"I can't believe the day has come already." George beams proudly at his best friend, as he adjusts Andrew's tie for him. With being the best man on this special day, George feels a strange sense of pride, at the notion that his lifelong pal is about to become a husband. "You look brilliant, mate."

"Thank you, Yog." Andrew gives him an anxious smile, as the reality starts to set in that he's getting married today. "I just hope she likes the way I look."

"Please," George scoffs, amused. "You're the Sylvester Stallone of the eighties. And with that tuxedo on ... phew." George laughs a little, "I almost fancy you, looking like that."

"Tosser." Andrew shakes his head in amusement. "I sometimes forget you're gay. You act straight so flawlessly ninety-nine percent of the time."

"You know I've told more people since I told you," George states, almost in a bragging tone. "I told Melanie last year. And I told a couple of friends, too. I just haven't gotten around to my family yet."

"Or Steph?" Andrew offers.

"Or Steph," George confirms. "But I will soon. I plan to do it before Alex is due. So we can work out visitation before he's born."

"Fair plan," Andrew evaluates, before turning his attention to the clock on the wall. "Shit. It's already ten-thirty. Half an hour until I become a husband."

"Are you excited?"

Andrew takes a moment to contemplate; then, he locks eyes on George, nodding his head assertively. "Yes. I'm very excited. And I'm extremely lucky to be marrying the most wonderful woman in the world."

"Goodness me — any more emotion, and I'll start bawling my eyes out," George teases, playfully punching his friend's chest. "You've got to go for your little interview soon, haven't you?"

"Any second now," Andrew answers.

As if on cue, a pristinely-dressed woman pops her head around the door to the room the men are stood in. "Mr Ridgeley, are you ready for us to take you down?"

"I am indeed," Andrew responds warmly; then, he turns his head to look at George. "I'll see you at the altar, mate. Love you."

"Love you too, Andy." He smiles as he watches Andrew exit the room; before he finishes smartening up, himself, in the mirror. His eyes gloss over the man stood before him, nothing but a two-dimensional image of his own person. For a few moments, he doesn't speak; however, when he does, the words he expels from his lips are not ones he ever expected to hear about himself. "You know what, Georgios? You look good. You're ... doing good. You're getting everything worked out, slowly. You've got this. And if you haven't got it for yourself ... you've got it for Levi, and for Alex. They're relying on you to have your shit together, and you're going to do it. You're pretty awesome, you know?"

With a satisfied smile tugging at his lips, the young man leaves the room; to go to the ceremony and wait for Andrew to arrive.

• • •

"Please stand for the bride."

All the guests to the ceremony rise from their seats; the anticipation of how Nancy will look is clear among the family and friends gathered. George and Andrew stand by the altar at the centre of the church; George silently nudges Andrew to encourage him, as the wedding march music begins to play. Slowly, the bridesmaids make their entrance; some of Nancy's friends walk down the aisle in their matching dresses; along with Stephanie, who is wearing a matching version in a maternity style. George notices how radiant she looks as she makes her way down the aisle; she holds her little bouquet at her slowly-growing bump until she arrives near the altar with the other girls.

A brief pause follows; until, finally, the bride herself makes her entrance, linking arms with her dear father. Her dress — soft, and flowing — elegantly fits her frame, draping flawlessly over her six-month-old bump. Pretty floral lace adorns the skirt, floating up to the bodice; sequins neatly line the material, pulling the outfit together beautifully. In her hair, a petite tiara sits proudly, the sparkles gleaming as the light hits her. A sheer white veil covers her face, as a means of suggesting her innocence. She — no doubt — is the belle of the ball, and everyone's eyes are drawn to her.

"My god," Andrew whispers to himself; the only person who hears his awestruck comment is George.

"She looks fantastic," George mutters to him; he doesn't expect a response from his buddy, but when he glances across to him, Andrew is struggling to hold back tears.

At last, Nancy arrives at the altar; her father brings her into his embrace, kissing her cheek, before heading over to the pews to be with her mother. George shakes Andrew's hand, before following suit; sitting with Stephanie in the front row. The vicar begins the ceremony, going through the motions and explaining the vows and their significance. Soon, Andrew and Nancy are proclaiming their promises to one another; rings are exchanged; and joy can be felt among everyone.

"Please place the ring on his finger," the vicar instructs Nancy politely.

Andrew raises his right hand, with his ring finger poised ready; this amuses Nancy, as she playfully slaps his hand down. "Wrong hand, silly."

"Sorry!" Andrew chuckles, causing the rest of the guests to share light laughter; he brings his left hand up, offering Nancy his ring finger. She places the ring on, still tutting at her partner for his very in-character piece of pantomime.

"It is my great honour to announce that you are now man and wife." The vicar turns to look at Andrew. "You may now kiss your bride."

"About time," Andrew teases; in one smooth move, he cups his new wife's face, leaning in to kiss her deeply in celebration.

The guests clap and cheer for the newly married couple; George slots two fingers into his mouth and whistles loudly, happy to see his best friend so content in this moment in time. Steph is beside him on his right; whereas Levi is on his left. The men have not been able to talk to one another yet, as the ceremony started before they got the chance to greet each other. The wedding march music begins to play once more; used as a signal for the bride and groom to exit the church, along with the attendees.

• • •

"First of all, on behalf of the new Mr and Mrs Ridgeley, I'd like to thank everybody who has managed to make it to this joyous occasion today. It's ... rather unusual, standing before you all today, having been given the chance to say whatever I like about my best friend Andrew. The possibilities are truly endless.

"We met when we were eleven years old, in school. He was the popular cool guy, whereas I was the new kid with the spots and the glasses. But that didn't stop him from taking me under his wing and bringing out the confidence in me, that I never found in myself. Andrew had a lot of girlfriends during his teenage years. Not as many as me, of course. But enough to keep him going; to cure his boredom I suppose."

George gives a soft nervous laugh, as he continues. "We went out on a lot of lads' nights out in our teenage years, and well into adulthood. Although, I'm sure he'll agree, I was definitely the more mature one for the longest time. I was the one with a job; my own place; and a committed relationship under my belt. He was the one on the dole, who went out partying the moment he woke up.

"But somehow, things changed only a few months ago. As we sat in our local pub having a drink and a catch-up, Andrew's eyes fell upon a young lady who he deemed out of his league. Well, this young lady and my best friend connected instantly. I have never seen anything quite like it before. The way they looked at one another from day one ... it was just a look as if they both knew they were meant to be. She straightened him out; helped him mature; and really brought out the best in him. Of course, that's not to say he wasn't trying to get his life together before they met. But I can't deny the huge impact that Nancy has had on him and his life.

"Some people hold the opinion that you can't possibly fall for somebody in a short space of time. Even I have held this viewpoint at certain periods of my life. However, it couldn't be any more incorrect if you tried. Although Nancy and Andrew have only known one another for a few months, it's so clear to see just how in love they are. Sometimes, it's a little too in love."

Some scattered laughter encourages George to keep speaking about the happy couple. "Um, I suppose the point I'm trying to make, is that you really don't know what can happen in a short space of time. If you'd have told me half a year ago, that by today, my best friend would be a husband — and soon a father — I'd have laughed in your face. This really just proves how one decision; how one individual can change your life forever.

"I want to thank you, Nancy, for entering my best friend's life at just the right moment. He is genuinely at his happiest when he's around you, and as his buddy, that makes me happy to see. You are both so well-matched, it makes me sick — and I know that your future together will only continue to get brighter and brighter as each day comes.

"In conclusion today, ladies and gentlemen: a toast." George raises his glass, encouraging everybody else to do the same. "To love, and to happiness. To Mr and Mrs Ridgeley."

"To Mr and Mrs Ridgeley," the rest of the guests repeat in unison, clinking their glasses together and taking a sip of their drinks.

Nancy looks across to George, giving him what seems to be a genuine smile after hearing the kind words he has spoken about her. He returns the same smile, nodding once; as if to silently indicate to her that every word was true. He then side glances at Levi, feeling saddened that he can't show the level of affection towards him that he is longing to do so.

• • •

As the evening draws closer, the guests mingle and chat while they wait for the reception party to start. George sits at a table with Stephanie and some of the bridesmaids. He can't help but keep looking in Levi's direction; he watches his lover mingle with some of the other guests, almost unaware of George's presence at the event. After a couple of minutes, he spots Levi walking in the direction of the men's bathrooms; so he makes an excuse to leave the table to confront him. He slips into the bathrooms, catching Levi unawares.

"Levi," he calls, taking the young man by surprise.

"Oh. Hey George," Levi greets innocently. "It's been a lovely day so far, hasn't it?"

"Why are you barely looking at me today?" George asks bluntly. "I thought you came as a guest for me. You've barely spoken a word to me all day."

"I've wanted to. Trust me," Levi reassures him, fiddling with his cufflink. "I just didn't want to make anything too obvious. You've told me that Nancy is incredibly suspicious as it is."

"So you thought ignoring me looked totally normal?" George raises an eyebrow, doubtful about Levi's reasoning. "Somehow, I don't quite believe that."

"Listen." Levi approaches George, standing only inches away from him with a sudden expression of lust. "I knew that if I came too close to you, I wouldn't be able to control myself. You look gorgeous today, my darling."

George's eyes glaze over with passion at the realisation of what Levi means. "Well, we're alone now. Who says you need to control yourself in here?"

"An excellent point," Levi smirks.

He takes a hold of George's crisp white shirt collar, and sharply tugs him into one of the cubicles; the impact of George falling against Levi's chest is the perfect leverage for Levi to pull him into a kiss. The pair begin to explore the exquisite fabrics of one another's suits, making quick work of removing their jackets for easier access to each other. Levi's hands move up to George's face, cupping his cheeks adoringly as their fiery make-out session intensifies. Jittering hands move to unbutton the shirts that maintain their modesties; their ties are loosened and slung off without a second thought.

George is first to withdraw from Levi. "You realise anybody could walk in at any time?" he gasps, unable to contain his sweet giggles from the passion they are sharing.

"As long as they can't see us, they can't prove anything," Levi responds smartly, as he begins to move in towards George's lips once again.

The moment is halted when the pair hear somebody enter the bathrooms. "George? Are you in here?"

George's eyes widen; for he recognises the voice immediately as Andrew's. He speedily neatens his outfit, retying his tie and buttoning his shirt once more. Levi works to do the same; hurriedly sliding his suit jacket back over his body to hide any evidence of what has just occurred.

"Just give me a second, Andy," he eventually replies back, clearing his throat awkwardly as he tucks his shirt back into his trousers. Once he has done this, he unlocks the door to the bathroom stall, sheepishly peeping his head around the doorframe to see his pal. "You rang?"

"I noticed you'd gone missing. I was just making sure you're alright." He spots the presence of another individual in the cubicle George is stood in. "Is that Levi?"

George scratches the back of his neck, knowing there's no chance he can find a way out of this situation. "P-Perhaps."

"George — could you come with me a second?"

"Of course," George answers quietly, briefly washing his hands in the sink before he follows Andrew out of the bathrooms. The pair head outside the venue, so that it's quiet enough for them to talk. "What's the problem, mate?"

"What were you guys up to in there?" Andrew interrogates. "You didn't have sex, did you?"

"No!" George hisses, taken aback by the accusation. "We just ... kissed a bit. And a little tiny bit of touchy-feely." He tries to make light of the subject, but realises Andrew isn't laughing. "It was harmless, Andrew."

"I don't care who you kiss and who you love. I don't even care if you want to fuck them in the toilets — even though the legalities of public fucking probably suggest otherwise," Andrew tells his friend, somewhat playfully. "But you need to be careful about it. Anybody could have walked in there and heard you both. It wouldn't be difficult for Steph and Nancy to put two and two together and work out you were both gone at the same time. You need to tread carefully. I'm saying this for your own benefit."

"It was fine," George defends. "I haven't spoken to Levi all day. I've been looking at him and dying to even come within a metre of him. It's been killing me; being unable to show him the affection that a boyfriend should give. I mean, come on! Have you seen that guy in a suit? I'm amazed I've lasted until seven o'clock in the evening without ripping it right off him."

"Goodness me, Yog — spare me the details," Andrew jibes.

"I fucking knew it!"

Both Andrew and George are startled, as they turn around to see Nancy staring at them, her arms folded. George's heart feels as though it has risen into his throat as the sickening realisation dawns on him — she heard the entire conversation. With a stern expression, she then goes on to voice her next intentions.

"I really dread to think how Stephanie will react when I tell her about this."

• • •

Ohhhhh, Nancy found out George's secret! What will happen next? xx