“I think we’re fine. Thank you.” Mommy kissed me again and I planted my butt back in my chair so we could eat. A few minutes later, the waiter came back with all the staff.
“Congratulations!” They cheered. My face flushed but I was so freaking happy.
“Thank you.”
“We didn’t know if you drank so you have your pick of a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider on the house.” Huh, I guess certain places were accepting of us and our lifestyle.
“I think this is a special enough occasion for the real stuff, what do you say, fiancé?”
I was Mommy’s fiancé.
Words escaped me so all I managed was a nod. The waiter popped the cork and filled two champagne flutes. “Congratulations again. I’ll be back in a bit to check on you. Enjoy your meals, ladies.”
“A toast,” Mommy held her glass up. “To us and the best spur of the moment decision I ever made.” She stole a peek at her chest. “Make that the best two.”
I tapped my glass to hers. “To us and to true love not being a myth.” I grabbed my phone. “Let’s do a selfie. Hold up your glass again, Mommy.” Once her smiling face was in the shot, I took it and fired it off to Vale with the caption, ‘I said yes’. “Now, count to three.”
“Huh?” I’d confused Mommy until my phone rang, and Vale’s squeal came through loud and clear before I’d even put it on speaker.
“You better not get married without me!” Vale screamed.
“Then you and your daddy better meet us in Vegas this weekend,” Mommy fired back. I was just along for the ride, the only thing missing was a bucket of popcorn. “I have a better idea, Jack.”
“Oh yeah, do I even want to hear it?”
“I think you do. Let’s make it a double wedding in Vegas this weekend.”
Mommy was full of surprises today but with the other end of the phone completely silent I was afraid her suggestion hadn’t been well received.
“If both my kids are getting married, someone better be footing the bill for this old lady’s first trip to Vegas.”
Leave it to Sarah to break the uncomfortable silence with a joke.
“Daddy?” Vale’s shaky voice made me nervous. “What-what do you think?”
“I think the ring I’ve had stashed away finally has a day and location. What do you say, monkey. Will you marry your daddy?”
Holy guacamole! The man on the moon probably heard Vale’s scream at the decibel level he hit.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. You broke the old lady’s ear drums.”
“Momma, we’re not even religious. Where are you getting these sayings from? Plus, you’re not even fifty so what’s with the old lady stuff?”
“Um, monkey?” Jack broke their banter. “Was that a yes or a no?”
“Shoot, sorry daddy. That was yes! Yes a million times over!”
“Vegas baby!” Sarah’s voice rang out. There was no way to keep a straight face around her. That woman was one of a kind and I considered myself lucky to have her in my life.
Two lost kids from Seattle, trying to find their way in life. Who knew working on a cruise ship would bring us both the happiness we craved and our forevers too?
Chapter Eight
Vivienne
Had I lost my mind?
Or had I finally allowed my heart to make decisions for me?