Swing and a Mishap (Summersweet Island 2)

“She’s all yours,” Wren immediately says, letting someone else handle something for her, as I lace my fingers through hers and we all start making our way into Wren’s house.

“There’s still time to change your mind,” Wren warns me as we walk up the steps behind everyone while Palmer calls and orders pizza, and Birdie starts telling everything to their mom. “You don’t just get me and Owen; you get this whole crazy, messy nuthouse.”

“But I don’t like sausage! Tess, tell them I don’t like sausage! I am not eating if there’s sausage, and you can’t make me!” Bodhi complains from inside the house as we pause right in front of the open doorway.

“I like it messy,” I remind her.

“I love you. Just in case that wasn’t obvious.” Wren smiles up at me.

“I know. I mean, I am kind of a big deal.”

“Oh my God.” She laughs with a roll of her eyes, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the house.

A house filled with love, and people, and noise, and where I get to enjoy the first of many dinners with my family that I’ve waited my entire life for.EPILOGUEWrenTwo weeks later…

Shepherd: Remind me again how many scoops of topping go in a flurry.

Wren: Four. Are you sure you’re okay taking this shift by yourself? I can be up there in five minutes.

Shepherd: I’m fine. Just like I was fine the last three shifts I worked. The Dip and Twist is still standing, and no one died. Aren’t you supposed to be watching a movie with the girls and relaxing?

Wren: Did you forget Birdie wants to talk wedding plans tonight? There will be no relaxing.

Shepherd: Oh God. Did she bring the binders?

Wren: The binders, 27 bridesmaid dresses to try on, each one more hideous than the last, and I have looked at so many invitation styles I told her to just send everyone a fucking email. I don’t think I’m in the bridal party anymore. This is it. This is how I die.

Shepherd: Do we have to invite her to our wedding?

Wren: Wait, what???!!!Palmer: What’s everyone wearing tonight?

Bodhi: Uh, a T-shirt and shorts. We don’t have to dress up, do we?

Tess: You are NOT wearing a T-shirt and shorts to Shepherd’s first interview since retiring. I’ll find you something nice to wear.

Shepherd: You guys can seriously wear whatever you want. Wren and I will be standing by the dugout at the high school ball field, and ESPN wants everyone else sitting in the bleachers for wide shots.

Wren: Except you’re definitely not wearing that purple suit you laid out on the bed this morning. I already put it in the pile to give to charity.

Shepherd: Dammit!

Bodhi: Right on. I’ll stick with my Dave Matthews shirt.

Tess: That shirt is from the 2001 tour. You are not wearing that shirt, for fuck’s sake. Stop acting like a child.

Wren: Be nice, Tess. Let him wear the T-shirt. Just don’t let him wear one of those hideous bridesmaid dresses LOL!

Tess: I already burned three of them LOLOLOL!

Birdie: You assholes do remember I’m in this group text, right?Three weeks later…

Shepherd: What about a shopping spree at Nike?

Wren: No.

Shepherd: I could rent out his favorite amusement park!

Wren: No.

Shepherd: Get him his own golf cart?

Wren: I’m going to have to say yes to one of these birthday present ideas for Owen, or you’re just going to keep giving me bigger and more extravagant ideas, aren’t you?

Shepherd: Now you’re catching on! Let me spoil the boy, Wren. I won’t do it for every single holiday. Just these first ones.

Wren: Fine. But he’s only turning 15 this weekend. He still has another year to go before we even discuss getting him his own golf cart. And major holidays only, Shepherd Christopher Oliver.

Shepherd: I am NOT returning the jet ski I got him for National Sundae Day, so you’re just going to have to deal with it.

Wren: That is not even a real thing.

Shepherd: It’s November 11th. As a proud ice cream shop owner, I’m disappointed in you for not knowing your own national holiday.Five weeks later…

Mom: I see you got the D last night.

Wren: MOM!

Mom: We definitely did not have another break-in, since Shepherd installed a security system akin to that of Fort Knox, and yet, there are spoons, and cups, and bowls all over the place.

Wren: Well, I don’t know what to tell you. Shepherd and I went to dinner with his parents on the mainland last night. Maybe YOU made the mess this time.

Mom: Oh shit, that’s right! I did LOL! Wow, I had a lot of wine last night. It’s all coming back to me now. Stuart was a very wild lover. We might need to replace one of the shelves in the walk-in freezer. Didn’t realize we’d broken that off as well.

Emily: S-E-X! Go Sex! Get it, Laura!