We have to pay to park, but I drop off Katie and Owen at the entrance first. It also allows me to get my thoughts together while also limiting how much she walks. As I go to meet them, the leaves crunch under my shoes, and the cool, brisk breeze brushes against my cheeks. I know Owen would’ve complained he was cold later. I’m actually kinda getting used to this dad thing and love having him as my son.
When I meet up with them, I wrap my arm around Katie and Owen skips ahead of us. Though it’s a pumpkin patch, booths are set up with crafts, food, and even games. Not much has changed in the past fifteen years, and I feel nostalgic as we enter.
“Mom! Look!” Owen says, pointing at a giant bubbly orange drink. It makes me chuckle.
“Do you want one?” I ask, and his facial expression gives him away.
Katie chuckles. “Oh lord. We’re gonna have a sugared-up kid tonight!”
I step forward and order each of us one. Apparently, it’s a pumpkin fizzy drink poured over a scoop of ice cream, and it tastes good. Even Katie’s eyes light up when she takes a sip. “Make that three sugared-up kids.”
She grabs my hand and places it on her belly, and I feel them kicking.
I chuckle. “Active little things, aren’t they?”
“They’re ready to come out!” Katie exclaims.
“Soon, baby,” I tell her, leaning over and pressing a kiss on her forehead.
After we’re done, the three of us take a stroll down one section with nothing but Fall Y’all and Halloween décor. “Oooh. I love this wreath.” Katie stops and admires the straw and ribbon attached to the giant thing.
“Get it! You’ve got a nice big door to hang it on. Would look great on the house,” I encourage.
“I’ll mark it down to $75,” the woman sweetly offers. “When’re ya due?”
“I’m due in December, but I’m thinking they’ll come next month.” Katie beams.
“Oh honey, that’ll be here in a blink. Summer’s over, so the hard part is done,” she says.
“Can I keep it here and pick it up before we leave?” Katie asks, and the woman agrees with a nod. With a swipe of our card, the wreath is purchased and set aside.
We continue walking, and I’m trying not to focus on my plans for later today.
“I think I want one of everything here,” Katie admits, just as Anthony sprints over and nearly tackles Owen in a hug.
“Katie!” Anthony says. He tries to wrap his arms around her but settles for an awkward side squeeze due to Katie’s belly.
Soon, Loretta and Elliot come into view wearing smiles while eating dipped ice cream cones. “Hey, kids,” Elliot says. When he leans in and hugs me, he whispers in my ear, “Everyone’s in place.”
I step back and give him a nod. Loretta’s eyes twinkle when she looks back and forth between us. “Anthony’s been loving this so much. Thanks again for inviting us.”
Katie grins from ear to ear, watching the two boys together.
“He’s had ice cream and a Coke. Probably gonna bounce off the walls later,” Loretta tells Katie.
“Two peas in a pod,” Katie says in return. “Isn’t this amazing?”
Loretta nods. “Yeah, the weather is more than perfect. You want me to watch the boys so you two can take your time walking around?”
I glance at Katie and nod, and she agrees. “Sure, that’d be great.”
Before we leave them, Katie explains to Owen that he can stay with Anthony and to be good for Memaw and Pawpaw. She fixes his wild mess of hair and gives Loretta and Elliot a wave before we head across the way.
We wait in line for the hayride, and when it pulls up and slows down in front of us, the workers grab a step for Katie to use. After we’re settled, we sit close, and I wrap my arm around her. I lean in and place a soft kiss on her lips as the tractor pulls us around the pumpkin patch. The sweet smells of caramel and cotton candy drift through the air and mix with the earthy scent of freshly baled hay.
“This has been so much fun,” Katie says.
“And just think, the day is just getting started.” I give her a wink. “Remember when we came here as teenagers?”
She sweetly nods. “I do. I remember actually finding the courage to hold your hand on this very ride.”
“You remembered?” I ask with raised brows. Of course she did.
She smirks. “How could I ever forget? I was nearly shitting bricks that I had made a move even though it was a childish one.” Her tone drops into a whisper, and she tugs me toward her, and I lean in. “Shoulda sat on your lap and stuck my tongue down your throat.”
I smirk. “Woman. You know what happens when you say stuff like that…”
She snickers just as the ride comes to a stop at the entrance of the pumpkin patch.
“Let’s get off here,” I suggest, and she agrees.
We step off, and she stares at the thousands of pumpkins in all different colors and shapes. People are taking pictures with them while others are decorating or carving.
“I think I need to go to the bathroom,” I tell her, grinning.
She laughs. “There’s one out here?”
“Yeah, just on the other side. Might take me about ten minutes,” I say and lead her to some hay bales arranged as seating. “Might be good for you to rest a minute. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay! Bring me back a candied apple, a slice of pumpkin pie, and another one of those fizzy drinks.” Katie gives me a wink.
With a laugh, I shake my head. “Yes, honey.”
I make my way through the crowd of people, and it takes at least ten minutes for me to get to the area where I’ve asked all of our friends and family to meet. When I turn the corner, they’re chatting and laughing. Excitement fills the air.
Gemma, Tyler, and Everleigh hoot and holler as soon as I come into view. Gemma’s rocking the stroller back and forth, and I love that she brought Scarlett too.
Dad gives me a big hug. “You ready, son?”
“As ever,” I say, meeting everyone’s eyes. I’m so thankful Katie’s parents, Belinda, Elliot, Loretta, the boys, and my and Katie’s best friends are here to celebrate this special moment.
After everyone takes a step closer, I suck in a deep breath. “Do y’all have your letters?”
I glance around, and they nod, holding their silver envelopes.
“You do know this is gonna make her bawl like a baby?” Everleigh says, tapping hers against her palm.
“You weren’t supposed to read it, Ev,” Gemma whisper-hisses over the stroller.
She snorts. “I literally just peeked a little. I needed to know what she was gonna be reading so I’d be aware of how to react.”
Gemma groans and crosses her arms over her chest, eyeing Everleigh. “I passed them all out and instructed them not to read them. Some people just don’t know how to listen.”
“It’s fine. If anyone was gonna break the rules, it would be her.” I look at her and smile.
“That’s very true,” Everleigh admits. “It’s almost like you know me better than your sister.”
Before Gemma digs in, I speak up. “Okay, so y’all know the order, right?”