CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“I had them put your things in my cottage,” said CJ as they walked down the path. Jill smiled, nodding at him.
“I’m glad. I didn’t want to have to beg.”
“You will never have to beg me for anything, Jill,” said CJ, turning her in his arms. He kissed her, passionately running his hands up her back.
“You can stop right there, Christian Joseph Abbott,” said Claudette. Jill giggled at the sound of the woman’s voice. “When is the wedding?”
“Aunt Claudette, we haven’t talked about a date,” said CJ.
“When is convenient for you, Miss Claudette?” smiled Jill. She squeezed CJ’s hand, smiling up at him, and he laughed.
“If we’re bein’ honest, sooner rather than later. I know you’re both adults, but it would be best if you married before babies come along.”
“Okay, Aunt Claudette,” smiled CJ. “How about this Friday?” Claudette had a big smile on her face and clapped her hands.
“Well, now. That’ll be just fine. I’ll make all the arrangements and be sure to get the food ready with George and Sara. Gwen can get a dress ready for you,” she smiled.
“Oh, I don’t need anything fancy. Just a simple ivory dress is fine,” said Jill.
“Don’t you want a wedding dress?” asked CJ.
“I mean, I suppose I do, but I don’t have to have it,” she said, blushing.
“Jill, this is your wedding. Our wedding. The only one we’ll ever have, I can promise that. I want you to have everything that you’ve ever wanted for your wedding. If you want a gown, wear a gown. If you want a dress, wear a dress. Hell, wear pants if you want. Flowers? Take your pick,” he said, sweeping his arm across the path. “There are more varieties here than at any botanical gardens I know of.”
“Alright,” she nodded, laughing at them. “I have always dreamed of a long gown. Nothing fancy or sparkling, just something simple.”
“Fine, fine,” nodded Claudette. “Flowers?”
“I don’t know,” she said, looking around her. “Everything is so beautiful here, and it smells divine. Can you put together a bouquet for me? Something you think is appropriate?”
“I can do that,” smiled Claudette. “We’re not all that far off from Mardi Gras, so some purples and golds, a little green mixed in with it.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” grinned CJ.
“Who will walk you down the aisle?” asked the older woman.
“Oh. Oh, I hadn’t really thought about that,” frowned Jill. “I-I haven’t had time to think…”
She trailed off, and CJ could tell this was an emotional moment for her. She’d been without her father a very long time, but her wedding would be a day that she would definitely miss him. She whispered something, and CJ looked at her.
“What did you say, honey?” asked Claudette. Jill looked up and around the grove, finally connecting with the face she needed. She walked slowly toward him, and he grinned.
“Good to see you, Morgan. We’re damn happy you’re here permanently,” said Ham.
“Ham, I need a favor.”
“Anything. Is CJ being an asshole?”
“No. I’m not, thank you very much for the vote of confidence,” smirked CJ.
“He’s being a perfect gentleman,” smiled Jill. “No, I have something really important and difficult to ask of you.” Ham frowned at her.
“Of course. Anything.”
“I need someone to walk me down the aisle this weekend,” she grinned. Ham stared at her, then back at CJ. “I’ve known you the longest, Ham. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Please. Will you?”
“Shit, Morgan,” he stammered, tugging on his beard. “Me? Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Hell, yeah,” he laughed. “I’d be fucking honored to walk you down the aisle.” She hugged him fiercely, then stepped back with tears in her eyes.
“Thank you, Ham.”
“Did you make this girl cry?” asked Sadie.
“No. I mean, sort of,” said Ham. “Jill asked me to walk her down the aisle. She’s decided to marry this idiot.”
“Ham! CJ is wonderful, and he’s going to make a great husband,” said Sadie. “I’m so happy for you both.” Sadie kissed their cheeks and then turned, hearing one of her own children screaming at the other. She rolled her eyes and turned to Ham.
“It’s not just ours,” he frowned. “Cole and River have been fighting over who gets to ask Wavy to the eighth-grade dance.”
“Oh, man,” laughed CJ.
“It’s not funny, asshole. We’ve got six boys in the island mansion, all wanting to ask the same girl to the dance. It’s a fucking war,” said Ham.
“Maybe ask the girl who she wants to go to the dance with,” smiled Jill. Sadie smiled at Jill, nodding her head.
“See, that’s a woman that’s thinking the right way. We have three girls in that house. Ambry, Bailey, and Marissa. Let’s ask them who they want to go with.”
“Alright,” said Ham. “Girls! Girls, come here, please.” The four girls ran toward Ham.
“What’s up, Uncle Ham?” asked Marissa. Behind her were Willa Avery known as Wavy, Kev and Tila’s daughter, Ambry and Bailey, the other two-thirds of Sadie and Ham’s triplets.
“The boys have been fighting like cats and dogs over who gets to ask who to the dance. Now, we know they’re all your brothers or cousins, except for Wavy. Who would you like to go to the dance with, Wavy?”
“Me? I-I don’t know,” she said shyly.
“It’s your choice, honey,” said Sadie. “Just put the boys out of their misery.” The boys were gathered around them, waiting for her to make her choice.
“Well, he hasn’t asked me, but if he did, I’d like to go with Joey.”
“Joey!” yelled the boys. Joey was standing behind them, grinning. He was the son of Gator and Dylan. Tall and lean, he’d yet to fill out like some of the other boys, but apparently, Wavy didn’t care.
“Y-yes, if he’ll ask me,” she whispered.
“Will you go with me?” asked Joey, moving closer. “I mean, if your dad says okay, will you go to the dance with me?”
“Yes,” she smiled. He took her hand and led her toward her parents’ cottage, leaving the six boys with their mouths open.
“Great,” frowned Mitchell. “Now what? I can’t ask my cousin.”
“We wouldn’t want to go with you anyway,” frowned Bailey.
“You could go with me,” said Wyatt.
Bailey turned to see Wyatt O’Neal, Hawk and Maggie’s adopted son. He was one of the resident genius kids. He spent part of his time at the regular school with the others and part of his time studying on the property.
“You’re asking me?” asked Bailey.
“I mean, yeah. Only if you want to,” he said, blushing. Sadie thought it was the cutest damn thing ever.
“Sure! I mean, I’d love to,” she said. “Can I, Dad?”
“I think Wyatt is a good choice,” he smiled. Wyatt nodded at Ham and then held out a hand to Bailey.
“Ambry? You could go with me. I mean, would you go with me?” asked Logan, Rush and Caroline’s son.
“Really?” she smiled. “You’d want to take me, Logan?”
“Yeah! You’re the prettiest girl in the whole school, and you’re cool. You’re a great athlete, and you make me laugh.”
“Seems like a good reason to me,” said Sadie.
“Just me left,” frowned Marissa.
“Not if you’ll go with me,” said Remington, JB and Dana’s son. “I know I’m six months younger than you, but we’re in the same grade. If it matters.”
“It doesn’t matter,” smiled Marissa. “I’d like that. Let’s go ask my dad.”
“Well, that ended well,” smiled Ham.
“No, it didn’t, Dad!” said Cole. “We’re all still standing here without dates!” Cole, Quinn, River, Finnegan, Brooks, and Mitchell glared at Ham.
“Look, there have to be girls at school that want to go with you,” said Jill in a soft voice. “I mean, you’re all very handsome, big, athletic boys. I bet the girls are lining up to go to the dance with you.” Mitchell smiled at her, nodding.
“Would you like to go…”
“Hold up, cowboy,” said CJ. “She’s my fiancé. She’s not going to the dance with you.” Jill tried to hide her smile, but it wasn’t working very well.
“I think I might be a bit too old, Mitchell,” she said to the young man. The boys nodded and walked away from the group of adults.
“Well, that ended fairly well,” said Ham.
“You’re so dense sometimes,” said Sadie. “That was the first of a hundred incidents just like it we’re going to have. Nine children, all the same age, all related, all wanting dates to something or other. This won’t end until they’re all married.” Ham threw his hands in the air.
“Great. Just fucking great!”