Chapter Text
Proposing to you was the best idea I’d ever had in my life. I couldn’t believe you almost beat me too it, that we had the same idea. Both of us had bought rings! Two thick, sleek silver bands, perfectly perfect. Two hearts beating, in this place we’ve made, don’t they? I remember saying to you, the day that same sex marriage finally became legal a couple years prior, that I could really see myself walking down the aisle to you someday. And there I am, bawling on my damn knee in the middle of the newly built Grand Central station… goddamn, we attracted such a crowd! The cheers, the whoops, the hollers… wow.
Thank fuck you said yes. I’m so glad I didn’t throw up. I’m so glad Andy was there to cheer us on.
Engraving ‘we can call it paradise’ on the inside of our rings, was one of the best ideas you’ve ever had; to make them just that much more special.
I just didn’t think I’d ever get there. Walking down that aisle, kissing before our friends and family. Living in holy matrimony, vowing to love each other forever. The affair was so grand, yet intimate; we had the whole Botanical Gardens to ourselves. To our best friends, to our loving family. Everybody came, everybody wanted to watch me make me yours. To watch you make me yours; for life. The scene was stunning, it became one of the hottest days of the year. In our damn satin suits, it was far too hot for my red number!
Oh and the damn peacock trying to steal my slice of wedding cake… that was hilarious.
I’m getting flashes to my birthday last year. I turned, bloody hell, thirty… shush! What an eventful week it was, with the girls. You had starting floating the idea, and fuck, did it drive wedges between us all. But that’s a story for another time. I’m just thankful the four of us made it to New York in one piece. Times Square was magnificent, Broadway was spectacular. Seeing the Statue of Liberty, riding a ferry up and down the Hudson wrapped in your arms… I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I knew I was right into persuading the girls to visit Kleinfelds. That Romona Keveza gown made me shed a tear, I know I’ll be blubbering like a baby when I see it with the veil. They’ll set the wedding date soon, I know they will!
God, do you remember how jealous of her I was?! I’ll admit I was intimated as hell when you told me that the two of you went back all those years, had been an item, had slept together and all… Shit, I really thought she’d try to nab you back. I did not take my initial jealously out on her, did I? I’m still ashamed I even thought that you’d leave me for her, though we were a couple and Yassie was happy with her own relationship…
She’s a trained nurse now. Living and loving the family therapist.
Anyways, I’m off on one of my infamous tangents! Back to New York, my birthday 2018...
Our final night there, our final date. We were snuggling out on the balcony, overlooking the busy and wired streets; New York was always so alive, always buzzing. Yasmin walks up to us, sealing her hands around your waist like you had with mine, chuckling. Yasmin tells us the news we had been longing to hear for so bleeding long… There’s no need to be on that bloody adoption waiting list no more, who knew how long we could’ve been waiting? She agrees to give us the most wonderfully life changing gift she could.
And now look at us. Married for over two and a half years, love stronger than ever, with our beautiful newborn baby girl. Diana was born the night of the thirteenth July 2018. A special day in the Rock’n’Roll calendar, shall we say. Live Aid’s anniversary.
I remember sobbing uncontrollably when we found out it had worked, sobbing uncontrollably when her fragile frame was handed to me. When I cradled her for the first time, I kissed you senseless and considered myself to be the luckiest man in the world. How can I, can we, ever repay you Yasmin, for giving us the greatest gift? I’m sorry, I mean, mummy.
I remember her saying this was her way of starting to pay us back for all that we had done for her, her depression, her anorexia and then the car crash but no, that’s bullshit. Getting her and the love of her life together. Bullshit. This is going a mile further, she’s given us the greatest gift we could ever ask for. Together, the four of us are all parents, Diana is incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful adults in her life, who treasure her more than anything.
Crouching down, my tired eyes grow ever more fond for our tiny dancer, our little electric spark. Our Diana, resting ever so softly, bundled up in her cream crochet blanket, teeny fists balled up and beside her head. She is ever so precious, our little treasure. I’d die before I let anything happen to her, they’d have to get through me first. No harm will ever come to you, my princess, my Diana.
I still remember the day that you and Yasmin began floating the idea of surrogacy. Renée told Yasmin that if she did this, she’d ruin her life. And by doing so, they almost ended it right then and there. We almost ended it between the four of us. But like I said; now is not the time to get into that story. And our favourite girls: Yasmin and Renée. Meeting them in the very same Rum Runner club where I had first fallen for you three years prior. Having them change our lives forever… yeah, that story is for another time. They deserve a full blown novel, full of our and their love.
Anyways, I cast my loving gaze back over to our beautiful baby Diana again, pushing my glasses up on my nose. She looks just like both of us. I know it’s not exactly possible and all, although me and Yasmin do have those similar features. She has my deep brown opal eyes, and your lips. Your golden hair, it’s only beginning to sprout, like a little halo around her teeny head. She’s perfection.
Back to, you know, you. None of this would even be real, could’ve possibly happened, if it wasn’t for you. You saved me, all those years ago, in the very same club I fell for you at. You saved me, in the very same club we met the girls at. And now together, the four of us, are able to live in harmony, with our newest edition. The girls have rings on their fingers now too. Just to think, they got together because of us; we got married because of them. Their wedding date is set for Winter 2020, back in Ren’s home town of Aarhus. I can’t freakin’ wait!
Imagine how hot we’ll both look, freezing our butts off in our matching navy suits and roller neck jumpers! Who told ‘em it’s a great idea to get married outside by candlelight and all, in the frickin’ mountains... oh right, you! You sod.
Anyways, I’m ever so chatty tonight! What are the chances that we, you and me, could have such a wonderful life? With our wonderful baby; making our family whole? I’m forever grateful for those chances. They never stopped coming; we never stopped taking them. I’m forever grateful for those chances. Or shall I call it fate, our story waiting to be written? I’ll call it fate: the stars have aligned perfectly, for you and I.
I can never say ‘thank you’ enough Simon, for keeping me alive. For giving me a reason to live. Twirling my silver wedding ring, I close my eyes to inhale a sharp breath. Damn, Diana is waking up—
“Shush, I’ve got you, baby girl. Because you’re so, Lonely In Your Nightmare, let me in. Shush shush. Oh, I know, I know...”
—She’s bawling. Now she’s slobbering all over my favourite Kim Wilde t-shirt! Diana is the absolute most precious gemstone; the shiniest star twinkling in my midnight sky. Please don’t spit up on this one, baby girl. I just about got the stains out of my ‘never mind the—’ rude word, shirt! ... Note to self, stop wearing my favourite graphic tees around her, you’re a father now. You have responsibilities to shield her from the same filth you couldn’t keep yourself from.
“I’m here baby, I’ll always be here...”
But she’s okay, she’s more than okay. Resting her fragile frame on my shoulder, I bounce our baby girl lightly. She’s missing you, and our favourite cuddly toy. I hand her back Leonard, waggling him before her. I kiss her damp cheeks softly, brushing away her tears.
“Awww shush, shush... And it’s barren in your garden, let me in...”
Diana, baby, I hope you know, that you make me and Daddy, me and Simon, the most proud, and gracious parents ever. You’re perfect for us; you’re our everything, luvvie.
“There’s heat beneath your winter, let me in...”
Turning to face you, I walk over and perch at the edge of our bed. Holding Diana tight, I bounce her softly, and still I whisper to you. Please Simon, sleep easy. I’ll look after her tonight.