“The limo is here,” Margot announced, then turned away from the window. “I want to see Daniel before we leave.”
“I’m sure you’ll see everything possible when we get to the church. We need to go so we aren’t late.” It seemed Mom still had some snide left over, or maybe the whiskey had worked off and she just needed another buzz. Either way, James shot her a look before herding the four of them out the door.
“Daniel, we need to leave,” he called once they were gone. James was getting nervous and waited in the living room. His attention shifted in an instant when he heard the door open. Lala stepped out in the hall, a red flowing dress trimmed in ermine and sparkling jewels. “Should I bring the cape, or is that too much?”
James couldn’t seem to get his mouth to work. Lala was incredible, but for a second, James didn’t see any of Daniel. It was like a stranger was walking toward him, and he stepped back. The reaction caught him off guard until Lala drew closer and James looked into his eyes. Then Daniel was there and he smiled. “Nope. I think you should go for it. A queen can never have too much ermine.” James draped the cape over his arm and escorted Daniel to the door. It was funny, but even dressed this way, in all the finery and with god knew how many layers of fabric, not to mention a completely different look, it was still Daniel next to him. He smelled the same, the eyes and mouth were the same, even if the rest was hidden and colored—this was still his Daniel.
The thought about Daniel being his startled him a little, given their earlier conversations. But Daniel was his—James was coming to realize that. He simply needed to be sure Daniel understood that as well. “Let’s go. We don’t want to be late, and I have to verify that all the changes we needed to make have been understood and are ready.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” Daniel said.
“Are you kidding, or have you been dipping into Mom’s whiskey bottle?” James couldn’t help teasing as he followed Daniel out of the house, locking the door and somehow getting Daniel and the dress into the car.
* * *
James joined Howard and the groomsmen once Daniel was inside, using the reverend’s office while they waited for the service to start. “Does everyone know what they need to do?” James asked. “You all know there’s been a change of program due to the fact that the minister is no longer with us.” Yeah, he wasn’t actually dead, just gone, but that was fine.
“We’re good,” one of the guys said, and then the others nodded. Weston sat off to the side, his fellow groomsmen ignoring him. James was a little surprised he was still there, but that had been up to Howard, who had decided not to rock the boat, even though he was obviously upset with his most likely soon-to-be-former friend.
“I read him the riot act and told him if he so much as stepped out of line for a second, I’d personally kick his ass. I checked with the guys doing the readings, and they’re all set.” Howard checked his watch. “It’s just about time,” Howard explained quietly. James and the guys left the small room off the back of the church, where they paired off with their counterparts as they had in the rehearsal.
He was with Holly’s friend Janice, and he took her arm as the organ music began. James knew the second Lala stepped out into the sanctuary, standing front and center, not a single set of eyes able to look away. A light murmur went through the crowd and a few of the bridesmaids tittered before growing silent.
“Damn, I want that dress,” Janice whispered from next to him.
“Don’t we all,” Margot said from just behind them, and James relaxed. It was going to be all right. James and Janice followed right behind Weston and the matron of honor, slowly walking down the aisle toward the front of the church. He was unable to wipe the huge smile from his lips as he approached Daniel, a vision in red that James was never going to remove from his mind.
Once they had all taken their places, the music shifted, and everyone stood as Holly and their father came down the aisle. Holly was radiant, and Dad seemed as happy as James had ever seen him. Howard stepped out from the side, joining his bride right in front of Lala as the music drew to a close.
“Good afternoon,” Lala said clearly, voice ringing through the cavernous space made more intimate by sprays of flowers and the guests clustered toward the center. “We are here to celebrate love. The all-consuming love that takes many forms, and joins two hearts together in a lifelong dance. Holly and Howard each stand before us, ready to make this commitment with all of us as witnesses.” Lala stepped down and gently placed Holly’s hand in Howard’s. “When Holly and Howard asked me to step in as the officiant for this wedding, I asked them… ‘Are you nuts?’” A chuckle went through the congregation, and James felt himself releasing the breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. The ice was broken. “They answered, ‘No, but we want you to do it anyway.’”