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“When can you leave the reception, baby?” Heath asked. “I can hardly wait to see you in that belly dancing outfit.”
She stopped them at the end of the porch. “But I thought the two of you had to work. I want all of you to see it at the same time.”
A rumbly sound came from Spencer. “When can you leave?”
“The bride and grooms leave at four, but I was planning on staying to help clean up.”
“It’s nearly four now,” Cody murmured. “Come with me, angel.”
He could see the confusion in her eyes and just smiled. Maizy was a doer, always helping everyone else. This one time, he was going to change her plans for her and hope she understood.
He found Lucy sitting in Patrick’s lap, being fed cake by Beck as the photographers snapped pictures. He appreciated Lucy’s carefree spirit, wishing that Maizy could have the same freedom on her wedding day, knowing well that public acceptance hadn’t come easy for Lucy. She’d had her fair share of difficulties from some of the same people who would undoubtedly go after Maizy when their relationship went public, no matter how careful they were.
Lucy grinned happily when she saw the four of them approaching with him in the lead. “Wow, Cody. You look like a man on a mission.”
Beck chuckled and said, “All three of them look like that. What’s up, lovebirds?”
Maizy giggled behind his back and he had to smile. “Maizy has had a change in status and would like to know if you’d mind if she left here with us after the three of you take off.”
Lucy frowned. “A change in status?”
Cody pulled his and Maizy’s linked hands out from behind his back and displayed her ring for Lucy.
“Oh!” Lucy suddenly cried out and jumped from Patrick’s lap and grabbed their hands. “Hot damn! Yes! Hell yes! You should go. You probably have lots to…talk about, right?”
Cody gave a single nod and then turned to Patrick. “Is that okay with you, Patrick?”
With a dry chuckle, Patrick replied, “What? And have Maizy mad at me if I tell you no?”
Maizy growled, “Patrick—”
Patrick stood and cut her off. “Of course I approve. The real question is what you plan to tell Dad.” He turned back to Cody and stared at him, now completely serious. “You know there will be plenty of people who have something to say about it at school, right?”
Cody and Maizy both nodded and Cody said, “We’ve talked about it at length and know that it’s likely. We’ll be there for her. We’ve all accepted the risks.”
Her sister, Roberta, burst into the conversation, startling Maizy. “Are you insane? It’s one thing to be a freak in private but you can’t go through with this!”
Cody released Maizy’s hand as she rounded on her older sister, cutting her off. Spencer frowned and nudged Heath back when he moved as if to protect Maizy.
“I can’t? Last I checked, I was a grown woman. I’m in love with three wonderful men. I’m engaged to them. Deal with it.”
“You’ve taken leave of your damned senses!” Her voice rose in volume as she continued. “Do you have any idea the repercussions—”
Maizy was about to speak when Amelia Owen stepped into their midst and turned on her daughter. “You lower your voice this instant, Roberta.”
“Mom! You have no idea what’s going on! Maizy is engaged to—to—” Roberta sputtered in her fury as she jabbed a finger in the men’s direction.
Amelia’s eyes went wide and a beatific smile filled her expression. “The bears!” She reached for Maizy’s hand and she clapped a hand to her cheek. “Oh my goodness. I feel woozy.”
“Here, Mom, sit down,” Patrick gently directed her into a chair.
She fanned herself with her hand and said, “Maybe I should. Come here, Maizy.”
Maizy sat in the chair next to her and Cody watched as her mother took her hands in hers. “Is this what you want? Are you happy?”
Maizy smiled and nodded her head. “Very. Mom, I’m very happy.”
Roberta made a sound of disgust, drawing her mother’s attention again.
“Roberta, either apologize or leave this gathering,” Amelia said in a familiar, steely tone, and Cody kept his grin to himself. Now he knew where Maizy got it from. “You’ve made your feelings about polyamorous relationships abundantly clear to everyone who will listen to you spew your nonsense at this gathering, several of whom are involved in loving, committed poly-relationships. They were just too kind and polite to tell you, for fear of making the groom’s sister uncomfortable. But I’m setting you straight now, girlie. If Maizy is truly happy, then I’m happy for her. Instead of judging them, you should get to know these delightful men.”
