Chapter 88: Today, I Marry My Best Friend

Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Today, I Marry My Best Friend

Henry smiled and reached for Elisha’s hand, intertwining their fingers. Then he looked up at him, barely able to contain his excitement.

"Ready to go get married, darling?"

Elisha squeezed his hand, his eyes shining with happiness. "More than ready, my love."

Behind them, the photographer and his team began packing their equipment, preparing to follow the couple to the wedding venue.

Henry and Elisha left the grand hall and made their way through the hotel toward the private entrance. A few hotel staff members greeted them as they passed, and some guests turned to look at the two impeccably dressed grooms walking together. Neither man paid much attention to the curious glances. They had eyes only for each other.

When they reached the hotel’s private entrance, three sleek black luxury cars were waiting. The first was reserved for Henry and Elisha, while the other two would transport their security detail and wedding team, including the photographers and personal stylists who would remain on hand throughout the day’s celebrations.

Their driver stepped forward as soon as he spotted them and opened the rear door. Elisha held it open for Henry, allowing him to slide into the plush leather seat first before settling in beside him.

Once they were comfortably seated, the driver closed the door and returned to the driver’s seat. The engine started, and the convoy pulled away from the hotel, heading toward the wedding venue.

As the car glided through the streets, Henry and Elisha exchanged bright, unrestrained smiles. Today, nothing else seemed to matter. After all the years they had spent together, they were finally on their way to becoming husbands.

Elisha glanced at Henry. "Have you checked your phone? Has anyone been calling?"

"A lot of people, actually," Henry replied with a soft chuckle, resting his head against the headrest. "But I’m not answering any of them. Everyone already has their invitations and the schedule for today. There’s no reason for me to stress over calls."

"You’re absolutely right, babe." Elisha glanced at his phone and let out a small sigh. "Though my parents won’t stop calling me either."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Mine won’t stop calling me, either. I’ve lost count of how many times my phone has rung this morning."

Elisha chuckled. "They’re the ones who organized the whole event! Did they lose their invitations or forget how to get to the venue? I really don’t understand why they won’t leave me and my baby alone."

Henry burst into laughter and gently tapped Elisha’s chest. "How could they possibly forget?"

"Exactly!" Elisha shook his head, still amused. "Anyway, I won’t complain today. But after the wedding, I’m definitely reminding them that we’re grown men and can handle things on our own."

"You don’t have to rush them, darling," Henry said softly, running his thumb over Elisha’s wrist. "Just give them time. They’ll adjust."

Elisha smirked and leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Well, they’d better adjust quickly."

Henry laughed and leaned comfortably against Elisha, who slipped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer. As their driver drove through the city, they enjoyed the quiet moment together, exchanging smiles and stealing kisses.

Eventually, the convoy turned off the main road and passed through the venue’s secluded rear gates before pulling into the private parking area. Several security guards and venue coordinators were already waiting there, along with Elisha’s mother and Henry’s mother, who had arrived ahead of them.

Elisha glanced out the window, then checked his wristwatch. "They’re already waiting... but it’s only 10:17 a.m. The ceremony doesn’t even start until 1:00 p.m." He turned to Henry with an amused look. "We came way too early, pretty."

Henry smiled warmly, squeezing his hand. "It’s much better to be early than late, baby."

"You’re right," Elisha conceded softly.

As the car came to a stop, the head coordinator stepped forward and opened the door. Elisha climbed out first, then turned to help Henry out of the car.

Before they could say anything, Elisha’s mother hurried over and pulled him into a warm embrace, while Henry’s mother wrapped her arms around Henry, her eyes shining with happiness.

After exchanging greetings, Elisha’s mother gestured toward the venue doors. "Alright, my boys, you’ll have to separate now. You’ll be staying in different private suites until it’s time for the ceremony."

Elisha’s brows furrowed. "Wait, why do we—"

Henry gently placed a hand on his chest and looked up at him. "Baby, it’s only for a couple of hours. I think we should listen."

Before Henry could turn away, Elisha wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him close. In front of their parents, the coordinators, and the security team, he leaned down and kissed him deeply.

Henry’s mother covered her mouth with a delighted gasp, while Elisha’s father chuckled. The staff nearby exchanged smiles at the sight of the two grooms stealing one last kiss before they had to part.

When Elisha finally pulled back, he kept his hands around Henry’s waist and gazed into his eyes.

"I love you. I’ll see you at the altar."

Henry’s cheeks warmed as he smiled up at him. "I love you too, baby. See you at the altar."

After one last squeeze of their hands, Elisha reluctantly let go and followed his mother and part of the coordination team toward the west wing suites. Henry watched him leave for a moment before turning to follow his own mother and the remaining staff toward the east wing.

As they walked through the quiet private corridor, Henry glanced at his mother, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Mom, can I quickly pop into the ballroom and see the decorations before everyone arrives?"

His mother laughed softly and linked her arm through his. "No, baby! Absolutely not. You’ll get to see the beautiful setup for the first time when you walk down the aisle to meet your husband."

Henry let out a soft, helpless laugh, excitement fluttering in his stomach. "Okay, Mom."

A moment later, he remembered something else. "What about the change of outfits, Mom?"

His mother gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "You have nothing to worry about. Elisha’s mother is taking care of everything on their side."

Henry smiled. "Alright. Elisha almost ruined the surprise, though. He never wants to leave my side, not even for a few hours."

His mother chuckled. "That’s an answer to my prayers, Henry. I love seeing how protective Elisha is of you and how deeply he loves you."

"Mom, you can say that again," Henry replied with a soft laugh as they reached the entrance to his suite.

The security guard opened the heavy wooden doors, allowing Henry and his mother to step inside. Henry glanced around the spacious, light-filled suite, taking in the elegant furnishings and carefully arranged preparations. Everything he and his mother had planned for the hours leading up to the ceremony was in place.

"We just need to wait for the styling team to arrive with my second outfit," Henry said, smoothing the front of his jacket. "Then I can change. I just hope Elisha agreed to change his outfit, too."

Before his mother could answer, Henry’s phone vibrated in his hand. Elisha’s name appeared on the screen, and he answered with a smile.

"Hey, baby."

"Pretty, my mom is here telling me I need to change into a different suit for the ceremony. But this isn’t the outfit we planned together, and I have no idea where it came from," Elisha said, sounding confused and a little reluctant. "Did you know about this?"

Henry chuckled and settled onto the plush velvet sofa. "Of course, baby. I’m changing too, so you definitely have to change yours. I was actually the one who planned this surprise outfit change with our mothers! That way, neither of us gets to see the other’s final wedding look until we meet inside the hall."

A playful sigh came through the phone. "Babe, you’re so thoughtful, but I really want a preview. Can’t you just take a picture of your new outfit and send it to me? I’ll send you mine right now."

Henry laughed and shook his head. "No, baby! I’ve just explained why we’re keeping it a surprise. You have to wait."

Elisha let out a dramatic groan of defeat. "Alright, pretty. But I swear, I can’t wait to see you."

"Me too, my love. I’ll see you at the altar."

"Alright. Bye-bye, my love."

Henry’s smile widened. "Bye, darling."

The call ended, and Henry lowered his phone, a happy smile still lingering on his face.

His mother, who had been watching him from the armchair across from the couch, smiled at the sight. She had known Elisha since he and Henry were children. She had watched their friendship grow over the years and had seen for herself just how deeply Elisha loved her son. She knew how protective he could be, how stubborn he was when it came to Henry, and how reluctant he could be to let him out of his sight. It was something she had noticed long before either of them admitted their feelings for each other.

As happy as she was to see them finally getting married, she couldn’t help feeling a little concerned for Henry. Marriage was a big step, and she wanted her son to understand that loving someone so deeply also meant learning how to live with their flaws.

"Henry, honey," she called gently.

He turned to her. "Yes, Mom?"

She rose from the armchair and sat beside him on the couch, then patted the space next to her. "Come closer, sweetheart. I want to talk to you about something."

Henry moved nearer, looking at her curiously. "What is it, Mom?"

She reached for his hand. "It’s about Elisha."

Henry nodded, settling comfortably beside her. "Okay, Mom. I’m listening."

His mother took a moment before speaking. "Darling, you know how much I love Elisha. He’s a wonderful man, and I couldn’t be happier that you’re marrying him. But you also know what he’s like." She shook her head with a small, knowing smile. "That boy can be so stubborn, especially when it comes to you. Sometimes, I wonder if he even realizes how tightly he holds on to you. He always wants you close, and once he’s made up his mind about something, getting him to change it can be quite a task."

Henry chuckled. "Mom, you know Elisha. He’s always been like that."

His mother reached for his hand. "I’m not saying any of this because I doubt...