“You here?”
“Yup. Down at the place you told us to meet. She still doesn’t know?”
“Not a clue.”
Olivia squeals. “I’m so excited!”
“Ya don’t say?”
“Oh hush. You know she’s going to flip.”
She’s right. She is. The thing that she hesitated over with eloping was that our family wouldn’t be there to celebrate. So I took care of it. Instead of spending an insane amount of money on a wedding and reception at home, I paid for our family to come to the Keys with us.
The beach area is already being set up by the resort staff when I get there. Ethan, Paul and Olivia are looking around, Brody Paul in a sling in Olivia’s arms. His chubby legs are kicking away, head full of dark hair and a dimple in his left cheek when he sees me approach. Not to brag, but I’m definitely his favorite.
“Hey buddy. How’d my little man do on the flight?”
“Great, actually. It helped that someone spoiled us with paying for first class.”
“Wow. Sounds like a pretty awesome guy.”
“Mm hmm. Or he was just showing off.”
Olivia rolls her eyes at Ethan’s teasing then gives me a hug, careful of Brody between us. “Did you bring it down or is it in your room?”
“I left it in the room. Didn’t want to get sand all over it, you know?”
“Good plan. She’s in the spa now. You have appointments to get to as well.”
“What? Me?” Her eyes widen with happiness and she looks over at Ethan and Paul who are only grinning at her.
“Give me my grandson and go get spoiled.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice. But… crap. Ethan, can you bring my pump down there? Or just bring Brody and I’ll feed him there.”
“I’ll just bring the pump. We’ve got milk in the fridge in the room, right?”
“Yup. There should be plenty.”
“Go on,” Paul urges her, sliding the sling on himself like a professional. To say he’s taken on the role of grandfather with eagerness would be putting it mildly.
After Paul gets Brody situated, a group of ladies walk by, gawking and whispering. He doesn’t even notice. His focus is on his grandson. But Ethan, Olivia and I do.
Snickering, I tease Ethan. “What’s it like having a silver fox for a dad? He gets more attention that you do.”
“You’re an ass.”
“Hey. Watch your mouth around Brody,” Paul admonishes.
“Want me to walk you to the spa?” I ask Olivia.
“Nah. I saw it when we came. I know where it is.”
“Remember, babe. Be a ghost. Don’t let her see you.”
“Puh-lease. I got this.”
As she takes off toward the spa, I double check with the resort wedding staff that they are on task and don’t need anything else from me. It’s not as if I planned a big affair. It’s only the five of us plus little Brody. Olivia and Ethan will stand with us while Paul watches and takes care of Brody. I had asked Ari to join us, but she has a major phobia of flying and said that it would be better if she was back at the salon. She’d been picking up the slack with Chloe not working as much so I really hoped she’d join us, she needs a break. But she was adamant that she’d make sure they celebrated when we get home.