“Just in town, so thought I’d pop by. Tanner asked me to check in on Bob with something.”
I nod, smiling. That sounds about right.
“Why don’t you two go have a break at the diner?” Melissa walks in from out front, looking at both of us.
“Oh, I have these to ice, and Tommy—”
“Nonsense. The afternoon rush is over, so I can babysit Tommy. Maybe you should go have a chicken pie for lunch. You two haven’t yet had a chance to celebrate your wedding.”
I pause then, because Melissa’s right. We haven’t. It’s not something we kept secret from anyone. But we haven’t celebrated. There's been so much else going on it hasn’t even occurred to us to throw a party or anything.
“Maybe she’s right. Maybe we should take an hour and go relax?” Griffin adds, seemingly up for a lunch date with his wife. His wife. I’m still not used to it. But the ring sits firm on my finger, the ink now dry on the marriage certificate.
I look over at Tommy, my heart rate spiking at the thought of leaving him. He’s been by my side every day. I don’t want to leave him, but I know it’s unhealthy of me to want him within eyesight at every moment. Everyone needs a little break. Including me.
“Just go for an hour, have some lunch. If he fusses, I’ll bring him straight over,” Melissa tells us, giving me a warm smile.
I look at Griffin and shrug. “It's kinda like our first date?” Because we didn’t have one of those either. Sure, we went to Whiteman’s Bar once, and he took me to the birthday party at Hudson’s place, but that was with everyone, not a one-on-one date.
He huffs a laugh and nods. “Probably something we should’ve started our relationship with, rather than have it now, when we’re already married.”
I can’t help but smile wider. Loving that we do life on our own terms and we’re both so happy.
“Alright.” I sigh, taking off my apron. “I have milk in the refrigerator if he needs a bottle, but I fed him thirty minutes ago, so he’ll probably go down for his nap now anyway.”
Melissa nods, already knowing our schedule. She's here every day. Outside of Griffin and me, she’s the only one I’m totally comfortable with Tommy being with. “Sure, go. Enjoy. I've got it.”
Griffin's hand slides into mine, and we walk out of the bakery and head straight across the road to the diner. I take a deep breath, blowing out my anxiety, basking in the sun that shines down on me.
“What’s going on here?” I look at the diner at Griffin's words, and as I open the door and step inside, everything hits me.
“Surprise!” a chorus of people yell, and Griffin and I stand there at the door, dumbfounded.
There’re decorations, balloons. People are blowing those highly annoying party blowouts that vibrate around the room.
“Congratulations, guys! We wanted to throw you a small wedding celebration party.” Victoria comes forward with Tanner, the two of them embracing us.
I look up at Griffin, his body still, shock on his face.
“Are you alright?” I ask him quietly as people start passing around food and the music is turned up.
“Yeah, I just… I’ve never had a party before.”
I frown. “Never?” My life at home was terrible, but I did have a few birthday parties when I was a kid.
He swallows roughly. “No. Never.”
I squeeze his hand and smile, and he starts to relax as all our friends come forward, offering hugs and smiles and congratulations. We’re engulfed. There’s a table off to the side, which is overflowing with presents, and I shake my head in disbelief.
“I’m so glad Melissa managed to get you guys over here.” Victoria grins, clearly happy that it all came together.
“Of course she would be involved.” I roll my eyes at how easily Griffin and I were duped.
Rochelle has food aplenty. Aside from balloons, there’s a big Just Married sign across the back wall, and everyone yells for us to cut the cake, which is a beautiful two-tier cake decorated in white icing and red ribbons. My heart is full. I can’t believe I have people in my life who have gone through all this effort to show up like this.
“Speech, speech!” Hudson yells as the clink of glasses runs around the room, Sutton leading the charge and hitting his champagne flute with a spoon so hard I swear it’s going to shatter.
“Well…” Griffin starts, and I stand proudly by his side. “We’re surprised… so well done, everyone.” His words cause the room to erupt with cheers before it quiets again.
