He was right at home.
“It’s probably best we go shopping together. You know what you like.”
“It’s no longer about what I like, Connie. It’s about what we like as a family. As a unit.” He took her hand and he walked her to his car. “I’m going to force you to realize what you want and need is important to me as well.” He helped her into the passenger side of his car, buckling the seat belt.
After climbing behind the wheel, he buckled in and drove to the supermarket.
For the entire two hours they were there, he made her put into the cart exactly what she wanted. When they got home, he didn’t put the groceries away. He let her do it as he dealt with the laundry.
Little by little, he was going to break her down and make her realize he wasn’t going to let her down. He was only ever going to love, support, and cherish her.
She was his woman, their woman, and together, they were going to build this life with her.
On his return to the kitchen, he saw all the groceries were put away and the fridge was open. “You heard what Beau said. I can’t wait for dinner.” More importantly, he couldn’t wait for dessert.
****
One month later
Beau had watched the most beautiful service. They only allowed a couple of people from their employ to be part of it and their families, who loved Connie. Scott had been there and he’d been with them as the best man.
They’d played their part for everyone, husband and wife.
He’d gotten to dance with Connie, and then he’d watched his best friend with her. This was what he’d wanted for so long and his dream was finally coming true.
At long last.
By the end of the ceremony, he was tired, but Scott wasn’t willing to let him go to bed with his wife, not yet.
They drove back to Scott’s house, which was now theirs. In the past month, he and Connie had each rented out their places. This was now their family home and Beau, for one, couldn’t wait to actually fill it with children.
Their appointment with the doctor was only a couple of days away and they weren’t going to have a honeymoon, all three of them, until they had the confirmation that she was okay.
On arrival, Scott made them all pause. “Come on, Beau. It’s time for us to carry our woman across the threshold,” he said.
“Without hurting me in any way.”
“As if we’d ever hurt you. Come on.” Scott lifted her up underneath her arms and Beau couldn’t help but laugh as he grabbed her feet.
Connie burst out laughing. “Seriously, this has to be the most unromantic way a woman’s been escorted into her wedded home.”
“I’m sure a few men have carried a drunk woman over the shoulder,” Beau said.
Once inside, he put her on her feet and she stood up, blowing some of her hair out of her eyes.
Beau pulled her close. “This is what I’ve been wanting to do all day.” He sank his fingers into her full hair and pressed his lips against hers. “Precious. That’s what you are to me, baby.”
She smiled. “I love you.” She reached out and pulled Scott close. “This day has been the best one of my life.” She sighed. “I love you guys so much. Thank you for not walking away and not giving up on me.”
“You’re our woman and we’ll love and take care of you for the rest of our lives,” Scott said.
“Until death parts us,” Beau said.
He lived for her smile.
Scott grabbed his and Connie’s arms.
“What are you doing?” Connie asked.
“Making this complete once and for all.” They walked outside to see the porch lit up, looking beautiful, sweet, and charming. He and Scott had been preparing this for the past few weeks so Connie had somewhere to sit. “I think it’s only fair we make this official once and for all.”
Scott pulled out a ring, presenting it to them.
“You already picked the ring?” Beau asked.
“I didn’t want this moment to prolong. We all agreed to love and cherish each other. To be loyal. You’re my best friend, Beau. We were going to fight over this woman, but that changed and now, we’re working together and are united in our love of one woman. What is mine, is now yours. I have made sure if there is anything that happens to me, everything I own will be given to the two of you.”
“Aw, come on, man, this is a wedding. Don’t be talking about that shit,” Beau said.
“It’s because of my love for the both of you that I am. I wanted you both to know that I love you more than anything in the world. You’re my life and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us together.”
Connie walked up and kissed him. “And I will do everything in my power to show you that I love you. That I want this to work, and I belong to you, just as you two belong to me. We’re in this forever, together.” She took Beau’s hand. “We’re a team. I didn’t think it was possible to feel this way about anyone, but I find myself for the first time ever in my life excited about the future about what it will mean.”
Beau cupped Connie’s face and kissed her. Next, he grabbed Steve’s shoulder. “I will take care of the both of you. Nothing I do anymore will be done out of selfish reasons. I will be here for you, for all of you. I
