“Yes, I’ve been away far too long. This used to be the perfect escape for me. I’ve lost track of how many laps I’ve done around their property. Hell, these paths were likely bore from my shoes.”
“I just can’t believe this is my life anymore. No more wiggling for the best tips or counting every dime for groceries. My heart is so full, and you were right, I worried for nothing. Your family is great.”
“Our family, my love.”
He grinned. “Our family. The lonely boy is alone no more.”
I leaned against the wood fence and tugged Beck back against me. Together we watched the sun set, in awe of the amazing pantone of colors as the desert landscape faded to black. The only lighting was that of the house lamps and porch lights. The streetlamps were way down the block, few and far between in this area, and something I hadn’t appreciated until this very moment.
Beck turned in my arms, wrapping his around my neck. “Daddy, can I take your last name?”
I pressed my lips to his. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Honestly, mine means nothing to me. Randomly assigned by my first caseworker.”
So. Fucking. Sad.
“Remember the Knight clothing line?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s not me who partnered with Jobe, it’s you.”
“What? Jobe knows?”
“Jobe knows and I’m guessing we should call him and Daddy Stanley now and give them the good news.”
There was that questioning look again. “What have you three conspired to do?”
An innocent shrug, though it was anything but. “Guess you won’t know until we call them.”
Beck pulled his phone out, called Jobe and put him on speaker. “This better be good, my little cock blocking bestie.” Even in the dim light I saw the blush dotting my boy’s cheeks.
“Daddy and I got engaged, then he said I own the Knight collection with you, then he told me to call you,” burst from Beck in a single breath
“Wait, back up. You’re engaged?”
“Yes. Daddy proposed,” he stared down at his finger in the dim phone light. “My silver band has cute little bunnies engraved on it with tiny diamonds between them. It’s so perfect!” I was surprised he hadn’t noticed that before now. Given we’d instantly been hauled off into a party I guess it made sense.
“Congratulations!” Jobe and Stanley shouted at the same time.
“I’m so excited to plan a wedding with my bestie,” Jobe’s excitement was clear.
“I don’t have any family to invite. Can’t we just go to the courthouse?”
“Stop chewing your finger and let Jobe finish.”
“No, you are not going to the courthouse. You’re going to Aruba with us.”
“Yes, I know. I’m your best man.”
“And I’m yours.”
“Daddy, I don’t understand?”
“We’re having a double wedding in Aruba, Squirt.”
“Can your mom and dad and sister go too, Daddy?”
