“Changes? Like what?” Sawyer cut into the asparagus on his plate.
“Apparently, both Cynthia and Larry have prior convictions that would have meant way more jail time. So, they took a deal. Cynthia was flown back to New York, and Larry was jailed here in Colorado. They will be in jail, and we don’t have to go through a trial.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”
Ford nodded. “Absolutely. It’s over, Sawyer. There’s no more looking over our shoulders to see if anyone is after us or the kids.”
Sawyer lifted his glass. “Then, apparently, we have more to celebrate than I originally thought.”
“We certainly do.” Ford lifted his glass, and raised it. “To our family.”
“To us.” Sawyer added.
Ford’s expression softened, “To us,” he repeated, and then clinked their glasses together, each taking a drink. The news was only going to make the evening that much brighter.
Sawyer and Ford finished off the bottle of champagne, and Sawyer heaved a sigh. Ford looked at him, the light shining in his eyes. “This evening is perfect.”
“And there’s still more to come,” Sawyer winked, and that got a chuckle out of Ford. “While the caterer prepares dessert, would you walk with me?”
Ford groaned. “If there’s dessert, then I’d better so I can walk off some of the pounds from that exquisite meal.”
Sawyer snickered, and they got to their feet. Sawyer still had so much he wanted to share with Ford. He couldn’t wait to get started. Their hands slipped into each other, and they started along the lit path he’d set up.
Ford shook his head as they made their way along the path. “You really put a lot of thought into tonight, didn’t you?”
“You deserve this and more, babe.” Sawyer pulled Ford into his side. The path led them along the stores and shops and the two restaurants that were going to be inside the resort.
“This feels like our first baby,” Sawyer said.
Ford chuckled. “Who knew we would have three more soon after.”
“Right?” Sawyer wasn’t sure what he’d imagined his future with Ford would look like, but he would take whatever came. “But this is way better.
“This is where we’re going to get the children’s input. I can see a massive play area, and maybe something for older kids. You know, I never thought of adding a kid’s area to former properties.” Sawyer pointed to the edge. “Over there at Christmastime, I can see a Santa’s workshop with elves and all.” Sawyer stepped behind Ford and put his arms around his waist.
Ford turned around and stared at him but didn’t say a word. Sawyer worried he’d said more than he should have.
Ford wore a lopsided smile and then said, “You see all that?”
Sawyer nodded. “What do you see?”
Ford looked around the area. “I see our family. Our future.”
“Me too.” Sawyer cupped Ford’s cheek and wiped away a tear rolling down his cheek.
Sawyer wrapped his hand around the side of Ford’s neck and brought him in for a kiss.
35
Ford
Ford and Sawyer walked hand in hand back to their table. The waiter stood at their table, unmoving as they arrived and seated themselves. Once they were settled, he smiled at them and asked, “Ready for dessert?”
Sawyer looked over to Ford and arched an eyebrow. Ford nodded, and the waiter left. Ford then turned back to Sawyer. “You really thought of everything, and when I look at the layout you described for me, I can really see it. You’re building this for us and for the kids. We’re building this for our future.”
Sawyer grinned. “Our future…”
They sat up in their seats as the waiter walked over with two pieces of chocolate cake, a dash of ice cream on top. “My favorite dessert too,” Ford singsonged. “A man could be spoiled this way.”
“I’d spoil you every night given the chance,” Sawyer said. He took a bite of his dessert at the same time as Ford. Ford groaned. It was amazing. He wiped his mouth as it continued to water, demanding more. They finished off the dessert in silence. Ford kept looking around, just picturing everything that was in store for the new resort. When he looked back to Sawyer, he saw a silly smirk on his lips.
Ford blushed, wiping his mouth off for a final time, and let out a sigh that almost sounded disappointed. “And just like that… all good things must come to an end.”
“Yeah… I suppose you’re right,” Sawyer agreed.
Ford nodded, albeit reluctantly. “After all, we have to get home and get Callum. We should spend the evening with at least one of the kids.”
Sawyer dropped his napkin down on his plate. “You know that your parents would gladly keep Callum overnight. In fact, they’re already planning to.” He laughed. “It’s getting late, and he’s probably already asleep as well. I’d say that there’s really no rush to get home.”
“Hmmmmm…” Ford murmured. “But where would we sleep?” he asked, then smirked, splaying a half-crooked smile on his lips.
“Who’s talking about sleep?” Sawyer teased. His gaze traveled up toward the night sky. “It’s a beautiful night. There are a thousand stars above us. To me, it’s the perfect setting to camp out. The unseasonably warm weather for fall just pulls it all together. Don’t you agree?”
Ford’s eyes drifted upward. He had to admit that it wasn’t exactly a stupid idea. The blanket was already laid out, so it was clear that he’d already had it in mind. He glanced back at Sawyer. “Are you asking me if I’ll get dirty with you in the outdoors?” Ford asked. He winked at him, and Sawyer’s face lit up.
“I wasn’t going to put it quite like that, but since you did, then hell yeah.”
Ford laughed. He tossed a look over to the blanket, then back to Sawyer, and finally got up from where he was sitting and walked over to where Sawyer was. Sawyer scooted his chair back, staring up at Ford.
“What you gonna do?” Sawyer asked.
Ford placed his hands on Sawyer’s legs, then spread them
