Page 103 of Something Like Forever

“No!” Michelle said. “Nopower mullet, don’t worry. Here.”

Ben leaned near andlaughed. The image was of Jace and Greg, standing at the altartogether, Jace pretending to be a bashful bride. “Is that yourveil?”

“Yes,”Michelle said, shaking her head. “They thought it was sofunny.”

“It is,kind of,” Ben said. Then he fawned over the next photo, which wasthe proper couple, Michelle and Greg as they took their vows.“Where was this?”

“Achurch in downtown Warrensburg. I wanted an old-fashioned wedding.”She glanced up. “I like this better, having it here, where thememory will always be part of your home. Are youexcited?”

“AboutJason and William?” Ben sighed contentedly. “Yes. You were dead-seton him finding parents, and I was obsessed with him finding apartner to spend the rest of his life with. We didit!”

“Wedid!” Michelle said, laughing happily. “Now what are we going to dowith our free time?”

“Findsomeone else’s life to meddle with?” He noticed the clock on herphone. “I really have to finish getting ready.”

“I’ll go mingle like acivilized person. Help me up?”

Ben stood so he couldoffer her a hand.

“He’shere with us,” Michelle said once on her feet. “Especially on dayslike today. I know Jace is here watching us.”

Ben nodded. He liked theidea. If only he could feel as certain as she did. “I still talk tohim.”

Michelle grinned. “I dotoo. All the time! He’s probably sick of listening tome.”

They shared a moment ofgrieving as they sometimes did, just a few seconds where they bothstood and thought of him. Then it was back to the world that hadcontinued in his absence. “I better check on my husband,” she said.“I don’t want him drinking alone.”

“I bet you don’t!” Bensaid. “Have fun.”

Once she left the room, hemoved to the walk-in closet, taking out the suit jacket andstruggling with his tie until it looked right. While doing so, hecouldn’t help thinking about how many weddings there had been inhistory, how each had felt like the most important moment in thatcouple’s life, and also in the minds of their friends and families.Eventually though, all those weddings were lost to the past. Veryfew people were remembered after a century went by. He didn’t wantthose he loved to fade away, but he supposed there was littlechoice. If they had to disappear into history, at least they wouldtake that journey together, but he was still tempted to write theirstories down. Just on the off chance that someone would find andappreciate them.

Tired of contemplatingendings, he checked himself in the mirror and went to witness a newbeginning. When he entered the hallway, he saw people filing out ofthe guest room and heading for the stairs. Marcello, Emma, andJason. He hurried to catch up, then noticed someone still lingeringin the room. William was standing by the window, having just pulleda blindfold from his eyes. He tensed up when he saw Ben, but thenbreathed out again.

“For a second, I thoughtyou were Jason.”

“Betternot make that mistake at the altar,” Ben teased, “or it’ll beawkward for us all. Did I just miss a game of pin the tail on thedonkey?”

William looked down at theblindfold and laughed. “I know it’s crazy. I don’t think it’llreally jinx us if we see each other before the wedding. I just likethe romance behind it. I’m going to be excited to see him no matterwhat, but if I deprive myself for even a day…”

“Haven’t you two spentenough time apart?”

William wassilent.

“That was supposed to be ajoke,” Ben said. “Although I have to admit, it wasn’t veryfunny.”

“It was!” William saidgenerously. “You hit a little close to home, that’s all. Jason gotcold feet once before.”

“When hewas supposed to move to Oregon.”

“Yeah,”William said. “Since then, I try not to take things—” He laughed.“I don’t take Jason Grant for granted. I work harder at ourrelationship. It’s not healthy to assume he’ll always bethere.”

“No, Bensaid, “but there are times when you should take comfort in thethought regardless. Are you worried he’ll leave you waiting at thealtar?”

William’s expressionbecame vulnerable. “Anything is possible. Right?”

Ben was tempted to tellhim the obvious truth that Jason would be marrying him today.Nothing short of nuclear war would stop his son from taking thosevows, and even then he would probably just insist they skip to theimportant part. Still, those wedding day jitters were part of theexperience, and he didn’t want to deprive William of theoverwhelming cocktail of emotions. “Those boys who keep youguessing…” He shook his head ruefully.“They’re hard to resist!”

“God yes!” Williamguffawed. “I've always wanted Jason, but not always being able tohave him made me want him more.”