Page 116 of Gideon's Gratitude

Since I wanted that as well, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

He promptly took full advantage by thrusting his tongue in possessively.Mine.

I had no argument. Because it went both ways. Archer had gone from the annoying neighbor to my forever in the span of six weeks. What would our life together bring?

I couldn’t wait to find out.

Epilogue

Archer

Gideon begged for a small affair, but Clementine Chamberlain insisted upon a large gathering for her eldest child.

I, not wanting to be caught between my fiancé and my mother, remained neutral. I saw both sides of the argument. I liked intimate. A small day with just me, Gideon, and the kids appealed.

On the other hand, I’d never live down the harassment if I didn’t invite all my siblings. At least my mother was willing to cap the guest list at forty. My former receptionist, paralegal, and Jean-Michel were in attendance. He tried to evade my sister Chelsea for all he was worth, knowing that way lay trouble.

To my exasperation, she was attending the wedding, with permission from the court, while wearing another ankle bracelet.

The judge had issued a stern warning for her to behave.

She’d promised and had been given leave to attend her big brother’s wedding.

Just this one time.

Probably helped the woman was a friend of Dad’s. The latest hijinks involved a blockade to prevent the pipeline from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia.

I didn’t bother to explain how futile her efforts were. At least she hadn’t blown anything up.

This time.

As for me, I’d landed well at the law firm of Herrington, Herrington, and Son. None of the lawyers specialized in divorce, so my unique skill set was appreciated. And I was already making a name for myself in Mission City as well as the entire Cedar Valley. My colleagues had become friends, and so I’d invited them today—as a way to balance out my family and because, to my delight, my coworkers had become good friends with Gideon as well.

My new law partners, Everett, Gil, and Nicole were all here. Everett’s partner Rayne was as well and, frankly, the guy was a hoot. And a huge hit with our kids—especially when he brought his German shepherd rescue Champ to visit.

Champ and Lucky adored each other—and loved the kids even more.

Gil—thesonin the Herrington firm—and his husband Cullen had two kids of their own who also enjoyed spending time with Melodie and Trevor.

Nicole was alone today. The most reserved of the four of us, she tended to hold things close to herself. That said, she clearly loved attending barbecues at our house and had taken a particular shine to Trevor, who found her unique, strawberry-blonde hair fascinating.

I’d tried to encourage Gideon to reach out to old colleagues and friends from his times at the docks. He’d gently turned down the offer. Instead, he’d cultivated relationships with Maddox and Ravi, Justin and Stanley, as well as Dean and Adam. We’d become good friends with the other gay men on our street, and so the six of them were invited.

When Gideon asked me if he could invite Rainbow and Kennedy, I’d been more than happy to agree. Despite Mother’s protestations, we weren’t going for traditional seating at the ceremony, thank God, because my side still would’ve outnumbered his.

Leo plus one would’ve made the even forty, but the surgeon had been called away for an emergency and hadn’t been able to make it. We’d become…friendly. Sometimes he just hung out so the kids could see the adults all acting…adult. Modelling good behavior.

It worked.

I was disappointed the man, and his potential plus one, hadn’t been able to attend. For the kids’ sake, it would’ve been nice. And not as awkward as I might’ve first thought.

Would Leo find his own happily ever after? I hoped so. These days, I wanted everyone to be happy. Heck, even Channing was bringing a date. A nice transwoman he’d met at the university. Who’d promptly been adopted by the entire Chamberlain clan.

Melodie presented herself before me. “When can I have cake?”

I eyed the three-tiered monstrosity. “I think Grandma might not approve.” I spotted my mother. “Why don’t you ask her about a cookie?” I didn’t like doling out treats, but it’d be another five minutes before the ceremony started. Most of my family still mingled, but Pia sat in the front row, holding baby Belinda, while Lucky sat at her feet.

The dog was fascinated by this new human. Another creature to wrap around his enormous paw.

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