He sobered. “Will you be able to come to the wedding?” He blushed when she smiled at him. “Oh, I know it’s just a service conducted by a Unitarian minister, with the reception to follow, but as far as I’m concerned, Theo and I are getting married.”
I cupped his cheeks in my palms and kissed him. “I love you,” I whispered against his lips, and he leaned his forehead against mine.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Hmm?”
“Wills. Why wouldn’t I be able to come to the wedding?”
“Two weeks before, two weeks after?”
“Huh?” I blinked. What was he talking about?
“A baby can be born two weeks before his due date or two weeks after.”
“Well, John Robert was late.”
“And Marti was right on schedule. If you’re going in that direction…”
“I’ll be fine, Wills.”
“We can have the wedding in Cambridge, babe,” I suggested.
Wills looked thoughtful. “We could have it either at the Canoe Club Ballroom in West Bridgewater, or else the Charles Hotel here in Cambridge. Theo, would you mind?”
“Of course not. It’s not legal in either place, and we can fly my family up here just as easily as to Long Island.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Theo.” Jill rested her palm against my cheek. “But I don’t want to disrupt your plans.”
“But that close to term, it’s not a good idea to fly,” Wills fretted.
How did my lover know this stuff?
As if he’d read my mind, he gave me a slightly distracted look and said, “I took a first aid class one time.”
“Hmm.”
“Jack won’t have any problem driving us all down. He drove me up here when I was about six months along with JR.”
“Yeah, but—”
“Wills, Dr. Jim says I’m healthy as a horse. I’ll be fine. As a matter of fact, your Dad’s been wanting to spend some time with Gram and Gramps. We can go down as soon as JR and Marti and Pat are finished with school and spend the summer.”
“Sounds like a good idea. And it would make it a lot easier on my grandparents,” Wills murmured to me, then whirled around to stare at Jill. “Wait, what? Pat? Patrick’s coming to my wedding?”
“Well, yes. Considering how many relatives will be there, I didn’t think you’d mind. If this is going to stretch your budget, Dad and I will give you the extra money.”
“No, you don’t have to do that. We’re good.” Wills glanced at me, but I just shrugged. I knew between friends and family, there were going to be close to three hundred and fifty people there. What difference did one more make? “What I don’t understand is why Patrick would want to come.”
“Wills, Pat is living with us.”
“But I thought his father wanted to take him back.”
“He did.” Her mouth tightened. “With the intention of beating him until he was no longer gay.”
“Oh, fuck! Sorry, Jill.”
“Don’t apologize. I was tempted to say the same thing when your father brought him home from the emergency room.”
“It was that bad?”
“Yes. His arm is broken, and so is his nose. His father was arrested. Pat would have gone into foster care. You know his mother died six years ago, and he has no other family. We’ve become his temporary guardians.”
Wills walked to the bay window. “Patrick was never a favorite of mine, but he’s my brother’s friend.” His hands were fisted at his sides.
I rushed to him and grabbed his hand. “No.”
“Theo, if anyone had done to Michael what Patrick’s father did to him—”
“No.”
“What?”
“Don’t give me that innocent look!” I whispered. “I know you.” We were both speaking in undertones. The last thing either of us wanted was for Jill to learn what Wills could do.
“Fine.” He hunched a shoulder and stared out the window.
“I’m not kidding! Let the justice system take care of the bastard.”
“I said fine.”
“What are you two whispering about?” Jill asked.
“Nothing,” we said in unison.
“Hmm.”
“Honest. Jill, don’t you want to know what we’re wearing for the wedding?”
“Yes, I do. And don’t you dare say ‘if it isn’t just like a woman, wondering about clothes!'”
“Would I do a thing like that?” Wills gave his best innocent look.
“Scamp!” She patted the spot beside her, and when he settled himself there, she leaned against his arm.
“Hey, you’re only ten years older than me. And if Dad hadn’t swept you off your feet, I would have.”
“Oh, Wills.” Her smile was a little watery.
For a moment I remained by the window, but this was my family too, I reminded myself, and I joined them, sitting at the end of the bed with my leg curled under me. Jill grimaced, and I could see the muscle cramping up in her right foot. I took it between my hands and massaged it.