Jamison laughed contentedly. “You did it. You reunited Asher and Armando. And you brought Kendall and Phoenix together.”
“We did it.”
After a quick kiss, we made our way back to the cabin and cleaned up for dinner. As we walked to the employees’ living quarters, Jamison asked me, “Have you thought any more about adopting Selah?”
“Constantly.” I admitted it. “I really want to do it.”
“Me too.”
We shared another kiss.
“But adoption is a huge step, and I want to make sure we’re doing what’s best for Selah.”
“How will we know?”
I was still hoping for a sign to direct us. “I have a feeling we’ll know soon.”
After picking up Selah, who looked pretty in a peach dress, we made our way to the dining room and her favorite table. Since my paunch had flattened considerably, Selah let me order vegetable lasagna for my entrée. She and Jamison did the same. As we ate our onion soup topped with emmental cheese, I asked Selah, “How is your mom feeling?”
“She was asleep when I left.”
“Your mom needs her rest,” Jamison said.
“I know.” Reaching into her dress pocket, Selah handed me a piece of paper. “I finished it.”
“Ah, your letter. Should we read it now?” I asked.
She nodded.
I unfolded the paper and read, “Dear Theo and Jamison, I don’t remember my father. My mom told me he wasn’t any of the things I said about him. Sorry I lied. But my uncle really was a wonderful man. You two are just as nice. Thank you for the fun at the lake, the magic show, Jameo, the picture, and the dinners together. The last few days were perfect. Not just because of the things I did, but because I got to do them with you. I know you both have a lot to do, but after you leave here, I hope you won’t forget me. If you did, I’d feel really sad. My mom said you guys want a baby of your own. I think you will make amazing dads. I know I’m not a baby, but I hope you find some time to spend with me too. That would make me so happy. And I could keep you company, read to you, and bring you snacks. But I won’t give anything too heavy to Theo. Oh, the angel’s name is Helsa. Love, Selah Nolan Appleton.”
Jamison asked her, “Why did you sign the name Nolan?”
She replied, “It’s my middle name. After my Uncle Nolan in heaven.”
Jamison and I glanced at each other. We had our sign.
Epilogue
A YEAR later, Jamison and I, clad in our tuxedos, stood on a makeshift stage in the newly renovated Grace Appleton Restaurant at the Nolan Giorgio’s Resort in the Poconos. I scanned the gorgeous, chandelier-topped room full of our family members, friends, resort guests, and staff as I spoke into the microphone. “During the three months we closed the resort for renovations, I took stock, not only of our inventory, but also of all the wonderful things in my life. So, on the reopening of Nolan Giorgio’s, I’d first like to thank my amazing husband and partner, Jamison Radames.”
Jamison kissed my cheek. “And I’d like to thank my fantastic husband and co-owner, Theo Stratis.”
We said in unison, “And our daughter, Selah.”
Selah, looking grown up in a gold gown, blew us a kiss from the front table.
I smiled at the two men sitting next to our daughter. “I’d also like to thank Armando Caro and his husband, the resort’s manager Asher Hillel, on the wonderful job they did converting our resort to run solely on wind and solar energy!”
Sitting across from them, Gonzalo and Natalia Caro nodded their approval.
Jamison added, “On a personal note, I’d like to congratulate my brother, petty officer third class in the Navy, Kendall Radames, and his fiancé, our assistant manager, Phoenix Brand, on their engagement!”
Farther down the table, Kendall and Phoenix shared a lengthy kiss.
I shifted my gaze to the second table. “And Jamison and I would like to thank our families for their constant support.”
Mama, Papa, Ari, and Adonis rose and waved merrily. They prompted an embarrassed Julia, Jabari, Kit, Teddy, Skylar, and Sasha to do the same.
Jamison said, “And to our wonderful staff at Nolan Giorgio’s, you still have a job!”
Everyone roared with laughter.
“Finally, I would like us all to remember the namesakes of this resort.” I held up a glass. “Nolan Downes and Giorgio Roberto, may you always remain an example of strength, grace, and everlasting love.”
As the crowd cheered, Jamison took me in his arms for a welcome and loving embrace.
More from Joe Cosentino
Found At Last: Book One
When young accountant Theo Stratis visits Nolan Downes, an elderly gay man in a local nursing home, he is surprised by Nolan’s request: find the lost love of his youth, Giorgio Roberto. Theo is also surprised to meet handsome and successful Jamison Radames, who is visiting the same nursing home. As Theo and Jamison embark on an investigative adventure to find Giorgio, they discover a great deal about themselves and each other. Solving the mystery of what happened to Giorgio might mean happily ever after for more than just Nolan.
Cinder, a poor and beautiful young man who designs clothing, makeup, and hair for his stepmother and stepsisters, offers his clothing and slippers to a naked stranger in the woods, who turns out to be none other than Prince Charming. Follow Cinder and Prince Charming in this twist on the classic Cinderella tale as they discover their inner strengths and find their very own happily ever after.
Enjoy The Naked Prince and three other reimagined tales from Fairyland, each with a unique spin on stories we all know and love, including The Golden Rule, where eighteen-year-old Gideon Golden, after being thrown out of his home in Fairyland by his homophobic parents, breaks into the cottage of three burly men on Bear Mountain.
In Whatever Happened To…?, friction ensues between a celebrity with a growing appendage and a reporter who has a thing for giants.
And in Ice Cold, young Gaelen must save his love, Kieran, after a handsome but evil prince freezes Kieran’s heart and bewitches him into being the prince’s slave.
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book One
Bobby McGrath’s Christmas trip to the beautiful Italian island of Capri to meet his eccentric extended family offers stunning views—none more stunning than his third cousin, Paolo Mascobello, a real stocking stuffer. As the two young men embark on a relationship, Bobby, a driven law student, learns to relax and bask under the old Italian moon, and Paolo realizes there’s more to life than a frolic on the beach. For the two to find everlasting amore, Paolo must overcome his fear of commitment and learn to follow his dreams, and Bobby must get his wish for happily ever after.
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book Two
Back in America after finding “A Home for the Holidays” and each other in Capri, new couple Bobby McGrath and Paolo Mascobello are ready to tie the knot during the winter holidays. Their families, friends, and pastor offer more advice than sages on speed. So, young lawyer Bobby and fashion designer Paolo are caught in the matrimonial holiday circus. Will a shocking turn of events somehow lead to the perfect wedding for the December grooms?
The following Christmas, Bobby and Paolo aren’t feeling the holiday spirit. They have a nice apartment, designer clothes, entertaining and supportive friends and family, but little time for each other. While out shopping in their quaint local holiday village, Bobby and Paolo encounter Gregory, an adorable seven-year-old who changes their lives forever, offering them a true holiday miracle… if they’re willing to accept it.
Bobby and Paolo’s Holiday Stories: Book Three
Each Christmas has marked a milestone in Bobby and Paolo’s love story. But will this year be their last noel?
It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department sto
re due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.
With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.
JOE COSENTINO began as an actor appearing in principal acting roles in film, television, and theater, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, and Jason Robards. Watching him on YouTube, his students said, “You were cute when you were young.” He moved on to playwriting and directing, and his plays were published and produced in NYC, regionally, and on tour. When he began writing fiction, his mother said, “Don’t you have anything better to do than write books?”
He replied, “I wonder if Shakespeare’s mother said that to him?” All’s well that ends well, as his mother, other family members, and friends love his published books. He hopes everyone who reads this book finds their true love at last. Writing is all in the family since his spouse is an audio book performer.
Joe received his MFA from Goddard College in Vermont and MA from SUNY New Paltz. He is currently Chair of the Department/Professor of Theatre at a college in upstate New York, where he and his spouse designed and had built an environmentally friendly home. Joe is a member of an open and affirming church, and he does fundraising for GLSEN.
He loves to hear from readers:
Website:joecosentino.weebly.com
By Joe Cosentino
The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland
BOBBY AND PAOLO’S HOLIDAY STORIES
A Home for the Holidays
The Perfect Gift
The First Noel
The Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories
FOUND AT LAST
Finding Giorgio
Finding Armando
Found At Last Anthology
IN MY HEART
An Infatuation
A Shooting Star
In My Heart Anthology
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Finding Armando
© 2020 Joe Cosentino
Cover Art
© 2020 Paul Richmond
http://www.paulrichmondstudio.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
Digital ISBN: 978-1-64405-653-0
Digital eBook published June 2020
v. 1.0
Printed in the United States of America
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