next,” he says awkwardly.
“I know! I know!” Joel exclaims, before belting out the chorus.
“Okay, how about breakfast?” Lily suggests once Joel’s finished singing.
He nods eagerly. “Cheerios, please!”
* * *
Mid-morning, Web and I leave Lily’s place to make our way to Cara’s funeral, which is being held in a small but lovely park in Brooklyn Heights, where the family live and Cara went to school.
The service is beautiful, and the crowd gathered to pay their respects is huge. Cara’s entire first grade class is here, along with several of my colleagues and some kids I recognize as former patients. It couldn’t be more obvious that this girl really was incredibly special to a lot of people.
“Thank you so much for being here,” I say softly to Web, allowing him to put his arm around my waist and pull me in close to his side.
He tilts his head to brush a kiss across my temple. “Of course.” He’s quiet for a long moment, before saying, “Cara’s a really pretty name, you know. Just putting that out there.”
* * *
From the private Facebook group ‘Finchley Locals Community Hangout’
* * *
Post by Web Goode: Because you’re all going to hear the gossip anyway—Jesse and I are married
Candace Goode reply to Web Goode’s post: Married married?
Web Goode reply to Candace Goode’s comment: Is there another kind of married? We tied the knot when we were in Vegas
Candace Goode reply to Web Goode’s comment: Ohhh so you’re getting annulled or divorced or whatever?
Web Goode reply to Candace Goode’s comment: No we’re staying married
Gloria Cartwright reply to Web Goode’s post: THIS is how I find out? Jesse Cartwright call your poor mother!
Hank Latham reply to Web Goode’s post: Is this some kind of tax evasion scam? I don’t hold with that
Web Goode reply to Hank Latham’s comment: No. Why would you think that?
Eloise Goode reply to Web Goode’s comment: You’re going to stay married? How will that work? You’re not moving away are you honey?
Web Goode reply to Eloise Goode’s comment: No mom, Jesse’s moving here
Gloria Cartwright reply to Web Goode’s comment: Jesse Cartwright CALL YOUR MOTHER!
Jesse Cartwright reply to Gloria Cartwright’s comment: Jeez, Mom calm down! You got me with the first tag!
George Goode reply to Web Goode’s post: I don’t want to be that person but…does this mean you’re gay?
Web Goode reply to George Goode’s comment: Demisexual
Missy Clarke reply to Web Goode’s comment: Is that the same as lumbersexual? We already knew that!
Gunner Clarke reply to Missy Clarke’s comment: Oh Jesus Mom! Just…no! *Face palm emoji*
Harriett Goode reply to Web Goode’s post: Since no one else has said it…congratulations!
Epilogue
Web
* * *
“You know, I seem to remember saying something about never wanting to step foot in Nevada again…” I grumble as Jesse steps closer to help me battle my tie.
He lets out a soft chuckle. “True, but when an incredibly popular reality show offers you an all-expenses-paid trip to renew your vows, it’s kind of hard to say no.” He finishes with the tie and smoothes it down before glancing up to meet my gaze, his eyes soft with affection. “You sure you still want to do this? There’s still time to call it off.”
“Absolutely sure,” I insist, stepping closer and lifting my hands to cup his cheeks. “There’s no way we’re calling this off.”
He smiles that beautiful smile of his, and I close the distance to brush our lips together. He lets out a soft murmur of appreciation and throws his arms around me, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. I could honestly stay like this forever, just kissing Jesse, being wrapped up in his arms. But we have somewhere we need to be so, far too soon for my liking, we break apart and he takes my hand as we make our way out of the hotel room that’s been gifted to us for the weekend by the producers of Real Vegas Weddings.
Jesse and I turned out to be a bit of a sensation amongst fans of the show once our episode eventually aired. I’m not sure if it was the gondola incident, or the fact we were childhood friends, or that we ended up staying together and being so happy—probably a combination of all three, I guess—but people really seemed to take a shine to us. We’ve even had fans of the show coming to Finchley for a visit just to get a glimpse of us going about our daily lives. It’s bizarre.
When the show approached us about doing a vow renewal,