Epilogue 2015

20 YEARS LATER - JULY 25TH, 2015

"Would you please come away from that window? I don't want Evan to think I'm marrying a pervert."

Titus didn't turn. He was peeking through a sliver in the sheers, watching Tucker and Evan in the pool. "I seem to remember a time when you liked me peeking out windows."

"You were watching me then, not our son and his new boyfriend."

"It's too far to see anything. Besides, they're just kissing."

"I thought you couldn't see anything."

Titus glanced back at Pedro, who was reading in bed. "You know what I mean–just two shapes near each other. Besides, they'll take it inside the guest house when things progress. You know Tucker as well as I do. He's a gentleman, like his daddy."

"I know what his daddy does with me in that pool and I'm convinced the water has semi-aphrodisiacal properties."

"I don't know what that means."

"Yes, you do. I also think you might have a little crush on Evan."

"It's not a crush really–although, he is certainly easy on the eyes. I just love him so much for patching things up between me and Tucker."

Pedro, glancing over his reading glasses, gave Titus an acknowledging smile. "He's a precious young man. I'm thankful he came into Tucker's life– all our lives. You were right in telling them they're our greatest wedding present. However, as far as patching things up–well, to paraphrase L. Frank Baum, you had that power all along, my dear. Now, please come away from that window before they see you spying on them."

Titus obeyed and got into bed. Pedro removed his glasses, placing them atop his copy of All the Light We Cannot See , on the nightstand. He turned out the light and snuggled backward into the spoon he knew would be there for him. "We have another son, you know?"

"Don't remind me."

"Do you not see a pattern here?"

"How so? I reconciled with the son I overlooked for years in favor of his adopted brother. I didn't neglect Javy, though. Just the opposite. I gave him everything. Now, he's missing our wedding tomorrow because he's out gallivanting in Europe."

"And here you are, laying the foundation for a wall between you two."

"It hurts, P."

"I know. I feel it too. But Javy's smart. He already knows he screwed up. And when he eventually comes home, are you going to forgive him?"

Titus's silence went on for a little too long. Pedro continued. "This is what I mean by pattern. You can't favor one over the other, T. Love them equally, good and bad. Tucker forgave you for it, and the weight you bore was gone. You have to forgive Javy, too, or you're just starting all over again. My recommendation is to let it go now. Don't let it fester. That's what I've done."

"You're stronger than me."

"It's just a wedding."

Titus sighed, his breath warm on Pedro's neck. "Yes, it is. A wedding we've waited twenty years for. A wedding that wasn't even legal until last month."

"People miss weddings all the time. It doesn't mean they don't love you."

"He's family, P."

"Go deeper. What's the real reason you're feeling this resentment?"

Titus grew quiet, thinking. When he spoke, his tone had leveled, less emotional. "I think it's because Javy could be here and chose not to, when so many others I wish were here don't have that opportunity."

"Because they're no longer with us?"

"Yeah. When we were talking with Tucker and Evan in the pool earlier, it dawned on me–there're a lot of folks I love that won't be here tomorrow. Mama and Daddy, Nana P, Roz, Tuttle–they're all gone."

"Just think of all the people that will be here–Tucker and Evan, Shelly and Ben, Barb and Cassie, Alden and Sheila, Chuck and Brody, Sebastian."

"I know. You're right. It just–it makes me… sad ."

Pedro shifted, rotating in Titus's arms to face him. "Listen. Tomorrow is a big day–and one we've been waiting a very long time for. It's no wonder you're emotional. But think of it like Christmas, or Father's Day. We miss them on holidays, too. But we remember them, and that's all we can do."

"You're much better at it than me."

"I'm just relieved to know that it's grief, more than resentment, you've been harboring. You're emotionally impulsive, T. It's not always a good thing, but it is one reason I love you–why I fell in love with you."

"Because I wear my heart on my sleeve?"

Pedro smiled at the idiom. "Yes."

"I'll forgive him. You know I will."

"Yes, I do."

"Maybe I already have."

"Good. You've always loved fiercely. It's no different with our children. And, now, we have three."

"Evan?"

"He's a good kid, don't you think?"

"He's a goddamn miracle. He brought Tucker out of his funk. He's agreed to help me reinvigorate Project Haven. Sebastian adores him. Says he's grooming Evan to be his replacement at the Black Sheep."

"After seeing him on stage last night. It's no surprise. He's got a gift."

"He is a gift. You're right. We have three children now."

Pedro took Titus's face in his hands and kissed him. "It's so wonderful. All those years ago, growing up in Chiquilá, I believed I could never have these things–a husband, children, prosperity.

"That was temporary. You put your dreams on hold for your mother's wellbeing. I did the same in a way. Getting married and all–I thought it was what my parents wanted. Turns out, my happiness was enough."

Pedro gently poked at Titus's chest. "We carry them all here… where they'll always be with us–especially tomorrow."

"I love you. I know I say it all the time."

"I'll never tire of hearing it. I love you, too. I'm so incredibly grateful we found each other. When I think of the little things that led to our meeting twenty summers ago, and how easily it might not have happened, it makes me dizzy."

"Sure that's not pre-wedding jitters?" Titus teased. "It's not too late to back out."

Pedro chuckled, his breath warm and sweet on Titus's face. "No way. If there's anything I'm sure of, it's this. We've waited a long time."

"That we have. And this time tomorrow, we'll be honeymooning in your homeland, making love where you were born."

"Not quite. Cancun is close enough for us to drive to Chiquilá. But I have no desire to spend more than an afternoon there."

"I can't wait." Titus moved closer. "And speaking of making love."

Pedro playfully pushed at him. "Not until we're married."

"You're kidding, right?" Titus wasn't sure.

"Nope," said Pedro. "Until I'm Mr. Pedro Torres-Shepherd, I'm a virgin again."

"Um, I know we said we were like virgins when we met, but I'm not sure we can pull that off a third time." Titus stroked at the hair on Pedro's chest with the back of his hand. "Besides, I think I may have a little bit of the wedding jitters myself. I need something to take the edge off."

"I see. Second thoughts?"

"Hell no. Not about you. I'm talking about the wedding itself. There's going to be a lot of folks at this shindig tomorrow. Anything could go wrong. Maybe we should have just eloped."

"Titus Shepherd, do you hear what you're saying? The instant you heard about the Supreme Court decision last month, you've been planning the biggest gay wedding possible. It's way too late to back out now."

"You're right." Titus reached low, taking Pedro's cock in hand. "Maybe I'm just trying to get in your pants."

"That's entirely believable. You want to know what else is believable?"

Titus pressed his lips to Pedro's, whispering through a kiss. "What's that?"

"That I'll let you. You know I can't resist. Never could."

"I'll make it good, and then we'll sleep, and then we'll get married tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan."

So, they made love, nice and gentle. When it was over, they spooned again, and soon Titus was snoring softly in Pedro's ear.

But Pedro couldn't sleep. It wasn't the jitters, as Titus had claimed. But something had been troubling him for most of the day. Nothing serious, just a restless thought in the periphery that he was forgetting something.

He slipped out from Titus's arms, found his robe, and went downstairs. In the den, amongst the bookshelves, was a collection of framed photographs. Many were of Tucker as a child, but there was one of Javy at graduation, and others of various friends and family. He saw one of Titus and Alden in their football gear, and another of a comically wide-eyed Barb being kissed on the cheek by Roz. There was a family dinner picture with Truman, Patricia, and Alejandra, Tucker looking angelic between his two grandmothers. Pedro reached to the rear, past a picture of Shelly sitting on Titus's shoulders in the pool, and found the one he was looking for.

It was a prom picture of Titus and Violet. Her smirk in this photo had always amused Pedro. Whenever he saw it, he always imagined that her knowing expression conveyed a passing of the torch, her handing Titus over to him. He's a lot , she seemed to say. But if you can handle it, he's worth it .

He took the picture over to the desk and sat down. The backing of the frame slid easily from its grooves and Pedro lifted the corrugated spacer from behind it and found a yellowed piece of folded paper beneath. It was the letter she had written to Titus before she died. Titus had let him read it years ago, then had placed it in the frame for safe keeping.

Pedro read the letter again, sitting at the desk. Tears came a few times, especially at the mention of Tucker. When he was done, he set the letter to the side, opened the drawer, and took out a piece of paper and a pen.

He wrote for about twenty minutes, pausing for thought when needed. Once he was done, he reread what he had written, gave a satisfied smile, and signed it. He then took Violet's letter, placed it with his own, folded them together, and put them back into the frame.

He stood and went to return the photo to its place on the bookshelf. As he did, Pedro saw one he'd missed earlier. He picked it up.

It was from the summer of 1995, a month after they'd met. In it, he and Titus were standing in the backyard with Tucker raised between them. All three were smiling big and joyful. It was a beautiful image captured by Roz–the beginnings of a family and the essence of pure love.

Pedro sighed contentedly. He set the picture back down on the shelf, turned out the light, and went back upstairs to bed, slipping between the sheets and back into Titus's welcoming arms.

Sleep came fast and sound.

Dear Violet,

We have never met formally, but you gave me the most precious gift I've ever received. I just wanted to tell you that I love Titus with all my heart and cannot imagine my life without him. The same goes for Tucker, who has grown into a fine young man. He's big, too, but not as big as Titus. His hair is still blond, and he has his father's eyes but your smile. In that way, I guess I do know you a little.

Everything you wished has come true. Titus is in a loving relationship with me, and we're getting married tomorrow. I know you'll be there, in Tucker, but I hope you're also present in me. Nothing would please me more than to know you're seeing your husband through my eyes and experiencing the joy you've brought to us both.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Wherever you are, I hope you've found peace, and love, and happiness. I dream that one day we'll all be reunited, and I'll have the chance to meet you in person. I consider you a friend and someone that is near and dear to us all. But until then, I just wanted you to know that your boys are just fine.

They are my world.

Sincerely,

Pedro Torres

Want more Southern Comfort ? Let's journey forward in time for the story of Tucker and Evan.