Page 93 of Something Like Forever

“No, notreally. What else?” Ben squinted into the horizon. “Oh! You stillneeded to choose an officiant!”

“Taken care of,” Jasonsaid with a smirk. “We didn’t tell you who?”

“No.” Hehazarded a guess anyway. “Allison? Michelle? They would have to getordained.”

“Wefound someone who already is. He’s a close familyfriend.”

“Marcello?” Ben saiddisbelievingly. Then he laughed. “He certainly knows how to give aspeech!”

“Exactly. That just leaves the cake, which William’s mother ismaking. Kelly is our photographer. Outfits, done. Guest list, done.We’re all set!”

Hardly, but Ben alreadytackled other arrangements, such as the DJ. Jason had insisted theycould use a playlist from his phone, but as with other corners hekept trying to cut, Ben stepped in and spent the extra money tomake the occasion even more extraordinary. Jason never asked himto. He even fought against it a few times.

“I’m really proud of you,”Ben said.

“Forgetting married?”

“Forturning out so well. You had to raise yourself, to a large extent.For much of your childhood, you didn’t have parents to guide you,and look who you’ve become! You have a good heart. You aren’tgreedy or cold. You aren’t lazy. You work hard and don’t expectmuch in return.”

Jason grinned sheepishly.“Gee, I wonder where I got all that from?”

“I can’ttake credit for it. I tried to be a good role model. I wasn’talways, but I tried. At the age you came to us, so much about yourpersonality had already been defined. You’re special, Jason. Youdeserve all the good things that have come yourway.”

“Thanks,” Jason said. “I try to make you proud. I know wedon’t see each other as much anymore, but you’re still with meevery single day.”

“You’rewith me too,” Ben said, pressing a hand to his heart. “And Icouldn’t be prouder.”

From between them,Chinchilla raised her head and grumbled. She was doing well. Thepills seemed to be helping. She still coughed on occasion, but hehoped that the vet’s advice had bought them more time.

“I think she’s jealous,”Jason said. “She says it’s not easy being the youngestchild.”

Ben laughed. “Especiallyconsidering that she was around before you.”

“Tough break, littlesister,” Jason said. “But if you want, you can have my oldroom.”

Chinchilla cocked herhead, seemed to consider the offer, and settled backdown.

“I thinkthat’s a yes,” Ben said. Then he was struck by another thought.“Rings?”

Jason looked smug. “I’mpretty sure William has taken care of that.”

“Not thebest thing to leave to chance,” Ben advised. “If he bought rings,he hasn’t mentioned them to me.”

The smile slid off ofJason’s face. “Oh god.” He pulled out his phone and startedtexting. He watched the screen, read the response, and turnedpaler. Then he fired out a reply and waited again.

The back door slid open,William hurrying out. “I thought you wanted to surprise me! Youasked what my ring size is.”

Jason twisted around inhis seat. “I only asked so you would know mine! You told me not tostress about it.”

William rubbed hisforehead. “Meaning you didn’t have to go crazy when buying them.I’m not picky, but I’d like to have a ring of somesort!”

“Okay,”Ben said with a sigh. He pushed himself up and stood. “Into the careveryone. We’ve got shopping to do!”

* * * * *

Ben was straightening upthe living room, brushing off the couch and fluffing pillows, whenhe heard coughing. The morning was still young, the windows open sothe house could air out. The back door was open too, and that’swhere the sound was coming from. Ben went to investigate and sawChinchilla stretched out on the patio, legs to each side of her andneck extended as she continued coughing. She had taken her pill anhour ago. Maybe this was part of that. He went outside to check onher, noticing the bloody froth around her mouth.

“Okay,”he said, trying to reassure himself as he got to his knees. “Thevet said this might happen. We can get throughthis!”