Amidst the canine and human crowd, the two men are finally wed with some surprises along the way.
Debbie's face threatened to split wide open from the huge smile on her face, her eyes tearing up as she watched her two grandchildren walking down the aisle toward the front. Well, 'walking' was perhaps the wrong term. It appeared more like JR was pulling a reluctant Gus along, her grip on his hand threatening to cut off his circulation. Gus had a grimace on his face as she skipped along beside him while he tried his best to keep up, tugging periodically on his tie that felt more like a noose to him at the moment as he tucked the ring bearer's pillow under his arm. Debbie noticed that the pillow was bare, but she wasn't concerned. Thankfully, Michael had told her ahead of time that Gus had the rings in his suit jacket, since he tended to handle his pillow a little roughly; too roughly for the rings to stay on top, even with the fasteners meant to secure them.
Sure enough, she watched as he began to swing the pillow back and forth beside him as he tried, unsuccessfully at first, to wrestle his hand out of his sister's grip. Eventually, though, about midway down, Mel got up and walked over to her daughter from her seat, leaning down to whisper something in JR's ear. She nodded, letting go of a glowering Gus as she began to throw white rose petals down onto the ivory-colored runner beneath her feet. Gus let out what sounded like a huge sigh of relief as he rolled his eyes at his sister, everyone tittering over their antics as JR pelted a couple of guests with some of the rose petals that she threw in fistfuls, rather than one at a time. It appeared both children would need remedial training for future weddings, but for now they were providing everyone with some lively entertainment. Eventually, the two children reached the front pews; JR sat on her mother's lap, while Gus walked over to sit between Lindsay and Jennifer, who reached over to pull him against her, her eyes tearing up as she realized her son was about to finally fulfill one of his most fondest dreams: to marry the man he deeply loved, and whose life had been entwined with his for so long. She suspected that it had been one of Brian's dreams for a long time as well, ever since that day years ago that he had stunned her in his loft by telling her he had asked Justin to marry him, but had been turned down. She knew, though, that they were finally in a place where they could be free to express their commitment and devotion to each other in front of all their family and friends. She smiled; she could not be happier than she was at this moment.
Gus leaned into her side, holding the pillow on his knees as she pulled him against her. "Do you remember what to do, Gus?" she whispered with a smile. He nodded back at her with a shy smile of his own. She already knew the rings were inside his pocket, safely tucked away; at least that's what Debbie had told her. She didn't blame Brian for wanting to be careful about the rings; not after what had happened to his. She was a little disappointed that Brian would have to do with a substitute ring, but even she - sentimental, just like her son was - knew the vows and Brian's love for her son was the most important thing. But still, she couldn't help waxing a little wistfully over the fact that her son wouldn't get to slide Brian's actual ring onto his soon-to-be-husband's finger. Knowing how happy getting married to Brian made Justin, however, made her realize what was most important.
The two of them turned their heads then as a different strain of music started, and they watched as Michael and Daphne walked down the aisle side-by-side with Daphne's hand resting on Michael's bent arm. She heard Debbie whisper nearby about how wonderful they both looked, knowing without looking at her that she had tears in her eyes as she spoke (she could hear it in her voice), as the two best friends of the grooms proceeded down the aisle. She smiled up at Daphne fondly as she nodded back at her, a beaming smile on her face as she and Michael stopped at the temporary altar to stand on either side of it. Turning to face the crowd, who all rose to their feet and turned around to face the rear of the tent, a different song began to play. It wasn't the traditional wedding march, but everyone could tell by the change in tempo and the different tune that this was going to be Brian and Justin's turn.
A few minutes before...
Brian's hand lightly resting on the small of Justin's lower back, the two men headed toward the tent, just as they heard a loud whimper and then a yelp sound from nearby that soon grew into a trio of deep barks when Tricky's fellow cohorts joined in.
"Oh, no," Justin groaned, knowing exactly where - and from whom - the sound had originated. It seemed that Tricky was fairly content to be separated from his idol as long as Brian was within eyesight of him. As soon as he began to walk away, however, it appeared that someone did not like it. Not one bit.
"Why now?" He asked in dismay; he peered over at the trio of canines, noticing Sandra frantically trying to shush them. The three dogs were facing the fence and staring at them like they were prisoners behind bars. "No!" he growled in protest. This was the worst possible time. "Not just before our wedding!"
Brian leaned in to pull Justin closer and whisper in his ear. "Don't listen to them, Sunshine. Don't pay them any attention, and they'll give up after a while once they know they're being ignored."
Justin snorted. "Sure, no problem. Let me find my noise-eliminating headphones first. I just hope they complement my suit." He winced as the dogs let forth with another series of howls like a pack of wolves baying. He sighed. Somehow he knew their wedding wouldn't go completely without a hitch. "I'll try," he finally told him, although he was highly doubtful he would be successful. His nerves were already a jumble as it is.
Brian brushed his lips across his cheek. "It'll work out," he whispered, his warm breath ghosting over Justin's cheek and helping at least somewhat to calm his nerves. "I'm not going anywhere, Justin. Not until you and I are married. No matter what - or who - tries to interfere, man OR beast. Okay?"
Justin turned his head to peer into the eyes he knew so well. He swallowed and took a deep breath, realizing the dogs' clamor was just a part of why he was so nervous. He nodded back at him, earning a soft smile in return. "Yeah. Let's do this." His face changed into one of resolve as he studiously strove to ignore the cacophonous sound coming from nearby.
Their eyes meeting and broadcasting a message of love between them, Brian slid his arm around Justin's waist as they reached the tent presently holding a highly agitated Emmett. The dogs' sounds of discontent miraculously seemed to diminish somewhat as they approached the tent presently holding not only all their friends and family who meant so much to them, but a legion of assistants to Emmett for the reception area in the far corner, presently containing the small string quartet now playing, but also a space that would serve to hold all the food and refreshments that would be needed after the ceremony was concluded.
"Oh, my God!" Emmett cried out as they reached the tent. "Did you not hear your signal?" He looked around at everyone, who remained in their seats but currently had all their focus directed expectantly on the two grooms standing at the back of the tent. "Everyone's down there waiting for you!" he continued rapid fire. "Go, go!" he ordered them like some football referee, grabbing Brian's sleeve and giving him a slight push as if he were afraid he might still bolt, even though he believed that would never happen; not with the depth of love he felt for the man about to become his husband.
Brian scowled as he snatched his hand away. "Don't wrinkle my suit, Honeycutt," he told him as Emmett rolled his eyes.
"Brian," was the soft scolding in response next to him. He eyed his fiancé sheepishly as he shrugged, his face softening as he looked at Justin. He watched as his fiancé looked with awe at all their friends and family, who were staring back at them. The looks of happiness on all their faces - happiness that Brian knew was directed toward him and Justin - took him a little by surprise. Even now - even though he knew how much they really did care about not only Justin, but him - he found it a little hard to believe that he was worthy enough. But as quickly as the thought appeared to him, it was just as quickly pushed aside. He would not let the way he had been raised affect this day. His family - his biological family - were totally inconsequential. They did not mean anything. As he looked at Justin, he realized it. He - and his son - were everything. And these people waiting for them? They were his real family.
Through the hand he lightly held against the small of Justin's back, he could feel his partner trembling slightly. "Take another deep breath, Sunshine," Brian murmured in his ear as he nuzzled his nose against his cheek and gave him a soft kiss.
Justin nodded against his skin, his heart pounding in nervous excitement as he swallowed hard. This was nothing like their dress rehearsal. He realized this was really happening. Brian's ring or not, they were about to be wed. He glanced down briefly at his right hand, a brief, foolish profoundness being felt over the temporary loss of his own ring that had previously been there, but he knew it wouldn't be long before it was back in his possession, but this time on his left hand, placed there by his soon-to-be husband. Wow. Even now it was hard to believe, but it filled him with great joy nonetheless. He smiled up at Brian as the musicians - acting on a brief cue from Emmett - began to play the music that they had chosen for their walk down the aisle.
"Move, Altar Boy," Brian murmured in amusement as Justin stood there, seemingly frozen to the spot as he continued to ogle all the people staring at him. Even after having been the center of attention at various gallery showings, this was on a whole other level, because it meant more to him than anything - not only being married to the man he loved so completely, but being able to share it with so many others who had waited for this moment as well. As if he was broken out of his trance, he finally swallowed the lump in his throat and began to slowly move his feet, Brian's arm around his waist offering him not only physical but also emotional support.
Justin later wouldn't even really remember walking down the aisle, not until they had seen the video afterward. But at that moment, he almost felt like it was an out-of-body experience as the two of them slowly headed toward the minister waiting at the front of the tent, standing slightly elevated under a temporary arch laden with braided vines interlaced with elegant flowers. It was surprisingly understated, especially considering it had been created partly with Emmett's guidance; he was sure, however, that Brian was very grateful that it had not done in Easter candy-color hues, but in complementary tones of golden blooms (he noticed to his utmost happiness that they were Golden Gardenias (a suggestion from Brian, unbeknownst to him, but one that he had known would not be lost on him), ivory roses, baby's breath, and some deep blue flower he was not familiar with. It was stunning, he decided. Perfect. Amazing. He really didn't have the proper words to adequately express his feelings at the moment, but as he looked over at Brian, he could tell he instantly knew the emotions washing over him, because they were reflected in his eyes as well as he smiled tenderly back at him, much like that day so long ago when they had made love in front of the fire here at Britin after he had first accepted his marriage proposal. If only he had known back then how long it would take for them to actually fulfill that proposal. But it didn't matter; they were here, and it was about to become a reality.
As they proceeded toward the minister, they took a moment to stop periodically along the way to briefly acknowledge some of their dearest friends and family members: Lindsay took Brian's hand for a moment, as well as Justin's, bestowing a kiss on both their cheeks as they nodded back at her. Even Mel smiled at them from her place by Lindsay's side. Brian made a point of stopping when they came to Cynthia's chair to lean down and kiss her on the cheek, noticing his normally unflappable executive assistant actually blushing in response and her eyes tearing up. He would probably never express it aloud, but he was extremely grateful to her for all her years of not only being the best executive assistant any advertising man could ask for, but for also being his friend and supporter throughout the highs and lows of his career. Somewhere along the line she had become one of the most treasured members of his inner circle, and it had been partly due to her ongoing support of his and Justin's relationship that they had managed to arrive at this day.
Proceeding down the aisle, they paused for a moment to shake Ted, Blake's, and Ben's hands until they arrived at the first row of chairs that held their dearest guests: Debbie, Jennifer, and Molly. As they stood near them, both men smiled as they simultaneously reached inside their pockets to retrieve some small boxes colored in the instantly-familiar hue of Tiffany's. Both men handed one of the boxes to their respective 'mothers' - along with an additional box from Justin for his sister, Molly, receiving gasps of delight from all three women - before they kissed their cheeks and turned at last to face the minister, Daphne standing by Justin's side on the left as Michael did the same for Brian on the right. Gus stood a few feet away from his father now, having rose from his place before, fidgeting restlessly as JR, who had also joined them, swung her flower basket lightly back and forth, much like her brother had done before with his pillow. Oddly enough - now that Gus seemed to realize he was about to be placed in the spotlight as he handed the two rings to the minister - he appeared somewhat subdued, almost as if he had stage fright as he took in all the spectacle in front of him and felt everyone's eyes focused up front, his own eyes wide with amazement over all people looking at them.
The music stopped playing - and amazingly even the dogs had quieted down, at least for now - as the minister nodded at them politely before addressing the crowd. "We are here this afternoon to witness the marriage of Justin Taylor and Brian Kinney in front of all their friends and family. Before exchanging rings, both grooms have written their own vows to each other." The minister nodded at Justin with a smile as he addressed him. "Justin?"
The two men turned to face each other, their hands reaching to clasp the other's between them as they stared into his other's eyes, all the guests who were gathered there to witness their vows temporarily pushed aside as if they weren't there. Justin's heart was racing; he wasn't sure why. It wasn't as if he and Brian weren't comfortable with each other, or that they hadn't long ago fallen into a familiar pattern between them. Not a boring one, mind you; Justin knew that would never happen. But as he gazed into Brian's eyes, he briefly found himself speechless.
Justin felt Brian's hands gripping his a little tighter, seemingly giving him the strength to speak, even though his emotions were in a jumbled mess at the moment. It was all almost too much to take in. His heart swelled with love as he looked into Brian's eyes and received a soft smile of encouragement in return.
As if reading his mind, Brian smirked, commenting softly, "What? You rendered mute? Never thought I would see the day."
That served to break the ice as Justin snorted, the attendees within earshot tittering in reaction. "And you won't today, either," he told him as his lips gradually twisted into a smile. He took a deep breath before finally beginning to say what he had come to say. He had practiced it so many times by now that he had it memorized. But still, he felt himself choking up as thought about saying it out loud. He shook his head slightly in disbelief as Brian's fingers slowly stroked his hands, providing him with some much-needed support. "Sometimes it seems like only yesterday that we met," he began softly, the room hushed as they hung on his every word. He smiled. "And then sometimes it seems like a long time ago. I've changed a lot since I was that seventeen-year-old sneaking out of my parents' home in search of 'finding myself.' Only I didn't know at the time just how much my life would change as I stood on that street corner in the middle of Liberty Avenue, totally scared out of my mind but determined to find what I looking for...even though I didn't really know what that was," he admitted with a grin as Brian half-smiled back at him. "Or what I really needed."
He paused, feeling Brian's hands gripping his just a little tighter, his partner's eyes boring into his as he listened to every word, focused on every syllable, and made his face warm over the intensity of his stare. The well-rehearsed words promptly flew out the window as his eyes stung with unwashed tears. He couldn't help thinking that if he was this teary-eyed already, what was going to happen when Brian began to speak to him? He imagined he was about to become a virtual fountain of tears. But he took a deep breath, and shakily let it out, his fiance's touch bolstering his self-confidence as he continued off-the-cuff now. "I will never know how what force was behind our meeting that night - fate, luck, God...the wind blowing in the right direction, my abhorrence of hairy men," he added, evoking a chuckle among the attendees, "But I do know one thing, Brian Kinney. When I met you, I had no way of really knowing it at the time. But my world was never going to be the same."
"I do have that effect on people," Brian explained with a smirk. Again, more laughter from those listening to them. Justin rolled his eyes and flashed a scolding look at Brian, who shrugged with his shoulders before rolling his lips under as if he were a little boy with his hand caught in the cookie jar.
"Like I said...arrogant," Justin whispered as Daphne giggled from her place next to him. He grinned briefly at her before admitting, "You fascinated me and you mesmerized me from the first moment I saw you. And you also terrified the hell out of me with your dominance, your overpowering sexuality, and your confidence. I was totally inexperienced," Justin conceded, his face reddening a little in embarrassment. But it was something that everyone knew anyway. "And I had no idea at the time exactly what I was getting myself into - both figuratively and literally," he added, causing everyone once more to titter in amusement.
"You have that backward," Brian helpfully corrected him as Justin rolled his eyes.
"Whose speech is this?" Justin asked him with mock gruffness; arching his right eyebrow in a perfect imitation of his fiancé.
Brian broke off his clasp of one hand to make a zipping motion across his mouth, rolling his lips under in that little-boy way of his as Justin nodded. "That's more like it," he told him. "Now...as I was saying..." Once more, everyone broke out into chuckles as he continued as if nothing had happened. "Anyone could see how arrogant you were. But, still...there was something about you. Something I think that no one else could see. Something that attracted me to you even more than the good looks...and let's face it; you are...somewhat attractive," he admitted with a grin, receiving a raise of an eyebrow from Brian in reaction. His smile slowly faded to be replaced with a serious look as he began to concentrate on the rest of what he wanted to say.
"Even after all this time, I'm not sure I can explain it adequately. But I do know that you can still make me feel things I can't explain, and challenge me in ways I never thought I could be challenged. You have made me a better man, a stronger man. A man who can be true to himself, and not have to worry about how others perceive or prejudge me. I can be who I really am, which is so damn liberating, as well as empowering." He blinked then, trying furiously to quell the tears that were threatening to fall. He had told himself he would stay strong, and not show such outward emotion. But now that he was here - in front of everyone, and especially staring into the eyes of the man he was about to marry and that he hoped he would spend the rest of his life with - he found that he couldn't keep that promise. Perhaps he knew that he never could.
He sniffled. "I don't know what sort of man I would have been if I hadn't met you. But I DO know the man that I am because I met you. And I will be forever thankful for that." He took a deep breath before letting it out, feeling some of the nervousness leaving his body. "I love you," he stated through his tears. "Body, soul, mind...everything. And I intend on taking the rest of my life to prove that to you."
The minister smiled with a nod as he turned to the other groom. "Brian? It's your turn. What would you like to say to Justin?"
Brian stared intently into the clear blue eyes of the man he loved. The man who had taught him so much over the last few years. The man he had thought he would never find - or deserve to find. He noticed Justin blinking in a vain attempt to keep the tears from escaping, but he was being totally unsuccessful. Sentimental man, he silently chided him with his eyes, as Justin smiled back at him sheepishly, somehow knowing exactly what he was thinking without him saying a word.
He finally began to speak then, quietly but firmly. "I could say a lot of things about you," he tentatively began. "How you sometimes annoy the shit out of me when you start a conversation that will last forever, even with the most mundane of topics. How you can literally double my grocery bill when you are in the middle of some artistic-inspired painting rampage, and can go through an entire tin of popcorn in one night while you work, even going without sleeping. How you can watch some of your favorite movies over and over again, until we get the point where we have to buy two of each favorite, because you literally wear the first copy out. How you can mistake Dolce Gabana for a chocolate company, and don't know the first thing about what would be considerable fashionable for successful artist. How you would rather read the back of your favorite, sugar-coated cereal box rather than the latest novel."
He paused as Justin harrumphed at him in response. "Well, I'm glad you decided not to mention all those things," his fiancé replied.
Brian chuckled before his face dissolved into something more serious. "Yeah, I decided that wasn't important at the moment," he replied, his eyes boring into his fiance's. He gazed into the fathomless blue eyes as he told him, "I decided I'd rather talk about how you treat my son as your own. How you put up with my moods, no matter what they might be, and how you instinctively know how to handle them. How you know when I need support and comfort, or when you can tell that I need time to myself. How you are passionate about so many things: your art, the injustices you see, your family and friends...and how you love me," the last part causing Justin to blush.
Brian continued, knowing if he stopped now he might not finish, and it was important that he said everything that Justin deserved to hear. He took a deep breath, still finding it a little hard to say what was in his heart, but knowing that if anyone deserved to hear such things, it was this man. "No, I'd rather talk about a man who discovered that he was capable of loving...and being loved," he continued, shaking his head in amusement as the tears began to flow freely down his fiance's cheeks now. "That man is me. And I don't know how I was so lucky that it was you I chose that night under the streetlamp," he said, finding himself choking up now as he cleared his throat to compose himself. "But I will spend every day for the rest of my life being thankful that you were the one...and showing you just how damn blessed I am. And...I love you, too, Justin Taylor." His heart skipped a beat at the radiant smile that appeared on Justin's face then as he turned his head to peer up at the minister, signaling that he was finished with his vows.
The minister cleared his throat and nodded as he gazed out onto the audience. "Now that they have recited their vows, they have chosen to demonstrate their love and their commitment to each other with the exchanging of rings. May I have the rings, please?" the minister asked, casting his attention down on the fidgety young child nervously hopping lightly up and down on his feet as he continued to swing his empty pillow back and forth next to JR. He appeared not to notice, though, that at last it was his time to shine as Gus gazed around the room.
"Sonny Boy!" Brian stage whispered when he son continued his activity, unmindful of his responsibilities.
"Huh?"
Both Brian and Justin chuckled as the boy's father explained, "He's asking for the rings, Gus."
Gus nodded eagerly, giggling as he reached inside his pocket. He fished out the smaller ring, and hurried over to the altar to thrust it upward toward the minister. "This one is for Papa," he advised the older man. "Daddy's supposed to put it on his finger," he explained. "You're not allowed," he instructed him as he eyed him sternly, causing everyone nearby to chuckle, including the minister.
"Don't worry, young man; I won't," he promised him as Gus nodded back in satisfaction.
Justin's heart lurched over Gus's declaration; he wasn't sure if it was the name 'Papa' he used, the fact that he was about to finally have his ring placed back on his finger - this time on the left hand as a married man - or both.
The minister told the boy, "Just hold it out for your father, and he'll put the ring on the groom's finger," he urged him. Gus turned slightly to hold it out toward Brian, who smiled tenderly at him.
"Good work, Sonny Boy," he murmured as Gus beamed, proud of his important role.
"Brian, will you place the ring on Justin's finger, and repeat after me?" the minister asked. "I, Brian..."
"I, Brian..."
"Place this ring on your finger..."
Brian began to slowly slide the finger onto Justin's left hand. "Place this ring on your finger..."
"As a token of my love and my commitment to you."
Brian gazed down at the band of polished metal as he finished the vow. "...As a token of my love...and my commitment to you." Finally, the ring was pushed gently all the way down until it rested at the bottom of Justin's finger, gleaming in the angled sunlight streaming into the tent. As he lifted his face to peer into his Justin's eyes, he could feel his hand shaking beneath his - as well as his own. Wow. I really AM getting married, he couldn't help thinking with awe. But incredibly, it doesn't scare the hell out of me. He smiled tenderly at Justin, whose eyes sparkled with his tears, making them appear luminous.
He reached up to gently brush the wetness away from Justin's face as the breath caught in Daphne's throat; the look on Brian's face instantly took her back to several years ago at another elegant event where he and Justin had been the center of attention. And that look...it was the same as before. Perhaps only now did she fully realize just how much Brian loved her best friend as much then as he did now. Her own eyes began to fill with tears - tears of happiness and tears of regret, too, that Justin still did not remember all of what happened that night; only the horrible part afterward. She forced it from her mind, however, as she heard the minister ask Gus for the other ring, and the little boy reached inside his pocket to find the one that Justin would slip on Brian's finger. She sighed softly in disappointment as she realized it would be the substitute ring and not Brian's actual wedding band; she knew how badly Justin had wanted to slide the real one onto Brian's finger. She knew eventually that there would be a suitable replacement for it, but she could almost feel the sadness oozing out of Justin's body, although perhaps only she could tell how badly he was missing it; his smile, while radiant, didn't quite reach all the way to his eyes.
"Thank you, Buddy," Justin whispered to Brian's son as he accepted the Captain Astro ring that he would be using as a substitute for the real one. He smiled at the little boy in reassurance, trying desperately to hide his disappointment and fervently trying to remember it wasn't the ring that was important; it was what it meant. As he reached to grasp Brian's hand in his and slide the ring onto his finger, his heart threatened to stop as Brian unexpectedly shook his head. "Brian?" he whispered with concern. Had he changed his mind about getting married all of a sudden?
"Just a moment," he told the minister, who frowned in surprise himself. He obviously was wondering the same thing as Justin as everything became silent; not even the dogs made a sound. Justin thought about all the brides who had been stood up at the altar, and had wound up having just some big, old party afterward before defiantly embarking on an ex-honeymoon. Would he become one of them?
His heart dropped as he watched Brian turn and hand the ring back to Gus, who...giggled. Giggled? His son thinks this is all a game? He couldn't help thinking. But he knew that Gus probably didn't realize the great significance of the ceremony, so he quickly pushed his irritation aside as he turned his focus back on his partner; Gus was just a boy. He probably did not know exactly what was happening, and what the ring signified, so he tried hard not to let his disappointment and sadness show on his face. He watched then as Brian smirked at him before reaching inside his own suit's breast pocket...and pulling out a different ring...HIS ring. The one that Justin had given him. The one that Justin had had his heart set on putting on his finger when they wed. The one that was supposedly unsalvageable in Brian's estimation. The one that now looked good as new. He could hear gasps from those around them as they realized what was happening.
His eyes grew wide with amazement as Brian smiled and placed the now gleaming band in the palm of his shaking hand. Brian looked up at the minister and nodded. "Now we're ready," he told him, waggling his eyebrows triumphantly at his fiancé, who seemed frozen with disbelief. "Well?" he asked Justin, who remained speechless. "I'm waiting, Sunshine," he told him, one brow raised expectantly. He held his hand out and slightly shook his head as if to say, Get on with it, and Justin finally responded before he found out it was all just a mirage.
His other hand now trembling, he held onto Brian's long-fingered hand, and staring at the shiny metal, cold and smooth between his fingers, he slowly slid the real ring onto Brian's left hand, pushing it all the way down until he rested there snugly. As he gazed at the band now adorning Brian's hand, he thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
"Now repeat after me, Justin," the minister intoned. "I, Justin, place this ring on your finger as a token of my love and commitment to you."
Justin took a shuddery breath, his body a jumble of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. It was almost too much to comprehend, and when he finally DID begin to speak, he knew it was going to take some strength to actually get through the words. "I, Justin," he began with a choked, hoarse whisper as he gazed down at the brilliant object, now fully restored to its glory, "place this ring...on your finger," he took another deep breath and let it out, "...as a token of my love...and commitment...to you." He slowly lifted his eyes to gaze into the hazel ones locked on his, and it was only then that his smile grew to full wattage, from his lips up to his eyes - on his entire face. His heart swelled with even deeper love for this man as Brian grinned back at him with a 'gotcha' smile of his own.
Taking another deep breath, both men firmly grasped each other's hands as they turned to look at the minister, who smiled and declared, "It is now my distinct honor and privilege to be the first person to formally introduce Brian and Justin Taylor-Kinney. You may now kiss your groom, gentlemen," he instructed them.
The words were barely out of his mouth before the area erupted into cheers, whistles, and calls of 'congratulations' and 'they did it!' as Brian grasped his now husband's upper arms and promptly plastered their mouths together into a deep lip lock, bending Justin at the waist backward as he deepened the kiss into more of an X-rated exhibition. Both men could hear laughter erupting, not realizing it wasn't due to them; at least not entirely. As soon as they began to kiss, JR - caught up in the excitement of the moment and presently in her 'fairy princess' stage - promptly grabbed her older brother by the upper arms and, pursing her lips together, bestowed a peck on her brother's lips, resulting in Gus wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve immediately afterward and giving her an 'eww, gross' look as he pushed her away and promptly ran back over to his mother, climbing into her lap for protection.
Amidst catcalls and whoops of celebration, Brian slowly pulled his now-husband back up to a full standing position as the two men finally came up for air, leaving Justin breathless and Brian peering back at him with decided smugness.
Emmett stood up as the cheers continued, grabbing the microphone in front of the minister to announce with a joyous voice, "And now it's time to par-tay!" Taking that as his cue, the DJ promptly fired up his music system as a thumpa-thumpa beat filled the air. As everyone rose to their seats and began to filter over toward the informal buffet spread set up at the far corner of the tent, several of the newlyweds' friends and family stopped to extend their congratulations.
Jennifer's eyes glistened with happiness as she hugged her son, and then her son-in-law. "I'm so happy for you both!" she told them, laying a palm on either side of their faces. "And those vows..." She shook her head. "So romantic," she swooned as Brian rolled his eyes in a vain attempt to deny it. She dropped her hands to her side as she peered over at Brian. "And you...how did you do it?"
Brian pretended not to know what she was talking about, but he knew it was futile. He finally shrugged. "Just call me the miracle worker."
"Brian..." Justin began, dying to know the same thing. He was still trying to process what had happened a few minutes ago as he reached down to grab Brian's hand and bring it up to study his ring. "How? When?" he managed to sputter, before several of their friends converged upon them to offer their best wishes, promptly pushing the answer aside for a short time.
Several minutes later - after claps on the back, kisses, and more congratulations - the two men finally excused themselves to head back into the house and change into less restrictive dancing clothes, providing Justin with the chance he had been waiting for.
Brian groaned melodramatically as he pulled his jacket off and loosened his tie. "My entire body aches," he stated as he unzipped his pants and stepped out of them, taking just long enough to carefully fold them and lay them on their king-sized bed. He stole a furtive, sultry glance over at his husband, who was silently observing him as he gnawed on his thumbnail. "I think I'm going to need a shower to loosen me up," he added with a leer. "Wash my back?" he suggested, his eyes practically undressing Justin and making him laugh.
"You are so transparent!" he chided him with a smile.
Brian greeted him with his typical smirk as he began to unbutton his shirt. "Come into the bathroom, Sunshine, and I'll be really transparent to you."
But Justin reached out to grasp Brian's wrist before he could get away, peering down at the ring he thought he might never see again - at least on his husband's finger. "Brian, how did you do it? Why did you do it? And don't tell me you don't know what I'm referring to, because we both know that would be bullshit."
Brian sighed softly, curling his lips under and feeling just a bit awkward. No, actually; a LOT awkward. Why was this still so hard for him? He paused before replying, "A little elbow grease on the part of a jeweler who was paid an obscene amount of money to rush the job...and a little co-conspirator by the name of Cynthia. Along with a little subterfuge on Sonny Boy's par. Actually, he thought it was pretty cool. He felt like he was some superhero with a deep, dark secret known between only Rage and him."
Justin nodded carefully. "I see," he murmured, noticing his husband's discomfort. But the biggest question of all was yet to be answered. "Why?" he asked softly. "I can understand the how; that is so ...you. But you told me you wouldn't ever..." He stopped as Brian reached up to press his fingers across his lips to stop him as he shook his head.
"I know what I said," he answered quietly. "You don't have to quote it back word-for-word, and - knowing you - I have no doubt you could do that." He smiled as Justin rolled his eyes at him, managing to express himself without saying a word. He gently detached his wrist from Justin's grasp as he brushed his hand through his hair. "I got to thinking about what you'd said - and what I had said. And I gave it a lot of thought..."
"Brian..."
"I'm getting to it," he insisted a little gruffly. It was hard enough for him as it was. "I don't suppose you would accept the explanation that Mikey didn't want to be parted from his favorite ring, and I felt obligated to return it." Justin shook his head. "No, I didn't think so," he admitted with an almost shy smile. He took a deep breath and let it out before continuing. "I finally decided that making you happy was more important to me than having to put up with some shit...literally. And I knew one good way to do that. It was within my control to do it...so I did it," he explained simply.
"Uh, huh," Justin responded dryly. "What happened to you not touching that ring for any reason? That you wouldn't be caught dead wearing it?"
Brian shrugged. "I changed my mind. Isn't that permitted?"
Justin smiled. "By all means," he told him, deciding it was wise not to push his husband. It was enough that he had done it despite his reservations. He glanced down at the ring on the hand he was holding, still amazed to see it there, but filling him with happiness. "I would kiss your ring as a thank you," he told him as Brian grinned. "But I think for now I'll kiss something else." He lifted his gaze to stare into his husband's eyes. He shook his head as he let his hands slide up Brian's bare chest to rest on the curve of his shoulders. "You know, just when I think I can't love you anymore than I already do, you do something like this...and make me fall even deeper in love with you." He paused, his heart feeling like it could overwhelm him with the depth of his feelings right now. "You think you can keep doing that for the rest of our lives?"
Brian reached to caress Justin's cheek with his fingers, watching as his husband's eyes fluttered closed and a sigh escape as he closed his eyes. "I think that can be arranged," he whispered as Justin's eyes slowly reopened. "There's only one problem," he added unexpectedly as Justin frowned.
"What?"
His voice a choked whisper, Brian explained, "I don't think the rest of our lives will be long enough."
Justin flushed with pleasure. "Neither do I," he whispered back. His hand sliding down to intertwine fingers with Brian's, together the two of them headed toward the bathroom, knowing a crowd of well-wishers was waiting below. For now, however, all they needed or wanted was just the two of them.