“We should join the others,” I say, fighting down my urge to order him onto the bed. “It’s time for your first New York Pride march.”
“My first? I mean, yes, it is my first. But you make it sound like there will be more.”
I raise my eyebrows and thread my fingers through his. “Won’t there?”
He opens and closes his mouth, apparently lost for words for once.
Chuckling, I lead him toward the door. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Nine
Tyler
“Wow! It’s so busy!” I say, staring at the crowds gathering on the streets of New York. “And it’s so vibrant.”
Emmet chuckles and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Excited?”
“Very! This is such a good spot to watch the parade from.”
We’ve managed to get to the front of the parade route, partly because we arrived super early, but also because, between them, Emmet, Rett, Zeke, and Micah knew a great vantage spot. We’re in the shade of tall buildings, which is just as well, as the sun is already blazing. Nearby, a guy sitting on a camping stool is selling brightly colored drinks from a cool-box on wheels. Music is playing from our right—currently ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’—getting louder by the second. The air is buzzing with cheerful conversation and positive energy. People are dressed in a wide range of clothing, from casual to extravagant. There’s a drag queen in the most amazing silver high-heeled boots I’ve ever seen, and a flowing cape made out of all the different Prideflags. There are Pride flags, parasols, and clothing everywhere. It’s like London Pride, onlybigger.
As one, the crowd to our right claps, cheers, and waves their flags enthusiastically.
“The parade is coming!” Rett says, eyes bright.
Sure enough, the first float—the source of the music—comes into view, decorated in tassels and flags from around the world. It’s packed with brightly dressed people waving and clapping to the music. Behind that is a group carrying a canopy made from balloons, followed by flag bearers performing an impressive routine that involves synchronized waving and twirling of the flag poles. Next is another flag with a huge banner saying ‘Loud and Proud’. The there are a group with huge, bright yellow fans. There are dancers, cheerleaders, drag queens in spectacular costumes, bikers on Harley-Davidsons with rainbow wings, a full marching band, and floats from companies I’ve heard of, but several others I haven’t, all here to celebrate and uplift our community.
As group after group goes by slowly, I jump and scream myself hoarse in support. I’ve never felt so excited, and it’s truly amazing to be surrounded by so many like-minded people. We’re all here for one reason: to show that love is love. I’m overwhelmed with the vibrant positivity of it all.
When a group goes past playing dance music, Emmet stands behind me with his hands on my hips. We sway in time with the music and each other, and I can’t help but grind my arse against his crotch. He sweeps his hand to my neck, encouraging me to lean my head back against his shoulder. When I do so gladly, he leans around and kisses my throat. He’s so attentive. Every touch, no matter how tiny, sends pulses of electricity running through me. My pulse has never run so wild in response to anyone before. I’d put it down to the atmosphere around us if it hadn’t been like this from the moment we met.
By the time the last part of the parade goes past, my throat aches, but I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. Emmet hands me a bottle of something bright and orange, which I drink gratefully. The taste is orange, not like the fruit, but like the color, with enough sugar to make me giddy.
The parade might have finished, but the party hasn’t. People are dancing on the pavement or heading to the bar on the corner to carry on celebrating.
I turn around and fling my arms around Emmet’s shoulders. “That was so much fun, Daddy! So uplifting. So vibrant. So many people here to celebrate all things queer, and it was wonderful. I felt welcomed, uplifted, and… and… It’s like a giant family reunion. I hardly know anyone here—” I sweep my arm at Emmet, Rett, Zeke, and Micah. “—only the four of you, but it feels like we’re one big like-minded family, doesn’t it? We’re all here for the same reason, and our family is thriving. Ibelonghere.” My cheeks become warm. “I’m babbling.”
Emmet shrugs. “A little, but it’s adorable.” He kisses my forehead. “I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Does it get less impactful after you’ve been coming for a few years?”
He shakes his head. “No. Never.”
“It’s like being surrounded by love,” Rett says.
I click my fingers and point at him. “Yes. That. Exactly that! We’re surrounded by love.”
Emmet ruffles my hair. “I’m glad you had a good time, baby.”
I bounce on the soles of my feet. “I did! But… umm… I don’t want it to end.”
Micah laughs. “It doesn’t have to.”
“Let’s check out Pridefest next,” Zeke suggests.
“We should top up our sunscreen first,” Micah says.
“Will you help us, Daddy?” Zeke asks, fluttering his lashes.
