Mardi Gras Eve, 2018
As the plane touched down, Brie felt the familiar tug in her chest that she got every time she landed in Sydney.
‘Welcome to Sydney where the time is two-thirty in the afternoon.’ The first officer’s voice came through the PA. ‘For those of you visiting, we wish you a pleasant stay, for those returning, welcome home.’
Home. That word had a nice ring to it.
Brie cleared customs and headed out into the arrivals area, and true to his promise he was there, waiting for her.
‘Hey, you.’ She grinned like a fool as Josh pulled her in for a kiss. ‘Missed you,’ she whispered against his lips.
‘Missed you more,’ Josh murmured. ‘Now let’s go, we have a wedding to get to.’
Brie felt her tummy flip. She had been looking forward to this day for months. The year before, the Federal Government had held a postal survey about marriage equality and changed the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to marry. Within minutes of the ‘yes’ vote being hailed the victor, Mike was on the phone declaring he and Byron would be tying the knot.
‘March second Mardi Gras eve, that way we can party all weekend!’
Even though Brie knew Mike wasn’t her father, he had been as close to a dad as she’d ever had, and their relationship had gone from strength to strength.
A few hours later, on a rooftop bar in Kings Cross, she was walking Mike down the aisle to a tearful Byron as a string quartet played ‘All You Need Is Love’. By the time Byron and Mike were declared husbands, partners, lovers for life, Brie was a blubbering mess.
‘Dammit,’ she mumbled as she rummaged through her clutch. ‘I didn’t think to bring tissues.’
Josh looked at her apologetically. ‘Sorry, babe, I didn’t either.’
‘Here, allow me,’ came a voice from behind.
Sniffling rather indignantly, Brie turned and immediately froze.
‘There was a time once when a girl I knew needed a tissue and I didn’t have one to give her. Since that day, I’ve made sure I never leave home without them.’ He gave her a smile, and immediately she knew that he knew.
Brie simply stared at the man who was offering a pocket-sized packet of Kleenex.
As he waltzed down the aisle, clutching his new husband’s hand, Mike yelled out, ‘Brie Hart, have you met Robert Ryan?’
‘Brie, would you have a moment to spare?’ Robert asked. ‘I’d like to have a chat, if it’s okay with you.’
Josh gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Since finding out his name, she had grappled with contacting her father. And now the final piece was in front of her, and it was up to her to make the move. And so, Brie Hart slotted the final piece into place.
‘Yes. I’d like that.’