Page 16 of Summer Kisses

"We were married at twenty," Mom reminded him.

"It was a different time. Now couples are waiting until their thirties to get married, and even later to have kids," Dad continued.

"I don't see any reason to wait." I'd fallen back into my old role, which was pushing back on Dad's assumptions about me.

Dad's forehead wrinkled. "Take your time. Make sure this is right."

"We are sure, Dad. Or I wouldn't have put a ring on Hazel's finger." Technically it wasn't my ring, and I didn't put it on her finger. None of this was a conscious decision, but I didn't like the implication that Dad wouldn't be happy if we'd gotten engaged for real. It was a mind fuck.

Hazel shot me a warning look.

"We'll make the decisions about when and how to get married," I said tightly.

"I heard that you're having an engagement party," Mom said.

"At the resort. In that beautiful room on the water," Hazel said.

I sensed excitement in her voice. She was happy about the location of the party or maybe the opportunity to celebrate with friends. I was mentally making notes about everything she liked. Even if this was only ever pretend, I wanted to know what she wanted from a relationship.

"That will be lovely. Will it just be close friends and family?"

Hazel shook her head. "It looks like it will be everyone on the island. Grandma wants to have a celebration."

"And we're going to let her throw one for us," I said, a warning in my tone not to give their opinion on our decisions.

This might not be real, but I still didn't like the implication that I couldn't make good decisions. If I had put a ring on Hazel's finger, I wouldn't hesitate to marry her. She was the woman you took home to meet your family, the one you planned forever with. I wasn't sure if I was good enough for her.

"I'm so happy for you two," Mom said as she set the vase of flowers on the table.

That's when Shep hugged me. "Congrats, little brother. First Dalton is having a baby, and now you're getting married. You're making us look bad."

Then Cooper hugged me. "No one expects you to settle down any time soon, Shep. No worries about that."

Hudson was next. "I didn't see this one coming, but I'm thrilled for you both."

"Thanks. If you have any advice, let me know." Hudson seemed genuinely happy for us, and I was positive it was because he'd recently found love with Elena.

"You're the first one to walk down the aisle."

I hadn't even thought about it like that. "I suppose you're right."

"The youngest brother is getting married first," Shep said. "Who would have thought that would happen?"

"I thought it would be Marshall or Hudson. Especially since Marshall has a child now. Or even Luna since she’s in a serious relationship."

I knew that bothered Mom, but that's how things were sometimes. Not everyone was meant to get married.

"Do you know what you're going to do with Oakley?" Dad asked Dalton.

Dalton cleared his throat. "She wants to get married."

"Do you?" Dad asked.

"I don't know. It's just all too much at once. I'm trying to wrap my mind around being a father."

"I suppose Oakley is feeling the pressure of being a single mother," Mom said by way of explanation. "When you're pregnant, you grow up quickly. You want to be settled in your relationship, your home. Everything."

"We aren't even living together. I suggested we move in together, but she wants to get engaged first. I don't have a ring, and she wants a nice one. I'd rather save money for the baby."

---