'Jackson you saved me. Before I met you my life was...well it wasn't my life, I was living a lie. I couldn't face up to who I really was and because of that I was so miserable that I was constantly wishing that I was either someone else or that I was dead. You gave me the courage to finally be true to myself and you've made me happier that I ever knew was possible. So what I guess I'm trying to say is...Thank-you, I love you and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.'
He couldn't help it; by the time Aaron was finished speaking Jackson had tears streaming down his face. As he looked down to the floor trying to regain his composure he felt Aaron grasp his other hand and squeeze tightly and looked up to see those baby blues, the mere thought of which could keep him awake at night, looking directly at him and a slightly embarrassed but overwhelmingly proud smile cross the lips from which those words had come.
That was all the inspiration he needed.
He addressed their guests first. 'Well as you all know I haven't exactly had time to prepare anything. Actually part of me is convinced that the reason behind this whole "surprise wedding" is so he could stop me blabbering on and build up his part.'
As Jackson's comment was met with giggles from their audience Aaron rolled his eyes but even as he did so his smile widened once more. Jackson's incessant sarcasm, even at a moment like this, was part of what made him who he was, part of what made them fit.
Following Aaron's lead Jackson then turned his gaze to the younger man, wanting desperately to make it known that the feelings he had voiced only minutes before were entirely mutual.
'But in all seriousness, one of the things I love most about you Aaron; is that you're always surprising me. From an hour ago when you made me the happiest man alive by proposing, right back to when you first kissed me and told me that you don't do anything you don't want to do. You say I saved you and, being the big head that I am I'm quite happy to take credit for that, but in reality it was the other way round. You literally saved my life. When the doctors said I'd never walk, never move again I pushed you away but you stood by me. You helped me defy the odds and learn that nothing is impossible if you want it enough. You stopped me from going mad just by being there. When we first started seeing each other people told me I was mad, that you were to immature but you've proved them all wrong. You've become the man I always knew you could be. I am so incredibly proud and so incredibly in love with you and I can't see that ever changing. You're the first person I want to see when I wake up in the morning and the person I want holding me in your arms when I go to sleep at night.'
They were both crying now but neither cared as they stood there face-to-face, holding hands and grinning from ear to ear.
'Well I must say I've performed a lot of these ceremonies and never have I been so convinced that a couple will last the distance.' The registrar broke the silence. 'You've obviously been through a lot together but come out the side stronger for it and with an unbreakable bond which is now symbolised in the exchanging of the rings.'
She turned to Paddy, holding out her hand for the rings Aaron had so carefully chosen. When he noticed there seemed to be a delay Aaron released his grip and turned to Paddy. Laughing at the sight of his 'weird pseudo dad', his face tear stained and his eyes glazed he whispered,
'Oi Paddy, you soft git, the rings...'
'Oh God yeah, uh, sorry.' He took the red box from his pocket removed the rings and passed them to the registrar who in turn held them out towards the couple in the palm of her hand.
Taking Jackson's ring Aaron lifted his groom's left hand; tilting the plain gold band so that Jackson could see the inscription: 'Yours forever, Aaron.' As he placed it on his third finger he recited;
'Jackson, I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love and commitment to you.'
As Jackson repeated his actions with his own engraved ring, Aaron felt as if he was in a dream as he heard the words
'Aaron, I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love and commitment to you.'
Their hands entwined once more as they eagerly awaited the words they knew were to follow shortly.
'Aaron and Jackson have stood in front of you, their friends and family, and declared their love and devotion to one another. It is now my pleasure to announce that they are legally married. You may kiss the groom.'
The room erupted with applause as the newly-weds' lips met. A slow lingering kiss, the poignancy of which was underlined by the cold feel of metal on skin as Aaron left hand caressed the back of Jackson's neck.
Thanks for all your lovely comments so far, I hope you're still enjoying it. I just wanted to share with you something I learned whilst writing this story; the wedding ring is placed on the third finger of the left hand as in ancient times it was believed that there was a vein that ran directly from there to the heart thus the ring being placed on that finger denoted the strong connection of a heartfelt love and commitment to one another. Although this has been proved physiologically speaking to be untrue the tradition continues to this day. (Sorry if you already knew this or aren't really interested I just thought it was sweet!)