Page 27 of Once Upon A Valentine

“Who the hell chooses to get married outside in December anyway? A fucking idiot that’s who.”

Julian chuckled at Bran’s grumbling, “It’s a special time of year for your brother and Felix. You know that. Just like you know they chose the backyard here at the manor because it’s important to them that it’s a small, family affair. You’re their family so put a smile on your face and go get your picture made like a good boy and maybe I’ll give you a reward after the ceremony.”

Bran grinned but not even the promise of possible sex could deter him from the one thing that made him completely and utterly happy these days, “You’re going to be their family too. You should be in the pictures.”

“Branson.” Julian used his warning tone, shooting a look back at the doorway to confirm they were still alone before giving him his best, most chastising glare. “We agreed that we weren’t going to tell anyone about the engagement until after Gibson and Felix were married. We don’t want to steal their thunder.”

“But you asked me to marry you and I want to tell the whole world.” Bran knew he was whining but he didn’t care.

This was an argument they’d been having since the moment the words had come out of Julian’s mouth. It hadn’t been something Julian was planning which made it all the better in Bran’s book. They’d been cooking a casserole to take to Gibson’s house for Thanksgiving but Bran had distracted Julian with sex and they’d ended up nearly burning the apartment down. In a fit of laughter after the fire department left Julian had said things with Bran were never boring and he couldn’t wait to spend the rest of his life with him. They’d both frozen until Bran worked up the courage to ask if Julian really meant it and when his lover had smiled and pulled him into his arms, it had been the best moment of his life. Julian hadn’t asked Bran to marry him. Julian wasn’t the type of man that asked for anything. He’d said, simply, marry me Branson Frost and Bran had kissed him in response.

That had been weeks ago but Julian wouldn’t let Bran tell anyone. Not until after the wedding. It was Gibson’s turn to be happy. He and Felix had been planning this wedding for almost a year. Everything was going to be perfect and Bran wouldn’t upstage them or fuck it up.

He wasn’t that kind of man anymore.

“You can tell the whole world after the wedding.”

“So, at the reception?” Bran teased.

“After Gibson and Felix get back from their honeymoon.” Julian shook his head, feigning exasperation. “You say a word a minute earlier and I swear to God, Branson, I’ll…”

A voice yelled from outside the room, “Branson! Outside now!”

Bran grit his teeth before yelling back, “One fucking minute!”

“Now Bran!” His uncle Roman yelled back before the door slammed behind him and he went back outside.

Bran turned his attention back to Julian and smiled, “Care to finish that sentence? You swear to god you’ll do what exactly if I disobey?”

“You don’t want to find out.” Julian was grinning as he delivered the supposed threat and Bran couldn’t help but grin right back at him like the lovesick fool that he was.

“Oh, I think I might.” He pulled his fiancé in for another quick kiss. “I think I definitely might, Jules.”

They kissed again, long and hard enough that Bran knew his lips would be swollen in the photos to come but he didn’t care. He liked the idea. If he couldn’t scream his love for this man from the rooftops without fucking up Gibson’s day then he would gladly wear his kiss like a badge of honor.

“Come on.” Julian took his hand to lead him outside, “We can’t mess up Gibson’s day.”

Bran followed him outside into the cold December afternoon. He smiled through all of the poses as the professional photographer barked orders at them. He even managed to drag Julian into a few of them so he could be part of the special moments. Bran smiled and did as he was told and acted the part of the perfect best man because he wasn’t the kind of person that would screw up Gibson’s big day, not anymore.

Which was why nobody was more surprised than him when it was Dawson, their perfect, uncomplicated, always thoughtful little brother, who made the kind of big, dramatic scene that shattered the peaceful, serene ceremony and ended with the beautiful four-tier wedding cake being hurled off a balcony.

“Well…” Julian looked at the mess and then back to Bran. “I guess telling them can’t ruin anything else at this point.”

Bran laughed. Julian smiled. And they kissed, secretly whispering that at least their wedding day couldn’t possibly be any worse than this.