Page 142 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

All brought together by what began as humiliation and ended as transformation.

"Your attention please," Fiona calls, tapping her glass."Nadine and I would like to share some wisdom from our respective cultures."

"This should be interesting," Karina murmurs.

Nadine rises first."Armenian saying: 'One who tells the truth must have one foot in the stirrup.'Means honesty requires readiness to run away quickly."

The table laughs appreciatively.

"Scottish version," Fiona continues seamlessly."'Open confession is good for the soul, but bad for the reputation.'Same principle, different landscapes."

"To cultural convergence," Dr.Finnegan proposes, raising his glass.

"And to families," Karina adds, "both born and chosen."

"To authenticity," I offer, meeting her gaze.

As we all drink to these somewhat competing toasts, I realize I've achieved my goal for the evening.

Not just a dinner, but a true celebration of the connections we've formed, the barriers we've overcome, and the authentic lives we're finally allowing ourselves to live.

Later, as we say our goodbyes, Karina traces the outline of the ridiculous plaque with an amused finger.

"So where are you actually going to put this?"she asks.

"In my office," I reply without hesitation."Where I can see it every day."

"Really?I thought you'd hide it in storage."

"It's part of our story.”I shrug."And I've learned to embrace the unexpected chapters.Especially the ones that brought me to you."

"That's very wise of you, Mr.Abernathy," she says, her smile turning mischievous."I should warn you—Susanna's already commissioned a companion art piece for your birthday.Something involving digital renderings of kilts and hashtags."

I heave an exasperated sigh.“Of course she has.”

Of course the exasperation is fake.

All that I have left in me is gratitude.

Just gratitude for this imperfect, authentic, thoroughly unexpected life we're building.

Hashtags and all.

33

HAPPILY EVER KILTED

CALLUM

Halloween in Seattle brings with it a peculiar magic—fog rolling off the Sound, autumn leaves swirling through downtown streets, and the strange permission adults give themselves to become someone else for a night.

Two years ago, I was standing in my brother's penthouse dressed as Hades, accidentally meeting the woman who would upend my carefully structured existence.

Tonight, my intentions are considerably more ambitious…

Host the perfect Halloween yacht party while gathering the courage to propose properly to the woman who's taught me the value of authenticity over perfection.

"Stop adjusting your kilt," Fiona scolds as she inspects the decorations aboard the Fidelity."You look like you're smuggling contraband."