“Helping set up, I think,” Joshua told her. “Are you and your dad going to the airport with him?”
She nodded. “I think so. Dad, are we going with Pops to get Granny and Gramps?”
“Honey, you go if you want to. I have to get my clothes ready.” He bent and muttered in a fake whisper. “Pops is making me marry him today.” He mugged comically. “Itriedto get out of it but …” He wrinkled his nose, mugging.
“Dad!” Sophie protested, laughing. “You did not!”
“Where’s my girl?!” Jeff’s voice called out as he entered the dining hall. “Did someone say my daughter was here?”
Sophie ran to Jeff, who smiled and embraced her. “My god, sweetheart. You’re so beautiful, you make me want to cry.”
“You taking her with you?” Trent asked, sliding an arm around Jeff’s shoulder.
“If she wants,” Jeff said, Sophie’s hand still in his.
Colin leaned against the counter, watching them. “Look at that,” he said to Joshua. Both Trent and Jeff had an arm around Sophie as they talked to each other, and she gazed up at her two fathers, her youthful face alight with happiness.
Joshua nodded. “That’s afamily.”
Everyoneelse at Camp Pride gulped down breakfast and then hurried off to complete the final decorating tasks. Meanwhile, Jeff and Sophie left for the airport to collect Jeff’s parents. In the dining hall, David and his cooking class carefully placed the wedding cake at the center of the head table, right beside the terrarium centerpiece created by Jeff’s class. They then arranged the dining area for the reception, adding fresh flowers to every table.
Outside, campers bustled around the wedding site, setting up speakers, arranging chairs for the guests, and positioning the small stand that would hold Colin’s iPad. Excitement filled the air as the final preparations came together, ready for the celebration ahead. Once the last details were in place, everyone rushed to their cabins to change into their finest—and cleanest—clothes for the big event.
Back at their cabin, Joshua donned his suit while Colin, still fuming, stood staring down at his dress pants. Finally, Joshua smiled and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Wear your new jeans and your Camp Pride sweatshirt.”
Colin’s mouth twisted in a scowl, but Joshua squeezed his shoulder. “Babe, what matters today is what yousay, not whatyouwear. Everyone here knows why you’re not wearing a suit. You broke your ankle trying to save a lost camper. That’s cause for admiration, not recrimination.”
Colin nodded and grabbed his Camp Pride sweatshirt. “Well, I hope so, since I really don’t have a choice.” He dressed, then turned to Joshua, his iPad in his hand, arms outstretched. “OK. This is it. What you see is what you get.”
“You look gorgeous. Everything’s on your iPad?”
“It is.”
“OK, then, Pastor Campbell-Abrams. Time to shine.”
Joshua had assigned Alex the task of handling the music, and he now stood next to the sound system, which consisted of Joshua’s phone and a Bluetooth speaker. He carefully adjusted the volume and ensured the playlist was ready to go. His expression was a mix of concentration and pride, knowing how important his role was in setting the mood for the ceremony.
Meanwhile, campers bustled around, making final adjustments to the decorations. Colin stood in front of the arch, quietly reviewing his notes, while Joshua moved through the crowd, offering reassurances and last-minute encouragements.
Several boys from Jeff’s terrarium class escorted Jeff’s parents into the wedding area. As they settled into their seats, the excitement in the air became almost tangible. The wedding was about to begin.
The Verdun staff had printed out the wedding program—for a price. And it read as follows:
1:00 p.m.
Processional Music
“Can’t Help Falling”
Elvis Presley
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
Sophie Hartwell & Nathanial Gardener-Reese
Two Best Men
Joshua Campbell-Abrams & David Gardner-Reese
