They ended up at the small grove of birch trees at the edge of the property—the ones Thomas had planted years ago.
"Mom loved birch trees," Grant said quietly. "Dad planted these the year after she died. He said it helped, having something growing. Something beautiful to remember her by."
Riley squeezed his hand, not trusting her voice.
"I think she would have liked this," Grant said softly. "She would have loved that you're here. That we're doing this."
Riley remembered Grant’s mom. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when she passed away. I know how close you were.”
“Don’t apologize, Riley. Our lives have played out exactly how they needed to so we could find our way to this. To day. To being together.”
“I’ll never miss another moment of our lives together, Grant.”
By the time they made it back to the house, it was past noon. Thomas had disappeared to run errands in town, leaving a note on the kitchen table about picking up his suit from the dry cleaner and not to wait dinner on him.
"We should probably start getting ready," Grant said, checking the time. "Party starts at seven, but knowing your mom, she'll want us there early."
Riley laughed. "My mom has probably been there since noon, making sure the decorations are perfect."
"Probably."
They spent the afternoon preparing—Grant ironing a shirt while Riley took over the bathroom, doing her makeup in the mirror. She'd run home earlier to grab clothes and found her mom had already packed her a bag with everything she might need: her favorite party dress, heels, jewelry, even the lipstick she always wore for special occasions.
"Your mom thinks of everything," Grant said from the doorway, watching her apply mascara.
"She's been planning my life since I was born," Riley said, meeting his eyes in the mirror. "This is mild for her."
"She's excited you're staying."
"I know." Riley set down the mascara and turned to face him. "Everyone is. It's a little overwhelming, actually."
Grant crossed the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "Too overwhelming?"
"No." Riley leaned into him, her hands covering his. "Just...different. Good different. I'm just not used to people being this invested in my life."
"Get used to it." Grant pressed a kiss to her temple. "You're stuck with all of us now."
Riley turned in his arms to look at him properly. He'd changed into dark jeans and a button-down that made his eyes look incredibly green, just like his trees. His hair was still slightly damp from the shower, curling a bit at the nape of his neck.
"You clean up nice, Lawson."
"So do you, Monroe." Grant's eyes traveled over her dress—deep green velvet that hugged her curves and fell just above her knees. "Really nice."
"Hands to yourself," Riley warned, even as she leaned in to kiss him. "I just did my makeup and we actually have to leave this house at some point."
"We could be late."
"We absolutely cannot be late. My mother will kill us both."
Grant groaned but stepped back, his hands sliding reluctantly from her waist. "Fine. But after the party?—"
"After the party," Riley agreed, her voice promising, "we have all night."
“And I’m going to take my time peeling this dress off you,” he growled.
By the time they were ready to leave, Riley felt nervous in a way she hadn't expected.
"What's wrong?" Grant asked, noticing her fidgeting with her dress.
