“SO,” NICO SAID, STARTING THE conversation once he saw everyone was in, “marriage proposal?”
Alex, Matt’s lawyer, Lucas, Mark, and Niam were also in the call. A private call in his office between them after inviting everyone to their wedding.
Matt’s jaw tightened slightly. “Yes.”
“Marriage,” Alex clarified. “Not just recognition.”
Matt nodded, letting the weight of it settle. “Marriage.”
Alex leaned forward, fingers steepled. “Legally, it’s ideal. Custody disputes collapse. Cohabitation optics formalized. Donor consent argument neutralized. It’s the cleanest move for everyone involved.”
Matt’s eyes looked beyond his computer screen. “I don’t just want the cleanest move,” he said quietly. “I want her. I want this—her, the kids, all of it together. Not just as a strategy… as a family.”
