Page 85 of Came the Closest
My wedding was an extravagant affair, but it wasn’t like this. There had been no handwritten vows, no Play That Funky Music on the dance floor, and certainly no late-night lake swim in our wedding attire. The morning after? Tom went right back to working on political paperwork, dashing my hopes of a slow, soft Sunday with my new husband.
Sam senses the shift in my mood. He leans over and rests his hand on the nape of my neck, fingertips massaging gently. “Is everything all right, my dear?”
I know I can’t lie. From the very first day my family moved into the cottage next door, Sam has seen directly through me. When my mother took me to meet our new neighbors—significantly wealthier neighbors, considering the size difference of our houses—I told Sam that I didn’t like it here.
He stared at me, took me by the hand, and pulled me through the entryway. He pointed through the big windows and told me, in no uncertain terms, that I had to like it here with that view.
I have never bluffed with him again.
“Everything’s fine,” I say honestly. “I’m just thinking about how different the Sunday morning after my wedding was.”
Understanding creases his eyes. “Believe me, love. I’ve thought the same thing. But,” he adds, lifting my hand to his lips, “we get a second chance. We can make it whatever we want it to be this time.”
A second chance.
Just last year, I didn’t believe I deserved one of those. I wasn’t convinced anyone truly got them. But that was how I used to think. That version of myself didn’t know how to open her eyes to the true beauty of the world around her.
“No. No way,” Graham says flatly. “You’re kidding me right now, Colton.”
Sam’s fingertips dance along my shoulder, and I hide a smile behind my hand. Not only had Colton put his gifts in a pink and white mushroom print bag, but everything Graham pulls out is also fungi themed. Hot pads, dish towels, napkin holders, water glasses; even a pitcher that matches.
“Poppy the Mushroom should be a full house kind of thing, not hidden away in the guest room,” Colton says with a shrug. “Oh, and the little figurine in there is a timer. Thought Em could use it for her writing sprints or something.”
Ember clutches the tiny timer to her chest and gets up to give her brother-in-law a hug. “I’ll have to fight Graham for it,” she teases. “He’ll want it in his office for work sprints. Or, you know, when he’s trying to bake a cake for Jolene’s birthday.”
Colton laughs and squeezes her. “Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him. The buzzer is super obnoxious, though, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Graham rolls his eyes and carefully places everything back in the bag. “You aren’t as funny as you think you are.” His expression softens when he looks at Ember. “Except for you, Mrs. Del Ray.”
Cheeks pink, Ember kisses her husband’s cheek before lifting the next gift onto her lap. She starts to pull something from the large bag, then looks at Sydney. “Oh, my gosh, Syd. Are you serious right now?”
Sydney shrugs, her fingers laced through Jordan’s where they rest on his thigh. “Your husband was the brains behind it. I was just the executioner.”
“That,” Jordan teases, “makes you sound like a killer, Sunshine.”
“Shh,” she scolds. “Don’t let my secret out, Rookie.”
Jordan laughs and lifts her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.
Indi clears her throat. She looks pointedly at Sydney, arms crossed over her chest.
“Oh,” Sydney says. “Indi finagled getting the same font as your book cover onto it.”
Ember turns the rectangular canvas to face us. I place a hand over my heart. A sunset engagement picture taken at Palmer’s Park Beach has been blown up into a “book cover.” Indi made it nearly identical to Ember’s own novel, and titled it Our Love Story, authored by Graham & Ember Del Ray, their wedding date at the top.
I’m not sure anyone could’ve thought of a more thoughtful gift if they tried.
Ember presses her lips together and looks at Graham. He only smiles and cups her chin in his hand, leaning forward to kiss her softly. I imagine very few words could adequately convey their love for each other in this moment.
Jolene races across the backyard with great purpose. Milo isn’t far behind with a sailboat in his hand and his bare belly covered in sand.
“Did you already open mine?” Jolene asks Graham breathlessly. She spins to face Jordan and Sydney. “You were supposed to tell me when they were opening presents, Daddy!” She pivots just as quickly, and she shrieks when she sees a small pink gift bag. She presses it into Graham’s hands. “Open this one next!”
Jordan clears his throat pointedly.
Jolene gives him a sheepish look over her shoulder. “Please.”
Graham lifts Jolene onto his knee. “Do I need to be scared? Is it going to blow up or something?”