Page 80 of Kiss, Kill, Thrill Me, Daddy

“Of course there isn’t. I just meant that if you were exploring, I’d be okay with it. Just not with the Bens.”

Dad just rolls his eyes. “You’re being ridiculous, and I’m not going to entertain this topic another second. They’re like sons to me.” He slides his hand into mine and squeezes, darting his eyes back toward the aisle. “Are you ready?”

When I look over at Abi—when I see the pure, untethered love in his eyes—I realize I’ve never been more ready for any of this in all my life.

And, so, we walk the aisle, my eyes never leaving Abi’s. When I’m right in front of him, Scotty and the Bens at my side, Brody and Barb at Abi’s, I take his hands in mine.

“Daddy,” I whisper.

He bends forward and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Oh, how I have missed you, little one.”

“We’re getting married,” I say, my voice cracking. “We’re really doing this.”

He nods. “Is this still what you want?”

I fucking beam at him. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. Do you still want this with me?”

A tear falls down his cheek, but he lets it rest there, not wiping it away. “Always ... You will never escape me, Tatum. If you try, I will find you.”

I squeeze his hand tighter. “You fucking better. If I run off, you fucking drug me, Abi, and then you drag my ass back here kicking and screaming. Don’t let me run. I don’t want to spend another day without you, Daddy.” To my surprise, Abi leans down and picks me up, wincing. I slap his shoulder furiously. “Put me down. Jesus Christ, you’ve just been shot, and you’ve had extensive surgery. You’ll pop a stitch.”

Behind us, Brody clears his throat. “Stitches are pretty close to being healed, queer boy. You’ve been sleeping, remember?”

I cup Abi’s cheek, wrapping my legs around him. “Are you sure you won’t hurt yourself?”

Abi presses a quick kiss to my lips. “It would hurt worse without you.” He brings his finger to his mouth, and my eyes widen, because if he thinks he’s about to finger-fuck me in front of my friends and family, he’s got another thing coming.

“Your future mother-in-law is in the audience, Abi. Show a bit of self-restraint, please.”

He just snickers. “Fine. But the moment we are done here, I am carrying you into the cabin. I have not felt you wrapped around me in weeks. I need it, Tatum.” He kisses my cheek. “You need it, too, don’t you?”

His voice is filled with worry, but there’s nothing for him to worry over. I’m officially in this, just as much as him.

“Like the fucking air I breathe. I’m empty without you.”

Fee clears her throat. “If you boys are done doing whatever the hell it is you’re doing, I’d really like to get the show on the road.”

I arch an eyebrow. “I apologize for hoarding your time on my fucking wedding day, Fiona. Far be it from me to monopolize your daily agenda. I’m dying to know what could be moreimportant than making sure this day is special for me. Slutting it up with the farmer across the street?”

Without missing a beat, Fee leans in and whispers, “With your mother, actually. I plan to eat her like an all-you-can-eat buffet.” As I recoil in disgust, Fee smiles cheerfully at the crowd. “Alright, let’s do this. I’m not going to lie, I paid Scotty to impersonate me to get ordained for this shitshow, so I have no idea how this thing’s supposed to go, but I’ve watched a lot of chick flicks with cheeky boy these last few months, so I think I’m safe winging it.” She taps her shoulder, literally giving herself an unearned pat on the back. “Who the hell is giving these men away?”

Mom, Dad, and Brody step forward.

Brody places a hand on Abi’s shoulder. “I am.” Abi turns to look at him, beaming ear to ear. I guess this is a surprise for him as well. “You’re my brother. You hear me? You’re my best friend, and I couldn’t be happier for you. Get your goddamn happy ending. You’ve earned it.”

Abi sniffles and nods, his eyes a littler damper than before. “Thank you, Brody.”

Dad places a hand on my back and beams at us. “Us too. We’re so proud of you, Tatum. I’m just so dang happy.” He leans in and kisses my forehead. “As for you, son,” he says to Abi. “You’re ours now, son. We’re never letting you go, so I guess you’re stuck with us.”

“That’s right,” Mom says as she smiles at him. “We love you, Abi.”

Abi holds his breath as they speak, like the moment might fade if he allows himself to truly experience it. I want him to have this. A family. It’s been so long since anyone’s loved him the way I know my mom and dad will love him, so I bring my lips to his ear and whisper, “Do you want to call them Mom and Dad?”

His jaw trembles against the side of my face. “Little one.”

“It’s okay. I promise, I don’t mind.” Pulling back, I cup bothhis cheeks and try to force my sincerity into him with my eyes. “You deserve a mom and dad again, baby. I’ve got two of the best, and I want to share them with you.” I give him a quick kiss, then look over my shoulder, motioning them forward. I know this probably isn’t standard wedding protocol, but I don’t really give a damn. My wedding, my rules. If anyone has a problem with it, they can cry, bye, die.

Mom and Dad wrap us up in a hug, whispering words just meant for us. By the end, Abi’s got a new family, and I’m a weeping mess.

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