Falls Creek Lessons - 11. Epilogue

Sitting at the table for the bridal party while Chris gave his speech about the happy couple, I looked over at where Dan was seated with Paul. The two of them have well and truly resolved their differences and life is looking good for all of us.

Rob and Diane were floored when I told them I’m gay. It was at one of the get-togethers where they were organising the wedding. This one was at Chris and Paul’s place, and I had brought Dan along to keep Paul company while the rest of us worked. He was also there in case I needed comforting afterwards, but as he and the others kept telling me, it wasn’t needed. It was the engaged couple that needed the support!

Rob couldn’t speak for several minutes, while Diane just kept repeating “But...” as she pointed at Chris and me. I had no ideas what she was going on about, until she finally explained the real reason she had invited me on that first ski trip. It seemed I had forgotten to clean up the computer properly after one of my internet searches, and she had found some gay-related files. She suspected I was gay, and arranged for me to meet Chris and Paul as a way of trying to bring me out of my shell. From that point of view, the weekend was a complete disaster, but as it was also the weekend that I met my boyfriend, I didn’t have any problems in forgiving her.

As it sunk in that he had chosen two gay guys as his best man and groomsman, Rob just shook his head in wonder. With a smile slowly growing across his face, he eventually remarked that he couldn’t help it if the two best guys he knew just happened to be gay. He just felt sorry for the poor bridesmaids!

He started to panic, though, when Chris dryly mentioned that I was looking forward to going to a gay nightclub for Rob’s buck’s night. He turned to me and said, accusingly, that I told him that I wasn’t going to allow that. I grinned back as I replied that all I’d said is that I would make sure I’d be comfortable with whatever Chris was planning. I didn’t have a problem with a gay nightclub, so that was that. Chris had Rob going for several minutes before he stated that he had cancelled the nightclub plan, over my objections. I quickly added that I was still pushing for the male strippers, though. I didn’t tell him that Dan and Paul were being obstinate about the idea, so it probably wasn’t going to happen; it’s traditional that the bridegroom be apprehensive about his buck’s night, and I was just going my bit.

We didn’t get a lot of planning done that day, at least on the wedding, but that’s when the other great event occurred. Apparently Dan had been explaining to Paul about the situation at his home, and also why he couldn’t move out. While my sister and brother-in-law-to-be took in the second shock that Dan is also gay and my boyfriend, Chris and Paul had a quiet chat. Soon after, they asked if Dan and I would like to move into the spare room at their place. It was currently being used as a mini-gym, with several pieces of exercise equipment, but they were happy to move them somewhere else so we could have the room.

It was my turn to be flabbergasted. With our joint plan to apply for jobs at the snow next year, I hadn’t expected to be able to move out of home. I’d been dreading coming out to my parents, and potentially having to go through the same hell that Dan does when he lives at home. Having somewhere to move to where they didn’t mind that we’d be gone four months of the year was like a miracle come true.

We quickly accepted, and Dan has already moved in. I’ve been waiting until after the wedding, as I knew my mum needed the help with the preparations. In four days, I’ll be out of home and living with my boyfriend. The following weekend, I’m going to tell my parents. If it goes well, I maintain a happy family life, and Dan will have surrogate parents to make up for the ones he’s losing. Even if it goes horribly wrong, I’ll be out of there and somewhere safe. Diane offered to be there when I told them, but I didn’t want to wait until she was back from her honeymoon. Dan will be there, and that’s enough for me.

“...And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please ask you to raise your glasses for a toast to the happy couple. To Rob and Diane,” Chris finished.

“To Rob and Diane,” everyone chorused, before taking a sip of their champagne.

My sister and brother-in-law, looking ridiculously happy as all newlyweds should be, picked up their glasses in acknowledgement. Only Chris and I were close enough to hear the response Rob whispered before taking a sip.

“To Chris and Paul, Greg and Dan. May your turn come someday, too.”

Yes, it would be nice to get married, but I’m happy just to have Dan in my life. That’s enough for now.