Dear CC,
I wanted to take a quiet moment to welcome you into the family. Us girls get overemotional and the last thing you need on your wedding day is more tears. I know your new family is crazy. Some are a little mixed-up, but through it all, we stick together and weather any storm, because that’s what family does. They stand up to the world and say fuck you. It doesn’t matter what it throws at us; what matters is that we have each other’s backs—always.
So as you walk down that aisle today, know that you, my darling daughter, are not only gaining a very handsome husband. You are gaining a family and you will never be alone again. Although I suppose I should warn you, that part isn’t quite as great at times as it might sound.
Finally, I know that you gave your garage to Jackson, even after you and Gray insisted I take the money back for it. So, I did the only thing a mother could do when faced with two stubborn children: I bought you a new garage closer to home. Because this is your home now, darling girl. I know this garage won’t be the same as your father’s, but that one will live on through Jackson, who as much as I can gather, loved the man too. This garage will be all yours, and full of your father’s memories because that’s where we carry the ones we love: in our hearts. They never leave us because pieces of them are sewn into who we are. We take them with us. We teach our children about them. We celebrate them. Love never dies, my girl—it just grows.
Now don’t you dare try to pay me back. If you do, I’ll have to skin your hide. I wouldn’t mind if you had me a grandkid or two, though. Children keep you young, so I figure if I have about a hundred of those little boogers running around, I’ll be good.
Love,
Mom
I fold the note up with shaking hands, leaving it on the dresser. I stand up and use Jansen’s handkerchief to dry my eyes. I pick up my flowers, securing the handkerchief inside. My heart was full before, but now I’m just completely overflowing with love and happiness. I stand at the door knowing that whatever comes, I’m going to be fine. I do a mental list in my head. My hand goes to the small locket at my neck which belonged to Banger’s mom. Something old, check. I touch the pearl clip in my hair that was a gift from Gray’s sisters. Something new, check. Next, I move my foot around to make sure the penny inside hasn’t fallen out that Maggie’s little boy Terry let me borrow. Something borrowed and a penny for good luck. My hand automatically goes to my thigh where the blue lace garter is. Something blue. I’m being silly, but I just want to make sure everything is there.
As I walk out and take Jackson’s hand, we head down towards the wedding. I see Ida Sue and Jansen come out of the playhouse. Ida Sue is trying to fix her hair and her obviously rumpled dress, and Jansen is grinning from ear to ear. We hear the oh-my-gods from the crowd, the loudest coming from all of Gray’s brothers. Finally, I see Gray. My husband-to-be. The man I love with my entire being. The man who made me believe I was valuable, who makes me feel valuable. Who loves me. Never have I been more secure… or happier.
I’m reminded of Ida Sue’s words, and she’s right. Bring it on world. I’m not alone.
Crazy mother-in-law with a heart of gold, a loud, loving family to drive me nuts, and the sexiest man alive to love me the rest of my days.
Life is damn good.
“Have I told you how beautiful you are today, Cooper?” I ask my wife as we’re dancing. The wedding was perfect… Hell, life is perfect right now.
“You’re going to have to quit calling me that now, Crayon Man. I’m a Lucas now.”
“Fuck, yeah,” I whisper into her neck, kissing her there and taking her scent into my lungs. “You look beautiful, Claudia Lucas.”
“Right back at you, Grayson Lucas,” she whispers, snuggling against me.
“I can’t believe our mother had sex in the playhouse my son uses. We’re tearing that down,” Maggie grumbles from beside us.
“I think it’s hot. We should try it,” her date says, and I’ve heard about all that conversation I care to hear. I steer my wife away from them. Too bad I apparently pick my brother and his best friend to dance next to.
“I can’t believe you caught the bouquet, Kayla. Why did you even try?”
“Maybe I want to get married, White.”
“Weddings are for idiots. Why tie yourself to one person when there’s a whole world out there?”
“My brother is stupid,” I tell CC when I pull her away from the idiot and whatever garbage he keeps mouthing off with. “He’s in for a very rude awakening someday,” I tell her.
“I hope she gives him hell,” CC agrees with a laugh.
“Me too, but enough about them. How about we blow this popsicle stand and go get the honeymoon started?”
“I’m not sure I can wait that long,” she says with a grin.
“Is that a fact?”