Finding Light in the Shadow (Solangelo)

Chapter 23

4th of July

Will

I half gave up trying to get Nico to tell me where he found a priest for our wedding in a week. My baby seemed overly proud of himself, so I just let him be happy and trusted him. He was becoming a lot more comfortable with his body. His inhibitions had definitely been diminishing. Now he was comfortable wearing anything, or nothing, around the cabin. He was still self-conscious about over exposing himself in public. Shorts, a t-shirt, and flip flops was as dressed down as he would go. He was still my angel, I was happy as long as he was. We even slept naked together once in a while. It was new to me too and I really enjoyed it. I had never really been with anyone before. I think that's one of the things that made our relationship even more special. We were discovering all of this together. I didn't have the same inhibitions that Nico had, but I was waiting until he was ready to move forward at his own pace.

I was laying on the couch watching T.V., Nico was laying in front of me taking a nap. I laid there holding my angel occasionally stroking his hair. Tonight was the 4th of July firework display and I wanted to enjoy every minute with him. Eventually my shoulder started to hurt from the way he was sleeping on it. I tried to shift around without waking him up, but I failed. It was about dinner time anyway. Surprisingly, Nico woke up smiling at me.

He lifted his face up to mine and kissed me. "That was a nice nap. Thanks for letting me sleep."

"I wouldn't dare wake you on purpose. I was trying not to wake you when I moved. My shoulder was starting to hurt."

"It's OK baby, I'm getting hungry anyway."

"It's almost dinner time. Tonight is the 4th cookout, my third favorite holiday of the year."

"What's your first and second?" Nico asked.

"Christmas and Thanksgiving are my two favorite holidays. I love cookout food, third only to turkey and ham."

I gave my lover another kiss. Then we got off the couch and got ready for tonight's festivities.

The cookout was awesome as always. This year on top of the normal hamburgers and hot dogs, they had a pork roast as well. Nico went right past the burgers and dogs heading straight for the pig. I think I loaded my plate up with everything. After the normal sacrifice, we made our way to the Hades table. We were joining Piper and Jason for dinner and didn't want to be cramped at the Apollo or Aphrodite tables. Jason filled us in on how his work was progressing. He was trying to get the work for the monuments to the minor Gods at Camp Jupiter well under way before returning to start here in the fall. I could tell Piper was glad to have him back for a few days, I knew how much she missed him. Those two definitely had no problem with PDA, it actually made me a little jealous. Nico must have sensed what I was feeling. He put his hand on my thigh and lightly stroked the hairs. I love it when he does this, every little thing he does makes me happy. We filled Jason in on the plans that Piper helped us with for the wedding. When he asked who the best man and the maid of honor were going to be, the table suddenly got very quiet.

"Well, we weren't really planning on having a wedding party."

"You still need to have a maid of honor and someone to give the, uh, groom away." Jason replied, "Piper and I would be more than happy to stand for both of you."

Nico smiled and said, "thanks guys, you two are the best. If there's ever anything we can do for you please let us know."

Jason smiled then gave Piper a peck on the cheek. "Not a problem, perhaps one days you can return the favor."

After Jason finished, Piper started laughing. The rest of us sat there with a puzzled look on our faces. When she calmed down she looked at Nico and I. "The thought of either of you wearing a dress is hilarious."

Jason seemed too find it funny as well. Nico and I didn't find it as amusing. We both looked at them and at almost exactly the same time said, "NO WAY!"

...

The four of us found a secluded spot on the beach and laid out our blankets. The sun was slowly setting over the horizon. I was too busy making out with my angel to notice that Piper and Jason were enjoying the sunset. Shortly after dark, the fireworks show began. I settled back on my elbows with Nico making himself comfortable between my legs, resting his head on my chest. Camp Half-Blood definitely put on the best fireworks show on the planet.

After the show was over, we headed back to the Hades cabin. Piper and Jason walked with us until it we reached our cabin. We thanked them for hanging out with us and wished them good night. When we reached our cabin we went inside and got ready for bed. It was already late, but Nico still insisted on watching T.V. for a little bit. I got a blanket to cover us up. We laid on the couch with Nico laying in front of me, the blanket covering us both. It didn't take long before Nico was passed out in front of me. I slowly got up, trying not to wake my lover up. I picked up my baby, carrying him to the bed. After I got him situated, I crawled in bed beside him. I curled up to my baby and used his shoulder for a pillow. It didn't take me long to fall asleep.