Ask Jake (Book One of the Whisper Series)

Thirty-Three: The Wedding

The ceremony was outside on a green lawn next to a small, private lake stocked with white and black swans. Fluffy white clouds dotted the blue sky and a spring breeze cooled the area throughout the ceremony. Adam officiated the nuptials, which were shared by an impressive area of the grounds where large boulders jetted out of the green ground and were naturally adorned with ivy and a few wild flowers. The groom's love of white lilies and roses were evident by thousands of delicate flowers decorating the tents, chairs and pillars.

The couple wrote their own vows and there was not a dry eye in the house. At the end of the ceremony, everyone was given little envelopes. When Adam introduced Francis and Greg as a married couple, he asked the crowd to open their envelopes. Hundreds of butterflies were set free, dancing and swirling about the couple and guests. Guest awed at the amazing experience and children giggled from their parents laps hoping to capture one of the flying beauties.

Over the last two days, I have been able to experience the real relationship that exists between Adam and Greg. Adam explained everything about Greg and his life and how they came to be best friends and brothers. However, Greg is overly touchy with him allowing me to see that all my misunderstandings were not entirely unjust.

One day we were having lunch with Greg and Francis. Greg must have touched Adam twenty times in the course of the hour long meal. Francis looked at me, noticing my grin and said, "He does it to annoy Adam."

"Does what?" Adam asked.

"Touch you, kiss you, hug you for too long. He does it just to bother you," Francis said, looking at all of us, but not Greg.

Greg's quiet giggle gave him away.

"For the first three years I asked him to keep his hands to himself, and it just made it worse." Adam said, putting his arm around me.  "So, I choose to ignore it. However, he's like a persistent child and does it more when you're around just to see if I will react, which is why I don't react. However, I did punch him pretty hard when I realized he made you believe I was gay."

"It's true. I have a bruise on my arm and everything," Greg said with an innocent smile. "I'm sorry Gillian. I really am."

"I think we're passed that now, Greg. Feel free to annoy him all you want," I said, giving Adam's knee a light squeeze.

"Oh thanks a lot!" Adam joked, while pushing Greg away and leaning closer to me.

"At least I know I was only half crazy for thinking Adam was gay, but you can imagine how confusing it was for me. I felt like Adam was flirting, but convinced myself he wasn't," I said.

"Yeah, once I saw it from your perspective, I wanted to punch myself," Adam joked.

"How about you buy us lunch, instead," Francis laughs, handing Adam the bill.

Adam passes it to Greg and says, "No, Greg pays! He owes me at least a meal for making me wait for forever to be with Gillian."

Greg grabs the bill from Adam's hand and in an instant, he kisses Adam on the lips. "With pleasure, dear brother."

Adam huffed and the rest of us laughed.

This morning, while Greg was tying his bow tie, Adam leaves my side and walked up behind Greg, looking at him in the mirror. "I love you man. You know that, right? I think Francis is the perfect balance for you. I am so happy for you."

With wet eyes Greg turned and looked at Adam, "Stop it! You're going to make me cry."

"And ruin your mascara?" Adam joked.

"I'm serious Adam, no more mushy talk. I am too emotional today," Greg says, finishing his tie.

"I'm serious too. I think Francis can help man you up a little. God know you need it."