toy teapot that’s bright pink and lights up, playing “I’m a Little Teapot” as she pours the imaginary tea. When she’s finished, she rushes back over to me carrying a little pink cup and saucer; she’s moving so quick she’d be slopping tea all over the place if there was actually anything in the cup.
I take the proffered ‘tea’ from her and pretend to drink. “Mmm…you know, I’m normally a coffee drinker, but this tea is delicious.” She beams, and then forces about six more cups of imaginary tea on me. It’s a good thing it’s just thin air or I’d be peeing all night.
“Katie, I think Aiden’s had enough tea,” Maddie says with a giggle. “We don’t want to spoil his dinner.”
Katie skids to a halt in front of me, but instead of offering more tea, she just beams up at me. “Guess what, Aidan! I’m having chicken nuggies for dinner!”
I grin back at her. “Oh, yum—chicken nuggets are the best.”
It’s Christmas night and Ben and I are at his sister’s place for a family dinner. We took it pretty easy today, just going to see a movie and grabbing some burgers before coming home and FaceTiming with some of my family. It’s nice to be having dinner with family tonight, though; and it’s even better that Maddie’s husband, Jared, who’s an amazing cook, is in charge of the menu. My stomach is absolutely growling at the scents coming from the kitchen as my future brother-in-law prepares the truffle oil pasta.
Not that I wouldn’t still be happy if we were all sharing Katie’s frozen chicken nuggets…
* * *
“So, I guess you’re well and truly settled into Austin now,” Maddie says to me as we eat dinner. “No second thoughts?”
I find Ben’s hand under the table, giving it a squeeze. In the months since we moved to Austin I haven’t regretted one second. I love seeing how happy Ben is here, especially when he’s with his family. I wouldn’t go back on my decision to move here for anything.
I shake my head, offering Maddie a soft smile. “Definitely not. I love it here, and I was more than ready for a change.”
Another thing I haven’t regretted is my decision to quit my old show. It caused quite a stir when word got out, especially when I came out publicly as pansexual and Ellie came out as transgender and we spoke out about the shitty way we—and Ellie in particular—had been treated during our time on the show. I hope it will help other people to know they don’t have to put up with that kind of bullshit, that they have the ability to take back their power from the people trying to push them down.
It wasn’t meant as a promotion opportunity for our new show, but rather as a way to shed light on some of the backward views that still exist within the entertainment industry. And in society in general, if we’re being honest. But as it happens, it has created a lot of positive buzz for Queermerica, which will be launching early next year.
Back before her transition, when she was still allowed an on camera role, Ellie had so many fans and it’s amazing to see how excited they all are about her return to TV.
“What about the wedding? You’re thinking September, right?” Maddie asks, twirling some spaghetti around on her fork.
I see Ben roll his eyes. “I’ve already told you where we’re up to with that. We know when and where and that’s about it.”
“Is there anything else you really need to do?” Jared asks, his brow furrowed.
“Of course there is, Jared!” Maddie cries. “It’s a wedding, there’s loads to do!”
“But it’s not like they’re spending months getting fitted for a handmade gown like you did. And they probably don’t care about flowers or what font goes on the invitations—”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “Just because you didn’t care, doesn’t mean every guy’s like that. And it wasn’t hand made,” she clarifies. “It was custom made.” To me and Ben, she says, “Really, you guys need to be more organized if you’re getting married in less than a year. You need to book an officient, organize flowers, make a guest list, order invitations, get measured for your suits, book dance lessons…”
I blink at her a few times. “Dance lessons? Why the hell do we need dance lessons?”
“For your first dance? Don’t you want it to be special?” She glances between us, her expression nervous, as though she’s concerned