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Chapter Twenty-Six

Jax

Jax walked down the aisle with Katrina, receiving a kiss on the cheek as he watched Sela walk Cade down as the music played. It was symbolic, of course, but it was what they’d worked out with the Dr. Fellows.

No, they couldn’t be legally married, the three of them, but they could have the ceremony with Cade that night and then the official ceremony the next day for him and Ford. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best the three of them could do together. There’d be another ceremony on Monday after Cade’s adoption was finalized, but that would be private.

“Dear friends, we gather here today to join these two in the blessed union of souls. I’d like to read Sonnet XVII written by Pablo Neruda,” Dr. Fellows announced. She read the beautiful poem and Jax saw Cade tearing up.

Jax remembered the sonnet from a survey class he took one semester because he wasn’t doing too well with his literature classes, and after he read it again, he decided it was what he wanted in the ceremony between Cade and him. No, it wasn’t official, but it was filled with the love and emotion he wanted Kincade to feel to his soul. He remembered the discussion he and Ford had as they were planning the wedding.

“ We have to figure out a way to include him, and we need to figure out this ring thing, Branford,” Jax had complained to his soon-to-be husband… or one of them.

One ring wouldn’t represent them all. Jax had already bought the fancy wedding rings they’d wear, but it seemed as if simple rings should be exchanged as well. Ford agreed, and they each bought small bands. Gold and silver. They could be the everyday rings the three of them wore, and then the ones with the diamonds could be for going out, or so Jax reasoned. Ford agreed, and thus, the whole rehearsal/spiritual joining ceremony was hatched. When Dr. Fellows agreed to go along with it as they proposed it to her over the phone. They were both happy.

The ceremony the next day had been planned by Kincade, and neither man knew exactly what to expect, so they felt secure they’d covered their bases with the surprise of the spiritual ceremony.

The rest of the service was a mirror of the ritual for Ford and Cade, not five minutes before. Once the minister pronounced them spouses, Jax picked up Cade to kiss him deeply. It was remarkable to have the future secured. The next day and Monday’s court appearance would seal the deal. They’d be a family nobody could tear apart.

“Dear family and friends, we come together today to join Branford Xavier Thomas and Jackson Pierre Delacroix in the bonds of matrimony. In…” The minister recited all the virtues of love from the Holy Book.

His mother may have been odd, but she had a high regard for the Bible. She would sit at night and read it to him before he went to bed. He’d never forget the teachings, even if he didn’t agree with the way many people professing to have a deep faith twisted the verses to fit their own agendas.

Jax listened to Dr. Fellows soothing voice as he stood in front of Ford, holding his hands. Cade was standing behind him as Sela stood next to Ford now that she had shown up. Cleveland was very kind to step aside as best man when Ford introduced Sela to everyone at the rehearsal dinner.

The setting was beautiful, but Jax was ready for it to be over. It felt wrong for the official wedding to be more important than the previous day’s ceremonies but there was nothing that could be done. They’d all retired to separate quarters the night before at Katrina and Sela’s insistence, and all Jax wanted was to have his husbands in one room with lube. Was it too much to ask?

“The grooms have chosen a poem for the occasion to give words to their love. It’s by Rumi.”

The look on Ford’s face told Jax it was Cade’s choice, so they both listened as Cleveland stepped forward with a paper in his hands, looking nervous.

May these vows and this marriage be blessed.May it be sweet milk,this marriage, like wine and halvah.May this marriage offer fruit and shadelike the date palm.May this marriage be full of laughter,our everyday a day in paradise.May this marriage be a sign of compassion,a seal of happiness here and hereafter.May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,an omen as welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky.I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.

When Jax looked at Ford’s face, he saw tears which triggered his own. Crying wasn’t exactly cool considering he had teammates in attendance. But then again, he was marrying a man, having married one the night before when it was more private.

“May I have the rings, please?” Carlotta stepped forward with four rings on the pillow. Two of them were the diamond rings Jax had purchased, but two of them were rose gold. The minister said a silent prayer over the rings and held the four rings in her hand.

Jax glanced at Cade who was standing behind him with a bright smile on his face and a rose gold ring in his hand. He nodded as he slipped the ring on his own finger, so Jax turned toward the minister and took the rings.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” the minister said. He and Ford repeated the vows as they placed the platinum rings on the other’s fingers after the rose gold ring was in place. Each man had more rings than they’d ever anticipated, but they all signified one great love among three great people.

Jax decided they’d hold Cade’s formal ring until after the adoption hearing to make it a special day. After they were pronounced husbands, he kissed Branford as soundly as he’d kissed Kincade the previous night. His life was grand, and he was going to enjoy every last minute of it. He’d worked hard to get it, after all.

The reception was well underway. They’d had a classical guitarist play music during the processional and the recessional, and then Cyrus went behind his turntable and cued up some smooth jazz for dinner. It was a lively crowd and everyone in attendance had congratulated the three of them heartily.

It made Jax happy to see everyone treating the three of them with respect. It wasn’t commonplace for three men to enter a permanent commitment in such a public way, but only the close family had been at the rehearsal, so it wasn’t widely known there’d been two beautiful ceremonies the evening before. As long as he, Ford, and Cade knew the truth, that was all that was important.

After dinner, Jax was dancing with Rina, his new mother-in-law. He could see she was wearing a happy smile before she spoke. “Most mothers would have likely shaken their son to ask what the hell was he thinking getting involved with two men in a long-term relationship, but Cade’s always been a special boy. Well, I guess he’s not a boy any longer. He’s always had his own mind, and I respect him for not relying on any family money to make his future.

“He’s been independent since he was a little boy, and I’m so proud of him for sticking to his guns but when this business with Hudson is sorted, I’m going to give you boys a wedding gift. I don’t care what you do with it, but I have one stipulation—make sure he puts some away for a rainy day. I had my own money separate from Hudson, and when I die, it’ll come to Kincade, but in the meantime, make sure he has his own money, Jackson.” Rina’s expression was serious.

As the song ended, Jax lifted her right hand to his lips and offered a grateful kiss. “I promise you, Rina, I’ll make sure Cade has security and never has to worry about anything. You have my solemn vow.”

She pecked his cheek before she rushed off. Jax felt a little misty as well, so he decided to find his husbands who would distract him immediately.

Ford was sitting with Sela while Cade was dancing with Carlotta. Ava, the doll, was being held in Ford’s lap, which made Jax laugh. “It’s a girl and we haven’t even consummated our marriage.” Jax sat next to Ford.

Sela giggled as Ford turned to Jax and pushed against his arm. “My husband, the comedian.” Everyone laughed at the teasing between the men.

“So, how long are you going to stay in the States,” Jax asked Sela.

Ford turned his way and smiled. “I’m trying to talk her into moving back. I want her to move to Chicago. She and Carlotta are going to Long Island to see Neil and Alicia, which I advised against, but I want her to fly back with us from Europe. We can go to Paris and help her pack up everything and have it shipped over and the two of them can fly back with us. Don’t you think it’s a good idea, love?”

Jax looked out on the dance floor to see Cade on his knees dancing with Carlotta who had the brightest smile on her face. “I can see two hearts that would definitely be broken if you don’t move back. He needs someone to play with,” he teased, pointing to Cade.

Sela giggled and held up her glass of champagne. “I’ll be in touch while you’re over and see what I can organize. I have an offer from a gallery here in New York to show my work, and I’ve had offers here in the States to do some magazine work, but I’ve always declined it. Let’s see how this visit with Neil and Alicia goes. I don’t want Carlie not to have grandparents, but if our parents haven’t changed, I don’t want her to have anything to do with them.” Jax could tell she was serious.

“Okay, how about this. You come back to Chicago with us in the morning so we can appear in Court to finalize Cade’s adoption, then we’ll fly back with you and go to see your folks. If it’s awful, then you fly back to Europe with us, and we’ll have our honeymoon and then pick you two up in Paris before we all come back. It would be so great to have the two of you with us. I know Branford has missed you, Sela.” Jax knew there would be details to work out, but he was sure it was what Ford wanted.”

He glanced at Ford, noticing his face was pale. “Or maybe we, uh…” Jax backpedaled.

Ford clutched his hand. “No, I need to face them for the last time, maybe. I’m not going to live a lie, and I’m not going to hide who I am. For my own sake, I need to deal with them once and for always. If you and Kincade will be there with me, then I know I’ll be fine, and we’ll be there for Sela in case they start any shit. I’ll change flights and make reservations for you, sis. You’ll come, right?”

Jax was nodding fiercely behind Ford until his sister finally acquiesced. “Yes, we’ll come. I’ve missed you so much, Branny. So many times, I wanted to call you,” Sela said. Jax kissed Ford’s hand and left him with his sister to catch up. He slid out onto the dance floor and scooped up Carlotta.

“How about a dance with Uncle Jax?”

The little brunette turned to Cade and giggled. “Okay, Uncle Lucky.” The girl gave Jax a big smile.

Jax laughed. “Don’t listen to him. He’s silly. Now, let’s get Cyrus to play the chicken dance. Do you know how to do the chicken dance?” The little girl, who laughed heartily as she shook her head that no, she didn’t know the chicken dance.

“Oh, you can’t be a member of my family and not know how to do the chicken dance,” Jax’s dramatic statement made Carlotta and Cade laugh. He led her over to the booth and the cute Filipino guy who worked at the club.

“Cyrus, my good man, can you cue up the chicken dance for my niece? It seems I have a thing or two to teach her.”

“You betcha, Jax,” Cyrus searched on his computer, finally finding the music.

“Okay, everybody, let’s do the chicken dance ,” Cyrus announced over the speaker as the rousing polka-like music began playing. Jax showed Carlotta how to do the moves and then how to dance arm in arm in a circle. Everyone got up and joined them, and the photographer was busily snapping photos. When he looked at the photographer, he noticed it wasn’t the guy they’d hired, it was Sela.

He was looking forward to seeing the photos. He’d seen her work online when Cade found her website, and she was fantastic at her craft. It would be a day to remember, for certain.

“Both of you at the same time.” Cade led both of them into their suite. Jax could tell he was a little intoxicated, but he looked so damn cute.

“I distinctly remember you telling us not to listen to you if you ever wanted to double down, chére. We’re not about to take advantage of you, you little tease.”

“No, Kincade, I have a request. Will you help me get ready for Jackson? I’d like to have both of you make love to me, but I’ll need some prep for his monster cock.” Ford glanced at Jax’s crotch and then laughed along with Cade.

Jax stared at his husband. “How drunk are you?”

“Just a little buzzed, but I want to do it, Jackson. We’re married, love. I want both of my new husbands to make love to me, especially since Rina and Sela cockblocked us last night.” Ford took both of their hands and squeezed.

“Well, okay, but it’s not… I mean, I love sucking your cock, baby. That’s…” Jax was giving Ford an out. He might be swept up in the excitement around the wedding and might regret it. Jax didn’t want that memory to taint their wedding night.

“No. Go to the bar and have a drink while Ford and I discuss this. Give us an hour, okay, Lucky?” Cade was insistent.

Of course, Jax couldn’t say no, so he nodded before pecking Cade then Ford on their cheeks. He left the two of them to their preparations, which seemed like some secret ritual to him because he’d never bothered to ask what it entailed when Cade slipped off. He took the elevator down to the lobby and went to the bar, taking a seat at the end next to a bowl of peanuts.

“Good evening. What can I get you?” The bartender was dressed in traditional bartender garb—black slacks, white shirt, black tie, and black vest. He was about forty if Jax was judging right, though a handsome man. Jax noticed a wedding ring when he placed a fancy cocktail napkin in front of him and offered a nice smile.

“I’ll have a bourbon neat and a glass of ice water, please.” Jax reached into the breast pocket of his tuxedo to find his wallet, which he pulled out.

“Oh, Cajun, these are on me. I’m a huge fan, sir. How’s the leg? That kid shoulda been suspended for spearing. I had a C-note on that game.” The guy snickered.

Jax pulled out a hundred and placed it on the bar. “Well, the League didn’t see it that way, but it sure felt like the little fuck had it in for me. Did you win or lose?”

“Oh, I cleaned up. Won a grand on Chicago. Took the wife out for a magnificent time on New Year’s and still put a little in the bank. You in town for a function? Nice tux.” The man went about fixing Jax’s order.

When he placed them on the bar and smiled at Jax, he knew he had to be honest. “Actually, I got married today. I’m doin’ the new groom thing to give him time to get ready.” Jax waited to see the man’s reaction.

The man laughed. “Yeah, my little brother Danny got married last year, and he sorta had the same situation with his husband, Theo. Danny was ready to go, but his husband got performance anxiety because they waited until that night to take the final step and Theo was afraid he’d hurt Danny. They worked it out. They’re lookin’ for a surrogate right now. I tried to talk my Connie into doin’ it for ‘em, but she surprised me with another bun in the oven. It’ll be three for us. You talked about kids?”

Jax sighed. That was one thing they’d never be able to do. Bringing up a child with three fathers would be far too complicated, he was sure. “We’re holdin’ off on the discussion. I mean, I’ve got the team to worry about and he’s got his own business, so it’s not like we’re desperate for them right away. We have a beautiful niece to spoil for a while until we make some decisions.”

The two men talked about the approaching football season, and just as Jax was about to ask for a refill, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

You coming back or what? C&B

He saw the message and smiled. “Here…uh, I’m sorry. What’s your name?” Jax asked as he extended his hand.

“Tommy Bardolino, sir.” The guy shook Jax’s hand.

“Tommy, nice to meet ya, man. Gimme a bottle of champagne and a napkin.”

The guy handed him one as he pulled an ice bucket from under the bar and loaded it up, shoving a bottle of the bubbly inside. Jax picked up the pen next to the register.

The two men shook hands, and Jax didn’t waste time with the elevator. He took the stairs two at a time with the silver bucket held tightly in his arms just as he’d cradled a football a time or two when he’d made an interception. He was definitely in a hurry to get to the two men he loved. The night had a lot of promise after all… it was his wedding night.