monaboyd | The Beginning of Us

Title: The Beginning of Us - 25/25
Author:

dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14
Summary: Part 25. There’s nothing I can say here that won’t give it away. :)
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated. Many, many thanks to

frojane and

uisinger for their faboo beta skills.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. *sigh* Damn.
Previous Parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
A/N: May I suggest having some kleenex on hand? Special thanks to

frojane for her knowledge and experience, educating me in all things Scottish. *blows kisses* Thanks sweetie. Epilogue will be posted Friday.

Part 25 - Forever

One does not arrive at happiness. Sometimes, the moment you change your perspective, you are already there.

Hands clasped loosely behind his back, feet shoulder width apart, Dom watches wave after wave crash against the expanse of untouched white sand and roll up the beach. A light, salty breeze flows over his face in a lover’s caress and ruffles his hair as the warm sun drops lower and lower in the clear sky, turning it lush shades of orange and red.

It’s a perfect night for a wedding.

The gentle wind causes Dom’s silky, Asian-inspired shirt to flutter against his lithe body, as well as the matching trousers. As Billy has requested, he’s dressed completely in white, the soft material making his tanned skin seem even more golden than usual. His body is unusually free of accessories, with the exception of Billy’s green stone pendant, visible because of his open collar, and his black leather cuffs, hidden beneath the long sleeves.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so calm.”

Smiling at the comforting sound of the familiar female voice behind him, Dom turns away from the beach to give the woman his full attention.

“Hi Mum.”

Jaw dropping, Aureen gasps, her eyes wide. “Dominic!”

Surprised at her reaction, Dom quickly looks around. “What?”

“Your face.”

“Oh, that.” Rubbing his palm across his clean shaven cheek, Dom grins. “It’s a present for Billy.”

“Aren’t you going to get in trouble?” Aureen asks, closing the distance between them.

“I told JJ that I couldn’t get married looking like I’d been lost on a deserted island for months,” Dom explains with a shrug of his shoulders. “I had to look my best for my Bills on the most important day of our lives.”

“And he said yes, just like that?” Aureen asks dubiously.

“After I told him that it was worth my job if he said I couldn’t.”

Aureen gasps. “You didn’t.”

“Don’t worry, Mum,” Dom says with a cheeky smile. “He laughed and said as long as I grow it back by the time cameras roll in August, I can shave all I want.”

“When did you clear it with JJ?” Aureen asks, arms folding across her chest as she gives him a look.

“About a month ago, as soon as Billy and I decided on a date for the ceremony.”

“And you didn’t tell Billy?”

“I want it to be a surprise,” Dom replies. “A wedding present since we agreed no gifts between us, other than each other.”

“When was the last time you talked to Billy?” Aureen asks, arching an eyebrow. “Last night, when your father and I went to bed, you couldn’t sit still, let alone lay down and try to get some rest. You don’t look tired.”

“When I couldn’t unwind, I called him at the hotel and he talked me to sleep,” Dom admits shyly. “Then he called me this morning to wake me up. We’ve been talking throughout the day.”

“Is he alright?” Aureen asks. “Sean and Orlando didn’t mention anything. I just saw them.”

“He agrees with me. We should’ve gotten married at sunrise instead of sunset,” Dom says with a grin. “Too much waiting.”

Aureen laughs joyfully, shoulders shaking.

“Oh, you two are meant for one another,” she says with a warm smile, wrapping her arms around her youngest son and kissing his forehead. “I’m so glad you found your way to each other.”

Sliding his arms around his mother’s waist to hug her close, Dom sighs softly. “Me too, Mum.”

“Your best man is here,” Aureen tells him as they part. “Quite anxious to see you before we head down to the beach for the ceremony.”

“C’mon in, Lij,” Dom calls, and then smiles when the young American bounds into the room, his grin almost as big as his enormous blue eyes.

“Hey,” Elijah offers as a greeting. “Are you ready to get hitched?”

“You have no idea,” Dom replies gently, rubbing the green stone of Billy’s pendant between his thumb and index finger.

“So what’s the plan after today?” Elijah asks, leaning against the dresser, smoothing the front of his white dress shirt and adjusting his bow tie. Both he and Sean are wearing tuxedos, as per Billy and Dom’s request for their best men.

“We have two weeks for the honeymoon, and then Billy has to be in New York to start rehearsals for the summer production,” Dom says, counting out the weeks on his long, slender fingers. “In July, we’ll be in Pittsburgh for a few days, so Billy can rehearse and sing with the Symphony Orchestra, and then it’s back to New York to finish up the play. It’s going to be busy.”

“Guest vocalist for the Lord of the Rings Symphony,” Elijah murmurs with a smile. “That’s so fucking cool. Can’t wait to see it.”

“We can be together for just over seven weeks, and then I have to fly back to Hawaii to start shooting again,” Dom continues, the disappointment of being separated from Billy again evident in his face. “JJ’s giving me as much time as he can, but there’s only so much time Charlie can be off screen before people start to get suspicious. Billy will follow me a little over a week later, as soon as the play wraps. After that, we don’t know. We’ll figure it out.”

“I meant to ask, where are you two going?” Aureen asks. “For the honeymoon.”

“Where else?” Elijah scoffs. “New Zealand, I bet.”

When they look over at Dom, he shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know yet. Billy’s going to tell me after the ceremony.”

Surprised, Elijah arches an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”

“I got to pick where and when we got married, he got to pick where and when we’d go to celebrate,” Dom explains. “The only thing he wanted for the wedding was for our family and friends to be here.”

“It’s gotta be New Zealand,” Elijah says with a firm nod and then wavers uncertainly. “Or maybe Scotland.”

“Maybe.” Enigmatically, Dom smiles, utterly content. “I really don’t care. I’ll go to the South Pole if that’s what he wants, just as long as we’re together.”

“Are we ready?” Aureen asks, glancing at her watch and then meeting Dom’s eyes. “It’s almost time.”

“I think so,” Dom replies, exhaling slowly. “Is everyone here?”

“Yes. They’re keeping Billy company.”

“Have you got them?” Dom asks Elijah, nearly vibrating inside, aching to have Billy slide the platinum band on his finger, this time with a vow. His hand feels naked without it.

“Of course,” Elijah replies, his enormous blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’ve got lots of experience as a ring bearer, you know.”

Aureen can’t hide a smile when Dom grins and Elijah giggles at his own joke.

“Let’s get this party started,” Elijah announces with a firm nod.

“Give me a minute, yeah?” Dom requests.

“Are you alright?” Aureen asks, laying a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine.”

Understanding that Aureen wants a moment alone with her son, Elijah slips out of the room to give them privacy.

“Dominic?” she says softly, taking his hands in hers.

“Yeah?”

“Always remember why you fell in love.”

Dom gives her a brilliant smile. “That’s easy, Mum. I fall in love with him every single day.”

“Good.” Tenderly kissing Dom’s forehead, Aureen smiles. “It’s a big day. Take your time.”

* * *

Walking barefoot across the warm, white sand, Dom wills his feet to move in a slow, steady pace, when all he wants to do is run, close the distance as fast as he can and curl into Billy’s loving arms.

Elijah has already taken his position on the beach with the minister, Billy and his best man, Sean. When Dom arrives, it’ll be the four hobbits, together again.

Looking around at the group waiting on the beach, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun, Dom’s gaze floats over all the members of the Fellowship and their significant others. Matt, Evey, and the rest of the LOST cast are there as well, along with Komi and Ana. Everyone they wanted to be there from overseas has flown in as well. Peter and Fran, Maggie, his parents and Matthew, but they all fade away when Dom’s eyes find Billy.

In a world all his own, Billy is looking out at the ocean, the breeze ruffling his ginger hair and causing the hem of his Boyd tartan kilt to sway and brush against his knees ever so slightly. True to his word, Billy has dressed as Dom requested, embracing his Scottish heritage from head to toe.

Black waistcoat hugging his trim form, Billy’s white dress shirt is pressed to perfection, cuff links that Dom gave him for his birthday last year finishing off his sleeves and a black bow tie is at his throat. Hand knitted cream stockings from Maggie cover his legs, nearly to the knee, the laces of his gillie shoes crossed around his ankles and tied at the back. The final touches are the Sgian Dubh tucked into the top of his right stocking, a kilt pin given to him by his grandmother, and the sporran at his waist.

When Sean taps him lightly on the shoulder, Billy turns, and his eyes lock with Dom’s. There is a sharp intake of breath as his gaze slides hungrily down Dom’s slender body and back up again, taking in every last, breathtaking inch of the white silk covering Dom from neck to the top of his bare feet. Catching the flash of surprise and desire in Billy’s eyes as he stares at Dom’s face, Dom can’t help the almost shy smile tugging at corners of his mouth, knowing that his gift has had the desired effect.

Before Dom knows it, he’s made his way across the sand and is standing in front of Billy, mere tantalizing inches away from his lover. Finding each others trembling hands, Billy brings Dom’s left palm to his mouth and kisses it.

“Surprise,” Dom murmurs gently as his fingers caress Billy’s cheek, his eyes overflowing with love. “You look wonderful, Bills.”

“Dommie,” Billy whispers before tracing the cleft of Dom’s newly shaved chin with his thumb, his eyes roaming wondrously over Dom’s face. “You’re so beautiful.”

Dom opens his mouth to respond, but is cut off when the minister addresses the audience.

“Family and friends, we are gathered here today, to celebrate the joining of Dominic and William.”

He’s sure the minister is saying something important, something he’ll want to remember for the rest of his life, but Dom can only hear the ocean and the pounding of his own heart as he loses himself in Billy’s beautiful eyes. It would seem that Billy has the same problem, his fingers squeezing Dom’s hands in a steady, soothing rhythm, a gentle smile teasing at his bow shaped lips. Dom finally comes back to the beach when he hears the minister speak his name.

“Dominic, you may say your vows whenever you’re ready,” the minister says with a knowing and understanding smile.

“I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to say to you,” Dom begins, thumbs brushing the backs of Billy’s delicate hands as he gazes intently into the hypnotic green of Billy’s eyes. “Ever since the day you asked me to marry you, actually. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been going through my journals, back to the day we met, in the costume trailer, and I read every entry that had you in it. It wasn’t much of a surprise to discover that there weren’t many days that I didn’t write about you. Things I wanted to remember forever.”

Touched beyond words at the thought of Dom poring over his old journals for hours, Billy smiles and gently squeezes Dom’s hands.

“I read our entire history, searching for just the right words to describe how much I love you, and what you mean to me.” Taking deep breath to compose himself, Dom blinks rapidly to clear the excess moisture that is making his soulful blue-grey eyes glisten brightly. “Despite all my words, I couldn’t find what I was looking for. Everything seemed too small, too insignificant. Nothing was special enough. And then, one day, when you were out at the shops, I picked up one of your poetry books from the coffee table. I accidentally dropped it and it fell open, to a sonnet by Pablo Neruda.”

Recalling the day, Dom’s eyes flutter closed for a moment and then refocus on Billy’s face. “I found the words, Bills, in one of your favorite books. They’re not mine, but I couldn’t have written it any better.” Smiling, Dom cradles Billy’s hands to his chest, looks deeply into Billy’s eyes and recites the lines he has committed to memory.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
I love you because I know no other way than this.

Where I does not exist, nor you,
So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand,
So close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

“I meant what I said that day,” Dom finishes. “I need you. Today. Tomorrow. Fifty years from now. Here, at my side. Wherever you go, I will follow. Forever.” A single tear escapes and rolls down Dom’s cheek. “Ich liebe dich,” he says softly.

“Oh Dommie,” Billy whispers, eyes bright.

“William, you may say your vows whenever you’re ready,” the minister says softly, not wanting to interrupt the intimate spell between the two men.

Nodding, Billy takes a deep breath and focuses on the warm, blue-grey of his lover’s eyes. “Oh, Dommie. My beautiful Dommie. I remember the day we met, the first time I realized I wanted to know you much better than just my best mate,” he says with a smile. “My whole life, I’d never seen such incredible passion and fire in someone. Your energy wrapped around me and I wanted to touch you, so I could be a part of you, just for a moment. There was a vibrancy in your eyes and your body, such youthful energy and light. It was electric. Intoxicating.”

“You were like the sun, bathing me in a warmth that I didn’t realize I’d been missing until I met you. I wanted to dive into your arms and stay there until the end of time.” Pausing, Billy takes a deep breath to steady himself. “And now, after all the years I’ve known you, that we’ve been together, you still make me feel the same way as I did that day.” Cupping Dom’s clean-shaven cheek in one hand, Billy brushes away the dampness as his own eyes fill. “Our first kiss is one that I’ll never forget, for as long as I live, because everything I knew and believed changed that day, in ways I never could have imagined.”

Remembering as well, Dom’s cheeks flush, but he doesn’t look away. Exhaling a ragged breath, he blinks rapidly and smiles reassuringly.

“I love you beyond reason, words or physical boundaries,” Billy continues, his eyes bright with emotion. “You’re more than my lover and the love of my life; you’re a part of my heart and the center of my soul. There is not one moment where you’re not in my thoughts, whether I am awake or asleep. When you’re happy, I share in your joy and laughter. When you’re sad, I comfort you and wipe away your tears. When you’re in pain, I hold you and ache with you. Our love is not of two separate lives, but sharing as one.”

Tears spilling down his cheeks, Dom struggles to control the waves of emotions crashing over him. “Oh Bills-”

“Love bound us together, Dommie, from the moment we met,” Billy whispers. “Forever.” Cupping Dom’s cheek again, Billy let his own tears fall. “I love you.”

A long moment passes as the lovers fall silent, eyes closed, their foreheads touching, breath uneven. There is no sound, save for the waves crashing against the shore and the occasional sniffle from the wedding guests. Fingers remaining entwined, they finally step back and face the minister, ready to continue.

Eyes and hands never breaking contact, they recite the traditional wedding vows, unable to stop themselves from smiling as each solemnly say ‘I do.’ When the minister requests it, Elijah silently steps forward and produces the matching platinum rings, cradled in his small, trembling hand, his own eyes glistening.

“To the ends of Middle Earth, and back again,” Billy says, quoting the inscription on Dom’s ring as he guides it onto his lover’s finger. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment. You are my ocean, and for as long as I draw breath, I entrust to you my heart, my body, and my soul. Everything I am is yours.”

“From my sea to your shore, without beginning or end,” Dom says, fingertip tracing the inscription on Billy’s ring before sliding the band into its rightful place. “I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment. You are my ocean, and for as long as I draw breath, I entrust to you my heart, my body, and my soul. Everything I am is yours.”

Another moment is taken as Billy tenderly wipes away the tears on Dom’s cheeks with his thumbs, their damp but happy eyes locked together.

“Having taken vows and exchanged rings, by the authority vested in me, witnessed by your beloved friends and family, it is my pleasure and my great honor to pronounce you joined, for life.” Smiling broadly, the minister gestures them to move closer. “As a sign of your union, you may seal your vows with a kiss.”

“Oh, I know,” Billy breathes before sliding his fingers around the nape of Dom’s neck and bringing their mouths together, eyelids fluttering closed. Bathed in the warm, golden light of the setting sun, lips meet in a long, tender kiss, tongues touching softly and sweetly. Billy’s fingers lace through Dom’s wind swept hair as his other hand splays across his narrow back while Dom’s arms wrap snugly around Billy’s waist to hold their bodies close.

When the newlyweds finally part, long moments later, they are surrounded by wild cheering and applause, though they barely hear it. Delicate hands holding Dom’s face, Billy looks deep into his soulful blue-grey eyes, his own overflowing with love and joy.

“We did it. You’re mine,” Dom whispers, so low only Billy can hear him. “Forever.”

“And you are mine,” Billy replies before bring their lips together again, this time hot, wet and intensely passionate, causing Dom to whimper into his mouth.

The kiss continues as Dom’s knees buckle and he sinks fully in Billy’s arms, eliciting cat calls and wolf whistles at the incredibly intimate, yet very public exchange. Burying his face in Billy’s neck, Dom blushes and tightens his hold around Billy’s trim body as he laughs joyfully.

* * *

Sliding his arms around his wife’s waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, Austin follows Aureen’s gaze to the couple dancing barefoot on the sand by the bonfire, arms wound around one another. Since the ceremony, Billy has removed his shoes and cream stockings, enjoying the sensation of the fine, Hawaiian sand between his toes. In addition, his waistcoat, bow tie and sporran are now hanging over the back of a nearby chair, as it is a very warm night, and Dom insisted that Billy be comfortable.

“We got our wish,” Austin says softly, pressing a kiss to her neck. “He’s happy. They both are.”

Oblivious to the fact that they are being watched, Dom and Billy continue to sway to the music, gazing into each other’s eyes and frequently pressing soft, nibbling kisses to the others lips, cheeks and neck. They are so caught up in their love for one another, they may as well be alone on the beach.

“Oh love, I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” Aureen whispers, brushing furtively at her damp eyes. “I was so afraid for them. That we’d never get here.”

“But look, here we are. They found their way,” Austin replies, rocking her gently from side to side. “Let’s go say goodnight to them. It’s getting late.”

Crossing the sand, their hands clasped, Aureen calls to Dom as she and Austin draw close to the couple.

“Mum! Dad,” Dom says, untangling himself from Billy’s embrace and subtly wiping his mouth.

Unwilling to be parted from Dom entirely, Billy keeps his arm wrapped around the younger man’s waist, fingers pressing against his taut belly. All too happily, Dom snuggles into his side.

“I’m sorry,” Aureen says apologetically. “We hate to interrupt, but we’re heading back to the hotel and wanted to say goodnight.”

“Oh, okay,” Dom replies, leaning closer and kissing his mother’s cheek. “Well-”

“It was a beautiful ceremony, Dom,” Aureen interrupts with a smile. “We hope you and Billy are very happy together.”

“We are,” Dom says, burrowing further into Billy and laying his head on Billy’s shoulder.

“Billy?” Austin says, stepping forward, his eyes serious.

“Yes?”

“I meant to find you and say this earlier, but there wasn’t time,” the older man continues, looking at Billy intently.

“Uh, okay.” Nervously, Billy glances at Dom with question in his eyes and tightens his arm around Dom’s waist.

Looking at one another for a moment, Aureen and Austin smile broadly.

“Welcome to the family,” Austin says warmly, laying his hand on Billy’s shoulder and squeezing gently.

“Thank you,” Billy manages to reply, eyes glistening as Dom turns and wraps his arms firmly around his trembling body, kissing his cheek wetly. “Thank you both.”

“No, thank you,” Aureen corrects, cupping his cheek with one hand and laying her other hand on Dom’s back. “It’s not every day I get to welcome a new son, one who makes Dom happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

“Mum. Dad,” Dom says softly, at a complete loss for words.

“Enjoy each other,” Aureen says, kissing each of their cheeks before ruffling Dom’s hair. “And send us a postcard.”

Dom grins cheekily. “Definitely.”

* * *

Watching the large bonfire burn, occasionally crackling as the flames begin to die down, Dom snuggles into Billy’s embrace, their bodies wrapped up together on a lounge chair that has been brought down to the beach from the lanai. Not far away, Elijah is entertaining the remaining wedding guests with a bizarre and comical hula dance in a long, grass skirt, insisting that everyone around him join in.

Feeling Dom’s intense gaze on him, Billy cups his clean-shaven cheek and looks deep into his eyes.

“What?” he asks softly.

“Your vows,” Dom replies intimately, his eyes bright. “They were so beautiful, Bills. I-”

“I just spoke from my heart, like you did.” Dipping his head, Billy brushes his lips over Dom’s. “And your vows to me were wonderful, love. They were perfect.”

Sighing into Billy’s mouth, Dom splays his ringed hand over Billy’s heart, their lips meeting in a long, deep, wet kiss as Billy’s arm slides around Dom’s waist and holds their bodies close.

Letting his head fall back, Dom exposes his throat and smiles when Billy trails kisses down his neck, tongue darting out to taste his skin.

“I missed you last night,” he murmurs, sliding a foot between Billy’s bare legs.

Cuddling Dom to his chest, Billy kisses Dom’s cheek. “Me too, love.”

After taking a quick look around, Dom slides his hand inside the folds of Billy’s kilt, but suddenly stops, his eyes widening when his fingers find the warm, bare flesh of his lover’s arousal.

“Bills, you’re not wearing-”

“Shhh,” Billy interrupts with a quick kiss to Dom’s lips and a sly smile as he rubs the small of Dom’s back. “No need to announce it to everyone, love.”

“But you always wear-”

“Dommie, you asked me to wear a traditional Scottish kilt for our wedding,” Billy explains fondly, ruffling Dom’s hair with his other hand. “That means-”

“No pants.”

The knowledge that his lover has been bare beneath the short length of plaid cloth all night causes heat to pool, low in Dom’s belly.

“Promise me that someday you’ll ride me, wearing this kilt, and nothing else,” Dom requests, voice raspy with desire. “Please.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Billy replies softly, green eyes smoldering.

A moment later their mouths are meeting hungrily, Billy lazily rolling his hips into Dom’s fist.

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me,” Dom murmurs against Billy’s lips, reluctantly withdrawing his hand before someone sees.

Threading his fingers through Dom’s hair and tracing his lower lip with his tongue, Billy laughs gently. “You’re hardly one to talk.”

“What do you mean?” Dom asks, pulling back and arching an eyebrow.

“White silk and black leather cuffs, Dommie?” Billy explains, fingers tracing the dark ring surrounding Dom’s wrist. “Only you would get married wearing this.”

“I thought you’d like it,” Dom replies, eyes suddenly worried. “Didn’t you?”

“I love it, Dommie,” Billy says in a low voice before capturing Dom’s mouth in a kiss and sliding his tongue between Dom’s lips for a hungry kiss that only ends when they need breath. “It’s beautifully, utterly, perfectly you, yeh daftie.”

“Bills?” Dom says quietly, cheek pressed against Billy’s chest, directly over his heart.

“Yes, my love?”

“Can I touch it again?”

Snorting with laughter, Billy tightens his arms around Dom and kisses his hair.

“In a hurry to start the honeymoon, Dommie?” he teases.

Boyish laughter bubbling up from his throat, Dom leans back and smiles. “Well, yes, but that’s not what I’m talking about, you randy Scotsman.”

Fingers dancing over Billy’s left hip, Dom looks up, eyes soft and intimate. He pauses, silently asking permission to proceed.

“Oh, that,” Billy says quietly, with a tender smile, finally understanding what Dom is referring to. “You don’t have to ask, love. You can touch it anytime you want.”

Eyes dark with arousal, Dom’s fingers quickly unfasten the two buckles of Billy’s kilt to loosen it before pushing the fabric down a few precious inches, until he finds his prize. Tracing the black ink now marking Billy’s pale skin, Dom leans down and presses a tender kiss to the spot.

“It’s so beautiful, Bills,” he murmurs, breath hot against Billy’s exposed skin. “I love it.”

“I hope so,” Billy replies with an amused smile. “It’s not a temporary tattoo, love. It’s permanent.”

“I know,” Dom sighs, kissing the spot again before sliding back up Billy’s body and refastening the buckles of his kilt. “My name, on your skin. Forever.”

“And my name on yours,” Billy says, fingers slipping inside Dom’s silky white trousers to caress the identical inked spot on his lover’s hip.

Curling into his embrace and sighing happily, Dom gives Billy a quizzical look.

“So are you going to tell me?” he prompts. “Or do I have to beg?”

“Tell you what?” Billy asks.

“Where you’re taking me for our honeymoon,” Dom explains with a grin. “You said you’d tell me after the ceremony. That was hours ago.”

“But you already know.”

Confused, Dom frowns. “What?”

“In your vows to me,” Billy says softly. “Where did you say those words to me, for the first time?”

“The waterfall?” Dom whispers, eyes wide. “Castle Point?”

“I booked the honeymoon suite at a little B & B on the beach,” Billy reveals with a brilliant smile. “We’ll be less than a few hundred feet from it, right on the ocean, love.”

“Oh, Bills-”

“I want to make love with you there, in New Zealand, in our waterfall.” Cupping Dom’s cheek, Billy brings their mouths together for a warm, wet kiss. “I want to be inside you, with the water all around us. It’s my wedding present to you.”

“But we said no gifts,” Dom protests. “We’re supposed to share everything, including the cost.”

“I know, Dommie. I didn’t mean financially,” Billy explains. “I wanted to bring you somewhere very special, to say thank you.”

“For what?”

“That day in December, when I ran to you. Do you remember?”

“Of course,” Dom replies softly.

“You gave me hope that there was a future for us, beyond a few stolen days at a time in hotel rooms, at premieres or at conventions.” Thumb sweeping across Dom’s clean shaven cheek, Billy kisses Dom’s nose. “You showed me what our life should be. Together.”

“Aww, Bills.”

“I came to you, broken and lost, but the one thing I could trust was that you would help me,” Billy confesses. “I was a miserably selfish bastard. I wanted to feel better and I knew coming to you was the one thing that could do that. The only thing.”

“I’m glad you came, baby,” Dom croons gently before kissing their entwined fingers. “And it wasn’t selfish, because I needed you, too. Honestly, I was ready to jump a plane to Scotland when you showed up.”

“Really?” Billy asks doubtfully. “You’re not just saying that?”

Dom smiles reassuringly. “Yeah. Really.”

“When I left, you were hurting so bad,” Billy continues, guilt causing him to look away. “I should’ve known how bad it was going to be for you. I should’ve felt it. In Hawaii, I saw it in your eyes, saw the tears you couldn’t hide while you were sleeping. I felt it when I held you. That morning when we made love. Then at the airport, when I-”

“Bills, stop that,” Dom interrupts, forcing Billy’s chin back up so their eyes lock. “You called me, every single day. And you were hurting, too, baby. I know how hard it was for you to leave. I know. But we got through it, together, the only way we knew how. I think being so close and then so far away made us realize what we were taking for granted. It brought us to this. I don’t know about you, but I say it was worth it.”

“When I was standing in the jewelry shop, looking at that ring, it came together in a rush, realizing just how much I loved you, that I couldn’t be without you anymore,” Billy says, thumb sweeping over Dom’s lower lip in a gentle caress. “It scared me, wondering if you wanted it just as much. Knowing now, that you knew you wanted to marry me, had seen the rings all those months ago, even before I came, I can’t believe how you stayed quiet about it. Didn’t tell me.”

“I had faith in us,” Dom says softly. “It was never a question of love, Bills. I knew you loved me, but I couldn’t bear the thought that you didn’t need me as much as I need you, that I was the only one feeling empty without you next to me.” Gazing into Billy’s eyes, Dom sighs. “It was easier, somehow, just to make the most of the days we had together, to make every minute count. And then you were gone and I realized that I’d made a terrible mistake. I should’ve told you what I wanted.”

“I’m never going to leave you again,” Billy vows. “Not like that.”

“I know that, Bills.” Tenderly, Dom brings their mouths together in a soft kiss. “We’ll make it work, yeah? Together.”

Lips meeting again briefly, the lovers then settle back into each others arms, watching the flames of the bonfire flicker and embers float away on the light breeze.

“Are you happy, Dommie?” Billy asks, kissing the top of his head and threading his fingers through Dom’s hair, cradling the younger man to his chest.

Confused by the question, Dom pulls back, just far enough so their eyes can meet.

“What?”

“Are you happy?” Billy repeats. “Is this day everything you wanted it to be?”

Cupping Billy’s cheek, Dom pulls their mouths together for a warm, wet kiss. “Baby, I’m laying in your arms, with a ring on my finger that says you’re mine. Forever.” Their lips meet again, tongues tangling gently, teeth nibbling. “It’s been a perfect day. Why do you ask?”

“I just want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted, love,” Billy replies gently. “For you to be happy.”

“Oh Bills, I am,” Dom promises. “I couldn’t possibly be happier.”

“Take a walk with me?” Billy requests softly, and silently, Dom nods his assent.

Leading Dom away from the bonfire and remaining wedding guests milling around, Billy wraps his arm around Dom’s slender waist as they walk down to the water’s edge. The encroaching tide washes over their bare feet, bubbles dancing over their toes and soaking the hem of Dom’s silky white trousers with warm, frothy water.

“What’s on your mind, love?” Dom asks, cuddling Billy close, cradling their ringed hands to his chest and looking deep into Billy’s beautiful green eyes.

“This is where it all began,” Billy replies, voice wavering, eyes glistening. “The ocean. You and me. Together. Just us.”

Both are quiet for a few moments, recalling that day, when they’d taken the first steps toward a life together.

“I love you, so much,” Billy murmurs, brushing back Dom’s hair with his free hand as moonlight bathes their bodies in soft blue light.

“I know, baby.” Dom smiles softly, his eyes sparkling. “I love you, too.”

Lips meeting in a tender, passionate kiss, the newlyweds surrender to one another, surrounded by the comforting, timeless rhythm of the ocean.

* * *

Epilogue-Paradise

Current Mood: calm

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Date: 2005-08-24 07:41 pm (UTC)

From:

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags