Page 137 of C is for Comfort

There are no rules for who should walk down the aisle in a gay wedding, if anyone, but Spence and I decided that, as the boy in our relationship, I should walk down the aisle to him. He told me he wanted that moment of turning to look at me walking towards him, and I was more than happy to oblige.

Mum slips inside to take her seat. Seconds later, music starts to play.

“That’s our cue,” Archie says.

I take a deep breath and nod. Nerves aside, I am more than ready to become Spence’s husband.

Archie and Blake open the doors and then take their places behind the kids as I start to walk down the aisle. My breath catches in my throat as Spence turns around to look at me. The look on his face makes me quiver. There’s so much love and adoration in his eyes that I almost burst into happy tears on the spot. I manage to hold my tears back, even though Mum and Emily are already dabbing at their eyes. Spence is flanked by Hamish, Calvin, and Gabe. They all look resplendent in their dark suits and with their dusk pink cravats. Spence looks the best, of course. Like mine, his cravat is sage green.

“You look amazing, sweet boy,” Spence whispers as I join him in front of the registrar.

“So do you, Daddy.”

Our words are soft enough that no one else will hear them. I hold his hands and stare into his eyes as the registrar welcomes our guests to our wedding and starts the official part of the ceremony. I focus on Spence’s smile and the way he strokes his thumbs over the backs of my hands. Surprisingly, my voice doesn’t waiver or break as I say my vows. It comes out strong as strong and certain as my love is for him. We slide our rings onto each other’s fingers—we chose simple titanium bands—and then kiss when we’re given permission to. Our guests clap as the registrar announces that we’re officially married.

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of photos, food, speeches, and dozens of people congratulating us. Late in the evening, while our guests are dancing to eighties disco music, Lexi sits on my knee, with her head against my shoulder and her legs over Spence’s lap. She yawns.

“I think it’s time for you to go to bed,” I say.

She’s going to be sleeping in a family room with Emily, Aaron, Tabitha, and Robbie, so Spence and I can spend our wedding night together. I doubt any of the kids will get any sleep.

“Not yet, Daddy. I want to stay until the end of the party.”

Spence leans closer to her. “Shall I tell you a secret?”

Lexi nods.

“I don’t think your Daddy and I will be staying to the end of the party.”

“Why not?”

“We’re tired,” he says. “And we want to go to sleep too.”

“Cuddling?” she asks.

Spence chuckles. “Yes.”

Lexi yawns again.

Spence holds his hand out to her. “Shall we go and find Emily and tell her you’re tired?”

“Okay, Dad.”

I suck my lip into my mouth and meet Spence’s stare. He looks so happy to hear Lexi call him ‘dad’.

He leads her away to find Emily. All I can do is watch them go, my heart swelling with love for my husband and my daughter. My beautiful little family, full of happiness and love.

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