laughed. "Well, we have at least six months before the baby comes and he wants to be there to help while he or she is still little, so I think we have some time. I just hope I don't make a mess of things."
"Well, there is one strength you have that your brothers lack," my dad replied. "You are damn good at cleaning up messes."
With that, my dad rose to his feet, removed his cowboy hat, and leaned over to plant a kiss on my forehead. "I love you, baby girl, and I am always here for you if you need me."
"I love you, too, Daddy," I said, sniffling a little. "Now, go away before I start crying again and the boys try to drag J.J. back out in the alley because they think it's his fault."
My dad laughed and sauntered away, heading straight for my mother, who was still trying to get the last bit of the buffet line organized on the row of tables Sierra and Cam had put together.
"What's so funny?" J.J. asked as he came back to our table and put the plate in front of me.
"You," I said. "I hope you're planning to help me eat some of this food because even though I'm pregnant, eating for two is a figure of speech and not what I actually need to do."
J.J. grinned. "Well, I figure we can pack up the leftovers and take them home for a midnight snack."
At the sight of that beautiful smile and the word "home" falling from his lips, my heart stuttered and slipped. He was talking about my home as though it were really ours. As though he were happy that he was going to be there. With me.
"That's a brilliant plan," I replied.
"I'll go get us something to drink. You want tea?"
I nodded. "Can you grab some silverware too?"
He glanced down and realized that he'd brought me a huge plate of food but no fork, knife, or napkin.
"Uh, you want an apron for your dress?" he asked. "So you don't mess it up?"
My heart shifted again, edging toward a drop that would be both painful and exhilarating.
"That would be great," I said. "Thank you."
"Be right back."
12
The drive home was surreal.
The plan had been for a short reception, but by the time we'd eaten the delicious food that my mother and Colette ordered, it was already nearly six. Then, Colette and Cam had wheeled out a two-tier wedding cake. Each tier was wrapped in a pink fondant ribbon and a beautiful fondant bow. A glistening pink candy rhinestone rested in the center of each bow. Just like the ones on my shoes.
I'd teared up again but managed to control the urge to cry.
So, that's how J.J. and I ended up cutting the wedding cake together and feeding each other a piece.
It was a piercingly sweet moment.
We finally left Crave around seven-thirty and the sun was drooping in the sky.
I sympathized because I was definitely drooping myself.
J.J. drove the car without speaking, letting me drowse in the passenger seat. Cam had come up with a pair of cheap flip flops that she'd left in her office a few months ago and insisted that I wear them home since my feet were still sore and swollen from my wedding shoes.
When J.J. turned down my driveway, I was suddenly very awake. It had been simmering in my head all day that tonight he was coming home with me and he was staying.
I'd changed the sheets on the bed in the guest room and cleaned out all the drawers in the dresser and the few boxes I had in the closet.
I didn't have a lot of stuff, mostly because I saved most of my money instead of buying things that might need to be stored. It was probably for the best since I now had a roommate of sorts.
"Um, the bedroom is cleaned out for you," I said. "And my brothers said they could come over and help you move things around if you want."
J.J. glanced at me, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I know. They mentioned it earlier at the reception."
I frowned. "You mean when they dragged you out to the alley to do whatever stupid thing they planned."
J.J. shook his head. "Nope. Nothing like that happened."
I shot him a disbelieving look, but he didn't say anything else.
"All the same, I'll probably ask Brody if I need help," he said, his tone dry.
I laughed a little. "That sounds wise.