This Is Me

Part 52

Mark kneeled, stroking Sean's knee to coax him into lifting his leg. Sean sat down to let him help him with his skates. Sean was speechless. He didn't know what to say to him. He couldn't believe Mark had done all this for him. He felt so silly for worrying so much. When Mark finished tying his skates, he rose up to rest his hands on either side of the bench. Sean blushed, biting his lip as he turned away slightly. He wasn't sure they were supposed to kiss before the ceremony. Even despite breaking the rules, he felt conditioned to keep some traditions. Mark pressed his warm lips to his cheek in a long aching kiss. Sean thought his heart would burst from the overwhelming love Mark put into it. It was such a simple kiss, but it spoke louder than words. Without even a single word, Sean had understood its meaning and it almost made him cry. Placing a hand on Mark's chest, Sean tried to hold back tears. He wanted to kiss him so badly. Mark's hand went to his, holding it against his chest until he could feel his heartbeat.

Prying him lips away, Mark's deep buttery voice purred into his ear. "Are you ready to do this?" Sean could only nod because his voice was gone. His heart wanted to tell Mark without words how much he loved him too. Mark helped pull him up to his feet, smirking a little as he whispered to him. "You can take a minute. Make sure this is what you want..." Mark let out deep sigh, releasing him to turn and head for the gate to the rink. Sean glanced down at the bench, trying to think it over. The second he saw the white flower crown, he chuckled. Picking it up, he shook his head with a growing grin. Quickly walking up to Mark before he got too far, he slipped on the crown and told Mark's startled look. "I don't need to think about it. I made my choice." Sean took his hand, intertwining their fingers as he stepped out onto the ice with him. Mark's hand squeezed his, then pulled him along toward the center. Sean giggled playfully letting Mark drag him up to the Ordained Minister.

Once there, the Ordained Minister told them with a cheerful tone. "Remove your rings, please." Sean reluctantly pulled his ring off, setting it in the man's hand. He felt naked without it on. He was about to panic and call this off, when he remembered that Mark didn't have a ring... but Mark pulled one from his pocket to give the man. Sean didn't get a chance to see it, before the man closed his hand and told them softly. "Take each other's hands." Sean's hands shook as he extended them, and he didn't know why. He wasn't cold and he didn't see a reason to be so nervous. Mark's warm hands slid beneath his to hold him steady and Sean released the breath he was holding. His body was so tense. Mark's thumbs soothingly stroked over the backs of his hands, calming his racing heart down enough to think clearly. The man then placed a hand over one of theirs, starting with a smile. "Marriage is a promise between you both. It's a promise that you will love each other, that you will trust each other, that you will honor each other as individuals, and that you want to spend the rest of your lives together."

Sean bit his lip to try and keep himself steady. He didn't know why by those words felt like they carried weight to them. Mark squeezed his hands lightly enough to bring his eyes back up to his, giving him a smile. Sean returned the smile, straightening up a bit more confidently. The Ordained Minister then told them seriously. "This ceremony will not create a relationship between you. It will not hold you to your promise. This ceremony is a symbol of the promises you will make to each other to continue growing stronger as individuals and as partners. No matter what challenges you face. From now on, you will face them together. From now on, no matter how much you succeed as individuals. You will now succeed together by supporting each other. From this moment forward, the love between you is what joins you now as one. Like the unending circle of your rings, may your bond be eternal. Let it remind you of your promise this day to honor, love, and always be as close as friends."

Both Sean and Mark nodded, letting the Ordained Minister excitedly continue. "Alright. Then without further ado. Do you Mark Edward Fischbach take Sean William McLoughlin to be yours from this day forward?" Sean held his breath, staring deep into Mark's teddy bear brown eyes as he answered without a second thought. "I do. From now to forever." Sean wanted to cry, but instead he took a deep breath and gave him a tight-lipped smile. The Ordained Minister turned to him, asking just as excitedly. "Do you Sean William McLoughlin take Mark Edward Fischbach to be yours from this day forward?" Sean took another deep breath to calm himself, then answered with a gleaming smile. "I do." Sean felt bad that he couldn't add more, but his throat was tightening up on him. The Ordained Minister squeezed their hands together, telling them both with an assuring voice. "One more time. Do you both promise your hearts to each other? Will you walk hand and hand wherever life's journey takes you? Will you keep living, learning, loving, and growing together for the rest of your lives?"