Page 13 of Beyond the Rainbow (Pride Camp 2025 #11)

Colin reached to run a hand down Joshua’s arm, grounding himself.

“Current events planted this seed. I keep thinking about how easy it was for Norm to drop that fraud case on my desk. Like it was nothing. A huge case like this that affects so many people. And it occurred to me that handing over a file and signing a paper was all it took to make it official. ” He swallowed.

“And it pissed me off that our marriages—our rights —weren’t also that simple.

That they can just be taken away if the wrong people get enough power. ”

Joshua stilled, his hand resting over Colin’s heart.

Colin sighed. “I keep thinking—if they ever come for our rights, someone has to say no. Someone has to stand up and marry us anyway.” He let out a quiet huff of laughter.

“So yeah, I’ll get ordained. And I’ll marry every damn couple who asks me to.

And if they try to destroy our right to love, I’ll be the one saying—screw your approval. We don’t need it.”

Joshua didn’t say anything at first. He studied Colin’s face, his expression unreadable in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Then, finally, he reached out and caressed his cheek.

“You’re a good man, Colin Michael,” he whispered. “With a great and loving heart.”

Colin scoffed, though there was no real heat in it. “Well, don’t tell opposing counsel.”

Joshua smiled, then leaned down and kissed him: slow, deep, as if he never wanted the kiss to end. When he pulled back, he rested their foreheads together. “I love you.”

“I love you too, bud.”

A comfortable silence stretched between them, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. After a moment, Joshua smirked. “So … you are going to wear a cape, right?”

Colin groaned. “Goodnight, Joshua.”

Joshua chuckled as he snuggled back down against Colin’s chest. “I’m only saying … it’d be a very strong aesthetic…”

Colin sighed and wrapped his arms around Joshua, holding him close. “You’re lucky that I’m so nutsy cuckcoo in love with you,” he murmured.

Joshua smiled against his skin. “I really am.”

The following day, Colin called Trent Peterson. “I want to officiate your wedding,” he said. “What do you think?”

Silence stretched between them. Colin shifted in his chair, suddenly second-guessing himself. Had he overstepped? Maybe this was something they’d already planned, something deeply personal, and here he was … barging in like a bull in a china shop.

“Um, Colin? Exactly when was your ordination ceremony? And why the hell weren’t we invited?”

Colin let out a breathless chuckle. “Ordination ceremony? Yeah, about that… there wasn’t one.

I got ordained online through the Universal Life Church.

I clicked a few boxes on their website and boom—I’m a minister.

It took about five minutes, and they didn’t even ask me any deep theological questions.

” He smirked. “You’d think they’d at least make sure I believe in something, but nope. Instant minister.”

He could almost hear Trent processing.

“I figured it might come in handy someday,” Colin continued. “And, it turns out, that day is now. So, what do you say? Want me standing up there with you and Jeff, making it all official?”

“I …” Trent exhaled, his voice thick with emotion. “Truth is, Colin, I’ve seldom been more touched. I honestly didn’t think you could surprise me, but damned if you didn’t prove me wrong.”

Colin let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “It’s not an act, Trent. It’s not a joke. It means a lot to me.”

“I believe you,” Trent said, his tone quieter now. “And as far as I’m concerned, I’d be honored to have you officiate. You’ve been a good friend to both of us. It just seems … fitting. Especially at Camp Pride.”

Colin swallowed past the tightness in his throat. “Thank you, Trent. That means more than you know.”

“Uh … this will be legal though, right?”

“Have you forgotten what I do for a living?”

“And you do realize, don’t you, that you’ll be required to behave with some level of ministerial dignity, right?”

Colin scoffed. “Me? Dignity ?”

Trent chuckled. “Fair point. I do have to check with my groom about all this, though.”

“I know. Tell him I won’t make him promise to ‘obey’ in the vows.”

“What? That’s the one thing I was counting on!”

Colin laughed, shaking his head. “Josh wants me to wear a cape.”

“With a giant ‘S’ on the back?”

“What else?”

Trent hummed thoughtfully. “Well, if you’re going to go full spectacle, I expect you to end the ceremony with, ‘I now pronounce you husbands, and you may now smooch your bride.’”

Colin snorted. “And I’m the undignified one?”

Trent grinned. “You know Jeff would love it.”

Colin sighed, feigning reluctance. “Fine. But only if I get to say, ‘By the power vested in me through the Internet.’”

Trent groaned. “Oh, dear god.” He heard Colin burst into laughter.

“All joking aside, Trent. Your ceremony will be dignified, traditional, and deeply moving. We’ll create a beautiful, wonderful memory for you guys. I promise you.”

“I believe you, Irish. All joking aside, from my end, there’s no one I’d rather have unite us in matrimony than you. Maybe a little of what you and Josh share will rub off on us.”

Colin’s voice softened. “You don’t need anything to rub off on you, Trent.

You and Jeff already have something real—something special that’s unique to the two of you.

You’ve both fought your way through a lot of pain and unhappiness to reach this moment.

And I’ll be lucky to stand beside you when that moment becomes forever. ”