Page 70 of Betting on Lizzie

They talked until the song ended, and he guided her back to the table where Jack waited. “Thanks for letting me steal your girl for a minute,” Edward said to Jack.

“No problem,” Jack said, putting an arm around Lucy. “My turn?”

She nodded, and they left for the dance floor.

He found Sophie and sat next to her. “Taking a break?” he asked. She’d been up and down all night, ensuring everything ran smoothly.

“Yes,” she said. “I hate to say it, but I’m glad this is the last one of these I’ll have to help with. It’s fun but tiring.”

“Hold that thought,” he said. “Looks like Archie is about to make an honest woman out of my mom. She might need your assistance with one final shindig.”

Sophie turned to where Edward had pointed to see Archie on one knee holding up a little black box. Nana’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically before she slipped on the ring and hugged him.

“I’m certain she’ll keep it simple,” Edward said, laughing.

“You’re funny,” Sophie said. “She’ll want elephants or fire breathers or lumberjacks. Maybe all three. Come to think of it, hers might be the most fun of all to plan. And once I recover from this, I’m sure I’ve got one more in me.”

Edward and Sophie took turns watching little ones so their parents could dance. At some point, Nana dragged her new fiancé and his buddies to the dance floor. The Three Musketeers had officially become the Fantastic Four. They danced wildly in a group.

“What am I looking at?” Daisy asked.

“It’s so funny,” Emma said. “But I think it’s been years since I’ve seen the three of them standing.”

Lucy laughed. “Yeah, it’s surprising how tall they are.”

Jack and Lucy’s kids had gone to bed with a sitter upstairs, and the youngest ones were petering out, but his older grandkids were still hopped up on cake and punch.

Dirk and Emma returned from a slow dance and sat next to him.

“This one fell asleep,” he said, referring to one-year-old Skye, who slept in his arms. “Your mom’s over there chasing down Isaac.”

“Hannah?” Emma asked.

“Under the table, playing with her cousins.”

“That’s one great thing about us all having babies at once,” Emma said. “They’ll always have someone their age to play with. You want me to take her, Dad?”

“I’ll go relieve Sophie,” Dirk said, heading off to round up his son.

“I’ve got her,” Edward said. “Catch your breath. How’s everything going?”

“Great.” She took a gulp of water. “Dirk’s new book comes out next week. Hannah starts school the week after that. And then we get ready for our seven-year anniversary trip to Paris.”

“Ah, where it all began,” Edward said, carefully rotating Skye to his other arm. “You’ll miss the kids, but it’s good to get away every now and again.”

“I’m sure you’re right. We’re very excited. It’s our first vacation without the kiddos. We couldn’t have done it without you and Mom babysitting, so thanks for that.”

“Bella and Kenny have agreed to help. The four of us should be able to handle it.” He smiled. Babysitting grandkids wasn’t a burden. He looked forward to it and enjoyed every minute.

Dirk returned with Sophie and Isaac. Isaac balancing a plate of cake between his two little hands. “Did it, Daddy,” he said when he reached the table.

“You did, buddy,” Dirk said, helping him onto a chair. “Good job.”

“That has to be his last piece,” Emma said. “He’s already had two.”

“Tell it to Grandma,” Dirk said, winking at Sophie.

“Oops,” Sophie said, shrugging. “I thought that was his second.”

---