I sat in my kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee and eating breakfast. I had been on an emotional high ever since we got back. I had been alone for so long. Ever since my mom died when I was twenty. Although, truthfully, it had been longer than that. Basically, ever since that day we got in the car and left Arizona. Now, not only did I have my dad and brother back, but I had a family of my own. I looked over at the refrigerator where Emma’s picture was. Mark and I were going out with our friends tonight, and I had decided that it was time for us to discuss Emma’s rule number two, because having them halfway across town every night just wasn’t working for me.

When we got there, everyone else was already there. We stopped by the bar and grabbed a couple of beers and ordered some food. We let the waitress know we would be sitting with our friends and then headed over to the table. Matt was there with Casey and Preston and they were sitting at a large u-shaped table with Nathan and Linc. Nathan insisted on sitting by Mark so everyone shifted that direction. Nathan had really gone all out tonight. He was beautiful as always, but I had noticed that he always really glammed it up if he had had a rough day at work. The fact that he cared so much is what made him such an excellent nurse, but it took a toll on him. I was glad we’d decided to come out tonight. Mark and I had been so wrapped up in what was going on with us, we hadn’t done a good job of keeping in touch with our friends.

“We should make this a regular once a week thing guys; I’ve missed hanging out with y’all. Besides, we wouldn’t want anyone to think I had gotten too ‘domesticated’ now would we,” I said, tipping my beer bottle at Matt.

“Hey, I just call it as I see it, and you seem pretty domesticated to me.” He laughed.

“Don’t knock it till you try it, big guy.”

“Yeah, that’ll be the day,” Lincoln grumbled, glaring at Matt, and Matt just glared back. The whole table went quiet for a minute, and then Nathan, being Nathan, broke the tension by insisting Lincoln dance with him. We got up and let them out and Matt headed to the bar for another drink.

“What was that about?” I asked.

“No idea. But Matt has been acting strange ever since the big cowboy got here.” Preston shrugged.

Our food arrived then, and I forgot all about the weird exchange at the table. Eventually, everyone came back, and we all talked and got caught up on things. Nathan, Mark, and Lincoln all headed out to the dance floor. I had no interest in a three-way at all, but I had to admit watching the three of them dance together was hot. Matt seemed just as entranced as I was until Preston interrupted us.

“So, you really are serious about Mark, huh?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I am. As a matter of fact, I’m thinking about moving in with him.”

“With him and his kid and his ex-wife and her husband?” he said. “Isn’t that just really weird? I mean when we went over for the cookout, they were nice and everything, but it just seems odd. Like, doesn’t it bother you to have his ex-wife hanging around all the time?”

I laughed. “You do realize there are two houses, right?”

“Well yeah, but you guys were all in and out of both houses like it was really just one.”

“It seemed a bit strange to me at first, but now it’s cool. I think we are even going to build a covered walkway to connect the two houses this summer.”

“Seriously, dude, that is just weird.”

I thought of what Tom said about the people at his work and started laughing. Then I couldn’t stop. It wasn’t that funny, but I’d had enough to drink to think it was. At that moment, the guys came back from the dance floor.

“What’s so funny?” Mark asked looking confused since Preston, Casey, and Matt were just staring at me while I laughed my ass off.

I looked at him and simply said, “Polygamous cult,” and then he was laughing too.

We stayed for another hour or so and then decided since we had to work the next day, we would call it a night. We all went our separate ways, but I noticed Matt and Linc stopped at the bar and seemed to be having an intense conversation. “Wonder what that is about,” I said, pointing them out to Mark.

“I don’t know, but whatever it is, I hope they get it sorted out or cookouts are going to be awkward.”

“True,” I agreed. “Let’s go home; I have something I want to talk to you about.”

“Home sounds really good, and I want to talk to you as well.”

* * *

We got back to the house and got comfortable on the couch.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked him as he settled in against me. Ever since that night on the terrace, this had become our talking position. I was pretty sure he found it easier to talk when he could feel me but I couldn’t see him.

“I have been thinking about rule number two.”

“Let me think, wasn’t that no repeats or was that number one,” I joked.

“Yeah, that was my rule number two, but just like number three, it flew out the window the minute I met you.” He laughed. “No, I mean Emma’s rule number two and you know it.”

“Yeah, I have been thinking about that too. I really don’t like sleeping without you. Or waking up without you. Or eating without you. Honestly, I just miss you when you aren’t here.”

“I miss you when I’m not here too. So here is the deal. If things were different, I’d ask you to move in with me. But you can’t sell your house and move, so I guess, oddly enough, I’m asking you to let me move in with you.”

I leaned down and kissed his neck, taking a minute to make sure I hit all his hot spots. Then I spoke directly into his ear. “Mmm, not a bad idea. I mean it is a rule, after all. But I have a different kind of proposal in mind.” I continued to nuzzle and kiss him, making sure to hit that spot he loved right where his neck and shoulder met until he was practically vibrating.

“Umm what kind of proposal?” he stammered, struggling to follow the conversation.

“The real kind,” I whispered in his ear as I reached into my pocket and pulled out the ring box. I reached around him and placed the box on his stomach. His breath caught as he reached up and took the box.

“Marry me,” I said, turning us so he was no longer leaning back against me. I needed to be able to see his face. To see how he was reacting. “I love you, Justin. I don’t want us to have separate homes and separate lives. Instead, I want to share my life with you. Always. So, what do you say? Want to make being part of this crazy family official and become my husband?”

“Husband,” he said quietly like he was testing it out. He was slowly running one finger over the design of the rings. “These rings are amazing. You are amazing.” He took in a deep breath and slowly released it. “I’d love to make it official. When can we do it though? Because I’m tired of this my house, your house mess.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you never have to go back to your place again. But where the wedding is concerned, I’m thinking over the 4^th at my mom and dad’s place.”

“The 4^th? Of July? That’s just a couple of weeks away; how can we have everything ready by then?”

“It is all taken care of. Ron and Jake are even coming. All you have to do is agree.”

“How long have you been planning this?”

“Honestly? I think since the first time you told me you loved me. You wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t for real.”

“Damn straight. So, do I have to wait to wear the ring?”

“You have been mine since the weekend we went to San Antonio, and the wedding is just a formality as far as I am concerned. So, you can start wearing the ring whenever you are ready.”

“Oh, I’m ready,” he replied as he slipped his ring on his hand. “I love the Celtic knots. But why the blue?”

“You commented on how much you loved Celtic knots when we were at the farmer’s market in San Antonio. The blue is because sapphires are Emma’s birthstone. I wanted something that said we are forever. All of us.”

“It is perfect, Mark. Absolutely perfect. But you know what else would be perfect? If you took your soon-to-be husband up to our bed.”