To Love Again

I Do

 Chapter Twenty-One

I don’t know why I was so nerves just sitting here waiting for Isaac and Emilia they have always   said for me to move on but I don’t know how they were going to react about me getting married this weekend. I didn’t even know how they will react to me inviting them to the wedding either.

I had come early to the diner we used to meet at before Dylan passed away. I haven’t been here in a long time. “Hello I’m Robin and I’ll be your server today. What can I start you off with?” The waitress asked as he handed me a menu.

“I’ll just take an iced tea, I’m still wanted for some people.”

“Okay sweetie, I’ll be back with your iced tea.” I pushed the menu away, I already knew what I was going to get. It was the same thing I always got when we used to come here. I reached for my bag and opened it, Dylan’s flag in its case was there. I was going to give it to Emilia and Isaac, they should be the ones that should really have it.

“Here you go and I’ll be back to check up on you.” Robin said as she gave me my iced tea, I thanked her as I unwrapped my straw. I took a sip as I waited, I was hoping they showed up soon. I still had some stuff to take care of for the wedding this weekend and a lot of packing to do as well.

The door chime went off and I looked up to see Emilia and Isaac walking towards me. I got up to greet them, “Hi Emilia.” I said as I hugged her, “It’s good to see you again, how have you been?” she stared at me and so did Isaac. “Hey Isaac,” I hugged him as well. Both of them just stared at me and it was making feel even more nervous.

“You met someone didn’t you?” She asked, “You just look so different and you look happier.” I looked at her and Isaac, he smiled.

“Yes I did, that was one of the reasons I wanted to see you two. I just wanted to see what you two think about that.” She hugged me again.

“I waited ten years for you to move on, I know you loved Dylan and he meant the world to you, but you don’t deserve to live the rest of your life alone.”

“I know, I just didn’t know how to move on, I just didn’t want to feel like I was forgetting Dylan if I loved someone else. Then I met Matt and he reminded me so much of the things I loved about Dylan. I think that’s way it was so easy to fall for him.”

“I’m happy for you and you deserve to be happy as well.” Isaac said.

“Thank you, that means a lot coming from you.”

“Like I have always told you, you will always be like a brother to me and I just want what’s best for you.” Isaac said as he hugged me, I was so glad right now. We sat down as Robin came back to the table to take our order.

“There’s something I want to give you,” I opened my bag and pulled out Dylan’s flag. “I think you two should have this more than me, I think holding onto it for over ten years is enough.” I handed them the flag, Emilia’s eyes water as he held the flag.

“You know when I told them to give it to you, I thought I would get it back after a while. I didn’t expect you to hold onto it for so long.” She held it against her chest, “You have no idea how happy if makes me to know I can have this back.” I got up and hugged her, I never realized how much she needed this back.

“I’m sorry I held onto it for so long.”

 “It’s okay, I know you weren’t ready to let go of it.” I smiled at her as I sat back down again. “So tell us more about this Matt,” Emilia said as she wiped away the lingering tears. I told them everything about Matt, even down to how he was in the Marines and how we were getting married this weekend. When I told them that, I was nervous but they were happy for me. Just knowing that they did truly mean it when they told me to move on made me feel better about everything.

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I walked to Dylan’s grave and kneeled down in front of his headstone, I took off the dead flowers and replaced them with the new ones. I couldn’t believe this was going to be the last time I would visit his grave. I wasn’t sure when I would be able to come back here once we left.

“Hey Dylan, just wanted to stop by one last time before I left. Just so much has happened in the last couple of months and most of the time I can’t believe that I’m getting married soon. You know I will miss coming here but that doesn’t mean I will forget you. There will always be a part of you in my heart, you were my first love and that is something I could never forget. I will always love you, but it’s time I truly let you go.” I got up and kissed the top of his headstone, “Goodbye Dylan.”

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“Are you sure you’re okay with this kind of wedding?” Matt asked as we finished getting dressed in our suits. We were just getting married in front of a justice of the peace, I didn’t want a big fancy wedding. Big fancy wedding meant wasting money neither of us had or the time to plan it, I just wanted to get married to him now.

“I’m sure plus I’m still waiting to see if I even get that job. We shouldn’t waste money right now, god knows how long it will be before I can get a job.” Matt smiled as he leaned forward and kissed me.

“You worry so much, I’m sure your get the job. They will be crazy not to give it to you.”

“Someone has to worry,” He chuckled.

“So Mr. Torres are you ready to get married to me?”

“I have been ready all month,” he took my hand in his hand. We walked out to the backyard where everyone was waiting for us. Matt’s family was there and he nephews oldest son stood next to the justice of the peace, he was going to be both the best man and ring bearer.   There were my sisters and my uncle’s family, Emilia and Isaac were there as well. They smiled at me as we walked to where the justice of the peace stood.

“We are gather here to celebrate those two love for each other.” I looked at Matt, he had the biggest smile on his face. I was sure mine was just as big as his, I was truly happy to finally have this moment with him. “They have chosen to recite their own vows, Matt would please go first.” The JP said.

“What can I say, the first time I saw you, and I knew you were the one for me.” Matt said as he held my hands, “Even though I was bleeding and on the verge of passing, maybe a little bit delusion.” Everyone chuckled. “But I knew you were the one. You made me work for it and that just made it even more worth it. I mean like really worked for it,” People chuckled again. “The more I got to know you, the deeper I fall in love with you. I love your smile, your laugh and that you think your glorified hot cocoa can pass off as a coffee drink.” I smiled and shook my head, “But what I love most of all is that you are the sweetest and most caring person.” Matt took the ring from Peter and slipped it on my finger, “Raul with this ring I am ready to spend the rest of my life with you. I am ready to have forever and for always with you.”

“Now Raul if you would say your vows.”

“I had spent a long time alone, I didn’t think I was ever going to find love again.” I looked at Matt and smiled, “That was until I met you. At first I wasn’t interested in going out with you, but you never gave up. You almost went borderline stalker at one point,” Matt chuckled. “Just kidding, but you didn’t give up and I’m grateful for that. You make me happy and you make me feel so loved whenever I am with you. You helped put back my broken heart and you made me feel safe, for that I will always love you.” Peter handed me the other ring and I slipped it on Matt’s finger, “Matt with this ring I am ready to spend the rest of my life with you. I am ready to have forever and for always with you.”

“I now pronounce you husband and husband, you may now kiss.” The justice of the peace said. Matt leaned in and kissed me, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Everyone please welcome our newlyweds Matt and Raul Torres-Logan,” he smiled against my lips as everyone clapped.

“I love you, Raul.”

“I love you, Matt.”

A/N Epilogue will be posted next ASAP!