Page 29 of Glass & Groundwork
Derek pushed through the group and pulled something from behind his back, looking at Gio. “I believe this is for you.”
He held out a boutonniere that matched my bouquet. Eduardo stepped up and held his hand out. “Here. Can I do the honors?”
“Of course.” Derek handed the floral pin to Eduardo, who stepped in front of Gio and met his gaze.
As he pinned the flowers to Gio’s lapel, he said, “I love you, Papa. I’m so proud of who you are, and I’m really happy for you and Jasper.”
Gio took his glasses off to wipe at his eyes, before pulling him into a hug. “Thank you, kiddo. That really means a lot to me. I love you, too.” He looked up to scan over the rest of his kids. “All of you. I’m so damn proud to be your papa.”
They all leaned in, drawing into a group hug, and my heart leapt in my chest, as someone’s arm looped around my neck to bring me into the fold. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a family. An actual, loving family.
“Two minutes!” Nicky yelled from somewhere in the middle of the huddle.
At that, we broke apart and hurried. Gio’s hand found mine, making me smile, as he guided me along.
When we got to the office, we signed in like we were checking in at the dentist. After a couple of minutes, we were brought to the window, where we paid the fees, like it was a parking ticket instead of a momentous occasion. It was all very transactional, which was odd, but it fit our purpose.
A few different parties were seated around the waiting room, all here for the same thing. I half-expected to be given a number like at the DMV and to be told which line to stand in. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long, when a door opened at the end of the corridor.
“Maldonado-Russo party?”
My throat tightened at the sound of it. This was it. This was actually fucking happening. I would go through those doors a single man, and come out…notsingle. The not-single thing didn’t bother me, really, but it was the weight of it all. Freedom. Freedom was only a few feet away. From my parents, from their hold on me, and from their expectations.
“Maldonado-Russo party?” The person repeated.
Gio held up an arm. “That’s us. We’re here.”
He leaned down and whispered in my ear that it was time with that calmness he often carried. I was in awe of how he seemed so calm about all of this when I was feeling so many things. I simply nodded, and held his hand, holding on to him like he was my guide, leading me through an unknown world.
When we walked into the chapel room, I was surprised to find it slightly less cold and governmental than the waiting room. They had a few floral arrangements and potted plants around the room, with some areas set up for photos. Weunceremoniously walked to the front where the judge was standing, and our family took up the row of seats behind us.
The judge was an older, bald man who greeted us with a warm smile. “Jasper Maldonado?” He asked and I raised my hand like I was in school. He held his hand out and shook mine, before turning to look at Gio. “Giorgio Russo?”
Giorgio.I must have seen his full name written in all the documents we had to collect to apply for our marriage license, but it was the first time I’d heard it out loud. I said it quietly, rolling the sound of it around in my mouth, making me smile. The smile threatened to turn into a laugh at the realization that I was just hearing the full name of the man I was about to marryat the altar.Who does that?Me, apparently. Amusement pushed a snort out of me, making Gio swing his gaze to mine, and his lips twitched into a smile. We needed to get this thing going or we might devolve into another fit like we shared in the bathroom.
The judge gave us a nod and took a step back, speaking loudly for the room to hear. “There are many unpleasant parts of my job. I see and hear the worst in humanity. But days like this, where I get to be a part of celebrating people in their best moments, make it all worth it. It is my honor to officiate your marriage. We’re here today to witness the union of Jasper and Giorgio. Before I begin, does anyone object to the joining of these two in lawful matrimony?”
There were so many reasons to. For me, for Gio, for his family. My throat tightened once more as I waited in the deafening silence, seeing if someone would call us out for the sham that this was.
“Seeing none, I will proceed.” The judge gave us both a smile and a slight nod. Gio’s hand gripped mine so tightly, it was all I could think about, and I was able to release the breath that had lodged in my throat.
I would have liked to have remembered every word that was said, but I didn’t. It was all sort of a blur. The only thing I could focus on was Gio’s hand squeezing mine and the warmth of him beside me. We both planned not to write personal vows, since we didn’t have a lot of material to work with, anyway. So when I found myself repeating words that were coached to me, I said them without thought.
Gio turned me to face him and I found myself staring up at him, completely lost in the brown eyes that gleamed from behind his glasses.
“Do you have rings you wish to exchange?” The judge asked.
Rings? Shit! I didn’t think about that. My eyes widened in panic, but Gio remained calm and collected as he reached into his pocket. “We do.”
“We do?” I asked out loud, not meaning to.
He smiled wide and held out a box with matching bands. They were simple titanium or white gold, perhaps. No bling, no razzle dazzle, but clearly, a pair that belonged together. Something about seeing them made my heart leap in my chest and my eyes grew misty.
Moved by the thought he’d put into this, I threw my arms around Gio, and hugged him. The judge chuckled softly and the crowd of our friends aww-ed behind us.
“We’ll get there in a moment,” the judge said in a hushed tone.
I straightened and slid my bouquet-free hand over my suit. “Sorry. Sorry.” I looked up at Gio to say, “You didn’t have to do that.”
