The guests rose, smiling and commenting on our unique parade. The joy in the room eased the final bit of sadness from my chest. This was a beautiful moment, something Robert would have loved for each and every one of his Lost Boys.
We made our way down the aisle, with Tristan, Joel, Ozzie, and Walker stepping to the left, while Sawyer, Hendrix, Beckett, and Holden went to the right. Each of the parents hugged and kissed their adult children, and Major waited for me as I did the same.
“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,” Father Wainwright began, spending a moment to share a warm look with each of the betrothed couples. “That procession went far better than I expected it would,” he said, quirking a brow at Hendrix.
Hendrix, who was wearing suspenders, slid his thumbs under them, popping them out, which netted a laugh from the attendees, especially his parents.
Father Wainwright cleared his throat, quieting the assembled and participants alike. “I understand, however, that there is a last-minute addition to the proceedings.”
A gasp went through the room as he smiled at Major and me. Atlas had set up the couples in a horseshoe arrangement, leaving space for us at the top. Major’s mother stepped out from the pews to hug Major and kiss my cheek. “You take good care of my son,” she said, gently squeezing my arm.
“I will.”
Major, beaming with pride, linked arms with me, and we stepped forward to join the other couples.
Holden and Beckett were more shocked than anyone else, and to my immense relief, Holden dragged me into a hug that set off a few tears in the eyes of the people around us. “Best wedding gift ever,” he said, turning to give Major an equally tight hug.
Hikaru, who was standing with Leo and Ginger, looked confused. Ginger bent down and explained what was happening, and he turned to us, letting the box of flower petals spill to the floor as he thrust his fists into the air. “My jiji is getting married!” he shouted, then ran over and wrapped his arms around my legs.
The attendees lost it at that, and it took Father Wainwright a few minutes to settle everyone down. Before he started, he gave Beckett the biggest hug and whispered how proud he was.
I didn’t know how he was keeping it together because I surely wasn’t.
“Sorry I’m crying so much,” I whispered to Major.
He thumbed away a few tears, even as new ones took their place. “You are beautiful when you cry,” he said, a tear of his own tracking down his face.
Once we were all able to focus, Father Wainwright began. He did not follow the typical marriage ceremony script. Instead, he started off with funny stories about his late wife, and about Robert—which surprised me—along with anecdotes about each of the Lost Boys.
As overwhelming as the day’s emotions were, I could spare a few thoughts for the amount of personal reflection and growth it had taken for Beckett’s father to be here today with his son.
Father Wainwright also talked to the couples who were planning on having kids, warning them that they might end up with one like Beckett. The audience laughed, and Beckett sent a salute to his father, who cleared his throat and looked at his notes. “Oh, no, that wasn’t supposed to saywarning. It was a hope that you would end up with children half as wonderful as my son.”
Now Beckett was openly weeping, and that made us laugh—and cry—even harder.
The good father also had some encouraging words for the men who stood here without their families’ support. “These Lost Boys?” he said with a radiant smile. “They’re all the family you’ll ever need, and the best one you could hope for.”
Tristan cupped Joel’s face, and Ozzie kissed Walker’s temple. The rest of the Lost Boys nodded solemnly.
“I’m also told that some of you have families that have come back together, having learned and grown, and that is such a blessing,” he said, nodding toward Sawyer and Hendrix.
Sheriff Cavanaugh sniffled loudly, and another warm laugh went around the participants.
The rest of Father Wainwright’s words were equally lovely and poetic, and when it came time for the vows, he went one couple at a time. He joked that he was starting with Beckett and Holden “to get the crying out of the way,” though we all needed an extra minute when he tearfully admitted how fervently he wished Beckett’s mom could have lived to see this day.
Everyone kept their vows short and sweet, but their words were no less moving. It was an unbelievable privilege to witness how much each of these couples loved each other and to be a part of the celebration.
Major and I went last. With a slight hitch in my chest, I moved my original wedding ring to my right hand.
As Major slid a new band in place where the old one had rested for so many years, he said, “Ren, I vow to love you with everything I have, just as I vow to always make room for Robert in our relationship, as well as Holden and his family. And as long as he promises to never call me Grandpa, I’ll have Hikaru’s back.”
I had to laugh. Ru, not quite knowing what to call Major, had come up with Moji—a combination of Major’s first initial and the Japanese word for uncle.
When it was my turn, I took a deep breath, calming myself by looking into Major’s warm brown eyes.
“You could’ve given me a million guesses as to how my life would go, and this wouldn’t have even cracked the top hundred.” I took another breath, my heart fluttering in my chest. “But during the worst year of my life, I found solace in a beautiful man. You have been my rock, and you’ve shown me that there is life—and somuch love—after grief. Thank you. I vow to be here for you as much as you have been here for me, for the rest of our lives.”
After that, Father Wainwright said a few final words, then told us we could kiss.
