Fake sitter, p.8
Fake Sitter, page 8
Owen placed his hand on Beau’s cheek, feeling the grate of Beau’s stubble against his hand. That moment didn’t even feel real. None of it felt real, but he had broken free from his nightmare. Beau was his dream, encapsulating so many things that had been missing in his life.
Family. Adventure. Love.
“I can’t wait to go home with you tonight,” Owen said, meaning his words.
Beau’s place and Beau in general were home to him, and he was ready to return to where he belonged, to leave behind his pain and his past. The future was too bright to turn away from, and with Beau by his side, Owen believed that he could finally move forward again.
EPILOGUE
A few months later
“Everyone to the dance floor!”
Beau smirked as he watched Luke grab Mandy’s hand and drag her to the dance floor in the middle of the ballroom full of wedding guests. It was nice seeing his sister get married to someone she loved, but it had certainly come quickly. Luke and Mandy only dated for three months before tying the knot.
Of course, the two had been warned that they were moving too fast, but they didn’t care. They were convinced they’d found the love of their lives. So, why bother waiting to do the inevitable? They wanted to get married as soon as possible, to live the rest of their lives as husband and wife.
Beau didn’t even bother cautioning Mandy about how fast she was moving. She seemed genuinely happy with Luke, who put her on a pedestal and treated her like a princess. Beau figured that was all he could ask for in a brother-in-law, and everyone got along well, even after everything that happened. At a point, they all realized it was time to move on. No one ever had any ill will toward anyone.
Plus, he had no room to talk about moving fast when it came to love. He had fallen in love with Owen so quickly, falling under a spell that he couldn’t break. No, he didn’t want to break it. He loved… being in love. That was the best way to describe the last few months he had spent with Owen, who had basically moved in with him.
Perhaps, they moved fast too, but they moved with determination too. They knew that they wanted to be together, to be by each other’s sides forever. Beau hadn’t been so sure of anything else in his life, and his heart fluttered as he watched Owen and Derek playfully dance together.
“Nice moves, buddy!” Owen chuckled as he watched Derek wave his arms and spin around to the dance music.
Beau smiled to himself, warmth spreading all throughout him. The more time he spent with Owen and with Derek on certain weeks, the more he realized how much his life outside of work mattered to him. He cared about his business, but he enjoyed the time he spent with the people he loved more. So, he cut down his hours at work so that he could dedicate more time to his family, and he didn’t regret that decision.
“Can I stay with you and Uncle Beau this weekend?” Derek asked with big pleading eyes. He loved going over to Beau’s place to play games and go to the park to see his friends.
“Just ask your mom. You’re always welcome,” Owen replied as he ruffled Derek’s hair gently.
“Okay!” Derek said excitedly as he hopped up.
Owen grinned in amusement before glancing over to the side.
“I think your mom wants to dance with you,” Owen told Derek, pointing to Mandy in her fluffy, white gown as she extended her arms out to Derek.
Beau lingered off to the side of the ballroom, his heart racing as Owen turned and headed toward him. Tonight was a big night. Not only was it a night to remember for Mandy and Luke, but it would be a night to remember for him and Owen too. He had planned for that for a while now.
“You dance like a pro,” Beau commented as Owen got close. They both wore black suits with white dress shirts underneath, looking crisp and clean.
Owen smirked at Beau, shaking his head.
“I probably looked like a drunk octopus,” he replied, playfully flailing his arms before wrapping them around Beau.
Beau laughed into Owen’s soft hair, cupping the back of his head as they embraced tightly. He ran his other hand up Owen’s back, his eyes fluttering shut in bliss. Before Owen, Beau never focused on little moments. He’d cared for the big picture, the final outcome. Now, he treasured every little moment and every little touch.
“You’ll have to show me some moves,” he said.
Owen pulled back slightly, resting his hands on Beau’s sides. He lifted a flirty eyebrow.
“Oh, I can show you some moves,” he chuckled.
Beau pressed his teeth into his bottom lip, trying to fight back a laugh at Owen’s tease. Honestly, he didn’t want to think about it too much because when it came to Owen, his desire ran rampant.
“Behave,” he warned Owen. He would drag Owen home if he was pushed even a little bit more.
Looking pleased, Owen leaned up and pecked Beau on the lips before turning to watch Luke, Mandy, and Derek dance together.
“What a crazy pairing,” he commented.
Beau nodded his agreement as he put his arm around Owen. Their extended family was quite an interesting one, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world. They were all brought together under the craziest circumstances, but that made them a stronger unit in the end.
“So are we,” he pointed out. Their love story was far from ordinary, but he liked that. Their love was as unique and special as their story, and he looked forward to continuing it throughout the rest of their lives.
Owen tilted his head to peer up at Beau with pure love in his eyes.
“I’d choose you every single time,” he promised.
Beau pressed a gentle kiss against Owen’s forehead. He knew how much it meant to Owen to have the power of choice. For so much of his life, he wanted people to choose to adopt him, to choose him as a son. Maybe that didn’t happen, but Beau chose him to be part of his family. Essentially, they chose each other.
“Want to get some fresh air?” he murmured next to Owen’s ear.
Owen nodded, tugging at his collar.
“It’s a bit hot in here,” he agreed as he looked at all the people packed in the ballroom.
Beau extended his arm out to Owen. When Owen took his arm, Beau led him away from the raging party, finding a set of wooden double doors that led out to a balcony. A light breeze coasted through the night sky as they walked to the metal railing bordering the edge of the balcony.
“It’s so nice out here,” Owen sighed as he leaned his forearms against the top of the railing. He tilted his head back, letting the breeze ruffle his hair. The dance music from inside was muffled by the doors, providing them a peaceful atmosphere.
Beau lingered behind Owen for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. If he wanted a good opportunity to act on his plan, this was the perfect moment. He stepped closer and placed his hand on the small of Owen’s back, trying to rein in his nerves as much as he could.
“I love you,” he murmured near Owen’s ear.
Owen turned around and smiled at Beau.
“I love you too,” he said, reaching out to wrap his arms around Beau’s neck.
Beau placed his hands on Owen’s waist, pulling him close until they were chest to chest. His eyes swept over Owen’s body, taking in how good he looked. He couldn’t believe he was with someone so perfect for him. It felt like pure luck, pure fantasy.
“I don’t want to be with anyone else. Ever,” he stated.
Owen tilted his head at Beau, giving him a grateful look.
“Trust me. You’re stuck with me,” he chuckled happily.
“That’s all I want,” Beau replied, gently stroking Owen’s sides. Nervousness gripped him, but he was more excited than anything. Tonight could be the start of a new chapter in their lives. “And I want to prove that to you.”
Owen gave Beau a perplexed look as Beau stepped away from him.
Beau reached into his suit jacket, fishing out a black velvet box from an inner pocket. He brought it into Owen’s view, seeing Owen’s eyes widen and his jaw drop. With a smile, Beau lowered himself to one knee in front of Owen.
“Beau…” Owen breathed out, shaken by shock.
Beau gazed up at Owen as he held the ring box securely in his right hand. He had imagined this moment for so long now. Owen was already his, but he wanted to make it official. He wanted everyone to know how much they loved each other.
“You’re the love of my life, Owen. I knew we had something special from the day I met you. In all of my years alive, I’ve never connected with someone in the way that I connect with you,” he said, speaking directly from his heart. “I trust you. I find comfort in you. You’re everything I want and more.”
Owen’s eyes started to water as he placed a trembling hand over his mouth.
Beau felt his own eyes start to burn. He just loved Owen so much, and he was so glad to finally be in the middle of this moment, asking Owen to marry him. It felt like a dream come true.
“Will you marry me and spend the rest of your life by my side?” Beau asked as he opened the ring box, revealing a silver band with a row of shining diamonds around the middle.
Owen dropped his hand from his mouth as he admired the engagement band. He looked stunned with glistening eyes, and Beau couldn’t tell if it was from tears or the reflection of the diamonds.
“Yes!” Owen answered with an ecstatic smile on his face.
Beau took the band and slipped it on Owen’s ring finger before tucking the box away in his pocket. The moment he rose to his feet, Owen jumped at him, throwing his arms around Beau’s neck. With a surprised laugh, Beau wrapped his arms around Owen, holding him as close as possible.
Owen crushed Beau in his arms before pulling back slightly so that he could kiss Beau deeply. He caressed the back of Beau’s head, pushing his fingertips into his hair.
Beau held Owen’s sides, leaning into the kiss and reveling in the happy moment. He could feel the coolness of Owen’s engagement band against his head, drawing a grin onto his face.
“I’m so glad you’re mine,” Beau murmured against Owen’s lips.
Owen stroked Beau’s hair, resting his forehead against his.
“Always,” he promised before looking down at his hand to admire the engagement band once more. “It’s perfect.”
“I spent two weeks looking for the perfect one,” Beau told him. He couldn’t count how many ring shops he went to, but he finally found the one with Owen’s name written all over it.
Owen flashed Beau a grateful look.
“I couldn’t have a better fiancé,” he said, sounding fairly cheeky as he tried out the new title.
Beau gave Owen’s sides a playful squeeze.
“Soon to be husband,” he reminded Owen. “We have a wedding to plan as well.”
Excitement broke out across Owen’s face when he realized there was a next step.
“Right! What are we going to do?” he asked.
“Whatever you desire, baby,” Beau grinned as he cupped Owen’s cheek. “I just want to be married to you.”
Owen gave Beau an awestruck smile.
“It’ll be perfect. Just like this night,” he told Beau as he curled his arms around Beau’s neck. He glanced toward the double doors as a slow song played inside, prompting him to start swaying.
Beau copied Owen, stepping to the side before rocking toward the other side. They swayed together, holding each other close and sharing a loving look.
“What about a destination wedding? I’ll take you wherever you want,” he suggested. He had more than enough money to spend, and he wasn’t going to be stingy in the slightest when it came to making Owen happy.
Owen chuckled.
“Oh, really? Maybe we can do a beach wedding and skinny dip,” he teased.
“During the wedding ceremony?” Beau laughed, resting his hands on Owen’s hips.
Owen shrugged.
“Wouldn’t be the craziest thing considering what we’ve been through,” he pointed out.
“What about the mountains? I can take you to a cabin and keep you warm,” Beau replied, lifting his eyebrows at Owen suggestively. He could think of quite a few interesting scenarios that could happen after their own wedding reception party.
“You’re making a strong case,” Owen admitted, his fingertips teasing at the back of Beau’s neck. “Honestly, I don’t care about the rest of the details. I just want us to be wed.”
“Soon,” Beau promised. He would take off work for a week or two just to start the arrangements. That was how badly he wanted to be married to Owen. Being at his sister’s wedding and seeing how happy and glowing she was tonight only made him look forward to his own wedding even more.
Owen nodded as his face softened. He rested his head on Beau’s chest, closing his eyes as he fell into the moment. Everything else around them seemed to disappear besides the soft lulling of the music playing inside the ballroom.
Beau leaned his head against the top of Owen’s, drawing in a breath and taking a mental photograph of that moment. He and Owen, even in a short amount of time, had been through a lot together. No matter what happened, they found their way back together, but he was certain they would never be pulled apart again.
There was a lot about life that was uncertain. He didn’t know what lingered around the corner. He had done a lot of healing during the last few months when it came to his trauma, but who knew if the nightmares would come back? Who knew what was going to happen to his business in the next few years?
However, what he did know was that Owen was his for life. In the grand scheme of things, that was the only thing he needed to be sure of. That was the only proof he needed to know that the rest of his life was going to be the happiest adventure he could ever possibly imagine.
The End.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Thank you for reading Fake Sitter. I hope you found this sweet, heartwarming love story between Beau and Owen enjoyable.
I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review. Your feedback means a lot to me!
- Gen
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Gen Blackwell, Fake Sitter
