Nothing hurt anymore, and he was in the right place at the right time. For once, fate and the universe felt aligned, and he was not having to fight nonstop to get what he wanted.
Graham.
“My vows to you are the same ones they’ve always been. I will fight to love you forever, and I’ll fight to stand with you when life gets difficult. We lost sight of that once, and I know we never will again. You were born to be mine. The day you were broughtinto this world, the threads of fate wove us together. I believe in the book of fate, and I believe that beside my name, yours is written.”
Michael wiped his eyes.
He couldn’t help but want to weep. The pure joy and love were overwhelming him.
“You are mine, and you always will be. I’ll fight fiercely to protect us, and I’ll never let go again. From this day forward, you will always be my husband. In the good times, and in the bad. Through the storms, and during the sunny days. My heart and body knows yours, and on the day we tattooed our initials on our legs, we spoke our vow.”
Graham lifted the edge of his kilt, baring his thigh and the tattoo that was there to show everyone. He was careful not to flash the audience.
Michael did the same, on the opposite thigh. They’d pick those legs so when they were side by side, so were the tattoos.
There were giggles from the ladies, and adoration from their families that these two men had absolutely been right that they belonged together.
“As long as this tattoo lasts on my skin, and it bears the initial of the love of my life, I shall be yours. In death, we’ll be much like Duncan and Ciarán. We’ll still be side by side even when the war is over.”
He placed his free hand over Michael’s heart.
Then, he turned and got the ring from Finn. Gently, he slipped it onto Michael’s finger—where it always belonged.
As soon as he did, they all felt it.
There was a peaceful energy that floated over everyone there.
Turning, both Michael and Graham looked up at one of the windows in the tower that overlooked the courtyard. That’s when they saw them.
Both men stood there, side-by-side.
Duncan bowed, and Ciarán did the same. Then, they disappeared.
“Did you just see…?” Fiona asked, looking around at the rest of the people there.
Oh, those trying to clean up this castle saw it, and knew what it meant.
There was love here again at Ravensmire.
Finally.
The judge patted them both on their shoulders.
“Lads, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You two kiss, and I’ll sign the paperwork,” he said.
Michael was going to do just that.
He took a step toward his husband, and pulled him into his body. With love, he wrapped him in his arms, dipped him, and kissed him.
Oh, and it was one hell of a kiss.
They didn’t slow down, and they didn’t stop until they felt it.
Gryphen found the rice.
As they were being pelted, he pulled his new husband up, and put him on his feet.
They were both smiling.
