Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 25

25

MACARONS AND BOW TIES

MATT

T hree days later, we’ve got our marriage license in hand and Simon is cooing as I carry him inside the house. My parents’ 1957 Chevy is parked in the driveway with streamers tied to it.

“Congratulations!” My mom and grandma shower us with confetti when we open the front door. My mouth opens wide in shock and confetti lands on my tongue.

“We’re not officially married yet.” I pick the confetti out of my mouth.

“Close enough. I haven’t been this excited since your mom got married,” Mamie cheers, then throws more confetti from a separate bag.

My eyes catch on the shape of it, and I can’t suppress my laughter. Silver colored, penis-shaped confetti litters my floor.

“Mom,” my mom chides Mamie.

“Lighten up, Madilyn. It’s a wedding,” Mamie smiles goodnaturedly.

My mom’s parents are French, and I call them Mamie and Papi, French for grandma and grandpa. Papi is Simon, my son’s namesake.

I’ve taken Pepper to meet my parents and grandparents in Aveline a few times, so Pepper is pretty comfortable around them at this point.

“Pepper. So nice to see you again, mon petite chéri ,” Mamie coos with delight.

“Did you notice the Chevy outside?” My dad waggles his eyebrows. Then, he shocks me by dangling the keys in front of me.

“Are you sick, Dad?” He’s never let me drive his classic baby before.

“No, son. Today is special. You and Pepper go on a drive along the coast if you want to tonight. Mom and I will pick it up tomorrow,” he smiles, and I’m dumbfounded.

My family is over the moon about me getting married, and it’s not even real. I hope they understand once I explain I did it for Simon.

Looking around, my living room has been taken over by my parents and grandparents. Mamie and Papi are dressed to the nines. Mamie is rocking a light pink dress with lace sleeves, pink flat shoes and a pink hat. She loves her hats. Papi has on a light pink suit and black bow tie to match Mamie.

Shani is prancing around the house in the cute, lopsided way she does with three legs. A white lace bandana is tied around her neck, and she’s clearly excited for all of the company and ear scratches she’s getting.

The smell of fresh baked French cuisine hits my nose.

“You guys didn’t have to cook for us,” I tell my family.

“No trouble. We just whipped up a few things while we watched our Westerns on TV,” Mamie smiles.

Her makeup and hair is meticulously done. It’s not for our wedding though. She could be home all day long, and she’d still have a full face of makeup and her hair fixed perfectly. My adorable Mamie loves dressing up.

A big crock pot of ratatouille sits on the stove, and big meat and spinach quiches are on the counter along with a rainbow of colorful macarons arranged on tiers to look like a wedding cake.

“You guys have been busy. Thank you.” I take turns hugging my parents and grandparents.

“Of course. We’re happy to,” my grandpa says.

I told my family we’re getting married, but I didn’t tell them it’s a ruse to seal the custody deal with Simon. They’re family, but they also live on Aveline where nothing is a secret.

What if someone involved in the case ends up being from Aveline, and they know we only married for the custody battle? Lying to my family isn’t ideal. I’ve never lied to them before, but I can’t risk Simon’s future. They know nothing about Pepper’s situation either. I think they assume she lost her job and we were already dating, which is fine. I want the courts to believe this is real, so we’re not telling anyone the real reason we’re marrying.

My request for a wedding was simple: a short, simple ceremony at my house with only them and a minister. I made up the excuse that I see big weddings every weekend and want something intimate for Pepper, Simon and myself.

I ruffle my hair to get the confetti out as I look at my family’s beaming faces.

“We’re so excited for you two,” Mamie claps. “We’re so lucky the minister who married us in our living room fifty years ago was available.”

Imagine that. A seventy year old man on a small island not busy with another wedding.

“That’s great, Mamie. Thank you,” I nod my head respectfully.

Papi claps me on the back. “I’m proud of you, son. After two weeks with Yvette, I knew she was the one for me.” He smiles at my grandma, and she makes a kissy face at him.

Fifty years and three kids later, they fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but their love for each other is fierce.

“Come with us, Pepper,” my mom beckons.

“What’s up?” I take a step forward, but Mamie puts a hand on my chest to stop me.

“No, no, chéri . No seeing the bride until she comes down the aisle,” Mamie chides.

Mamie and my mom whisk Pepper toward the guest bedroom.

“Got a bow tie for Simon,” Papi hands me a black Velcro tie for Simon that matches his.

“Wow. Okay,” I’m surprised they went all out, but I shouldn’t be. I’m my parents’ only child.

“Your mom wants you to wear something nice. Then, set up your tripod for photos,” my dad instructs and opens his arms to take Simon.

“Yes, sir.”

Time to get married.