EPILOGUE
Six months later
ROMAN
Waking up next to a snoring Carter, feeling refreshed from a full night's sleep, knowing there are no longer demons tormenting me throughout the night, has me laying back in bed to count every one of my blessings. It’s almost been a whole year since my release from prison. I walked out of those gates with nothing but hopes and dreams of reconnecting with my family and finding a way to live peacefully.
What I have been blessed with goes far beyond anything I ever would have even dared to wish for. Both my mom and brother now live in beautiful homes within driving distance. My mom being able to transfer with her current job to a location closer to us, made the decision an easy one for her. I am attending college classes to get certified to be a counselor at the center. I love it there. It feels like a home away from home, and while I am happy to volunteer there for the rest of my days, I recognize a need for somebody these kids can really open up to. I want that to be me. I have a long road ahead of me to get there, but I'm dedicated and willing to put in the work.
The center itself is thriving after the donation went through. It has expanded into the building next door and created a shelter of sorts for teens needing a safe place to sleep. Everything inside was replaced and upgraded, from the floorboards to the light fixtures and everything in between. We have more and more kids turning up at the door since we said fuck it and spread the word that we are here. Any vandalism that has occurred was recorded and the culprit arrested. It didn’t take long for the homophobic assholes who used to destroy anything we placed outside to give up trying to shut the center down. We have security guards around the clock and a state of the art security system in place to keep these kids safe.
With a full staff in place now, Derek has been able to really make a difference in these kids’ lives, and even with the bank balance still plentiful, James is tireless in his efforts to keep the funding coming. He still battles with his guilt but no matter how much I want to force him to go to therapy, that isn’t my fight. All I can do is be there for him when he needs me.
The biggest blessing though, is the snoring man laying next to me. From the moment we met, Carter has been this ever-present entity in my life. He came in hot, talking about soulmates and marriage, and he has never wavered on that. Not once. In fact, his belief in us grows every day and he isn’t afraid to shout to the world that he loves me. There are no conditions to his love. Except shitting on his chest. I’m not sure where that fear came from, but as I remember, he was very diplomatic in the words he chose while telling me it was a hard no for him. I still don’t understand why he would think I would be interested in that. Then again Carter's chaotic mind is one of my favorite things about him. I already know there will never be a dull moment the rest of my life with him by my side.
Which brings me back to why I’m awake right now. I doubt there are any words that would even come close to conveying the depth of my feelings for Carter. Since actions speak louder than words anyway, I have something planned for today. Something monumental, life-changing, and as far as I am concerned, as permanent as his name tattooed on my dick.
This plan has been in motion for a few weeks now. Carter Banks is not an easy man to surprise because you can never really truly predict where he is going to be at any given time. I needed him out of the house for a few hours, so James, the absolute legend, booked an appointment to add another tattoo to his sticker-style sleeve. It’s the perfect amount of time for me to transform our home, and if he happens to be finished before I’m ready, Pete will run interference. Carter is easily distracted after all.
First things first though, I need this sleeping warthog to get his ass up and into the shower. I’m pretty sure there is a rule somewhere out there that states all weddings must begin with a blowjob, or bad luck for seven years, something like that anyway.
Everything is in place. The first thing Carter will see when he walks in through the front door is a sign telling him to go have a shower and put on the shirt and jeans laid out on the bed. We both made a promise not to put on another suit unless it was absolutely necessary, and since this is a happy day, I went with matching black jeans and a white shirt with suspenders and matching forest green bow ties. When I say I , I really mean Jordy. I wanted to go with basketball shorts and a hoodie. Top levels of comfort, but everybody seemed horrified and the next thing I knew Jordy turned up at the center to take me shopping for our outfits and rings.
The guy is a force to be reckoned with that is for sure. I do need to thank him though. There is something about a heavily tattooed man in a bow tie and suspenders that just hits differently, and I can’t wait to see Carter rocking his. I have the living room cordoned off with heavy black curtains I borrowed from the shelter, and just in case he tries to sneak a peek, I have Jordy waiting on the other side to intercept him. Nobody is getting past that man. He’s kind of scary and beautiful, in makeup and killer heels with a fierce glare.
Lining the path through the living room to the back porch are the large easels that were used for the art show where I met Carter for the first time. Displayed on them are blown-up photographs of us over the last year. Beautiful black-and-white moments captured in print, a near-perfect depiction of how we choose to live our lives and the happiness that it brings.
The first is a selfie Carter took of us as we were replacing the dead wood on the back porch. The second a picture Ryan took of us at JACKS. I hadn’t even known the picture existed until I told Ryan my idea and he lifted up his phone to show me the candid shot he had taken of Carter and I leaning on the bar. With a drink in hand and smiling at each other like our world began and ended with only the other person. There are pictures of Carter at the shop with his friends, and me at the center scrubbing the bathroom floor with a big grin on my face, clearly just happy to be there.
Pictures with our families. One from the trip I took with Carter to meet his family and another of us with my mom and Ryan. None of them are staged or posed. They are literally captured stolen moments, just proving that no matter what we are doing we are happy and smiling. Unconditional love and unwavering support. What more could anybody ask for in a relationship? I am banking on Carter being his ever impulsive self when he reaches the final canvas which I have left blank.
It’s where he will find me down on one knee asking him to not only be my husband but to do it right this second. On the porch we built together, in the home we share, surrounded by all of our friends and family.
CARTER
Roman’s brand-new truck is the only thing in the driveway when I get home. Which is a good thing because the mutual blowjobs in the shower this morning just weren’t enough. I should really try and not book early appointments on Roman’s day off. I would much rather spend the extra time in bed with my man. James is a buddy though, so I wouldn’t have let him down, he seemed pretty excited to add to his sleeve. I’m not sure why the crown he wanted warranted this level of excitement but who am I to judge.
Jumping out of my car I run to the door and throw it open with a loud, “Honey, I’m home. You better be either dick out or ass up when I find you.” The laugh in response is not Roman’s and my brow creases. Where the fuck did these curtains come from? I pause to inspect them and rip the piece of paper attached to them off, reading it aloud.
“Go upstairs and wash your ass. I left an outfit on the bed. Put it on and come back down to join me. Love, Roman.” Oh my man is feeling kinky. I hope it’s a leather outfit, ohh or maybe a maid’s costume, fuck, it’s probably a Geralt from The Witcher costume. We both got a stiffy from watching Henry Cavill growl and flip his long white hair. I giddily run upstairs, I am so up for some role-play. I wouldn’t say I'm disappointed by the clothes laid out on the bed for me, okay maybe I'm a little disappointed. Geralt would be much hotter than a waiter. I assume it's a waiter, maybe I’m missing something. Then again, these clothes probably won’t be on for very long anyway, so I strip off and jump in the shower.
Being the best boyfriend that I am, I take the time to prep myself and slip in my favorite plug. Roman may have a whole scene ready to play out but I haven't had his dick in my ass in days. He has become a seriously greedy bottom. Tonight, I’ll play the good waiter, then trip and spill water on his lap, then offer to dry it up with my ass.
Once I'm dressed and smelling great I bounce back downstairs. This time the black curtains have been pulled back and the living room furniture has all been moved to either side of the room. Placed to create a path are massive canvas pictures of Roman and I. There are flowers decorating the easels and small decorative trees placed between them. It almost looks like a garden, rose petals on the floor decorate the path. What the hell is going on here? My heart is pounding so hard in my chest and so much of me wants to run the rest of the way to find Roman, but I stop to admire each and every picture.
Pure unadulterated, unfiltered happiness is reflected in these pictures. Every single one of them. My eyes are welling up by the time I reach the last canvas which is blank. I stare at it for a moment, like if I wait long enough the image will materialize onto the canvas.
It takes far too long for my mind and body to register Roman who is standing at the back door with another black curtain behind him. I take a second to drink him in. His outfit matches mine and I have a million questions to ask as there are bells ringing in my mind trying to tell me what is happening right now. I’m stunned speechless, frozen to the spot as the man of my dreams, my literal soulmate, drops to one knee in front of me with a silver band clutched between his thumb and forefinger. He has unshed tears coating his lashes as he looks up at me. All I can see shining in his eyes is my future, our future. I’ve wanted this since I first laid eyes on him. Not the on-his-knees-in-front-of-me part, well that too, but the ring, the romantic proposal. All of it. I thought it would be me down on one knee. That I would be the one to beg this man to tie his life to me. But there he is. Ring in hand and not for the first time I thank Lady Karma for sending Roman my way.
“We both knew this day was coming and I know you thought it would be you down here, but nothing feels more right than kneeling at your feet and asking you to be my husband. I know better than anybody that time is irrelevant. I lost so many years and what you have given me in less than one, voids every last one of them. So in the spirit of spontaneity and not wasting time, will you marry me, Carter Banks? Right here, right now in the home we have created together.” Like that was some kind of cue the curtains behind him open and my jaw drops as my eyes take in the backyard fully transformed.
The first thing I notice is the brightly colorful flowers, like the ones around the pictures inside, beautifully laid out on the deck leading to a full arch. There are people sitting in chairs on the lawn, dressed for a wedding. Holy fucking shit, this is my wedding day. Looking back at the arch, I see Ryan moving to stand on one side and James on the other with who I assume is the officiant in the center. I feel the tightness in my chest that started when I saw the first picture of Roman and I and it’s getting stronger with every step I take. It’s almost overwhelming, the thought and care that has been put into this. Roman has given up his brother as his best man so that I could stand beside my best friend.
Roman places his hand in mine and I link our fingers together. “After you, Tatts, everyone is waiting,” he whispers against my ear. I’m not sure I even said yes yet, but he and everybody else here knows I would never say no to marrying this man.
ROMAN
Everything goes perfectly. The weather holds up, Carter finally finds his voice in time to say I do, although it does come out on a choked sob. The poor guy is overwhelmed with so much love and attention surrounding him. Carter has always been the caretaker of his group, he loves nothing more than helping people and bringing them happiness in times of hardship. I’m not sure anybody has ever gone to these lengths just for him and he's really feeling that emotion choke him. Turning to face our friends and families with our hands linked and rings firmly in place as husbands, they all erupt in cheers and whistles of celebration.
I drop a kiss to his temple and we walk toward the important people in our lives. His parents quickly swoop in and pull him into a hug that doesn’t look like it will end any time soon, so I turn my attention to the other guests. Shaking hands and thanking each and every one of them, for not only attending and being present today, but for helping me bring this all to fruition. My eyes land on my mom, patiently waiting her turn to reach me, like she isn’t the most important woman in my life.
I lift her right off her feet and spin her around, hugging her to my chest before setting her down beside Ryan. “How does it feel to witness your son get married, Mom?” I ask, keeping a straight face and not looking at Ryan who I already know is rolling his eyes.
“For fuck’s sake, I already told you we would renew our vows in a few years. It was a spur of the moment thing. We were at Comic-Con. Was I supposed to NOT get married in front of almost every cast member from the greatest franchise ever?” He huffs his annoyance and walks away leaving Mom and I laughing. It’s way too much fun riling him up about it.
Neither of us were even remotely bothered when he called screaming that they got married at Comic-Con in front of the Marvel cast. Right in the middle of their panel. Apparently, Drew just stood up and took his shot and asked over the microphone if there was anybody in the room that would be willing to marry them and if one of the cast would sign as a witness. It couldn’t have been as spur of the moment as Ryan believes, this is Drew we are talking about. There is no way he didn’t have this whole thing planned to make Ryan his husband surrounded by his idols. He even had the marriage certificate in his jacket pocket ready to whip out for Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. to sign. It was so perfect for Ryan that nobody cared they didn't get invited. I’m pretty sure that Ryan kisses that framed certificate every day. He most definitely sleeps next to the picture of them with the cast next to his bed.
My mom pulls me down, kissing my cheek and slapping my shoulder at the same time. “I’m so happy for you, Roman, now stop winding your brother up. You know he is sensitive about that.” She scolds me just like she did when we were kids and it makes my heart swell in my chest. Something so silly that just makes me feel like a kid again.
“I love you, Mom, thanks for never giving up on me,” I tell her honestly, pulling her in for one more hug.
Silence seems to fall around us and then is broken by soft strumming coming from a guitar. My head lifts as I look around for Ryan. I know I asked him to bring his guitar, but I don’t remember him carting in a speaker and a mic. It looks like he's setting up to do a show for us.
“Hey everybody, let me just start by wishing my brother, Roman, and my best friend, Carter, all the love and happiness this world has to offer. Now, since this whole thing was last minute, I didn't have a chance to get a gift. So I figured I would provide the music for a little bit. If anybody wants a chance at the mic just come on up.” He beams at everybody with that winning showman smile he has. Of course, everybody claps and cheers when he starts to play his own version of Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got You.’
I feel Carter wrap his arm around me and lean his body against my side. “Hello, husband,” he whispers against my ear. I am never going to get tired of hearing him call me that, and I’m never going to stop being worthy of that title for him.
“Hello, husband.” I smile and drop a kiss to his lips. “Are you happy? Was this a good idea?” I ask, smirking because I already know the answer but it's always nice to hear you did a good job.
“You know well and good this day is perfect, every single detail is perfection. Well, it would be much better if we could sneak away for a few minutes,” he suggests, wiggling his eyebrows playfully at me.
“I mean, I don’t want people to think I’m a bad husband,” I whisper with a nip to his neck as I link our fingers and start to make my way back into the house, dragging him behind me like teenagers sneaking away at the prom.