Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 84939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
"Oh, Matias, it's lovely," Sam said, though he was clearly disappointed. It was all I could do not to smile.
"Take it all the way out. See how it feels in your hand."
Sam looked up at me and grinned, then looked pointedly between our bodies. I found myself laughing and dropped my head to kiss him. He chuckled and leaned back. The light was back in his eyes. He pulled the trowel all the way out and then caught his breath when he saw what was on the end of it.
"Oh my God," he whispered in disbelief as the little gold ring spun in circles as it dangled from the end of the trowel. "Oh my God," he repeated.
"This was supposed to happen on one knee," I murmured.
Tears filled Sam's eyes as he choked out, "It's perfect. Here is perfect."
"Sam, you're mine and I'm yours. Nothing will ever change that. Just like nothing will change how much I love you and our family. Whether it gets bigger as we grow old together or not, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't care what my title is, as long as I always get to be at your side. But if you would do me the honor of being my husband—"
"Yes, Matias. Yes," Sam said and then he was throwing himself into my arms. The move had our bodies separating from the waist down, but all that did was allow Sam to wrap his legs around me again. He kissed me hard and I could feel his tears dripping onto my face. "I'm sorry," he said. "Everything you said was beautiful and perfect and so sweet, but you were taking too damn long."
I laughed and hugged him hard. Life with Sam would never be boring, which was fine by me. I'd never done boring well anyway.
We held on to each other for a while and then I set Sam on his feet so I could slide the ring onto his finger. It fit him perfectly.
"I don't want to take it off," he murmured as he admired the little band. I'd had gems that represented each of his children's birthstones placed on the ring.
"Why do you need to take it off?" I asked.
"It's Cruz and Elliot’s day. I don't want to steal their thunder."
"Cruz and Elliot already know. Ryan too."
"How?" Sam asked.
"I asked Elliot and Ryan for their permission."
"You did?" Sam's sweet smile lit up the entire shed. "What did they say?"
"Ryan was cool with it," I said as I began helping Sam fix his clothes. When we were both dressed, I took his hand in mine. "Elliot was a harder sell."
"No he wasn't," Sam said as he gave me a light slap on my arm.
"Why do you think I had to agree to let them use our bathroom for their exploits?" I asked with a wink.
Sam chuckled and leaned into me as we walked. I dropped his hand so I could put my arm around his entire body instead.
"Okay, at least you didn't agree to the tub," Sam said softly.
"Nuh-uh, no tub. That's holy ground."
"Damn straight," Sam murmured. He stopped suddenly and caught my hand with his. "So wait, if Elliot and Cruz are busy getting it on in our beautiful bathroom, why are we in such a rush to get back to the house? They won't be leaving for a while, right?"
"With the way they were looking at each other, we may end up moving out before they do."
"Eww, that's my son, remember."
"Our son," I reminded him. "And our son-in-law… or I guess, my step son-in-law?"
"Focus," Sam said as he gave me another slap on the arm. "So if they're not leaving, what are we doing out here? Don’t we have some celebrating of our own to do?" He looked pointedly back in the direction of the shed.
I nodded my head and said, "I knew I was marrying you for more than just your looks." With that, I bent down and pushed my shoulder into his chest. Sam let out a little gasp as I lifted him so he was dangling over my shoulder. I gave him a slap on his backside. "Hush, or everyone will hear."
Just like that, the protest Sam had been in the middle of spouting died off. But I knew I was in for a handful of gorgeous man when I got him back in his beloved garden shed.
I was counting on it.
The End