Blue’s wedding was turning out to be a success. Seeing how happy both my brothers looked on that special night made me realize I could be happy too. Coming back to the city after being away for so long, I realized the only thing I needed was my family and love. Even though I had never been looking for love, especially with another man, River was perfect for me. Love found me.

I realized River’s humility kept me grounded. I guess people were right when they say the best things in life happen when you aren’t looking for it.

River looked beautiful that night. I didn’t want to tell Blue, but River was the most handsome person in the room. People came up to me and asked me who he was. And what did I tell them?

I told them he was my boyfriend. I was starting to like how it rolled off my tongue. I was happy to get to claim River as my boyfriend.

River didn’t know how great of a person he was. He was kind and understanding. It wasn’t only me who thought so. My brothers couldn’t stop telling me. Blue and Hunter noticed how much happier I was when River was around. They were constantly telling me how perfect River and I were together, and I trusted my brothers’ judgment over anyone else’s in this world.

I was in my forties with someone in their twenties. But age didn’t seem to matter. It was the chemistry between us and how different and similar we were that made us perfect for each other.

I went over to the bar to talk to Hunter. We were both watching Blue and River laugh and have a good time on the dance floor.

“I’m a lucky man,” Hunter said. “Seriously, if I’d never met Blue, I don’t think my life would be anywhere as great as it is now.”

I smiled. “I feel the same way about River.”

Hunter punched me playfully on my shoulder. “In that case, you should put a ring on it.”

“I’ve been thinking about it,” I said. “But I’m waiting for the perfect time to propose to him.”

Hunter took a sip from his drink. “There’s no perfect time for things like this. You just have to trust your judgment and go for it.”

“Have you thought about having kids with Blue?” I asked.

“Of course. Blue keeps nagging me about it. But we have to figure out how we want to have it. Blue wants to adopt. But I kind of want a mini-version of me running around the house.”

I wondered if Harry and Carter wanted to get married as well. I was happy they moved into my place so that I could watch my nephew grow up. He said his first word the other day, and I was woken up at six in the morning by Harry because of it.

Pollock’s first word was dad, and still to this day, Carter and Harry fought over who Pollock was referring to when he’d said it. Even though Harry and I never got along when we were younger, we’d become pretty close now that he lived with me. I knew he’d teach me a thing or two about being a good dad.

I ordered some shots and rounded everyone up to do it with me. River, Blue, Harry, Hunter, and Carter. These were my men, the people I loved most in this world. I’d once thought that having money would make me happy. That relentlessly pursuing my career, even though I was halfway across the world was the key to living a fulfilling life. But I didn’t need all that.

As the night went on, we realized we were pretty hungry still and decided to sneak off to the McDonald’s across the street. Blue could barely walk straight from drinking so much, and he had to hold on to Hunter so that he wouldn’t fall on the sidewalk.

I realized the best thing in life was getting to spend time with the people I loved. Even if it meant going to McDonald’s drunk and wearing expensive suits. We ordered way too much food and sat down to eat it.

“I spent thousands of dollars to throw this wedding, and we end up eating at McDonald’s?” Hunter said.

Blue laughed. “You know nothing makes me happier than chicken McNuggets.”

“I think you’re only happy because you’re eating it with us,” I said.

Blue nodded. “You know what, Gray? You’re wrong about many things. But I think you might be right about that.”

River leaned his head against my shoulder and laughed.

“I love all of you so much,” River said.

Carter pulled out a flask from the inner pocket of his blazer and poured the contents into his McDonald’s cup. We all looked at him funny.

“What?” Carter said. “I’m the only one who’s keeping the party going.”

Blue tried to take the cup to drink out of it, but Hunter took it away from him.

“That’s enough alcohol for the night,” Hunter said.

Blue pouted and ate another chicken nugget.

I looked at River who had a smile on his face. I was glad he was able to deal with my crazy family. I wrapped my arm around him and kissed his lips.

“You guys are so cute. It makes me sick,” Blue said.

“Hey, if we had to watch you kiss Hunter on stage, you’re going to have to deal with us kissing too.”

Blue rolled his eyes. “But this is my wedding day.”

“Really? I had no idea it was your wedding,” Harry said sarcastically. “You only mentioned it a thousand times.”

“Does anyone have any popcorn,” River said as he watched the three of us bicker.

When we finished our food, we sneaked back to the Opera House and pretended like we hadn’t disappeared for an hour. I brought River up to the second floor so that we could have a private moment to ourselves. From up there, we could still hear the music and could see everyone below. I could see Blue dancing with Hunter, and Harry dancing with Carter.

“I love you,” I whispered in River’s ear.

He smiled. “I love you.”

I wrapped my arms around River, and we danced.