“LOOK WHO THE cat dragged in,” I called as we walked into the cabin.
“Cade!” Elin cried as he came at Cade full speed ahead.
Cade grabbed him and picked him up into a hug.
“How’s it going, brother-man?” Cade asked, squeezing Elin until he started to laugh.
“Great! We stayed up late last night and watched a horror movie on Netflix, and Pops let me have popcorn, chocolate, and soda before bed. It was awesome.”
I looked to Pops, who shrugged sheepishly, and shook my head. More because it seemed like the thing to do, than because it actually bothered me that Cade’s parents were lenient with my kids. I was just happy they all loved being together so much. They were the grandparents the twins deserved.
Elena was standing off to the side and when Cade put down Elin, he reached out and grabbed her arm and pulled her in for a hug.
“And how’s my Lena doing?” Cade asked, and although it looked like he was practically dragging her to her execution, I saw her fighting back a smile of pleasure and her cheek hit his stomach.
“Okay. The movie wasn’t that scary, but Alani did my nails while we watched, so that was cool.”
Cade dropped a kiss on the top of her head and let her go, then went to his mother.
“Mama,” he crooned as he pulled her in and kissed her head like he’d just done with Elena. “How was your trip?”
“Good, Hiapo, but we were happy to land safely on the ground. I like your house, especially that shower,” she told him, tipping her head back to grin up at him.
Cade chuckled.
“How about you, old man, you like the shower?” Cade asked, crossing to greet his father.
Pops grinned and wiggled his eyes, which made Cade let out a belly laugh.
That’s when it hit me . . . they were talking about Cade’s parents enjoying Cade’s huge glass shower with multiple heads and a large bench. Like, they had sex in it, just like we had, multiple times.
Uck. The heeby geebies shook my shoulders, and I vowed to never use the shower in the cabin again.
“Alani,” Cade said his sister’s name softly as he smiled down at her. “You look more beautiful every time I see you. You need to stop that shit.”
“Cade, I need to talk to you,” Alani said, and I knew she was chomping at the bit to ask him about moving here.
“I know, Ku‘uipo, just give me some time to get settled,” Cade replied, then looked to his mom. “We ready for breakfast?”
“Of course, Lila stocked up the pantry yesterday, so we have everything to make Loco Moco. I’ll go get started. Kids, go wash up. Make sure you brush your teeth well, and you can have extra gravy. Alani, go start the rice,” Cade’s mom ordered.
“Do you need me to do anything?” I asked.
“They delivered your wedding arbor yesterday, why don’t you go check it out and make sure it’s exactly how you want it.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed, excited.
I guess I’d been so busy that I’d forgotten they were coming.
“Come on, I’ll show you two where it is,” Pops said to Cade and me, and we followed him outside while everyone else went to follow Mama’s direction.
As soon as we walked outside, Rufus and CB came bounding over to greet Cade, who crouched low to pet them and tell them he missed them.
God, was it any wonder I loved him so much? This big, mountain of a man who was so sweet to kids, dogs, his family, and me.
I fought back tears as the emotions of the past few weeks hit, along with the anticipation of our upcoming nuptials.
We walked across the yard and down to the big clearing where we’d have our ceremony. The only thing currently there was the arbor, but I could picture the rows of chairs, the flowers, and our guests, and my belly began to flutter with nerves.
This is really happening.
The arbor was simple. Stained wood, with a trellis on the bottom sides, and, of course, the beams and trellis on top. It was tall enough and wide enough for Cade and me to fit comfortably beneath it without Cade having to worry about hitting his head.
I touched a beam reverently and imagined marrying Cade.
“You okay, darlin’?” Cade asked, his strong arms embracing me from behind.
I wiped the tears that had fallen and nodded.
“Just excited,” I replied softly.
I felt his lips on my crown.
“Me, too,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t ask last night; did you find a dress?”
I nodded, then leaned back against him.
“I can’t wait for you to see it.”
Cade turned me around and kissed me soundly. I could hear the dogs running around us, playing and barking, could smell the crisp morning air, and feel Cade all around me. He was here, he was safe, and we were getting married that weekend.
The moment was just about perfect, until Pops said, “If you need me to skedaddle so you can take the edge off, I will, otherwise, we should probably get back. If we’re not there when breakfast is ready, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Cade chuckled against my lips.
Reluctantly, I pulled back, gave the arbor one last loving stroke, then put my hand in Cade’s and we all started back to the house.
“Pops, after breakfast I gotta go get the guys from the airport, and then I’ll take you to see a man about a pig, does that work for you?”
“Hell, yeah,” Pops replied with a grin. “Do I get to see that compound of yours too? Meet your brothers?”
“Yup.”
“I’ve been thinking about getting a new bike. Maybe I can test some out while we’re there, too.”
“Sounds good, I need to look into finding a new bike myself,” Cade replied, while I thought, heaven help me.