“And now,” Judge Hamlin continued, “he stands here with another man who is a recent addition to our community. Someone who helped Matt blossom once again. And they’ve asked me to be a part of the melding of their lives. I can honestly say, never in my years as a teacher, as a lawyer, or as a judge, have I ever been so proud to be here while a member of our family comes home again.”
Charlie wrapped me in his arms and whispered, “Wow. I’m marrying a celebrity.” When he stepped back, he turned to Judge Hamlin. “Thank you for what you said. It’s great to know that people think so highly of Matt.”
Judge Hamlin’s voice cracked a bit when he said, “I wanted to be there for him, but respected his wishes to be left alone. In hindsight, it was a failure on my part. I’m sorry for that, Matt.”
“Thank you,” I replied.
“Okay, I think these two men have waited long enough to be married! So, are you both ready? Who has the rings?”
“I do,” Clay replied.
“Great. I’d say join hands, but I see that’s already accomplished,” Judge Hamlin said, nodding toward us. “Matt, today in front of those gathered here, you’re adding another branch to your family tree. When we graft one onto the other, it takes a lot of love, careful tending, and faith for it to grow strong enough to help support the whole. Do you think the man who stands beside you possesses the maturity, wisdom, and stamina to help your tree grow?”
“Yes. I do.”
Judge Hamlin winked at me. “I thought you might.” He turned his attention to Charlie. “Charles Carver, you’re here today to accept this branch for your own tree. It’s been tested and proven its strength, but it’s also a bit frail. Do you have the internal fortitude to help it flourish and once again blossom like it should have all those years ago? Yours is the toughest job, because this branch will depend on you in ways you might not have discovered yet. Do you think the man beside you possesses the character, the intellect, and the love to help your tree grow?”
“I do.”
“Then by the power vested in me by the great state of Maine, I happily pronounce your trees grafted.”
“Still on the horticulture kick?” Clay teased.
“Hey, it works for trees and for people,” I replied.
“Okay, now the two of you can go ahead and kiss. And make it a good one, because there will be pictures you’re going to have to see for the rest of your lives.”
Charlie pulled me toward him and wrapped a hand around my neck. He held me close, whispered he loved me, then brought our mouths together. While I heard the clicking of cell phones and cameras, nothing distracted me from pouring every bit of love I possessed for this man into my kiss. When we parted, we were surrounded by our family, who’d come to congratulate us. I was delighted they’d been here to share this moment.
Nothing could be more perfect than this place, this time. For so many years I hid away, afraid of the world. Charlie, who now had his arm wrapped around my waist, had brought me back to life again. He’d shown me that some things are worth fighting for.
He’d shown me I was.
“We have a reception at the hall across the street,” Mr. Gianetti told me. “The boys are over there setting it up, and when you’re ready, we’ll go on over and eat.”
“You’re not getting cheesecake,” Mrs. Gianetti admonished. “There are some perfectly good berries on the buffet. Eat as much of that as you want.”
He glared at her, then grinned when she pinched his cheeks.
“I love you, you know.”
The way he smiled, I could tell he did.
We went to the hall Clay had rented. Mr. Gianetti’s sons, all four of them, had just finished setting everything up. There were bowls of shrimp on ice, serving dishes with fried chicken, pork chops, breaded mushrooms and cheese sticks, onion rings, rows of pastries, ice cream, and the most beautiful cake I’d ever seen, with two miniature grooms atop it.
“Wow,” I said, which I knew was the understatement of the year. “This is amazing.”
Mrs. Gianetti came over and pulled me against her. “Theo thinks of you like one of his own, you know. If one of the boys was to get married—and God, please let it be soon—this would be his gift to them too.”
“But this is a lot of food for so few people.”
She shrugged and let go of me. “Theo believes food is a great equalizer. From kings to paupers, everyone eats, he says. So one person or one hundred, he’s going to make sure you never forget this night.”
As she said that, Mr. Gianetti strode over and kissed her on the cheek. He had a thick slice of cheesecake in his hand. She frowned at him, but when he gave her a smile, she melted.
“One piece,” she said, wagging a finger at him.
“Yes, dear. Of course. I would never have more than one.”
