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It was Joe's nephew Mansour who first noticed that his Uncle's hands had started to shake. It happened a couple of months after Joe had turned 74. At first, Joe told Mansour not to think more about it and concentrate on his newborn Daughter instead of his old Uncle, but when Joe started to drop things on the floor, Mansour suggested that maybe it was about time to find a new place for Joe to live. A place where someone could look after Joe, but Joe refused, saying he didn't need a nursing home. Then came the day when Joe could no longer hold onto a paintbrush because the shaking in his hands had worsened, and he gave in. Mansour and the rest of the family promised their favourite Uncle would only get the best of the best, including nursing homes. So, after a lot of searching and visiting different nursing homes, Joe settled on one near the park so he could still walk around the pond and look at the flowers. And most of Joe's family lived close by.
Just before Christmas last year, Joe moved into the nursing home with the help of his family. They helped Joe move in, and Mansour made sure to find the direction of Mecca so that Joe could still pray even though he no longer could use a prayer rug. Joe's family stayed for a while, but the time came, and the family went home. It knocked on the door before Joe could think too much about the silence. It was the man living across from Joe who wanted to introduce himself. He told Joe that his name was Nicky, and he had been at the nursing home for the last decade ever since an accident had cost him his leg. Nicky also offered Joe to show him around in the nursing home. Joe didn't know why, but he said yes. And it was something he didn't regret because it became the start of a great friendship. They had so much in common, like books and food, but also a deep love for their family.
When summer came, everyone knew that where Joe went, Nicky went and vice versa. They always were up at the same time, ate their meals together, went to bed at the same time and did everything in between together. Nicky even got Joe to take up swimming with him, see a physiotherapist, and it helped with the shaking, which meant that Joe once again could hold onto a paintbrush. It did Joe so good that he could paint again. While Joe painted, Nicky would sit next to him and read a book out loud.
Whenever their family would visit one of them, the other would be there. Then, one day, without any of them noticing it, they invited their family for dinner at the same time. It turned out not to be a problem at all, and their families said yes to eating dinner together. It was the start of many new friendships.
As usual, Joe and Nicky would go for a walk in the park after their naps after lunch. They would sit down on a bench and talk while looking at the birds in the pond. One day in August, Nicky asked Joe nervously if they should kiss, something Joe was more than happy to do. They felt like teenagers when they kissed, but they were so happy that they finally did it. The feeling of being teenagers again didn't go away for the next couple of weeks because they didn't tell anyone that they were dating. It was great fun for them, but one day, Joe looked seriously at Nicky before their families came over for dinner. Joe wanted to tell their families about them, something Nicky agreed on. It was best with no secrets. What Nicky hadn't expected was that after Joe had told their families they were dating, Joe told everyone he hoped to marry Nicky soon and move in together. To the sound of their family, Nicky said yes to the proposal.
Joe and Nicky got a bigger room at the nursing home. After settling into their new life together, they decided on a wedding date. They would get married on December 20th, the day they first met.
Joe looked at his shaking hands.
"You know what, Uncle," Mansour said. He was helping Joe with the tie. "It is perfectly normal that one's hands are shaking on your wedding day. That was why I dropped the wedding ring."
"You were even more nervous than when you went to the Mosque with your Father for the first time," Joe replied. "And still, Naomi married you."
"It was my luck," Mansour replied. "Okay, let me have a look at you, Uncle Joe."
Mansour took a step back and looked at Joe.
"Not that I'm not grateful that you all are here on my wedding day," Joe said. "But throwing such a big wedding party at my age. Isn't it a bit much?"
"Why shouldn't you celebrate your wedding day with a wedding party like the rest of us?" Mansour asked. "A wedding day is always cause for celebration. Something I know Matteo is agreeing with me on."
Matteo was Nicky's Nephew. Matteo and Mansour were almost the same age, their family life was the same, and they both loved ice hockey. They had become great friends.
"Your new best friend," Joe said. Mansour nodded. "Okay, I think I'm ready. Do you have the ring?"
"Yep," Mansour replied. "Look."
Mansour showed Joe the blue box.
"Good," Joe said. "And please don't drop it."
"So funny," Mansour replied. "I drop a ring once and still have to hear about it. You're just as bad as Naomi, Uncle."
Joe laughed.
"Don't let your wife hear you say that," Joe replied. "Or else you could end in big trouble."
Mansour looked over his shoulder to check his wife was far away.
"Got it," Mansour replied. "Shall we get going?"
"Yes," Joe replied. "I don't want to be late for my wedding day."
Somewhere else in the nursing home, Matteo was helping his Uncle just as Mansour had done.
"Okay, Uncle," Matteo said. "I talked with the tailor, and there should be more room in your trousers now."
Matteo took the trousers in the bag.
"And I won't tell you what the tailor said about the other tailor and his work," Matteo said. "It wasn't nice things."
"Gracie," Nicky replied as he took the trousers. "And thanks for being here today."
"Why shouldn't we?" Matteo asked. "The family's favourite Uncle is getting married. And in case you have any doubts about how popular you are, you should know that over fifty family members have shown up. All with gifts, so if Mansour is right about that over forty family members of his have shown up, and your friends are here today, there's a chance that you and Joe will get close to a hundred gifts today."
"I'm not getting married because of the gifts," Nicky replied. "And you know it."
"I know. I was just joking," Matteo replied. "And as Mansour told his family, I told our family that you would rather have us donate to different charities. Which most have done."
"Good. It's not like that Joe and I need more stuff at our age," Nicky replied. "Could you help me with the shoe?"
Matteo took the shoe and kneeled so he could help his Uncle.
"Of course," Matteo replied. "Remember to let us know if you get tired during the wedding party. Mansour and I won't drink, so we're ready to bring you home."
"That's good to know," Nicky replied. "Shall we get going? I don't want to be late for my wedding day."
Joe and Nicky had decided to get married at the town hall. Because there were so many family members, the Justice Of Peace had said it was best to hold the ceremony in the town hall since it was the biggest room. Joe and Nicky had agreed that Nicky should arrive last and that Joe would be waiting with Mansour and the Justice Of Peace. When Nicky entered the city hall with Matteo, Nicky gasped at seeing so many people.
"Uncle," Matteo said. "Just look at Joe if it makes things easier."
Nicky nodded, and it helped looking at Joe, who was smiling and looked damn good in the blue suit with his silver curls.
"Hi, Love," Joe said when he took Nicky's hand before kissing him on the cheek. "Thanks for coming."
"Well, I did agree to come to the party," Nicky replied. It made them both laugh. "Shall we get married?"
"Yes," Joe replied. "With my entire heart."
Joe and Nicky didn't hesitate when the Justice Of The Peace asked if they wanted to marry each other. The moment they got their wedding rings on, every family member started to cheer and clap. Before Nicky could think too much about it, Joe kissed him. After greeting as many people as they could, Mansour and Matteo took them to the park so they could get their wedding photo taken.
"Jeez, Joe," Nicky said while holding Joe's hands. "Why didn't you bring mittens? It's a cold day."
"Because I got you to keep me warm," Joe replied. "And I refuse to have mittens on my wedding photo."
"Stubborn as always," Nicky replied, and Joe nodded. "I love you anyway."
"I love you too," Joe replied. "And it's good to know you love me despite my stubbornness because you just married me. It's a packet deal."
They both laughed.
"Okay," The photographer said. "Are you ready to have your wedding photo taken?"
They were. They had decided to get photographed on the bench where they first kissed. Both Mansour and Matteo had made sure that their Uncles were sitting on hot water bottles. It was a compromise because Joe and Nicky had refused blankets.
"You know what, Mansour?" Matteo asked. "I'm glad they found each other. Knowing they have each other makes the worry about one's Uncle a bit smaller."
"I can only agree," Mansour replied. "Something else. We need to get them a new sofa. I saw the big hole they had tried to cover up with a blanket."
"We deal with that before Christmas," Matteo replied. "Mary and I are getting a new sofa because we got three kids, and to prevent them from fighting all the time, we have agreed on getting a new one. The sofa is less than two years old and is without holes."
"Sounds like a plan," Mansour replied. "And good luck with preventing your kids from fighting."
"Thanks," Matteo replied. "But we properly also did it when we were that age."
"True," Mansour replied. "Looks like they are done."
Mansour and Matteo then drove their Uncles to the community hall, where they were holding the wedding party. After greeting most guests and thanking them for the gifts and donations, Joe and Nicky were seated between Mansour's and Matteo's families.
"I have to say," Joe said. "I never thought I would love pizza this much again."
Nicky's family owned a string of pizzerias and restaurants all over Berlin, so they decided on an Italian menu for the main course and Tunisian sweets for dessert.
"Then it's good you're married to someone who owns a pizzeria," Nicky replied with a smile. "And Joe, remember to chew your food instead of inhaling it."
They laughed before they kissed. It made the room cheer and clap.
"They are going to do that even louder when I have given my wedding speech," Joe said. "Mansour, some help?"
Mansour and others got people to be quiet before Joe took the microphone. After a deep breath, Joe gave his wedding speech:
I want to start by thanking everyone for showing up at our wedding today. And I also wish to, on Nicky's and my behalf, thank our family for welcoming us into our new families. It means a lot to us because your presence fills our hearts with warmth and happiness. We are truly blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.
Nicky, you are a true blessing in my life. Your kindness, intelligence, and sense of humour brighten every moment we spend together. I am so grateful for the love and happiness you have brought into my life. I hope for many years together, where great adventures await us. We are going to have so much fun because we're together. And yes, I promise to listen to you when you say we should go that way so we won't end up in the mud again.
It made the entire room laugh. When people were quiet again, Joe continued his wedding speech.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in raising a glass to the incredible love and future of Nicky and me. May our journey together be filled with laughter, adventures, and a lifetime of shared happiness. Cheers!
When Joe and Nicky kissed, the entire room cheered and clapped. After some more kissing, it was time for the wedding dance. Because Nicky was missing his leg, they only swayed on the spot. Nicky placed his head on Joe's chest while Joe held good onto Nicky. They both felt so happy and in love. A couple of hours later, tiredness won, and Mansour and Matteo drove them back to the nursing home. When Joe and Nicky entered their room, it was filled with roses covering every available surface.
"Oh, Joe," Nicky said with a big smile. "I absolutely love it."
"I promise to give you flowers every week," Joe replied. "Mansour has promised to drive me."
Nicky kissed Joe.
"We better leave, Mansour," Matteo said. "We're going to pick you up at Christmas. And while we do that, we'll switch out the old sofa with a new one."
"It's our Christmas gift for you," Mansour said. "Talk to you tomorrow. And enjoy your wedding night."
After hugging their Nephews, Joe and Nicky sat down on the sofa, where they curled up together.
"I love my wedding ring," Nicky said. "It's beautiful."
"Well, you're more beautiful," Joe replied. "And I love you."
"I love you too," Nicky replied. "And thanks for saying yes today."
"I can only say the same thing," Joe replied. "I'm so happy we found each other."
They sat on the sofa until one of the cares knocked on the door and asked if they needed help for the night. Nicky said he could use some painkillers because his back was killing him after standing up an entire day. After getting the pills, they got ready for the night and lay down in bed in their favourite position, with Nicky's back pressed up against Joe's chest while Joe held around Nicky.
"I told Kara that we would love to use the heated pool tomorrow," Joe said. "It should help on your back."
"Thanks, Love," Nicky replied. "It sounds good."
Nicky caressed Joe's arm before he craned his neck so they could kiss for a bit.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "How many years do you think we'll get together at our age?"
"More than we can ever imagine," Joe replied. "We'll live forever because we love each other with our entire hearts."
Joe looked down at Nicky and saw he had fallen asleep. Joe kissed Nicky on the cheek before snuggling into Nicky. It had been yet a perfect day with the most wonderful man in the world.