11. Epilogue #4
When the officiant announced, “You may now kiss,” Calder reeled him in, and Adam flung his arms around his mate—his husband—and kissed him for all he was worth.
There were catcalls from the guests—Simon and Evie—and when they finally pulled apart, Adam knew he was pink with embarrassment, but he was also happier than he’d ever been.
At that point, they sent off the boat photographer and the other staff.
Simon had explained to them that Adam’s family had a private tradition that they liked to enact after the ceremony.
And then, in front of their family and friends, Calder unfurled all his arms and tentacles, and the two of them had shown off their mate marks.
(Simon had catcalled again.) Moira confirmed their shifter familiar bond, and everyone had come to hug them and congratulate them.
Including Adam’s father, who’d been a little awkward but had actually hugged Calder as well as Adam.
“I can see you’re happy,” his father told them. “That’s all I ever wanted.”
Adam hugged him back, hard. “So happy, Dad. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
“I’ll do better,” his dad promised.
Adam nodded. Only time would show how he actually behaved towards Calder, but if he made this much effort going forward, Adam was sure they could get through this. (Later, Adam would suggest a good therapist.)
And then Calder put his squid arms and tentacles away, Adam pouted, and Calder kissed him again as Simon declared that it was time to get the party started.
“Adam made cake!” Simon yelled.
Everyone cheered loudly, and Adam couldn’t help but laugh, the feeling of pride and love emanating from Calder enough to fuel him forever.
It didn’t matter if Adam had no rhythm or coordination, because he and his dad had a father-son dance that Adam had thought would never happen.
Calder genuinely didn’t mind when Adam stepped on his feet—and Adam knew that for sure now, because he could feel Calder’s emotions.
They’d said they didn’t need any gifts and would prefer a donation to help save the ocean, but there were a few little things for them anyway.
There was a couple’s massage, an annual pass to the aquarium, and several beautiful cards.
Adam was relieved that people hadn’t spent a ton of money on them—until he got to Simon’s present.
He gaped at it.
Simon just smiled sunnily at him. “It’ll form the container, make it unbreakable, and produce the saltwater. You should be able to have it formed in less than ten seconds once you’ve practiced. That’s what Ever estimates, anyway.”
It was a bespoke spell. This kind of spell was made by a Spellsmith, and it was expensive.
“We can’t accept this!” Adam yelped.
Simon rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mortgage the house I don’t own. Ever’s a friend.”
Adam spluttered. “But it’s too much!”
Simon’s expression softened and went stern at the same time.
Adam wasn’t sure that anyone but his best friend could manage it.
“It’s to keep you and your shifter familiar safe.
Of course it’s not too much. Now say, ‘Thank you, Simon,’ and promise me you’ll show me how awesome the spell is once you can cast it. ”
“Thank you, Simon,” Adam parroted, still kind of stunned. “That’s so wonderful of you.”
He’d have to talk to Calder about telling Simon the truth, but regardless, he felt so much better having this spell in case there was a circumstance where Calder needed to be in his little squid form on land.
Calder engulfed Simon in a hug, which made Adam realize he was a fool, and as soon as Calder drew back, he flung himself at Simon and knocked his chin into Simon’s skull. They both exclaimed and laughed, and Simon wrapped his arms around him tight.
“You’re the best,” Adam told him.
“I am, aren’t I?” Simon sounded very satisfied.
Adam laughed.
Then Simon pushed Adam back into Calder’s arms. “Dance with your boo, boo!”
Adam rolled his eyes, but he was already reaching for Calder. Simon headed towards the bar.
“We have the best friends,” Adam said happily, still sort of amazed.
“We really do,” Calder agreed. “You’ve found a wonderful group of people.”
He had, hadn’t he? Adam had mostly thought of himself as not really having anyone, but as he looked around his bonding ceremony, he realized that was incorrect.
There might not be a lot of people, but they mattered.
His relationship might not be perfect with his parents, but that mattered, too. They were all trying.
He looked back at Calder, who mattered most of all.
“I love you,” Adam whispered. “So much.”
“I love you, too,” Calder told him. “More than anything.”
It might involve falling into cakes and stepping on toes and squirting ketchup where it didn’t belong, but Adam didn’t doubt for a moment that life would be an adventure they went on together. Calder would always be there to catch him.