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Healing Love

Chapter 30: The Wedding

By: Mirron Tenshi

I purr as I turn in bed. I put my arm to hold Max, when I felt nothing. My eyes opened to see that my fiancé is gone. Instead, there was a blue rose and piece of paper. I took the paper and read it to myself.

Allen my Love,

I can hardly wait to finally be 'us'!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Love,

Max

A smile spread on my lips as I picked up the flower and took a soft whiff. As much as I would've loved to cuddle up with my tiger, it is true it's bad luck to see the groom before the wedding. I yawned and growled a little as I stretch on the bed, and relaxed.

Today's the day. It's really happening. Me and Max are getting married . . . I jumbled and writhed on the bed in extreme excitement! I can't believe it!!! It's finally happening!! Ok, calm down. Don't want a heart attack before I get hitched. Oh, but these freaking butterflies make me almost need to throw up. But in a good way, I know it!

So I got up and over to my suitcase for some clothes. I put on a blue T-shirt and some jeans and I went downstairs. My ears perked up when I hear my sister's voice along with mom and dad's. I hurried down and instantly saw dramatic difference. Haley and Cody (In case you forgot, he's a decently pudgy bear) have gotten married. A grin broke onto my face as I saw my sister's belly round and large.

"Haley!" The blonde lioness turned and smiled excitedly when she saw me.

"Allen!" She got up, and we hugged tightly - not too tightly, mind you - and she backed up. "Oh my god, Allen!! It's so great to see you! And Congratulations! I'm so glad you and Max are getting married!"

"I know! So is Max and I. And congrats to you, sis! Is it a boy or a girl?" Haley gave me an irked look.

"What? I'm not pregnant."

"Huh?" She didn't keep that insulted look for long. Not even 2 seconds. She just grinned and laughed as she padded my shoulders.

"I know! And we don't know yet. The doctors still can't pinpoint it." I felt her tummy and smiled when I felt a kick. Just then, mom got a call, and had to go to where the wedding was held. Haley went with her, and I approached Cody.

"So Cody, how you two holdin' up?" He sighed exasperatedly.

"God, you have no idea, man." I chuckled a little, "I love her so much, Allen, but her cravings are driving-me-crazy!" Dad laughed at that. "I'm getting up at 4 in the morning to get her a butterscotch melt with salami garnish and relish!" Me and dad laughed at that combination.

"Trust me son, there's more to come." Cody groaned at that, "Trust me, Code, I went through the same thing when Eve was pregnant."

"Allen, buddy," He said as he held my shoulders, "Just be glad you're into guys." I laughed as I took a seat.

~~~

"Yes, that IS the right cake. Thank you." Evelyn said. Apparently, one of the employees from the bakery who were doing the wedding cake mixed up the papers, and they had thought they made the wrong kind of batter. But it turned out all right. It is a swirl of vanilla and chocolate with a strawberry paste between the layers. The 4-tear cake was 4ft tall. 7 trails of frosting flowers were arranged in a spiral fashion, each trail was a color from the rainbow; separate on the base, and meets at the top, under a large white lotus flower. In the middle of the lotus, there was a plastic thin pedestal, where a miniature lion in a white tuxedo with its forehead against the forehead of a tiger in a black tuxedo, both had a smile and were holding each other's paws.

"Well, now that we're out, we better go meet up Max's side of the family. You've met his parents, haven't you, Haley?" Haley thought for a moment and shook her head.

"Not that I remember, no."

"Really? Huh." So Eve and her daughter called a taxi and drove to the motel they were staying at. When the two lionesses entered, they immediately spotted the orange tiger with glasses and a female white tiger, both of them conversing with Max. Also, Max's older brother, Ryan, was there too.

"Hey Max! Good to see ya again!" Haley called out. Max turned around and smiled.

"Hi Haley! Glad you could make it!"

"Konichiwa. Boku wa Raiyan desu yoroshiku." The white tiger said as he bowed in Japanese greeting. Haley grinned with Max and Ryan.

"Here, let me translate," Max said, "Hales, this is my big brother, Ryan."

"Oh really?? So what, does he only speak Japanese?" They chuckled a bit.

"No. He's just single and being a showoff." The orange tiger said with a smirk.

"So you must be Allen's sister, right?" Haley nodded "Nice to meet you. I'm glad I could make it to my little bro's wedding."

So as Max, Ryan, and Haley chatted, Evelyn went over to the older tiger couple. "Lucy! It's been so long!" The white tigress looked at the lioness, squinting slightly as she recognized the lioness.

"Wait . . . You're not . . . Oh my god! Evee-san is that you?!" The two females met and hugged. "Oh wow! I can't believe I didn't see it sooner! Allen-kun came to visit us last year, but I never thought he was the same cub!"

"San? Kun? What's with that, Lucy?" The tigress chuckled.

"Japanese etiquette, Evee. So, gosh, it's been years, hun!"

"So where IS Allen, Max?" John said to his son.

"He's at his parents place or probably at the judge's house." Evelyn had arranged a friend of hers, who was a court judge, to be the minister for Allen and Max's wedding - a female cheetah named Linra Kumoya with blue streaks in her head fur and elaborately designed finger claws. Not only that, but Linra also offered to have her courthouse arranged and redesigned just for the wedding.

The day rolls on. Allen is in said courthouse, getting ready for the big moment. He was in front of a full-length mirror adjusting his tie with shaking paws. The lion was trembling from head to toe, he was sweating a bit, and his breathing rate was a tad rapid. He finished the tie and put a brush through his already well-groomed mane. Allen just stared at himself in the mirror.

~~~

'Oh my god . . . I can't believe this is gonna happen . . . This is for real . . . Me and Max . . . We're actually getting married . . . Max Vincent will now be called Max Sander . . . It's a real official thing . . . Oh god . . .' I was about to take a step back to go to the bathroom, as I felt that I was about to throw up-

"Hey! How ya doing Allen?"

"AAAHH!" Someone just padded my shoulder. I completely jumped and my heart was going crazy! I turned around to see my little brother, Jordan. "God Jordan, I do not need-" Wait. Jordan?! I looked up, and sure enough, he's right in front me wearing a tux! "Oh my god, Jordan! You're here! You made it!" I hugged my brother tight and he hugged me back.

We broke the hug and Jordan looked at me. "Allen, I'm so sorry I wasn't at the rehearsal, I tried to get the soonest flight I could but I barely just got here and-"

"Jordan, it's ok," I said, tears rimming my eyes, "I'm just happy you were able to come here." Jordan said that there was a good chance he was going to miss the wedding because of school. But now he's here! He's here for me!

My brother smiled and nodded. "So you're looking a bit pale, Allen. Not having second thoughts, are you?"

"N-No, I'm not I'm just . . . God, I can't . . ." I groaned aggravatingly. "I'm overwhelmed! I feel like today just snuck up on me! It's a new chapter in my life, and the suspense is killing me!" He chuckled as he padded my left shoulder.

"Would you relax? It's gonna be ok, Allen. I think you would've said so by now if you're not ready." I nodded as he talked.

". . . Thanks, Jordan." He smiled. His ears then lowered a bit. "Hm? What's wrong?"

"It's just . . . I still feel bad about . . . You know . . ." I chuckled at that.

"Jordan, would you just forget about it? That's stuff is all in the past where it belongs. You're a good lion now. It means so much to me that you came here anyhow."

"Yeah . . . But still-"

"Jordan, listen: I'm fine. Everything's ok now." He sighed and then jerked his head up.

"Let me walk you down the aisle." I just blinked.

"Um . . . What?" Jordan gulped.

"I . . . Wanna walk you down the aisle . . . To make up for all those years-"

"Jordan. That's very sweet of you, but you really don't need to do that. I promised Max we'd do this traditionally."

"But Allen, how could I even-" I cut him off with a brotherly hug. I could hear him gasp a little. This is a different kind of hug.

"Jordan . . . Thank you . . . You've done more than enough for me to make up for those years . . ." I then backed up and looked at him straight in the eye, "It means so much to me that you offered to walk me down the aisle, and I'm never going to forget it." Resolve washed over his face. Finally, he's gotten over the guilt. He sniffled and padded my arm.

"Allen you ready-" Dad had just came in, wearing a formal black tux. His face lit up when he saw Jordan. "Oh, Jordan! You've made it!" He said as he grinned happily. He came up and padded his head. "That's my boy." Jordan flushed as his red mane was ruffled.

"Dad . . ."

"I'm proud of you, son. I was beginning to think you'd never-"

"Dad, can we leave it? Please?" I asked. I just got Jordan to get over it already. My old man chuckled as he then indicated for Jordan to leave them be. My brother nodded, probably feeling lighter than ever. My dad then turned to me and padded my shoulder, him being a foot or so taller than me.

"You look great, Allen," I smiled as he talked, "So, you nervous?" I nodded, starting to tremble again. "Heh, I know how ya feel. Threw up yet?"

"No-"

"Good. Don't. It'll ruin your suit. I had to postpone my wedding cause I needed to replace my jacket." I laughed.

"What? You never told us that."

"Would YOU?" He said with a defensive brow. I scratched the back of my mane.

"Heh, you gotta point."

"Heheheheh, your mother was so mad, she almost cancelled it." I grinned as he chuckled. "I was barely able to convince her I was only nervous, and not sickened by the fact that we're getting married." We laughed and little more. He then smirked and raised a brow at looking at me. "Ah, you're crooked there. Here, lemme fix ya." Dad then put his paws on my jacket, pulled the right side down and the left side up a little. He then adjusted my tie, and fixed the silver tie clip.

"There. Just one more thing." He then dug into his pocket and took out what looked like a ring box. "Your grandfather gave these to me to wear on my wedding." He then opened the box to show me a set of old sapphire cufflinks with silver rims. They looked antique. "This would make this their fourth time in this tradition."

"Whoa, dad. How old are these?" I inquired as he put them on my cuffs.

"75 years old to this day," He then put the box into my jacket pocket, "Now I want you to keep them somewhere safe. If you and Max ever have a son, make sure you have him wear them on his wedding day. Further more, I want you to lend them to Jordan if and when he gets married." The blue jewels sparkled in the light.

"Wow, dad . . . This is just . . . I . . ." I sniffled as I fought back to cry.

"Hey, now, son. This is the happiest day of your life. Don't cry." I wiped my eyes with the back of my paw.

"It's just that . . . Even though this is a same sex wedding, I'm just, honored to be able to wear them-"

"Hey now," He put his paw on my shoulder, "Same sex or not, it's a still a bonding ceremony between two animals who share a deep love with one another." He then chuckled, "I just wish your grandparents could be here to see this day."

"Yeah . . ." I started to clear up my tears, "But they're probably somewhere in Russia." Dad chuckled.

"Yep-" Our ears rotated as the music was starting, "Whoop, it's time, son." My stomach churned and I started trembling again.

"Oh my god, it's time." Dad grinned as he gave me the wedding bouquet. I felt a bit awkward about being a guy carrying a bouquet. My eyes then went wide, "Oh my god, I forgot the vows! Me and Max were supposed to write vows! I forgot to write them! Dad, what am I gonna do-"

"Allen! Calm down," He said as he held my shoulders, "Max didn't write them either." My mouth opened ajar.

"What?"

"He was going to, but I told him it probably wouldn't feel right to write something like that." He pushed a finger up to close my mouth, "When it gets to that moment, it's best to let your heart tell you what to say; a moment of utmost truth right on the spot." We were then walking out of the room, "His heart will know just what to say, and so will yours," Before I even knew it, we were behind a multicolored see-through curtain with his right arm around my left, "And its those words that'll keep your marriage true and strong." He said in a mutter before we went to behind the curtain.

~+~+~+~

The room's walls were covered in white silk. 7 veils of a different color each where hung and draped in decoratively along the walls and over the corners, leading up to the middle of the ceiling. There was a pedestal at both ends of each row of chairs, which held up clear vases with brightly differently colored flowers. The whole room was arranged with multicolored silken draperies, glass orbs with candles in them, and many differently sized spheres were hung on strings from the ceiling, each different colors of the rainbow; Evelyn said that weddings need a theme, so Allen and Max went with rainbow.

Everything was far better than Allen and Max had hoped for. It was truly their own dream come true.

Everyone turned to watch the older lion walk his son in the white tux. The lion blushed a little, as he couldn't help but smile. They slowly made their way down the aisle, letting everyone take in the moment. The lion's hazel eyes subtly looked around, loving the décor his mother had arranged for him and his love. Haley was standing at the altar in a light blue dress, as Allen had made her his Matron of Honor, and Ashley was there too, standing next to the expectant lioness.

Allen's eyes then found him. His mate, his love, the only one for him in all his life. The orange tiger was looking as at Stan and Allen as well, his older brother Ryan standing next to him, as Max has chosen him as his Best Man.

Linra was standing in her judge robes, smiling as she waited for the other groom. Soon, Stan had delivered Allen to the altar, and took his seat in the front next to his wife. Haley was given the wedding bouquet to hold, and Allen then took his place in front of his groom, his paws taking the other.

"Dearly beloved. We have gathered here today, to witness the union of two men who share a deep, true bond of love, that this ceremony rarely has the honor to see," The cheetah began, "Against the odds, two people have found their other half . . ."

As the judge continued on with her ministrations, all the two males could do was stare into each other's eyes, emerald green into chocolate brown, the lovers looking deep into their souls, both of their hearts being called for their queue, awakened by the realization of their bond of love that they alone had formed. Both of them were only half listening to the speech, as they were too lost in themselves to fully grasp all the other outside sounds.

". . . And now, the two grooms will now exchange their vows. These vows are from the heart, and will stand true for their whole marriage. Take it, Allen." She said with a grin. Allen swallowed and looked.

'From the heart. Here we go.'

"Max . . . Never in my life, have I ever imagined this day would come. Someone had hurt me a long time ago . . . I felt hollow and alone for so long . . . After a while of recovering and living with a neutral state of mind and an empty space in my heart, you come into my life . . . You filled the void that was left behind in my heartbreak . . . Your love had put an end to my inner hurt . . . A year ago today, for the first time in my life, I feel like I've been healed . . ." A soft, blissful smile dawned on Max's face when Allen stopped.

After a pause, Linra assumed Allen had finished. "Alrighty then," She turned and smiled at the tiger, "Your turn, Max."

"Allen . . . Deep down inside, we know we were made for each other . . . Years ago, we never wanted to be separated from each other . . . Though we were to young to remember, those days are engraved into my heart; when I seen a glance of you years later, I remembered you. I felt drawn to you, as if we needed to be together . . . I know you have been hurt . . . And you thought you couldn't or wouldn't feel love ever again . . . You're the only one for me, and I'm the only one for you . . . I promise . . . I will never let your heart break again . . ." The tiger said as he stroked his mate's cheek at the last statement. Tears rimmed around the lion's eyes.

"Ok, Allen Garrett Sander, do you take Max Vincent as yo husband? To cherish, and love, and care after for as long as you live?" The lion nodded as he replied yes, hardly able to say a word with his voice influnced by overwhelming emotion, just fighting the tears of joy and anticipation.

"And do you, Max Toramaru Vincent, wish Allen Sander to be yo husband? To honor, and love, and protect for as long as you live?" Max smiled as he answered yes. She then gave the crowd a look. "Anyone gotta problem, bring it now or keep it shut." No one objected, "Now by the power vested in me as a judge, I hereby pronounce you two Man and Husband. You may now kiss yo love."

The lion and tiger's heads leaned forward, and pressed their lips together as they closed their eyes. It was a soft kiss, a kind of kiss that made both mates tingle with a special feeling. The kiss parted, and they nuzzled against each other while letting in a deep purr between them. The crowd started a light and gentle applause as Mr. and Mr. Sander were now together in holy matrimony.

The procession was now beginning. Allen and Max were seated at the middle table. The room was just as adorned with rainbow veils, multicolored heart-shaped confetti, and among other things.

"Ok y'all!" Linra called out on the stage, "Time for the speech from the Best Man! Ryan, git yo white fur up here!" Everyone applauded as Ryan stepped up to the podium, and spoke into the mic when everyone was seated.

"Hello? Testing, testing." His voice called in the room. "Ok! So for those of you who already know, I am Max's older brother, Ryan Vincent. I was given the honor of being the Best Man in his wedding. For those who don't know? Your loss." The guests chuckled. "Just to warn you all, my speeches have very little boundaries. Deal with it!" With a snicker from the crowd, he started.

"So first off, I wanna commend Allen's parents on this wedding - Mr. and Mrs. Sander, give'em some recognition, folks." They clapped and applauded the lion and lioness. Stan and Eve smiled sheepishly. "Yeeeaaah! Though, could I save the design here? I kinda want to save it for Marti Gras." Some furs grinned and shook their heads. "Nuthin huh? Well fine then." He then took a sip from his champagne glass. "Hgm. What the- this isn't champagne this is cider! Must've picked up the wrong one- What? No booze?" He asked when Allen called out that there is no champagne, "C'mon, Sander, why do you think I'm here?"

The furs laughed at that one, "My little brother's married and I'm still single! Don't you think I need some hooch?" The crowd laughed a little more. "If I take the design from this wedding for Marti Gras, at least there'd be booze." He smirked and chuckled. "Well good luck, kid, 'cause Max likes a good time once in a while."

The crowd gave a, 'Ooooooooooh!' as if to egg on a verbal battle. The lion gave his tiger a 'Orly?' look.

"Nah, nah, I'm kidding, kids. You know I love you. Max is like a brother to me, really." He got more laughs.

"Moving on. Ok, so as I understand it, I'm the only Best Man in a two groom wedding. Didn't you have a brother, Allen?" The lion replied and pointed out Jordan. "Ok, there we go. How about you come up here and say a little something for them." The crowd agreed, but Jordan smiled shyly and shook his head. "C'mooon, get up here, kid. Just for a minute." After some encouragement, the red-maned lion got up and to the stage and took Ryan's place.

"Hello, my name is Jordan Sander. Honestly, it would've been great to be made a Best Man here, but I honestly don't think I really deserve it. I wasn't really much of a brother for Allen because he was a homosexual. Allen, I know you've said it's forgiven and forgotten, but I hope I can somehow make it up you someday . . . I love you, Allen. Congratulations on finding your special someone, bro. And thank you for always being there for me, even though I was't."

'Awwwww' The crowd said for Jordan's little speech. The white tiger then came back up.

"Ya know, Jordan, I think I got a solution to both our problems." The lion looked at him curiously.

"What do you mean, Ryan?"

"Well, I'm single, and you wanna make it up to your brother. So meet me in the Sunny Side Motel?" The audience laughed as Jordan raised his arms in surrender and started walk off the stage.

"Ok, I'm out."

"Ah, c'mon! C'maaaan! Make your brother proud, Jordan! I'm bi-curious here." Jordan walked back and confronted Ryan again.

"Look, dude, I'm cool with gay guys now. COOL. Not HOT, ok?" The crowd laughed as he went back to his seat.

"It's me, isn't it?" He chuckled as he took a small drink of cider, "Lets try again. Yo Allen! You doing anything later?" The crowd laughed.

"Yes! Your little brother!" Everyone laughed out loud at Allen's reply. Even Ryan was cackling. Max laughed too, and then gave Allen a sweet kiss on his neck.

"Welp, what a way to start fishing in the ocean," The white tiger said when they calmed down, "However, it looks like I'm going home without a rainbow trout hooked on my rod."

"OOOHHHHHH!" The crowd laughed at the metaphor.

"Ok, ok, in all seriousness," He continued as the laughing quieted down. "So Allen, I hear that in the past, someone had broke your your heart by abandoning you." The lion's ears lowered as he looked down a little. "So let me promise you this: I guarantee you. Max will never leave your side, no matter what." Allen got a little watery eyed as he smiled when he felt his tiger nuzzle him. Ryan then shrugged and brought up his glass as he spoke, "I tried everything to get that needy little sucker off my back, he's your problem now." The audience laughed a little more.

"To Allen and Max!" The white tiger said as he rose up his glass.

"To Allen and Max." Everyone chanted all at once. There was then a good applause as the tiger put the mic back onto its stand, and went to take his seat with John and Lucy.

"Alright alright, y'all! Now it's time for the two grooms to dance on the floor for the first time as hubbies to a song they chose themselves." The cheetah said. Allen blushed as Max took his paw and stood up, and went to the dance floor. The lights then adjusted to shine with multicolored beams. Linra then put on 'I Knew I Loved You' by Savage Garden.

Max took Allen's paw, their other paws on each other's hips, and stated to dance to the slow song. A few tears trickled down Allen's cheek. He's never been so happy in his whole life.

~I knew I loved you before I met you . . . I think I dreamed you into life . . . ~

Max needed to only see Allen's face for five seconds on that day at Celino's. He fell into love with the lion in a lightning's flash when they never even knew each other . . . Or so they both thought until recently . . .

~I knew I loved you before I met you . . . I have been waiting all my life . . .~

Allen had been hurt by Tom's abandonment. All this time, he felt and thought that he needed to give himself time to heal . . . As it turns out, he was waiting for the very tiger who had his cure all along . . .

Both felines purred deeply and lovingly through the love-filled song. The dance and song ended with their muzzles meeting in a deep and passionate kiss.

Ok! I hope you all loved this chapter! Please rate, fave, and comment on this one ~<3