Time Away

Part 5

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Ten o’clock the next morning Brian and Justin walked out of their cottage to make their way down to the beach, the chosen setting for the ceremony. Earlier, Stuart had stopped by their cottage, knocking discretely and telling them, through the door, that everything was ready and that there was nothing left for them to do other than show up.

Justin had gone through seven outfits before settling on the white canvas cargo pants and the white sheer cotton embroidered shirt he had found at a local craft market. He was practically shaking with nerves and it was all Brian could do to sooth him with lovemaking and tease him into a good mood.

Brian, wearing white linen pants and a white silk shirt, finally took his hand and led him down to the chosen site. Stuart and Vince had brought in more flowers to augment the natural ones growing and had cleared jetsam from the sand.

Most of the guests of the Inn had wandered down, dressing up as much or as little as they wished to. They were genuinely happy for the couple, despite their recent acquaintance. They seemed so well suited, so happy and so Goddamned attractive together. It was the perfect romantic wedding as far as they were all concerned—perfect setting, handsome couple, genuine love between the two and obstacles that had been overcome to reach this conclusion—or beginning if you prefer.

It was, of course, a cloudless day with a slight breeze to ward off the heat.

As they stepped onto the sand, Brian pulled Justin close enough to whisper to him, “There’s a surprise for you. Turn around.”

“Mom!”

Wearing colorful sundresses made from island batiks and more flowers in their hair, Jennifer and Molly were walking toward them, Jennifer hugging Justin and Molly burying her face against Brian’s chest. The women exchanged partners, Jen whispering to Brian, “Thank you, for letting us see this.”

“It wouldn’t be right for you to not be here.”

“But Mom—how did you…? When did you…?”

“Brian told us what he had in mind a couple of weeks ago, he’s the one who arranged for us to come down here, sweetie. We got here two days ago—we’re staying at the Hilton down the beach.”

“You fucking knew about this weeks ago and didn’t tell me? Jesus!”

“I made them promise. Behave yourself. We’re supposed to get married now.” Brian kissed him amid good natured calls about saving that for after the ceremony.

Smiling, they turned to where the local minister Stuart and Vince had arranged for was standing under a palm. “Ready then, are we?”

Nodding they held hands, the group of friends and now family closing in to form a semi circle about ten feet back from where they stood.

Brian whispered into his ear, “It’s pretty traditional, is that alright with you?”

Justin looked up at him. “Perfect.”

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and these friends to unite in Holy Matrimony….for richer or poor, in sickness and in health, for better or worse and keeping yourselves wholly unto to one another…”

“These rings are a symbol of these vows you make here today….”

“And so by the power invested in me…I now pronounce you to be wed. May the Lord bless you and keep you and smile upon you…”

Facing one another, they kissed, their arms around one another. Gently at first, then gradually deepening the kiss until the catcalls from the surrounding group broke through to them. Breaking slightly apart, they were smiling at one another, arms still embracing for a few more moments then the crowd broke into applause and Jennifer was hugging and kissing Justin with tears in both of their eyes and Molly had thrown herself against Brian saying, “Now you’re my brother, too.”

“And I finally have a sister I can stand.”

Then the rest surrounded them, shaking hands, hugging offering congratulations and best wishes. It was warm and happy and, once the actual ceremony was over, stress free, Justin was able to relax and Brian couldn’t help but notice that he glanced down at his hand every few minutes to either admire the new ring which had fit him so perfectly, or to simply remind himself that it was actually there and was real. Brian found himself doing the same thing, to his own amusement and more than once he caught Jennifer watching the two of them and laughing.

The others had drifted away, leaving the four now family members alone together, Brian and Justin with their arms around one another, Justin curling into his now husband, hugging him, and kissing his neck. He was completely unable to hide his smile, even if he had wanted to, which he didn’t.

Finally Molly was the one to break the mood—or rather shift it slightly. “So now what are we going to do? Usually when we go to a wedding there’s a reception afterwards, but this looks it isn’t going to happen for this one—you have any ideas?”

“Sweetie, I told you that we’re having a party for them after we all get back home. The plan was to just relax while we’re all here.”

“I know, and stay out their way so they can be alone if they want. Like I want to see them making out all the time. They’re going to be worse that they used to be, aren’t they?”

“Molly...”

“We could start the honeymoon now?” That was Justin.

“Ewwwww, gross. Don’t you guys get enough?”

“No such thing as enough, Molly.”

“Thank you, Brian, but I’ll leave the birds and the bees to me, if you don’t mind.”

“Who was talking about birds and bees, Jen? I was talking about sex.”

“Do the others back home know about this? Was I the only one in the dark?”

“Like Deb could keep a secret for five minutes. These two are the only ones who knew. I’m not a complete idiot, twat.”

“Alright. We could all get changed, have a nice swim and then have a special lunch. Would everyone like that?”

“Um, Mom? How about you and Mol have a swim and Brian and I will meet you for lunch in a couple of hours, OK?” His meaning was clear.

“…Sure, sounds good to me. Molly? We’ll come get these two in a little while. Swim, sweetie?”

“Oh, God. They’re on a perfect beach on a perfect day and they’re going back to bed? You two are so boring.”

“Yeah, well we just suck.” Brian got an elbow in the ribs and Jennifer turned bright red. “Later, OK?”

“Brian, will you two go snorkeling with me? Mom’s afraid to.”

“Promise, Mol. We’ll go this afternoon after lunch.”

“OK, deal.” She gave them a look. “You sure you’ll have the strength?”

Justin started smirking. Brian gave him one of his glares. “I’ll try to see that Justin gets a nap before hand.”

“And after hand.”

“Shut up, twat.”

“Mom…”

“Molly, honey, I think we should go get changed now.”

Twenty minutes later Brian and Justin were about to start consummating their brand new marriage when they got sidetracked.

When they had walked back into the cottage, laughing as Brian picked Justin up to carry him across the threshold, they saw that the room had been completely filled with flowers. They were in vases on every surface, on the floor, they were strewn across the bed, they were hung from the walls, they were in the shower; they surrounded the mirrors, they hung from the rafters. The entire room had been bedecked to such an extent that Justin’s allergies began again, though not enough to put any kind of a damper on either the day or their immediate plans.

Still carrying the youngster, Brian deposited him on the bed, crushing some of the petals he was lying on, releasing more perfume.

Lying full on him, Brian looked down at him, “You’re sure that this is what you want? The marriage, me, the whole thing? We could still pretend that it didn’t happen, get it annulled.” He rolled his lips. “If you’ve any doubts at all, if you’re not sure, tell me and we’ll make it as though it never happened.”

Justin started to laugh when he realized that Brian was completely serious. In a moment of insight he understood that Brian was as frightened as he had probably ever been, ranking up there with the apology for the Rage damage or the proposal itself or the night Justin left him for Ethan.

He brought his hands up to Brian’s face, framing it, holding him carefully.

“I love you. I’ve known that since the first night when Gus was born and I saw you hold him and I could see the look on your face. Since then I’ve come to understand that you’re what I want. You’re as smart as I am and you’re handsome and educated. You’re successful in your career and have the respect of your peers. You’re a good father to Gus and I know there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for him—or me. And you’re the best lover I could hope for.”

“Justin…”

He kissed Brian gently. “I want to spend every day with you. I want to live with you and grow old with you. I want to share the good times with you and happiness and joy and I want to laugh with you and eat with you and sleep beside you and then wake up in the morning with my arms around you.”

Brian leaned in to return his gentle kiss. Justin continued.

“And when you’re tired or sad or upset or frustrated or sick, I want to be there then, too so that I can help and hold you and tell you what you mean to me and how we’re going to be alright together—because I love you.”

Brian laid his head on Justin’s chest. “No one ever has before, not like this, not like you.”

“A lot of people love you. You know that. Lindsay, Michael, Deb—Gus certainly loves you. You have friends who care about you so much. I’ve thought about this before. You’re the center the others revolve around, you’re what holds them all together.”

“No, Debbie is the one…”

“You’re wrong. Deb is great, but you’re the one they all come to with their problems, you’re the one who takes care of them all. You’re the one who has the solutions, who tells them how to fix whatever is wrong. I saw you give your last money to Lindsay for Gus when the problem with Kip was going on and you never aid a word—I looked at the balance when I put the checkbook away. It read a negative thirty-seven dollars after you wrote her that check.”

“Justin, that was for Gus. I told Linds that I’d take care of him, there was nothing I could do then.”

“You could have said no, or offered half.”

Brian tightened his arms around Justin. Even fully clothed, Brian felt as close to him as he ever had.

“You never told her that emptied that account, did you?”

He just shook his head, Brian felt the movement.

“You asked me if I’m sure about us.” Brian felt his Justin’s hands stroking his back. “I am. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

After that they made love. It was slow and gentle and tender and as much about giving as taking. The made love with their eyes open, each watching the other, listening to the sounds, feeling the other’s breath on their skin, feeling hands and feet stroking against skin, skin against skin, tongue against tongue, lips against lips.

When they came it was together and they lay, afterwards, Brian still inside of Justin, their arms still holding one another, their heads sharing a pillow, faces turned towards one another.

“It’s going to keep getting better, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.”

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