Eternity - 17. Epilogue

Hearing a soft knock on the bedroom door, Jared turned around and sat at the foot of the bed before calling for the visitor to come in. He turned and offered a soft smile as his mother stepped into the room.

"Hey mom," Jared said softly, getting back on his feet and wrapping his arms around his mother in a gentle hug before stepping back and gazing down at the woman who had given him life.

"Hey baby, how you holding up?"

"I'm good mom, just a little overwhelmed," Jared said, grateful that his mother had come to see the ceremony that would tie him to Kyle. The only thing that he regretted was that his father hadn't shown up. Jared blinked quickly, trying to keep the tears from forming in his eyes.

"I'm sorry your father isn't here Jared."

"I knew he wouldn't come mom, but I couldn't help but wish..." Jared let his voice trail off.

"I know baby, but you're father is very set in his ways. He might come around eventually, but as much as you wish for it, don't hold your breath for it happening anytime soon."

"I won't mom, I'm just glad that he at least let you come."

"Baby, your daddy couldn't keep me away if he tried. He's not at all happy about me being here, but nothing he could do could stop me, especially after..."

"After what mom?"

"Well, let's just say that soon to be husband of yours is a force to be reckoned with."

"Kyle talked to dad?"

"Yup, tried to convince your father to see the error of his ways, but that didn't work out so well. Then told your daddy that he better not try to stop me from coming or Kyle would come get me himself."

"He's a great man mom, he gave me a second chance even when I didn't deserve it."

"You deserve everything Jared, it's just a matter of what you will let yourself accept."

"Thank you mom," Jared said softly.

"For what?"

"For everything. For loving me no matter what. For not letting dad stop you from being here. Simply, for always being there when I needed you."

"I'll always be there for you sweetie, but it's time for me to turn that job over to Kyle. Now, lets go get you married off, shall we?"

"I just wish we could have an actual wedding mom, instead of a commitment ceremony."

"One day you might be able to do that, but as far as I'm concerned, today is your wedding."

"Same here mom."

Jared wrapped one arm lightly around his mother's shoulder and led her out of the bedroom. They still had a half hour drive to get to the place where his and Kyle's house was being built. The shell of the house was mostly completed and they had decided to have their commitment ceremony in the backyard facing the mountainside.

~~~~~~
Kyle paced the unfinished room of what was going to be his and Jared's new bedroom. He heard steps behind him and turned to find Matt coming up behind him. He offered his friend a small smile before walking over to the window to stare out at the lush green mountainside.

"How you doing bud," Matt asked, coming up and resting a hand on Kyle's shoulder from behind him.

"I'm doing good, a bit nervous, but that will past."

"He'll be here, you don't have anything to worry about."

"Yeah, well if you and his mother hadn't decided that we couldn't see each other today then I'd be able to bring him myself."

"Hey, we figured it wouldn't kill you two to spend the night apart, besides, Jared and his mother needed some time to catch up with each other. We let you stay together until right before midnight," Matt said, laughing softly.

"Yeah well, I still don't agree," Kyle said, the same sour note in his voice as when he'd been informed that as the grooms they couldn't see each other before the ceremony. Turning to face Matt, Kyle's voice softened, "Thanks Matt."

"For what Kyle?"

"You were there even when I doubted you, gave up your freedom, and still helped me save him, a lot of people wouldn't have."

"You weren't thinking straight Kyle, I understood that and didn't hold it against you. He's always had a part of you that I couldn't touch."

"What do you mean?" Kyle said, his startled gaze shooting to Matt's face.

"Not what you're thinking, all I'm saying is that there was a hole in you that friendship couldn't patch. Jared was the only one who could feel that void in your life. As long as you're happy, then I'm happy for you. Besides, Jared is a good guy, an idiot at times, but a good guy nonetheless," Matt said jokingly.

Kyle was ready to make a retort when he heard other steps approaching, turning he found his secretary Carrie Ryan walking into the room.

"Jared's here," Carrie said softly.

"Well it's about damn time," Kyle groused despite the fact that Jared was earlier than they had planned.

Without waiting for a reply, Carrie headed back out the way she had come, not even acknowledging Matt. Kyle grinned as he watched his best friend watch Carrie walk away. He shook his head lightly before slapping Matt lightly on the shoulder.

"You should go for it Matt."

"Shit man, she doesn't even notice I'm alive."

"Yeah well, maybe you should make sure she notices," Kyle said softly. "I just want to see you happy man, and you haven't been for a while."

"I know."

"It's time to start living again, I say it's time for you to do some wooing."

"Maybe I will," Matt said, before repeating softly, "Maybe I will."

~~~~~~
Kyle smiled softly at the man standing next to him, his hand held tightly within Kyle's grasp. He thought back to everything that they had been through together and knew that their bond was as strong as ever. No matter what they had faced, they had always seemed to come out on top. They had their rocky moments, but Kyle was grateful that their love always seemed to triumph in the end. He hadn't even heard the words that the justice of the peace said and was startled when he felt Jared nudge him.

:"Huh?" Kyle said, causing laughter to break out in those that had attended the ceremony. He then realized that it must be time for him and Jared to speak the vows that he was written. They had decided at one point that he would go first, though now he wished he could be second. Looking directly into Jared's eyes, Kyle spoke directly from his heart.

"We've had many trials to face Jared, many of our own making. Yet through it all we have managed to come out on top and our love has blossomed. Nothing makes me happier than to know that I will get to wake up to you each morning for the rest of our lives. I can't say til death do us part Jared because my love for you is so much more than that. Not even death will be able to stop me from loving you. You filled a void in me that no one else ever could and I will be thankful for eternity that I have you in my life. I love you and feel honored to be standing next to you right now," Kyle finished softly, noticing the sheen of tears in Jared's eyes before Jared spoke his own vows.

"Kyle, I know that it's been difficult to get to where we are now. There have been times that things have gone bad but we have gotten through it together. We have picked ourselves up and tried again, never giving up. My promise to you is that I will always remain by your side. Nothing will pull from you, whether is be in sickness or death, I will always be with you and only you. We will face many things in our life together, but together we can conquer anything. I love you with the whole of my heart Kyle, and nothing will ever shut off my love for you," Jared said softly, his eyes never wavering from Kyle's.

After exchanging rings and a heated, yet slightly toned down kiss, Kyle and Jared turned to face their friends and relatives with clasped hands and smiles on their faces.

Turning slightly towards Jared, Kyle bent his head and whispered in Jared's ears, "For eternity."

"For eternity," Jared whispered back, his smile lighting his entire face as he turned and brought his lips gently to Kyle's.