He was sure his heart stopped beating as he stopped and turned back. Grant was holding out a piece of folded paper. He took it, and Grant nodded, implying he should open it. Patrick did, and what he read almost brought him to tears.
“You make sure he gets that,” said Grant, with a crack of emotion in his voice.
Patrick smiled and nodded. It was time to get his boy back.
CHAPTER 19
JASON
Jason beamed as he watched his best friend walk down the aisle. It wasn’t just because of how handsome he looked, or how happy Jason was for him, it was seeing Pam on his arm. Charlie’s mother was Mum to all the brothers. She was the only one who’d been what a mum should be– someone who loved their child unconditionally. Pam had multiple sclerosis and struggled to walk. She mostly got around in a wheelchair, but she’d been determined to walk her boy down the aisle.
It had been touching to see Sebastian walk down the aisle with his twin sister, Bex, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house for this moment with Charlie and his mum. Pam needed a stick to stablise herself, but the pride radiating from her was propelling her forward. Jason could even hear Gregory sniffling behind him, which was unheard of. Paolo was as big a cry baby as Jason, and Langdon liked to act all tough, but he was a big softie, especially with Pam. He did so much for her that Charlie regarded himself as relegated to son number two.
Pam dropped Charlie off with his husband to be, and kissed him on the cheek before taking her seat next to Jason. She gripped his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. Hewas the only brother who was here without a partner. A few months ago, that wouldn’t have bothered him, but when he’d caught sight of Patrick for the first time in a month, he’d felt the pain in his heart. They’d made eye contact briefly and Patrick had smiled at him. Jason missed him so much. He’d never felt this way about anybody. Once the ceremony was over, they’d have a chance to talk, but was he even allowed to do that? Was Grant having him watched now?
There was no top table, but Charlie was with Sebastian, Bex and her family, and Charlie’s mum at one table. The remaining brothers and their partners were at another. Patrick was with Sebastian’s New York friends at another table. They had been together originally, but when they’d done their fake breakup, Charlie had separated them, thinking he was being helpful. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know the full story.
“Welcome, everyone,” said the registrar, a fabulous-looking gent with a bowtie Gregory would be envious of. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Sebastian and Charlie in marriage.”
They were getting married at The Savoy, because of course they were– no expense spared. The room was decorated to perfection with purples and yellows. They both had their own signature colour for their cravats and buttonholes, and they both looked amazing, although Sebastian Steele in a suit was the definition of hot office porn. Jason had to stifle a snort, and not let his mind wander to such inappropriate places. He didn’t think anyone had noticed, until he looked across the aisle at Patrick, who was watching him with a smile on his face. Jason couldn’t help but return it. He still loved the man so much, and it was going to hurt not to be with him, but he’d rather that than for him to be dead.
“Sebastian and Charlie have written their own vows. Who would like to go first?”
“I will,” said Charlie, quickly causing everyone to laugh.
They both took hold of each other’s hands, looking intoeach other’s eyes. It was like there was nobody else in the room but them. It wasn’t a big wedding, with around seventy guests, but you couldn’t hear a sound from anyone.
“Sebastian, crashing into you was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Jason chuckled, remembering their “meet cute,” as Charlie described it.
“I’m lucky, in that I have some amazing cheerleaders in my life– my mum and brothers– but nobody gets me like you. You helped me see just what I’m capable of, and whenever I stumble, it’s not about catching me or trying to fix things. You give me the safety of your love to learn and grow. And if I ask, you’ll get your wallet out.”
This made everyone laugh. Sebastian was worth billions, and it was an ongoing battle for him to get Charlie to allow him to spoil him.
“There’s something that’s much bigger than your wallet . . .”
Sebastian’s eyes widened.
“I’m referring to your heart.”
More laughter. Charlie was killing it up there. None of them had any idea what he was going to say, as he’d kept his vows to himself when he was writing them.
“It’s your heart that makes me feel safe and loved every day, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making you feel just as safe and loved.”
Jason could see Sebastian’s eyes watering. Everyone was wiping their eyes after that. The registrar turned to Sebastian for him to give his vows.
“Charlie Davidson. I’d never been a big believer in fate until I met you. Neither of us were supposed to be out that night, a year ago today. I had a meddling sister who insisted I needed to let off some steam. You had a feisty brother with a penchant for bears.”
Jason felt his cheeks heat as everyone laughed. Hisbrothers all looked at him in fits. Wasn’t it supposed to be the speeches when everyone made digs?
“Then we were parted, and you walked into my office and knocked a chair over.”
Charlie glared at him, his face going red, but there was no heat in it.
“If we were a romance novel, our trope would be insta love. I knew from that first night you were someone special. I might have the wallet you joked about earlier, but as a person, I was completely lost. You saved me when we met that night. You reminded me that love was something I could have, and that I deserved it. You’re my hero, Charlie. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, feeling pride at the man you continue to become, and falling in love with you a little more each day. I promise to hold you when you’re sad, protect you when you’re scared, spoil you when you let me, and some other things we won’t say in front of your mum.”
Charlie flamed red again, but everyone laughed. The loudest was Pam, but it was mixed with tears. These two were the dream of a perfect couple. A true partnership. You might look at them and think of Sebastian as the alpha, but Charlie was equally as strong, just in different ways.
