Chapter Twenty-Two | Jamal

I wheeled into the apartment space. The building manager had left me alone to look around. The first thing I noticed was the doorway was wide enough to easily accommodate my chair. The second was the flooring. It was embossed vinyl which was non-slip and easy to roll on.

Directly inside the front door, a light switch at the correct height for me. I took a turn into the kitchen. I could roll straight through it rather than get stuck at the end of a galley and be forced to turn around, and it was wide enough to give me lots of room. The countertops were low and level with the sink and cooktop, all with room underneath for my knees and chair. The fridge had a freezer at the bottom, and the upper part wasn't full-sized. I could reach everything in it.

Again, all the light switches and outlets were at my level. I headed for the bathroom next. It was bigger than my bathroom at home. Lots of room to turn around. Plenty of space beside the toilet for my chair, and the counter was at my height with space for my knees under the sink. It had a similar shower to what I was used to. I could easily transfer onto a bench and there were grab bars all over the shower walls and bathroom to assist me. To the side of the shower in an alcove was a front-loading, all-in-one washer and dryer I could easily use.

It was then that I noticed a guide rail on the ceiling that ran through the door from the bedroom over the toilet and ended at the shower. There might come a time when I was unable to transfer on my own due to age. The rail was for a lift system so I could be transported from my bed to the bathroom. I moved into the bedroom. The same vinyl flooring was under my wheels. Not very warm but functional. There was a closet along one wall, no doors, and a hanging rail at my level.

I proceeded to the living room. It was sufficient and had an attached eating area, then down the hall on the other side of the apartment was the second bedroom. It was much like the main bedroom but without the rail system. It would be perfect for a child.

"Jamal?"

I hadn't heard the door open. "I'm down in the bedroom to the right." Liam's hands came to rest on my shoulders once he entered the room. I had invited him to join me.

"Are you thinking of moving in here?"

"It better suits my needs. Everything is at my level and has room for my knees."

"It would make a big difference. You'd be able to do more on your own." He patted my shoulders. "I'm going to take a look around."

"Take your time." My chest tightened even though my heart pounded hard to make room for the nervousness I was feeling. Even my hands were sweating. Liam and I had known each other for less than three months. Our love had run us over like a steam train on a tight schedule.

My heart told me it was time.

I rolled back into the hallway. Liam was in the bathroom. I rolled through the kitchen to the other side. Off the front door, there was an open den that would make a great office. It would also serve as a perfect space for Liam to study and do his homework if he went back to school.

Liam strode toward me, a huge smile on his face. "This is great. I can see you here."

I swallowed hard. "Can you see you here? "

There, I'd said it. I'd asked the love of my life to move in with me.

Liam's eyebrows rose. "You want me to move in with you?"

"Is it too fast?"

He took a second then straddled my knees and cupped my face. "No. It's not too fast. It's just perfect. You're perfect. I love you. I can't wait to live here with you."

Liam leaned down and kissed me, and I could see our entire future together. This was the beginning of something profound. We were going to do this. Live a life. Start a family with children. Grow old together. Be with one another until the end. Tears welled in my eyes.

"I don't think I've ever been this happy," I said.

Liam smiled at me. "Then I have my work cut out for me because it is my mission to make you happy every single day. From morning until night … total bliss."

I gripped his biceps. "Mm. That sounds nice. But I need you to kiss me again."

His hands were gentle as he held my face, his lips soft and warm. The apartment disappeared as we immersed ourselves in one another. Give and take until we were both humming.

Only the sound of someone clearing their throat snapped us out of it.

I looked over at the building manager. "We'll take it."

We pulled up outside Owen's beautiful home in Oak Bay. It wasn't as large as some of his neighbours' homes, but it was kept to perfection. I knew real estate agents often did well moneywise, but Owen must be selling more than the average agent. Liam had told me he was driven and obsessed with wealth. The Alfa Romeo SUV in the driveway confirmed that .

A Christmas barbeque at Owen's was a tradition for the Salish Sea Society and over recent years, the group had been growing if you included the partners of the taken men.

I manoeuvred over the lip of the front door. Liam had opened it without ringing the doorbell. He led me through the front entry into the kitchen where a lively conversation was happening.

Standing around a massive island Brody was beside Noah, then Ethan and Daniel, Owen was on his own, and then there was us. I took Liam's hand as we joined the others.

I was a little nervous. Noah, Brody, and Ethan, I knew well because they volunteered at the Rainbow Youth Centre, but I didn't know Owen and Daniel at all.

The group of men erupted in words of welcome upon seeing us. Hugs were given, including some for me from Noah and Ethan. Handshakes and greetings from everyone else. I felt more at ease, even though Owen was sizing me up. Liam had told me that sometimes he and Owen didn't see eye-to-eye, but that he was a decent guy and Ethan's best friend.

And Daniel. He was a good bit older than Ethan. They were very handsy, clinging to one another. In love. Liam had shared about their daddy kink, spanking, and Ethan's manties.

None of those things were for me. Liam had over the years experimented with the sexual components, but they weren't anything he wanted to continue—especially with me.

We had found our own rhythm.

"Since we're all here," Ethan said. "I have news."

Owen groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'm going to guess it has something to do with the uniformly sized Christmas presents you brought with you today for us."

Ethan clapped his hands together. "The coffee table books of me are done. "

Liam looked at me. "Ethan has a photographer friend, Carlos. Ethan posed for him in sheer manties and corsets. The guy did an entire book solely of Ethan."

I stared at Ethan.

Holy shit.

I suppose it didn't surprise me. Ethan was a good-looking guy who had a sultry edge to him that would translate well in sexy photos. "Have you seen any?" I asked Liam.

Liam nodded. "They're extremely hot. And it sounds like we'll have one for our new home."

Noah slapped the counter, his eyebrows raised, overhearing what Liam had said. "What? Liam. You didn't tell me this. Are you and Jamal moving in together?"

Liam smirked. "It's new. We get the place on February 1 st . It's set up to accommodate Jamal and his wheelchair. Lower counters. Leg room under appliances. Stuff like that."

"How did Mamma react?" Noah asked, directing his attention to me.

"She was upset," I replied. "But she understands why I want to do it." I looked up at Liam. His expression was warm and kissable. "Why we want to do it."

"Kind of fast," Owen said and crossed his arms.

"Don't be such an ass," Ethan said to him. "They're in love. Let them be happy." He pursed his lips. "I think you should be next to share, Owen. You have interesting news."

"Maybe I don't want to talk about it," Owen replied.

"Are you embarrassed?" Ethan challenged.

Owen grunted. "Fine. Skylar and I have been texting."

There was a collective uproar of sound from everyone gathered. A lot of what the fuck kind of exclamations. I wasn't sure if everyone was upset or simply surprised.

Who the hell is Skylar ?

"You've been doing what?" Noah practically shouted. "What happened to denying his husband any kind of pleasure? I seem to remember you were pretty clear on that."

Skylar is someone's husband?

Liam touched my shoulder and leaned close to my ear. "There's a guy at Owen's office, a real estate agent who Owen hates, Chad. Skylar is the guy's husband."

Okay. That did not clear things up at all.

"It's nothing salacious," Owen responded. "He just checks in with me on Friday night."

"Checks in?" Liam asked.

"We talk about our week." Owen shrugged. "Mostly my week."

"How and when did this start?" Noah asked.

"He's texted me three times … that's it." Owen looked at the counter. "He's a good listener. He draws me out. Gets me talking about stuff that's bothering me."

"So … he what … texted you out of the blue?" Liam asked.

Owen exhaled. "Yes. Told me Chad gave him my number."

"We told you they might not be fucking with you." Noah leaned on the counter. "So, you're considering it. Hooking up with Skylar."

Owen shook his head. "We're just talking. I'm not even sure he wants more."

"He cornered you in the bathroom," Ethan said. "Rubbed up on you."

This all sounded way too complicated. I was more than satisfied with one guy in my life. Especially, one who didn't come with an extra guy. I wasn't sure what Owen was looking for.

Seemed like he didn't know either .

"It's no secret," Owen said," that I think Skylar is hot. That whole femme nerd thing he has going on is doing it for me, but he comes with a festering Chad-shaped growth."

"Sounds like he's trying to get to know you first," Daniel pointed out. "Maybe he hasn't decided if he wants to follow through on that aggressive move he made on you."

"No, he made his intention clear with that move," Brody responded. "Reminds me of the night I waited for Noah outside the pub and solicited him for sex. I was serious about wanting him."

Noah grinned, gripped Brody's bicep, and leaned against his shoulder.

"I think he wants Owen," Ethan agreed. "But he's decided to take his time with him."

"You're sure this isn't Chad messing with you?" Liam asked.

Owen pulled his phone from his jeans and called up something on it, scrolled, and handed the phone to Liam. "Does this look like Chad is even in on the conversation?"

Liam scanned the screen, dragging his finger from bottom to top multiple times as he read. His brow furrowed and he handed the cell back to Owen. "The guy is sophisticated, I'll give him that. It's hard to tell what his end game is, he's so focused on understanding you instead. My bet is he does want to fuck you. And I do mean fuck you . There's no way that guy is a bottom."

"My thoughts too," Ethan said and looked at Owen. "Told you."

Owen sighed. "I want to change the topic."

"We're going to trial against the guy who attacked Jamal," Brody said, taking the hint.

"Oh, perfect," Ethan replied and looked at me. "I'm sure that feels good. "

"What's even better is that Avery is out of their house," I said. "They have moved into our new youth housing area. We have five kids living there now. They're going to need counselling but at least they're in a positive environment with the full support of me and the volunteers."

"I wanted to talk to you about the youth shelter," Owen said to me. "I'd like to donate some money. Maybe buy some colourful bedding and whatever else you think would make life fun for them again. Those kids deserve to feel loved, accepted, and celebrated."

I touched my hand to my chest. The generosity of this group of men was astounding.

"Thank you so much, Owen. I have ideas. The kids will be thrilled."

"It's the least I can do. I'll text you." He offered me the first smile I'd received from him.

"Mm." Ethan leapt in place, grinning. "Liam's belated birthday present." He bounded out of the kitchen. Liam had told me that the name of the game was gag gifts. I snorted as Ethan set a badly wrapped wriggly mass of what looked to be a small dragon dildo on the counter.

Liam lifted it and wobbled it around. "Jeezus, guys."

Ethan leaned on the counter, his elbows spread, his chin on his folded hands. "My question is who's going to be using it on whom. Liam looks like he's eyeing it up."

"None of you damned business, Ethan," Noah responded.

Liam raised his hand. "No, I owe you guys an apology. For years I've been hassling you all about being needy bottoms." He took my hand and squeezed it. "I've joined the club."

Swear to God, Ethan squealed in stark contrast to the stunned silence that struck the rest of the group around the island. "See! We told you! Best thing ever! "

Liam chuffed out a laugh as the others in the room came out of stasis and started heckling him. Seemed as though Liam had been staunchly against bottoming his entire life.

After Liam accepted some serious teasing, the Salish Sea Society men turned to preparing dinner like they'd been doing it for a lifetime, working as one. They had a routine. The rest of us were simply swept along with it. Brody, Daniel, and I looked at each other and smiled.

These four men had built an incredible foundation that we were blessed to become a part of. The love in the room was palpable. This was a joyous place of acceptance and belonging.

Family.

Liam had a family, and he'd invited me in.

February came faster than I'd been ready for. Liam had been helping me pack up my room. Most of my clothes, my books, extra bedding, pictures, and towels. I didn't have much else. We'd be using my bed and dresser in the main bedroom and Liam's in what was the guest room for the moment. We would rearrange it in a few years after we decided to have kids.

There were cupboards in the kitchen closer to the floor, but some were up above the counters as well. The upper location was important for us to store everything. Liam had taken most of the items we needed for our kitchen from his place. Alesia had been excited to buy all new stuff.

She was here, helping with the move-in. I'd become quite friendly with her, starting when Liam had invited me over for dinner at his place. We had begun staying over at his place as often as we stayed at mine. His bathroom had been a challenge for me, but we'd managed.

The past month had been glorious, practically living with Liam. We'd become achingly anxious to make it official. To have our own place. Now we were here .

I reached into a box Alesia had set on the floor for me. I was unloading the plates and bowls into a cupboard. Liam was putting the bed frames back together in the bedrooms. He'd already set up the living room. We'd bought a sofa, end tables with lamps, a bank of shelves, and an electric fireplace that was designed to act as a wide television stand as well. We'd bought a new massive screen for it. My television would be set up in our bedroom.

"How are you doing with that?" Alesia asked.

"I'm ready for another box."

"On it." She took the empty box, broke it down, and fetched me another. This one had mixing bowls, drinking glasses, and some cutlery and knives. Liam and I had picked up some drawer organizers for everything. It had been fun shopping for our home.

"Our bed is done," Liam exclaimed as he entered the kitchen. "Just gotta find the bedding."

"I saw the bedding box near the closet," Alesia replied. "I'll find it and make the bed."

"Thanks, buddy." Liam grasped her face and kissed her on the forehead. I loved how physical Liam was with his friends. His love for them was deep and it showed.

"How are you doing?" he asked me.

"Tired. I'm glad you have the bed set up. I think I'm going to be napping soon." The movers had brought the last of our belongings in an hour ago. We had started early, and all the commotion had worn me out. Another couple of boxes and I was going to be fully spent.

"I hear you. Once Alesia leaves, I'll join you."

I looked toward the end of the counter. "Grab that present from my family. I'm curious." Mamma had come over during the mayhem portion of the move and dropped off a box that was wrapped with cute paper featuring little houses. It was a housewarming present .

Liam and I both worked on the paper. Inside the box was another box. The picture on the top showed an image of an espresso maker. We could definitely make use of that. The box also contained two items wrapped in newspaper. Liam lifted one, me the other.

We both grinned as we unwrapped them. Two coffee mugs. Each with the word His on it. My family had been amazing, folding Liam right in. They had expressed their love for us as a couple.

It was going to be particularly sad being further away from Meera, but she had promised to visit often. I knew that wasn't an idle promise. She'd become a regular fixture in our home.

"These are perfect," Liam said.

"We'll have to put them to use later. Once I have a nap, I'll want to perk right up so we can clear more of these boxes. It's hard for me to move around in here."

"Bed's done," Alesia said as she poked her head into the kitchen. "I'm going to go."

Liam wrapped her up in his arms and hugged her hard. "Thank you so much for all your help. I'm going to miss you being around, busting my ass."

"That's Jamal's job now." She looked at me. "Keep him in line."

"He's been managing great on his own lately." Liam had cut way back on his photo and screen time, only posting occasionally. Usually with me in the picture with us doing couple-stuff. Most of his followers thought we were adorable together. Others were vicious. Harassing him about settling for a cripple. That he made a better boy toy than a partner. They affected Liam, the negative comments. There was still a small part of him that gave those comments credence.

That part of him was being chipped away daily through my love for him. And the love of his friends and my family. Our family. Mamma had practically adopted him. He always helped prepare dinner at my parents' home now. Dadi had insisted he copy the family recipe box. I was looking forward to having my mamma's traditional recipes cooked in our own kitchen.

Alesia left us alone and headed home. The apartment was finally quiet.

And all ours.

"Try out the new bedroom?" Liam said.

"I'll join you in there in a second."

Liam leaned down and kissed me, then walked to the bedroom. I went into the bathroom, enjoying the roominess as I dealt with my bladder. Liam had set the whole room up already.

I found him stretched out on the bed, his eyes closed. He stirred when I transferred onto the mattress. He'd turned back the comforter. I snuggled in against him and he covered us.

I found my place, setting my head on his shoulder, his arm wrapped around me, my hand on his chest. He gripped my leg and pulled it until my thigh was hanging over his. He caressed the full length of my thigh, concentrating on my ass. I smirked as I burrowed against him.

He'd accompanied me to physical therapy for most of my workouts. He knew what my legs were capable of, a slow rotation on a stationary bicycle. The first time I'd completed a full rotation years back, I had burst into tears. Now, Liam had integrated seamlessly into that life.

And me into his.

Those realities often led to more tears. I was so happy and thankful.

Liam moved his hand from my thigh to my face, cupping my jaw, his thumb brushing my cheek. His breath was hot on my lips. Hotter and hotter until he kissed me .

His hand raked through my hair, and he amplified the strength of his lips. My mind and body felt absorbed by him down to my very last fibre of being.

We became one.

We'd always be one.