The next morning began with noise.
Not ordinary noise.
Wedding noise.
Michael barely stepped out of his room before Jasail appeared in front of him holding a notebook.
"Good," Jasail said seriously.
Michael blinked.
"What?"
"You're awake. We have work."
Michael laughed.
"Since when are you in charge?"
Jasail looked offended.
"Since none of you can be trusted."
Behind him, Lucas walked out of their room adjusting his shirt.
"I agree with him."
Michael turned.
"You too?"
Lucas smiled.
"You said yes. This is your punishment."
Michael laughed as Lucas leaned down and kissed his forehead.
It still felt strange.
Wonderful.
Being able to do that openly.
No hiding.
No fear.
Just love.
And now—
a wedding.
By noon—
Everyone was in the car.
Destination:
the forest venue.
The official wedding site.
As the luxury SUV moved through the quiet countryside, excitement built slowly.
Grace kept checking decor photos on her phone.
Lina had opened another spreadsheet.
Grandma quietly prayed.
Daniel sat beside Lina, pretending not to admire her every five seconds.
Michael parents remained at the hotel because they were stressed out.
And Jasail—
sat upright in the middle seat like a tiny CEO.
"Everyone remain calm," he announced.
"This is a professional inspection."
Michael laughed.
Lucas leaned toward him and whispered:
"He really believes that."
"I know."
"And honestly…"
Lucas smiled.
"…so do I."
When they arrived—
Everyone fell silent.
The forest was breathtaking.
Tall trees stretched endlessly into the sky.
Sunlight slipped gently through green leaves.
A wooden pathway curved inward toward an open clearing.
Wildflowers lined the edges.
A small lake shimmered nearby.
The wind carried a soft earthy scent.
Michael stopped walking.
His chest tightened.
"This…"
He looked around slowly.
"…this feels right."
Lucas smiled softly.
"I knew it would."
Michael turned to him.
"You knew?"
Lucas nodded.
"Before everyone voted."
Michael laughed.
"You cheated."
Lucas shrugged.
"I call it planning."
Then—
Jasail began his inspection.
And took it far too seriously.
He examined tree trunks.
Touched branches.
Kicked a stone.
Stared at a flower bed.
Then announced:
"This branch is ugly."
Everyone looked.
"What branch?" Grace asked.
"That one."
"It's a tree."
"It's offensive."
The entire group burst into laughter.
Grandma shook her head.
"This child."
Soon—
Grace and Lina took over decorations.
"No," Grace said.
"Rustic elegance."
Lina gasped.
"No—fairy lights."
Grace pointed.
"White roses."
Lina argued.
"Lanterns."
Daniel quietly stepped back.
"This feels dangerous."
Michael laughed.
Lucas grabbed his hand.
"Come."
"Where?"
"Away from them."
And just like that—
they slipped away.
The deeper part of the forest was quieter.
Only birds.
Wind.
Leaves.
Their hands remained intertwined.
Michael smiled.
"It's strange."
"What is?"
"That this is our life now."
Lucas looked at him.
"You don't like it?"
Michael stopped walking.
Turned fully toward him.
And smiled.
"I love it."
Lucas smiled too.
Then Michael looked upward.
"At the seminary…"
he whispered,
"We used to pray that no one would find out."
Lucas nodded.
"And now?"
Michael looked around the forest.
"This whole place knows."
Lucas laughed softly.
"Good."
Then he kissed Michael.
Slowly.
Beneath the trees.
Like a promise.
When they returned—
Grandma stood beneath one giant ancient tree.
She touched its bark gently.
Then turned.
"This one."
Everyone looked.
"For what?" Lina asked.
Grandma smiled.
"Your vows."
Silence followed.
Because somehow—
Everyone immediately agreed.
That tree felt sacred.
Michael stared at it.
And felt emotional without knowing why.
Later that afternoon—
Michael finally made the call.
Rev. Fr. Benedict.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"Hello?"
Michael smiled instantly.
"Father Benedict."
A pause.
Then surprise.
"Michael?"
Michael laughed.
"Yes."
"My son!"
Lucas smiled beside him.
"It has been too long."
"It has," Michael agreed.
"And I'm calling with news."
"What news?"
Michael looked at Lucas.
Their fingers intertwined.
Then he smiled.
"I'm getting married."
Silence.
A long one.
Then—
soft laughter.
"I knew it."
Michael blinked.
"You what?"
"I may be old," Father Benedict said,
"but not blind."
Lucas burst into laughter.
Michael covered his face.
"Oh God."
Father Benedict continued warmly:
"I am happy for you."
Michael swallowed.
"Thank you."
Then Lucas leaned closer toward the phone.
"And the wedding is next Friday."
Another pause.
Then—
"So soon?"
Michael laughed.
"Yes."
Father Benedict smiled through his voice.
"Then I expect an invitation."
Michael's eyes widened slightly.
Then—
something clicked.
He looked at Lucas.
Then whispered:
"We'll talk soon, Father."
And ended the call.
But said nothing yet.
Soon after—
Sam joined by video call.
And immediately screamed.
"WAIT—YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED NEXT WEEK FRIDAY?!"
Michael laughed.
"Yes."
Sam clutched his chest.
"This is betrayal."
Lucas laughed.
"You were invited."
"That's not enough."
Sam pointed dramatically.
"I demand the best man rights."
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
"Denied."
Michael laughed loudly.
Then the seminary memories returned.
"Remember choir practice?" Sam asked.
Michael groaned.
"No."
"You sang too loudly."
"I was passionate!"
Lucas interrupted:
"You were off-key."
Sam nearly fell laughing.
Then altar server memories.
Then dorm stories.
Then Frank.
Then hospital memories.
By the end—
all three were crying from laughter.
And for a moment—
their past felt beautiful.
Not painful.
Beautiful.
As sunset approached—
Everyone gathered near the old vow tree again.
The forest glowed golden.
Perfect.
Then—
a wedding planner approached.
Tablet in hand.
She smiled politely.
"One final question."
Everyone looked.
"Who will officiate the ceremony?"
Silence.
Michael froze.
The answer came to him instantly.
He turned slowly toward Lucas.
Then whispered—
"What about Rev. Fr. Benedict?"
Lucas' eyes widened.
Then softened.
And he smiled.
Because suddenly—
Everything made sense.
The seminary.
The hiding.
The pain.
The first kiss.
The first fear.
And now—
the man who once taught Michael faith…
might be the same man to marry them.
Under the trees.