Always (Always & Forever 1)

"I asked him to marry me," Avery called out. Paulie's head shot back around the wall.

"Did ya now?" Paulie asked, coming forward to shake both their hands, taking it all in stride. Clearly that hadn't been a surprise to him. He'd definitely eavesdropped. There was no way the old man hadn't heard them, but he pretended like he hadn't and shook Avery's hand before doing the same to Kane, ending with a big fatherly bear hug.

"In a church," Kane added, a bigger smile hitting his face.

"Great! True love prevails and table four needs their wine. And these pansy asses can't be left unattended for even a second," Paulie yelled, already rounding the corner back into the kitchen. Kane couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He leaned in to give Avery a peck on the lips, but Avery deepened the kiss.

"I got table four," Rodney called out as Kane wrapped himself around Avery, letting the world fade away.

Chapter 13

April, 1976 ~ Stillwater, Minnesota.

Kane stared at himself in the dressing room mirror for several long minutes, probably more like thirty, yet he never truly saw himself. He sat absorbed in nothing more than his thoughts. Today was his and Avery's big day, their wedding day.

His hair was cut short and perfectly styled in the latest trend. He'd even let Avery talk him into adding some very subtle lowlight auburn streaks to the front. He was surprised and rather pleased at how such an insignificant, almost unnoticeable change could make his blue eyes pop. At least that was how Avery described him after he was done. A smile came to his lips as he thought about how Avery had dropped to his knees in the entryway of their apartment and given him one of the sexiest and best blow jobs of his life because he'd followed through with that simple request.

Kane was also freshly clean shaven, plucked, tweezed, and clipped. Avery took care of all the elements of the wedding, including giving Kane a morning at the local spa. Avery had clearly missed his calling in life. His honey was a born party planner, handling every detail with skill and a decisive grace. Without question, he was certain this wedding extravaganza would fit Avery perfectly and be beyond spectacular. Just like he saw Avery—perfect and spectacular.

Avery chose handmade tuxedos for them both. The tailors performed fittings as late as a couple of days ago to make sure everything fit just right. Honestly, Kane had always spent money on his wardrobe, wanting to appear successful to his clientele, but this tuxedo was the most comfortable fit he'd ever worn.

Avery dictated every part of their wedding, but Kane drew the line at the tie. He chose a black silk necktie over the standard bowtie. His negotiating point, he caved, allowing for a slightly ruffled silk dress shirt. Avery loved the shirt he was wearing, saying Kane looked like a prince who rode in and swept him off his feet. It didn't take long for Kane to find he usually got lucky when wearing his prince shirt around the house. Avery was his perfect lover in every sense of the word.

His restaurant, La Bella Luna, was officially closed today, which was another first. In all the years he'd owned the restaurant, he'd never closed, not even on the holidays. Since the majority of the staff were misplaced from their families, having the restaurant open during Thanksgiving and Christmas was a godsend, helping to keep the depression away. Closing today said a lot. His entire little family from the restaurant was beyond excited about the upcoming nuptials.

Even though Avery claimed they would wait a year when he proposed, he began planning their wedding the same day Kane agreed to marry him. There had never been any doubt in Avery's mind that this day was going to happen. Once Kane realized the magnitude of what Avery had in mind, he immediately halted everything, making Avery promise to keep the wedding small and intimate. Based on Avery's standard, he did keep their wedding small, but by Kane's this was far bigger than anything he imagined. He was certain the chapel was packed tight with their guests.

To Kane, this day meant everything. It didn't matter this wasn't a legally recognized union, he was tying himself to Avery with the authority of a much higher power than any government. From the time he was little, he'd always dreamed of a God-blessed marriage. As a boy, Kane never had dreams of becoming a policeman or firefighter—he wanted to be a pastor of his own congregation.

Today, the attack of cold feet had everything to do with the monumental sanctity of this marriage in the Lord's name. This wasn't to be taken lightly, at least as far as he was concerned. He'd be committing himself to Avery for the rest of their lives, and regardless of how Avery argued, Kane couldn't let go of his childhood teachings.

It had been instilled in him from an early age that the Lord designed marriage to be a union between one man and one woman. At this point, Kane's biggest hope centered in not pissing God off any more than he already had. Kane would take their vows as seriously as anything he ever had in his entire life.

"You ready, Son? They want us for pictures." Paulie poked his head through the door of his dressing room, interrupting his thoughts. For the first time since he'd entered this room, Kane looked away from the mirror and over his shoulder toward the door. Paulie, who was dressed in his own handmade tux and bowtie, narrowed his eyes and stepped inside the room, closing the door behind him.

"What's wrong? Having second thoughts?" Paulie asked, coming to stand behind Kane's chair. They both stared in the mirror at the other.

"Nah, well, yes, but not for the reason you think," Kane said. He resisted the urge to bite at his freshly manicured fingernails. Paulie reached out and placed a loving hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze.