Chapter 46
Cooper
Sunday dinner rolls around, and after we all get back from church, I take Naomi to the house to get out of her Sunday dress.
It’s bright, sunny, and beautiful, and I didn’t think this day could get any better, but when I picked up Mae this morning, it did.
She makes everything better.
Keeping my hand on her thigh, I drive up the hill to the house and put it into park.
Naomi hops out and runs into the house. Mae and I stay put.
“Are you sure now is a good time to tell them?” she asks.
She’s worrying her bottom lip, and I reach up to pull it from her teeth. “You’re going to make yourself bleed. Stop worrying so much. They’ll be happy. Did you tell your parents yet?” I ask her, knowing she hasn’t.
“I was going to, but then I wanted you to be there because my mom is going to want to see you, and then the moment I tell her, my aunt will hear about it five seconds after we hang up. So I … want to be prepared,” she says and puffs out a breath.
I chuckle and Naomi rockets back out of the house, this time sporting a pink tutu, a white t-shirt, and a lime green sparkly vest. I catch a glimpse of her feet and spot the rubber yellow rain boots.
Close enough.
“I like your outfit, Naomi,” Mae says over her shoulder as I turn the truck to go to the big house.
“Thank you,” she says.
“Mae, baby, there’s nothing to prepare for. Someone,” I say, gesturing to Naomi, “won’t keep quiet about it, but I promise it’ll be okay, unless someone is going to be mad. If that’s the case, tell me now.”
She shakes her head as I pull up next to Fletcher’s truck.
“Ready?” I ask her.
“As I’ll ever be,” she says, nervousness all over her beautiful face.
Naomi leads the way into the big house, and I kiss Mae’s temple, leaning into her. “You look gorgeous in that dress, and I can’t wait to take it off,” I whisper into her ear.
The distraction works and she gives me wide, I can’t believe you said that right here eyes, and I chuckle.
“Daddy is getting married!” Naomi yells.
The whole house goes quiet, and everyone stares at me and Mae, but my eyes are still on her as her cheeks turn red.
“She tells no lies,” I say, addressing my family.
“Finally,” June says and squeals, pulling Mae into a hug.
Fletcher grabs me in a hug and pats me on the back. “I’m proud of you, Coop, but you’re about to enter a whole different world of hurt.”
“Why?” I ask him.
He grins and glances at Tatum. “Because now you’ll know how it feels to have your balls in a vice.”
“I heard that!” Tatum yells over her shoulder.
“He’s not wrong, son,” Uncle Mason says, clapping me on the back. “Congratulations. Did you tell your parents?” he asks.
I chuckle and push my hand through my hair. “No, y’all are the first to know. We’re going to talk to our parents soon.”
“You better, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it from your mother,” Aunt Dixie says, grinning like a loon. She hugs me and kisses me on the cheek.
Sterling comes around the corner. I didn’t even notice he was here and claps me on the back. “Congrats man, looks like me and Ledge are the last men standing.” He glances at June and I ignore it. Everyone does.
“I don’t know what woman would put up with this guy anyway,” I say, pointing to Ledger.
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t you worry about me. I’m doin’ just fine.”
Fletcher throws his head back on a laugh. “Ledger, my brother, you are great at a lot of things, but schmoozing the ladies is not one of them.”
“Whatever,” he grumbles and goes to the fridge for a beer.
Sterling laughs and nods. “I have to agree with him, Ledge, you wouldn’t have even talked to a girl in high school if me or Fletch wasn’t there to wingman you.”
I grin and Ledger grunts.
A hand slips into mine, and I know it’s hers before I even look at her. I don’t think I care if she has my balls in a vice. I’m happy to keep them there.
“Well, with that happy news, let’s eat!” Aunt Dixie says, clapping her hands.
We all find a seat, and I put Naomi on one side and Mae on the other, exactly how it should be.
***
“Thank’s Mom, we’ll talk to you later.”
“We’ll be up soon. It’s so nice to meet you, Mae. I can’t wait to give my future daughter a hug!” Mom says.
“I can’t wait either,” Mae says, her cheeks rosy from talking so much.
I hang up the video call, and Mae groans, throwing herself over my lap. Naomi is playing with her toys in her own little world.
“Don’t sound so excited to tell people you get to marry me,” I say, looking down at Mae, brushing hair out of her face.
She huffs. “Um, you get to marry me. You’re the one that should be screaming it from the rooftops.”
I chuckle. “I am.”
She smiles up at me and picks her phone up. “My mother is going to talk your ear off, and I guarantee you they will all be here within the week. Are you sure you want to do this now?”
I shrug. “No time like the present.”
“Here we go,” she says and sits up.
“Well, there’s my long-lost daughter,” her mom says.
“Hey Mom, how are you?” Mae asks her.
“We’re good. Your father and I just got back from the store. What’s up?” she asks.
“Sounds like it’s been a good day,” she says, watching her expression carefully.
“It has. Did you figure things out?” she asks.
She glances at me, then back to the phone. “So I have some news…” Mae says, trailing off.
I give her a little nod of encouragement.
“Are you okay, tesoro? What’s wrong?” she asks quickly.
Mae holds up her hand to the phone. “Mama, I’m getting married!”
Everyone shrieks and yells and talks at the same time. I’m not sure what’s going on.
“I haven’t met him. How do I know he’s good enough for my daughter?” her father says, stopping the screams in their tracks.
“Daddy, I know — that’s how. Also, Uncle Leo knows him, so talk to him.”
“When do we get to meet him?” her mother asks.
Mae tilts the phone to keep both of us in the picture. “Mom, Dad, this is Cooper Hayes. Cooper, meet my parents, Isabella and Gio.”
They both stare at me, and I wave. “Nice to meet you both,” I say and dip my chin.
Isabella starts rattling off questions, and while Mae and Isabella talk, Gio stares at me through the phone.
But I don’t back down. I’m marrying his daughter whether he likes it or not.
I’d like for him to approve, and had we gotten the chance, I would have talked to him directly?
But since I couldn’t do that, maybe I need to do the next best thing.
“Let me talk to your dad one on one,” I whisper in Mae’s ear.
She glances at me and nods to something Isabella says.
“Are you sure?” she asks.
I wink and she blushes.
“Dad, Cooper would like to talk to you directly.”
“Fine,” he grunts.
I take the phone from Mae and walk into the kitchen. “Mr. Morgan, I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you directly and ask for her hand. I apologize.”
Gio doesn’t say anything right away, and I brace myself for the yelling.
But then he says, “Cooper, my daughter has waited a long time for this. I’m not going to tell you if you hurt her, I’ll kill you because I trust my daughter, and if she picked you for a husband, then you must be a good man.
But please take care of her. The only thing I need from you is your word. ”
“You have it, sir.”
He nods. “Good. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let me give this back to Isabella,” he grunts.
I give Mae the phone back, and I sit down next to her while Mae explains how we got together and points to Naomi. They looked a little surprised, but that’s fair. Family doesn’t always fit in round holes or square ones, for that matter.
Mae eventually hangs up, and she leans her head against my shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asks me.
I chuckle and kiss her temple. “I’m fine, but are you okay?”
She groans. “Yes, no, maybe.”
“Solid answer.”
I glance at my watch and Naomi, who’s now sitting in front of the TV watching a movie.
“It’s time for bed, princess.”
Naomi groans and doesn’t move. “Fine, but can Mae read to me?” she asks.
I glance at her, and Mae stares at Naomi before looking up at me. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, you’re not going anywhere.”
“Mae will read to you, but you have to brush your teeth and get your PJ’s on.”
I pause the movie and Naomi reluctantly heads to her room to get ready for bed.
“I can’t believe she asked for me,” Mae whispers.
“I can, baby.”
Mae smiles and kisses me before she heads to Naomi’s room.
I smile to myself, watching her disappear down the hall, excited for our next chapter.