9-Power In Numbers

**Saviera's POV**

Zuri gets home from work and changes out of her work clothes. She puts one of her new pairs of shorts on with a loose fitting, light pink t-shirt and white Vans. Today is a dress down day for the both of us.
"How was work today?" I ask as I lean in for a kiss.
She kisses me back and says, "It was just another day in the office." She took a deep breath and said, "Actually it wasn't just another day because I have some big news."
I lift an eye brow and say, "Oh yeah? What's that?"
"Dr. Drew plans on retiring early. He took us all out for lunch at mom's restaurant and broke the news to us. He said he's going to be retiring in the next ten years, but he needs someone to take over for him so that everything he's built doesn't get thrown out or put into incapable hands. He asked me if I would be willing to go back to school, become a dentist, and take over as Dr. Zuri Delva and become co-owner of the business." She said.
This is big news. I think Zuri would be an amazing doctor and I'm almost done with school, so I can take on more responsibility if she starts school again. "So, how do you feel about becoming a doctor and taking over? This is huge, Zuri. I know you would be working more hours as a doctor, but it's more pay and it's the line of work that you love. Whatever you decide, I'll support you one hundred percent."
"I think I might do it. I've been thinking about it since lunch and going from being a dental hygienist to becoming a doctor and owning half of a business would be a major blessing. It might be too good of an opportunity to not take. I know you'll be there for me every step of the way." She replied.
"I'm so proud of you, babe. Congratulations! Now let's go celebrate with our nephews and get some ice cream."
"I've been waiting for this all day!" She said and I could see the excitement that she was containing.
We head to my sister's house and pick the kids up. Our favorite ice cream shack is just five minutes away. We order the kids a 'worms in dirt' which consists of vanilla ice cream covered in oreo crumbs and gummy worms sticking out of it. Zuri gets a vanilla milkshake and I get a brownie delux. It comes with a hot brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fuge, whipped cream and a cherry on top. There's a small park behind the ice cream shack, so we eat at a little table and let the kids play for about an hour. six-thirty comes around too quickly and it's time to take the boys back to Selene.
"Did you guys behave yourselves?" She asked the boys.
"Yes, mommy." They responded. The boys behave better for us than they do for Selene, but I think I read somewhere that it's a common thing for children. Something about kids let loose the most around their mothers because that is the person they feel most secure with. I get bored sometimes and read random articles. We gave the boys hugs and went to my parent's house. I need to have a talk with my dad and see what was going on in his mind yesterday.
"I wasn't expecting you guys today!" Mom said when she saw us walking up to the house.
"I came to keep you company while Sav talks to dad." Zuri says.
"Is everything alright? Is there anything I can help you with?" Mom says with a worried tone.
"Everything's okay, mom. I just wanted to ask him a few questions is all." I comforted.
We go inside and Zuri sits with mom in the living room while I go to my dad's office where he's sorting out bills, receipts from the book store that he and mom own, and some other papers.
"Hey, dad. Can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask.
He smiles and says, "Of course, sweetheart."
I close the door and sit in the big comfy chair in the corner of the room.
"So I was just wondering why Zuri and me getting married is so important. I know you have a little reasoning, but we feel like it's something more. Maybe something we aren't aware of." I said.
"I guess you're old enough now and at the age where I can be honest about some things I have seen when the world wasn't as accepting. When I was sixteen years old, I had a friend who was a year older and his name was Savvier. He was gay even though he wasn't going to admit that to his family or anyone except for me. He knew I supported the right to love whoever you want, so he was comfortable coming to me when he needed to talk. We were more than best friends, we were like brothers. One day he gained feelings for a guy named Asher who was eighteen years old. The closer they got, the more open he was about his sexuality, so he decided to come out and tell him straight up. The guy said he was okay with it and actually had feelings for him. They secretely ended up dating for about a year. Eventually, Savvier got tired of sneaking around so he told his family about himself and his relationship with Asher. They kicked him out, disowned, and exposed him to the public. They thought they could embarrass him to the point where he would choose to stop liking men. Instead, Savvier and Asher were both found murdered a few mornings later beside a dumpster in an alleyway. There was never an investigation on their deaths because they were both ruled as an accident. I tried to get a petition started to reopen the case, but only a hand full of people signed it. Years of protesting and petitioning, but no justice was ever given to my friends. I've watched the same thing happen to others as well, but they weren't people I personally knew. I still protested and rioted in their name every chance I got. There is power in numbers, Saviera. We need as many people to exercise their right to marry as we can because the government will be less likely to take away the right if the numbers are large enough. Laws are changed and overturned all the time. The government gives their citizens just enough to think they are free, but it's a maniplulation tactic they use so that people will support them. They want us all to rely on them, be comfortable and unprepared, so that when they strip us of everything we have and all we've worked for we won't see it coming and we won't have the power to stop it. After all these years, I've seen the monster that is our government. All empires, dynasties, and republics fall eventually. We can start by being aware and showing our numbers. That goes for women and minorities voting, owning properies and businesses. That goes for gay marriage and interracial marriage. This is a lot to take in, I know, but there is so much more to life than meets the eye. War is as real as you and me, Sav. Our chances are better when our numbers are higher." I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it. My dad isn't some crazed conspiracy theorist and I know he's seen a lot. I wipe the tears that have fallen from my eyes and my dad wraps me up into a hug. After taking everything in and processing it, I realize something.
I asked my dad, "Was I named after Savvier?"
He smiled a sad smile and said, "You were. Your mom said if we had a boy, we would name him Savvier. We ended up having Selene, but just in case we would have a boy in the future, we didn't use his name. Then you came along. Your mother had a hard time during delivery with you and she ended up getting her tubes tied because another baby would be too high risk. We decided Saviera was close enough and so beautiful."
Now I'm crying harder because I feel like my heart is so full that it could explode.
"I came here asking a question that I didn't even realize was so loaded. As sad as it is, this makes me feel like my purpose in life is bigger than ever. I'm gonna ask Zuri to marry me, but it won't be right now. She just got major news at work today as well, so now might be too soon for her. I think she plans on announcing the news over dinner sometime this week with her parents and you and mom. We'll get it set up and call you guys with the details. Thank you for everything, dad. I love you."
"I love you more, Saviera." He says in his raspy voice.