The audience burst into laughter, and Ellie’s eyes danced with mirth.
“We promise to be your family and to share our large family with you.” Wes spoke to Todd over Ellie’s shoulder. “And to be family to Todd and Rick, no matter what the years may bring.”
“We promise to get up and get the remote from across the room, so that you can change the channel to make us watch shows we really don’t even kind of want to watch, even if we are not the ones who left the remote all the way across the room,” Gray said through chuckles.
Arch, standing in the middle, stepped forward. “We can’t wait to take the next step in our lives together. We can wait to be your husbands.” He kissed Ellie on the cheek and pulled back.
Wes, on Ellie’s right, slid forward and took Ellie’s hand. “We can’t wait to have babies. Or adopt, or get dogs, or whatever we might decide, as long as it’s with you.” He kissed Ellie on her other cheek and withdrew.
Gray stepped close to Ellie and, dropping his voice, spoke words only she, her husbands-to-be, and Todd could hear. The officiate had moved to the side for the vows to be spoken and was just out of earshot. “We promise to always think of you first in the bedroom. You will never go unsatisfied as long as any of the three of us draws breath in our lungs. And tonight especially,Hermosa, youwillbe satisfied.” He placed his hands on her cheeks and drew his lips to her forehead. With his lips still grazing her skin, he whispered, “Over, and over, and over.”
As Ellie’s knees went weak and goose bumps erupted over her body, Todd began to fan himself. “Dear Jesus,Lord,get on with this wedding before I keel over dead!” he exclaimed.
Laughter filled the room once again. Thanks to Todd’s inability to control the volume of his voice, everyone got the gist of what Gray had whispered to Ellie. He shot the crowd a devilish grin, and the officiate completed the ceremony.
“As I understand it, the grooms played rock, paper, scissors to determine in what order they would be able to kiss their bride.” The officiate motioned to the happy newlyweds. “I now pronounce you husbands and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Wes gave Ellie a soft, lingering kiss. He kept his lips touching hers, breathing in her scent. He opened his eyes and found her staring at him, joy radiating from her eyes. With his head pulled back, he brought her hand up to his lips. “I love you, Ellie.”
“And I you,” Ellie whispered.
Arch tapped Wes on the shoulder. “Move it, bro.” Wes gave Arch a good-natured jab to the side as he turned toward their seated friends and family.
He pulled Ellie tight against his body, one hand on her hip and one on her neck. Her head fell back, and she watched his face expectantly. Arch’s lips crushed hers, and she had a fleeting thought about the state of her makeup before her mind was overloaded with the feeling of his body touching hers.
Todd let out an exaggerated cough, pulling Ellie and Arch out of their fervor and allowing Gray room to step forward.
Gray, predictably, stole the show. Taking Ellie by the small of her back, he applied pressure so that she arched her back into a dip. While he supported her weight, he bent down and kissed her with soft, eager lips. Instead of invading her mouth with his tongue, he took the moment to whisper more promises to her. “I can’t wait to take this gorgeous dress off of you,” he said against her lips. “I will unbutton those thousand buttons down your back slowly, until you are aching with anticipation. Just a few more hours,amante.”
Wes walked around Ellie and pressed himself to her back when Gray stood her upright. “I thought you might need some support after whatever Gray just said to you.”
“After those three kisses, I absolutely did.” Ellie leaned against Wes, her new husband.
Arch took one hand, and Gray took the other.
The officiate turned to their gathered friends and family. “This new family has decided to take Ellie’s name, rather than trying to decide which of their names she should take. May I present to you, Mr. Beaumont-Asche, Mr. Morales-Asche, Mr. Lawson-Asche, andMrs.Asche. Please join me in wishing that they live happily ever after.”
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