We were both going to wear tuxedos at the ceremony, ones that looked similar. Neither of us competed with the other. Gram was going to walk Gray down the aisle while Becca and I waited at the railing of the gazebo.
I was still overseeing the theater, involved in everything from the plays to planning events. I thanked Gray almost every night for making me take the Sundays off for some rest, and he thanked me for asking him to work a little less. We spent Sundays at dinner with the family, trying to see them all during the week as well.
Amy was getting bigger and more uncomfortable. By the time November rolled around, and we were planning for Thanksgiving, she tapped out on a lot of the activity. She was happy about seeing Ava experience her first holidays aware of them but wanted to observe it all sitting down.
Jackson worked hard for the company and his wife. He was too much for Amy most of the time, but she just kept that to herself, and let him and everyone else spoil her.
I was in disbelief that it was time for the holidays again on Thanksgiving morning. We just went to the beach house last week, didn’t we? Our wedding and the arrival of the new baby was only in a matter of months now.
“Calm down,” Gray told me, handing me a cup of coffee. “We’re going to get dressed and go to Gram’s to help out with things. It’s Ava’s first holiday with us, and we’re going to give her good memories.”
“Yes, we are.” He stared into my eyes.
“Take a shower. Get dressed. I’ll make us some breakfast while you’re in there.” I kissed him, heading back to do as ordered.
“How is everything at the theater?” Gram asked me as she stirred the potatoes.
“He’s happy he stepped down because there’s an event there every weekend but the ones around the holidays. If it isn’t a wedding, it’s a party. That caterer has a great name around town, and I almost feel bad for her.” Gray answered as I rolled my eyes.
“That’s good. I like seeing so much going on in that old building.” Gram looked over at Becca and Mari, prepping some of the sides ahead of time, smiling.
“I set my cap at ten podcasts. Seven of them are doing well and getting picked up by every platform. The other three are growing but have potential. It’s going to work out good, and I might be able to drop one or two.” Gray handed me a beer, and I thanked him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gray
Dinner was fantastic. Having the entire weekend off was even better. The girls went shopping without Amy, who gave them a list of things to look for. Ava stayed at our apartment, eating leftovers and playing with her basket of toys that we always had ready for her.
“I can’t believe she’s already going to be two soon,” I said as she talked softly to a doll.
“I know. She’ll be two, and there will be another baby. Gram’s apartment is going to shrink.” Hayden laughed, taking a bite of his sandwich.
“The entire building is going to shrink. Are you sure that you love living here?” I teased him as he mock glared at me.
“My last apartment was run by a slum lord. I like this just fine, kids and all.” He took another bite, and I thought back to the fire in that apartment just after he moved out. After that, there had been the small fire here, both courtesy of Ryan. I was glad that he was gone, both for Hayden and Ava.
“It’s ideal for all of us,” I murmured, taking a bite of the best-mashed potatoes I’d ever eaten. “God, the woman can cook.”
“I know. I could eat this for days on end and be happy.” Ava looked up and smiled, eying my plate.
“Want some potatoes, Ava? I’m going to have pie after this,” I cooed as she waddled over to me with her mouth hanging open. “I know that she might not remember this well, being so young, but she had a great time. Next year, she’ll have a cousin and love that. She’ll be a good helper.”
“I agree.” Hayden watched as she made fast work of three bites of the potatoes and gravy, clapping her hands when she finished. “Good girl.”
I got up to get some apple pie, making sure that Hayden had his eye on her. Of course, he did, because he was great with her. I made sure to get an extra-large slice of pie, remembering how much Ava loved it. When I sat down, she sat beside me and gave me puppy eyes. “I know. So good, right?”
We were sharing it when Becca and Mari walked into the apartment. “Did you score?” I asked as Mari smiled at her daughter.
“We did,” Becca told us that she took everything upstairs, meaning gifts were hidden in high places for Ava. “Did you have fun?”
“Just ate and hung out.” I told them as they sat down on the couch.
“We’re making a point of learning how Gram cooks. We’re writing recipes down so we can make it years from now. Ava deserves a tradition, and so does the baby boy.” Mari smiled as Ava went in for a bit of soft apple.
“Cook it for us? We’re a little basic.” Hayden said as Becca laughed.
“I know that all too well. I’ll feed you, boys. Don’t ever worry about that.” She blew him a kiss as he pressed a hand over his heart, playing the wounded soul. They were so much like siblings that it reminded me of how Jackson and I were with each other. Mari seemed to fit into the mix without any awkwardness, just as Amy did. I wondered if they balanced each other out and just blended into this crazy family.
“Amy got her stuff, too. All of it! I took it upstairs.” Becca said after sitting in the chair across from them. “We got Gram a great TV for her room. I thought she could watch her Hallmark movies going to sleep, or if she were sick.”
“How big is it?” I asked, and the girls smiled.
“Just a forty-two inch. I know she’d hate us forever if we went too big with that. She might as it is.” Mari laughed, and we all joined in.
“I was thinking of one of those frames that pictures just flash across. Maybe a DNA kit since the family is a hot mess. She might like to know more about herself.” I shrugged.
“I hope there are no criminals. They might get caught,” Becca joked as I reconsidered.
“There just might be, but Gram would like it if they got caught.” My eyes twinkled as Hayden looked at me curiously.
“Don’t mess with Gram?” Mari asked, and I shook my head.
“No. When she loves you, you’re golden. When you’ve done her wrong, don’t ever try to get back in her good graces.” I remembered some of the times that people had.
“I’ll remember that,” Becca said, smiling softly.
“You have Ava. You get a bit of an advantage unless you do something to her. Gram would cut a bi-girl in that case.” Hayden covered his mouth in laughter as the girls shared a long glance. “You’re good. You’re doing good by Ava. She’s a happy baby.”
“I can’t imagine not doing good by her. How can a child not melt your heart? She’s not even my blood child, and I’d die for her,” Becca murmured as she looked at us.
“It’s probably good Gram never heard anything about Ryan and the things that he did.” Becca gave us wide eyes, and we nodded, feeling uncomfortable.
“Totally. Was it crowded out there?” I asked to change the subject.