Colin let out a brief, rough laugh. “Nate, I partied with the gay boys for years.” He indicated the festivities outside the dining room, where the revelers continued to gyrate to the pounding music. “I think it’s great. I love that they can enjoy themselves without shame or condemnation. I’m happy for them.” He stared at the dancers for a long moment. “They’re still looking for something,” he said, resting his chin on Joshua’s shoulder. “Something that I’ve already found.”
Joshua spun to face him and stabbed at his watch with an index finger. “We need to get our food and get back to the stateroom,” he told Colin in a hissed-out whisper.
Colin glanced ahead of them. The line encircling the Lido’s buffet was long and appeared to be moving at a snail’s pace. “I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to make this line move faster, bud.”
“Colin!”
“Well, I can’t just yell ‘fire’ and hope for the best,” Colin said with a quick grin. “Relax. There’s still time.”
“But Colin, it’s ten after eight! Their cake is coming atnine!”
Colin looked into the face he adored. The chocolate-brown eyes were creased with worry. And the soft, full lower lip that Colin loved to kiss and nibble had been sucked into Joshua’s mouth. Colin smiled and captured his face between both palms. “I love you so much,” he whispered, then kissed him with every bit of tenderness he could find inside him. “Stay here, my darling, and please grab me some food. You know what I like. I’ll go back to the stateroom and wait for the cake and champagne.”
Joshua covered Colin’s hands with his own. “I love you just as much. Thank you, myYedid.”
“See you in a few,” Colin murmured against his lips.
He turned to walk away, then spun back to face his husband. “Get mepie!”
“Where the hell ishegoing?” Nate asked, watching Colin leave the Lido and weave his way among the dancers.
“He forgot something,” Joshua said, feeling hot tears sting his eyes as he watched his husband leave the dining room. “He asked me to get his food, so help me, OK? He wants pie.”
“Ofcoursehe wants pie! He’s Colin Campbell, isn’t he?”
After a very long wait, Nate, David, and Josh finally reached the buffet. They assembled three large trays overflowing with food, including two huge pieces of pie, and carried them back to the staterooms. But when David opened the door, the room was pitch black. He took a tentative step forward, inching his way, balancing a large tray overflowing with food. “What in the livinghell!”
“Davy, what’s wrong? Why is it so dark in here?” Nate asked, creeping into the room behind his husband.
David sat his tray on the bed, then took Nate’s tray and set it down while Joshua deposited his on a nearby table. “Damn!” David exclaimed. “Hold on, guys. Let me find a light switch.”
Then, a sweet, clear tenor rang out out of the darkness.
“Here they stand, hand in hand
they've exchanged their wedding bands
today is the day of their dreams and their plans.
And all we who love them just wanted to say
may God bless this couple who married today”
The curtain to the balcony was swept aside, and from behind it, they saw Colin emerge, pushing a wheeled table into the cabin. On the table was a beautiful three-tiered anniversary cake blazing with candles.
“In good times and bad times,”Colin sang, wheeling the table toward the anniversary couple, who stood as if transfixed.
“In sickness and health
may they know that riches aren’t needed for wealth.
Help them face problems they'll meet on their way
Oh, God bless this couple who married today.”
He stopped in front of David and Nate. “This cake was my wonderful husband’s idea,” he told his friends. “And I thought my contribution could be to sing the song I sang to you on your wedding day.” He gestured to the cake with a flourish. “And now, maybe someone should blow out these candles before this beautiful confection is coated in wax.”
David took Nate’s hand, and they stood beside the cake. He rested his other hand on Colin’s shoulder for a moment, then nudged Nate and nodded. The two men drew a deep breath and blew out the candles.
