“Mom,” I break in. “I’m getting married in two weeks in Northern Scotland. I would love to have you there, but I understand if you can’t make it.”
“Of course we’ll be there. Do you think I wouldn’t travel to the ends of the earth to see my youngest daughter married? Send me everything I need to know, I have a dress to buy.” Hanging up, I dial Lily next.
I spend quite a while on the phone, both of us crying about everything that’s happened in the last month. Lily promises me they will all be there. More importantly, she swore no one would say a word about it to Alex. He wants to step out on faith, well just wait!
I talk to all of my friends until we have a plan on how to get there. Grayson, naturally, begins organizing everything we need, passing off several of the responsibilities to Matt. I get multiple emails throughout the week outlining the plans. While they are organizing airplane tickets, hotel rooms, and van rentals, Felicity takes me dress shopping.
We find the perfect dress, simple but classically elegant. Felicity turns her charm on, guaranteeing that the dress will be ready when we leave on Friday.
I check in one last time with my doctor before we leave. She gives me several referrals for doctors in Manchester, assuring me that they will slowly ease me off the meds when I’m ready. She is also forwarding my records to a colleague so I can continue my therapy. I hug her on the way out the door. I feel like she saved my sanity.
Aiden finally told me how Alex’s oldest brother, George, recognized my symptoms of extreme depression and had Alex call him before I landed.
It took Alex asking for help from the people who love him to give those that love me the chance to save me. If I had reached out in the beginning, I could have spared Alex and me from so much heartbreak.
When I think about Alex standing outside his parents’ house wondering if I love him enough to show up, my heart clenches.
* * *
Finally the day is here to leave. I help Aiden wrestle the luggage to the car while Felicity buckles the kids in. Our plan is to all meet at Kennedy Airport in New York City before heading to Inverness. It will be the first time I’ve been to Scotland and I can hardly sit still.
All of us moving through Kennedy is like herding cats. Organizing fourteen adults, three small kids, and one brooding teenager has taken all of Grayson’s skill. By the time we land in Inverness, Izzy and Felicity look exhausted. Even with us all taking a turn with the babies, it’s a long flight.
I’m sitting in my room in Inverness when my phone vibrates. Looking over at Sienna to make sure she’s occupied by her own phone, I pick up mine.
Alex: I love you. I’ll be waiting.
My heart starts to pound when I read Alex’s text. Tomorrow I’ll be marrying Alexander Ross, gorgeous playboy soccer superstar.
“What are you grinning about?” Sienna asks me.
“Nothing.” She rolls her eyes when I put my phone down.
“I know we haven’t always gotten along,” Sienna says, pulling her earbuds out of her ears. I don’t remember ever getting along. “But I’m really happy for you. Alex seems like he’s a good guy.”
“Thanks, Sienna. He is, he’s the best guy I’ve ever known.” We smile at each other before she plugs her earbuds back in.
After an interesting breakfast, including some sort of smoked fish, we all pile into the vans. I climb in next to Grayson, pulling out the paper maps that the hotel clerk marked. It will get us as far as the nearest town, from there we will just have to ask for directions.
“According to the map, it should take us about three hours max to get there,” I explain to Grayson. He nods before putting the van in gear. Before we can pull out, Matt knocks on our window. Shifting back into neutral, Grayson rolls down the window.
“Is there a trick to getting these things to start?” Matt asks with a shrug.
“What are you talking about? Push in on the clutch then turn the key,” Grayson grumbles.
“Thanks.” Matt rolls his eyes. “I’m not an idiot, Gray. The damn thing won’t start.” After half an hour of the men staring at the motor and another half hour before they bring us a replacement, we’re finally on our way.
“Gray, Matt’s not behind us anymore,” Colin calls from the back of the van after an hour on the road.
“Son of a bitch. Why can’t he just drive the damn van?” Grayson mumbles, turning around.
“Watch the language, cocksucker.” Teddy always knows just what to do to get under Grayson’s skin.
“Shut it, asshat,” Grayson growls back.
“Hey! Knock it off!” Izzy yells at them both right before baby Theo lets out a scream.
“Nice job, tallywacker!” Teddy is laughing, turning Grayson’s face red.
