CHAPTER TEN #2
I hear the bedroom door creak and the pitter-patter of paws and little feet come into the room.
A moment later, both Booker and Murph jump up on the bed.
“Daddy, are you awake?” I roll over and see both of them looking at me.
“I am. You’re up early this morning.” Booker nods.
“It’s a big day today. I get a third mom.
I know Mom is my mom-mom, then Maddie is kind of like my second mom and stepmom, and Kinsley is going to be my third mom and my stepmom, too.
Kinsley is gonna be my baby sister’s mom, so she’s kinda a double mom.
I’m glad the baby is getting their own room, so I don’t have to move my dinos and gators.
Those are big kid things and not for babies.
” I nod and keep listening because he needs to share this, and I haven’t had any coffee yet, so my ability to respond verbally isn’t on point.
He looks down at me and gives me a smile.
“I’m glad you chose her, Daddy. Kinsley’s nice, and she likes to listen to my dino stuff.
She makes you smile a lot, and that’s good too.
Oh, and she makes really good French toast. I’m glad she’s gonna be here always.
” On that, I couldn’t agree more. “Me too, kid. What do you say we go out to the living room and watch cartoons for a bit and go to the diner for breakfast before we meet up with Grandpa and the other guys?” Booker nods and hops off the bed, running to the living room with Murph hurrying to catch up to him. Time to get this day started.
***********
I look around the yard, and it's beautiful. Someone went and strung twinkle lights overhead so they’ll be on during the reception as the sun goes down.
Booker is over by Cash and Way, standing proud with his little bowtie on.
I tried to tell him, since we weren’t wearing ties, that he didn’t have to wear one, but he insisted.
When I asked him about it today while putting it on him, his answer blew me away.
“I want to show Kinsley that I’m happy she’s becoming a Wood.
She might be the third mom I’m getting, but I’m her first kid.
I may make mistakes and get in trouble sometimes, but I can be good and look good when it’s important.
The day you become someone’s kid is important. ” I couldn’t argue with that.
I look at my watch as a voice next to me speaks up.
“I would ask if you were looking to see how much time you had to plot your escape, but I know you’re more than ready to marry my little princess.
” I look over to Grant and nod, not sure what to say.
He shakes his head and continues. “I know I didn’t react well when I found out about you, and I know we’ve moved on from it, but I don’t think I realized just how wrong I was till the other day.
Watching you watch her, I get it. I also know you’re going to be there for her through everything that happens in the next few months.
I’m here to remind you that I’m here for both of you.
I know you have your parents, who are both amazing people, but just remember I’m also just a text or phone call away.
My kids mean the world to me, and I will always be there for them.
Now that includes you, too. I’m gonna go and see your bride now and make sure we’re on to start on time.
” Well, I can’t lie and say that didn’t just surprise the hell out of me, ‘cause it did. Glad to see he’s warmed up to me.
Guests are starting to arrive, so Nicky has us guys hanging out at the picnic tables next to the bonfire pit. I’m sitting on the table with Cash on one side and Way on the other. Dad is standing, talking to Jonah, while Booker bounces a ball around with Saxon.
Someone walks up to us. I want to say his name is Max, but we haven’t really gotten to know each other yet.
I vaguely remember being told he’s either a lawyer or an accountant.
He holds up an envelope and looks at me.
“I’ve got Kinsley’s wedding gift here. We were hoping it would get here today, but I wasn’t able to swing it so this explanation will have to do for now.
It will be here next Friday, though, so why don’t you open it and see for yourself?
I hope you aren’t upset. Kinsley came to me when she heard the story. ”
I glance at my brothers, and both look as confused as I am.
I take the envelope and open it. I take the paper out and read it.
What the…? I look up at Max. “Is this for certain? Like it’s not just a possibility, but it’s happening for sure?
” Max smiles and nods. “It’s for real. That’s the reason I wasn’t here yesterday helping.
I was meeting with the parole board.” That statement gets Dad’s attention, and he walks closer to us.
“What’s going on?” I hand him the letter, and I look at Cash and Way.
“That right there says Willie is coming home on Friday.”
I think we’re all stunned silent because we all thought he had at least four more years to go.
Dad speaks first. “How did you make this happen? He’ll be out free and clear?
” Max nods. “He will be. Kinsley came to me after she first heard about what happened in Willie's case. She didn’t know if there was anything that could be done, but asked me to look into it if I could. She knows I’m a sucker for these kinds of cases and couldn’t resist looking into it.
Turns out your brother has been a model prisoner, and the parole board has started reviewing sentences handed down by that judge.
Turns out they felt that, between his good behavior and overcrowding, they could easily justify his early release.
They were technical, though, and required the last month of his reduced sentence be served in full, which is why he’s coming home Friday. ”
Way uncharacteristically speaks up in front of everyone.
“Brother, it’s a good thing you’re marrying her today because otherwise I might’ve had to snag her for myself.
That’s an amazing woman right there.” I can’t even be pissed at that first part because I’m still in shock. He’s right about her being amazing.
Dad gets our attention by waving the envelope in front of us.
“Now, this is fucking amazing news, but we’re gonna keep it to ourselves for right now.
I don’t want the focus to be on Willie coming home right now.
Right now, we need to focus on Emmett and Kinsley getting married.
I don’t want the attention to be elsewhere.
We’re gonna wait till toward the end of the reception to tell your mama the news.
I won’t have my girl’s wedding overshadowed by the amazing news that she got for us.
” I shake my head. “Dad, you do realize that it’s my wedding, too.
You know, your eldest son?” Dad looks over at me.
“I know, son. I have four of you and so far only one daughter. Maybe your brothers need to step up their game.” This is an amazing day, and I haven’t even said I do yet.
Kinsley
I just got my dress on after the finishing touches to my makeup and hair were done.
I look in the mirror and I’m ready. I’m ready to marry Emmett.
I honestly never thought I would meet someone like him, and I will be thankful every day for the rest of my life.
Even when he leaves the toilet seat up every freaking time he goes to the bathroom.
Ada comes up to me and hands me a box. She gives me a smile.
“This is from me and Brooks. We wanted to welcome you to the family. Booker helped, too.” I open it, and it’s a beautiful necklace with a large W charm, a slightly smaller E, and a small B.
“Once your little one is born, we can add her initial to it as well.” I try to keep the tears from falling.
I give her a hug. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for raising a man like Emmett. I’m honored to become a part of your family. ”
There’s a throat clearing behind me, and Ada smiles even bigger.
She leans in and kisses my cheek. “I think your dad is ready to see his princess.” I turn around, and Dad is there in his dark gray button-up shirt, dark blue jeans, and his boots.
He smiles, takes my hand, and lifts it up to twirl me around like he did when I was a kid.
“I have to spin my little princess one more time before I have to give you away.” I step into his arms and give him a hug.
“Don’t make me cry, Dad.” He hugs me closer.
“Sorry. You know I’ve been to many weddings in this family.
Hell, I even walked Linnea down the aisle at a couple of them.
I just wasn’t ready to accept the fact that my little girl was old enough to be the next one to go down that aisle.
” He gives me a kiss on my forehead and continues, “I’ve accepted that you are and that you picked a good man to marry.
I’ve even accepted that you’re making me a grandpa.
” I have to fight rolling my eyes. “Erik said you’re turning my old room into a nursery and playroom already.
” Dad huffs and shrugs his shoulders. “Yeah, well, he doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut sometimes.
” I chuckle because I know no matter what he says, he loves Erik so much it’s almost sickeningly sweet.
Nicky comes through the door with force and looks at us.
“Come on, people, it’s show time!” Dad looks at me with a smile and glassy eyes.
“Let’s not keep Emmett waiting. I’d like to spend the rest of my days on the good side of the law.
” Oh, he’s got jokes today. I know it’s his way of lightening the moment, but I’m more than ready. Let’s get me married!
***********
Our ceremony was beautiful. We went with the traditional vows because I didn’t think I would get through it if we wrote our own.
We didn’t have anyone stand up with us since we were going for something simple.
We did have Booker serve as the ring bearer and bring us the rings so he could be included.
Sitting here watching our family interact with each other and all have a good time warms my heart. Nicky got a buddy of his to do the music, and I think he might have gotten the playlist from either my dad or Ada.
Emmett’s hand hasn’t left the back of my chair all evening.
He’s been touching my back the whole time.
I feel him tap my back, and I look over and see my husband smiling at me.
“You enjoying our reception, wife?” I lean toward him and give him a kiss.
“I am, husband, what about you?” He nods and looks over my head at someone, and nods again.
The music stops, and a slow song comes on.
“Dance with me?” I nod, stand up, and follow him onto the area we’re using as a dance floor.
John Legend’s song “All of Me” plays as Emmett pulls me in to dance close. He leans his head down to touch mine. He starts quietly singing the lines, just loud enough for me to hear. My waterproof mascara is getting tested today.
Emmett stops singing at the end of the chorus.
He moves his head away from mine. I look up into his eyes, and he smiles and shakes his head slightly.
“I still thank the Lord for making me decide to go to that bar that night. Little did I know I danced with the woman who’d be my dance partner for the rest of my life.
” He leans down and gives me a kiss as the song ends.
“There’s at least one more dance you gotta do before I can whisk you away.
” He turns me around and Dad is there. Emmett goes to get his mom to dance with her.
The Beach Boys’ song “God Only Knows” starts playing.
I know Dad picked this song. It’s the song he sang to me at bedtime every time I stayed with him when I was little.
I put my head on his shoulder. “You know this was our song, but soon I’m gonna get to sing it to my granddaughter.
” We sway to the music for a few minutes, just enjoying the moment.
Just as the song comes to an end, Dad says one more thing.
“I’m proud of you. You have a job you love, you finished school like you said you would, and, most of all, you fought for your love and your relationship.
You didn’t let me or anyone else deter you from what you knew was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love.
That tells me just how strong you are. You remember that inner strength when life gets hard.
You remember it when you doubt yourself.
Remember also that I love you and am here for you.
” I think my waterproof mascara has met its match.
This day has been more special and memorable than I could have hoped for. Some dreams do come true.