“Do you want to go inside, or go for a quick drive to warm up and try to relax a little?” Jase asks.
“We should probably check on the girls. I didn’t even say hi to anyone. I dropped them in the entryway and asked Gramps to watch them,” I say with a small laugh.
Jason chuckles. “Yeah, he probably is feeding them candy by the handful.”
“Probably. Is my makeup a mess?” I ask, stepping back to look in the side mirror of my car and swiping at my tear stained cheeks.
Jason grimaces, and I watch as he stammers, trying to come up with something to say. “It’s… not great,” he finally says. “You’re still beautiful, but your mascara is a little racoony.”
“Racoony?” I laugh. I open my vehicle and dig in my purse for an extra makeup wipe I keep on hand for my brides. I swipe the cloth under my eyes, and Jason offers me a thumbs up. I still check in the mirror, pleased that my eyes didn’t get too puffy. “Ready to go in?”
Jason nods, and takes my hand, leading me into his childhood home where I’ll be surrounded by a family that supports and cares for each other, no matter what.
52
JASON
This weekend we are officially moving Fallon and Presley into my place. Lennie and Presley could not be more excited to be sharing a room, even if it’s temporary. I’m sure once they get older they won’t want to share a room, but for a few months, it will be fine. It worked out pretty well, actually. Fallon’s lease ends in a month anyway.
Fallon and Presley are spending one last week by themselves at their house, mainly so they can pack. Luckily, I have quite a bit of space in my basement and garage, otherwise we would probably have to rent a storage unit for a few months.
Beau, Fallon, and I have a meeting in a few days to discuss what our price range is, and what we’re looking for. Beau’s already sent me a few options, but nothing has quite matched what I have in mind.
It’s crazy to think that this time last year, I was lost, still in a zone of never wanting to find someone else. So determined to live my life alone, thinking that is what was best for my daughter and me.
Then the bright sunshine that is Fallon and Presley fellinto my lap and even though I tried to fight it, she wormed her way into my heart and my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s a knock on my office door, and Gramps and Thomas are standing in the doorway. “Hey, son,” Gramps greets, walking in and sitting down in the extra chair.
I greet them, and don’t bother asking why they’re here. Honestly, it’s par for the course at this point for any of my family to show up at any time, anywhere. “Big week coming up,” Gramps says, his voice full of his familiar mirth.
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my hands together. “You could say that.”
“Ready?” he asks.
“More than ready.”
“Good,” he murmurs. “I knew she was the one for you the day I met her at Cindy and Andrew’s wedding. She and that little girl are perfect additions to the family.”
“You knew even then?” I ask, a little shocked. “How?”
“An old man knows these things. I knew Cindy was perfect for Andrew, and Marley and Beau were a no brainer. Thomas hasn’t found his perfect match quite yet, but if I had to guess, it’ll happen soon.”
Thomas lets out a disbelieving chuckle. “Yeah, right. I’m not holding out too much hope.”
“You’ll find her,” I state. Thomas has never really been one to date, even back in high school.
He shrugs. “We’ll see.”
“Don’t question an old man,” Gramps says, shoving Thomas’s shoulder.
“I’m not,” Thomas defends, crossing his arms. “I’m only saying I don’t have much hope. I’d love to find someone. We all know how much I want afamily of my own.”
I stand, striding over and pulling him into a tight hug. “Don’t give up.”
“Oh, hey,” a familiar voice says from the doorway. “I can come back.”
I pull away from my brother to see Fallon and Presley in the doorway. Lennie bounds through, rushing into Gramps’ lap. “Gramps!” she yells. “Did you hear that Fallon and Presley are moving in? They’re totally going to get married, even though they keep telling us ‘not yet’and ‘we have to be patient’.” Her voice lowers to a whisper that everyone can still hear. “Gramps. I am not patient.”
