Page 187 of His Boys to Protect

Of course, it wouldn't be legal. It lent a bittersweet air to the whole thing, but there was no getting around it. Until they lived in a better world—a freer world—they had to work with what they had. The very idea of marriage being a legal institution rubbed him the wrong way, but Ward was also practical. His boys needed to be protected.

After a long talk about their options, Ward had gone online and applied to be ordained to perform a wedding ceremony. They'd gotten a marriage license for Skylar and Charlie, so at least those two would be legally wed. It left Ward with no rights whatsoever, but that wasn't as important as making sure his boys were taken care of. They would have legal rights and protections, and that was enough for him.

Besides, with him ministering their union, at least he could say he'd married them.

But the real ceremony—the one that truly mattered to all three of them—would come after. They'd get the legal one out of the way first, and then their real wedding would begin.

Ward pulled on his boots, took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and walked out the door.

He went downstairs, following the sound of voices to the sitting room. All their friends were there, giving up Christmas Eve to celebrate with them. Ward saw his parents, along with Vaughn and his husband. Charlie's parents were there, as was Charlie's middle brother, Quinn. All the other daddies and boys had come, too.

Their family. All the people who mattered.

Vaughn came up to him and gave him a big, tight hug. “You ready?”

“Yeah.”

“I am so happy for you.” Vaughn pulled back and looked Ward in the eyes. “It's gonna be perfect.”

“I hope so.” Ward blew out a breath. “I'm nervous.”

“Don't be. This won't be like last time.”

“No. I know that,” Ward replied, and he meant it. He wasn't nervous for himself. Somehow, he was no longer afraid of being rejected. Abandoned. He, Skylar, and Charlie were in this for good. Ward felt that all the way down to his soul.

But he was nervous for them. He wanted this to be perfect for his boys. To be enough.

Vaughn gasped. “Oh. Look.”

Ward slowly turned, then froze. Charlie stepped carefully down off the last riser and paused there, rolling his head as he glanced all around, taking in the crowd. The boy winced, then straightened up and walked forward anyway.

He looked so brave and beautiful, Ward thought his heart might burst.

“Hey, sweet boy,” Ward murmured. “How are you feeling?”

Charlie scanned the room.Loud, he signed. Before Ward could reply, the boy went on.I deal.

“You sure? You can wait upstairs until we're ready to start.”

Charlie shook his head.Important!

“Okay.” Ward bent down. “We'll have some good quiet time later, okay? I promise.”

Charlie's eyebrows went up a little.Sex first?

Ward laughed. “Sure, little mouse. Whatever you want.”

Charlie scrunched up his face in a grin.

“There's your other one,” Vaughn murmured.

Ward and Charlie looked up, watching Skylar approach them. The boy looked so vibrant. So much better than when Ward had found him back in San Francisco. Skylar had been so pale and drawn that night. So worn down. But now he looked happy right down to his soul.

It was breathtaking.

Skylar joined them and looked all around. “Holy moon pies, this is really happening. I'm getting married!”

Ward grinned. “Yeah, you are.”

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