Page 115 of The Stand-In

“Well, maybe I shouldn’t call you guys Brynna and Old Caleb anymore.”

“No? What would you rather call us instead?”

“Maybe, if it’s okay with you guys, I could just call you Grandma and Grandpa. Since we’re getting married and everything anyway.”

I don’t stop the tears that run down my cheeks, and I see that even my tough, strong husband gets a little choked up as we smile and nod at the sweet boy.

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” I say to him and bend down to kiss the top of his head. “I would love that.”

“Okay, cool,” he says with a bright smile. “I haveso manyaunts and uncles now. It’s crazy.”

“You’re not wrong,” London replies with a laugh. “It’s interesting, isn’t it, to go from a tiny family to a really big one?”

“It’s pretty great,” Caleb replies and runs off to talk to other members of the family.

“I think I have something in my eye,” Drew says, making us laugh as someone clinks on a glass, getting our attention.

“My dad’s going to speak,” London says, her voice apprehensive.

“Hello, everyone,” Chandler Ambrose says, smiling charmingly. “It is my pleasure to host tonight’s party, celebrating the engagement of my daughter to Drew Montgomery.”

Everyone erupts in hoots and applause, and Chandler patiently waits for everyone to finish before continuing.

“I thought that I’d start the festivities off with a gift. It was brought to my attention that London and Drew recently enjoyed some time in Montana and that my daughter particularly fell in love with the condo that they stayed in.”

“He didn’t,” Drew mutters in shock.

“You now own it,” Chandler adds. “I hope it brings you happiness for many years, and I may even try my hand at skiing once or twice.”

“Wow, thanks, Dad,” London says, raising her glass.

“You’re welcome. To Drew and London and a lifetime of happiness.”

We all cheers in agreement, and when I look at London, I see that she looks…confused.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know what’s going on with my dad, but he’s a new person. In a good way.”

“Enjoy it,” I advise her as the music starts up again. This time, it’s a song that I used to sing to Drew when he was a baby.

My son holds his hand out for me. “Wanna dance?”

“I would love to.”

As he sweeps me into his arms, I can’t help but laugh. “You know, this usually doesn’t happen until the wedding reception. Dancing with the mom.”

“I don’t need a tradition to tell me when I can dance with my mom,” he says. “Besides, I like dancing with pretty girls.”

“You’re a charmer. And that smile of yours gets you just about anything you want.”

He flashes that smile at me now.

“I hope that you two make each other happy, baby. As happy as your dad and I are.”

“I have a feeling about this one,” he says with a wink, but then he sobers and looks over my shoulder to his fiancée. “She’s everything I never dared to wish for, Mom.”

“Then she’s everything you need, my boy.”

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