Chapter 38
Elle
The following two weeks go by in a blur.
Quarter two is always jampacked, field trips, parent-teacher conferences, Halloween, the upcoming winter holidays and everything those entail.
It’s downright exhausting. After surviving parent-teacher conference week, I’m really looking forward to slugging it on the couch this weekend until Archer’s game on Sunday.
I pull into my spot in the garage and make my way to the elevator to Archer’s apartment, well I guess it’s our apartment now.
I say hi to Phil as I cross from the garage elevator to the main elevator in the lobby.
Once I’m inside the elevator, I take my hair out of the bun it was in and massage my scalp.
I had it way too tight and I’m sure it looks like a rat’s nest, but I can’t bring myself to care.
The elevator stops at our floor, and I walk inside only to be greeted by a group of people I have never met before.
Looking around at the group of people I notice something, they all bear some sort of resemblance to Archer.
Oh.
Fuck.
The Grizzlies game is this weekend. In my exhausted state I didn’t even notice the date. I’m really glad I cleaned the guest rooms when I did, but I’m really regretting taking my hair down in the elevator.
“Hello.” I smile and awkwardly wave.
FFUUUUUUCCCCK. Not the impression I wanted to make with his mom and dad.
I’m pulled into a huge hug from who I assume is Mama Bell.
“Oh, Ellie, I’m so glad to finally meet you.” She lets me go and holds me at arm’s length. “You are gorgeous! I’m just so happy to meet you!” She pulls me against her chest again and I can’t help but smile.
“Mom, let Elle breathe for like fifteen minutes. Sheesh, she hasn’t even been able to set down her work bag.
” A lankier man, with brown hair but the same blue eyes as Archer says.
He’s on the couch with two kids and a woman who I am assuming is his wife.
He lets me put my bag down before approaching me.
“I’m Lucas, this is my wife Mari, and our two kids, Jaxon and Lexi.
” The kids barely look up from their devices when greeting me before going back to being fully engrossed in whatever they’re playing.
“It’s great to meet you all.” I say smiling.
“Archer is at practice and Dad is picking up my grandparents and Uncle Rob from the airport.” Lukas explains.
“Thanks for allowing us to hang out here this weekend.” Mari says.
She’s probably the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.
Flawless skin, silky black hair, dark brown eyes, and smattering of light freckles across her nose and cheeks.
“I will try my best to make sure my husband and father-in-law keep their pregame rituals to a minimum.” She hides her mouth behind her hand and whispers “They all tend to revolve around chanting for the Grizzlies and howling for the Wolves.” She smiles, “Trish and I tend to go out for mimosas while they do the chanting and howling, we get a headstart on them with the drinking. We would love for you and your friend Sadie to join us.”
“Oh! Yeah, Sadie and I would love that.” Archer must have told them about Sadie and we are attached at the hip at the home games. “Thanks for including us!” I smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t get home earlier. I’ve been trying to catch up at work and I must have lost track of time.”
“Oh we know, sweetheart.” Trish says, handing me
a drink. I take a sniff and it’s eerily reminiscent of a Tyson Typhoon, it’s equally as fruity.
“Archer told us all about how late you stay for parent-teacher conferences. Don’t worry the drink is alcohol free.
It’s my famous punch, but if you want to add booze Mari and I are already ahead of you. ” She winks.
I smile. I like Mama Bell and Mari already. “I will gladly join you, just let me change out of my work clothes and into some comfy clothes and I will get dinner started.”
“Oh no. Absolutely not! You’re not cooking for us!
” Mama Bell exclaims. “David and I booked a private room at Old Mill Brewing. Our treat of course. As a thank you for letting us and the kids crash here. I’m sure this is the last thing you wanted.
David’s parents will be at a hotel along with Robert and his family who are flying in later tonight.
” Mama Bell, or as she insists I call her, Trish explains.
Old Mill Brewery is a restored red-brick mill, home to a vintage waterwheel, that still turns with the current which is where the brewery got its name. The brewery hosts a variety of events from small get-togethers to weddings, one of my friends even had her child’s first birthday there.
It’s one of my favorite places to take my family to when they are in town.
I’m glad Archer’s family enjoys it as well.
I’m relieved that his family is keeping it casual.
I change from my ‘teacher’ clothes to my favorite jeans, and sweater.
Quickly brushing and styling the rat’s nest from earlier before heading back out to the main living space where the Bell families await.
I’m greeted with Archer’s deep laugh when I do finally emerge from our bedroom.
He looks incredibly relaxed laughing with his family.
His grandparents introduce themselves to me and his Uncle Robert shakes my hand so vigorously I’m surprised he didn’t dislocate it.
My heart overflows seeing how much Archer is loved and adored by his family.
He’s clearly in his element here. Teasing his brother, charming his grandparents, and adoring his niece and nephew. My heart squeezes in my chest.
Trish has her work cut out for her corralling all of us and assigning carpools, but she manages it with poise and grace.
I’m driving Lucas, Mari and their kids in my car.
Archer is driving his parents and his grandparents in his truck.
Uncle Rob is taking an uber because he’s meeting a friend from college after.
We reach the brewery and are immediately ushered
in by a hostess who is flirting openly with Archer, earning her the wickedest glare from Grandma Bell.
On our way to the backroom, we pass the beer garden which showcases the river, the small stage is tucked away into the corner allowing plenty of space for everyone to mingle.
Edison bulbs illuminate the space, allowing people to see where they’re going but not too bright where it distracts from the stage.
Right now, there is a cover band playing their hearts out to a decent sized crowd.
I see Jaxon point to the band and I’m pretty sure he’s asking his dad if they can go watch the show.
The hostess winks at Archer and squeezes his bicep as she drops us off at the backroom, Archer’s ears are pink, a tell-tale sign he’s embarrassed.
No one else seems to notice his discomfort as they disperse throughout the private party room. I make my way up to him and squeeze his hand. “You do look very handsome tonight; you can’t blame a girl for shooting her shot.” I tease.
“You’re an absolute menace.” He smiles and places a kiss on the top of my head.
“Lexi, Jax, you two better get your cups of root beer before I absolutely destroy this keg!” Archer jokes as he releases me and heads over to the cask of house made root beer the brewery left for the nondrinkers.
Since he has an upcoming game, he is abstaining from alcohol.
I take in the space around me, it’s got a rustic-industrial charm, the room itself is trendy with the mismatched furniture that just clicks together perfectly.
The cake stand that my friend used for her baby shower is actually a wood and iron table surrounded by comfy leather chairs.
There’s a polished farmhouse table in the middle of the room which has plenty of seating for our party.
The private room doesn’t have a private bar which makes sense from a liability standpoint, so we have to go out to the main area to get drinks. I offer to get the first round with some help from Archer’s dad, David.
While waiting for our drinks I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn around to see Vi and Phoenix. I smile and wrap Vi in a hug.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, Vi doesn’t drink beer so seeing her at the brewery is a rare sight.
“One of my friends from work is playing in the band.” Phoenix answers.
“That makes a lot more sense than thinking Vi suddenly developed a taste for beer.”
They both laugh.
“We have the back room if you guys want to join us.” David supplies. I smile sheepishly; I turn and make introductions. Something I should have done from the get-go. David doesn’t seem to notice my blunder and smiles good naturedly through it all.
“Archer’s family is in town for the game Sunday.” I explain.
“Oh, we’d love to join! I wanted to talk to you about the bachelorette anyway!” Vi smiles, grabbing my arm. Phoenix graciously grabs what should have been my load of beer to carry and the four of us make our way to the backroom.
“I’m thinking Nashville,” Vi says, “I want to go to one of those cowboy strip clubs.” She whispers conspiratorially. Luckily, it’s loud enough through the main room that Phoenix can’t hear my reply, “Is Phoenix okay with that?”
“I mean is it really any different than when we get drunk and watch Magic Mike?”
“Well I mean it wouldn’t be a work of fiction.”
Vi waves her hand, “It will be fine, I told him he can go to strip club if he wants, it’s our last flings before the rings, and I want sexy shirtless cowboys.”
“Alright, I will relay the message to your sister.” Vi’s older sister is her Matron of Honor but since I’m local, I’ve been tasked with more of the duties and none of the glory, I don’t really mind to be honest. “Want me to start looking at Airbnbs?”
“Oh! Iris has already done all that.” Vi smiles. “I told her that I wanted Nashville and she was able to find a swanky place.”
“Who says swanky?” I tease. Vi playfully swats my arm.
Once safely inside our backroom we make our introductions and not surprisingly Mari and Trish are gushing over Vi’s unique engagement ring and the engagement story.
They also offer suggestions for the bachelorette party.
Mari lived in Nashville for a few years and knows of several bars that are frequented less by tourists and more by locals if one of the nights we wanted a more low-key experience.
The remainder of the night goes by with laughter, embarrassing stories of Archer and engaging conversations.
Archer’s ears remain pink as he catches snippets of his childhood blunders.
Archer’s grandma is absolutely smitten with Vi and wants to make a separate trip to make some pottery at her studio.
Archer tells Grandma that after the season is over, he will plan a trip for her and his grandpa to come down.
We finally make it home around eleven thirty which is probably later than Archer wanted but he’s not complaining about it.
We’re laying in bed when he pulls me close. “Thank you for being such a good sport tonight. I know my family can be a lot.”
“Archer, your family is just as ‘extra’ as mine.” I say completely serious. “Did you forget the over-the-top gender reveal party and the plague that followed after?”
“I hope there is no plague following this family get together.” He winces, I’m sure he’s remembering my prayers for death during that whole experience.
“I’m sure there won’t be; your niece and nephew are older and therefore typically have better immune systems.” I pray I’m right because I really don’t think my ego can handle another bout of the plague where Archer is stuck taking care of me.