"David! How many times do I have to stress this is a law office, not some cheap motel where you can go snogging your man—or men—all over the furniture."
Riley rolled his eyes when his receptionist smirked before returning to kissing the two men sandwiching him between them. How he had ever thought this man was innocent of being too demonstrative in the workplace, he'd never understand. He felt good about hiring David to work in the firm, though; he was friendly—maybe a little too much sometimes—and helpful with the clients. Plus he had experience with some of the emotional situations that came up, and Bubba thought he was cute as a button.
Eight months in and the firm was already beginning to hum with business. Even Riley had to admit he was proud of how his plans—both with the design of the place and the hiring of significant members of his staff, including Mason—had developed. However, there were still a few bumps in the road. The firm still had a long way to go to become an active in the GLBT community, which was Riley's ultimate goal, and he and Josh had received an off-the-record lecture from the Bar Association disciplinary committee because of their relationship with regards to working the same case.
Riley's old firm, Adams, Jordan and Watts, was under investigation, and though his breach of contract hadn't been settled yet, Riley wasn't worried about it. Derek Adams' hiring practices had been called into question along with everything else about his professional existence, and from everything Riley had been told, his asshole ex-boss didn't have a leg left to stand on. All in all, things were working out perfectly.
Speaking of perfect, Riley didn't even bother to stifle the smile that threatened to crack his whole face when he spotted Josh making his way across the reception area, a bouquet of bright yellow flowers clutched in his hand. It was an exciting day for them both, the first day Josh would become an official member of the firm since he'd given his notice and left his other job. It had been a bittersweet battle for Riley, knowing Josh was happy with his old firm, but wanting him by his side at the same time. Seeing Josh rush toward him was enough to chase all the bitterness away and be left with just the sweet.
"Hey!" Josh bellowed across the room. "I think you need to have a discussion with your receptionist about affection in the office."
The grin on Josh's face sent tiny tendrils of warmth to Riley's heart and more than a little heat to his groin. Nothing was more beautiful than that smile and that man, not to mention the way Josh filled out an expensive suit. Riley's cheeks heated at the memory of the last time Josh had worn the baby blue dress shirt, navy blue coat, and matching tie, and how Riley had helped him take it all off.
Coincidentally, it had been right there in the reception area and also involved the wooden desk where David now sat flirting with his partners. It had been their final christening of the office, Josh having just given his notice to his firm. They'd had to buy some special wood cleaner to sanitize the poor desk they'd defiled with their own leaking wood.
Lost in the sexy memory, he must have smirked or chuckled. "You okay, Ri?" Josh asked. "Not sure what that look on your face is."
Riley met Josh halfway across the room, crushing the flowers between them when he pulled Josh into his arms. He captured his lips in a demanding kiss, just taking what he needed—just Josh.
Josh had stuck by Riley through all the crap: the disciplinary committee, his father's time in court, all the secrets Riley had so staunchly kept throughout their years together. He was strong, and patient, and he gave Riley what he'd always wanted and needed in his life: faith, trust, and love. Josh broke the contact first, fingers wrapping around Riley's neck while his thumbs caressed his cheekbones. A beautiful hundred watt smile lit up his gorgeous face, and it was all for Riley.
"Guess it's hard to enforce the rules when the boss is so set on breaking them." Josh laughed and kissed the tip of Riley's nose. "Especially when he's fucking hot."
"Bosses," Riley said. "Now that you're officially free, you can take some real responsibility for a change. Did you get everything tied up?"
Josh grinned. "I'm all yours, counselor. I kind of like the idea of calling you 'boss'. Maybe we can take turns?" He dragged Riley against him again, Riley's tongue immediately sweeping inside his mouth.
"Missed you this morning," Riley wound an arm around Josh's shoulders and pressed his nose to the side of his neck. "Not used to you leaving so early."
Riley had woken up that morning in a desperate state of horniness, and though it had been less than twelve hours since they'd made love, he had a dejected feeling when he realized Josh had already left. Riley would have been the first to admit his and Josh's sex life had taken a definite turn for the better since the debilitating stress had been lifted from his shoulders. He felt like a sex-deprived teenager looking to score whenever Josh was in the room and sometimes when he was only a thought in Riley's head. It was a nice feeling, one that he hoped would last, or at least be remembered, as he and Josh grew old together. Riley would swear up and down that he'd never intended on becoming so dependent on seeing Josh's or anyone else's face to make him feel whole and just plain happy, but that was exactly how he felt. Mornings when Josh's face wasn't the first thing he saw were just not good mornings.
Josh returned the sturdy embrace, sliding his arms inside Riley's suit jacket before slipping them down to cup his ass.
"Get a room, you two." David tsked behind them.
"I believe this whole house is our room," Josh said. He gave Riley's butt an extra hard squeeze and Riley snorted into his neck. "I had some stuff to get wrapped up. Still have an errand to run; wanna tag along?"
Riley shrugged and looked around the office. Daphne, the legal assistant, was busy in the small law library, David had finally taken his place behind the fashionable oak desk in the entranceway, and the other lawyer he'd hired was with a client. Things seemed to be running smoothly, and it was almost quitting time, so why not? There had to be some perks to being the boss.
"My schedule's clear. Where we headed?"
Josh smirked mischievously and twisted their fingers together. "Now that would be telling, wouldn't it? Um, what's with the rainbow flag, by the way?"
Riley rolled his eyes. "David, of course."
*~*~*
Josh finally shuffled Riley out the door after waiting for him to give David firm instructions on not having his men loitering around the waiting room. He didn't mind waiting. He was thrilled at the change in Riley and over-the-moon that he seemed so content in both his professional and personal life. Josh hoped he was accurate in what he saw since he couldn't have made up a happier life for himself if he tried.
It had been hard leaving the job that had been so good to him, but his boss had understood and had even encouraged him to contact some of his regular clients. That had made the transition a little easier, since Josh worried about being the freeloader in the firm. He understood the love behind Riley's insistence that they were full partners in everything, but that didn't soothe the sense of responsibility he'd grown so used to having.
When they pulled up in front of Tiny Mercies, Riley cocked his head in Josh's direction, but Josh just winked, leaned over, and kissed Riley's smooth cheek.
"Bubba is your errand?" Riley cocked an eyebrow at Josh.
Josh patted his thigh, the smirk on his face well-contained until he turned away to open his door. Riley beat him to the sidewalk, where they paused a moment to appreciate the improvements they'd helped make to the nursing home. More bushes and flowers had been added, along with a new front porch furnished with chairs designed specifically for Bubba and the other residents. They'd also repainted inside and out and replaced the broken tiles of the adobe roof. The place looked fresh, but it still had that homey, welcoming feel about it.
Josh grabbed Riley's hand and led him up the same path that he'd been led up eight months before. He'd been to visit Bubba a lot, sometimes with Riley and often just on his own. She reminded him of the grandmother he had lost to cancer when he was a teenager, and she treated him like he was family. He guessed maybe they were a family: Riley, Bubba, and himself. With Josh's real family being so far away, it was a comfort to have that familial bond close by. He'd always felt that way about Riley anyhow, but Bubba was exactly the little added bonus they'd both needed.
Loretta met them at the door, shutting them inside while Riley shot a confused look at Josh. "Good morning, boys. Y'all are looking handsome today. If I was only a few years younger I'd give you boys a run for your money. Mmm hmm. Is that a new tie, Riley? Goes perfectly with your eyes."
"Thanks, Loretta. How's our lovely lady today?"
Josh tried to hide a smirk, and it didn't help that Loretta looked his way and winked. Loretta had more or less become a part of their little family, too. Widowed for over five years, she supported four almost-grown children and one fatherless grandchild all on the salary that Tiny Mercies paid her. Josh and Riley had taken to stopping by her house with an armload of groceries or some sort of quickly consumed take-out at least once a week just to ease the burden. Loretta was a proud woman, but she was also intelligent enough to know when people were being genuinely generous and not just acting out of pity or social pressure. Riley had also hired her oldest son, Robert Junior, to do their yard work and other odd jobs once a week. It was the least both of them could do for taking such good care of Bubba, as well as protecting her when the need had arisen.
"She's fit as a fiddle this morning, or as fit and fiddlish as anyone around here gets, including me." She let out a loud guffaw. Josh chuckled as Riley raised an eyebrow. It was time to get things moving before Riley got any more suspicious.
"Come on, babe. Let's go see what Bubba's up to," Josh said, tugging on Riley's suit jacket. "It's okay if we head down, Loretta?" He cocked his eyebrow at Loretta, who gave a sneaky nod in return.
Josh slid his left arm around Riley's shoulders, guiding him away from a smirking Loretta and down the empty hallway to Bubba's room. He wiped his clammy right palm on his pants while he walked, his body swarming and vibrating with anxiety. He didn't want Riley to know how nervous he was, but goddamn, this was too important to screw up.
Bubba's door was closed and Josh stepped behind Riley, allowing him to go first. The privacy curtain that hung just inside the door was drawn. Josh shrugged his shoulders when Riley turned to look at him.
"Maybe she's dressing."
"She usually needs help with that."
"So let her know we're here, Ri." Josh shook his head, putting on his best annoyed face.
"Bubba? Are you decent? Can we come in?"
Bubba's voice was warm and familiar, like the fresh scent of homemade bread. "So formal, Riley. Just get your little behind in here. I can't wait all day."
Riley shot Josh another look of what-the-fuck? before he pushed the curtain aside and entered the room. The look on his face was all Josh needed to know he was doing the right thing.
"Bubba, you look so nice!" Riley's face lit up like a Christmas tree when he bent to hug her. "Got a hot date?"
Josh took a deep breath. "Ri? I have something to ask you."
*~*~*
Riley's gaze never wavered from Bubba, the bright sparkling eyes of his grandmother making him curious and more than a little toasty inside. He glanced around the room: two red and one white candle sat on the window ledge—surely a fire code violation had they been lit—with a vase of fresh daisies on each side. One of the small bedside tables had been pushed against the wall so it sat directly in front of the window. It held a neat pile of white paper and a fancy pen sticking out of an old-fashioned inkwell.
"What the f—"
"Mind your manners, Riley James," Bubba warned, her words strong, but her tone warm and teasing. "I think Josh is trying to talk to you."
Riley turned to Josh, his mouth dropping open when he saw Josh kneeling on the floor before him. "What are you do—"
Josh smiled up at him, and Riley's heart twitched with happiness. "Bubba and I have something to talk to you about."
"Bubba and you?"
He looked at his grandmother again, her small body sitting on the edge of the big hospital chair. "Pay attention, Riley James. This is the most important moment of your life."
"Josh, what are you doing?" Riley reached down to sweep his fingers through Josh's unruly curls. He saw Josh's Adam's apple working over-time in his throat, his eyes bright with unshed tears. "Sweetheart …"
"I thought it would be best to talk to Bubba first, just to make sure she thought it was a good idea."
"The boy's not telling it right," Bubba piped up. "He asked my permission. Silliest thing I've ever heard, but he was sincere, kind of what he is right now. Continue."
Riley's heart beat in little bursts against his ribcage as he smiled down at Josh. "You asked my grandmother's permission for what, exactly?"
Josh reached up and took Riley's hands in his. "To ask you to marry me."
"You're fucking kidding me."
"Riley James Callahan! I know I did not raise you that way."
"Sorry, Bubba. I'm just a little shocked."
"Can I ask the actual question now so I can get off my knees? I'm not as young as I used to be." Josh chuckled and squeezed Riley's fingers. "We've been through a lot this year, especially you, and I don't ever want you to feel like you have nowhere to turn again, that you have no family to support you. I want to be your family, yours and Bubba's, and I want you both to be part of mine."
"Josh …" Riley's voice caught on the massive lump that had magically appeared in his throat. He dipped his head, trying to swallow around it, but Josh's thumb brushing over his knuckles brought him back to the present.
"Will you be my husband, Riley? Will you marry me?"
Riley's eyes overflowed with tears, his hands still held captive in Josh's so he couldn't try to hide them or sweep them away. "Are you sure? You don't have to do this."
"Answer the question, Riley James. It's almost naptime."
He had to chuckle at Bubba's insistent words. Even if it wasn't her intention, she was awesome at lightening up the situation.
"Riley?" The look in Josh's eyes sent prickles, like pinpoints, across Riley's skin; so much love and want and, yeah, even some nervousness and fear.
"Of course. How could you even think …" He didn't get to finish his thought as Josh's lips covered his in a passionate kiss. Josh's arms slid around Riley's body and he pressed and pulled him close. "Yes," he whispered against Josh's soft lips. "Goddamn it, Josh. I love you."
"Love you, too."
Bubba sniffed loudly from behind them. "I'm the one who gave him permission. Where's my sugar?" She blew her nose loudly and let out a giggle.
Riley and Josh laughed out loud together. They knelt on either side of Bubba and grazed her cheeks with soft kisses.
"He doesn't have a ring."
"What?" Riley pulled himself to his full height again, one hand still brushing over Bubba's back.
"He doesn't have a ring," Bubba repeated. "Always thought an engagement needed a ring."
Josh stepped past Riley and picked up the sheaf of paper. "I wanted to pick them out together, but I have these in the meantime."
"Don't we have to light the candles?"
"Oh fu—oh damn, I forget." Josh put the papers down then grabbed the lighter and the white candle from the windowsill.
Riley was still confused: papers, candles, no ring. What the hell was going on?
"It's a tradition in my family that, after asking for permission from the parents, the couple lights a candle to seal the engagement. The white candle is for Bubba, to represent her acceptance of me into your family, and the red ones are to pledge our love to each other."
Riley smiled and took the candle from Josh. "Weird, Italians. I'll hold the candle and you help Bubba light it." He tried to keep his words light while his heart raced and the tiny hairs on his arms tingled.
"I don't need any help," Bubba said, accepting the lighter from Josh. Her fingers tried to work the switch but they shook, and finally she looked up at Josh. Josh flicked the switch and guided Bubba's hand to the candle.
"Bubba, do you accept me into your family?"
"Damn straight."
Josh and Riley both chuckled. Riley leaned over and kissed Bubba's cheek again, moving the candle back to the window ledge. "How do we do this?"
"We use the white candle to light ours," Josh said, placing the lighter back on the ledge.
"Do I get to kiss you?" Riley asked.
Bubba snorted from her chair. "Like anything would ever stop you."
Josh and Riley stood face-to-face, chests only inches apart. They reached for a candle at the same time, the emotions running rampant on both their faces. "You know we can't do this legally," Riley whispered.
"I don't need legal. I just need you."
They brought their candles to the flame of Bubba's candle, lighting them and holding them to the side.
Josh spoke first. "Riley, I love you, and nothing would make me happier than to be part of your family. Will you accept me?"
Riley drew in a deep breath, his teeth finally easing up on the cheek he was busily gnawing on. "I love you, Josh. We're already family in my eyes." They kissed chastely, aware they each still held a burning candle in their hands. "What are the papers for? Did Bubba become a Justice of the Peace?"
Josh shook his head. He took Riley's candle and set both down on the window ledge then picked up the papers and handed them to Riley.
"A prenup? What the fuck, Josh?"
Riley shot a glance of apology at Bubba. He hadn't meant to raise his voice, and he didn't have to worry at all since his grandmother's eyes were closed—her morning nap already in progress. He crossed to her, petting her hair and kissing the top of her head. He blew out the candles, documents still clutched in one hand, cocking his head in the direction of the door. Josh followed him out, shutting the door carefully behind him.
They walked down to one of the rooms used for family visits and sat facing each other on the big comfy couch.
"I don't want this," Riley said, setting the papers between them. And he didn't; he didn't want it in the least. He didn't want to have rules put on their relationship. He knew it was about the money in his trust and the ownership of the house and the firm, and he hated that Josh thought it was necessary to impose parameters with him. He knew Josh didn't want his money, so it was ridiculous to even consider such a thing.
"We're lawyers, Ri. We know what can happen when things go sour. I'm just trying to protect you."
Riley shook his head. "I don't need protection from you. I've been protecting everything about myself my entire life, and I don't want to do it with the man I love."
He didn't give in when Josh shifted closer or when he slid an arm around his shoulders, but Josh's lips pressing against his hair and sweet words of love too hard to resist, broke him.
"We'll talk about it, okay?" Josh said. His fingers moved from Riley's neck to his face, tracing over his chin, nose, and eyes. "You've been through so much, babe. I just wanna …"
"I get it. We'll talk about it."
Riley hugged Josh as close as he possibly could, breathing in everything he loved about his man. He understood the feelings and thoughts behind the gesture, and they would debate it again, but for now he just wanted to take Josh home and rip his husband-to-be's clothes off. Husband. Nice.
"Do you need to go back to the office?" Josh whispered into Riley's hair.
Riley shook his head, separating himself from Josh, fingers sliding from the back of Josh's hair and over his neck, stopping on the knot of his tie. "Not really, but I do have a new employee to train."
Josh smirked and kissed the side of Riley's mouth. "Train?"
"Yeah. I like to give my new hires a little extra attention …" he paused, letting Josh nip at his bottom lip. " … at least some of them. And have I mentioned we're pretty casual at Callahan and Associates? So I should probably help you take off your tie."
"Service with a smile."
"Only for you."
Fin