Page 172 of Incisive

I wait for that round of applause to die down. “You know, I’ve been relentlessly teased and pursued over the years by folks trying to bag themselves an eligible bachelor.” A ripple of laughter rolls through the space. “First when I was a congressman, then VP, and then during my first term as president. Never thought my personal life would ever be so interesting to so many people I’ve never met before.”

More laughter follows me as I walk toward where Jordan and Leo stand.

“There’s one more person I need to thank tonight, though,” I say as I stop in front of Leo and look him in the eyes. “He’s been an invisible figure in DC for decades now. He’s given me infinite patience, grace, love, and strength over the years, when anyone else would have rightfully given up on me and walked away a long time ago.”

Jordan takes the microphone from me as I pull the ring box out of my pocket. He also holds his arm out to me so I can use him for balance as I carefully drop to one knee. I’ve practiced this with him so I don’t look totally goofy and clumsy.

I open the box and hold it up to Leo, showing him the rings. As I stare into his eyes, the rest of the world disappears except for Jordan immediately to my right, where he’s holding the mic so no one misses a single word of this.

“I love you, Leo. I fell in love with you that first night we met all those years ago and I’ve loved you ever since. Marry me, so I canfinallypublicly claim you as my husband. You have given me more patience and faith and love and waited longer than any man has the right to ask of another. I’m asking you in front of the world to please marry me because I’m done hiding who I am and how much I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I’m ready for the world to know how much I love you. I don’t want to spend another night apart from you.”

His eyes widen as the room falls silent.

I mean,literallysilent.

I’m tickled that, for once, I managed to pull one over on my Master and catch him off-guard.

Then he smiles. “About goddamned time.” Leo leans in, grabs me by the lapels, and kisses me even as I’m trying to fumble the wedding band onto his left ring finger.

The world seems to catch on. A collective gasp breaks the silence, followed by deafening applause and cheers that make our earlier arrival greeting pale in comparison.

He helps me to my feet. After he slips my ring onto my finger and I pass the ring box off to Jordan, Leo hugs and kisses me again. I’m in no hurry to release him, either.

“Love you boy,” he whispers in my ear. “Sofucking much. Thank you.”

“Love you, too, Master.”

Leo pulls back enough he can look into my eyes and kisses me again to another round of cheers and applause.

He’s blinking back tears. Happy tears, I’m assuming.

Then we’re surrounded on the stage, Jordan hugging us first followed by everyone else.

It takes a couple of minutes but then Jordan signals to the band and herds us to center stage, where the spotlight catches us.

I picked “Tell Me a Story” by Phillip Phillips. They’re playing it slower than the radio version and as the singer launches into the first verse I stare into Leo’s eyes and softly sing the words to him.

I mean every syllable. This is a new and unfamiliar journey we’re embarking on and I will tightly hold on to him every step of the way. I’m done listening to my fear. I’m done letting him go.

What I thought I wanted all these years—to be president—wasn’t what Ineeded.

IneededLeo.

I’ve always needed him, and Jordan.

In all the years I’ve known and loved this man I’ve never seen him look so peaceful, so…contentedas he does in this moment.

Ever.

He holds me and I let him lead as we sway in time with the music. On this most perfect night of my life I refuse to let any worries intrude in our temporary bubble of perfection.

His cheek rubs against mine and his breath brushes against my ear. “My sweet, perfect pet,” he whispers. “How much I love you.”

I close my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder as we dance. For this precious moment, I know He’s in control and won’t let anything happen to me.

I know people in the audience are texting the news to the world. Probably posting pictures and video, too. By the end of the evening, we’ll be inundated by a wave of reporters demanding details. Which they’ll actually have very shortly because I’m sure Casey-Marie prepped a revamped release to send to Angie so she can immediately disseminate it.

For now, I let my guy hold me, lead me, dance with me.