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He rolls his eyes the way Roddy does, but his smile gives away how happy he is with us. My heart swells with love for the boy.
“I’m guessing that Mr Hill happens to be the ex?” Jethro chuckles as we get back in our car. “He didn’t look very happy with us.”
“As long as he’s good with Conn, I don’t care.”
“I now pronounce you husband and husband.”
I’m on my feet, clapping and whistling as Roddy and Luke kiss for the first time as a married couple. Ben is wiping his tears away as the two men make their way back down the aisle.
I grab Ben’s hand and pull him close for a kiss, then wipe my eyes.
“You two are such saddos,” Conn says as he walks past.
The young man who turned up a nervous, frightened fifteen-year-old is now our son. We adopted him a year after he came to live with us, and he’s following in my footsteps and is studying to be a vet. He has both boyfriends and girlfriends, thankfully not at the same time.
Ben stands next to me as everyone leaves to congregate outside in the gorgeous summer sunshine. I wait until the room is empty, then take stock of my surroundings. A laugh bubbles through me.
“Why are you laughing?” Ben asks.
“I’m just thinking of my old man and how he would feel knowing his gay son is at the wedding ofhisgay son just feet away from where he tried to beat it out of me. I hope he’s rolling in his damn grave or burning just a little more in hell. Because right here, right now, my life is coming full circle.”
“I love you, Jethro Jerrick.” Ben kisses me but is smiling against my lips.