Scattered Ashes
Part ten - Epilogue
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Applause erupted in the small church as Brian Kinney pulled a very happy Justin
down the aisle. No one had ever expected to see Brian in such a hurry to marry
anyone. Debbie stood with tears in her eyes and stepped out to hug them both
close.
"Deb, you're smothering me." Brian gasped audibly to make his point.
"Debbie, could you let us go before he changes his mind?"
She let go and softly smacked Justin's cheek. "You did good
Sunshine." She looked over to the tall man she considered a son and her
heart filled with love. "And you, you little asshole, putting us all
through this. Not to mention just barging into a wedding uninvited. What the
hell were you thinking?'
"Sorry, Ma."
"I'm so proud of you Brian. Now get up there and marry that boy before you
chicken out."
Brian kissed her cheek and took Justin's hand, walking the few short steps to the alter. The minister watched the looks that passed
between the men who stood before him and began the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are here today to celebrate the love and committment that," he looked over at Brian, who whispered
his name. "Brian and Justin have professed to one another. Today they
share that love with the world and we rejoice in the beginning of a new life
for them to share. Watching the scene that played out here just moments before,
it is with great joy that I join these two in God's love. It is obvious to see
the love that these men have for one another. Their love is so strong that you
feel it radiating from them."
He looked to Justin then Brian before continuing. "It is our duty as their
family to support their union, to love them and to give them the foundation to
start a life together as one. From this moment forward their souls are joined
forever in love's holy covenant."
"Justin, it is now time for you to bare your soul to the man you
chose."
Justin took a deep breath and struggled against tears as he looked up at Brian.
"This is not how I pictured our wedding. I saw you in a black Armani tux,
white silk shirt, grey tie, but this is so much better. When I woke up this
morning I asked myself if what I was doing was right and I turned to find a
sketch of you bathed in sunlight and knew that I could never survive a forever
that didn't include you. We've survived the crash and burn, Brian and today we
put the past behind us and start a new life. Words have never been your strong
suit and I've gotten used to it. I used to wish you would just say the words
but I've come to realize that you can't always measure a man by words. I know
that you love me. I feel it in the way you touch me, the way you protect me. I
feel it in the way you give me courage to just be myself. I see the love
shining in your eyes when you look at me."
Brian wiped a tear from his partner's eye and Justin held tightly to his hand.
"I'll always love you. I'd give up everything for you. You're my knight in
shining armour. You're my forever. Now
and always Brian."
Jennifer wiped at the tears that flowed freely and looked around to see the
rest of the witnesses do the same. Her son was finally happy,
he finally had the love of his life.
Brian looked out at their family, then back at Justin and shook his head,
laughing softly. "I don't have anything prepared so I guess I just have to
speak from the heart. I used to think that weddings were only meant for dykes and
heteros," he waited for the chuckles to subside
before continuing. "But I stand up here, next to you, in front of everyone
and know that this is right. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I came here today to
let you go, to say goodbye. I stood out there and watched you and it dawned on
me that if I let you go, I'd never experience anything so great again in my
life. The road that brought us to this moment has never been easy. We've both
said things that cut deep and we've both forgotten our way from time to time.
It happens and it'll happen again but all I have to do is look at your smile
and know that I can face anything as long as you're by my side. I promise to
give you a life of laughter and sunshine, of beauty and joy. And when shadows
fall across the sun and you don't know how to go on anymore I will be standing
next to you, holding you up so that you can soar. Everything you are is
everything I long to be. You give your love so freely and you've taught me that
love is possible. And when our tomorrows are just scattered ashes blowing in
the wind, I'll still be there to hold your hand and remind you that you are the
sunshine of my life. I love you Justin. Always."
Brian leaned down and captured Justin's mouth in a kiss that conveyed all of
his feelings. The minister cleared his throat and laughter roared as they broke
apart.
"That was beautiful Brian, but just not the right moment. Now if we can
continue?"
"Sure, Father, but could you hurry it up some? Its been way too long since I've had such a beautiful blond
just waiting to be kissed again."
The minister laughed along with the gang and proceeded with the ceremony.
"Its just a few more formalities then you'll be able to kiss him all you
want." Turning to Justin he asked, "Do you Justin take Brian as your
partner for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,
forsaking all others until death parts you?"
"You bet I do."
"And Brian do you take Justin as your partner for better or worse, for
richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others until death
parts you?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Well then in God's eyes I pronounce you partners for eternity.
Brian gathered Justin in his arms and just before their lips touched he
whispered, "Always."
When the kiss broke, Brian and Justin turned to face their family and friends.
It was just mere seconds before they were in the midst
of hugs and well wishes. Brian held firmly to Justin's hand determined not to
be seperated from him for even one second.
"Hey, we have a party to get to," Emmett yelled and led the gang out
the door giving Brian and Justin a moment alone.
"I never thought this moment would come."
"How does it feel to be Mrs. Brian Kinney?"
"Better than I could've ever imagined. Thank you
Brian."
"For what? I'm the one who should be on my knees
thanking you."
"And you will be later." Justin laughed and pulled Brian back to his
feet. "Thank you for loving me enough to fight for us."
"My pleasure," he said capturing him in another kiss. Neither man
heard Ted step back into the room.
"Um, boys, there is a party waiting for you. You have a lifetime to fuck
and some of us are starving."
"We're coming," Brian said without taking his eyes off of his lover.
"Well we don't have time for that. Let's go."
Justin was the one leading Brian out the door this time. They settled back into
the limo that whisked them away to their reception and Brian held tightly to
Justin's hand the whole way.
"I'm not going anywhere, you don't have to hold
on so tight."
"I just got you back, there's no way in Hell I'm letting you go now."
"I love you."
"I love you too Sunshine."
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An hour into the reception they had managed to thank everyone personally and
were off in a corner trying to steal a few minutes alone when Noah walked up.
"I just wanted you to know that he's where he belongs," he said
extending a hand to Brian. Brian shook the other man's hand and turned back to
Justin. They were in mid kiss when Emmett called for everyone's attention.
"Ok, well, now that they've finally come to their senses
and quit putting us through all this drama it's time for their first dance as
husband and, well, wife. Brian? Justin? Anybody seen them? Hey Ted go check the backroom. Oh wait there they are." The
spotlight found the two men and Brian shook his head.
"Come on, honey, it's time to make the fans happy."
"I heard that Brian," Emmett called back. "Ok since this was all
a big surprise to us all, I took the liberty of choosing your music for your
first dance. Well actually Lindsay and I did since I couldn't decide on my own.
You all know I'm going through my Clay Aiken phase and well these two songs
just sort of sum up your journey here. So without further ado, get your asses
out on that dancefloor and give us our money's
worth."
The crowd parted as the first notes of "The Way" began and Brian
pulled Justin into his embrace, kissing him softly before moving to the music.
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There's somethin' 'bout the way
You look tonight
There's somethin' bout the way that
I can't take my eyes off you
There's somethin' 'bout the way
Your lips invite
Maybe it's the way that
I get nervous when you're around
And I want you to be mine
And if you need a reason why
It's in the way that
You move me
And the way that
You tease me
The way that
I want you tonight
It's in the way that
You hold me
And the way that
You know me
And when I can't find
The right words to say
You feel it in the way
Oh, feel it in the way
Somethin' 'bout how you stay on my mind
There's somethin' 'bout the way that
I whisper your name when I'm asleep, oh, girl
Maybe it's the look
You get in your eyes
Oh, baby, it's the way that
It makes me feel to see you smile
And the reasons they may change
But what I'm feelin' stays the same
In the way that
You move me
And the way that
You tease me
The way that
I want you tonight [tonight]
It's in the way that
You hold me
And the way that
You know me
And when I can't find
The right words to say
You feel it in the way
Oh, feel it in the way
I can't put my fingers on
Just what it is that makes me
Love you, you, baby
So don't ask me to describe
I get all choked up inside
Just thinkin' 'bout the way
It's in the way that [Oh]
You move me
And the way that
You tease me
The way that I want you tonight [tonight]
Oh [It's in the way that]
You hold me [the way you hold me, yeah]
And the way that
You know me [the way you know me]
When I can find the right words to say [Feel it in the]
It's in the way that
You move me
And the way that
You tease me [feelin']
The way-ay-ay-ay-ay ~ [feel it in the way]
There's somethin' 'bout the way you look tonight
There's nothin' more to say than
I feel it in the way
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Brian found himself singing the words to Justin. Justin smiled through tears at
his partner and braced himself for the next song, knowing exactly what it was
since Emmett had listened to it nonstop for a week.
He pulled Brian closer and spoke the words as the song began.
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When the world wasn't upside down, I could take all the time I had
But I'm not going to wait when a moment can vanish so fast
'Cuz every kiss is a kiss you can never get back
Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night
When the answer to all my dreams is as close as a touch away
Why am I here holding back what I'm trying to say?
Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven, well, you'd be right
Hold me close to your heart
I would go with you to the ends of the Earth and we'll fly
I've been waiting for this
This is the night
This is the night where we capture forever all our tomorrow's begin
After tonight, we will never be lonely again
Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right
Hold me close to your heart
I would go with you to the ends of the Earth and we'll fly
I've been waiting forever for this
This is the night
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Michael and Ben were standing near the cake when Debbie commented that they
should take the men off the top since they didn't look like Brian and Justin.
Michael had an idea and ran to the comic store and made it back in time to
replace the grooms before they cut the cake.
Brian walked over to the cake, hating the traditions that went along with
weddings and burst into laughter when he saw Rage and JT action figures on the
top. Pressing his lips to Michael's he thanked his friend.
"Thanks Mikey, looks like Zephyr saved the
day."
"Not the day, just the cake. That's what a trusty sidekick is supposed to
do right?"
Brian kissed him again.
"Hey now, none of that, he's officially mine now." Justin stepped
between the two friends and noticed the cake. "Hey look, its a storybook ending."
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At
"I can't believe it. I'm married. And to you no less.
I never ever thought that you'd want to marry me and here I am, married to
Brian Kinney."
"Are you kidding me? I've wanted to marry you since that night you were
leaning against a streetlight outside of
"God Brian, I love you. I love you so much." He watched as his lover
walked away and asked, "Where are you going?"
"This calls for a toast, don't you think," Brian announced pulling out
a bottle of champagne.
"But you hate champagne."
"And you love it. So shut up and let me have my ridiculously romantic
moment."
Justin accepted the flute of gold liquid, taking a sip, he listened to his
partner.
"I love you Justin, Those aren't just words, I
feel it all the way to my soul. All those months without you
were pure torture. I'm never letting you out of my sight again."
"Do you really love me? Is this really really
real? Are you always going to be here?"
"Always Sunshine, always."
Justin accepted the kiss his partner offered and began his new life.