Devoted (17 page)

B
lue Ridge took
their sweet time calling to deliver the final verdict.

Jake told him it was probably a good thing; that they would have sent some muscle over a lot earlier if they had any reason to punish them in the harshest way possible. In Russ’s mind, though, it meant they were carefully combing over all the “evidence” and trying to find something to stick them with.

The worst part about it was he
knew
he and Jake were in the wrong. They had gotten married just to get Ryan on Jake’s policy. There wasn’t any getting around that. He doubted he’d be able to convince a judge to go easy on them, either. The fact that their marriage had turned into something real wasn’t exactly the best defense in the world.

Russ had a hard time enjoying his life with Jake when one phone call was still hanging over them, and when Jake finally heard from them on a Saturday afternoon, he’d practically climbed on top of him to hear what they had to say.

Jake had been kind enough to spare him and had put it on speaker phone, but Russ had still stuck close, needing the support.

“We’re calling to inform you that the addition to your policy has been approved, and the claims you filed recently will be upheld. We thank you for being a valued Blue Ridge customer.”

It sounded so fake, so automated, that Russ could barely contain his comment. Jake seemed to anticipate that, though, and put two fingers over his lips to stop him from saying anything. Russ just smiled, that sudden flood of relief finally hitting him.

They were in the clear. This was the end of it all.

With this and Ryan’s surgery behind them, they could finally start their life together.

“Thank you,” Jake said, actually sounding gracious. “Is there anything more you need from me?”

“Everything’s taken care of on your end, Mr. Larson. Your husband and son will be covered for any future expenses.”

Husband. Son. Damn, those words sounded good.

Better than Russ would have ever guessed. So much so that he couldn’t help but fixate on them, his gaze falling on his wedding band. He’d worn it every day since he and Jake had made up, but something still felt… off. And it wasn’t just the fact that the ring still needed to be resized.

As Jake finished the conversation and hung up the phone, Russ finally realized what it was.

Those bands had been exchanged during a quick ceremony that was only meant to be a formality; just a way for one friend to help out another. And they were worth more than that. What he and Jake had was worth more than that, too.

Jake let out a long breath, and his smile lit up the room. “Looks like we’re in the clear.”

Russ smiled back at him. He’d intended to make some joke, or just say something in agreement. Instead, what he said was:

“Let’s get married.”

Jake’s smile remained, and he arched a brow. “One month, and you’ve already forgotten?”

No, he definitely hadn’t forgotten. Every day when he woke up with Jake by his side, and every night when he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around him, he was reminded of just how lucky he was.

“I mean let’s do it for real.”

His heart was pounding in the most ridiculous way. They were already married. Suggesting they have a real wedding shouldn’t send him into a full-blown panic attack. But in the back of his mind, there was still this small, niggling doubt; the chance that Jake would wise up and realize he could have way better than a woodworker who stressed out about everything.

It didn’t help that Jake just stared at him for a while, lips parted before they pulled into a slow, amused smile.

“Are you proposing to me?”

Russ narrowed his gaze. Jake seemed on the verge of laughing at him. Truth be told, Russ wasn’t far from laughing, himself, but that was beside the point.

“Are you going to make me get down on one knee, asshole?”

Jake grinned, and Russ’s fears evaporated. Jake
was
just messing with him. Even if he didn’t say it, Russ could see the answer in his eyes. They practically shimmered with emotion.

“Hmmmm,” Jake said, stroking his clean-shaven jaw. “How about this: I’ll play you for it. If you win, I’ll accept as-is. If I win, you have to do it over again. Slower, and without pants on.”

Russ laughed. “You’re on.”

He all but lunged for the game box, grabbing it from under the TV. It was beat up from years of seriously irresponsible use, and missing half of the pieces, but he and Jake still managed to play a nail-biting game of Candy Land. Somehow, he knew Carrie would have approved.

And laughed her ass off when he lost.

R
uss leaned over
, trying to see out the window and into the backyard.

They’d decided to have the wedding at their home; it seemed the most fitting place. And while their yard wasn’t huge, it was big enough to accommodate the handful of guests and meager decorations. Jake had been pretty adamant about spending only a reasonable amount of money, and Russ couldn’t really argue with that.

He scanned the crowd, glad to see only familiar faces; no tag-alongs or people who just came for the banquet Jake had cooked up over the past few days. Up front, he saw Ray and James from the courthouse, and he couldn’t help but smile at that. They were the first people Russ had thought to invite. Behind them sat a few of their mutual friends from college, along with Carter and his wife. While Carter had never been at the top of his guest list, Jake had argued that they’d never hear the end of it if they didn’t invite him.

A few of the people from Jake’s clinic had come, along with a couple of Russ’s friends. He only spotted a few empty seats. Lynn accounted for one of them, and she was almost certainly with Jake right now on the other side of the house. That left two seats that sat side by side, and seeing them empty now made Russ regret even looking.

He shouldn’t have invited them. Even then, he shouldn’t have expected them to show up, and he definitely shouldn’t be disappointed that they hadn’t. He was never going to have an amazing relationship with his parents, and that was just the way it was. Today proved he had all of the things he needed in life; he didn’t need them.

But not having their support hurt just the same.

“I can’t tie this if you don’t stop moving.”

Ryan’s agitated voice pulled him away from his pity-party. His son stood on a step stool in front of him, trying valiantly to tie his bow tie the right way. They’d pulled up instructions on his tablet, but it was starting to look like a lost cause.

“Sorry, bud,” he said, staying still while Ryan worked. “You excited for today?”

“I guess so.”

Russ arched a brow. He knew Ryan was a pretty low-key kid, but that wasn’t really the answer he’d expected.

“I mean, nothing’s really going to change, right?”

Russ smiled. As far as Ryan was concerned, this was already a done deal. Maybe it had been for longer than Russ even realized. Once again he was thankful for having the coolest kid in the universe.

“Right.”

“It’s cool that you get presents, though.”

Russ laughed. Ryan would appreciate that, but then Russ would be lying if he said he wasn’t curious about what was in the boxes their guests had stacked on top of the war table. Especially the box from Ray and James, though he guessed he and Jake would have to open that one in private.

“Okay. I think I got it,” Ryan said, the tip of his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrated.

Russ looked down. His bow tie was ten different kinds of crooked, but he wasn’t about to fix it. It was perfect just the way Ryan had tied it.

“Awesome job, bud. Think you can run downstairs and make sure Uncle Jake and Aunt Lynn are ready?”

Ryan disappeared, taking the stairs two at a time. A few minutes later, he loudly announced that they were, in fact, ready. Russ blew out a breath, rolling his shoulders. Only for Jake would he wear a tux. The damn thing pinched in five different places. But he knew he wouldn’t have to stay in it much longer.

Heading down the stairs, he stopped as he made it to the bottom, his breath catching in his throat.

Jake stood near the doorway, tall and handsome and sexy as hell. If he looked even half as good as Jake did in a tux, then he’d concede the point. Of course, Jake’s tux seemed a lot better made. It was a crisp black, accentuating the width of his shoulders and the sharp lines of his body. The vest and tie were both a dark blue that brought out the color in Jake’s eyes; eyes that shone with so much emotion that Russ could barely make himself move for fear of disrupting the moment.

“Hey,” Jake said, his dimples showing as his smile turned a little shy.

Jesus. Russ hadn’t thought it possible for him to look better than he already did, but apparently he was wrong.

“Hey yourself, handsome.”

He finally moved to the bottom of the stairs, holding his arm out for Jake. Jake took it, glancing down at his attire with a grin.

“Love the bow tie.”

“I tied it,” Ryan said proudly.

“You did an excellent job,” Lynn said.

“You did,” Jake agreed with a smile before turning his attention back to Russ. “You ready to do this?”

“Definitely.”

They walked out to the backyard, their arms linked the whole time. Family and friends stood up as they took their places up front. Russ’s gaze fell on a familiar pair, and he found himself nearly doing a double-take. His parents were here. His father wasn’t scowling, and his mother wasn’t making that
bless your heart
face she was so good at.

They actually… smiled at him, and he managed a smile back.

The officiant—the same one that had married them at the courthouse—made his way up front, and Russ turned to face his husband. Ryan stood at his side, while Lynn stood with Jake. Russ reached out to take Jake’s hands in his. They’d come so far in the past month, but to Russ it just seemed like the next step in something that had been building for years.

He had everything he wanted—everything he needed—in Jake. Someone who would support him when he was right and guide him when he was wrong. Someone who would love Ryan just as much as he did, and be an active part in raising him. Someone he could share everything with, both good and bad.

Russ said as much when it came time to renew his vows. He always had so much trouble expressing himself, but with Jake, it was easy.

“Jake: You’ve been by my side for a long time. You’ve stuck by me through every stupid thing I’ve ever done, and even tried to talk me out of a few of those things.” Jake chuckled softly at that. “Joke’s on you, though, because the best scheme of all wasn’t even my idea. Marrying you, having you in my life… It was everything I needed. You kept me sane and grounded when my world was falling apart, and you’ve helped me rebuild it, piece by piece. You’ve been a partner to me, in every way possible. I’m so lucky to have you as a husband, and even luckier to have you as a friend. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Jake smiled in a way that made it clear he was trying to hold back a few tears. His eyes shimmered with moisture, and Russ gently squeezed his hands.

“Jacob, is there anything you would like to say to your husband?” The officiant asked.

Jake nodded, drawing in a steadying breath before letting it out. “Russ: You’re the first person I want to share my joy with; the person I can count on to always cheer me up when I’m feeling down. It never mattered what I needed or when I needed it, you’ve always been there for me, without ever expecting anything in return. You’re kind and caring. An amazing father and the best friend I could ask for. Is it any wonder I fell for you?” He offered Russ a soft smile. “I know you say you’re the lucky one, but I just can’t see how anyone in the world could be luckier than me. You let me into your family, and I can’t even begin to explain how much that means to me.”

Russ swallowed. Now he was starting to feel a little emotional. But one of them had to stay strong, right? They were supposed to balance each other out, not collapse into a heap together.

As the officiant held up their newly-resized rings, Russ thought that maybe just this once, it would be okay.

“On your wedding day, these rings served as a symbol of your love and devotion to one another. I ask that you reaffirm that love and devotion now.”

Russ took one of the rings and slid it onto Jake’s finger.

“Russell David Callaghan, will you continue to have Jacob as your husband? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”

“I will.”

Jake took the other ring, and Russ smiled as he slipped it on his finger. Just like Jake’s, it was a perfect fit.

“Jacob Anthony Larson, will you continue to have Russell as your husband? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”

“I will.”

“Then today, before your family and friends, I am honored to bear witness to the continued bonds you forged on your wedding day.”

This time, Russ didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wait for permission. His hand rested at the back of Jake’s neck and he pulled him in for a kiss. And just like their first, it was a game-changer for Russ. It was more than just a simple kiss. It was the start of a new life together. A life filled with love and happiness. A life forged with the one person who got him more than anyone else on the planet.

A life with his best friend.

Russ couldn’t imagine anything better.

J
ake had been here before
, sitting on the other side of a large desk, waiting with bated breath for an answer that could utterly change his life.

Except this time, he wasn’t alone.

Russ sat on one side of him, constantly shifting in his seat, seeming more nervous about this than anything else they’d done. Every now and again, Jake reached for his hand, and he stilled for a few moments before fidgeting once more. If he hadn’t learned to live with Russ’s tendency to overthink and second-guess everything, he supposed they wouldn’t be sitting here now. As it was, he found Russ’s deep concern over their current predicament incredibly endearing.

But it was a good thing there was someone else to help balance him out.

Ryan sat on the other side of him, calm and cool and completely unaffected by the interview they’d just undergone. In the three years since Jake had become an official member of the Callaghan family, Ryan hadn’t changed too much. He was still the center of everything, and still way too observant for his own good.

He seemed to know his presence here could be a deciding factor. It was likely why he’d foregone a JROTC practice to be here with them, even when he didn’t have to be.

Now the three of them sat, waiting for the woman who’d spent the last hour with them to return. When she finally did, Jake’s pulse raced, and anticipation wound through him. For Russ’s sake, he stayed outwardly composed. But inside he was a tangle of nerves all churning together with a fair dosing of hope that Russ had helped him cultivate months ago when they’d started the process.

The woman who was helping them—Rosita—smiled brightly, but Jake knew better than to consider that a good sign. The woman who’d crushed his dreams the last time he’d tried this had also smiled at him.

“I apologize for the wait, I had to speak to my supervisor.”

She sat back down in her chair and Jake noticed she had a folder in her hands that she hadn’t had before. Jake fixated on it, as if it would magically open and reveal the answer.

“Before I go over the options with you, I just want to say that I’ve seen a lot of couples come through these doors, and you are by far one of the most supportive. It’s been wonderful speaking to you and hearing your story.”

Jake smiled at that. No matter how much he wanted an answer, he wouldn’t turn down such acknowledgment. He knew he and Russ had a strong relationship. They wouldn’t have survived so many years as friends if they didn’t. But hearing someone else say it made it that much more real.

“Blame that on him,” Russ said. “He does all the heavy-lifting in that department.”

Jake rolled his eyes. That wasn’t even remotely true. Over the last few years, Russ had been his rock. There for him when one of his patients had passed away, there for him when the pressure had become too much, and there for him when he’d just needed someone who would understand that he didn’t want to bring his work home with him.

Russ had been a model husband, and a model partner.

“And he’s being modest,” Jake said, though that didn’t even begin to describe it.

Rosita smiled. “I don’t doubt that. All of your references speak so highly of you both, too.”

That was a bit surprising, considering Russ’s parents were listed as a reference on his side, and he had no doubt they’d been called. Their relationship with their son hadn’t exactly improved by leaps and bounds, but it did seem like they were trying to make an effort to accept Jake as a part of the family.

“You’ve also done an excellent job raising your son,” Rosita said, smiling at Ryan. “The fact that he’s here with you now, supporting you both is very telling.”

Russ reached over and ruffled Ryan’s hair, and Jake smiled at him. The small quirk of Ryan’s lips was the only answer to their affection, but Jake knew Ryan realized how big this was for them.

“Obviously we have to look at several factors when deciding whether or not you’d be good candidates. And after reviewing your application—”

Time seemed to slow, and Jake held his breath, his fingers twining with Russ’s.

“—we think you would make excellent adoptive parents. Congratulations Mr. Callaghan, Mr. Larson. Your application is approved.”

It took his brain several moments to process those words. They ran together in a jumble, and he was forced to untangle them one by one to make any sense of them. It was Russ’s reaction that finally made it sink in.

“So we’ll be able to adopt?”

“You can,” she said. “I’ll send you home with some packets, and you can look through them to get an idea of the child you might want to bring into your family. As long as it’s a good fit, you’ll be approved.”

Jake’s heart thudded in his chest. He was approved.
They
were approved. He and Russ would be able to bring another child into their family, and give that child the love and care he or she deserved.

“Do I get to help pick?” Ryan asked.

Russ laughed softly, his voice cracking with emotion. “Yeah, bud. You can help us find a good match.”

The rest of the world faded away as Jake met Russ’s gaze. His husband smiled at him, and Jake saw his own feelings reflected in his eyes. They’d built a home together. A wonderful life. It might not be perfect, but it was perfect for them. Now, it would be even more so. Soon, their family of three would become a family of four.

And Jake knew it wouldn’t have been possible without Russ. He’d known how much this meant to him. He’d consoled him years ago, when Jake had been turned down the first time. Now Russ was by his side, sharing in one of the most joyous moments of his life.

Just as it should be.

Just as it would be for many years to come.