Claire
Brinley lets out a little baby sigh, never opening her eyes, and I snuggle her closer, kissing the top of her head.
“We have the pack n’ play in the car. Shaw can grab it,” Bizzy tells me for the second time since the baby fell asleep.
“We’re good. Maybe in a bit.”
“She’s a doll, and she looks comfortable in your arms, Claire. You’re a natural.” Sharon Monroe, Grace’s mom, tells me. I can’t miss the longing in her eyes as she stares at the baby, and I know she’s out of her mind excited about Grace and Nick having their child.
“She’s going to be an incredible mom,” Bizzy pipes in.
Red-alert signals fire in my brain when I catch the hopefulness in her voice. “Back that train up, Biz. Motherhood is way out on my horizon.”
“Of course, you’re getting married first,” she says matter-of-factly as if this is an event happening soon.
I should have expected this. Grace and Bizzy have been dropping innuendos since Mathis and I moved in together. “Give me time to breathe. We just started cohabitating seven weeks ago.”
“I know! That’s more than enough time.”
“Lay off.”
She opens her mouth but Sharon speaks up. “Do you want to get married, Claire?”
Sharon Monroe is a classy lady. She’s the true definition of a matriarch. When Grace’s grandmother passed away, tons of responsibility fell onto Sharon’s shoulders with their southern heritage and traditions. Grace’s dad, Carl, is the mayor of their small town, and Sharon is the perfect mayor’s wife. She’s strong, wise, kind, and full of love. Another awesome trait is she knows how to bust balls when needed. The men in her life rarely test her because underneath all the kindness is a ferocious tenacity. Grace inherited a lot of this, which is one reason I love her like I do. You get an abundance of sweet mixed with sassy, and if you piss her off, stand back because she’ll cut to the core. Hence, leaving Nick and going to Greece for almost a year when he fucked up.
“I do, Sharon. But it’s not on the top of my priority list right now. Mathis and I hit a rough patch and found our way to a good place. I’m happy with the way things are.”
“I can understand that, and I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason. There’s no doubt in my mind you and Mathis will be married when the time is right.”
“Please don’t get married until after the baby comes and football season is over,” Grace begs.
I don’t have time to answer her when the sliding glass doors open and Mathis, Nick, Carl, and Grandpa Roy come inside.
“Where’re Shaw and Brayden?” Bizzy looks beyond them to the patio.
“We’ve done our part to wear the kid out. Now, Shaw’s trying to get him to sleep,” Grandpa Roy answers.
“Ahhh. I love it when both the kids nap at the same time.”
“What are y’all talking about in here?” Nick goes to kiss the top of Grace’s head and stands behind her.
“Mathis and Claire’s wedding,” she answers nonchalantly.
I hold my breath, waiting for the terror to hit Mathis. Instead of going pale, breaking out in a sweat, or freezing in horror, he pops a grape in his mouth, locks eyes with me, and announces, “We’re going to Vegas. No need to plan anything.”
Outside of Bizzy’s gasp, a silence settles over the room, my heart thundering in my chest.
He continues to chew. Calm, casual, and completely unaffected. I can’t tear my eyes from his, letting his announcement filter through my mind. He crooks an eyebrow, waiting for me to respond.
“I can do Vegas.” I decide in that instant that Vegas is exactly where I want to get married.
“Vegas will be spectacular,” Bizzy chirps.
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“After the baby is born,” Grace interjects.
“When’s that baby due?” Mathis doesn’t look at her, holding my stare.