I know Cody and I moved fast, but it was different, there was a lot involved. Emma, me moving, adjusting to a whole new life. We went through a lot together in a short time, but it really was eye-opening. And the last thing any of that did was pull us apart. If anything, those hardships are what made us fall in love. They proved to us early on that love isn’t just about the easy days, it’s about sticking through the messy ones too.
So I’m not going to say anything. I don’t want to be hypocritical.
But Megan and Mason…they need more time. From what I’m understanding, neither of them has really dated before. And I get it. The excitement, the honeymoon stage…it can blur the lines. But they’ve got to see that too.
Addison cuts through the awkwardness, flipping a page in her binder with a little sass in her voice. “Okay, well I’m still the only one getting married this June, so can we stay focused, please? What appetizers do we think people want?” she asks, clicking her pen and looking directly at Wesley.
“Well, we’re not eating it, so…I couldn’t care less,” Wesley says, immediately regretting it by the way Addison’s face twists into a full snarl. His hand slides to her back like a peace offering. “Cheese?” he suggests quickly, swallowing the word like it might save his life.
A few of us can’t help but laugh quietly to ourselves.
Emma toddles over and hands me one of the dollhouse people before plopping into my lap. I shift to lean back against the base of the couch, just beside Ella’s legs. She leans forward to talk to Emma. Her belly’s in the way, but she manages.
She’s due at the end of July, and while she’s still full of energy and sarcasm, I can tell she’s starting to slow down a bit, especially with Cora in tow. Cora’s just a few months older than Emma and also into everything.
“How are you feeling today?” I ask.
“Tired,” Ella admits with a little sigh. “But good. I’ve been craving donuts like crazy, and Jesse went to Missy’s this morning and bought a dozen so I could freeze some to have on hand.” She laughs, shaking her head like she can’t believe herself.
“Two dozen,” Jesse corrects without missing a beat. “And I’d do it again.” He reaches over and pats her leg.
Emma suddenly screeches with excitement and leaps from my lap into Cody’s. Cora waddles over, grinning, and hands her a small ball, which she immediately hurls, just barely missing Addison’s head.
“Emma,” I warn over everyone’s collective reactions.
“You’re gonna be a softball pitcher,” Cody tells her. “Or a menace. Possibly both.”
“She’salreadyboth,” I say with a laugh.
Everything’s a little loud, a little chaotic. It’s busy, borderline overwhelming, but in the middle of it all, there’s love. So much love. Loud and slightly sarcastic, but trust me…I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Epilogue
Cody
Six months later - October
The smell of gun oil hangs in the air, I’m halfway through cleaning my gun at the dining table, focused on wiping down the barrel. I feel Karissa’s eyes on me from the kitchen, arms crossed, lips tight. Emma is scurrying across the hardwood floors between us, alternating between babbling to herself and pushing her baby doll in a stroller.
“Cody,” Karissa snaps, her tone sharp.
“Mm?” I don’t look up. I know that tone, but I was focused.
“Do you really have to do that here?”
I sigh and finally meet her eyes. “Karissa, it’s not loaded.”
“That’s not the point.” She motions toward Emma. “She’s a tornado of curiosity. What if—”
“I’m watching her, I’m watching the gun. And again, it’s not loaded.” I keep my voice calm, steady. I know what I’m doing.
Karissa presses her fingers to her temples. “I don’t care how careful you are. Guns and toddlers don’t mix.”
I lean back and set the cloth down. “Karissa, I grew up with guns. I know how to handle them. I would never, ever put Emma in danger.”
Her face softens for a second, but the worry doesn’t leave her eyes. “You’re not the problem, she is. She’s curious and fast. Yesterday she managed to get the batteries out of the remote.”
“Yeah, she’s smart…and a menace,” I mutter.
