Page 87 of Embraced in Ink

They dressed quickly, both of them laughing as they went through the schedule for their upcoming week. He knew that she would be going on tour soon now that she was healed, and since his big project was over, he was working on the setup for the next big grant.

They were making it work, somehow.

His career path kept him home mostly, while hers would keep her far away from him in some cases. But there were ways around that, and both of them had dreams and lives that they wanted to fulfill and live, so they were working it out.

And she wore his ring, something he would never forget.

They were taking it slow, to the point where the wedding wouldn’t be until after the others got married.

But she wanted his ring, and he wanted to see it on her.

And that meant they would assume all the labels at once, but they were at least aware of it this time.

He would ask her how she felt, and he would tell her what he was feeling.

It wasn’t something he was really good at usually, but he was getting better.

By the time that they got to Bristol’s family’s house, they were the last ones to arrive, but he’d known that would happen. He couldn’t help it after waking up with Bristol right there, all naked and ready.

“Don’t look at me like that, my mother and father are going to know exactly what you did to me.”

“Then you can’t look at me like that either. My parents and my sisters are in there. Waiting. Watching.”

“What are you guys hiding?” Aaron asked, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Nothing,” Bristol said quickly. She went up to her toes and kissed Aaron on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you. Look at my baby brother. Doing amazing in the art world and selling pieces to royalty.”

“I’m doing an art show, too. Look at me. Being all art-like.”

“You’re a dork. But I love you.”

“I am a dork. But I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.”

“That is true,” she said, and then went to kiss his other cheek.

Marcus held out a hand, and Aaron shook it and grinned.

“Good to see you’re taking care of my baby sister.”

“You’re the baby,” Bristol corrected.

“Whatever,” Aaron said.

They made their way inside and said hello to everybody, the noise getting louder with each passing moment. There were so many people there, so many the Montgomerys had claimed as their family. Marcus had felt that he was a part of the family since he was a kid, and now he was going to be related in truth, something his parents were very excited about.

“I can’t wait for you to make little babies,” his mother said from his side, and Marcus choked on his drink.

“Could you say that any louder, Mom?”

“I could. But then that would embarrass poor Bristol, and I don’t want to embarrass her.”

“Just me, then?”

“Of course, you’re my baby boy.”

“I swear, moms sure do love calling us babies,” Aaron said, coming up to them.

“You know, you are the last single Montgomery,” Marcus’s mother said solemnly.