Calvin Sumner

     Dresden Gibson is in my hotel bed.

     And it's exactly where he should be. Except he keeps trying to leave. I've got his forearm pinned under my elbow and my knee pressing into his hip. And he's laughing, but I'm so serious. He's not leaving.

     "Cas," he's saying, all exaggerated sass. I know he wants to stay in this bed with me because why wouldn't he? I'm the best cuddler. "It's bad luck."

     I let up my elbow, shifting over so both my arms are on his chest. He wraps his arms around me, his fingers strumming along my spine.

     "I'm not letting you leave," I say with finality.

     Dres gives me a look that's all challenge. With the sort of ease that's actually an annoying display of his strength, he grips my sides and lifts me in the air. My eyes balloon and I suck in a breath, bracing, for what I don't even know. He sets me down between his legs but I'm off balance and tip backwards.

     "I'm marrying Thor," I say still sort of winded, staring up at the paneled ceiling. "I'm jealous of myself."

     Dres swings his legs around me and gets out of bed, making his way to the bathroom. I roll onto my side to watch him. He's gotten more tattoos in the last six years. They run up the backs of his calves and thighs and over his hips. The only place left blank at this point is Dres's ass.

     When I'd asked him about it, he'd said, "There's no tattoo I can really justify putting on my ass."

     I had responded, mostly joking, "Other than my name. Yes, I agree."

     I watch him through the open doorway as he cleans up and starts re-dressing. I roll off the bed and walk over, leaning against the doorframe so I can stare. Watching him dress is almost as good as watching him undress.

     "Stay for one more hour," I say.

     "It's almost midnight," he responds as he buttons his pants. He grabs a robe that's hanging on the door and holds it out to me. I roll my eyes but take it because it's a little chilly in the room.

     "Did you see where my shirt went?" he asks passing me as he exits the bathroom.

     It's by the couch. That's where I dropped it when I backed him up against it when we'd gotten to my room. I walk over and pick it up, holding it out him.

     "Ah," he says gratefully. I want to hang onto it, if only to be contrary, but I don't, letting him take it from my outstretched hand.

     Dres finishes dressing before making his way to the door. I trail him sullenly. He's grinning as he faces me, which is kind of rude, considering.

     I frown and he reaches out, hooking a finger into the belt loop of my robe so he can pull me close. Then he cradles my face, tipping it back. Our eyes meet.

     "Don't pout," he says so I pout harder, making him laugh.

     "You don't really believe that, right?" I ask.

     "Believe what?"

     "That it's bad luck."

     He shakes his head. "I just like the tradition. I think it's romantic."

     "Okay," I say quietly. "I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. But okay."

     Dres pinches my cheek that's still resting between his palms. "I packed Zquil in your bag. Take two, turn the heat up in here, and you'll be out till morning."

     I lift up towards him and he kisses me. It's a chaste kiss for us but, then, if it wasn't, Dres wouldn't be going to his room. Wherever that is. He refused to tell me lest I hold a stakeout. I'd thought about bribing the front desk, or just trying every door but it's a big hotel. Jack probably knows. He's somewhere in this hotel, too. Our whole wedding party is, actually. I could probably get it out of Amelia. I'm resigning myself to respecting Dres's wishes, though.

     He pulls away but rests his face against mine, breathing in deep. My eyes are open. His aren't. And he looks so at peace. Not a nerve in sight. I'm struck by how much I love him.

     "Alright," I say with a huff. "Get out of here before I change my mind and cuff you to my bed."

     The Zquil knocks me out.

     I have an alarm set for eight but I'm up before it. I'm laying in bed on my phone, fixing some charts that have QA flags when there's a knock at my door. I get out of bed quickly, suspecting its Dres. He talked a big game about not seeing each other before the wedding, but he's a softie. Of course he couldn't stay away.

     I open the door and turns out it's not Dres. It's room service. "I didn't order," I say confused. "I think you have the wrong room."

     The attendant glances down at a receipt. "Room 322? Calvin Sumner?"

    I nod unsurely. "Yeah, that's me."

     I step out of the way and he pushes the cart into my room, making his way over to the balcony doors where there's a bistro table. I watch from a few feet away as he sets the table with plates and cutlery, and arranges the cart so most of the trays have had the lids removed. I have to tip him so I go for my wallet, not really sure how much I should be tipping. I'm not even sure where this food came from. I don't think breakfast was apart of the wedding package.

     When I get back to him, he's holding out a card. "For you," he says.

     I take it, slipping a twenty into his palm as I do. "Thanks," I say.

     "Thank you, sir," he responds with a kind smile. "And congratulations." I must make a face because he adds, "On your wedding."

     I flush. "Oh, right, thank you, yeah."

     I wait till he's left before I sit at the table and open the letter. Immediately I recognize the soft tilt of Dres's handwriting.

     Cas

     There's going to be a lot of alcohol today and you know you're a lightweight. So carb load, as you like to say. I'll see you at the alter. I'll be the one still in awe this is my life and I get to spend the rest of it with you.

     Dres

     I'm grinning as I fumble for my phone. I start to call Dres but stop. He probably won't answer. I don't really know the pre-wedding rules. He can't see me before the ceremony, but does a phone call count?

     I shoot him a text, instead.

[CAS] 8:06 A.M.: you need to stop bc if I love you anymore it's gonna be an uncontainable thing. I'll have to shove the excess into urine test cups and carry them around in a lunchbox like they're my specimen.

[CAS] 8:07 A.M.: aLSO hella rude I am not a lightweight I am simply ✨efficient✨

[DRES] 8:09 A.M.: that's a horrifying way of saying why thank you husband-to-be of mine for sending me breakfast. You are so thoughtful and perfect in every way.

[CAS] 8:09 A.M.: See I would thank you properly but someone won't let me see them before the ceremony sooo

[CAS] 8:09 A.M.: I guess I'll just thank myself. Alone. On my own. With nothing but my imagination.

[CAS] 8:10 A.M.: And this fat dildo I bought. 🍆

[DRES] 8:11 A.M.: you're not smuggling that onto the plane

[CAS] 8:11 A.M.: dildo's are TSA approved

[DRES] 8:12 A.M.: what do you need that for

[CAS] 8:12 A.M.: I need it for when my husband is being stingy

[DRES] 8:12 A.M.: I'm not stingy. You're just insatiable.

[CAS] 8:12 A.M.: say that to my face! YOU WONT

[DRES] 8:14 A.M.: is this our first fight?

[CAS] 8:14 A.M.: pretty sure we had like three months of fights when I came home but sure we can call this a fight. It's getting me hot. Keep yelling at me.

[DRES] 8:14 A.M.: eat your breakfast

[CAS] 8:15 A.M.: I would much rather be eating you

[DRES] 8:15 A.M.: you're killing me

[CAS] 8:16 A.M.: we aim to please

[CAS] 8:16 A.M.: thats a 50 shades quote btw

[CAS] 8:16 A.M.: you kno my 50 shades jokes dont rly land when I have to tell you its a 50 shades quote

[CAS] 8:17 A.M.: standby there's a knock at my door.

[CAS] 8:17 A.M.: Is that you?

[CAS] 8:17 A.M.: Did I wear you down?

[CAS] 8:18 A.M.: Should I take my pants off

[DRES] 8:18 A.M.: ITS NOT ME

[CAS] 8:18 A.M.: OMG ITS NOT YOU ITS MY MOM

[DRES] 8:18 A.M.: PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE WEARING YOUR PANTS

[CAS] 8:19 A.M.: PLZ KILL ME

     My mom looks at me for no longer than three seconds before she says. "Are you being bad?"

     "Why do you immediately assume I'm being bad?" I ask stepping out of the doorway to let her in.

     I didn't take my pants off, thankfully but I did have to close my robe to hide the beginnings of a big one. My mother's presence is quickly killing the vibe, though.

     "Because you have that face like you're being bad," she responds, walking over to the table with the courtesy-of-my-lovely-husband-to-be breakfast spread. It's nice to know my extremely horned up face looks like I'm up to no good to her. I should ask Dres what he thinks my face looks like.

     She sits down and immediately helps herself to coffee, first, naturally. I take the seat next to her and say, "I'm trying to get Dres to break this don't see the groom before the ceremony thing."

     "And how's that working for you?" she asks as she takes a plate and shovels some eggs onto it. She follows with fruit and toast and hands it to me.

     "Why's everyone insisting on feeding me today?" I grumble and then add, "He's being ridiculously steadfast about not seeing me."

     "He's way more traditional than I expected him to be about this," she responds. "Who's insisting on feeding you?"

     "Dres," I say waving my hand across the table. "He sent all this to my room."

     My mom's expression is so googly-eyed I think I should be concerned. She may run down the aisle and try to marry him. 

     "It's always been my dream, Cas, that you would find someone to take care of you like this. And before you say it, I know you don't need to be taken care of but it's just comforting to know that someone will."

     "You've always liked Dres," I say with the slightest eye roll.

     It's a good thing that she approves but it's also kind of annoying. Is there a man among of us who doesn't like Dres? Forget putting a ring on him, I need a collar and leash, or some handcuffs. Or a fat tattoo on his head that says Possession of Cas. Or all three.

     "Because I never doubted for a second how much he loves you," she says. "It's always been clear to me. Maybe that's a mom thing."

     "He does love me," I say, surprised. "Like a lot. It still blows my mind."

     "It shouldn't," she responds, her tone sharp. I brace for the lecture but it doesn't come. Instead, she asks, "Are you nervous?"

     I take a breath, push it out, and then respond confidently, "Not at all. I'm a little excited. But that's mostly because I've definitely got Dres's wedding gift beat."

     She waits and when I don't say what my wedding gift is, she asks, "Do I want to know?"

    "Probably not, no," I respond with a laugh.

     "Alright, well I want you to make me a promise," she says suddenly.

     "Dres and I have not talked baby names but maybe I can work Olivia into a middle name," I say.

     She makes a surprised face and then a confused one. "No, that's not what I — you've talked about having kids?"

     "Of course we have," I answer. "We're getting married. That's kind of something you want to be on the same page about."

     She pauses thoughtfully then goes, her tone almost noncommittal, "And are you?"

     I smirk. "Yes, we are. You will have yourself some grandchildren, rest assured. And they will 100% be going to Baxter, too. Which is great because then you can be in on carpool duty, too."

     She reaches across the table and places her hand on mine, squeezing gently. "I'm so happy for you."

     I turn my hand over so our palms are touching and squeeze back. "Okay, so what's the promise?"

     "No more than three drinks today," she says.

     I shake my head. "You're all acting like I'm some sort of alcoholic."

     "Of course I don't think you're an alcoholic," she exclaims. "You don't drink enough to be an alcoholic, which is why you don't have any sort of tolerance."

     "Alright, well, rest assured I don't intend to be going crazy on the alcohol. We've got a late flight and I don't want to arrive in London hungover. Or vomit on the plane. Not the most ideal way to begin a honeymoon."

     "Are you excited for Europe?" she asks.

     I grin. "Mom, I'm so excited, I may burst out of my skin. This feels like the highlight of my entire life."

     She's grinning at me in a way that makes it seem like it may be the highlight of her entire life, too. It's always been like that with her. She put all of herself into loving me.

     I know how to love because of her. It's the reason I'm able to give all of myself to Dres.

Dresden Gibson

     Calvin Sumner is walking towards me.

     And I'm walking towards him.

     And this is the last time he'll just be Sumner and I'll just be Gibson.

     Our wedding officiant stands between us. Sofia and Lily have already walked this path, dropping feathers that float around now in the wind. Maddox had walked down the center aisle, flanked by Charlie and Delta who are now seated next to Amelia in the front row. Cas has chosen the song and I half-recognize it. It feels familiar, like I've heard it somewhere else. It fits. Its right. All of it is. I've never felt more certain about where I'm supposed to be than I do right now.

     Nobody is standing up front at the alter with us. Cas had insisted Jack, who's formally my best man, should be up there but I really did want it like this. It wasn't just for Cas's benefit. I didn't want to share my view of him with anyone else.

     My view that is getting bigger and bigger the closer we move.

     And then we're there, directly across from each other, standing before our family and friends. I can't resist it, can't fight the need to cup the back of his neck and pull him close so I can whisper into his ear, "Yours."

     Cas moves, slotting our mouths quickly. It's a small kiss for Cas, but he manages to get his tongue in my mouth for a second before he pulls away, pressing our foreheads together as he says, "Mine."

     "Don't cry," I whisper and he pulls away to glare at me as if to say I'm not going to cry but he's already starting, the corners of his eyes wet.

     We shift back enough that there's a respectable amount of space between us and I look to George, our officiant. He quirks his eyebrow, posing the question are you ready? I nod.

     "Welcome," he says, addressing the family and friends I've almost forgotten were present. "Please be seated."

     I can't stop looking at Cas, am focused on remembering every detail of him in this moment. That he looks so beautiful it hurts, a good hurt, a reminder that I am so lucky to have him here with me.

     "First, I'd like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for being here. It's no accident that you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Dresden Gibson and Calvin Sumner.

     Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage. Only you can do that—through love and patience, commitment and support, and most importantly, through forgiveness.

     In learning to make the important things matter, we choose to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is witness and affirm the choice you made to stand together as life-mates and partners."

     George says softly, "This is a day that will forever be remembered in the hearts of these two individuals."

     This is a moment that will live on in my heart even after it has stopped beating. It is apart of the muscle, as essential to its function as the blood that rushes through it.

     "And together you will divide all of life's sorrows, but you will multiply all of life's blessings."

     Cas is crying heavier, the tears slipping down his cheeks. He wipes them hastily, giving me a pointed look, as if to say you didn't see that.

     "Are you okay?" I mouth to him and he nods.

     "There's only one cure for loving," George tells us and tells the room, his voice extending profoundly. "Love more."

     George looks between us, his expression warm. He has only known Cas and I a short time, but he's looking at us like he has seen everything that makes us us and he believes in it just as much as we do.

     "Dearly beloved and honored guests," he says next. "We are gathered here today to join Calvin and Dresden in the union of marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and in earnest. The grooms have each prepared vows that they will now read."

     I go to speak and Cas interrupts, saying, "Okay, I know we planned for you to say your vows first but I changed my mind."

     Someone in the audience, his mom, I think, laughs.

     "A lot of people think I'm dramatic," Cas says next and now a few people are laughing. Myself included. "Okay, so there's a good chance I'm very dramatic. Which is why when I say things like Dresden Gibson, you are my home, my life's source is rooted to you, you may think I'm exaggerating just a bit. But here's the thing. The thing is, Dres, you're like the solar system."

     I inhale sharply, my eyes scanning over Cas's face, wondering just where he's going with this. It's been seven years since he said those exact words to me. And so much has changed — I've changed. But he knows me. He knows me better than anyone.

     "But not just any solar system. You're my solar system. You're my moons and the planets I orbit. You're my North Star — you're every star. You're who I look up to and who I turn to in the night. And I love you with the certainty of the sun. As sure as it will rise at dawn, is as sure as I will love you. Every day. For all my days."

     "I can't promise you the world, Cas," I say lowly, too low that maybe only Cas can hear me. I say louder, "I can't even promise you a slice of it. So I'm promising this instead: me. All of me. For as long as you'll have it."

     "Forever," he says, cutting me off.

     "Forever, then. Because I want it. I want as much time as I can have with you, and then I want even more. If I'm selfish in any area of my life, it is where it comes to you, Cas."

     He grins, mumbling, "Okay, fifty."

     I shake my head, mostly amused. "You keep interrupting."

     "Well if you keep saying all these things to me, I'm going to massively interrupt," he practically screams.

     "Cas," I hiss, my eyes darting sideways, mainly to the front row where his mom and grandparents are sitting.

     "Oh, I forgot we had an audience," he says sheepishly.

     "Oh we know," Amelia calls out.

     Cas is flushing, so I make matters worse, stepping forward and leaning down towards his ear so I can say, "You are so beautiful, I have to remind myself that you're real. And in a few minutes, you won't just be real, you'll be really mine, too."

     Cas turns his head, not to kiss me but to press the side of his nose against mine. His lips are so close he should be kissing me. But, instead, he says, "I've always been yours, Dres."

     I want to kiss him. I want to kiss him so much and then more than kiss him. So I pull away, and step back, taking a slow breath to cool myself down.

     "And now," George says after a moment, waiting, no doubt to see if Cas and I are going to go even further off script. "Calvin Sumner, do you take Dresden Gibson to be your lawful husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect him, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

     Cas meets my gaze, steady and unwavering. "I do."

     "And do you, Dresden Gibson, take Calvin Sumner to be your lawful husband? To love, honor, and protect him, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

     "I do," I say and Cas moves, the way I half-expected him to, that I'm prepared to catch him because he's thrown himself into my arms, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

     "I love you so much I can't stand it," he whispers into my neck. I can feel his hot tears on my skin, slipping past the collar of my shirt.

     "Can you stand it for five more seconds so I can put a ring on your finger?" I ask quietly, just loud enough for him to hear me.

     Cas laughs, the sound vibrating against my neck. "Yeah, okay," he says letting go of me. 

     He steps back so there's just enough space for our hands between us and wipes at his face. I feel choked up in the worst way, but we both can't be up here crying. Or maybe we could, but then I'm not sure who would see to the ceremony continuing.

     George says, "And now for the rings."

     I look out towards everyone for the first time. Cas's mom and mine sit together on one side. Cas's mom is in full tears, so I know where he gets it from. Across the aisle Amelia is on the end and his grandparents beside her. There's Jack and Jasmine. Atlas and Theo. Sofia and Lily and Maddox.

     It winds me a bit, to know, that they're all here with us, bearing withness to this moment. It's been a long seven years. And I deserve this. I deserve this much happiness. I know I do. I feel it.

     "Charlie, Delta," I call and they run up.

     Cas crouches before them, cooing at them as he takes the ring boxes off their collars. "Good boys," I say softly, my voice cracking a bit. I'm coming undone, I think. Can feel my hold on composure breaking. "Go back. Go on."

     Amelia has to whistle but they turn back around and go back to her. "They're very well trained," George comments lightly and I huff on a laugh.

     "All this guy," Cas says standing back up. He has the rings in his hand and holds it open to me so I can take his.

     George says, addressing the room again, "Dres and Cas have these rings to represent the unbreakable circle of life and love. Please place them on each other's ring fingers and repeat after me."

     Cas and I both repeat as we place our rings, "I give you this ring to serve as a memory of today and a promise of the future we will build together."

     "And now by the power vested in me, it is my honor and delight to pronounce you partners for life. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss."

     I still have Cas's hand in mine, my thumb resting on his ring. I turn my palm into his, cupping his hand before I pull him towards me. My other hand snakes around his back, pressing firmly so he's arched against me.

     "Kiss me and make it official," I tell him even though Cas certainly doesn't need to be told twice.

     The music starts again and I can finally pinpoint the song. I know what it is.

     Cas is grasping my face, holding me to him, kissing me with a furious intent that is just about to cross into absolutely indecent for the setting. Is probably already inappropriate for the children present.

     The music heightens. I move my hand to the back of Cas's neck, pushing away enough to say, "I love you, Poe."

     He's smiling and he's crying so I use my thumbs to brush the tears away. Cas reaches up, takes my hand and turns so he's facing down the aisle.

     "I am so pleased to present the newlyweds, The Sumner-Gibson's."

     "Here's to a long life, Finn," he says. I let him lead the way.