Colton seasoned the steaks in the kitchen before sending them up the dumbwaiter to the rooftop.
After going over several options for his first official dinner at his new home, Aiden shocked Dean and Colton by admitting he had never had a steak but had always wanted one. After that, the decision was easy…thick juicy steaks on the grill with all the trimmings. While Colton prepared the steaks, Dean prepared the veggie kabobs for the grill. Once the prep was done, they sent everything up to the rooftop, where Aiden was waiting to transfer to the fridge.
The weather Gods had smiled upon them today. It was sunny, seventy-eight degrees with bright blue skies and not a hint of bad weather or fog on the horizon. Colton and Dean enjoyed a beer while Aiden sipped a tall glass of chocolate milk, lazily dragginghis feet through the water as he sat on the edge of the pool. Cocoa lay curled up next to Aiden, soundly sleeping on the turf.
The dancers spilled out of the door to the elevator and loudly announced their arrival. “You can relax now, we’re here and the party can begin!” Jax exclaimed as he sashayed toward the pool. Aiden grinned and jumped up to greet them.
“Welcome home, little man.” Jax squeezed him tightly. “We brought you some housewarming gifts.”
Aiden’s eyes widened with excitement. “Really?”
Aiden tore through his welcome gifts…a shower curtain with an image of the Castro Theater on it, a Niners hoodie, a disco-ball nightlight, and a gigantic basket of assorted chocolate candy. Yes, anyone that had more than a five-minute conversation with Aiden knew that the kid was a massive chocoholic.
Aiden thanked the dancers for his gifts as Colton fired up the grill and began cooking dinner.
When they finished dinner, Colton and Aiden cleared the dishes and brought everything to the cabana kitchen. They shared a look and Colton gave Aiden a quick nod, indicating it was time to implement the plan. Aiden smiled and walked over to the table where the dancers were laughing and chatting. He quieted the dancers and silently motioned for them to follow him over to Dean and Colton.
Colton took Dean’s hand and led him toward the pool, and the beautiful view of a full moon over the bay. After some mindless conversation, commenting on the view and how happy they were to have Aiden with them, Colton stopped, turned to face Dean, and took both of his hands into his own.
“Do you remember you told me a while back? You marry someone because you can’t breathe without them, and you can’t bear to spend a single moment apart?”
Dean smiled. “Yeah, I remember that, at the golf simulator. Why?”
Colton stepped closer, bringing their foreheads together. “Dean, I love you…very much. When we’re not together, I can’t breathe. When we’re apart, it physically hurts. I love how you constantly make me laugh. I love how you cry at everything. I love it when you sing around the loft. I love the way you look first thing in the morning, and I love that you’re the first person I see when I open my eyes. I never want to miss any of those moments, ever again. I want to spend every minute of every day, right here with you. What I’m trying to say is…”
Colton dropped to one knee, pulling two silver rings out of his pocket.
Dean gasped. In the background, all the dancers gasped and clutched their imaginary pearls.
Colton looked up with a smile and pleading eyes. “Dean Devlin Harris, will you marry me?”
“Oh, hell yes!” He blubbered, tears streaming down his face. “Colton Philip Merrick, I will marry you.” Colton slipped the ring on his finger and Dean jerked him up for a kiss as Aiden and the dancers erupted in cheers and applause.
After a round of congratulatory hugs and a champagne toast, the party concluded, and everyone went back to their homes as Aiden helped clean the kitchen, scrubbing the pots and loading the dishwasher.
Dean sidled up next to him at the sink and elbowed him. “Did you know what Colton was planning?” he asked with a smile.
Aiden grinned and innocently batted his eyes. “We may have discussed it earlier today.”
Dean kissed the top of his head. “I love you, kiddo.”
As he said those words, Colton wrapped his arms around him from behind and squeezed. Dean dropped his head back ontoColton’s shoulder. “And I love you too. You both made me very happy tonight.”
Colton kissed the side of his neck, then mussed Aiden’s hair. “Alright A-man, it’s time for bed.”
Aiden huffed. “But it’s Saturday night!”
Colton chuckled. “Yeah, and it’s almost midnight. Time for bed.”
Aiden playfully grumbled, but hugged them both and said goodnight.
Dean spun around in Colton’s arms and lightly kissed his lips before stepping back and admiring the ring on his finger. “You did good, Mr. Merrick. I love the ring.”
Colton nuzzled his neck just below his ear. “I’m glad you like it. I agonized for days about which one to pick!”
Dean laughed and kissed his temple. “Okay, let’s post on Insta.”
Colton growled and licked the base of Dean’s neck. “I’d rather you fuck me.”
