Epilogue- Hudson
Four Months Later
I stood by the rail on the deck and looked out at the ocean as the sun began to go down. We still had a couple of hours before sunset, but I was ready. I just needed to take a deep breath and relax.
Before leaving office, I’d been able to issue an executive order protecting LGBTQ athletes and their families from harassment. My successor promised to push that order into legislation. After Jack came out to me, it was the most important thing I could do at the end of my term.
I’d been a regular citizen for four months. I’d spent that time going through things and packing our life between going to playoff games and the Super Bowl. I’d put away totes full of Carrie’s things for Erin and Jack, including photos and baby keepsakes. I’d sent her wedding dress out to be re-cleaned and sealed in case my daughter wanted it someday. I wanted her to have a reminder of her mother on her wedding day.
The Storm lost in the Division Championship game to Portland, but we’d gone to the Super Bowl as spectators. Greer Rowan had invited us to attend the game as his guests. I thought Evan would be hesitant to go, but he had enough respect for Alex Hayes to attend his last game before retiring.
The sound of Adley’s voice caught my attention. She was directing event staff where to set up, then rearranged it until it was how she wanted it. Evan and I were happy to give her control of our engagement party. She’d done a great job planning this surprise, and I’d never been more thankful to her.
Evan’s hands landed on my shoulders and began to knead away the tension. I smiled as he leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“This is going to be great,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m so glad we’re doing this.”
“Yeah, it will be. I think they’ll be surprised.”
As the first guests arrived at our engagement party, Adley walked up carrying a crystal glass of what I thought had to be bourbon. I raised a brow as she sat it on the table next to me.
“Really, Adley?”
She smirked at me as she smoothed down my perfectly pressed dress shirt.
“I thought it was appropriate. You always have a bourbon before a big event.”
She patted my chest and looked up at me. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. “In case I haven’t told you, Hudson, I’m happy for you. I knew the first time we met Evan, he was the one for you.”
I laughed and pushed down the emotion. “Damnit Adley, you’re not supposed to make me cry on my wedding day.”
She laughed but wiped away a tear. “Then you’re probably not going to like this.”
Adley reached for my hand and then placed her phone in it.
I was confused. “What’s this?”
“It’s called a cellphone. I thought you might recognize it.”
“Smartass,” I grumbled. “Why did you give me your phone?”
She looked up into my eyes. “Because my sister asked me to play this for you on your wedding day.”
I looked down at the phone in my hand as tears filled my eyes. She held out a tissue for me, making me laugh. She knew me so well.
“It’s okay, Hudson. I promised her I’d do this.”
Nodding, I took the phone, walked down the stairs to our bedroom, and sat down.
I stared at the beautiful woman I’d spent most of my life with and took a deep breath.
Before I could start, Evan walked in, concern written all over his face.
“Are you okay, babe?”
Nodding, I wiped away a tear. “Adley. Her sister?—”
I held up the phone as another tear fell. Evan came over and sat on the bed next to me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close.
“What can I do?” he asked.
I smiled. “Stay with me for this.”
I held up the phone again, then pressed play.
Carrie’s face filled the screen, her smile as big and bright as possible for someone dying from cancer.
“See? I told you,” she said. “You never listen to me, Hudson, but it looks like you did. This is not a sad goodbye; it’s congratulations on finding love again. If you’re this happy, then my babies are too. I know you’d never bring someone into their lives who didn’t love them as much as you do. I asked Adley to save this so I could get in one last I told you so.”
I laughed at her snarky side. Erin was just like her.
“Be happy my love. “
She brought her fingers to her mouth and blew me a kiss, just like Evan had the day I proposed.
The video ended as Evan held me close. “I like her.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “Yeah, she was something else.”
We sat there a moment before Jack came down the stairs.
“Dad? Aunt Adley sent me down here to tell you guests are arriving. Time to governor up.”
I laughed and nodded. “Okay, we’re coming.”
He turned and took the stairs as we stood. Evan wiped away the moisture from my eyes. “Ready?”
“Ready,” I replied, pocketing the phone.
As our guests arrived, we greeted them. Preston and Nick were the first to arrive, followed by Evan’s teammates. Evan’s mother was here, but my own decided they weren’t sure how they felt about me marrying a man. So they declined. Now I understood why they never seemed to be available when Evan was around.
When Laura Langdon arrived, I pulled her to the side.
“What can I do for you, Governor?”
I smiled. “I’m not the governor any longer. But I’m going to need you to take Evan’s name off the Bachelor Auction list.”
She nodded. “Sure, not a problem. You know it’s more of a day date with a player? It could be an afternoon playing catch with a group of kids.”
I nodded. “Yes, but are you including married men?”
Tilting her head to the side, she smiled. “Yes, we are. But I removed him in November, Hudson. At his request.”
“But Lennox said?—”
She laughed and shook her head. “Lennox has his own ideas.”
“I’m learning that,” I muttered. “Can I get you a drink?”
She nodded. “Yes, please.”
Right before sunset, Evan took my hand and got everyone’s attention.
“We want to say thank you to everyone for coming. We wanted to celebrate our new family with the people we’re closest to. Even Lennox.”
Everyone laughed as the quarterback shot him the bird.
“We’re not just celebrating Hudson and the kids moving down here. We’re also getting married tonight. So if you’ll join us and our kids on the deck, we’re going to make this thing official.”
Our friends and family clapped as we took our places by the railing. The sun was just above the waterline as Preston stepped up.
“I was ecstatic when Hudson asked me to perform this ceremony. I mean really over the fucking moon.”
We laughed at the inside joke.
“So, with no further delay, let’s get Evan officially out of my hair.” He winked at us while trying to hide a smile. “Thank you, Governor.”
When the laughter had died down, Preston started to deliver his scripted ceremony.
“Family and Friends, Thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. This evening, we are here to unite Hudson Gatlin and Evan Ellis in marriage.”
I smiled up at the man I loved more than life.
“Do you Hudson, take Evan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
Preston looked at Evan.
“Do you Evan, take Hudson, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”
Evan grinned at me. “I do.”
“Hudson and Evan have chosen to exchange rings.”
I turned to Jack, who held Evan’s ring, then placed it on his finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
Evan turned to Lennox, who handed him mine. He placed it on my finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
Preston’s grin was ear to ear.
“With the power invested in me by the state of California and the internet, I declare you husband and husband. Hudson, you may kiss your groom.”
I looked into his blue eyes as his gaze melted into mine. Evan cupped my face in his hands and brought his lips to mine.
Later that night, when everyone had gone home, we crawled into bed, both of us exhausted from the day.
With my head on his chest, I ran my hand suggestively down his abs to his always-ready cock.
Evan shifted in my arms to face me, then took my mouth in a searing kiss. He pulled my right leg over his hip, then ran his hand over my ass to my hole.
I tipped my head back to breathe, then found his mouth again. I was drunk on the idea of making love with my husband.
Evan pulled back, kissed down my chest, and urged me onto my back. He took my cock into his mouth, sucking just enough to drive me crazy.
“Spread your legs,” he said, popping off my cock. He sucked his finger into his mouth, then brought it to my hole.
I complied like the good husband I was and gave myself to him. He sucked my cock as he fingered me until I was ready.
“Let me roll over.”
“No. I want to look into my husband’s eyes tonight.”
I wanted that too.
My husband watched my face as he buried himself in me. We found our rhythm as Evan brought me over. I reached for his face and pulled him down for a kiss.
When he was close, his head fell back as his orgasm crested.
Evan collapsed on top of me, burying his face in my neck. I breathed in the scent of his cologne as I held him close.
“I love you, Mr. Ellis,” he whispered to me.
“And I love you, Mr. Gatlin.”
We had a lifetime to figure that out.