Page 53 of Home For Christmas

“Can we not do this again?” Jasper groaned, knowing that she was going to get sappy.

Marla laughed and kissed his forehead. “Only because it’s your day. Enjoy it. All of you.”

Chapter 6

Greg

December 25th

Marla swore it was our day, but the reality was, it was everyone’s day. We’d come so far both individually and as a trio to reach this point of our lives. The people around us today had been instrumental in supporting us until we’d found each other, and to a large extent, they’d supported us through our relationship too. Had any one of the people on this ranch not been there for us, there was no doubt in my mind we wouldn’t be getting ready to commit ourselves to one another.

Looking around, everyone seemed to be on their best behavior, even Slade, who was standing on the other side of the barn holding Nate’s hand and smiling.

“We set up a place by the tree line to get you three hitched,” Declan announced when he seemed to decide we’d had enough time.

Harrison shivered beside me. “Just thinking about being outside makes me cold,” he whispered. “And I bet they aren’t going to let us wear our coats.”

“The hell they won’t,” Jasper whispered back. “We pull off Carhartt-chic like professional models. Besides, what’s that song say? It’s our wedding and we can do what we want?”

Harrison doubled over laughing. “I think you butchered the lyrics, but the sentiment is close enough.”

Ty threw an arm over Jasper’s shoulder. “I really don’t think they care what you wear. I think Mom is just super excited to finally be able to call your men her sons. And by the way, the sooner you three do your thing, the sooner we get to eat… I’ve seen the food, and let’s just say we don’t want to let that get cold.”

Glancing around, I was pretty sure we were the last to arrive anyway. The kids were running around, Jasper’s brothers were there, and Marla and Brice were accounted for. With my kids and their partners, Cody, and Michelle, I didn’t think it mattered if anyone else showed up or not. This was more than I could have asked for, especially when just a few hours earlier we’d thought everyone was snowed in at Denver.

Channeling the voice I used to use on new recruits, I called out into the barn so everyone could hear me. “I hear it’s time to get married!”

Emma bounded over to me and placed a kiss on my cheek. “I like the idea of you married.”

I smiled at that. “I do too.”

She looked over the field. “I think it’s supposed to be the dad walking the daughter down the aisle, but how about we change it up a bit?” Emma held her arm out to me and I linked mine in hers, then we headed toward the treeline.

When we met up with Jasper and Harrison, she let my arm go, then leveled my men with a fierce stare. “Treat him well.”

They both nodded. “Always.”

Her smile softened. “Yeah, I know. I just figured I needed to say it. Congratulations.” She hugged each of us then went to find Devin in the small crowd gathered around the spot where the ceremony would take place.

Getting to the little archway, which had been decorated in boughs of pine and holly, wasn’t fancy. There wasn’t a wedding march, or chairs for guests, or extra songs. The three of us simply walked there while our family gathered around us.

Derek had somehow become the unofficial officiant and stood in front of us, his hands buried in his coat and rocking from foot to foot as the wind blew around us. “I could go into the whole dearly beloved stuff, but I’m not going to. We’re here to celebrate these three amazing guys and join a bunch of crazy people together as one family. Do you guys even have vows?”

“Best officiant ever,” Jasper snarked.

Derek rolled his eyes but looked at us expectantly. “Uh, not really,” Harrison finally admitted.

“Best. Grooms. Ever,” Derek replied.

Jasper stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out my ring. Thanks to the different colors on the inside of the bands, we could easily tell them apart. “Greg, I’ve kind of thought a little about what I wanted to tell you,” he began nervously. “It’s hard to put into words the way you’ve changed me and what you’ve brought to my life. Without you—both of you—”—he amended quickly, looking from me to Harrison and back—“I’d still be putting in sixty or more hours a week and knowing something was missing but not knowing what. You were patient enough to wait for me to figure myself out, and strong enough to understand that I can love two people at once. You were brave enough to take a chance on me—on us—and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you.”

And I was already crying.

Harrison chuckled nervously. “I don’t think I can top that, but I will say that I knew there was something different about you from the moment I met you. At first I was jealous that you’d caught Jasper’s eye, but as I got to know you, I fell in love with you just as much as I had Jasper. I think I was in love with you before we ever had our first date. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Derek cleared his throat as Jasper and Harrison pushed the ring on my finger. “Dammit, I’m already crying.” Laughter went through the group huddled around us and Derek spoke again. “Okay, who’s next? Greg or Harrison?”

Harrison pulled a ring out of his pocket—Jasper’s. His was red. I’d honestly expected him to choose black when the ring designer had asked, but Jasper had surprised me. Harrison looked at the ring and smiled, then looked at Jasper. “Ha, this time I don’t have to follow some super-sweet speech.” He grinned triumphantly. “Jasper, you were the first man I ever loved. Well, I guess you were the first man I had a crush on, but as a teenager it certainly felt like love. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to share the rest of my life with you. It took us a while to figure our shit out, but what matters is that we did, and it’s perfect.”

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