“He’s the cutest. Levi is going to freak when he sees him.”
“Where is our boy?” Dad asks.
“He got up at four and had the time of his life…before crashing next to the train.”
“I’m sad that we missed that,” Mama says. “Once we started driving, we just wanted to get here. But now, we need a nap.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
I don't getthe love fest I wanted with Elle or a nap. We start cooking. My parents lie down for a while and then my mom gets up and helps. Later that evening, when Levi gets up, he meets Bogey, his new puppy, and he's in love. He kisses his nose and can't stop laughing every time he looks at him. Bogey has so much personality. He's clumsy and sweet. I've taken a million pictures already.
Weston, Sadie, and Caleb arrive first and then Bowie and Becca. When Becca sees the dog, she falls in love too.
“He should be ours. His name is like yours, Dad,” she says.
Becca has Down Syndrome and you never have to guess what she’s thinking. We all adore that about her.
Bowie looks at me. “Yeah, what’s with naming your dog Bogey? You have a Bowie in your life, isn’t that enough?”
“Never enough. You know you’re my favorite, man. But this guy might turn out to be a close second,” I tease.
“Great,” he says dryly. “And I’m never going to hear the end of this now. First, it was a cat because of Earl.”
Tru and Henley have a cat and the kids all love him, but the rest of us haven't succumbed to pets yet. Until now.
“Looks like we're going to be getting a dog,” he says when Becca starts singing to Bogey.
Henley, Tru, and the girls come in next, and Penn and Sam are right behind them. Elle’s parents weren’t able to make it and neither were Calista and Javi, but we talk about doing dinner with them next week.
It’s loud and boisterous as we eat, and afterwards, we take dessert into the living room. While the kids are playing in the other room, I take Elle’s hand and clear my throat.
“I’d like to say something,” I say.
The little side conversations slowly come to a stop and everyone turns to look at me.
“You’ve been our friends for a long time and some of you have known more recently exactly how I feel about this girl, but I just want to say…it's official. This isnota fake dating relationship. This isnotbest friends only.”
Everybody laughs and there is whistling and cheering.
“This is my woman. She knows it. And I am her man, andIknow it. We haveestablishedit.” I hold up my hand to emphasize my words and Elle leans in, laughing at me.
There’s a scurry of hugs and cheers as everyone congratulates us. Finally, I clear my throat.
“There’s more. I’m going to say something and itprobably should just be between me and Elle, but because I tell you guys everything and I have had a reputation of being a player, I want to set some things straight. Penn, you're my man and I have been your wingman since the day we met and realized we could draw in the women.”
I look at Elle apologetically. “Sorry, baby. But this face is pretty and we all know it.”
She shoves me away, but she’s laughing.
“It’s my parents’ fault,” I say, pointing at my parents. They roll their eyes and laugh.
“Don’t bring us into this,” Mama says.
“Anyway…my parents are also the only ones who know that I haven't slept with another woman since Carrie got pregnant.”
Everyone looks at me in shock.
“Sorry, ladies, you didn't ask for this,” I say to Sadie and Tru.
