Page 104 of Something Like Forever
“Forbidden love,” Ben saidknowingly. “It's like a drug. I was a junkie for it when I wasyounger. I also know what it's like to be with someone like you.Someone who is honest and open. You have a good heart. You'regenerous and kind. Don't feel like you need to walk on eggshellsaround Jason. Just be yourself. That's enough. There’s a reason whyhe loves you. Tim and I do too.”
“Thank you,” William said,cheeks red as he grinned down at the blindfold in his hands andtoyed with it absentmindedly. “I also love you guys.”
“So when do you get to seeyour beautiful bride?” Ben asked. Unlike his own wedding, it wasn’timmediately obvious who wore the lighter shade. Jason’s suit wasgray, while William’s was beige, his tie and hanky pale green. “Orare you playing that role? Is someone giving you away?”
William shook his head. “What do youmean?”
Ben fought down a smile. “Well,traditionally when the bride and groom aren’t allowed to see eachother, the big reveal happens while the groom is waiting at thealtar. Here comes the bride? When that song plays, usually thebride’s father walks her down the aisle and gives her away.”
“Like she’s an object?”William said.
“I always thought it wasweird too. So what’s your plan?”
William opened his mouth. Then he closed itagain.
Ben laughed. He couldn’t help himself. “Thisis why people have rehearsals.”
A knock caused them bothto turn. Tim stood in the doorway. “Hey, you two,” he said, walkinginside. “Mind if I interrupt?”
He wasn’t alone. Kelly wasbehind him, looking over his shoulder and grinning when he spottedWilliam. “There you are! I need to borrow you for somephotos.”
“Right now?” Williamasked. “Can’t it wait until after?”
“When you’re all sweatyfrom nerves? No no. It’s better this way.” Kelly moved forward andtook William’s arm. “Come out front with me. I want photos of younext to the pool, looking sad in your suit because you can’t goswimming.”
“Who are these photos forexactly?” William asked.
“Jason will love them. Ipromise. Come along! There’s something deliciously ironic about youspending your last moments of freedom with the man who chained youdown for so long.”
Ben shrugged helplessly asWilliam looked to him for help before he was dragged from theroom.
“Alone at last,” Tim said,moving near and placing his hands on Ben’s hips.
“Don’t you look handsome?”Ben said, straightening the bowtie for him. Then his attentionmoved up to Tim’s face. “Doing all right?”
“Yeah,” Tim said, breakingeye contact. “Of course.”
Ben stared until Tim met his gaze again.“You know you can cry around me, right?”
Tim furrowed his brow. “I want to be strongfor you.”
“Crying is one of thestrongest things a man can do. Letting yourself feel that much paintakes more strength than holding it in. If you needed to cry infront of me, I’d be just as impressed as when you flex.”
“Oh yeah?” Tim asked,making sure to do just that.
“Yup! Just keep in mindthat either is fine with me.”
“I will,” Tim saidsolemnly. He leaned forward and nuzzled his nose against Ben’s.“Are you ready for today?”
“Almost,” Ben said. “I cansee why parents struggle with this. Just imagine if we’d had himsince he was a baby. I wouldn’t mind turning back theclock.”
“How far?” Timasked.
“To when he first settleddown here. When it was just us and we finally felt comfortablearound each other.”
“Before he metWilliam?”
Ben nodded. “Just foranother week. I know it’s selfish. I wouldn’t keep them frommeeting or anything else that happened in their lives. I’ve wantedthis day for him, but now that it’s finally here, I can’t helpgrieving for a time that we’ll never have again.”
