Page 45 of The Risks of Reuniting (Love Connections #1)

Chloe

End of June – a few weeks later

Everyone thinks this is a going-away party for me and Holt.

A small U-haul van is loaded and parked in front of my condo, and a small group of family is gathered in my parents' backyard.

The grill is going and Dad is wearing his "Daddio of the Patio" apron and chatting it up with my cousin Kaden who is on a weekend break from Harvard.

He's probably giving dad grilling tips, but Dad's too nice to tell him to stuff it, that he's been grilling since before Kaden was born.

Grandma Sue and Grandpa Tim are lounging in the shade under the gazebo my parents installed last year – a gazebo that is very convenient for today's plans.

Grandma Sue is wearing a breezy caftan, her long, gray-blonde hair falling in waves under her sun hat, while Grandpa Tim is in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts.

It's a look that made me smile when they entered the backyard.

I'm thrilled that Gavin brought Alisha. It means things are serious, because no Hayes grandchild brings someone into the middle of this brood unless they're committed.

Gav and Alisha are sitting in the hot tub, which Dad stops heating in the summer so he can "cool plunge", and I find it delightful that Gavin will be attending my wedding in his swimwear, dripping wet.

That hilarity is dampened by poor Alisha being in the same predicament, but I can't risk the secret getting out.

Yeah, today I'm getting married.

Holt finished his internship yesterday, and I finished my job the day before.

Together we planned this party as our elopement, and made a big deal about how everyone had to be here because who knows how long it will be until we can see you again?

. Did we lay on the guilt thick? You bet.

All the tools in the family loyalty arsenal were pulled out, and it worked.

Our motives were altruistic, though. We both knew how devastated any one of them would be to miss our big day.

Holt's parents are talking to Mom in the kitchen, and my girl cousin crew is scattered about, laughing over the adventures they've all had recently.

Allie is mixed right in there with them, and my heart wants to crack with how lucky I am to have these women to journey through life with.

Not everyone loves their family the way I love mine, and I know that.

Dad finally announces that the food is finished cooking, and we all gather around, claiming seats in folding chairs at folding tables with the bright purple plastic tablecloths I'd bought to spread over them, and little centerpieces of white and yellow flowers.

My mom thought it was strange for me to care about those kinds of details, and she's right, usually I wouldn't. I played it off by saying I wanted today to be memorable, and she got teary thinking about me leaving, and helped me set it all up.

I'd told the family I'd handle dessert, and getting the small three-tier wedding cake into the basement without being caught had been tough.

I have a hard time eating, and being casual, when my entire body is vibrating with excitement.

Holt and I decided not to sit next to each other while we ate, because we were sure they'd all notice something was up.

But that doesn't keep us from sneaking peeks at each other, with secret smiles flying when we think we're safe.

"It looks like you wish Holt was your entree," Lucy teases from her seat next to me at what turned into the girl's table.

When I look at her with a chuckle, it dies in my throat at the sadness behind her eyes.

She's recently returned from her trip to Prince Edward Island, and something about her feels .

. . anxious or unsettled. I want to ask her about it, but Poppy comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my neck, hugging my head to her chest.

"Oh my gosh, Lo-lo," she gushes. "Your horoscope today mentioned that it's a perfect day to be proactive about your life.

Your spirit guides are helping and supporting you today.

They want to see you thrive." She squeals.

"It's so perfect, with how you're heading off across the country.

It does not get more proactive than that. "

I smile and wrap my hands around hers where they rest under my chin. She has no idea just how proactive I'm about to be today. "Thanks Pops, that makes me happy."

I catch Dani's eyes across the table, and she offers a slight smile. "You know, if I added in a few elves or fairies, I think I could have another viral novel writing about your relationship with Holt," she teases.

Lucy brightens. "I've told her that. She and Holt are the ultimate will they, won't they."

Sadie beams. "Lots of tension. It's kept me on the edge of my seat for months."

Avery, who has been a little quiet and sort of moody today, thoughtfully looks at her sister. "If you can get Chloe's buy-off, let's talk plotline."

Dani laughs, and Avery joins in, but I don't miss the sharp look in her eye. Avery is a publisher, through and through, and chasing stories is her life .

Allie joins in, telling Dani how she'd be a perfect side character with the way she likes to make sure Holt is behaving himself.

Soon all of them are laughing, and I'm basking in the warmth of the afternoon together.

I could not have asked for a better feeling to permeate the backyard.

I'm giddy knowing it's about to get better.

I suddenly remember that I left their gifts inside.

With all the rigamarole when Holt and I returned from Peru, and getting settled into our relationship, it had been two weeks before I'd remembered I had souvenirs for everyone.

By that point Holt and I had decided to get married and I thought they'd make perfect wedding party gifts.

Thankfully he'd also purchased things for his parents, and they're also ready to be given today.

I pop up and rush into my old bedroom to grab the brightly wrapped packages that have all been placed into a large tote.

With a huge smile I pass them around, bubbling with happiness as my favorite ladies unwrap their llama earrings and compare colors while the men hold their T-shirts against their chests.

I feel a little bad that I didn't know Alisha existed, or would be here today, but when I apologize she laughs and waves it off graciously.

I tell all the women to try on their earrings, and they do. Some of them have to remove earrings they were already wearing, but in the end the " wedding party" officially matches in some small way and I love that they have no idea what's coming.

When everyone is done eating, I tell them to sit tight, that I'll grab dessert.

Holt offers to help, and follows me inside.

We go to separate bathrooms and I change into a sleeveless, white A-line dress with a square neck, jeweled belt, and white satin sandals.

I trade out my gold chains for the silver sun necklace Holt got me in Peru, and do a quick touch-up on my make-up .

Holt is waiting for me when I emerge from the bathroom, wearing a light-blue linen suit that hugs him in all the right places, and I don't even pretend to not look him over with a gleam in my eye.

"Dang, baby, I'm marrying a hottie," I say, and he laughs and pulls me in for a hug. "The best part is that he's even better looking on the inside."

He hums happily against me. "I can't believe it's finally happening," he says, pressing his lips to my forehead to keep my lipstick intact.

"Forever," I whisper.

"And ever," he agrees.

We arranged for a neighbor Holt grew up with to officiate, and a childhood friend of mine to photograph the event, and they both arrived while we were changing. They're both standing in the living room, wearing dark suits and grinning, loving being in on the surprise.

The officiant confirms that he has the license, and our photographer takes one quick shot of us together in my parents' living room, before Holt grabs the wedding cake from the basement while I gather the pretty serving utensils, and the slightly fancier plastic plates I'd purchased.

With a big breath, and shared smiles, the three of us walk back out to where our unsuspecting guests await.

Mom is the first to notice us, and when our eyes catch she does a double take before squealing and jumping up, her hands pressed over her open mouth. I hear the camera click, capturing the moment and smile wide.

"No way, no way, no way," she repeats in a voice that gets higher pitched with each exclamation. Then she looks over to Grandma Sue with shining eyes. "Mom, my baby is getting married."

Holt and I start laughing as the rest of the guests realize what's going on.

Sandra, Holt's mom, is on her feet, too, and then Dad and Victor are clearing dishes off the table for us to put the cake down on, while Grandma Sue comes rushing over asking how she can help – and the whole time the camera is going click, click, click.

I wave my arms and get everyone quiet, and then Holt says, "Welcome to our wedding."

More cheers as we direct everyone to pick up the chair they were sitting on and create a semi-circle around the gazebo.

It's total, happy chaos, and while I still think Gavin in a swimsuit is funny, I pull him and Alisha aside and tell them we're happy to wait if they'd like to hurry and change.

Alisha thanks me sincerely and takes off jogging toward the house, but Gavin pretends to think about it for a moment.

I slap his side and he pulls me into a hug, careful not to mess me up or get me wet.

"Best surprise ever," he says before letting me go and hustling back inside too.