Strings (Book 2 in the CCHR Series)

The Wedding (Final Chapter)

Ed's voice carried throughout the venue, the sweet sound of him singing Harry and Louis' song filling the ears of the guests.

Harry walked up the aisle, his arm wrapped tightly around his mother's, shaking from nerves, trembling with excitement.

If he could have looked around the room, he would have seen the proud and joyous faces of his closest allies. Near the back, members of One Direction's new management. In front of them, Lou and the rest of the stylists. Nearing the front, Niall, Liam, and Zayn's families, and finally at the very front, Niall, Liam, Zayn and Harry and Louis' families.

But, Harry was unable to look around the beautiful venue. He was unable to see the smiling guests, unable to see Lottie crying, unable to see his best mates on the verge of it, unable to see his ginger companion smiling as he sang the familiar lyrics.

Harry was unable to see anything but the man waiting for him at the end of the aisle, and that man could simply only see Harry.

Louis and Harry's eyes stayed locked the entire walk.

When Harry finally reached his love, he broke eye contact for just a moment to kiss the cheek of his bawling mother, who was shaking almost as much as him, but not quite.

After his sentimental moment with his mother, he turned back to Louis.

The older man reached his hand down to Harry and gently pulled him closer, slowly turning them both toward the front.

Ed sang the last few lines of the song and the guitar slowly faded.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the love between these two lads in front of me," Paul spoke, loudly and clearly. There was nobody else Harry and Louis could have possibly chosen to officiate their marriage. Paul was the one and only, he knew their relationship almost better than anyone else. He had been the one to encourage it, help it, and save it, so they decided it was best that he seal it.

"Never in my life, have I met two people more compatible, more dedicated, and more irrevocably in love with each other than Harry and Louis. From the first time I met them, I knew they had something special. I could tell that they were closer than close, and more than friends, even if neither of them realized it at first. I think I speak on behalf of the rest of the band and all of their fans when I say that this day was inevitable."

Paul smiled and turned to the lads.

"Well, no sense rambling pointlessly," he said. "We all know how much love is between these two, so for now I'm going to take a step back and allow Harry and Louis to read their own vows that they have prepared."

Paul stepped back slightly, and Niall stepped forward to hand Louis the first ring.

He took Harry's hands in his own and looked into the younger man's eyes.

"Haz," he said. "You are like no other person I have ever met. You are sensitive, caring, kind, easy going, hilarious, adorable, and so incredibly loving. I cannot express how entirely lucky I am to have someone as amazing as you, and there is no way that I deserve you or this incredible love story we have. I am so proud of how far you have come, and of how far we have come together. I love you to the fucking moon and back, and promise that I will for the rest of my life."

Harry held up his hand and Louis slipped the ring on, leaning over and gently kissing the gold band.

Blushing, Harry accepted the second ring from Liam, and turned to Louis.

"I have been through hell and back in the last two years. I still can barely believe I'm standing here. I have had weak points, and you have been there. When I need you, you're there and I love you so much for it. I have loved you for a long time Louis. A long time... and to go from feeling like you were never going to return my feelings to standing here reading my vows to you, feels like a miracle. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, I will spend my entire life loving you Lou."