Page 109 of Champagne Nights

I didn’t say anything because it was none of their business. Amy and I had a great sex life, but now she was gone, and so was the sex. As great as it would be to have sex again, I only wanted it with my wife.

“Guys, that’s not cool,” Brady said.

“Sorry, man,” they said as they patted me on the back.

Chapter Five

Paisley

Sunday. The day of family dinner. Sunday had become the day I dreaded the most. Don’t get me wrong – I loved my family more than anything. It was just that family dinners seemed to turn into a pity party. When I walked into the kitchen, I could smell my mom’s homemade pumpkin pie. She always made them this time of year, especially with Halloween in a few days.

“It smells delicious in here.” I smiled as I walked over and kissed her.

“Thank you, sweetheart. I made a pie for you to take home.”

Pumpkin pie was his favorite. My mom made them every year for us, and since he passed, she didn’t stop to think that I no longer wanted pumpkin pie. I graciously smiled at her and didn’t say a word. It would hurt her feelings if I did.

“Hey, you.” Charlotte smiled as she walked over and hugged me. “I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to call you last week. I’ve been pulling double shifts at the hospital. This flu season has been killing us.”

“It’s okay. I’ve been pretty busy anyway.” I smiled. “Where is everyone?”

“They’re in the back playing football with your dad,” my mom replied.

I grabbed a cigarette from my purse and walked outside. “I wish you wouldn’t do that,” my mom yelled from the kitchen.

“Yeah, yeah, Mom.”

When I walked outside, I took a seat at the table next to Piper.

“Hey, sis.”

“How was your anniversary dinner?” I asked as I lit up my cigarette.

“It was amazing!” She grabbed my arm and smiled. “I’ve been dying to tell you. Liam asked me to marry him! I haven’t told anyone yet because we’re announcing it at dinner, so act really surprised!”

I was happy for Piper. Very happy. But a part of me fell hard because I wasn’t ready to deal with my sister’s wedding. “Piper, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations! I don’t want to hug you because they’ll know something’s up.”

“Thank you. I was going to call you yesterday and tell you, but we just kind of got busy.”

I was puffing away on my smoke when my dad walked over to me. I put out the cigarette before he hugged me.

“Hi, my baby girl. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Dad, I was just here last Sunday for family dinner.”

“It still seems like forever.” He smiled. “I hate you smelling like smoke.”

“Paisley,” Keaton yelled as he high-fived me.

Liam and Ryan gave me a kiss on the cheek before we were summoned for dinner. We all took our usual seats in the dining room. The seat to my left remained empty, just as it had been for almost a year. Nobody ever bothered to move down a chair. I didn’t know if they were afraid that I’d rip their heads off or if I would break down and cry. My mom was a phenomenal cook,and she loved it. She cooked for every holiday or any special occasion she could think of. As we passed the food around the table, Piper took hold of Liam’s hand and stood up.

“Liam and I have an announcement to make. We’re getting married!” she exclaimed as she held out her hand with her beautiful huge diamond ring.

My mom cupped her hands over her mouth, jumped up, and ran over to give them a hug. Everyone was so happy. I sat there with a smile on my face and noticed my dad looking over at me, making sure I was okay. And I was okay until Charlotte stood up and made an announcement.

“I would like to make a toast to Piper and Liam. Congratulations on your engagement. May you have many long and wonderful years together. Ryan and I also have some news of our own to share. We’re having a baby!” She smiled.

Keep it together. Keep it together. Keep it together. I chanted in my head over and over again. My mom put her hands over her heart this time, and tears sprang from her eyes. My dad was filled with joy as he congratulated her. The air in the room was light until all eyes focused on me. I held up my glass and congratulated them with tears in my eyes. Happiness tears to my family. Sad and lonely tears to me.

---