“Yeah, darlin’,” Eliot said, and flashed her a wink. Then he rolled his shoulders back and cleared his throat. “The two of you have known me better, and for longer, than anyone else in my life. You know me better than I know myself. I spent twenty years thinking I’d ruined my chances for love. For a family. But even before the two of you showed me I was wrong, I was yours.”

He looked between the two of them, and his voice shook faintly as he continued. “Parker, you’re the most beautiful, most competent, and most — inconceivable woman I’ve ever known. I’ll never get over the amazing way your mind works. Hardison, your capacity for compassion and empathy are as astonishing as your intellect. You’re so amazing together; I honestly would have been happy enough to watch you grow together as your friend. Instead, you let me into your hearts.

“You already know I’ll take care of you until my dying day. So today I promise to let you both do the same for me. I promise to guard and to honor you both, to value your guidance, and—“ He quirked a rueful smile. “—To make sure that ‘dying day’ doesn’t come too soon. I trust you both with my life and my heart. I look forward to every minute of the rest of our lives together.”