Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Maren
April
There’s a knock on the bedroom door. “Come in.”
I glance over to the opening door, already knowing who it is. It’s Camden, here to pick Theo and me up to take us to the church. “Wow,” he states, standing there and drinking me in. “You look stunning.”
I look down at my simple lilac dress, loving the way it fits. “Thank you.” It hits just below my knees, hugs my curves, and has a lace overlay that gives me a delicate, yet stylish look. “Did you see Theo?”
He chuckles. “He couldn’t wait to show me his suspenders.”
When we picked out the outfits we would be wearing to Cade and Oaklee’s wedding, Theo insisted on the navy-blue suit with suspenders. Of course, a big reason for the navy-blue is simply because it matches the suits Camden and the rest of the guys are wearing.
“Are you ready?” he asks, slowly stalking toward me.
“We are.” I suddenly feel a little breathless.
He presses his lips to mine in a firm, searing kiss. “Now I’m ready,” he whispers, taking my hand.
Camden has been at the church for the last few hours, getting ready with the guys and taking photos. However, he left, insisting he come and pick Theo and me up personally instead of us driving there ourselves.
I know he needs to get back to the church, so I squeeze his hand and lead him out of our bedroom.
It’s not technically our bedroom, but he has slept in here more nights than he hasn’t.
Ever since that Monday night in February where we declared our love once more, we’ve spent a lot of time together.
Most nights, both enjoying time together with Theo at my place or out in Cam’s garage, working on his truck.
He seems to always want us around, and my heart melts every time I see how good he is with my son.
“Ready, little dude?”
“Weady!” he bellows, jumping up from his chair and charging toward the back door.
“He’s very excited. He can’t wait to show your dad his suspenders too,” I tell him. Theo absolutely loves Camden’s dad, Tyson, and gravitates toward him anytime we’re all together. Tyson eats it up too, treating my son as if he’s always been a part of their family.
“Dad’s wearing suspenders just because I told him Theo has them.”
My mouth drops open. “Oh my goodness, Theo’s going to be so excited.”
Camden nods as we reach the back door, where Theo is anxiously waiting. “All right, little dude, it’s time to go to the wedding.”
He jumps up and down eagerly.
Camden picks him up and carries him out to his truck, where a second car seat waits.
He insisted on buying one for his truck because it’s more convenient than moving the one I have back and forth all the time.
Plus, a few times over the last two months, Cam has picked up Theo from daycare, allowing me to offer later appointments with clients.
My plan is to start offering late appointments one day a week, and Camden is completely on board with it.
Once we’re all settled into the truck, he backs out of the driveway and heads for the church. Theo talks a mile a minute about his little suit and how excited he is to match Camden and his brothers.
“All right, Theo, remember what we talked about,” I state, removing my seat belt and turning to look at him. “When we get in the church, you have to be on your best behavior. And when the wedding starts, you sit beside me and be very quiet.”
“I know, Mommy,” he proclaims, pulling at his seat belt. He’s most definitely ready.
“Hang on, little dude. I’ll get you out,” Camden announces, climbing from the driver’s seat and pulling open the back door. Once he has Theo in his arms, he walks around to me and takes my hand. “Ready, Shortcake?”
“I am,” I confirm.
He squeezes my hand and leads me into the church. We step inside and are greeted by several familiar faces.
“Maren, you look beautiful,” Linda says, coming right over to me and giving me a hug.
“Thank you, Linda. You look absolutely stunning yourself,” I tell her.
“Doesn’t she?” Tyson states, walking toward us with a big smile on his face. One that reminds me of his youngest son.
“Papa! Wook, penders.”
We all stop and look at Theo, but Tyson doesn’t break his stride. “You look so handsome in your suspenders, and look, I have some too!”
My son’s eyes grow wide as he takes in Tyson’s suspenders. “Matchies!”
“That’s right,” he replies, reaching out his hands. “Come on, buddy. You can come check out the back room with Papa. I think there’s still snacks in there.”
“Nacks!”
“That little boy just made his entire day,” Linda says, smiling as she watches them walk away.
“Well, I think the feeling is mutual.”
“We’ll have to get a picture of those two in their suspenders,” Linda announces. To Camden, she adds, “I think they’re about done with the bride and groom pictures. Wedding party is next.”
“Okay,” Camden replies, leaning over and pressing a kiss to my temple. “See you in a bit.”
I watch him walk away, my eyes zeroing in on the way his navy suit looks on his sexy body.
“Thank you.”
Linda’s words pull my attention back to her. “For what?”
“For bringing my boy back to life,” she replies softly.
Guilt riddles my entire being. On a day that’s supposed to be jovial and full of love, I’m instantly pulled back to that hot, summer day when I walked away from us. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” she quickly asserts.
“I’m not asking for an apology or wanting you to feel guilty.
We all make decisions in life. Some are better than others.
What makes us better people is how we learn and overcome those not-so-great decisions.
You’re here. You made a choice for Theo and you, and that led you back to us.
No more looking back, Maren. Your future is in front of you, not behind you. ”
I crack a smile. “You sound like your son.”
She chuckles. “Honestly, I was a lot more lenient on that boy. By the time he came along, I was tired. The other three about killed me,” she deadpans.
I bark out a laugh. “Well, you wouldn’t know. He’s such an amazing man.”
She grins proudly. “He was my easiest child, honestly. He was ornery and loved following the other two around, but he’s always had the biggest heart who loves deeply.
Not that the other three don’t possess the same traits, but Camden has always worn his heart on his sleeve.
He loves hard and completely, which is why he never let go of you. ”
“Selfishly, I’m glad he didn’t,” I reply.
“Me too, honey. It wasn’t your time before, but now it is.”
“I really hope so.” My whispered confession makes my heart beat with a quick tempo. I take a deep breath and add, “I’ve always loved him.”
“And he you, Maren. Now, he gets the added bonus of your son, and if you ask me, he loves him with his whole heart too.”
“He does,” I agree, recalling with fondness how good he is with Theo.
Patient and kind and always wants him around.
He takes him to his garage, not afraid to spend alone time with him and show him anything and everything about working on the truck.
It’s sort of become their thing lately, reminding me of the paternal bond of father and son.
Maybe, someday, he’ll want the job officially.
“He will.”
I look up and blink, trying to recall what was said last.
Linda snickers and reaches for my hand. “I could practically read your thoughts. He wants to be that boy’s father, and he’ll be the best one he can be. To Theo and any other children he’s lucky enough to have.”
Tears fill my eyes. It’s as if she truly understands the secrets I’m keeping.
She squeezes my arm. “Now, let’s go check on those boys and make sure Tyson and Theo haven’t eaten all the pre-wedding snacks,” she states with a knowing look in her eyes.
“Dance with me, Shortcake.”
I instantly smile and place my hand inside his. He helps me stand and leads me onto the dance floor. Feeling the eyes of everyone at the table, I say, “They’re all staring, aren’t they?”
He pulls me into his arms and doesn’t even bother looking over my shoulder to confirm. “Probably.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and slowly sway to the country tune. “I think the last time we danced was at prom.”
“Before I got under that red dress you were wearing,” he proudly boasts, the cockiness evident.
“Yeah, yeah.”
He presses his lips to my forehead. “Best night ever.”
“It was a great time,” I confirm, resting my arms against his body as we move to the music.
“I can’t believe Theo’s still going strong.”
Lifting my head, I glance over to my three-year-old.
He’s been a trooper, only taking a short nap this afternoon before we got dressed for the wedding.
It’s about nine thirty, way past his bedtime, but I haven’t had the heart to suggest it’s time for him to leave.
He’s sitting on Tyson’s lap, or his new Papa as he’s referred to him all day, and even though he’s showing signs of fatigue, he’s happily playing with Lizzie and waving at everyone that passes the table.
He’s going home with Tyson and Linda tonight.
They offered, allowing Camden and I the opportunity to enjoy the entire reception.
It’s not the first time he’s spent the night there.
They did a practice run two weekends ago, and it went so well, Theo and Tyson have both been asking for another sleepover.
They even went as far as to add a toddler bed to the room they had already set up with a crib for June, so it’s a perfect fit for both young kids.
They’re also taking June home. It’s the first overnight adventure with their granddaughter, and I know Charli is nervous. She talked about it earlier, not that she doesn’t trust her parents, but the simple fact it’s the first time she’s been away from her baby overnight.
“I think he’s falling asleep,” Camden whispers, drawing my attention back to the table.