Eternity

Chapter 26

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Brian's POV

I'm sitting on the ground with Justin leaning his back against my chest. I wrap my arms around him snugly, resting my chin on his shoulder. We sway to the tribal music playing around us as Gwen's tribe dances. I watch in amusement as she teases Jonathan with a scarf and then brings him into the tribal circle.

He laughs and then kisses her. I am actually surprised when I see him shimmy and begin dancing with the girls. Justin laughs good naturedly at his son's antics.

I close my eyes for a moment taking in everything around me, just enjoying having our family with us. Justin wraps his arm behind my neck and turns to kiss me lightly. I kiss him back trailing kisses down his jaw and to his ear. I breathe warmly onto his neck and feel him shiver as I whisper, "I love you," into his ear.

He turns around and smiles. "Me too."

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Brian's POV

The day of the Wedding I knock on Gwen's bedroom door and Lindsay opens it frantically. "Brian what are you doing here? You're supposed to be getting ready."

I smirk at her and smooth out my dark maroon suit and then I lean over and kiss her on the cheek. "I am ready, Sweetheart. Now where is my beautiful baby girl?"

Lindsay smiles. "You look handsome."

I feel a slight blush spread across my cheeks. "Thank you."

She kisses me on the cheek and lets me into the room. I feel my breath escape me as I see my daughter sitting at the vanity. She looks like a porcelain doll in her maroon and black wedding gown; so fragile, yet so strong and beautiful. Her hair is full of curls and put up in a renaissance style. Her maroon veil hangs down her back and fresh autumn flowers have replaced the silk ones which were originally on her headpiece.

I hold my hand out to help her stand up. "You look beautiful, pumpkin." She smiles at me brightly but I can see the emotions starting to take over her. I turn to Lindsay. "Can Gwen and I have a moment alone?"

She nods her head yes. "No problem. Oh, I know, I can go get your boutonniere."

After Lindsay shuts the door Gwen collapses into my arms and I guide her to sit down on her childhood bed. I trace my hand along her cheek. "What's wrong?"

She leans her body into mine as she trembles a little. I embrace her tenderly and lean my head on hers remembering how I used to hold her when she was upset, scared or just needed her daddy. She sobs into my chest and I feel my heart tightening with her next words "I'm so scared. What if I'm a lousy wife or mother? Or…or…"

I close my eyes trying to hold back my own tears. "You're going to be a wonderful mother. You have two great moms who raised you right. Just follow their example. I know that Jonathan loves you so much. You will be a terrific wife. It won't be easy but I know you two will make it."

She looks up at me wiping the tears from her eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah, really."

She giggles softly. "I still can't believe you came to me last night and asked if I was pregnant. That still freaks me out. How did you know?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Lucky guess, I suppose. But those mood swings were a dead giveaway." She chuckles softly and I gently cup her chin. "You want to know something?" She nods her head and I lean my forehead on hers. "I'm scared too. Fuck! I'm fucking terrified of being a husband." I laugh and pull away as I shake my head.

She giggles at me. "Oh, Daddy, I know you and Justin are going to happy together." Suddenly tears begin streaming down her face again.

I reach over and grab a tissue. "You know we're going to have to redo your make-up if you continue this?"

She laughs through her tears. "I know. I just can't believe the wedding is finally here. I just hope it all goes right and nothing bad happens and I don't disappoint Jonathon and…" She stops rambling and blots at her tears. "I'm just a fucking hormonal mess."

I try to hold back my laughter but I can't. "That you are, but you're allowed to be; you're pregnant. Now go on and finish getting ready. I'll come back in a bit and we can walk down the aisle and commit ourselves to our men."

She smiles widely. "I like the sound of that." I'm about to walk out the door when she calls out to me. "Daddy?"

I turn to look at her "Yeah?"

"I love you."

I smile at her feeling a lump in my throat. And the mist starts forming in my eyes. "I love you too, pumpkin."

I step outside the door and Lindsay is waiting there. She leans over and wipes a stray tear that I didn't even know had fallen. "You okay?" she asks softly.

"Yeah." I roll my lips into my mouth and look down then back up into my best friend's brown eyes. "I'm really nervous."

She nods her head and starts to pin a black rose on my suit. "You know, Brian, it's okay to be nervous." I see the tears welling in her own eyes as she swallows hard. "I am so happy for you. I just can't believe everything that has happened in the last eight months. Justin is really good for you and to you. It's amazing after all these years that you reconnected."

I stop her words with a kiss and she grins at me. "What was that for?"

"For being my best friend and the mother of my children. For giving them a wonderful role model to look up to." She leans her head into my chest and I can hear her sobbing. Delicately I caress her hair. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

She looks up at me and wipes at her tears. "They're happy tears. I just can't believe my Peter is all grown up."

I kiss her on the cheek. "It was bound to happen one day, Wendy."

She laughs through more tears. "Now go on and get out of here so I can touch up Guinevere's make up. I'm sure it has all been cried away."

I kiss her on the cheek and walk downstairs.

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Justin's POV

I knock on Jonathan's childhood bedroom door. Daphne opens the door looking somewhat panicked. "I'm so glad you're here. I have no idea how to tie a fucking tie."

I laugh at my best friend and kiss her on the cheek making her blush. Jonathan turns around and smiles at me. "Hi, Dad. I'm glad you're here. Mom has been a wreck and it's my fucking wedding. You would think she was the one tying the knot."

I chuckle and undo his tie. "By the looks of your tie, mom was tying several knots."

He laughs. "That's about right." He lets out a deep breath. "God, I can't believe the wedding is finally here."

"I know how you feel. It's kind of scary, isn't it?"

He laughs nervously. "I thought I was the only one who felt that way."

I shake my head no. "I'm scared too, but happy."

"Me too."

"So shall we grab the moms and head out?" Jonathan looks in the mirror. He looks so handsome in his black tuxedo. The maroon shirt and black tie make stunning accents. I can still see the young boy he once was mixed with the grown man he is now. I feel myself becoming overly emotional.

Jonathan turns to look at me and then pulls me into a hug. "Dad, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just so much has happened and I am so glad you and Gwen are letting me and Brian be a part of your wedding. It's been amazing to see the man you have turned into. I know I was away a lot while you where growing up."

He plants his hands firmly on my face and his emotions are strong. I can tell by his gruff voice that he is holding back tears. "Dad, you are an amazing father. Maybe you weren't around a lot when I was younger but you're here now. I am so happy that you and Brian are able to share this day with me and Gwen. Getting to know you these last couple of months means so much to me and to Gwen. We are both so lucky to have you two on our side."

I chuckle softly. "It would be kind of scary if we were against you, huh?"

He laughs and blushes. "Especially Brian. Wow, you've got your hands full, Dad." He laughs good heartedly and draws back, patting me on the shoulder. "Brian is a good man. I am happy for you. Now come on, we've got to go get hitched."

He grabs his keys off the dresser and we head out the door.

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