Chapter Twenty-Four
Frederick
A week or two later.
After nearly a week or two of waiting and wondering what Ethan has in store for me, we’re finally in his car… and on the way to…somewhere. I don’t mind the wait in the least because I’ve been too busy moving my stuff out of my house and into his. I’ve decided to list my house for rent until I decide when to sell it.
This was Ethan’s advice since he doesn’t want me to lose my “investment” just because we’ve decided to take our relationship one step further.
After about a 15 to 20 minute drive, we arrive at our destination and pull up to a very nice-looking home. It has a wrought iron gate and small fountain in front, a round-about driveway/walkway, leading directly to the front door. I don’t have to ask whose house we’re at because they’re already standing on the front steps, waiting for us and looking as happy as Ethan has all morning. For some reason though, everyone is dressed up nicely... like tuxedos and dress shirts... bow ties and everything… sort of nicely.
Ethan parks the car and tells me to wait. At first I think it’s because he’s going to talk to Jensen and Riley, but I quickly realize that it’s just so that he can walk over, open my door for me and walk me to the house like a real gentleman.
Which I really don’t mind at all considering I feel like the luckiest man in the world… not only for the fact that we are dating… but living together like true lovers. Partners who want to be together. I wouldn’t mind being together forever I think, as we walk up the steps to hug and greet both Jensen and Riley. But a small part of me thinks he might not want that… he didn’t want to go out with me to begin with. But maybe if I just work on him a bit, he might think about marriage or at least some kind of commitment.
From the grand front porch we are quickly escorted through a palatial looking house, then out to a noisy, packed and festive backyard. One look at it tells me why: all over the backyard there are decorations. Rainbow-colored lights, rainbow-colored ornaments, and yes rainbow-colored flags.
But it’s a banner that I soon notice that really moves my heart. It’s hung up in the middle of this backyard that’s been transformed into a party. The banner reads.
“Happy Coming Out, Freddie!”
And it’s at that moment that I realize what all of this is. It’s a coming out celebration for me. The kind of celebration I’ve always wanted from friends and family but never got.
Until now.
I step out of the sliding glass doors, tears already streaming down my face and my hand held to my mouth. I look at Ethan, sobbing like a baby.
“Did you do this? Is this your idea, Ethan?” I already know it is but want to hear the words out of his mouth.
“Yes, my Teddy,” he says under his breath. “You deserve it. You inspire me and I wanted you to know it.”
He walks me off the patio while I’m still crying and freaking out like a true gay boy. As he walks me across the yard I can see everyone that is here. Lance and Brad are here, fresh from their honeymoon. They clap once they see me, while expressing how happy they are for me, and how much they want me to enjoy this day.
Harlow and his wife Whitney are also here, though I don’t know them as well because I haven’t spent as much time with them as Ethan has. They were in another unit, a different part of the Navy than me, but I still know of them. I heard they may start playing a bigger role in the charity work that goes on with Riley’s firm.
They give me their congratulations as well and tell me how proud they are of me for being willing to face a monster like Captain Stern. They also suggest to me that I should share my story at their conventions and outreach events. Especially for those servicemen and women who might be gay or lesbian and need someone to share personal stories of coming out. Not only with their sexuality, but to come out against discrimination and sexual violence in the Navy.
Riley and Jensen come out across the lawn after a little while, giving me their congratulations as well. And from there is when the party really begins. The caterers bring out wine and other beverages. Tacos, enchiladas and other scrumptious looking food. I immediately begin feasting to my heart’s content. While standing together, Ethan and I feed each other from our plates.
But the real surprise comes further into the party…later afternoon, then early evening when the multicolored lights begin to twinkle and gleam in the oncoming dusk. A warm breeze is flowing and I can see other lights, white ones flickering in the distance. The crowd is now talking in softer tones and the mood of the party is suddenly magical.
Just as I’m thinking about sitting down for a needed break, Ethan approaches me with a look on his face that I haven’t yet seen on him. I’m puzzled but eager to see what’s on his mind. He then gently takes my hand and gracefully bends down onto one knee.
Everyone gathers around and I can hear quiet whispers of excitement.
It doesn’t take more than a moment to figure out what’s going on, yet the moment seemed to freeze while my brain fired off messages and thoughts a mile a minute.
But then the thoughts shut off completely as soon as Ethan begins to speak, and his baritone voice reaches my ears. It’s deep and filled with emotion, unlike I’ve ever heard until now.
“Frederick, when I first met you, I didn’t know that I wanted a man like you. I thought you were too young and worried about getting involved. But I was afraid and frustrated. I was tempted to get away and not let myself fall for you, but over that month, I’ve learned that love has no bounds. That true love can’t be made to what we think it should be. Love should be what it is, with whom you are meant to be with. Whether or not that matches your expectations.”
Here, I see him fish something from his jacket pocket. I quickly see that “something” is a jeweler’s box… white with a lacquer shine and tiny gold latch. Upon seeing this, my heart skips a beat... two or three to be honest.
“So, Freddie, the teddy bear I didn’t know I wanted, and now can’t live without” — chuckling and giggling bubbles are heard from our little peanut gallery.
“Will you do me the honor?” Here, he opens the lid on the little box. Inside is a sparkling diamond engagement ring inlaid with Ruby stones. The rubies match my birth stone, the diamonds, his. The moment I lay eyes on it, tears once again spring to my eyes. Sobs immediately enter my throat, and I’m nodding, saying,
“Yes, yes, yes!!!” before he can finish saying what he’s going to say. But I know what he’s going to say and he continues on anyway, tearing up.
“Frederick Julian Patterson, will you marry me? Will you do this man the honor of keeping him young and open-minded? Of keeping him company, even if he doesn’t always know what to do with another person in the house?”
I laugh, cry, and wipe my eyes. I notice the onlookers doing the same. I clear my throat feeling like I must be dreaming. But I know I’m not.
“Yes,” I say. “Yes, I will.” I rub at my eyes again. “I will marry you, Ethan.”
Everyone claps.
Ethan slips the ring on my ring finger before getting off his knees and wrapping me in a kiss. As we pull away from one another, he wipes the tears away from my eyes and down my cheeks, whispering.
“Now we have a wedding to plan.”