Chapter 90: Finally, He Became My Husband Forever

Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Finally, He Became My Husband Forever

Beside his father, Henry kept his gaze fixed on Elisha. Seeing the tears running down his fiancé’s face stirred his own emotions. He bit his lip and briefly lowered his eyes, blinking rapidly as he fought to hold back his tears.

With hundreds of guests watching in breathless silence, Henry continued down the candlelit aisle, his dark eyes locked on Elisha with every step.

As he drew closer to the altar, Henry got a clear view of his husband-to-be. Elisha stood waiting for him, looking breathtakingly handsome in a custom, crystal-embellished ivory suit that complemented Henry’s own elegant look. Intricate silver embroidery and sparkling beadwork adorned his jacket and lapels, catching the light from the chandeliers. Beneath it, he wore a crisp white shirt and a soft pink silk ascot tie, with a delicate pink rose boutonnière pinned to his lapel.

But what caught Henry’s attention most was Elisha’s face. His eyes were red-rimmed and filled with tears he made no attempt to hide.

Elisha extended his hand, his fingers trembling slightly as he reached for Henry.

Henry’s father smiled softly and placed his son’s hand in Elisha’s waiting palm. Elisha held it firmly and guided Henry up the steps to the altar. Once they stood face-to-face, neither seemed able to look away from the other.

"You look elegant," Elisha whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "The most beautiful person in this entire room."

Henry smiled at him, his own eyes shining. "And you’re the most handsome man in this world, darling."

Down in the front row, Raphael and Frank watched the exchange. Raphael let out a quiet, awestruck sigh.

"This is so beautiful," he murmured, reaching over to squeeze Frank’s hand.

Frank smiled and returned the squeeze, his attention still on the two men at the altar.

Gradually, the murmurs throughout the ballroom faded as the guests settled into their seats. The string quartet began playing a soft, romantic instrumental version of John Legend’s "All of Me," its gentle melody filling the grand hall.

The officiant stepped forward and faced the congregation.

"Family, friends, and honored guests, welcome," he began, his voice carrying through the ballroom. "We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate one of life’s greatest moments: the union of two people who have chosen to spend their lives together."

Henry and Elisha stood facing each other, their hands joined and their eyes fixed on one another. With so many people gathered to witness their wedding, neither seemed aware of anyone else in the room.

The officiant continued, speaking briefly about love, commitment, and the importance of standing by one another through every stage of life.

"True love isn’t just about the easy days filled with laughter and happiness," he said. "It’s about standing together through difficult times, listening even when you disagree, and choosing one another again and again. It’s about building a life where both of you feel loved, understood, and supported."

He turned toward the two grooms with a warm smile.

"And now, Henry and Elisha have prepared a few personal words to share with each other before making their wedding vows."

Elisha took a deep breath and stepped closer, holding both of Henry’s hands. "I have so much I want to say, and if I tried to say everything, we’d probably be standing here all day," he began, letting out a small, nervous laugh. "But I’ll try to keep it short."

Henry smiled, gently squeezing his hands.

"Thank you for everything, pretty. I don’t even know how to put it all into words, but I want you to know that I’ll always do my best to make you happy and put you first." Elisha paused as his voice began to crack. "You know I’m your crybaby."

Henry smiled and nodded, his eyes fixed on him as he encouraged Elisha to continue.

"I know we still have a lot ahead of us. There’ll be days when we’re happy, and there’ll probably be days when we argue. But I’m not afraid of any of that as long as I have you. No matter what happens, I believe we’ll always find our way back to each other."

He looked straight into Henry’s eyes, holding his hands a little tighter. "You’re still my best friend, and I want us to always be able to tell each other everything. Please, pretty boy, keep sharing your thoughts with me, even when something is bothering you. I want to know what’s going on in your heart, just as I want you to know what’s going on in mine."

A tear slipped down Elisha’s cheek as he looked into Henry’s eyes. "I promise to love you, protect you, and stand by your side through whatever life brings us. I’ll always take care of you, just as I know you’ll take care of me. And please, pretty boy, never get tired of me, because I will never get tired of loving you."

Henry gave his hands a gentle squeeze. "Never, baby. I could never get tired of you."

He took a breath, his gaze fixed on Elisha’s face.

"I want you to know that no matter what comes our way, I’ll always love you and take care of you. There won’t be a day when I choose to love you less. If I had a thousand lifetimes to live, I’d choose you in every single one."

His expression softened as he looked into Elisha’s eyes.

"Thank you for everything, my love. Thank you for being my best friend, for standing by me, and for loving me the way you do. I know we won’t always get everything right, but I promise I’ll never stop trying to understand you, and I’ll never stop fighting for us. I want to share all my tomorrows with you, even the ordinary ones. As long as we’re together, that’s enough for me."

Elisha’s eyes filled with tears again, and he smiled at Henry through them, unable to hide how deeply his words had touched him.

In the front rows, their parents watched with tears in their eyes, some reaching for tissues as they listened to the two men speak. Around them, the guests remained quiet, moved by the love the grooms had shared so openly.

After allowing them a moment, the officiant stepped forward.

"Thank you both," he said warmly. "Your words have shown everyone here how deeply you love one another. Today, you’re taking the next step in a relationship that has been years in the making."

He turned to face them.

"Now, let us move to the vows, where you will make your promises to each other before your families, your friends, and everyone gathered here to witness this union."

He turned to Elisha.

"Elisha, do you take Henry to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for as long as you both shall live?"

Elisha didn’t hesitate. Looking straight into Henry’s eyes, he answered firmly, "I do."

"And Henry, do you take Elisha to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Henry replied, his voice full of certainty.

"The rings, please," the officiant said.

Elisha slipped his hand into his pocket and brought out the platinum ring. For a moment, he held it between his fingers, looking at Henry as the reality of what they were about to do settled over him.

Henry’s eyes were already fixed on his face. There was so much love in them that Elisha found himself smiling through the tears gathering in his eyes.

"Give me your hand, pretty," Elisha whispered.

Henry held out his left hand, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement. Elisha gently took it, holding Henry’s gaze as he slowly slid the ring onto his finger. When it settled into place, he lifted Henry’s hand and pressed a tender kiss to his knuckles.

Henry’s eyes glistened. He turned Elisha’s hand over in his own, running his thumb over the ring he had just placed there before looking back into his eyes.

"My turn, darling," he murmured.

Elisha held out his hand, unable to stop smiling as Henry carefully slipped the matching ring onto his finger. Henry lingered for a moment, holding Elisha’s hand between both of his as though he wanted to take in every detail of this moment.

"It’s beautiful," Henry whispered, looking at the ring before raising his eyes to Elisha’s. "But not as beautiful as the man wearing it."

Elisha let out a shaky laugh, his eyes filling with fresh tears. "You’re going to make me cry even more, pretty."

"Then I’ll just have to kiss your tears away."

Their quiet exchange drew a few soft laughs from the guests, but neither man looked away. Elisha brushed his thumb over Henry’s wedding ring, still struggling to believe that the man who had been his best friend for most of his life was now his husband.

Henry leaned closer, his smile softening. "We’re really married."

"Almost," Elisha whispered, his eyes shining. "I still need to kiss my husband."

A warm laugh escaped Henry just as the officiant smiled at them, giving them a moment before continuing.

Then, he stepped forward, drawing everyone’s attention back to the ceremony.

"With the authority vested in me, and before all those gathered here today, I now pronounce you husband and husband. Elisha, you may kiss your husband!"

The ballroom erupted into thunderous applause.

Elisha didn’t hesitate. He pulled Henry against his chest, wrapped his arms around his waist, and dipped him slightly as he captured his lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

When Elisha finally pulled back, he kept his forehead resting against Henry’s. His eyes shone with tears, and his smile said everything he could hardly put into words.

"I love you, my husband," Elisha whispered.

Henry beamed at him, his hands resting on Elisha’s shoulders. "I love you more, my husband."

Elisha laughed softly, brushing his thumb across Henry’s cheek to wipe away a tear...