Page 69 of The Wedding Driver
“You’re going to make great parents together,” her grandfather said. “I don’t know when I’ve ever felt this much joy. It’s so wonderful to come to the end of the road in life and know that the people you love the most have found their people and their happy place.”
“I love you, Grandpa.” She kissed his cheek. “We’ll see you when we get back.”
Foster helped him up the step where Gael and Lake took over, leading him up the stairs and into the party.
“Are you ready to go on your wedding boat ride?” Foster lifted his arm.
“Oh hell, yes.” She looped her hand through his arm. “Who would have thought the wedding driver would turn out to be my husband.”
19
TWO WEEKS LATER…
Tonya stood at the graveside with her two sisters. She stared at the casket that held her grandfather. Tears burned her eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“It’s like as soon as he knew we were all pregnant, he let go.” Tayla dabbed her eyes.
“I can’t believe we’re all due within five days of each other,” Tiki said. “How the hell does that happen?”
Tonya leaned forward and rested her rose on top of the wood box. “If Grandpa were here, he’d say something like,do you need a lesson in the birds and the bees because I can give you one.”
“I going to miss him.” Tiki placed her flower over Tonya’s.
“Who gets the name Maxwell?” Tayla asked.
“Whoever has a boy first,” Tonya said. “Or if we all have boys, maybe we all use it as a middle name. Although Foster doesn’t want to find out the sex.”
“Gael is dying to know,” Tayla said.
“So is Lake.” Tiki took Tonya’s hand. “If we have girls, we go with Maxine.”
“I’m sure we can come up with all sorts of fun names that will honor Maxwell James Johnson.” Tonya looped her free arm around Tayla.
They walked down the path toward their husbands.
Where one life ended, another one began.
Another saying her grandfather used to tell her and in this case, it was three and she completely believed it.
“I’ll see you all back at Mom and Dad’s.” She paused about ten paces from Foster, giving each of her sisters a quick hug.
Foster strolled in her direction. “How are you holding up?” he asked.
“I’m okay.” She sighed. “How are you?”
“It brings up a lot,” he admitted. “We’ve had a lot of loss mixed with so much good.” He placed his hand on the small of her back. “I often feel guilty for being so damn happy.”
“I do too.”
“We don’t have to do this today,” Foster said softly.
“No. My grandfather is smiling down on us. He’d take this as an honor.” She swallowed a guttural sob when Denise and Victor came into view.
They stood over Lisa’s graveside, holding what had to be Victoria’s urn.
* * *
Foster slowed his pace. “I thought I’d forgiven her,” he whispered. Every muscle in his body tensed. His blood went cold. He couldn’t swallow.
