45. Jasper

Never would I have thought I'd be here, standing at the entrance to a church about to walk inside and down the aisle for a wedding to end the feud of my family. Even more so I didn't even entertain the thought in my head that I'd be marrying for love, and I certainly didn't think I'd also be marrying a guy who was also once my enemy.

Stepping up to the ornate wooden double doors I adjust my chocolate brown bowtie, and smooth down the fabric of my maroon suit, tracing the embroidered roses with my fingertip to calm my nerves. I'm about to marry Reece. He's going to be waiting at the end of the aisle for me, with Malyk beside him. I didn't want my father to give me away to Reece. That stupid tradition seems archaic to me. I've already given my heart to Reece, and my father had given his blessing before Reece proposed. There is only one person I want by my side and she's running late–crashing through the outside doors just as Moonlight Sonata starts to play–still tugging on her high heels as she stumbles towards me. I sigh with relief.

"Oh thank heavens you're here, Nanc. I thought I was going to have to walk down the aisle by myself."

She laughs softly. "You honestly think I'd let you do that?"

I shake my head. "No, but you had me worried for a minute."

"Sorry, I couldn't get this blasted dress done up," she replies, smoothing down the front of the strapless beige dress that hugs her body.

"Well, it looks great on you."

"You look amazing in this suit. Reece won't know what hit him."

"Thanks," I reply, listening out for the change in the music that's my cue.

"Ready to get married?" Nancy asks, linking her arm with mine.

"More than ready," I respond, stepping through the doors and slowly walking down the aisle. The music is solemn but it's our vibe. It brings memories of that morning when Reece bent me over the piano to mind, and I smirk, willing my dick to stay down and not cause a scene.

As I walk down the long aisle I glance at our guests, friends, and families. We'd requested all our guests wear Venetian masks, so there are no sides. Our wedding is a coming together of feuding families, an end to tyranny of the past. It takes my breath away, but my heart skips a beat when the final notes of Moonlight Sonata end and I'm stepping up to the altar. Reece looks gorgeous, devastatingly handsome in a black suit–and shirt–with gold embroidered details on the lapels and collar. It causes his ocean blue eyes to sparkle. Nancy turns to me and kisses my cheek, whispering, "Love you, Jasp."

I kiss her cheek in return, and smile as she steps aside and Reece steps forward to take my hand.

We face the Pastor, and he nods to ask if we're ready to begin. We affirm with a nod in return, Reece squeezing my hand in his and smiling at me way too wickedly for being a church. The pastor then begins the ceremony with the words, "People of Vemore, we're here today to celebrate the ending of the feud, through the love Reece and Jasper, as they promise each other their continued love and commitment in marriage. And the joining of their families."

"Before we get started, take a minute to look at the person sitting next to you. Whether you're of Montserrat or Capullo descent each of you are a special part in their story, and are part of a community they're incredibly happy to be a part of. You make them feel accepted, appreciated, and loved, just the way they are. Please keep being open minded and hold love in your hearts as we get these two married!"

"Hell yeah!" Reece bellows, laughing when the Pastor scowls at him for saying hell in church and interrupting.

"Sorry Pastor," I respond.

"Forgiven Jasper. May we continue?"

"Yes, please do."

He nods again, and continues, "Not too long ago, this wedding would have been impossible, with these two being enemies, their love forbidden. But now they're elated that you're here to celebrate with them today, to witness the love they share. It is a truth that genuine love is not something that can be taught by another. Love comes from deep within the soul, an intrinsic part of what makes us human. It's a passionate means of self expression that can–and has in this case–overcome the greatest of obstacles."

I sniff back the tears in my eyes. I had no idea the Pastor was going to say such heartfelt words about love, about our relationship and how it's brought our families together. Reece squeezes my hand again. It's comforting. The pastor then continues, "Reece and Jasper's relationship shows beyond doubt that passion, and love that overcomes all." I appreciate his words but I'm anxious to get the ceremony over, worried that once again–like when I woke up with Reece at my bedside–that I'm dreaming. But when the Pastor speaks again I know it's no dream, "Marriage is a step in life, a commitment to love and take care of each other. Are you ready to take this step together?"

"Yeah!" Reece and I both chorus together, causing the pastor to let out a soft chuckle, our guests doing the same.

"Do you promise to show care towards each other, to give compassion and grace, and to always lean towards love and the understanding of one another?"

We'd practiced this part so we respond, "Yes, we do."

"And do you promise to honour each other, each and every day as partners, friends, and lovers, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for as long as you both shall live?"

Again we loudly respond, "Yes, we do!"

The pastor again softly chuckles. "I thought that might be so! Now, you've chosen to exchange rings as a physical symbol of your vow to each other. May we have the rings?"

Malyk steps forward, reaching into the pocket of his extravagant white and purple suit. The gold bands he pulls out and hands to the pastor are engraved with R ?? J on the outside–for mine–and J ?? R for Reece's, with ‘I love thee, forever' inside of both. I'm feeling giddy. This is it, the culmination of the ceremony with Reece and me making a commitment to each other for all to see. He hands Reece the ring for me, and Reece holds it in his fingers as he turns to face me.

"As you place this ring on Jasper's finger please affirm your vows to him," the pastor requests.

Reece holds my left hand, sliding the ring on my finger as he looks at me, and exhales before speaking, "Jasper, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. I didn't choose to love you, it just hit me from the moment I saw you across the room at the frat ball that you were the one. I had no idea who you were, but that didn't matter. You are meant to be mine, and I'll love you from this moment on until my dying breath and beyond."

I stare into his eyes, sniffing back the tears cascading down my cheeks. His words–his undeniable love–make me so happy.

The pastor hands me Reece's ring, repeating the words from earlier, "As you place this ring on Reece's finger please affirm your vows to him."

"Reece, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. I'm sorry for resisting you, and pushing you away when from the moment I met you I knew my heart belonged to you. You're everything I ever hoped for in a partner, and as I am yours, you are mine. I'll love you in this life and the next."

I slip the ring onto his finger, and he smiles so wide I swear his face is going to break. The pastor smiles at us both as we take each other's hands again, turning back to face him.

"Thank you both for those beautiful heartfelt declarations of your love. Now as you go forward in life together, remember to always have each other's best interests at heart, as well as the love and support of your families and the Vemore community."

Reece and I nod, and I squeeze his hand in mine causing him to turn his gaze to mine and give me a cheeky wink.

"With this in mind, it's my honour and right as a member of this community to pronounce you husband and husband – married! You may kiss!"

"Oh hell yeah!" Reece roars, turning towards me fully and grabbing me around the waist, dipping me low as he crashes his lips to mine in a hard, passionate kiss that causes my heart to race and our guests to holler and clap around us.

Breaking the kiss and bringing me upright, Reece whispers, "Can't wait for tonight, husband."

My cheeks heat with a blush as we turn to face our guests raising our joined hands, and Reece hollers at the top of his lungs, "He's my husband!"

Our guests cheer, and Reece and I walk down the aisle together with our guests following beyond us as we exit the church as husbands, two guys who fell in love and united our feuding families. From enemies forbidden to associate to lovers, and partners in life until forever.