Forever (Always & Forever 2)

“It wasn’t that big a deal. I broke my arm.” He flung his arm out for them to see he was fine. “See? You didn’t have to worry.” Landon then threw out his hands like a true Italian, giving his words meaning. “And good thing it happened because that’s where I met him.” Landon’s thumb hooked over his shoulder toward Robert as if it wasn’t a given that Landon had been talking about him.

Tony looked ready to blast Landon further. Robert cleared his throat, trying for the best words to help defuse this sudden burst of anger. “Not met exactly. We reconnected there. I should have started a little further back. He and I first met when Landon generously aided my family during my father’s state funeral,” Robert explained and reached over, taking Landon’s hand in his, urging him down to his seat. Landon threaded their fingers together as he sat, doing a full body turn toward Robert. His mister’s face turned ten shades of red, pausing Robert’s explanation.

What had happened to cause embarrassment?

Holding his hand?

Another first for his family, no doubt. It was so automatic for Robert that he hadn’t thought twice.

His heart melted, knowing Landon hadn’t chosen to reject his touch. “In Germany, we started reading A Game of Thrones together. I believe Michael sent the book to Landon at some point. Landon struggled reading with one hand, and I had always wanted to read the series. The book brought us together.”

“Why’re you keeping secrets?” Tony asked as if Robert hadn’t spoken. His hand tightened around Landon’s. As much as Robert loved Landon might be as much as he was growing to love his family. They were hilariously wonderful, Tony intent in finding his answers while scolding Landon with his tone.

“Pop, it wasn’t intentional—” Landon started only to have Tony cut him off.

“Sure, it was.” The blustery, animated man turned serious, maybe even hurt by everything Landon had neglected to tell them. “We’re your family. Why’re we just finding out about all this? You’ve been back in the States for months. You got hurt and you got a friend and we don’t know?”

Tony reminded Robert of his granddaddy Paulie. He’d been a forceful man. On nothing more than a gut reaction, Robert decided to side with Landon’s family on this matter. He and Landon had been so in sync that it was time to put aside whatever fears and insecurities Landon had about how well they would all fit together.

“Yeah. Why, Landon?” The swing of Landon’s head made the air shift in the room. His mister had a what-the-fuck look on his face to which Robert winked and swiped a thumb over Landon’s thumb, hoping to show his teasing.

“Honestly…” Landon gave a deep exhale and rose enough to push his chair backward, closer to Robert’s. “I’ve been a little overwhelmed.” Landon cocked his head toward Robert, his funny nature returning. “This one looks like he’s a gentleman—pfft. He’s a lot to deal with.” Then Landon tossed the imaginary gauntlet toward his uncle. “Besides, I did tell Uncle Michael.”

“You knew?” Karen said accusingly. “And you didn’t tell us?”

“Thanks for throwing me under the bus,” his uncle said in hopefully faux outrage. “I kept all your secrets. I didn’t even tell them you two planned to be married.” Michael’s hand slowly came to his mouth, showing he’d absolutely meant that slip of the tongue.

“Oh, my fucking God.” Landon gasped and jumped to his feet at the same time his father did. “You did not just say that.” Both father’s and son’s faces flushed with the news. Karen, though, garnered all of Robert’s attention. Instant tears filled her eyes as she rose from her seat and came straight to him as the other men began to argue.

“I’d hoped that’s where this was headed.”

Robert stood as she closed in on him, taking him into her arms, pure happiness in her tone.

“Hush, Landon, and get over here.” She reached out, drawing a still arguing Landon into the hug with them. “I wanted this to be the reason you brought Robert home to us. You two seem to share a great love.”

The awkward angle had her releasing Robert to take Landon more fully into her loving embrace. She held him tightly, pulling him down by the neck to get a better hold. Landon’s eyes lifted to Robert’s as he bent to give her better access.

“Mom, I didn’t mean to keep secrets. It’s all happening fast, and I’m trying to hang on. I love him so much.”

“I know you do. And nothing else matters now. You’re getting married. I wanted this for you.” She pulled away, wrapping an arm around Robert, still holding Landon by the waist. “Are you going to have children?”

“Well, how’s that gonna work, Karen?” his father asked as if that was the dumbest question on the planet. He had come around the table from the other side with his hand outstretched to Robert, eagerly pumping his hand in a congratulatory way. Their immediate acceptance had to mean the world to Landon, which again, filled Robert with unbelievable joy.