Chapter Eleven
Beau was pissed. Fabrice had known he would be.
People didn’t elope in this family. They allowed Beau to give them the proper, extravagant wedding.
He was double enraged at the little detail of Zander being the witness.
That was his job. Fabrice hid while Beau stomped around the house, throwing out demands and making calls to throw together a wedding.
Fabrice and Kirkland damn well better act like this was their one and only wedding day. He should have seen this coming.
While standing in one of the secret passageways, Fabrice had his back to the wall. Technically, Kirkland had pushed him against the wall in one of the hottest kisses of his life. His body was on fire. Kirkland’s hands never stopped moving. Clutching, massaging, and squeezing.
“Awww. You two are too cute.”
At the sound of Kylo’s voice, Kirkland dropped his forehead onto Fabrice’s shoulder. Fabrice got it. They had been seconds away from having their hands in each other’s pants.
It was Kylo, though. Fabrice flashed him a bright smile. “Sorry to be blocking your hide and seek tunnel.”
Kylo made a dismissive gesture. Today, he was dressed in all black leather with a red tutu fluffed out around his waist. “I’m hiding too.
You really made Daddy angry. He actually spanked me earlier.
” The smirk Kylo wore said a lot. Kylo had provoked that shit and enjoyed every second. “He’s a lot calmer now.”
Kirkland chuckled. It was a muffled sound from the crook of Fabrice’s neck. Fabrice’s smile grew. He was so in love.
“I’ve never seen you this happy.”
For some reason, Kylo’s statement made him blush. “That’s because I haven’t ever been this on top of the world.”
Kirkland lifted his head at the confession. Their gazes locked. He saw all the love he felt reflected back at him. Damn, he wanted to fall into those eyes and never surface.
When Fabrice forced himself to look away, he found Kylo skipping in place while watching his feet. He was a ball of unique sunshine. Fabrice had adored him from the day they met.
“Hey. How do you feel about being my flower boy?”
The way Kylo lit from the inside was heart-melting. “Are you serious? I’d love to do that.”
“I’m completely serious. There’s no one better for the job. Plus, you know I love you.”
“Awww.” Kylo clasped his hands and twisted from side to side. “I’ll be the best damn flower tosser you’ve ever seen.”
Fabrice couldn’t stop smiling. He glanced toward Kirkland, expecting to find a commiserating grin. Instead, he found Kirkland looking thoughtful. “I should ask Atticus to be the ring bearer.”
A surprised bark of laughter burst from Fabrice. “Sorry. I had an immediate image flash through my mind of Atticus carrying a pillow down the aisle, and in no way did he behave.”
Kirkland laughed. “It was probably a premonition.”
Fabrice slapped Kirkland’s ass. “Get going. I don’t know how much time we have before Beau comes looking for us.”
“You’re right. See you out there.” He skimmed a quick kiss across Fabrice’s lips before walking away.
Fabrice watched him slip past Kylo and disappear. When the last wisp of clothing vanished, Fabrice focused on Kylo.
Kylo motioned for him to follow. “Come on. We have to pick out something to wear.”
Fabrice followed, keeping his thoughts to himself.
There was no way in hell Fabrice would fit into any clothing Kylo owned.
Kylo talked a million miles a minute about clothing and makeup.
Fabrice couldn’t keep up. All he gathered was that it would take Kylo hours to put together the proper outfit, and Fabrice wasn’t sure he could handle that.
“I like what you’re wearing.”
Kylo tossed him an annoyed look as they entered his room-sized closet full of clothes. “This isn’t a wedding outfit. This is a seduce-Daddy outfit.”
Fabrice nodded along since he had no words for that one. He watched as Kylo dove in and yanked outfits from the hangers with a little too much enthusiasm. “Hmm. I can’t wear white.” Kylo looked his way. “Do you want to wear white?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t fit into your clothes.”
Kylo made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t be silly. You’ll wear one of Daddy’s tuxes. He has several colors. I figured you want either white or black.” He went back to searching through his clothes. “I wonder what color flowers Daddy ordered. Let me text him.”
Fabrice’s mind wandered. What would Kirkland wear? Should they match? No, he would let it be a surprise. That might appease Beau slightly. Something about the wedding would be genuine.
“Be sure to tell him I’m not seeing Kirkland again before the wedding. I want to be surprised by what he chooses to wear.”
Kylo nodded as he typed. “Okay. Daddy says he ordered a variety of colors, so I’m good with any outfit.” His phone chirped. Kylo looked at it again. He chuckled. “He says he accepts your apology.”
Fabrice shook his head, but he couldn’t stop smiling. No matter how this wedding came about, Fabrice realized he wanted it. “You should wear purple.”
“A starting point. Yay!”
Fabrice’s face hurt from smiling. He had needed this day and hadn’t even realized it. He supposed Beau had been right about everything again. How irritating,
For Kirkland, the best part of having a wedding was Fabrice not working. He got to have a celebration where he wasn’t trapped in the kitchen. Pierre had stayed to put in the work, so Fabrice didn’t need to even think about the food table's side of things.
They had chosen to walk down the aisle alone.
Then Beau had let them know that wasn’t fucking happening.
Pierre and Beau gave Fabrice away. As Kirkland watched Fabrice head toward him, wearing a white tux, his chest filled with pride.
He hadn’t once believed this life could be his.
Kirkland had resigned himself to a life of being alone.
He had too many secrets. People like him didn’t find love.
But here he was, exchanging vows a second time with the most wonderful man Kirkland had ever met.
Somehow, time moved simultaneously slow and fast. Kirkland couldn’t keep his eyes off Fabrice.
Just as he had in Vegas, Fabrice held his stare and spoke his vows clearly, as if he had never meant anything more.
Kirkland did the same. He wished he had been given a little more time to write vows rather than sticking with the norm.
Fabrice deserved more. Kirkland would make sure he spent the rest of his life ensuring Fabrice never regretted him.
A realization hit. One that had lived in the back of his mind, where he had pushed it.
He wouldn’t get anywhere near as much time as he wanted with Fabrice.
He was about to turn fifty, and then what?
Not only would he look old as fuck pretty soon, but Fabrice would likely outlive him by several years.
Atticus elbowed him hard in the ribs and spoke from the corner of his mouth. “They’re taking pictures. Smile before someone thinks you regret this marriage.”
Thankfully, the crowd of guests kept Fabrice from overhearing. Kirkland immediately rearranged his features.
After a few more pictures were snapped, Kirkland leaned Atticus’ way. “Sorry. The age gap just hit me all over again.”
Atticus shot him an annoyed look. “You’re the only one worried about that shit. That guy loves you. Don’t fuck it up.”
A laugh burst from Kirkland, catching Fabrice’s attention.
Happiness highlighted his every feature when he looked Kirkland’s way.
Atticus was right. Fabrice loved him for real.
Their gazes met and held. Cameras flashed, bringing them back to reality.
Kirkland had to look away before they embarrassed themselves.
“Time to cut the cake.”
At the announcement, they joined hands and stood where they were told to stand.
“No cake smashing, please? This is Beau’s suit. I don’t think ruining it would upset him much, but I don’t want to find out I’m wrong the hard way.”
Kirkland leaned his way, being playful. “Feel free to do what you want. I don’t care about this suit. I only wore it for you.”
A laugh burst from Fabrice. He fingered the lapel of his jacket. “The honorary old man suit. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
His face hurt. Kirkland didn’t think he had smiled so much in his life. Fabrice took mercy on him and didn’t smear too much cake on his face. Hearing Fabrice laugh made everything worthwhile.
They opened so many presents, he couldn’t keep up.
Beau gave them the title, keys, and dock number for a yacht.
Kirkland didn’t even know how to react to that one.
In fact, everyone gave them such over-the-top gifts that Kirkland didn’t know what to say to anyone.
By the time the party wound down, Kirkland was more than ready to get off his feet, and to have Fabrice alone.
“Let’s check on my kitchen before we head to our room.”
Kirkland knew better than to argue. Fabrice wouldn’t be happy until he ensured his beloved kitchen hadn’t been destroyed.
Fabrice put his arm around Kirkland’s waist. Kirkland draped his arm over Fabrice’s shoulders. They leaned into each other as they headed for the kitchen.
The moment they stepped inside, Atticus called out, stopping them. He didn’t look at Kirkland, which sent Kirkland’s alarm bells clanging. “May I speak to you alone before you vanish into honeymoon bliss?”
“Of course.” Fabrice looked Kirkland’s way. “Go on without me. I’ll be right behind you.”
Kirkland kissed him and then did as told, but he didn’t go far.
The moment he was closed into the passageway, he stopped and eavesdropped.
While he didn’t expect Atticus would do harm to their relationship, he couldn’t rule out Atticus giving Fabrice a warning about not hurting him.
Kirkland couldn’t have Fabrice threatened.
“I know this is poor timing, but you’ve been out of town. Kirkland’s birthday is in two weeks.”
Kirkland started to turn away, not wanting to ruin any plans he might have.
Then Atticus kept going and froze Kirkland’s feet to the ground.
“I recognize fifty-four isn’t considered a milestone birthday, but I’ve never gotten to celebrate him publicly the way he deserves. I’d like to do it right this year.”
When Fabrice responded, there was no missing the confusion in his voice. “Fifty-four? Kirkland turns fifty this year.”
Silence followed Fabrice’s words.
Kirkland pressed the heels of his hands against his eyeballs so hard, he saw stars. A pain sliced through his head. This couldn’t be happening.
“No. He’s turning fifty-four.”
“No, he isn’t. Kirkland is turning fifty. He’s my freaking husband. Do you think I don’t know my husband’s age? I’ve seen his license and birth certificate. He’s forty-nine. He’ll be fifty.”
There wasn’t even a pause. “That can’t be right. He’s been with me since I was three. If he’s only forty-nine, that would’ve made him like fifteen or sixteen when he came to live with us. Why would my dad…”
Kirkland didn’t wait for the truth to hit Atticus.
He darted for the bedroom. He had to get out of here.
Kirkland couldn’t leave Fabrice. Fuck, he had to get out of here.
No way could Kirkland face Atticus. He had too much to hide.
Kirkland couldn’t go down that road with Atticus.
If he did, Atticus would hate him and, no, he couldn’t handle that.
For nearly his entire life, Atticus had been the only family he had.
Kirkland had built his life around caring for Atticus like a son.
Just no. If he saw Atticus’ love turn to hate, that would be his breaking point.
The only thing that had kept him sane over the years was knowing he was the one who had been there for Atti.
Their bags hadn’t been unpacked from their trip.
Everything inside was dirty, but he could deal with that later.
For now, he didn’t have time to waste. Kirkland didn’t even look back as he walked away from everything.
Just another life stolen by Rush from beyond the grave. That bastard had always won in the end.