Chapter 9 Tae
TAE
OUR WEDDING DAY
“No!” I ran away from Daddy. He wasn’t getting my ring back. I hadn’t taken it off since he proposed to me.
It. Was. Mine!
“Tae, sweetheart, the minister will put it right back on in a few minutes. It’s part of the ceremony, I promise.”
“It’s mine! You gave it to me! No take backsies!”
“Tae, there are people here and you’re naked!”
“Oops.” I skidded to a stop in the kitchen, and there they were.
Momma, Oscar, Samian, the poor minister, and all our friends staring at me like I’d lost my mind, and I kinda think I did.
“Sorry.” I took off back down the hall to our room and slammed the door shut.
Shoot, I hope the photographer didn’t take any pictures of that.
“Tae Saavedra, what in the world has gotten into you?” Daddy scolded.
“Ashwood.”
“What?”
“Tae Ashwood. Or Saavedra Ashwood. I haven’t decided yet.”
“And you haven’t gotten dressed yet either. Get over here so Daddy can dress you.” Daddy was a little rougher than he usually was, but I’d been naughty.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“What is going on in that head of yours? Do you want to call off the wedding? If this is how it’s gonna affect you then I don’t want it. I want my happy boy back.”
I burst into tears and Daddy pulled me into his arms. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“Sweetheart, I just don’t get what’s going through your head right now. This morning you were so excited about the wedding and seeing your friends. What happened since then.”
“You.” Sob, “Asked.” Sob. “For my ring.” Sob. “Back.”
“Baby, it’s part of the ceremony. The minister gives us the other’s ring to put on their finger, and we say our special words to each other, sealing the bond between husbands.
” Daddy got up and locked the door then sat down and pulled me onto his lap.
“Here,” he tugged his binder down. “Drink all you want, they can wait. It’s our day, after all. ”
Daddy always knew what I needed, even when I didn’t.
Daddy played with my curly curls and whispered sweet things to me, calming me down while I nursed.
“The rings will only be off for a couple of minutes but if doing that makes you this upset, we can skip it. This day is about us, and we do it our way.” Then he laughed.
“I can’t believe you just strutted your naked ass in front of our family. ”
Now I had the giggles. “Twig and berries too, Daddy.”
“Dear Goddess, yes, twig and berries too. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, Daddy. I just freaked out a little.”
“You freaked out a lot, my love. Do you want to call the wedding off?” Daddy looked super sad when he asked me that. I wanted this just as much as he did and I wasn’t calling it off.
“No, Daddy. I want to marry you, I swear.” Daddy eyed me like I was crazy and I kinda was today. “I’m just all hyped up, I guess.”
“Hmm, you’re something alright. Let’s finish getting dressed and greet our guests with clothes on this time.” More giggles came from me but at least the scary sads were gone and I got to keep my ring on.
Daddy got us ready and before he opened the door I took a couple of deep breaths.
“Just remember, Tae, the only people here you don’t know are the minister though she now knows you a little too well, and the photographer.” Daddy rolled his eyes. “Silly boy, remember who that naked ass belongs to. Come on, let’s go.”
“Much better,” Momma winked and kissed my forehead. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” It was so cute that she and Daddy both called me that.
“Yes, Momma. Sorry about showing you my butt.”
She laughed. “Not the first naked ass I’ve seen and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I see you won the great ring debacle.”
I did win but felt like a fool for the way I acted. “Yeah, it was so dumb.”
“Different things hit different people different ways. Chuck loves you and would never do anything to hurt or upset you. I hope you know that Tae?”
“I do. I’m sorry Momma.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, Tae. You’re allowed to feel how you feel, just maybe next time do it with clothes on. Now, let’s go get you hitched.”
Momma took my hand and walked me outside and I froze. Not out of fear, not because I was overwhelmed, at least, not in a bad way. Daddy and Oscar had transformed our backyard into a beautiful paradise.
Daddy, Oscar, Samian and the minister stood beneath the gorgeous arch Daddy and Oscar made special just for today, or so I thought.
White twinkle lights wove through it, and they’d installed it to serve as the entrance to our covered seating area with the big picnic table we ate at sometimes.
It was perfect and now it would be there forever. Just like me and Daddy.
As soon as my eyes found Daddy’s, I saw nothing and no one else. If Momma hadn’t walked me to the front, I’d likely still be stuck on the porch staring at him. He was so handsome, even though I’d just seen him it hit me what a truly lucky boy I was.
“Who gives this man away today?” The minister asked.
“I do,” Momma said, then kissed my cheek and took a seat with the rest of our friends and family.
“Friends and family,”
“They’re all family,” I interrupted, but my friends’ giggles triggered mine. “Oops, sorry.”
The minister smiled. “I stand corrected. Dear family,” she winked at me, “we are gathered here today to witness the union between Chuck and Tae. A bond not to be taken lightly but one given with their whole hearts. Gentlemen, are you ready?” Daddy and I nodded.
“Charles Austin Ashwood, do you take Tae Saavedra to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love in good times and bad, and above all else promise to be faithful and kind?”
“I do.”
“Tae Saavedra, do you take Charles Austin Ashwood to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love in good times and bad, and above all else promise to be faithful and kind?”
“I do.”
“With no rings to exchange,” my friend’s giggled again. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and husband. You gentlemen, may kiss your husband.”
Daddy picked me up and I squeaked, then he kissed me naughty big right in front of everyone. My face heated but I didn’t care, this was my Daddy. Oops, my husband Daddy, he-he, and he could kiss me anywhere and anytime he wanted.
“Alright,” Momma announced after the photographer Dave, who I forgot was even here, took a bazillion pictures after everyone hugged us to death. “Food is ready inside. Feel free to eat indoors or out under this gorgeous pergola.”
“Ha, you learned the right word, Momma.” I think she flipped Daddy the bird, if I’m not mistaken. Given how hard he was laughing, she probably did.
“It’s a mix of Tae and Chuck’s favorites so please, eat your fill.”
Daddy and I got to go first since it was our day.
“Yay, mini corndogs, they’re so cute.” I snagged one and munched it while Daddy filled our plates.
Momma had all the fun foods, nuggets, fries, salad.
Yes, I loved salad and so did Daddy. There was ‘sketti and tons of nummy goodness and dippy sauces. “Daddy, cake.”
“Let’s eat first, then we’ll cut the cake. Come on, husband, let’s enjoy this gorgeous weather.” I followed Daddy outside and one by one the others joined us.
“Daddy, I…” My brain zipped shut when my eyes landed on my playground. Or at least, what used to be my playground.
“That, sweet boy, is my wedding present to you.”
“But Daddy, I didn’t get you anything.”
“That’s not what this is about, my love. I wanted to do something special for you, with Oscar’s help, of course.”
They’d completely transformed my playground.
Before it was just a swing set and not much else.
Now it was this climby jungle gym that sat in a giant sandbox.
The block walls of the fence behind it were painted in the same paint Oscar used on my playroom table and there was a big bucket of giant chalk in front of it.
“Is that a climbing wall, Daddy?”
Off to the side but still inside the sandbox was a fun climbing wall.
“It is. Surprise!”
“Best Husband Daddy ever!” Guess I hollered that a bit too loud because everyone started laughing. “Oopsie.”
“You’re fine, Sweet Boy. Let’s eat, do cake, then we’ll get changed and you can play with your friends.”
“Yay! Then they can sign my wall in their special splotches.”
“Special splotches?” Trevor asked.
“Yup. I finished my playroom and I made spots for you and Brandon to write a note to me on. That way when you’re not here, I have happy words from you to read and ‘member.”
“Daddy, did you hear that? I got a special spot,” Trevor told his Daddy Jayger.
“I heard. Isn’t that wonderful. You’re a very thoughtful boy, Tae.”
“Thank you, Daddy Jayger.” I didn’t think of it that way, but it was okay that he did.
My tummy was full but not too full for cake.
I ran over and stared at it until Daddy and Momma came over.
“Momma, it looks so yummy.” There were two plastic grooms on top that Daddy said I could keep.
As we cut the cake, photographer Dave took even more pictures, then Daddy and I shared the first piece.
While everyone else ate theirs Daddy changed me into play clothes.
“Daddy’s Little Husband. Oh. My. Gawd, Daddy, that is so cute.” Daddy bought me a special new onesie for today. “I love it and I love you.”
“I love you too, Tae. Let Daddy get changed then we’ll join our family.”
Family.
We were a big, happy family and I was a very happy boy.
“Here,” Trevor and Brandon handed me a big box when we came back out. “You have to open your prezzie.”
“I thought Daddy said no prezzies?” I glanced at Daddy and he was just as surprised as I was.
“He did,” Daddy Adam said. “And we made donations to the center, but the boys found these and Jayger and I agreed that they were perfect for you and your Daddy.”
I ripped the paper off, tore the box open and squealed. “Daddy, wedding bear husbands. Look!”
“I’m looking. They’re very cute, thank you boys.” Daddy cleared his throat. “Everyone, I’d like to thank you for taking this journey with Tae and me and sharing our big day with us. We can’t thank you enough for being here and we’re beyond blessed to call you family.”
Oh gosh, more hugs. Like, lots and lots of hugs. I’d be all squished out by the time we go to bed tonight.
“Come on, Trevor, come on, Brandon. I wanna show you my playroom first.”
“Whoa,” They both stopped in the center of the room and spun around. “This is seriously cool,” Brandon was the first to say. Trevor just stood there with his mouth hanging open.
“Here are the paint pins. This is your bubble, Brandon and this one is yours, Trevor,” I pointed to each.
“Write anything you want to say to me.” While they signed the wall, I put the Daddy groom bears in their new home on my bookshelf.
LJ and Stitch slept with Daddy and me, so they were already tucked in and waiting for us in bed.
“I’ll be right back.” I ran out to get Momma and Samian so they could see and sign their splotches too.
“Tae, this is amazing,” Momma said as she walked inside the playroom. “Look at the bright colors and all the details.”
“Look, Momma, I even have a splotch for you to sign right by your picture.”
She laughed when she saw the cartoon version of herself. “This is too funny. If only my skin was really that smooth. Okay, sweet boy, where are the pens?”
While she signed hers, I showed Samian where his was. “You definitely got all the artistic talent in our family,” Samian said. “I murder stick figures.”
“But you’re good with numbers and they are not my friends.” Which was why Daddy handled all the money and business stuff.
When they were done, Trevor, Brandon and I went outside to play, and Samian even joined us. Trey had come to the wedding with Oscar, and I kept catching Trey watching us.
“Samian, should we see if Trey wants to play?”
Samian glanced over his shoulder at him. “I dunno. Not sure what he’s thinking. He may think we’re a bunch of weirdos but honestly, this is a great way to release some stress. Finals are coming up.”
“Ugh, sorry.” College wasn’t for me and I was glad I realized that a long time ago. I loved my life with Daddy. Our lifestyle may not be for everyone, but it was perfect for us.
Samian, Oscar, and Trey were the first to leave. Samian lived with Oscar, but Trey rode with them. Shortly after that Momma went home too. We gave her big hugs and thanked her for everything. She worked hard to make our special day as perfect as it was.
Daddy, Daddy Adam and Daddy Jayger made plans to have a playdate at our house next. I was so excited to have my friends over. Today we just played outside but for our next playdate we’ll have more time to play in my playroom too. Maybe I’ll even have a few new toys by then.
A boy could dream, couldn’t he?
“Daddy, Daddy, come on,” I tugged his arm after he locked the front door. “I wanna see what everyone wrote to me.”
I was so excited. It was like having the forever kind of Valentine’s cards.
“From Samian, ‘Tae, fate made us brothers, but love made us a family. I’ll always be thankful that you and Oscar are in my life. Even if you have all the artistic talent. Love you, Samian’ He drew a silly face, Daddy.”
“How nice. Who’s next?” Daddy asked.
“Um, Momma. ‘Sweet Tae, I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law than you. My son chose well and I’m glad you’re a part of our family. Chuck’s dad would’ve loved you just like I do. Love, Momma’.” That one made me and Daddy both get all teary eyed.
“She’s right, you know. My dad would’ve adored you.” Daddy had no idea how much that meant to me.
“Here’s Trevor’s, ‘Tae, this is seriously the coolest room ever. I’m so glad we’re the bestest of friends. The three amigos. Love, your friend, Trevor.’”
Brandon’s was right beside it. “’Tae, I can’t wait to see what you do with my playroom,’” Daddy laughed. “’Can you teach me how to draw? Love, Brandon.’”
“Short and to the point. You have very nice friends, little one and it looks like another littles room to paint.”
“I really do.”
“Alright, sweetheart, that just leaves Daddy’s splotch.”
“When did you do this?” I forgot Daddy still hadn’t done his.
“When you were outside playing. Go ahead, read it.”
“’Tae, You are the love of my life, the air that I breathe and the reason I’ve become the man that I am. There aren’t enough words to express how I feel about you. I love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Love, Daddy.’”
“Oh, Daddy,” I burst into tears and he wrapped his arms around me. “I love you so dang much.”
“Ditto, my love. Ditto.”
How was it that every time Daddy and I made love it was like the first time all over again? Multiply that by infinity because tonight, when my husband made love to me, it was compounded, deeper than it ever had been, by the love we shared and the vows we took.