My dad came up to us, and Caeden’s arm stiffened around my waist. I wondered if he would ever get over his fear of my father.
“Congratulations,” he hugged me, kissed my cheek, and then hugged Caeden. “I can’t wait for you to be a part of the family,” he clapped Caeden on the shoulder. “My daughter couldn’t have found a more perfect mate and I know there’s no one on the planet that could ever love her more than you do.”
Caeden blushed and toed the ground to avoid eye contact. “I really do love her,” he pinched my side, “more than anything.”
“I know,” Dad smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “Your mom has prepared a feast. The food’s in the kitchen…
if there’s any left,” he smiled and walked back towards my mother. She had her back to him and he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back into him and kissed his chin. I hoped that was
Caeden and I were that happy
eighteen years from now.
“Food?” Caeden tilted his head towards the kitchen.
“I’m starving.”
Caeden led me into the black and white kitchen. Food was everywhere; Amy had really outdone herself. I picked up a mini hotdog and squirted some ketchup and mustard on it before popping it into my mouth.
Caeden hopped up on the counter, shoveling macaroni and cheese into his mouth. I climbed up beside him, careful to keep my legs together.
“I’m sorry about that,” he swallowed.
“About what?” I picked up a mini burger.
“I’m just sorry you were bombarded. I thought it would take everyone a while to notice, if they noticed at all, and we’d be able to announce it later.”
I bumped his shoulder with mine. “I’m happy that everyone knows, and that we were all together.”
“Good point,” he grinned and I leaned over to kiss his dimple.
Gram came into the kitchen, twisting her skirt around. “What was all that screaming about? I had to pee.”
“Thanks for that information Gram,” I laughed, grabbing a napkin to wipe my mouth.
Gram rolled her eyes. “Now what was all that squealing about? You’re mom didn’t get you some sports car did she?” Gram looked at Caeden. “Those things are dangerous.”
“No Lucinda,” Caeden chuckled. “Your granddaughter has agreed to marry me.”
“Oh!” Gram snatched my left hand
. “Engaged?” tears formed in her eyes. “You’re both growing up,” she patted my hand
before releasing it. She looked between us. “Now just don’t go making me a great-grandma before I’m ready,” she scolded, before turning on her heal and disappearing.
Caeden laughed into my shoulder. “I called it.”
“You did,” I grabbed a cake pop and stuck it in my mouth.
“That looks good,” Caeden said and grabbed the cake pop from my mouth and stuck it in his. He waggled his eyebrows.
“Hey!”
“Come and get it.”
“I don’t think so, mister,” I grabbed another.
Evan and Brody came into the kitchen to get another plate of food.
“You two are getting married, huh?” Evan lifted an eyebrow. “I guess Caeden here couldn’t handle a little competition.” We all laughed.
“So,” Brody said, “are ya’ll going to Beach Week?”
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Caeden shook his head. “It’s a bit too rowdy for us. We have a house at Virginia Beach so I was thinking we might all go there,” he addressed me.
“That would be great. I’d love to go to the beach
,” I smiled.
Evan snorted. “It figures Mr. Moneybags would have a beach house. I mean, look at this place.”
“Beach?” Bryce stuck his head in the doorway. “Did someone say beach?”
“Yeah,” Caeden said. “I was thinking we’d all go to the beach house.”
“This isn’t a joke right?” he asked. “Because if it is, you’re really cruel.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Yes!” Bryce fist-bumped the air. “Charlotte! Babe, wait up! We’re going to the beach!” he called after her.
“Is it just me or is he really excited to go to the beach?” Brody asked.
“That’s Bryce,” Caeden and I said simultaneously and then laughed.
Caeden ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Bryce can build the most epic sandcastles you’ve ever seen.”
Bryce sauntered back into the kitchen. “He’s right, and this year I plan to build a life size castle.”
“Bryce, I think that’s impossible,” Caeden said.
“Watch me, big brother, and when I do you must bow down to my superior marvelousness.”
“I don’t think so,” Caeden said.
Bryce shrugged. “Fine, now bowing. But you’ll still have to admit to my marvelousness.”
“Sure, sure,” Caeden waved his hand.
“Hey guys,” Amy came into the kitchen. “Did ya’ll bring your swimming trunks? I’ve got the outside set up now.”
“We remembered,” Evan said.
“Great,” she clapped her hands together.
“Caeden and Sophie,” she teared up when she looked at us. “I’m
so proud of you both. You’ve graduated high school and now you’re getting married. I’m going to cry. Does anyone know where the tissues went?”
“Right here mom,” Bryce pulled out one of those portable packs from his pocket.
“Oh, thank you sweetie,” she took it from him and dabbed the corner of her eyes. “I just have so many emotions.” She ran from the kitchen sniffling.
“Should we go after her?” I asked Caeden.
“Are you kidding? That’ll only make it worse.”
“Hey man,” Brody said, “where can we change into our trunks?”
“Bathroom’s down the hall. Bryce will show you.”
“I will?”
“Yes,” Caeden eyed his younger brother, “you will.”
“This way,” Bryce said.
“I don’t have a bathing suit,” I told Caeden.
“Don’t worry,” Caeden winked. “I’ve got you covered.”
He hopped off the counter and helped me down. He took my hand and led me to his room. He picked a bag off of his bed and tossed it at me. I opened the bag and found several swimsuits in it.
“I got a couple so you’d be able to choose.”
“Thanks,” I dumped the contents out on his bed.
I picked out a multi-colored chevron patterned
tankini
with black bikini bottoms.
“Darn,” Caeden grinned. “I was hoping you’d pick one of these,” he held a bikini top on the end of his finger.
“I don’t think so, mister. Not with all these guys here.”
“Good point,” he dropped it back on the bed.
I headed into the bathroom to change and Caeden rummaged through the drawers for his trunks.
I lifted my dress over my head and folded it, along with my other clothes, so I could change back into it later. Unless, Caeden decided he wanted to sleep here tonight.
I opened the door a crack and stepped into his room.
Caeden was collapsed onto one of the beanbags. His swim trunks were green with white piping, making him look even more tan. I wondered how much tanner he’d get when we went to the beach.
“Ready?” he jumped up, giving me an amazing glimpse of his perfect chest and abs, coated in a light dusting of hair.
The hair grew thicker at his belly button and disappeared into his swim trunks.
Do not hyperventilate
.
“Do you have a shirt I can where over this?”
“Yeah, sure,” he opened a drawer and tossed a gray batman shirt at me.
I slipped it over my head and took his hand.
Everyone had disappeared from the downstairs and ventured outside. Caeden opened the French doors leading out back and my jaw dropped.
The pool was crystal clear, surrounded decorative rock to give it a natural vibe, and it even had a waterfall. My eyes ventured upward and took in a swirling slide and even a rope swing.
A hot tub was adjacent to the pool. There was a pergola with wispy white netting, an outdoor kitchen, and a TV.
For the party, Amy had music pumping through the speakers, and red, black, and white balloons everywhere, even in the pool. There was more food and a cake in the shape of a Warrior.
“First, your backyard is amazing,” I told Caeden, “and second, if this is how your mom plans a graduation party, I’m giving her free reign for the wedding.”
“Better not do that. We might end up getting married in a spaceship.”
“She-wolf!” Riley called. “Get in this pool before I come get you.”
“I’m coming!”
Caeden let go of my hand and ran at the pool before jumping in the air, doing a flip, and diving gracefully into the water.
“Show off!” Tyler yelled when he came up for air.
Caeden shook his head, sending water everywhere, and sticking his hair up in every direction.
“Come on babe, just jump.”
I tore his shirt off and tossed it on a nearby chair and decided to take his advice and just jump.
Two weeks later.
“Babe, are you packed?” Caeden came into my room. Before I could answer he twisted me around to face him and dipped me before planting a kiss on my lips. “Or should I say,
fiancé
, are you packed?”
I giggled. “Almost.”
He kissed my cheek and let me go. “We leave in five minutes,” he playfully smacked my butt.
I added a few more tank tops and shorts to the bag. Plus a sweatshirt that Caeden had gotten me
,
just in case the nights and mornings were chilly.
I looked around my room, making sure I hadn’t forgotten anything, and couldn’t help but smile when I saw Perry the Panda sitting on my bed.
I looked in my closet and grabbed two dresses just in case we went out anywhere fancy. I grabbed a pa
ir of black sequined flats too and added it all to my bag.
I couldn’t get the bag to zip so I called for Caeden. “Caeden! I need your manly strength!”
He appeared
in the doorway. “How can I help you? My name is Caeden and I am at your service,” he kissed my hand.
I laughed. “I can’t get my suitcase closed.”
“Easy
peasy
,” he zipped it in one swipe. “Are you ready to go now?”
“Yep,” I said, tightening my ponytail and yawning. “I’m glad you’re so awake. I’m ready to go back to bed,” I looked at my bed longingly.
“I have to drive, therefore, I have to be awake.” He grabbed my suitcase off the bed.
“Oh and your mom and dad are here.”
I walked out into the living room and found them sitting on the couch. “Hey guys,” I sat down in between them. “Your flight leaves tomorrow right?”
“About that…” dad said.
“What?”
Mom patted my knee. “Your dad and I found a house here and we’ve decided to move back here. With the Grimm’s mostly eliminated we should be fairly safe.”
Caeden came back in and stopped in his tracks, face stricken.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “Uh… yeah… fine.” He went into my room and came out with Archie in his arms.
“That’s great news,” I hugged them both. “I’ve missed you guys so much, you have no idea. It’ll be so awesome having you live here.”
“We’re still flying back to Germany to settle everything there before we settle here but we’ve already made a deal on the house so we should be moved in by the end of the month,” dad said.
“This is just so great,” I hugged and kissed them.
“You better get on the road,” mom said. “You want to miss the traffic.”
“I love you guys,” I said and went to say bye to Gram who was furiously cooking scrambled eggs.
“Bye Gram,” I kissed her cheek.
“I love you Sophie, ya’ll be careful.”
“We will.”
“No babies.”
“Gram!”
She smiled and patted my cheek. “Get your cute
toosh
outta here.”
“Will do,” I said and shook my butt.
She laughed. “Call and let me know you get in safe. Call your parents too.”
“I know,” I said and hugged her. “Love ya Gram.”
I hugged my parents again and grabbed my purse up. “I guess I’ll see you soon.”
Caeden was waiting in the car, Archie sitting on his lap, and poor Murphy in the back.
“Bryce, Charlotte, and Logan are going to drive down later today so we’re going to pick up Bentley and Christian.”
“Are we going to have enough room for all the dogs?”
Caeden frowned. “We’ll have to stick our bags on top of the cages.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I buckled up.
Chris was at Bentley’s house so we only had to make one stop. We had to maneuver things around a bit but we managed to fit the three large dog cages in the trunk with
our bags.
“You guys hungry?” asked Caeden.
“Starving,” said Bentley.
“McDonalds?”
“That’s fine,” Chris said.
“Yeah,” said Bentley.
“You okay with that?” Caeden glanced at me.
“I’m cool with whatever.”
He turned into the drive thru and ordered enough food to feed fifteen people. I only hoped it was enough.
Caeden paid and grabbed the food, plopping it in my lap. I took our food and handed the rest to Bentley and Chris.
I handed Caeden a biscuit and hash brown.
“Can you put a napkin on my lap? I don’t want to get crumbs all over me.”
“Sure,” I
grabbed a napkin, f
luffed it open
,
and spread it across his lap.
“Thanks.”
We ate and talked, and then turned on the radio and sang along.
It was an almost five hour drive but went by surprisingly fast. Caeden pulled into the driveway of a beachfront property. It had a two-car garage, full front deck on the second floor, and it was three levels. The front was a mix of stone and medium blue siding. It was fairly large, more than enough room for all of us.
“Home sweet home,” Caeden sighed, turning off the car.
I climbed out and let Archie down.
Caeden opened the trunk and put all our suitcases on the ground before helping the dogs out. The three large dogs stretched their stiff muscles. We’d stopped and let them walk a couple of times but it just hadn’t been enough to satisfy the large familiars.
We let the dogs run around for a bit before we headed inside.
The house was decorated in calming whites, beiges, and gold’s, with hints of teal. The floor was white washed and covered in different rugs to add softness.
The walls were painted an off white and the couch, a large sectional, was also white but dotted with teal pillows and throws. The open kitchen was done in black cabinets with white countertops that had flecks of sea glass in it.
“This house is beautiful,” I told Caeden.
“I’m glad you like it. Just hang here for a second. I’m going to show Bentley and Chris their room.”
He took them down the hallway and I could hear him pointing out where diff
erent things were located.
Caeden came back down and grabbed both of our suitcases. “And our room is upstairs,” he grinned.
“
Oooh
, does that mean more privacy?” I followed him up the steps.
“It does,” he looked back at me and grinned. The dogs happily followed us. Caeden opened a set of doors. “Tada!”
“Wow,” I breathed.
The room was huge, obviously the master, and decorated much like the rest of the house. The bedspread was a sand color and so fluffy I just wanted to fall face first on it. The carpet was so plush under my feet that I was tempted to kick my flip-flops off and scrunch my toes in it.
The walls were papered in
a damask pattern that reflect
gold depending on how the light hit it. The furniture, a large armoire, end tables, and a dresser, were all off white. Teal vases were scattered about.
A settee was placed in front of the bed and that’s where I plopped myself.
“I can’t believe you guys own this,” I gasped, in awe.
Caeden sat down beside me and the dogs hopped up on the bed. Murphy flicked his long tongue out and licked Caeden’s ear.
Caeden’s right leg began to bounce, a sure sign of nervousness.
“Caeden?”
He turned to
me; his blue eyes were pale and scared
. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?” I asked, my brow furrowing in wonder.
“I didn’t kill Travis.
He’s alive.”