by Sierra Riley
Russ took one of the rings and slid it onto Jake’s finger.
“Russell David Callaghan, will you continue to have Jacob as your husband? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
Jake took the other ring, and Russ smiled as he slipped it on his finger. Just like Jake’s, it was a perfect fit.
“Jacob Anthony Larson, will you continue to have Russell as your husband? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love, honor, and cherish him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, as long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Then today, before your family and friends, I am honored to bear witness to the continued bonds you forged on your wedding day.”
This time, Russ didn’t hesitate. He didn’t wait for permission. His hand rested at the back of Jake’s neck and he pulled him in for a kiss. And just like their first, it was a game-changer for Russ. It was more than just a simple kiss. It was the start of a new life together. A life filled with love and happiness. A life forged with the one person who got him more than anyone else on the planet.
A life with his best friend.
Russ couldn’t imagine anything better.
Epilogue
Jake
Jake had been here before, sitting on the other side of a large desk, waiting with bated breath for an answer that could utterly change his life.
Except this time, he wasn’t alone.
Russ sat on one side of him, constantly shifting in his seat, seeming more nervous about this than anything else they’d done. Every now and again, Jake reached for his hand, and he stilled for a few moments before fidgeting once more. If he hadn’t learned to live with Russ’s tendency to overthink and second-guess everything, he supposed they wouldn’t be sitting here now. As it was, he found Russ’s deep concern over their current predicament incredibly endearing.
But it was a good thing there was someone else to help balance him out.
Ryan sat on the other side of him, calm and cool and completely unaffected by the interview they’d just undergone. In the three years since Jake had become an official member of the Callaghan family, Ryan hadn’t changed too much. He was still the center of everything, and still way too observant for his own good.
He seemed to know his presence here could be a deciding factor. It was likely why he’d foregone a JROTC practice to be here with them, even when he didn’t have to be.
Now the three of them sat, waiting for the woman who’d spent the last hour with them to return. When she finally did, Jake’s pulse raced, and anticipation wound through him. For Russ’s sake, he stayed outwardly composed. But inside he was a tangle of nerves all churning together with a fair dosing of hope that Russ had helped him cultivate months ago when they’d started the process.
The woman who was helping them—Rosita—smiled brightly, but Jake knew better than to consider that a good sign. The woman who’d crushed his dreams the last time he’d tried this had also smiled at him.
“I apologize for the wait, I had to speak to my supervisor.”
She sat back down in her chair and Jake noticed she had a folder in her hands that she hadn’t had before. Jake fixated on it, as if it would magically open and reveal the answer.
“Before I go over the options with you, I just want to say that I’ve seen a lot of couples come through these doors, and you are by far one of the most supportive. It’s been wonderful speaking to you and hearing your story.”
Jake smiled at that. No matter how much he wanted an answer, he wouldn’t turn down such acknowledgment. He knew he and Russ had a strong relationship. They wouldn’t have survived so many years as friends if they didn’t. But hearing someone else say it made it that much more real.
“Blame that on him,” Russ said. “He does all the heavy-lifting in that department.”
Jake rolled his eyes. That wasn’t even remotely true. Over the last few years, Russ had been his rock. There for him when one of his patients had passed away, there for him when the pressure had become too much, and there for him when he’d just needed someone who would understand that he didn’t want to bring his work home with him.
Russ had been a model husband, and a model partner.
“And he’s being modest,” Jake said, though that didn’t even begin to describe it.
Rosita smiled. “I don’t doubt that. All of your references speak so highly of you both, too.”
That was a bit surprising, considering Russ’s parents were listed as a reference on his side, and he had no doubt they’d been called. Their relationship with their son hadn’t exactly improved by leaps and bounds, but it did seem like they were trying to make an effort to accept Jake as a part of the family.
“You’ve also done an excellent job raising your son,” Rosita said, smiling at Ryan. “The fact that he’s here with you now, supporting you both is very telling.”
Russ reached over and ruffled Ryan’s hair, and Jake smiled at him. The small quirk of Ryan’s lips was the only answer to their affection, but Jake knew Ryan realized how big this was for them.
“Obviously we have to look at several factors when deciding whether or not you’d be good candidates. And after reviewing your application—”
Time seemed to slow, and Jake held his breath, his fingers twining with Russ’s.
“—we think you would make excellent adoptive parents. Congratulations Mr. Callaghan, Mr. Larson. Your application is approved.”
It took his brain several moments to process those words. They ran together in a jumble, and he was forced to untangle them one by one to make any sense of them. It was Russ’s reaction that finally made it sink in.
“So we’ll be able to adopt?”
“You can,” she said. “I’ll send you home with some packets, and you can look through them to get an idea of the child you might want to bring into your family. As long as it’s a good fit, you’ll be approved.”
Jake’s heart thudded in his chest. He was approved. They were approved. He and Russ would be able to bring another child into their family, and give that child the love and care he or she deserved.
“Do I get to help pick?” Ryan asked.
Russ laughed softly, his voice cracking with emotion. “Yeah, bud. You can help us find a good match.”
The rest of the world faded away as Jake met Russ’s gaze. His husband smiled at him, and Jake saw his own feelings reflected in his eyes. They’d built a home together. A wonderful life. It might not be perfect, but it was perfect for them. Now, it would be even more so. Soon, their family of three would become a family of four.
And Jake knew it wouldn’t have been possible without Russ. He’d known how much this meant to him. He’d consoled him years ago, when Jake had been turned down the first time. Now Russ was by his side, sharing in one of the most joyous moments of his life.
Just as it should be.
Just as it would be for many years to come.
~ END ~
Also by Sierra Riley
Firewall
"You got me fired!"
"I made more enemies than friends."
Justin West is one of the world's most sought-after IT security specialists. His skills as a network penetrator are renowned, but in meatspace he's cold and awkward. Online he's at the top of his game, and who needs soft skills when you're top dog? But in a cutthroat industry, enemies abound, and Justin is framed for a massive security breach. Soon it's not just his job on the line; his very life is in danger.
"If I can't keep you safe, what good am I?"
Bodyguard Calder Lesley takes pride in his career protecting others. In contrast to his geeky hotshot best friend, Calder uses body language and psychology to excel at his job. He only ignores his instincts when it comes to Justin. Even though their friendship has been long distance for eight years
, Justin's feelings for him are obvious. Calder's afraid of nothing... except losing a friend to pursue a new kind of love.
"We're both in danger unless we act now."
It's a fight to the death to keep Justin's fledgling firm alive. He's eating humble pie a few bytes at a time, and needs the help of someone he can trust with everything, including his life. For the first time in nearly a decade, they're back on Calder's turf: face-to-face. As his new PA and bodyguard, Calder protects him and stops him from making more enemies. The sparks fly as jealous enemies beat down the door. Opposites might attract, but can they last?
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About the Author
Sierra Riley was born and raised in a small town where she spent all her time reading under trees before she moved to the Bay Area to pursue her own love story.
She writes the kinds of books she loves to read: rollercoaster rides with happily-ever-afters. She's rarely at a loss for ideas, and credits her wonderfully supportive friends with helping her stories actually make it onto the page, as well as her husband and kids for giving her the chance to follow her dreams.
When Sierra isn't busy writing, she enjoys knitting, traveling, listening to the Pet Shop Boys, or just curling up with her dogs and cats and devouring a good book.
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