"My Pride and Joy"
Tori and Jade attend a Pride fest with their moms to celebrate their engagement. Tori surprises Jade as a way to celebrate their future lives together.
AN: Hello all, and Happy Pride Month! I hope everyone is doing well, and if you are graduating this year, best of luck to you. I've been really excited for this one shot. I have had it in mind for quite some time. Hope you enjoy!
Today is a beautiful June day, as Tori, Jade, and their mom's are enjoying this year's Pride festival. The four of them are currently watching the parade, seeing all the floats playing music, and lots of rainbow flags going by. Tori held tight to Jade's hand, while lifting her head up, and letting the sun beat down on her face. The girls always enjoyed this festival, because somehow things were different here. Everyone around them was always really nice, and they got to be with others like them, and celebrate being who they are.
Jade caught the smile on her fiancé's face, and leaned in to kiss her cheek. She looked down at their laced fingers, along with the engagement ring on her hand, and she couldn't wait for this to be the rest of her life. For the longest time, Jade has been looking forward to graduating, and living her own life. She wanted the day to come where she didn't have to worry about what her father thought or where she would end up going to college. Now she and her friends would be graduating in a couple of weeks, and college was looking even better with the love of her life by her side.
As the last leg of the parade was wrapping up, the group of women went to check out some of the art vendors. For Jade, she liked that the Pride festival was a great place to find all kinds of handmade jewelry. She has found some really cool rings and bracelets before, and this year was no different, adding a few new pieces to her collection. Jade even found two matching rose quartz bracelets for her and Tori, that they both immediately put on. All the while Holly and Irene were at a booth looking through paintings of city landmarks. The two women were talking to the artist, complementing her work, while deliberating where they'd like to hang some of these pictures. Tori stared at her mother with a soft smile, while laying her head on Jade's shoulder.
"Now, this I can get used to seeing." Tori said, as Jade looked over at their mom's.
"Yeah, we'll have to schedule a playdate for these two more often." Jade said, and Tori laughed.
From here, the four of them came across a booth taking photos, and they all gathered together for a group shot. The first photo was of all four of them, next Holly and Irene took a photo holding up small "Pride Moms" signs, and finally Jade and Tori took a couple photos together. One of them with Jade showing off her engagement ring, and one with the two of them sharing a kiss.
"So, when did you two get engaged ?" The photographer asked them.
"About two weeks ago." Tori answered.
"Congratulations." He replied.
The two of them have been hearing a lot of congratulations from others around them, and this day felt like the best way to celebrate the start of their lives together. At some point, the group found time to grab some frozen drinks and soft pretzels, while they sat and talked.
"So, have the two of you set a date yet?" Holly asked the girls.
"Nothing definite yet, but we were thinking about some time in August." Tori told her.
Irene takes a sip of her drink while looking over at her daughter. "Please tell me you're not going to wear your dress from "The Scissoring" ."
Jade laughs. "Don't worry, Mom. We're going dress shopping this weekend."
"Are the moms invited on your shopping excursion?" Holly asked, pointing between herself and Irene.
"Of course." Tori said. "You've gotta be there."
"Oh great, we can make a whole day of it."
"I'm in." Irene said.
Jade smiles while nudging Tori's arm.
"See what I mean? Shopping buddies."
Tori laughs while hugging Jade around her shoulders. This day has turned out so much better than expected for Tori, and there's still so much more to come. She has another surprise in store for her fiance, but that would have to wait until the end of the Drag show.
At this time the four women were on their way to stage 2 for the Drag Queen performance. The front of the stage already had lots of people out front, and Tori and Jade could see one of the Drag Queens they'd met before, named Desdamona. They saw her at a Drag Queen karaoke event at Karaoke Dokie, and she stole the show with her performance of Madonna's "Express Yourself" Desdamona waved to them as they met in the middle, greeting one another with a hug.
"Hi, my loves. How are you doing?"
"We're good. You look great." Tori said.
"Thank you." Desdamona replied, turning to Jade.
"So, let me see the ring."
Jade showed off her ring as Desdamona took her hand, admiring it.
"That looks so beautiful. Are you guys excited?" Desdamona asked.
"Yeah, not much is planned yet, but we're looking forward to it." Jade told her.
"Well I bet it'll be beautiful, and I wish you all the best."
Tori and Jade thanked Desdamona before she headed on stage. The show was about to begin, and everyone started cheering and clapping while waving their flags. Desdamona began welcoming the crowd.
"Hello L.A.! Welcome and Happy Pride! We have a great show for you, so be prepared to have fun, have some drinks, and dance with us! Who's ready?"
The crowd cheers as the queens begin their show. It started off with Desdamona singing a rendition of "Cell Block Tango" from "Chicago" with three other performers, and was a big hit, having everybody singing and dancing along. They then performed several other classics from musicals, some Madonna that was very much enjoyed by Jade and Tori's mothers, and finally reaching the classic drag show performance of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". Now it was time for Tori's surprise to Jade as Desdamona stepped up to the mic.
"Is everybody having a good time so far?" Desdamona asked, and everyone cheered.
"Before we leave you today, we have one more number from a good friend of ours, and she wants to dedicate this song to her fiance. Please welcome Tori Vega."
Jade looks at Tori, her jaw dropped as she watches her step on the stage. Tori walked up, smiling and waving to Jade, as she sat at the piano adjusting her microphone.
"Hi everybody. I'd like to dedicate this song to the love of my life. Jade, you have made me more happy than I could have ever imagined. I can't wait to be your wife, and I hope I can make you just as happy." Tori said, blowing her a kiss.
Jade blew her a kiss back, even though she was a little embarrassed having everyone staring at her. She was still proud to be starting a life together with this wonderful girl at the piano, singing a song just for her. As they listened to Tori sing, both Holly and Irene were tearing up, along with Jade even though she tried to hide it. Irene stood behind her daughter, her hands placed on her shoulders, while swaying along to the song.
You get me out of my mood, that's something only you can do,
Cause I feel like I'm home when I'm in your arms
And that's why I need you to...
Cheer Me Up,
Come on dance with me,
And you take my hand.
Cheer Me Up
Even if we're the only ones dancing
Tori finally finished, thanking the audience as they cheered for her, and Jade stepped up to the front of the stage to thank Tori with a kiss. The two of them embraced, hearing many 'aww's' from the crowd, and people congratulating them.
"Did you like it?" Tori asked.
"It was perfect." Jade replied, kissing her once more.
Tori and Jade came back into the crowd with both of their moms hugging them, and praising Tori for a job well done. The rest of the festival was just as fun, with lots of nice people they've met while they were there, and lots more live performances to look forward to. All of the color, music, art, and people from all different walks of life made this time of year feel so much more special. Still the most special part for Tori and Jade was getting to spend this time with each other, like many others here today, to celebrate their love and devotion to the one they love most, in a space that accepted all of who they are.