“Fuck, man, we thought you were dead.” Ari hugged his older brother.
“I’m here.” My father sniffled. “As are all of you. Tell me, when can I see my wife?”
“Do I look all right? Here I am acting like it’s our first date all over again,” my father said in Greek as he paced the small room the club had made available to us to store things and get ready.
“You look perfect,” I assured. My father, Evan, and I headed over to my club early. Not just to see to any last-minute issues, but so that my parents could have their reunion in private.
I could tell that my father was getting overwhelmed with all the questions our well-meaning family pelted at him. Evan had also told him the truth, which was a lot of him, I was sure.
Not to mention, all he really wanted was to see my mother.
“Here.” I poured some champagne that the club had left for us in an ice bucket, along with some snacks. I handed my father the glass, then poured one for myself. Right now, the two of us were alone.
“Thank you.” He sipped it. “You’re doing very well for yourself.”
“I am. The road hasn’t been without heartbreak, but I have my company, my pack, Evan, and now I have Grace. You’ll love her,” I told him.
“It’s a lot. Everything feels muddled.” He made a face. “Nothing tastes right.”
“I think that’s a side effect of something they use. Grace was like that, too,” I replied.
There was a knock on the door. “Spence? Uncle Nick?”
It was time. My heart pounded, and I hoped that my parent’s reunion was everything they hoped it would be.
The door opened, and Evan came in with my mother.
“Nick.” My mother flew into my father’s arms. “It’s really you. You’re alive.”
“Ilena. I’m so sorry. But I’m here now. I love you. I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down his face as he held her tight.
My mother looked up at him, defiant. “Don’t you dare be sorry, Nick Thanukos. Or I will make you do dishes for a month. You’re here. You’re home. You’remine.Which means your focus is onme.Not what you missed out on.Meandyour sonandnow.Understood?”
“Understood.” My father kissed her more deeply than a son wants to see his parents kiss.
“We’ll leave you here. I need to check on some things. Help yourself to the snacks.” Finishing my champagne, I grabbed Evan, and we left the room, closing the door behind us.
“They’re going to bang, aren’t they,” Evan joked.
“Probably. Not that I want to think about that,” I replied. “How did she seem when you got her?”
“Cautiously optimistic. Mrs. K wants to talk to you,” Evan added as I led us outside to where our party would be.
“I’m sure she does.” That would have to wait. Reunion accomplished, and publicist contacted, my focus was now getting us through the party.
The grounds of my club that we reserved had been transformed into the ultimate upscale picnic. Tiny lights formed swooping canopies. Underneath sat white picnic tables, topped with brocade tablecloths, candle lanterns, sumptuous floral arrangements from a local farm, and tiny boxes of handmade candies brought in from the candy shop that I’d always gone to growing up in Greece. Two smaller tables had battery-operated lanterns, along with some coloring pages and colored pencils.
More lights hung over the dance floor and the area for my cousins’ band. A long buffet table was set up, along with a wine bar, a customizable lemonade station, and a table that would eventually be filled with desserts.
Evan whistled. “This is amazing.”
“It’s all Grace and the wedding planner you found, with some help from Mrs. K and the coordinator here at the club. Grace wanted an upscale barbecue, and here we are.” I looked around at all the potted trees and flowers…
…and the giant white bouncy castle with a slide and ball pit. The balls matched the colors Grace had chosen for the decor–mauve, green, and lavender to go with the summer picnic theme. Flowers and balloons of the same colors decorated it, with more lights over it.
“That is the fanciest bouncy castle I’ve ever seen. When did she add a bouncy castle?” Evan asked, looking around.
“That’s what she wanted, isn’t it? We didn’t have much time, and it’s what the approved vendor had on short notice. I wanted better flowers, but it’s what I could do.” The wedding planner, named Eunice, came over to us, dressed elegantly but understated in a floral maxi dress. She had on a headset and held a tablet.
