Chapter 25 Together at Last
Robbie
The sea breeze hit my cheeks as I waited for the guests to arrive.
Bliss.
There was no other word to describe this moment. At last, we’d be together for the world to know. Lawfully wedded husband and husband.
Steph came to my side, holding the skirt of her burgundy sundress as the wind rushed around us. “Where is that handsome soon-to-be husband of yours?”
I adjusted my glasses only to realize they weren’t there anymore. I’d opted to get contacts but was still getting used to them. I wanted to try something different.
I blinked twice as the wind dried them, then patted my hair down. “He should be here soon. It’s been barely ten minutes.” I dried my sweaty palms on my linen pants.
“Come here.” Eva stood behind me. “I’ve got a band. Let me fix it into a ponytail.”
I shook my head. “No, thanks. Esteban wants me to keep it down.”
He was clear about it. I was to have my hair down the way he liked it during the ceremony. This morning he made sure I understood why right after his shower…
Esteban came out of the bathroom as I pulled up my black boxer briefs.
His towel hung just below his V-line.
A current went up my spine. I licked my lips. “How can I get ready when you come out looking like that?”
He took off his towel and stalked toward me like a beast hunting his prey. “We have one hour. That gives us plenty of time to relax and play.”
He looked at my hair, which was combed into a man bun, and grunted. “I told you to keep your hair down today.” He took the paddle I loved and struck his palm with it.
I shivered with desire, my body burning for him. “I only thought to look more formal.”
He stood in front of me. “This will help you understand. Close your eyes.”
I obeyed.
He slid the leather paddle over my abs, then down to my cock. Warmth spread from my groin, and when I least expected it, he hit my balls.
A jolt of pleasure swept through me, but I swallowed my groan.
“Good boy,” he whispered in my ear, his voice low and commanding. “Now take out that bun, and get on your knees.”
I took off the hair band and shook my head. I dropped my gaze to his massive cock, and my mouth watered. I went down on my knees.
We had plenty of time indeed.
Steph giggled, and I shook my thoughts away.
I frowned at her. “Hey! What are you laughing about?”
She elbowed me playfully. “Your face just told me exactly why he wants your hair down. You two are so intense.”
My face warmed.
Eva smiled. “My wife is a hopeless romantic.” She came close to my ear. “And a big softy for you guys, especially for how hot you are together.”
“You are the hottest gay couple I’ve met. Well, after us.” Steph snaked an arm around Eva’s waist and kissed her tenderly.
They headed for the bar Raúl had set up and got some wine from Andres, who waved at me.
I smiled back. He’d helped Esteban when he needed money, and we’d grown as friends ever since. Esteban quit his job at the club and went back to being a barista and a poet. These last weeks, my art had been selling at Quique’s gallery, especially the pieces I’d made after the coma.
At last, I’d found what I truly loved painting.
It fell somewhere between light and darkness and enveloped all the shades of what life was.
Sometimes it was full of color, and other times it was swallowed in gloom.
But somewhere in between was where you’d find joy.
True and unequivocal. Lying right there in the midst of it all.
Quique and Miguel arrived, and I sighed. They were always late.
Miguel reached me. “Where’s the ring?”
I patted my burgundy waistcoat, and my blood froze. Where was it? I checked again and exhaled, then passed it to him.
Steph had helped Esteban plan his engagement event at the beach that first time and Miguel mine, so choosing them to stand beside us today had been an easy decision.
“Here he comes,” Steph yelled from the bar.
I curled my toes in the sand, letting its warmth settle my racing heart.
All the chatter quieted, and the quartet Eva secured for the music started playing “Never Stop” by SafetySuit, sung specially for us. We chose the song for today because, well, what song could be better for us?
My breath caught at the sight. Esteban matched me in his white shirt and burgundy waistcoat. His sand-colored linen pants hugged him tight, folded at the ankles like mine.
He walked down the aisle marked with seashells, barefoot like me, with his mother on one side and his father on the other.
Gina wore a sandy-colored short dress, and Javi sported a white shirt and pants that matched ours.
But Esteban. I shifted my feet, then rolled my shoulders back.
My God. He looked radiant. How could I be so lucky?
For an instant, I glanced toward the guests. Mom and Dad weren’t here. Mom said she’d try to convince my father, but I guess she hadn’t. I closed my eyes for a second, then Esteban’s warm hands took mine.
“They’ll come. Just breathe, and look at me.” Esteban’s voice always grounded me.
He touched his brow to mine and gave me a peck on the lips. He sung the last verses of the song, rendering me speechless.
“I will never stop losing my breath.
Every time I see you looking back at me.
I’ll never stop holding your hand.
I’ll never stop opening your door.
I’ll never stop choosing you, babe.
I’ll never get used to you.”
Tears flowed down our faces as we held each other. We’d gone through so much to get here today.
Steph passed Esteban a handkerchief, and Miguel offered me one.
We dried our tears, then kissed again.
The judge cleared her throat. “Let’s save the kiss for the end, guys.”
The crowd erupted in laughter, and we smiled, turning to the front.
The ceremony was beautiful, all giggles and sighs as we recited our vows. When it was over, Esteban took me in his arms, dug his fingers into my hair, and kissed me passionately.
When we pulled apart, all the guests were clapping. I gasped. In the back stood a figure I never thought would be here.
My father with a smile on his face.
Mom stood beside him, grinning. Her eyes shone brightly against the vanishing light.
Esteban squeezed my hand as the quartet started, and we walked down the aisle as a married couple.
“I’m sorry. For everything.” Dad’s voice was almost swallowed by the wind as his eyes moved between us. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness.” His gaze caught mine. “But thank you for letting me come. I’m just happy to see you smile.”
I nodded.
Esteban stretched his hand toward him. “You’re welcome, sir.”
Dad shook it, then patted my shoulder. “I wish you happiness. I really do.”
Dad stepped back, and Mom hugged me. I let my tears fall onto her dress as she brought Esteban into her embrace.
It was not perfect. It was not what I’d dreamed of, but it was my family, and they were here on the most important day of my life.
The night had already settled over the Condado beach, and the celebration pulsed with music and laughter. The torches lit our way toward the beach, their fire flickering with the wind as we reached the shoreline.
A few more steps, and the water met us. Dark and mysterious but just as majestic as in the light of the day. Gentle waves curled around our feet as we walked hand in hand. I could almost hear the ocean whispering of our love.
This was where it all began. Where I had seen his ravishing smile for the first time. Where he’d saved me in my darkest hour and showed me my life had worth.
We strolled together until the celebration muted and the world became our own.
Esteban’s fingers slipped between mine, holding me strong as ever. He stepped ahead of me and turned so we faced each other, then cupped my cheek. “My husband. At last.”
His gaze was so intense I almost lost my footing.
“So…am I Mr. Miranda or are you Mr. Fernández?” I asked.
A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “How about both?” He slid his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me closer until our brows touched. “After all, I am yours, and you are mine. Remember?”
I wrapped an arm around his waist. “We did it, Mr. Fernández. We’re lawfully married.”
Esteban tightened his hold on my neck, his lips brushing mine. “We did, Mr. Miranda. And nothing and no one will ever pull us apart.” He kissed me reverently. “Have I told you that you’re the love of my life, Robbie?”
My eyes glazed with tears as I breathed against his mouth. “Have I told you that you’re mine?”
He swiped his tongue over my lips, and the world tilted. The kiss was deep. Hungry. Full of everything we’d survived to reach this moment. And I let myself fall into it the way I had that very first time.
As the night sky faded into the ocean and the hush of the waves wrapped around our feet, we let our passion roam free and surrendered to the moment.
Our bodies melted into each other. Urgent. Burning with desire.
The taste of salt on Esteban’s lips drove me closer as we became one.
The wild thrum of our hearts roared as the calm waters lapped between us, and just as it had started that night, with the moon and the sea as our witnesses, we sealed our lives as one.
The End