Eternity

Chapter 27

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Brian's POV

Driving down the country road, Lindsey rattles off everything we are supposed to do. I glance over to Gwen, who is absently biting her fingernails while Mama Bear rubs her shoulders from the back seat.

I make out my turn off in the waning evening light and head down the rocky and bumpy road. "Fuck!"

All three ladies turn to me and ask in unison, "What?!"

I can't help but snicker. "I can't believe Guinevere actually talked me into saying it was okay to have the wedding down by the river. What the fuck were they thinking?"

Lindsay pats my head from her seat behind me. "Now, now, Brian, it will be sweet and romantic."

"And it will be fucking freezing. Did you not see the frost starting to form on the leafless trees?"

Out of the corner of my eye I see Gwen shaking her head. "And I can't believe you fucking talked Jonathan into wearing a fucking tuxedo." She playfully glares at me then laughs. "You're most certainly not wearing a tux."

I stop the Jeep at our destination and smooth out my suit. I look down at it and then back to Gwen. "But mom said I looked handsome," I smirk at her.

She laughs and playfully slaps me. Suddenly we are all startled to hear someone knocking on the Jeep door. Gwen just about jumps out of her skin and screams as do Mel and Linds. I laugh good heartedly at the urban legend screaming. I roll down the window and glare at Emmett, not wanting him to see the humor in my eyes. "You scared the ladies."

He covers his hands over his heart. "I'm so sorry. I did not mean to frighten you all." He peeks into the Jeep. "Oh my, my, my, don't you two Brides look stunning?"

I grimace at his comment and look him in the eye. "I'm not a fucking bride, so fuck off."

Emmett pats my shoulder and I shudder under the touch. "Now, now, baby, no need to be getting your briefs in a twist."

"I'm not wearing any."

"Oh? Oh! Oh my, that's…oh." He waves his hands in front of his face

I laugh at him good naturedly. "We get the point. I make you horny." I say smugly. "I know I make all gay men horny. What can I say? It's a gift," I reply, with my tongue in cheek.

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Gwen's POV

I listen to the rushing of the river water and it begins to relax my nerves. Taking off my shoes I sink my feet into the soft sand, feeling the tingling sensation of the earth as she gently blesses my feet. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, envisioning a white light encircling each of my chakras. A tingling of purified energy sprinkles upon me like droplets of rain. Taking one last cleansing breath I look up into the sky and see that the sun is just beginning to set. I smile to myself feeling more confident than I did moments before.

I look over to father and he smiles, puts out his cigarette, then walks over to me. "You ready, pumpkin?"

I nod my head and pick up my bouquet that I laid upon the ground moments before. Gently I caress my fingers over the uniquely arranged flowers of fall colors. I smile when I see a couple of black and deep red roses. I know this is an added touch from my Auntie Em. He knows me so well.

I glide my fingers over the two pentacle necklaces that are tied with a string around the stems of the flowers

Dad clears his throat and I look up to see him smiling at me fondly. He links his arm in mine. "Come on, pumpkin. It's time to get this thing done and over with."

I let out a chuckle. "Daddy, you know you're loving all this attention."

He grins at me nodding his head yes. "Just don't tell." I giggle and we begin to walk down the pathway. He stops suddenly and I feel a tightness in my chest not knowing what he's thinking. I am relieved when he asks, "Are you going to put your shoes back on?"

I look at him sheepishly. "Ooops."

He chuckles softly. "Yeah, oops. We can't have you getting sick before your honeymoon." I nod my head and retrieve my shoes.

As we enter the opening of the large grove I can here Crystal's violin playing a Celtic melody. I see Jonathan right away and he looks handsome as always. Justin is standing about five feet away from him. Behind Justin and Jonathan are our friends and family, standing shoulder to shoulder forming two separate lines as they make a human aisle. Daddy walks me over to Jonathan placing my hand into my lover's. He speaks softly, "Take care of her." I can tell he wants to say more, but the emotions I see in his eyes are telling me he is unable to.

As Jonathan and I walk down the aisle our friends and family sprinkle rose petals and dried leaves at our feet. I smile as I hear my tribe chanting a melody of love and union. It flows in perfect union with the music being played on the violin. I look over to Crystal and she winks at me, letting me know they had planned this all along. I love the added touch and I let their voices sing into the depths of my soul.

I glance over to Jonathan and he has a slight smirk on his face. When he looks at me I ask softly, "Did you know they were going to sing?"

He nods his head. "Yeah."

"I love it!"

He chuckles lightly. "I knew you would." Then he kisses me briefly on the cheek as we stop at the end of the aisle. I look up to see Jonathan's best friend, Sebastian, standing at the entrance of the sacred circle formed with white stones. His curly, red hair hangs loosely over his shoulders and he smiles at us brightly, accenting his nicely trimmed beard and mustache. He has always reminded me of a Scottish warrior with his strong build and gruff, yet soothing voice

When we approach him he bows his head and takes hold of our clasped hands. Gently he holds our hands in between his as he moves forward to kiss us both on the cheek. "My two dearest friends, thank you for letting me be a part of your special day."

Jonathan looks at his friend affectionately. "You are our brother in spirit. We would not have it any other way." Then he lowers his voice. "But if I have to wear this fucking tux all night heads will roll."

Sebastian chuckles good naturedly and winks, looking down at his own tux. "I know what you mean. I have our change of clothes in the car. We can put them on before the reception."

Jonathan grins from ear to ear. "You're a good man."

Sebastian chuckles softly and nods his head in understanding. Looking deep into his sapphire eyes I am drawn into the intensity of his spirituality. He takes a deep cleansing breath. I can feel a tingling sensation traveling through my body as I take my own cleansing breath.

He speaks serenely, yet loud enough for everyone to hear. "Do you Jonathan and Guinevere enter this sacred circle with an open mind of faith and love?" He squeezes our hands affectionately.

"Yes," we reply in unison. Sebastian steps aside letting us enter into the circle.

Standing in the circle I watch with misty eyes as our fathers walk down to the sacred circle as rose petals and dried leaves fall to their feet. I see Justin whisper to my father, making him laugh, and I swear I see a slight blush spread across his face.

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Brian's POV

Justin and I walk into the sacred circle and stand next to our children as Sebastian talks to our friends and family. He asks each person if they are entering with an open mind and heart. He lights each of their candlesticks as they enter the sacred circle, forming another circle around us. I feel my emotions rising inside me as the candlelight begins to light the dusk, illuminating out spirits.

Justin turns to me and takes both my hands into his. I feel a surge of strength pouring through him and into me. He smiles and winks and I notice Gwen and Jonathan are standing face to face, grinning from ear to ear. A white light seems to be beaming from them.

Suddenly I am drawn out of my thoughts to an overwhelming presence circling around us. My breath catches in my throat when I see translucent forms of friends and loved ones who have passed away. As soon as I see them the apparitions vanish, but I can still feel their love and acceptance flowing into me. Then I hear the sound of children's laughter. I open my eyes quickly and for a brief moment I see what appears to be two small children running around playfully. They are shrouded in a white glow that seems to beam from them, hiding any of their features. I feel strongly in my soul that they are twin spirits and I wonder what their significance is and who they are or will be to me. Just as quickly as I see them they seem to vanish.

I am drawn out of my thoughts by Sebastian's voice. "Before we begin I would like to wish everyone a blessed Samhain. Thank all of you, our friends and family from this life and the other realms, for joining us to celebrate these two couples in committing their lives and love to one another. I will step aside and let our beloved couples share their vows with each other and with us.

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Gwen's POV

Crystal walks over to me I hand her my bouquet and she holds it for me as I untie the necklaces from the stems. She smiles and returns to the circle. When I hand one of the necklaces to Jonathan he tenderly takes hold of my hand and traces a pentacle in my palm with his finger. "In my thoughts you are always with me. In my dreams you keep me safe. Every moment I am away from you I feel lost. Every moment I am with you I am renewed and free of spirit." He looks me straight in the eyes and I am drawn into his blue eyes, which are brimming with tears. "I have never met anyone like you. You have made me a better man in so many ways. You have helped me to look into my spirit and my soul and be true to my inner self. More than anything in this world I want to come home to you every night and wake to you every morning." Gently he wraps the pentacle around my hand. "Will you do me the honor and walk with me through eternity and time as my wife?"

I smile at him as I choke back my own tears. "I will and I do."

I feel a tear fall down my cheek and he gently wipes his thumb over it as he whispers, "You are my essence of time."

Taking hold of my lover's hand I trace a pentacle on his palm. "You are my breath and my heartbeat. You are my strength and courage. You help me see beyond my own understanding. You have helped me to become a better person and you have loved me through my flaws. More than anything I want to walk by your side through thick and thin. You are my Immortal beloved." I gently place my hand in his and wrap the necklace around both of our hands. "Will you do me the honor and be my husband in this life and follow me into the next?"

He grins. "Yes, I would follow you anywhere." We place our free hands over our united ones. Bowing our heads we both take in several deep breaths. I can feel his warmth flow through me as we chant together:

"The winds have changed our souls to gain,

Our love is true for ever,

I will want to be with you, in our solace and in our peace,

In our sadness and in our happiness we are in our hearts and soul.

We invoke the God and Goddess to guide us and help us through our journey in our new lives together in spirit, mind and heart.

So mote it be."

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Brian's POV

The full moon glows upon Gwen and Jonathan as they exchange their vows. The mist forms in my eyes seeing the love they hold for each other. Jonathan delicately unwraps one of the necklaces and puts it around Guinevere's neck. She smiles at him and does the same. Jonathan smiles brightly and moves in closer to Gwen and then wraps his hand around her neck as he leans down and kisses her passionately.

Suddenly I feel all eyes on Justin and me. Gwen nods her head to encourage us to go on.

Justin winks at me and I feel my heart begin to melt. He takes hold of both of my hands turning them so my palms are facing up. He massages the inside of my hands with his thumbs, gently caresses the ring I have not taken off since the day he gave it to me. "Brian," his voice is full of emotion and I try to hold mine at bay. "When I met you eight months ago I knew there was something special about you. Through these months I came to find out we've met before, over and over again. You have helped me to grow as a person. We've had our share of bad times, but most have been good. I want to share everything with you, the good and the bad, the here and now, and also what is to come. Will you have me as your partner?" He looks at me shyly. "And I don't mean partner in crime." He chuckles and so do I. "But a partner of love, commitment and understanding. I have nothing to give you but my heart."

I lean my forehead on his. "That's all I need." I draw back and playfully smirk at him with teary eyes, "If for some reason our journey in life leads me to be your partner in crime, I would do so to be with you."

He laughs and ducks his head as he blushes. "Brian!"

I chuckle softly. "I know. I am so pathetic."

"No, not at all!" He places his hand on my cheek. "You're ridiculously romantic and that's what I love about you. You can be a real hard ass, yet you have shown me your other side. I thank you for letting me into you heart and soul."

I take Justin's hands in mine and smile trying to keep my overwhelming feelings under control. After a few moments I find myself giving into them and just speaking from the heart. "The first day I met you I knew there was something special about you. Even when we met as kids, I wanted you. I took your silence as a bad sign and ran. I have been running my whole life; away from relationships and love. When we were reunited I felt pain in my heart but it was a pleasant pain." I take in a deep breath and my voice breaks when I speak again. "I felt like I was being restored, like I had a second chance with you, even though I had no idea who you were at the time. Yet, I believe my spirit knew." He smiles at me and squeezes my hands lovingly as I continue. "You have taken down my walls and helped me to see a new world." I let go of one of his hands and trace my fingers over his cheek. "You are so beautiful, my love." I grin down at him. "More than anything I want the opportunity to share my life with you as partners. I have nothing else to give you, except for my loyalty, because I gave you my heart the first day we met."

I am drawn into Justin's sapphire blue orbs. I see the tears brimming from his lashes and I know mine mirror his. He reaches his arm around my neck and brings me down into a passionate kiss. His lips are warm and loving against mine as he whispers to me. "I love you, Brian, more than anything in this world. I want to be your partner in this life and the lives to come."

"Me too, I love you too," I choke out as I feel a stray tear roll down my cheek. Justin kisses it away and then we kiss again more fervently than before.

I can hear the cheers of our friends and family and I glance over and see Gwen and Jonathan are kissing as well.

Sebastian pronounces us all committed for life and then Crystal plays her violin again, as our friends and family leave the circle to form the aisle as before. Gwen and Jonathan walk up the candlelit path departing the circle.

The glow is so peaceful and I look over to Justin, who is beaming. Leaning down I brush my lips against his. "Well there's no turning back now," I say playfully.

He chuckles, and then kisses me. "I never want to turn back."

I lean my forehead on his. "Neither do I."

I take hold of his hand as we follow our children out of the circle and into our new life.

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