“I love you, too,” David said with a warm smile. “Now, if you think you’re done sweating bullets, how about we get you all dolled up, huh?”
“Let’s do it,” Jimmy said, hopping up out of the chair and reaching for his garment bag. He excused himself to the bathroom to change, emerging to get help with his bowtie. Only Maury could tie one, Jimmy having to bend over so he could reach him. David helped adjust his jacket, and they both pronounced him fit to be wed.
Jimmy got a glimpse of himself in a large mirror hanging in the bedroom, grinning bashfully. The tuxedo fit perfectly and after making a quick adjustment to his hair, he looked like he had just come from a photo shoot. He couldn’t wait to see Cold.
“Time to go, gentlemen!” Charlie’s voice called out, knocking on the door and opening it wide. He gestured for them to follow, saying urgently, “Mr. Legrand is already waiting at the altar and Rowena is on standby. Let’s go, let’s go!”
Heart pounding, Jimmy and the others followed Charlie to the conservatory. The glass doors were opened up into the garden, and the chairs created the perfect walkway to the stage. Before Jimmy could step too far and steal a glimpse of Cold, Charlie pushed him back and grunted, “Not yet!”
“Jimmy!” Rowena squealed, rushing over to give him a giant hug. “Agh! You look amazing!”
Jimmy beamed happily, admiring Rowena in her golden bridesmaid dress. “So do you! Are you sure I’m the one getting married today?”
“Ha!” Rowena snorted, winking slyly. “Sweet talker.”
Jimmy’s ears perked up when he heard Dario starting to play something jazzy and light on the piano. “What’s that?”
“My cue!” Rowena exclaimed, reaching over to grab Maury’s arm. “Come on, sweetie. It’s time for us to look absolutely gorgeous and make everyone eat it.”
“Whatever,” Maury grumbled hopelessly, starting down the aisle with Rowena on his arm.
Jimmy, realizing his hands were shaking, anxiously reached for his father. “Shit. Shit. This is really happening. Like, right now.”
“You’re going to be fine,” David soothed, linking their arms together. “You’ve got this, slugger.”
“Okay,” Charlie barked, pointing at the door. “Time to start walking... now!”
Jimmy hiccupped frantically, and David had to drag him the first few steps to get him moving. The formerly empty chairs were all occupied by a huge crowd of people that Jimmy didn’t recognize, and every single one of them was staring at him. But then he saw Cold.
Cold was standing up on the stage with the priest, and he had the most beautiful look of awe on his face.
Jimmy’s heart tumbled against the walls of his ribs when their eyes met. Grinning from ear to ear, the rest of the venue vanished after that, and he looked only to Cold and basked in the warmth of his loving gaze.
Cold’s initial stunned expression faded to something more familiar, casual and firm, but he couldn’t hide the tender little smile curling his lips.
Jimmy barely heard the priest and his father speak when they reached the end of the aisle, his trembling fingers tangling with Cold’s as he helped him up on the stage. He instinctively leaned up for a kiss, fussing when Cold gently nudged him away.
“Not yet,” Cold chuckled under his breath, clearing his throat and looking to the priest.
“Welcome, friends and family,” the priest announced, speaking through a small mic clipped onto his robes. “Welcome to the wedding of Roderick Legrand and James Poe. Love is a glorious and wondrous thing, and we are all so happy that you’ve joined us to bear witness to this union today. Let us pray.”
Jimmy bowed his head as the priest led a brief but heartfelt prayer, smiling when Cold gave his hands a gentle squeeze.
“Amen,” the priest concluded, smiling warmly at Jimmy. “I believe that Mr. Poe has prepared a song for his vows, yes?”
“Y-yes,” Jimmy said, frozen to the spot. He forgot what he was supposed to do, and he was stuck staring up at Cold helplessly. He felt a nudge at his side, exhaling gratefully when he saw it was Dario handing him the microphone.
“You got this,” Dario whispered, quickly returning to his place at the piano.
“This, this is a song about how much I love you,” Jimmy said, smiling nervously. “It’s called ‘Stay With You’ by John Legend. It’s, uhm... well... It’s perfect.” He turned his head to nod at Dario, taking a deep breath as the first few notes began to play.
Cold tilted his head curiously, giving Jimmy some space but still holding onto his hand.
“We’ve been together for a while now,” Jimmy began softly, closing his eyes as he focused on the words. The lyrics spoke of a love that was unconditional, as certain as the sun rising and the changing of the seasons. No matter what obstacles they faced, their love would endure any pain or heartache.
Jimmy raised his voice to overtake Dario’s piano, his eyes fluttering open to gaze adoringly at Cold as he sang of a love that could survive even their darkest days. He poured everything he had into each and every word, promising to always stay by Cold’s side. He would stay, no matter what, because he loved him so much.
For a few precious moments, there was no one there except Jimmy and Cold, Jimmy’s voice carrying them to a secret place just for the two of them. He barely heard Dario’s piano, focused only on his voice and delivering each syllable with all the passion he could muster.
