Page 103 of Alpha & Omega

My family clapped and cheered at my success, making me smile like a fool.

For the second time since my accident, I felt hope for my future. The first was getting engaged to Harley.

He rushed at me and lifted me in his arms, spinning me around. “I knew you could do it, Skaterboy. You’re fucking amazing.”

I laughed as he set me down. “Sort of, but I feel strangely accomplished.”

“Next stop? Winning a championship with a prosthetic. If anyone can do it, you can.”

“Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I chuckled.

Although, that would be awesome.

Halloween

Kingston turned thirty-one two and a half weeks ago, and now we were getting married. Halloween was his favorite holiday, so we agreed to celebrate our wedding then. The deal was that everyone had to dress up in costume. Did our guests look absolutely ridiculous? Yes, they did, but it was fun and unique. It would certainly be a wedding we’dnever forget.

We dressed up as Lloyd and Harry fromDumb and Dumberwhen they wore their infamous pale blue and orange tuxedos. Kingston wore the orange one, and I wore the blue one.

Our ceremony was small and intimate, and held at Alpha’s Rejects, which Kingston closed for the night. Only our closest friends and family attended. My restaurant provided spooky-themed food for the guests.

Hudson had been my best man, of course. He was dressed up as Rick, in his sheriff’s uniform, from ‘The Walking Dead,’ while Oliver was dressed up as a zombie.

Tony was Kingston’s best man, who dressed up as a werewolf. The best costumes went to the Rejects, all dressing up as the gang from Scooby Doo. Pippin dressed up as Daphne, Ajax wore the Fred costume, Nacho was Thelma, and Stix was Shaggy. Scooby was designated to Aiden, who looked pissed about it, but he always did whatever Ajax wanted.

Stone was literally dressed up as a rock, which was Stix’s idea. He didn’t look too happy about it, either. And Cueball dressed up as Lex Luthor from Superman. Although, I suppose, technically, hewasjust a bald man in a suit.

Our officiant gave words of love instead of the traditional wedding speech, and then Kingston and I said our vows. Strangely, I didn’t feel as nervous as I’d expected, which showed my confidence in loving Kingston.

We held each other’s hands, and I held back my tears, even though Kingston hadn’t even started speaking yet.

“I have always been conflicted about love. It was something I always wanted, but I never dared hope for it. Finding any sort of love is always difficult when you’re in foster care. While I wanted it, I was also afraid of it. I’m not going to lie. Those fears still linger. It’s as much a part of me as my missing leg—broken and incomplete. I fear that one day you’ll get tired of me. It’s not rational, but it is what it is. At the same time, I’ve never been happier than whenever I’m with you. Your love is a precious gift that I will never squander or take for granted.”

His blue eyes misted with unshed tears, and his clammy hands gripped mine tighter. “Ever since my accident, you’ve been my rock. I don’t know where you found the strength to put up with my ass, but you did. It’s because of you that I pushed myself to walk, to skate, and to be a better man. I’ll never be perfect, but I hope you’ll continue to love me despite those imperfections.”

A tear slid down my face as I nodded. “Always,” I whispered.

I tried not to get so sentimental, but this played too much into my romantic heart.

It was my turn to speak, so I took a deep breath. “It’s because of you I found my happily ever after. I never thought I’d find love again—not only love, but also find someone I could trust to stick it out with me. You may not believe so, but you’re so strong, Kingston. I look up to your strength. You had to fight so hard for what you have and that’s something to aspire to. People shouldn’t have to struggle so much, but you didn’t let that stop you, even when you were at your lowest.

You’ve created an amazing family. It may not be like other families, but it is no less precious. I love you for that and for all you do. Thank you for giving me a chance and for giving me love. I didn’t know how much I missed that until I met you. If you fall again, I’ll be there to pick you up every single time, and I know you would do the same for me. And I vow always to keep your belly full of good food.”

“I love you, Chef,” he said softly, struggling to hold back his tears.

“I love you, Skaterboy.”

God, he was so beautiful, even in that ridiculous orange tux.

We exchanged rings, and then Kingston lunged at me, pulling me into an all-consuming kiss to everyone’s claps and cheers.

“You’re mine, forever and ever,” he whispered.

Kingston and I washed the evening away in the shower, then came downstairs to the kitchen, still naked.

The plan was to have some sexy fun, and then we would take a few days off work to head into DC to do some sightseeing, and maybe some hiking at Great Falls. We’d both been to the nation’s capital, but neither of us had ever really explored it.

Hudson was at Oliver’s, leaving Kingston and me to do whateverwe wanted.

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