“Thank you, my love,” he said, gratefully.
They were all in tuxes, minus Elizabeth. She’d yet to pop into the room, but they were all pretty sure she’d steal the show.
And no one minded.
Staring at her in some gorgeous gown was always a good time for Chris, Callen, and Ethan.
Gene would rather not, and that they got.
To help him out, Chris stood in front of him, and as he did, he effortlessly made handiwork with that tie. Before Ethan knew it, it was all knotted up, tucked into his jacket, and was perfect.
“Bless you.”
Chris stared into his eyes.
“You’ve got this,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “It’s about time you handled this.”
Yes, yes, it was, and he knew it was more than just tying Gene to their family, but instead, making a statement to the world.
He was being very public with his relationship because word, after tonight, would be spreading like wildfire. That was the point. The media wanted confirmation, and this was it. Gene Cantrell was a Blackhawk—just not on paper.
This was their official coming out to the media and the rag tabloids. Tomorrow, everyone would know that the family was five strong, and staying that way.
Gene was the last one.
While Gene had planned an impromptu handfasting, to give Ethan that security, it was done in a room of a hotel with no family there.
This was more about a statement from the whole Blackhawk clan to the world.
Gene was theirs.
And he’d always be.
What they wanted him to know, and all the gossipers, was that he was part of them, and they were proud of that. People came and went in your life, but this man was here to stay.
“I know. I’m just nervous.”
Well, he knew how to stop that.
Chris gave him a soft kiss on the mouth, and it soothed the nerves. If anything, Ethan needed that.
He melted into the kiss, and was so damn grateful for everyone in his life.
People might stare and question it, but it worked for them. They simply didn’t do conventional.
They did extraordinary.
And that’s what their relationship was.
PERIOD.
It didn’t matter who was married to who, or what was legally on paper, and what wasn’t. Their relationship was fluid, and it ebbed. There were days he was more focused on Chris,and then there would be a week where Callen was who he doted on.
It worked for them because someone was always loved and cherished, and no one felt left out.
Ever.
Last week, Callen had a premiere for his new movie, and he was the center of attention.
