Her light giggle fills the air as we walk hand in hand out of the room that will soon be turned into a nursery.
“Let’s go over the plan one more time. We’re not drinking tonight because we want to be fresh and level-headed tomorrow. Are you sure that’s a good enough reason?” I ask, doubt colouring my tone. “Your brothers are going to be suspicious little fuckers.”
Kat squeezes my hand before dropping it and moving toward our closet. “First of all, there’s nothinglittleabout my brothers. Second of all, you don’t have to abstain just because I do. Go ahead and have a drink if they offer one. I can make up some stupid excuse about not wanting to be bloated in my dress.” She presses a hand to her stomach and grimaces. “Although, I might not have as much control over that as I’d like.”
Making my way over to her, I wrap my arms around her stomach from behind. “You’re going to be so beautiful tomorrow, Kitty Kat. You were always going to be, but now it’s even more true. You glow. And before you tell me that’s fuckin’ cheesy, know that I’m serious. Our baby makes you radiate with love and happiness. That’s all anyone will see tomorrow.”
She slowly rotates in my arms, looping hers around my neck with a dreamy look on her face. “You’re a sweet talker, Hunter Callaghan.”
I bend down and nip at her neck. “Don’t worry. You know I can be just as much of a dirty talker as a sweet one whenever you want me to.”
A satisfied hum escapes her. “I really wish we didn’t agree to that archaic tradition of being apart tonight, because I don’t have time to take you up on that right now. We’re almost running late for our own wedding rehearsal.”
“Tomorrow. Tomorrow night, you’re mine.”
“And every single night of our lives after that.”
My grin is about as big as I can make it. “Exactly.”
Her answering smile is just as blinding and we simply stand there like grinning fools for a minute before the vibration of my phone in my pocket snaps me out of it.
“Shit. We really are going to be late, Kitty Kat.”
We break apart and hurry through getting ready, and soon enough, we’re pulling into the parking lot at the Martin farm.
Abby’s husband, Reid, who’s also the elementary school principal in town, greets us with a smug smirk. “Late to your own rehearsal. I’d give you crap, but I’m pretty sure your family will take care of that for me.”
Kat’s cheeks redden, and not from the cold air. “They’re all inside?”
Reid nods. “Your brothers have already found the beer we had chilling for dinner.”
“Sorry.” She grimaces, but Reid waves it off.
“Nah, it’s fine. Go in and enjoy. Abby and I will be checking in periodically to see if you need anything.”
I pull open the barn door, and a semi-loud cheer goes up from Kat’s brothers.
“Hey, lovebirds! Practicing for tomorrow?” Sawyer calls out as he strides up to us. He engulfs Kat in a hug as my own parents come up to me.
“Hey, Mom, Dad, welcome to town. Sorry I couldn’t get away earlier,” I greet them warmly. It’s been a long ass time since I saw my parents, but judging by the smiles on their faces, the Donnellys have made them feel perfectly welcome.
“Oh, Hunter, we’ve been just fine. Claire and Dennis are the perfect hosts.”
As if on cue, my future in-laws step in, Claire giving me a brief hug while Dennis claps his hand to my shoulder.
“Now that you’re here, we need to get this show on the road,” Claire says in her take-charge mom voice.
Instantly, I envision Kat a few years from now, using that same gentle yet firm approach with our kids. And I know the second the goofy grin crosses my face because Kat catches my eyes dropping to her midsection and she gives me a subtle wink.
Surprisingly, despite the exuberant chaotic energy tonight, we get through the rehearsal without a hitch. And best of all, it happens without me having any sort of anxiety attack. If only tomorrow could be like this. Just my family, existing and soon-to-be.
Standing up in front of them, committing my life to Kat? No problem.
Doing it in front of close to a hundred other people? Not so simple.
But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Tonight it’s time to relax and enjoy some time with the people I love, and that’s it.
Dinner is full of good food, good laughs, and good conversation. But it’s over far too quickly, and then I’m forced to say goodbye to Kat.
