Chapter 51
“If it wasn’t for my family,I’d never come back to visit this…this hateful place again.”
Andy kissed Luke’s shoulder.“I’m sorry.Let’s change the subject.”
“No,it’s okay.I need to get this off my chest.”Luke spent the next twenty minutes unburdening himself about his life at school,the way the neighbour kids would tease him and call him names.“Because I couldn’t play rugby or didn’t show an interest in any of the things the other kids did…well,let’s just say ignoring me was at the better end of the scale of what used to happen.”He went on to tell Andy about how he’d escape to his bedroom,one he shared with a younger brother,and hide himself away.“Maybe things might be a bit easier for gay teens around here now,though I doubt it.I couldn’t stay here.Small towns,small minds.”
Andy just held his lover,stroking him or kissing him whenever he revealed yet another reason why he’d left Southeast Wales for the bright lights and more accepting parts of London.
“I don’t suppose your brother Gary made things any better.”
“David,even though he’s a good bit younger than me,would stand up to Gary and make him back off.Have you any idea what it was like to have a younger brother fight your battles for you?”
Andy admitted that he didn’t have any idea.Ultimately,he concluded things by saying,“We’ll be safely home again by Sunday night.Can you stand it till then?”
Luke pulled away slightly and gazed at him through moist eyes.“With you next to me,I can stand anything.”
Andy kissed him.“What,even your Auntie Gwen?”
Luke laughed.“She’ll love you to bits.”
Later,once they were back in Yorkshire,Andy admitted that Luke had been correct.
****
“Good morning.My name is Matthew Scrivens,and on behalf of the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Registration Service,it is my pleasure to welcome you to Waterton Park Hotel,where we are gathered to formally witness the celebration of Andrew and Luke in their civil partnership ceremony.”
Luke couldn’t stop shaking.After many months of planning,their special day had finally arrived.
“This place in which you are now met has been duly sanctioned,according to law,for the registration of civil partnerships.We are gathered here to witness the formation of the civil partnership by Andrew and Luke.If any person present knows of any lawful impediment to this civil partnership,you should declare it now.”
Luke bit his lip.Whilst he wasn’t expecting anyone to raise an objection,he couldn’t be certain that his brother,Gary,wouldn’t try to cause trouble.Though he’d been assured by his parents that his elder brother had been well and truly warned to stay away.He quickly scanned the faces of the guests.Amazingly,half his family,almost all his uncles and aunts,had turned up,but thankfully there was no Gary.
“Andrew and Luke have invited you here to share in their special day,and,in return,you are here to show your support and encouragement to them.”
Paddy stood and moved to the front of the room and began to read a poem.It had to be non-religious,but he’d eventually chosen something that Andy didn’t think was too flowery or“just plain daft.”
The organisation of the wedding,or civil partnership as Luke knew it had to be called,had been fun,in the beginning.But when his and Andy’s mothers had got together,the thing seemedto take on a life of its own.At one point,Andy had threatened to elope to Gretna Green if theirmothers didn’t stop bugging them with suggestions for flowers,readings and choices of vows.Even Luke had to agree things had become way too involved.However,standing next to his love,in front of all their friends and family,Luke had to admit the many months of frustration had all been worth it.
Paddy finished reading and returned to his place.
Matthew continued,“Andrew and Luke have found in each other’s company great happiness,fulfilment and love,and they now wish to affirm publicly their relationship and to offer to each other the security which comes from vows sincerely made and faithfully kept.”
Luke stole a quick look at Andy,standing tall and proud in his black tailcoat and trousers.He’d wanted him to wear his dress uniform,but Andy had told him that as he was no longer serving in the army,it wouldn’t be allowed.“And besides,”he’d said,“I’ve put on a lotof weight since my army days;I’d never fit into it.”
“Your ceremony today declares your love,caring and support for each other.May this love sustain you through all of your life in a relationship of permanent and continuing commitment.Would you all please stand if you are able.Andrew and Luke,please turn towards each other and join hands as you each in turn repeat after me:
“I,Luke,make my pledge to you,Andrew,and in the presence of our witnesses,that I shall be your partner for life.”
Luke’s voice was shaky at first,but it soon grew stronger as he spoke,looking up into Andy’s kind,loving face.
“I promise to love and care for you and to be faithful to you always,”Matthew continued;Luke repeating.
When they were choosing what vows to use,most had sounded trite.But standing there,actually speaking them,Luke felt their power,as well as their depth of meaning.
“I promise to love and cherish you.To honour and comfort you.To stand by you in sorrow or in joy.In hardship or in ease.And to be your closest friend.”
Then it was Andy’s turn.Luke was so proud of his soon-to-be partner as he stood taller and spoke his responses clearly,and,Luke could tell,with great feeling.
“May we have the rings?”Matthew asked.Craig,who was sitting in the front row next to Toby,stood and carried the silk cushion with the two simple gold bands resting on top.
After they’d returned from Roger’s funeral,Andy and Luke had told Craig that they had decided to legalise their partnership.“You’re getting married!”Craig was over-the-moon.Andy had gone on to tease him by telling him that they’d decided they’d let him be chief bridesmaid.When Craig objected,Andy had said,“Or flower girl,if you’d rather.”
Craig and Andy had wrestled on the floor,Craig subduing his uncle,who had been laughing so hard,he couldn’t put up much of a fight.“I’ll be a ring bearer,so long as I don’t have to wear a dress.”
“A ring is a sign of the special bond between two people,”Matthew said,bringing Luke back from his memories,“an unbroken circle symbolising unending and everlasting love,and is the outward sign of the lifelong promises you have made to each other.
Luke spoke his vows,all the while scared that he’d drop the ring as his fingers were shaking so badly.
Then,mercifully,it was Andy’s turn.“Andrew,please place the ring on Luke’s finger and repeat after me:‘I give you this ring as a symbol of my endless love for you.’”
Still sounding nervous,but outwardly showing how strong and fearless he was,Andy repeated,“I give you this ring as a symbol of my endless love for you.”
“All that I am and all that I have I bring to you.”
Again,Andy repeated Matthew’s words,all the while looking lovingly into Luke’s eyes.
Then,after Matthew had prompted,Andy followed with,“May this ring remind us of this moment and the commitment I have made to you.”
Sam then came to the front of the room and read something from Shakespeare.Luke knew he’d agonised over what he should say,but knowing he’d pick something appropriate,they had left the decision to him.
As Sam read,Luke took another quick look at their guests.His mam was weeping softly;his da—looking a mite embarrassed—was doing his best to comfort her.Andy’s mother looked as though she’d already had a good cry and was on the verge of doing so again.Andy’s sister,Jessica,sat next to her new man,who,Luke hoped,would treat her better than Keith had.Craig’s sisters just looked bored with the whole thing.
Sam returned to his place and Matthew spoke once again.“Every day you live,find things within you that you can share.Have an open heart and a sincere mind.From this will come security and strength.Andrew and Luke,you have made your promises to each other in the presence of myself and your witnesses here assembled.May today form a milestone in your lives which you will look upon with much love and joy in your life together.”
Andy squeezed Luke’s hand.It was almost over.Luke could tell Andy was relieved.
“It now gives me great pleasure to declare that you are partners for life.Ladies and gentlemen,please offer your congratulations to Andrew and Luke.”
Everyone clapped.Andy looked embarrassed.Luke knew Andy,though sincere in his wish to be married,would have preferred a much quieter affair.Although their mothers had put pressure on them to make things more lavish,ultimately it had been Luke’s decision to accept their suggestions,and he’d chosen to make the occasion as much of a celebration as he could.Andy,his Andy,had gone along with it all.