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Chapter 38 - Unfathomable
Ruby
George was not what I expected.
The few times we FaceTimed, he smiled easily and spoke with confidence, giving the impression that he was older than thirteen. Seeing him in person, I realized how young he truly was. The growth spurt common to teenage boys was still a couple of years away, and in an unfamiliar environment, he seemed unsure of himself.
Both boys were quiet in the back of the car as we started our journey to Blue Mountain.
Vander held my hand on his thigh the way he always did. Within a few minutes, the stress and fatigue of the past few days caught up with me and I fell asleep.
Laughter, Vander’s deep chuckle layered with boyish giggles and guffaws, woke me. I kept my eyes closed. This was the stuff of my wildest dreams: kids in the backseat, mom and dad in the front, chatting and laughter and togetherness.
I listened to the boys talking about their most embarrassing moments. George’s voice sounded incredibly similar to Jace’s. I wondered if they’d both have Vander’s deep, melodic voice when they were grown.
I sighed. Vander squeezed my hand.
“Good sleep, Ruby-mine?”
“Mm-hmm. Excellent.”
George finished his tale, and I chortled while Vander chuckled.
“Dad, you’re so right! Ruby’s laugh is crazy!”
I twisted in my seat to smile at him, genuinely this time, and he smiled back.
Vander’s hand tightened on mine like a vice.
“Uh… are we staying in a hotel?” Jace asked.
“Condo. More space to spread out and everyone can have their own rooms,” Vander answered.
“There are four bedrooms?” Jace asked, and I froze in my seat.
Vander looked like he’d swallowed a fly. “Uh, three bedrooms, buddy. Your mom and I will be sharing a room.”
I twisted to check on Jace, but he only looked thoughtful, then asked, “Are we going to live together?”
Vander answered, “As soon as your mom is ready. We’re going to get married soon, too.”
I tried to pull my hand away, but Vander held it fast and grinned at me. “What? Are you not going to marry me and live with me?”
“You might want to ask first and not just assume!” I snapped.
He stroked my wrist with his thumb. “I just did.”
“Did what? Ask?” I responded incredulously.
“Yeah. I asked if you’re not going to marry me and live with me.”
“What kind of proposal is that?”
“Probably the only one you’re going to get. I’m not going to take the chance of asking. Just going to book the church and tell Yiayia to make sure you get there.”
I laughed. “Steamroller!”
He grinned. “I told you. I’m not the boy you remember.”
