Bobby-Jac

"Oh, just fuck it all to hell!" I uttered in disgust, running my hands through the bowtie and scrambling the ends into a loose knot.

"Such language," he laughed as he cautiously reached around me with his big hands. "You just need to calm down." He tied a perfect bowtie as usual. "I know today is a big day, but think only happy thoughts. You are thinking happy thoughts, right? You do want to do this right? We could cancel it."

I turned away from the mirror and dropped my forehead onto his broad shoulder. My heart was beating fast and I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.

"I think I'm getting a headache," I said, my speech lightly muffled by his fancy shirt.

"Uhm, you're going to ruin my very expensive shirt," he said, gently pushing my head off his shoulder. He grabbed both sides of my head in his hands and looked at me. "I think you need a little bit of the bubbling to settle you down." He pushed me backwards into the big upholstered chair and went over to the desk to grab the little bottle of champagne from the gift basket he had been chilling in a bowl of ice water.

"Drink it all up in one go," he said, handing me the flute of fizziness.

"Remember when we first got together after you moved back here," I asked.

"When you gave me that beer and we then fucked like rabbits?"

"No," I laughed. "We didn't fuck like rabbits. I thought it was a very sweet evening. I actually thought you were the one then."

"No, you did not."

"You threw that beer into the shrub and started pawing me. I though he's moved back just like I have...and here we are both gay. I figured it was a destiny kind of thing," I said, holding out the glass for another. "Bartender, I'll have another."

"I don't want to have to hold you up at the altar," he admonished me, pouring the rest of the tiny bottle into my glass. He held the bottle up, twisting it in the light. "About to get married and you suck down a whole bottle of champagne," he joked before throwing the little bottle into the trashcan.

"I really did. I figured fate had brought us back together after so long. And the sex..."

"Oh, boy, you are feeling better aren't you?" He slapped me on the leg.

"Oh, yeah, big daddy, do it again," I joked, leaning my head back and smacking my lips.

"Oh, I bet the sex is a whole lot better now. Oh, I know it is," he said, looking into the mirror and adjusting his tie. He looked at the clock on the wall. "It's almost time."

I sat up in the chair and took a deep breath.

"You know I love you, right?" I said very seriously.

"Oh, shut the fuck up and put on your jacket." He handed me the black jacket and leaned into me. "Yes, I know. I love you too," he whispered softly to me. He grabbed the back of my head and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "C'mon, slide that jacket on and let's get this shit done."

I put on my jacket and headed toward the door. He grabbed me by the shoulder and glided me along. I stopped and turned around.

"Thanks, Malcolm," I said with a wide smile.

"Let's just get to the altar," he replied.

My cousin Izzy stood there with Malcolm and me as the music played.

"I'm so excited to be doing this. I always wanted to officiate at a gay wedding. This is so fun," Izzy said in her bubbly manner.

"Yeah, it's a barrel of monkeys," said Malcolm, as the music changed.

I poked him in the ribs gently.

"Here we go," gushed Izzy, grinning ear to ear.

I took a deep breath, pulled at my lapels, and then clasped my hands together tightly until my knuckles went white. Was I doing the right thing, I thought to myself.

Malcolm slapped gently at my hands and I let them fall to my side. He gestured over his shoulder with his head.

I turned to see Bobby-Jack walking toward me and I knew I was doing the right thing.

"You look fucking great, Clay. I love you so much," Bobby said softly, leaning in to kiss my lips.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Izzy said, leaning toward us.

"Do I get one too?" muttered Malcolm.

"Does he have to be here?" joked Bobby.

Malcolm pretended to sneer and adjusted his jacket.

"I've known him since college...and he's my best friend," I said, poking Malcolm gently with my elbow.

"Shush," Izzy commanded.

I felt Bobby grasp my hand and he pulled it up to his mouth, giving it a quick kiss. Malcolm pinched me, as Izzy started.

"My name is Isidora Henry -y'all can call me 'Izzy' and I have the privilege of performing this ceremony today. On behalf of Harrison Clay Henry... he's my cousin y'all and ain't he lookin' cute today... and Robert Jackson Moffat...what a hunk...I should be so lucky gosh darn it... welcome and thank y'all for being here." Izzy reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of bright red reading glasses. She put them on and rustled through the cards in her hand. "They are thrilled that you have come here today to share in their joy during this wonderful time in their lives. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives. The greatest happiness of life is the knowledge that we are loved, loved for ourselves. If there is anything better than being loved, it is loving. This afternoon we are here to celebrate love." Izzy paused for a second. She took off her glasses, and then continued. "As one of my favorite entertainers, RuPaul says..."

I turned to Bobby smiling. He was softly laughing at Izzy's remarks as he turned to me.

"I love you," he mouthed.

"Forever," I replied.