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brilliant at it.
Evan smiled; he slipped his hand into Matt's and didn't even check over his shoulder to see who might
be watching.  Yes. Yes, you are.
 Plus I gave them each twenty bucks to behave.
Evan sighed.  Twenty?
 Katie negotiated. Matt shrugged.  We probably need to start saving for law school with that one.
It was such an uncomplicated, natural domestic moment that Evan squeezed Matt's hand in lieu of
words. Matt smiled back, not quite understanding judging by the look in his eyes.
 Good thing you got that glamorous security job.
 Consulting must be Latin for shitload of money, not a lot of work. Matt grinned. He gestured toward
the closed front doors of the restaurant with his shoulder.  Should I go out and start directing people
inside?
Evan checked his watch.  Might as well. I have to go find Vic and make sure he's ready.
 Don't offer to help him climb out a window or anything. If he says yes, Helena is going to wring your
neck. Matt laughed at his own joke, bussing a kiss on Evan's check before disengaging their hands
and heading for the heavy double doors.
 I wouldn't do that, Evan said; he knew Matt was teasing, but still&  And he wouldn't say yes.
Matt looked toward the ceiling in exasperation.  Kidding. Really. Even a bachelor like me knows
true love when he sees it. He fluttered his eyelashes, teasing, but Evan shook his head.
 You're not a bachelor anymore, he said simply. Matt stopped in between the doorway, the sun
shining brightly behind him.
 Oh, Matt said lightly.  That's a good point.
They shared a look, long and meaningful, and Evan sincerely wished the wedding was over and the
reception was finished and they were back in that nice hotel room Vic had graciously gifted them with
this weekend.
 I'm gonna go& you know, fulfill my duties as an usher. Matt smiled. He half waved, then
disappeared into the light, the door snicking closed behind him.
Evan rocked back on his heels, his hands dug deep in his pockets.
He was a married man again, for all intents and purposes. The slim gold band that represented his
marriage to Sherri sat on his dresser; he didn't think he and Matt were the  commitment ceremony
type, but Evan felt very secure in the fact that Matt wasn't going anywhere and neither was he.
He doubted the kids would stand for it. He doubted if either he or Matt could conceive of it.
And now he had traditional-type marriage things to do like give Vic a pep talk about how the
second time around could mean just as much as the first.
Vic, as it turned out, wasn't very nervous. Neither was Serena. They stood in front of the floor-to-
ceiling windows, with the bright sunlight surrounding them, staring into each other's eyes as the judge
made everything legal. There was a general sniffling from the gathered guests. Evan kept dry-eyed but
there was a moment during the  I do's when he peeked over at Matt sitting with the kids in the front
row and smiled, feeling sentimental.
Miranda caught the look and made a gagging gesture.
Then she and Matt traded elbows to the ribs, as sure a gesture as a hug when it came to those two.
Evan was touched. The judge pronounced Serena and Vic husband and wife, and the hired violinist
hit her perfect cue as the applause broke out.
Helena clutched his arm tightly as they walked down to the back of the makeshift aisle. She sniffled
against his shoulder as he patted her hand.
 Okay? he asked quietly.
 Yes. Just officially melancholy. Helena wiped a few stray tears away with her wrist, hiding the
motion behind her bouquet of tightly wrapped lavender roses.  Mom and Vic look so happy.
Evan watched the newlyweds stopping at every row to collect hugs and congratulations. They both
glowed, and even as they turned apart to accept good wishes, their hands were tightly clenched.
 They do. And you look great in violet. Like a young Liz Taylor, he teased.
Helena gave him a light punch in the arm.  Shut up. She looked over the crowd now moving
toward the adjoining room for cocktails and saw Matt herding the kids together.  Matt's coming
over here. Everything okay with you guys?
Evan smiled in the direction of his approaching family.  Things are good actually.
 You decided about becoming my boss?
 I could say something about always being the boss of you, but I value my life.
 Good man.
 But actually yes. I'm going to say yes.
 Even if they want to make you their manly gay poster boy for captains?
Evan shrugged.  I accept that I'm going to have to deal with the political shit. But I think I can be a
good captain and&  He paused, catching Matt's eye as he reached them.  I think I can be a good role
model.
 Are we discussing your dapper usage of pocket hankies? Because really man, good stuff, Matt said,
moving past Evan to give Helena a kiss on the cheek.
 No, we're discussing how your boyfriend is going to be my boss, and I expect serious favoritism.
Helena smiled, wrapping her arm around Matt's waist.
Evan clucked his tongue disapprovingly.
Miranda and Katie, having said some brief hellos to his partner, had already pulled out their cell
phones, and the twins wandered over toward the incredible pull of fancy party food and fruity drinks.
 Can you girls take Elizabeth and Danny in to get something to eat? Evan asked.
 I have to make a phone call, Miranda started, lifting her eyes from the miniscreen briefly to catch
her father's glare.  Which I will make after I see that the precious tweens get their share of the stuffed
mushrooms.
 Good call.
 She's going to ask you for money when you drop her off later, Katie interjected, artfully dodging her
older sister's scowl and swipe.
 I have no doubt, Evan said.  Although I already know she got money from Matt.
 We did too! Elizabeth said happily, patting the pocket of her shiny satin skirt. Danny nodded; he
was too busy taking off his tie and stuffing it in his back pocket to contribute much more.
 We need to have a family conference about you paying them off, Evan said to Matt.
 I have expenses. Miranda put her cell back into her purse and gestured the twins toward the other
room.  Come on. Let's go before all the good stuff is gone.
 You're underage, no drinking, Matt called helpfully.
 I'll make sure she doesn't. Sweet Katie, always so helpful. Always so evil.
Miranda made a sound of frustration and herded the twins through the waiters folding up the chairs.
Katie trailed after, a look of delight written on her face. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]