Page 72 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

“Stay with me, okay? One thing at a time. First, drinks. Then, dinner with family.”

“But Ellen…” I shivered at my own mention of her name. “I wish we were having this big family dinner and she and Troy were just out getting something from the store and would arrive at any minute.”

“I know. Me too.”

“But that’s never going to happen a…again.” I shuddered with the reality of it all.

She licked her lips as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “No, it’s not. But we are here now. All of us celebrating their memory and giving their son the love of a big family. Let’s focus on the good we can give their boy.”

“I’m falling in love with you. Real love. The forever kind,” I blurted, not being able to hold it in any longer. My admission incurred a few gasps coming from behind us. I did not give a shit who heard me. I needed Summer to know this was real. That my growing love for her wasn’t going to go away.

“I know, sweetheart. It was only a matter of time,” she said as if she’d always known.

I couldn’t help but laugh through my stupid leaky eyes as I grabbed her hips and pressed her closer. Leave it to Summer to already know my feelings and be unfazed by them. “Do you have anything you’d like to add to the conversation as I lay my heart out for all to hear?” I waved my hand, gesturing to all of the adults standing gawking at us.

“Honey, we’re fated. I was just waiting for you to catch up. I was born to love you,” she said as if it was written in stone somewhere by God himself. “And I do love you. And TJ. And the life we’re going to build together as husband and wife. And the babies we’re going to add to it.”

“Are you for real?” I pressed our foreheads together. “Sometimes I think you’re too good to be true.” I admitted one of my biggest fears when it came to giving my heart to her.

Her fingers wove through my hair. “It’s part of my charm. Just go with it.”

I chuckled. “Okaysolskinn, I’ll just go with it.”

Her belly growled loudly. “So…dinner and drinks then?” She brought me back around to what started this entire conversation, before I spilled my soul and feelings out into the room in front of our families like a lovesick loon.

“I’ll get the drinks. You start dinner and let me know if you need help,” I said before kissing her silky lips one last time.

“As if she’s going to cook.” Ann scoffed and practically ran into the kitchen. “Autumn, get my spices!” She snapped her fingers.

“On it, Ma!” Autumn said, digging through one of the suitcases in the corner and pulling out a huge clear bag filled with a bunch of other small bags containing herbs and spices. “Huzzah!” she cried out.

“Huzzahhhh!” TJ screeched, copying her.

Everyone laughed as TJ toddled over to me. “Dada Yak! Huzzahhhhhh!” he squealed again.

I burst into laughter and picked up my boy. “That’s right. Huzzah!” I agreed.

He clapped his hands and kept repeating the cheer.

I was sad and immensely happy when looking into TJ’s beautiful smiling face. Summer was right. We needed to fill up on the good because the next few weeks would be trying ones, learning to be parents while navigating our grief. But if anyone could help me and TJ through, it was Summer and our new, large, family.

* * * *

Dinner went off without a hitch. Everyone pitched in, making it come together easily. Ann was completely Vegan so there were some interesting substitutes for what I would consider “normal” ingredients, but in the end, Irene had pan seared and baked some chicken breasts for us carnivores while Ann made a spaghetti squash pasta with an olive oil-based sauce that was out of this world. They put the large dishes right on the table along with salad and heated rolls.

We ate in the formal dining room. The same one we once used for holidays. During those times, I would bemoan the empty chairs that were now all filled. All but one.

Summer put her hand on my thigh. “You good?”

I placed my hand over hers and squeezed. “Yeah, I am. Just wishing Ellen could experience this.”

“Oh, she is. And she’s so grateful,” Autumn added, having heard what I said to Summer, who was sitting next her.

Summer nudged Autumn. “Not right now,” she growled under her breath.

Autumn dipped her head. “Well, sheishappy,” she mumbled. “I thought you might want to hear that. But what do I know,” she rolled her eyes.

“Wait a minute. What are you saying, Autumn? Repeat that,” I asked.

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