Uh Oh

This scene takes place over the summer, before they head back to campus. There are a lot of characters in this scene because Sparrow is the offspring of a couple who were in a different series (For Your Love) and if you’ve read that series, you understand why there are so many people here. However, if you haven’t, that’s okay. All you have to know is that Sparrow has a BIG family and you can imagine how overwhelming it is to meet them all at once. I will be name dropping, but it’s for aesthetics more than it is for the names to mean something for you. If you’ve ever been introduced to a partner’s large family all at once (say, like a Christmas gathering as I was), you understand how overwhelming all the names are that are thrown at you. I still don’t know all of my spouse’s family and we’ve been together for ten years! So don’t get over concerned with the barrage of name dropping. It’s simply so you can feel what Dak does in this moment!

Dak

When I think about a cul-de-sac, I picture average or maybe just this side of nice houses lining a small circle road. Maybe six or eight. It’s the suburban life where you better hope you like your neighbors.

When we pull up to a house, I’m staring with my eyes wide and my jaw dropped because some of these houses are fucking huge. Like… enormous. Then there are others that are smaller. There’s a damn mansion right next to what appears to be a two-bedroom! The circle itself is huge and there are more than a dozen houses around it, plus a few on the road leading into the circle.

“What is going on here?” I ask, looking around as I get out.

Sparrow chuckles. “The biggest house is Nemy’s. One of his fathers is a trust fund baby. I have a feeling the giant house is a combination of the fact he was born with a gold spoon to eat from and that he has four husbands plus six children.”

I look at him and he laughs.

“That home is the Whitakers’. They have six men and three children. It was Uncle Quin who bought this entire plot of land to begin with and he only sold pieces to whomever he wanted around him, his husbands, and his babies growing up. So a lot of who are here are actually related to that family in some way. The Whitaker grandparents live there. A lot of Uncle Zarek’s sisters live here—he has six sisters, by the way. Uncle Quin’s parents moved in about six years ago. That house is a guest house. Since we have the room, it made more sense to build an entire house for our guests rather than having them stay in a bedroom in our homes where it’s already filled with the chaos of tons of people. Based on the extra cars in the driveways, I think the family who doesn’t live here is also here.”

“This is wild. It’s like the Brady Bunch on steroids.”

Sparrow laughs.

“Are there name tags? You can’t possibly think I’m going to remember everyone’s name.”

“There’s going to be a quiz, husband,” he answers with a grin. Sparrow moves behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.

I lean into him with a sigh, wishing we’d brought Edin and Morgan along. Instead, Sparrow suggested they stay at the hotel so they’re not overwhelmed with the masses of people they don’t know. My parents flew in to keep them company because… well, we still don’t want to leave Edin alone. Especially when he says he doesn’t feel safe to be alone right now.

It breaks my heart, but I think it says a lot that he’s admitting that.

“He’s fine,” Sparrow says quietly. I smile because he always knows when I’m worrying about Edin and Morgan. “Your parents are keeping him company. And we’ll be back soon.”

These days, the level of concern I have for Edin makes me feel like he’s my child more than my best friend. I know Sparrow feels the same way. I’m confident one day we’ll get back to the point where he’s just my best friend again and all this will be in the past. It’ll be a trauma that he always carries with him, but he’ll also be a survivor.

I know that with everything in me. Edin isn’t a quitter. He’s dedicated and works hard at the things he’s passionate about. I know he’ll grow old and live a happy life. We just need to make it through this period of horror.

Right now, I need to stop worrying about Edin. I can hear all the laughter and voices coming from behind the big house. There’s no pretending that this is a small gathering.

“You ready?”

“Not even a little bit.”

His arms tighten. “It’s going to be fine. Promise. Nemy’s here too, so there will be at least one familiar face. Oh and I think Xavi.”

I nod resolutely. “Anything I should know? You know, that I might remember?”

“My Maddy’s pronouns are they/them if it’s necessary to use them. Otherwise, no.”

“I got that one. I won’t forget.” Though there’s a horrific chance that I might get so overwhelmed that I won’t use the proper pronouns in the moment. I hope they’re forgiving.

Sparrow kisses my jaw and releases me, taking my hand in his. As he’s done so many times in the past, he brings our linked hands up and kisses the back of mine. Without fail, it always takes my breath away.

He leads me along the side of the house and the sounds of laughter and conversation get louder. A shiver runs through me.

There’s no amount of mental preparation that could have prepared me for what we walk in on. This feels like a college frat party with half the campus in attendance. There are people of all ages everywhere. There’s a kid no more than three or four at the most running around with a soccer ball in his hands, giggling madly.

We remain off to the side and watch. I’m not even sure where to look. There are just so many faces.

“Not so bad, right?” Sparrow asks.

I look at him with bemusement. Can he feel my racing heart? This is overwhelming on a very different scale than I’m used to. The urge to leave is strong, and oddly reminiscent of what came over me at Rumor every single time I was there.

Run.

“Sparrow!” someone yells.

When I say that everyone turned to look, EVERYONE turned to look at us. The backyard gets quiet as every single set of eyes settles on us.

“Yep, I can see why you might feel unnerved,” he muses. His hand squeezes mine and he pulls me forward a little.

Meanwhile, I’m clinging to him as if he’s a lifeline. Generally speaking, I’m fine with crowds, but that’s when I’m part of the crowd. Not the one everyone in the crowd is staring at.

Two people break off and I recognize them as Sparrow’s parents. We had breakfast with them and quite a few people after his graduation. Since then, Sparrow has spent a long time going through pictures on his phone, trying to get me acquainted with names and faces.

Everyone looks new, though. Probably just because I’m nervous.

The way his parents are frowning at him now as they approach has my stomach rolling. Sparrow’s quiet “uh oh” doesn’t help, and a lead ball begins to form in my stomach.

Neither are smiling when they stop in front of us, River with their arms crossed over their chest as they stare at Sparrow. Jordan’s arm is around River’s waist, but he looks equally unhappy.

“So…” Sparrow begins. He rubs a hand through his hair. “Remember Dak? My husband?”

I wince at his words. Especially when both of his parents look at me. My skin heats and I feel sheepish when relief washes over me with their attention turning back to Sparrow.

Sparrow sighs. I nearly panic when he lets go of my hand, but he wraps his arm around me and pulls me to his chest, bringing my back to everyone else. It takes me a minute to realize he’s shielding me from their displeasure. I smile, burying my face in his neck.

“I’m sorry,” Sparrow says. “We’re sorry. We wanted to get married and didn’t want to wait. So we did. It wasn’t meant to hurt anyone, and while this might make it more hurtful to say, we weren’t thinking of how our marrying right then would affect anyone but us. We’re both very lucky to have so many people who love us and we really didn’t mean to upset you.”

One of his parents sighs. “I’d have been less hurt if I didn’t find out via a ShareIt announcement.”

I cringe. I know I didn’t post anything, so that means Sparrow must have.

When he sighs again and his arm tightens around my waist, I know he definitely posted it. “You’re right, that was shitty. You raised me better than that.”

“We raised you to be emotionally aware, and while I think Maddy and I are both a little concerned with how quickly you married someone, I understand. I’d have married your Maddy as soon as I saw them.”

River—uh, Maddy River—snorts. “I’m not going to argue that right now… But yes, we understand how it feels to recognize your person when you see them. I’m very proud of you for that, Sparrow.”

I adjust so I can peek at them, though Sparrow’s hold on me tightens so I remain where he can protect me. It’s something neither of his parents miss, and while River’s smile is small and they clearly try to fight it, Jordan’s isn’t quite so reluctant.

“You’re just angry you weren’t there to see us get married,” Sparrow says.

“Not angry,” Jordan argues, “but definitely hurt. All we want as your parents is to be a part of your life, Sparrow. The most important days and maybe sometimes the slice of life moments. We won’t be overbearing—as we tried not to be in your childhood—but we do want you to include us.”

“And hope we haven’t left you feeling like you don’t want to include us,” River adds.

Okay, that hurt Sparrow. I think he truly understands how they’re feeling. He kisses the side of my head, then lets me go to wrap his arms around both of his parents. “I definitely want you in my life. All parts of my—Most parts of my life. I’m really, truly sorry. I love him. I wanted to marry him. So I did. That’s the only thing I even thought about. We skipped about a thousand milestones that a couple should have, and probably did so recklessly, but that’s what we chose and we’re happy. I promise, we won’t leave you out again.”

River kisses Sparrow’s cheek. “Good. I’m not upset with your decision. You’re not a reckless man. You never have been. So, even if maybe you moved a little quickly, I believe that somewhere inside you, you knew you were already living the life you were meant to live.” Their eyes meet mine and they smile. “With the person you were meant to live it with.”

Sparrow steps back and turns to look at me with a smile. He takes my hand and pulls me close, kissing me right there within a foot of his parents. Not at all awkward. “Yeah,” Sparrow agrees. “I don’t have an explanation for a lot of what happened between us, but maybe you’re right. I knew the moment I looked into Dak’s eyes that he was mine. The short time we’ve known each other has been irrelevant.”

“Are you going to let us throw you a party to celebrate your marriage?” River asks.

“Yes,” Sparrow says, and I nod. “Believe it or not, Dak’s parents aren’t happy we didn’t include them either.” He gives his parents a mock surprised look.

I roll my eyes.

Jordan laughs, but River just shakes their head. When their attention turns to me, I don’t quite feel like an asshole.

“Welcome to the family of chaos,” River invites, gesturing with their head at the still quiet and watching backyard of people.

“There’s no better family to have,” Sparrow says, leaning his head against mine.

River nods, finally smiling. “I agree. Come on. Time to be yelled at by approximately fifty more people. Might as well get it over with.”

They turn and walk back to where they’d been, but Jordan stays for a minute. He doesn’t say anything as he looks at me, a smile on his face. Then he grips my arm, giving me a reassuring squeeze, before turning to follow his spouse.

Once they’re both back where they’d been and chatter begins in the yard again, Sparrow mutters, “That went better than I thought.”

I look at him warily and he just grins. “It’s my siblings that are going to be fun. Heads up—Corvin has dark hair like mine, but Pho is blond. Otherwise, they look weirdly alike; though I’m pretty sure Corvin is Dad’s genetically, and Pho is Maddy’s genetically.”

Sure enough, it’s his triplet siblings who are approaching us now. They do not look happy.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Sparrow whispers. “You run for Nemy over there while I distract them.” Sparrow’s grinning as he watches his siblings get closer. “Okay, but really. Once I’m done being shredded by them, we’re going to have to move closer and find something to eat. I’m starving and I think we’re going to need all the caloric strength we can get. Also some chairs. At least we can make ourselves comfortable while we’re getting yelled at.”

“Are they all really going to yell at us?” I ask.

He looks at me, his amusement softening as he pulls me to his chest and wraps his arms around me. “Maybe. I prefer being yelled at over knowing how much I hurt my family, so I hope so. We didn’t think that through much, did we?”

I shake my head, pressing my forehead to his. “And yet, I wouldn’t trade that memory for anything,” I whisper.

“It’s gross how much you look like our parents right now,” one of the boys says—blond means Pho.

“Don’t be jealous,” the only girl, Violet, scolds. “We all want that kind of love. We’re just going to share it with everyone else.”

Sparrow’s lips are quirked.

“I’m not,” Corvin says. “I’ll also elope on a gay island.”

“Are you gay this week?” Violet asks, turning to look at her brother.

“I’m trying it on.”

“This is a common theme with Corvin,” Sparrow supplies for me. “He’s unsure about how he feels regarding his sexuality.”

“In my experience, it’s better not to even question it,” I tell him. “Just let it happen. Otherwise, you might miss the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Yep. Maddy and Dad reincarnated,” Pho grumbles with a heavy sigh. “Welcome to the family, famous hockey son. I want to keep down the hot dog that I just ate.”

“That’s what she said,” Corvin mocks as Pho walks away. He follows.

Violet shakes her head.

“You’d think they were teenagers,” Sparrows says, chuckling.

“Chronologically, no,” Violet agrees. “Perpetually, yes.”

I glance toward her. Her brothers are walking back to the crowd, but Violet’s smiling. “I expect to throw a bachelor party. We can pretend you’re doing this the traditional way and let us do all the things. Next summer. We’ll plan your ceremony for the day you married this year, just to keep things simple. Do you have any siblings I should include in the planning stages, Dak?”

I shake my head.

Violet nods, turns on her heel, and walks away.

“It’s best just to let it happen,” Sparrow admits. His mouth covers mine and while I’m keenly aware of everyone still watching us, the world around us begins to fade. “I’m not sorry to celebrate again with everyone. And I’ll happily marry you every single year for as long as we live.”

My heart races as it always fucking does with this man. I nod. “Me too.”

We are approached by what feels like a hundred people telling us how hurt or angry or whatever they are that we snuck off and eloped. But every last one of them, once they got that off their chest, were really happy. Super supportive. Very kind.

Even though I’m absolutely exhausted by the end of the night, and entirely overstimulated by all the faces and names that blend together at this point, I feel good. I feel accepted.

We’re finally left alone, and we sit under the stars huddled together without talking. Just enjoying each other’s presence. 

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