“I want to be done with it all. I want to move forward and forget it ever happened.”
“That makes sense. Either way, I’ll support your decision. You can always talk it over with my dad.”
Colin held my hand, but I saw almost no expression change as I watched him. “I don’t want to be sucked back into that worldwith him. I just want to let it go. I said my piece in San Diego. I think that was enough.”
“Think about it. You have time. But maybe putting your feelings down on paper would give you closure.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. But I don’t want any of this to ruin our day or our time. They don’t need me to proceed.”
Pulling him to me, I kissed his cheek. “Let’s go work out in the gym, then I want you to show me your world, babe.”
Chapter 38
Colin
In the three weeks leading up to the wedding, we had a pre-wedding honeymoon, traveling all over Australia. When we couldn’t take Bella along, we entrusted Carrie and Owen to look after her and Allister.
We saw things I’d never seen, like all the sea life while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. The coral formations were a rainbow of colors, although some had turned white during coral death. We marveled over giant clams, sea turtles, stingrays, and more tropical fish than I could count. We opted not to do the nighttime dive because the sharks were real. And big as fuck.
We spent a few days in Melbourne, exploring the city, then drove the Great Ocean Road, stopping to see waterfalls and even kangaroos on the beach.
“I’m taking pictures of them to send to Drew. He’ll be so jealous,” Carson said.
I took him everywhere he wanted to go—a river cruise down the Kimberlie and hidden gems in the city. The only thing we didn’t do was the Great Train tour into the outback. I would have loved to take him on the romantic train ride and stay in a sleeper car for a couple of days. We didn’t want to leave the kids that long.
A week before the wedding, we went to the airport to pick up our guests. Elizabeth and George had flown in the night before, and were at our apartment setting up the food.
The plane from San Diego touched down and taxied to the tarmac. We walked out to meet everyone as they descended. Lennox and Dane were the first to exit, followed by Drew and Mason. Evan, Hudson, Erin, and Jack were the last to deplane.
“How was the flight?” Carson asked.
“Really comfortable,” Evan answered. “I can see why you chose it.”
“I wouldn’t mind flying one,” Dane added. “Sweet little ride.”
Lennox’s eyes lit up. “I’ll buy you your own company so you can retire from the Navy.”
Dane sighed, but laughed him off.
“I hope you’re hungry. We’ve catered a big meal at our apartment.”
Everyone perked up at that idea as we collected luggage and proceeded to the cars we’d hired to take them to the hotel. It was only a couple of blocks from my apartment, making the walk very easy.
After they’d checked in, everyone came to my apartment for dinner. We’d ordered a lot of food, including some authentic Australian cuisine they could try, but mostly things they’d be used to. They could be adventurous later.
“No kangaroo? I read it tastes like chicken,” Drew said.
“Doesn’t everything taste like chicken?” Mason asked.
I laughed. “You can try that on your own. I just kept it simple.”
After dinner and a chance to catch up, they all made their way back to the hotel to get some rest, with plans to meet up again for breakfast the following morning.
Over the days leading up to the wedding, we revisited some of our favorite spots with our friends. Jack and Evan wanted tosurf at Bondi Beach, just to say they did it, and Erin fancied the sea life. Hudson had mentioned she wanted to become a marine biologist, so wildlife was her thing.
The day before the wedding, we booked an incredible experience for everyone. Climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Everyone was excited, except for the quarterback.
“I’m not going up there,” Lennox said. “You’re nuts. All of you. Except you, Mr. and Mrs. St. James.”
