for a month. Last night when they’d called Luke to wish him a happy birthday, I heard in their voices how disappointed they were to be missing the festivities.
I’d thought about telling them about the pregnancy scare but thought I’d wait until they were here, and how we decided in the next couple of years we wanted to start our family. I planned to bring Everly with me when I came back close to when they’d be heading back to Stockholm for them to meet her. Mom was already dying to meet her new daughter-in-law.
“Too bad the whole family couldn’t be here,” I muttered as I turned back around to find where Everly was. I spotted her immediately. She was laughing with Alex and her friends as if she’d been friends with them for ages.
“Yeah, but it is what it is. I’m used to it by now.” Pulling me into a side hug, he watched Mason and the kids play with Holden and Prue’s dog. “Maybe one day, you’ll move here.”
I wanted to say one day he, Alex, and the kids could move to Oasis, but I knew it wouldn’t be anytime soon. There was no way Mason’s biological dad would let him move. He’d never let them be happy like that.
“Maybe one day. Has Alex’s ex given you guys any problems about her pregnancy?”
“Not much more than snide comments. He knows I won’t put up with his bullshit so he’s been…tamer, I guess is the word I’d use. The only time he’s usually a problem is when we go to LA for the summer or wherever for a shoot.”
“What an asshole.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I just hate it for Alex and Mason. He’s the best kid I know, and I hate when I see the sadness his dad puts in his eyes when he shows how little he cares. On that note, I’m going to go check on Gracie. I don’t trust that damn monitor.”
I laughed at him because he was constantly checking on her, but it was sweet. He loved his family, and I knew he’d do everything in his power to keep them safe.
“I’ll see you later,” I called as I headed toward my wife, but got stopped by Jenner, Luke, and Alex’s friend.
“Hey,” he clapped me on the shoulder, “I heard you joined the club.”
Turning to him with my face knitted in confusion, I asked. “What club?”
“Waking up married in Vegas to a total stranger.” He smiled his megawatt Hollywood smile at me.
“I heard, and from the way you two were wrapped around each other earlier, I’d say it’s going pretty great for you.”
“Hands down, Abbi is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Seems the same for you as well.” He smirked.
“I’ve got no reason to lie to you. I didn’t know it was possible to fall in love with someone in three months, but I have. The thought of her ever leaving my side makes me sick to my stomach. I’d fight the hounds of hell for her.”
“Make sure she knows that and show her every day how much you love her. Your brother is a good example.”
Luke was the best example. He’d found his home in Alex and there wasn’t a day that went by he didn’t show her how much he loved her.
I saw the moment I’d lost Jenner’s attention to his wife. “If you ever need anything, give me a call. I’m only a couple of hours away if traffics good, or if you two are ever up in LA.”
“Sure thing. Thanks.” I waved as he left, wondering if Luke or Alex put Jenner up to talking to me. Not that Jenner wasn’t a good guy, he was, but we’d barely spoken to each other in the past.
Arms wrapped around me from behind. “Are you doing okay?”
Turning into her, I bent down and breathed in Everly’s floral scent. “I am. How about you? I wasn’t sure you’d want to celebrate after this morning.” When Everly didn’t break down after we found out she wasn’t pregnant, I was shocked, but let her have her space to figure out what she wanted. Maybe she’d changed her mind.
“This is different. We’re celebrating something special, and while I’m sad, I realized it’s probably for the best. I’m too greedy wanting to have you all to myself.” She ran her hands up my chest and held onto the sides of my neck as she looked up at me. “But I don’t think I