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“You don’t have to, I’m sure Leann would rather you be home relaxing with her.” The sadness in his eyes is real and it guts me.
“She’s with the girls at the church, getting everything ready for the upcoming wedding. The house is quiet, and you know me, I hate quiet.”
I point to the hammer and he nods as I pick it up.
Together we spend several hours drywalling, little conversation is exchanged, but I know being here with him is enough. He will never stop missing his father, and in no way could I ever replace him. And I wouldn’t want to.
“Thanks for today,” Landon says as he tosses the tools into the bucket. “I know Chloe’s worried about me, but I’m good. Some days are harder than others, and I have regrets.” He leans against the saw horse in the middle of the room.
“All the times he and I fought, I wish I could go back and erase those times. Spend them doing something worth remembering instead.”
“From what your mother says the two of you were so much alike. Of course you’d bicker.”
“There is never enough time,” he says, releasing a breath.
“I have to agree with you on that one,” I chuckle, joining him. “I feel like just yesterday Chloe was three years old and wanted me to play airplane. Now she’s married with a little one of her own and no longer needs me.”
“She’ll always need her dad,” he offers me a smile. “I’m alright Ben, honestly,” Landon stands tall once more. “It's the first year without him and I know it will get easier, but I need these times to just feel, right? Wasn’t it you that told me to feel?”
“Yes,” I agree, “but in the process don’t shut us out.”
He nods, and I know he’s hearing what I’m telling him. My daughter needs him, she needs to know he is okay. “Just talk to her,” I add. “She needs to know you’re okay, that’s all.”
* * *
Leann
“This cake is gorgeous,” I admire Lily Mae’s work. “Has Kyra seen it?”
“No, and I’ve banned her from this kitchen until after the wedding. I may have given her Sugarland, but that doesn’t change the fact that I make the final decisions when it comes to this kitchen.”
“Also we wanted it to be a surprise.” Rose, Kyra’s mom adds. “She’s got so many other things to worry about, we wanted this to be something we could do to set her mind at ease.”
“Well, I agree it's amazing,” Maria takes in the masterpiece. “It’s almost too beautiful to eat.”
“We have a large cooler at the venue,” Kori tells Lily Mae. “Can it be disassembled so that we can store it and then right before they arrive we can have it all set out.”
“That would be perfect.” Rose says.
“We can transfer it in pieces over to the venue tomorrow night, so we don’t have to rush on Saturday.” Lily Mae smiles. “There will be enough to do on the day of the wedding.”
This wedding is going to be beautiful; Lily Mae has spared no expense. I know she wants Kyra to have the perfect day and a Christmas themed wedding is something I’d always imagined but never seen. Every little detail has been perfected. The colors, the flowers and my goodness Garrett said Kyra wanted lights, there are so many twinkle lights strung throughout the reception area it seems like a million little stars.
It's going to be the perfect day.
colton and alexis
MADDISON AND COLTON JR.’S PARENTS
Colton Sr.
“This is perfect,” Maddison covers her mouth with her hands as tears fill her eyes. “Wow, dad,” she looks up at me and I feel the burn in my chest. I know the tears are those of joy, but I’ve always been weakened by her tears.
From the very first moment I walked into the diner and noticed Alexis with a cute little chubby faced brunette angel my heart was full. I didn’t even know their story but sensed someone had hurt them and I felt territorial over them.
I vowed then and there to protect them anyway I could, even if that only meant ensuring they made it to safety and walked away. The problem was, once I spent time with them I knew there was no way I could let them go. Hell, I traveled to California to get them back when Alexis thought she could run away.
Maddison may not be my blood but I’d kill anyone who hurt her. Mike is as protective as I am, the way he is with Maddison and with Sarah reminds me of myself. His girls are his world.
