A Billionaire for Christmas

Remind us to cherish the moments.

We stayed like that for a long while. Saying nothing. Doing nothing.

And then I took a deep breath and I said, “You’re my happy, Emma. We could be drifting in the middle of nothingness and as long as you were there, I’d be happy.”

She propped herself up on one elbow and looked down into my eyes. She leaned down, kissed me on the mouth, and whispered, “Yes.” Then she placed one flat hand on my cheek and kissed me again.

We lingered in that kiss for many lifetimes. All of it suddenly became clear.

We were in love and we were getting married.

There was a more formal announcement later that evening in front of our family and friends and that was perfect too.

All our people in this one place, for this short interlude of time. Something between then and now.

And it seemed… right.“Jesse,” Jack Dumas says, as he looks down at me.

“Yes, sir?”

“I’m handing her over to you now.”

“I understand, sir.”

“And I know you… maybe didn’t have the best role model growing up. But I see a good man inside you, Jesse.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“And I’d just like you to know that you’re one of us now. We’re on the same side, son.”

I nod, kind of understanding, but not really getting the specifics of that declaration. Wanting to ask more questions. But then he pushes on the door, swinging it open, and on the other side is Johnny, and Joey, and Zach.

I walk forward, momentarily forgetting about Jack Dumas.

Because these three men—these three fucked-up, dangerous, rich, powerful, weak, imperfect men… they were what was missing from this day.

They look at me and I look at them.

And just like that day I proposed to Emma, we don’t need a lot of words to understand what this moment is.

It’s just… happy.

Johnny nods at me. Joey starts taking off my tie. And Zach is slipping my fancy coattail jacket down my arms.

“Shirtless,” Joey says. “Mermen get married shirtless.”

Zach slides a chair up behind me and Johnny pushes me into it

“And barefoot,” Joey adds, as Zach starts taking off my shoes and socks.

I laugh and then suddenly that dream I had the day after Emma gave me the one-up dream date comes flashing back into my head.

We were all mer-people. Emma and me. Alonzo and Johnny. Tony and Joey. Luke and Zach. Jack and Silvia. And there was Saturday night dinner. And dolphins who might’ve been dogs.

And that’s when I know that no matter what happens after this wedding is finally over, this day is perfect because we’re all here.

Together.

Johnny leans down and grabs me by the shoulders, much the same way that Jack did. He looks straight into my eyes. “He would be proud of you, Jesse. I think you should know that. He wasn’t the greatest father, but I really believe he did his best with us.”

I swallow hard and nod, suddenly overcome with emotion. Suddenly overcome with love for these brothers of mine. Because yeah. Johnny might be my only true brother in this room, but the four of us… we are the definition of brotherhood.

It took a while to get here. There were many moments of silence. Many times when we were small specks floating in a huge ocean. Separate and on our own paths.

But we were never alone.

We have never been alone.

“This isn’t a second chance,” Johnny continues. “This marriage isn’t some way to make up for what you think you didn’t have. We don’t need a do-over. You understand me, Baby Boston? We’re allowed to be this way. There is no wrong or right way to love each other.” He straightens up and looks at Joey, then Zach, then me. “We’re allowed to be this way.”

And that moment is back.

The silent one.

The lingering one.

The happy one.

“Awww, man,” Zach says, pulling me to my feet and then wrapping his arms around me in a tight bear hug. “I love you, Jesse. And I want you to know that I understood what you did for me.” He pulls back, wiping a tear from his eye. “You’re the best brother a guy could ever ask for. And I didn’t even have to ask. You just… showed up.”

Joey reaches for me, putting his arms around me. He hugs me tight for several moments too long, saying nothing. Because nothing needs to be said.

We’re brothers.

That’s all we need to know.

Joey sucks in a deep breath as he releases me from his embrace. And then we’re all looking at each other.

Happy.When my brothers walk me out to the backstage area of the aquarium, the safety officers attach weights to my legs to make it easier to stand in the tank.

I go in the water first. They lower me on one of the mermaid swings and I stand with my bare feet on the sandy bottom of the huge tank, breathing through a hose attached to a regulator, nervous and excited that this time, for sure, is our real wedding.