Page 102 of Ancient Obsession

Dave took his hand briefly and said nothing.

“You’ve been so patient with me, so caring. And you went through it all as well. I don’t want you to think I don’t know that. It had to be awful to see that thing carry me away, to fight it and realize just how strong it was, how…unstoppable it seemed to be.” He grabbed Dave’s hand again and held it tight in both of his. “I love you, Dave. I love you like no one else I’ve ever known. You are the kindest man with the most generous heart and a strong sense of honor.”

“I will always love you.” Dave’s words were thick in his throat. “Don’t you ever doubt that.”

“I don’t. And not because you say it to me often, which I love, so please don’t stop. But it’s also in the ways you show me. The time we spend together, even doing nothing.” He smiled. “Especially doing nothing. You give me space when I need it, and you know when to push me a bit to do something I need to do but keep avoiding. You understand my oddball quirky side that no one else has ever seemed to get. You know my favorite foods and snacks, and it always feels as if you’re right beside me, even when we’re not together.”

A tear trembled on the edge of one eye, and he released Dave’s hand to swipe it away. “I don’t ever want to be apart from you. I want us to find a new date for the wedding, and a different venue without plumbing problems or a mummy hiding among the plants.”

Dave shifted to sit beside him. He cupped his face and looked into his eyes.

“Oliver Berridge, will you marry me?”

Oliver gasped and tears streamed down his face. He tried to speak but could only nod until he was able to say in a voice thick with emotion, “Yes! Oh my God, yes.”

Dave kissed him. It was a firm, deep kiss that left them both a bit breathless when they finally pulled apart.

“When?” Oliver said. “It has to be soon. I want to be your husband as soon as possible.”

“We’ll figure out a date that’ll work for all our friends.”

“What about your family?”

Dave shrugged. “If they want to come back, they can. Or we can have them on a video call.”

Oliver laughed and kissed him again. “Okay, we’ll pick a date soon. What about venue?”

Dave looked around. “What about here?"

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

“So far, this wedding day is a lot more chill than your previous one.”

Oliver tried for a full-on glare at Cody but couldn’t hang on to it. He did have a point, after all.

“Let’s hope it stays that way,” Dave said.

Demetrius grinned. “Well, not once you get back home.”

Cody winced. “Ugh. Could you not?”

“What?” Demetrius’s tone was overly innocent. “Your younger brother and Oliver should enjoy a healthy sexual relationship like we do.”

Cody and Dave both groaned. Oliver hugged Demetrius. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. Today’s going to be great. Just enjoy it.”

A rainy end to July had softened the grassy area beneath the trees and allowed patches of wildflowers and ferns to flourish. Oliver wanted to take a mental snapshot of these minutes before he and Dave were finally married. When they’d invited everyone via text to what Dave had begun referring to as “Wedding Day - Round 2,” all they’d told their guests was the date—the first Saturday in August—and to wear casual, comfortable clothes and bring a chair. Now, seeing all of their friends and a few family members gathered there on the bank of Parson’s Pond was humbling and fortifying.

His grandmother sat in the shade with Dieter beside her. Demetrius’s Aunt Amelia, her boyfriend Otis, Margie, and Dave’s parents, Alice and Greg, were all gathered in a cluster around her. Tracey, Zenona, Lucia and Gayle, Jugs—still wearing a cervical collar—and Agatha and Robin all sat beneath another tree. Clarabell stood with her back to the pond, prepared to officiate.

“You ready?” Dave asked.

Oliver took his hand. “More than ready.”

Demetrius and Cody walked toward the pond, holding hands and sharing glances, until they reached Clarabell where they parted to stand on either side. Jugs waited for Dave’s nod then tapped his phone. Their song, “First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes, started to play from a Bluetooth speaker.

Oliver tightened his grip on Dave’s hand, and they started across the grass. Clarabell beamed when they reached her, and Oliver turned to face Dave, taking both of his hands.