Epilogue
C eleste and I don’t move in together right away. We don’t even start staying overnight at each other’s places until a full month after we start dating again, and only when we feel absolutely ready. Even then, we keep things separate, only seeing each other when we need to for work and on weekends—but not every weekend.
The U-Haul lesbian life may work for some people, but we need more time and space. For now, anyway. And it’s nice. I’m still enjoying living alone. But I’m also enjoying my time with Celeste.
In lieu of living together, we go on a lot of dates, and do short little trips in-state. And that’s exactly what we do one weekend in the spring, with Celeste tagging along when I return to San Francisco to help with last-minute preparations for Kiara and Val’s wedding.
When we’re all done with errands for the big day, my friends and I meet up at the gorgeous Palace of Fine Arts. Kiara and Val are getting married here tomorrow. My skin buzzes with excitement at the thought.
Despite its name, the Palace is more of a huge, Greco-Roman rotunda with beautiful green lawns and a lagoon. Over a hundred feet tall and surrounded by ancient-looking columns, the entire area is picturesque and mystical, practically glowing in the afternoon light. The perfect setting for a very sapphic wedding.
“I know it’s too late to make changes now, the day before the wedding,” Kiara says when we meet up in the parking lot. “But I wanted to chill here for a bit to make sure the vibes are right. Plus, I figured it’d be nice for us to hang out, since I doubt we’ll have time to talk much tomorrow.”
“It was a great call,” I agree. “Coming to the venue in a much more casual context can also help with your nerves.”
My friends laugh at what I said, and I smile sheepishly when I realize I slipped into my advice columnist past self without even realizing it.
“It’s nice to meet you properly as Gemma’s girlfriend,” Val says, reaching around me and Kiara to give Celeste a firm handshake. “With all your clothes on.”
I laugh the hardest this time, and Celeste blushes as Kiara also shakes her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Celeste,” she says.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Celeste replies. “Congratulations. I’m looking forward to the wedding.”
Collectively, the four of us have filled our picnic baskets to the brim with various cheeses, jams, crackers, wines, and salami. We went a bit overboard, and at least two wine bottles stick out from the baskets.
Val lays out a large checkered blanket for us to sit on and passes out wineglasses. Kiara and I take out the food and arrange it on our charcuterie board as aesthetically pleasingly as we can. Before we dig in, Celeste takes a few pictures, of our food, the Palace, and of us, with her professional camera.
“We make an amazing team,” Kiara says. “And we’re so lucky to have you two to help out with the wedding. More double dates like this, please !”
“You guys should come down to SoCal next time,” I reply. “Now that you’ll be done with all the wedding craziness. You’ll love Balboa Park, Kiara. It’s an hour and a half from where I live, but Celeste and I can drive down and meet you guys there. It’s a similar vibe to this, but bigger.”
“That’s in San Diego, right?” Val asks. “Our wallets will need to recover first but, afterward, yeah, we’ll be there!”
Couples of all different races, genders, and sexualities picnic around us, and along with the idyllic, peaceful atmosphere created by the beautiful scenery, I’ve never felt safer. Val and Kiara must feel the same, because, after a while, their shoulders relax and they stare lovingly into each other’s eyes.
Celeste, too, seems to be enjoying herself. And her face is full of wonder and awe at our surroundings as she sips her wine.
“I can’t believe a place like this exists ,” she says after we finish eating. “Like, I drove by it a couple of times when I was visiting the city for work, but I thought it was just some big monument or something.”
“Isn’t it amazing?” I say. “Totally random, but cool. As for me, I can’t believe I’m here with all of you guys. Like, I’m so happy right now!”
I give Celeste a light peck on her lips before throwing out my arms to my sides to hug Val and Kiara. “You guys are getting married ! How are you feeling?”
My friends look at each other again.
“Honestly, I was a nervous wreck before you came,” Kiara says. “So I’m so glad you and Celeste are here with us.”
“Same here,” Val adds with wide eyes. “Really, even this picnic is helping a lot.”
“I’m glad we could help,” I say. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“Aw, Gemma!” Kiara exclaims. “We love you so much!”
Val nods in agreement, and we all come together for a big hug.
After we say goodbye to my friends, Celeste drives us over to the Golden Gate Park. It’s only six minutes away, and the weather’s perfect for a little stroll.
“I remember being so pissed off when I found out that this park isn’t next to the bridge,” Celeste muses when we get out of her car.
“Ah yeah,” I laugh. “It’s named after the Golden Gate strait. Just Gold Rush things, you know?”
What’s nice about the Golden Gate Park is that, unlike many other urban parks, it’s relatively removed from downtown. Stepping into its grounds makes it feel like we’re transported to another world. A family of bikers rides past us, laughing and chatting, and tourists take group selfies at the flower beds in full bloom as we walk by them.
Celeste and I end up going around the park until sunset. The lake shimmers in the fading sunlight, and the sky is a gorgeous purple and pink. We’ve been in a comfortable silence for a while now, and I turn around to see that she’s staring at me, her eyes dark and thoughtful.
“Gem,” she says when our eyes meet. “I was waiting for the right moment to say this, since the last time I said these three words, it was… in not ideal circumstances. But I love you. A lot.”
I feel the same way and have for a while now. But after what happened the last time we said we love each other, I can’t help but feel a little nervous. Although things have been so good ever since we decided to try dating again, there’s still a small part of me that’s afraid she might change her mind and leave again.
Something in my eyes must have revealed all the different emotions going through my head, because Celeste closes the distance between us. Before I know it, we’re kissing, her soft lips pressed against mine and our tongues saying the things we can’t.
“I love you, too,” I say, finally building up enough courage to do it.
Celeste beams. Then she suddenly laughs.
“What?” I ask, still smiling but a bit confused.
“Sorry,” Celeste says. “It occurred to me that this exact moment, us kissing in a romantic park during sunset… it’s a total romance book moment.”
“You and those romance books,” I tease. “Are there any other romance novel moments you’ve always wanted to try out in real life?”
“Getting married,” she says, so quickly that I gasp in surprise. “But I don’t think we’re quite there yet. I still have days when I’m convinced a happy marriage is a total myth. For people like me, I mean. Not for Kayla or your friends.”
I groan. “Well, it’s a good thing we don’t plan on getting married anytime soon. Anything else?”
“Cute picnic dates at the park.” She gives me a small, shy smile.
I laugh. “Check.”
She nods. “Thanks to Val and Kiara. Speaking of, I’ve also always wanted to attend a wedding with a partner. Since that’s a common romance book activity.”
I nod. “Well, keep hitting me with more of your romance novel bucket list ideas. We might be able to work our way up to marriage after all.”
“Maybe so.” Celeste gives my hand a light squeeze. “If I do end up getting married, there’s no one else I’d rather do it with than you.”
I squeeze her hand back. “I feel the same way about you.”
We stay like that for a long time, looking into each other’s eyes.
“Like you said, one step at a time,” Celeste says. “Or I guess, one romance novel moment at a time?”
“I like that. One romance novel moment at a time.”
Later that evening, we’re walking back to our hotel when Celeste says, “So, I don’t know about you, but I could use some shaved ice. No worries if you’re too full from dinner, though.”
I lightly slap her arm. “Of course not! What kind of Korean would I be if I didn’t have room for bingsu ?”
She chuckles. “All right then, we could go to the place we went to last time. Or , there’s another Asian dessert café on Sixteenth Street that I heard was good.”
“Let’s try the new place,” I say almost immediately. “I may be a long-term relationship girlie, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a ho when it comes to dessert.”
Celeste laughs and wraps her arm around my shoulders as we head back toward her car.
“I’m so excited for all the dessert places we’ll explore together, Gem,” she says, suddenly growing serious. “And for all the romance book memories we’ll make together.”
“Me, too.”
She pulls me into a kiss that’s not quite as sweet as ice cream but is pretty damn close.