Page 109 of Love Unlimited

Dustin pulled into the parking lot of the senior center and looked around. It seemed like a nice enough place from the outside, with manicured lawns, wide windows along the building, and a splashing fountain at the entrance. He’d picked Ash up from here several times already, but he’d have to ask them to show him around sometime.

He was just about to text when he saw them trudge out the door, clad in maroon scrubs with a backpack slung over one shoulder. They were rubbing exhaustion from their eyes. It made him just want to wrap them all up and tuck them into bed. He could see now why Zhong was so insistent on Ash’s bedtime, and he privately vowed to help make that happen whenever Zhong wasn’t around.

He got out of the car and waved his arms in large strokes over his head, but they didn’t see him. It was both a challenge and a benefit of communicating in sign language: you could have conversations over large distances, but only if someone was already looking in the right direction.

He sent them a text and saw the moment that they noticed the buzz in their pocket and figured out it was him. Their whole face lit up as they looked around. Daddy Dustin! they signed, an open hand by their temple for Daddy, then the letter D thumping at their chest for his own name. They came bouncing over to him and didn’t hesitate before launching into his arms.

They didn’t jump, fortunately—he didn’t have Zhong’s muscles to catch them out of the air—but they snuggled up against him like they’d been waiting all day to see him. He stroked a hand down the gentle curves of their back under the backpack, enjoying the slight ridge of each rib bone. They nuzzled against his neck and he breathed in the scent of their shampoo. He’d been waiting all day to see them, too.

It had been weird going to sleep last night in an empty house. Landon and Zhong had made the drive out to Zhong’s parents’ place yesterday afternoon, but he and Ash had both stayed because of work. They’d be driving into the night to get to the hotel, and then waking up early for the full-day wedding ceremony.

Are you ready to go? he asked when they pulled back.

Yep. I don’t even know what’s been packed any more, but I saw my dress in the bag in Daddy’s car yesterday, and anything else can’t be that important.

Dustin gave Ash an extra squeeze. Their happy-go-lucky nature was one of his favorite things about them, and it complimented Zhong’s over-planning perfectly. He wouldn’t be surprised if Zhong had extras of anything they were likely to forget.

Sounds like a good attitude, he told them. He didn’t know what all had been packed either, since Landon and Zhong had handled most of it. Just getting his clothing figured out for a wedding and three days of camping was enough. Hop in. I have food waiting for you on your seat.

You’re the best! I’m starving.

They both climbed into the car and Ash gave him a curious look as he clicked his seatbelt into place. It took him a moment to realize that Zhong probably fastened Ash’s seatbelt. And maybe now he could do it for them, too. He did it for Landon sometimes, when they were both getting more into their roles, and doing it for Ash would feel natural.

So many things with Ash just felt natural. He missed his chance on this one, though, because while he was thinking they were already pulling the strap over their shoulder.

He typed the address into his phone and pulled up the directions before attaching it to the dashboard.

Ash looked over and made a face. I’m going to be so tired when we get there.

You can take a nap in the car. In fact, I was expecting you to.

Thank you. They yawned again. I think I might just eat and fall asleep. They unpacked the bag and exclaimed over the cookie, even though they went for the sandwich first.

He reached a hand out to ruffle their hair. He really had missed them, and the rest of his untraditional family, last night.

They smiled up at him while they chewed. This is good, they signed with the sandwich in one hand. How was your day?

Dustin made a face. The best thing I can say is that the project is almost over.

Yay! I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be over. Ash’s upturned wiggly fingers spun off into the distance.

Really? he asked, amused. Ash looked like his project from hell had been weighing on their slender shoulders as heavily as it had on his own.

They gave him a scowl. Of course I have. Then their face softened. I don’t like seeing you so stressed. And now you have more time to play with us.

Something tightened in Dustin’s chest. He knew that his horrific schedule was making him neglect Lena and Zhong, but he hadn’t realized how much it was impacting Ash, too. He kind of thought of the three of them as having each other.

Ash worrying about his stress levels meant a lot to him, too. Though he should have realized. From the first day that Ash told him they’d be his “lava lamp” they’d been looking out for him.

When does it end?

Maybe another week? If we weren’t taking off this weekend, I’d probably push through and have it done by Monday.

Ash shook their finger at him. Nope. No more working. No more thinking about working. Tell me about the wedding.

Dustin laughed. For weeks, Zhong had been teasing Ash, saying that it would be the coolest wedding they’d ever seen. But he wouldn’t give any details. Since Dustin had attended Zhong’s other sister’s wedding, Ash had been pumping him for information, too.

There’s going to be a parade. They pointed all their fingers downward, indicating people, then marched them forward in two rows. Ash had already heard this part.