Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 5

have to make me your lover, right? Because I'm not doing it otherwise," he said in a determined voice.
    "That's what I meant, silly. Now just say yes."
    Jayden chuckled and covered my hands with his. "Yes!"
    I sighed with relief. "Good."
    "You made me miss the sunrise."
    "Not true, liar!"
    Jayden giggled and relaxed in my arms. I gave a light kiss on the nape of his neck and exhaled loudly.
    I think I was ready to admit what that tightening in my chest meant.
    EPILOGUE
    One year later
    I licked Jay's shoulder savouring the salty taste of his skin.
    "Babe, wake up. We can't be late to our own wedding."
    Jayden let out a tired moan. "I don't wanna!"
    "You don't want to marry me?" I asked in a whiny voice and started tickling his sides. Jayden chuckled and attempted to slap my hands away.
    He finally got up and yawned. "My God, I don't understand why you wanted to have a ceremony at this ungodly hour."
    "Stop complaining and get dressed."
    He shook his head laughing. "I can't believe I put up with you. To think I even lost weight for your sake. It's not fair. You should give up things for me too."
    "Lost weight for my sake? Why is this the first I've heard of it?" I replied while putting my shirt on with the utmost care so that I didn't create wrinkles.
    "Well, not really for your sake, but… you know," Jayden's muffled voice echoed from the bathroom. "I mean, when I met you, it was love at first sight. But I knew you would never like a fatty like me. That's what prompted me to finally lose weight."
    I stopped trying to adjust my tie, my brain too wrapped up around my lover's words.
    "No, wait… wait a second."
    I entered the bathroom and looked at him brushing his teeth in the mirror.
    "Are you serious? You really lost weight for me?!"
    Jay rolled his eyes and started laughing at me. I realized I was standing there pointing at myself and gaping like a fish.
    Jay spat the toothpaste and cleaned his mouth with fresh water. "Don't be so full of yourself," he replied, a soft shade of pink dusting his cheeks. "I lost weight for my own sake, not for yours. You were just… the incentive."
    God, that's just so sweet! It reminded me of all the reasons I loved him so much.
    "Babe, you really know how to stroke a man's ego," I said smiling and grabbed his face in my palms, planting a small kiss on his beautiful rosy lips.
    Jayden laughed self-consciously and waved at me to get dressed. Like a good future husband, I complied.
    ****
    The beach where we first saw the sunrise together was still the same after a year.
    We walked holding hands, our feet submerging in the sand. I could feel the sand trickle inside my expensive leather shoes. We must have made a ridiculous impression – two guys wearing suits toddling through the heavy sand.
    "You know, I think wearing fancy suits and shoes wasn't such a good idea," Jay said as if reading my thoughts.
    "Oh, what the heck… Let's just get comfy," I said, after a minute of inner debate. I took my shoes off, put my socks in my pockets and started rolling my pants up until they reached my knees.
    "Come on, baby," I gesture for him to do the same. "It's our wedding."
    Jayden laughed and followed my example.
    My parents, my sister and brother-in-law, our best friends and Will were all waiting on the beach. They all looked at us amused. Suddenly, everyone started taking their shoes off as well with obvious relief on their faces.
    "If you don't hurry up, the sun's going to rise before you get married," Kathleen pointed out smiling.
    Jayden laughed and looked up at the sky with a mix of happiness and nostalgia on his face. I knew he wished his parents were here too. My heart tightened up and he seemed to feel it for his hand instinctively reached out to touch me.
    "I'm OK," he whispered leaning against me.
    My father coughed. "Shall we start?"
    Dad, bless his soul, always the type to surprise, got himself a license to perform our wedding. I almost started weeping seeing him fix his tie with shaky hands and start 'officiating' our ceremony.
    The sun began to rise just as I said, "Yes, I will."
    Jayden's face was radiant- more beautiful than any sunrise.
    We exchanged our rings with trembling hands.
    "By the power of your love and commitment, and the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband! You may kiss each other!"
    Our small crowd clapped and hooted as we awkwardly tried to kiss despite our laughs.
    "Gee, I really missed the sunrise this time," Jay whispered as I