22. September 1980

September 1980

Dex

“ D o you, Dex Holden, take Nicole Tate to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

It’s all I can do not to sarcastically snort at the man. I’ve always wondered – who gets to the altar and changes their mind? It seems ridiculous to me since I have the woman of my dreams in front of me.

To say nothing of the man of my dreams standing right behind me as my best man.

I’d like to say my vows to both of them, but that’s not allowed in Illinois…or anywhere, for that matter. It’s something I conveyed very seriously to both Nicole and Felix last night as Nicole and I enjoyed our last night with Felix as single people.

And we enjoyed the hell out of it. I knew my day would be all about Nicole and me, so I let Felix have whatever he wanted. He wanted to share Nicole at the same time – the thing he asks for at every birthday or holiday – and we spent time together in the shower this morning, just holding each other in a group hug as the water sprayed down on us.

The marriage certificate is ready to go, but it didn’t stop Felix from adding his name in lemon juice, painted with a thin paintbrush one of the third-grade dance students left behind at the studio. He wanted to be on the license, and I’d have his name there with us if I could.

Nicole, for her part, said she’ll look at me for half her vows and look at Felix over my left shoulder for the other half. She flew through them with a confident voice, but her eyes watered the entire time.

It’s the best we can come up with within the confines of the law.

“I do,” I say, just as a fussy squall comes from behind me from the area of Felix’s chest.

The witnesses, mostly our dance students and other employees from the studio or at the club, which I just bought from Daniel, giggle and coo at the noise, and the minister smiles.

“It sounds like we have an objection,” he jokes, and Nicole leans over me to touch the foot of the baby Felix holds in a sling. She shakes the baby’s tiny foot and makes a shushing noise as Felix shifts our gorgeous baby girl, Josi, in his arms.

I smile at the sound of her gurgles and coos, and Felix looks down at the child who is his spitting image .

We were going to get a blood test to see whose daughter she is after she was born. Those aren’t certain because the baby could have Nicole’s blood type, but we thought we’d try. It doesn’t matter in the long run, but we were curious, and she may need to know her medical history in the future. I also had a small bet with Nicole that Josi is mine, but I paid out ten bucks on that one. Once Felix and I saw her in the nursery window, there was no mistake about who fathered her. She’s Felix made over, complete with dark curls on her head and the almond shape of her eyes. There’s even a small cleft forming on her chin.

Nicole and I may have a child someday, but that will be for a higher power than me to decide. Even if Josi is Felix’s biological child, we all equally parent her. Some of my best days are the ones when I take her to work with me and let her crawl around my office. I hold her tiny hands and walk her around the dance floor where I hope she’ll take her first steps soon. She loves going everywhere with us, especially into the studio where she watches the disco ball lights with wide eyes, giggling and pointing. Much to my dismay, she doesn’t like the softer music or even the disco that’s obviously on its way out of style. Josi likes the harder stuff, clapping her hands and giggling whenever Felix plays some of the newer electric-sounding music and even punk.

The minister, an older man in his sixties who is surprisingly cool with our family situation, holds up his hands to the sky. “By the power vested in me by the state of Illinois, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. ”

Applause breaks out as organ music plays. Per our prior request, the minister immediately vacates the altar area as I kiss Nicole. He’s cool enough to marry us, but we know he’s not ready for us all to kiss, and I won’t neglect Felix. Neither will Nicole.

I kiss Nicole first. After all, this wedding is for her. For us. It’s a special day for her, and I want to make sure she feels loved and like her wedding day is something to be proud of. She smiles and wraps one hand around my neck as Felix moves in for a group hug, careful not to squish Josi against our bodies.

As soon as Nicole and I break our kiss, she kisses Felix full on the mouth. Some in the audience gasp, but it’s only one or two people. The rest of the guest list knows exactly what the situation is since we’ve told them one-by-one over the last two years. There is no more secret keeping from people we come into contact with, especially since the little girl I say is my daughter looks like Felix, complete with curls and chubby cheeks.

In the back of the church, one of Nicole’s cousins fans herself and looks away. Nicole invited her entire family. After she explained our relationship and the circumstances, only a few cousins and one of her uncles came. Her parents sent us the stereotypical blender with a card. It said they hope Nicole is happy, but they can’t bless our relationship. Felix and I haven’t met them, and they only sent a blanket when Josi was born. At the end of the day, it’s their loss if they don’t want to know their daughter’s partners or their own grandchild. We understand the shock, and we’re glad some family can participate as they feel comfortable today.

They’ll have to get used to it if they stay through the entire reception, though. We’ve already planned the reception down to the last detail with Nicole and I dancing first and then Felix dancing with her. We’ll all cut the cake together, and Felix will sit with us at the head table, me in the middle.

Most of the guest list claps, even as Felix moves his lips to mine as soon as he and Nicole part. Nicole lifts Josi out of the baby sling so I can fully hug Felix.

As Nicole lifts Josi into the air, the little girl giggles and reaches for me. I take her into my arms and wrap her tight as we walk down the aisle, Nicole and Felix flanking me and holding hands.

One happy family. The family Nicole deserves. The family I deserve. The family Felix deserves, even if it took him a little longer to realize it. As much love as we share, it’s the family every human soul on Earth deserves because it’s real. It’s true. It took me a long time to realize that family isn’t always blood or what society expects. Love and family are what you make them.

THE END…