Alex lowered his head and extended his arms out to the side, fingers fully extended. As the music started, his arms crept downward until they were near his knees before bending at the elbows and moving upward across his chest. He grabbed the mic and brought it to his mouth. “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex started pumping out of the speakers while Alex sang his heart out. While he sang, he did his best version of a country line dance, which from the crowd, just looked awkward.
Nobody could tell for sure which key he was singing in, but they knew that the notes that came out of his mouth did not belong together. Small children could be seen covering their ears as Nephi stood front and center, doing his best to sing along between fits of laughter.
The song ended, and the crowd roared, more a celebration that the performance was finally over than a sign that they enjoyed it. Alex took a big bow and ran off the stage to find Nephi. They looked at each other and laughed and then hugged. They walked around the festival hand in hand. It felt good to hold hands in public without worrying about where the next ignorant homophobic confrontation would come from – something straight couples take for granted.
When the night was over, they returned to Alex’s place where Alex sipped coffee and Nephi drank hot cocoa while they talked. Nephi thanked him for opening his eyes and showing him such a great time. He had gained a better understanding of why this annual event was so important to Alex. He apologized again for being an idiot.
“Enough apologizing,” Alex told him. “We’re past that now. From here, we only look forward.”
Nephi thanked him again and gave him a warm, lingering kiss before he returned to his apartment for the night. He couldn’t wait until they were married so he wouldn’t have to say goodnight. He looked forward to a continuation of the festivities in the morning.
Sunday morning came early. Having worked the night shift for several months, Nephi was used to more sleep, and had to force himself out of bed. He changed into shorts and his favorite workout shirt and went for a run. Then returned home for a cool shower.
He dressed in black Capri pants and the Pride Festival t-shirt he bought the previous day. He then walked to Alex’s apartment. Alex had made Nephi a breakfast of hot cocoa and beignets, which they enjoyed together before making their way to 200 South to watch the parade.
It amazed Nephi to discover that it was the second biggest parade in Utah after the Days of ’47 parade that takes place in July. He also came to an appreciation of the diversity in Salt Lake City and the size of the LGBTQIA+ community. He hadn’t previously realized the extent of the community in Salt Lake, since it was right in the middle of the conservative stronghold of Utah.
Large crowds of people lined 200 South for over a mile, waving flags and cheering while they waited for the parade to begin. Nephi noticed people who had set up canopies, and others who brought colorful umbrellas to shade them from the sun. He could see the procession approaching in the distance.
He looked next to him to see Alex bouncing up and down, clearly excited by the atmosphere. A large group of motorcycles came through first. The bikers wore helmets in the colors of the rainbow with rainbow flags attached to the back of their bikes.
Next came a contingent from the transgender community waiving their light blue, pink, and white flag in the air as they marched. The parade was just beginning, but it stretched back as far as Nephi could see. As each group passed, the crowd cheered.
With many in their group wearing flags around their neck as a cape, the Utah Pride Center came next. As they passed, Alex explained each flag. Nephi already knew of the Pride rainbow flag but many of the others were new to him. There was a lesbian pride flag, a pansexual flag and many more flags representing individuals of the asexual, transgender, non-binary, bisexual, genderfluid, agender, aromantic, and intersex communities. Nephi was getting an education, and he enjoyed it.
The Mormons Building Bridges group came next, a group with no official affiliation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but who are members of the church supporting inclusion of those in the LGBTQIA+ community. They were followed by a group carrying large colorful arches made from balloons.
Then came a man wearing only a rainbow speedo and a headdress reminiscent of a Las Vegas showgirl. He sped by on rollerblades, dancing and singing as he went. Nephi wasn’t entirely sure that he was an official part of the parade, but he enjoyed it just the same.
There were baton twirlers, cheerleaders, a marching band, and parade floats. Clubs from the University of Utah, Weber State University, and Salt Lake Community College each provided a float. There was also a float decorated to commemorate Stonewall. The local news stations and brewing companies joined the fun, as did a guy that had fashioned some amazing rainbow colored butterfly wings for himself from balloons.
The parade went on and on. It took two full hours to watch it from beginning to end, and Nephi loved every minute. He was glad he came to support Alex, but also glad that he hadn’t missed an event that felt life changing.
After the parade had gone by and the crowd dissipated, Nephi and Alex made their way to the Pride march. They marched to the State Capitol building and took part in the Pride Rally on the steps of the Capitol. Nephi was proud to be there and felt an affinity to those with whom he shared the experience.
That evening, Alex surprised Nephi by taking him to the Pride Interfaith Service held at the Methodist Church is Salt Lake. Alex knew that Nephi skipped church that day and didn’t want him to miss his weekly dose of churchiness. It was a sweet gesture that endeared Nephi to Alex even more. He enjoyed the service where individuals of all faiths joined in celebration and worship of God.
Alex had one last surprise up his sleeve. At the end of the service, instead of heading home, he drove to La Bambolina where he had a private table for two and a candlelight dinner waiting for Nephi. Alex had pre-arranged everything. Bruschetta and calamari for antipasto, fusilli alla Napolitana for primo piatto, and chicken parmigiana for secondo. The meal was complete with sparkling apple cider and cheesecake.
Each course was perfect, and the company was even better. They talked about the events of the past two days while they ate and played footsies under the table, much like Brock and Angela had done all those times in the office.
After two amazing days together with Alex, the dinner was the perfect way to end the weekend. Nephi liked the way the candlelight brought out Alex’s beautiful brown eyes. Ever since he was a teenager, he dreamed of finding a love like this. At the time, it seemed impossible and even now he had a hard time believing it was happening.
After dinner, Nephi excused himself to use the restroom. When he returned, he found Alex down on one knee, holding a ring box, with a bouquet resting on the table.
“I figured it’s only right that you have an engagement ring, too,” he said.
Nephi extended his hand and Alex placed the ring on his finger and then stood, sliding into Nephi’s arms. They held each other and kissed. Alex wrapped his arms around Nephi’s waist and slowly slid them down, firmly gripping his butt cheeks and squeezing briefly before returning them to his waist.
“Honey, have I ever told you what a hot ass you have?” he whispered.
Nephi leaned in closer and whispered back into Alex’s ear, “Language, mister! And also, thank you. Yours isn’t so bad either.”
They kissed again before returning to their seats where the conversation turned to their engagement.
“What are you thinking about the wedding?” asked Nephi. “Big? Small? Location?”
“None of that matters to me. I don’t have any family to speak of and don’t have many friends, either. For me it’s just about the two of us, so I’m good with whatever you want. What are you thinking?”
“I don’t have many friends either. You and Stacy are about it. That’s okay though, I have found that you don’t really need all that many. Having one or two good friends is better than a hundred surface friends, or a thousand social media followers.
As for my family, I’m afraid they will be nothing but drama, especially my dad and Jacob. Honestly, they would probably end up ruining the whole thing.”
“So what do you want to do?”
“I just want to get married.”
“Honey, I know that. You know what I mean.”
“No, I mean I want to get married now.”
“If you’re ready, I’m all for it, but the county building isn’t even open right now. We need a license before we do anything. Want to go tomorrow morning?”
“No,” replied Nephi. “We can be to Vegas in five and a half hours. Let’s go now.”
“It’s late, and we have work tomorrow afternoon.”
“You’re at work now. Surely you can work something out. See if tonight’s chef will cover for you and don’t worry about me, I have unused sick days, and I feel a cold coming on.”
“I’ll be right back,” said Alex as he headed into the kitchen.
After a few moments, he returned to the table with a smile. “Let’s do this,” he exclaimed, offering Nephi his hand.
Nephi took his hand and kissed it gently before standing and walking out the door, hand in hand with a skip in their step.
The Prius made its way south toward Sin City, transporting the sweethearts to a place where they would be legally and lawfully wed. They passed the Salt Lake suburbs and went over the point of the mountain. They moved through Pleasant Grove, Orem, and Provo, eventually passing Spanish Fork and waving goodbye to the judgement of Utah County as they continued south.
The exits for the cities of Santaquin, Mona, and Nephi flew by the passenger side window as they drew closer to their destination. With Scipio and Fillmore in the rearview mirror, Alex noticed that his gas tank was running low. A full tank from this point should be enough to get them all the way to Las Vegas. He pulled off the next exit with fuel service in the town of Beaver, Utah.
Nephi pumped the gas while Alex got some road trip snacks. Feeling ironic, Alex returned to the car wearing a t-shirt that said “I ❤ Beaver”.
“I got one for you too,” he said, tossing a shirt toward Nephi. “Something to remember our wedding trip by. We can wear them to your next family dinner so Jacob will feel more at ease.”
“You’re terrible,” Nephi replied with a wide grin while pulling the shirt over his head. “But if truth be known, I prefer otters.”
With the Prius full of gas, and a bag full of snacks, they continued their journey to the City of Lost Wages. For one Nephi Willard, it would also soon become the City of Lost Virginity.
The road trippers arrived at the Las Vegas city limits around 3:00 AM on June 8th, the day that from now on, they would celebrate as their wedding anniversary. Tired, they pulled into the High Palace, Las Vegas where Nephi’s employee discount landed them a suite with a hot tub for under a hundred dollars per night.
They went to the room and soon fell asleep in each other’s arms. There they slept soundly until almost 11:00 in the morning when they woke up and ordered room service. The eggs benedict and croissants really hit the spot before they showered and hit the town.
The first stop was a mall to pick up some clothes that were more appropriate for their wedding than the “I ❤ Beaver” t-shirts on their backs. Alex ended up with navy slacks, a light blue button-up shirt and a tie, while Nephi opted for gray slacks and a pink shirt with a bowtie.
Now looking more like a wedding party than ill-mannered teenagers, they headed for the county clerk’s office to get a wedding license. An hour later and eighty bucks poorer, they entered the first wedding chapel they saw on the strip – the Marry U Wedding Chapel positioned between a go-go bar and a casino.
It wasn’t much to look at from the outside. One could easily mistake it for a Chinese buffet. Alex led Nephi inside where they discovered a beautifully decorated building. The marble floor led from the front office into a chapel with white pews lining both sides. Three arched windows at the back let ample light into the room and the vaulted ceilings gave it an air of grandeur.
There was nobody else there at mid-day on a Monday and the woman behind the reception desk smiled and asked them to take a seat. She verified their marriage license and reviewed the wedding packages.
With no guests, the basic package was perfect. She pinned a boutonniere on each of them and summoned the wedding officiant and photographer.
With the chapel doors closed, Alex and Nephi walked, hand in hand, from the rear of the chapel to the front while the traditional wedding march played. The photographer snapped away as they approached the officiant.
There they stopped, smiling at each other as she started the ceremony. She glanced down at her paperwork, double checking their names before proceeding.
“We are gathered here to join Alex Jones and Nephi Willard in the union of marriage. This contract should not be entered lightly, but with thought and acknowledgement of its obligations. Would the two of you like to exchange vows?”
They looked at each other, puzzled. In their spontaneity, neither of them had thought that far ahead.
“Sure,” said Nephi. “Alex, I love you and don’t feel complete without you by my side. I vow to love you and cherish you forever. You have me, all of me.”
Alex returned Nephi’s loving gaze and replied, “Nephi, you are everything to me. I have never been with anyone who makes me feel like this, someone who makes me want to be a better partner and companion. No words are enough to describe the depth of my love for you.”
Love welled up inside both of them at the sweet sound of the other’s loving words.
The officiant continued, “Alex, do you take Nephi to be your husband and do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forever and ever?”
“I do.”
“And Nephi, do you take Alex to be your husband and promise to love, honor, and cherish him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forever and ever?”
“I do.”
“You may now exchange rings.”
“We already did,” replied Alex, holding up his hand for her to see.
“Very good. To build a lasting relationship will require love and patience. I suggest that you continue to date. Dedicate time to your marriage and do something every day to show your husband that you love him. It doesn’t have to be big, but it must be consistent. Trust each other, love each other, and be patient with one another. Let the little things go before they develop into larger irritations. If you do those things, you will build a marriage that lasts.”
The officiant paused and looked over each groom. With a wide smile, she resumed the ceremony. “And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I am honored to declare you legally and lawfully married. You may seal this declaration with a kiss.”
Alex and Nephi faced each other and kissed. The kiss started gentle and sweet. It lingered and grew in passion as they embraced. They slowly decoupled their faces and thanked the officiant for the ceremony.
“Hey, look at us,” said Alex. “Another Snuzzle success story. Maybe we should be in their next commercial.”
They laughed and then joined hands and made their way back to the High Palace, Las Vegas as husbands.
They arrived at the suite and opened the door. Alex carried Nephi over the threshold, having always wanted to do that. He set Nephi down gently and closed the door behind him as they started to kiss.
Their lips didn’t separate as they moved from the door to the bed. They somehow managed to remove their shoes and ties before they laid down, lips still locked. They kissed for several minutes before Alex moved down to kiss below Nephi’s bottom lip and then his chin, lingering for a moment while he gently sucked it. Continuing downward, he kissed Nephi’s neck, driving him wild.
Ready to take it to the next level, they undressed. Nephi sat on the bed while Alex stood on the floor next to him. This being the first time Nephi had seen a fully naked man, other than himself, he looked Alex up and down, studyi
ng his body. He admired the definition in his arms and his abs. He loved the little ridges that formed just below Alex’s abdominal muscles where the torso met his pelvis.
Alex moved to the bed where the kissing resumed. Nephi had already given Alex everything else and was now ready to offer up his body. As they made love, Nephi gave himself fully to Alex and Alex to Nephi. Alex was so gentle with Nephi and the joy Nephi felt was like nothing he had experienced before. The unbridled expression of physical love moved his heart in a way he hadn’t anticipated and he began to cry.
Alex noticed the tears in his eyes and looked at him with love. “Is everything okay, Honey?”
Nephi smiled, gazed into Alex’s eyes, and ran his fingers through his hair. “Everything is perfect,” he whispered.
They nestled up to each other in bed and basked in the emotion of the moment. The couple had been through so much together and it seemed this moment would never come. But here they were, a happy married couple with their entire lives ahead of them.
In that moment, Nephi reflected on how far he had come. He was in touch with his feelings and realized that he had never been more content than right now. He understood that one can’t be truly happy while living a lie.
There was a time when Nephi was ashamed of who he was, when he prayed fervently for God to turn him straight. That time had passed. Nephi now understood that real happiness comes only from living true to your nature. Nephi accepted himself just the way God made him, and was glad to be gay. He wouldn’t change it for the world.
Chapter 27
Having driven all morning, Nephi was back in the office Tuesday afternoon. Normal life demanded his time and the honeymoon would have to wait. On the drive home, they discussed their living arrangements and decided to live in Alex’s apartment; it was bigger and Nephi only had two months left on his lease. He could figure out those details later. For now, he had to work.
A fresh batch of trainees had finished orientation, and they assigned three of them to Nephi’s team. Wanting them to form good habits early, he spent the first half of his shift monitoring their calls. It was obvious that they had paid attention to training, but each of them had some minor things to correct. He coached each of them on the needed improvements and had them shadow experienced agents for the rest of the shift.
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