Forever (Always & Forever 2)

Landon’s heart did a little flip in his chest. Since the mention of children at his parents’ house months ago, he and Robert hadn’t discussed anything more. Honestly, Landon hadn’t ever wanted to have children, but Robert made him believe in fairytales. He envisioned one day that he and Robert would be living a happily ever after, and for some reason, that included a couple of blond cherub babies.

“I could be into that,” Landon whispered huskily under the weight of such an agreement. “Not now, but maybe when its closer to retirement.”

“And when is that again?” Robert asked.

“Twenty nineteen,” he said, already counting his time down.

“What? That’s too long to wait. I’ll be close to forty.” Robert pushed through the main doors of the hospital, stepping out into the night, snow flurries danced around in the background as Robert shrugged on a coat Landon hadn’t noticed before now. “But it gives us time alone first, but if you have to change orders, we’ll just go with you.” Robert slowed, looking around the covered drive.

“We’ll see,” Landon said. “First, we gotta make it down the aisle. I’m still not convinced you won’t wise up before then.” Landon’s ass hit the wall of the apartment. He grew tired and colder, but content to stay there talking to Robert for as long as he could.

Robert motioned with his hand, drawing a taxi forward. Then he stepped forward and gave a shiver as the crisp wind blew across his hair. He quickly spouted out his address to the driver. When he returned his full attention to the phone, he spoke as if he hadn’t missed a beat.

“You keep wearing that sexy leather jacket, and you’ll have me good and locked down. I like looking at you a lot.” Robert’s eyelids lowered as he closed himself inside the taxi. Landon wanted to pretend it was lust reflected back at him, but most likely it was exhaustion.

“I’m getting a truck tomorrow. I’m caving on the I’m-a-badass-I-can-drive-in-the-cold theory,” Landon confessed.

“I told you to take my car,” Robert countered, that sexy look replaced with one designed to show Landon what a dumbass he’d been.

“I’m never driving a car that costs more than I make in two years, Robert. Not gonna happen.” Words he’d repeated over and over for the last five months.

“You know, after we’re married what’s mine is yours. You’ll be a rich man.” The waggle of Robert’s eyebrows coerced a smile from Landon.

“Are you trying to talk me out of marrying you?” he quipped.

Robert’s laugh was genuine. “I love you. Be safe going home. Text me when you get there.”

“I’m heading out now,” he said, pushing himself off the wall.

“Invite your friends over, Landon. You don’t have to feel like you need to sneak around.” Robert was like a dog with a bone. He never, ever left well enough alone.

“That’s not gonna happen just like you don’t invite your friends over. Our worlds don’t mesh near as well as you want to believe.”

“That’s not true…” Robert perked up, ready to argue his point.

“I’ll text you. Say bye,” he said, lifting a finger to end the video call.

“Not until we settle this,” Robert said urgently.

“It’ll never be settled. I’m hanging up. I’ll be home in about twenty minutes, freezing my ass off. I’m hanging up. I love you.” Another first of the night between them, Landon actually ended the call. There was a time when he wouldn’t have. Besides, he was truly freezing his ass off. Landon scurried to the apartment door, ducking inside to say goodnight.

Chapter 29

July 2015

From the second he and Landon had stepped off the airplane yesterday afternoon to this very moment, Robert questioned the tradition he’d required they follow on their wedding day. Even now, as Robert took the first step off his golf cart, automatically bringing his hands up to button his suit coat jacket, he doubted the wisdom of the no-seeing-one-another-on-the-wedding-day rule. As much as he’d wanted everything perfect for his and Landon’s special day, it had been months since he’d spent this much time without Landon by his side—eight months to be exact. The memory of Kylie’s birth, the last time he’d spent a night away from Landon, helped tamp down Robert’s anxiousness, focusing him back into the moment. It was his wedding day and his sweet little niece was tucked tightly in her mother’s arms and all their guests were looking his way.

Marriage equality pushed him and Landon to move up their wedding day. At Landon’s suggestion, they were having their nuptials under their tree in the small grove at his grandmother’s Cape Cod home. The one Landon had expertly carved their initials into almost a year ago. His gracious Nonnie seemed on board and happy to accommodate all of Landon’s requests.

What Robert hadn’t known and wasn’t prepared for were the mind-blowing, intricately designed decorations Kennedy had added to help glamorize their simple wedding ceremony. His grandmother, a skilled wedding planner even in her advanced age, had outdone herself.