Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(55)
The minister announced that the happy couple was married and Morgan grabbed Akio in a kiss that went on until Landon cleared his throat loudly and everyone began to snicker. They pulled apart, but continued to only look at each other as if they had forgotten anyone else was there.
“You’re my husband!” Morgan exclaimed in wonder and Akio bit back a sob, tears of joy streaming down his face.
“Can you believe it? I mean, OMG!” Akio said.
That started a round of laughter among their friends and family who called out in unison, “O-M-F-G!”
Hudson looked confused, so Isaac and I explained to him that when Morgan and Akio had first gotten to know each other, Morgan’s mom had let it slip that her son’s first name was Oliver. Akio had died laughing as he realized that Morgan’s initials spelled out OMG and he teased him mercilessly about it. When they’d become engaged, they’d decided to hyphenate their last names, Forrest and Greene, making him Oliver Morgan Forrest-Green. O-M-F-G.
Hudson stared at us in disbelief for several seconds and then he started laughing, a deep rumbling laugh that I loved. “That might be the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while,” he said. Isaac and I grinned as we shared a look and I knew we were probably thinking the same thing, there was nothing better than making Hudson happy.
We followed everyone under the nearest tent where the reception was being held and saw Caleb waving for us to come join him and Giovanni at their table. Carter and Ryan were sitting there as well and they smiled at us as we sat down.
“I think I’m going to get a drink while we wait for the grooms to get their pictures taken, would you like anything?” Caleb asked his husband.
“I’d love a red wine if you’re going up, please,” Giovanni told him. Caleb kissed him on the cheek and then scooted his chair back from the table. He caught my eye as he stood and jerked his head in the direction of the bar.
“I think I’m going to go with Caleb. Would either of you like something to drink?” I looked at Hudson and Isaac who both said they just wanted waters. I followed Caleb through the maze of tables which were filled with family and friends of the grooms and stood next to him at the bar. Once we’d placed our orders, Caleb turned to me and smiled.
“Thanks for coming with me. I just wanted a few minutes to check and see how you’ve been doing,” he said.
“Things are going really well,” I told him. “We’ve had a huge influx of kids lately, but thanks to all of you guys, we have plenty of space and funding to help them all.” Caleb’s face scrunched up as he looked at me.
“That’s great news. I’m glad you’re able to help more kids now, but I meant you specifically. How are you doing, Matt?”
“Oh!” I said in surprise. I guess I was still getting used to having a friend that I could talk to about something other than Agape House. I realized that was my fault though because I had used the center to hide behind for so long that I never really let anyone else get to know me.
“Things are great with me too,” I answered. The bartender set our drinks on the counter and then walked off, leaving us to talk.
“It looks like you, Isaac, and Hudson are getting along pretty well,” Caleb teased, waggling his eyebrows at me. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face at the mention of the two men’s names.
“Very well. They’re both incredible guys.” I glanced around quickly and then leaned towards him, lowering my voice a little. “I told them about Sean. They know everything that happened.”
“I hate that you kept that to yourself for so long. Good, bad, it doesn’t matter; everything in life is better when it’s shared with someone else,” Caleb said gently.
“That’s true,” I agreed. “It just took me a long time to remember that. I was so caught up in my grief over losing Sean that I lost the ability to let others in.”
“I’m glad you told them and I’m assuming they supported you,” he said. I nodded my head.
“Hudson and Isaac were wonderful. They listened while I told them everything and then they made me see that just because I allow myself to care about other people, doesn’t mean I have to forget about Sean. I’ve also started seeing a therapist and she’s helping me work through everything. I have some ways to go before I’m all better, but with Isaac and Hudson around, I don’t feel lonely anymore,” I told him. Caleb’s green eyes sparkled when he smiled at me.
“I’m so happy for you. You’re an amazing guy and you deserve to be happy again,” Caleb said, grabbing me in a quick hug. I hugged him back and a wave of emotion swept through me.
“I have you to thank for giving me the nudge I needed to come out of my shell. Thank you for being there when I needed a friend,” I told him. His eyes looked a bit watery as he smiled back at me.
“I will always be here for you, Matt. That’s what friends are for,” he informed me and I could hear the sincerity in his voice.
Caleb was right, that was exactly what friends were for. Friends stood by your side through all the good and bad times, it just took me awhile to realize that and trust in it. I looked around the room at all the friends I had. I was incredibly grateful to have each and every one of them in my life and it was time that I started getting to know them better and letting them get to know me.