“Oliver!” Thélio yelled as we entered the massive home that Oliver and Sebastian owned in what seemed to be an even more remote area of Montana than our rental home was in, even if it was the exact same city, “Oliver it is unsafe to leave the front door open!”

“I’m six foot five and mostly muscle with a huge guard dog that’ll hurt strangers on sight, I really ain’t that worried,” Oliver laughed, coming from a hallway on our left, “well now. Ya both look great.”

“So do you,” I nodded, rushing over to hug him, “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“A few years,” he smiled, “I missed ya.”

“I missed you too. Is anyone else here?”

“My dad Gray and all my siblings and grandparents. Only people missin’ are my dad Hunter, Bas, and Auggie. It’s weird bein’ here without ‘em. It’s too quiet.”

“I would not know the difference,” Thélio shrugged, fussing over Oliver after moving me away, “I worked very hard on this suit, I will not stand for you ruining it.”

“Lio. Relax. I ain’t gonna ruin it.”

“You tied your tie wrong. Why did I make one special if you cannot tie silk?”

“I ain’t even want all this. Sebastian did and I will do anything he asks to make him happy. I wanted to wear my jeans,” Oliver grumbled and I started laughing loudly, making him look at me.

“You’re a fucking horrible liar, Oliver. You asked me to help write your vows. You reached out to Lio to make your suit. Come on. You want this big beautiful wedding to show off your amazingly gorgeous husband. You can’t lie to me.”

“I’m tired of you. Go back to Idaho.”

“I am. Tomorrow. With Lio. Then we’re going to London,” I giggled and Thélio smiled fondly at me.

“Really?” Oliver smiled hesitantly and I nodded, “oh that’s amazin’. Lio? Can we talk for two seconds? Cinn, there’s mimosas over there if ya want a drink or snacks. I know about your food schedule. Nita is somewhere with Alys so don’t be surprised if a toddler comes runnin’ up to see ya.”

“I would love nothing more than to see your niece and sister,” I laughed and headed to the dining room, watching Oliver pull Thélio into a separate room.

I wonder what they’re talking about…

Is he going to talk Lio out of taking me to London?

But Oliver pushed for me to do it.

Stop it, Hyacinth.

Get out of your own head.

“Hi,” a tiny voice called and I looked around before turning my gaze down where I found a beautiful, golden haired toddler staring up at me, a small bunny in her hands as she rocked on her heels.

“Well hello,” I squatted down carefully, “my name is Hyacinth. What’s your name?”

“Allie!” she giggled, “hop,” she held the stuffed bunny out to me and I gently patted it on the head.

“His name is Hop?”

“Mhm,” she nodded, “eye?” she pointed to my eyepatch and I shrugged.

“I have to wear it, sweet girl. That’s all. Your dress is pretty. I like that it’s pink.”

“Alys? Alys, where did you… oh,” Serenity came around the corner and I smiled up at her, “Hyacinth?”

“Hi Nita,” I stood up slowly, doing my best to keep my balance, “you look lovely.”

Serenity Hope was Oliver’s older sister and the new owner of Parallel Publishing. A wonderful woman with the same bright gold curls as her daughter Alys and a welcoming smile even if I had gathered that she was outspoken and brash. I enjoyed her company when I would visit Parallel from time to time regarding my books and while I did find her intimidating, I found her honesty refreshing.

“I almost wouldn’t have believed it was you! Your hair always gives you away. You look incredible! Where did you buy that?”

“Oh. I ordered it from a website and had it tailored. I had no idea what to wear to a wedding. I’ve only gone to my brothers and I wore a black dress.”

“This is so much better! You’re really early for the wedding. Is everything okay?”

“They are with me,” Thélio called as he joined us in the dining room, “Oliver was up to sneaks. We stayed in the same house and flew here together. Now, Hyacinth has agreed to be my assistant for photos.”

“Ah! I should have guessed. It’s lovely to see you as well, Lio.”

“Thank you,” he bowed politely, “oh. Who are you?” he smiled, kneeling to look at Alys.

“Have you never met my daughter?” Serenity gasped in surprise, “she’s always in the office with Garett and me.”

“Never had the chance. You are so very pretty,” Thélio smiled, letting Alys hug him.

“Hair?” Alys pulled a bit on Thélio’s hair and he laughed loudly.

“It is special hair. Like Hyacinth. That’s all.”

He’s so gentle.

It comes out in his interactions.

“Alright,” Oliver clapped his hands, “Sebastian and Hunter will be here in an hour so any photos ya need to get done before that should start now, Lio.”

“Ah right. Hyacinth, can you help me?”

“That’s what we agreed on,” I laughed, helping Thélio up off the floor, “where are we going first?”

“The backyard. I want to take photos of the set up. Sebastian asked for them.”

“Alright.”

We headed outside and I began to move things as Thélio asked, watching him line up the camera properly as he took hundreds of photos, focusing on minute details before taking an overall shot of the layout and guests milling about.

“These will be nice,” he smiled, coming over to me, “now. Go stand under that pine tree.”

“I’m not taking a school photo,” I snorted.

“You are a pain. Fine. I have already taken several of you when you were in the middle of something. I prefer it to be natural. The light out here is good. You looked angelic.”

“Lio?” I could feel my face grow warm and he smiled, fixing one of my sleeves.

“I am not wrong. You look like an angel in the sunlight.”

“You’re embarrassing me,” I cleared my throat, tucking a piece of hair back as I always fidgeted when I was nervous.

“I am just being honest. Anyway, I need to go inside and take photos of Oliver. Would you like to join me?”

“I’ll come inside in a bit, I want to take a few photos on my phone to send to Sparrow. He asked for them after all.”

“First!” he took my phone and pulled me to him, wrapping an arm around my waist, “Okay. Smile.”

“Why are we taking so many selfies together?”

“Because it is fun,” he shrugged, “please?”

“Okay okay.”

After Thélio took several photos, he handed my phone to me and raced inside, a bounce in his step.

He’s so precious.

Can I think of someone so masculine that way?

Precious?

I can’t think of any other way to describe him.

I took a seat on one of the outside chairs and started sending photos to Sparrow, a small smile on my face when I came across the ones Thélio had taken of us together.

We look nice together.

Better than I would have looked with Stevie or Ocean.

That’s nice.

I think?

“Lost in thought?” a strange voice called and I looked around for a minute before realizing there was a man standing at the other side of the table from me.

“Uh just texting,” I cleared my throat, turning my gaze back to my phone.

“Wait. I know you.”

“Okay?”

“Oliver was right,” he laughed, sitting across from me, “you look gentle but you’re snappy. He wanted to introduce us until he found out I’m married.”

“Uh. Huh.”

“My name is Silas.”

My head snapped up at the familiar name and I took a few seconds to study him, realizing he was almost identical to Serenity, the same golden curls and green eyes.

“Oh my god you’re Oliver’s older brother,” I sighed with relief, “I thought you were some strange guy coming over here to hit on me.”

“I mean I absolutely would.”

“No you wouldn’t,” another man called, stomping over and smacking Silas on the back of the head, “we’ve been married for years don’t even try.”

“Hyacinth. This is my husband, Lincoln. Lincoln, this is the poet I was telling you about. Hyacinth Williams.”

“A pleasure,” Lincoln nodded, shaking my hand, “ignore my stupid husband. You’re beautiful and he doesn’t know how to control himself.”

“My twin brother is the same way. He’s been engaged for years and still flirts with anything with a pulse. But he would never cheat,” I laughed, “I love your eyes, Lincoln. They’re very similar to mine.”

“Brown eyes are common but yours is far more gold. Are you here alone?”

“Oh no. I mean kind of? I’m with Thélio.”

“Oh! We love Lio. He’s here?” Silas smiled, “where?”

“Taking photos of Oliver in his suit inside. I wanted some fresh air.”

“No better place to do it,” Silas laughed, “Lin, I’m gonna go check on Greggy. I think he’s playing with Allie. They miss Auggie.”

“Oh, do you have a child?” I smiled.

“Yep!” Lincoln laughed, “all of us do. Silas and I have Gregory. Serenity and Garett have Alys. Winifred and Sidney have Mylo, and then obviously Augustine. Although, can you keep a secret?”

“From who exactly?”

“Oliver.”

“I can certainly try.”

“We’re having a baby. Another baby,” Lincoln smiled, “Finally. We’re hoping for a little girl.”

“Oh are you adopting?”

“No no I’m pregnant.”

“Ah! Got it. Well I won’t tell. Congratulations. My brother and his husband are considering adopting soon.”

“It’s worth it,” Silas smiled, “I know Bas and Ollie are talking about adopting as well. But not yet. Not until all this,” he gestured to the wedding as guests slowly entered the backyard, “is over.”

“There are so many people…”

“Oliver knows a lot even if he’s got like three friends,” Silas snorted, “but yes.”

“Hyacinth?” Thélio gently laid a hand on my shoulder, surprising me, “I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you.”

“Oh it’s fine,” I shook my head, smiling up at him, “did the photos go well?”

“Of course. I am a natural photographer and Oliver is beautiful. He makes a lovely model. So it was fine.”

“I’m glad.”

“We need to start taking our seats. Well everyone does. You and me will be by the altar, a bit tucked back to not take away from anything while I take photos.”

“Whatever you wish,” I looked back at Silas and Lincoln, “it was so nice to finally meet you both. Oliver talks about you a lot.”

“Same with you. Enjoy the wedding. Find us later if you want,” Silas waved as Thélio and I walked away, heading to hide near the altar.

“So many people,” Thélio whispered, taking a seat and I joined him, grateful to be tucked away, “but it is nice to have a private area. I did not wish to sit in the crowd.”

“Me either honestly,” I whispered back, “even if we were in the back.”

“Battery?”

“Nine.”

“Eight. So we are okay for now.”

“Agreed.”

The last of the guests arrived as Thélio and I talked about what people had worn, his eye for color wonderful as he explained what tones would look better on certain people. Slowly, the wedding procession started and Ren began to take pictures, doing his best to stay hidden. Oliver was clearly attempting not to cry as Sebastian came down the aisle, arm in arm with Oliver’s father Hunter as Sebastian had no family outside of Oliver’s. It was a beautifully touching moment as Hunter handed Sebastian over to Oliver before taking his seat next to Oliver’s other father Grayson who was very openly crying.

I listened to the entire ceremony, smiling from my seat when Thélio suddenly gripped my thigh, making me look over, his eyes wide with panic.

“Thélio?” I pressed my lips close to his ear so that he could hear me and he took a shaky breath.

“Eugene.”

“What about him?”

“He’s here,” his voice trembled and I squeezed his arm, “why the fuck is here?”

“Can you think of any reason he would know Oliver? Why would Oliver invite him?”

“I don’t know.”

“The ceremony is almost over. They’re exchanging rings now. Once it is done, we excuse ourselves and leave. They’ll understand.”

“I wanted to dance at the reception. I have to finish the job they hired me for.”

“I don’t care. I want to get you somewhere comfortable. Oliver and Bas will understand.”

“Okay.”

Thélio continued to take pictures but it was clear he was terrified and as soon as Oliver and Sebastian left the altar with the rest of the wedding party he raced around the side of the house, chasing after them while I did my best to keep up.

“Oliver, Sebastian,” Thélio called, “I need to talk to you and I need to talk to you now.”

“It cannot wait?” Sebastian tilted his head before catching the look on Thélio's  face, his mismatched eyes filling with concern, “inside then.”

We all headed inside, Thélio leading the way to a small bedroom as I studied him from behind.

“Who the fuck invited Eugene?” Thélio snapped and they shared a look before turning back to him.

“We didn’t invite him. We don’t even know him,” Sebastian shook his head, “nor would we have done that to you. We love you, Thélio, you know that.”

“Well someone brought him then because he is here and there is no way I am wrong. He is as unique looking as Hyacinth and me. Six foot four. Light brown curls. Deep brown eyes. Darker skin. You can not mistake him.”

“I’ll go find out,” Oliver squeezed Thélio’s shoulder and left the room and Thélio sat on the bed, hanging his head.

“I am sorry, Sebastian. I didn’t mean to do this. I panicked. Go on. Enjoy your reception. I might just go back to the rental.”

“No no we need you here! You are one of my best friends. Hyacinth won’t let Eugene near you. Please, Thélio. It shows strength to stand in front of someone who hurt you and let them see you enjoying yourself. Can you try? At least until dinner is over?”

“I uh… yeah,” he nodded, letting Sebastian hug him, “only because I love you both.”

“I know,” Sebastian kissed the top of his head and left the room as I sat next to Thélio and gently took his hand.

“We can still leave. I don’t mind,” I whispered, “you look sad and uncomfortable.”

“Well. I am. But I want to enjoy myself. Thinking about Eugene never hurts me. It is seeing him. I did not expect that to hurt.”

“I’ll keep you safe.”

“Yeah?” his eyes welled with tears and I slowly pulled him into a hug, “promise?”

“I swear. I won’t leave your side. You can hold onto me as much as you need. If he does come over to talk to us, I’ll speak for you. Does that work?”

“Yeah. Yeah it does. I am stronger than my pain,” he whispered, looking at the mirror across from us, “I am stronger than my fears.”

“Good. Keep that thought. Hold onto it,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to his temple, “I’m here and I won’t let anything hurt you.”

“I believe you.”

We left the room once Thélio felt calm and joined the reception where I found Oliver and Sebastian talking to what I gathered to be Eugene and a younger man. It was clearly a slightly heated conversation but Thélio kept his head up, my arm laced through his as we found our assigned seats near the middle of the group. Surprisingly, every table was done in smaller groups, clearly families and their dates, leaving Thélio and I at a table by ourselves.

“Oliver is the most sneaky,” Thélio laughed, “he even put us together in the off chance we missed the flight or stayed somewhere else.”

“Well. He wanted us to meet. And I am so fucking happy we did,” I laid my chin on his shoulder and Thélio softly rubbed my arm.

“So am I.”

It’s all okay.

You don’t need to be afraid of Eugene.

He can’t hurt you anymore.