A/N: I'd just like to begin this chapter by saying Rest in Peace Chadwick Boseman. I've been a fan of him ever since Captain America: Civil War, and it's hard to believe that he is gone. Rest in peace. Wakanda forever.
TW: Homophobia and basically a character just being the worst. I don't support anything this character says or does in this chapter.
Simon, Bram, and Victor drove past the state of Jersey's border. It was two days before the wedding, and that night was the bachelor's party. Simon had come out to his parents and Nora over Skype, and they seemed to be pretty supportive, but they warned him about bringing Bram to the wedding since Simon's great-aunt Helena was going to be there. Helena was a very uptight woman who had a very traditional mindset, and she wasn't open to new ideas. Her and Simon's relationship was already damaged from when she found out that Simon was going to be a teen dad.
"That Becca woman was wicked," Simon remembered hearing Helena whisper to his mother. They had just come back from Becca's funeral. "She tainted Simon's thoughts. Now maybe he can find a good woman to be the mother of Victor since she's out of the picture."
Simon, Victor, and Bram arrived at Simon's cousin's house. They stepped out of the vehicle and walked to the front door. Simon knocked on the door, and a tall, muscular man with black hair, green eyes, and a tan line opened the door. "Simon," he exclaimed happily.
"Hey Josh," Simon said. They share a brief hug before going inside. Josh and Bram shook hands and introduced themselves. Josh knew that Simon and Bram were a couple, and he was ok with Bram coming and Simon being into guys, but Simon was still being cautious.
Everyone fixed their plates before sitting down at the dinner table. After the meal was blessed, they began to dig in. Simon looked up from his meal and made eye contact with Helena. She was smiling, something Simon hadn't seen her do in years. It was probably because her favorite great-nephew was getting married.
The rest of the meal went by without incident. Bram and Victor began to leave. Simon was staying because he was invited to the bachelor's party. Simon almost kissed Bram goodbye, but he saw that Helena was watching them from the nearest couch, so he resisted. "I'll see you in a few hours," Simon said. "If you're still awake by the time the party is over."
"Ok," Bram said. He then hugged Victor goodbye, and the two of them left.
The next day was the rehearsal dinner. The wedding was going to be held at a Vineyard. The actual ceremony was going to be about ten minutes long. Simon was sitting in the row behind the bride's family. Victor and Bram were sitting with him.
They went to the nearby Pena Beard for dinner afterward. They had to put three tables together so everyone could sit together. Helena stepped away to use the bathroom. Bram secretly kissed his cheek. "It's hard hiding our relationship," Bram said.
"I agree, but it's only for two more days," Simon said. They secretly held hands under the table for the rest of the meal. Once they were finished, they stepped out of the restaurant. Once they felt like they were safe, they shared a short kiss.
"Heathens," a woman screeched. They turned around and saw Aunt Helena. "You have become corrupted, Simon! First, you got a woman pregnant out of wedlock, and now you're kissing another man! There is no saving your soul!"
"Aunt Helena, don't you think you're overreacting?" Emily asked.
"Overreacting?" Helena screamed. "Your son is kissing another man! That's a sin! He's going to burn forever! I thought he had a chance of being saved after his mistake, but now he has gone too far!"
"What did you just call my son?" Simon shouted. Bram quickly snapped his hands over Victor's ears.
"A mistake," she repeated. Simon clutched his fist when Bram grabbed his arm.
"Come on Simon, she's not worth our time," Bram said. He then led Simon to their car.
"This is not over," Helena screeched before the three of them climbed into the car. They quickly pulled out of the parking lot and went back to the hotel.