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Henry knows that magic is real, even though it becomes rarer by the day. He no longer believes in it, though. He used to hope and wish for a miracle to save his dad when he was younger. He read all the books and followed every bit of advice out there. He learned the hard way that magic cannot be ordered around. There was no magical intervention, no miracle big or small, and his father died.
Henry has long since given up hope that he'll one day have an encounter with magic, but he still knows what to look out for.
—
There's a knock on the door. "Baby, I know we said we'd spend this final night apart but I miss you too much. Please let me in?"
"You are pathetic. You can't last one night without me? Tomorrow I am vowing to spend the rest of my life with you and one night is too much for you?" Henry teases. He doesn't hesitate to let Alex into his hotel room. Truthfully, he missed Alex as well and he was so close to driving up to their new home. He's not going to tell that to Alex, though.
"I am absolutely pathetic and I need my man. I can no longer be trusted to be left on my own," Alex says. He wraps his arms around Henry's neck and crowds into his personal space. Once upon a time Henry had to adjust to Alex's constant closeness, now he needs it like he needs air to breathe.
"You are worse than David," Henry says. He pulls Alex further into the room and closes the door. "You can join me in doing some skincare. I got those fancy face masks we always steal from June."
"Yes! Everything is ready for tomorrow. We have nothing else to do right now but to relax and get pretty."
"That sounds like a lot of work for you," Henry teases.
"Hey!"
Henry's response dies on his tongue. His hand is inches away from the bathroom door, where the aforementioned face masks wait, when he can feel a shift in the atmosphere. It's barely noticeable, but he used to read so much about magic that Henry recognizes it instantly.
"Henry?" Alex calls out. "Are you okay?"
"Magic," Henry whispers. He feels a pull towards the door. Barely visible swirls of gold reach out from the doorknob towards his hand.
"Wait, what?" Alex moves to stand beside him. "Are you sure? I don't see anything."
Henry nods. He doesn't want to make too much noise, too afraid to scare the magic away. A shock surges through him when he touches the doorknob. He holds his breath as he opens the door. He can't help but think back to being a teen, wishing for a miracle for his dad. Could this finally be it?
The room on the other side of the door is bathed in natural light, a sure sign that this is no longer Texas. A steady beeping sound fills the air. Henry's far too familiar with that sound to mistake it or anything other than what it is; a heart monitor. The light blue wallpaper, the white curtains, the hardwood floors, all of it is familiar.
"Henry, I wasn't expecting you until this afternoon."
Henry's breath catches in his throat. There, laying on the bed, is his father.
Arthur frowns. "You look different," he says. A soft smile appears on his face. "Older. This is magic, isn't it?"
Henry nods. He opens his mouth to speak, but no sound comes out.
"Oh, my boy, come here." Arthur sits up in his bed and holds his arms open for Henry.
Henry doesn't waste another second. He hurries towards his father and sinks into his arms. "I've missed you so much, Dad." There's no need to hide the future from Arthur. Henry remembers that his dad moved into this room after the doctors told them there was nothing else they could do.
"I'm so sorry, Henry," Arthur says. "I love you so much."
Henry lets himself be held by his father. He's wished for this so often, but he never thought he'd have it again.
"Let me get a good look at you," Arthur says.
It pains Henry to step back from his father, but he won't deny him such a simple request.
"You look good. Are you happy?" Arthur asks.
Henry finally has an easy answer to that. "Yes. Very happy. I… um…" He looks behind him where Alex is standing.
Arthur notices his glance. "And who might this handsome man be?"
This is another opportunity for Henry. He's always regretted not coming out to his father. While there is a slight worry, mostly Henry feels hope. Hope to right a regret he's carried with him for so long. "This is Alex. He's the love of my life and I'm marrying him tomorrow."
"You're getting married? I've been so worried you'd never have an opportunity to. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear this. Please, tell me about you two. I want to know it all. How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?"
Alex laughs. "Kind of , but also not. I saw his picture in one of my sister's magazines and I was obsessed with him in a completely straight way. It took Henry kissing me for me to realize I'm into guys."
"When we met in person I messed up and he hated me or years," Henry says. "Meanwhile I was pining desperately over him. His mother was president of America, so our paths would cross occasionally. He was invited to Philip's wedding, actually, and he shoved me into the cake."
"Hey! You shoved me!" Alex protests.
"I take it that's something you don't agree on?" Arthur says. He's got the widest smile on his face. Henry has missed that smile.
"We never have and we never will," Alex says. "We had to spend time together for our public image after that and we got to know each other. Henry kissed me, we both freaked out, and we fell in love."
Henry is glad Alex doesn't bring up being outed. His dad doesn't need to know about that. "We lived in New York for a while, but we just finished moving to Texas."
"I take it that's where you're from, Alex?" Arthur asks.
"Born and raised. Now it's time to make a cowboy out of your son."
Arthur laughs. "Buy plenty of sunscreen. He's always been prone to getting sunburn. I'm afraid he gets that from me."
Henry wondered so often what his dad would think of Alex, and now he gets to watch them interact in this brief moment. His dad knows he's with a man and he didn't make a big deal about it. He just wants to know their story. Plenty of people have told him his dad would accept him for being gay, but he never stopped having doubts. Now he can fully believe them.
"Alex takes really good care of me," Henry says.
"I'm glad you found that. I love all three of you so much, but you're the kid I worry about most. I know Philip and Beatrice will find their way in life, but I've been so worried about you. I've tried to make a difference, but I don't know if it's enough," Arthur says.
"Bea and Philip are doing great. Philip married Martha and they had a baby girl a few months ago. He's fully in dad mode. Bea is focusing on her music more again and I think she's seeing someone but she's being very secretive about it. As a little brother I of course have to respect that." That gets a laugh out of his dad, as he expected. As a kid he was always trying to find out what his siblings were up to.
"Henry published a book," Alex says. "He does a lot of charity work as well. He works with queer youth a lot. He set up a shelter in New York and he's looking at opportunities in Texas already, even though we are planning on taking it easy for a while after the wedding. You've raised an amazing man. I need you to know that Henry is not only happy himself, but he's helping others find happiness as well."
When Henry looks at his dad, he can see the man is tearing up. He remembers that look. It's the same look he had when he watched Bea perform. Arthur's proud of him.
"I hope you know that I am incredibly proud of you," Arthur says.
Henry nods. "People tell me a lot that you'd be proud of me."
"Well, those people are right. I am so incredibly proud of you. Will you tell me about your wedding? I'd like to know what you two have planned."
"It's going to be small, just close friends and family," Henry says. "Alex's dad has a house by this beautiful lake in Austin and he's allowing us to get married there. It'll give us some privacy."
"Are you two having a big royal ceremony as well?" Arthur asks.
"No. I… um… I gave up all of that," Henry confesses.
Arthur smiles. "Oh, good. I always felt guilty about bringing you into this lifestyle. I chose this, but you didn't. I know it's been hard for you."
Henry feels so relieved that his dad approves of his choice. It's been a surprisingly difficult choice for him to make. "If I hadn't been a prince, I never would have met Alex. It's brought me a lot of good as well."
"Good. I'm glad it brought you good things as well. I'm just so incredibly happy you're getting to marry the man you love. I'm sorry I can't watch you get married, but I know you will have an amazing day," Arthur says.
"Maybe you can," Alex says. "I mean, you can't be there on the day, but we can exchange our vows here. We could get married right here and now, and we'll do it again tomorrow."
Henry is at a loss for words. He could actually have his dad be at his wedding, in some way. This is beyond his wildest dreams.
"Would you two do that for me? It would mean the world to me."
Henry nods and chokes back a sob. "It would to me as well."
"I get to see my darling boy get married." Arthur reaches out to hold Henry's hand and squeezes it softly. "Thank you."
"I've missed you so much lately. Alex's dad and stepdad have been great, but they're not you," Henry whispers.
"I'm here now," Arthur says. "For this moment, you have me. I am here to watch you marry a man I think is perfect for you. He's funny, that's so important. That's what made me fall in love with your mother. You are so lucky to have found a love like that." Arthur reaches out with his free hand to Alex. "And you, I know we barely know each other, but it is so clear to me that you love him."
Alex's hand shakes a little as he reaches out. "I do, I really do."
"I know it’s old fashioned, but I want you both to know that you have my blessing. In fact…” Arthur pulls his hands back from them. “Catherine and I had two weddings as well. We had our big, royal wedding of course, but we had a smaller ceremony earlier as well for our friends. Because of that we’ve both always worn two smaller wedding bands instead of one.” The rings slide off his finger easily. Henry purposely doesn’t think too much about why his father has lost all that weight. “I would be honored to pass these on to the two of you.”
Henry can’t hold back the tears now. He’ll never have to doubt his father’s love for him again now. His father approves of his love enough to give up his wedding rings. “Dad…”
“We would be honored,” Alex says. Henry can hear the emotion in his voice as well. To know that this moment matters so much to Alex makes it clear once more that Henry is right in marrying him.
“Thank you, dad,” Henry says through his tears.
“This way I can be with you both in a small way,” Arthur says. He hands over the rings. They’re both simple, gold bands. Henry spent a lot of time looking at them as a kid. He remembers them going missing towards the end of his father's life. Now he knows what really happened to them.
“I guess I have to admit defeat and admit you were absolutely right on the gold rings we picked out. These will match them perfectly,” Alex says.
Henry chuckles as he wipes away a few tears. “Never doubt me again.”
“I’ve seen your fashion sense, I will always doubt you,” Alex says.
Arthur laughs. “He still likes his neutrals?” he asks.
“I am trying to get him in some color, but he’s stubborn,” Alex explains.
“I’m afraid he’s been that way since he was a kid. I doubt you’ll change it. He only wore something colorful when it had Star Wars on it. It drove his grandmother absolutely insane. ‘A Prince should be properly dressed, without cartoons on his shirt’,” Arthur mimics her voice. “And then Henry would get upset and tell her that Star Wars isn’t a cartoon. I remember Philip trying to hide a smile and Bea laughing. We pretended to punish all three of you, but we actually took you out for ice cream.”
“Oh, baby, I am so proud of little Henry right now.”
“Shut up.” Henry can’t help but blush a little.
“I can’t, my almost husband is awesome.” Alex kisses him softly.
“Yes, Henry, let Alex tell you how amazing you are. It’s his right as your soon to be husband,” Arthur chimes in.
“You two are ganging up on me now?”
“Yes,” Arthur and Alex say at the same time. Henry can’t help but feel loved.
They decide to stand at the foot of Arthur’s bed. Arthur points out some flowers they can move closer to create the right atmosphere for an impromptu wedding. He helps his father sit up as straight as he can. Both him and Alex hold one of his father’s rings.
“You nervous?” he asks Alex softly.
“No,” Alex whispers. “Nothing has ever felt this right.”
“I feel the exact same.”
“Will you allow me to lead this little ceremony?” Arthur asks.
“Yes, dad, please do.”
“My dearly beloved, we are gathered here today for me to watch you two exchange vows. Who would like to go first?” Arthur says.
“I would,” Alex says quickly.
“Henry, the first time you came into my life you were a picture in my sister’s magazine with impossibly soft looking hair and a perfect princely smile. The second time you came into my life you were rude and I kept a grudge for far too long. You didn’t fully come into my life years later, when we were forced to spend time together after your brother’s wedding. It was then that I finally got to meet the real Henry, not the princely mask you wore. I met this clever, funny, dork who loves watching bakeoff in bed with his dog.
“When you kissed me on New Year’s Eve, you turned my whole world upside down. We grew together and carved out a place in this world where we can be ourselves. You are one of the only people in this world who makes me feel like I can be fully myself. You never tell me that I’m too much. I’m pretty sure you’re the only reason I made it through law school alive.
“It has been amazing to grow alongside you and I look forward to spending decades more growing beside you and alongside you. I promise that I will be beside you every step of the way, I will annoy you with my coffee habits for the rest of our lives, and I will love you until the end of time.” Alex gently slides the ring onto Henry’s finger. “You have my heart and my soul. I know you’ll treasure them.”
Henry didn’t even bother trying to hold back the tears. He knows that tomorrow, whether Alex has the same vows or he writes new ones, he’ll be a weepy mess again. He glances over at his father and he sees the man is crying openly as well. Henry clears his throat.
“The first time I saw you, I was struck by your beauty. I still have not seen a more beautiful man than you. On top of that, you are so incredibly bright and tremendously kind. You have given me more chances than I probably deserve and I am so grateful you still stand by my side.
“I know you’ve often felt like you’re a hard man to love, and I need you to know that that’s not true at all. Loving you is as natural as breathing to me. You have had so much patience as I figured out how to be a person outside of my royal title. I know you’ve held back some of your opinions on my cooking when I just started out, and I am thankful. You have never been afraid to call me out on my bullshit, and that made me feel like a regular person around you. It has been frustrating at times, but I love it.
“You have shared not just your heart with me, but you have shared your family. You have shown me love I only dared dream of. I will never take your love for granted and I will never stop giving you as much love, care, and happiness as you give me. I have written over a dozen poems on my love for you, and I will no doubt write dozens more. I won’t bore you with any of that. I grew up seeing a great love between my parents. I never thought I would be able to have a love like that, but you have proven me wrong. I can’t wait to share every next chapter of my life with you.”
Alex’s hand is shaking slightly when Henry slides the ring on. In fact, his entire body is shaking with barely held back sobs.
“I love you so much, baby,” Alex says.
“I have no official authority to do so, but I still declare you married. You may kiss your husband,” Arthur says.
Henry pulls Alex close and kisses him. In the moment he doesn’t care that it’s not legal yet; this is the first kiss he shares with his husband.
“We’re married,” Alex says. “You’re my husband.”
“You are mine as well,” Henry says, laughing. “I just married a man in the palace I grew up in.”
“I’m sure your grandmother just felt a cold chill,” Arthur says. He’s dabbing at his eyes. “I couldn’t be happier right now. I just got another son. I have some wine hidden in that cabinet. Would you share a glass with me?”
As a teen Henry would argue with his father about that. Even when the doctors told them there was no hope, Henry kept hoping for a miracle. He knows how this ends now, and he won’t deny his father this. “Of course. Can you pull up some chairs to the bed?” he asks Alex.
For almost an hour he drinks wine with his father and his new husband. He tells his dad more about Alex, and Alex in turn makes sure to highlight all of Henry’s accomplishments. Arthur shares some of Henry’s favorite stories of his acting days with them.
Henry feels that little pull of magic again. He looks at his dad and Arthur frowns. “I think it's time you two went back to your own time,” Arthur says.
“I feel it too,” Henry says. He thought he'd be more upset, but he feels oddly at peace. He said goodbye to his father a long time ago. This time has been a wonderful present that he knows can't last. Henry knows he'll be okay.
“My dear boys, I am so grateful I got this time,” Arthur says. “Alex, I cannot picture a better man for my Henry. I can rest a little easier knowing that he has you.”
“I promise I won't let you down,” Alex says.
“I know you won't,” Arthur says. He motions for Alex to hug him. “Thank you,” he whispers just loud enough for Henry to hear.
“I'll hide away the wine so you don't get in trouble.” The slight wobble in his voice betrays how emotional Alex is.
“And Henry, oh, there are no words for what I'm feeling right now. The hardest part in all of this has been the knowledge that I won't get to see you three kids grow older. I feel truly blessed to have gotten this little peek into the future.”
Though he feels at peace saying goodbye, Henry can feel the emotion bubble up in his throat once more. “I always regretted not telling you that I’m gay,” he confesses. “Even though plenty of people have told me that you would accept me, a part of me was always a little afraid you wouldn't.”
“I've suspected for a while. I didn't want to push you into telling me, but rest assured that I feel nothing but love for you.”
“Thank you, dad. For the love, for today, for the ring, for everything.” The first time Henry said goodbye to his dad, the man hadn't been very present anymore. The painkillers dulled his mind along with the pain. This time is different.
“Thank you for being my son. Being your dad is the highlight of my life. I am certain that there has never been a dad more proud of his son than I am of you in this moment.” Now it's Henry's turn to be pulled into one final hug. “Do me a favour; take your mother for a spin around the dance floor tomorrow for me, would you? I miss dancing with her.”
“I promise.” Henry squeezes his dad tightly, pressed a kiss to his cheek and pulls back. “I love you, dad.”
“I love you too, Henry.”
Henry finds support in Alex, who holds his hand tightly as they leave the room. Just before he steps over the threshold, back to his own time, he glances back at his dad one final time.
“I'm proud of you, Henry, and congratulations on your wedding.”
“Thank you.”
Henry takes a step, and the door closes behind him. He doesn't need to open it to know that his father's room is no longer behind it. The room looks exactly the same as it did the last time they were in it. Henry would have thought he dreamt it, if it wasn’t for the weight of his father’s ring on his finger. He lets out a deep breath and smiles.
“So, are you still up for that face mask, husband dear?”