He opened the rest of the gifts. Bernard received some ties, a watch, a coffee mug, a few board games, and a subscription toMen’s Healthmagazine. The last was from his cousin Bella. They’d grown up together, and she always tried to get him to eat healthier and exercise. He didn’t know if this was her way of hinting to get in shape or she thought he’d find the men inside attractive. Either way, her heart was in the right place.
Emilio, Camila, and the boys got him a new coffeemaker. It had a clock and brew timer and was perfect for him.
“This is fantastic. I can now prepare my coffee the night before. Thank you.”
“We thought you’d like it,” Camila said.
Bernard opened the gift from Rory. He lifted it. He smiled at the love Rory put into this gift. Rory knitted him a sweater that matched the bear pride flag. It even had the bear’s paw in the upper corner.
“Rory, this is beautiful.” Bernard wrapped his arms around him. “Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Rory said.
“I love it.”
Bernard kissed him. His lips were sweet from the punch.
“I’m so happy,” Rory said. “I made it and was worried it’d be too much.”
“Nothing you do for me could ever be too much.”
The guests let out an audibleawwas they hugged. Bernard didn’t want to let Rory go. This man had done so much for him. Helped him learn to love and accept love again.
Rory brought out the cake. He’d baked a two-layer red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, two dozen raspberry custard tarts, and an apple pie. Camila brought out vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
“Rory, the cake and tarts look amazing,” Bernard said. “You didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“It was no trouble at all,” Rory said. “I’m so happy I can share your birthday with you this year.”
Rory had decorated the tarts with a raspberry on top. The raspberry swirl formed a bear’s paw on the custard.
After taking in the aroma of the tarts, Bernard bit into one. The flavor of custard and raspberry swam in his mouth. It was divine.
The cake, decorated with the same bear’s paw on top, tasted as good as it looked. Sweet chocolate and cream cheese melted in his mouth.
“Uncle Rory, are you going to marry Uncle Bernard?” Duarte asked.
Bernard looked into Rory’s eyes. His future sat next to him. It didn’t matter if they could legally marry or not; they were going to be together for the rest of their lives.
“Maybe one day,” Rory said, “and we’ll invite you.”
“Awesome!”
After everyone had eaten their dessert, Bernard’s dad strung up a piñata for the kids.
His dad pulled the rope on the piñata as the excited kids gathered around. It looked like a cartoon character he didn’t recognize.
“Hit it,” he called to Duarte.
Duarte swung at it with all his might. “Grandpa, I can’t hit it,” Duarte said.
“It, it…” His father stopped. He swayed on his feet. He dropped the rope. “I feel…” The words stuck on his lips. He collapsed to the ground in a heap.
“Dad!” Bernard screamed. He ran to his father. He shook him. “Dad, wake up.” Tears welled in his eyes.
His heart raced. He looked around. He’d trained in CPR one weekend every year, and now it was gone.
“Move aside, Bernard.” Bernard moved over and his cousin Bella began CPR. He was grateful she remembered. “Get the kids out of here.”
