by Bliss Carter
Grace: Babe, Birdie applied online and got approved so she and Jaxson can marry us. What say you, my sexy teddy bear?
Walker: Woah. And she swears on a Bible no sarcasm or one-liners?
Grace: Yep. On a stack of ‘em.
Walker: Then I say hell yeah
Grace: Thanks baby. Love you.
Walker: I love you more.
Grace looked up to Birdie with a smile on her face. “Okay, you’re hired! Do you work for free?” Birdie laughed and hugged Grace tight, extremely excited.
“I have only one request,” Birdie stated.
“What?”
“Can I marry you dressed as Black Widow? I’ve got a black leather body suit that will blow Killian’s mind.”
“Go for it sugar. You have my blessing to annihilate that man with your beauty.”
Birdie blew air kisses and ran back to her office, ideas already forming in her head.
Walker came into Whimsy Events a few hours later. Grace smiled and waved as she made herself another cup of coffee at the coffee bar. She called out, “Hey baby. To what do I owe this amazing surprise visit?”
Boomer grinned and walked her way, saying “I wanted to tell you something and steal a kiss.”
Grace carried two cups of coffee towards him, handing him one and rose on her tip toes for a sweet kiss. “You never look anything but sexy in your uniform.”
Walker took his coffee and thanked her, taking a deep sip. She knew just how to make his. She always remembered the little things. “Well, thank you Grace. Serve, protect and be sexy is our creed.” He said this with a wink and grinned wider when she stuck her tongue out at him.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Grace asked, sipping her coffee. She noticed Walker holding her hand. The man always found a reason to touch her, hold her hand, stroke her hair. She loved her gentle giant.
“I talked with a family law attorney this morning. Rose Sheridan? Didn’t know if you had ever heard of her. She gave some good advice over the phone and said she would be glad to handle starting the adoption process for Jaxson and I.” Boomer looked at Grace nervously, not sure why he was. She’d said all that needed saying before that she was totally on board with him adopting Jaxson. Maybe because it was such a big step for him. He mentally shrugged, letting it go.
“Really? That’s great! I’ve heard her name in passing and heard only good things. Does she need any info on the sperm donor?” Grace scrunched her face in distaste of even having to think about Hank Crenshaw or saying his name.
“Yeah, anything you can recall so she can start a search and do public notification in newspapers that say we are looking for him. She said that even though he isn’t listed on the birth certificate and has never legitimated, she would want every avenue taken so he can’t come back later and try to argue or contest anything.” Walker stroked Grace’s curls, pulling on them lovingly.
“Okay. Give me her contact info and I will tell her all that I know, which isn’t much. The sooner we can have this done, the better. Jaxson is so excited. Did you hear what he told Kresley the other day? About how he was going to be the best Collins the world had ever seen, except you?” Grace’s eyes twinkled up at Walker.
“Yep. That boy steals my heart every day.” Walker leaned down and kissed Grace gently on the lips.
At that moment, Francie tore into the front door of the office. She saw Boomer and headed straight for him, panic and fury all over her face.
“Where is he, Boomer? Where’s Ash?”
“Woah. Slow down Francie. Take a deep breath. What’s wrong?” Grace asked, concerned and shocked. Francie was the calm one. Definitely not like this usually.
“He’s gone!” Francie yelled.
“Gone? What do you mean, gone?” Grace was so confused.
“He left town! Braxton told me he took a leave of absence from work for two months and said it may be more. Said he had to go take care of some family stuff. And he left. Without telling me anything! Not even a goodbye!” Francie began crying, hurt clear as day on her face.
“Oh, Francie I’m so sorry! I don’t know anything about any of it. Surely, he had a good reason for having to leave like that. It doesn’t sound like him to just take off without a word. Right Walker?”
“I’m as thrown for a loop as y’all are. He didn’t say anything to me before leaving either. I’m sure he had to talk to Braxton and probably his chief before doing something like two months leave. I’m sure he’ll be calling you soon Francie. That guy is obsessed with you. He wouldn’t treat you unkindly. He has reasons. I’d bet my career on it.”
Francie took a deep breath. “I hope you’re right, Boomer. Because this is the first time in a long while that I’ve risked my heart for a man. I don’t want to regret it.” She wiped the tears from her face and turned to go to the restroom.
When she was out of earshot, Grace abruptly turned to Walker, clutching his arm in alarm. “What the hell, Walker? So, you don’t know anything? I’m going to kill Ash if he hurts Francie. Mark my words.”
“Uhmmm, babe? Please don’t make threats in front of an officer of the law. I’ve got handcuffs and have had thoughts of them on you, but not in a criminal way,” Boomer said with a wide grin and wink directed at her.
Grace snorted. “Yeah, you wish. But seriously....”
“I have no clue about Ash. Honestly. I’m just as shocked as y’all are. But this sucks because he won’t be at our wedding.”
“I’m more concerned about Francie’s heart than I am about him missing our wedding day. Hopefully he’ll contact Francie soon. He better.” Grace growled through her teeth.
She had that devious, mulish look on her face that Boomer knew well. He diverted her attention by asking about wedding plans. “Do you really trust Birdie to marry us and not turn it into the comedy hour?”
“Yes. Definitely. Birdie may be quirky, weird, sarcastic and downright rude at times, but she loves me. She loves you. And she especially loves Jaxson. She wants to make this day special for him. I know how she thinks. She knows that Jax wants to feel as tied to you as I am. What better place for him to have that than at our wedding. I’m betting she has everything already planned out to the tiniest detail.”
“Okay, babe. I trust you. I trust Birdie...for the most part. But you know her far better than I do, so I can’t wait to see what our wedding day becomes. Whatever happens, at the end of the day, you will be Mrs. Walker Collins. And that makes my breath catch and my heart race. It can’t get better than that.” Walker said as he pulled her into his arms.
Grace wrapped her arms around his neck, purring “Oh yes it can. Later that night in a swanky hotel room of our choosing, it’s going to be amazing. I think you’re going to absolutely bring your ‘A Game’.”
“Better damn believe it, baby.” Walker winked at her and gave her a heated kiss before saying bye and headed back to work.
Grace stood there for a few moments, basking in her love for Walker, but then a frown came over face. Francie being so into Ash and for him to just ghost like this, well, that was just heart breaking. At least he took a leave of absence and didn’t just leave. But still...no communication at all? He better have things straight before talking again with Francie. He better have a great reason for this shit, some jewelry as an apology and a song written for Francie, ready to sing. Grace sighed and picked up the phone to call the family lawyer, Rose Sheridan. She pushed Ash to the back of her mind for now. She hoped searching for sperm donor Hank proved helpful and wouldn’t put a kink in adoption plans. After this call it would be best if she got back to work. This week couldn’t move fast enough. Mrs. Walker Collins, here I come, Grace thought with a joyful smile.
∞∞∞
Grace and Walker’s wedding day arrived quickly. After double checking plans, making sure Birdie wasn’t doing anything absolutely outlandish for the ceremony, picking up cakes and watching workers blow up a huge inflatable slide in the back yard, Kresley, Grace and Walker were
all feeling tired on Saturday morning. Thank goodness Grace had decided to have the birthday party catered with Chick-Fil-A meals. The food for the grill was being handled by Cade, Braxton, Gunnar and Killian. No one was saying a word about Ash. No one knew anything. No one had talked to him all week. That included Francie. Grace sighed heavily and watched Jaxson try out the huge slide in the backyard as she sipped coffee. She felt arms slide around her waist and looked back at Walker, who was wearing a pair of shorts and a tshirt.
“Morning beautiful,” Walker kissed her cheek and nuzzled her hair. “Ready to get married today, baby?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Grace snorted. She put her free hand over his arms around her abdomen, feeling the strength and warmth there. “I’m glad we didn’t spend the night apart last night. I don’t think I would have been able to sleep without you there with me. Hey, did you call the hotel to make sure of our reservation for tonight?”
“Yep. I did that yesterday. We’ll drive into Atlanta tonight and stay at the Four Seasons Atlanta for the next three nights. I know a mountain cabin would have been great, but honestly, this puts us closer to Jaxson in case something happened and we’ll be in the room most of the time anyway, baby.” Walker hugged her tightly to him at that last sentence and growled into her neck. Grace giggled, but didn’t argue.
“I agree. Bags are packed for us and for Jaxson. He’ll leave with Kresley and Cade before we do. I’d rather him do that than watch us leave without him. He knows we’re going away for a few days, but still….this mama’s heart is tender when it comes to her baby boy.” Grace felt Walker turn her around in his arms. He tilted her chin up and looked down from his gorgeous hazel green eyes into her blue ones.
“Angel, you don’t have to explain a single thing to me. I understand exactly why you feel the way you do. I didn’t give birth to him and have been a daddy to him for a short time, but it hurts my heart to be away from him, too. But at least you and I can have some alone time together. Then we can come back and start a normal life as the Collins Family.” Walker leaned down and kissed Grace sweetly, brushing his lips over hers again and again.
“Oh, before I forget, your wedding present will be given to you while we’re in Atlanta. I hope you’re going to like it. I think you will.” Grace had a wicked look on her face and Walker was both excited and a little trepidatious, all at the same time.
“I’ll have yours as well, baby. But now you’ve got me a little worried about mine.” Walker began laughing. “It’s not something illegal is it?”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Uh, no Walker. It’s not anything illegal.” She popped him on his arm and turned back to the backyard again. “I guess I need to head out there and start putting decorations together for the birthday party. At least the weather is cooperating, right? Sunny, highs in the 70s. No clouds in sight and no rain on the way.” She smiled at him as she walked through the back door, calling out to Jaxson to be careful.
Walker stood there, staring at his soon-to-be-wife and his son. His family. His center, his world, his everything. He couldn’t wait for Grace and Jaxson to see his surprise at the wedding. He grinned as he thought about their reactions to come.
The “Misfits That Fit”, as Walker now called their crew of friends and family, started to arrive around 11 o’clock to help get things finished for the birthday party and wedding. Birdie showed up with her superhero costume on and when Killian arrived after her and saw it, Walker honestly thought he was going to either collapse from a brain aneurysm or take her down to the ground and have his way with her. Right there in the back yard. Birdie, with an impish grin on her face and a more pronounced sway to her hips, had decided to be Black Widow. Grace laughed and said she knew she was going to do it, but she decided not to say anything to anyone else, especially Killian. The tight, black leather, one-piece suit was definitely eye catching. Add her red hair in big curls that flowed down her back and heavier makeup than usual, Birdie honestly resembled Black Widow in those movies. Walker decided that by the big grin Birdie wore around Grace’s house and yard, she knew how she was affecting Killian and she was loving it.
Speak of the devil, Walker watched Killian walk through the kitchen, grumbling to himself. “Hey, bro. You okay?”
“Am I okay? Am I okay?” Kilian’s voice rose in volume as he repeated his question, all while he raked his fingers through his hair. “No, I’m not okay. Birdie is gonna kill me, Boomer. Freakin’ kill me. She chose that outfit on purpose. Did you see how that leather hugs her? That ass? Those boobs? Her curly red hair is so sexy.” Killian closed his eyes and groaned loudly.
“No, I have chosen not to look too closely at Birdie beyond her face. Dude, you’ve got to calm down. And I don’t just mean your tone.” Walker looked down on purpose to Killian’s lower half. He started laughing when Killian took a detour and got a big bag of frozen vegetables out of the freezer and went to the bathroom. Poor guy.
Soon, all decorations were ready for the birthday party and Walker was helping Jaxson get dressed while his mama and the crew finished up things outside.
“Jaxson, I hope today is the best birthday ever for you. I think you’ll have a lot of fun with your friends.” Walker brushed his fingers over Jax’s hair, trying to tame it into submission.
“It’s been awesome so far, but I’m most excited about later after the party.”
“You mean the wedding?”
“Yes daddy. I can’t wait to walk mama down the aisle to you and then help Auntie B marry you two. Best birthday present ever!” Jaxson giggled as he told Walker about how he had practiced and practiced with Birdie this week for the ceremony.
“Do you know how much I love you Jaxson?”
“Sure, beyond the moon and the stars. Mama said so.”
“As always, your mama is exactly right, son.” Walker grinned as he hugged Jaxson tight.
“Did I hear that correctly? That I’m always right?” Grace walked up behind her men and hugged them.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Walker grinned and winked at Jaxson.
“Sure, you do daddy. You said mama’s always right. Remember? Or are you getting old and forgetful like Uncle Cade said he was. He told Aunt KK that he was getting too old for this shit.”
“Jaxson! Language.” Grace scowled at her son. Hearing him mutter an apology, she sent him off to find his ant man costume. When he was out of ear shot, she and Walker began laughing.
“I’m going to get Sasquatch for saying stuff around my child.”
“He’ll clean up his mouth when his own child enters the world. Just wait.”
Grace shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Almost time for kiddos to arrive. You’ll pick up Chic-Fil-A at 2:15 and have it back here? I appreciate you doing it.”
“No problem baby. I’ll leave in a few minutes. First, I’ll help Jaxson get his outfit on, though. Give me a kiss before I leave as a thanks.” Walker leaned down and met Grace for a sweet, quick kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you more.”
Jaxson ran back in and Walker took over transforming him into Ant Man. After getting him outside, he left to pick up the meals ready for the kids and parents. He didn’t mind doing the errands. He’d do anything for his family.
∞∞∞
Between kids running around, up and down the huge slides, and the parents trying to wrangle all of them to eat and cut the birthday cake, the afternoon flew by. Soon 4 o’clock arrived and the party started winding down quickly. It was a huge success and Jaxson had a ton of presents given to him. He thanked everyone as they each left at the front door, per his mother’s insistence. After the last ones left, Grace quickly went into bride mode. Kresley took over at this point and stated for Grace to forget about everything else and to go get ready. Kresley then gave the same marching orders to Boomer and said she would handle Jaxson.
Grace and Walker decided to get ready in separate rooms. Grace stayed in her bedroom, fully dressed in her simple off-white, knee l
ength wedding dress. She had luckily found one online last weekend and ordered it to ship overnight. And when it arrived, it fit perfectly. It was a wonderful sign to Grace that things were going to be perfect for her and Walker’s wedding day. The dress had long lace sleeves, a V-neck, with an overlay lace chiffon bodice and skirt. It was sweet, beautiful and simple. As for what Walker was going to wear, he told her that it was a surprise and not to worry about it. So, Grace had no clue if he was going to wear a tux, a suit or a costume. She didn’t really care as long as the man showed up. Jaxson would help Birdie marry them wearing his Ant Man costume.
Grace sat on the side of the bed, waiting for Jaxson to come get her to walk her outside and to the spot they had designated for the wedding to take place. An archway of superhero colored balloons would be their backdrop. Suddenly, a knock sounded on her door and Grace took a deep breath. “Come in,” she said in a nervous tone of voice.
“Mama, are you ready? Aunt KK said it’s time to get you hitched.” Jaxson walked into the room and stood beside his mama, looking at her in her fancy dress. She was so pretty. Her hair was down and the curls bounced down her back as she nodded her head yes. He was nervous about marrying her and his daddy today, in case he said the wrong thing or burped accidentally. His mama would get his butt if he did that on her wedding day. Jaxson put his hand in his mama’s and tugged. “Let’s go get you and daddy married so I can get a little brother or sister.” He heard his mama laugh and snort at that and he grinned. He liked it when he made her laugh.
“Okay, baby. Let’s go. I’m ready.” Grace took a deep breath and stood up, smoothing down her skirt. She took Jaxson’s hand and they walked together through her house and out the back door.
∞∞∞
Standing in her yard, Grace observed all the people that she loved so much. They were smiling, beaming at her. She missed seeing Ash there and looking at Francie, she knew her bestie was feeling it, too, but she couldn’t dwell on that now.