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I take Gran's soft hand and lead her out to the back of the marquee, where most of Scuttlebutt is sitting.
Coming in from the other side is Col and his dad, and, fuck me, seeing him dressed up, looking handsome as hell in his dark-grey suit, takes my breath away.
"God, Hig's a handsome fella. And those bloody eyes," Gran whispers.
"Shhh. They'll hear you."
But, yeah, she's totally right. Hig's a total stud for a man approaching fifty, and Col did inherit his two-coloured eyes from him.
We reach each other.
"Hey," Col huffs, looking about as tense and emotional and excited as I probably do.
"Hey, you." I flash him a grin to try to relax him a little. "You look beautiful."
"Thanks. You do, too."
"For fuck's safe, fellas, can we save it for the ceremony?"
Hig and I laugh. Gran will always be Gran, and I couldn't love her any more than I already do. Col gives me a small nod to indicate he's ready. I wave for him and Hig to walk down the aisle first.
Gran and I follow behind them as the music starts playing. Everyone gets to their feet and turns around.
And holy fucking shit. It hits me.
I'm doing the thing that I've seen in countless TV shows and movies over the years.
I'm getting married!
We reach the podium. Emma is officiating. Her only job was to find a celebrant, but after meeting with about six or so, she finally gave up and said she'd rather do it herself than pick some uptight geezer who looks like he hasn't taken a shit in a week. Her words, not mine, obviously. I smile as my eyes meet hers. I couldn't love her any more, either. Even if she is a prickly one.
Before he takes his seat, Hig comes over and shakes my hand, looks me in the eyes, and says, "I know you'll treat him well."
"I will," I reply, already fucking tearing up.
I see Gran hugging Col and whispering something in his ear.
And then it's just the two of us, standing before each other, holding hands and declaring our love in front of our nearest and dearest and pie-making people.
It's a short ceremony, and after we share our first kiss as husbands, we run down the aisle to massive cheers, and it's party time!
Col insists we "inspect" the food table before doing anything, and of course the only way he knows how to carry out an inspection is to taste as much food as I let him scarf down in thirty seconds before we return to the guests who are milling around.
Kolby and Bridge race up to us first, giving us both big hugs, and I don't miss the way Kolby looks at Col, with nothing but love and adoration in his eyes. I have to be careful otherwise I might lose my Favorite Uncle in the World title. Not that I'd mind. That's one competition I'd gladly let Col win.
The rest of the family joins us, and it's so wonderful having them all here and knowing they're all doing well.
Hig and Brant are still travelling the world. Gran's in fighting fit shape, and I pray she'll stay with us until I'm old and grey. My sisters and the kids are good.
We've all lost a lot, but we have our home, we have each other, and now that Col's here, I have my heart back in one piece, too.
We escape to get a drink, only to bump into Gus and Tate.
"That was beautiful," Gus says, giving me a big hug.
"Congratulations," I hear Tate telling Col as they embrace.
"I'm so glad you guys made it," I say.
