~ Five and a half years later ~

Friday, August 12, 2011

"Hello, Mr. Taylor."

"Call me Justin, and you are?"

"Reverend Higgins, Universal Life Church."

"Pleased to meet you, Reverend Higgins."

"Please, sit down, Justin. So, are you excited about the ceremony tomorrow?"

"Yes. It's been a long time coming."

"How long have you known Brian? Tell me about you two."

"We met in July of 2005. I'd moved here about a month before and he'd been here for three years. We're both from Pittsburgh originally. We met when I was hired as a consultant for the ad firm he was working for. Sparks flew right away and we got together within a couple of weeks of our first meeting. We started dating. I moved in with him about six months later and we became legal partners within a few months."

"When did you know that you were in love with him?"

"Almost right away. Within a couple of weeks of our first date I realized that what I was feeling for him was greater than anything I'd ever felt before. I had had a few relationships in college, but nothing like this. This was truly love. I told him I loved him our first Christmas together."

"And did he tell you that he loved you, too?"

Justin shook his head. "Brian was always funny about love … saying 'I love you'. His family history made it hard for him to believe in it, let alone say. It took him months to tell me that he loved me, too. But, even before that, I knew he did."

"How?"

"In the things he did, the way he looked at me. The way …" He blushed. "The way he'd make love to me."

Rev. Higgins nodded and smiled. "When did you promise to marry?"

Justin smiled at the memory. "On my birthday, in May of 2006. We said that day, though, that we wouldn't have a ceremony until we could do it legally in New York."

Rev. Higgins consulted his list of questions. "Do you and Brian ever fight?"

"Sure. Yeah. But nothing compared to some couples." He rolled his eyes, thinking of fights he'd witnessed. "I've worked on him over the years, hopefully improving his communication skills. He used to keep everything bottled up. Now he's much better. We always manage to work things out one way or another."

"Tell me about Jacob."

"He's three years old now. He's our little ray of sunshine and we love him very much."

"He's biologically yours, correct? He looks just like you."

"Biologically he's mine. In our hearts he belongs to both of us."

"How was he born? Surrogate?"

"Yes. We found an egg donor and then a surrogate to carry him. There was a lot of hassle, expense and red tape, but we got through it and were rewarded with our beautiful son."

"Do you want any more children?"

"Truthfully, no. Jacob is all I wanted. We have other kids in our lives."

"Where do you see you and Brian in 10 years … 20 years in the future?"

"Living in New York, growing old together, taking care of each other, loving each other. Hopefully, for a long, long time."

"Thank you for your time, Justin."

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"Brian Kinney? Hello, I'm Reverend Higgins from the Universal Life Church. I'll be performing your wedding tomorrow."

"Reverend, call me Brian. Is this the part where you grill me?"

"Hardly a grilling, Brian. Just some questions so I can feel assured that everything is going to work out with you guys."

"He's put up with me this long, so I think we're good."

"How long have you known Justin? Tell me about you two."

"I know how this works. You asked him the same questions." Brian asked with one eyebrow raised. Rev. Higgins just shrugged and nodded. "I thought so. Let's see. Over six years ago I saw Justin standing on a sidewalk in front of a bar. He evaded me that night, but a few days later he walked into my office to consult on an ad campaign I was working on."

"He didn't mention meeting you on the sidewalk."

"We didn't meet, just exchanged glances. I never told him I'd remembered seeing him." He mentally drifted while recalling it. "He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen." He focused again on the conversation. "Still is."

"When did you know that you were in love with him?"

"It took me a while to realize it, I guess. I'd never been in love before. To tell you honestly, I didn't know I was capable of loving someone … romantically. But, Justin proved to me that I could. I knew within a few weeks of our first meeting, although it took me a while to tell him."

"When did you promise to marry?"

"We exchanged rings on his birthday in May of 2006. Easier for me to remember – the day we got engaged and his birthday – same day." Brian grinned.

"Tell me about your son."

"I have two sons. Gus is eleven. He was born to my friend Lindsay. He's being raised by her and her hus.. , er, wife Melanie. Mel has a daughter, J.R., with my best friend, Michael. Then, of course, there's three year old Jacob, 'Jake'. You met him. He's … a delight. I love him so much."

"How did you decide to have a child with Justin?"

"I saw how he watched me with Gus. I knew Justin wanted to have a kid and I wanted him to have a genetic offspring like I did. It's watching a piece of yourself going on in the world. I suggested the idea to Justin and he was thrilled at the opportunity. He's a great father."

"How's Gus with having a little brother?"

"He's great with Jake. He kind of babysits and has even changed a diaper or two. He and his moms and sister finally moved to New York last year so we can all be together now."

"That's nice." Rev. Higgins reviewed his notes. "Tell me about your business."

"With Justin's encouragement, I started Kinnetik three years ago, right around the time Jacob was born. It was a little nerve racking starting a new business and all of the expense of the surrogate all at the same time, but we made it work."

"Do you and Justin ever fight?"

"Yeah. We're normal that way. But, not so much fight as have disagreements. I've gotten better at communicating. We always work it out – through talking or other ways."

"Other ways?"

Brian grinned. "Let's just say the best reaffirmations of our love occur in the bedroom."

"Do you want any more children?"

"No. I'm 41 now and I don't want to be too old to enjoy a little one. I wanted Jacob for Justin. We have Gus and even J.R. in our lives. That's enough."

Rev. Higgins smiled "Where do you see you and Justin in 10 years … 20 years in the future?"

"He'll be pushing me in a wheelchair as we go to Jacob's college graduation from law school." He smiled and then got a little more thoughtful. "Justin has given me so much." He paused and smiled again. "We'll be living in New York, taking care of each other, loving each other."

Rev. Higgins smiled. "Justin said something similar. In fact, all of your responses were very much alike."

"Great. So we're done here?"

"One more thing. Are you looking forward to tomorrow, Brian?"

"Yes. New York finally came around to marriage equality. It will be one of the happiest days of my life."

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Saturday, August 13, 2011

The ceremony was a simple one. It was held at the same small banquet room at Fortunato's where Justin's birthday party was held six years before. Daphne entered on Michael's arm and they stood with the Reverend at the arch that had been placed at the front of the room. Gus Peterson-Kinney entered with Molly Taylor and they stood with the others. Young Jacob Taylor-Kinney came down the aisle carrying the pillow with the rings. Daphne took his hand. Brian and Justin came down the aisle holding hands and stood before Rev. Higgins.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor in holy matrimony." He smiled. "I interviewed both men yesterday to get to know them better. I must say that I see that they love each other very much and are on the same page about everything in their lives. They've written their own vows today, so I'll let them share them with us at this time. Brian?"

"Justin, when I met you I didn't know what romantic love was, but you showed me. You have brought so much life and happiness to me over the years. You are my Sunshine and every reward I have in life is because of you. I love you."

"Justin?"

"Brian. Where do I begin? When I met you I knew that there was something special between us, even though the fates decided that, not only would we not meet until we were both in New York, but we wouldn't truly get together until days after our first meeting." The guys exchanged a secret smile over that. "Our connection was evident from the start. You've encouraged me, helped me, nurtured me, cared for me and loved me like no one can imagine. Our family – biological, extended or otherwise – and you is all I'll ever need. I love you so much."

The ceremony continued with further vows, promises and the exchange of rings. Roses were given to Jennifer and a tearful Debbie.

The reverend concluded. "By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husbands, bound in holy matrimony. You may kiss."

They kissed, softly at first, then more deeply. Everyone applauded. There was no receiving line, but everyone gathered around and offered their congratulations. Dinner was served and everyone enjoyed an extravagant steak dinner. Toasts were offered by Michael, Daphne, Jennifer and even Gus. The themes of the toasts were all the same; Brian and Justin were made for each other and belonged together – forever and ever.

As they had their first dance together on the dance floor their love radiated throughout the room. Everyone could see how they felt and were happy for the two of them. After a time, others were encouraged to join them. Emmett danced with Cal, Michael with Ben, Debbie with Carl, Lindsay with Mel, Jennifer with Tucker. Even Gus reluctantly danced with Molly. Soon there was a party atmosphere. The music changed to more of a Babylon dance beat and jackets were shed, ties loosened and shoes came off. It was truly a celebration.

Near the end of the evening, Justin was walking by the coat closet, when an arm grabbed him and pulled him in. The lights were off and the door shut behind him. A familiar sultry voice asked, "Have you ever done it with a married man?"

Justin smiled, "No, I don't believe I have. Have you?"

"Probably." Brian chuckled, "But, if I did it was years ago."

"So, what are you propositioning right now?"

"Come to the Presidential Suite of the W hotel with me and I'll make love to you for the rest of the night."

"Sounds good. Just don't tell my husband. Shhhh."

"Shhhh." Another chuckle was emitted from Brian's lips before they came crashing down onto Justin's. As the kiss broke, his lips went to his husband's ear. "I love you, Justin Taylor-Kinney."

"I love you, too, Brian Taylor-Kinney. – Forever and ever. "