“Baby, I always wanted a family to belong to.” Ash returned to the couch and put his hands on Drew’s shoulders, gazing into his eyes. “And while I know our marriage gave me that connection, I wanted to go one step further to show Esther how important she is to me. So I had Judge Federer of the Family Court draw up adoption papers, making Esther my mother. I can’t file them because in the convoluted court system that would make me your uncle, and our marriage would be illegal. So the papers are a symbol of my relationship with Esther. She’s the mother I never had.”
A twinkle lit Drew’s eyes. “Does that mean now if you get out of line, I can call her and she can deal with you? You know you’re a lot to handle.”
Ash leaned forward to whisper in Drew’s ear. “You’re the only one I want handling me. You do it so damn well.” He stroked Drew’s curls. God only knew where he’d be if Esther hadn’t asked Drew to check on him after they had their heart-to-heart talk. She’d peeled back those inner layers he’d hidden behind and didn’t judge him. Esther was pure love—a miracle person—and she deserved to be celebrated.
“That’s the most wonderful gift I’ve ever seen anyone give.” Drew skated the pad of his thumb over Ash’s cheek, his green eyes shiny. “You’ve broken past all those chains you had yourself wrapped in since we first met to become the most loving and devoted husband and best friend I could’ve ever imagined. I never believed I deserved to be this happy, but you’ve made it possible. Doing this for my grandmother is more than a simple gift for the holiday. It’s life-changing.”
“I wanted Esther to know how much I love her.” Careful not to jar Drew, he held him close, breathing in his scent. “She’s the reason I have you. I owe her everything.”
“I love you so much. It all means nothing if I don’t have you to share it with.”
Ameowsounded and Domino walked into the room, straight to Esther, and wound himself around her ankles, his loud purr reverberating throughout the room.
“Oh, he still remembers me.” Esther bent to stroke Domino’s fur and Ash’s lips twitched.
“He loves everyone but me.”
“Don’t worry, I have enough love for both of us.” Drew kissed his cheek.
The doorbell rang, and Ash returned Drew’s kiss and left him to answer it. A crowd awaited him in the hallway.
“Don’t tell me you all came together?” Ash stepped to the side to let Jordan and Luke inside, followed by Brandon and Tash and Mike and Rachel. As soon as Max saw Ash, he reached his arms out.
“Ash, Ash! Me, me.”
“Come here, big boy.” Ash took him from Mike’s arms and swung him around as they walked into the living room.
“Careful, Ash.” Rachel kissed his cheek. “He just had a snack. You wouldn’t want him to get sick all over you. Hi, Nana.” She greeted Esther, then rushed to Drew’s side.
“Don’t you dare get up, or I’ll kill you.”
“I love you too, Rach.”
Back from the kitchen, Tina and Louisa flanked Esther, who placed the file with the papers on the table in front of her.
Recalling Rachel’s earlier warning, Ash halted a swing in midair, and Jordan snickered.
“Now why’d you have to go and spoil my fun, Rach?”
With Max tucked against his chest, Ash patted Jordan on his cheek. “You know you love me.”
Unsmiling, Jordan held his gaze. “Yeah. I kind of do. You’ve grown on me.”
“Well, they say this is a season for miracles, and I think we witnessed one right here.” Luke slid his arm around Ash’s shoulders.
Brandon’s face lit up. “I still think the fact that we’re all here celebrating together after so many years apart is a miracle. I know I never thought I’d see Luke or Ash again.” He hooked his arm through Tash’s. “And I never expected to find someone like Tash and fall in love. Families like this didn’t exist in real life, or so I thought until I found you all.”
Ash gave Max to Mike and sat on the opposite side of Drew from Rachel. “What we have here is special. We’ve come from different places in the world and in life. In reality we shouldn’t be here. Luke, Brandon, and myself were throwaway kids. And God only knows there were times I wished I’d never been born.”
Drew’s hand crept into his.
“But I wake up every day with Drew, and know I’m damn lucky to have found him. I know this is a holiday about a miracle that happened thousands of years ago, but me being here with all of you is proof enough that miracles can still happen.”
“If this is a moment for confessions of love,” Jordan said, his arms wrapped around Luke, “then let me add my voice. Without Luke, I’d probably be dead. His love saved me from destroying myself.”
“I love you too.” Luke kissed Jordan. “And I’ve learned the importance of forgiveness. Without that, I’d be alone, hating Ash and missing Brandon.”
Ash winced at hearing that, but he was grateful he and Luke had battled through their problems and were closer than ever.
