Page 181 of His Boys to Protect

“Come in! Make yourselves at home. Can we get you anything?”

“Where have you been hiding them? They're adorable!”

Ward had to cover Charlie's ears with one hand, holding the boy's head against his chest, while Skylar clung desperately to the other. “It's okay, Charlie,” Ward murmured. “I know. Lots of loud feelings.” He looked at his parents. “Charlie has autism. He's very sensitive.”

“Oh!” Everyone instantly quieted.

“But he's so smart and brave,” Ward went on, running his fingers through Charlie's hair. “Aren't you, sweet boy?”

Charlie gave a hesitant littlechirp, eyeing the strangers all around him.

“He doesn't speak,” Ward explained, “but he will sign to you once he gets to know you better.”

“We've been learning,” Vaughn announced, wearing a cocky grin as he pointed at himself and his husband.

Mom gasped. “You knew?”

The conversation erupted again. Ward eyed Charlie, crouching down to look him in the eyes. “If it's too much, we can go.”

Charlie's gaze roamed as he thought about it, then shook his head.Family now.

Ward grinned. “Yeah. Family now.” He turned to Skylar. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Skylar nodded, looking teary-eyed again. “Jeebus criminy. Can I really have this? Is this for real?”

“It's real,” Ward assured him. “This is your family now. And they're gonna love you so much.”

“Come sit down!” Dad said with a grin. “Have a drink.”

“Who wants to help set the table?” Mom added as the entire party made their way towards the kitchen.

Charlie perked up at that.

“He loves setting the table,” Skylar pointed out.

Ward helped Vaughn with the turkey while Dad showed Charlie where the dishes were. The boy set the table for eight, and nobody even batted an eye when Charlie made a spot for his late sister, bringing up a picture of her on his phone. Meanwhile, Skylar was taking direction from Mom, finishing up one of the side dishes while Mom checked something cooking on the stove. Ward couldn't stop smiling. This was what he'd been craving all his adult life.

It was finally real.

They had a perfect day. Ward couldn't have been prouder of his family, welcoming Skylar and Charlie as though they'd been there all along. Nor could he have been prouder of his boys. Charlie stepped away and found quiet when he needed it, then came right back and joined in. And Skylar bravely confronted the question of how they all met. He even told the truth, looking almost terrified the whole time. But he sought out Ward's hand and pushed through.

By the time Skylar finished explaining how he'd gotten into the life he'd had in the first place, Mom was crying and pulling Skylar into a big hug.

“We're your family now,” she said. “You are always welcome here. Don't ever forget that.”

By the time they went home for the night, Skylar looked like a huge weight had left his soul. He was so happy. Ward couldn't get enough of it.

They went home, and without saying a word, the three of them reached for one another, kissing and groping and pulling off each other's clothes.

Charlie stopped with a gasp after taking off Skylar's shirt.

“What?” Ward asked.

“Oh!” Skylar said. “I forgot to show you.” He turned slightly to the right and hunched his left shoulder.

Ward gasped. The heart tattoo was no longer empty. He reached out and gently touched Skylar's skin as Charlie did the same.

Charlie bounced in place, squeaking erratically as he signed,Us! Us! Us!

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