Here With Us (The Archer Brothers)

“I’m glad I stayed.”

“I’m glad I came home that weekend to surprise you. It wasn’t easy, keeping that a secret.”

Ryley rests her head on my chest. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Archer.”

“I say the same thing about you.” I hold her tighter as our song plays. I don’t know how this dance is supposed to go, whether we’re supposed to look at each other the whole time or what, but what we’re doing feels right for us. When the song ends, I take a step back and lift her chin so I can look into her eyes. “I love you, Ry.” I don’t need a response. I know how she feels, and she’ll tell me every day and night because she always wants me to know. I lean down and kiss her, much to the delight of everyone.

The DJ announces that the buffet is open, along with the dance floor. I don’t know who I expected to dance first, but I’m not surprised to find Jensen and Carole already cutting a rug. Those two like to party and have a good time. We could all take a lesson from them.

I lead Ryley to our table and hold her chair out. I sit down after her and lean over, “I am a fool.”

She looks at me oddly. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look today. I mean, you’re beautiful every day, but this dress.” My eyes move up and down her torso. “I can’t wait to take it off of you tonight.”

“I can’t wait either.”

“And then maybe you can put it back?” I waggle my eyebrows at her. She laughs and nods. I touch the strap on her shoulder and ask, “Are you married to this dress?”

“I’m married to you,” she states matter-of-factly.

“What I mean is, maybe we can have a little fun while you’re wearing it.”

Ryley’s eyes widen. “I love my dress, but thankfully there’s a little thing called a seamstress, so no, I’m not married to it.”

“Thank God,” I mutter.

Lois comes over and whispers something into Ryley’s ear. I'd be worried if it were anyone else, but it’s probably girl talk and doesn’t concern me. Ryley reaches for my hand and stands.

“Where are we going?”

“People want to eat, but it’s rude to eat before the bride and groom, so we’re going to go get our food.”

As soon as we step up to the buffet, the rest of the guests do as well. I had no idea this was a thing and honestly would’ve sat there and wondered why no one ate anything. I carry Ryley’s plate back to our seats and then help EJ with his. He’s growing up so fast and I find I have to catch myself when assisting him. I don’t ask if he needs help. I just offer, and if he accepts, great. If not, I’ll follow behind and wait for him to ask.

“Hey, bud. You got this?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Is it okay if I sit with Grace?”

“Yeah, of course. You can sit anywhere you want. If you need me, just holler.”

EJ nods and reaches for a plate. I stay for a minute to make sure he’s all set before heading back to Ryley.

“He’s going to sit with Grace,” I tell her.

“You’re going to have to have ‘the talk’ with him before too long.”

“They’re not old enough,” I point out.

“With the internet, TikTok, and YouTube, they’re old enough. Believe me, I’ve seen some of the stuff online. And I’d rather he knows now than for it to be too late.”

“I’ll talk to him,” I tell her, although it’s the very last thing I want to do. “We’ll start with respect and how you treat a woman.”

Ryley kisses my cheek. “Thank you, Archer. And don’t forget to use real words, like erection and vagina. Don’t sugarcoat anything.”

“Damn, woman. You really know how to sour a mood.” I reach for my beer and take a drink.

She laughs. “Do you want to be a grandpa in five years?”

It’s a good thing I swallowed before she says this. “Five years, he’ll be . . .”

“A horny kid.”

Ryley’s not wrong. When Nate and I were twelve, we used to love going to our friends’ houses because, more often than not, their dads had a box of Playboys in the garage. Shit got real when we’d come across a Hustler. I don’t want that for EJ. Not if I can help it, at least.

I promise to start talking to EJ about the birds and the bees and the changes his body will go through. When we’re done eating, it’s time for Ryley to dance with her father. They dance to Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder. Jensen spins Ryley around the dance floor while the rest of us look on. And when it’s my turn to dance with my mom, I find that she has changed the song.