45
Ryder - Gran’s Gift
Holding Denise in my arms as we dance to Etta James’ songAt Last, our bare feet sliding in the sand, I know for a fact that I’m the luckiest man in the world. This beautiful woman is my wife, we’re having a baby, and the future is something I’m looking forward to now, more than I ever have.
“You smell like coconut,” I say as I lean over to nuzzle Denise’s neck. “I love how your shampoo reminds me of summers at this place. You smell like sunshine, and fun, and unconditional love.”
She rises on her toes and kisses me. “That’s because I love you unconditionally, Ryder. You’re mine now. And I’m not letting you go.”
“Um, I believe that’s my line Mrs. Sullivan.” I pull her head against my chest and smile into her hair. “I am never letting you go. You or this beautiful baby we’re having.”
“Hey, who said I was changing my name? Denise Sullivan? That’s a lot of ‘S’ sounds in a row.” Her face scrunches up a little. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“You’re right. I could change my name to Lathan? Ryder Lathan? That sounds OK, right?” I don’t have a problem changing my name, I just want to have the same last name as my wife, regardless of what it is.
“No,” she says. “You’re pretty famous. You shouldn’t change your last name. I was just joking anyway. I can’t think of anything I’d like more than taking your name. Especially since it also gives me a feeling of separation from my parents.”
I can’t believe her parents wouldn’t come to their daughter’s surprise wedding. I’ve met the Lathans once or twice, though, and I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that much. They’re incredibly stuck up. They always looked down their noses at Denise’s career, not to mention at the rest of us in the band. They’re probably feeling humiliated at the thought of their daughter marrying me.
“Hey Bro.” I feel a tap on my shoulder that breaks me out of my thoughts. “Mind if I cut in with my new sister?”
“Hunter!” I pull my little brother in for a hug. “You made it.”
“Yeah, finally. I had a client at the shop for a late appointment and I couldn’t cancel. I tried to make it earlier but you know how it is.”
Hunter owns his own tattoo shop downtown, close to Xena’s coffee shop. He’s always booked out months in advance so it makes sense that he couldn’t cancel.
“We get it. No problem. This was a very last-minute thing. Hell, Ryder and I didn’t even know we were getting married tonight.” Denise gives me a quick kiss. “But I would love to dance with you, Hunter. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. How are things going at the shop?”
Denise and Hunter start dancing, their conversation continuing as I walk away to look for Gran, to thank her for putting all this together. And for surprising us with the matching wedding bands we needed for the ceremony. Not sure how she pulled that off, but I’ve long given up trying to figure out how she works her magic.
I find her standing over with Aiden and Gladys, and Aiden’s face is so red it’s practically glowing in the dark.
“What’s going on here?” I ask when I make it over to them.
“I just showed Aiden some of my new moves, and he’s overcome with lust, I think,” Gran says with a sly wink in my direction. “I’m afraid I may have ruined him for other women.”
Poor Aiden is shaking his head and muttering to himself. Gran has always had a soft spot for him, but it’s because she can’t resist teasing him. She says that his blush is her favourite shade of red. He acts like it’s a hardship, but I know he secretly loves the attention he gets from her. She’s the family he never had.
When his family died in that car accident he cut himself off from all his extended family. His dad’s parents refused to believe anything bad about their son, and his mom’s parents died before he was born. He had no one until he met me and the rest of the guys in the band. And now Gran. I’m more than happy to share her too. She’s a lot for one man to handle.
“Thanks for all this, Gran. Everything was perfect.”
“Oh, my sweet boy. It was my pleasure. We can have something bigger and fancier after Denise has the baby, if she wants the whole white dress, church deal.” She digs around in the pocket of her gold tracksuit, pulling out a set of keys. “Here. Keys to the lake house. I’ll take care of the paperwork tomorrow.”
She places the keys in my hand, pats me once, and turns to go.
“Wait, Gran. What is this?”
“I just told you, weren’t you listening? Those are the keys to the lake house. I’m giving it to you and your wife. It’s a perfect place to raise kids. Just make sure they all get swimming lessons and water safety courses as soon as they’re old enough.”
“I can’t accept this, Gran. This is too much. And what about Hunter? Wouldn’t it be good for him to raise his family too?”
Hunter and Denise come to join us. “She already talked to me about it, Ryder. I think you should have it. I live at the shop, anyway. As long as you invite me over to hang out, I think you and Denise having the lake house is perfect.”
“Gran?” Denise asks. “It sounds like they said you’re giving Ryder the lake house? That’s not true, though, right? You’re just letting us stay for a bit. Like a honeymoon?”
Gran snags Denise around the waist and squeezes her gently. “I’m giving it to both of you, love. You’re married, you’ll both be on the paperwork. This is where I spent all my happiest moments with Ryder’s grandfather, as well as with my son, and my grandsons. I want you to experience that kind of happiness too, with my great grandbaby. Besides, Ryder bought me my little cottage at Peaceful Pines, and I think you know how much fun I have there.” Gran chuckles as she lets go of Denise. “There’s no one here to play pranks on. All the neighbours here are stuck-up dickwads. I enjoy being with my friends in the retirement community. It’s like summer camp, but with dentures and electric scooters instead of retainers and bikes.”
