Woes of the Wingmen

Epilogue

Wednesday, June 22nd, 1988, evening

"I can't believe you two actually ended up staying together after middle school." An adult Vance said before drinking from his cup. As they all sat at one circle table at a wedding. His hair was a bit shorter but still like a lion's mane from his teenage days. But he managed to turn his fascination with cars into a career: engineering.

"I know right, we're incredibly lucky to have stayed through it all. Most people don't." Donna said, looking into Finney's eyes. Both of them were adults now, and Finney's hair was also short. While hers was longer. They shared a quick kiss.

"I mean we all did. Robin and I are still going strong." Billy said. Now an investigative reporter. He looked at his long-term boyfriend with adoration. Who smiled back at him.

"True true, so are Vance and I." Bruce replied, grinning from ear to ear at Vance. He would've kissed him right then and there. If they hadn't been in public. Bruce followed his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. And now plays for the Colorado Rockies.

"To be honest here, I'm not surprised at all that you became a teacher." Vance teased.

"An astronomy teacher, mind you. But yes, I love space but I also like enlightening kids. So I combined both of my interests."

"I mean I became a screenwriter. I don't think any of you saw that coming." Robin pointed out but he then looked at Billy, "Except maybe you."

"I definitely did. You always told me you wanted to do something in the film industry."

"You working with Griffin on his next project?" Bruce asked, cocking his head toward the young man. Who had grown up to be incredibly handsome.

"Yeah, I can't tell you anything about it, so don't ask me."

"I'm still shocked that my stepbrother got with Gwen," Vance said, looking at said girl. Her long hair was now short like her brother's. The two had become stepbrothers through Jacob's marriage to Helen after Nicole got justice. 

"I could kind of tell, even back in middle school," Finney said, recalling all of the interactions he saw between them.

"I mean, we did tell him to go away, like all the time," Billy said, suddenly feeling guilty for what his younger self did.

"Don't feel bad, Bill. We only said that so he wouldn't go around telling our secrets. Especially to the girls."

"Yeah, my little sister is kind of a chatterbox." Bruce quipped. Everyone else laughed.

"Wonder if those two will be the next ones to tie the knot." Donna said.

"Yeah, anyway, how's Matty doing? He said he wanted to come but couldn't." Finney asked.

"Oh, he's doing pretty good for himself. He's an FBI agent now." Billy answered.

"And getting married to Michelle next week. Which is probably why he couldn't make it," Bruce continued.

"So his dreams did end up coming true. Huh, funny how that works." Vance stirred the glass cup in his hand. Which didn't contain any alcohol in it (due to the wedding being in a Methodist church). Much to his disappointment.

"It's just hilariously ironic to me that he's both part of the FBI and getting married to a black woman." Robin teased.

"His old man must be rolling in his grave right now. Which is pretty much what he wants." Donna smiled.

"Yeah, at least he got adopted by Buzz's family. After his mom had kicked him out." Billy said.

"That's right, I remember seeing him and his family fight during the break at Calvin's trial. And then he went home with Mr. Gladwin."

"Mhm, good riddance anyway. Throw that whole family away."

"Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if he took his wife's surname instead of the other way around." Vance quipped.

Everyone shared a chuckle.

But Finney remembered something specific his old friend told him. "Nah, he said he wanted to use his family name for one good thing: naming his first son John."

"After the president? Is his middle name gonna be Fitzgerald too?" Vance smiled.

"I don't think so, I remember him saying he wanted to do something like Frank or Francom."

"Speaking of baby names," Robin looked between the couple. "Are you two planning on conceiving?"

"Oh yeah, Donna's already written down the names she wants to use. Even middle names." He looked at her while she pulled a small notebook from her orange purse.

She cleared her throat before reading it. "For our first son: Robert William Blake. For our first daughter: Genevieve Saoirse Blake. For our other son, if we have one: Bryce Vance Blake."

The other men were shocked. But in a happy way.

"Are those all namesakes? How sweet of you." Billy said.

"Wait, what about Griffin and Gwen?" Vance asked.

"Oh, that's what Genevieve is for. It's a 'G' name just like it."

"And is from Ireland just like Gwendolyn and Finley. So we'd be paying homage to my heritage."

"Do you not care about giving your kids Italian names?" Bruce asked Donna.

She shook her head, "No, if we have more kids besides that. Then I might, but it's not incredibly important to me. There's more traditions than just names."

"True, but anyway, it's good that you two already know. A lot of people spend months looking for the right name."

"We got ideas while we were still in school. We'd discuss it in Science class when the teacher wouldn't get mad at us for talking."

"Hey Donna," Billy asked her.

"What is it?"

"When's your guys' bouquet and garter tosses?"

The two looked at each other, eyes widened. Completely forgotten. She quickly put on her stilettos and snatched her bouquet. Which consisted of light-blue hydrangea, orange roses, along with some neutral flora to balance it out. She wore a modest, white dress. Empire in style with puffy sleeves. Collarbones exposed, which showed off a beautiful golden necklace embedded with gems. She truly looked like not only a princess, but a queen on her special day.

The girls and guys gathered round for the tosses. Donna turned around and threw it backwards. They fought over it but Gwen came out on top. Holding it up as if it were a sword. Finney smiled in pride.

Next came the garter toss. He got one of the chairs out for Donna. She took her shoes off and put her right leg out. Which had it placed lower on the thigh to make things less awkward. He threw it to the crowd of men who fought even more than the women did. Much to the groups' amusement, Griffin prevailed. Also holding it up to the air. He smiled, clearly he didn't expect to actually get it. He looked back at Gwen. While the bride and groom shared a knowing look.

Perhaps their prediction would come true after all.

Soon afterward, the two left in their car. Which had a 'Just Married' on the back. Along with three strings of two cans on each. Equally orange and blue. Some had their wedding date written on it 'June 22nd, 1988'. While the blue ones had yellow stars painted on them. The orange had yellow flowers. Gwen was the one who painted them. Being somewhat of an artist herself.

The group of men were incredibly grateful to have stayed throughout it all. And only hoped they could drive away in that car one day with their beloved.

And they would be able to, when Colorado legalized gay marriage on October 7th, 2014. Robin and Billy were first: November 9th, 2014. Meanwhile, Bruce and Vance married the next year on February 17th.

Griffin proposed to Gwen the day after Matty & Michelle's wedding. Which came a week after Finney & Donna's.

If you were curious, Finney and Donna indeed end up using all those names. Robert W. was first, then came Bryce V., and finally Genevieve S. Who is the baby of the family. All of their uncles and 'auntie' adore them.

Matty ended up having one son himself. Naming him John just like he promised. His middle name is Francom. He is also adored by his family friends. And is a playmate of the other kids.

The others stayed childless. Satisfied to just be the cool uncle (or aunt in Gwen's case).

If you had told those boys in the basement that they would've escaped and led a happy life. Vance would laugh. Meanwhile the others would doubt it.

But they're glad to know they could get the best revenge against The Grabber: success and happiness.