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“Connor Anderson and Daniel Phillips-Lambert, today you not only marry the right person, you commit to being the right partner—the one with whom the other can stand and face the world. It’s time to joyfully seal this chapter with the declarations that will unite you in marriage.”
As the officiant spoke the words, the couple in question hardly heard them, the moment - this whole day - seeming incredibly surreal.
For Connor, he had felt lucky when Daniel had started trusting him again. He had felt honored when Daniel gave him his heart. This… this was something so incredible that he didn’t have the words to describe it.
For Daniel, it had been a long and complicated journey. He had been skeptical of the other at first, though who would better understand his situation and the storm that had been his mind at the time of his deviation than Connor? Every day that the other stayed with him felt like a blessing. It would be so easy for him to leave - to see him as the heartless monster so many others still viewed him as - and want as far away as possible. In some miraculous twist of fate, Connor ended up being the one shielding Daniel from those people and his own similar thoughts. He loved him and with each word from the officiant, they were getting closer and closer to sealing their futures together.
“Do you Connor take Daniel to be your lawfully wedded partner, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not-so-good times, for richer or poorer, committing yourself unto them for as long as you both shall live?”
When Connor spoke, his voice held enough conviction to set the barely-restrained butterflies free in Daniel’s chest. “I do.”
The officiant turned to address Daniel with the same prompt and the blond didn’t think he could speak fast enough.
By time it was finally his turn to say the long awaited words, Daniel was smiling so hard that his cheeks ached. “I do”
“Your wedding rings are a reminder of the vows you made to each other today. A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together. It represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. It encircles an opening, which is the door to your future. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you feel for each other today.”
After a brief pause, the officiant continued, “Connor place the ring on Daniel’s finger and repeat after me: ’Daniel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.’”
Connor took Daniel’s hand and slipped the simple gold band on his finger. Smiling widely, he repeated the exact words.
Soon enough, it was Daniel’s turn to be taking his love’s hand and putting a matching gold band on his finger. He repeated the words, each one sounding surreal to him. All he had wanted was to be loved - accepted. Now, he had the greatest promise of that and the rings to prove it.
“Connor and Daniel, before these witnesses you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. You may now seal this ceremony with a kiss.”
Unable to contain himself, Daniel quickly grabbed the lapels of Connor’s suit and pulled him close, their lips smashing together in an ironically unceremonic display for the occasion.
Connor made a surprised sound at the sudden action but kissed Daniel back just as passionately. One hand pressed to the small of his lover- his husband’s back while the other snaked up to the back of his neck. They were both unaware as their crowd cheered and made crude comments at the display.
Parting for air, Connor teased, “Impatient much?”
“Shut up…” Daniel grumbled the words, but the wide smile across his face and his poorly restrained excitement betrayed any ill intent behind them.
With a soft chuckle, Connor shook his head and pressed a gentle kiss to the blond’s lips. This one full of love and adoration, trust and respect. It was full of everything they shared for one another and promised to keep those feelings true.
Daniel didn’t hold himself back as he let tears streak down his cheeks. This was everything he’d ever wanted and more.
His husband. His
husband.
The word alone was enough to make him feel high on giddiness. He…felt like a kid with their first crush. Everything seemed new again in the best way. This really was a new chapter in his life and he was more than ready to take it on.