by Kaylee Ryan
My phone rings. Pulling it out of my back pocket, I see Molly’s smiling face. “Hey,” I say, placing the phone next to my ear.
“You guys okay? You have to be freezing over there.”
“Yeah, we’re good. We’re headed your way actually.”
“That’s the other reason I’m calling. We’re done for the day. Even with the heater, we’re freezing. This is going to be a slow process.”
“We’ll get you there,” I tell her. “So we’ll be right behind you.”
“We’re going to stop by Jerry’s, but then we’ll be there.”
“Okay. Be safe.”
“You too.”
“They’re done for the day,” I tell Rhett. “So we can go home.”
“I like the sound of that. Us going home, together.”
“Well, this is home technically, but—” I wave him off. “—you know what I mean.” My mind is all jumbled from the tears and the fear of losing him so soon.
“My home is here.” He points to me. “Wherever you are, Saylor, that’s where I want to be.” He stands and laces his fingers through mine. “Let’s get you home and warmed up.”
The ride home is quiet as I process everything Rhett told me. He loves me, he wants forever with me, but it’s on my terms. And Grandpa Rhett, well, he wants me too. That makes my heart swell with love. As soon as we walk into the house, Grandpa Rhett calls out for us. We find him in the living room. “I owe both of you an apology. I never should have meddled; it’s not my place to interfere with your lives. It won’t happen again,” he says solemnly.
I take a seat next to him on the couch. “I understand why you did it and know that you wanted to include me in your family.” I stop to compose myself. I’m about to step out of the box. “I love you, Grandpa Rhett. Thank you for believing in us.”
“Oh, sweet girl,” he says, giving me a hug.
“I think we’ll take it from here, okay? We’ll figure it out.”
He looks up at Rhett and grins. “I know you will. I’ve always had a stubborn streak, just ask your dad.” He grins.
“Oh, trust me, I’ve heard all about it. Although, I’d never really experienced it firsthand until the last couple of months.”
“Sorry about that, kid.”
“It’s done. I’m here, we’re moving forward, and I got the girl.”
“Looks like life is treating you pretty damn good,” Grandpa Rhett says.
“I’d have to agree.” Kneeling down, Rhett leans in and kisses me softly. We spend the rest of the night watching television with Gramps. We don’t talk about us, but I know as soon as we’re alone, we will. I’m confident he wants this, that he wants us, and my heart is bursting with love for him that he wants me to choose. If he only knew, I would choose him every damn time.
“So how does it feel to be a divorced woman?” I ask Saylor as we exit the courthouse. After Frank filed the papers, we we’re given a court date for three weeks later. The separation was amicable and both parties agreed, so it was a fifteen-minute session with the judge to confirm what was listed was correct, and he signed off on the papers.
“I think I need to go out and celebrate. Drink a few beers, maybe flirt with a few good-looking guys,” she says, smiling.
I stop in my tracks and pull her into me. “You’re not married, but you are taken. For life.” I kiss her hard on the lips and release her.
“Is that so?”
“Yep.” When we reach my truck, I open the door for her and smack her ass as she climbs inside. “That’ll teach you,” I say, laughing. Rounding the other side, I climb behind the wheel and put the keys in the ignition, but I don’t start the truck. “Hey, can you hand me that box out of the glove compartment?”
She opens the compartment and there sits a small black velvet box with a red bow on top. “Rhett.” She looks at me with tears in her eyes.
“We’re meeting at Gramps’s to celebrate. Mom and Dad flew in this morning. Jake, Molly, and Jerry will be there too.” I tap on her arm, giving it a little nudge. “But before we do, you need to open that.”
With shaking hands, she opens the long, slender box. Inside is a Tiffany’s white gold necklace with the initial B. For the first time since the night we were married, I slide my wedding band off my finger and hand it to her. I thought you might want to hold on to this for me, you know, until we need it again.”
Her smile lights up her face as a lone tear slips from her eye. “I guess I should do that too, huh?” she asks. “It’s going to be weird not wearing it. I’m used to it now.”
I don’t comment, just wait patiently as she slips both of our wedding bands on the chain then hands it to me. “Will you put it on me?” she asks.
I take the chain from her while she gathers her hair in one hand to keep it off her neck. Once I have it fastened, I kiss her neck and pull away. “Now,” I say, starting the truck. “We have a divorce party to get to.” Her laughter fills the cab of the truck as we head toward home.
“I’m excited to see your parents,” she says when we pull into the driveway.
“You’re Mom’s new favorite.” I fake a pout, when really it thrills me that they get along so well.
“Girl power,” she says, raising her fist in the air.
“All right, crazy girl, let’s get inside.” We’re greeted with cheers and a banner that says “H-A-P-P-Y D-I-V-O-R-C-E.” It’s handmade, and I know by the way Jerry is grinning and pointing at it, he’s the one responsible. Mom made dinner—fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert.
“You told her.” Saylor turns to look at me.
I shrug. “I just thought Elaine should be here, you know? What better way to honor her than to serve your favorite meal that she used to make you?”
She wraps her arms around me. “I love you, Rhett Baxter, and she would have loved you too.”
“Love you, too,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“Hey now, none of that, you’re divorced,” Jerry calls over. Saylor’s cheeks turn pink from the attention.
We all gather around the huge dining room table that only gets used on major holidays, and eat until we can’t eat any more. There is a lot of love and a lot of laughter around the table. Saylor hasn’t stopped smiling, and I can only hope I can keep that smile there for the rest of her life.
“We have something else to celebrate,” Gramps says, standing. “As of Monday, Rhett Alexander Baxter III is the new CEO of Baxter’s Distillery.”
Everyone cheers and congratulates me and Gramps on his retirement.
Jake stands next, pulling Molly with him. “Since this is a party, we have some news as well.” He looks down at Molly and smiles. “In about seven months, we’re going to have a new addition to our clan,” he says proudly.
“You’re pregnant?” Saylor squeals and jumps out of her chair to give them both a hug. The rest of us follow suit.
“So, we’re, uh, going to get married in two weeks,” Molly says. She looks over at us and winks. “In Vegas,” she announces, and we all laugh and tell them congratulations again with another round of hugs.
“I don’t think this day could get any better,” Gramps says.
I stand from my seat. “Actually, there is one more thing.” I turn toward Saylor and drop down to one knee. “Saylor Elizabeth Keller, you’ve brought so much to my life in such a short amount of time.” Her eyes are already welling with tears. I’m getting a little choked up myself. This is life changing; her answer could make or break me. I’d like to think I know what it’s going to be, but until I hear it from her pretty pink lips, I’m going to be sweating bullets. “You make me a better man. I’m stronger with you standing next to me. I want to be the man you lean on, the one who will forever be by your side. I want to be the man that gives you choices in life, like how many babies we’re going to have.” I wink at her. “Saylor, will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?” She nods, tears streaming do
wn her face. Standing with the open ring box in my hand, I gently wipe her tears. “I need your words, baby.” She stares down at the ring, this one an actual engagement ring, not just a wedding band. This one was bought for the woman I love, while completely sober.
“Y-yes,” she says, smiling, laughing, and crying all at the same time. “Yes!” she says again, her voice clear.
Taking the ring out of the box, I slide it onto her hand. It’s a heart-shaped diamond with princess cut diamonds on the band, the same pattern as her wedding band from our Vegas wedding. “I love you,” I whisper before pressing my lips to hers.
“I choose you,” she whispers.
My fucking heart flips over in my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight. Chaos ensues around us, as we are now the ones getting hugs and congratulations from our friends and family. The rest of the night is filled with laughter. As I sit across the room and watch my mom, my fiancée, and longtime friend talk about weddings and babies, I feel peace wash over me. There have been some changes, life-altering changes, in the last few months, and I’m excited for every single one of them.
“Ladies,” Jerry calls out. “Us men folk are going downstairs to have a beer,” he tells them.
They laugh and wave him off, not breaking their conversation. Pulling my eyes away from her, I turn to follow the three of them downstairs where Gramps houses his fully stocked bar in his man cave. I’m almost to the doorway when I hear her call out for me.
“Hey, Whiskey.”
Looking over my shoulder, I see her smiling at me. Mom and Molly are huddled over Molly’s phone a few feet away. “What’s up, Short Stack?” I smirk.
“You forgot something,” she says, walking toward me.
“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” I ask, resting my hands on her hips once she’s close enough.
“This.” She stands on her tiptoes, buries her hands in my hair, and tugs me into a kiss. “I love you,” she says, pulling away.
“Saylor, look at this one,” Mom calls out for her.
She flashes me a grin before running back to them. She’s beautifully happy, and I vow to do everything in my power to keep her that way.
The last four months have been exhilarating. Rhett and I were fine with heading back to Vegas with Jake and Molly to have a double wedding; however, my future mother-in-law put her foot down. Rhett was her only baby, and she insisted we both deserved a proper wedding. We settled on the first week of June, Rhett refusing to give her more time than that. She huffed, but finally agreed.
The week after our engagement, I moved in with him and Gramps. Gramps insisted that the house was big enough for all of us. He said that us “young ins” could bring life back to the place. I fought them, but in the end, I gave in. It was Gramps’s speech about family and needing to be together that convinced me. He’s been doing well without the stress of the distillery. He’s got a sparkle in his eyes, as does my fiancé.
“When do we get to leave?” Rhett asks me.
I stifle my laugh. “You know we’re not leaving together,” I remind him.
“Come on, Short Stack, that’s crazy talk. How am I supposed to sleep if you’re not next to me?” he whines.
“Man up,” Jake says, slapping him on the shoulder.
“Fuck off,” Rhett says with no heat behind his words. “You didn’t have to be away from your wife when you got married,” Rhett pouts.
“Should have went to Vegas.” Jake gives us a big goofy grin.
“Hush you,” Molly says, placing her hands on her protruding belly. I can’t help but reach out and rub it.
“How you feeling, mama?” I ask her.
“Good.” She grins.
“My boy being good?” Jake asks, leaning down and asking her belly.
She laughs. “He’s active,” she says, before turning to me. “You ready?”
I nod, trying to contain my smile.
“For what?” Jake asks her.
“Saylor and I are staying at the hotel tonight with Valerie.”
“What?” Jake asks. “Babe, when did you decide this?”
She shrugs. “A while ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? I can’t sleep,” he mumbles.
“Man up,” Rhett says, slapping him on the shoulder, looking smug. He wraps me in his arms. “I can’t believe my mother is stealing you from me.”
“And me,” Jake adds, causing Molly and me to throw our heads back in laughter.
“You’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at two.”
“Sayyylorrr,” he whines. “Sneak out. When they go to sleep, sneak out. I’ll get a room and text you the number,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“I heard that,” Valerie says, joining us with Rhett’s dad right behind her. “It’s not even twenty-four hours.” She pats his cheek.
He mumbles something about mom stealing his girl. “Fine, let’s get this over with,” he says, kissing my temple.
“Let her go, son,” his dad says.
“I need a minute,” he says, lacing his fingers through mine and pulling me out of the room and down the hall. We end up by the exit door in the same hallway as the restrooms. Rhett pushes my back against the wall and his lips land on mine. Not able to resist, I bury my hands in his hair. Slowing the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine. He’s breathing heavy; then so am I. That’s what he does to me. “Tomorrow you’re my wife,” he says softly.
“Again,” I remind him.
“Just because you wear these here”—he lifts the chain that I’ve worn every day since the day he gave it to me—“doesn’t mean you’re not my wife in here.” He places our joined hands over his heart. “I’ll be the one down at the front, the man at the end of the aisle waiting to start our forever.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I-I’ll be the one in white walking toward my forever,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist.
He lifts his forehead from mine and holds me tight against his chest. “I love you, Saylor.” I’m just about to tell him I love him too when he adds, “I want it all, Saylor. I want a house full of babies, vacations, sleepless nights, lazy Sunday mornings. I want it all.”
“You’re ready for all that?”
“More than ready. You could toss out your pills, and we could start on our wedding night.”
All I can do is shake my head and smile. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Make babies with me,” he winks. “I love you, Short Stack.”
“I love you too, Whiskey.” With one more quick kiss, we walk hand in hand back to our guests.
Molly, Valerie, and I head to the hotel. The suite is filled with snacks, chick flicks, and our dresses for tomorrow. After changing into the matching pajamas that Valerie insisted she buy for the three of us, we curl up on the couch and settle in for girl time. We’re barely through the first movie, when Molly bows out.
“Sorry, ladies, this little guy has me tuckered out,” she says, rubbing her belly.
“Of course, it’s been a long day. Thank you for being a part of this,” I say, fighting tears.
“Saylor, you’re my best friend. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
I stand to give her a hug. “Get some rest,” I say, releasing her from my hold. Valerie and I settle in and finish the movie. Just as the credits roll, my phone alerts me to a new message.
Rhett: I miss you.
Me: I miss you too.
Rhett: Marry Me?
Me: How’s tomorrow?
Rhett: How’s today? Look at the time, baby.
Looking at the clock, I see that it’s already one o’clock in the morning.
Me: Today works too.
Rhett: Thirteen hours, Short Stack.
Me: Until forever.
Rhett: Love you.
Me: Love you too.
“My son, I assume?” Valerie smiles.
“Yeah,” I admit.
“Saylor, I’m so happy he found you. You bring out the best in
him.”
“He brings out the best in me. I never felt like I truly belonged before,” I confess. “It’s hard not having any family. Elaine, she chose me, you know. And she cared enough, loved me enough to give me a good home. She was my only family,” I say, wiping a tear from my eye.
“Oh, sweetheart.” She slides over on the couch and pulls me into a side hug. “You are family. You hear me. You belong with us, and we love you. I couldn’t be happier to call you my daughter.”
A sob breaks from my chest. “I love you, too,” I say, smiling through my tears.
“Now, we can’t have this,” she says, wiping the tears from my cheeks. “We need you rested and no puffy eyes for the big day. Not to mention, if my son finds out I upset you enough to have puffy eyes, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
That makes me laugh. Rhett, well, he spoils me. There really is no other way to put it. “He’s… everything,” I say with a sigh.
She smiles, tears shimmering in her eyes as well. “Let’s get some sleep.” Nodding my acceptance, I stand, giving her a hug before we retreat to our rooms.
Surprisingly, I fall right to sleep. I know it’s because when I wake up, I’m marrying the love of my life. Not only do I get him, but I get his amazing family. I don’t let myself dwell on the fact that I invited Tara and Colin and she never returned my call or her RSVP to the invitation. It hurts, but such is life. I have to live for me, not for her, and as my friend, if she can’t see that, we are better off. I think about the day I walked into the Corner Pocket. I know in my gut a stronger force was guiding me. When I lost Elaine, she and my parents led me there. To my home, to my family. I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face.
I wake to the sounds of voices in the main living area of our suite. My first thought is that my fiancé broke the rules. I’m not superstitious. The only reason I went along with it was for Valerie; she insisted we follow the ritual. Climbing out of bed, I make my way to the living area.