Uniting the Souls (Souls of Chicago #6)(73)

“You both are the most handsome men I’ve ever seen,” I told them. Matt kissed the freckles on my nose and then leaned back and looked at each of us with a smile.

“I can’t wait to marry the two of you. Can we hurry up and make that happen?” he pleaded. We all laughed and then I grabbed them each by the hand and walked towards the back door. Nicholas was there and he smiled when he saw his three uncles approach.

“Is it time?” Nicholas asked.

“Yeah, buddy. You do it just like we practiced, okay?” Hudson told him.

Nicholas nodded and then straightened his little body proudly and began walking down the aisle, holding the silk pillow that had our three rings tied together by a ribbon. We’d had trouble deciding which rings to use since Hudson and Matt had both planned on proposing so we finally agreed that we should use one set as our engagement rings and one set as our wedding bands. I was proud of the fact that, so far, we’d always been able to reach a compromise that we all were happy with. I knew there would be bumps in the road along the way, just as there are in any relationship, but I had no doubts that we’d be able to work through them.

As Nicholas reached the end of the aisle and took a seat beside his mother, everyone turned and faced us. In a world that often rejected or ignored that which was different, we were lucky enough to be surrounded by people who loved us and supported us and who wanted to celebrate the love we’d found, regardless of how many it included or the color of our skin. They were happy because we were happy. The people there that day were the definition of love, the definition of family.

The ceremony was short, with each of us taking a turn to vow our love and devotion to each other. It was emotional and beautiful and we were each visibly moved by the time we got to the kiss. There was loud cheering around us from our family and friends as we were announced husbands, but I couldn’t take my eyes off my two men long enough to pay attention. Matt, who I’d loved for so long but never imagined could be mine, and Hudson, who had swept in and stolen my heart right out from under me; they were my husbands and I would spend every day of the rest of my life trying to give back all the love they’d given to me.

The reception was next and everyone seemed to have a great time. We made our way around after dinner, visiting with everyone and accepting their congratulations. Caleb and Giovanni were there with their daughter, Sarah, who quickly became friends with Nicholas and the two took off to play with the toys we kept on hand for when Nicholas spent the night with us.

There was a lot of laughter and dancing and when we cut the cake and Matt shoved his piece in my face, he leaned down and whispered in my ear that he would lick it off me later. My face immediately turned red, much to the amusement of our guests who’d been watching the whole thing. Hudson leaned in and swiped his tongue over Matt’s bottom lip and Matt shivered, making everyone laugh again.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got your back,” he said, giving me a wink.

“Hey! Are you two teaming up against me?” Matt whispered in mock outrage.

“Only in the way you like,” I replied saucily. Hudson laughed while Matt growled in my ear.

“Yeah, I do like that,” he admitted then he grabbed both of our hands and led us out to the dance floor for our first dance.

It should’ve been awkward to try to dance with three people, but as with everything else in our relationship, we found a way to make it happen. Or arms locked around each other, with Hudson pressed against my back and I laid my head on Matt’s chest, his heartbeat keeping time with the music. Everything else around us disappeared until it seemed like we were the only three people there.

“I have never been happier in my entire life,” I said with a sigh.

“Me either,” Hudson added. “I am the luckiest man in the world.”

“No, that would be me because I get to be with the two of you,” Matt said.

“Okay, I guess we’re all pretty lucky,” I said with a laugh and they conceded. “Thank you both for showing me what love is,” I said, growing serious once again.

“Thank you for sharing your lives with me and for giving me more than I ever dreamed possible,” Hudson said in return.

“Thank you for not giving up on me and for showing me that it was okay to love again,” Matt said solemnly.

I leaned up and pressed my lips to his and then Hudson did the same. Soon we were locked in an embrace that included all three of us, just how we liked it, exactly as it should be. I knew that we wouldn’t always feel the love and support that we felt that day. Some people wouldn’t be able to understand how three individuals can fall in love with each other, caring for and supporting one another and building a life together. I felt sorry for those people. I couldn’t speak for other triad relationships because I only knew what worked for mine, but as far as my relationship with my partners, it was beautiful, it was real and it was ours.





Strong hands landed on my waist and I felt Rick lean in and nuzzle his lips against my neck. I giggled because it tickled, but goose bumps raced over my skin for very different reasons. After all these years, the man could still send chills down my spine with just a look or a brush of his hand. I tilted my head so I could give him a kiss and he hummed contentedly.

“Is there anything you need me to do?” he asked.

I looked around the large dining room table at the places that were set. Soon all our children would be there, including their friends who we claimed as our own. With everyone working and having children, or out of the country on tour, it had been awhile since I’d had all my kids under one roof and I was thrilled that they were all able to be at our house for Thanksgiving.