take photos of you reading the letter?" the photographer asked. "I know we didn't talk about it but I think they'd make great photos."
"Yeah," Keith said with a soft nod as he ran his fingers over his name in Lance's writing on the front of the envelope.
"What about by the window?" Romelle asked from where she was helping Allura touch up her makeup. "It's nice light over there."
"Perfect," the photographer said with a smile, the pair heading over. "Whenever you're ready."
Keith took a deep breath and opened the envelope, careful not to rip the letter inside. He pulled out a piece of paper folded in half and unfolded it to reveal the letter. Keith started to read the letter, tears forming in his eyes as he read it, blocking out the clicking of the camera.
Dear Keith,
There are a million things I want to tell you but my mother once told me that actions speak louder than words. So, I intend to show you every minute of every day of every year that we'll spend together how much I truly love you.
I broke your heart once, I was a coward who didn't know how to stand up for himself. I let my fear control me and in the process broke your heart, your trust, and destroyed the love that we once shared.
I don't intend to make the same mistake. I mean it when I say that I'm here to stay, I'm never leaving your side again, even if we're torn apart I will fight to make my way back to you. My home is beside our friends and family, beside our girls, and most importantly, it is beside you. Like they always say "Home is where the heart is."
Not a minute goes by that I don't wake up and thank God for bringing me back to you. You are my everything and I don't think I can show you enough that I truly love you. So, I intend to do as much as I can to prove it to you.
I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle and our new life begins.
Until we meet at the altar. Future Mr. McClain
Yours truly,
Lance McClain
Dear Lance,
I've never been great with words, I probably never will. But, I will do my best to try and show you how much I love you however I can.
I do admit, the day you broke it off between us was the darkest day of my life. My heart felt like it had been crushed and left on the floor like a broken puzzle. And yet, I managed to find a light in my life, the twins. They reminded me so much of you, it was like pieces of you were still with me.
I never noticed until we met again, the huge cloud that had been following me the five years we were apart. And then we did meet again and it was like the sun was trying to shine through. I had walls up and you managed to tear them down, to allow your light back into my life. You managed to break my heart but you also managed to mend it together again, to pick up the broken pieces and piece my heart back together.
I never pictured myself getting married, then again, I never pictured myself having kids either but here we are. With two beautiful daughters and our friends and family around us. I don't think I can ever repay you for bringing a light back to my life again.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my days by your side, to watch our girls grow old and experience life for themselves. To grow old with you until we're on our death bed and even then, I'll still love you as much as I did when we first started dating.
I'll meet you at the altar, I'll be the one walking down the aisle
Until then.
Yours Forever,
Keith Kogane
Lance let out a soft chuckle and wiped the tears that had slipped down his cheeks.
"Everything alright love?" Rosa asked as she walked up to Lance, a soft smile on her face.
"Yeah," Lance said with a nod. "Just, emotions."
"Save your tears for the aisle," Rachel joked with a laugh. She was wearing a brown gown with her hair tied in a bun and a silver necklace around her neck. Beside her sat Veronica, dressed in an aqua gown with a blue necklace and matching earrings. Beside Veronica sat Acxa, dressed in a mauve gown with a black necklace around her neck.
"10 bucks says he cries when he sees Keith coming down the aisle," Veronica said turning to Rachel with a smirk.
"That's enough you two," Rosa scolded with a soft glare to her daughters. "Now, where is that father of yours."
"You called?" Michael asked as he walked in with a smile on his face.
"And where have you been?" Rosa asked, placing her hands on her hips with a huff.
"You asked me to check in on everything, remember?" Michael said with a sigh.
"Oh, right," Rosa said with a sigh.
"Just take a deep breath and relax," Michael said as he placed his hands on his wife's shoulders. "At this point, you're more stressed than I think Lance is."
"He's right Mama," Lance said as he walked up to his mother. "Everything is going to go fine."
"Hey all," Tatiana said as she knocked on the door and entered the room. "We're ready to get set up."
"Alright," Lance said with a sigh as he pulled his blazer on. "Let's get this show on the road."
By the time Keith, his mother, Kolivan, and the twins got to the entrance to the hall, Lance, Rosa, and Michael were already waiting. Tatiana had made a slight change to the order they would walk down the aisle in.
First, it would be the twins, then it would be Rosa and Michael, followed by Lance. After Lance it would be Krolia and Kolivan, then finally it would be Keith.
"Ready?" Tatiana asked as she slid up to Keith with a smile on her face.
"No turning back now," Keith said with a nervous chuckle, his hands fidgeting with each other.
"I mean, you could," Tatiana joked with a chuckle. "Leave and never return."
"And leave Lance to care for the twins alone?" Keith asked with a roll of his eyes. "Not a chance."
"Just remember to take deep breaths," Tatiana suggested. "And don't try to walk faster than you think you need to, it may seem like it's taking forever but that's just because your mind is tricking you. Just keep pace in your mind and you'll be fine."
"Thanks," Keith said with a smile.
"No problem," Tatiana replied. "Now, let's get this train moving."
Tatiana pulled away from Keith and headed to the other side of the entrance. She motioned to the DJ to start the music.
"Alright girls, do you remember what to do when you get to the end?" Tatiana asked kneeling down in front of the girls.
"I go and sit beside Aunt Veronica and Aunt Rachel," Marina said with a nod.
"And I go sit beside Uncle Shiro and Uncle Adam," Camilla said with a nod.
"That's right, now when I tell you, you two walk down the aisle alright?"
"Okay!" the twins said with a nod.
The music started playing and all the guests stood up, turning to the entrance to watch. (If you're listening along on the Spotify playlist, here is where Marry Me (Instrumental Version) would start playing)
"Alright, go on," Tatiana whispered with a smile.
The twins held hands and started walking down the aisle. Keith felt his heart melt as he heard the guests aww and coo as the girls walked down the aisle.
"Alright, Rosa and Michael, your turn," Tatiana said with a smile.
Rosa and Michael linked arms and took their turn walking down the aisle.
As each person walked down the aisle, Keith could feel his heart beat faster and faster.
"Your turn lover boy," Tatiana said with a smile turning to Lance with a nod. Keith heard Lance take a deep breath before he walked down the aisle.
"Relax honey." Keith was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard his mother's voice.
"I know," Keith said with a soft nod.
"You have nothing to worry about," Kolivan said with a soft smile. "You'll do great."
"Thank you Kolivan," Keith said with a smile.
"Alright, your turn," Tatiana said turning to Krolia and Kolivan. "Sorry to interrupt."
Keith watched as his mother and Kolivan linked arms and walked down the aisle.
As Krolia and Kolivan reached the end of the aisle, Keith heard the music fade away and a new one start a few moments after. (If you're listening along on the Spotify playlist, here is where Wedding Aisle (Walk) Song would start playing)
"This wasn't the song we chose," Keith said turning to Tatiana who wore a smile on her face.
"No, it's the one Lance chose for you," Tatiana said with a shake of her head. "Now, take a deep breath and walk down that aisle before you let your thoughts take over."
"Okay," Keith said taking a deep breath and stepped out, his feet at the edge of the white carpet which led down to where Lance was standing. He could feel all eyes on his as he started taking his first few steps. However, the ones he met were the only ones he cared about.
Lance's eyes never left his and Keith felt like crying at the amount of love, joy, and tenderness he saw in Lance's eyes. Everything seemed to melt away, it was like the guests were never there.
The guests from his mother's side of the family: his great grandfather's Albert and Trevor, his grandparents Jaron and Marilyn, his great grandparents Charles and Mabel Marcum.
The guests from his late father's side of the family: his grandparents Terri and Lewis.
Lance's grandparents: Brenan and Annette, Howard and Cristina.
Lance's aunt Theresa, her husband Terrance, and Allison.
Lance's siblings Veronica and her girlfriend Acxa, Rachel, Luis, Marco and his wife Lisa and their kids Nadia and Sylvio.
Their friends: Pidge, Hunk and Shay, Matt, Allura and Romelle.
Keith's friends: Nat, Nadia, Ina, Ryan, Annika, Vivian, Julian and his wife Elise.
Even Nyma and her parents were in attendance.
Despite the large amount of guests, Keith could only focus on Lance. He hadn't realized he had reached the end until he saw Lance hold his hand out with a smile.
Once the music ended, the guests sat down and the ceremony began.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to celebrate the bringing together of Lance McClain and Keith Kogane," the officiant, Coran, said with a smile on his face. "Now, Mr. McClain, if you would pick up the ring and recite your vow."
Lance turned to pick up the ring from Coran and turned back to Keith, holding the rings they had picked out together in his hand with a smile. His other hand holding Keith's left hand.
"With this ring I, Lance McClain, take you, Keith Kogane, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."
Keith let out a watery chuckle as Lance slid the ring onto his finger, tears filling his eyes.
"Now, Keith, if you would do the same. Pick up the ring and recite the same vow," Coran said with a nod.
"With this ring I, Keith Kogane, take you, Lance McClain, to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."
Keith slid the ring onto Lance's finger and a tear slid down his cheek as reality set in.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you to be officially married," Coran said as he stepped to the side and out of the way. "You may now officiate your marriage with a kiss."
The crowd cheered and Keith and Lance leaned in and kissed.
"We're married," Lance said as he pulled back with a smile.
"We're married," Keith repeated with a smile as he pulled Lance in for another kiss.
After the ceremony, the cocktail hour began, giving time for photos to be taken. Keith wasn't sure how long the photos took to be done but all he knew was how sore his face was from how much he had to smile in them.
After the photos were taken, both photographers entered the venue once more to go take photos of the guests and the décor.
"Can I show you something?" Keith asked softly, grabbing Lance's hand.
"Sure, what is it?" Lance asked.
"Follow me."
"So, where are you taking me?" Lance asked as they headed away from the party and down the hall, to a room Keith opened the door to. Inside sat a piano, a video camera in front of it on a tripod. "What is this?"
"I know you said we weren't doing vows," Keith said as he led Lance over to the piano sitting down on the plush bench, Lance sitting beside him. "But I still wanted to do something for you."
"Alright," Lance said with a smile. "Then I accept your gift."
"Like you had a choice," Keith said with a roll of his eyes. He turned to the piano and started to play, feeling Lance's eyes on him.
"There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again"
Yep, Lance really never got tired of hearing Keith's voice.
"So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray
To be only yours
I know now
You're my only hope"
To Lance, this was better than any vow Keith could have written and recited to him. Keith's first language was music. Plus, it gave Lance an excuse to hear Keith sing.
"Sing to me the song of the stars
Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again"
At least Lance now knew what Keith had been working on these past few weeks. Whenever Lance asked him what he was working on. Keith would come up with some excuse to not show him. Even when Lance tried to find out what it is, Keith would always catch him or have hidden the notebook he was writing in very well where Lance could never find it.
"So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray
To be only yours
I know now
You're my only hope"
God, he really loved this man. Keith may not outwardly be the most romantic person. But he had other ways of showing his love for those he cared for. Music is the biggest example and Lance appreciated every second of it.
"I give you my destiny
I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony
Singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs
I'm giving it back"
Lance watched as Keith played the piano. He could tell Keith was nervous. Of course, he had a good reason to. Keith wasn't sure how Lance was going to take the song and whether he would understand the lyrics and meaning behind it.
But, Lance understood. He understood everything.
"So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray
To be only yours, I pray
To be only yours
I know now
You're my only hope"
As Keith finished the song off, his fingers stopped playing and he turned to Lance, reading his face for his reaction. Only to receive a kiss from his husband.
"Thank you," Lance said with a smile. "It was beautiful."
"I'm glad you liked it," Keith replied with a smile, pulling Lance into another kiss.
"We should get back before Shiro hunts us down," Lance said as he pulled back with a chuckle.
"He would send a search party after us," Keith said with a laugh.
"I love you," Lance said as he lifted Keith's hand and kissed the top of the ring on his finger.
"I love you," Keith repeated, leaning forward and kissing Lance's forehead softly.
"You missed," Lance said with a pout, tapping his lips. Keith rolled his eyes but obliged, landing a kiss on Lance's lips.
Song(s) Used:
Only Hope
Sung by Mandy Moore, 2002
Author's Note:
The big moment! They're finally married!
I had so much fun writing this chapter and yes, I did in fact cry while writing the scene with Only Hope by Mandy Moore at the end there.
Anyways, I already have the last two chapters written out but I need to tweak them before I can post them. there's one last chapter to close off the wedding and then there's an Epilogue to close the story out.
Until then!
~Alchemygirl8
