by Debbie White
“What do you think? Can you have Mary living so close?
“Mary? How about Danny?” Annie uncrossed her arms and began to feed Ashton again.
Jack nodded. “True that.” He lifted some carrots onto his fork and then ate them.
“We’d have to lay down some rules. Get it in writing,” Annie continued.
Jack tipped his head toward her. “It hardly ever works out when you rent to family, though.”
“Rent? I told Mary they could live there rent-free.”
“What? I told Danny one thousand dollars a month, including utilities.”
They both dropped their forks and stared at each other.
“Now what?” they both said at the same time.
Chapter Eleven
“Hey, Mary, what are you doing?” Annie asked in a chipper tone, while twirling her hair around her finger.
“Just finished going for a run with Danny. His therapist said exercise is one of the best things for his anxiety.”
“That’s great, Mary. Listen, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is it Grandma or Auntie Patty?”
“No,” Annie said, trying to think fast on her feet.
“It’s not Jack, or Ashton … or you, is it? You’re doing okay, right?”
“No, we’re all fine,” she said, delaying the real reason for her call. “I wanted to know if you wanted to have lunch with me.” Why was it so hard to just tell her the truth? “I thought we could discuss your wedding plans.”
Mary let out a long and overexaggerated gasp. “Thank goodness. Things have been going along so well, I couldn’t take someone being ill. Unless it was from morning sickness,” she said teasingly.
“No, no morning sickness … yet.”
“Yet!?”
“I’m just kidding. You’ll be the third person to know, when it happens.”
“Okay, lunch sounds good, but let’s go for a drive first. I’ll pick you up around eleven thirty. I want to show you something.”
Annie raised her brow as she took in the mysterious tone in Mary’s voice. She was up to something. “Okay, I’ll be ready.”
“Did you tell her?” Jack said, startling Annie.
Annie turned to face Jack and crossed her arms. “No, we’re going to have lunch today. She wants to show me something first, though. I have no idea what is up her sleeve. You never know with Mary.”
Jack stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her to drop her arms to her side. She looked at his scraggly two-day growth on his face. “When are you going to shave this off?” She ran her fingers across the scratchy patch.
Jack ran his hand along his jaw. “Don’t you like it?”
Annie knitted her brows as she searched his face, studying it in more depth. “I’m not sure. It’s kind of scratchy right now, maybe after it grows out.”
Jack pulled her quickly against his chest and planted a kiss on her mouth. Annie’s snicker soon turned into a soft groan as he smothered her with his juicy lips. She fell into his warm mouth and parted her lips for him. His kisses were simply the best.
With his hands on her arms now, Jack gently pushed away and stared into her eyes. “How’s that for an I love you kiss?”
Annie beamed.
“Okay, so I have Ashton today, and you and Mary go out and have a great time.”
Annie took a few steps toward Jack and reached for his hands. She playfully laced her fingers with his, while swinging their hands to and fro. “I love you, Jack. You’re so good for me.”
“We’re good for each other.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Now, go get ready for your lunch date with Mary.”
Annie turned to head toward the hall, and Jack playfully swatted her bottom. She turned quickly and scowled. “Remember, I’ll pay you back when you least expect it.” She continued to the bedroom to get ready, chuckling all the way.
“Where are you taking me?” Annie asked as Mary traveled down a long gravel and dirt road, through a grove of huge oak trees draped in moss.
Mary shot her a grin. “It’s a secret.”
Annie tightened her lips as she stared out the windshield. Soon, a small white building came into view.
Mary pulled in and turned the motor off. “This is what I wanted to show you.” She nodded toward the tiny structure.
“A worn down church?I mean, I think it’s a church. It has a steeple on the top. What is this place, Mary?”
“This is on the historical register as being one of the oldest churches in this county.”
“So?” Annie said, letting her know that her idea was not only preposterous, but downright idiotic.
“It started out as a one-room schoolhouse. Isn’t that cool?” Mary opened her door. “Come on,” she pleaded. She stood and stretched her arms as she waited for Annie to join her.
Annie reluctantly got out of the car and crossed over to where Mary stood. “You’re serious? This is where you want to get married? Out in the middle of nowhere, in a one-room schoolhouse?”
“Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy. This is really a cool place. They still use it for special occasions. What is more special than Danny and my wedding?” She grabbed Annie’s hand and sprinted toward the door, dragging Annie behind.
They climbed the few steps leading to the porch. Mary dug into her pocket, and producing a key, she waved it in Annie’s face. She unlocked the door and pushed it open. Annie followed Mary inside.
“Isn’t this just great?” Mary skipped up the aisle to the front of the church. “We can have vases of flowers here on either side; we can have ribbons and bows on the pews. Grandmother and Auntie will be so happy that I get married in a church. They are still talking about your outdoor wedding.”
Annie cut Mary a scowl. “What? They loved my wedding.” Annie frowned, and then paused. “Didn’t they?”
Mary ran back toward Annie and hugged her. “Yes, they loved your wedding. They just mentioned that they would have loved to see you get married in a church like Rebecca did.”
Annie raised her shoulders up and down and sighed. “I can never please those women.”
“Don’t think about them. This makes up for Danny and me living in sin.” Mary let out a loud laugh.
“Well, at least Jack and I didn’t do that.”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t try out the merchandise before you tied the knot, Ms. Annie.” Mary shot her a wild grin.
Annie raised her chin and looked behind Mary, toward the front of the church. “I think your idea of flowers on either side would bring some color to this rather drab interior. It’s so dark and gloomy.”
“That’s because the shutters are closed. We’ll liven this place up. Plus, there’s plenty of parking; it’s a great location. Come on, Annie, tell me you like it,” Mary said, begging for her approval.
Annie relaxed her shoulders, even though she still felt tense about Grandmother and Auntie not approving of her outdoor wedding. “I approve.”
Mary wrapped her arms around Annie and picked her up and swung her around. Mary leaned back just a tad too far, and they both went crumbling down onto the wooden floor.
“Ouch,” Annie cried.
Mary rubbed her backside as she stood. “Sorry about that, Sis. I got a bit carried away.”
Annie grimaced as she ran her hand up and down the arm she’d landed on. “I’m going to have bruises here.”
“Sorry!” Mary said, kissing her on the cheek.
“No worries. Okay, so this is the place. You can reserve it for your date with no problem, right?”
“Yep. And Rebecca said we could have the reception at Black Eyed Pea.”
Annie opened and closed her mouth suddenly. “Black Eyed Pea?”
Mary nodded. “Yes, isn’t that fantastic?”
Annie started to head toward the front door, with her head hanging low.
Mary caught up to her and bounced in front of her. “You’re not angry about that, are you, Sis?”
Annie raised her chin and blinked. “I guess I just thought you’d have it at Sweet Magnolia.”
Mary reached out and placed her hands on Annie’s arms. “I love Sweet Magnolia, Annie, but it’s your special place with Jack. We can have family parties there, birthday celebrations, and even baby showers, but I want to preserve your memories of your beautiful day. Let me pick where I want my special memories made, okay?”
Annie’s eyes began to mist. “You’re absolutely right. This is your day and your memories. Black Eyed Pea will be a great place. Besides, Grandmother and Auntie love Rebecca’s grandmother so much. They’ll have a blast. Let’s just not let them have too many Bloody Marys. Rebecca’s grandmother can make some pretty potent ones.”
The two women walked out of the church, holding hands. They casually turned and gave the old little white clapboard building one last look. “Maybe we can also add some greenery out here to spruce the porch up.” Annie winked at Mary.
“You got it, Sis. We’ll decorate this little house of worship, and it’ll be the best little wedding chapel in all of Charleston.”
Chapter Twelve
“Can you believe Ashton turns one this month?” Annie pulled out the cold cuts to make sandwiches.
“Are we going to have a full-blown party, complete with jumping castle and clowns?”
Annie whirled around and stared at him, waiting for the serious look plastered on his face to crack. He held his stare, not wavering an inch.
“Jumping castle and clowns?” She started to slather salad dressing on the slices of bread.
“He’s our firstborn.” He came up behind her and circled his arms around her.
“Yes, but that might just be a tad over-the-top.” She placed some lunch meat and then cheese on the bread slices.
“I want two slices,” he said, peering over her shoulder.
She slapped a second piece on. “I do think we should have the family over at least.”
“Sounds great … that’s all he needs,” he teased, before grabbing a sandwich off the plate and taking a bite.
“Happy birthday, dear Ashton, Happy birthday to you,” the group sang.
Ashton picked up his cupcake, made especially for his birthday, and opened wide. Annie clicked away with the camera feature on her phone as he devoured the little cake, smearing chocolate ear to ear. He giggled as he stuck his tongue out and licked more of the gooey icing.
“Look.” Jack pointed. “He even got some in his hair.”
Sighing, Annie shook her head. “He’ll need a real dunking in the bath tonight.” A smile lit up her face as she watched on.
Ashton raised his arms above his head. “Me done,” he said.
Annie, armed with a dozen sheets of wet paper towels, went to work on cleaning up his face.
Ashton bounced up and down, trying to avoid the wet cloths. He pointed to the huge red and yellow jumping castle. “Go,” he said.
Jack took his little hand and the two made their way over to the castle. He gingerly set him inside and then climbed in after.
“Seems a little overkill with the jumping castle, Sis,” Mary whispered into her ear.
Annie stood watching Jack jump with Ashton. “I know, but Jack insisted.”
“Grandmother and Auntie are having a ball with the clown, though.” Mary smirked at Annie. The two grabbed at their sides and almost fell over from laughing so hard.
“I just wanted a picture of Ashton with chocolate all over his face, while he devoured his birthday cupcake.” Annie snapped pictures of Jack and Ashton laughing inside the jumping castle. Their giggles could be heard a mile away.
After Jack got his reconnecting with his inner-child out of his system by playing in the jumping castle, he held Ashton’s hand while the clown blew up balloons and twisted them into funny shapes. Aunt Mary painted his little face with butterflies and lady bugs, and when it came time to open presents, it wasn’t just Jack who went overboard.
Boxes piled to her chin, Annie struggled with the door to bring them inside. Jack held the door open for her. “Looks like Christmas,” he said, laughing.
Annie cut him a stern look. “Exactly what I didn’t want. He’s one. He doesn’t need all of this stuff.”
“Aw, come on, Annie. He’s only going to be one, once.” He leaned over and took the top few boxes from her and headed down to Ashton’s bedroom.
“I just wanted a picture of him with chocolate smeared all over his face,” she yelled out, getting the last word.
Jack belted out a hardy laugh. “Okay, next year, just the jumping castle.”
Annie took a lightweight box and tossed it at him. “Jack Powell, you’re absolutely incorrigible. You and Ashton are going to drive me crazy. I can see it now.” She couldn’t keep the stern look going for long and broke into a wide smile.
“You know you love us,” Jack said, making his way back from the bedroom and taking the rest of the packages. He leaned forward and kissed her.
“I love you both more than I could have ever imagined was possible.”
“Let’s get back out there and rescue the clown from Lilly and Patty,” Jack said grinning.
Annie giggled. “The last time I looked over there, it was your mom asking him to make her a dog out of balloons.”
Jack knitted his brows. “Well at least she didn’t get in the jumping castle. I was waiting for that.” A scowl formed and then he broke into laughter.
The two headed back out to the gathering. Annie squeezed in between Mary and Ashton at the picnic bench. She grabbed one of the bubble wands and dipped it in the tray blowing a string of bubbles out into the breeze. Ashton giggled non stop as he tried to emulate her.
Now that Ashton’s birthday party was over with, the preparations for Mary’s wedding continued. But even Annie required some downtime.
The news traveled fast and no one could be happier for Vicky and Scott when their adoption finalized then Annie and Jack. Vicky and Scott were now the parents of a darling two-year-old little girl named Jasmine. The two women found playdates a good thing to help, not only burn off some energy for their toddlers, but a time to get together and talk about marriage, children, and life. Days at the beach were especially nice, and since they lived within walking distance to a very quiet and private beach, the foursome headed there on many days.
Annie would pile her car with the special beach wagon Jack had made that easily slid along the sand, as well as buckets, shovels, and other sand toys, a couple of lawn chairs, and of course an umbrella. She also had her large beach bag packed with sunscreen, sun hats, and towels. Vicky packed the cooler with water, juice, and snacks.
They pulled up to Vicky and Scott’s house and parked the car. Annie began to unload the back of the van when Vicky came out onto the porch. “Good morning, Annie,” she called as she shielded her eyes from the already intense sun and heat. Summertime heat in Charleston could be a bit oppressive.
“Hey, there, are you guys ready?”
“We are.”
Annie removed the beach wagon and loaded it up with their stuff and she and Ashton waited for them.
Vicky came out, pulling the cooler by the handle with one hand, and holding Jasmine’s little hand with her other.
“Oh, my goodness, she looks so cute in her little pink cover-up and matching water shoes. And the sunglasses! She’s really rocking those. I got a pair of sunglasses for Ashton, too. But he keeps pulling them off and throwing them.” Annie laughed.
“He’s going to be a ballplayer, that one is,” Vicky said, nodding toward Ashton as he reached for a rock on the ground.
“Ashton,” Annie yelled, pulling the rock out of his hand. “No, leave it there.” She grabbed his hand, and they all proceeded to walk down the pathway behind Vicky and Scott’s house that led to the beach. It was a quick walk, thank goodness. Annie’s arms were tired just from pulling the wagon and holding on to Ashton’s hand.
The women spread blankets and set up the umbrella, and then slathere
d the sunscreen on each of the kids first, and then themselves.
“Me thirsty,” Ashton said, pointing to the cooler.
“And, so now it starts,” Annie said, grinning. She reached inside and produced a juice box. She popped the straw in place and handed it to him. He started to take off with the drink in his hand. “No, sit here and drink it,” Annie said, giving him the look.
After he finished his drink, the women took the kids down near the water. They sat in the wet sand and watched as the kids dug in the sand and soon began trying to eat some, and also throw some.
Annie sighed. “Kids.”
“This is all new to me,” Vicky said, watching Jasmine play nicely.
“Girls are different than boys. Look at her. She’s just so darling, playing so nicely. Then there is Ashton throwing globs of wet sand.” She shook her head.
“She’s very quiet,” Vicky whispered, scooching closer to Annie. “I’m a little worried about her speech. She says very little.”
“Do you think she hears okay?” Annie asked with a concerned look on her face.
“She’s been to the pediatrician. It seems like everything is okay. There just might be a slight delay in her speech. I hope it’s more because of her shyness and not anything medical.”
Annie reached out and stroked her friend’s arm. “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. She’s precious. I know you said she came from a teenage mom. How long was she in the system before you all were able to adopt her?”
“Since she was a few days old. She’s been in a foster home for most of her life. I know she bonded with her foster family. I think this will take time for her to feel as comfortable with us as she felt with them.”
“I know, but you and Scott are wonderful folks. You’ll give her space and the love she needs. She’ll come around. I just know it.”
“Her foster family was African American. The agency didn’t say it, but I got the impression they’d rather have placed her with a black family. I hope she’ll feel as comfortable with us in time.”