Love and Lies - the finale
Wow...I can't believe this fic is done! I just want to say thanks to all of my readers and those who left me comments. I wanted to give up on this fic quite a few times, but your reviews made me keep going.
Title - Love and Lies
Author - rainstar11
Chapter - 11 of 11
Pairing - Greffie
Rating - G...it's fluffy goodness.
Summary - It's Greg and Jeff's big day!
Disclaimer - Don't own a thing.
“You sure this is tied right?” Jeff asked anxiously as he eyed his bow-tie in the mirror.
“Jeff, relax. I know what I'm doing. That's why I'm the matron of honor,” his sister replied smartly as she grinned. “Now get out there. You're getting married today.”
“How easily I don't forget,” Jeff muttered.
“I heard that. Now go!” urged his sister.
Jeff made his way out into the church, and every eye in the room seemed to focus on him as he took his place at the altar. Normally, he liked being the center of attention, but not now. He was incredibly nervous about marrying Greg. Yes, he knew in his heart of hearts that he was doing the right thing, but marriage was a huge event, especially for someone who was notorious for not committing. Jeff felt his hands shaking at his sides as he watched the wedding party line up at the door. As he watched, his eyes scanned the guests. Ryan wasn't there. Jeff heaved a sigh of relief. Ryan wasn't invited, but he always had a penchant for showing up to anything involving Greg whether he was invited or not. Now, it was impossible for anything to go wrong. That didn't stop his nerves from attacking his body and brain, though. It felt like his lungs stopped working as he stood frozen at the altar.
Just breathe, Jeff. For fuck's sake, don't be the guy who passes out and ends up on some clip show. That's the last thing you want.
Jeff eyed the minister, a man who looked to be in his early fifties. He had a sort of dignified look about him; his neatly combed brown hair had flecks of gray around the temples. His deep set hazel eyes and small, caring smile made him seem fatherly. The sort of man you'd expect to preach to a congregation every Sunday morning. The minister nodded once at Laura, and she immediately began to play a beautiful version of Pachelbel's Canon in D. Jeff wasn't one for classical music, but his sister (and Greg) wanted a classy wedding, so they chose that piece. He had to admit that it was beautiful, but then Laura could make any type of music sound breathtaking with her talent.
The first people to enter were Jeff's niece and Greg's nephew. The small, raven-haired girl carried a woven basket with a blue ribbon tied on the handle and carefully sprinkled handfuls of delicate pale blue flower petals on the carpet as she walked. Jeff couldn't help but smile as his niece soaked up the attention. Like uncle like niece, right? The small boy on her left carefully balanced the two rings on a black pillow, doing his best not to drop them. Both children took their roles very seriously and stood as still as possible when they made it to their positions.
After the children, Jeff's sister entered, as confident as ever. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders in long waves, contrasting beautifully with the long, flowing ice blue dress. A rhinestone butterfly clip pulled part of her hair back, revealing her beautiful, almost model-esque face. She joined her niece and soon-to-be nephew and gave her brother a small smile.
“You're fine,”she mouthed silently.
Jeff gave a barely noticeable nod and watched as the two best men entered. Greg had chosen Clive, much to Jeff's surprise. The older, balding British man looked quite different next to Brad. Jeff would have chosen Chip, but there was the whole ex-lover thing that would have made it awkward, so he went with the person he got along with the best...outside of Greg, of course. Brad and Clive stood across from each other, with Brad at Jeff's immediate left. Brad smiled his goofy smile, and it was all Jeff could do to return half of it.
The music changed into the familiar bride's (or groom's in this case) entry music began to play as the guests stood and turned to face the door. Greg stood in the doorway with his father, and the two of them began to slowly approach the altar. Jeff's heart soared as he saw Greg coming towards him in his black and white tuxedo. He knew Greg was never one for dressing up past a suit and tie, but he looked so handsome in a tux. Jeff laughed to himself as he remembered Greg's disgust at having to wear the thing. He had given quite the protest, but Jeff had won in the end. As Greg took his place and gazed into Jeff's eyes, everything clicked into place. This was he man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They had seen everything in their relationship, from drunken pick-ups to fighting with Ryan in a restaurant, and they had emerged from each event stronger as a couple and as individuals. This wedding would only serve to bring them closer, if that was possible. The music stopped, and the minister began to speak.
“Friends, Jeff and Greg have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage -- their wedding. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite. Jeff and Greg, you are marrying because you enjoy each other's company and because you want to be together. You are marrying because each of you can grow in humanity and in love more fully while touching the other. You are marrying because you can be more trusting of life as life mates. Keep this understanding of your marriage fresh and alive in the days ahead. In marriage a family comes into being. Be joyful in your family. Bring to your family an appreciation of the beauty of each other. Bring to your family a sense of comfort and strength. Bring to your family a joy and thankfulness for being together. Marriage is a good estate. Bring to it joy. Bring to it the enjoyment of each other,” he said.
The minister's words sent an invisible glow around the church. Everyone listened intently as the minister spoke so movingly, and several people brought out handkerchiefs and tissues. It was the beginning of a picture-perfect wedding. The minister then turned to Jeff, but he didn't see him. Greg was the only person in his world at that moment. He couldn't remember ever loving someone as much as he loved Greg at that very moment.
“Jeff, will you have Greg to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Jeff smiled and didn't look away from Greg as he said, “I will.”
“And Greg, will you have Jeff to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Greg paused for a moment, and Jeff's heart stopped. Was Greg having second thoughts? The room was deathly silent as everyone waited for Greg's reply.
“I will,” Greg said, causing everyone in the room to give a silent yet collective sigh of relief.
“Will you please join hands for the exchanging of the vows?”
Greg and Jeff interlocked their hands, and the minister looked at Jeff.
“Jeff, repeat after me. I, Jeff, take you, Greg, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
Jeff took a deep breath and said, “I, Jeff, take you, Greg, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
Greg, despite his normally stoic attitude, felt tears well up in his eyes. He quickly blinked them away and listened to Jeff's words. He couldn't believe that the man who picked him up in a bar so long ago was now becoming his husband, nor could he believe that Ryan was a thing of the past. They seemed like they had a great future together, but Jeff proved to be greater. Jeff, even though he came across as a partier, had a very loving, caring side that very few people got to see. Even Greg had to work to see it, but he had, and that was what made him fall head-over-heels in love.
The minister gave Jeff the rest of the vows one line at a time. “I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust and respect you, laugh and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad. I give you my hand, heart, and love from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Jeff slowly repeated each line as the minister gave it to him, pouring his heart into each line, each word. He heard several sniffles from behind him as his heart raced once more. This time, it wasn't nerves making his heart race like this. It was excitement. Yes. Jeff was excited about giving himself away as a husband. That was what happened when people married for love instead of looks and when they knew they were doing the right thing.
“And Greg, repeat after me. I, Greg, take you, Jeff, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
“I, Greg, take you, Jeff, to be my partner in life and my one true love,” Greg said with a voice much too gentle to be his...but it was his.
As with Jeff, Greg got the rest of the vows line by line.
“I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust and respect you, laugh and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad. I give you my hand, heart, and love from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Jeff looked down at Greg's and his bare left ring fingers. They wouldn't be bare for much longer. There wasn't much time left until he could officially call himself Greg's husband and Greg could say that he was Jeff's husband. It was a new start, as corny as that sounded.
“May I please have the rings?”
Greg's nephew proudly handed the rings to the minister, who carefully placed them on a prayerbook and said, “The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity, while gold is a symbol of all that is pure. As you give these rings to each other, our prayer is that your love will be the same; pure and eternal. Jeff, take this ring, place it upon Greg's finger and say to him...”
Jeff placed the brilliant gold band on Greg's left ring finger, and the minister continued, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you.”
Jeff repeated the words, and it felt like his heart was going to explode if it beat any faster.
“Greg, take this ring, place it upon Jeff's finger, and say to him...”
Greg placed the other band on Jeff's finger, and the minister recited the same words he did for Jeff. Greg repeated every line, and it was official. Almost.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and husband. You may kiss the groom.”
Jeff didn't need to be told twice. He wrapped Greg in a tight embraced and kissed him passionately, pouring every ounce of pent-up emotion into it. He kissed him as if he hadn't kissed him in weeks, and he showed no intent of stopping, but he knew he had to. Jeff reluctantly broke the kiss, beaming from ear to ear.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present Mr. and Mr. Jeff Davis!” the minister said happily as the Wedding March by Mendelssohn began.
Jeff and Greg hurried out the doors, hand in hand and absolutely elated. Clive and Brad followed the newlyweds, and Jeff's sister followed them. The flower girl and ring bearer were the last to exit, not quite aware that they were related just yet.
The newlyweds got into their car and kissed like they had never kissed before as the sun set behind them. All of their love for each other flowed into the kiss, and things finally felt right. Both Greg and Jeff had seen their share of love and lies, but somehow that was all pushed aside. They had each other for life now, and there was no looking to the past. The future was much too great for both of them.
Title - Love and Lies
Author - rainstar11
Chapter - 11 of 11
Pairing - Greffie
Rating - G...it's fluffy goodness.
Summary - It's Greg and Jeff's big day!
Disclaimer - Don't own a thing.
“You sure this is tied right?” Jeff asked anxiously as he eyed his bow-tie in the mirror.
“Jeff, relax. I know what I'm doing. That's why I'm the matron of honor,” his sister replied smartly as she grinned. “Now get out there. You're getting married today.”
“How easily I don't forget,” Jeff muttered.
“I heard that. Now go!” urged his sister.
Jeff made his way out into the church, and every eye in the room seemed to focus on him as he took his place at the altar. Normally, he liked being the center of attention, but not now. He was incredibly nervous about marrying Greg. Yes, he knew in his heart of hearts that he was doing the right thing, but marriage was a huge event, especially for someone who was notorious for not committing. Jeff felt his hands shaking at his sides as he watched the wedding party line up at the door. As he watched, his eyes scanned the guests. Ryan wasn't there. Jeff heaved a sigh of relief. Ryan wasn't invited, but he always had a penchant for showing up to anything involving Greg whether he was invited or not. Now, it was impossible for anything to go wrong. That didn't stop his nerves from attacking his body and brain, though. It felt like his lungs stopped working as he stood frozen at the altar.
Just breathe, Jeff. For fuck's sake, don't be the guy who passes out and ends up on some clip show. That's the last thing you want.
Jeff eyed the minister, a man who looked to be in his early fifties. He had a sort of dignified look about him; his neatly combed brown hair had flecks of gray around the temples. His deep set hazel eyes and small, caring smile made him seem fatherly. The sort of man you'd expect to preach to a congregation every Sunday morning. The minister nodded once at Laura, and she immediately began to play a beautiful version of Pachelbel's Canon in D. Jeff wasn't one for classical music, but his sister (and Greg) wanted a classy wedding, so they chose that piece. He had to admit that it was beautiful, but then Laura could make any type of music sound breathtaking with her talent.
The first people to enter were Jeff's niece and Greg's nephew. The small, raven-haired girl carried a woven basket with a blue ribbon tied on the handle and carefully sprinkled handfuls of delicate pale blue flower petals on the carpet as she walked. Jeff couldn't help but smile as his niece soaked up the attention. Like uncle like niece, right? The small boy on her left carefully balanced the two rings on a black pillow, doing his best not to drop them. Both children took their roles very seriously and stood as still as possible when they made it to their positions.
After the children, Jeff's sister entered, as confident as ever. Her dark hair fell past her shoulders in long waves, contrasting beautifully with the long, flowing ice blue dress. A rhinestone butterfly clip pulled part of her hair back, revealing her beautiful, almost model-esque face. She joined her niece and soon-to-be nephew and gave her brother a small smile.
“You're fine,”she mouthed silently.
Jeff gave a barely noticeable nod and watched as the two best men entered. Greg had chosen Clive, much to Jeff's surprise. The older, balding British man looked quite different next to Brad. Jeff would have chosen Chip, but there was the whole ex-lover thing that would have made it awkward, so he went with the person he got along with the best...outside of Greg, of course. Brad and Clive stood across from each other, with Brad at Jeff's immediate left. Brad smiled his goofy smile, and it was all Jeff could do to return half of it.
The music changed into the familiar bride's (or groom's in this case) entry music began to play as the guests stood and turned to face the door. Greg stood in the doorway with his father, and the two of them began to slowly approach the altar. Jeff's heart soared as he saw Greg coming towards him in his black and white tuxedo. He knew Greg was never one for dressing up past a suit and tie, but he looked so handsome in a tux. Jeff laughed to himself as he remembered Greg's disgust at having to wear the thing. He had given quite the protest, but Jeff had won in the end. As Greg took his place and gazed into Jeff's eyes, everything clicked into place. This was he man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They had seen everything in their relationship, from drunken pick-ups to fighting with Ryan in a restaurant, and they had emerged from each event stronger as a couple and as individuals. This wedding would only serve to bring them closer, if that was possible. The music stopped, and the minister began to speak.
“Friends, Jeff and Greg have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage -- their wedding. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite. Jeff and Greg, you are marrying because you enjoy each other's company and because you want to be together. You are marrying because each of you can grow in humanity and in love more fully while touching the other. You are marrying because you can be more trusting of life as life mates. Keep this understanding of your marriage fresh and alive in the days ahead. In marriage a family comes into being. Be joyful in your family. Bring to your family an appreciation of the beauty of each other. Bring to your family a sense of comfort and strength. Bring to your family a joy and thankfulness for being together. Marriage is a good estate. Bring to it joy. Bring to it the enjoyment of each other,” he said.
The minister's words sent an invisible glow around the church. Everyone listened intently as the minister spoke so movingly, and several people brought out handkerchiefs and tissues. It was the beginning of a picture-perfect wedding. The minister then turned to Jeff, but he didn't see him. Greg was the only person in his world at that moment. He couldn't remember ever loving someone as much as he loved Greg at that very moment.
“Jeff, will you have Greg to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Jeff smiled and didn't look away from Greg as he said, “I will.”
“And Greg, will you have Jeff to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”
Greg paused for a moment, and Jeff's heart stopped. Was Greg having second thoughts? The room was deathly silent as everyone waited for Greg's reply.
“I will,” Greg said, causing everyone in the room to give a silent yet collective sigh of relief.
“Will you please join hands for the exchanging of the vows?”
Greg and Jeff interlocked their hands, and the minister looked at Jeff.
“Jeff, repeat after me. I, Jeff, take you, Greg, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
Jeff took a deep breath and said, “I, Jeff, take you, Greg, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
Greg, despite his normally stoic attitude, felt tears well up in his eyes. He quickly blinked them away and listened to Jeff's words. He couldn't believe that the man who picked him up in a bar so long ago was now becoming his husband, nor could he believe that Ryan was a thing of the past. They seemed like they had a great future together, but Jeff proved to be greater. Jeff, even though he came across as a partier, had a very loving, caring side that very few people got to see. Even Greg had to work to see it, but he had, and that was what made him fall head-over-heels in love.
The minister gave Jeff the rest of the vows one line at a time. “I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust and respect you, laugh and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad. I give you my hand, heart, and love from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Jeff slowly repeated each line as the minister gave it to him, pouring his heart into each line, each word. He heard several sniffles from behind him as his heart raced once more. This time, it wasn't nerves making his heart race like this. It was excitement. Yes. Jeff was excited about giving himself away as a husband. That was what happened when people married for love instead of looks and when they knew they were doing the right thing.
“And Greg, repeat after me. I, Greg, take you, Jeff, to be my partner in life and my one true love.”
“I, Greg, take you, Jeff, to be my partner in life and my one true love,” Greg said with a voice much too gentle to be his...but it was his.
As with Jeff, Greg got the rest of the vows line by line.
“I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust and respect you, laugh and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad. I give you my hand, heart, and love from this day forward as long as we both shall live.”
Jeff looked down at Greg's and his bare left ring fingers. They wouldn't be bare for much longer. There wasn't much time left until he could officially call himself Greg's husband and Greg could say that he was Jeff's husband. It was a new start, as corny as that sounded.
“May I please have the rings?”
Greg's nephew proudly handed the rings to the minister, who carefully placed them on a prayerbook and said, “The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity, while gold is a symbol of all that is pure. As you give these rings to each other, our prayer is that your love will be the same; pure and eternal. Jeff, take this ring, place it upon Greg's finger and say to him...”
Jeff placed the brilliant gold band on Greg's left ring finger, and the minister continued, “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you.”
Jeff repeated the words, and it felt like his heart was going to explode if it beat any faster.
“Greg, take this ring, place it upon Jeff's finger, and say to him...”
Greg placed the other band on Jeff's finger, and the minister recited the same words he did for Jeff. Greg repeated every line, and it was official. Almost.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and husband. You may kiss the groom.”
Jeff didn't need to be told twice. He wrapped Greg in a tight embraced and kissed him passionately, pouring every ounce of pent-up emotion into it. He kissed him as if he hadn't kissed him in weeks, and he showed no intent of stopping, but he knew he had to. Jeff reluctantly broke the kiss, beaming from ear to ear.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present Mr. and Mr. Jeff Davis!” the minister said happily as the Wedding March by Mendelssohn began.
Jeff and Greg hurried out the doors, hand in hand and absolutely elated. Clive and Brad followed the newlyweds, and Jeff's sister followed them. The flower girl and ring bearer were the last to exit, not quite aware that they were related just yet.
The newlyweds got into their car and kissed like they had never kissed before as the sun set behind them. All of their love for each other flowed into the kiss, and things finally felt right. Both Greg and Jeff had seen their share of love and lies, but somehow that was all pushed aside. They had each other for life now, and there was no looking to the past. The future was much too great for both of them.