El & Em: Two hearts, one band, a long slow ride

Epilogue: Twenty years later

"Isn't that, like, a conflict of interest?" Luke asked, laughing into his phone.

Mary-Ann was reassuring. "No, no, I'm only the messenger. I had nothing to do with the invite."

"And what's it for again?"

"They want to recognize you and dad for your work in HIV/AIDS education and awareness."

"That sounds like a lot of fancy words for writing a couple songs and playing a few benefits."

"I'm sure they want to sell more tickets too but you guys have done more than almost anyone else in terms of visibility."

"And...what do we have to do?"

"Just show up for dinner, maybe make a speech, and let a bunch of people make speeches about you."

"Well, I'll talk to your dad, Doc. You know he'll kick my ass if I make any commitments without asking him first."

"I know you can talk him into it if you want."

Mary-Ann had recently finished her residency and started working with a downtown Philly AIDS/HIV clinic. She'd always been an activist, so Luke supposed they might as well get used to being asked to help out.

It was a bright, clear day in May of 2014. Luke went out back to look for Emmett, and found him doing laps in the heated pool. Emmett was 71 now, and since his stroke three years ago, he relied on aquatic exercise for rehab and general fitness. That stroke had been terrifying at the time, but with Emmett being in good shape overall, and Luke getting him medical care quickly, the outcome had been very positive.

Fortunately, Luke and Emmett had heard enough warning stories from José and Ray that they'd locked up their legal status early on. Pennsylvania had no domestic partnership laws, so their lawyers had taken care of not only estate planning and custody arrangements, but also medical decision-making and personal care arrangements. With Mary-Ann's support, Luke had managed and directed every aspect of Emmett's recovery and care to his personal satisfaction.

Emmett had almost fully recovered by now and with a few accommodations they'd even been able to manage another tour just last year. Emmett had complained about not being able to perform for at least two years by then, and Luke had refused to consider any shows that Emmett couldn't join him for. Sure, Emmett needed some extra support during the tour, and they'd hired additional assistants and therapists to keep him in good shape. But Luke had insisted on walking him on to every stage, standing close so Emmett could lean on him if necessary and taking him right over to his station. When Emmett was settled, Luke would put his face up for a kiss before walking to his own mic and launching the show.

This year they were taking it easy, working on Luke's new record slowly and spending as much time with their families as they could. Between them, he and Emmett had three grandchildren – Jason's son and Walt's two daughters – who often joined them at the farmhouse. Robbie was off on tour with his own band; he'd left the B-Sides a few years back, and on the last tour Julia had taken over his spot.

Laura and Eddie both had respectable musical careers of their own, if on a smaller scale than Luke and the B-Sides. Luke and Emmett went to see them whenever they could, and occasionally sat in. Emmett had retired the Mountain Tops after his stroke, saying he needed to conserve his energy for the band that mattered most.

Jerry had also retired, finally, and Luke replaced him with a new management team. The rest of the B-Sides were still going strong, and most of the original crew was still intact. If everything went well, Luke figured they'd all be good for one more tour. Maybe two.

Luke waited while Emmett finished up his routine and climbed out of the pool, then went to meet him with a towel and brought him inside the house to warm up. At 64, he was still happy to be Emmett's boy. Though their roles had changed in some ways – especially since the stroke, when Luke had naturally become more of a caretaker and support – they both enjoyed the original dynamic, and Emmett found that Luke's deference took away some of his frustration about being slower, older and more coddled.

The housekeeper had left dinner for them, so Luke brought it into the living room while Emmett went to get changed.

"Mary-Ann wants us to go to some fancy dinner her clinic's organizing," Luke said, handing Emmett his drink as he came into the room. "If it's okay with you. To thank us for our 'visibility'."

Emmett laughed as Luke explained the details. "Man, if they only knew all the shit that went down before we agreed to be visible."

They toasted each other, and Luke turned on the television so they could watch the news over dinner. A few moments later, as the anchor began reading the headline story, they both stopped talking abruptly.

"A U.S. federal district court ruling today struck down Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage..."

Luke and Emmett turned to face each other in dawning understanding.

"Does this mean what I think..." Emmett began.

"About fucking time." Luke got up and went over to a shelf on the wall. "I been holding on to this for years." He pulled out a small ring box and turned around, only to find Emmett had a similar looking box in his own hand.

"So have I, Lukey."

In another moment they were laughing in each other's arms.

"Dibs on Robbie for my best man," Luke said, his voice muffled against Emmett's shoulder.

"Then I get Jase."

"Deal."

~ END ~