Page 93 of Dreams and Reptiles

Evelyn stepped forward to address the crowd. “I know this isn’t the wedding you expected, but seeing my son and his darling wife share their happiness with all of you makes today worth it for our family. I would like to invite any other couples who wish to exchange their vows to come on up, and, when we’re all finished, we’ll celebrate together as a community. There’s food, there are drinks, there’s cake, and there will be dancing. We hope that you’ll all take this day to appreciate what you have and let the people in your lives know just how you feel about them. And we’d like to encourage anyone who brought a gift to either take it back home with you, or, if you’d like, to leave it with us, and we’ll be donating all the gifts to a local shelter for the houseless, who will put them to good use. Thank you all again for the love and support you’ve shown my family, today and always.”

Evelyn thanked Dianne and followed her family into the house.

After a few moments of more nervous chatter, an older couple stood and walked carefully toward the gazebo. Two of Todd’s groomsmen assisted them as they climbed the steps. Dianne greeted them, asked their names, and did the same routine. Two same-gender couples followed, and the vibe was so welcoming and warm. There were smiles all around.

I felt something bump me in the back, and I turned to find Shay and Anne looking conspiratorial.

“Yes?”

“Do it,” Shay said.

My mouth fell open.

“At least ask him,” Anne said. “This is one of those times when the universe is giving you a sign, Kendall.”

“Dad! Hurry. They’re almost finished.”

Shay was right. The last couple who’d stepped up was kissing on the steps as the crowd clapped.

I didn’t see Francis anywhere as I walked with purpose right up the center aisle like I knew what I was doing.

What am I doing?

But as I reached the gazebo—our gazebo—the weight of the rings against my chest gave me the courage I needed.

I smiled at Dianne then turned around and scanned the yard.

“Francis Liang? Where are you?”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-ONE

Francis

I was just coming out of the house, carrying a large box full of tissue packages, when I heard my name being called. I looked around the side of the box and saw that every face in the crowd was turned toward me and smiling expectantly.

And then I saw my man, my person… He was waving at me and gesturing for me to join him at the gazebo.

Oh. My. Goshness.

“Coming,” I said, nervous laughter escaping. I came up the aisle, handing tissues to folks at the ends of each row. I knew some faces, but most of these people I hadn’t met yet. They all smiled at me with such appreciation—for the tissue or the event, I didn’t know—that I kept my smile as I reached the front.

“What’s happening, my darling?” I asked him through gritted teeth and a big smile. He looked incredible in a nicely tailored dark blue three-piece suit, with a white dress shirt and no tie. My hands shook as he took them in his, and he let out a big breath.

“I would like to enter negotiations for a binding contract.”

“I… contract?”

He nodded and squeezed my hands. “I don’t want you to pass out, so I’m letting you know that I’m going to take a knee, here.”

And before God, Pastor Dianne, and a huge portion of the Fosse Pas De Bourree community, Kendall Warren got down on his knee.

There were squeals and gasps from the crowd, but all I could focus on was my person smiling that incredible smile up at me. He let go of one of my hands and reached inside his jacket.

“I realize that we’ve only recently discussed next steps in our arrangement, but I have known for some time that I would be asking to take this next step.” He pulled out a folded handkerchief and let go of my hand to carefully open the bundle and hold it up to me.

On the neatly pressed white cloth lay two gold bands, side by side.