Easton

Her mother had said near enough the same thing.

Her family, the ones who were supposed to love and protect her, had cast her out in her time of need.

“No. I’m not. Does that make me a bad person?”

“No. It doesn’t. You’re a good person.” Liam kissed her. “And together, we’ll protect Easton. We’ll make sure he knows love and happiness again. I promise you.”

“You guys ready?” Easton asked, coming to the room.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Liam asked. “I want you to not regret this.”

“I won’t regret it. This is what I want, and I know it’s to spend the rest of my life doing what I want to do. It’s not being alone here.”

It was good enough for her for now.

“Come on, let’s go home.” She grabbed Easton’s hand and Liam’s, walking with them, side by side toward the elevator.

****

Liam rarely took a vacation. He wasn’t the kind of guy who needed to be away from his home. However, after Easton moved in with them, and Junior’s term ended, it was only fair to take his family to a remote island.

He called ahead to make sure supplies were ready and he had the house completely cleaned, and as they arrived, it did truly feel like home.

Easton grabbed Junior and took him to the beach, while Scarlett did all the unpacking. For Liam, he simply watched his family.

It wasn’t complete just yet, but he intended to make those changes while he was on the island.

Sipping a bottle of water, he watched as Junior and Easton built sandcastles together.

Scarlett, finished, came out and made up a smoothie for them all.

“They look so happy together,” she said. “I never thought my life could get any more exciting and happy.”

“And now?”

“And now, I’m happy. I’m excited, and I look forward to the future. I’m not wanting to rush into anything, but I’m happy.” Scarlett pressed the blender on, and it whizzed to life. Once it was finished making some fruity goodness, she poured it into four glasses. “Are you going to tell him?”

“Not yet. I don’t want him to be upset.”

“The man spent his entire childhood being hurt by the man. I think you should tell him.”

“Tell me what?” Easton asked, walking in. “Our little boy wants a drink, and I see you’ve already beaten me to it.”

“I always know what my men want,” Scarlett said.

“So, what do you have to tell me?” Easton took his glass, taking a sip.

“It’s about your father,” Liam said.

He’d learned the news that very morning, and well, he didn’t want to cancel the trip and have Easton dealing with all the bullshit.

“What about him?” Easton asked.

“Have you heard from him recently?” Liam asked.

“No. I told you when I last went to see him, he wanted me to find a way of getting him out of jail. I told him no, and he got pissed. The end.”

“He’s died,” Liam said.

He watched Easton. The other man’s eyes went wide.

“He died?”

Scarlett took the smoothie from him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Do Axton and the others know?”

“No.”

“I think I should tell them. They have a right to know,” Easton said.

Liam moved toward and helped Easton into a chair.

This wasn’t exactly how he imagined Easton reacting. He’d expected more tears, anger, pain.

Easton just sat, and his mouth was slightly open in shock.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m relieved,” he said. “I’m fucking relieved my dad is dead. Is that wrong? What happened?”

“He picked a fight with another inmate who had a shiv. He stabbed him in the jugular, and he bled out within seconds,” Liam said.

“Wow, you know, I’m not surprised.”

“I’m so sorry, Easton,” Scarlett said.

“I’m not. I’m fucking glad. He was a monster. He was the reason for so much pain and suffering. With him dead, I know he’ll never hurt our son, or any children we may have.”

“Any children?” Scarlett asked.

Easton turned to Scarlett.

“I love you,” he said. “I should have said it all those years ago, but I was too much of a fucking coward to stand up for what I wanted, and that is all on me. There’s no getting away from the mistakes I made. My fear stopped me telling you the truth. It held me back, and I didn’t get to marry you, or watch my son come into this world. I missed his first steps, and I don’t blame you for not seeking me out. I wasn’t a good man, but I want to be. I want to be the best for you, for Junior.” Easton turned to look at him. “And for you, Liam. I love both of you. I don’t know how the fuck it happened, but it did. Call me crazy, but I love the both of you. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and I want us to make it work. I know I can never marry you, but in here.” He put a hand over his heart. “I am married. I will make the vows to love, honor, cherish, obey, and to be whatever you need me to be. I’ve never felt or been more in love than I have with you guys.”