51. What The Hell Is That?
What The Hell Is That?
Leo
Eight Months Later
‘It’s a beautiful day.’
I glance across at Zoe as we drive along the country road. She’s giddy to be back in South Carolina, even if she’s not saying it. We’re heading back to Forest Falls to see our family after the most incredible eight months together.
‘It is. You want to make ‘em wait an extra day and head to the lake?’
‘My mom would have an aneurysm.’
I laugh. Lynnie has been so supportive of us and loved all our updates. She’s even been to visit us in California, but she’s missed having her baby girl close by.
‘We have a lot to tell them.’ I concentrate on the road.
‘Yeah.’
I glance across again and see the soft smile on her face and the look of love in her eyes as she gazes across at me. I love this woman.
‘My baby. Oh, my baby.’
Lynnie squeals as the car comes to a stop, and she practically tears the door off to get to Zoe. I laugh as I climb out and find my dad’s waiting arms.
‘Son.’ He pats my back and kisses my temple before passing me off to Lucy, and as she hugs me, I hear the shouts of twinnie behind me, knowing Zoe and Bree are locked in an embrace that will probably last all night.
I turn to see Doug wrestle his way between his sisters to steal Zoe away, and then it happens.
‘What the hell is that?’ With Zoe’s hands wrapped around Doug’s back, Bree is the first one to notice the ring. Bree stares at me, then Zoe, as Doug releases my girl to find out what’s going on.
‘Surprise.’ Zoe smiles, holding up her left hand.
‘You’re engaged? The collective squeals and questions make us laugh, and I reach for Zoe, pulling her to my side.
‘Oh, my goodness. Do you want to do this soon?’
‘We could do it at the lake.’
‘Bo can wear her Converse, right?’
As they talk amongst themselves, excitedly planning our wedding, I pull my girl close and kiss her temple. We have plenty more to tell them, but right now, I just want to soak it in — all the people we love, happy and excited for us.
‘Uncle Leo.’ Bowie runs out of school and into my waiting arms. When Doug asked if I wanted to go with him to collect her, I couldn’t resist. I’ve missed the little whirlwind.
‘Hey, Miss Bowie.’
Her little arms wrap around my neck.
‘You’re home,’ she says so sweetly close to my ear.
‘Yeah, honey, we’re home.’
‘I saw you on TV.’ I laugh. The reality show extended its filming schedule, meaning me and Zoe, who started working on the welcome desk at Big Blue, became a part of the international phenomenon. It was weird, and it was funny to our family, but it meant I had clients flying in from all over the world to be tattooed by me in San Diego. My social media, which Zoe took charge of, went crazy, and the books at Lion Ink are so full, we might need to think about moving to a bigger shop and taking on another permanent artist or two.
‘Where’s Auntie Zo Zo?’
‘She’s waiting for you at Grandma’s house. Shall we go and get her?’
Bowie nods excitedly, and I catch Doug’s eye. The look of pride at his little girl makes my insides jump. He loves being a dad.
‘Bowie,’ Zoe calls out from the porch and runs into the yard, jumping up and down until Bo runs to her and then jumping up and down some more. ‘I missed you.’
‘I missed you, too.’
Smiling at their excitement to see one another, I pass them and head for the house as Bree comes out and meets me on the porch.
‘Shrimp.’
‘Leo.’
She looks tired, not her usual self. Something’s off.
‘What’s going on, Bree?’ She sits with a soft sigh, and I take the seat next to hers. ‘Shrimp?’
‘Nothin’ Leo. I’m fine. Just been working a lot.’ I reach for her hand, and she turns to look at me. ‘I’m fine. I promise.’
The soft smile does little for my worries. Bree is strong, confident, and always upbeat. Seeing her eyes without their usual sparkle leaves an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach.
‘I’m not going to push you, chief, but you know she’ll see right through you.’ I nod toward Zoe, and Bree hangs her head, and suddenly I get it. That’s the problem. Zoe’s home and Bree knows she won’t be able to hide whatever it is from her.
‘So, you put a ring on it without telling me.’ She changes the subject, and I shrug.
‘Sorry, Shrimp. Got caught in a moment.’
She squeezes my hand and smiles.
‘As long as she stays as happy as she is, as she has been with you, I don’t care.’
‘Wait, so you had a picnic on the beach?’ Lynnie questions as we all sit around the huge patio table Doug made for her.
‘Yeah, but it was like this company that sets it all up with blankets and cushions and lights.’ Zoe pulls out her phone and brings up the photos. ‘They set up champagne and charcuterie and make it look so beautiful.’
‘You arranged all that?’ Doug points the neck of his bottle at me while he sits with his arm around Cara’s shoulder. A soft smile pulls at his lips.
‘That’s so romantic, Leo.’ Missy beams at me. I love that she’s here in town now. She fits right in, and the girls are all so happy to have her around.
‘Didn’t know you had that in you.’ Nick winks, and I laugh.
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Lucy asks, smiling.
‘I wasn’t planning to ask her. I didn’t have a ring, but it just seemed like the perfect opportunity, so I asked.’
‘And she said yes.’ Lynnie rests her chin on her hand and gazes wistfully at us.
‘I told him I didn’t need a ring.’
‘You deserved a ring, munch.’
We hold each other’s gaze for a moment, and I remember the conversation we had. She didn’t need a ring. She’d been married to Luke the whole time and never had a ring, but this was us.
We weren’t kids. We made good money, and I wanted to see my ring on her finger.
We went together to this little bespoke jeweler that had been recommended to us, and the three of us designed it together. Teal sapphire and lab-grown diamonds set in platinum. It’s perfect for her, and her hair has been teal since she got it.
‘He’s right, Zo Zo.’ Bree smiles and steals her sister’s attention. ‘You do deserve a ring.’
They hold up their fingers, pressing the tips together for a second while the conversation flows.
Laughter fills the night air. Bowie is asleep upstairs. Missy has taken Jonah home to bed, Nick left too Pop and Lu, Lynnie and Merv are a little drunk and laughing over a game of cards. Bree is sitting planning our wedding at the table with Cara and Doug, and Zoe and I are slow dancing on the patio, smiling at our family.
‘This was a nice welcome home,’ she says softly against my chest, and I lean down to kiss the top of her head.
‘It was, munch.’
Turning her head up to look at me, she smiles, and I can’t resist stealing a kiss.
‘I love you, Zoe Bennett.’
‘I love you, Leo Bennett.
‘When should we tell them?’
She shakes her head. ‘Let’s not.’ I tip my head and narrow my gaze at her. ‘Look at them, Leo. They’re so excited for us. Let them have the wedding.’
‘Really?’
She nods, smiling, and I turn to look at our family.
I hear them talking about flowers and lights and music, and I smile. She’s right. So what if we technically already got married in Vegas on our way home? We’ll let them plan us a wedding. We’ll give them that.
‘The big thing then?’
‘Yeah, let’s tell them the big thing.’ She giggles, and I laugh. I know she can’t wait, so I spin her around, holding her back to my chest, and call out.
‘Hey guys, guess what.’
And when all eyes are on us, Zoe says the words she’s wanted to say for the longest time.
‘We’re having a baby.’