“The shindig is set up at the end of the yard. We do pass the little one’s playhouse on the way.”
“I do love a man who thinks on his feet.”
“And here I thought you liked it best when I was off my feet,” he says, sneaking me out and towards the small playhouse.
A new daughter, a happy son, and a ride on the J train.
Life is damn good.
I watch as Mer takes off to walk down the aisle. She’s marching in the middle of all of Gray’s brothers—a fact that made her very happy. That leaves me and Jackson alone in the small bedroom.
“You about ready to get this show on the road, Claude?” Jackson asks and I turn to look at him.
“Can you give me just a minute? I need to get my nerves together,” I tell him, my heart beating hard in my chest.
“Banger would be so proud of you, y’know,” he says, nodding.
“I know,” I tell him, and I finally do.
“Okay, I’ll be right outside the door.”
I watch as he walks out and then I turn to the letter that Ida Sue handed me. My hands shake as I open it up, almost afraid to read it. I’m so happy. I have everything I could have dreamed of and I’m about to marry the man I love more than life itself. With all that good, will this be the bad that I’ve always had in the past?
Dear CC,
I wanted to take a quiet moment to welcome you into the family. Us girls get overemotional and the last thing you need on your wedding day is more tears. I know your new family is crazy. Some are a little mixed-up, but through it all, we stick together and weather any storm, because that’s what family does. They stand up to the world and say fuck you. It doesn’t matter what it throws at us; what matters is that we have each other’s backs—always.
So as you walk down that aisle today, know that you, my darling daughter, are not only gaining a very handsome husband. You are gaining a family and you will never be alone again. Although I suppose I should warn you, that part isn’t quite as great at times as it might sound.
Finally, I know that you gave your garage to Jackson, even after you and Gray insisted I take the money back for it. So, I did the only thing a mother could do when faced with two stubborn children: I bought you a new garage closer to home. Because this is your home now, darling girl. I know this garage won’t be the same as your father’s, but that one will live on through Jackson, who as much as I can gather, loved the man too. This garage will be all yours, and full of your father’s memories because that’s where we carry the ones we love: in our hearts. They never leave us because pieces of them are sewn into who we are. We take them with us. We teach our children about them. We celebrate them. Love never dies, my girl—it just grows.
Now don’t you dare try to pay me back. If you do, I’ll have to skin your hide. I wouldn’t mind if you had me a grandkid or two, though. Children keep you young, so I figure if I have about a hundred of those little boogers running around, I’ll be good.
Love,
Mom
I fold the note up with shaking hands, leaving it on the dresser. I stand up and use Jansen’s handkerchief to dry my eyes. I pick up my flowers, securing the handkerchief inside. My heart was full before, but now I’m just completely overflowing with love and happiness. I stand at the door knowing that whatever comes, I’m going to be fine. I do a mental list in my head. My hand goes to the small locket at my neck which belonged to Banger’s mom. Something old, check. I touch the pearl clip in my hair that was a gift from Gray’s sisters. Something new, check. Next, I move my foot around to make sure the penny inside hasn’t fallen out that Maggie’s little boy Terry let me borrow. Something borrowed and a penny for good luck. My hand automatically goes to my thigh where the blue lace garter is. Something blue. I’m being silly, but I just want to make sure everything is there.
As I walk out and take Jackson’s hand, we head down towards the wedding. I see Ida Sue and Jansen come out of the playhouse. Ida Sue is trying to fix her hair and her obviously rumpled dress, and Jansen is grinning from ear to ear. We hear the oh-my-gods from the crowd, the loudest coming from all of Gray’s brothers. Finally, I see Gray. My husband-to-be. The man I love with my entire being. The man who made me believe I was valuable, who makes me feel valuable. Who loves me. Never have I been more secure… or happier.
I’m reminded of Ida Sue’s words, and she’s right. Bring it on world. I’m not alone.
Crazy mother-in-law with a heart of gold, a loud, loving family to drive me nuts, and the sexiest man alive to love me the rest of my days.