27
PAY UP
MATT
S imon looks classic in the wedding outfit my parents bought him: a white button up bodysuit and little black pants with plaid suspenders. And it’s finished off with a black bow tie from Papi.
I lay him on his blanket while waiting for Pepper to get ready and snap a few photos of him. He squirms and kicks and stretches on his blue blanket, then smiles at me with his toothless grin.
Damn. I’ve got the cutest kid ever. On one hand, it’s hard to believe I’m a dad. But now that he’s with me, I can’t imagine not having him.
A knock on the door surprises me.
“Tell me you didn’t invite the whole island of Aveline,” I groan to my dad.
“I didn’t invite the whole island,” he smiles, and I pick up Simon to investigate.
When I open the door though, my jaw drops.
Hope, Noah, Shyla, Deacon, Aerica and Indy are standing outside.
“No fucking way,” I exclaim.
“That’s going to cost you,” Indy pipes up.
“Crap. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind you giving me money,” she smiles sweetly. “I like your baby. He’s so cute.”
“Indy, we’re not at home. You can’t charge him for swearing,” Aerica chastises.
“Surprise,” Hope shouts with a huge smile. She steps through the doorway and hugs me, followed by the rest of the crew from Colorado.
“Daddy Matt, what’s up?” Deacon shouts as he claps a hand on my back. “Holy crap, your son is adorable. Come to Uncle Deacon.” Deacon gently takes my son and snuggles him against his chest.
“Go ahead and hold him,” I say sarcastically.
Deacon gives me a smirk, then turns to my son. “Hey, Simon. I’m your Uncle Deacon.”
At 19, Deacon became the main father figure for his niece Indy, who’s now six. He’s a natural with kids and holds Simon facing forward so he can see me.
“Noah, want to hold him?” Deacon asks, stepping close to Noah.
Deacon and Noah were like brothers growing up, but when tragedy struck, Noah disappeared for five years. Deacon and he struggled for a while when Noah finally came back, but now they’re super tight again.
“No, thanks. He looks like he’ll break too easy.” Noah leans in and gives Simon a finger to shake. “Hey, little man.”
They make a huge deal out of Simon, and when he starts to fuss, Deacon passes him back to me.
“I can’t wait to meet your wife,” Hope says excitedly, and thinking of Pepper as my wife stuns me momentarily.
A few weeks ago, I was single and absorbed in work. Now, I’m a dad and about to be a husband.
Growing up, Hope, Grace and I were inseparable. She and I walked the excruciating road of losing Grace together. “I’m so thankful you’ve found someone to make you happy. Grace would be proud of you,” Hope gives me a soft smile, and I pull her in with one arm for a hug.
“Thanks, Hope. Your support means the world to me.”
Simon yawns, then lays his head on my shoulder. “Hey, little guy. Daddy’s here.”
I rub circles on his back and kiss his head. He’s overstimulated already, and I hope he sleeps well tonight. I bought a couple of toys for Pepper, and I’d love the chance to try them out with her tonight.
I walk over to the counter and grab a dollar out of my wallet, then find Indy.
“Does this cover it?” I offer the dollar to Indy, and her eyes light up.
“Yeah. I usually get a quarter each time.”
“Consider it a future payment in case I mess up again,” I wink at her.
“You don’t have to pay her,” Aerica walks up next to me and I give her a side hug.
“No worries. I need to watch my mouth since I’ve got a kid now,” I shrug.
“I told them I didn’t need to come. We don’t know each other that well, and I feel like I’m crashing your wedding,” Aerica admits. “If you want, Indy and I don’t have to stay. I told her we can make a vacation out of it. She’s never been to Florida.”
It’s true that I haven’t hung out with her and Indy as much as the others in our friend group, but she and her daughter are great. Aerica lost Shane, her boyfriend and Indy’s dad. I understand what it feels like to lose someone, so she’s like a kindred spirit.
“Are you serious? I’m happy you and Indy are here,” I say. I’m not a shy person, and having friends here for my wedding is a welcome surprise.
I notice the engagement ring on her ring finger.
“You with someone special now?” I ask, nodding my chin toward her finger.
She looks down at the ring and exhales, twisting it slowly with two fingers. “This was the engagement ring Shane picked out for me. He had it with him in Afghanistan when he was killed. When it was sent back with his belongings, his mom gave it to me. Wearing it makes me feel closer to him.”
“I’m sorry I never got to meet Shane,” I offer.
“Thanks,” she gives me a soft smile. “I’ve yet to meet another man worthy of this ring finger.”
“I didn’t think I’d find anyone either, but I found Pepper,” I volunteer.
Wow. That sounded sincere. It was . Hopefully Aerica finds someone to bring her joy like Pepper does for me. I didn’t realize how much I missed having a best friend until Pepper came along. Her friendship has been healing to me.
Pepper possesses this fierce gentleness that keeps me coming back for more. No matter what life throws at her, she stays soft and hopeful.
Fuck. I love her. Even if I didn’t have to marry Pepper to save Simon, I’d want to propose marriage to her. How ironic. The wedding day for my arranged marriage is the day it dawns on me that I truly want Pepper next to me for the rest of my life.
All the noise of my friends jostles me from my introspection. My reserved Pepper may not share the same excitement to have friends here.
“Hey, guys. I need to tell Pepper you’re here,” I announce.
“Sure thing,” Hope agrees.
“You’re thinking about your wife. You’re gonna rock this husband thing,” Deacon gives me a playful punch in the chest.
“We’ve got chairs set up in the backyard. Let’s go out there and wait for the bride and groom,” my dad instructs.
Too late.
Pepper is standing at the end of the hallway with her eyes wide and her mouth open in shock.
Indy turns and gasps, “A princess! You’re so beautiful.”
Pepper looks breathtaking in a white dress, a veil and a fancy clip pinning some of her hair back on one side.
I hurry to her side and put my arm around her to offer moral support while she faces my friends for the first time. My mom takes Simon from my arms.
“Pepper, these are my friends. They came for the wedding.” I lean in close and whisper, “You’re breathtaking, princess.”
She rests her head on my shoulder. “Thanks, Matt.”
I introduce her to everyone, and we all go outside for the ceremony.