A seventy-two-hour waiting period required by the state of Louisiana had Michael and Gavin getting married on the beach in Key West. For as long as Michael lived, he knew he’d never forget the way Gavin stared at him as he repeated his wedding vows. He didn’t know how he’d missed the pride in the man’s eyes, as if Michael was the greatest thing in Gavin’s life. Michael’s chest hadn’t stopped aching since. A new weight of responsibility bore down on him, making it hard for him to breathe. He didn’t regret marrying Gavin. That was the best decision of his life. He was afraid of himself. Coach was due to arrive any minute, and Michael was ready to crawl out of his fucking skin. Gavin had spent years hiding his real self because of his father and although Gavin never talked about it, Michael got the impression Coach wasn’t handling having a gay son well. Michael was scared he might beat the shit out of the man if he said the wrong thing. He might be a little guy, but he had protective rage on his side. Coach might’ve given Gavin life, but that life now belonged to Michael. No one hurt his husband. The only thing currently saving Coach from Michael’s wrath was Gavin’s confession. Coach was the only person in Gavin’s family still speaking to him since coming out. Michael’s heart broke every time he thought about it.

Michael made one more pass through the house, ensuring it was clean enough for visitors. They’d stayed at Gavin’s for two weeks before Mara had shown up with a brightly wrapped wedding present—the deed to the rental house where Michael had been living. They were still moving things around, trying to decide where everything would go. Gavin’s house was now empty and on the market. Between the money from the sale of his house and the money Gavin made from working on the movie set, he had the funds for his art studio. Gavin hadn’t decided yet when he’d get started. For now, they were enjoying their newlywed status.

The doorbell rang, and Michael’s heart raced up into this throat. He shot a glance Gavin’s way. He looked fine—like it was any other day. Michael moved to answer. When the door swung wide, he blinked in surprise at the crowd of people on the other side. Mara had one arm linked through Coach’s while Coach stared down at her with stars in his eyes. Cal stood at their backs with a baby carrier linked over each arm.

Mara’s eyes and smile were bright. “Look who I ran into in the drive. He was nice enough to walk me to the door.”

Michael checked Cal’s reaction. A small smile hovered on the man’s lips, as if unsurprised by anything when it came to Mara. “Coach has always been a gentleman,” Michael said as he stepped back, making room for their visitors to come through the door.

Coach’s gaze never left Mara as they filed inside. “You never told me your husband was friends with this lovely woman,” Coach said when Michael closed the door behind him.

“Michael is more than a friend,” Mara said, her smile somehow managing to become even brighter. “I couldn’t survive without him. He’s like family. I’m thrilled he’s married your son. They’re perfect for each other.”

Coach nodded, as if every word coming from Mara was gospel. “I completely agree. This is the first chance I’ve had to visit since they ran away to get married, screwing me out of being part of the wedding,” Coach said, flashing his first disapproving glance their way. He immediately went back to staring at Mara as he led her to the couch. She didn’t release his arm until she got settled.

Mara released an irritated-sounding sigh. “I wasn’t thrilled about that either, especially since I was pregnant at the time and couldn’t travel. Otherwise, I would’ve tracked them down and invited myself.”

Coach filled the empty spot beside her as if Mara’s husband wasn’t there. Cal shot Michael an amused glance. Michael relieved him of one of the baby carriers. He moved the blanket covering it aside to see which baby he held. Bright gray eyes stared out at him. Michael barely stopped himself from gushing. He’d never spent much time around babies until Mara had given birth. Now he had a hard time staying away from the pair. Michael tuned out the rest of the room as he unbuckled Lucas. The boys were identical in almost every way, but Michael could tell them apart. Lucas had a small birthmark on his chin. Logan didn’t. It wasn’t until he settled the tiny warmth against his chest and leaned back in the chair to cuddle with the bundle that he noticed how quiet the room was. He tore his gaze away from Lucas long enough to look up. Every eye was focused upon him. He got the feeling he’d missed something important while he’d been focused on one half of his greatest baby loves.

“What?”

“You look like you need a baby in your arms,” Gavin said, making Michael’s heart turn over in his chest. He sounded like he enjoyed the thought.

“I’ve always wanted grandkids,” Coach said, adding his thoughts.

They hadn’t talked about a family. Now that Michael had the idea in his head, it felt right. His throat swelled as he stared at his husband. Was this the same person who’d shattered him into a million pieces once upon a time? Michael couldn’t remember the pain anymore. Gavin had filled him with so much beauty and light Michael couldn’t see anything else. Their life would be amazing because he knew Gavin wouldn’t allow it to be any other way.

“See,” Mara said, dragging Michael’s attention away from the greatest love of his life. “It’s like I said outside, they look at each other like no one else exists. I’ve never seen two people more meant for each other.”

“I see that,” Coach said, sounding thoughtful.

Michael’s gaze slid back Gavin’s way. One day soon, he’d have to find a way to thank Mara for being the most amazing person on the planet. Right now, Michael couldn’t see anything other than the happily ever after sitting across from him.

The End.

Keep an eye out for the next Hard Hit book, .