CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“So, it’s really over?” asked Olive.
“It’s really over, honey. Tank is taking some time to deal with it all. He wasn’t in love with her but he’d been around for a long time and understood her better than anyone. He needs time to decompress,” said Ham.
“And Dad? How are you?” she asked looking at Luca.
“Honestly? I’m not sure. I feel a bit like Tank. I’m relieved that she will no longer try to get to you. Sad that it all came to this. And disheartened that I missed so much of you growing up.”
“There’s time to make up for it now,” smiled Olive. “We could start with donuts this Sunday morning at the café. I always wanted a father that would take me for donuts on Sunday morning. Just me and him.” Luca nodded with tears in his eyes.
“I like donuts,” he laughed.
“Good,” she smiled. “And maybe you could be sure to stick around and walk me down the aisle as well.”
“That, I will definitely do,” he said hugging her. She turned to Iggy with a bright smile.
“Well, what do you think? Should we get married?”
“Fuck yeah,” laughed Iggy. “The sooner the better.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” she smiled. “Our baby needs a last name and a father who’s going to stick around.”
“Our-our baby?” he frowned. “But…” He started to say they’d only made love just a few nights ago but he looked around at the grinning faces and knew. One of those grinning faces was Matthew.
“Trust me, son. She’s pregnant.”
“I believe you, Mr. Matthew,” laughed Iggy hugging Olive again. “I definitely believe you. We get married this weekend!”
“That might have to wait,” said Matthew. “Those two storms have joined forces. They’re coming straight for us and we need to help our neighbors get prepared.”
“What about the cottages, Mr. Matthew?” asked Rowe.
“They were all built six-feet off the ground. They should be fine but we’ll put sandbags around everything on this property.
In the meantime, the women will begin moving necessities out to the Sugar Lodge.
The kids will organize everything, and you all will need to get busy with the sandbags and helping our neighbors. ”
“Yes, sir,” said a hundred voices. There were two hundred more already out in the storm helping neighbors get to safety and ensuring that the world would survive.
“Let’s get busy,” said Iggy. He started to move and Olive pulled his arm back, hugging him once more.
“Thank you, Iggy. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for not letting me retreat. Thank you for helping to save me.” He kissed her sweetly.
“Baby, didn’t you know? You saved me.”