LANA
It feels surreal, watching Olivia walking down the aisle, daintily tossing red rose petals across the white aisle runner. She looks back at me over her shoulder, a huge grin on her face before she reaches the end of the aisle and gives a cute curtsy to Joseph and Michael.
They stand at the end waiting for me, on either side of the minister who resembles a bloated-looking Elvis Presley, with terribly dyed black hair and a white and gold sequined polyester suit. It was last minute, it was cheesy and hilarious, and perfect in my eyes. I’ve done the fancy big wedding before, and it ended in a disaster, so maybe making fun of the whole idea is the way to go after all.
Deciding to nix the traditional, I picked out a short red cocktail dress, of which both Joseph and Michael claimed was ‘my color.’ It’s fitting tighter today, but I’m all smiles anyway.
To my surprise, Michael and Joseph are wearing matching tuxedos, looking absolutely ravishing in the dark blue silk ties. Joseph even ran a brush through his longer hair, and both of them show off their blinding smiles, standing with their hands folded in front of them. As I finally reach them, they each take my hands and kiss them, turning around to face the minister on either side of me.
I guess when you have money you can buy your way past anything- international waters, and matrimony laws included. Michael explained to me before today that I would be officially married to both of them, and no one would be able to say a word otherwise.
It’s crazy, but even though I know it’s crazy, I can’t help but feel completely elated. I’d have both of my men, and what girl wouldn’t dream of having the best of both worlds?
“By the powers vested in me through the lovely state of Nevada, uh-huh, uh-huh, I now pronounce you husbands and wife! You two hound-dogs may kiss your bride. Keep it PG though, folks,” the minister grins as I giggle.
I turn and give Michael a chaste kiss first, then do the same with Joseph, fighting the urge to continue because Olivia is standing in the front absolutely beaming at us. As weird as the whole thing must be to her, she seems completely fine with it.
Once we’re finally in the car, Olivia looks as though she’s about to burst. “Can I please, please, please tell them the secret now?” she asks me, her voice pitching higher and higher with each syllable.
I shake my head at my baby’s excitement and waggle my eyebrows at her as both of my…oh my god…husbands, look at me with curiosity in their eyes. “Okay, okay.”
Olivia takes in a deep breath. “I’m going to have little brothers! Or sisters! Or…maybe even one of each!” she finally shouts, practically bouncing around in her seat.
Joseph gets it first, letting out a loud whoop as he pulls me into a tight hug, shoving at Michael with glee. “Holy hell! You’re pregnant?”
I nod as the tears prick at my eyes. “Yes. And we’re having twins. I just found out this morning.”
Michael’s mouth slowly upturns into a wide, unbelieving smile. “Really? We’re… we’re going to be fathers?”
Olivia sticks her bottom lip out. “You already are fathers, though! Now you’ll just have babies, too.”
The three of us start laughing, Joseph and Michael even joining in on the tears, as Michael pops open the champagne, pouring glasses for him and Joseph, while Olivia and I drink some of the sparkling cider, all of us toasting to our new family.
And I exhale at the perfectness of my life now.
I think back to a few months ago and all the challenges I was facing. No job, a daughter who wasn’t fulfilling her potential, an ex-husband who was threatening to take away everything I held dear. All of that is behind me, thanks to these two wonderful men. They’ve given me everything I needed and so much more. By stripping away all of my problems they’ve given me back myself. I can finally settle down and enjoy all the years I have to come.
Happiness is as sharp as it is bright sometimes. It can remind us of all the times we wished for it and were disappointed, but as quickly as I think about the dark days, they are gone.
And what I have left is hope. Pure, light hope.
Joseph and Michael smile over at me, their eyes sparkling with excitement. Olivia leans over and kisses my cheek. I beam, feeling surrounded by love and just as I’m about to cry at the perfect emotions I’m feeling, Olivia rescues me.
“Hey driver?” she says, knocking on the window. “Let’s go to Disneyland. I think these guys need a honeymoon…and I need a vacation!”
“Yes, ma’am,” he calls, pressing the accelerator.
And just like that our journey begins.