Chapter Thirty-Six

Tommy

The dining room at my parent’s house was loud, and it made my body warm with happiness. Maverick sat on Jackson’s lap, that damn crown back in his hair, and let my brother feed him pieces of toast from time to time. Killian had his arm around Matthias as Matty gazed at him lovingly, while Dean blushed at something Beau murmured into his ear and played with Dean’s green hair. Holt and Watts were engrossed in a conversation with Asher and Wyatt, while Sam laughed at something Helena shared with her. I glanced at Blake, who simply beamed at me when our eyes met. I reached over to take his hand, bringing it up to my mouth to press a kiss against his knuckles.

“I love you,” I murmured.

“Aww....” Killian announced loudly. “You two are disgustingly adorable.”

I gave him the middle finger, which only made him bark out a laugh. “Like you and Matty aren’t the same way. When are you two getting married, anyway?” I asked.

“Whenever Matthias wants.” Killian’s blue eyes shimmered with affection. “And what about the two of you?”

“Whenever he wants,” I echoed. Although I had to get him a ring first. Something perfect. Something very Blake. Shiny and beautiful.

Blake hummed happily as he squeezed my hand. His moss-colored eyes lit up, and in that moment, I realized just how lucky we were to have this second chance. I wouldn’t fuck it up again.

“And you two?” Killian turned his attention to his best friend, who turned about fifty shades of pink as he narrowed his eyes.

Dean shook his head. “Kill, don’t start. It’s not like that.”

“It’s like that.” Beau brushed the strands of green hair back from his neck. “You want to get married, Pink?”

Dean ducked his head. “Maybe.” This side of him, in love or whatever this was, reminded me a lot of Maverick. The shyness, the sparkling eyes. It was a good look on Dean.

“Mm, well, you just tell me when and I’ll make it happen. The biggest, most extravagant wedding just for my guy,” Beau promised.

Dean leaned over to plant a big kiss against Beau’s mouth. “We’ll see.”

Helena clapped and cheered loudly. “I’m so happy for the two of you, Dean.”

“Thanks. And I’m happy for you and Ryan.” Dean jutted his chin toward Helena’s fiancé. “Truly.”

“I think Holt and I will be the next ones getting married,” Watts announced.

Matthias gasped. “You set a date? I know you were going back and forth for a while about it.”

“New Year’s Eve, at our parents’ house.” Holt’s face nearly split with the smile that lit up his face. “It’s not going to be a huge thing. Just family and friends. Totally casual.”

My mother breezed into the room with the coffee carafe, a smile on her face. She stopped to fill everyone’s empty cups before taking a moment to wrap her arms around Jackson and Maverick. My brother quickly moved his husband from his lap so he could climb to his feet to hug Mom tightly, lifting her off her feet.

“I’m so happy you’re officially part of our family now, Maverick,” Mom told him, patting his chest lightly.

Maverick’s cheeks burned crimson. “Thank you.”

“Come here.” Mom reached for him, and Maverick moved in for a hug. Mom smiled, touching his cheek lightly with the palm of her hand. “You’re stunning, honey.”

Jackson nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”

“When do I get to meet my grandson?” Mom asked.

Maverick blushed even deeper, then slid his phone from the back pocket of his blue jeans. “Um, well, Andy’s not officially ours yet—”

“Nonsense.” Mom shook her head. “I can see it in your eyes, Maverick Olson. You love that boy. He’s yours.” She cupped his head in her hands.

Maverick stared at my mother with tears swimming in his eyes. “Yeah, I do. I want to be his father.”

I glanced around the overflowing dining room to find everyone looking a little teary-eyed. Even Killian. My throat felt tight as Jackson wrapped his arms around Mav tightly, a smile on his face. This felt perfect. Exactly where I should be. Surrounded by my friends and family. My Blake.

“Th-thank you.” Maverick twisted around in Jackson’s arms as he spoke to my mother. “For everything. Letting us have our wedding at your home, for welcoming me into your family. For calling me stunning, and thank you for calling me Maverick Olson. That’s who I am. It’s who I’ve always been.”

Mom pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Yes, yes, it is. Thank you for making my son smile again, Maverick. Now show me a picture of my perfect grandson.”

“You want to move into my house?” Blake whispered. He chuckled at the look on my face. “Unless you want to stay here. But the house is empty, and I feel like it would be perfect for us. My Mom is going back to Florida. She has friends down there, a job, and I think she might be seeing someone, but she hasn’t told me that yet. But I can see it in her eyes.”

“Bug.” I tried to gather my thoughts together because yes, I did want to live with him. I’d do anything and everything he wanted.

He smiled. “It’s okay if it’s too soon. I understand. You can stay here, and we’ll date. I’ll court you. Like the gentleman I am.”

“Court me?” I snorted. I leaned forward to kiss the corner of his mouth. “What does that mean? And I don’t want you to be a gentleman with me. I think you know that.”

He shrugged. “I’ll buy you flowers, candy, take you out on dates. You know, romance and shit.”

“Romance and shit.” I laughed loudly. “Baby, you don’t have to romance me or buy me things. You already have me. I would be honored to move in with you.”

Blake chuckled softly. “Yeah, but I still want to romance you. Show you that I love you. Will you let me do that, Gretzky?”

“Bug, I’ll let you do whatever you want to me. You don’t have to ask.” I kissed him again, taking my time with those full lips. He melted into me, his body humming with need.

“Get a room!” Killian shouted, then something smacked the side of my face. When I pulled back, I saw a piece of toast on the floor.

My brows shot up. “You want to start a food fight with me, Hampton?”

“Thomas, don’t you dare!” My mother used her most adult voice. “Killian, no,” she warned.

Killian’s dimples broke through in his wide smile. “I’ll pay for the cleanup, Mama Olson.” He assured her before he grabbed a handful of eggs and threw them my way. I tried to duck, but they landed on my chest and dropped onto the floor, making a loud plopping noise. My mother was going to be so pissed at us.

Maverick squealed as he dove behind Jackson. “Not me, not me. Don’t mess up my hair!” he begged.

All hell broke loose after that.

Food went flying. Eggs, toast, waffles, and strawberries covered the floor and table, maybe even the walls. I caught Jackson ushering Maverick out of the room before he came back, reached in front of me and threw hashbrowns at Killian. Jax laughed loudly before he ducked out of the room. No doubt in search of his husband, who I could hear giggling happily. In fact, everyone was laughing as food flew by my head, and when we were done, the entire dining room was disastrous. I had eggs stuck in my hair, maple syrup on the front of my shirt, and when I turned to look at Blake, I saw he had a pancake tucked into his pants.

“Saving that for later?” I teased before he kissed me, his sticky, food-encrusted mouth hot against mine. I didn’t care. In fact, I went back for seconds and thirds because his mouth was addictive.

Blake gripped my head in his dirty hands. “Saving you. That’s what I’m doing.”

“You think I need saving?” I dragged my tongue over the mess on his cheek.

He nodded. “I think you did, yeah, but not anymore. When I got here, you were a sulky, grumpy jerk. Now you’re glowing.”

“I don’t glow.” I grunted but couldn’t stop the smile that curved my lips.

Blake yanked me against him, his arms tight around my chest. “You do, Tommy, and it makes me happy to know I had a part in it.”

“I glow for you.” My voice was a hushed whisper.

He tightened his grip. “Let’s do it, okay? Flourish together. Glow together.”

I liked that idea. “Move in together?”

“All of those things.” Blake nodded, his green eyes full of hope.

I felt light with happiness. “All of those things and more, Bug,” I promised.

Just a few days ago, my future seemed bleak and empty. Now I could see more. A happily ever after with the man I loved. The one person who meant everything to me. And the best part was that he felt the same way about me.

Blake wanted forever with me, and I would spend the entirety of it making sure it was everything he ever wanted. Just like he was everything to me.