Page 81 of Something Blue

He couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I’ll always clear a space for family,” Connor said. “Even Max.”

Max snorted, nudging Connor’s foot under the table. “I love you,too.”

Connor grinned, spearing a piece of chicken with his fork.“Feeling’s mutual.”

Epilogue

One year later...

“You two ready to do this for real?” Riley asked, standing infront of them.

Max grinned at him, thrilled that he’d stepped up to volunteer forthis. His and Connor’s wedding business was booming, and he’d been so excitedwhen Connor floated the idea of getting him ordained so he could be arealcelebrant.

He’d saved his first real wedding for Connor and Max, and Max hadnever felt more honored.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” Connor said,taking Max’s hands.

“You ready?” Max asked Zoe, who was standing beside them.

She tugged nervously on the hem of the sharp blazer she’d pickedout, but grinned broadly at both of them. Max had watched her change so muchover the past year that he could barely keep up, but they were all goodchanges. She was happy. She’d started back at school. She had friends, anddreams, and ambitions, and all the things he’d wanted for her.

“Awesome,” he grinned back at her, then turned to Riley. “I thinkwe’re ready.”

Riley cleared his throat.

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to experience a wickedcase of de ja vu,” he said, beaming at the crowd. “I know you’re all thinkinghey, didn’t we do this around this time last year? In this same barn, with atleast some of these same decorations? And we did, but this time, it’s for real.So I’d like to invite you to start tearing up before I do while Max and Connorexchange vows. Again.”

Max laughed. He didn’t want this to be super serious. One seriouswedding was enough to last him a lifetime.

He just wanted to promise to love Connor forever, whateverhappened.

“Well, I guess Connor remembers everything I said last time, andthat all still holds true. But since then, I’ve fallen in love with a man who’skind, and determined, who’s never let me down, who’s always there to pick me upwhen I fall, and who loves me, all the time, unconditionally. I’ve never metanyone like him, and I don’t think I ever will. And all I want to promise himtoday is to return the favor, and to be the best husband I can be, and love himforever. We’re lucky we found each other, and I’m never letting that go,” Maxsaid, tears stinging at his eyes.

“Oh no, don’t cry,” Connor said. “You’ll make me cry, and theneveryone else cry…”

“Too late.” Max sniffed. “I love you. I’ll always love you.”

Max watched tears well up in Connor’s eyes too. He let go of onehand, wiping them away with his sleeve before grabbing Max’s hand again andsqueezing it tight.

“You’re the man I dreamed of before I even dared to hope you mightbe real,” he said. “Your love is wide and deep, and I’m really glad you let mebask in it the way you do. I’ve never been happier than I am when you’rearound. I never want you to doubt that I’ll always be there for you, that mywhole world lights up when you’re around, that I don’t ever want to spendanother day without knowing that you’ll be there, by my side. Like you said,I’ll always love you. That’s all I have to give, but I hope it’s enough.”

“It is,” Max said softly.

Riley cleared his throat again. “Okay,” he said, his voice thickwith emotion. “Wow, this celebrant thing is hard. I’m gonna cry every time.”

Connor chuckled, which set Max and the rest of the crowd off aswell.

There was so much joy and love in the room that Max almost feltlike he could have bottled it.

He didn’t need to, though. Connor was an endless source of joy andlove. Max would never need more of either again.

As long as he had Connor, he couldn’t have been happier.

“Oh, and I'm not forgetting the rings this time,” Riley said.“They never took them off, which I think you’ll all agree is disgustinglycute.”

Max looked down at the matching rings he and Connor were wearing.

They’d known in their hearts that this was forever a long timeago. They were just making it formal now.

“You can kiss whenever you want,” Riley said. “You areofficially--for real this time--married.”

Max grinned at Connor, pulling him in for a kiss. Their nosesbumped together, and he almost missed Connor’s lips entirely at first, but itwas easily the best kiss of his life.

He closed his eyes, letting the familiar warmth and scent ofConnor wash over him, happiness welling up in the pit of his stomach.

This was the happy ending they both deserved.