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“The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. No outsiders, you know? Just those we are closest to.”
“I think your wedding should be what you want it to be. If you don’t want all the fanfare, then don’t do it. If you want it to be Kent, or whoever, then that’s what you should do. Just explain it to him.”
“I admit when he asked me, I was still reeling from the proposal. I was still trying to process that we were actually getting married. That he wanted this crazy life with me.”
Kendall reaches over and runs her index finger over the top of Daisy’s foot where she’s sleeping in my arms. “He’s so good with her.”
“They all are. I can still remember that first day when we saw Ridge with Knox at the office. It was like an ovary explosion to see this big strong guy covered in ink doting on his little baby boy, but damn. When I found out there were four more just like him, and that all of them treated the women and kids in their life as if they were a precious gift, I’m surprised my ovaries are still there,” I say, and she laughs, nodding her agreement.
“Yeah, they’re a great group of guys. Speaking of, has Mark mentioned anything about Seth?”
“Not really, just that he thinks he’s interested in someone but won’t dish the details.”
“Damn.” She chuckles. “That’s all Ridge will give me too.”
“He’ll tell us when he’s ready.” I say the words, but I can’t help but wonder who it is. He’s with our group all the time. Sure, it’s not twenty-four hours a day, but there’s not even been a mention of this woman. I’m intrigued for sure.
“What are you two doing in here?” Reagan asks, taking a seat on the couch next to Kendall. Amelia follows her and takes the chair.
“Just chatting. I fed this one and she zonked out on us.”
“You feeling okay?” I ask Amelia. She looks a little pale.
She waves me off with a smile. “It’s hot as hell out there. I just need to cool off.”
I don’t really buy her excuse, but I won’t force her to talk. If there is anything that I’ve learned about Amelia is that she’s a vault and she only opens the doors when she’s ready.
“We were just talking about the wedding,” Kendall chimes in. “Dawn is thinking about having it at their place.” She looks over at me and grins. “What do you ladies think of them having one of the guys marry them?” she asks.
“Love it,” Reagan says with a smile.
“Which one?” Amelia asks, already starting to get some color back in her cheeks. Maybe it was the heat, but I wouldn’t think that would make her pale, the opposite in fact, but her coloring is coming back all the same.
“Guess,” I tell her.
She looks over at Reagan. “Let’s say our pick at the same time.” Reagan nods.
“On the count of three.” Kendall wiggles in her seat. “One. Two. Three.”
“Kent,” Reagan and Amelia say at the same time.
Kendall throws her head back in laughter and Daisy jumps in my arms. Her little eyes pop open and she looks around, surveying what might have woken her up. She starts to fuss, so I stand and rock her in my arms.
“I’m sorry,” Kendall says softly.
“Wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last,” I tell her. “Weren’t you the one who said don’t keep the house quiet, let them learn to sleep through everyday noises?” I ask her.
“That was my mom, but I passed it on to you and Reagan.”
“Best advice ever.” Reagan nods. “Why the laughter? You don’t think Kent will do a good job?” she asks us.
“That’s who we said too. All four of us are on the same page.”
Daisy is still fussing and it’s getting louder. “Hey,” a deep voice says from behind me. “What’s going on?” Mark asks. His hands rest on my hips as he offers Daisy his hand. She whimpers, sticking out her bottom lip. I can already see where this is heading. “Come here, sweetie. Daddy will make it better.” He releases his hold on me and steps around me to take her from my arms. She shudders and then rests against his chest. Her cries long forgotten.
“Baby whisperer,” I mumble.
“Nice.” Seth holds his fist out to Mark. “Daddy’s got skills.”
I swear Mark puffs his chest out with pride. “You know it.”
Knox climbs up on Kendall’s lap. Everly is asleep in Ridge’s arms. Tyler has Ben, and he looks like he’s losing the battle with fighting his nap. Beck, who is in Kent’s arms, is ahead of his twin. His eyes flutter as he rubs them.
“Nap time,” Tyler says.
“We put an air mattress in the spare bedroom. Knox and Everly can sleep there. That way if they roll off, they don’t have far to fall. I wouldn’t risk them rolling out of our bed,” Tyler says.
“Ready, Momma?” Tyler asks Reagan. She nods and stands. Kent hands Beck off to her, and they disappear down the hall.
“I’m going to take Everly on back,” Ridge says, following along behind Tyler and Reagan.
“And this guy, he fights n-a-p-s.” Kendall spells out the word.
“Hey, Knox.” Kent bends down to his level. “The little kids are having a hard time going to sleep. You think you can pretend and show them how it’s done?”
“No naps,” Knox grumbles.
Kent laughs. “No, not for you. We just need to do this.” He closes his eyes and tilts his head and pretends to be sleeping. “You’re the older one, so you have to show them how it’s done.”
“Okay,” he says reluctantly, but holds his arms open for Kent and lets him carry him back to the bedroom.
“Sometimes the men in our lives make me feel inadequate,” Amelia says, and we laugh with her.
“Don’t hate, A,” Mark says. “It’s not our fault we have the touch.”
A few minutes later, Reagan and the guys join us. “They’re all out,” she says, taking her spot next to Kendall.
“So, we going to start poker night back up or what?” Seth asks.
“Yeah, we can have the first one here,” Mark says. “You okay with that?” he asks me.
“Sure, I can pack Daisy up and—” I can’t exactly invite myself to anyone’s home, not even his parents. Now mine, on the other hand…. A pang of sadness hits me.
“No, you don’t have to leave,” Kent says adamantly. “That’s not what poker night is about. It’s just us hanging. This is your home,” he reminds me.
“Or,” Kendall says, “we can hang out at our place. The kids can have a movie night, and we can catch up.” She looks at Reagan and Amelia. “You ladies in?”
“Yes,” they quickly agree.
“Perfect. Then we’ll plan a girls’ night where the guys get to keep the kids.”
Oh, my best friend is a smart one. “Brilliant.” Reagan laughs.
The guys just nod, and some of the wind in our sails deflates. It’s not a hardship for them to be around the kids. That’s a great thing. In fact, I find it rare in a lot of instances, at least in my line of work. Ninety percent of the kids seen in our office are brought in by their mom. If a dad brings them, they usually end up on the phone with mom to get answers to the questions. I’m confident that wouldn’t happen with our group. These guys, even the uncles, are involved in the kids’ lives.
The guys settle on next weekend for poker night, and we’re doing a girls’ night the following weekend. We spend a few more hours just catching up. Daisy soaks up all the attention being the only kid awake. Seth passes her to Kent, who passes her to Tyler who passes her to Ridge. Mark steps in when Ridge is about to pass her to Kendall, grumbling about getting cuddle time with his own daughter.
“Today was fun,” I tell Mark. We’re back home, and just got Daisy to sleep.
“Yeah, this is nice too,” he says, pulling me next to him.
“You’ll get no complaints from me.” He grins at my words and kisses my forehead. “So, I’ve been thinking.”
“Uh-oh, should I be worried?” He laughs.
“Possibly. I was thinking about the
wedding.”
“Okay.”
“Well, the more I think about it, I really do think we should do something small here, and before you say no,” I rush to get out when I see him opening his mouth to speak. “I’ve thought about it. I don’t want something big or elaborate. I never did. I just want a forever love like my parents had. I can’t think of a better place than the home we’re making together for that to happen.”
“When?”
“Well, we have to get a marriage license, and then just make sure our friends and your parents are available. Maybe order some food, and….” I bite my lip, not sure how he’s going to take this next part.
“And what?” he prompts.
