Beats of the Heart - Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Miles was in a room by himself, staring anxiously at his phone. Danny was supposed to be here any minute. He sighed and set the phone down, trying to calm himself down. The room was decorated with stylish creams and light wood accents. Massive bouquets of white and peach peonies were on every surface of the room, and a simple white peony boutonniere was pinned to his black tux.
He knew there were so many things to do for the day and was grateful that Scott and Danny had stepped up and taken control of the planning. There was no time to plan a wedding between Shawn's business and Miles' tour.
They had considered running off and having a small ceremony, but Samantha was insistent on something large for the both of them. Now that she was in remission, she had the strength to help with the planning and walk Shawn down the aisle.
Miles smiled to himself and took out the journal his mom had written to him many years ago. It had gotten easier to read her words. Several entries were marked for special occasions, and he had finally read one today.
Miles,
One day, you will marry the man of your dreams. I have imagined that day, and I'm so sorry I can't be there to walk with you down that aisle. I don't know if you would want a small wedding or something large, but I hope you have something that makes you happy. More importantly, I hope the man you marry makes you happy.
You're a strong soul, Miles. Our situation has tempered and tested you, so I know you will choose the man truly worthy of your heart. Be brave, Miles, and love him well. Let him be the song that carries you through.
I love you.
Miles ran his fingers over her words. She knew before he did that he would love a man like Shawn, and he knew that she would have been happy for the both of them. His eyes glistened with emotion, and he rubbed his face.
"Well, mom... I'm getting married," he said quietly and kissed the journal. He carefully put it away and looked at his phone once more.
He frowned to see that Danny still hadn't read his message. He felt a wave of anxiety, thinking that something had gone wrong. It wouldn't be the first time something had fallen through with the wedding, and Scott and Danny scrambled to make it right without letting the grooms know.
He decided to look for him to ensure everything was alright. As he walked out of the room, he immediately found Danny with Rob and Courtney. They were speaking anxiously in hushed tones and looking around the corner.
Miles chuckled and snuck up behind them.
"Oh my god. How can they be so attractive?" Courtney asked.
"I knew they would be here, but somehow, I can't believe they are right there in front of me," Danny whispered excitedly.
Danny looked around the corner toward the small reception area. He immediately knew what they were discussing when he saw movie star Jaxon Reid and famous singer Alex Lee. Jaxon held their little girl in his arms and smiled fondly toward his husband. They were a picturesque family.
"Danny Mendez," Miles finally said, making the small group jump. "I thought you were going to meet me ten minutes ago."
Danny flushed, but his smile was bright. "You look amazing!"
Miles nervously ran his hand through his hair. "You think so?"
"Absolutely. Shawn's going to cry," Danny said with a laugh.
Miles pulled him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. "You clean up good, too, kiddo."
Danny slapped his arm playfully. "I always look good."
"Right. Right. My bad." Miles let him go and smiled. "You're doing alright? Nothing too stressful?"
Danny shook his head. "Today is going to be perfect."
Miles sighed. "I just want to be married already."
"That's why we eloped," a voice beside them said.
Miles recognized Alex's voice and realized he and Jaxon had snuck up on them. They collaborated several times during the last couple of years and forged a strong friendship. However, Danny had focused on school and hadn't participated in the recordings, so he was still starstruck. He yelped and blushed fiercely when he realized Alex and Jaxon had approached them.
"Alex," Miles greeted him and Jaxon with a hug. "Good to see you two again."
"I can't believe this day has finally come," Jaxon said with a grin. "I've known Shawn for years and never expected him to settle down. You're good for him."
"He's good for me, too," Miles said warmly.
"Is Hugh going to be here?" Alex asked, looking around to see the familiar face.
"He better be. He got ordained so that he could be the one to officiate our wedding." Miles laughed. "But he will only be here for the ceremony. His husband and son are in Dubai for a fight, so Hugh will leave right after to catch the next flight out."
Hugh's husband was a UFC fighter, and his retirement fight fell on the same day of the ceremony. Shawn and Miles had offered to move the date so the King-Richards family could attend, but Hugh worked around it to still support them.
Alex grinned and helped fix Miles' tie. "How are you feeling? Ready for this?"
"I've been ready," Miles said with a chuckle.
Two arms wrapped around his waist, and Miles grinned, knowing it was his soon-to-be husband. "Me too," Shawn said in his ear.
"Isn't there some sort of tradition where we can't see each other?" Miles asked playfully.
"When do we care about traditions?" Shawn replied. "Besides, I missed you and needed to see you."
Miles spun to face him and kissed him gently.
Danny groaned. "Scott's going to kill me with both grooms going rouge." He grabbed their sleeves and pulled them to lead them back down the hall.
Miles and Shawn laughed as they followed Danny back to their separate rooms.
Time was moving too slowly or quickly as Miles waited in his separate room. Danny was at least with him this time, chattering about anything that came to mind. Miles absently answered and was either bouncing his knee or reading through his mom's words again.
A happy cheer woke Miles from his distracted thoughts, and Danny pulled him up from his seat. "It's that time!" He practically jumped with excitement.
Miles and Danny walked beside each other and paused by the doors for their ceremony. They had decided Shawn and Samantha would walk out first, then he and Danny would follow.
Alex had volunteered to play the piano as they walked out, and Miles smiled at the familiar tune. Everything was beautiful. The room was bathed in peonies while crystal chandeliers and wisteria garlands hung from the ceiling. The colors were soft and pastel, contrasting the two men in black tuxes. A large window overlooked the Hudson as the sun started to sink in the sky and dyed the skies a brilliant orange.
But everything disappeared when Miles saw Shawn standing at the end of the aisle. He was half aware that he was standing in the middle of a breathtaking, beautiful space, but the only thing he could look at was the man he loved.
This journey took them nearly 14 years, but it finally arrived.
As Miles approached him, he could see the mist in Shawn's eye and how a tear had fallen. Miles reached up and wiped it with a fond smile.
"Hey," Miles whispered.
Shawn grinned and gave him a chaste kiss. "Hey."
"Hey," Hugh chimed in, breaking them from their moment. "Let's get you hitched before you get too sappy on me."
Miles and Shawn laughed, far too familiar with Hugh's personality. They stood before him with hands clasped.
Miles had spent months agonizing over their vows—nitpicking every word until he felt they were perfect. He spent more effort on the vows than any of his songs. Yet, he could not hear any of them. All he could process was he was marrying Shawn.
He barely mustered out, "I promise," when it was his turn. He was in a fog when his trembling hands helped place the ring on Shawn's hands. But he seemed to wake from a dream when Hugh had announced them as husbands.
Miles snapped his gaze toward Shawn and felt his eyes tear up. "I love you," he whispered.
Shawn pulled him close and kissed him. "I love you too," he said against Miles' lips. "You were worth the wait."
Miles laughed, letting his tears fall now. He met Shawn at the lowest moments, but now, Shawn was there to accompany him through the best.
The reception was nothing short of a party, but that was to be expected from the owners of Dirge and Aura. Miles' DJs were taking turns on stage trying to one-up the other.
Miles had his fill of dancing and was sitting at the bar while Shawn was with his father. Miles was sipping a glass of whiskey when someone sat beside him.
"A whiskey for me and a club soda for him." Miles recognized Shawn's voice immediately.
"That club soda better not be for me again," Miles chided as he smiled at Shawn.
Shawn chuckled. "Two whiskeys, neat," he reordered.
Miles took Shawn's hand and intertwined their fingers. "So what now?"
"Do you want to get out of here?" Shawn asked.
Miles raised an eyebrow. "Are we allowed to do that? We're kind of hosting this party."
Shawn shrugged. "Let Scott handle it."
"I'm starting to feel sorry for Scott," Miles murmured.
"He suggested it." Shawn kissed his hand. "We got married, greeted everyone, took a million pictures, and danced. I think that's all that's required for us here."
"Alright. Where to?" Miles asked, a smile growing on his face.
"Honestly, nothing sounds better than being home in bed," Shawn said wistfully. "I have my car around back."
Miles chuckled, then leaned in and kissed Shawn. Many years ago, they sat at a bar much like now, and Shawn offered to take him home. Miles refused at that time, but now, nothing would hold him back.
"Alright, husband. Take me home," Miles whispered.