Page 60 of Reuniting with Lucy

“After wasting those ten years,” he continued. “I don’t want to waste any more time. I told her I didn’t want to get married, but I do. I trust her, and I know she’s not just after my money.”

“Seriously,” Nana said. “How much money?” Emma hushed her.

They grilled him nine ways from Friday. Why the change of heart? Why should they believe he’dreallychanged? Why now? Why Lucy? On and on it went, but he answered every question honestly and sincerely. Finally, there were no more questions, and they all began some sort of silent, mental collaboration. A conversation without words, all looking at each other, slight nods, shoulder shrugs, small smiles, eye movements. He had no idea what was happening or how he was fairing.

Sophie cleared her throat. “A decision has been agreed upon,” she said solemnly, and Jack had to bite back a grin at her seriousness. “We will help.”

He heaved a sigh of relief. “Oh, thank God. I need something big. Something she can’t say no to. Something that proves to her that I mean what I say when I tell her I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her. Oh, and as soon as possible would be great.” He smiled.

Things were less formal after that. Kate got out a whiteboard and started a brainstorming list, which Lizzie promptly mocked.

“She likes sunrises,” Jack suggested. “We had a nice time watching the sunrise at the Outer Banks on her birthday.”

“Sheusedto like sunrises,” Lizzie said. “Now, she hardly ever gets up before ten.” She gave Jack a pointed look. That was because of the baby, but since they weren’t talking about that…

“Uh, yeah,” Jack muttered. “I guess her schedule has changed a bit.”

“You could promise her sexual favors,” Nana said.

“Nana!” everyone screamed.

“What?” Nana threw up her hands. “Katie said there were no bad ideas. Plus, that would work on me.” She glanced at Jack and winked.

“Audrey,” Sophie said. “You’re going to scare him into thinking he’s made a horrible decision trying to gain access to this family. You’ll have him running away screaming if you’re not careful. Best behavior, please.”

“Why do I hear that so often?” Nana grumbled. “I’m too old to have to watch what I do and say.”

“Thank you for the suggestion, Audrey. I’ll keep it in mind. Anyone else?” Jack said, attempting to change the subject before he ended up refereeing a catfight.

They talked about fancy dinners, hot-air balloon rides, and trips to the Caribbean. Jack wondered if it was smart to fly anywhere. He’d have to do an internet search later to find out about pregnancy and flying.

“New Bern doesn’t exactly have the fanciest of restaurants,” Daisy said. “Maybe something on the waterfront? Outer Banks or Morehead City? That’s assuming you could get her into a car with you for that long without telling her what you were doing.”

“It’s got to be more than dinner,” Emma said. “That’s too cliché. We gotta work outside the box.”

“Yes, you’re right. I agree,” Daisy said. “Go big or go home.”

“You could just buy her a huge freakin’ rock,” Kate said with a smile.

“Shit,” Jack said. “I didn’t even think of that. I’ll need a ring.”

Kate added an action-item line for ring shopping and, amongst themselves, decided Daisy and Sophie would help him with it on Monday. She sectioned off part of the board to start a timeline. The goal was to have a plan by Christmas, which was in one week.

“We have a lot of family activities leading up to Christmas,” Sophie said. “Could we make something work there? Put a ring in the cookie dough?”

“What about the grand opening of the new coffee shop?” Daisy asked. “That seems ripe for some big gesture.”

“Oh, yes,” Emma said. “I like both of those.”

“I’m not sure I want it to be quite so public,” Jack said. “I may have to do some heavy-duty groveling.”

“Now we’re cookin’,” Kate said, writing furiously, trying to keep up with the ideas. Jack leaned back in his chair and looked around the table. He’d be part of this family soon. Hopefully. All these women, who cared so fiercely for one another. Lucy was right. She would be fine without him, but he didn’t want that.

Jack’s phone vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and found a text from Lizzie, telling him about a doctor’s appointment Lucy had the afternoon of the grand opening. Kate was also looking at her phone, and he realized it was a group chat between the three of them. Kate raised an eyebrow at Jack, questioning whether he liked the idea. He gave a subtle nod.

A stack of Kate’s real estate signs in the corner caught Jack’s eye and sparked an idea. “I think I’ve got it.” He stood. “I know what I can do.”

All eyes turned toward him, and he smiled. “Not that I don’t trust y’all…” He looked directly at Lizzie. “But could Kate and I have the room?”

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