20. Olivia #3
In through the house, the surge of pack behind us would have been borderline comical in any other situation. Out the front door. Then down the drive toward Keith’s car.
“Keys,” I said as softly as I could, holding out my hand to my love. He didn’t argue at all, disconnecting his carabiner from his belt loop and handing it over to me.
Right as I went to put them in the lock, there was a rumble, and a moving van pulled up at the end of the driveway, honking its horn.
What the hell is that?
While I hadn’t been as hands-on in planning the engagement party, I’d been involved enough to know we had no random live music arriving in a U-Haul, and all our tables and chairs were set up, so it wasn’t like we needed any more delivered.
“Oh,” Keith murmured as if that explained anything at all. Not that I blamed him; he still seemed out of it.
“Oh?” I asked softly. Before he could answer, two guys jumped out of the van, wearing those heavy-duty lifting belts.
They’d parked in the center of the large, open circle that led up to our house, the rear facing us so that we could all watch, more than a bit gobsmacked as they raised the back door.
And what was waiting within the van? Definitely not a live band at all. No, instead it was a wooden box that was taller than Keith and twice as wide. Heavy duty, for sure.
“Whaaa…?” Someone behind me muttered, but I held up a finger to cut them off.
One could have heard a pin drop in the front yard, a rarity in my pack, as the movers grabbed some dollies and straps so they could trundle the box down the ramp.
“I believe we have an order for a very special occasion,” one of the delivery men said happily. Clearly, they’d been told to make a show of things. I felt bad for them because there was no way they could know the bullshittery that had gone down.
But they were either really determined to do their job or completely oblivious to the mood, because once they had the box in place, one of them started loosening all the clamps that held the front together while one pulled out a card and began to read.
“Dear Roma and Leandro,” he said before clearing his throat.
“Although I am a stranger to you, I am incredibly honored that you invited me to the celebration of your engagement. When I first met your family, I was terrified that I would stick out like a sore thumb, but I have felt nothing but warmth and care. Except for the occasional papercut from leafing through my English-Italian dictionary.”
Normally, that would be funny, but a slow horror was growing in my belly, and I was sure everyone else’s, as we all realized exactly whose letter the mover was reading.
How much had Keith paid for all the extra flair? It had to have been a pretty penny.
“Growing up, it was just my mother and me, so we got used to being alone. Meanwhile, I’m sure for all of you, being alone wasn’t an option. But despite our different experiences, I’ve never felt more at home than being welcomed into yours.
“I wish you the most happiness, the brightest future, and I hope this gift will serve as an awning to build so many memories under for years to come. You do not have to use it for your wedding, but I created it with thoughts of your loving union in mind.”
The movers must have practiced the whole thing, because as the guy finished reading, the other one undid the last clamp and the front of the box fell forward to reveal the most beautiful, hand-crafted pergola I had ever seen.
“Oh my god…” I whispered, all other words failing me.
It wasn’t a massive one meant to have whole gatherings under.
It was just big enough for maybe three people to comfortably stand under.
Like a bride, a groom, and their alpha. It was made of wood polished to a high shine, and that was cedar, if I was identifying it correctly from all the second-hand knowledge I’d gained from dating Keith.
That meant expensive. Way more than any wood we’d had in my beginner’s workshop.
As I looked at it, I saw it was intricately carved with vines, tomatoes, flowers, and of course, moons and stars. Some were stained darker while others were inlaid with gold leaf.
It would have been so much easier for him to have assembled all the parts in the yard, and probably a couple grand cheaper, but it was very apparent that Keith wanted Roma and Leandro to see it in its full beauty right off the bat. He was always so thoughtful that way.
It was gorgeous, utterly gorgeous, and I was pretty sure that none of us could even breathe as the reality of the moment caught up with us.
“For your wedding,” Keith murmured, tilting his head toward my brother and his fiancée before opening the passenger door of his car and getting inside. Giving my cousins one last glare, I helped Miss Angela into the car before getting into the driver’s seat myself and peeling out.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, trying not to let my voice quiver with the tears I wanted to shed. But I had to make sure Keith was okay first. Because while I was sure his shin and any bruises would heal, I wasn’t so sure about the fresh wound on his heart.