He left the cards in his pocket.
“I feel today we've witnessed something—hopeful, optimistic. Maybe even more so than the usual wedding. We're young, we're just starting out, we have so many hopes and dreams. And then—well, life happens. Sometimes we find ourselves down a road we didn't imagine. Maybe even alone.” Evan took a deep breath, smiling over at Vic and Serena. “Maybe we've given up on being so optimistic and hopeful until one day, a person comes into your life who breathes an energy back into it. Who gives you a whole new way to look at a life you were certain held no more surprises.”
Evan raised his glass to the happy couple. “Vic and Serena, everyone here is blessed to know you, separately and together. We're all fortunate to witness this new part of your lives, to share in your happiness and your enthusiasm and your love. And this continuation of happily ever after. Thank you.”
Raised glasses and murmurs of agreement filled the room; Vic and Serena raised their glasses first to Evan, then the room.
“Thank you,” Serena said.
Everyone toasted the bride and groom, sealing the ritual with a sip of sparkling champagne.
Evan ducked out of the spotlight as the music kicked up a bit louder, escaping to where he'd left Matt.
“You're a sap,” his boyfriend said, smiling and maybe just a bit more bright-eyed than when Evan left.
“Yeah.” Evan closed the space between them and leaned in again—less surprising and more necessary than the time before. “Yeah, I am.”
Their lips touched, and Evan felt his heart swell with the reality of his words, in his own life.
Loose Id(R) Titles by Tere Michaels
Faith & Fidelity
Love & Loyalty
Tere Michaels
Tere Michaels began her writing career at the age of four when her mother explained that people made their living by making up stories—and they got paid. She got out her crayons and paper and never looked back. Many pages and crayons later—she eventually graduated to typewriters and then computers—Tere has article clips from major magazines, a thousand ideas still left to write and a family in the suburbs. She's exceedingly pleased every time someone reads her stories and cries, laughs or just feels happy.
Check out Tere's website at http://www.teremichaels.com to see what she's up to.
Duty and Devotion Page 17
