"The Wedding" – part 2
Summary and additional notes in part 1.
Author's Note: Adam was 14 years old in the last chapter. This chapter moves to ahead in time. It's April of Adam's Junior year at Degrassi. He is 17.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi.
2-
They had spoken on the phone today, but as she sat in front of the computer she wasn't sure what to expect. She took a deep breath and clicked 'yes'.
It had been three years since Gia had seen her cousin. In the time in between she had seen Aunt Audra and Uncle Omar at a few family events, usually with Andrew. However Gracie was always inconspicuously absent.
She had the flu.
She was recovering from a broken leg.
She had to work on an important project for school.
The excuses varied over the years. It had taken a tragedy for the truth to be revealed. Gracie wasn't 'Gracie' anymore. Her cousin went by the name 'Adam' and had been living as male for quite some time. Three years to be exact. In the immediate aftermath her Aunt requested 'space'. There wasn't much she and the other members of her family could do to make things better, but they could respect their wishes.
So when Gia called the Torres residence this morning and asked to speak to Adam, the voice on the other end of the line had taken her aback. It was much deeper than the one she was used to. Suddenly it all became real to her. Gracie was now a guy, he had this whole other life she knew nothing about, and he survived much more than anyone should have to bear.
Talking to Adam had been awkward at first, after so many years of radio silence, however they quickly struck up an amiable rapport. Gia told him all about her last year of high school and beginning college. How fast her brothers Mateo, Filiberto, and Carlito were growing up. How she met Eddie Crúz and the details of their marriage last fall. It had been a courthouse wedding, done right before he shipped out with his unit. Now that he was on leave from the Army they were finally throwing a reception. The whole Calderón clan was slated to be there, including Abuela Lucia and Nana. Gia told him she really wanted him to come.
After some prodding and a few heaps of guilt Adam agreed. It would be the first time many members of their extended family met him as Adam, including her. Their conversation ended well and as promised he sent her a friend invite on FaceRange. Now here she was accepting his request.
In her mind flashed memories of Gracie as child. An adorable little girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was wild and free. Always getting her hands dirty and roughhousing with the boys. Though, she had a sweetness that was evident. She was quick to make those around her laugh and looked to help others whenever she could.
It was surreal seeing pictures of Adam. Though his hair darkened to medium brown many years ago, the eyes were the same. They still had that playful quality. Everything else was different though. He was taller. His clothes were that of a typical teenage boy, though he looked younger than 17 in her opinion. He had a lean build, but seemed to be gaining muscle in more recent pictures.
"Hey, Babe. What are you doing?"
Eduardo Crúz came up to his wife and placed a kiss on her cheek. She looked completely absorbed in the computer. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and lightly rested his head on her shoulder. Gia smiled and leaned back into his embrace. Words could not express how happy she was to have him here with her.
"I'm on FaceRange," she told him.
He chuckled. "I can see that!"
"This is my cousin. The one I told you about."
Eddie stared at the photos on the screen. "That's Gracie?" he questioned surprised.
She turned to look at him, managing to hold in laughter from his bemused expression. She playfully ruffled his short, spiky black hair. "She goes by Adam now," she reminded him.
"Right." He looked at the photo again. Adam was smiling as he leaned against a locker. "I can't tell."
"I think that's the point," she teased. "Anyway, I spoke to him today and he's going to come."
Eddie smiled. He knew how much this meant to his wife. They had been close once. "That's great."
"I told him that he could bring friends," she continued.
"Do we have room for that?" he questioned. She gave him a look. They were having a buffet and the reception was outdoors. "Kidding!"
She clicked through some more photos.
"He's on the basketball team?" Eddie commented upon seeing Adam on the court with his team, dribbling the ball.
Gia nodded and deadpanned, "Yes, transgendered people do play basketball."
"That's not what I meant," he said annoyed.
She grinned. "He has the same jersey and number that his brother Andrew had last year."
"That's cool. Just like me and Hector with Football," Eddie noted. "Who's that?"
They settled on a picture of Adam, still in his basketball uniform, with his arm around a tall, attractive brunette. They were both smiling and practically glowing with happiness.
"That's his girlfriend, Fiona," Gia answered.
-oOo-
Adam drummed his fingers on the dining room table. Across from him sat his brother, Drew. On both ends of table sat their mom and dad.
The Torres family was having a discussion about the wedding. They were aware that Gia had gotten married last fall but with all that had happened in the last five months thoughts about a reception hadn't registered with them. Today she had called and spoke to Audra, extending an invite to the event. Then she asked to speak with Adam. The two cousins had a much longer conversation.
"Are you okay with me going?" he trailed off. The unspoken words 'as me' hung in the air.
His mother looked at him. "Yes, Adam. This has been long overdue," Audra told him. "And quite frankly, I'm not sure you could pull off a dress anymore."
Her last statement was tongue-in-cheek, but his eyebrows shot up all the same.
Drew was the first one to crack, and soon they were all laughing. It had been a long, difficult journey to this point. Adam felt truly loved and accepted. In this moment, he couldn't ask for more.
.
tbc
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! It's great hearing what you think :D
The next chapter is Adam-centric.