“I have,” Laurence said. “I’m proud of what Alex has put together. He’s been working so hard since having Violet, and itshows.”
“He’s been inspired.” Samantha tightened her lips. “And I suppose… so have I. I was thinking about what you brought up to me in private at last weekend’sdinner.”
The impact of her words hit Laurence squarely in the chest, and he stood a little taller. Violet wiggled, then settled down, stillasleep.
“After weighing the pros and cons, and after a lengthy discussion with Clarissa, I’ve come to a decision.” Samantha reached into her jacket pocket and produced a simple ring. It was made of worn rose gold, simple, yet beautiful. Laurence had picked it out himself and given it to Samantha last week for consideration. When it came to matters of Alex’s family, he treaded carefully. It was better to be overly cautious than to risk upsetting the women who’d raised the man he loved. “You may marry our son.” She smiled, and the woman Laurence had known before Alex was in the picture returned. Samantha pressed the ring into his palm and stepped forward so she could speak next to his ear. “Welcome to thefamily.”
“Thank you,” Laurence murmured. His hand closed around the ring, the cool metal in contrast with the warmth of his skin. “I won’t let youdown.”
“It’s not me you have to worry about,” Samantha said as she stepped back to a comfortable distance. “Now go make my son the happiest he’s ever been. The last I heard, he’d gone to do something in hisstudio.”
“I’ll go check on him,” Laurence said. He gave Samantha an affectionate smile, which she returned. “We’ll be backsoon.”
“I’m sure you will.” Samantha waved him off. “Don’t rush back. In fact, do you want me to take Violet? Clarissa and I can look after hertonight.”
“No, it’s fine.” Matthew and Emily were at home, and the house was very rarely empty. Laurence and Alex had been finding time for each other despite it. Tonight would be another one of those nights. “Thank you for the offer. If Alex changes my mind, we’ll come back to findyou.”
Samantha arched a brow as if to say, “Do you really think he’d do anything but?” Then, dismissing him, she nodded in the direction of the studio hallway. Laurence took it as his cue to leave, gave her one last thankful smile, and went to find hislover.
Tonight belonged to Alex, and soon enough, Laurence would,too.
#
“Alex?”Laurence opened the door to Alex’s studio just far enough that he could glance inside. It had been left ajar, and the light was on. “Your mom said you were inhere.”
“Mm. Hello,” Alex replied. “Come in. I’ve beenwaiting.”
Laurence pushed the door the rest of the way open and stepped into the room, spotting Alex in front of his easel. He wore one of his fine suits, and for a second, Laurence panicked. Even now, Alex came home with paint dried in small, scaly flecks on his hands. If he got any on hissuit…
But on closer inspection, it didn’t look like Alex was painting. His palette was still on the supply table, and none of his tubes of paint were out. Not even the linseed oil hademerged.
So what was hedoing?
Laurence stepped forward, curious. “Alex?”
“I invited you in. Why do you keep calling for me?” Alex chuckled. He turned around, and as he did, Laurence saw what he’d been looking at—there was a new painting on his easel, done up in abstract purples, similar to the painting he’d been working on after they’d first met, but distinct in subtle ways. The original painting hung in their bedroom, displayed with pride over theirbed.
The sight of it stripped the importance of the news about Jason from Laurence’s mind. Drama could wait for later. Tonight was Alex’s exhibition, and Laurence wanted it to be about his successes—it wasn’t the place to bring up reminders of his painfulpast.
“It took you longer than I’d thought to arrive,” Alex said. What held youup?”
“I thought you were busy networking,” Laurence said. He joined Alex, and Alex snuggled close, Violet resting comfortably between them. She stirred when Alex touched her and opened her eyes, turning her head just slightly to look athim.
“Hi, baby,” Alex whispered. He held out a finger, and she hooked her hand around it. “Go back to sleep. I’m here, and you’reokay.”
Violet made a breathy sound and squirmed a little more, prompting Alex to chuckle again. He kissed her head, smiling in the way that Laurence only ever saw when he was looking at her. Fatherhood suited him. The radiant glow he’d had while pregnant rekindled every time he was near Violet. Laurence had never loved him more than he did in moments likethose.
“Why were you waiting for me?” Laurence asked as Alex stroked Violet’sfingers.
“Oh.” Alex extracted his digit from Violet’s closed fist. “Tonight is about my art, but… this piece is for your eyes only.” Alex gestured at the canvas on the easel. He smiled. Happiness sparkled in his eyes and relaxed his posture. “I thought the painting on our bedroom wall was a littlelonely.”
“It’s purple,” Laurenceremarked.
“And blue, and green, and yellow… just like the otherone.”
“But different.” Laurence studied it, tracing the abstract shapes with his eyes. “It’s…”
“Family.” Alex turned to look at it, standing at Laurence’s side. “You and Violet and Matthew and Emily… this is what I see when I’m with you. This is the beauty you bring into mylife.”
