Page 62 of Subtracting the Heart

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jax

Jax walked down the aisle with Katrina, receiving a kiss on the cheek as he watched Sela walk Cade down as the music played. It was symbolic, of course, but it was what they’d worked out with the Dr. Fellows.

No, they couldn’t be legally married, the three of them, but they could have the ceremony with Cade that night and then the official ceremony the next day for him and Ford. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best the three of them could do together. There’d be another ceremony on Monday after Cade’s adoption was finalized, but that would be private.

“Dear friends, we gather here today to join these two in the blessed union of souls. I’d like to readSonnet XVIIwritten by Pablo Neruda,” Dr. Fellows announced. She read the beautiful poem and Jax saw Cade tearing up.

Jax remembered the sonnet from a survey class he took one semester because he wasn’t doing too well with his literature classes, and after he read it again, he decided it was what he wanted in the ceremony between Cade and him. No, it wasn’t official, but it was filled with the love and emotion he wanted Kincade to feel to his soul. He remembered the discussion he and Ford had as they were planning the wedding.

“We have to figure out a way to include him, and we need to figure out this ring thing, Branford,” Jax had complained to his soon-to-be husband… or one of them.

One ring wouldn’t represent them all. Jax had already bought the fancy wedding rings they’d wear, but it seemed as if simple rings should be exchanged as well. Ford agreed, and they each bought small bands. Gold and silver. They could be the everyday rings the three of them wore, and then the ones with the diamonds could be for going out, or so Jax reasoned. Ford agreed, and thus, the whole rehearsal/spiritual joining ceremony was hatched. When Dr. Fellows agreed to go alongwith it as they proposed it to her over the phone. They were both happy.

The ceremony the next day had been planned by Kincade, and neither man knew exactly what to expect, so they felt secure they’d covered their bases with the surprise of the spiritual ceremony.

The rest of the service was a mirror of the ritual for Ford and Cade, not five minutes before. Once the minister pronounced them spouses, Jax picked up Cade to kiss him deeply. It was remarkable to have the future secured. The next day and Monday’s court appearance would seal the deal. They’d be a family nobody could tear apart.

“Dear family and friends, we come together today to join Branford Xavier Thomas and Jackson Pierre Delacroix in the bonds of matrimony. In…” The minister recited all the virtues of love from the Holy Book.

His mother may have been odd, but she had a high regard for the Bible. She would sit at night and read it to him before he went to bed. He’d never forget the teachings, even if he didn’t agree with the way many people professing to have a deep faith twisted the verses to fit their own agendas.

Jax listened to Dr. Fellows soothing voice as he stood in front of Ford, holding his hands. Cade was standing behind him as Sela stood next to Ford now that she had shown up. Cleveland was very kind to step aside as best man when Ford introduced Sela to everyone at the rehearsal dinner.

The setting was beautiful, but Jax was ready for it to be over. It felt wrong for the official wedding to be more important thanthe previous day’s ceremonies but there was nothing that could be done. They’d all retired to separate quarters the night before at Katrina and Sela’s insistence, and all Jax wanted was to have his husbands in one room with lube. Was it too much to ask?

“The grooms have chosen a poem for the occasion to give words to their love. It’s by Rumi.”

The look on Ford’s face told Jax it was Cade’s choice, so they both listened as Cleveland stepped forward with a paper in his hands, looking nervous.

May these vows and this marriage be blessed.May it be sweet milk,this marriage, like wine and halvah.May this marriage offer fruit and shadelike the date palm.May this marriage be full of laughter,our everyday a day in paradise.May this marriage be a sign of compassion,a seal of happiness here and hereafter.May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,an omen as welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky.I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.

When Jax looked at Ford’s face, he saw tears which triggered his own. Crying wasn’t exactly cool considering he had teammates in attendance. But then again, he was marrying a man, having married one the night before when it was more private.

“May I have the rings, please?” Carlotta stepped forward with four rings on the pillow. Two of them were the diamond rings Jax had purchased, but two of them were rose gold. The minister said a silent prayer over the rings and held the four rings in her hand.

Jax glanced at Cade who was standing behind him with a bright smile on his face and a rose gold ring in his hand. He nodded as he slipped the ring on his own finger, so Jax turned toward the minister and took the rings.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” the minister said. He and Ford repeated the vows as they placed the platinum rings on theother’s fingers after the rose gold ring was in place. Each man had more rings than they’d ever anticipated, but they all signified one great love among three great people.

Jax decided they’d hold Cade’s formal ring until after the adoption hearing to make it a special day. After they were pronounced husbands, he kissed Branford as soundly as he’d kissed Kincade the previous night. His life was grand, and he was going to enjoy every last minute of it. He’d worked hard to get it, after all.

The reception was well underway. They’d had a classical guitarist play music during the processional and the recessional, and then Cyrus went behind his turntable and cued up some smooth jazz for dinner. It was a lively crowd and everyone in attendance had congratulated the three of them heartily.

It made Jax happy to see everyone treating the three of them with respect. It wasn’t commonplace for three men to enter a permanent commitment in such a public way, but only the close family had been at the rehearsal, so it wasn’t widely known there’d been two beautiful ceremonies the evening before. As long as he, Ford, and Cade knew the truth, that was all that was important.

After dinner, Jax was dancing with Rina, his new mother-in-law. He could see she was wearing a happy smile before she spoke. “Most mothers would have likely shaken their son to ask what the hell was he thinking getting involved with two men in a long-term relationship, but Cade’s always been a special boy. Well, I guess he’s not a boy any longer. He’s always had his ownmind, and I respect him for not relying on any family money to make his future.

“He’s been independent since he was a little boy, and I’m so proud of him for sticking to his guns but when this business with Hudson is sorted, I’m going to give you boys a wedding gift. I don’t care what you do with it, but I have one stipulation—make sure he puts some away for a rainy day. I had my own money separate from Hudson, and when I die, it’ll come to Kincade, but in the meantime, make sure he has his own money, Jackson.” Rina’s expression was serious.

As the song ended, Jax lifted her right hand to his lips and offered a grateful kiss. “I promise you, Rina, I’ll make sure Cade has security and never has to worry about anything. You have my solemn vow.”

She pecked his cheek before she rushed off. Jax felt a little misty as well, so he decided to find his husbands who would distract him immediately.

Ford was sitting with Sela while Cade was dancing with Carlotta. Ava, the doll, was being held in Ford’s lap, which made Jax laugh. “It’s a girl and we haven’t even consummated our marriage.” Jax sat next to Ford.

Sela giggled as Ford turned to Jax and pushed against his arm. “My husband, the comedian.” Everyone laughed at the teasing between the men.

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