“Yep,” he replies, and we end the call.
I was sure Aiden would say no, but I think this is precisely what we all need.
Sarah places Ethan and Ella in their car seats while I pack in the coolers with our supplies into the trunk. I didn’t want Aiden and Jeni to worry about anything other than providing the house. I organized for a load of beer to arrive shortly and some champagne and other drinks for the ladies.
“You all set, babe?” Sarah calls out.
“Yep, just need to put in our suitcase, and we can head off.”
I walk to the driver’s side and hop in as Sarah fusses over the kids, and we head off.
When we arrive a short time later, there are already a couple of cars parked in the driveway.
Sarah helps the kids out of the car, and we walk out on the deck, and for once, the twins aren’t crying.
“Hey, dude,” Aiden calls. I take a seat next to him while he rocks Brody on his knee.
“Hey, Brody.” I scruff his hair. He smiles up at me and waves and then continues playing on his iPad.
“No wonder Brody and Ethan are such good buds… they’re both obsessed with You Tube,” I tease. Brody looks up, sticking his tongue out at me.
“Brody Michael Christopher O’Connell, you know better than that,” Jeni calls out as she walks out holding one of the twins. I can never tell them apart.
“Sorry, Mom,” Brody drones, but he doesn’t miss one second of the video on his iPad.
“Hey, Chris,” Jeni chimes as she comes over and sits next to Callie, who has the other twin. “Thanks so much for organizing this for us. We would’ve struggled to get everything done. I know Mike will appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure. We’re here to help anytime. Speaking of Mike, where is he?” I ask, and Callie laughs.
“As this is a surprise for him, Aiden’s sent him all over Mornington Vale today doing odd jobs. Hopefully, when he gets back, everyone should be here, and we can surprise him.” Callie beams in her enthusiasm.
“Getting the stepfather to do all your dirty work? Nice bro, real nice.” I smirk at Aiden, and he rolls his eyes at me.
Killian and Daniel walk out onto the deck with their five-year-old, Lilly. They adopted her from a drug-addicted mother when she was two, and they’ve spoiled her rotten from day one.
“We’re just waiting on Brielle and Logan. They should be here soon,” Callie announces.
I nod, knowing that when they do finally arrive, I’ll probably spend most of the evening behind the barbecue.
Brielle and Logan arrive shortly after, and Aiden makes a phone call to Mike, telling him to finish up for the day and join them for dinner.
Within ten minutes of Aiden ending the call, Mike walks through the doors out onto the deck surprising us all—we weren’t expecting him for another half hour.
“What’s all this, then?” Mike asks with a chuckle, looking at every one individually.
“Umm, surprise!” Brielle yells, making us all laugh.
“You weren’t meant to be here for another half hour. We were all going to jump out and surprise you,” Callie tells Mike as she stands up and kisses him on the cheek.
“Well, I think the cars out the front gave it away that you’re all here. But why is this a surprise? It’s not my birthday,” Mike questions with a confused look.
“Nope, it sure isn’t. It’s your bachelor party,” I exclaim.
He looks at me with his eyes open wide and then to Aiden, who nods his head. “Really? You’re throwing me a bachelor party? At my age?”
“Who cares about age, Mike? You’ve never been married, so we wanted to give you all the traditions that go along with it. Us guys are heading into the man cave after dinner, and we’re not leaving until at least three in the morning,” Aiden states with a smirk.
“Well, thank you. This is completely unexpected, but I am honored.” He beams.