Chapter 4 #2
Cooper grabbed a flower vase from the top cabinet and filled it with water while Mom unwrapped the flowers and trimmed the stems.
I reached for Hazel, pulling her closer to my side. "I told you she'd be happy."
Mom arranged the flowers in the vase, giving me a look over the top of her glasses. "But I want to know why I wasn't the first to know."
Hazel looked at me uncertainly.
"It wasn't planned. We were hoping to keep it a secret until we could tell everyone at once, but then Mabel saw the ring."
"You should have known you couldn't keep a secret at bingo night at the senior center, sitting at the same table as those ladies," Mom said dryly.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you first," Hazel said.
Mom shook her head. "Nonsense. I was just curious how it came out. I assume you two have been seeing each other secretly so you could explore things without everyone else's opinion."
Hazel let out a breath. "We wanted to be sure before we announced it."
Jonathan moved closer. "I suppose congratulations are in order. I assume you'll be having a long engagement."
I bristled at Dad's assumption. "Why's that?"
Dad waved a dismissive hand. "You're so young. Plenty of time to get married."
"We were married at twenty," Mom reminded him.
"It was a different time. Now couples are waiting until their thirties to get married, and even later to have kids," Dad continued.
"I don't see any reason to wait." I'd fallen back into my old role, which was pushing back on Dad's assumptions about me.
Dad's forehead wrinkled. "Take your time. Make sure this is right."
"We are sure, Dad. Or I wouldn't have put a ring on Hazel's finger." Technically it wasn't my ring, and I didn't put it on her finger. None of this was a conscious decision, but I didn't like the implication that Dad wouldn't be happy if we'd gotten engaged for real. It was a mind fuck.
Hazel shot me a warning look.
"We'll make the decisions about when and how to get married," I said tightly.
"I heard that you're having an engagement party," Mom said.
"At the resort. In that beautiful room on the water," Hazel said.
I sensed excitement in her voice. She was happy about the location of the party or maybe the opportunity to celebrate with friends. I was mentally making notes about everything she liked. Even if this was only ever pretend, I wanted to know what she wanted from a relationship.
"That will be lovely. Will it just be close friends and family?"
Hazel shook her head. "It looks like it will be everyone on the island. Grandma wants to have a celebration."
"And we're going to let her throw one for us," I said, a warning in my tone not to give their opinion on our decisions.
This might not be real, but I still didn't like the implication that I couldn't make good decisions.
If I had put a ring on Hazel's finger, I wouldn't hesitate to marry her.
She was the woman you took home to meet your family, the one you planned forever with.
I wasn't sure if I was good enough for her.
"I'm so happy for you two," Mom said as she set the vase of flowers on the table.
That's when Shep hugged me. "Congrats, little brother. First Dalton is having a baby, and now you're getting married. You're making us look bad."
Then Cooper hugged me. "No one expects you to settle down any time soon, Shep. No worries about that."
Hudson was next. "I didn't see this one coming, but I'm thrilled for you both."
"Thanks. If you have any advice, let me know." Hudson seemed genuinely happy for us, and I was positive it was because he'd recently found love with Elena.
"You're the first one to walk down the aisle."
I hadn't even thought about it like that. "I suppose you're right."
"The youngest brother is getting married first," Shep said. "Who would have thought that would happen?"
"I thought it would be Marshall or Hudson. Especially since Marshall has a child now. Or even Luna since she’s in a serious relationship."
I knew that bothered Mom, but that's how things were sometimes. Not everyone was meant to get married.
"Do you know what you're going to do with Oakley?" Dad asked Dalton.
Dalton cleared his throat. "She wants to get married."
"Do you?" Dad asked.
"I don't know. It's just all too much at once. I'm trying to wrap my mind around being a father."
"I suppose Oakley is feeling the pressure of being a single mother," Mom said by way of explanation. "When you're pregnant, you grow up quickly. You want to be settled in your relationship, your home. Everything."
"We aren't even living together. I suggested we move in together, but she wants to get engaged first. I don't have a ring, and she wants a nice one. I'd rather save money for the baby."
I didn't like that. I wanted Dalton to do what he felt comfortable doing. Not what this girl insisted was necessary.
"You'll make the right decision, and if you need anything, we’re here for you," Mom said. "Now help me move everything to the table."
We immediately sprang into action, carrying the salsa, chips, guacamole, and tacos onto the deck. There were lemonade and margaritas. It was our go-to family dinner meal.
"Thank you for an amazing dinner, Joy," Hazel said when we were all seated.
"Have you two thought about where you'll live?" Mom asked us.
I shrugged. "She can move in with me. Hazel's always wanted to live in a beach house."
"When will you move in? Before the engagement party, I hope?" Mom asked.
"Well, we haven't talked about the details yet—" Hazel said.
“It might get a little crowded with the three of us living there, and I’m going to have a baby soon,” Dalton interjected.
I grimaced, not wanting my brother to feel like he had to leave. “You don’t have to move out. There’s plenty of room.”
"You probably want to see if you can live together before you tie the knot," Mom said reasonably.
"That's not a bad idea," I said, stuffing a taco into my mouth. Then Hazel nudged my foot under the table.
I met her gaze. "What?"
"We'll have to talk about it," Hazel said simply, and I got the message that we needed to discuss these things before we talked to family.
I needed to figure out this relationship stuff before Hazel got any more upset with me.
"You've always loved Max, and now he'll be yours," Shep said simply.
"Yeah, I suppose that's true." I wanted her, Max, and the future I'd always dreamed about. How could I convince her to give me a chance?
I was worried that the fake part of our relationship stood between us like a wall. I needed her to forget that this was an act. I needed her to believe that it was real.