'Witness' - The White Bridge Crime Series 3 - LGBT, manXman

28

(Eighteen Months Later)

"Stop fussing," Tom said firmly, slapping Adrian's hands away from his tie.

"But-"

"It's not wonky. Keep messing with it and it will be." Tom squeezed Adrian's hands, smiling brightly. "You look great."

Eli was sat beside the door, his foot tapping nervously against the leg of the chair he was sat on.

"You look great too, Eli," Tom said, grinning.

"Do I?" Eli looked pleased. He came across and hugged Tom.

"Is everything ready?" Adrian asked. "We've got to go down in a minute."

"Everything's ready," Tom said. "I've got the rings in my pocket, and Dom and Rex are waiting for us. So, stop fussing, and come on."

The three left the room, and went downstairs.

Tom opened the front door, and ushered Adrian and Eli out.

They walked around the gravel path that skirted around the edge of the farmhouse, and headed towards the huge marquee that had been set up in the back garden.

"I feel sick," Eli murmured suddenly.

Tom grinned.

"You don't have to go through with this if you don't want to." He smirked at Adrian. "I'll marry Rex, if you want. He's cute."

"Hey!" Eli protested, hitting Tom's arm.

Adrian sniggered.

"You'll be fine. It's just nerves."

"Oh, so you feel fine, do you?" Eli snapped.

"Yep. I'm excited." Adrian replied. "I've been planning this day for two years, and now it's finally here."

"Stop bickering." Tom checked his watch. "Alright, it's time."

"Thanks for doing this, Tom," Eli said, squeezing Tom's hand. "I don't have anyone else. Except Rex, Dom and Adrian, and they're all already involved."

Tom smiled and nodded.

"You're welcome."

They shared one last hug each, before Adrian and Eli lined up, one on each side of Tom.

Tom peeked into the marquee, saw Dom's nod, and stepped inside with Eli and Adrian.

A small string band struck up a melody as the three walked down the aisle in the middle of the marquee. There were guests on either side; Dom's four sisters and their children, Rachel and Dylan, the entire staff of The Dinner Table, most of the officers from the police station were watching them.

Adrian was looking perfectly relaxed, Eli was trembling with nerves.

"You'll be fine," Tom murmured in Eli's ear, before the three of them stopped at the front of the marquee.

Dom and Rex, both in their formal uniforms, were smiling.

Seeing Rex, Eli finally managed a shy smile.

Adrian and Eli both hugged Tom, before stepped forwards to join their respective partners.

The registrar stepped forward and cleared her throat.

Before she could speak, however, Adrian stopped her.

"Before we start," he said, turning back to Tom. "There's something we want to give you."

"Can't it wait until afterwards?" Tom asked, confused.

"No, it can't. Unless you want it to."

Tom could hear a couple of the guests murmuring behind him, and shifted uncomfortably.

"What is it?"

Dom put his hand into his pocket and withdrew a golden wedding ring.

Tom stared at it.

"Are you asking me to marry both of you?" He asked, confused. "Isn't that bigamy?"

"We're not asking you to marry us," Adrian said, smiling broadly.

"I'm asking you to marry me." A soft voice spoke behind Tom.

Tom stared at Dom's hand for a moment, apparently paralysed by shock, before he turned slowly.

"W-What are you doing here?" He asked. "H-How..."

Freddie smiled.

"Elliot was killed in a car accident, two weeks ago. His body was only identified a few days ago. As soon as Johnston and Wilkes called me, I got on the train and came back."

"Why didn't you call me?" Tom demanded.

"I went to our old house, but you weren't there. So I went to Dom and Adrian's. They told me about the wedding, and we decided to wait to tell you, until today."

"That... That was mean," Tom said finally.

Fred snorted.

"You'll get over it, I'm sure."

He took a step towards Tom, drawing a second ring from his own pocket.

"Yes or no, Tommy?"

Tom stared at Freddie for a moment longer, before he nodded.