Epilogue

Will

L ast year I worked on Christmas at the Seals game, but this year I was glad to be staying home. “Jeeves, play holiday music,” I called out to our Bluetooth speaker. A classic tune started playing, and I couldn’t help humming along.

When Nathan got the newfangled device for me, I wasn’t sure about having it listen in to our conversations, but he taught me how to rename it so I sounded like I had a butler. I was hooked. He’d also programmed it to have a British voice, and I had the thing telling me recipes and the weather on the daily.

“I can’t believe you’ve never had a tree in here before,” Daddy insisted, stepping back after finishing with the red garland we’d added after the lights. “This front bay window is the perfect place.

My parents had dropped off a box of my childhood ornaments and some extra decor when they visited for Thanksgiving. I loved them, but this would be my first Christmas with Daddy and I sharing our home, so I was glad they were on a cruise to Mexico.

“I needed my big, strong Daddy to help me get it in here,” I teased, kissing his cheek and holding out the star. “But it felt silly to do all of this on my own.”

“You’re strong, too, sweetheart,” Daddy pointed out, squeezing my upper arm. We worked out together with Jefferson at least once a week, and I was more fit than ever. He took the decoration from me but didn’t move, “Don’t you want to put the star on?”

“In my house it was always my dad,” I explained, shrugging. “That means you get to do it, Daddy.”

“If you insist, baby boy,” Daddy pulled me in for a kiss, and I melted inside.

A year later, and six months under the same roof, and I was still so wild about my man. “I do.”

He reached up to fix the light-up star on the top, plugging it into the lights he’d already strung through the branches. Flicking the switch, it glowed in a soft rainbow pattern, and I loved it even more.

Clapping my hands, I couldn’t help the joy rushing through me at the sight of a tree covered in lights in my house. With a star at the top placed by my Daddy. And soon, we’d be snuggled up on the couch to watch the Seals demolish our biggest rival.

“Funny you should use those words,” Daddy said from behind me, but the sound was off. Turning around, I found Daddy on one knee.

Gasping, I shook my head in disbelief. “Did you drop something?”

“No, sweetheart,” Daddy smiled and took one of my hands in his. “I was going to wait until Christmas morning, but…”

He paused and I took the bait, “But, what?”

“Seeing you so happy in the home we share, I don’t want to wait a minute longer.”

“For?” I asked, not daring to believe what my subconscious was screaming at me.

Pulling his other hand out of his pocket, I saw a ring between his fingers. Daddy looked up at me like I was the most priceless piece of art he’d ever laid eyes on. After a year of his love and care, I knew he felt exactly the way he said.

“The past year with you has been the best in my life. You’re the perfect man for me and my sweet boy. Every day with you is a gift, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life giving you everything your heart desires,” Daddy gave me his most beautiful smile and held the ring up, “Will, my sweetheart, would you marry me?”

My heart was in my throat as I choked out, “Yes, I do! I mean, I will!”

Daddy chuckled at my mix up and slipped the band on my left ring finger before standing to pull me into his arms. “I love you so much. I can’t wait to be your husband.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

Nathan cupped my face in the way he knew I loved, and pulled me in for a mind-melting kiss. We only had to stop because I’d started crying and I couldn’t breathe. Daddy brought me a tissue and dried my eyes, reminding me why I loved him so very much.

Sniffling, I held my hand out beside us to admire the simple platinum ring he’d picked out for me. I wanted to get him one to match, and I hoped he wore it every day. For the rest of our lives.

“Husbands,” I mused. “A new title for you, Daddy.”

“For you, too, fiancé,” Daddy reminded me, kissing me soundly to seal the promise of our engagement.

A giggle of joy bubbled up. I didn’t know I wanted to get married until a few months before when we’d talked about the future, but ever since then I’d been looking at rings and flowers when he was at work. Nathan was always an amazing Daddy, giving me exactly what I wanted before I even had to ask.

“I can’t wait to tell everyone,” I gushed, then noticed the time on my wall clock. “After the game, though.”

“Yeah, baby boy,” Nathan nodded and stepped back to lead me over the couch. “We can’t miss the game. They’re going to the playoffs this year.”

“For once, I kind of want the season to hurry up and end already,” I admitted.

“How can you say that?” Daddy stopped in his movements to cover me in a Seals blanket, his face scrunched up. “Jeeves, turn on the TV.”

“Because then I can marry you sooner,” I explained, lifting one side of the throw blanket so he could cuddle beside me.

“Hmm, I see.” Daddy grabbed Teddy from the corner and handed him to me, the bear sporting a Seals shirt, before sitting beside me. “Well, it will take months to plan. No need to curse the team.”

“That’s true,” I nodded, tucking myself into Daddy’s side, my head on his shoulder as the TV brightened the room only lit by the tree. “In that case, they can make it to the Super Bowl.”

“With you in charge of their turf, how can they not,” Daddy winked at me and kissed me on the head before picking up the remote. “I’d marry you at City Hall on Monday, if that’s what you want, baby boy.”

He knew me better than that though. I pulled back enough to look Daddy in the eyes, “I want to marry you in front of our friends and family. I want them all to know what a lucky boy I am.”

“I’m the lucky one, sweetheart.”

The truth was, we were both lucky. Lucky to find our life partner. And lucky to be so in love, I could almost have forgiven him if he wasn’t a Seals fan.

Almost.