64. Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Blake
“ I still can’t believe the Sheppards invited me to Easter dinner,” I said as I finished getting ready. “They barely know me.” Mary invited me when I stopped by Grannie’s, my new favorite place, to do schoolwork.
“I can,” AJ said. “You almost done in the bathroom?”
We were still adjusting to sharing his small space, not an easy task, with only one bathroom. The only thing I missed from my father’s house—my private bath. It was three times the size of AJ’s, and I’d never had to share it.
Not for the first time, I wondered how attached AJ was to this house. I could easily buy us something bigger. Or have one built for us. I doubted he’d let me do that, which was equal parts endearing and annoying. I could buy us a nice modest house without even noticing the withdrawal from my bank account.
“I can finish in the bedroom.” I grabbed my makeup bag and scooted past him. A hint of warm leather, a scent I would forever associate with AJ, filled my nose.
Not wanting to be late to dinner, I refused to give in to the desire that pooled in my belly.
Jack greeted us at his parents’ house. After hugging me, he turned to AJ and said, “It’s about damn time.”
“Are we late?” I asked.
“That was for AJ; he knows why,” Jack explained.
Apparently, this was the first time he’d accepted an invitation to a holiday dinner. When I asked what changed, he said, “You. You helped me see past my fears, and how much they’d cost me.”
Mary had insisted we didn’t need to bring anything, but I felt weird going empty-handed. Instead of food, we picked up a bouquet of pink carnations with white lilies, and a bottle of wine.
The relaxed, light-hearted atmosphere was so much better than the stiff, catered events I was used to.
After Doug, Beth, and Chase, the cutest six-year-old I’d ever met, arrived, Jack asked for everyone’s attention.
“Meg and I have an announcement to make.”
How lucky am I to witness this?
The room erupted, making Meg blush and Jack smile.
“Let him have his moment.” John raised his voice, just enough to be heard over the crowd.
“Thanks, Dad.” He cleared his throat and looked at the excited faces. “As I was saying, before being so rudely interrupted.”
Mary and Beth looked like they were going to burst. Jamie and Emily were holding hands and grinning from ear to ear. Jay tapped his fingers on the table, and John just leaned back, watching it all.
“Meg and I are pregnant.”
The room erupted for real; this time everyone stood up to congratulate them.
After things settled down, Jay asked, “Can we eat now? I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Jamie teased him. “The grocery bill has doubled since you moved in.”
“Whatever, I pay for my half.” Jay laughed as he defended himself.
“Come on, Dad, carve the ham already,” Jay begged.
John did just that, and we all stuffed ourselves with ham and pineapple slices, Meg’s bacon mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, and Mary’s homemade rolls.
After we all settled in the living room to relax, Mary surprised me by bringing out a cake. Everyone sang happy birthday, making me blush. I laughed as I blew out the candles, not bothering to make a wish because the only one that hadn’t already come true couldn’t.
No amount of wishing could turn back the clock and prevent my father’s mistakes.
“Welcome to the family, Blake,” Mary said as she hugged me. I choked back my tears as I enjoyed the first motherly hug I’d had in over six years.
AJ wasn’t the only one who embraced finding a family that day. I had a loving family as a child, but cancer and poor life choices ripped it apart.
“Is there ice cream?” Chase asked as Mary cut the cake.
“Oh no, we forgot to buy ice cream,” Meg feigned distress, winking at Beth.
“But you can’t have cake without ice cream,” Chase pouted.
“Are you saying you don’t want cake, Little Man?” Doug asked.
“That’s not what I said.” Chase crossed his arms as he answered.
“Look what I found,” John said, carrying in three half gallons of ice cream.
Everyone clapped except Chase—he jumped up and down, cheering.