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"It's a toast," the mayor insisted. It wasn't very short at all, either.
Robert went back to eating when Griffith started in on how they'd all fallen in love with Robert when they'd
first hired him on as Fire Chief. The man droned on and on, as he usually did, the toast indeed turning into a
speech. Sam saw a few fond smiles, some rolling eyes, and a lot of eating. No one really ignored the speech,
and some people paid attention enough to nod at the right places. It was a very nice speech, all about how
both Robert and Sam served the community and were valued. The mayor even said how nice it was that they
were choosing to marry, and how historic the occasion would be, being the first gay marriage on record in
the town. That part made Sam's stomach flutter a little, but he took heart from the fact that so many people
were supporting them instead of making a fuss.
Robert's hand slid over his thigh under the table and squeezed.
There was lots of applause when the mayor was finally done, and then everyone wanted Robert to say some-
thing. Finally, he stood and the crowd quieted down. "I'm not much of a speech maker." He waited for the
cheers to die down before going on. "I don' t know about historic or anything, but the man I want to spend
my life with has agreed to make it official, and to me, that makes it pretty damned special. And we just want
to thank everyone for coming out tonight to help us celebrate that."
Sam looked up at him, smiling and knowing he was blushing. Damn it. He looked back at the room and nod-
ded, reaching for Robert's hand and squeezing it hard. He saw a lot of smiles aimed back at him and he
blushed harder. "What he said," he managed. "Thank you all, so much. Eat!" He tugged Robert's hand and
pulled him down, kissing him lightly on the mouth, not caring if it was appropriate or not. Sometimes kisses
just had to happen.
Catcalls and more cheers went up, and Robert was blushing just as hard as he was. "The wedding's going to
be like this, isn't it?" Robert asked.
"Oh, yeah," Sam said, grinning. "With added flowers and a cake, and music, and fancier clothes. It's going to
be awesome."
Robert chuckled and stroked his cheek. "We've got dessert here, though, right? You think if I look mourn-
fully toward the buffet one of the ladies will clue in and bring me one of everything?"
Sam snorted. "All you have to do is glance that way and they'll thunder over there to meet your every need."
He leaned into Robert's touch without really noticing and added, "Try it. See what happens."
Robert chuckled and looked down at his empty plate and then over at the buffet table and you could almost
see the word dessert on his face.
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Sam bit his lip to keep from laughing as Virginia, Marjorie, Annie and a couple of other ladies almost ran to
the table. "See? I'll just steal some of yours; you'll have enough to share."
Robert just grinned and whispered, "It's good to be king."
Sam laughed, not able to stop himself. "Just don't let it go to your head," he said, watching the ladies pile up
plates. "And if you're king, what does that make me?"
Robert's lips twitched. Then they twitched harder and he could see Robert bite his lip. It still came out. "My
queen."
Sam glared at him for all he was worth, trying to look pissed while still keeping an eye on the people all
around them. "Just for that," he hissed, "I am going to wear a dress. So there."
"That's your prerogative. I'm not sure white is your color though..." Robert winked, still laughing when three
plates were suddenly presented, piled high with desserts.
Sam regretted he hadn't gotten in a dig about his lack of virginity, but then figured it would be lame, any-
way. Robert knew full well all about that. Plus, there was chocolate to eat. He eyed Robert's treasures and
only half paid attention to Robert thanking the ladies, then blinked when a dinner plate full of desert was put
in front of him.
"Thanks," Sam said, looking up in surprise.
"You get to eat, too," Marjorie said with a grin. "Just because he's in uniform doesn't mean you're not cute,
too." She laughed and stepped back, going back to her table with a wave.
"You know," Sam said thoughtfully, "She's a wonderful girl. I vote we keep her."
"You mean like as a pet?" Robert asked, grabbing a brownie and putting it in his mouth in one go.
"Yes, dear, exactly like a pet." Sam rolled his eyes and picked up a treat that seemed to be mostly cream and
chocolate. "I meant in a more general sense. And I bet she'll be willing to help with the wedding."
"Oh, then we'll definitely keep her. Not in the house though. No girls." Robert gave him a wink and shoved
more dessert into his mouth. He looked like he was actually going to do his best to clear all three plates all
on his own.
"I don't know, I think a wife would help me keep you from eating your body weight in crap." Sam eyed the
vanishing food. "You're going to make yourself sick."
"You two already sound married," Annie said, bringing them a pitcher of water.
Sam grinned. "I practice."
"We basically are married except for the piece of paper," Robert noted. "We've been together a lot of years."
"Yeah." Sam nodded. "But now I get to make him wear his uniform, kiss me in public, and dance."
"Dance? You never said anything about dancing."
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Annie laughed and patted Robert on the shoulder.
Sam smiled innocently. "A dance. At the reception. It's going to be wonderful."
"Oh, man." Robert took a bite out of a piece of pie.
"Do not make yourself fat before the wedding," Sam said, one eyebrow up. "You'll need to get a new uni-
form, if you do."
"I'm just trying to be polite."
"You're going to polite yourself into a new waist measurement." He tugged Robert's plate away from him a
few inches and kissed his cheek. "Have something to drink, then more cake. Or you know. We can go talk to
people."
"Spoilsport." Robert leaned back and gave Annie his best smile. "Do you think there'd be enough left for
some take-home?"
Annie eyed the food in front of them and the still laden table. "Robert, you'll have sweets for a week. I'll go
make you two up some plates and hide them out back."
Sam rolled his eyes as she hurried off. "You know, she's not kidding. There's going to be enough sugar at
our house to keep you happy for a month, I'm sure."
"You're going to make me stretch it out that long, aren't you?" Robert grinned and gave him a quick kiss.
"Come on, let's go mingle. Together this time."
"Don't you dare let go of me." Sam stood up and tangling their fingers together. "And let's see if we can
avoid anyone who wants to rain on our parade. Though I doubt they're here."
"Oh, I saw Brenda. Charlie no doubt dragged her along. I'm worried she's going to make him stop volunteer-
ing, and he's my best guy." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]