Gavin stopped clapping to wipe away the tears that were forming in his eyes. He watched Emmett walk back onto the stage, stand next to the piano, and take his third and final bow. Gavin looked from the ring on his finger back up to the breathtakingly handsome man in the tuxedo on stage. He thought how lucky he was to have such an amazing man that he could call his husband.
After Emmett walked off the stage again, the audience finally settled, putting on coats, turning on cell phones, and gathering their programs. Emmett's students stood in the front, and had started the standing ovation that was rightly earned after Emmett had finished his final piece, the fourth Chopin Ballade. The recital had been phenomenal, beyond what words could describe. Very few note errors were made, and flawless interpretation and style, along with solid memory, made these small discrepancies disappear from the audience's mind.
"He certainly is something, that Emmett, isn't he?" Gavin turned around to face a beaming Cecelia and Pete.
"Yes, he sure is, Cee," Gavin replied.
"Never says a word about how talented he is, and then he puts that out there. You're lucky. You hooked yourself a good'un, Gavin."
"I sure did. I don't know how, but I did."
"How's married life?" Pete asked.
The pastor at Gavin's church had been willing to marry them, and had done so two months ago. The plans had taken six months, and couldn't have gone any smoother. Gavin still remembered watching Emmett walk down the aisle, a decision that was decided by nothing less than a coin toss. Emmett had also decided to take Gavin's name. They'd had their finances combined, and had bought a loft in a nice suburb of the city.
"It's great. I couldn't have asked for anything better," Gavin said, walking with the couple through the doors of the concert hall and into the green room.
Even after over a year of seeing him every day, Emmett still took Gavin's breath away. He was standing by the wall, shaking hands with people, thanking them for their praise of the performance, and even this affected Gavin.
Emmett, tired from the performance, graciously accepted the compliments bestowed upon him. Smiling, he shook everyone's hand and accepted a few hugs, but in his mind, he wondered where Gavin was. The thoughts of why Gavin wouldn't have been there plagued Emmett's mind: did he get held at one of the restaurants? Had he forgotten? Emmett's patient waiting turned almost to panic as the last person walked into the hall to mingle.
Gavin waited until everyone had gone through the line to go up to Emmett. Grabbing one of Emmett's hands in his and putting the other tenderly on the side of Emmett's neck, he pulled Emmett into a quick kiss.
"You were wonderful," Gavin said. "I've honestly never heard anything that has moved me so much."
"You're just saying that," Emmett replied automatically.
"No, Emmett." Gavin grabbed Emmett's face in his hands. Emmett could feel Gavin's breath on his skin, sending chills down his spine. "It was truly remarkable."
"He was bawling like a baby at the end."
Emmett and Gavin whirled around to face the sound of Cassidy's voice.
"Was he, now?" Emmett said, raising one eyebrow curiously.
"I was," Gavin confirmed.
"It really was wonderful, Emmett. Sorry I'm late to tell you that, but I had to use the ladies' room so badly by the time you were finished I thought I was going to explode."
"Uh, too much information, Cass, but that's fine."
The three walked out, through the hallways and lobbies to the parking lot, talking about Emmett's stellar performance.
"Now, if you don't watch, he'll get a big head," Cassidy remarked after another one of Gavin's positive comments.
