108 108- Forever and Afterward

Michael kept his voice low so the guests outside the tent couldn't hear him over the music. "Okay, the kids just started walking. Are you really sure you don't need to use these?"

Michael held one of Ryan's forearm crutches to him, which had been a vast improvement to the walker in Ryan's opinion.

Ryan shook his head, picking up his bouquet. "The weather's been good the past few days, and I made sure to take a little extra pain reliever this morning. I've been practicing in secret, and Scott doesn't know I'm okay for short distances. Besides, I've got your shoulder I can lean on."

"Look, I just don't want you falling on your wedding day. If you go down, you know I'm not strong enough to catch you."

They shared a look, and Michael threw his hands up, admitting defeat. Michael helped Ryan out of the chair he'd been sitting in, and resigned himself to be a living crutch for a little while. Ryan was visibly antsy, heartbeat practically pounding in his ears. They could hear the processional music fade out, and the bridal march start playing.

Michael moved the tent flap aside. "That's our cue."

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Scott's eyes were just as glued to that tent as everyone else's. He hadn't been allowed to see Ryan since last night, and Dr. Bromsfeld had to remind him to breathe. Scott hadn't even realized he was holding his breath. Michael stepped out first, then Ryan ducked under the flap.

Scott forgot to breathe again.

Ryan was beautiful. The white tuxedo fit him perfectly, somehow elongating his already slender frame. Glowing cheeks, soft lips, the way the curls in his hair caught sunlight oh so perfect... And his eyes... Their eyes met, and neither one could keep from smiling. Scott almost didn't notice something very important. Ryan's gait was different. There was a limp, but not the kind he'd gotten used to seeing. And Ryan was holding a bouquet? Shouldn't his arms be busy with... Then Scott realized. Ryan was walking on his own! Tears stung Scott's eyes, especially when Ryan noticed that he noticed.

Scott couldn't help it. The tears came freely.

Ryan finally made it to the front where Scott and the officiant were waiting. He passed his bouquet off to Michael, and pulled Scott in for a comforting hug.

"Were you surprised?" Ryan asked quietly as he rubbed Scott's back in a soothing motion.

Scott nodded, pulled himself together, and kissed Ryan's ear gently before pulling away. "You look so beautiful, Hot Stuff."

"You're pretty handsome too, Cuddle Bug." Ryan grinned, holding Scott's hands tightly.

Ryan was trying to keep it together too. They didn't need both of them crying in front of the family, even if it was happy tears. And noticing the two bouquet occupied chairs in the front row wasn't helping. He wished Scott could have met his grandparents. He just knew they would have loved him. He gave Scott's hands another reassuring squeeze.

The service was kept brief since they were using a public space, and the officiant was hired from the city office, since neither Ryan nor Scott wanted a particularly religious ceremony. The officiant thanked everyone for coming, and gave a brief history of Ryan and Scott's relationship from a sheet of paper they'd prepared beforehand. It all started with running out of coffee on a Saturday, a lot of learning to trust, and being goaded on by friends and co-workers. What bloomed was a strong relationship, tested and reaffirmed several times over. The officiant went on to say that they had done several alpha-omega weddings, and that it was obvious in their eyes this was one to stand the test of time. Then came the big question.

When Scott was asked if he would take Ryan, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poor, Scott's answer was a confident, "I do."

When Ryan was asked if he would take Scott, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poor, Ryan enthusiastically answered, "I do!"

The officiant announced that the grooms had prepared vows, and gave Scott the floor to speak first.

Scott stared deep into Ryan's eyes, cleared his throat from the tears that kept threatening to come back, and spoke clearly. "Ryan, from the moment I first saw you, I was drawn to you. I was drawn to your determination, your work ethic, and your perseverance. The more I got to know you, the harder it was to imagine a life without you. I want to be the arms you sleep in at night. I want to be the one who takes you to new heights. I want to be the one who helps you live your dreams. You are my mate, my lover, and my best friend. Even thoughts of you make me happy in ways I can't begin to describe. I look forward to the official start of the rest of our lives together."

Ryan tried to start, but his voice squeaked and he needed a moment to compose himself. He took a deep, steadying breath, returned Scott's gaze, and began again with more confidence. "Scott, you won me over with your kindness, your patience, and your sincerity. I know things haven't always been easy, and that I've put you through a lot since we first met, but life wouldn't be the same without you in it. I want to be the one you tell all your troubles to. I want to be the confidant you share your secrets with. I want to be the last person to tell you good night, and the first person to wish you good morning. You are also my mate, my lover, and my best friend. The safety and comfort you give me are immeasurable. I gladly look forward to spending the rest of our lives together."

There were no objections to the union when the officiant asked. Matching rings were exchanged with shaking hands, white gold, just like Ryan's engagement ring. Then came the most important phrase of the whole thing. The officiant's voice rang out loud and clear.

"I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss the groom!"

Cheering and clapping erupted as Scott and Ryan practically threw themselves at each other, happy tears no longer capable of being held back. In all the noise, Scott asked quietly in Ryan's ear if he wanted to be carried, or if he'd rather walk back down the aisle. Ryan wanted to complete this on his own two feet, and as the recessional started playing, Scott was more than happy to oblige.

Scott and Ryan slowly walked arm and arm between the chairs, at a pace Ryan could comfortably manage. Birdseed rained down upon them as they went, thrown by the guests.

The party didn't stop there of course. In a nearby pavilion, a catered lunch was just finished getting set up. So while some went to go eat, other guests stayed behind to clear away the chairs from the public walkway. Scott and Ryan had pride of place as the couple of the hour, and while everyone was eating and making toasts Ryan was more than grateful to rest in his chair for a while and have food brought to him.

It goes without saying that the cake was the main event for all the children present. The biggest thing on the refreshments table, Scott's father had gone all out. Three tiers with a small fountain in the middle, it was a variation on Scott's favorite, custard cake, with a jelly layer modified from Ryan's grandmother's ma'amoul cookie filling recipe. It had taken a lot of experimentation to get the balance right, not that Scott and Ryan had been permitted to taste it yet. There were even custom figurines at the top made to look like the happy couple. So, when it was finally time for cake, the kids weren't the only ones excited.

Cameras came out to capture the moment, with everyone giving Edwardo the space he needed to get the "official" shots. Scott and Ryan cut the cake together, and Ryan broke off a piece to offer Scott with his fingers. Scott had no problem putting on a show, greedily licking the icing off his now husband's hand, but his eyes grew wide at the taste. Scott quickly broke a chunk off himself to offer to Ryan in the same fashion. Ryan readily accepted the mouthful, taking a moment to lick Scott's fingers as well. It took a second to process, but Ryan very soon had the same look of wide-eyed wonder his husband did.

"Its so good!" Ryan exclaimed around his packed cheeks.

Scott wiped some excess icing from Ryan's lips with his thumb and licked it off. "I know, right!"

Scott's father Howard was quite beside himself and beaming with pride as the guests lined up to get a taste of his creation. After cake was the customary first dance, kept short for Ryan's sake. Popular group dance songs were played afterward for the guests, and some danced while some didn't. In the end, while working on their second piece of cake, Scott and Ryan did end up playfully smearing icing on each other's noses for some cute photos, and there was plenty of both cake and food left for each guest to go home with a takeout container.

What felt like a long day was somehow over in the course of two and a half hours. Guests trickled out, offering hugs and well wishes, and the catering company had food boxed and equipment cleared in no time. Scott and Ryan were sent on their way, Scott's car packed with wedding gifts, and having been vandalized with wash-off glass markers congratulating them on their marriage.

Tomorrow they left for their honeymoon. Their lives were now completely and totally connected, both biologically and in the eyes of the law. And they knew, so long as they had each other, they could do anything.

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AFTERWARD

Ryan started school that fall. He'd managed to secure a scholarship specifically for omegas by scoring high enough on the entrance exam. Well, high for an omega. Once classes started however, he proved himself more than capable. Just like Scott knew he would, Ryan caught on quickly for all his subjects, and finished his two-year general education near the top of his class.

During all of this, Michael and Edwardo had naturally both mated and married, with Michael making a big deal over choosing the right date so his best friend could travel to his big, over the top destination wedding without interfering with Ryan's school schedule.

The college had originally not wanted to offer Ryan access to any of the upper-level classes, even with both he and Scott pleading with the deans and advisors. In the meantime, omega's rights were slowly building steam, and it was apparent Ryan wasn't the only one trying to earn a higher degree. It had taken another year, but Ryan was finally allowed to pursue his four-year degree, along with a select few omegas who'd also shown promise. It started as a novelty, but convinced by the work ethic of Ryan and the other omega students, the campus tentatively let more and more omegas into upper-level programs.

Securing grants and scholarships, Ryan continued working hard, supported by Scott and his family. He never quite recovered enough to go anywhere without at least one forearm crutch, and on the occasions the weather was bad enough to make him ache deep in his bones, he telecommuted from either the couch in Scott's office or the couch at his in-law's, wrapped up in heating pads to avoid being too zoned out from pain medication. When he absolutely had to be on campus, he put up with using a wheelchair.

Michael ended up pregnant while Ryan was finishing up his master's program. So, he and Edwardo took a break from their globe trotting and gallery openings once Michael got to the point that he was more waddling than walking. Their first child was a girl. Ryan and Scott were named the godparents, naturally.

Finally, ten years after deciding to start school, Ryan was permitted to give his dissertation to try and earn his doctorate. So much happened in those ten years. Omegas could now pursue any education they wanted. It was a start, but earlier that year omegas were finally given permission to apply for a restricted driver's license. Already, younger generations were actively vocal on the opinion that being born an omega shouldn't be an automatic demerit against someone. Change had indeed been slow, but it was steady.

It was with those thoughts that things were finally changing for the better, that Ryan faced the committee that would decide his fate.

And that night, he and Scott had the pleasure of taking their whole family out for dinner, after making a reservation under Dr. and Dr. Kranston-Neel.