Down the road of memories

Your hand fits perfectly in mine

Noah POV

After the photos with the procession and the dinner, it was time for the speeches. Unfortunately, I lost a bet to Chloe several years ago who ordered me to sing at my brother's wedding. Of course, she reminded me of this duty the very moment Rachel asked her to be her bridesmaid. So I was trapped!

Since we got back together, Elle and I got into the habit of going on road trips together when she wasn't on call. It was my way of having her all to myself! No offer of meals with the family or calls from his doctor colleagues to work overtime. I was surprised on one of our weekend road trips that we both started singing a song at the same time. This song represented exactly what I had experienced with Elle and what Lee had experienced with Rachel. I always thought of Elle every time I heard this song on the radio. The latter had agreed to perform this song together at Lee's wedding. I stood up from my place at the head table when the host asked me to make my speech:
- When I was in high school, several people told me that they found that Lee and I were both very different. To the point that some people said that if we didn't have the same last name, they would never have known we were brothers. But if we go back to that era, the Flynn brothers had one thing in common. We both started dating the woman who would become our fiancée at a Kissing booth the same evening. Whose fault is it for the Kissing Booth?
- Elle!" Lee said, pointing at her in the back of the room.
- Where did rule number three go?" Elle asked from the back of the room.
- Same place as rule number nine, it seems!" Lee replied with a laugh accompanied by a few of our high school friends who knew this rule well.
- This rule number nine was the worst of all the friendship rules between Lee and Elle," I said to the rest of the people in the room. "And I personally thank you Lee for finally giving up on this rule.

Lee nodded at me before putting his arm around Rachel's shoulders.

- During the same summer, Lee and me also had to let go of the love of our life when the reality of college made us take different paths. Lee and I grew much closer during this time as we both experienced a painful breakup. I was happy for Lee when he reconnected with Rachel 3 years ago, hoping that I would have that luck on my side too. Almost at the same time, I heard the song that Chloe Winthrop asked me to perform for you this evening. Unfortunately, I lost a bet during a poker game in college. So here is my consequence several years later. I was inspired by the forgiveness and love that came out of the reunion between Lee and Rachel. And I believe that this is the basis of any relationship as my mother would say. So Lee, I don't put on a show very often so enjoy it Bro!

The music then came on and I took a deep breath to calm down before starting to sing:

I was lost
You found a way to bring me back
Needed forgiveness
You always gave me that
Girl, I'm a witness of your love
'Cause you don't be giving up
And it's crazy
How you saved me **

I look at Elle in the back of the room, letting my gaze tell her how much I believe what I'm saying. Elle started walking across the room starting to sing with me before coming to stand next to me.

I get to wake up by your side
And thank God
Your hand fits perfectly in mine
And thank God
You loved me when you didn't have to
But you did and you do, and he knew
Thank God for giving me you**

As Elle sang the next verse, I chanced a glance at my mother. My father had just handed her a tissue. She was always an attentive mother who wanted to teach us that verbalizing our emotions, being honest and attentive were essential things in life as a couple. I could see that she was proud that my brother and I made the choice to ask for forgiveness and forgive to restore a relationship that had been broken. I don't know if Elle and I were singing to Lee and Rachel or to both of us...maybe a little of both.

Our presentation was very well received, judging by the applause when we finished. Lee and Rachel came over to give us a hug before I had the microphone confiscated by Lee. He then said :
- Wow! Bro, that was awesome! But what he didn't say was that Noah and I also had big differences in our respective relationships. Noah and Elle dated in secret in High school for several months." He said, sending us another murderous look. "So when they came back together, my mom and I were worried they were going to secretly fly off to get married in Vegas. But, what I discovered is that they rather got engaged in secret or rather by not making an official declaration, several months ago!

I saw my mother having a panic attack and my father looking at me with surprised eyes. That's it, my turn has arrived... I won't escape my mother's crazy wedding planner.

- So gang, there's going to be another wedding in the Flynn family next August!" Lee said triumphantly, very proud of his move to announce our engagement to everyone.

The whole room applauded as I took Elle in my arms to kiss her! August is not that far away!

After the speeches, Lee and Rachel's wedding night was in full swing. Elle caught the bride's bouquet, I'm sure it was arranged, I said to myself, shaking my head as I looked at the scene. Lee, Rachel and Elle's old school friends recreated their old flashmod choreography. Then, Elle dragged me onto the dance floor for several dances. After the 2 weeks she was away and the busy day we had, it was soothing to have her in my arms again. At the end of the slow dance to which we had just danced, our foreheads pressed against each other, I asked her :
- Are you ready to bow out? I told Lee that at the first opportunity we would slip away.
- I'll take your offer, I'm exhausted!

Discreetly, hand in hand, we walked through the hotel to our room, finally enjoying this much-desired intimacy.

****
Quote from the song Thank God by Kane and Katelyn Brown