Page 92 of Stood Up

He cleared his throat. “When we agreed to do this, I had no idea where to start,” he began. “How I could ever promise you everything in a few handfuls of words? So, uh, that’s what I’m promising. Everything I am, everything I will be, and everything I have been. I’m all yours, and I’m honored that you’d want me. I wake up every day in awe of you, and every day you surprise me, and I can’t imagine a better person to live the rest of my life with. You’ve been my whole world since we were little, and that’s never going to change. I love you, and I always will. You’ve always been there for me, and I’ll always be there for you. Promise.”

A softawwrippled through the crowd, which Brent barely heard over the pounding in his ears. Was it the right thing to say?

He watched as tears sprung up in Riley’s eyes, and knew it was.

“I always cry at weddings,” Riley said, sniffing. The crowd laughed.

“I, uh… did not write anything down or plan for this, which I think isn’t entirely unexpected. I never planned for any of this. I can’t imagine wanting to do this with anyone else. It’s always been you, and it alwayswillbe you, and I’m probably going to ramble a little.”

Riley paused to clear his throat. “I have wandered the length of this continent a couple of times over now, and there’s no place I’d rather be than in your arms. I’ve seen so many amazing things, but none more amazing than your smile. I’ve met thousands of people, and not one of them compares to you. You’re everything I love about the world and then some, and I am never, ever letting you go.”

Brent felt tears in his own eyes, threatening to spill over. Of course Riley could say something like that without having to plan it first. Riley’s sincerity was one of his best qualities.

Riley didn’t wait to be told he could kiss Brent. Instead, he leaned in and just barely brushed his lips against Brent’s at first, then parted them and pressed closer, sucking lightly on his lips before backing off.

Beside them, the celebrant chuckled. “Close enough,” she said. “You two are officially married.”

Brent grinned, his heart swelling so much that he was almost afraid it might burst.

This was exactly the fairytale ending they both deserved.