He leaned the instrument up against the bar, then turned back to face everyone.
“I met Alec two years ago last month—rescuedhim, he says—on a snowy mountain road in my hometown of Melody, Montana. I didn’t expect to fall in love with him. Hell, I was sleepy and cold, and all I wanted to do was go home and get back in bed. But I saw something that night that went beyond the foolishness of his not having proper winter clothing and driving a rental on a snowy mountain road in the middle of the night. I saw—in his wounded, defensive, and inquisitive eyes—a spark. It was a tiny one, but it intrigued me, warmed me, and, eventually, guided me out of the darkness. So, I’m here to tell you, right here and right now, that it was reallyhimwho rescued me.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, hinged box.
Someone audibly gasped. Female. George could not look away, but he was pretty sure it was May.
“Alec Collier,” Tyler continued, grinning through teary eyes. “In front of our friends and family here, I would like to ask you to be my husband.”
Alec stood and walked toward him. “Yes, yes,” he said. “A thousand times yes.”
They kissed, embraced, and everyone applauded. George looked at Mikey. He was smiling big, tears streaming down his cheeks, disappearing into his beard.
Over Mikey’s shoulder, he saw Jack hugging Abigail tightly. Rachel and May were arm-in-arm, and Demarco was also crying, squeezing the kids for support.
The din subsided and George turned back to see Tyler opening the box and Alec putting on the ring. Alec looked up at him and said, “Tyler Quinn, my heart is, and will always be, yours.”
They embraced again to more applause. And when they parted, Alec held up his hand with the ring on it, searching the crowd. When his eyes found Demarco’s, he shouted the Shug Avery line fromThe Color Purple: “I’s married now. See? I’s married.”
* * *
George and Zac brought out desserts and coffee—everyone had a choice of baklava, panna cotta, or mini chocolate cupcakes. Most tried them all, sharing plates and justifying the sugar splurge with either the holiday, Tyler’s surprise proposal, or both. The energy was vibrant, and no one wanted the night to end. Well, except maybe for Tommy, who had fallen asleep in Mikey’s lap.
Alec grinned, pushing his dessert plate away. “I think someone has a crush on you, Mikey.”
“That would be me,” said George. “But he is a cute little bugger, isn’t he? It’s been a big night for him... and Santa’s coming now, which means tomorrow’s going to be even bigger.”
“Are you talking about Tommy, or are you talking about Mikey?” Alec asked.
George chuckled, reaching out and taking Mikey’s hand. “Both.”
“I think that might be our cue that it’s time to go now,” said Tyler.
“Nope,” said George. “We need at least one more number. Something a little more upbeat than a Christmas carol. Mikey, I know you have something up your sleeve.”
“I got plenty, but only if Tyler will sing with me.”
Tyler raised his eyebrows. “Do you know pop music?”
Mikey stood, placing Tommy into Alec’s open arms. “‘Do I know pop music?’the man asks.”
* * *
They left the lights on for this one, considering that it was somewhat of an encore for the entire evening.
Tyler strapped on his guitar and he and Mikey stood before them for one last time. Tyler spoke, “OK, Mikey’s going to clap his hands together, and I want you all to follow. Keep the beat.”
Mikey got everyone going with the clap, and then Tyler picked the bass strings a few times before an upward strum, no echo. He repeated this four times before Mikey started the duet.
Alec was standing, still holding the sleeping Tommy. George was beside him. Demarco and Jack had joined him on the other side, clapping rhythmically. George recognized the tune. It was an oldie, uplifting but doubly meaningful in that both the divas who had sung it were now gone.
“YES!” Demarco shouted. “Sing it, boys!”
Mikey sang the opening lyric ofI Knew You Were Waiting for Me, by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. He did the Queen of Soul right, with the vocal chops, panache, and sass.
Tyler came in on the George Michael half of the verse, smooth, deep, and confident. And as their voices wove together with affirmations, the blend was as effortless as if they had rehearsed... organic, transcending, and universal like music should be.
Their eyes found their respective partners in the crowd, and they sang to them, and each other of deep rivers, high mountains, and low valleys... and no matter the might of any obstacle, how they would always have each other.
