“Well… I guess I’ve been replaced,” I mutter dejectedly. Ember and Riley glance up at me.
“Never.” Ember reassures me with a bright smile before looking to Riley. “Right, little guy?”
“Never,” he repeats, trying to replicate her expression with his slanted grin.
“Hey, you lost a tooth.” His smile grows as he taps one finger against the empty space between his teeth.
“I did. And the tooth fairy came. I got ten dollars!”
“Holy cow.” I gape at Chris and his dad. “Talk about inflation.” Everyone laughs as the screen door flies open again. This time, Ember’s dad walks in with Avery. His hair sticks up in a million directions, the buttons on his shirt off by one.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” he mumbles, wiping sweat from his brow. “The convention ran over.” Avery turns around with a hand on her hip, piercing her father with a pointed glare.
“Dad.” She starts out angry, but then shakes her head and smiles. “I just spent three hours at a woodworking convention in Manhattan. I need alcohol.” Avery’s mom throws her a stern glance and purses her lips. “Don’t look at me like that, Mom. You know what I’m talking about.”
All is quiet until Riley climbs out of Ember’s arms and shrieks. “When is it time? When is it time?”
Avery blows her blonde bangs away from her eyes as she stalks toward her sister, a question in her gaze. “Are you really still doing this?”
Ember reaches out for my hand and squeezes. “We are.”
Her smile softens and she touches Ember’s arm. “You know Zack is smiling big right now. Happy Birthday, Em.”
“Happy Birthday, Ave.”
EVERYONE IS GATHERED around the trailer, and what a fabulous group they are. My mother, dressed to the nines in her Donna Karan suit bites a single manicured fingernail, while my dad fiddles with a button on his plaid shirt. Still, I know somewhere deep down their happiness overshadows the nerves they might be feeling—because I think this is as important for them as it is for me.
My gaze wanders to Julian and Avery who are goofing off, her flirty eyes captivating him just like old times. Next to them, Chris has an arm slung around his new girlfriend, Erika, his expression bright under the October sun. I catch a glimpse of Chris’s parents gawking at the two of them with happy smiles bursting from their lips. Then there’s Riley, jumping up and down like a pogo stick in front of Troy and his boyfriend, Quinn, as they all make silly faces at one another.
To the right of the crowd stands Vance’s dad, finishing up a conversation with his son—the absolute love of my life. As I watch them, my vision clouds but I can’t help it. Seeing them together and close again makes my heart fill up with joy. I’m not sure either one of them realized how much they needed each other.
Vance glances over and catches me mid-stare. His dad looks up and smiles, giving him a nudge in my direction. “We’ve got a pretty big audience over there,” he comments on his way, gesturing toward our big family. “It feels like we’re getting married or something.” One of his eyebrows shifts ever so slightly but I don’t miss it.
“Don’t get any ideas, Davenport. I’m not ready to get married.”
“Yet,” he mumbles loud enough for me to hear, and my heart beams. “By the way,” he adds, “if you’re holding out for me to climb up a fire escape with flowers and an umbrella, don’t think I won’t fucking do it.” He grins. “If that’s what it takes.”
Have I mentioned I love him? I love him.
Once all the harnesses and parachutes are checked and they give us the okay, we wave to everyone and follow the guides over to the plane. My feet slow, my stomach suddenly a ripple of nerves. I take a few deep breaths then turn to Vance. As if he senses my apprehension, he grabs my hand and tightens his fingers around mine. “We’re really doing this. Aren’t we?”
A smile that somehow calms me and settles my belly forms on his lips. “We are indeed, Mickey. And….” He stops walking and lifts his other hand to caress my cheek. “I want you to know that being with you makes me happy. A happiness I wasn’t sure was real or even possible for me.”
My skin warms to his touch and his words. “Why does that sound like something you say to someone before you never see them again?”
“Fuck no,” he retorts, and I grin at his choice language. “We’re jumping together and we’re landing together. Just remember two things. One… breathe. And two….” He looks at me then, really looks at me, so much love shining in his eyes that my heart nearly explodes from it. “I’ll catch you if you fall. I promise.”
And I know he will.