Damien

“What are you smiling about?” Tinsley asks in her cute sleepy voice. She scoots closer to me and I wrap her in my arms. It’s ten in the morning and I’ve been up reminiscing about how perfect everything was yesterday. Now, all I have to do is convince Tinsley to marry me soon.

“I was thinking about last night.” She holds her hand in front of us, showing off her ring.

“It was pretty amazing.”

“So, what type of wedding do you want? Big or small?” I ask, hoping she’ll say small—something we can set up with a few weeks’ notice.

“I had the big wedding. I don’t need that again. Besides, I want to be your wife as soon as possible.”

“Really? You want to get married right away too?” I ask, praying I heard her correctly.

“Yes, I do. But we have some stuff to work out first.” I stiffen at her tone, my mind reeling with every possibility of what we could need to work out. We are at the same crossroads we were ten years ago. She going to want to go back home to Tampa. She was only here temporarily to finish her book. “Okay, babe, you’re pale and sweating. Relax. It’s nothing bad.” She runs her hand down my face, but her words, nor her touch, calm the frantic beating of my heart. “I hope this doesn't upset you, but I’d really like for us to live here, in my house. It’s bigger and will accommodate a growing family.” I breathe a huge sigh of relief and smile at the fact that she’s thinking ahead.

“Really?” I ask, and she laughs at me.

“You thought I wanted to go back to Florida,” she states, and I nod my head. “I love you and Sami. My life is here.”

“I am so happy to hear you say that.” I kiss her like there’s no tomorrow and proceed to show her again just how much I love her.

When we finally get out of bed, it’s noon. We are sitting on the dock drinking coffee and planning our wedding when Kassidy and Sami show up. Running directly to Tin, Sami hugs her and tells her all about the night she had, and jealously decides to rear its ugly head…which is new, but I’ve also never had to share my daughter before. I have always been the most important person in her life. And while I love it, I realize it may also take some getting used to. Tinsley begins to tickle her and they both break out in fits of laughter as I stare in awe. How did I get this lucky? I have everything I’ve ever wanted, and soon, I’ll have even more.

“Tell me I at least have a couple weeks to help you plan this wedding,” Kassidy whines. She knows us a little too well. Tin and I exchange amused looks and Kassidy groans.

“You have one week, babe. The wedding will be right here on this dock Saturday afternoon.” Kassidy opens her mouth to protest, but Tin holds her hand up to stop her. “Kas, listen to me. It is going to be small. No more than fifteen people.” Tinsley glares at her, waiting for her to confirm she understands. Kassidy’s bottom lip juts out a little.

“Fine, but I’m still making it awesome, even if it is so tiny and fast,” Kassidy huffs, diverting her attention to her phone. I laugh. This is going to be the longest week of my life.

“Mommy, can I help with the wedding?” Sami asks Tin, and the smile that spreads across her face is one I commit to memory.

“Yes, you can, baby. I’m going to need a flower girl,” Tinsley tells her, her voice thick with emotion.

“What is a flower girl?”

“A flower girl gets to wear a beautiful dress and throw rose petals along the aisle. It’s a very important job.” Sami’s eyes sparkle with excitement.

“Did you hear that, Daddy? I get a very important job in the wedding.”

“I did, baby girl. We want to talk to you about something else too.” Sami makes herself comfy on Tins lap. “How would you like for us to live here after the wedding?”

“Really?” Sami asks, her tiny face scrunching up in confusion. “What about aunt Dahlia?” My heart melts at her question. My little girl has the biggest heart.

“Well, I was thinking we could give aunt Dahlia our house so she can finally have some peace and quiet.”

“Okay, Daddy. As long as she’s okay,” Sami says, and then goes back to talking about her duties as a flower girl.

“I have an idea,” Tin says to Sami. “Since your daddy has to work tonight, how about we have that camp out? I bet Kassidy will want to join us,” she says, looking over at Kassidy, who glares back at her, her disgust over the idea prevalent in her features. Kassidy is a more five-star hotel and room service kind of girl.

“Will you, Aunt Kassidy?” Sami asks, and Tin’s eyes shoot to mine, growing wide. Sami’s never referred to Kassidy as “aunt”. My expression mirrors Tin’s and I furrow my brows, having no clue how Kas even feels about the title. When I look back over to her, she has tears in her eyes and her bottom lip is trembling. I suppress a laugh at Kas’ reaction. I think my daughter has just broken through that hard exterior of hers.

“Of course I will,” Kassidy says, wiping at her eyes. “I’ll be back at six.” Before anyone can respond, she turns and hurries out to her car, leaving Tinsley and I laughing.

I left to get ready for work while Tinsley and Sami were making plans for their camp out. When I walk into the kitchen, Dahlia jumps from her stool and wraps me in a hug.

“I am so happy for you, big brother,” she squeals. “This has been a long time coming.”

“It sure has,” I agree. When she pulls away, I sit at the bar. Dahlia holds up the coffee pot and I nod my head. She makes me a cup of coffee, then sits down next to me.

“I guess it’s time I start looking for an apartment,” Dahlia says, a touch of sadness in her voice. Does she really think I would push her aside just because I’m getting married? I really thought she knew me better than that.

“I wanted to talk to you about that.” I watch as her face falls. “Sami and I are going to move into Tinsley’s house. It’s bigger and will give us more room for when we have more kids,” I explain. “This house is as much yours as it is mine, so it’s all yours now,” I tell her, and she jumps into my arms, almost knocking me from my chair.

“Thank you, Damien.”

“Did you think I’d kick you to the curb just because I’m getting married?”

“I would hope not, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, now you know. We are planning on a small wedding Saturday at Tinsley’s.”

“This Saturday? Why so fast? Did you knock her up already?” I laugh. Of course that’s where her head would go.

“Yes, this Saturday. And no, I didn’t knock her up.” I shake my head. Wedding planning with Dahlia will be interesting, to say the least.