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“I’m glad that didn’t drag out a month.” Trent went to the refrigerator and grabbed himself a bottle of water.
“Get me one too, Trent,” Mike asked so he didn’t have to move. “So you guys headed out to a movie or something?”
“Nope,” Bishop answered. “My husband and I are going home to enjoy the rest of our weekend. I don’t know what the hell they’re about to do.” Bishop pointed at Wood.
Wood came and stood in front of him, and Trent looked just as baffled as Mike when Wood began to fidget with something in his pocket.
“Something on your mind, Wood?” Mike asked.
It took a moment for Wood to find his voice, but when he did, his tone was confident. “Mike, I know we’ve had our differences in the past. And we’ve disagreed on some things… well, a lot of things…” Wood smirked along with Mike. That was a big-ass understatement. “But one thing I’ve always envied was how much you love your family. How you protect them and take care of them, no matter what. Anything your sons do, good or bad, they know they have your support. You’ll never turn your back on them.”
Mike didn’t press Wood to finish when he paused for a long moment. All of them remembered how Wood felt when he’d gotten out of prison and tried to reconnect with his parents after no communication for seventeen years. They’d done a lot more than just slam the door in his face; they’d crushed his spirit, and it’d taken Trent and the rest of them to help build him up again.
“I can respect that in a man… in a father.”
Mike couldn’t be the only one wondering where Wood was going with this speech because Trent and Edison appeared just as surprised and confused as him. Bishop was the only one looking suspicious, as if he knew a secret.
“Thank you, Wood. I appreciate you saying that.” Mike shook Wood’s hand. “My boys mean everything to me.”
“I know. And that’s what I’m here to ask for.”
“For what?” Mike frowned.
“For your other son.” Wood pulled out a black velvet ring box from his pocket. Edison gasped, and Trent looked as if his knees were about to give out. “I’m old-school, Mike, and I was raised to show respect. My father taught me that when I was ready to settle down, that I should do it the honorable way.” Wood’s eyes gleamed with moisture. “I didn’t agree with everything my father believed in, but I did wholeheartedly agree with this.”
Mike blinked at the box, then up to meet Wood’s eyes.
“Mike. I love your son. From the moment I stormed into his life, he’s enriched mine and made it better. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t thank god for him. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t show him how much he means to me. And if you approve, if you’ll grant me permission to ask for Trent’s hand in marriage, then I swear to you that I will always love him and protect him just as fiercely as you.”
Bishop had his arm around Trent’s shoulder as he got emotional over Wood’s gesture and his words. Someone could’ve knocked Mike over with a stick because this was the last thing he’d expected to happen today. He thought he’d lost his chance at giving his son a wedding. Damnit. How could he not think of Trent?
“I know Bishop and Edison wanted a small ceremony, but I know exactly what Trent wants.” Wood turned and smiled at his boyfriend. “He wants a small ceremony too, but he definitely wants his family and friends there. He wants to have it in a garden his dad designed, and he doesn’t wanna wear a monkey suit.”
Trent choked around his light chuckle, shaking his head as if he couldn’t believe what was happening.
Wood kept going. “He wants Mama to cook the food, and he wants to have a long reception that goes on until two in the morning.” Wood was close enough to stroke Trent’s cheek as he gazed down at him, a crooked grin on his lips. “And of all the places in the world to honeymoon, he wants to go to Dallas, Texas, in the winter.”
That time, Mike and Bishop both laughed when they said in unison, “To see the Cowboys in a playoff game.”
“He wants to live a simple life with a dog and maybe a couple cats. He wants to go on long weekend trips, and he wants to one day own a boat so he can go fishing with his dad and brother.” Wood didn’t take his eyes off Trent. “I’ll give him all of that and more if you will grant me the permission, Mike.”
The room went quiet except for Trent’s labored breaths. Wood held the black box in his hand, waiting for his answer. Mike made sure not to holler out as his muscles protested when he stood and walked over to Wood. Mike had so many feelings orbiting his chest, but none of them felt wrong. What he was about to say was the right decision.
“Herschel Wood. I’d be honored to have you as a son-in-law. Yes. You have my permission.” Mike couldn’t believe how saying that made him feel.
Like a father.
Wood accepted Mike’s handshake, then turned back to Trent and gracefully went down on one knee.
“Oh my gosh,” Edison gasped with his hand over his mouth. He hooked his arm through Bishop’s and watched the show.
A lone tear escaped down Trent’s cheek, and he hurried to wipe it away before another fell right after.
Trent slipped his shaky hand into Wood’s as he asked. “Trent Armstrong, I love you more than I’ll ever be able to tell you.” Wood kissed Trent’s knuckles, “Will you marry me and let me show you for the rest of our lives?”
There was no hesitation. Trent nodded and croaked out a “yes” before Wood surged to his feet and hefted him into his arms.
Once all the hugs and congratulations were out of the way, they made a toast to their growing family, to Bishop and Edison’s union, to Mike settling down, and to Trent and Wood’s engagement.
