Page 65 of Give Me Forever Love

Kathrine

Months pass and summer bids us farewell as fall steps into the spotlight. Bryce and I have talked about the wedding here and there, and we’ve decided to have it out at the ranch, just like Emily and Lee.

I’m thrilled that Mills is going to walk me down the aisle. He’s missed out on so much of my life, and not because of either one of us, but because of Bethany. I looked into her death. She did commit suicide, and she was cremated. That’s all I know, that’s all there is.

Does it make me sad?

Yeah, my soul isn’t that black. I loved the woman regardless of what she did. Somewhere deep inside, I still loved her. But she’s gone now, and that part of my life is over.

As I plan my wedding, I can’t say that I don’t think about how cool it must be for some to have a mother who is over-the-top thrilled to put her two cents in. Who comes up with ideas of her own that you might hate, but don’t have the heart to tell her because she’s your mom and she’s been looking forward to this day probably more than you.

But that’s not my reality.

Instead, I have a woman who’s trying to be better for her sons and believes it’s never too late to make a healthier life for yourself. Mary has changed a ton over the last year. She’s clean and helping others get that way.

I have Lou, who never could be a mom herself and has taken on her adopted nephews as though they are her own. She’s also taken on me and gives great advice on how to deal with Bryce and the fact he’s never grocery shopped or washed clothes.

And then there’s Emily, Lee’s wife. She’s fun to have drinks with, and I love hearing stories about Bryce and Jace growing up. We’ve even gone horseback riding together.

I may have been shorted a mom, but I didn’t get the short stick on amazing women.

I look up to every one of them for their courage to change, their ability to love without judgment, and their strength in dealing with these Grant boys.

Speaking of amazing women, there’s still the fact I haven’t told Claire I’m getting married.

I’m a shit and I know it.

I slide my ring off before I go into Mugs & Books and I slide it back on when I leave. It’s become a habit. We talk about baby Axel and she complains about stretch marks and swollen feet. She’s still gorgeous and glowing, but some days she does look pretty miserable.

“Don’t have a baby, Kat. Just don’t do it.”

I laugh as I head for the door with the rattling keys in my hand. Becca has left already, so it’s just Claire and me. I punch in the alarm code and hit the lights. “You’ll be so happy when Axel arrives you won’t even remember all of this shit.”

“Oh yes, I will.”

I laugh again as the security light comes on and I lock the door. I check the handle to make sure it’s good, my eyes skipping over to the pretty window display lights that are green and soft yellow, reflecting fall. “Bryce and I will be over in just a little while,” I tell her.

“See you in a bit. I’ll cook something so we can eat.”

“Sounds good,” I call out as we both walk to our cars. Once inside, I reach in my purse and slide my ring back on. Bryce knows I haven’t told Claire. He doesn’t like it one bit. He understands why she was hesitant about him, but all of that is in the past, he says.

I think he’s right, but I’ve let it go on for so long now, I’m not sure how to even tell her. I flip my windshield wipers on to remove this afternoon’s rain. My lights come on automatically as dusk settles in downtown Atlanta.

Tonight’s the night we move out the remainder of my furniture so Axel can have his own room.

It’s not a sad moment, but a happy one. Claire and I knew I wasn’t coming back when I moved out six months ago. Life has changed for us all, and it’s a good thing.

______________

I open the door to find Lou and Bryce sitting at the dining room table. “Hey,” Bryce says, standing up when I stroll in. In a white T-shirt, black jeans, and barefooted, he walks over to me, bending to give me a kiss.

“Hey,” I reply after. He smiles and strolls over to the fridge.

“I just wanted to stop by and catch up,” Lou says. “How’s the wedding planning going?”

I roll my eyes dramatically. “It’s going.”

She laughs. “That good, huh?”

---