Page 108 of Up In Smoke
Trixie knows this, and comes strutting back on stage with the microphone. She looks absolutely stunning tonight as always in a combination of pink, denim, and rhinestones.
“Now, wasn’t THAT a treat, folks?” she asks as her dancers move like lighting around us, expertly sweeping up all the money we’ve collected for the fundraiser. “Well, we’ve got plenty more fun to come. But right now, I’m going to hand the mic over to Lieutenant Rico Flores for a sec. Some of you might know he’s one of the fellas we’re helping out tonight. Him and his husband, Jesse, who’s one of my very own boys. Let’s give them a big hand, everyone.”
I cringe a little just standing there while everyone applauds for me. But the One-Thirteen gather round behind me, and I look down to see Jesse beaming up at me, so I suck it up and accept that it’s okay if people want to celebrate us.
That’s kind of what I’m aiming for, after all.
Trixie hands me the microphone. “Hi, everyone,” I say, then immediately flinch when I get hit with feedback. People laugh kindly and cheer again as Trixie shows me the best way to hold it, and I try again. “Um, hi.”
I get a chorus of greetings back.
Before I speak again, I take a breath and remember the few words I planned out.Just keep it simple and speak from the heart.
“Thank you so much everyone for coming out tonight to support such a worthy cause. You’re helping so many people start their lives over again, for that we’ll be forever grateful.”
“Someone has to watch boys shake bottoms!” Katerina shouts back at me. She’s on the same table as Mrs. Bloom, which I still believe is an absolutely terrifying idea, but it’s probably too late to stop them from becoming diabolical friends now. “We are truly suffering!”
That gets a huge laugh from the crowd, and I grin back at her. “Yes, you are the real heroes here. Well done.” I wait for the mirth to calm down again as my heart starts to race. I’m not sure why because the deal is kind of already done. But this moment is important to me.
It’s important for Jesse.
“Um, so as Trixie mentioned before, my husband is here tonight. In fact, you’ll see him performing later tonight. And, um, it’s clear who has all the talent in this relationship.” I point at myself and get another round of cheering. “No, no. I’m kidding, of course. Jesse is insanely talented. He’s also incredibly kind, funny, handsome…the list goes on. I don’t knowwhy he agreed to marry me, but I know I’m one hell of a lucky guy.”
The applause has a lot more ‘aww’s in it this time, which just makes my hands shake more and my throat tighten so much I’m worried I’ll be able to keep talking.
“Um, what most of you don’t know is that Jesse never got a proper proposal. The circumstances were a bit unusual, and he never got that special moment. We never had a proper wedding with our loved ones. But he deserves that. He deserves everything, because he’s my world. So, Jesse.” Damn, I’m barely holding it together as I sink down to one knee. The room seems to gasp collectively as one. “Jesse Silverman. Will you do me the honor of marrying me…again…and staying my husband for the rest of our lives.”
Tears are blurring my eyes, but I can see that Jesse has risen from his chair and is clutching his hands to his chest. He looks too shocked to speak.
Mrs. Bloom pokes his side, making him jump. “You’re supposed to sayyes!”she hisses at him, snapping him out of his trance.
“YES!” he yells, and relief rushes through me. You’d think the fact that we were already married would have made it less scary, but I think I’d run into all the burning buildings than do anything like that ever again. “YES! YES! YES!”
The crowd is already losing their minds before he scrambles onto the stage, and then the decibel level goes up again. It’s a good thing the Tavern doesn’t have any neighbors, because we’ve got half the night still left to go and I think things are only going to get crazier from here on out.
Not that it can get any better for me. I have my husband in my arms as the One-Thirteen hugs us in one big cuddle pile. Then Trixie and her boys get involved, and I’m not sure if Jesse and I will make it out alive. But eventually, they let us up for airand I can’t help but stop and kiss Jesse right there in the middle of the stage.
The odds were so against us. Really, we never should have arrived at this point. But the universe saw fit to bring us to the right place at the right time and we healed each other enough to promise our mended hearts to one another forevermore.
The road was hard and long, but it was worth it.
Jesse was worth it. And he always will be.