Page 88 of Pages of My Heart
“I do,” he says, blinking through his tears.
The celebrant turns to face Thomas and repeats the vows. Neither take their eyes off the other, and Charlie knows Thomas is casting his mind back over their long life together, just as he is.
Tears begin to fall down Thomas’s cheeks as he answers the celebrant’s questions. “I do. I really do, mydarling.” Charlie brushes the tears away, resisting the urge to kiss Thomas right away.
“Do you have the rings?” the celebrant asks. They scramble to retrieve them from their pockets. “Charlie, please repeat after me. I give you this ring to wear with love and joy.”
“I give you this ring to wear with love and joy,” he repeats.
The celebrant continues, “As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.”
Charlie slides the ring on Thomas’s finger as he repeats the words, his hands shaking, and by the time Thomas repeats the words back to him and slides the ring onto his finger, Charlie is close to sobbing. They both are. Thomas’s voice breaks, and tears stream down his cheeks, too many now for Charlie to wipe away. Charlie loves the ring. Loves that it will be there for all to see wherever he goes. It’s only been two years since they decriminalized homosexuality in California, but it means Charlie can acknowledge his husband in public without fear. He will wear this ring with pride.
“Now that vows have been taken and the rings exchanged, I pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss.”
Thomas cups Charlie’s face and brings their trembling lips together in a crushing kiss. Charlie is vaguely aware of the cheers and applause around them, but in this moment, he can think of nothing but Thomas. With their foreheads pressed together, he whispers, “I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you too, my darling.”
Thomas
It’s early evening and they’ve settled on the porch, exhausted, but deeply satisfied. Thomas’s arm is around Charlie, Charlie’s head resting against his shoulder as they gently sway on the porch swing. The reception was a fantastic affair, giving them time to catch up with family and friends while also allowing them to have a first dance, a wedding cake, and the most heartfelt speeches from Evie, Jonathan, and Michael. Thomas knows they will treasure the memories forever. He cannot believe the cost and planning that was put into making the day so special. It makes him teary all over again.
“You’re not back to the waterworks again, are ya?” Charlie asks.
“I can’t help it! It was incredible. And we had no idea until they told us yesterday. I guess I just feel overwhelmed by all the love. The acceptance.” Thomas kisses Charlie on the top of his head. “And besides, you spent half the day in tears too.”
Charlie tilts his head up to Thomas, grinning cheekily. They kiss, gentle and loving. “Itwasincredible, and I’ll never forget it. But I can’t help but wish we could’ve had all that when we were young. I know I shouldn’t, but sometimes I see the young ones so comfortable with who they are, and it just makes me . . .” He trails off, but Thomas understands. “To have been denied that, ya know?”
“I know, darling. There’s been times that I’ve been down in the Castro and just stared at two young boys kissing in the street and felt the same way. But let’s not be sad today.”
“I ain’t. I couldn’t be happier. One day, two men will be able to legally marry. Things are changin’. So much already, even in our lifetime.”
Thomas slides his hand into Charlie’s. “I hope so. Today felt like a real wedding ceremony. But I still cherish the vows we said all those years ago. Before the war.”
“I remember how we sealed our vows.”
They both chuckle. “We were on each other day and night back then.”
Charlie lets go of his hand and slides it up to cup Thomas through his pants. “I was hoping we could be on each other day and night for our honeymoon.”
Thomas lays a sensual kiss on Charlie’s neck. “Mmm, I like the sound of that. I think retirement is going to suit us just fine.”
“Perhaps we should take this inside in case someone walks by.”
“I don’t think any of our neighbors would care. But maybe we should, since I plan on getting you naked really soon.”
Thomas captures Charlie’s lips as he pulls him in close, slipping his tongue inside which earns him an appreciative sounding hum. While their sex life has understandably slowed over the years, their passion for each other has never waned, never a day going by without them sharing some type of intimacy.
Charlie pulls away first. “Come on, sweetheart. I need you.”
Within minutes, they are upstairs in their bedroom, slowly undressing each other until they stand naked, eyes yearning with desire. Charlie is in fine shape for his age, body still strong and able. His hair has greyed at the temples and receded a bit, but Thomas cannot find fault in his handsome husband.
Thomas kisses the palm of Charlie’s left hand, then his wedding ring. Then he presses Charlie’s hand to his chest, over his tattoo. “Feel, sweetheart. My heart still beats for you as fast as the day we met.”
Charlie melts against him as they kiss. Thomas picks him up, Charlie’s legs wrapping around his waist, and he carries him to their bed.
A little later, once they’ve recovered from their lovemaking, Charlie climbs out of bed. “Back in a sec,” he says, slipping out of their bedroom still buck naked.