“Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you want.”
A tiny frown settled between Miguel’s eyebrows. “I want to be married before the next month is over,” he fiercely declared.
“I can make that happen.”
“And I want you to hold me tonight until I fall asleep.”
Hector smiled at the sweet yet firmly voiced demand. “Okay. Come on.” He gave Miguel a slight push to get him off his lap. Then he rose and led the way into the bedroom. They’d showered together as soon as they returned home from the crime scene so they got straight in bed.
Beneath the covers, Hector tucked Miguel in close to his chest and wrapped both arms around him. It took a while before Miguel drifted off. Long minutes of tense muscles and shuddering near sobs before the adrenaline drop finally happened and he relaxed into sleep. Hector continued to hold him for a long time after that, rubbing his back, keeping him close. Hector wanted Miguel to feel that he was safe and being watched over even as he slept. And he needed the sweet warmth of his lover in his arms to calm his own fears and racing heart.
“Estás a salvo ahora. Te tengo.” Hector whispered the reassuring words one last time before he too finally fell asleep.
Courthouse chic. That’s what Miguel was calling it. Two weeks after the hostage situation and a few days after the new year, they were at the Harris County Courthouse for their wedding. Miguel had planned their attire. They both wore long-sleeved traditional white guayaberas. The intricate embroidery on the front of Hector’s was yellow while Miguel’s was blue.
Miguel had pinned a boutonniere of heliotrope and hyacinth to both their shirts, just above the left breast pocket. Since it was winter, Miguel had been adamant that they couldn’t wear light-colored pants. So, he’d found a pair of chocolate brown slacks for Hector and slim, heather grey pants for himself.
They’d come with some of the immediate members of their family: Miguel’s mother and grandparents, Hector’s mother and stepfather, his maternal grandmother, and his siblings. After the ceremony, they’d invited more family, as well as a few friends to join them at a local restaurant for a small reception. Then they were going away to a quiet cabin at a lake resort for their honeymoon. Miguel was still a little emotionally shaky after being held hostage. They both needed the time to be together without anyone else around.
Hector and Miguel held hands as they walked into the correct courtroom. Same-sex marriage was legal, but there were still a few scandalized looks from some people. Hector didn’t care about their meaningless opinions. All that mattered was Miguel. When it was their turn to go in front of the judge, they approached the bench, still holding hands.
The judge, an older man with a thick mustache that would have been right at home in the seventies, greeted them with a friendly smile. He began the ceremony in a deep-voiced, slow Texas drawl.
“Hector Castillo and Miguel Delgado, today you celebrate one of life’s greatest moments and give recognition to the worthiness of love, as you join together in the vows of marriage.”
Miguel’s fingers tightened on his. Hector switched hands so he could pull his love close with an arm around his shoulders.
“Hector, do you take Miguel to be your husband?”
“I do.”
“Miguel, do you take Hector to be your husband?”
“I do.”
The ceremony continued, each of them answering when they were prompted. They exchanged rings, passed to them by their mothers. And then, so quick that Hector almost didn’t realize they were to the end, the judge pronounced them married.
“Hector and Miguel, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in matrimony and have promised your love and devotion through your vows, I now declare you to be lawfully wed. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.”
Smiling, Hector turned Miguel to face him. Miguel was smiling too, color high on his cheeks. Hector leaned down and pressed their lips together in a kiss. He kept it short, knowing other couples waited. But he couldn’t help lingering for just a moment, resting their foreheads together. “I love you, Miguel.”
Miguel drew in a deep breath and released it on a soft sigh. “I love you, too.”
After thanking the judge, they turned to face their family. There were smiles and hugs from everyone who’d joined them. He and Miguel were momentarily separated as each relative claimed their hug. Once everyone had a chance to offer their congratulations, Hector’s stepfather, Jorge, got the group moving so they could relocate for pictures.
Outside, it was cool but sunny. The newlyweds posed together on the steps of the courthouse. Everyone had their camera phones out, snapping pics for their social media and personal albums. Hector’s younger brother, Alex, was an amateur photographer, and he’d offered to take photos for them as their wedding gift. After the quick camera phone shots, Alex directed them to spots with the best lighting and backgrounds. They posed, gazing into each other’s eyes, holding hands with their backs to the camera, and with Hector standing behind Miguel with his arms wrapped around his new husband. Hector’s favorite pose was the one where they stood facing each other. Miguel was looking up at him while Hector’s head was lowered to kiss Miguel’s rings. He hoped that one turned out nice so he could frame it.
Alex lowered the camera. “Okay, we’ll do one more of the two of you and then pictures with family.”
“Do something romantic,” Miguel’s grandmother called out.
Miguel laughed. “I thought all these poses were romantic.”
“Apparently not romantic enough for Grandma Delgado.” Hector thought for a moment. “How ‘bout this?” He put both hands on Miguel’s waist and lifted him up. A look of surprise on his face, Miguel braced his hands on Hector’s shoulders. “Okay, I did my part,” Hector said with a grin. “Now you have to do yours.”
“And that would be?”
“Kiss me.”