Page 28 of Ribbons and Role Play

Project: Grandparents

Status: in negotiation

Deadline: September

“We’re going to be grandparents. Isn’t that exciting?” Mom squeals then puts her arm around Dad, who stares at the picture silently.

The rest of us stare at him.

“They’re sharing their lives with us. Be grateful.” Worry tinges Mom’s comment.

Dad takes a breath and when he lifts his head, I swear his eyes are a little shiny. He recovers quickly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have written you all back into the will. You’re doing your best to give this old man a heart attack.”

I think that was a joke. My eyes scan everyone else. No one’s sure.

“Congratulations,” he says, and we breathe a collective sigh of relief. He shakes my hand then Knight’s and Nova’s before turning to Wendy.

He wraps her in a hug. “If they don’t take good care of you, let me know. I’m going to try to be a better father.”

“Thanks, Dad. That won’t be a problem. They treat me better than anyone else ever has.”

Epilogue

Axel

DadescortsMomdownthe aisle. It was Wendy’s choice to have it this way, just like her first wedding. Fear ripples through me at how close we were to losing her that day.

The wedding planner nudges my shoulder. “That’s your cue.”

I take a deep breath before moving my foot forward. It’s not that I’m nervous or have cold feet like other grooms. It’s the disbelief that I’ve learned how to be more myself through Wendy, my little sister, my love, and soon-to-be my wife.

Knight and Nova fall into step behind me, just as Wendy wanted it. The three of us make our way to the front. We drew our order out of a hat because we couldn’t find any rational way to choose, and the aisle wasn’t large enough for us to fit side by side. So, not only am I first, but as I take my place at the front of the church, my brothers flank me. I get to stand directly in front of Wendy.

Thankfully she doesn’t have horrible morning sickness like her friend Cindy. That wedding day got messy.

The bridesmaids enter, pulling me back to the moment, and I’m surprised by my jealousy. They’ve seen Wendy today. They know how divine she looks in her wedding dress, which we were expressly forbidden from seeing.

I glance down the line of women: blue hair, a pinup girl, an arm in a sling. She has quite the assortment of friends.

The music shifts toSomebody Loves Youby Betty Who.

I turn my attention to the back of the church where the bottom of a full white dress appears in the entryway. How big is her skirt?

Why did she stop? Worry races through my mind that she could be backing out, getting cold feet. It wouldn’t matter that she’s pregnant, she doesn’thaveto marry us. It’s her choice.

I glance at Nova, who looks as if he’s about to vomit. Maybe today won’t be much cleaner than Cindy’s wedding.

But as I’m watching my brother, his expression relaxes, and pure joy covers his face.

Returning my attention to the back, I understand. Wendy rounded the corner. She’s more beautiful than ever.

She’s the last of the women who were in this year’s Christmas Cherry Auction to get married. There was less urgency with her since she’s only pregnant with a single baby. Honestly, it was an ego blow. My brothers and I felt like we hadn’t done our job correctly. But since she’s not as pregnant as her friends, it was fair to let the other women go first.

As pregnant…No. Our girl is one hundred percent pregnant. If it’s possible for me to smile any wider, I do, although I’m starting to wonder if I’m going to look like a fool in the wedding pictures.

The photographer has his camera pointed at Wendy, so I clench my jaw and work my lips to relax my mouth. It immediately pulls into a smile again. I can’t contain how happy I am.

In her big poofy, lace-covered dress, Wendy looks like the princess she is. But she doesn’t get one prince charming, she gets three.

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