What Happens on the Cruise

79. Smile

"You feeling okay?" Tim checked with Austin. "Not in too much pain?"

"I'm probably going to have to go soon," Austin admitted.

They'd had their couple's dance, and had danced with their mothers, though Austin had done his in a wheelchair. And now they were simply enjoying the music while their friends danced and mingled and had more wedding cake.

Austin pulled out his new phone and pulled up the Livestream. "Holy crap, there are a ton of people watching."

"Austin Brown, you put that phone away!" his mother chided him.

"It's Foust now, Momma, and I was just going to say hi."

"You can say hi on camera. I'm sure Chaplain Gilchrist would come over here."

"Dear Lord, there are still people asking when we're going to be in their city. It's, like, in the description box of every video and on our webpage. What is wrong with people?"

"Austin, honey," Tim said gently.

"Sorry. I'm putting it away."

"Hey," Adam greeted as he wheeled Ericha up to them, "Ericha's pain block is wearing off, so we're going to get going."

"Congrat... ulations," she said.

"Thank you so much for coming," Austin replied. "It means so much to us that you were here."

"Yeah. We appreciate the effort it took," Tim added, looking at them both.

"I... wouldn't miss it... for the world."

"See you guys later."

***

"Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss!" the party chanted while clinking their glasses with their forks.

Tim and Austin leaned together and kissed, Tim getting the giggles at the whoops and catcalls. As he pulled back he could see Austin was looking a little drawn. "Is it time to go?"

Austin nodded. "Sorry. It's just the pain is getting..."

"I understand." He stood and faced the small gathering. "Okay, folks, it's time for us to make our way to the honeymoon suite."

This was met with a mix of chuckles and disappointed awwws.

"I want to again thank everyone that helped us put this together in such a hurry. We really appreciate it, and are so grateful to everyone who made it here. And a big thank you to the folks who are staying to clean up."

***

"I'll be right there to reconnect your IV," the nurse Tim thought of as Lazarus girl told them. "Do you need help getting back in to a gown?"

"I think I've got him," Tim assured her.

"Okay! I'll be back in a few minutes."

Tim started helping Austin undress, pausing a couple times to give his new husband a kiss. "I wish I could sleep with you."

"The thought is nice, but given I'm either in pain or doped out on painkillers..."

"I actually meant sleep with you," Tim answered. "I just miss having you in my arms at night. Though I do miss the other thing, too."

"You could probably lay down with me for a little bit."

"In the hospital bed?"

"It's not any smaller than the bunks on the bus. You just have to be careful of IV lines and monitor cables."