When we get back to the rental house, it’s quiet. My mom left a note she is at the pool with Davis and Darius is with them. Ari lies down for a nap and I unpack us and return some calls. Connor stops by and I give him all the details of what happened including a step by step of Alex’s delusions that we were going to have a relationship. Being my agent, he recommended some PR options. Being my friend, he sympathized with me.
He stayed while I prepared dinner from some of the food dropped off earlier today. Ari woke up when Davis came back from the pool and they started a puzzle. Our crew came back over around five and Luke brought me a much needed bottle of Jack Daniels. There was a definite heaviness in the air, but we all kept up appearances for Davis’s sake.
When my phone rings with an unknown number, a sense of dread washes over me. I answer and then look at Ari with devastation in my eyes. Her face crumbles and she falls into Luke wailing in pain. Today at four thirty-six pm, thirty hours after taking a bullet to save my son, Katherine Anna Williams died.
Chapter 33
Ari
Two hours. In two hours, I’ll be walking down the aisle. I feel like throwing up. Everything I have ever dreamed of is coming true, why am I so nervous? Probably because I haven’t seen Reed since last night’s rehearsal and his presence alone calms me.
He hasn’t left my side since Katy died. Everyone rallied together to plan the perfect funeral and service for my grandmother as I fell apart. Thank God, Luke and Sophie knew where all the legal documents were to make arrangements. Katy has specific instructions on the church and funeral home. Her plot was with my family so we just had to schedule everything. Davis was so confused about what was happening and started having nightmares. His counselor asked Reed and I to join him in session where we explained that Katy had gone to heaven. He asked a ton of questions and I was strong enough to answer, but I cried myself to sleep that night.
After that day, I got stronger. I went through Katy’s papers and started arrangements with her lawyer for probate. Everything was left in my name. I couldn’t go back to the house after the police cleared the scene of the crime so, Reed made arrangements with an interior designer to redesign the entire first floor. I didn’t want to sell the house, but I never wanted to see the original dining room again.
One thing I knew was the right thing to do was make amends with Cara. She would never be my best friend, but she did have a part in saving my son and my life. I invited her over and we talked, really talked. We both cried for losing people in our lives and making mistakes. I forgave her that night because even through the devastation she caused, she came through in my time of need and saved me and Reed a lifetime of heartache.
The day of the funeral, I cried about losing the last parental figure in my life and Amy stepped in immediately. She held me close promising me we would always keep my grandma’s memory alive. Then when the limo drove up and I saw the street lined with people paying their respects, I held my head high. She deserved it. The church was filled with people, but one entire section was Reed’s football friends and I realized I had a huge extended family now. I pulled my shit together and acted like the strong lady my grandmother raised me to be.
I wept a few tears during the service, but nothing could have prepared me for the speeches both Reed and Luke gave. I laughed, I cried, and I smiled at the memories they spoke about. There was not a dry eye in the church.
The football wives and grandma’s book club arranged for the luncheon after the service and it would have made Katy proud. People treated me delicately until I finally said, “Fuck it, let’s party.”
Our guest list for the wedding grew that day, but Reed and I didn’t care. We wanted everyone that loved Katy to join in our marriage celebration. Once the funeral services were over, we moved back to Jacksonville and Reed went back to practice. The whole team and staff were understanding of our situation, but he needed to get back and I wanted a sense of normalcy. Once everything was done, there were only four days until we left for Cumberland Island to get married.
We invited only twenty-two people to the wedding, but three hundred are expected at the reception. Reed reserved a few rooms at the Greyfield Inn for us. Even though it was hard, we decided to spend the traditional night apart because Katy would have insisted. Davis stayed with all the guys and spent the day with them as well. Amy will bring him to me as soon as the guys are done with their pictures. The only time I left this suite today was to run a few miles.