“Chest candy,” I corrected, smiling. “It’s what he calls his service ribbons. But right, he is. Even though he’s done now. But people like him, sometimes when they’re protecting our country, they don’t get to come home.”
“Why not?”
I took a slow breath, trying to find the words. “They have to go to heaven instead.”
I didn’t really believe in the concept and I was pretty sure Mal didn’t either. But it had been the way Mal explained his father’s passing to Payton, and it was something he could understand. Though if therewasa heaven, I was sure fallen service members ended up there.
Payton was processing that information. He had an expressive face and I’d learned exactly what it looked like when he was thinking things through. After a minute or two, he flopped against my chest.
“That’s sad that they don’t get to come home.”
I hugged him tightly. “Yeah it is.”
Before Payton could ask anymore questions, Demi clicked her tongs together, catching everyone’s attention. We all went quiet, looking over at her.
“Food’s just about ready. But before we eat, I have an announcement.” She waited for a few seconds, buildinganticipation, and making sure she had everyone’s undivided attention. “Luke and I are postponing the wedding.”
“What?” Fern squawked and I was sure she was thinking about all the preparations she’d been making, planning the perfect event.
Mom was gaping like a fish. “Why would you do that?”
I had my suspicions and they were confirmed when Luke scooped up his daughter and went to join Demi at the grill. Neither of them could stop smiling. Demi poked Aria, making her giggle.
“Aria, what’s our big news?”
Mom gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth. Dad shot up out of his chair, ready to run. I chuckled and waited.
“Sister!” the little girl shouted.
“That’s right, pumpkin. You’re going to be a big sister,” Luke said before he attacked her cheek with kisses making her squeal in delight.
“Twins! Due in September,” Demi added. She rubbed a hand on her stomach and then made a face. “If I make it that far, anyway. Might be the end of August if I follow in Mom’s footsteps.”
Mom had had both her sets of twins at thirty-six weeks.
Dad made it there first, outstripping Mom by several lengths. He lifted Demi right off of her feet and when he set her back down, they were both crying. Mom joined them a second later. Lots of congratulations were being shouted. I’d offer mine later, when it was quieter.
“Auntie Demi has a baby in her belly?” Payton asked. He sounded slightly confused.
“Yep. Two babies.”
Payton got up on his knees, the sharp little joints digging into my thighs. I held in the wince. He grabbed my face in his hands and looked very serious. “Are we gonna have more kids?”
“I dunno. Maybe,” I answered honestly, though it came out a little garbled since he was squishing my cheeks. “Do you want us to have more kids?”
“I guess a brother would be okay.” He shrugged. “Daddy says girls have babies. But he’s not a girl. And you’re not a girl. How do we get a brother?”
Oh boy. I wasn’t touching that with a ten-foot pole. Especially because somehow we needed to explain that boys could have babies if they had a uterus and wanted to. I had no idea how to make that make sense to Payton. Mal would though. He could handle it.
“We’ll ask Daddy later.”
“Okay!”
I blew out a breath. Crisis averted.
Bodhi let out a whistle that once again caught everyone’s attention. “I have an announcement too, though maybe not as exciting.” He shot a wink at Demi and she gave him heart hands. “I’m going to build a retreat space on the back twenty acres by Millsbrook Road. Details are still pending, but the goal will be for riders and horses to learn the basics, improve confidence or groundwork, or build on their training. I’ve had to relearn a lot since I’ve come home and my intent is to provide a place where people can do that in a safe environment, learning good techniques instead of bad habits.”
Hawk sat up, his entire focus on Bodhi. “So folks will be able to bring their horses, stay for a while, and learn good skills?”
