Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A fter Bryan dropped the kids off at school, he tried to work, but he couldn’t concentrate. Every little noise had him jumping up and going to the front door to see if Dev was back. He finally locked his files away and settled for pacing. The apartment was big enough he could wander for a while before he was going over the same territory.
Grant’s trial had finally wrapped up—the trial itself hadn’t been that long, really, but it had taken ages before it had happened in the first place—and they were expecting a verdict today. Dev had gone down to see for himself that Grant was punished. He’d been charged with violating his court order and aggravated assault. For some reason, he’d pled not guilty. Bryan still couldn’t wrap his head around that. The case against him had been strong, almost iron-clad, and he hoped they not only found Grant guilty but threw the fucking book at him—whatever the maximum was. He’d be happy with any jailtime, though.
He circled the playroom and headed back out to walk the living room. A part of him couldn’t believe this was his home now. It was such a stark contrast to the situation he’d been in when Grant had stolen everything. They’d gone from almost homeless and visiting the foodbank to the lap of luxury.
They were settled in here now—they had a rhythm, for the kids, for work, for each other. He’d never been so happy. Who would have thought that bonding over the thing that nearly broke them would lead to happy families?
He continued on to the kitchen, the scene of so many cooking lessons. Mostly for Marley, some for Juniper and the boy, almost none for Dev. His lover enjoyed hanging out with him while he cooked, keeping him company, but Dev just wasn’t into learning. That was cool, Bryan was happy to be the main cook. And anytime he didn’t feel like it, for whatever reason, Dev was more than happy to order anything they wanted. He was so spoiled and so in love that it was a physical feeling inside him.
Heading into the bedroom next, he smiled at the sight of his pillows next to Dev’s, at the sight of both their books on the nightstands, the heavy comforter they shared. He leaned over and buried his face in Dev’s pillow, breathing in Dev’s scent. He should have done it earlier, the smell calmed him down, eased his tension some. It was almost like a hug from Dev, so he pushed his face into the pillow again, taking deep breaths through his nose.
He felt something hard under the pillow and pulled it out. It was a ring box. A ring box with a beautiful sapphire men’s ring in it.
Oh god. Dev was going to propose. His eyes prickled with happy tears, and he shoved the ring box back under the pillow where he’d found it. He couldn’t contain his grin as he headed back out. Maybe he’d make something fun for supper, or dessert. Maybe both. If he put in a grocery order now, it would be here in plenty of time for him to cook.
Going back into the kitchen, he opened the fridge to check what they had, dishes he could make running through his head. If he went with a surf and turf meal ,he’d have to order basically everything except for potatoes and salad fixings, but they already had pork chops and he could do like balsamic chops or something…
The key card beeped in the lock, heralding Dev’s arrival, and his nerves ramped back up again. Bryan went to the hall to meet Dev.
His lover didn’t tease or make him wait. “He’s in jail for two years. By then, the civil suit for his theft will be in full swing. Life is good.”
Relief flooded through him, and he went over to Dev, throwing his arms around Dev’s neck. “Yay! Oh, thank goodness.”
“I know. Good news, and we can just breathe easy for a bit. All of us.” Dev gave him a warm, gentle kiss.
“I was so worried they’d let him off with just probation or vacate the restraining order or something.” He could admit that now that it had resulted in jailtime and Dev was here safely in his arms, kissing him.
“Yeah, but we’re solid—we have everything in place to keep us safe from him. Regardless, I have an amazing family here now.”
“ We have an amazing family.” Bryan shook his head as it occurred to him that Grant was actually why they’d met. As awful as that had been, something special and wonderful had come out of it. The best silver lining ever.
“Yes. Absolutely.” Dev kissed him again, and he closed his eyes and let himself get lost in it, in Dev.
When the kiss ended, Dev gave him a happy, easy grin. “I don’t suppose you’d like to go out for lunch?”
“I would love to go out for lunch with you. Where are we going?” Not that it mattered, he’d happily eat at a food truck if that’s what Dev had in mind, as long as he was with Dev.
“Let’s go to Lion in the Afternoon. I have a reservation for us. Let me go change shirts and we can head over.”
Bryan’s stomach growled, and he chuckled. “Well, part of me is very interested. That sounds wonderful.” The food there had been delicious, and he’d love a chance to try some of the other dishes he’d seen on the menu.
“Perfect. Be right back.”
He watched Dev go to change his shirt. There was nothing wrong with the shirt he was wearing. And that made him think about the ring he’d found, about what it meant, about how Dev was actually going to get the ring and going to ask him the big question.
Suddenly, he wanted this to be about them, not about a public declaration.
He’d had that with Grant.
He ran into the bedroom as Dev was tucking the ring into his pocket. “I found the ring by accident, and yes, I’ll marry you. Absolutely.”
Dev blinked at him, obviously surprised, then shook his head and chuckled, drew Bryan in close. “Oh, good. Marry me? Did you see the inscription?”
No, he hadn’t. “It really was an accidental discovery, and I didn’t take the ring out of the box or anything.”
Dev opened the box and handed the ring over. Bryan looked on the inside to read the inscription.
“Forever. I mean it. D.”
That was so Dev and so dear, and he threw his arms around Dev and kissed him hard. “Yes. Yes. I will marry you forever. I mean it, too. B.”
Dev laughed and kissed him back, holding him tightly.
“Good. Good. Now, put your engagement ring on, and we’ll go eat a long lunch before we pick the kids up and tell them the good news.” Dev winked at him, playful as anything. “They all get to be sisters, for real.”