Chapter 11:
The day has finally come. The day to marry Maggie. After today she will be Maggie Mott. We have our whole lives together. No worry of Jimmy or the twins. In a way, I nearly wish my mother were here. Then I remember she would never accept me or Maggie. My father is dead as well. So I have no parents here. We decided to have the wedding in the backyard. Chester, my lawyer, and a distant cousin are downstairs preparing to be my best men. Maggie flew in some friends and family as well. I'm in my room getting ready, Maggie is in hers upstairs.
I feel something in me I've never really had. It's like a combination of nerves and excitement and anxiety. I hear a knock at my door as I smear some brown eyeliner across my eyes like an ode to my true self.
"Who is it?" I yell.
"Chester!" He yells back.
"Come in." I say.
He walks in, his jaw nearly dropping at the sight of my room.
"Oh my gosh, this room is the size of my house!"
"Chester, don't be ridiculous, I've seen your house. I bought it for you." I say.
We both chuckle and he walks over and sits next to me on my couch at the end of my bed. He pats me on the back. He hands me a beer. I don't like it but I know it's a bonding tradition between men these days so I drink it anyways.
"Do you remember when we wanted to kill each other over those lousy twins? We were so stuck on them. Or the day you wanted to be part of the Freakshow and I let you in? I like to think that was the day I really changed myself. The day I opened my eyes and realized everyone needs a second chance." he says.
"Thank you, Chester. For everything." I say.
"You're making a great choice today. You and Maggie... You're perfect together."
"I know. I love her so much. I'm terrified. I keep thinking she must not know me, not the real me, or she wouldn't stay." I say.
"She does, Dandy. You told me yourself. Now don't you go getting down on yourself. This woman loves you, and you love her. Get your ass out there and marry her! It's time." he says.
We get up and hug. I take a deep breath and walk out the door. I go into the backyard and up the aisle. I stand by the arch covered in irises and lilies. Everyone takes their place and the music starts. Then I see her. She's absolutely breathtaking. Her hair softly curled, her face flawless, her makeup subtle but still beautiful. Her dress is the most beautiful one I've ever seen. Her veil covers parts of her, while I don't like not seeing her, she still makes it look amazing. She smiles at me from down the aisle, tearing up. I start tearing up as well. I notice she doesn't have a man walking her down the aisle. I love her boldness.
She walks down the aisle and finally reaches me after what feels like forever. I kiss her cheek. The priest starts reading from a book.
"Your vows, Mr. Mott?" he says to me.
"Maggie, I still can't believe someone like you could ever love someone like me. You're the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I can never stay mad at you. Life without you isn't really living. I can't even sleep without you, so I think it's safe to say I need you. I promise I'll never leave you, and I'll do everything I can to never hurt you. I'll always protect you and love you."
She's disappearing into a pile of tears of happiness by now.
"And you, Miss Esmeralda?" the priest says.
She wipes the tears and takes a deep breath.
"Dandy, when I first saw you it was like love at first sight. You were this beautiful boy that I felt like I had to have. I lusted after you for months without you knowing and once I finally got you, I fell in love so fast it seemed impossible. You caught me off guard. I never thought I could have these feelings for someone. At least not the ones I have for you. I know we'll always be together because we love each other too much to be apart. I promise you I will always love you. I will always be here for you. I will never judge you. I'll always accept you. You're the love of my life, Dandy Mott."
Now I'm crying of happiness.
The priest goes on for a while longer before we exchange rings and say the "I do"s. After what feels like forever, he pronounces us man and wife and we kiss. Everyone claps and throws rice as we walk back into the house. As everyone starts talking and blowing bubbles from the party favors outside, I approve the inside for the reception. The rental butlers bring the guests in right as it starts to rain. We have a huge room downstairs cleared for dancing. There's a DJ, 3 buffets, and my beautiful wife. Everything a man could wish for.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the newlyweds first dance." The DJ announces.
I walk over and hold my hand out to Maggie.
"May I have this dance?" I ask.
"Why of course, sir." she replies, grabbing my hand.
As we start slow dancing, she looks up at me with a face that tells me she really loves me. I reach down and kiss her. I hear the clicks of cameras and murmurs of "aww"'s. We dance and dance until the song ends. Everyone rejoins the dance floor. The music picks up speed and we match the tempo. I feel a small tap on my leg. I turn and see Peter.
"Can I have a dance with mom?" he asks.
"Of course. Did you like the ceremony?" I ask.
"Yeah! I love bubbles!" he exclaims.
Maggie and I smile at our adorable son. Maggie takes his tiny hands and dances with him. I go over to raid the buffet. Chester walks over with a small wrapped gift in his hand.
"This is for you. Open it discreetly." he says, handing me the gift.
I open it and see the clowns mask, all polished and cleaned up. On the back it says "For my one true friend, Dandy." with a heart. I start tearing up again. I wrap it back up and hug Chester.
"You're the best friend I've ever had, Chester."
"You too, Dandy. You too."
We go in and join the dancing crowd. For the first time in my life, I finally feel accepted and I don't see the feeling leaving anytime soon.