“Why don’t you just work at the dog shelter?”
Aspen was pretty sure they could see steam coming out of Noah’s dad’s head, but Noah ignored him. “If the opportunity ever arises?—”
“Actually,” Aspen interrupted, squeezing Noah’s thigh, “Charlie was in the process of drawing up a job offer for Noah when he was called home so abruptly.”
Noah and Braxton wore surprise much better than their parents did.
“Are…you serious?” Noah said, looking first to Aspen, and then to Charlie.
“There’s still a few things to figure out,” Charlie said, clearing his throat as he cast Aspen a look that could only be described as affectionately exasperated. “But ideally, I’d like to hire several staff members, and Noah would be an invaluable member of the team. Aspen had a crucial meeting with a potential donor yesterday morning, and I would need help managing the relationship as well as the rest of the finances. I think a chief financial officer is the first position I would be hiring.”
Charlie inclined his head at Aspen and, taking that as their cue, they launched into as clear an explanation as they could about the meeting they’d had with Susie. Noah looked at Aspen like they’d hung the moon; meanwhile, his parents seemed very underwhelmed. His mom opened her mouth to probably say as much, but Braxton beat her to it.
“That’s incredible, Aspen. You’re doing all that on top of your full-time job?”
Never one to back down from an opportunity to gush about the salon, they shared the other good news about Pride Parlor.
Abigail patted their arm in a way they weren’t entirely able to read. Was it supportive or condescending? “I think it’s amazing all you’re doing for the LGBT community,” she said, and Aspen felt Noah stiffen beside them. “My sister is a lesbian, and shetalks all the time about how hard it is to get a good, butch haircut.”
A brief silence fell over the table, and Aspen was pretty sure whooping for joy wasn’t appropriate, so they just gave her the widest grin they could.
“Is she coming to the wedding?” Noah asked much more appropriately.
“She is. She arrives tomorrow, and I was actually hoping she could spend some time with you and your partners.”
“I think Mom and Dad are also going to put Aunt Pearl and Clarissa on you. You get to be the gay welcome wagon,” Braxton said, his tone teasing but not derisive.
“Really, Braxton. How inappropriate,” their mom said, sipping at her third cocktail like maybe it would save her.
“As long as it’s okay with Aspen and Charlie, I’m happy to lay down the rainbow carpet for the queer and non-queer guests. Just let me know how I can help.”
The conversation shifted to plans and logistics, and Braxton took a surprisingly active role. It was clear he’d been left out of most of the planning, but at the final hour, he seemed ready to take back some of the control. Aspen wouldn’t say the rest of the meal was fun, but they got through it, and Noah’s father paid the check without any more arguments breaking out.
“I’m going to call the caterer and the event coordinator as soon as we get back home,” Braxton said, clapping Noah on the back as they all stood outside the restaurant.
“As long as it's not too much trouble,” Noah said. “I sort of volunteered both of them to attend without their explicit permission.”
Noah gave Charlie an apologetic smile, and he just shrugged. “If you both want us there, we’ll be there.”
“I’m happy to go!” Aspen chimed in, grabbing Noah’s arm and bouncing up and down excitedly. “It seems like it will be a lot more fun now that there’s Launts and a gay sister-in-law.”
Braxton choked, and Charlie settled a heavy hand on Aspen’s shoulder. “I think it’s more like a gay sister of our sister-in-law.”
“Awww, that means Dani is both of your sister-in-law!” Aspen exclaimed, beaming up at Charlie and Noah before turning to Braxton. “And your…sister of sibling-in-law.”
“That’s not a mouthful at all,” Braxton said, shaking his head affectionately as the valet pulled up in front of them with a blue sedan. “Well, this is us. We’ll see you at dinner tomorrow night with Abigail’s parents?”
Noah nodded, even though he looked a bit pained. “Thank god I’m never getting married.”
“Yeah, way to take the easy out, bro,” Braxton said, and Noah nearly choked.
It hadn’t exactly been easy getting here, but it hadn’t been any kind of hardship either, at least not for Aspen. They’d done most of their self-discovery at the front end, from parts and preferences to their ADHD diagnosis. Noah was still in the thick of it, and they imagined there would be many therapy sessions still to be had on his identity and the way he related to romantic, or romantic-ish feelings. Charlie and Aspen would be there for him through it all, just like they would attend every breakfast, lunch, dinner, and event with him this week.
As the three of them piled into the back of a ride-share Noah’s mother had grudgingly called for them, Charlie pulled out his chew necklace and slotted it between his teeth. Aspen’s initial reaction was, of course, to celebrate this new development, but Noah grabbed their hand and squeezed it tight. So, instead, Aspen kept their mouth shut, merely watching the way Charlie curved his body into the side of the door for space, and yet still placed his hand solidly on Noah’s thigh.
Maybe all three of them wouldn’t attend every event this week after all. Aspen would happily step in for the overstimulating events, and maybe they’d leave some of the more boring tasks to Noah and Charlie.
That was what their polyamorous, romantic-ish relationship was all about. Breaking expectations, sharing the load, and meeting everyone’s needs in any way they could.
