Page 115 of Love Unlimited

Then the bridesmaids pointed toward the ceiling, and everyone looked up to find lucky symbols taped up with ribbons. The groomsmen had to pull them down by climbing on each others’ shoulders in their full formal tuxes. Next was a challenge of plunging their feet into a bucket of ice water to pull out mah jong tiles…with their toes. The five men grimaced and shivered between laughter.

Landon thought they had finally made it through the ordeal when they were allowed up the stairs, but at the top Chu Hua stopped them and demanded money.

Is he buying the bride from her family? Landon asked. Obviously it wasn’t literal, but that seemed like what the tradition might represent.

No, the money’s for Mei Lin. He’s metaphorically showing that he’s able to support her.

Landon figured that was much better, but it was still surprising to talk about money so explicitly. From Landon’s background it would have been crass, but Zhong had assured him that cash was spoken about much more explicitly in Chinese weddings. He had his own red and gold envelope in the pocket of his suit jacket as a wedding gift, exactly eighty-eight dollars. Zhong had instructed him to write the amount down when he signed the guest book so that it would be easy to keep track of.

At the top of the stairs, Dave handed over his own red envelope, which one of the bridesmaids started counting out loud. Zhong hadn’t been kidding about the directness with money, but she was holding up each twenty dollar bill in such a theatrical way that it was clear that this was still mostly a game. He imagined that Dave had quite a few med school debts. When the money had been counted, the bridesmaid shook her head with exaggerated disappointment, her meaning clear even without ASL. What would happen now? Would she actually turn him away?

The crowd, which had started to fill in downstairs, seemed to be chanting something, still sounded eager.

Dave handed over another envelope and the ritual started again. When that wouldn’t do, he added a third. The bridesmaids conferred, and that seemed to be enough. A cheer went up in the crowd and Mei Lin finally came out of her room.

When the show ended, Ash declared, Let’s get married, Daddy!

So you can have a parade?

Yep.

Zhong had kissed their head, fondly amused. You can have a parade without getting married.

With a dragon?

If you make a dragon… Zhong agreed. With anyone else it would be an empty promise, but Landon could see Ash doing it.

I want a dragon! And think of all the crazy games we could have!

You can also have games without a wedding, Zhong reminded them, more or less the way he’d remind them when they’d had too many sweets.

Yeah, but this is kind of special, right?

Zhong searched Ash’s face and Landon found himself holding his breath.

Do you really want to get married? Zhong asked. We could talk about it if it’s important to you.

Ash shrugged. Maybe. I mostly want to see you fight your way valiantly up the stairs to claim me.

Zhong pulled one of their curls. What if you have to win your way to me? We could build you an obstacle course in the backyard. For a cute little puppy. Landon and I already have it planned out.

Really? Ash looked between the two of them. Really? Really? Really?

Still want to get married? Zhong smirked.

Not really. Maybe? What’s in my obstacle course?

It’s a surprise.

Ash rolled their eyes and collapsed dramatically into Zhong’s arms. Then turned to Landon. What’s in it?

Landon shook his head, grinning. I can’t tell you. Your Daddy makes the rules.

Landon, who’d started the day thinking that weddings were boring, found that their conversation hit him with an unexpected pang. It seemed like Zhong didn’t want to get married and Ash was more interested in the parade.

Which made Landon realize that as much as he thought weddings were expensive and unnecessary, and the entire institution of marriage was antiquated and heteronormative… he’d still been looking forward to it for himself. There was a secret part of him that craved that symbol of devotion and security. Maybe it was silly. He’d thought all of his dreams of walking down the aisle in a white tux had evaporated as he grew older.

With Dustin… he could see the possibility again. It had taken Daddy a long time to break through his barriers, but he felt more confident with each week that passed. Daddy loved all of his needy, difficult ways and every part of how he presented himself. Daddy wasn’t going away.