Page 61 of Soaring Free
“I don’t know, if they need classes, it may be a lost cause at that point already,” Theo jokes.
“Plus, what guys are you talking about, ma’am?” Lauren jabs Willa with her elbow as Willa shoos her away like a pesky fly. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one questioning who Willa was talking about.
Hmm. Interesting. Another squeeze to my hip draws my attention back to Theo. “I will leave you ladies to it, but please call if you need a ride home, okay?”
Vivian points to herself. “No worries, Theo, these ladies have a built-in designated driver tonight. But I will be adding some nachos to your tab.”
Theo’s warm laughter makes his chest vibrate which makes me smile even more. I’m borderline obsessed with this man, but he showed up to a bar to keep men from hitting on me, so I think it’s mutual at this point.
He leans down to whisper in my ear, “Okay, fine, then just call if you want me to come over so I can have dessert. Gigi is at her aunt’s tonight so I’m happy to sneak over for a sleepover.”
Well hot damn, I can get my imagination running at book club then go home to this man? My cheeks are going to hurt from smiling this much. “Sounds like a great plan to me,” I reply as I lean up on my tip toes to kiss the underside of his jaw.
“By the way, you look stunning tonight, Sav,” Theo tells me as he looks down at me, still tucked under his arm.
“Yeah? Well, thank you. It’s easy to shine bright when I’m so happy.”
“Cute. Now go away!” Stacy calls out and breaks the moment, leaving all of us laughing. “We will accept your sponsorship tab, but no boys are allowed at book club.”
“I’ll text you when we’re wrapping up, okay?” I tell him.
“I look forward to it, Kitten.” Theo winks and I respond with a faux scowl. I still may not love that dumb nickname, but after book club, I fully intend to show Theo exactly how happy he makes me.
Chapter thirty-seven
“Daddy, she really does look like a queen!” Gigi declares in the loudest whisper possible. Savannah hears her and looks over to smile at my girl. She’s not wrong. Savannah is standing under an arch of flowers in a blush strapless bridesmaid dress. I’m sure the fabric has a name, but the sheer overlay has a subtle but sexy vibe that makes me want to get my hands on her as soon as possible. Her hair is in some fancy updo with a few strands loose in the slight breeze on the hilltop. She is absolutely stunning. Clearing my throat, I focus on the fact that I’m surrounded by her family, and as though she’s reading my thoughts, she grins and slightly shakes her head at me.
The last two and a half months have felt almost too good to be true. Since I first met Savannah, everything has been better in my life and has only amplified since our first date. I wasn’t looking for a partner and had settled into a routine as a single dad, but dating someone that not only gets what it’s like being a parent but supports it at every turn has been even better than I could’ve imagined. Both of us put our kids first and neither of us begrudge the other for doing so. When I agreed to accompany her to Vivian’s wedding in Texas, it was initially to save face in front of her asshole ex, but now I’m glad things worked out the way they did. Pippa is on a trip of her own so Gigi needed to come with me, but when I told Savannah, she simply said that she was always included in the plan and hoped she would come anyway. Over the last month or so, Gigi and I have joined a few Callahan weekly family dinners, and every single person in that family hasbeen incredibly welcoming, which makes Shane’s claims of being an outsider even more preposterous.
“So, is my Auntie your girlfriend now?” Savannah’s five-year-old niece asks as we gather around the large outdoor dining set on Murphy’s covered back porch.
“Honey, he might not want to answer that question in front of everyone,” Vivian tries to cover for her daughter.
“I think he should answer, unless he is … hesitating,” Walker chimes in and raises an eyebrow over his drink in a slight cheers. I think he’s giving me an opening here and I’d be a fool not to take it. Her entire family is watching me—including our daughters and Savannah’s father.
I lean toward Eloise and wonder if maybe one of her uncles actually put her up to this. “Yeah, your Auntie Sav is my girlfriend. Is that okay with you?”
“Yep. You have to do that part before you can get to the marrying part.” Eloise nods and picks up her cheeseburger like she didn’t just throw the word marriage around like it was no big deal.
“Good to know, sweetheart,” I say to Eloise but with my eyes locked on Savannah who had paused in the doorway to the kitchen, watching the scene unfold. I give her a wink and a pretty blush rises in her cheeks. The nods from her brothers and dad only confirmed that I handled Eloise’s question correctly, as do the firm handshakes I get from each of them at the end of the night.
When we left Tennessee on her brother’s jet, Vivian and Savannah had activity packs for the girls to do while we traveled, and anything they brought for their own daughters, they made sure to have one for Gigi too.
Walker’s family has been gregarious, warm, and welcoming to all of us as we invaded their ranch. His brothers and Savannah’s brothers have ensured there hasn’t been a quiet moment since we arrived—until right now.
As I look at the view from the top of the hill where the wedding is happening, I can see why this is Walker’s favorite spot.He mentioned that he has an aerial shot of this section of land that’s been in every office since he left Texas. We all stand and turn to watch Murphy escort Vivian down the short aisle. I glance at Savannah and see her wipe away a few tears. Vivian and Walker have been through so much in a relatively short time, but when you see how they look at each other, it’s obvious how deeply they love one another. It’s almost tangible in their presence.
I’m not sure I ever believed in a love like that, a great partnership sure, but a love that amplifies every other emotion in your life and radiates into every corner of your world? I didn’t know that was possible, not until I met Savannah. The entire trip has felt like a breath of fresh air as I interacted with the dynamics of a large—and functioning—family. Pippa, Van, and I don’t have any close relations with our extended family as most of them are spoiled snobs, so I never thought a large family was something I would be interested in, but maybe that was just because I hadn’t met the Callahan family.
Savannah and I have discussed how both of us are content with the number of kids we’ve had prior to meeting, and while she could get pregnant again if she wanted to with some medical assistance after having her tubes removed, I don’t think we need to pursue that route, but if she wanted to, I would in a heartbeat.
I’m finding there isn’t a limit to what I would do to make her happy.
Seeing our girls together feels like they were kind of meant to all be together somehow. Savannah’s oldest Olivia is eleven going on thirty-five and as the typical first child, she took to looking after Gigi like a duck to water. With Emily being nine years old and Lucy being six years old, they bookend my eight-year-old daughter perfectly. Gigi thinks the Williams girls are the coolest thing since sliced bread, and I never thought about her being lonely without any siblings, but I’m glad that won’t be an issue. It may seem fast to outsiders, but at forty-seven years old, I’m too old for bullshit or to waste our time. I know what I want—or in this case who—and it’s Savannah. It’s Savannah and our girls, and a million joyful memories like this trip to Texas held.
Vivian and Walker’s wedding is a beautiful statement of their commitment to each other, their growing family, and the families they brought together on that gorgeous hilltop in Texas. After a wonderful celebration of their love, and the incredible hospitality of the entire Bennett family, I find my thoughts very family focused on the flight back. Savannah sits in the leather club chair next to me and instantly reaches for my hand, bringing a big smile to my face. We like to touch each other—a lot—and we do just that every chance we can get.
“All five girls are out like a light in the bedroom.” Savannah grins at me. The girls might have had the most fun out of any of us this week, and Eloise will be staying with Savannah while Vivian and Walker are on their honeymoon. Walker’s nieces and nephews only amplified the joy and noise while in Texas. “This was such a great trip. I’m so glad you and Gigi joined us.”
