Page 91 of My One

“Look, if you’re buying a bar here, just tell me,” Easton clipped.

I chuckled. “I’m not buying a bar here.”

Jimmy looked over at me. “Then—”

“I asked him to get you four here,” my mother said from behind them.

I smiled wide, stealing a quick glance at a grinning Nicole before I watched the Crawfords all turn to look toward where my parents were walking around the chairs to stand in front of the fire pit.

Jane gasped, covering her mouth as Jimmy’s mouth dropped open. Easton and Brooke looked confused, and I didn’t blame them. Brooke had no clue who my mother was, and Easton might not remember what she looked like.

“How?” Jimmy asked, looking at my parents.

Jane broke out in sobs as she rushed to wrap her arms around my mom. “Come with us. We can talk,” Mother suggested. She laced her fingers with my father’s after she and Jane had a long hug.

Dad stepped toward Jimmy and stuck out his hand. “It’s good to see you again, Jim.”

Jimmy took his hand. “Likewise.”

“This is my bar, but I keep the good stuff across the street at our house. How about Denise and I clear everything up?” Dad proposed.

Jimmy stood. “Yeah, but I’m going to need something strong. I think I’m dreaming.”

Mom chuckled. “You’re not dreaming.”

“Lead the way.” Jane wiped the tears from her cheeks and we watched as the four of them walked across the street to where I assumed the conversation would be similar to the one Nic and I had with them.

“So, your parents are alive?” Easton asked.

I turned my attention to our best friends. “Yep.”

“That’s … That’s amazing,” Brooke stated.

“It’s crazy how it all went down,” Nic replied.

“How did it?” Easton asked.

I stood. “Let’s go up to the bar, grab a few drinks, and I’ll tell you what I know.”

We stood, and I laced my fingers with my wife’s, giving her hand a little squeeze. Everything in my life finally felt right.

After we ordered a round of drinks, I told Easton and Brooke everything, and we ordered another round of drinks. Our friends didn’t realize that Nic’s drinks were virgin daiquiris until she finally let them know that we had more good news.

“So, we have more news,” Nicole said. Brooke smiled as though she already knew, and my wife continued as she looked at me with the biggest smile spread across her face. “We’re pregnant again.”

Easton grinned and slapped me on the back. “Congrats, man.”

“Thanks.” I smiled back.

Yep, everything was right in the world.

Two days later, we were down on the beach in front of Zelly’s again—named after my mother’s favorite flower, of course—waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. “I can’t believe your mom and biological father are alive and getting married,” Easton said as we stood at the altar, waiting and sipping beers. It was slowly starting to sink in for me as well.

“I know. I thought I was in heaven or some shit,” I admitted. “Like I fucking died and was seeing ghosts and shit.”

Easton chuckled. “I would have thought that too.”

“It makes sense,” I stated.