Page 87 of Damien
Derek: Just because you’re the only girl doesn’t make you the Queen Bee. When will you stop bossing us around?
Dani’s reply is instant, and I’m thankful Jules can’t see it.
Dani: NEVER!!! Pull that stick out of your ASS, big brother, and loosen up. I promise it’ll be fun, and I’ll bet you $100 you won’t even hate me for it later.
Out of nowhere, Grandma chimes in, and I nearly fall out of my seat with laughter as she shakes a fist at Derek.
GMA: Don’t you worry, Dani. I’ve got this handled. I’ll drag that stick in the mud kicking and screaming if I have to. ALL these boys will be at the photoshoot with bells on by noon. Or they’ll answer to me. That includes Damien’s sweet Vanessa and her baby girl Julia. You’re gonna love them. Whether they stick around these fools after this week, that’s their choice.
Dani’s reply is instant.
Dani: Wait!?!? Damien’s sweet Vanessa? What am I missing?
Me: If you’d been here today, you would’ve met both Vanessa and herdaughter. You snooze, you lose, sis. That’s what you get for ghosting me all week…
Mom: You’ll love them both. You just get what you need to get done. We will ALL be at Luke’s place by noon. Dressed and ready for family photos.
Dani: Luke’s family’s flying in tonight for the long weekend. It should be a blast. Gotta run. See ya tomorrow.
“What is Dani scheming now?” Davis asks the room. “You gotta admit. This is weird—even for her.”
Dad takes a drink of his beer, and Mom just shrugs. “No idea. But this seems important to her. Just go along for the ride, and I’m sure you’ll have fun.”
“Yeah,” Davis snorts. “Famous last words—Just go along for the ride—right before you end up in the ER or something.”
“You worry too much, Davy,” Grandma chides. “Stop acting like you’re ninety with one foot in the grave. Hell, I don’t even act like that, and I’m a lot closer to it than you are.”
“Okay… Okay…” Davis grumbles.
When I look to Vanessa, she’s got her mouth covered with a napkin, but I’d bet my last dollar she’s doing all she can to hold in laughter. Julia, on the other hand, just giggles right along with Pops. This shit is funny even if she isn’t fully aware of the string of texts.
I’m not sure what I expected it to be like but having Jules and Vanessa here with me is as natural as my heart beating. My family has welcomed them with open arms, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Before we leave to get Jules settled at a decent bedtime, Mom pulls out some of my favorite books from childhood for Julia. Mom or Grandma must’ve found them in some closet because I thought those treasures were long lost over the years. I haven’t seen them in ages.
Tonight is the first time my dad’s even mentioned wanting grandkids. Maybe Jules has sparked something, or maybe it’s the fact we’re all getting closer to thirty, but I can see where he’s coming from. Now that I’ve met Vanessa and opened myself to the possibility of more—kids of my own don’t seem like such a far stretch.
When Derek had brought up the possibility of moving, my gut physically ached at the thought of leaving Vanessa and Jules. Sure, New York has been my next logical step, but I’m not even sure I want that as a possibility for my future.
The next morning,Jules, Vanessa, and I enjoy a lazy morning together. With Jules being an early riser, I’d packed a few things for her to munch on until it’s a decent hour for breakfast with my family. We even go for a walk down to the beach near my grandparents’ house to kill some time, before getting ready for family photos.
Vanessa spends time doing Julia’s hair and helps her get into a dress, while I slip into the master bathroom to take a quick shower and put on my suit. I volunteer to hang with Jules while Vanessa finishes getting ready.
We’re deep into coloring a page from one of her books when Julia asks, “How big is your family, Dame?”
“You’ve met almost everyone but my sister and her fiancé Luke.”
She stops coloring and looks quizzically at me as she asks, “What’s a fiancé?”
Shit. What do I say to a five-year-old?
“Well… Luke has asked Dani to marry him. I guess a fiancé is someone you plan to marry?”
“Do you have a fiancé?” she asks, her brows drawn as she scrutinizes my face like no five-year-old should manage.
“Uh… no. I don’t have a fiancée.” When Julia’s shoulders sag and her lips form a frown, I quickly ask, “What’s wrong?”
Suddenly, she seems unsure. What the hell is wrong? “Well… you said a fiancé is someone you want to marry.” She bites her lip, then looks to her coloring page as she whispers, “So… you don’t wanna… marry Momma?”
