Dandelions

Elle Buckley-Kinard

Danielle Buckley-Kinard was the happiest four-year-old girl in the entire world. She had an incredible Daddy who was a Buck and cooked delicious food. She also had a Papa who knew how to fly and took her to the skies for her last birthday present—her friends were so jealous! And then there was her Papi, technically her godfather, but since her Papi was Chris' dad and Chris was Danielle's big brother, that made Chris' dad her Papi. Chris was awesome in Danielle's mind, the best big brother anyone could ask for.

As good as Danielle's life was, today it was going to be even better. Why? Because her Daddy and Papa were getting married!

Danielle got to wear the prettiest pink dress with golden flowers in the entire world as she threw sunflower petals down the aisle, her auntie Maddie had told her that doing that made Danielle the flower girl of the wedding. Her big brother Chris was the ring bearer, proudly holding the rings in a small velvet box as he walked ahead of her.

Danielle beamed with excitement as she walked down the aisle, her heart pounding with anticipation. Her Papi stood by, resplendent in his role as her Daddy's best man, while Uncle Chimney stood proudly as her Papa's best man. Danielle felt a surge of pride as she looked up at them, knowing that they were all here to support her Daddy and Papa on their special day.

Auntie Maddie stood in the middle, radiant in her role as the officiator. Danielle remembered how Auntie Maddie had explained to her that she was going to help her Daddy and Papa get married, and Danielle couldn't wait to see it happen.

Once Danielle's job as the flower girl was over, she stood proudly by her Papi's side and looked back to where her Daddy was walking down the aisle with Grandpa Phillip and Granma Margaret. Her heart swelled with pride as she watched them, knowing that this was the moment they had been waiting for.

Grandpa Phillip and Granma Margaret kissed Daddy's cheeks before taking their seats in the front row, their eyes shining with love and pride. Danielle beamed at her Daddy, her heart overflowing with love for him. She felt a rush of excitement as she turned her attention back to the aisle, eagerly awaiting her Papa's arrival.

And then, there he was—her Papa, walking towards the altar with Grandpops Bobby and Nana Athena by his side. Danielle's smile widened as she watched them, her heart pounding with anticipation.

She was so happy because everyone was smiling so big that their cheeks hurt. The room was filled with joy and excitement, and Danielle couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at being a part of such a special day. As Papa reached the altar and stood beside Daddy, Danielle felt a surge of happiness wash over her. They looked so perfect together, so happy and in love. She squeezed her Papi's hand tightly, unable to contain her excitement.

Danielle waited patiently as Auntie Maddie spoke her words, her heart pounding with anticipation. "They're about to say, 'I do,'" Auntie Maddie said, her voice filled with warmth and love. "Three little letters, two little words. It's the simplest part of the day. But there's nothing simple about the things that will remain unsaid."

Danielle listened intently, her eyes fixed on Auntie Maddie as she continued. " 'I do' means, 'I do know I could be hurt, but I'm ready to be healed with you.' It means, 'I do want to try, even when the fear of failure holds me back.' And, 'I do not know the future, but I'm ready to be surprised along the way.' And 'I do' means, 'I do want your love, and I do give you mine, and nothing we do will ever be the same because you and I will be doing it all together.'"

Then, with a sense of anticipation building in the air, Chris came forward with the rings. Danielle's heart skipped a beat as she watched her Daddy and Papa exchange rings, slipping them onto each other's fingers with gentle, loving touches.

And then, in a moment that seemed to suspend time itself, Daddy and Papa leaned in and kissed. The room erupted into cheers and applause, and Danielle felt her heart swell with joy. Without hesitation, she joined in the celebration, cheering and tossing the sunflower petals she still had in her basket into the air.

A couple of hours later, on the dance floor of the wedding reception, Danielle and Evan danced together, their laughter filling the air. Evan held Danielle close, twirling her around with a playful grace, causing her to let out bursts of giggles. He dipped her low, then brought her back up, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. Danielle's smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with happiness as they moved to the rhythm of the music.

Watching them, Tommy found himself lost in a whirlwind of emotions. For years, he had convinced himself that having a family wasn't in the cards for him. With a dangerous job like his, plus years of being in the closet, they all seemed like insurmountable obstacles. But then Evan came into his life, and suddenly everything changed.

Now, as Tommy stood in the reception hall, seeing Evan and Danielle together, he felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. As Evan spun Danielle around, Tommy's heart swelled with pride. He may not have imagined himself as a father, but watching Evan with their daughter filled him with a sense of awe and wonder. Despite his doubts, Evan had brought him a kind of happiness he never thought possible. With Evan, Tommy had found a love and a sense of belonging that he never knew he needed.

With a smile, Tommy reached out his hand, ready to join Evan and Danielle in their dance. As he stepped onto the dance floor, he knew that as long as he had Evan by his side, he could face whatever challenges life threw his way. In Evan and Danielle, Tommy had found his home, his family, and his greatest joy.