Page 25 of Getting Hitched
Gray wished he could stop his hands from shaking. He’d faced down armed criminals and TV cameras with far less jitters than he had right now. He, Jack, and Mason stood in front of Bryce, who was acting as their officiant. Since marriages with three partners weren’t legal, and all the paperwork associated with their formal commitment—wills, power of attorney, etc.—had been handled at their lawyer’s office, anyone could perform this service for them. Bryce had become one of Gray’s closest friends, and, as far as Gray was concerned, he’d been the obvious choice. Bryce’s partners, Toby and Matt, stood beside them, serving as their best men.
Their friends were seated behind them in rows of white folding chairs that nearly filled the renovated barn. He couldn’t believe how many people had turned up. Huck and others from the DPD, including Lieutenant Thornton.
Why had Gray invited him?
Because he’s a good guy who has never cared about you being gay, or being with two men, or anything but that you’re a damn good cop.
Right. That was why.
The rest of the guests included firefighters, paramedics, Andy, Henry, Jenna—a girl Gray had rescued last winter—and others from the youth shelter, as well as Elizabeth, who owned the bar where Mason worked, and Jack’s brother and parents, the only members of their families who fully accepted their relationship. When Andy had arrived, he’d told Gray that Jeremiah was doing well, but he needed to stay at the shelter for his own protection.
All the people gathered in that barn accepted Gray, Jack, and Mason for who they were and supported what they were doing, which was making themselves as close to married as they could get. Looking out over all of them, Gray couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. His eyes stung, and he squeezed them shut for a second. He would not cry. Not with so many people here.
“Are you ready to get started?” Bryce asked.
Gray, Jack, and Mason all nodded.
Mason was unusually pale, and his hand was sweaty as he clasped Gray’s. Jack stood on Gray’s other side. He looked more at ease than Mason, but he was bouncing on his feet, a sure sign he was nervous.
“Welcome, everyone,” Bryce said.
Slowly, the buzz of conversation faded. Gray glanced back at the audience. They were startlingly attentive. He’d been more comfortable when they were all conversing.
“As you know,” Bryce continued, “we are here today to celebrate the love of Jack, Gray, and Mason and be witnesses as they formally commit their lives to each other.”
Wow, that sounded really serious. Gray’s heart thumped against his ribs.
Bryce continued, giving a short speech about how commitment, marriage, and love come in many unique forms, but Gray didn’t hear much of it. The whooshing in his ears was too loud. Why had they decided to get all mushy in public like this?
It was your idea.
It… Shit, it was. What was I thinking?
“Jack,” Bryce said, turning to face him.
Oh, God. This was it, the part where they would say their vows. Would Gray remember anything he’d intended to say?
“I believe you have some words you’d like to say.” Bryce was still addressing Jack. At least it wasn’t Gray’s turn yet.
Jack pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
Wait. Jack was reading his? Gray thought they were supposed to memorize their words for each other. He hadn’t brought his cheat sheet.
Jack cleared his throat. When he looked from Gray to Mason, all thoughts fled Gray’s mind. The emotion in Jack’s eyes, his love for the two of them, it was too much; Gray’s chest was so tight he could barely breathe.
“I love you both,” Jack said. “Without you I wouldn’t have had the courage to get to where I am today. I wouldn’t have pushed myself to become an advocate for homeless youth or applied to be on a task force. You give me strength every day.” He glanced down at the paper, and a tear dropped, wetting one corner.
Shit! No way was Gray going to keep it together if Jack started crying.
“I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with the two of you.”
He reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring. They’d agreed to each give one of the rings, and Gray would receive his first.
“Gray, this ring is for you.” Jack reached for his hand, and Gray realized he was supposed to hold it out.
His hand shook so badly, Jack had trouble sliding the ring on. When he had it in place, Gray leaned down and gave Jack a kiss, a quick brush of lips, but he still felt the heat of Jack’s mouth all the way to his toes.
Jack took Mason’s hand too. “I vow to honor and love you both always.”
