Page 110 of The Barkeep and the Bro

“Forgive us if we yawn during the ceremony,” Buzz said. “We had a long day of flying.”

“We know we’re those fuckers who brought a baby to a wedding, but we couldn’t find a sitter,” Shane said. I had a feeling I was going to like him the more I got to know him.

“How are things going in Seattle?” Mitch asked his friend.

“Wonderful. Joining Burnham Cosmetics has allowed me to put in place the kind of work/life balance I wasn’t able to enjoy at my evil old company. We have on-site daycare, flexible time off, and half-day Fridays. I get to spend more time with this little lady, and it hasn’t impacted revenue one bit.” Buzz pretended to take a bite out of Anne’s pudgy arm. She giggled in delight.

“We’re in the process of adding to our brood, too,” Shane said. “Anne’s going to have a brother she can boss around.”

“Congratulations.” A new feeling took hold of me, a wistfulness about what it would be like to be a dad. Mitch wasn’t too old to do the parenting thing all over again, was he? This time, he would have a co-pilot. Perhaps in a few years. Our baby for the moment was Stone’s Throw.

“Buzzy a dad, who would’ve thought…” Mitch smiled at Anne.

Buzz looked at Mitch, then me, a knowing smile crossing his lips. “People can surprise you.”

Anne was the best toddler in the world. She didn’t cry one peep during the ceremony. Quentin and Josh walked down the aisle as co-ring bearers. Then Cal and Russ walked down arm-in-arm. Cal had made it clear that he didn’t want anyone giving him or Russ away. They were grown-ass adults.

Leo shocked everyone with his sweet service. He gave a speech, something he loved to do, but it was meaningful. He talked about love, about finding that one special person. Like a typical politician, he hit the familiar beats, but he said it in a way to make it hit home. It hit me square in the gut. Mitch, too, as evidenced by him squeezing my hand tight in parts.

When Cal and Russ were announced husbands squared, their scout troop all ran up and gave a bird call salute.

Caroline’s catered for the reception. Tables and chairs were set up in the back yard and inside the house for those who were cold. Kids ran around and played frisbee. It was a super laid-back vibe, like a house party that just happened to involve two people getting married. I thought back to where I was last winter—aimless, jobless, friendless, homeless. Now I was surrounded by a new kind of family.

Life was funny that way.

Mitch shot the shit with his friends at a table next to the altar. He was laughing up a storm; his loud chuckle could be heard from where I was on the deck.

Ellie waddled over, resting her plate of food on her very pregnant belly.

“You’re ready to burst,” I said. I took her plate as she sat down, which was a complex effort. “Where’s Tim?”

“He’s tying knots with the scouts. He was a Falcon years ago, so he’s bonding with his people.”

Sure enough, Tim sat in a circle with Quentin, Josh, and their troop demonstrating with rope. He was a dork. A completely lovable dork.

“Listen, Charlie, I want to apologize for what happened months ago when I confronted you about my dad.” She moved her fork around her plate, glazing over the pile of food.

“We already had it out. We’re all good.” But since then, Ellie had been acting supportive, but I could tell she wasn’t fully there yet. I knew to give her space.

“It’s been taking me a little while to get used to the whole thing. Not just that it’s you dating him, but that my dad is dating someone, period.”

People were still getting adjusted to seeing Mitch in love and happy. He had played the grump for so long, it’s a wonder his face wasn’t frozen that way.

“You make him really happy, Charlie.”

“He makes me happy.”

“I’m glad you two found each other.” She patted my hand, and I squeezed hers back.

“Technically, it wouldn’t have happened without you.”

She cringed at the statement. “We don’t need to bring that up.”

“Fair. Does this mean you won’t call me your stepdad?”

She shoved my shoulder playfully. Her stomach protruded like a hot air balloon shoved under her dress. She was about to burst. And that meant Mitch would be a grandfather.

Who knew grandpas could be sexy?

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