9 Chapter 8

Disregarding Chancy's warnings, the wedding date is set for six month's time. It's also around this time that the newly engaged couple began discussing the future.

At the moment they were in Andrei's mansion, seated on the luxurious couch. Eric was wearing a thin, silk robe, curled up on his lap as he rested his head on the man's chest. He looked much like a spoiled and lazy cat cuddling up to its owner.

"I know we haven't mentioned this before, but I don't plan on spending the majority of my time in America." Andrei said softly as Eric lifted his head to look up at him.

"And what exactly does that mean?" He asked, unmoving even as a warm hand reached up to stroke the back of his head.

"Come with me to Russia. As for your work… you won't need to worry about that anymore."

Eric had a profound look on his face, simply staring up at Andrei with his intense and unreadable eyes. However after a moment he rested his head back on the man's chest, practically melting into his touch as he let his eyes close. "Alright." He said, seemingly having no qualms with it.

After all, Eric didn't have many friends to begin with. Khalisa was always traveling, his brother and father were often busy… if he were to choose, he'd want to be close to Andrei.

The Russian man kissed the top of his head and assured him that he would love Russia. As for the matter of homosexuality… it was legal, and that was the most one could say. However Andrei was clever enough that he planned not to advertise the fact. If you were wealthy and influential enough you could get away with anything. People would overlook the American man he was keeping.

*

As the day of the wedding drew nearer, Chancy was becoming more and more frustrated. Every lead seemed to be a dead end, and in the beginning he didn't have much time. Private investigators suddenly quit or had nothing to show, and Russian authorities were little to no help.

In the end, he had no choice but to give up. Eric and their father had been thoroughly won over by Andrei- so much so that Eric suddenly declared that he was going to quit his job three months before the wedding, and announced his future immigration to Russia with Andrei.

To say that Chancy was bitter would be an understatement. Without ever clashing head on Andrei seemed to have outstepped and outsmarted him, and to rub salt in the wounds there was no avoiding Eric's enthusiasm.

At the very least he was happy… but he could only hope that it would stay that way.

*

Eric had taken to journaling recently. After quitting his job he had more free time on his hands than he knew what to do with. There were only so many things he could buy and places he could go before he got bored, and so he put his pen to paper and wrote out his thoughts.

Curled up on the couch, Lily was sleeping in a ball next to him, his leather bound journal balanced on his legs while he wrote. For the most part, he was jotting down ideas for the wedding- the location had been decided but he was unsure what color theme he wanted. Should it be more classic or a bit wilder? And should he keep his list of invitees small and intimate or long to show off?

So engrossed in his writing he failed to notice Andrei's return until a hand settled on his shoulder and a kiss was pressed to his temple. "What are you writing, котенок?" He asked in his low, deep voice. Eric set down his journal and pen with a smile, turning and sitting up on his knees so he could wrap his arms around Andrei's neck, kissing him on the cheek.

"Ideas for the wedding. I don't know if I want magnolias for decoration or lilies." He said, not resisting as Andrei suddenly picked him up bridal style, carrying him off towards the bedroom.

"You can have both if you'd like." The man said, causing Eric to huff slightly.

"That would look terrible." He said, resting his head in the crook of his neck and shoulder. There was something about Andrei that made him feel so safe and content. As if whenever he was in his arms, life was truly perfect.

After making it to the bed the two were entangled in a passionate embrace for quite some time. Sticky and sweaty, Eric had no strength left in him as he rested beside Andrei. The taller man was looking down at him with a gaze that could almost be considered truly affectionate.

He was very fond of Eric, he would admit. Over the years he'd had many different lovers- cunning, bewitching, dangerous. However an easily pleased and obedient lover like Eric was truly the best in the long run.

"I love you." He said, kissing the sleeping male's forehead and receiving a soft grumble in reply.

Unfortunately, those three words were still a lie.

*

On the day of their wedding Eric felt like he was going to cry on a number of occasions. He was slightly panicked, overwhelmed, and indescribably all at the same time. His best friend Khalisa was currently trying to calm him down before he really devolved into a mental breakdown.

"It looks fine, Eric." She said for the umpteenth time as he obsessively checked his hair in the mirror.

"It's not! Something's off but I don't know what." He snapped, turning his head to inspect it at different angles.

With a deep sigh, she spun him around and planted her hands firmly on her shoulders. "The more you look at yourself the more insane you're going to get. Just take a deep breath. Honestly, Eric, you're worrying about nothing. Andrei's not going to walk out just because your hair isn't perfect- and yes it's fine."

Shoulders stiff, he finally let out a deep sigh and let them relax. "You're right, you're right." He conceded, anxiousness decreasing by a fraction. "But what if-"

Khalisa's hand suddenly moved to cover his mouth. "No what if's! Now let's go, it's almost time."

Eric checked his appearance one last time in the full body mirror. The white tuxedo he'd picked out was pristine and without a single wrinkle in it, tailored so that it flatteringly fit onto his body. Closing his eyes, he took in a few more deep breaths to settle his nerves.

"Alright, I'm ready."

When he met with his father his eyes turned a bit watery once more, but calming down, they were soon walking down the isle. Standing at the altar was Andrei, looking particularly handsome with in his black tux, as impeccable as a marble statue. Eyes locked onto his soon to be husband, Eric felt like he was walking on clouds all the way there.

Some ceremonial words were said, but they all passed through Eric's head like air. Shining violet eyes looked up, meeting Andrei's piercing blue gaze.

Andrei's expression was gentle and steady, and so was his voice as they exchanged vows.

"Do you, Andrei Petrov, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Do you, Eric Aubert, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

And with a kiss, their union was sealed.

People often said that their wedding was the happiest day of their lives, and Eric wholeheartedly agreed. Even when his more distasteful guests came to congratulate them his smile was ever present, looking down at their wedding bands every now and then as if to make sure this all were real.

However after the reception was what he was most looking forward to. He just wanted to spend time alone with his new husband, and bask in the knowledge that his future was endlessly warm and bright.