CHAPTER TWENTY: HUDSON

HUDSON DRESSED casually since he and Connie were working from home that day. He had just sat down in his desk chair when Connie walked into his office with two cups of coffee.

“Here you go,” Connie said, handing Hudson a mug.

“Thanks, sweetheart.” Hudson took a sip. “By the way, would you text Torres and tell him to stop by my office before he leaves to pick your parents up, please?”

Connie pulled his cell phone out. “Sure. And done. What’s up?”

“I need him to drop off the gold and stones to a jeweler who’s going to create our wedding bands. I figured I’d have Torres do it since he’d already be in the city.”

“I can’t wait to see them,” Connie said.

“Neither can I.”

“Anything else we need to tackle today?”

“Not much, no—some emails I need to answer about the masquerade ball. Things like that.”

Connie sipped his coffee, leaning against Hudson’s desk. “Speaking of that. Did you decide on a theme yet for the ball?”

Hudson swiveled in his chair to face Connie. “I’m leaning toward a ‘Venetian Carnival,’ with the usual elaborate masks and costumes, maybe even some performers on stilts and a few fire-eaters. What do you think?”

“That sounds incredible,” Connie replied. “It’ll be like stepping into another world.”

“Exactly what I was hoping for.” Hudson grinned. “And it’ll be a great distraction from all the chaos lately.”

Connie nodded, setting his coffee down on the desk. “True.”

Hudson reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Which reminds me, did you ever hear back from the caterer about the menu options for this event?”

“I’m going to have to start marking menus as wedding or masquerade since we’re using the same caterer,” Connie said, checking his phone. “Okay, yes, they sent over some proposals last night. I’ll pull them up and we can look over them together after Torres leaves.”

“That sounds perfect.” Hudson smiled as he stood up, pulling Connie into a brief hug. “Thanks for being on top of things, mate.”

Connie laughed. “That’s what you pay me the big bucks for.”

As they parted, Hudson heard the sound of footsteps outside his office. “Sounds like Torres is here.”

“Right on time,” Connie said. “I’ll let him in.”

As Connie left the room, Hudson turned back to his computer screen, quickly scanning through his emails once more before Torres entered.

“Good morning, Your Majesty,” Torres greeted as he stepped into the office.

“Hey, Torres,” Hudson replied with a nod. “Thanks for coming by. Would you mind doing something for me before picking up Connie’s parents at the airport?”

“Of course not. What do you need me to do?”

Hudson took the small bag out of his desk that contained the rubies, diamonds, and gold nuggets for their wedding bands. “I need you to drop this off with the jeweler who’s going to make our wedding bands. He already knows that you’re coming.” He also sent Torres a text message with the address. “There. You shouldn’t have a problem finding the place.”

“I’ll certainly take care of it. Did the stones come from your hoard?”

“Yes, the rubies and diamonds did. And the gold came from Connie’s.”

“How fitting,” Torres said. “Red stones for red dragons. I bet they’ll be gorgeous.”

“I hope so,” Hudson said with a smile. “They represent the union of our two worlds, quite literally.”

Torres nodded, clearly appreciating the significance. “Anything else you need from me today?”

“Could you let security know we’ll be having Connie’s parents staying with us too?”

“Will do,” Torres confirmed, tucking the small bag into his jacket. “I’ll handle it all.”

“Thanks, Torres. I appreciate it,” Hudson said, leaning back in his chair.

“Speaking of parents….”

“I’m fine,” Hudson reassured Torres. “You know the kind of relationship I had with my mother.”

“I do, yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that your mother is now gone.”

“And my other two parents are more than likely angry with me since I told them to find another court to petition to join.”

“Oh Flames, really?”

“Yes. Kit doesn’t need that kind of harassment in his own home. And you know as well as I do they would not accept him. In fact, they would make it glaringly obvious just how much they refuse to accept him. I won’t have that.”

“I am so sorry. Not that it matters, but I understand your reasoning,” Torres said. “I don’t understand their thinking, though.”

“Neither do I, but that’s neither here nor there.”

“Will you go to the burial?”

“After how I parted ways with my other two parents? I seriously doubt I’d be invited. I don’t know, Torres. If I actually receive an invitation, we’ll see. That’s the best I can do.”

“I completely understand. My condolences.”

“Thank you.” Several of his dragons had said the same since he had informed everybody about his mother’s passing. They also knew what kind of person she was.

The fact that he did not grieve really spoke to how he felt.

As Torres left the room, Hudson couldn’t help but feel a semblance of relief mixed with excitement. The wedding bands were a small but essential element of their upcoming union, and the masquerade ball was shaping up to be an event that would be remembered for years.

Just then, Connie returned with his tablet in hand. “So, about these menu options....”

Hudson swiveled his chair around again and beckoned him over. Connie sat at the edge of the desk, flipping through digital documents.

“They’re suggesting a few theme-based dishes for the masquerade,” Connie explained, showing Hudson the screen. “There’s ‘Masked Delights,’ which are canapés shaped like different types of masks and ‘Venetian Vows,’ which includes Italian-inspired dishes for example.”

“That sounds fantastic,” Hudson interjected enthusiastically. “Let’s go with those. It ties in well with the theme and sounds delicious.”

Connie nodded and made a note on the tablet. “I’ll confirm with them then.”

“Perfect.” Hudson stood up, stretching slightly. “Sounds like everything’s coming together.”

“It does,” Connie agreed with a smile. “The end of the year is really going to be busy with the Halloween bash, the wedding, then the masquerade ball.”

“And hopefully the issue with Lennox will be resolved and we can have a honeymoon.”

“From your lips to Gaura’s ears,” Connie muttered, standing. He leaned over to peck Hudson on the cheek before heading to the door. “I’ll go get these menus sorted out.”

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Hudson called after him.

Left alone once more, Hudson sat and turned back to his computer to finalize details for the masquerade ball.

He found his thoughts drifting instead to quiet beaches or secluded mountain cabins where they could escape from royal duties and planning chaos—just him, Connie, and Kit against the backdrop of nature. Maybe Colorado during the winter. Kit had said he’d never been snow skiing.

Hudson opened a new tab on his computer and started researching ski resorts in Colorado. He imagined the crisp air, the snow-dusted trees, and the cozy evenings by the fire with Connie and Kit.

As he browsed, his phone buzzed with an update from Torres about the security arrangements for Connie’s parents. Everything was set. They would be safe and comfortable during their stay.

Hudson replied with a quick thanks, feeling a weight lift knowing that at least one part of their complicated lives was under control

His thoughts were interrupted by another buzz. This time, it was an email from the masquerade ball venue confirming that they had received the theme-based menu selections.

Everything was moving along nicely.

LATER THAT morning, Hudson got a text message from Torres informing him that he’d picked up Connie’s parents with no problem. That was a relief.

Not long after, Connie showed up in the office, and Hudson informed him about his parents’ arrival. After a quick lunch, they got back to work.

Hudson’s thoughts kept returning to possibly going snow skiing. He really liked the idea, but if Kit and Connie didn’t care for it, there wasn’t a point in making tentative plans.

Picking up the phone, he called Kit. “So… how do you feel about Colorado? Think snowy slopes, skiing, hot cocoa, and evenings spent by the fireplace.”

“I feel like that would be an awesome vacation.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a honeymoon.”

“Oh, wow, look at you thinking ahead. You know, most people want to go to the beach, but we’re right on the ocean. I want something opposite of that, like this. So what do I think about Colorado? I think that sounds fabulous.”

“I’ll check with Connie too, but I’m sure he’s game.”

“You know, I’ve always wanted to try skiing. Plus, some quiet time away with you two after all these events sounds like a dream of a honeymoon.”

“I’m going to start saving links to resorts for when we’re ready to go,” Hudson replied, already scrolling through options for luxury lodges near ski resorts.

A surge of contentment flowed through him knowing he could provide this joyful experience for Kit and Connie when the time came.

“On another note, how are you doing?” Hudson asked. “Still nervous?”

“Not as much as I was. Did they get here okay?”

“They did, yes.”

“That’s good. Beckett and I are going to leave a little bit early, so maybe we’ll miss the worst of the traffic.”

“Thank you for telling me. I’ll let Connie know. Can you text me when you leave, please?”

“I will. I’ll talk to you later, then.”

“Be safe.”

“Always.”

With that out of the way, he turned his attention back to work.

BEFORE HUDSON knew it, Connie was standing in his office, tapping his watch. “Time to call it a day.”

“Just a second, let me send this email.” Once that was done, Hudson shut down his computer. “Okay, I’m done. Where are the parents?”

“In our private living area, waiting on you. Shall we?”

“The construction crew left?” Hudson asked, walking around his desk.

“Yes, about an hour ago.”

“Kit home yet?”

“Not yet.”

Hudson checked his cell. “He sent me a text when they left. He should be here soonish. Okay, then, let’s go say hi to your mom and dads.”

As they made their way to their living quarters, a mix of excitement and nervousness danced in Hudson’s stomach. Why did meeting Connie’s parents suddenly feel like something big? It wasn’t like he hadn’t met them before. He had.

“This feels different, doesn’t it?” Connie asked.

Leave it to his Right Hand to practically read his mind. “I was just thinking that. And it does. I guess it’s because this is the first time since we mated?”

“I guess? All I know is it’s different.” Connie took Hudson’s hand, linking their fingers as they walked. “But not in a bad way.”

Hudson lifted their joined hands and kissed Connie’s knuckles. “Not in a bad way, no.”

As they approached their private living quarters, Connie’s pace quickened slightly. Hudson opened the door for him, and Connie hurried through. Was it bad of Hudson that he envied Connie’s excitement at seeing his parents? Hudson had certainly never felt that for his own. More like dread.

As they entered the living area, Connie’s parents rose from their seats, smiles lighting up their faces.

Again, Hudson’s own parents never looked at him like that, and he promptly shoved those thoughts out of his head. His parents and their uncaring bigotry no longer mattered.

Connie’s mother, Henrietta, was as elegant as ever in her dark blue pant suit, her warm smile lighting up the room. Like all red dragons, she had flame-colored hair and brown eyes. Her hair was piled up on top of her head in an artful bun.

One of Connie’s dads, Leo, stood slightly taller than Hudson. His golden-red hair was cut short, but he had grown a beard somewhere along the way. Hudson thought it was very becoming on him.

Leo had a stern demeanor, which was kind of funny since he was very much the jokester. Ford, Connie’s other dad, grinned at him. He had grown his auburn hair out somewhat. It now touched his collar.

“Mom! Dads!” Connie exclaimed, moving quickly to hug them.

Once Connie’s mother was done hugging his neck, she zeroed in on Hudson. “Your Majesty.”

Protocol demanded the use of Hudson’s title until he said otherwise. “Hudson, please. That goes for everyone.”

“Hudson, dear,” she said as she embraced him. “It’s so good to see you. Connie told me about your mother. I’m so very sorry.”

Leo and Ford moved closer and patted Hudson on the back. “As are we.”

“Thank you,” Hudson murmured quietly, then stepped back when Henrietta released him. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Okay, so, Connie gave us an update on the wedding plans.” Henrietta rubbed her hands together enthusiastically. “Everything sounds just wonderful.”

Hudson smiled, appreciating her enthusiasm. “We are still very much in the planning stage, but it’s coming along. In fact, we were just discussing a potential honeymoon destination before you arrived.”

Connie chimed in, anticipation clear in his voice. “Hudson told me he found this amazing ski resort in Colorado—secluded, beautiful. We thought it might be a nice change from the beach.”

Henrietta nodded. “Oh, that sounds delightful! Cold, but delightful!”

“Makes sense,” said Leo. “I mean, you live right by the beach, so why not do the opposite?”

“Skiing is a lot of fun,” Ford added.

“Plus, it’s something Kit really wants to do too,” Connie said.

“Well, there you go. And speaking of Kit, where is this lovely young man? I’m so eager to meet him.” Henrietta clapped her hands together excitedly.

“He’s on his way in.” Hudson checked his watch. “He should be here within the next twenty minutes.”

“Oh good,” Henrietta said. “So? I hear the planning for the masquerade ball is also in full swing. How’s that coming along?”

Conversation flowed easily as they caught up on recent events and shared more about the upcoming celebrations. As they talked, it dawned on Hudson just how much he enjoyed their company. They’d always treated him like one of their own, even when he and Connie were just dating.

He glanced at Connie, who was laughing at something one of his dads had said and felt a surge of gratitude for the family he was becoming a part of. Because that’s what it felt like—a family. It was odd how he never noticed how much he’d missed that until now.