“Everything in my life began to go right, the night I met a man named Wes at the Baccarat,” Max began and there was a howl of laughter from Agnes. She held up an opened bottle of champagne as several others laughed, clapped, and whistled. Reid muttered something under his breath but leaned in so Max could steal a quick kiss, making everyone sigh and swoon before he continued. “You saved my family and you savedmeand I promise to spend the rest of my days making you happy and caring for this big, beautiful family you’ve created. I love you, Reid, and you’ve made me the luckiest man in the world.” He slid a stunning vintage Tiffany band on Reid’s finger and kissed his knuckles.
Reid needed a moment, fanning his face with his other hand as he fought like hell to maintain his composure. “I’ve planned so many weddings, you’d think I’d be ready for this…” he choked out, causing everyone to laugh and moan sympathetically. He sniffed hard and took both of Max’s hands in his. “I was so sure I had everything I needed and that my life was perfect just the way it was. Then, I saw you and you were everything I needed and I knew my life wouldn’t be complete without you. That scared the hell out of me and I fought it with everything I had, but I’m so glad you didn’t give up. Loving you has made me a betterman. Everything I do has more meaning because I’m not living for everyone else anymore, I’m living for myself and I’ve found the joy I wanted for others. Thank you for loving me against my wishes and making me see that I deserved to be happy too.”
Reid placed a matching band on Max’s finger and everyone cheered as they kissed. The seats emptied as their guests crowded in to congratulate the newlyweds. Except for Milo. Elio couldn’t locate him on the back terrace and snuck inside to make sure he was alright. As an antisocial introvert who was prone to getting overstimulated and overwhelmed in crowds, Elio’s sensory system was being pushed to its limits.
The library seemed like the most obvious place to look but it was vacant when Elio peeked around the door.
“Elio von Hessen!” an older woman called and Elio smiled as he turned and automatically lowered to offer his cheek. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Good evening, Muriel. You look lovely, as always,” he said with a wave at her opulent silver and teal ensemble. “I am at your service,” he added as he bowed, making Muriel scoff.
“You’ve always been a rascal, Elio. Walk with me,” she said as she held out her hand.
“The library?” he asked as he curled it around his forearm and got the door when she nodded. “I wasn’t being a shite, I’m happy to help in any way I can,” he said and gave her hand a gentle pat. “Are you in trouble?” he whispered as he checked to make sure they were still alone.
“Me? What kind of trouble could I be in?” Muriel asked imperiously.
He shrugged. “Knowing you? There’s no telling.” It was why he was so fond of Jonathon’s aunt. With her nephew happily married to Leo, she had taken Elio and his brothers under her wing and welcomed them into her home at the Olympia. Elioadmired the witty, outspoken, old tyrant and wanted to be just like Muriel when he was her age. “But I like that about you.”
That got a good chuckle out of Muriel. “I’ve always thought you were the interesting one and suspected that you were secretly charming under all that…” she flailed vaguely at his face and neck. “Whatever that is.”
“Matchmaker repellent,” he whispered and Muriel gasped as she leaned away, eyeing him with renewed respect.
“Well played, young man. I probably would have set my sights on you if Jonathon wasn’t already in love with your brother.”
“Everything has worked out the way it should,” Elio said and she hummed softly, satisfied as she considered the party on the other side of the terrace doors.
“It has. You know, I was furious with the Marshalls for stealing Walker Cameron and Giles Ashby from Jonathon, but I can’t tell you how delighted I am to see our families united like this. You and your brothers and Jonathon were orphans and now you have big, strong families, and you’re all so loved.”
Elio could only nod and it was several moments before he could trust his voice. “Did you need something?”
“No, no…” She shook her head and reached for his cheek. “I want to give you something,” she said tenderly, causing Elio to frown.
“Are you sick?” He asked, suddenly scared that she was dying and that was why she was being so candid and sincere.
“Not that I know of,” she said with a dismissive snort. “My doctor says I’m healthier than you are.”
“Thank goodness,” Elio said and gave her hand a squeeze. “I really have enjoyed our chats and that’s rare for me.”
Muriel laughed. “I have too. That’s why I want you and Milo to have 6A. I don’t need it anymore and I worry that Milo will need his own place and someone to protect him.”
She’d surprised Elio, causing him to trip. “You’re worried about Milo?”
“I have been for a while since Leopold and Jonathon’s wedding. I’ve been watching Milo since he was an infant and I’ve seen the young man he’s grown into. He’sexactlylike his father and the world hasn’t changed for the better since Giles Ashby was Milo’s age, has it?”
Elio shook his head. “It hasn’t but he’s strong.”
“He is,” Muriel agreed soothingly. “And the thing I find most encouraging is that you’re prepared to love and support him when heisn’t.”
“I am,” Elio confirmed. “He’s going to continue therapy and be open with us about how he’s feeling. We’re taking it day by day and it won’t be the end of the world if he can’t go out anymore.”
Giles barely left the Olympia these days. Reid and Max’s wedding was the first time he had ventured out in over six months. Neither he nor Milo were up to flying to Austria at the time and they were a big reason Max and Reid had been married in Manhattan and at The Killian House.
So far, Milo was coping well with his anxiety and it wasn’t keeping him from going to work and on an occasional date to the Hayden Planetarium or for a real picnic in the park. Flying was extra stressful for a lot of people at the moment but Milo was also running an important new study at Starlight, in addition to their work on P versus NP. Flying overseas would have been unnecessarily stressful for Milo and seeing his father struggle would only have compounded his anxiety.
“Consider it an early wedding gift,” Muriel said with a suggestive lift of her brows.
“That’s not up to me!” Elio held up a hand defensively. “We’re already married as far as I’m concerned, but Milo wantstime to establish himself as an individual and a physicist. I think that’s good, though.”
