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Kell sucked in a sharp breath. He stared at the exquisite jewelry glistening in the dark. It was what Ty had specifically designed it to do.
“Ty,” Kell gasped.
“Are your blades only on your left hand like I asked?”
Kell nodded stiffly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Give me your right hand,” Ty told him. “This is the last of my gems, baby.”
Moisture formed in Kell’s eyes but no tears fell. “I never thought I’d see a watch I wanted to wear. Always hated them.”
Ty knew Kell didn’t pine for fancy jewels, but this was something Ty had waited all his life to do… for himself. To be the man, the husband, his father had groomed him to be. Damn any other traditions or customs. He watched Kell run his hand over the two-toned black opal band. The black diamonds in the knight’s helmet behind the crystal window face shimmered radiantly. It was all black on black on black except the red rubies that made up the dial. It was the perfect complement to Kell’s red and black daggers. His fiancé may not have been one for watches, but Ty felt every man should have a time piece for his wrist, even if he only wore it on special occasions.
He clicked the double-press closure together, glad the watchmaker got the size correct. His jewels looked stunning. Just like its new owner.
“How did you…?”
He liked that Kell was speechless. “Brian took me to a jeweler he knew last week. I was hoping it could be made in time. It took me a while to find someone. You can’t just take jewels like this to any watch maker with good Yelp reviews.”
“Why?” Kell said, still staring at watch. The knight’s helmet was wicked sexy.
“Because they’d probably swap my jewels for fake ones.”
“Oh.” Kell’s eyes widened. “Are you rich?”
Ty laughed fondly. “No. Not even close. I just made wise decisions with the insurance money my father left me. The jewels all came from him as well. The gold, the stones were all he’d bartered, bought, and traded over his years traveling the world.”
“I can’t imagine having a dad like that.” Kell reached for Ty’s hand and squeezed it. “You were very blessed.”
“I was.” Ty kissed Kell’s hand and looked deep into his eyes. “I still am.”
“How was your mother’s reaction?” Kell asked touching his hand to his necklace.
“She could already see how happy I was when I walked through her door. I told her I gave my proposal gift and I’d be committing tomorrow.”
Ty remembered his mother didn’t have just one but several reactions.
He took her hand in his. “I know he’s the one. Without any doubt. I’m not hesitating.”
She watched him for a long time. Her warm eyes didn’t hold an ounce of judgment but plenty of confusion. “A man? You’ve never mentioned you cared for men, Tyrell.”
Ty shrugged, “Okay. True. But, I never mentioned to you that I cared for women either.”
She popped him gently on his knee. “Don’t get clever with me.”
“I don’t know mother. Maybe I was predisposed to looking towards females, so I always have, but none of them touched me. No one has loved me as deeply as Kellam and I don’t believe anyone could.” Ty held his mother’s gaze. “I’m not the same man I was four weeks ago. I’m better.”
His mom beamed at him. “Of course you are. You’ve found your soul’s other half. Love upgrades a man.” She lightly touched his cheek. He knew it wouldn’t be difficult for her to accept his choice. His mother’s nephew was gay, and she loved him more than she did her other five.
“When I come back from visiting my sister in Tampa you’ll have to bring him right over. We’ll have a formal dinner to celebrate your commitment.” She squeezed his hands as tight as her little one could, as moisture formed in her eyes.
“I’ll be there with you in spirit. And your father…” A large tear fell down her cheek.
“I know.” Ty whispered. He took a Kleenex off her end table and wiped the sadness away. It’d be too much for her heart to stand there with him, without her husband at her side like they’d always envisioned. He understood that. He just wanted her to be happy for him. “I do.”
“He’s always with you.” She touched the dog tag close to his heart.
Ty leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Let me tell you more about him.”
“Yes.” She sniffled, straightening herself. Her eyes sparkled. “And don’t leave out a single detail on giving your gifts.”
“And,” Kell urged, breaking him out of his reflection.
“She was quiet for a moment. When I told her about you she simply said that God blesses all unions and for me to continue being a good man and I’ll continue to be blessed. Then she went into a lengthy story of how she felt when my father first put his diamond, bangle bracelets on her arm to propose.”
