Differences

The day before the wedding, Ryan went to visit Sidney and Contessa at home. Well, Sidney was there, but he respectfully kept his distance when Ryan gave him the silent treatment, after some choice words. She might support Contessa’s marriage, but she didn’t have to like the guy who was joining the family.

Between Contessa and her mother, Ryan got the rundown of how things were going to work at the wedding. There was to be no big entrance, no aisle, nothing over the top. As much as Contessa loves romance, she is a simple girl at heart and wanted it to be a quiet gathering of friends there to witness their commitment, nothing more. There was a mister who would read some flowery romantic bullshit (Ryan’s words) and then Contessa and Sidney would recite their vows, which they wrote themselves. After that: drinks, dinner, dancing.

Sidney’s property was big enough so all this could take place outside, in the meadow beside the lake. It was to be small, around a hundred people. All the Flyers and Pens and their staffs had been invited, most were coming with a plus one. Sidney’s family, which was small, would be there, and Ryan had her mom, dad, and Ryan, plus a few close friends from Philadelphia and Reading. There were no bridesmaids or groomsman, but Ryan was tasked with bringing up the rings when before they exchanged vows.

The stage was set and everything was in place when they all woke up that Saturday. Ryan rolled out of bed, cranky and sore, having been kept up late by Michael’s voracious sexual appetite. He stayed in bed and watched her gather her things. She was leaving before him, going over early to help Contessa with any last minute arrangements.

“I can’t wait to see you.”

“You’re seeing me right now.”

“Little devil, you know I mean in your secret dress.”

With said dress draped over her arm and hidden in a garment bag, Ryan leaned down to kiss him. “Better where a cup to hide your boner.”

“Why bother? Everyone will know by the way I’ll be staring at you all day and night.”

She smiled and kissed him again. “Don’t be late. I’ll see you later.”

She turned away, but he tugged on her arm, pulling her back for another kiss. “Ryan…”

“What?”

He wanted so badly to ask her to make them official before she left, to demand that she stop this nonsense and just accept that they were already a couple and all she had to do was say the words to make him the happiest man alive. He couldn’t though, he wouldn't. She had to do this on her own and he knew that. Instead he just kissed her again.

“I’ll see you later.”

Ryan left, taking his SUV, leaving Michael to drive with Del Zotto. When she got to Sidney’s house, she found Contessa upstairs in their bedroom, hyperventilating and her mother trying to calm her down.

“What sort of bullshit is this?”

“Ryan! Thank God!” Mackenzie grabbed her arm, pulling her into the room before slamming the door. She whispered, “Please, talk some sense into this woman. Be your normal self, she needs some tough love right now.”

Ryan smiled and winked at her. “Of course, mama. What the actual fuck is the problem?”

Contessa sat on the edge of the bed, head in hands and nearly panting. She shook her head now. “I…I’m not a wife, what the fuck am I doing?”

Crouching down in front of her, Ryan told her, “You’re not, not yet. Give it an hour and you will be one.”

Contessa met her eyes. “I can’t do this. What if I can’t do this?”

“You can. You’re gonna put that dress on and walk out that door and marry the man you love. What the fuck is hard about that?”

“He’s so…perfect, Ry. And I’m just…the little tomboy from Philly who can’t even walk in a pair of heels. I’m wearing flats - on my fucking wedding day - because otherwise I would literally fall on my face. I’m not graceful like you or smart like mama. I’m not the woman he deserves.”

“Holy fucking shit, are you out of your goddamn mind?” Ryan grabbed her by the shoulders. “Listen, you stupid cunt, that man doesn’t deserve you, not even a little and if anyone should be worried about impressing anyone it should be him. You - Contessa Higgins - you are perfect, right now. And I don’t like him, but he loves you, sweatpants and dirty t-shirts and no heels and all.”

Contessa took a few breaths and nodded. “I know, I know he does. But you know everyone will be saying -”

“I don’t give a fuck and neither should you.” Ryan pointed out the window. “Fuck those people, fuck everyone in this bum-fuck nowhere town, the entire country, fuck ‘em, Contessa. They can say whatever they want, because at the end of the day you go home to him and he comes home to you. There are two people in a marriage, just two, and who gives a flying fuck what anyone else has to say about it. Right?”

“Yeah, I guess…”

“No, not you guess, that’s a fact. And really, you don’t want to be like me, I might be able to run a marathon in heels, you know I’m fucked up. I can’t even admit to a great man that I like him, for fucks sake. Mama is smart, but she ruined her own marriage and still pines over your dad years later.”

“Hey!”

“Shut it, mama, it’s true.” She let Contessa smile and then continued. “I know you look at other women, me and your mom, other wives, and you only see how you don’t measure up. But I promise you, Sidney can only see you and he can only see how perfect you are for him. If he wanted a different girl, he would go get one. The man is spoiled and stubborn and takes whatever he wants. I hate him for it sometimes, but he wants you, only you. Stop being a fucking idiot by trying to be something you’re not. Sidney doesn’t expect anyone but you to show up today, so don’t disappoint the asshole.”

“Yeah…” Contessa let out a breath. “You’re right. Fucking A, you’re right!”

“I usually am. Now get your ass up. I’m sure mama has some ridiculous hairstyle that will take way too long and be totally not worth it.”

Mackenzie smiled and hugged the two women. “The brat is right, I do. Let’s get you dressed.” When Contessa went to retrieve her dress, her mother hugged Ryan again. “Thank you.”

“I should have told her to run while she had the chance.” Mackenzie slapped her arm, but smiled.

“You wouldn’t, though.”

“I’m a fool, what can I say.”

“You are. Get dressed and I’ll do your hair as well.”

“Oh, Christ…this is gonna be the longest day of my life, I can feel it already.”

The ladies dressed, hair was fixed, full makeup was applied to Contessa and Mackenzie, while Ryan refused anything more than mascara and powered coverup.

Contessa’s dress was a pale yellow affair, with cute capped sleeves, a wide sash at her waist complete with bow, and a full skirt. It fell just above her knee and was paired with simple white flats. Pinned to the bodice was two roses, one yellow and one orange. Each guest would be given a rose as well, yellow for the groom’s side, orange for the bride’s. Her mother curled her hair and rolled it into a sleek chignon that looked simple, but still fancy enough for a bride.

When Ryan looked her over, she saw her old friend reflected in every detail. She might have been trussed up, made up, and shined up, but she was still the little tomboy from Philly, the one she loved so much.

“So? Will I do?”

Mackenzie was already crying and Ryan rolled her eyes. “Fuck me, mama, save it for the ceremony.” She was treated to another slap on the arm, but Ryan told Contessa, “You look fine.”

“Fine? Honestly, Ryan, fuck you. I look really hot.”

Ryan grinned and hugged her from behind as they stood in front of the mirror. “Super hot. Come on, we are the three most important people at this wedding and we cannot be late.”

Contessa turned and hugged her friend full on. “You look like a total slut by the way, Raffl is going to faint when he sees you.”

“Your mother picked this slutty ass dress out, just to remind everyone.”

Mackenzie was hugging Ryan from behind and the Higgins girls crushed her. “I did. And he is. I can’t wait. Let’s go.”

Almost all of the guests had arrived and were milling about on the lawn. Michael was with Del Zotto and they chatted while waiting for the announcement that things were to begin. He saw Contessa hustle past them, sparing them each a gentle touch on the arm as she went. Some people were shocked that the bride and groom were running around in the crowd, but they would have to get used to it. Contessa refused to have a stuffy, formal wedding, even it meant enduring their stares. She found her husband-to-be and they scampered off, presumably to finalize things and/or make out in a dark corner somewhere.

Michael was in the middle of a sentence when Del Zotto looked passed him and let out a low whistle. Raffl gave him a confused look, but Del Zotto just jerked his chin, indicating that Raffl would have to see for himself.

Michael turned and saw Ryan standing just outside of the house. He saw her from behind and there was so much of her skin on display he choked on his breath. The dress was black satin, shiny as a new penny, and backless. The back edge of it dipped so low that another centimeter less of fabric and Michael was sure he would have been able to see the top of her thong. The skirt was full, pleated and moved like water around her long legs, the hem falling mid-thigh. She turned and he saw the neckline, high and held up by a wide strip of fabric that wrapped around her neck. Her dark hair was done in a messy fishtail braid that was draped over one shoulder.

Ryan locked eyes with him across the lawn and grinned. He started towards her, walking away from Del Zotto without comment, and unable to see anything else but her. For her to say the dress was dark, sexy, and would make him hard was the understatement of the decade. This dress was going to put him in the hospital.

When he got close, she twirled. God help him, she twirled in the damned thing and that was when he noticed the shoes: four inches chunky orange heels that put them eye-to-eye. When she faced him again, she held her arms akimbo.

“Does it live up the hype?”

“Ryan…”

She met his eyes, smiling as if she knew the affect she and the dress were having on him. And she did know, not just because his eye were wide and raking over every inch of her body, not just because his mouth was open as he practically panted, and not just because he was rendered speechless. She knew, she realized, because she knew him, knew what he liked, knew what got his blood pumping. And that was a lovely thought..

She quirked an eyebrow at him as he continued to stare. “Nice, huh?” She gave him another twirl, letting the full skirt move around her body and then jostle back into place when she came to stand still again. He stepped closer and stood in front of her now.

“You are…” His words seemed to dissipate as he reached around her body and ran a single finger slowly down her back. Ryan let out a puff of air and then nearly moaned at the sensation. His head tilted as he continued to drink her in with his eyes and touch her bare skin so tenderly that it made her feel almost faint with longing for him. Damn this wedding, she thought, I should have worn this for him before we left so we could have enjoyed it together already.

His palm now pressed and lingered on her lower back before he slowly moved it lower, brazenly grabbing her ass as he pressed himself chest-to-chest with her. He whispered, “Are you wearing a thong with this dress as well?”

Ryan took a gasping breath and told him, “No. No panties.”

“Fuck.” He squeezed her ass and then the fingers of his other hand graced the skin of her neck under her braid. “You are trying to kill me, I’m sure of it now.”

“Raff…so you like the dress?”

Finally, he righted his head and met her eyes once more, now finding the words he thought were lost. He whispered reverently, “Like it? You are a vision, mein schatz. And the most beautiful woman here. The loveliest thing I have ever seen.”

Ryan stifled a laugh. “I don’t think you’re supposed to say that to anyone but the bride.”

“I don’t give a damn what we’re supposed to do. You and me, we do as we like.” As proof he kissed her, not as a man should greet his lover in public, but in the way he greets her in private. It was a kiss of passion and desire, one that made Ryan’s heart skip several beats before she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned it as both his palms rested against her exposed back.

She couldn’t help it, she groaned down his throat and pressed her body against his. He responded by pulling her closer, letting her feel the full force of his erection between their thin layers of clothing.

A throat being cleared was the only thing that stopped them from openly groping one another. Del Zotto grinned when they looked over at him with annoyed glances.

“Sorry, but, uh, we’re starting.”

“Right. Sweetheart?”

Michael offered her his arm and she hooked her arm around it with a smile. There were rows and rows of white wooden chairs set up and as they went to find their seats, they also took their roses from a basket full of them. As Ryan pinned her orange rose to the bodice of her dress, Michael did the same, but then grabbed a yellow rose.

When Ryan narrowed her eyes at him, he reached up and affixed it to her braid saying, “Yellow. For your mother.”

Ryan’s commitment to unemotional reactions to gestures like this was severely tested. She reached up and touched the rose in her hair gently, foolishly (she felt) fighting the urge to cry. She brought her hand to Michael’s chest and brushed it down the front of him in an affectionate gesture.

She whispered, “Thank you.”

Michael just smiled and lead her to their seats, which were in the first row on the left hand side of the setup. Del Zotto sat to Ryan’s left, more Flyers to Michael’s right. As they waited, Ryan realized how rude she had been.

“You look amazing, by the way, süsser. Though I do prefer you naked.”

Michael turned to meet her eyes with a smile. “Danke, schatz.” His suit pants, dress shirt, and tie were all black, matching perfectly. Because it was so hot, he had rolled up his shirtsleeves to his elbows, which made him appear both formal and relaxed. He did look good and Ryan wanted to rip the shirt off and lick his sweaty skin right then and there. This was going to be a long damn day, she thought.

The bride and groom walked up to the front of the crowd together, hand in hand, with the minister trailing behind. The Chainsmokers’ “Roses” played quietly and Ryan had to smile. Contessa did look beautiful, like sunshine and smelling as always of roses. After polite applause, the guests sat and the minister began his spiel on love, romance, and the happily ever after dream.

The two people this day was to celebrate stood under a canopy of yellow and orange roses (what else?) and the lake was a gorgeous mass of blue-green behind them. The minister went on and Contessa and Sidney mostly just stared at each other, eyes full of love, hands clasped and squeezing each other. Sidney was in a simple blue suit and his beard had been shaved, thank God. Even Ryan had to admit they made a handsome couple and it was nice to see her friend smile this much. No one made her eyes light up the way Sidney did, which was why Ryan had reluctantly agreed to not talk her out of this.

After taking in the scene, Ryan let her mind wander, entirely uninterested in this part of the ceremony. She thought mostly, not surprisingly, of Michael. He had his arm extended behind her and resting on the back of her chair. She could just barely feel the touch of his skin and shirt on her exposed back, but the slight contact made her tense with longing.

She wanted to be alone with him, right now, but she also wanted to be here with him, to be on his arm, to be his girl for everyone to see. It was such a wild and foreign sensation that Ryan found her face contorting in confusion before she snapped it back into its proper place. She looked over and the fool was listening intently, smiling and acting like there was no where in the world he would rather be. She looked away before he could feel her stare and she thought again how he was a good man, a sweet guy, one who had given her so much, done so much for her over the last few months, and asked for nothing in return.

Well, not exactly nothing. He asked only for her trust, for her honesty, for her presence in his life. Simple enough, but things that Ryan had a difficult time giving to anyone, let alone a man. She had never thought that was an issue until now, until she was faced with the possibility of having a man who wanted her, just as she was, and yet still feeling unable to move forward. She hated herself, the way she was with people and the urge to cry returned.

Really though, in that moment, she hated her father, her family, for making her the way she was. For making her believe that no one could be trusted with her heart, for making her feel that being alone without attachments was the only way to live. She hated the man and yet she also had to face the fact that she at times acted just like him. And that thought filled her with rage and more than a little regret, but also…determination. She couldn’t change the past, she thought, but she could always change herself.

She swallowed down her anger and sadness and let out a shaky breath that made her lungs ache. Without looking at him, Ryan leaned over and whispered, almost inaudibly, “Yes.”

Michael leaned a little closer as well. “Hmm?”

She took another short breath and whispered back, “What you asked me before…yes.”

Michael realized what she was talking about and put the arm that had been resting on the back of her chair on her shoulder now and pulled her closer, putting his other hand on her thigh and his mouth against her ear. “Are you being serious?”

She said again, a little breathless with surprise at herself, “Yes.”

“Is this because we’re at a wedding and you feel sentimental? Are we gonna get back to Philly and you break my heart?”

She looked over at him and saw that this was not a question asked in jest. His eyes were heavy, sad already like he knew what she was going to say. He was just so wrong this time. She told him, “You know me better than that. I hate weddings, even this one. I’m feeling practical in the face of all this vomit inducing romance. I…”

“Yeah?”

Ryan feigned interest in the ceremony for a few seconds to buy herself sometime. She could not believe she was about to say this to him, but she really needed him to know. “Well…I missed you when you were gone. And you were right, not just the sex, I missed your company.”

“Ryan -”

Whatever he wanted to say, it had to wait, she was already doing this, she wanted to finish. “Look, you don’t annoy me and you put up with my moods and you’re helpful around the house and yes, the sex is incredible and I’d like to keep having it. Dating you is the most convenient way to get what I want whenever I want it.”

He laughed quietly and squeezed her with both hands, his heart giddy. “You like me, just say it.”

The famous Ryan eye roll appeared suddenly. “God, you’re a child.”

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“I don’t dislike you.”

“Say it, Ryan. You’ve already said more than I ever thought you were capable of, you can say the rest.”

“Fine, you son of a bitch. I…”

He encouraged her as one would a small child or a puppy his voice soft, but teasing. “Come on, you can do it.”

Even though it was true and she had known it for a while, it was still hard to say out loud to Michael. This isn’t what she did, she didn’t just talk about her feelings like this. She forced herself to because it was what he needed to hear and she actually wanted to do something nice for this man who deserved so much. Still, she couldn’t help her tone and almost angrily she whispered, “I like you. Are you fucking happy?”

He certainly looked it. And also very proud of her. He kissed her once, muttered against her lips, “I am…so incredibly happy, mein schatz.” He kissed her again and then again….and then again, until they were just making out with no shame, not a care in the world. Ryan was happy, too, he could tell. She couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her lips as she kissed him back with gusto.

Sean Couturier who was sitting directly behind them leaned forward and put his face nearly next to both of theirs. With a joking tone he said, “Guys, there’s a wedding happening, in case you didn’t notice. Have a little class, alright?”

Ryan broke from his mouth and looked behind her. Raffl could only look at her and grin. “Coots, I’m gonna be nice because my boyfriend has to play hockey with you, but seriously, go fuck yourself.”

Couturier sat back. “That’s you being nice? Jesus, good luck, Raff.”

“I don’t need it.” To Ryan he whispered, “Boyfriend?”

She rolled her eyes once more. “Are you a complete moron, is that not what we just agreed to?”

“It is, I just can’t believe you said it. Right now, right away, like it was nothing.”

“I don’t half-ass things, Raff. I decided, it’s done.”

“So I can introduce you as my girlfriend?” For some reason, that was scarier than the word ‘boyfriend’ coming out of her own mouth. She hadn’t been anyone’s girlfriend ever. She didn’t know how to do this, for God’s sake. But she remembered what he had said to her before they left, that this wasn’t just anybody, this was Michael, good old Raff. She knew him, she wanted him, and yes dammit, she liked him and wanted to be in this relationship with him. There was nothing to be afraid of here. If she ever going to do this, it would be with him, it would be now.

He had that worried look on his face once more and all she could think was that she never wanted to see it again. She had to be the woman he believed her to be, at least in this. She took another shaky breath and said, “Yes. Actually, what’s the German word for it?”

“Freundin, but I like geliebte better, which is used for a lady love, a paramour, your beloved, your sweetheart.”

That made her smile as it reminded herself she was already his sweetheart, this wasn’t a radical change, it was just a step he wanted to take. “Yes, I like that better, too, süsser.”

“God, I will never get tired of hearing German come out of your mouth, schatz.”

“I like it better when you put the German into my mouth. Especially your German cock.”

“Little devil, leave it to you to remind me of my aching AUSTRIAN cock after you’ve made my heart nearly burst with happiness.”

He kissed her again and Ryan immediately stroked her tongue with his. She seriously considered getting up and dragging him away, but a throat was cleared near her ear for the second time that afternoon.

Ryan broke from Michael’s mouth and turned towards Del Zotto, whisper shouting, “What?!”

He laughed and inclined his head towards the bride, groom, and minister, who were all staring at her with varying degrees of amusement.

“Oh, shit.” Ryan jumped up grabbing the two ring boxes from under her chair. As she hustled toward Contessa and Sidney, she spared a glance at the guests, saying, “That’s my fault, sorry about that. Here you go.”

Sidney took his box with a smile, but when Ryan tried to hand over Contessa’s, the bride grabbed her hand and pulled her close, kissing her cheek and whispering, “I love you so much, Ry. I hope you had just told him something sweet.”

“I told him I can’t wait to suck his dick.” The minister gasped while looking horrified, Contessa laughed, and Sidney blushed, but smiled. “Anyway, carry on. Blessed be and all that.”

When Ryan took her seat, the bride and groom began their vows, with Contessa going first.

She pulled a folded up piece of paper from her cleavage and everyone chuckled quietly. She shrugged and started by blowing out a nervous gust of air. “Alright, well….” She looked up from the paper and into Sidney’s eyes. “Actually, I just want to start by saying that I love you. When we met…I didn’t think this would ever happen, I didn’t imagine we do anything but…well, you know.” More polite laughter, even from Ryan. “And there were just so many reasons for us to not be together, my job, your job, distance…but we made it work. And I just wanted to say, that I love you. I really, truly do.”

Sidney leaned forward kissing her sweetly and cupping her jaw in his hand. Kris Letang shouted, “You’re early!” And there was more laughter. Just the way Contessa wanted it.

She broke from Sidney giggly and saluted Letang. “Sorry, anyway…” She cleared her throat and began her actual vows, which she had added to after her conversation with Ryan, but no one but Contessa knew that. “Sidney Crosby…Captain…I can’t promise to be the perfect wife and certainly not an ideal woman. I like sweatpants and baggy t-shirts and sometimes Nova Blue pukes and I don’t clean it up for days, but you already know that. I can’t be perfect, I can only be myself.” Contessa looked at Ryan and smiled. “And I’m just a tomboy from Philly who loves you deeply. Someone told me that you didn’t expect anyone but me to show up today and I‘m so, so glad that’s true. Because I can never be the perfect wife, but I promise that we will laugh everyday we’re together. I will comfort you when you need it and yell at you when necessary. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals, mostly of winning the Cup so long as you don’t beat the Flyers on the way there. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with love and encouragement. Together, I know we will build a home and a life filled with joy and light, shared freely with anyone who crosses our paths. I look forward to being your partner in all things, your friend at all times, and a lover to make you forget all others. I will be these things to you today and all of the days that follow.”

Contessa sniffled while letting out a self conscious chuckle and Sidney kissed her again. Ryan swore she heard several people sigh and she looked down their row to see Mackenzie openly sobbing.

“Good lord.”

Michael put his hand on her knee. “Be nice, schatz. It was beautiful.”

Sidney also sighed and pulled his slip of paper from his pocket. “Tessa…my sweet darling Tess…” Here, he ad libbed, because he had to address her fears. “You are right, you will never be perfect, but you are exactly what I want, just what I need, and everything I love. I told you once and I meant it, I will love you anyway I can have you, in the shadows, in the light, in sweatpants, in Philadelphia, even though it pains me to see you in orange…” She patted his cheek lovingly and smiled.

Sidney went on. “I promise that I will always take you as you are, because I love who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your help. I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own. I will protect you from harm, do all that I can to shield your heart from pain. I will stand by your side, proud to be there and grateful for each moment we have together. I will ensure your happiness in whatever way I can. I promise, Tess, I will love you and have faith in your love for me, through all our years and all that life may bring us.”

“Oh, Sid…”

The minister interrupted before she could kiss him. “The rings?”

Contessa pulled the simple platinum band free from box and slipped it on his finger, gasping slightly from the joyous shock of it.

Sidney pulled out her ring as well, a plain silver band mounted with a massive piece of rose quartz carved into the shape of a rose and such a lovely pale pink. He slipped off her engagement ring made of silver and Baltic Amber, sliding on the new ring. “Now you can wear whichever you like.”

Contessa who was seeing the ring for the first time starting crying at the perfection of it, at the sheer beauty of the day and this moment. “Sidney…” Her hand came to her chest clutching her heart. “I love it. I love you. Everything is perfect.”

He moved to kiss her, but the minister sighed and he backed up. “Sorry.”

“I, John Hamilton, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act, do hereby pronounce you Sidney Crosby and you Contessa Higgins to be lawfully married. Now…you may kiss one another.”

A raucous applause erupted and Sidney and Contessa finally came together for their first official kiss as man and wife. It was long and wild and Sidney never wanted to stop, but Contessa pulled away from him grinning.

Hand in hand they faced their guests and gave a little bow, to more applause. When things quieted down, Sidney spoke.

“Thank you, each and every one of you, for coming today and being apart of this. We invite you to please follow us on a short walk to the dining and dancing areas where the celebration will continue.”

Everyone stood and did as they were direct by the new husband. Ryan went to say something to Michael, but Mackenzie had attached herself to her in a massive hug, still crying. “Oh, Ryan, wasn’t it perfect? God, I’m so emotional right now. My little girl…”

“Yes, mama, it was lovely.” To Michael she mouthed, “Help me!”

Michael grinned and rubbed Mackenzie’s back. “Come along, I think we could all use a drink, yeah?”

Mackenzie pulled away from Ryan nodding and wiping her tears. “Yes…yes, Michael, that is a good idea. Such a good boy.”

She started off with the crowd and Ryan hooked her arm around Michael’s as they started walking as well. “You are a great boyfriend.”

Michael felt his heart contract at the word leaving her mouth and he kissed her cheek. “I like liebhaber better, mein schatz.”

She tried it out, “Liebhaber.”

“Mmm, again.”

She turned her head, whispered in his ear, “Liebhaber, I cannot wait for this wedding to be over.”

His arm wrapped around her body and his hand found her ass and griped her tight. “Me too, geliebte, but I also want you to dance with me.”

“I -”

Michael started laughing. “Oh, my God! You were about to say you don’t dance, but then you realized how ridiculous that sounds since you are a professional dancer and a well-regarded professor of the subject.”

Ryan pinched his arm and walked faster, but he he kept pace. “You’re an ass.”

He stopped, pulling them into an embrace and letting other guests swerve around them. “No, I just know you too well. Is that alright?”

“It’s…unsettling at times, but I’m getting used to it.”

“Meeting me halfway?”

“Yes, liebhaber, I am trying.”

“No, you’re not.” He kissed the frown that bloomed on her lips and said, “You are succeeding, mein schatz.”

Notes

Two things:

1. Yes, there is a part two for this coming.
2. I got married by an Elvis impersonator in Vegas, so my knowledge of weddings and vows and that sort of thing is basically nonexistent, but I did my best. <3