Everyone sat in white folding chairs assembled in rows of semicircles around an arbor. Once again, Wes marveled at how full his home was. It wasn’t so long ago that he’d been afraid to live his lifestyle out loud. Now, he was surrounded by dozens of friends who supported their family.
Colleagues from the university, including Olin and his partner, and Dayson Bannon and other men from Assa’s lab, were all here. Xan and Asher sat with Sandi and the other employees from The Cracked Heart. Lolo was with the team from Denni’s Bakery. The men had decided six months ago to honor Calder’s first husband by rebranding Felton’s. The McGinns were all there, along with other friends, Jordie’s co-workers from the pizzeria, friends of Ked’s from drama club, and parents whose children played with Ryde.
Wes’s mouth watered at the sight of his men standing at the front of the assembly. They each wore a different color and style of suit, although the outfits complemented one another.
Assa’s deep green velvet highlighted his red hair and shone next to Zinn’s purple. Both men had crisp white shirts on underneath, with no ties. Calder’s double-breasted charcoal gray suit fit him like a glove, and with his white shirt and sleek black tie, he looked elegant, even as his ever-present grin made him approachable.
Wes wanted to bite him.
Valentin had chosen a close-fitting dark navy suit with no shirt underneath. Silver chains looped over his chest, shining against his sun-kissed pecs. Wes had a brief flash of the man he’d met that first night in the club. Back then, he’d thought of Valentin as an enigmatic businessman. But after peeling back his layers,discovering his softness, he could no longer see him as aloof. He was steady and stoic. Quiet in his strength. Knowable only to the men who loved him.
Wes’s plain black suit and black button-down ensemble was the most boring of the bunch, but he was comfortable. And based on the heated looks in his partners’ eyes, they approved of his choice.
The five men stood in front of the arbor, vowing to love one another unconditionally. Next to them, Ked held Bash while Jordie corralled a squirming Lachie. Ryde, Lanni, and Bevin held the rings that the men would exchange at the end of the ceremony.
As they affirmed their love through words and rituals, Wes thought again of how lucky he was to be built this way. Wired to have his happiness enhanced by the happiness of his partners. To have an enormous capacity for love. As they all did.
This commitment ceremony also celebrated that they had all changed their last names to Pashuk-Rosen. Technically, Assa and Wes remained married, but they never referred to each other ashusband. Not since they’d gotten together with Valentin.
Wes glanced at Zinn as he said his vows. Zinn had once told him that before he met Valentin, he hadn’t dreamed of a husband and children. He’d wanted to travel and see the world and make art. It was one reason he hadn’t married Calder before Lachie was born. After having his wings clipped his entire life, he enjoyed feeling independent.
When he’d agreed to the ceremony, he’d told the rest of them, “I see now that being open about who we are, who we love, is a big F-you to my parents, to anyone who might judge us. I always thought of marriage as a cage. But telling the world I love you feels like liberation.”
That little speech had gotten the omega fucked and sucked all night long.
Wes thought of how many more nights like that they had ahead of them. Then he forced his thoughts to something more mundane, since getting an erection in front of their guests would not be ideal.
The ceremony itself was short and sweet. Each of the men spoke, and then they exchanged rings. Later, their most tender sentiments would be for themselves alone.
After the ceremony, the guests lamented cutting into the spectacular five-tiered cake Zinn had made for the occasion. But it had to be done, so Ked made a show of stabbing the confection like a horror movie villain while their guests played along by gasping dramatically. It would make for great photos. Much better than the cake-smash-in-the-face pictures that none of them wanted to do.
Wes was overwhelmed by his joy. He escaped to the front of the house to gather himself.
Calder found him on the porch swing. “Doing okay?” The big alpha held Bash in the crook of his arm, cradling him like a football.
“Just taking a break.”
“But you’re happy?”
Wes arched an eyebrow. “Is that a real question?”
Calder shrugged with a smile. “Not really. But it’s in my DNA to ask.”
“Ditto.” Wes patted the seat next to him. Calder sat, and Wes reached out with grabby hands until he passed over the baby.
Bash made a sleepy grunt of protest before settling on Wes’s shoulder.
They rocked in the swing for a few minutes until Assa arrived.
“I thought I might find you here,” he said, holding up the plate in his hand. “I brought cake.”
Calder patted his belly. “I’m good. In my forties now. Gotta stay fit since I’ve got four younger partners to keep satisfied.”
Assa rolled his eyes. “If you get any hotter, we’re all gonna burn up. And judging by the way you fucked me this morning, you’re holding up just fine.”
“It’s true,” Valentin said, appearing in the doorway with Zinn behind him. “You’re the hottestelderalpha in the polycule.” He winked.
“Cheeky,” Calder laughed. He tugged Zinn into his lap. “Did you enjoy the ceremony, sunshine? Not feeling too constricted now that we’re somewhat official?”