“You look like you’re about to pass out,” Aaron teased as he brushed something off Vic’s jacket.
“Why did he have to go all out like this?” Vic complained. “Why couldn’t we have done something at the club?”
“I think you know why,” Sam replied. “Remember who’s in attendance.”
Okay, Vic could concede he had a point. When Rob had asked if he could invite his mother, Vic hadn’t hesitated in saying ‘of course’, but if he were honest, he’d been half-convinced she wouldn’t show. But when he’d seen her standing in the back, talking with Maggie, pride bloomed in his chest. He denied it, but if she hadn’t turned up, it would have gutted Rob. He thought she was annoying—and didn’t every kid who had parents?—but he desperately wanted her to be here.
“Are you sure about this?” Wayne teased. “Still time to head to the airport and flee the country.”
A deep inhale. “I have never been more certain of anything in my life.” On this day of all days, Vic could tell the truth. “Hell, I realized recently that until I met Rob, I’d only been living half a life. He makes every day a joy.” He made Vic’s days plenty of other things too.“Spoken like a man truly in love,” Eli said with a wide smile.
And Vic was. From his head to his toes, everything he was belonged to Rob. That cheeky brat had burst into Vic’s life and made it something special, and Vic was still clueless as to how he’d done it. He gave an internal chuckle. One minute he’s calling me a poof—the next, he’s about to say ‘I do’ in front of family and friends.
“Yeah, I am,” he replied to Eli. “When Rob said he’d marry me, my heart fucking soared.”
“Well, it’s not everyone who’ll get up in front of a group and make a fool of themselves by singing ‘Marry You’ by Bruno Mars.”
He’s been scared shitless that day. Would he remember the words? Would he be able to do the simple dance steps? Would Rob say yes? However, after he finished singing, the mix of emotions on Rob’s face told Vic he’d do it every day to see his boy smile like that.
“Fuck you, Wayne. You can’t tell me you wouldn’t sing and dance for Ellis.”
He shrugged. “I’d give him anything to see him happy.” He glanced around the room. “I think I’m safe in saying we all would.”
Vic loved his friends more than he could say. They always came together when things got tough for a club member. He’d spoken with Leo Hart, who was Rob’s brother’s Alex’s Dom, who told him about the reporter who’d harassed Peter, and how every man in the club wanted to tear him apart. You don’t touch another man’s boy, and if you do, you pay the price.
What was it about these men? To come from such different backgrounds, yet somehow cobble together a family out of various personalities? Vic would give anyone the shirt off his back, and he knew Rob would as well.
“Master Vic?” came a soft voice from the door. “They’re ready for you.”
Leo turned toward the door and smiled. “Thank you, Tim,” he called out to the rapidly retreating back.
“Showtime!” Leo said, clapping Vic on the shoulder.
Another bracing breath, and Vic stepped out into the most beautiful garden he’d ever seen. Bursts of colors from the flowers, a few trees dotting the landscape. And eager faces ready to see Rob Daniels and Vic Prentiss join together in life and love. He walked through the throng, noting the people who’d come. He nodded at Joe and Olly from The Edge, noting Olly’s impossibly wide smile. Olly had told Rob about his own wedding, and how he hoped that he and Vic’s was just as perfect. Vic reckoned nearly every club member and their subs were present. Janice, Vic’s assistant from work, sat in a lovely floral print sundress, dabbing at her tears. Vic was certain she’d tell him it was allergies, because she did not cry.
And then he saw Rob standing at the front, dressed in a dark gray suit. It took Vic’s breath away to see him, smiling and crying at the same time. He seemed ready to run, but Vic wasn’t sure if it was toward him or away. When he rushed at Vic and grabbed his hand, he had his answer.
“Come on, I need this done before you get too old to remember your lines.”
Such a brat, even on this day. Vic was glad, because nothing should ever change Rob’s personality. He hurried to the front with Rob, then stood beside him, holding his hand. It was damp, and shaky, a sure sign of Rob’s nerves. Vic squeezed gently, and Rob let out a sigh.
Yeah, his boy was just as nervous.
The celebrant, Ken Hamilton, beamed at them. “Okay, this is going to be fun. It’s not often that I get to do a wedding, so this is exciting.” Ken had been a fixture at Whispers, until he and his sub bowed out years ago. They were still together, and happy as could be. When he’d heard Vic was getting married, he’d offered his services, and Vic had said yes, absolutely.
“Glad you could be here, Ken.”
He smiled, and his face lit up. He was pushing seventy now, but he was still pretty damn spry. “Let’s get this show on the road, because after this, I’m going to hit the buffet, then have Nils take me home for a nap.”
Everyone sat, and Rob took his spot beside Vic.
Ken addressed the assembled guests. “Thank you all for coming today, to see these two men join their lives together. It’s a wonderous thing to see. When I was growing up, marriage equality wasn’t even a glimmer on the horizon. Now, these guys will join in with their heterosexual counterparts, showing that love is love, and there are no differences between marriages.” His eyes twinkled. “And now for the boring but legal stuff.” He addressed Vic. “Are you, Victor Prentiss, free, lawfully, to marry Robert Daniels?”
Vic took a deep breath. “I am.”
“And are you, Robert Daniels, free, lawfully, to marry Victor Prentiss?”
Rob beamed. “I am.”
Ken gave Vic a nod, and Vic turned to face Rob. “I, Victor Prentiss, take you, Robert Daniels, to be my wedded husband.” Then Rob repeated the same words back to him. When they were done, Ken addressed the guests.
“Each of them has written their own vows, so at this time, I’m going to ask Vic to read his.”
Vic cleared his throat, then turned to Rob. He knew his boy was nervous, but resolute. “Rob Daniels, I stand before you today to give you a gift I have never given anyone else – my heart. You will become its keeper, holding it safe, protecting it from being battered and bruised. The only place it will ever belong is in your care, as it should be.”
Rob’s lower lip trembled, and he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He looked out at the guests, searching, Vic presumed, for Alex. Then he turned back to Vic.
“I’m a brat.” There were a few chuckles. “Except no, that’s not right. When we met, I was an arse to you. I called you a name that should never be used, because I was angry and hurting and… and I was attracted to you, which made me mad at myself. But you? There was something about you that called to me. Made me think we could be friends. So I did the dumbest thing possible, and traveled from Manchester to London, hoping you wouldn’t send me away. And you didn’t. Not ever. You held me close, telling me everything would be okay, that you’d be beside me every step of the way. And, thanks to you, I’ve reconnected with my family, and I’ve made some amazing friends. I don’t know that I deserve it, but I’m never giving it back, so you’re stuck with me.”
Ken sniffled. “In all my years, I don’t think I’ve heard a more heartfelt set of vows.” He turned to Vic. “Vic? Will you have Rob in all his moods? Will you help to guide him? Show him so much love and affection he can never doubt his place in your life?”
Vic’s heartbeat quickened. “Of course. Always.”
“And Rob? Will you—”
“Fuck, yes,” Rob said, before throwing himself into Vic’s arms and clinging tight.
“Then fuck yes it is,” Ken said, chuckling. “I pronounce the two of you married, with all the rights and privileges that come with it. Be good to each other, okay?”
Vic seized Ken’s hand in his and shook it firmly. “Thank you so much, Ken.”
“I’d say anytime, but I hope the next time I see you is at your anniversary party.” He clapped his hands. “Now let me at those meatballs.”
A few moments later, Vic and Rob stepped into the throng of people. When Rebecca Daniels made her way toward them, Vic held his breath. He wasn’t sure how she’d respond to seeing her son marry another man.
“Mum, I’m so glad you came,” Rob said, his voice breaking.
“I…” She sniffled. “I am too. I never thought seeing two men get married would make me cry, but it was so beautiful. The two of you, standing up there together? It was so much more than I ever thought it could be.” She turned to Alex, who came up behind Rob. “Alex? I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I was awful to you and Leo. I’m trying to be a better person. A better mother. If you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to start again with you.”
Alex smiled. “We can try, Mum.”
Rebecca met Leo’s gaze. “Leo? I owe you so much more than an apology. I thought you’d ruin my son’s life, but looking at him now? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him—either of them—happier. Maggie was right. Love looks good on you both.”
Vic nudged Rob closer, and he pulled her into a hug. She burst into tears when Alex joined them, and they guided her away to a quiet corner, where they sat with Doug, their father, their heads bowed as they talked. Vic hoped they could find a common ground and come together as a family once again.
“So how do you feel, Master Vic?” Jarod asked. “Is it everything you thought it would be?”
Vic sighed as he took in the crowd of friends and family, gathered to celebrate with him and Rob. “Truthfully? It’s like my life has just begun, and I can’t wait to start living.”
With that, he led Jarod to the snack table. Ken was right, those meatballs looked amazing.