He and Sam shared their first carefree laugh since that horrible moment in the living room when Zach’s whole world came crumbling down. Some people never got the second chance he and Sam were being given; his mother’s life had hung in the balance for years, and Zach wondered now if there were promises made to his father she’d been unable to keep, or words she thought she’d have years to say that never came to pass. He’d let her live her life and hope she’d find her joy.
He nuzzled against Sam’s bristly cheek, inhaling the scent of his forever, his lips tasting memories yet to come. “That’s a pleasure I plan on taking a lifetime to accomplish.”
Epilogue
‡
The Wedding-Valentine’s Day
No one wasmore excited than Tyler’s little niece Lillie. Not only was it her first time at a wedding, and as a flower girl, but it was her first time at the beach, and she tore back and forth between the house and the beach, laughing without fear even though Marcus threatened to dunk her in the ice-cold waves if she didn’t settle down.
Zach knew Marcus would sooner drown himself rather than let anything happen to Lillie, and idly wondered, watching her curl up in Marcus’s lap, careful not to wrinkle her dress, if he and Tyler would ever get married and formally adopt Lillie.
“Jonah says it’s time if we’re ready.” Sam slipped his arms around him. “I’ve been ready for a while, how about you?”
“About thirty-two years,” said Zach with a laugh.
After Sam came home from the hospital they sat down and hammered out everything they expected from each other in the relationship, with truthfulness, despite its occasional unpleasantness, being the most important. Zach took Sam to the house, and he fell in love with it on sight, pointing out the solid construction and beautiful workmanship of the home. The wide expanse of beach for summertime kite flying and the fishing pier in the distance solidified the deal, and he and Sam made plans to spend the rest of the winter there.
But first they needed to get married.
The day had proved in the unpredictable nature of February to be in the low sixties, and though there was a bit of a chill off the water, the sky overhead flowed like a celadon-blue scarf, unmarred by clouds for miles. Rico and Gideon, despite his and Sam’s protests, insisted on personally setting up the gilt chairs for the ceremony on the beach and the dinner tables inside. Both men, plus Jonah, seemed more like friends now than people they’d hired.
Sam and Zach had discussed with Gideon the need for Sam to have a specific menu, and though he mourned the loss of his beloved prime rib, Gideon assured Sam the tuna steak he was preparing for him would be almost as delicious. Sam had been feeling much better on his new medication and informed Zach with a leer that the problem he’d been suffering from was no longer an issue.
Zach couldn’t wait to make love tonight in their new house with the sound of the waves outside their window.
“It’s time.” His mother and Sam’s hurried up to take their places with them. Lillie stood in front of the lineup, the blue bows in her hair catching the spill of her dark curls and perfectly matching her dress. Zach couldn’t stop laughing when she had earlier informed Julian that pink was no longer her favorite color and he should consider making his designs for his dancewear line in blue. He couldn’t wait to see her grow up and give Marcus a roller-coaster ride as a teenager.
With slow and careful steps, Lillie walked down the center aisle, scattering rose petals from the silver basket she carried. Julian had designed a beautifulchuppah, incorporating the natural beauty of the beach, adorning the archway with flowers, white birch branches, and leafy greens. When she reached thechuppah, Lillie turned and faced the rows of people and waved at Tyler in the front row, then took Marcus’s hand next to her. Marcus and Julian were standing up for him, while Henry was there for Sam.
Sam walked down the aisle first, with his mother, who was dressed in a cream-colored suit with a beautiful pink orchid pinned to her jacket. When they reached the end of the aisle, Barbara gave Sam a hug and reached up to kiss his cheek, then sat down next to Tyler.
Before they stepped out on the runner to walk, his mother put a restraining hand on his arm. “Before we go, sweetheart, I wanted you to know I couldn’t be happier for you to end up with a man like Sam. He’s everything I’d always hoped for you to find. And I know your father would’ve been so proud and happy for you too.”
His mother always knew what to say at the precisely right time, and she never held a grudge. He’d finally manned up and told her about how he had Matt checked out online, and while angry with his meddling at first, they talked it out and made their peace. She and Matt continued to see each other, and Zach knew he needed to keep a respectful distance from her social life, and unless the man was cruel to her, he was to back off.
“Thanks, Mom. I love you, and I’m glad Matt was able to come with you.”
She linked her arm in his, and they walked down the aisle where Sam waited. He’d lost a few pounds in the past week and taken it easy, so he looked better than he had in months. Refreshed and rested and, as he’d murmured in Zach’s ear before he left him to walk down the aisle, ready to go tonight.
Excitement sizzled through him; they hadn’t had sex since before Sam’s hospital stay, and both of them were excited and anxious—excited to finally be married and together, yet anxious over his health. Zach already knew Sam would be fine, if his morning erections were any indication.
“Hi, babe.” Sam smiled at him, and Zach was ready to begin the next stage of his life. He kissed his mother and hugged her, then took Sam’s outstretched hand and stood before Jonah.
“I’m glad to see you two are here—healthier and happier for all that’s come before, am I correct?” His warm blue eyes shone with happiness. He’d confided to them that this would be his first wedding performed as a rabbi, and he was thrilled it was a same-sex wedding.
Jonah picked up the silver cup of wine and began to chant the blessing and with Sam’s strong hand in his, Zach lost himself in the moment.
*
“After months ofplanning, it’s all done in a few hours. Crazy, right?” Sam took off his jacket and tossed it over the big cordovan leather club chair in front of the fireplace. “And Gideon was right: that tuna steak was almost as good as a hunk of prime rib.”
“I’m proud of the changes you’ve made in your diet since coming home.” Zach had his head buried in the fridge, looking for the bottle of champagne he’d put in there earlier in the day when they’d dropped off their suitcases. “Ah, here it is.” The bottle was nice and cold, and along with it he took the container of crazy expensive strawberries he’d found in the local market. After all, it was their wedding night; the only one they’d ever have.
After washing the strawberries, he took the bowl in one hand, stuck the bottle under his arm, took two glasses in his other hand, and went searching for Sam who seemed to have disappeared. Mounting the stairs to the second floor he called out, “Sam, where are you?”
The shower was running, and for a brief moment Zach remembered that awful day when Sam had chest pain in the shower at home. Now he knew what it had meant, and it was another reason he was happy Sam had agreed to move out of the apartment. They’d find a house together that held no memories of pain and arguments, and have a fresh start.
