Love isn't something that weak people do

The Reception

"Aled? Red?" Asked Darcy. She held the bottle of wine towards him.
Aled shook his head and pointed to his nearly full glass "I'm alright thanks".
The Paris pals were sat on table 5, near the back of the function room, along with Tori and her boyfriend. Tao had sighed when he read the table plan, noticing the table next to them held Nick's noisy teammates and several of their girlfriends. "How are we going to be able to hear ourselves speak!?" He had moaned to Elle.
The food had been excellent. A carvery roast, with all the trimmings. Aled had subtly glanced at the top table to see Charlie eating well, albeit slowly. Nick however, was heartily tucking into a mountain of food, including two of the largest Yorkshire puddings Aled had ever seen.

Tori's boyfriend (who Aled had now remembered was called Michael) held his glass out to Darcy "I'll take a top up please"
She filled his glass, then topped up her own, before grabbing the water jug sat in the middle of the table, and filling Katie's glass up.

Aled was just contemplating heading to the bar to get a beer (too much red wine gave him a headache) when the Master of Ceremonies gathered everyone's attention.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I hope you have all enjoyed your food. Before desert is served it is time for the speeches!"

Charlie and Nick stood up to a round of applause from their friends and family.
Charlie cleared his throat and said "So traditional wedding speeches are by the groom, the father of the bride, and the best man. Well we have two Grooms, no bride, and our best man is a moody teenager. So we're doing things a little differently."
Nick shrugged and said "The first speech is from someone very special. We may not have a father of the bride, but we do have a mother of the Bi!" Aled gave a short chuckle. It was a terrible pun, but somehow Nick had sold it well, and most people had drunk enough of the free wine to find the smallest of jokes funny.
Charlie gestured to his mother in law sat next to him "Ladies and gentleman, please put your hands together for my beautiful mother in law, Sarah Nelson"

Sarah rose from her seat, and announced loudly. "I'm not the greatest at public speaking, and we all have pudding to look forward to, so I'll keep this sort." Reasurred at the polite chuckle from her audience, Sarah took a deep breath, looked down at the sheet of paper in her shaking hands, and began to read. "I'll never forget the day I first heard about Charlie Spring. 'I've got a new friend' Nicky had told me, and his eyes had lit up while talking about the boy at school that he had convinced to join the rugby team. The boy who played drums, could run like the wind, and was amazing at video games. Little did I know quite what an impact this new 'friend' was having on my Nicky!"
She paused as if to gather herself, then continued. "Today is a very proud day for me. Not only because my beautiful son is married, but also because of the person he is married to. Charlie, you will never realise just how special you are. You helped my Nicky become the person he is today and, although in my eyes you have been a part of the family since you were 15, I am beyond thrilled that you are now officially my son in law." Sarah turned to look at her youngest son "and my darling Nicky. Words can't possibly describe how happy I am for you. From the tiny baby that arrived in a hurry, to the brave and kind man before me now; for everyday of your life I have been proud to be your mother." Sarah's voice started to break "You two found each other all those years ago. Supported each other through highs and lows, and I have no doubt will continue to do so happily for the rest of your lives." Tears began to fall down Sarah's cheek "oh no, I said I wasn't going to cry during my speech!" She laughed as she grabbed her napkin to wipe her face. "I'd better stop talking before I really start blubbering!" She picked up her glass and said "please join me and raise your glasses to Mr and Mr Nelson-Spring!"

"MR AND MR NELSON-SPRING!" Everyone echoed.
Nick put his arm around his mum and gave her a long hug. Sarah was still dabbing at her eyes when she sat back down.