Page 84 of Finding Us

“Oh, and Jade. Don’t ever feel like you can’t come visit us. I know how Katherine’s treated you in the past but I promise you, I’ll deal with her. If I have to, I’ll make sure she’s not there when you come over. You’re family and you’re always welcome at our home.”

“Thanks.” I start to walk away but his mention of family makes me think of something and I turn back around. “Pearce, can I ask you something?”

“You finally said my name.” He smiles. “Go ahead.”

“Do you think your parents will someday accept Garret again? I know they’re mad at him for marrying me, but I also know that Garret really wants his grandparents back in his life.”

“I know he does. And I’ve spoken to my parents about it. Unfortunately my father sees the world a certain way and if you don’t go along with his way of thinking, he shuts you out. It upsets my mother a great deal when he cuts his family off like this. He did the same thing when I married Garret’s mother. But my mother eventually got him to accept me again and I know she’ll do the same with Garret. Just give it time.”

“Okay. Thanks.” I walk away, feeling a little more hopeful about the grandparent situation. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything to Pearce about it. I probably shouldn’t get involved with family issues I really don’t know that much about. But I want Garret to be happy. And I know that a part of him is sad that his grandparents didn’t show up here today.

So actually, I’m glad I said that to Pearce. I want him to fix this, or make his mother fix this. Maybe it’s not my place to intervene, but when you love someone the way I love Garret, you’ll do everything you can to make them happy.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

When I get backto the reception, Garret is dancing with Lilly, twirling her around and making her giggle. I go up to them. “Are you having fun, Lilly?”

She doesn’t answer. She just twirls away and runs into Harper who picks her up and twirls her some more.

I replace Lilly as Garret’s dance partner. “Your dad’s leaving soon. He wants to get Lilly to bed.”

“What were you guys talking about out there?”

“Just stuff.”

“You’re not going to tell me, huh? You and my dad keeping secrets now?”

“Maybe a few.”

Harper’s parents wave at us as they leave. They said goodbye earlier.

“It looks like this party’s winding down,” Garret says. “Which means we’re free to go soon.”

“Are you anxious for this to be over?”

He leans down, putting his lips to my ear. “I’m anxious to have you all to myself.”

I’m just as anxious as he is. I loved the wedding and the reception and having everyone here, but now I just want to be alone with him.

A few minutes later, Pearce appears next to Garret. “We need to be going but we’ll stop by tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

Pearce picks Lilly up off the dance floor as Grace comes over to say goodbye. The three of them leave and the only remaining people are Sean, Harper, Garret, and me. We ask the DJ to play some fast music and we all dance for a few songs. Then Sean and Harper go out on the beach as a slow song starts to play.

I look around at the empty space. The sparkling white lights add a soft glow all around us.

“One last dance?” Garret asks, his arms closing in around my waist. “It’s just you and me.”

“Okay, but no fancy footwork this time. Just this.” I press my cheek to his chest and put my arms around him and we sway side to side.

“I love you,” I hear him say as he kisses the top of my head.

I look up at him. “I love you, too.”

We continue to dance and when the song ends, I look over at the DJ who smiles and nods, indicating he’s done for the night.

Harper returns and goes up to Garret. “Go change and head down there. It’s all ready. Sean and I will take care of this.”

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