Page 60 of For the Love of the Lawyer

Mickey saw the boys look at each other for a brief moment before they turned to their dad. "We're gonna go get two suits for the weddin' since I've hit a growth spurt and Rock's never had one," Ryan responded.

Matt smiled and turned to Mickey. "How those pancakes comin'?" And that was the end of the arguing.

"Well, I think when Terry sees all the other boys in ties, he'll want one, which is why I ordered one for him from some slick website I found. I ordered matching ones for the two of you. They're green, which matches your eyes and will bring out thegreen flecks in Terry's hazel ones. I also bought Megan a cute little headband with green and purple flowers on it ‘cause I was pretty sure her dress would be some sort of purple. I love ya, Jonny. Sweet dreams.”

Mickey settled with the lawyer in his arms, kissing the man’s chest as he relaxed. It felt so good to fall asleep with Jon wrapped around him. It was a beautiful feeling Mickey had never anticipated in his life.

Mickey arrived at the barn at six the morning of the wedding, a broad smile on his face after a good night’s sleep. When he walked into the barn hallway, he was surprised to see Tim, who wasn’t a moody person by nature, crying his eyes out as he leaned against Ebony Prince Charles.

"Timmy, what's wrong?" Mickey asked as he began dropping hay flakes into the stalls of the residents of the barn.

"He didn't come home," Tim sobbed as he continued to gently brush Charlie. The horse loved to be groomed, just as Mickey was sure Matt did. He'd heard too much shit from their bedroom in the mornings, and he hoped he had similar things to be embarrassed about if he and Jon ever figured out how to settle together. The absences were too long.

Mickey laughed. "You can blame that on Miss Jeri and Aunt Katie. They decided you two needed the traditional break where the parties don't sleep together the night before the weddin', so after they all went out, Danny and Heath took Matt back to the Katydid to spend the night. From what I've been told by text, he passed out pretty quick.”

"How come I didn't get a night out?" Tim walked out of Charlie's stall, closing the gate.

Mickey smiled and took the currycomb and brush from Tim's hands. "Because you're the one who's managin' this chaotic mess, and if you're not one hundred percent, we're up shit's creek. Timmy, you make sure everything's perfect 'round here, and Matt knows there won't be any surprises because Tim Moran is on the job. You give him the freedom to concentrate on the big picture because he knows damn well you've got the details covered. The whole insemination program wouldn't be as successful as it is if it wasn't for you managin' it so Matt could nurse his buckin' bull program and be the salesman he is, and you know it.

"Now, get your skinny ass up to the house and get ready for your wedding. I've got this," Mickey promised his best friend. After a hug, Tim hurried up to the house, and Mickey went back to work. The day was set to be a long one.

An hour later, Mickey was standing in Ryan's room trying to help Kayley and Megan get dressed while Jon was downstairs with the boys. Thankfully, Tim was in a better mood after breakfast, so the festivities were back on track.

"Okay, ladies, we have to decide about the hair. I'm not an expert on ladies' fashion, but I'll try my best.” Mickey wasn’t sure how to tame Megan's wild brown curls and Kayley's wavy blonde hair.

There was a knock on the door, and when Jon walked in with Aunt Katie, he had a big smile on his face. "Ah, reinforcements, fantastic," Mickey joked as he stepped back.

"Let's go take a walk downstairs while Miss Katie finishes up with the girls," Jon suggested.

Mickey grabbed his new suit jacket and nodded, kissing each girl on the forehead before he left the room. He followed Jon downstairs and out onto the back porch. There were glasses ofsparkling wine on a tray, and when Jon grabbed two, handing one to Mickey, the look on his face had Mick concerned. It was a smile, but it seemed to be a worried one.

"Before we get caught up in their wedding, I wanted to toast you. You've embarked on this journey with me, Terry, and Meggie, without questioning if I've lost my damn mind, and I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me, Mick.

"I love you. I've been honest about that, but I just wanted to remind you how much I love you. We need to settle in the same place, Mickey.” Jon’s nervous smile on display.

Mickey leaned forward and kissed Jon on his soft, full lips. When he pulled away, he cleared his throat. "I don't know the Bible 'cause we didn't ever go to church when I was a boy, and with what happened to me at Lola's hand, I have no love for any religious who come around, but I will pledge my love to you with everything inside me, Jonny. Those two beautiful children? I'll love them like they're our own if they're in our lives. I truly love you, and I'll do my very best to take care of you, all three of you.” Mickey gave the man another soft kiss.

"I don't know if I believe in marriage, Mick. I've seen how much people can tear each other up because of a failed marriage, but…that being said, I want us to make a life together. You and me, and those two kids if fate blesses us. Would you do that with me?" Jon held Mickey's hands in his, taking his breath away as well.

Mickey chuckled. "Hey, I don't have any great role models with regard to marriage either, so I'm open to whatever you wanna suggest. I'd guess we have a lot to consider, right?"

Jon wrapped his arms around Mickey's shoulders and kissed his cheek. He nuzzled into his ear and licked it. "We don't have a time clock over our heads, so we figure this out as we want, right? I love you and want a life with you, Mick.”

All Mickey could do was nod in agreement. He certainly did love the man, and yes, a life with Jon Wells was everything his heart desired.

Chapter Twenty-three

"Would you dance with me?" Jon asked Mickey as they sat at a table next to the dance floor. The wedding had been beautiful, and when Jon caught Mickey drying his eyes as he stood at the altar next to Tim, Jon knew the man he loved had a sentimental streak. It made him happy.

Jon didn't have one, but he was pretty sure he could depend on Mickey to remind him when they needed to take time with things regarding the kids. Jon was practical, and if Mickey was his emotional other half, they'd be perfect.

"I'd love to dance with you, Jonathon Wells, Esquire.” Mickey stood and led Jon to the makeshift dance floor on the grass at the Katydid. There was a four-piece country band on the back deck of the farmhouse, and everyone was dancing.

Ryan was dancing with Kayley, Danny's niece, and Rocky had Megan, holding her on his hip as they danced to the slow, country song. Terrence was sitting with Matt's former in-laws talking to Robby Collins, and the two seemed to be getting along well, which pleased Jon very much.

Mickey wrapped his arms around Jon's waist and pulled him close. In turn, Jon wrapped his around Mickey's shoulders and kissed his neck. Mickey had lost the tie as soon as the vows were said, and he'd opened his shirt collar. The jacket to his new suit was situated on the back of a white, wooden chair at their table, and Jon was happy to feel the muscle and heat from the man he loved.

As the singer sang about kissing in the rain, Jon held Mickey close. "The wedding was really nice," he whispered to Mickey as they swayed together to the music.

---