Like I Love You (Love Wins (JMS Books))
Page 11
“I’m so glad we’re doing this,” she murmured against Bethany’s mouth. “I love you, have I told you that lately?”
Bethany laughed as she hugged Dana back. “I think it’s been a few hours, so it’s about time for a reminder.”
They joined the end of the line. Though the hall was crowded, there was no pushing or shoving, no anger or no bitterness over the long wait. Oh, there were protesters outside—Dana had to pass them on her way into the building, but she’d seen her share of picket signs and heard enough slurs hurled at passersby in New York to be able to tune out the haters. There was too much excitement building up around them to let her dwell on a few negative vibes, and every so often she’d squeeze Bethany’s hand or Bethany would hug her arm, and one of them would squeal to the other, “We’re getting married!”
No matter how often they said the words, they still didn’t quite sound real, not yet. Dana wondered if she’d feel any different, being a Mrs. Being Bethany’s wife. She didn’t think so, but God, she hoped she didn’t cry. She couldn’t seem to stop tearing up. Emotions were running high and hers were in overdrive.
Around noon, Bethany left her in line to run out for a bite to eat. She brought back sandwiches, chips, and sodas, which they shared where they stood so they wouldn’t lose their place. As the clock ticked down the day, Dana started to worry. It was Friday, and the office closed at five. If they didn’t get an application submitted by then, they would have to wait until Monday, which would push back their wedding date another three days after that.
Dana didn’t want to wait. Though she hadn’t been sold on marriage at first, now that they were here, waiting in line, on the cusp of getting hitched, Dana didn’t want anything to stand in their way. She’d picked up tips from the couples around her and, while Bethany had run to get lunch, she called to schedule a wedding ceremony with the Justice of the Peace at City Hall first thing Tuesday morning. The wait was three calendar days, not business days, so Tuesday was the first day they could wed. But only if they got the license today. If they didn’t…
We will, she assured herself, watching the minute hand on the clock on the wall circle around, counting down the minutes to closing time. We have to. I’ll push my way to the front of the line if that’s what it takes.
Bethany saw her glance at the clock for the hundredth time. “Don’t worry, we’re almost there.”
“I just want it over with already,” Dana admitted. “I’m so nervous, I’m about to explode. What if something goes wrong? What if they rescind the law? What if—”
“What if you stop worrying about it for two seconds and just relax?” Bethany replied. “Chill, okay? We got this. We’re doing it.”
Dana gnawed on her lower lip, unsure. “They could decide they made a mistake,” she argued. “Change the law back, or something…”
A man in front of her laughed. “And have a stampede of angry queers on their hands,” he said. “They don’t want to see me go diva on their asses.”
Beside him, his partner rolled his eyes. “Don’t nobody want to see that.”
Dana sighed, trying to rein in her emotions. “I’m just—I don’t know. I’ll feel better when we have the application in hand. When the wedding’s over with. When we’re married. God. I didn’t even want to do it and now it’s all I can think about.”
“Well, hold that thought,” Bethany told her, nodding a couple moved away from one of the counters up ahead, freeing it for the next applicants. “I think we’re next.”
“What?” Dana looked around. The guys who had been in front of them were at another window. It really was their turn!
Bethany tugged on her arm to get her moving. “I told you we’re doing this. Come on! Marry me already, will you? Don’t make me beg!”
* * * *
All weekend long Dana and Bethany drove around Boston, playing tourists and trying to take their minds off their upcoming nuptials. At a local jeweler’s, they bought a pair of gold, diamond-cut wedding bands that were resized to fit while they waited, so they would have something to exchange on the big day. The band set beautifully with the engagement ring Dana had given Bethany, almost as if they had come together as one.
“Like us,” Bethany said, pleased. “I want to wear it now and show it off.”
But Dana pocketed the bands. “Not until Tuesday. You’re the one who wanted to make it legal, remember.”
“You’re the one who won’t let me forget,” Bethany shot back with a grin.
As the weekend went on, Dana would’ve sworn time stood still, each passing minute trickling pass with infinite slowness as the clock counted down to her chance to walk down the aisle and say, “I do.” But before she knew it, the alarm blared on Tuesday morning and they were rolling out of bed, bleary-eyed from staying up too late the night before. Suddenly the day they’d been waiting for was here, and there was a mad rush to get ready, the two of them elbowing each other aside for a spot in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to get their hair and makeup and clothes perfect for the big day.
Now Dana worried about being late, or missing their scheduled ceremony altogether. She rushed Bethany out of the hotel before her lover’s thick curls were even completely dry and it was back to City Hall, where the lines were just as long as they had been on Friday. But this time Dana and Bethany were in a different queue, and theirs moved quickly.
Wedding ceremonies at the Justice of the Peace took about fifteen minutes. They were brief affairs, unencumbered by a large number of attendants, though some of the couples in line ahead of Dana had entourages that made her worry. Turning to Bethany, she said, “God, we don’t have witnesses.”
Bethany frowned. “Do we need more than this? I mean, look around. This place is packed.”
“I’m talking about a maid of honor,” Dana explained. Her nerves were riding high again; she could hear her anxiety threatening to run away with her reason in her voice. “A best man, that sort of thing. What if—”
“Honey, calm down.” Bethany took both of Dana’s hands in hers and breathed in deep, which made Dana do the same. “Relax. It’ll be okay. Je t’aime, remember what that means?”
Dana smiled wanly. “I love you.”
With a laugh, Bethany said, “And I love you. And we’re getting married, so keep it together until he pronounces us woman and wife—or wife and wife, or woman and woman, whatever he’s going to say—”
“Woman and woman?” Dana asked, skeptic. “We’re already that. Why would he—?”
“I don’t know, I’m just saying!” Bethany laughed again, giddy with the moment and their impending marriage. “Wife and wife then. So why do they say man and wife? Maybe guys aren’t men until they get married, is that it?”
Dana giggled and pulled Bethany close to claim a kiss. “How do you say I love you again in French?” she asked softly.
“Je t’aime, mon amour.” Bethany grinned. “That means, I love you, my love.”
“Mon, isn’t that masculine?” Dana asked, frowning.
“The word amour is,” Bethany explained. “It doesn’t mean I’m talking to a guy. It can refer to a woman or a man. In French—”
“Excusez-moi,” someone behind them interrupted.
They turned to find a young man in his twenties wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts with a tuxedo-print pattern on them, black Doc Martens boots, and a pink feather boa around his neck. Across his chest was a pink sash, the kind worn by beauty queens in pageants, that read, BRIDESMAN. In one hand he held a large, plastic, gaudy scepter. On his head was an equally gaudy crown.
Dana pressed her lips together hard not to laugh. Bethany didn’t even bother; she sputtered and turned away, one hand rising to cover her mouth as giggles escaped. The man drew himself up to his full height, which puffed out his thin, bare chest and made him look even more ridiculous than he had already, if that were possible. “If I may introduce myself,” he intoned. “I am Jeremy, Professional Bridesman. If you have need of my services, I a
m available during the length of your upcoming wedding ceremony for the discounted rate of a mere five dollars.”
Now Dana laughed, too. “Five…” She was tempted to give it to him for the outfit alone.
Bethany had regained her composure, though, and asked, “But what do you do.”
Jeremy pointed at his sash. “I’m a bridesman. You know, like a bridesmaid, only I’m a guy. Hence, man instead of maid.”
“So you just stand there.” Bethany took Dana’s arm and shook her head. “Thanks, but—”
“We do need a witness,” Dana said.
“Aha!” Jeremy pounced. “Part of my services includes signing the marriage license, if you wish. I also take photos at no additional charge.”
He pulled a slim digital camera from somewhere—Dana didn’t see where, and didn’t really want to know—and brandished it like a prize won from a box of Crackerjacks.
“Just give me your e-mail address,” he said, “and I’ll send you the pictures. Come on, what do you say? That’s a lot for what you’re paying. You’re really getting a steal.”
Dana looked at Bethany, who shook her head slightly. But there was something dorky and endearing about the guy, and they would want a photo to commemorate the day later. “Come on, we can spare five bucks,” Dana murmured under her breath.
Bethany rolled her eyes as the line shuffled forward. They were next. “Fine.”
Moving up with them, Jeremy said, “For ten dollars, I can—”
“No, we’re good, thanks.” Bethany shot him a silencing look.
With a giggle, Dana pulled Bethany to her. “I love you,” she sighed, kissing Bethany’s cheek. “Always have, always will.”
“I only wish I’d realized I loved you sooner.” Bethany turned, catching Dana’s next kiss on her lips.
Behind them, a camera flashed as Jeremy cried, “Say cheese!”
THE END
ABOUT J.T. MARIE
J.T. Marie is a pseudonym for author J.M. Snyder, who publishes gay erotic and romantic fiction under her full name. A graduate of George Mason University, Marie worked as Fantasy Editor of the school’s sci-fi and fantasy journal, The Fractal, for two years. After college, she created and maintained an online webzine, Disenchanted, to further a love of fantasy fiction. For more information on her non-gay fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, please visit jtmarie.com.
ABOUT JMS BOOKS LLC
JMS Books LLC is a small queer press with competitive royalty rates publishing LGBT romance, erotic romance, and young adult fiction. Visit jms-books.com for our latest releases and submission guidelines!