"Ian! Hurry up! We're going to be late for our own wedding if you keep this up!"

"One minute! I have to pop to the loo and then I'll be right there!"

I chuckle. Ian has been a nervous wreck since yesterday and whatever I say, he won't calm down.

"Jacob, I'm ready. Is everything already in the car?"

"Yes, it is. Besides, as long as you're able to say "I do" and sign the wedding papers, it will be okay."

"All right. Uhm ... Keys, wallet, ..." Ian pats the pockets of his dress trousers.

I take his hands in mine and nuzzle his nose. "Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Nothing to be worried about. Today is just a formality. I wouldn't divorce you just because our wedding wasn't perfect. One wedding is more than enough to last me a lifetime." At this Ian snorts and I'm happy I made him relax a bit. "Why are you so nervous? You were the one who asked me to marry you and if I'd wanted to change my mind, I'd have had plenty of time during our engagement. And it's just a small gathering for our close family and friends."

Ian sighs and melts into me. "I know. I have no idea why I'm so nervous. It's just ... I arranged all this and I want us to have a nice wedding."

"It will be. Not to be too cheesy, but we'll have each other and the people we love and that's enough for me. Anything stupid or annoying that might happen, will just spice up our future memories."

"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the patience. We should probably go, shouldn't we?"

"Yeah. I calculated some extra time, but it's morning rush, so traffic might be hell."

"How much extra time do we still have?"

I look at the big standing clock I inherited from my grandparents. "If everything goes smoothly, we should have half an hour to spare. That should be enough, normally."

"Okay. Let's go then."

***

We drive to the town hall in silence, but when I glance at Ian, I see him already looking at me with a soft smile playing around his lips. After today, he'll be my husband. We'll have consolidated our love in the eyes of society. I still remember his marriage proposal from almost two years ago. My fiancé truly is a patient man and not afraid to communicate what he wants. There are few people I respect and admire more than him.

"Why are you smiling?"

"I was thinking about your proposal."

"Oh." Ian sounds pleasantly surprised.

"And what a wonderful and marvellous man you are", I add.

"Oh." Ian is definitely stunned, because I'm not often that blunt about my love for him. "You too are wonderful."

I shake my head. "Don't exaggerate."

"But you are amazing. You always know how to comfort me, and you're sweet, and a bit cheesy from time to time. I feel honoured you agreed to marry me, despite the bumpy start of our relationship."

"I think that just has made us stronger, and neither of us is perfect."

"But we're still speaking about the whole first half of our relationship."

"And? We have overcome our problems and nothing of it was your fault anyways. Don't tell me you're starting to have doubts when we're about to tie the knot."

"No!"

I laugh at his quick reaction. "Don't worry. With a proposal as cute and spontaneous as yours, no sane man would have ever said no. I might have seemed reluctant because I don't like all the fuss and organizing and the idea of something big, but I really want to share this day with you and I look forward to our lives as a married couple. I really do."

"I know." Ian reaches over to squeeze my thigh. "I guess my nerves are getting the better of me yet again."

"So you're not really feeling insecure about the beginning of our relationship?"

"I'll always be a little bit insecure, but who isn't?"

"True. We're there by the way. I'll park in the underground parking garage, okay?"

"Do as you see fit. We still have almost twenty-five minutes, so ..."

I park the car and we walk back outside holding hands. It's only a one-minute walk to the town hall, so I take the time to enjoy the fresh air, because by now I'm starting to feel some overactive butterflies in my stomach as well.

"Jacob?" I look at Ian and he gifts me a sweet smile. "You're squeezing my hand."

"Oh. Sorry." I loosen my grip.

"Nervous too?"

"A bit", I admit.

"Very well."

"Huh?"

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who's nervous. Or excited. We're in this together."

"Of course." I furrow my eyebrows. "It would be strange if we weren't."

We enter the town hall and I see our family waiting for us. They're talking to the officer of Civil Registry, who's going to marry us, though little Anna is squirming in her father's arms. We join them and I poke Anna's nose, shaking my head at her giggles, before paying attention to the others.

"Jacob, Ian," mum rushes, "we were worried you were going to be late."

"So were we, but we needed a moment with each other before we left." I give Ian's hand a light squeeze and feel his gaze on me.

"May I presume you are the grooms?" the officer says. "Nice to meet you both." We shake hands and I let go of Ian's hand with a sliver of regret. Mum jumps on the opportunity to take me hostage and hugs the life out of me. Then she passes me down to dad who does the same.

"Don't kill me on my wedding day" I wheeze. My parents laugh and I look back at Ian to see him sharing smiles with his parents and Lily reaches around Steven to pat his shoulder.

"Ready for the big day, brother mine?"

"Sure, sissy. Are you? You're supposed to be my witness after all."

"Don't worry. I'll put my signature where necessary." Then she addresses me: "Who is your witness by the way?"

"One of my best friends. Arturo. He should arrive very soon."

"Is he one of them?" She looks at a group of four guys and two girls who enter the town hall.

"Yes. Those are our friends."

"Jacob, Ian! Ready to rock this shit?" I roll my eyes and Ian shakes his head as if to keep off the embarrassment.

"Dave! Have some decency! Ian and I are about to marry and you're in the presence of the officer and my future in-laws."

"Oops, my bad" Dave utters smoothly, totally not sounding apologetic. "Shouldn't you present us to one another?"

"Well, uhm ... You know my parents, Ian's parents, Stephen and Lindsey, his sister Lily, her partner Steven and their daughter Anna." I indicate each of them with a hand gesture. "And this bunch of idiots are Dave, his wife Veronica, Arturo and his boyfriend Nick and Neil and his wife Fleur." Greetings are exchanged and the officer leads us to the right room, because it's nearing half past nine.

Ian and I sit in front of a desk with our witnesses on our respective sides. The officer welcomes us and our guests. At the request of our friends, Nick then gives a short speech. They told us they would all write it together, but Nick is the best speaker, so he may enounce it. He jokes about our bad habits that we'll now have to bear for eternity and how I never liked weddings but I was so smitten with Ian that I relented. At that I smile at Ian. Nick then proceeds to say that they believe our bond is so strong that even if our marriage didn't last, our friendship would survive and, in the end, we would fall in love all over again because we are meant for each other. I throw Ian a cheeky look because I don't believe in that soulmate-stuff and he shakes his head while smiling.

Next, the officer reads the official documents and asks us to stand and take each other's right hand.

"Do you declare to take Jacob Baker as your legal spouse and do you promise to faithfully fulfil all the duties that are associated with marital status by the Law? What is your answer?"

Ian looks in my eyes and states firmly: "I do."

"Do you declare to take Ian Sanders as your legal spouse and do you promise to faithfully fulfil all the duties that are associated with marital status by the Law? What is your answer?"

I take a breath and manage to reply without wavering, never once looking away: "I do."

Anna, sitting in her father's arms, then gives us the small padded box with our rings in it and Ian accepts it with a whispered: "Thank you, beautiful girl." Anna giggles.

The rings are simple silver bands without any ornaments, but both of our first names engraved on the inside. I silently put the first one on Ian's ring finger and he does the same for me. We both have sweaty hands and slightly swollen fingers, so it goes not as smoothly as I would have hoped, but it's okay. The officer then declares us officially married, confirming our wedding date and our witnesses, but I focus on rubbing Ian's hand with my thumb, mainly close to his ring. He undergoes it without complaining, probably because he knows I need this to calm down.

Afterwards, it's just the signing of all the legal documents by us, the officer and our witnesses and we keep brushing against each other with some body part. Finally, the formalities are done and we crush each other in a strong hug. I peck his lips and he gives me a playful pat on my behind and kisses the spot under my ear.

Anna squeals with delight. "I want to hug too! Dad! Can I go to uncle Ian and uncle Jacob?" Ian takes Anna over and swings her around before kissing her forehead and giving her to me to do the same.

Everyone congratulates us and Ian and I thank the officer while Anna babbles about something I don't understand. Unicorns and race cars and cowboys, I think.

***

We go on foot to a restaurant nearby, talking and laughing. Ian and I mingle with our guests, but every once in a while, we catch each other's eyes and smile. At the quirky little restaurant, a dozen other family members and friends await us and I seek out Ian to face them together. All the meaningless small talk gets on my nerves, especially because I want nothing more than to go home with my husband and watch TV, discussing which show is more stupid, or play footsie while reading or just cuddle until we fall asleep.

Ian gives my hand a squeeze, as if he knows what I'm thinking and is reassuring me. He probably has noticed I'm getting restless.

When everyone has been greeted and we have a moment to ourselves, Ian grabs a hold of my shoulder. "Take a deep breath and relax. Try to enjoy it. This is our day", he stresses. "These are the people we love and they love us. I won't be able to enjoy today if I know you're all tense and don't want to be here."

"Thanks. ... I'll try. Part of the reason for my annoyance is just in my head, I think, but I'll try to let it go. I want to celebrate our union and everyone can know how much I love you."

"Union? You're getting cheesy again."

"Only for you, my love."

Ian laughs. "Oh, stop it! You're not funny", he exclaims, but he keeps laughing. "Come on." He pulls us to a table with champagne flutes. "I want us to toast on a future marriage for Lily and Steven, since there is no bride to throw a bouquet with flowers over her shoulders."

"Hey! I heard that!" Lily protests.

I ignore her. "Aren't you the bride?"

"If I am, you clearly aren't gay anymore and wouldn't I already know if I were transgender?" Ian deadpans.

I smile. "You're my beautiful male bride."

Ian glares. "Groom."

"Oh!" Dave gasps. "Hardly been married for an hour and Jacob is already in the doghouse!"

Ian and I utter both: "Shut up!", because, well, that's the common phrase in Dave's presence. Everyone within hearing distance laughs and I wink at Ian: "Great minds think alike."

***

After a fabulous lunch of jokes, memories and laughter it is time to cut the cake. We chose to let our parents surprise us, on condition that it be not too fancy. We have to turn around and close our eyes until it is brought out and I can't suppress my amusement at their antics.

"Okay. You may look", my mum declares. On the table are several fruitcakes, with the biggest one in the centre. It has two large strawberry hearts on it and eight smaller ones. The smaller cakes only have the eight little hearts. Our parents clearly didn't forget our love for strawberries. Once, when we hadn't been dating for long, Ian and I tried to make strawberry milkshake, but we used the mixer wrong – though in my retelling of that anecdote I always claim it was defect – and we ended up getting strawberry juice all over our arms and faces. That quickly became an excuse to lick each other clean, which led to great sex, since we were high on laughter.

"Do you remember the milkshake incident?" I whisper.

Ian pulls his eyebrows up. "How could I forget that? I'm still convinced it was your fault."

"I wouldn't mind making that mistake again and being blamed for it if I got to lick you clean again."

"Jacob!" Ian hisses, but his eyes twinkle. "Let's just cut the cake, or I'll let you sleep on the couch."

"See? You're the wife. You're clearly the boss."

"Don't push your luck." He grabs my hand and pulls me to the table. We hold the knife together and carefully cut the cake in eight parts. It's a pity we have to destroy the two big hearts.

When we each have our piece, we try to feed one another, which is pretty hilarious for both ourselves and the public, because we have never done that before and feel stupid. Eventually, we give up and that seems to be the cue for everyone to go get their own piece of cake, but we can't stop our goofy smiles.

***

When everyone is finished eating, it's nearing four pm. The tables are shoved to the side, so there is a small dance floor in the middle. The light is slightly dimmed for a more intimate atmosphere. I always feel awkward dancing, but Ian loves it and we've practised and he promised to lead me, so I try not to worry.

"Remember: relax, smile and enjoy. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes and it's a slow song anyway."

I wrap Ian in my arms and kiss him, before loosening my grip, and when Elvis' Can't help falling in love starts playing, he takes the lead. I attempt to not think too much and study his face, so close to mine. I notice a smudge of strawberry and cake crumble at the corner of his mouth and lean in to lick it away. He looks at me questioningly and I give him a mischievous smile. He looks down, but I see his lips hinting at a smile.

"Love you", I say.

"Love you", he responds.

When the song ends, we stand still, neither of us wanting to let the other go.

"The next song is not necessarily to dance, but I wanted it to be played, because it's beautiful and it speaks about a strong love", Ian admits.

I listen, but I don't recognize it and I only understand parts of the text because it's in French, but it is indeed beautiful. "What is it?"

"La chanson des vieux amants by Jacques Brel."

Others start dancing too, but we remain in our bubble in the middle of the floor.

"Do you realize you haven't been tense the past hours?"

"Now I do. Thanks for calming me down."

"Thanks for this morning."

"I'm happy I said yes, you know. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this."

"I'm happy you're happy. Do you want to celebrate tonight with some loving?" Ian smiles cheekily.

"The classic wedding night?"

"Why not? Will you say yes?" His smile broadens and I chuckle at the memory.

"Yes."