Chapter 14

Harris and I stand at the entrance to the assault course. I'm carrying a ginormous pair of scissors. We're surrounded by family, friends—including some of my army buddies—scores of strangers, and the press as we prepare to cut the ribbon, symbolising that the Open Arms Activity Centre is officially open. We decided against a red ribbon, instead opting for one in Pride colours.

Over the last two months, Harris and I have worked our arses off to get everything ready.

The first job was to have the hostel torn down. In its place, we've had a new building built, containing individual showers and toilets. The campground has half a dozen glamping pods and space for two dozen tents. We've also set up three different orienteering trails throughout the grounds.

We want to do more when we can afford to hire more staff. Archery and axe throwing are high on our list, as is a smaller, wheelchair-friendly assault course. Our wish list is a lot longer than that, but we're doing a good job of tempering each other and keeping our plans realistic.

We already have bookings from schools and businesses to take us all the way to November, and it's only the first weekend in June. With any luck, we can start expanding our activities early next year.

But right now, we have our grand-opening event to enjoy.

We were busy until almost midnight putting the finishing touches on the decorations. We hung balloons, banners, flags, and bunting in Pride colours all over the property. It's never looked so bright and colourful.

We've got food, face painting, a bouncy castle, and dozens of stalls selling arts and crafts created by or supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The fire brigade has brought one of their vehicles for kids to explore and have their photos taken in. We've set up egg and spoon, sack, and three-legged races for fun, complete with prizes donated by local businesses. A drag band from Scarborough are playing live music, and we have a dress-up photo booth.

The atmosphere is amazing, full of positivity and excitement. People have come from the local community and beyond to support us and our chosen charities.

"Everyone's waiting. You need to cut the ribbon," Harris whispers.

"We need to cut it. Together. This is our business. Our moment."

Harris grins. "We did it. We made our dream come true."

I clear my throat so I can speak in a loud voice. "I want to thank everyone for being here today for the opening of the Open Arms Activity Centre and everyone who's offered their time and services. We couldn't have made today happen without you. Now, let's have some fun and raise lots of money for charity."

The crowd applauds.

Harris puts his hands over mine.

"We pronounce the Open Arms Activity Centre open," I say.

We cut the rainbow ribbon together. The two ends flutter to the ground. Cameras flash. People cheer. It takes several moments for everything to quiet down enough for me to speak.

"Who wants to try out the course first?"

"It's fun," Harris says.

We decided to charge five pounds a go, with all the money going to charity. We're inundated with people brandishing five-pound notes at us. Some donate more. Harris stays at the start of the course, ensuring only six people begin at any time and that each wave of people waits until the group ahead of them is up to the third obstacle. I go up and down the course, offering encouragement and help.

After an hour, my parents relieve us so we can enjoy the festival. Harris drags me to get our faces painted in rainbow camouflage. We answer questions, talk to reporters, and thank all the stall owners and people who are here to help us make the day a success.

The day zips past in a blur of congratulations, back slaps, and thank yous. Through it all, Harris is by my side. I couldn't have done this without him, and we show our devotion to each other by holding hands and kissing whenever we get the chance.

The last activity of the day is a Pride-themed fancy-dress competition judged by the band. The crowd claps and cheers as everyone who's entered struts their stuff on a temporary stage. Harris and I watch with our arms looped around each other's backs.

Harris rests his head on my shoulder. "It's been an amazing day, Daddy."

"It has." I kiss his hair.

"I'm exhausted. Can we leave clean-up until tomorrow?"

"Definitely."

"Weren't all our contestants amazing? I don't know how we're going to choose a winner. Huddle, girls," Pippa Pizazz, the band's lead singer, says. She's taller than me and is wearing head-to-toe sequins.

She and the rest of the band huddle on the stage and whisper—loudly—as they make their not-so-secret deliberations. Pippa is holding a microphone after all. All their comments are positive. The crowd cheers and roars their approval after each one. Finally, they break apart.

"All right, we've made our decision. It was hard, but we were up to the task." She announces third, second, and first place, each to a huge round of applause. "I believe the winner gets to stay in the honeymoon suite. Isn't that right, Miles?"

I laugh. "We don't have a honeymoon suite."

"Shame. You should work on that, honey. Why don't you come up here and tell everyone what the grand prize is."

I wave and shake my head.

"Oh, don't give me that. Come on up here and bring that cute redhead with you."

The rest of the band stamp their feet and clap their hands to entice us onto the stage. The crowd follow their lead.

"We've got to go up," Harris says.

Holding hands, we join the band and the winners on the stage.

"The winners get hampers full of goodies donated by all the businesses that have helped us make today possible," I say.

"First prize gets a bigger hamper," Harris adds.

The crowd laughs.

"And what do we get?" Pippa gestures to the band.

"Our undying gratitude?" I say.

The crowd cackles.

"Could I get a hug too?"

Harris and I take turns hugging all the band members. They give great hugs.

"That brings the festivities to a close. Unless you sweethearts want to say a few final words?" Pippa gives me the microphone.

"Thank you."

She puts her hands on her hips. "Is that it? You can do better than that."

I chuckle. "Seriously. Thank you. Not just for helping us celebrate the opening of the activity centre but also for being generous with your time and money." I search the crowd until I see Dad. "Do we have a total amount raised?"

"Just short of two grand," he replies.

Pippa covers her eyes with her hand and scans the crowd until she sees Dad. "How much short?"

"About fifty quid."

She makes a show of pulling a roll of notes out of her bosom and hands it to me. "That should make two grand."

"Thank you," Harris says.

Pippa waves her hand. "It's the least we can do." She blows us kisses as she and the band exit the stage.

"Before you go, there's one more thing," I say into the microphone.

Harris stares at me, eyebrows raised.

"One more person I have to thank." I turn to him and hold his hand.

His cheeks go red.

"A few months ago, I'd pretty much given up on my dream of ever getting this place open. Then fate brought this amazing man to me, and everything changed. None of us would be here if it hadn't been for Harris's enthusiasm, excitement, and vision for this project. Or without his marketing know-how."

Harris dips his chin and bites his lip. "You're embarrassing me," he whispers.

"But you've done more than that." I sink to one knee.

The crowd gasps.

"You've made me the happiest man alive. I love you, Harris. Will you marry me?"

His jaw drops. It feels like everyone is collectively holding their breaths. My heart thunders as I wait for him to answer. Was it stupid of me to ask him so publicly? Fuck. I should have waited.

"Well, don't keep us all in suspense, honey. Are you going to marry him or not?" Pippa asks. "If you don't, I might just have to snatch him up and run away with him."

Everyone laughs.

Harris covers his face, drags in a huge breath, and then lowers his hands. "Yes."

"Louder. The people at the front didn't hear," Pippa says.

Harris pulls my hand toward him and speaks into the microphone. "Yes!"

Applause thunders and echoes across the field, drowning out everything. I stand, switch the microphone off, scoop him into my arms, spin him around, and kiss him.

"I love you, boy," I whisper.

"I love you too, Daddy."

* * *

It's dark by the time we're alone. My and Harris's parents stayed for dinner. You'd think they'd known each other their whole lives. They get along so well. Nigel was here too. A few weeks after Harris moved in with me, Nigel visited to apologize for his awful behaviour. Things have been better between them since.

Now they're all gone. The property is quiet, except for decorations and leaves rustling in the breeze.

"That was epic." Harris wraps his arms around me and kisses me.

"But tiring."

"Yes, it was tiring." He rests his cheek on my shoulder.

"I need to apologize."

"What for?"

"Asking you to marry me in public."

He laughs. "I don't mind. It was romantic. I was in shock, that's all. There was never any doubt that I would say yes, Daddy."

"There wasn't?"

"None at all." He sighs happily.

"Bed?"

He lifts his head and walks his fingers up my chest to caress my beard. "I'm too wired to sleep."

"Maybe we should have a little fun first. Tire you out a little."

"I'm hoping you'll tire me out a lot, Daddy."

I hum. "What do you have in mind?"

"My jogging bottoms are clean. It's a warm night. Perfect for a run."

I cup his cheek and kiss him hard. The thought of chasing him gets my blood pumping and makes my cock hard. "Get changed, boy. Leave this on." I draw my finger through the rainbow camouflage on his nose.

We jog upstairs and change into easy-to-take-off clothing. I slip a bottle of lube into my pocket and lead him to the front of the house. I rest my hands on my hips, nip his lower lip, and suck it into my mouth.

"I'll give you a five-minute head start."

He pulls away.

I hold him fast. "After more kissing."

"I always like kissing, but if you don't let me go, you'll never get to chase me."

I nuzzle him. "We will. Give me a moment. I want to savor my fiancé."

"Fiancé. It has a nice ring to it."

"Is that a hint, boy?" Damn, should I have got him a ring?

He laughs. "No, Daddy. I don't need an engagement ring, but I expect a fancy wedding ring."

"Fancy, huh?"

"Very fancy."

"When do you want to get married?"

Harris shrugs. "We should wait until we can hire staff to run this place for us while we're on our honeymoon."

"Where will we go?"

"Any country we're welcome in. I want to explore the world with you, Daddy."

I kiss his forehead. "We will, boy. I promise."

Harris grins. He's right. If I don't let him go, I'm not going to get to chase him. I'm tempted to put him over my shoulder, carry him to bed, and ravish him there. But I won't.

I put my hands on his shoulders and gently push him away. "Five-minute head start."

He nods and bounces from foot to foot.

"Ready?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Five. Four. Three. Two. One. Go."

* * *