Chapter 62

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WARD

WARD WOKE to the feeling of a small, warm body against his. He grinned and opened his eyes. Somehow, Skylar was in the middle of the bed now, with Charlie on the outside. Charlie lay quietly, spooned up behind Skylar, one arm reaching across to touch Ward.

“Hey, little mouse,” Ward whispered.

Charlie scrunched up his face in a grin.

“You been up already?”

Charlie rolled his eyes as though it should be obvious. Ward chuckled quietly and glanced at the clock. Sure enough, it was long after Charlie's wake-up time. Charlie sat up, sticking close to Skylar, and signed, Coffee. Breakfast. Come back. Wait. You need more sleep. Here late!

“I'm sorry, buddy,” Ward whispered, reaching across Skylar to brush his fingers down Charlie's cheek.

No sorry! No sorry! Charlie signed, grinning at him. Our Sky home! You home! Happy! Happy!

Ward grinned back. “I'm glad you're happy, sweet boy.”

You happy?

“Very,” Ward murmured. He stretched up and leaned across Skylar to give Charlie a kiss. “So very happy.”

Charlie grinned, then pulled back and looked down. Our Sky! Our Sky! He paused, tilting his head as he watched Skylar sleep. Beard?

“Yeah,” Ward whispered, then paused studying Charlie's face. “What do you think of it?”

Charlie rolled his head and frowned, looking deep in thought. Finally, he signed, You like?

Ward nodded. “But more importantly, he likes it,” he explained. “He said it helps him feel more like a man.”

Charlie perked up. I like! Our Sky happy? I like!

Ward couldn't help grinning at that.

“Oh fuck,” Skylar gasped. “If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up.”

Ward looked down. Skylar had his eyes squeezed shut, his hands tightly clutching the edge of the pillow. Ward and Charlie both moved in closer, surrounding him. “You're not dreaming, sweetheart. We're home. Well, close enough, anyway.”

Skylar opened his eyes just as Charlie began to sign, New house! We choose. Together always! Charlie had barely gotten halfway through that when tears began to show on Skylar's eyelashes.

“Always?” Skylar asked in a whisper.

“Always,” Ward promised. He gave the boys each a kiss in turn. “I can't wait to marry you.”

Charlie bounced with excitement, and Skylar grinned while more tears fell from his eyes. Breakfast first! Charlie signed.

Skylar laughed. “You're right. Breakfast first.”

And coffee! Charlie added. I make! He got up, pulled on his shoes, and flew out the door.

Skylar's laughter slowly faded. “Are you sure you're up for this? I mean, a lifetime of this?”

“Sky,” Ward murmured, gently grabbing him by the chin. “I'd take an eternity of this.”

The boy's lower lip trembled.

Ward kissed him. “Come on. I don't want to miss a second.”

Skylar grinned and jumped out of bed. Ward pulled his clothes back on, and they went downstairs, hand in hand. They found Charlie in the tasting room, setting down two mugs of coffee on one of the breakfast tables. Charlie disappeared again, returning a few minutes later with plates of scrambled eggs. The boy went to retrieve another cup of coffee for himself, and the three of them sat together in companionable silence.

It was utterly perfect.

The rest of the household found them there just after they finished eating. Ward felt vaguely self-conscious, dressed in yesterday's clothes, his teeth not brushed, his hair mussed from sleep as he faced Charlie's parents, promising them that he'd take care of their son for the rest of his life. In the end, they happily welcomed him to the family and invited him to stay for Thanksgiving dinner.

“Actually,” Ward said, “I was hoping I could take Sky and Charlie with me.” He looked at Skylar as he said, “I'd like to introduce them to my family.”

Skylar's eyes went wide. “Are you sure?”

Ward grabbed his hands. “I told you. As much or as little as you want to share, I'll stand behind your decision. Yes, I'm sure. I don't want to hide you. Not ever. I'm proud to call you mine. Both of you. But we don't have to go if you're not ready.”

Skylar shook his head. “I'm gonna have to meet them eventually, right? If we're getting married…”

“We are,” Ward assured him just as Charlie signed, No if!

Skylar laughed, but he still looked nervous as he said, “Okay. Yeah. Let's do it.” He glanced down at himself. “Just maybe not in my pajamas.”

Ward grinned.

He took the boys back to his apartment and jumped into the shower while they unpacked. When he got out, he found the closet stuffed full again. He couldn't help smiling at the sight. It was so cramped and crowded, but he couldn't imagine anything better.

They got dressed, and Ward drove them across town to his parents' house. Vaughn's truck was already there. Ward pulled in beside it, his heart racing as he shut off the engine. He wondered if this was how his brother felt when coming out to their parents, all those years ago.

Ward squared his shoulders, took his boys by the hand, and led them into the house.

“Knock-knock,” he called out, pushing the door shut behind them.

“ Oh, you're so late! ” his mother replied. She appeared from the direction of the kitchen and hurried towards them, arms outstretched. “I was getting so worried.” She eyed the boys with a polite smile, then grabbed Ward and gave him a hug first. “How's my baby?”

Ward laughed. “I'm good. How are you?”

“Oh, a mess, apparently,” Mom said, looking down at herself, her apron dusted with flour.

“There he is!” Dad called, coming out to join them. Behind Dad were Vaughn and Vaughn's husband, holding hands and laughing over something.

Charlie covered his ears.

“Easy, little mouse,” Ward murmured. “It's okay.” He turned to give his dad a hug, then grabbed his boys' hands again.

“And who do we have here?” Mom asked, beaming politely at all of them.

Ward took a deep breath. Here goes . “Mom, Dad. I'd like you to meet Charlie and Skylar,” he said, nodding at each boy in turn. His heart beat erratically against his ribs. “We're getting married.”

A stunned silence greeted him for half a heartbeat.

Then everyone exclaimed all at once.

“What? When did this happen?”

“How were you seeing someone and you never even told your mother?”

“It's so nice to meet you both!”

“Come in! Make yourselves at home. Can we get you anything?”

“Where have you been hiding them? They're adorable!”

Ward had to cover Charlie's ears with one hand, holding the boy's head against his chest, while Skylar clung desperately to the other. “It's okay, Charlie,” Ward murmured. “I know. Lots of loud feelings.” He looked at his parents. “Charlie has autism. He's very sensitive.”

“Oh!” Everyone instantly quieted.

“But he's so smart and brave,” Ward went on, running his fingers through Charlie's hair. “Aren't you, sweet boy?”

Charlie gave a hesitant little chirp , eyeing the strangers all around him.

“He doesn't speak,” Ward explained, “but he will sign to you once he gets to know you better.”

“We've been learning,” Vaughn announced, wearing a cocky grin as he pointed at himself and his husband.

Mom gasped. “You knew?”

The conversation erupted again. Ward eyed Charlie, crouching down to look him in the eyes. “If it's too much, we can go.”

Charlie's gaze roamed as he thought about it, then shook his head. Family now.

Ward grinned. “Yeah. Family now.” He turned to Skylar. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Skylar nodded, looking teary-eyed again. “ Jeebus criminy . Can I really have this? Is this for real?”

“It's real,” Ward assured him. “This is your family now. And they're gonna love you so much.”

“Come sit down!” Dad said with a grin. “Have a drink.”

“Who wants to help set the table?” Mom added as the entire party made their way towards the kitchen.

Charlie perked up at that.

“He loves setting the table,” Skylar pointed out.

Ward helped Vaughn with the turkey while Dad showed Charlie where the dishes were. The boy set the table for eight, and nobody even batted an eye when Charlie made a spot for his late sister, bringing up a picture of her on his phone. Meanwhile, Skylar was taking direction from Mom, finishing up one of the side dishes while Mom checked something cooking on the stove. Ward couldn't stop smiling. This was what he'd been craving all his adult life.

It was finally real.

They had a perfect day. Ward couldn't have been prouder of his family, welcoming Skylar and Charlie as though they'd been there all along. Nor could he have been prouder of his boys. Charlie stepped away and found quiet when he needed it, then came right back and joined in. And Skylar bravely confronted the question of how they all met. He even told the truth, looking almost terrified the whole time. But he sought out Ward's hand and pushed through.

By the time Skylar finished explaining how he'd gotten into the life he'd had in the first place, Mom was crying and pulling Skylar into a big hug.

“We're your family now,” she said. “You are always welcome here. Don't ever forget that.”

By the time they went home for the night, Skylar looked like a huge weight had left his soul. He was so happy. Ward couldn't get enough of it.

They went home, and without saying a word, the three of them reached for one another, kissing and groping and pulling off each other's clothes.

Charlie stopped with a gasp after taking off Skylar's shirt.

“What?” Ward asked.

“Oh!” Skylar said. “I forgot to show you.” He turned slightly to the right and hunched his left shoulder.

Ward gasped. The heart tattoo was no longer empty. He reached out and gently touched Skylar's skin as Charlie did the same.

Charlie bounced in place, squeaking erratically as he signed, Us! Us! Us!

Skylar's eyes teared up again. “I needed you guys with me, even if I never saw you again–”

Ward silenced him with a needy kiss, and they all tumbled onto the bed.

The next morning, after making love again, they returned to Living in Zin for Beau's annual Friendsgiving party. Charlie's parents had gone to town to brave the shopping madness, which left just all the daddies and boys that Ward knew. There was Beau and Mav with their boys, Dakota and Ryder. Then Ward's boss, Everett, along with his husband, Morgan. Then came Everett's brother, Laurie, joined by his partner, Griff, and their boy, Nicky. There was also Theo, the tasting room manager at Vista Robles, and his boy, Haven. John and Adam were also there, of course. Charlie and Skylar had met them all before, but as they all lounged together in the sitting room, hours before dinner, Adam took it upon himself to reintroduce everyone, making sure Skylar and Charlie knew who they all were.

“You are one of us now,” Beau said, smiling at Skylar and Charlie.

Everett nodded in agreement. “All our boys know that they can come to any of us at any time, no questions asked. We take care of each other. We want our boys to feel safe and happy. Always.”

“And we're all familiar with the kind of unique struggles you might face,” Mav added. “With the exception of Dakota and Charlie, all the boys here are trans, like you,” he told Skylar. “So we know how to navigate all the things that come with that.” He reached over and rubbed Ryder's back. “Like Ry here hates public restrooms, so we all know to go in and check the layout for him when he needs to use one.”

Ryder frowned. “I still don't know the etiquette of men's restrooms, so I try to avoid them.”

“Me, too,” Haven added.

“Ugh, and me,” Nicky agreed.

“And we all understand Charlie's needs,” Beau went on. “So if either of you ever need help, and Ward is not around for any reason, you can come to any of us.”

“You're family now,” Laurie agreed.

“Yeah, you're kinda stuck with us,” Adam added, and everyone laughed.

“We want to make sure you all feel at home here,” Mav put in.

Ward gasped. “Speaking of home.” He turned to John. “Any chance your rental is still available?”

“As a matter of fact–” John began.

“Oh, you're gonna love it!” Adam interrupted him. “I just finished, and it looks amazing , if I do say so myself. Can they move in, Daddy?” he asked John. “Please? Please? Pretty please?”

New house? Charlie asked.

“Yeah,” Ward said. “Maybe. If you like it.”

“You guys wanna come check it out after dinner?” Adam asked. “No! Wait. It'll be dark then, and you really need to see it in the daylight. Oh! We could all go right now! There's plenty of time before we eat. We could get there and back again, no problem. Please?”

John chuckled and shook his head.

Ward looked from Charlie to Skylar and back, seeing excitement and interest on their faces.

“Yeah,” Ward agreed with a grin. “Let's.”