Epilogue
Genie
“Friends and found family,” the minister, our friend Kensington, his heartfelt words kicked off the ceremony. His boy, Nico, sat in the front, sweetly smiling at his Daddy. “Welcome, and many thanks to Genie and Raj for inviting us to spend this momentous weekend with them at their island home.”
Raj and I were unable to get married by an officiant from his home country as they operated much like the dark ages and didn’t recognize same-sex marriage.
Not to mention the fact Raj never wanted to go back there.
Instead, we found the perfect minister to perform the ceremony, having met him and his boy while on a trip to London.
We’d made numerous friends during our travels abroad, many of which lived the same lifestyle as we did and all of which were in attendance today.
We were thrilled to host them here at our home and blessed to have them in our lives.
While home between trips, I added amenities to our humble island.
A dock, well, more of a small marina, which housed our yacht and a smaller fishing boat.
Not that we fished, mind you, but with a desire to entertain our new friends more frequently, these types of excursions our guests may wish to partake in while here.
The more inclusive destination retreat offerings we had, the better visits they would have.
And of course, being inside our magic-infused protective bubble, the weather was always perfect no matter what they chose to do.
Raj stood across from me as we took our places in front the minister beneath the white rose covered trellis. His bright smile lit my world when he stared up at me as we lovingly gazed into one another's eyes. Love. Always my first thought when it came to my sweet boy.
Raj had picked out our matching outfits. White cotton beach pants, as Raj called them, rolled up to our knees and white tank tops. Barefoot, with the sand beneath our feet, we stood on the west side of the island just before sunset. Our favorite time of day, and what a picturesque vision it was.
We had flown in our guests via our private plane which landed on a runway I’d cleared on the island.
Had to take the protective barrier down for that, but only temporarily.
As soon as they touched down, it reset. Never could be too careful, not when it came to my Raj.
My magic could repair nearly anything, but I’d rather not leave that to chance.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union between Genie and Raj.” Kensington had asked if we wanted our last names mentioned, but given I had none, we told him it wasn’t necessary.
No marriage license would be signed, this ceremony was for our benefit only and we were more than okay with that.
A civil union was good enough for us, as we already knew our forever would exceed anything on paper.
“The beauty of their love and admiration for one another is something many wait a lifetime for.” We’d asked Kensington to keep it simple, though he insisted we write our own vows, stating it would make the event more meaningful, and we’d appreciate it later when reflecting on the day. “Genie, would you like to begin?”
I cleared my throat and did my best to work past the rush of emotions that surged through me. “Raj, from the first time I saw you, I knew you were special. The urge to protect and care for you, to love and cherish you was heady and wouldn’t be ignored. And trust me, I tried.”
My teary-eyed boy smiled up at me.
“Every day I’d go through the motions of my empty life with no purpose, and then you came along. Your smile drew me in, but your kindness sealed the deal, and I knew you were the one for me. I love you, Raj, with all my heart, and I’ll spend every day of the rest of my life proving that to you.”
To think when we first met, he was a young lad I was meant to protect. To help nurture and teach, only my heart had other plans. Well, I think at least one of the fates may have had a hand in that as well.
“Daddy,” Raj began, but his voice broke.
Patiently I waited, as he took a moment to clear it and started again.
“Daddy, when you found me, I was broken, alone, and had no hope things would get better. No one would talk to me, no one helped me. I was so young and lost.” Raj sighed as the tears he’d held back spilled over.
All these years later, the callous acts of his fellow villagers still hurt, and I hated that.
“But then one day, there you were. Head held high, so regal, so proud. Imagine my surprise when you spoke to me the first time.”
“I believe it was you who spoke first. Something along the lines of you asking why I was stalking you.”
Raj and our friends laughed. Who knew I had jokes?
“I love you, Daddy. Today, tomorrow, forever.”
There wasn’t a dry eye amongst us, and that included mine.
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husbands. You may kiss your husband.” Perfect timing as the sunset turned a brilliant orange. A gorgeous backdrop for our perfect moment in time.
Cheers erupted as I tipped my husband back and laid one on him. So, sue me if it lasted a bit longer than need be. But hey, this was our day, and it would be done our way. Besides, our guests didn’t mind. The Daddies had their boys snuggled on their laps and were doing much the same.
After everyone hugged us, Raj and his friends, Nico, Arun—who was Charles’ boy—and Michel, Jean-Claire’s boy, took off at a run and into the surf.
“Not too far, boys,” I called out. My Daddy side was strong with this many of them running around.
We’d met Charles and Arun while touring the pyramids in Egypt.
Jean-Claire and Michel while having lunch outside at a beautiful Parisian café in Paris.
Having overheard their discussion, and Michel calling Jean-Claire Daddy, I politely introduced myself and Raj, and they’d invited us to join them.
Each country came with new friendships. I wondered if when we returned to Italy, we’d make friends with a couple there.
Maybe Australia after that. So many wonderful plans to be made with my gorgeous husband by my side.
Life was beautiful. Especially now that I got to live it on my own terms and with my sweet boy.
“What’s got you smiling over here besides your new husband?” Jean-Claire patted my shoulder with a gentle squeeze. “By the way, congratulations, again. Raj is an amazing boy.”
“Thank you, he really is. I was just standing here reflecting on how lonely my life was before Raj entered it.” The truth in those words once overwhelmed me, in the beginning, though now they served as an incentive to always put my best foot forward rather than in my mouth.
“Funny how that goes.” Charles joined us out on the beach where we stood. The boys had run inside to change after getting wet in the surf.
“They are our worlds and the reason why we’re Daddies,” Jean-Claire said, his words voicing my own unspoken feelings. There we stood, four proud Daddies, wide smiles on our faces as we watched our boys play.
“You’ve got that right. One minute you can’t imagine settling down with anyone, then in the next you can’t imagine your life without them.” Kensington was spot-on with that assessment.
Watching Raj become the free and loving man he now was, surrounded by friends, brought our lives full circle.
Was I fine with it being just the two of us?
Of course I was. But why would I want that when my boy was so alive when he was with Nico, Arun, and Michel?
Friends were important and something he never had.
He needed this and I was coming to learn I did too.
Celebrate the positives and welcome each day with open arms.
The caterers served us dinner beneath the stars, as my Raj had requested, with fairy lights strung overhead.
He was so silly sometimes, but I could deny him nothing.
If this was what Raj wanted, this was what Raj would get.
The oohs and the aahs from the boys as the lights came to life was more than worth it.
“Nice job. Battery-operated?” Charles asked as his eyes scanned the cords. Being an engineer, he had a knack for sorting out what made items tick.
“Yes, the battery packs are tucked inside the poles.” Crisis averted as I’d come prepared to answer that question. How many more would there be? Magic was powerful, but not widely accepted, and left many wondering how we did what we did. Inquiring minds always wanted to know.
“I’d like to propose a toast.” Kensington held his glass up as the wait staff handed out champagne flutes. “To Genie and Raj. May the foundation of your marriage strengthen with each rise of the sun, and your love never dim. To Genie and Raj!”
“To Genie and Raj!” the group cheered as one.
Raj took a sip. “Oh, Daddy, that’s tingly.” His first taste of champagne.
“Yes, my love, it is.” I pressed my lips to the top of his head. “Drink it slow or your head will get fuzzy.”
After dinner, we cut the cake and ate and drank far too much.
Raj and I danced until our feet could move no move and with a final kiss under the stars, we retreated to the sanctuary of our room.
The others had long since called it a night and having been so lost in one another we hadn’t even noticed.
Did that make us bad hosts? I think not. This was our day, after all.
“Oh, Daddy, everything was perfect. Thank you so much.” Raj swooned and fell into my arms as we stood beneath the shower spray.
“My dear boy, you have sand in places you ought not have.” How in the world did it get between his cheeks while fully clothed?
Raj giggled and shrugged.
Between the wiggles and giggles, I somehow managed to get us both clean and then carried my husband bridal-style to our marital bed. What a wonderful thought, married. And to my best friend and lover. The one and only man for me.