Page 138 of Someone to Remember
“Thanks for being here. Meant so much to me.” I release her into the care of Brielle and Naomi, who’ll stay with her until her family arrives.
“Is she okay?” Gage asks.
The band has said good night, and the waitstaff has begun cleaning up. The party’s over.
“I think she will be, but it’s just so fucking sad.”
“Yes, it is, but she’s in good hands, and we need to continue our celebration while she brings another little one for us to love and spoil into the world.”
“You’re right.” I have to forcemy mind off Taylor’s impending labor so I can keep the focus on my new husband. “When are you going to tell me where we’re going tonight?”
“When we get there.”
He’s been mysterious about the plans for after the wedding, telling me only to pack for chilly weather and some sightseeing.
My mom and stepfather are staying with the kids this week so we can take a little honeymoon. That seems like a silly word to describe the trip following a second wedding for two widows, but as Gage said, what else should we call it?
He’s planned the whole thing, and I let him because I had more than enough to handle leading up to the wedding. I’ve left lists on top of lists for my mom to keep the kids on their schedule this week, and as we say good night to them and tell them we’ll see them next weekend, I expect tears and pleas for us not to go.
But instead, they tell us they love us and to have a good time on our trip.
Laney makes me promise to FaceTime with her every day.
I glance at my mother, who’s standing with Mimi and Stan, all of them looking pleased with themselves.
“What’s going on, you guys?”
“Mimi and Stan agreed to spend this week with us, and the kids are thrilled to have a surplus of grandparents to manipulate while you’re gone,” Mom tells me.
“Oh, I love that. So much excitement, no time for tears.”
“We were hoping it would play out that way,” Mimi says as she hugs us both. “Have the best time ever. We’ve got your babies.”
“Love you so much,” Gage says gruffly.
“Love you more,” Mimi says.
They leave with the kids a few minutes later, and we say our goodbyes to the rest of our guests, until only the Wild Widows are remaining as the cleanup continues around us.
Derek produces a bottle of champagne and a stack of plastic glasses. He pops the cork as Roni hands out the glasses.
When we each have one, he raises his in a toast to us. “To Iris and Gage, our fearless leaders, we love you both so much, and we’re so happy to share your well-deserved chapter two with you. Here’s to decades of love and happiness.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Roni says as the others concur.
“Thank you for this,” Gage says to his best man. “Thank you for everything. You guys like to give us all the credit, but I know Iris would agree when I sayyouputusback together and made today possible. Love you all.”
We part with hugs and promises to send pictures from wherever we end up.
Gage leads me outside to where a chauffeured Bentley awaits.
“What the what…”
“Nothing but the best for my wife.” He gestures to the back door with a flourish. “Shall we?”
“Yes, please.”
Inside the luxurious car is another bottle of chilled champagne that he opens and pours for us.
