“Are you sure you’re okay with me and Rhys? Not just the wedding… I mean, once we get back, we’ll be husband and wife. Like a family,” she adds with a crooked smile.
Like the family, we never had since my dad left when I was too little to remember?
It’s what she means, but it’s something neither of us wants to talk about.
And the last thing I want to even consider is living with her and Rhys.
Nope. I trust Reeve and I know he’s got a plan for us.
Rhys and my mom? They can have their own lives together.
It’s me and Reeve from now on.
Especially once I give myself to him, making a family of our own is going to be the only real work I wanna focus on.
“You don’t like Reeve much, do you mom?” I ask point-blank.
I notice her shocked look give way to a knowing one.
“Not much gets past you does it, Piper.” She humphs to herself. “All grown up… You’ll have trouble finding anyone for yourself if you ask questions like that,” she scolds me before thinking it over.
I sigh gently.
“I don’t hate Reeve, Piper. I just don’t like what he represents. What he reminds me of.”
I feel my own defensiveness rise up at her words.
“What does that mean?” I exclaim, surprising her. I watch her struggle as she tries her best to explain something I can see she still hasn’t fully worked out herself.
“He’s so… Marine,” she finally says. “And Rhys isn’t. Not anymore.” She affirms more to herself than to me.
“It’s like those two have some bond, more than friends or brothers even."
“More than husband and wife?” I quip, unable to help myself.
“I’m trying to be serious, Piper,” Mom chides me again, looking as though she wishes she’d never brought it up.
“I don’t just mean their little bromance,” she says, forcing a smile.
“It’s that whole life they lived. Life and death… fighting for us, our freedom… I guess it terrifies me is all. And to think Rhys almost never made it back.”
She’s working herself up, and I feel bad for her when she starts to sob gently.
I put my hand over hers, reminding her that Rhys did make it back and that neither of them will ever have to go away again.
I tell myself that too.
The thought of Reeve on deployment, with me waiting for him back home?
I can’t even comprehend it. I’m not gonna even try to think about it.
“You’re right, Piper,” Mom sniffs, leaning over to kiss the top of my head.
Something she hasn’t done in ages.
“Your dress all ready for Tuesday?” she asks, changing the subject and setting off a mild panic attack in me.
“Yup,” I tell her, hoping she doesn’t ask to see it or want me to try it on again.
“And it fits alright?” she probes further.
“Like a glove,” I tell her. Trying to hide my nerves, looking to the doorway and not even having to fake a yawn.
“I’m bushed, mom.” I let her know, and without even asking if I had dinner or anything, she dries her eyes and gets back to her lists.
“Best get your rest then,” is all she says.
I decide to reheat some lasagna, not bothering to ask mom if she wants any. I can tell from her mood she’ll be up half the night.
Obsessing over every detail of her special day with her man.
Me?
I’ll be obsessing over every minute spent apart from Reeve.
Glad to eat something though, and gladder still when I crawl into bed, my body aching with more than just the efforts of today.
Aching for Reeve still.
Pained by the knowledge that we still have two days before we can truly be together.
Even more pained at the thought of how mom will take it all.
It’ll be fine. Everything so far has fallen into place.
Like destiny.
“G’night Reeve,” I whisper aloud, kissing my pillow and slipping instantly into a deep sleep, even though it’s probably still light out.
G’night, puppet, I hear his deep voice echoing in my mind.
A gentle smile plays on my lips as he’s the last thought I have for the day. I already know he’ll be the first thought I have tomorrow too.
Chapter Seventeen
Reeve
Looks like another sleepless night ahead for me.
Leaving Piper alone for the second time in two days doesn’t just feel wrong…
It feels unnatural.
Apart from leaving her, I didn’t arrange ‘work’ for tomorrow either.
It’s only two days before the wedding though and I might be pushing my luck a bit. But I need to see her again, dammit.
Then there’s Rhys. Like my second set of eyes.
Always watching my back, or in this case, watching my front too.
Trying to find out exactly what it is I’m up to.
Skipping a call from him is like an S.O.S.
It’s never happened before, and if he was suspicious of my motives before, he’s bound to know I’m holding something big back from him now.