Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“So, it took me getting engaged to get you to come home for a visit,” Drew says to Erin, who’s grinning at him.
“I would never miss an engagement party,” she says and clinks her glass to his. “And I figured I’d better come home to check in. Mom and Dad were getting antsy.”
“When do you head back?” I ask her.
“Day after tomorrow,” she replies with a shrug. “I have to get back to work. But I love it. Seriously, come visit me soon. I hear spring is really pretty in the valley.”
“We will,” I promise her and turn to my son after Erin walks away to mingle with some of her other cousins. “I’m super proud of you, you know.”
“Why?”
“Well, there is a long list, but since I don’t want your head to get too big, I’ll keep it short. First of all, London’s a gem.”
His smile lights up the room as he looks around, searching her out. “Yeah, she is.”
“I love her. I’m excited to have another daughter. Secondly, I am so proud of how you’ve stepped up as Caleb’s dad.”
“I am his dad,” Drew insists. “Just like Dad is Josie and Maddie’s father.”
“Yeah, I get that. It’s the way it should be. I love the way Caleb idolizes your father.”
We glance over to where the two of them have their heads together, watching something on my husband’s phone. Suddenly, Caleb jumps up and runs over to us.
“Dad, Old Caleb just showed me a video about Navy SEAL training, and it’s awesome. Maybe I should be a Navy SEAL, like him.”
“You can do whatever you want,” Drew says. “Does this mean you don’t want to be a drummer in a band?”
“Maybe I’ll do both,” Caleb says with a shrug, then eyes my husband and me. “I just had an idea.”
“What’s that?” I ask and notice London walk over to join us. “Caleb has an idea,” I inform her.
“Oh, good, what is it?”
“Well, maybe I shouldn’t call you guys Brynna and Old Caleb anymore.”
“No? What would you rather call us instead?”
“Maybe, if it’s okay with you guys, I could just call you Grandma and Grandpa. Since we’re getting married and everything anyway.”
I don’t stop the tears that run down my cheeks, and I see that even my tough, strong husband gets a little choked up as we smile and nod at the sweet boy.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” I say to him and bend down to kiss the top of his head. “I would love that.”
“Okay, cool,” he says with a bright smile. “I have so many aunts and uncles now. It’s crazy.”
“You’re not wrong,” London replies with a laugh. “It’s interesting, isn’t it, to go from a tiny family to a really big one?”
“It’s pretty great,” Caleb replies and runs off to talk to other members of the family.
“I think I have something in my eye,” Drew says, making us laugh as someone clinks on a glass, getting our attention.
“My dad’s going to speak,” London says, her voice apprehensive.
“Hello, everyone,” Chandler Ambrose says, smiling charmingly. “It is my pleasure to host tonight’s party, celebrating the engagement of my daughter to Drew Montgomery.”
Everyone erupts in hoots and applause, and Chandler patiently waits for everyone to finish before continuing.
“I thought that I’d start the festivities off with a gift. It was brought to my attention that London and Drew recently enjoyed some time in Montana and that my daughter particularly fell in love with the condo that they stayed in.”
“He didn’t,” Drew mutters in shock.
“You now own it,” Chandler adds. “I hope it brings you happiness for many years, and I may even try my hand at skiing once or twice.”
“Wow, thanks, Dad,” London says, raising her glass.
“You’re welcome. To Drew and London and a lifetime of happiness.”
We all cheers in agreement, and when I look at London, I see that she looks…confused.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what’s going on with my dad, but he’s a new person. In a good way.”
“Enjoy it,” I advise her as the music starts up again. This time, it’s a song that I used to sing to Drew when he was a baby.
My son holds his hand out for me. “Wanna dance?”
“I would love to.”