Page 103

DECKER

“Mom, Dad, we’re here!” Leena opens the front door without knocking, just announcing our presence. The way her mom comes bustling out of where she was, I think this is normal for her family.

“Bob, get your butt out here! Leena and Decker are here!” We’ve been back for two days. Both of us made phone calls to our parents. Leena asked if her mom could make sure the whole family would be in attendance and that she’d be bringing a plus one with news before the other family members arrived.

“Jesus, woman, I’m right behind you,” he tells Joyce.

The past two days consisted of just hanging around my house, doing newlywed shit.

Mostly it was us in bed, eating, and relaxing on the porch on either the front or the back of the house.

Though that all ends come tomorrow, when she’ll be back at Hart Construction, and I’ll be with my family’s concrete company.

“Leena, you look beautiful. A vacation does great things for you.” Leena’s mom wraps her up in a hug.

“You must be Decker. I’m Bob.” We shake hands, him squeezing mine in the way most men assert if you’re a pussy or not.

“I am, it’s nice to meet you.” I don’t squint, and I wait the entire time until he’s done.

“Oh, I’m so excited! Leena hasn’t brought a guy home since high school. Even then it was one time, and the boy never came back. I’m Joyce, by the way, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Instead of shaking my hand like Bob, she pulls me in for a hug.

“Mom, if the Neanderthal men in our lives hadn’t scared them off, maybe I would have,” Leena chimes in. I’ll have to remember to thank her brothers later on today.

“It’s great to meet you, too. Leena’s talked non-stop about her family,” I reply.

“Well, I’m glad it’s good things at least. Come in, come in. Let’s go to the back patio before the rest of my brood gets here.” She bustles us out towards the back door. I take in the house as we go, noticing the memories she has hang up on the walls.

“Have a seat,” Bob suggests. I watch as Leena moves to one side of the table, her mom the other, and of course, the man himself is at the head of the table. “I suspect you have some news to tell you judging by the matching wedding bands the two of you are sporting.”

“That’s why we asked to get here earlier than the others,” Leena interjects before I have a chance to respond. “Decker and I got married. We have pictures, if you’d like to see them.” She looks at her mom, pulling out the envelope that the resort gave us from our wedding.

“Not too thrilled my baby girl ran off and got married, and the man didn’t even ask me for your hand in marriage, and I damn sure didn’t get to walk you down the aisle.” Now it’s up to me to smooth things over.

“I know we did things backwards. I’d like to do a reception of sorts, have our families come together, and maybe, if Leena is okay with it, we can renew our vows as well.

” I thought about this over and over again.

Fuck, half the night. I barely slept knowing how bad it could or would go over with Bob.

I’m an uncle to my niece. I put myself in his shoes, knowing my fuck-up of a brother probably wouldn’t be the one to walk her down the aisle or be there for her on that special day.

So, I came with a game plan, one I’m hoping goes well.

“I don’t want to renew our vows. Honestly, it being the two of us is how I would want it, no matter what. No offense, Mom and Dad, I know you can help me out here, please?” Leena ends the sentence in a question addressing her mom.

“You know, it wasn’t like we didn’t do our fair share of crazy things.

Leena’s an adult. Clearly, she’s happy, and while you may not have gotten to perform a lot of the fatherly duties I’m sure you want, who’s to say we can’t at least do up a big reception for them?

” Joyce lays on the charm, thick, towards Bob, and he settles down.

“Yes, exactly that. I mean, I’m not the only child who, eloped you know.

Decker and I wanted to let you know first before we talk to his parents.

Then we’ll come up with a game plan of sorts.

” Bob and I are left with the women talking.

My hand holds Leena’s. Our wedding bands match, thick in a vintage style, and a single solitaire in what was supposed to be an engagement ring.

“At least you make my little girl happy. You still have her brothers to contend with, though. I’ll say a small prayer.” That’s when we all notice movement in the doorway, and with the way Keller and Tanner are looking at me, I’ll say I’m going to need all the prayers I can get.