Epilogue

Cliff

Nick didn't make it over to my place until it was "our" place. We'd talked about bringing him over at other points for a visit, but somehow he didn't seem like the kind of cat who wanted to travel much. But by the next Christmas, our second together, we were living under one roof, the three of us. And I'd never been happier in my life. We'd been running from event to event for over a month, at Chained, with friends, at work…and I kept expecting to feel burned out.

But I didn't.

"Daddy, are you all dressed?" Forrest stood in the doorway of our bedroom, wearing a black tuxedo with a red rose boutonniere. So handsome, my throat closed with emotion. "Everyone is waiting."

"Just about." I looked in the mirror, making sure my tie was right. I turned to face him again. "Do I look okay?"

A soft smile lifted the corner of his lips. "You look incredible. I can't believe you chose to be my daddy."

"And your husband." I closed the distance between us and hugged him around the waist.

"Husband." He tipped his head to the side. "I like the sound of that too."

Boyfriend had been a great title, but husband? Something about the word implied a future ahead of us. I'd have wanted to be with him forever no matter what, but when he accepted my proposal, I felt like the luckiest man, luckiest daddy on earth.

"If everyone is waiting, we'd better get down there." I stepped back and smoothed his jacket. Then mine. We were dressed the same except for the color of our ties. His red-and-white striped, mine with a tiny holly pattern. My boutonniere was also a red rose. "How many did we pack into the house again?"

"Only about seventy-five." Forrest grinned. "And there's not a whole lot of room."

We'd had to be careful not to miss anyone who might really want to be invited, but also, we needed them to be able to breathe. Judging from what I saw from the upper landing, we needed to hurry so they could at least spread out through the dining room and family room. Right now, all our loved ones stood facing the fireplace where the officiant stood. Together, we descended, the banisters decked out with more roses and ribbons. I didn't even know how Forrest found so many flowers in the middle of winter, but the scent floated on top of all the perfumes and soaps and shampoos worn by our guests. As one, they all turned to watch us come down then shifted to make an aisle for us to traverse. A narrow one, but that was fine. We tucked in close together and made our way to the officiant who said, "I'd tell you to join hands, but I see you already are. Dearly beloveds, we are gathered here…"

Words spilled over us, some we had to repeat, and then we were kissing and we were married. And it was Christmas. And we were even more in love than last Christmas. Whatever I did in a former life or this one to deserve such joy, it wasn't enough. I didn't even notice, until I attempted to turn around to leave the makeshift altar, that Nick was sitting on my foot. Again. Still.

Our friends and family closed in around us, sharing our happiness. Our first dance as a married couple would be to "The Christmas Song," as was our first dance ever. We were serving cookies and cocoa and eggnog and hot buttered rum. All was well with the world.