Dad’s voice is soft. “Is this how you see your future?”
“Yes,” I answer him, not even bothering to add an explanation. “We have a solid agreement on how we want this to go, and we’re all happy with it. We openly communicate, and don’t keep things from each other.”
Dad seems to consider my words. He looks at each of them in turn, then back to me. “Well, you’re a braver man than I ever was,” he says, and lifts his glass. “I guess, to family, however you make it.”
Everyone toasts. Maddy’s eyes are shining, and when she looks at me, there’s so much pride it’s almost unbearable.
It’s like she knew it was going to work out.
The rest of dinner goes smoother than I dreamed possible. Mom asks questions about how we intend to split holidays, and Dad wants to know more about Maddy’s place at the company. Beck and Caleb volunteer for a golf weekend, which I know my dad will never go for, but the three laugh about it anyway.
And by the time we’re leaving, there’s not an ounce of worry left.
Dad places a hand on my shoulder, holding me back as Maddy, Mom, and the guys stay ahead. “You know,” he begins, “I always thought you were holding something back, Adrian. I worried you’d grow up and turn into me.”
I shake my head, letting out a breath. “No chance of that.”
He smiles, patting my shoulder. “You did better. I’m proud of you, son.”
I feel something loosen in my chest. For the first time in my entire life, I think I believe him when he says it—and it didn’t take running a billion-dollar company.
Just authenticity.
We join the others, and when my parents’ cab pulls along the curb, Mom hugs all four of us, lingering a second longer with Maddy. Dad shakes everyone’s hand again, then pulls me into a hug that is brief but solid.
“Don’t wait so long next time,” he says. “Wewantto be a part of your life.”
“Okay, Dad.”
After they disappear, we walk back to the car together. Maddy’s arm stays around my waist, Beck bounces ahead whistling, and Caleb trails behind with the leftovers. Halfway down the block, Maddy stops me.
She turns me to face her, hands on my cheeks. “You did it,” she whispers.
I grin down at her. “Wedid it.”
She kisses me. “And I can’t wait to spend the rest of forever with all of you.”
“Me either.” I squeeze her once more.
This is everything I needed, and never even fucking knew it.
When we get to my apartment, I pour us each one more glass of wine. This whole night gives us a reason to celebrate. Maddy met my parents. They loved her.
And they seemed to approve of the dynamic.
“A toast?” Caleb grabs a glass and raises it.
“Yeah.” I lift my glass. “To family.”
“To family.” Maddy’s eyes go glossy. She clinks my glass, then Beck’s, then Caleb’s.
“Fuck yeah,” Beck drawls, and drains half his drink in one go.
Caleb looks at Maddy, a mischievous look on his face. “Let’s go to the bedroom. I think we need more than a toast.”
My cock twitches at the thought. “I can’t disagree with that.”
We file into my room, and the city follows us, the skyline a silent witness through the wraparound windows. Maddy is first on the bed, flopping backwards with a giggle that cracks the tension. Beck dives after her, and they wrestle for a second, limbs everywhere, before she pins him with a knee to the chest and a grin that could break hearts.
