Epilogue
One year later
BERNARD FACED THE mirror. His fitted blue suit enhanced his physique. He liked how he looked. He loved himself again.
He continued to adjust his tie, trying to get it perfect. He finally gave up and tossed the tie to the side.
“I’ll go without.”
Sarah walked in behind him, dressed in a floral gown.
“You look amazing,” she said. She picked up the tie. “You forgot this.”
She created a beautiful wrap for his tie and adjusted it.
He turned back to the mirror and smiled. “Thank you.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I can’t believe it’s happening. I’m finally getting married, or at least as close to getting married as I can.”
“The love you and Rory have for each other is beyond a piece of paper. I know it’s important to have legal protections, but one day you will.”
He wrapped his arms around her. Sarah’s friendship had never wavered. She was always there for him. Tears welled up in his eyes. He’d made it. He’d found love when he thought all was lost.
“No crying,” she said. “You’re going to make your face all red and puffy. That won’t look good in pictures.”
“You’re right,” he laughed.
He grabbed tissues and cleaned up his face.
“Now,” she said, “I’ll meet you out there.”
*
BERNARD ENTERED THE main space of the Portuguese hall. He and his brother used their standing in the community to rent the hall for his ceremony. A few of the older members disapproved, but the younger, more open-minded members outnumbered them. A wedding at the hall was his dream, and he’d be damned if anyone would stop it.
They had erected an arch for their ceremony. A woman in priest garments stood under the arch.
On Bernard’s side of the arch stood Emilio, Sean, John, Sarah, and Kelly. On Rory’s side stood Duncan, Davi, Nicolas, Sophia, and Jeff. Neither of them wanted to have a best man or best woman. They just wanted their closest friends in their wedding party.
Bernard stood next to Rory at the end of the rows of seats. Dressed in a gray suit, he looked as handsome as ever. He was going to spend the rest of his life with the man standing next to him.
The guests stood as they walked up the aisle together, hand in hand.
Love filled the room as their friends and family wept tears of joy for their union.
Bernard’s family sat on the right side, two empty spots for his mother and father. Camila and the twins sat smiling up at him. Camila held little Mikey in her lap. He reached for his mother, but she cooed for him to relax.
This was his family. The family who always believed in him. His Aunt Antonia and his cousins, Bella and Carlos, sat in the next row, beaming.
On Rory’s side, Catherine and Penelope sat with Rory’s father. His mother refused to attend. After the incident at the church, his mother filed for divorce. It was a blow to his father, but he’d recovered. He said it had been a matter of time before it would end. She said she never truly loved him.
Eddie’s son, Parker, sat next to Penelope. They were best of friends. She’d mentioned she was going to marry him one day.
It was a small gathering, but a powerful one. He and Rory didn’t have many friends, and even fewer family members who truly accepted them, but those who did were here. That was what mattered.
“We are gathered here today, to unite Bernardo Silva and Rory Sinclair in a commitment ceremony,” the priest said.
Rory and Bernard insisted on a female priest from their new church. They attended an inclusive church, dedicated to the support of love. Michelle Xiong was more than willing to do the ceremony. She loved it.
“Do you, Bernard, take Rory as your life partner, and the man you will marry when the day comes for legalization of same-sex marriage?”
“I do.” Bernard smiled.
“And do you, Rory, take Bernard as your life partner, and the man you will marry when the day comes for legalization of same-sex marriage?”
“I do.” Rory beamed.
“Then with the power vested in me that we all have the right to love as we choose, I now pronounce you life partners. You may kiss.”
They shared a deep kiss. One they knew would last forever.