Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,46

hand as Benny Goodman filled the room. We both gazed at each other. “Gram.”

“You’re getting married next, and this kid is only getting bigger.”

“Are you going to get married?” I asked, and she looked around the room.

“I want to ask her soon. I think it was in the works before Ava, but that took all of our energy. We’ll wait for yours if you two ever decide when. I’d like a ring on her finger.” Becca looked at me. “She’s the one. I knew it when we met.”

“I knew it that first visit. You glowed with her, and it was so obvious that she was crazy about you. You managed a long-distance relationship, the move, and getting a whole new family. You even adopted a baby practically overnight. That’s a lot, but you two are made for each other.” I smiled as she thought back over their relationship.

“We have been through a lot,” she murmured as I laughed. “I guess a proposal and wedding seem like nothing.”

“Well, not nothing,” I corrected as Gray walked over with a smile.

“Do you two want to dance?” He asked, looking between us. “You deserve a special dance just as much as anyone else here. I can hold Ava.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Becca said, slowly standing as he took Ava from her. I kissed him and took Becca’s hand to lead her to the dance floor. We got down to Prince and some cheesy but necessary wedding songs, joining Mari in the center.

“Where is Ava?” Mari asked Becca, leaning in to kiss her.

“Gray is holding her over there,” I told her, pointing to the seat they were in. “She had a big day.”

“I can’t believe she had to go to Gram right at that moment.” Both girls laughed, and I chuckled along with them.

“I think it was a perfect day.” The crowd erupted into cheers as a popular song came on, and we moved to the beat.

Everyone headed home after midnight that night. I locked the doors, knowing that a cleaning crew would be in the following morning so we could open up. Jackson took Amy to a hotel in Seattle on the water for a one-night stay in the honeymoon suite. We all went home to the apartment building, settling into bed for the next ten hours. Becca and I both had the day off to recover, and Mari was working a little from home.

We got out of bed at eleven, showering, and going to Gram’s place for breakfast. The girls were already there, helping her cook as Ava toddled around the apartment. She had toys there in the spare room, knowing to go right to them to play.

“Yesterday was beautiful,” Gram said, once we were seated at the table with full plates.

“It was a great wedding. I hope they’re having fun in the city,” Gray said, reaching for his favorite coffee. Jackson planned out a great day for them if they made it out of bed. He also planned a tropical honeymoon later, but there were some work issues at the moment.

“They’re not in a city they live that close to. Amy has seen plenty of Washington,” Mari said, blushing as she looked at Gram. “Sorry.”

“I married someone too, you know. I remember the excitement, and I hope it’s always beautiful for all of you when the time comes.” Gram smiled, and we watched her go into the past.

“You’ve never dated since then, have you?” Becca asked, and Gram shook her head.

“I had kids that didn’t want to raise their kids. I did that, and in that process, I realized that no man would be like he was. We had forty years together. I’m content with life.” She smiled, sipping her coffee. “I have three beautiful daughters now, three sons, and a sweet little granddaughter. My heart is overflowing with love.”

“You’re making me cry, Gram.” Becca wiped a tear from her eye as Mari gazed down at the table. “I don’t know what we’d do without you.”

“I feel the same way,” she told us, meeting our gazes as emotion washed over us. “I love all of you so much.”

We enjoyed the day off together, going back to normal the following day. Jackson and Amy arrived home late the second night, welcomed by roses, dinner, and a chocolate cake in their fridge. He had to get back to work and even take a trip to Florida this week. Amy agreed to join him, so she could see some old friends that didn’t