Alexandre had noticed the matching gold bands on his sons' right ring fingers shortly before Thomas left for Russia. He bit his tongue. Something he had been doing for years. And tonight is no different.
The Olympics were finally over and is son was home for good. He, Thomas and Francisco were all out at dinner, celebrating his homecoming and his great accomplishment at the games. As he and his sons chatted, he saw the rings had been switched to their left hands. While Alexandre was surprised at the boldness of the quiet statement in front of him, he was not shocked at the meaning.
There had always been signs Thomas and Francisco were closer than brothers. Shy glances, longing stares, familiar touches, and private jokes were all evidence of their relationship, but it was never out in the open. They had maintained discretion. That is, until their mother died.
After Julieta's death, they became less worried about concealment. While they were not shouting it from the rooftops, they had no qualms about who saw what or what anyone thought about them.
They had not told him their intentions towards each other, but he, nor Julieta, had pressed the issue as to avoid unnecessary disgrace.
When…if…his sons decided to verbally confirm what he already knew to be true, he would hug them, give them each a kiss and tell them it didn't matter to him although it did matter to him. But he was their father and that mattered more.
~A Few Days Before~
The night Thomas returned from Russia, he and Francisco poured some wine, made love and exchanged their wedding vows from the comfort of their bed.
Francisco spoke from his heart, his eyes becoming damp as he promised to love Thomas for the rest of their lives and beyond. He looked into his brother's blue eyes and said that he had been lost without him these past three years and couldn't imagine being separated again. "My Tom Tom, I loved you before you arrived in this world. You're the other half of my heart and soul. You are the most precious gift I will ever receive." He then removed the gold band from his brother's right ring finger and slid it onto his left ring finger; sealing the deal with a kiss to Thomas' hand.
Thomas' heart beat rapidly in his chest as Francisco spoke. He knew no words were needed between them as they all had been spoken before. But hearing them thrilled him in a new way as he fiddled with Francisco's ring.
"My Francisco", he began. "There are no words to adequately express what I feel for you. You are everything to me." His voice quivered as he choked back his tears. My brother, friend, lover, protector, confidant…everything. Being separated from you, if only for a few months at a time, was like torture. Every day without you, I felt the vice tighten a bit more around my heart and now that I'm finally home with you, in your arms, I feel as though I could fly. You are the other half of my heart and soul. I never want to be without you again."
Thomas slid the ring off of Francisco's right hand and gently pushed it onto his left hand. And just like that, in their hearts, minds and spirits, they were married.