Page 3 of Killer Honeymoon
Royce leaned against the side of the SUV, hooked his finger in Sawyer’s belt loop, and pulled him into his embrace. “How much is a megaton again?”
Sawyer smiled, and the tension around his eyes and mouth lessened, but his lips still held a slight pout. “More than a shit ton but less than a fuckton.”
“I think we packed an appropriate amount of luggage, considering we’re not sure what we’ll get up to on the island.”
Sawyer waggled his brows. “Now you’re talking. I still don’t see why we have to spend tonight apart, though.”
Royce kissed his pouty lips and brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead. “I want the photographer to capture the light in my eyes when I see you in your wedding suit for the first time. And I’d prefer that to occur during the first-look photo shoot at the park instead of in our bathroom as we dress for the day.”
Sawyer sighed and smiled. “Probably for the best. You and your hands can’t be trusted. You nearly made us late to the rehearsal.”
Royce stepped closer, pressing Sawyer against the vehicle. “I didn’t hear you complaining when I dropped to my knees and—”
“Hey!” Killian hollered from near the house. Royce and Sawyer stepped over and peered around the side of the vehicle. “Mom won’t let us eat so much as a celery stick until the guests of honor arrive. Eat now. Suck face later.” He pivoted and headed back inside.
Royce and Sawyer laughed at Killian’s antics, but they shut the tailgate and headed toward the house hand in hand.
Barron had prepared a feast worthy of two kings. Royce feared he might not fit into his suit in the morning, but it didn’t stop him from adding a little bit of everything to his plate. Barron stood once everyone was seated and asked for their attention. “I know most of the speeches will take place tomorrow,” he said, “but I couldn’t let this night pass without expressing how ecstatic Evangeline and I are to join our families together. Royce, we’ve considered you our son since we first met you, but tomorrow it becomes official. We’re looking forward to many, many celebrations between our two families over the years.” Royce’s chest expanded with the genuine joy he saw on Barron and Evangeline’s faces.
“Hear, hear,” Evangeline said, raising her glass.
Everyone else followed her lead, and they drank a toast to a future Royce never could’ve imagined before meeting Sawyer.
“Now, let’s eat while the food is still hot,” Barron said as he reclaimed his seat.
The intimate gathering of friends and family was perfect for the eve of their wedding. Royce spent as much time looking around at their loved ones as he did shoveling food into his mouth. Every laugh, smile, or congratulations sent their way made his heart swell even more until the pressure was almost painful. He glanced down the table and saw that Jason, his nephew, was sitting next to Cassidy, Sawyer’s niece. The pair were the same age and attended the same high school, though Royce figured they didn’t run in the same circles. Jason and Cassidy had recognized one another and were cordial if not a little awkward. They both had expressed interest in being a future Explorer cadet, which had broken the ice. They hadn’t stopped talking to one another since.
Royce nudged Sawyer and gave a slight head nod toward the fifteen-year-olds at the other end of the table. “Should we be worried?”
Sawyer kissed his temple and chuckled. When Royce didn’t think his heart could expand further, his future husband said, “Nope. Jason is a wonderful kid, and Cassidy would be lucky to earn the Locke devotion.”
“I love you,” Royce said.
“I love you most.”
After dinner, they formed teams to play lawn games. Sawyer kicked his ass at cornhole, Royce beat Sawyer at croquet, and they dominated as a team during badminton.
When they stopped for refreshments while waiting for their next challengers, Kelsey approached them looking flawless as ever in a pale yellow dress that contrasted beautifully with her dark skin. Kels wore a serene smile and held a cup of something frothy and fruity in her hand.
Kelsey kissed Sawyer’s cheek, then Royce’s. “I haven’t had an adult beverage in over a year. I was either trying to get pregnant, was pregnant, or was nursing.” She took a sip and giggled. “So good. I might just have another.” She gestured with her cup toward Andrew, her husband, who was in the middle of a cornhole toss. “I have a designated driver, Ella is with my mother-in-law, and I’ve responsibly pumped her milk for the next two days.” Kelsey took another drink. “Yep. Mama wants another.”
“I’ll go get you one,” Royce said.
“No, wait,” Kels said, placing a hand on his forearm. “Andrew said this wasn’t the right time to bring up my proposal, but I hope you view it as a gift.” Her cup shook, and Royce could tell Sawyer’s best friend was uncharacteristically nervous. He reached out and took her free hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Whatever the gift is, we already love it,” Royce said.
Kelsey smiled and returned the squeeze. “Such a charmer, but I can tell you mean it.” She took a deep breath, then said, “I would love to be your surrogate whenever you’re ready to welcome a baby into the world.”
Royce stared speechlessly at her for several heartbeats. His nostrils burned, and Kelsey’s visage started to blur as tears pooled in his eyes. Royce blinked and sent them cascading down his face. He turned his head to gauge his fiancé’s reaction. Sawyer also seemed shocked by Kelsey’s generous offer. He looked at Royce, blinked, then a few stray tears spilled down his cheeks too.
Kelsey worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she waited for them to speak. “Maybe Andrew was right.”
“Happy tears,” Sawyer said huskily. “Words are failing me. I don’t know how to respond to such a magnanimous gesture.”
“Seems you found a pretty big word,” Royce teased. He wrapped his arm around Sawyer’s shoulders, pulled him closer, and kissed his temple. Once upon a time, fatherhood hadn’t been a blip on Royce’s radar, then it became a distant dream he still couldn’t wrap his head around. Now Kelsey was offering to help them bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. “Kels, are you sure? That’s a huge sacrifice.”
She nodded. “Andrew and I have discussed it at length. I loved being pregnant, but neither of us wants a large family. Maybe we’ll decide to expand our family someday, but Ella is more than enough for us right now.” She smiled at them. “I would be so honored if you allowed me to do this for you.”