Page 37 of Daddy’s Little Secret

Tae stood beside me just as Uncle Chuck did with Daddy. Daddy took my hand, and we turned to face Momma.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day for Oscar and Trey to get married, nor for a better family for them to be united in front of. I’m honored to be a part of this blessed day on the magical land we now call home. Oscar and Trey have written their own vows to one another. Oscar, would you like to begin?”

Daddy nodded and took a moment to gather himself. “Trey, from the first day we met I knew you were someone special. Handsome, kind, and patient. A heart filled to the brim with so much love and compassion and one that until recently I hadn’t felt worthy of. I’ll never take you or our love for granted, Trey. You’re the gift others wait a lifetime for, and somehow, I was the lucky man you fell in love with. I love you, Trey, today, tomorrow, and forever.”

“Oh, Daddy,” I whispered, buying a bit of time to get my emotions under control before I even attempted to follow that.

“Trey, are you ready?” Momma asked. I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I’d get through my vows without crying.

“Daddy, the first time I saw you I knew you were the one. I watched how you were with your brothers, raising them on your own. They always came first and that just further cemented you into my heart. I knew my turn would come and patiently waited because every day with you was a gift. You’re the best man I know, a man I strive to do right by, and a man I will always do my best to deserve the love of. I love you, Daddy, now and forever.”

“Now, Oscar and Trey will exchange rings,” Momma said. “Oscar, repeat after me. I, Oscar, take you, Trey, to be my husband. I promise to love, cherish, and above all else put you first until I take my last breath.”

Daddy’s hand shook as he slid the ring on my finger. “I, Oscar, take you, Trey, to be my husband. I promise to love, cherish, and above all else put you first until I take my last breath.” Once the ring was in place, Daddy raised my hand and kissed the ring.

“Trey, repeat after me. I, Trey, take you, Oscar, to be my husband. I promise to love, cherish, and above all else put you first until I take my last breath.”

Okay, deep breath, Trey, you’ve got this.

I fumbled the ring and somehow managed to slide it over Daddy’s finger. “Whew.” They all laughed. “I, Trey, take you, Oscar, to be my husband. I promise to love, cherish, and above all else put you first until I take my last breath.” Daddy smiled at me, and both of us had tears streaking our make-up, but we didn’t care. This right here, this was everything.

“By the power vested in me by the state of Arizona, I now pronounce you husbands. Oscar, Trey, you may kiss your husband,” Momma announced. I couldn’t hear their claps over my wildly beating heart, but when Daddy took me in his arms and kissed me, it quieted my nerves and grounded me. Daddy always had a way of doing that.

“Dear family, I now present to you Mr. and Mr. Saavedra!”

Cheers and whistles surrounded us, and as we peeked around, we spotted half the town standing between the trees, all in costume. Judy was the first to come over and congratulate us while someone else queued up “Monster Mash”. A million hugs and handshakes later, the family retreated to Uncle Chuck’s to sign the marriage license and have cake and champagne.

When everyone had signed their life away, Uncle Chuck opened the champagne and passed around the glasses then held his in the air. “To Oscar and Trey, may your home always be filled with love and laughter. I love you, my brothers!”

“To Oscar and Trey!” The others said as we tapped our glasses together. After cake we changed but left our make-up on and joined the party outside.

“Congrats, Oscar and Trey.” Mayor Gil greeted us with a handshake as we stepped outside. “What a wonderful night and an equally as wonderful gift to our community having this grand gathering here.”

“Thank you, sir.” I wasn’t sure how to address him.

“None of that sir nonsense, please, Trey, call me Gil.” As soon as he started talking to Daddy and Uncle Chuck, Tae and I snuck away to join Sasha on the playground. Kids were running all over, playing in the sand and on the swings, while others were giving the table games a try. No matter if they won or not, everyone who tried walked away with a prize. Momma and Grandma made sure of that.

“You guys are so lucky,” Sasha said as he followed us along the overhead bridge. “You get to live here all the time and be yourselves.” We landed in the castle and hopped out.

“So do you, Princess.” Samian’s voice surprised us.

“Huh?” The three of us stopped and stared at him. “I don’t live here.”

“You will.” Samian hugged him. “After graduation, I’m going to work at Ashwood. Uncle Oscar and Uncle Chuck are building a cabin just for us.”

“Yay!” Tae and I cheered, but Sasha was crying. “Sasha, what’s wrong? Don’t you want to live up here with us?”

“You-you really want me to?” he stuttered.

“Of course we do,” Tae hugged him, “you’re our friend, and now we can play all the time and have sleepovers and stuff.”

“Really, Daddy?” His big blue teary eyes pleaded with Samian.

“Really, sweetheart. In fact, you can stay here now if you want, but Daddy has to finish his last semester of school before he can move.”

“I love it here, but I’d miss sleeping with my Daddy.”

“Don’t worry, Sasha,” Daddy said. “When your Daddy graduates, Trey and I will come down with a box truck and move you guys up here. There’s no way we’re missing his graduation.”