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“Thirty minutes? And neither one of you have had sex in six weeks? Try five minutes,” I tease, making my sisters laugh.
“Oh, there has been other stuff,” Jaime rebuffs.
“I love the other stuff. Grandpa is a pro,” Grandma chimes in, making all of our faces turn from laughter to sour.
We all work silently for a few minutes, adding the final touches to the church. It didn’t require much decoration. A few candles here, some flowers there, and it was good to go.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” I start, turning and grabbing everyone’s attention. “You all know Dad is bringing a date to the wedding, right?” I ask gently, gauging their reactions.
AJ quickly nods her head. “He came over a few weeks back and asked Sawyer and I if we were okay with him bringing someone to the wedding.”
When I glance at the others, they seem shocked. “He is?” Abby asks, not really looking upset, but just surprised.
“He is. He told me too, a few weeks back. I told him we all wanted him happy and if he was dating someone, well, we support that,” I add.
“Definitely,” Payton says as she sits down on the first pew. She places a hand on her still-flat stomach. “I’m really happy for him.”
“Me too,” Abby says, sitting next to Payton.
“It’s a big step,” I say, voicing everyone’s feelings aloud.
“It is. But I don’t want him to be alone forever,” Jaime says, tears welling in her eyes. “Mom wouldn’t want that either.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Lexi says, walking over to where I stand. We all seem to congregate at the first pew.
“It’s time,” AJ whispers, as tears blur my vision. Everyone nods their heads.
After several seconds, Grandma walks over and joins us. “If it makes you feel any better, she’s a lovely woman,” she offers with her own sad smile.
“You’ve met her?” Payton asks, wiping a stray tear from her cheek.
“Yes,” Grandma says with a warm smile. “He brought her over for dinner last week.”
“Wow, really?” Abby asks.
“Yes, really. He told Orvie and I about her a few weeks back, and I offered to cook dinner. We had an enjoyable evening. She really is a lovely woman, and I think my Trisha would have like her too. I really believe that.” I see a few tears slip from Grandma’s eyes, and I wrap an arm around her.
“He has been alone for too long,” she continues. “It’s time for him to enjoy someone who makes him feel alive again. We want him to be happy.” She glances my way when she says it, letting me know she’s also talking to me. I give her a smile, letting her know I’m working on it too.
“He has been,” Jaime says, clearing her throat. “I’m actually really excited to meet her.”
“Me too,” Abby says.
“Me three,” AJ adds.
“If she makes him happy, then I’m happy,” I reply.
“Agreed. It’s time,” Payton offers.
Lexi exhales. “It’s going to be weird, but I want him happy,” she says honestly.
“It will be, at first,” Grandma adds as she steps into the center of the circle. “This was a very big step, and don’t think he did it lightly. Deep down, he worries you’ll think he’s replacing your mother.”
“I don’t think that,” I tell her.
“None of us do,” Payton assures.
We all step forward, surrounding Grandma in the middle, and wrap our arms around one another. We form a circle of love, friendship, and support.
