Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Thanksgiving, one year later…

NASH

"Remember, our flight leaves at six from Reagan, so don't cut it close like last time."

"I promise, my love. I packed this morning, so I'll swing by the house and pick up our bags and meet you at the airport like we agreed."

Spencer had a morning meeting on Capitol Hill before we went to New York for Thanksgiving with the family. Jay was adamant that we not miss the flight as we'd done for Memorial Day weekend earlier in the year. Spence was starting his job on Tuesday and had a bunch of reading to do. Vani called him and ripped him a new asshole—after I got done ripping him one myself. This time, I'd asked Spence to take the day off so we wouldn't cut it close. Meetings on the Hill always seemed to run long.

"Okay, but you'll face the wrath of Vani and Jay if we miss the flight. Love you."

"Love you, too, and I swear I'll be there. I love you too. Have a great day."

We hung up and I went back to the inventory sheets that had been dropped off after the Langers Holiday party so I could submit the orders for the Christmas season.

My job at Four Seasons was everything I never imagined I could do. I made a great salary—enough that I could pay half of our living expenses and save money to put down on the new house we were planning to buy in the spring. Spence had the money from the sale of the Great Falls house, but I wanted to contribute too.

Spencer's job was going great guns. He was the rising star of the Washington lobbying world, just behind Sean Fitzpatrick, and I was proud of him for turning around the shitstorm he'd suffered when he was in the Senate. The assholes who demonized him were now lining up to kiss his ass, and we laughed about it all the time.

"Mr. Lincoln, there's a man here to see you. He's in the lobby." I glanced up to see one of the desk clerks who was new to the hotel, though I couldn't remember her name.

"Thank you, uh…"

"Gretchen. My name's Gretchen, but don't worry about it. You were in a meeting when I was introduced to the rest of the staff."

I stood and walked over to her. "Gretchen, please call me Nash." We shook hands and I followed her out to the lobby.

After glancing around and seeing no one I recognized, I turned to Gretchen who pointed to the guy in the leather jacket by the windows. I recognized those broad shoulders in an instant.

I hurried to where he was standing and tapped him on the back. "How may I help you, sir?"

Denver turned around with a huge smile on his face. "Kid! I wouldn't have recognized you in a suit."

We hugged, and I led him over to a seating area, pushing him into a chair. "How've you been? I'm sorry I didn't make it to the club's anniversary party in October. We've both been crazy busy. How've you been? How's the club?"

"The club is fine, but I've got some news. The, uh, the club changed its bylaws and we're becoming LGBTQIA+ inclusive. Turns out I wasn't the only queer in the?—"

"Damn, Denny, you should see the bathroom. It's fancy as shi— Oh, hey, Nash."

I studied Pacman for a minute before I glanced at Denver to see his cheeks were red, but he was gazing at Pacman as if he hung the moon. "Pacman, it's good to see you. How've you been?"

We hugged quickly, and I eyeballed Denver. "Something you wanna tell me?" If he was finally in a place where he could love someone, I would be more than happy for him. Getting over Clint had been nearly impossible. It had taken so long I thought it was a lost cause.

"Yeah, uh, Henry and I have been seeing each other for a couple of years. We've decided to get married, and I wanted to see if you'd be my best man." I hugged them both. I was thrilled for them.

"When?" We sat down, Pacman and Denver on the couch and me in the chair.

"I'm going to be a June bride." Pacman batted his eyelashes at me and rested his head on Denver's shoulder. I laughed at the two of them. They were so cute.

Denver put his arm around Pacman's shoulders and smiled at him. "Baby boy, will you go get me a coffee?" Denver gave me an imploring look.

"Oh, uh, yeah. The café is down the hallway near the concierge desk. Tell Tony to put it on my tab." I pointed the direction and after Pacman left, I turned to Denver.

"I'm sorry to spring this on you. I wanted to tell you, but I wasn't sure if you'd understand. I loved Clinton more than I ever imagined loving anyone. When he died, I wanted to die with him. Thought about it a couple of times, but then Henry came along, and he annoyed and needled and taunted and got under my skin so deep that next thing I know, we're dating and I'm falling in love with him.

"You know I'd never betray Clint. I still love him, and I'm convinced I always will, but hanging around Henry reminded me that I only get one life. I want to live it with him, and I want you to be okay with that."

I stood from the chair and sat next to Denver on the couch. I took one of his hands and held it between both of mine. "I'm very happy for you, Denver. I know for a fact how much you love Clint. I know he wouldn't want you to be alone for the rest of your life. He was a happy guy, and he'd want you to be happy too. I'd be honored to be your best man."

Denver kissed my cheek just as Henry returned with three drinks. "Everything okay, guys? Nash, I hope?—"

I stood and took the paper tray from him, handing it to Denver. "I'm so happy for you guys." I hugged Pacman again. "Where's the wedding going to be?"

They both laughed. "The club won't let us have it anywhere other than Sparta. Think your man will come down to the country to see how an MC celebrates?"

I shook my head. "I'll do my best to prepare him beforehand."

SPENCER

Nash and I arrived at JFK on time, and when we came out of the security area, we were surprised to see a man in a suit holding an iPad with Brady Party on the screen in Helvetica Bold.

"Did you arrange a car service?" Nash held my hand and pulled his suitcase while I carried my messenger bag with a lot of work inside I hoped to get done sometime over the long weekend and dragged our shared garment bag on the other side.

"I didn't think about it. I'm not that familiar with New York, sweetheart. I just assumed it would be easy to get a cab."

"Okay, then, let's go ask the man. Maybe there's another Brady family."

We approached the man. "Hi, uh, I'm Spencer Brady. Are you waiting for another Brady?"

"Do you know Jay Brady?"

I chuckled. "Yes. He's my?—"

"He's here." We both turned to see Jay and Cole wheeling luggage behind them.

"Wait, I thought you guys were already here. What's going on?" I looked at them, and they appeared to have tans? That made no sense.

"Where are you coming back from?" We all exchanged hugs. The driver took the garment bag from me and the suitcase from Nash, and we all headed to the parking garage.

The lights flashed on a black Suburban sitting close to the parking garage. "So, what's your name?" Seemed rude not to know the name of the man making the airport run.

"I'm Josh, Senator." Okay, Josh was a man of few words.

He opened the back and put the third-row seat down to fit our bags inside. I sat in the front seat with Josh while Cole, Jay, and Nash sat in the middle row. The three of them chatted about college.

"Do you like being a driver? I bet you get a lot of crazies, huh?" What did one talk to a driver about? I was such a dick. When I used the service at the Capitol, I was usually on the phone or reading work stuff, so I didn't worry about talking. Now, I felt like an asshole.

"I'm not actually a driver. I'm a contractor. I've worked with Vanessa on some renovations for some of her clients, and she asked me to do her a favor." All talking in the back seat stopped.

"Ah. Well, that's… you're a good friend. The airport pickup is a hell of an ask. Thank you for agreeing."

Josh was about five-ten. He had a full beard and bright blue eyes. His hair was short, and he had full sleeves on both arms. I could see the dark ink under the white-dress shirt he was wearing, and the sleeves were rolled up, which gave him a cool vibe that was beyond me.

"This yours? It's a beast. I have a Tahoe, but it's not this big."

"Yeah. I have a son who plays hockey and I end up driving his team around, so I needed the space." Josh merged into the lane leading to Midtown.

"Your family live in Manhattan?" I noticed the guys in the back seat were oddly quiet.

"My, uh, my ex-husband lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. My son lives with him, and I live in a guest house in the backyard. Since Felix started playing hockey, I've been helping out as much as I can because Grant travels for his job. He's a pilot for Delta. When he's working, I stay in the main house or Felix stays in the little house with me. It's a work in progress."

"Oh, I see. I truly understand a work in progress. Vanessa and I had to work through a lot of things too. It takes a while to find your groove. How long have you been—no, I'm sorry. I'm nosy. What position does your son play?"

You're an idiot, Spencer!

"No, it's okay. Grant's very much a part of my life, but he has hard feelings for how things shook out. Anyway, we've been divorced for seven years. He's dating a really nice girl, but I think he's gun-shy. I mean, I understand it, but you can only beat a dead horse for so long."

I was really confused, but we turned into an alley, and Josh reached up to the sun visor and pressed a button, opening the garage door of Vani's apartment building.

It took a minute, but then something occurred to me. "You, uh, you're gay?"

Dear god, did my best friend not learn her lesson about being tied to a gay man? Jesus H. She'd already wasted twenty years of her life on me. I hoped she'd know better than to repeat herself.

"Uh, Dad. Why don't you wait until we get to Mom's. Josh, how'd Felix do in his game Sunday?" I did a double take as Josh slid into a spot near the elevator that had Vani's apartment number on a post.

We all got out of the SUV, and Jay came around the front to where I was standing. "Look. Keep an open mind. He's a great guy."

"He seems like a nice guy, Jay, but he's gay. Did you hear him say ex-husband?"

I stared at my son for a moment before he glanced away. I knew that look. "What do you know that I don't?"

Nash grabbed my arm and led me to the elevator. "Come on, babe. Let's go see Vani." I grabbed my briefcase and the garment bag. With that, we took the elevator to the twenty-third floor.

Nash and I had been to Vani's place a couple of times, and she'd been to our apartment a few times, so I knew which apartment was hers. It seemed Josh did too.

Josh rang the bell, and Vani immediately opened the door with a huge smile. "My guys!" She hugged Jay and Cole first and then she hugged Nash, giving him a kiss on the cheek. I was next with a kiss and a tight hug.

I pulled back. "Vani, you look fantastic. How have you been, love?"

"Come in. Come in." I stepped inside and pushed my suitcase into Jay's room. Nash and I were staying at the Marriott across the street, but we could check in later. I wanted to know what the hell was going on with that Josh guy.

"Mom, what are you cooking?" Jay sounded nervous, and I could see he was stalling.

"It's not me. Josh made lasagna this afternoon while I was finishing up a closing. Tell me how Bermuda was, boys." Vani was staring at Jay, and that answered my question about where they'd been.

"You guys went to Bermuda?" I sat at the dining room table Vani had in her small dining room.

"Seriously, Jay, you haven't kept your father informed?" There was that mother bear I was used to seeing.

"They were busy with new jobs, and I thought it would be better to talk to them in person. How about you, Mom ?"

Vanessa's eyes moved to Josh, who came over and stood next to her. He wrapped his arm around her and stared at me. His face showed he was ready for battle, but I wasn't trying to fight with him. I was protective when it came to Vani, sure. I loved her as I always would.

Vani stared at me. "You know I love you. You're my best friend, but I had to take some time to figure out things for myself." She stepped closer to me and touched my face. "You and me? We will always be family, and you know that."

She stepped back, and Josh wrapped his arm around her with her coaxing. "Josh and I started working together on my first project. He's an amazing contractor, and we hit it off immediately."

I nodded and stared at them. Nash moved closer and touched my shoulder. "Spence, honey, I think Vani's trying to tell you that she and Josh are in a relationship."

My eyes moved from Jay to Cole to Nash. "Did you all know this? Why wasn't I let in on the secret?"

Josh chuckled. "They're all dancing around the truth, Senator. I'm a trans man. I met Vanessa at a house she was trying to sell. Her boss has worked with me before, and when Vanessa told him there was a problem with the kitchen, he contacted me. I've been a contractor for years, and I'm good at my job, but I'm not going to try to win you over. Vanessa and I are seeing each other, and she thought it was time we met."

I was shocked. "You and Vani? You're in a relationship?"

Josh chuckled. "Well, I'm trying, but I'm having a hard time getting around you."

"Spence, let me talk to you in private." Vanessa stepped closer and took my hand.

I followed her to her bedroom and stared at her as she closed the door, waiting for an explanation.

Vani paced. "You know I've had a difficult life. I love you Spencer, but we're best friends. You're gay, honey, and we both know it. We made a life together, but it wasn't the life either of us wanted, was it?"

I didn't exactly agree with her, but I understood what she meant. "I didn't think you hated our life, Vani." I sounded hurt, and maybe I was a little.

She smiled. "Spencer, you and I have had an interesting relationship, haven't we? I've always known you were gay, and you've always known I was ace. I appreciate the fact you and I found a way to make a family, but we were always meant for something else, don't you think?

"You met Nash, who is perfect for you. I met Josh, who I'm so happy I've gotten to know. He's incredible to me, Spence. You've got to understand that I'm trying to make my own life, right?"

It smacked me in the face. The truth was right there, and it made me grin.

Vanessa and I had found our own paths, and it seemed she'd found the perfect person for her. I couldn't say I didn't like Josh. I didn't know him, but if he was the man who made Vanessa's heart soar, then I wouldn't stand in the way. I wasn't that much of a selfish ass.

I chuckled as I pulled her into my arms. "I'll be happy for you after I get over being jealous. Our life hasn't been easy, has it? I will always love you, and we'll always be a family. If this guy is who you want, I'll get to know him, and I'll be supportive. Just don't keep me out of the loop, please?"

Vanessa hugged me and stared into my eyes. "When are you going to marry that man?"

I laughed. "Gimme a break. I just got out of a marriage."

Vanessa laughed. "Yeah, I get it. But look how great both of our lives have turned out. You've found the love of your life, and I believe I've found mine."

Seeing the smile on her face was all I needed. I had one question. "Does Velma like him?"

Vani giggled. "Not at all." I knew in that instant that Josh and I would get along spectacularly.

I had finally found my road to happiness. Years ago, it had seemed endless, but I'd finally arrived at the destination meant for me. How fucking great could life be going forward? I couldn't wait to find out.