Chapter Twenty-Five
Meghan
The summer begins to fly by. We visit the beach, which happens to be one of our favorite hangouts, for sunset dinners and walks on the sandy shore. He holds my hand and alternates between kisses on my knuckles and those on my temple. (Those are my favorite.) It’s been perfect. Spending my time with Nick has been perfect. We alternate time between his place and mine, and often travel to work together. If anyone at the office notices, they don’t say. We don’t flaunt our relationship, but we’re not exactly hiding it either. Why would I want to hide him? He’s caring, generous, and pretty damn good with the sex.
That makes me giggle.
“What are you laughing at?” Lexi asks from across the altar. We’re decorating the church for AJ and Sawyer’s wedding tomorrow afternoon.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I reply to my youngest sister.
“Whatevs. You have that pleasantly sexed glaze in your eyes,” she sasses with a big grin.
“Let me see. I know all of the just-had-sex signs,” Grandma says, pushing her way to where I stand. She looks me over from head to toe before declaring, “Yep. She just had the sex.”
“Knock it off,” I chastise, rolling my eyes.
“No, I totally see it. You’re practically glowing!” Grandma exclaims.
“First off, I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to talk about the sex while standing in a church, and second, I’m not glowing. I’m sweating. AJ picked the hottest freaking month of the year to get married, Grandma.”
“That’s because my groom is smokin’,” AJ replies with a grin.
“I don’t see how that has anything to do with the fact that I’m going to have swoob marks on my dress during your wedding photos,” Jaime replies, pointing to her enormous boobs.
“Those puppies practically need license plates, Jaimers. They’re as big as Buicks,” Payton teases as she hangs floral pieces from the pews.
“Right? And Ryan can’t keep his hands off them! But I think they’re annoying. They’re either leaking milk all the time or gathering boob sweat underneath,” Jaime grumbles.
“We all have boob sweat, Jaime,” Lexi counters.
“Yes, but your boobs barely grew with this baby. Mine went up two bra sizes. Two!” she exclaims loudly. “And my husband is constantly horny and grabbing them!”
Suddenly, a throat clears behind us. We all turn to see the red-faced pastor of the church looking down at the ground. “Well, I was just checking in on you. It looks like you’re doing well with the decorating. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be hiding – I mean working in my office,” he says hurriedly before turning and practically sprinting from the sanctuary.
“Way to go, Jaime. You scared away my pastor with your huge boobs,” AJ rebukes.
“See? Even a straight man of the cloth is afraid,” Jaime whines.
“But not Ryan. He thinks you’re sexy,” Abby reminds her, helping Payton hang the last of the silk flowers.
“That’s because he hasn’t had sex in almost six weeks,” Jaime says.
“You’re waiting? Like the full six weeks?” Lexi asks, her eyes wide.
“Hell yes, I am. I don’t want to get knocked up like you did!”
Lexi narrows her eyes at our sister. “We’re using condoms this time.”
“So you’re not waiting the six weeks?” Jaime asks, dumbfounded by this revelation.
“Hell no. Have you seen how sexy my husband is, Jaime? I can barely wait two weeks, let alone six,” Lexi replies with a wicked grin.
“You dirty slut,” Payton adds, shaking her head.
“Yep,” Lexi says before busting out laughing.
Jaime still stands there, her beautiful daughter sleeping in the carrier next to her. “I’m having sex. Weddings make everyone horny. He’s so getting some tomorrow night,” Jaime says, glancing down at Amelia. “You’re going to have to be extra good tomorrow night, Princess. Mommy and Daddy need to spend about thirty minutes alone.”
“Thirty minutes? And neither one of you have had sex in six weeks? Try five minutes,” I tease, making my sisters laugh.
“Oh, there has been other stuff,” Jaime rebuffs.
“I love the other stuff. Grandpa is a pro,” Grandma chimes in, making all of our faces turn from laughter to sour.
We all work silently for a few minutes, adding the final touches to the church. It didn’t require much decoration. A few candles here, some flowers there, and it was good to go.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” I start, turning and grabbing everyone’s attention. “You all know Dad is bringing a date to the wedding, right?” I ask gently, gauging their reactions.
AJ quickly nods her head. “He came over a few weeks back and asked Sawyer and I if we were okay with him bringing someone to the wedding.”
When I glance at the others, they seem shocked. “He is?” Abby asks, not really looking upset, but just surprised.
“He is. He told me too, a few weeks back. I told him we all wanted him happy and if he was dating someone, well, we support that,” I add.
“Definitely,” Payton says as she sits down on the first pew. She places a hand on her still-flat stomach. “I’m really happy for him.”
“Me too,” Abby says, sitting next to Payton.
“It’s a big step,” I say, voicing everyone’s feelings aloud.
“It is. But I don’t want him to be alone forever,” Jaime says, tears welling in her eyes. “Mom wouldn’t want that either.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Lexi says, walking over to where I stand. We all seem to congregate at the first pew.
“It’s time,” AJ whispers, as tears blur my vision. Everyone nods their heads.
After several seconds, Grandma walks over and joins us. “If it makes you feel any better, she’s a lovely woman,” she offers with her own sad smile.
“You’ve met her?” Payton asks, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
“Yes,” Grandma says with a warm smile. “He brought her over for dinner last week.”
“Wow, really?” Abby asks.
“Yes, really. He told Orvie and I about her a few weeks back, and I offered to cook dinner. We had an enjoyable evening. She really is a lovely woman, and I think my Trisha would have like her too. I really believe that.” I see a few tears slip from Grandma’s eyes, and I wrap an arm around her.
“He has been alone for too long,” she continues. “It’s time for him to enjoy someone who makes him feel alive again. We want him to be happy.” She glances my way when she says it, letting me know she’s also talking to me. I give her a smile, letting her know I’m working on it too.
“He has been,” Jaime says, clearing her throat. “I’m actually really excited to meet her.”
“Me too,” Abby says.
“Me three,” AJ adds.
“If she makes him happy, then I’m happy,” I reply.
“Agreed. It’s time,” Payton offers.
Lexi exhales. “It’s going to be weird, but I want him happy,” she says honestly.
“It will be, at first,” Grandma adds as she steps into the center of the circle. “This was a very big step, and don’t think he did it lightly. Deep down, he worries you’ll think he’s replacing your mother.”
“I don’t think that,” I tell her.
“None of us do,” Payton assures.
We all step forward, surrounding Grandma in the middle, and wrap our arms around one another. We form a circle of love, friendship, and support.
“He has six amazing, supportive daughters, who only want the best for him. He knows that. Your dad has put you all first since your mom got sick and passed, but now it’s his time,” Grandma says, wrapping her arms around us all.
“It is,” Payton adds. “And I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Me either.” And I didn’t realize how much I want to meet her until this moment. Until I’ve talked to my sisters, and know that my grandparents have met and like her. Now, I’m ready.
* * *
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Sawyer says, standing in front of the room, his future wife by his side, wearing a short white dress and a big smile. I can’t help but grin at the picture of perfection they make as a couple, and in less than twenty-four hours, will make as man and wife.
“AJ and I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you all for coming this evening. Both of our families, many of which traveled quite a ways to be with us this weekend. My former teammates, who’ll be heading out early Sunday morning to catch up with the team for a Sunday night game. Her sisters who spent the day decorating the church and reception hall for tomorrow’s wedding.”
He glances down at my sister with nothing but love and adoration in his eyes. “The night I met this beautiful woman was the night my life changed forever. And I’m not just talking about the fact she vomited on my shoes,” Sawyer says, making the room fill with laughter. “I was hooked on her smile, on her grace, on her sass, and her beautiful heart. I’m a better man just by knowing her and hope to be the best husband and provider for her and someday our eventual family.” He turns to face her, my sister’s eyes filling with tears. “Thank you for making me the happiest bastard on the planet tonight. Thank you for loving me and walking through this life by my side. I love you, Alison Jane,” he whispers moments before she throws herself into his arms and kisses him soundly on the lips.
The entire room erupts into applause. I clap from my seat, dropping my head onto Nick’s shoulder. He’s wearing a pair of black Dockers with a sage green button-down shirt and black tie. His sleeves are rolled up to his forearms, in that sexy way that men do. Every time I glance his way, I practically drool on my chin just taking in his gorgeous appearance tonight.
And don’t get me started on tomorrow. He’s wearing a suit, which is basically the equivalent to catnip for women.
My body is already on fire at the thought.
We just finished eating, which was a delicious surf and turf dinner. Sawyer’s family tried to take care of dinner tonight, but Sawyer wouldn’t have it. AJ told us that they paid for the rehearsal dinner at his first wedding, which is tradition, and he refused to let them foot the bill the second time around. AJ and Sawyer picked The Seaside Restaurant for tonight’s festivities, and had rented out the entire upper deck, which sports an amazing view of the Bay.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” Nick says, glancing around at the lanterns hanging from the deck and the pergola-style overhang.
“Me either,” I reply, following his gaze and finding AJ and Sawyer dancing under the lights on the far end of the deck. He holds her possessively and protectively against his large frame, slipping his fingers into the long waves of her hair.
Not too far away, Dean holds Bri in his arm and wraps the other around Payton, where it comes to rest on her belly. She looks up at him and gives him a blinding smile that could probably be visible from space. Payton reaches down and links her fingers in Dean’s, covering her lower abdomen. Brielle laughs at something her dad says before dropping her hand down and placing it on top of theirs on Payton’s belly.
Lexi holds baby Stella, while Linkin has a twin in each arm. He bends down and kisses his five-week-old daughter on the top of her head before offering his lips to his wife. She smiles against his, mumbling something that’s probably dirty. He laughs, offers her a wink, and goes back to playing with Hudson and Hemi. Yet, he never leaves Lexi’s side.
Levi pulls Abby into his arms and twirls her around on the dance floor. Her laughter filters above the conversations around us as she wraps her arms around his neck, her feet lifting off the ground. Levi pulls her close and they gently sway to the beat of the song. When I see his lips moving near her ear, I know he’s singing to her. The smile on her face is her tell.
Ryan sits at the table across from us, holding baby Amelia. He has one hand on her tiny back and the other propping up her butt. She’s out – mouth hanging open and sawing logs. Jaime sits beside them, one hand on Ryan’s forearm and the other running soft circles over the top of their daughter’s head. She gazes into Ryan’s eyes, their entire world wrapped up in each other and their child.
I don’t even realize I’m crying until Nick swipes a tear from my cheek. The pad of his thumb is warm against my skin, and I find myself leaning into his touch just a little bit more.
“Come on, honey. Let’s go for a walk,” he says, standing up and offering me his hand. I take it without hesitation, and together, we head toward the beach.