“If you don’t tear up, I’m going to pinch you, Hold.” Gunner hisses in my ear. “As a warning.”
“And I’m excited about the menu.” Roman smiles, for the first time in a while, he is at full power as he tells us all about it.
We all pitch in on what we’ve been working on and Sophie shows us the song that she’s picked for her father-daughter dance.
This smiling, this fun, this is what makes us work and I’m going to fight tooth and nail to make sure everyone remembers it. We left war on the battlefield; we’re not bringing it into a marriage.
SOPHIE
Iwake up in my own bed and hate it. After our long conversation last night, we agreed that I’d go to bed alone and finish destressing. Just like we also agreed we’re not having sex for two weeks before the wedding – for tradition – so I have to get used to nights without at least one cuddle buddy.
I hate it. I thought it would just be a night before thing, but at least we have an earmark for a group night. I stretch and see an email from my mom, apologizing for trying to take the weight off my shoulder and admitting she did it the wrong way.
And a text from my dad asking about the fight and if I considered ending the engagement. I roll my eyes and tell him nothing, not even an apocalypse, could get me to call off the wedding.
Even when I was at my angriest, the thought of not going through with the wedding toallof them never crossed my mind. I love my guys, flaws and all. They don’t reject me for my temper when it flairs, don’t judge me, don’t put me down. We just have to figure out how to get through the prickly patches, and since we’ve had so few, it’s all-new territory.
When I fought with my ex-boyfriend, it was just the two of us. We’d battle it out, fuck it out, then come to a conclusion. I don’t want those weekly battles with my guys. That’s not the life I’m signing up for.
I start breakfast in the kitchen, wanting to set at least one tradition. I want to make sure we all have breakfast together whenever possible. It’s the best way for all of us to start the day on the right foot. Roman kisses me before going for the food and I exchange I love yous with all my office working fiancés before they leave.
Nick even gives me an extra kiss and a hug before he leaves. Holden is last. I pull out something special for him, a little mini apple pie because I know he loves them. He looks from it to me and leans his head to the side.
“You handled last night better than anyone, Holden. Don’t think that I didn’t realize how much easier you made everything.” I hand him the pie. “I wanted to thank you with something other than words.”
He sets it to the side and takes both my hands, holding them against his chest. “I love you, Sophie. I love my friends too and I don’t like fighting in the house. I know we have to figure things out still, but I don’t need thanks for pulling my weight in this relationship.”
I hug him tightly. “You don’t even realize how much of a catch you are. You are pure gold magic, Hold.”
He chuckles and holds me. Something shifts and he squeezes me tighter. “Do you know how much I’d do to keep you from being upset? How much I’d give up to make sure that you are here every morning?”
“I didn’t even think about leaving.”
“From what I’ve heard, the fights get worse the closer we get to the wedding. I’m pretty sure that engagement is a way for people to see the worst in each other.”
“Well we’ve all seen I can be extra bitchy when I’m jumping to conclusions. But I know you guys wouldn’t cheat on me and I think that’s the only thing that would make me walk away.” I say. “Not encouraging anyone to be a dick, just … just saying.”
“And none of us are capable of that.”
Holden and I get through the day working and throwing snacks for the other person to catch in their mouth. We keep track of the points and I’m clearly better, but that might mean Holden has better aim.
He nails me in the forehead with a skittle and I rub the spot. He laughs and shakes his head. “You have a green stain now.”
“Hold!”
“Yes, ma’am.” Gunner picks me up, leaving me breathless. He looks at my forehead and shakes his head. “Green isn’t your color, sweets.”
He licks the spot, making me squeal as I shove at him.
We end up playing a new board game that night, then Nick and I play chess as Gunner makes dinner – only wearing an apron and boxers. Roman rolls his eyes as he takes care of something wedding related.
I play a song, then shake my head and change it before making my move on the chess board. Nick rubs his chin. “I can’t tell what you’re doing.”
“That makes two of us.” I tease.
He chuckles and in another four moves, he has me beat.
I don’t mind though. I’ve found one of my first dance songs. I play it again and see Gunner perk up. “I love this song.”