London Bridges

Chapter 33: Perfect

"I don't know why you've chosen me," Louis says, his voice soft as he looks across at Liam.  "I'm so far from what you deserve, from what you can have.  I wish I could give you everything, and make you every promise, but I can't.  I don't know when the next shoe is gonna drop, I don't know if I'll be the one dropping it or shielding you from it, but here's what I do know and what I can promise.  I know I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.  That curly hair and those big brown eyes taught me so many things about how to be a man, how to care, how to love with your heart and not out of just some familial obligation that I never really understood.  I know I've loved you every day since.  There hasn't been a day thats passed that I haven't been hopelessly in love with you, that you haven't been the best thing thats ever happened to me.  The last two years have been hell, and I haven't been around, but I never stopped loving you.  Now heres the promise, Batman.  I promise I'll love you until my dying breath, and if you'll have me, I promise not to leave you until that same moment.  I can't give you this world, Liam, but I can give you all of me and I can stand by your side while we build our own world together."

Liam wipes his tears as he listens to Louis speak.  After everything thats happened, he almost can't believe where they're standing.  They're in some tacky, cliche chapel in downtown Vegas.  They're dressed in jeans and they don't have rings, but it's everything Liam has ever wanted. He's vaguely aware of Zayn and Niall standing supportively behind them, but all he can see is Louis.  His beautiful Louis, with disheveled hair, and three day stubble, and shinning blue eyes.

"You're the most beautiful person I've ever met," Liam says, clearing his throat as his voice breaks with emotion.  "You said I taught you how to love, but Louis you've taught me that and so much more.  You taught me how to laugh, how to fight for myself and what I believe in.  You taught me how to be strong, and brave, and proud.  So I don't care about what shoes may drop, or who's dropping them, and I don't need you to give me the world, Louis, because I'd trade it in a heartbeat if it meant spending the rest of my life with you.  I promise I'll love you until my dying breath, and if you'll have me, I promise not to leave you until that same moment.  I want you, and the world we're going to build together, and if I can have those things forever I'll be the luckiest, happiest man alive."

Liam and Louis, we ask that their days be long, and be seasoned with love, understanding, and respect. And may all of us be blessed by love as it shines through them all of their lives. It is now with great pleasure, by the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, that I pronounce you spouses for life.

When Liam's lips meet his, Louis's body goes warm all over.  Everything melts away, and its just him and this man he can now call his husband.  Liam's touch burns him through his shirt, its overwhelming and somehow not enough, and for the first time in forever Louis is happy and excited for the future.

Liam pulls away, laughing at the wolf whistles coming from Niall and Zayn.  His eyes twinkle under the chapel lights as he commits every part of this moment to memory.

"We're married," he says, giddy from the thrill.

A slow smile breaks over Louis' face, it surprises him how much he loves hearing those words fall from Liam's lips.

"I guess you're stuck with me now, Batman."

Liam kisses him again, and its entirely inappropriate for being out in public but they don't care. 

"Let's go fucking celebrate, first round is on me," Niall cheers.

Louis laughs, nudging Zayn in the ribs with his elbow.  "Big spender you've got there, Zaynie.  He's gonna buy us some sodas."

Niall flips him off, earning another laugh as they head out to the closest bar.  Liam goes along, but he honestly just wants to get Louis back to their hotel suite.