by Ava Beringer
“Let’s have cake!” I said. Everybody jumped up to join us, especially the kids. Buster strolled up dead last, in his wide-legged white pantsuit.
“I’ll have to be cautious of the cake. I can’t ruin my outfit.”
“Buster, I’ve never seen you in anything that wasn’t neon,” Preston said. I giggled. Buster twisted his wrist and rolled his eyes.
“Somebody had to wear white to this wedding, honey.” He looked around. “And there aren’t enough people here to gossip about their outfits. A pity.” Gabe came up and handed my baby over to me. I kissed Daisy’s cheeks.
“Look, your dads are married now!” I held up my hand with the ring on it and Daisy followed the shine with her eyes.
“Besides Miguel, you’re the first of us to tie the knot,” Gabe said.
“And you’re the youngest. How is that fair?” Ginger joked, chucking my cheek.
“You mean to tell me none of you fine fellas-” Ginger cleared her throat- “or this lovely lady, brought dates?” Hunter said, his arm around Miguel. Everybody shook their heads. Buster struck a dramatic pose.
“I’m a monument on my own,” he said as he slowly extended his arms to their full span, “but nope, my desperately single ass couldn’t find a date!”
“Who’s next, then?” Clarke asked. Everybody looked around, heads twisting back and forth.
Our eyes landed on two forms hunched in the back. It was Miguel’s cousin Rico, who’d been working at the shop while I was gone. His arm was around an omega’s shoulders, a young African-American man with a skin tone almost as deep as Buster’s. It looked like Rico was reassuring the omega. A little boy danced in the grass nearby. He looked like both of them, but I’d never known Rico to have any kids. Rico smiled gently at the young omega, and the omega cautiously returned the smile. Rico jerked his head in our direction and they stood up together and came toward us.
“Rico! Keenan! I’m so glad you could make it,” Miguel said. Rico grinned with a smile bright and charming enough to light up the Bay Area.
“Hey, everybody. Congratulations, Colby and Preston. It was a beautiful ceremony. You didn’t need a DJ? I keep my equipment in my truck.” Keenan and Miguel rolled their eyes at the same time.
“No way was I going to let you bring all that noise to this wedding,” Miguel said. Rico just grinned.
“Next time, then. I don’t think you’ve all met Keenan.” Keenan’s face was angled purposefully toward the ground. He lifted his eyes and gave us a little wave and a nervous but sweet smile. “He’s my-”
“Ex.” Keenan finished simply.
“Doesn’t look that way. Exes are in the past, and you two look like you’re enjoying each other in the present,” Buster said.
“I don’t know, Buster. My ex is always first on my mind as a wedding date,” Clarke deadpanned. Keenan dropped his chin even lower, biting at his lip. Rico let out a humorless laugh.
“Keenan’s a little shy, so I figured I’d introduce him.” Keenan pretended not to tuck himself further into Rico’s side, even though he looked conflicted about it, like he wanted to pull away but couldn’t help himself. The adorable boy, who looked more and more like Rico, danced up to Keenan tugging on his hand.
“Daddy, where’s the bathroom, please?” Keenan looked relieved he had a reason to bolt.
“I’m just gonna take him to the bathroom,” he said softly. The boy tugged Rico’s hand.
“C’mon.”
“To the bathroom, Mateo?” Keenan squeaked, none too pleased about it. The boy nodded as if it was the most logical thing in the world.
“To the bathroom!” Rico said in a booming superhero voice. He swept a giggling Mateo up and zoomed inside, Keenan trudging behind, shaking his head.
“I guess we know who’s next,” I said.
“And we know who’s wedding is happening right now,” Miguel said. We were going to spend the day eating dinner and dancing, but for now I was content to smash a slice of cake into Preston’s face. He blinked one eye open as everybody dissolved into giggles.
“I was wondering when that was coming,” he said, laughing as he swiped cake off his face. His hand came up and I thought he was going to get me back, but he only smeared a line of frosting on my cheek. His other arm snaked around my waist and pulled me close, making Daisy coo between us. “I love you. I’m so grateful we have the here and now, together.”
“Hold me tight and don’t ever let go.”
“Always.” Preston leaned in for a sweet kiss. I got frosting on my nose.
The End
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