Our Happily Ever After (Bold As Love 5)

Chapter Nine

Emily

January

Jake is completely healthy now. It's a relief that he healed as he should, and that he's back to playing the sport he loves. I bought my dress and booked the caterer and photographer. Cherish and I had a fun, girls-only weekend. Everything with the wedding is lining up quite nicely. Even things between Jake and me have gotten better. He sends me cute little text messages every chance he gets when he's away. He calls me at least twice too. When he's home, he surprises me with sweet gestures as well. Yesterday, out of the blue, he showed up at my office with flowers.

It's almost like we're in the honeymoon stage without the new relationship status and without the honeymoon. Things aren't back to normal either. Life is so much better than that. With Jake being the Jake I know and love, Drake has improved as well. His remarks are back to being respectful, and I always make sure to let him know that I'm here for him. The connection in their corresponding behavior is obvious now.

Jake is in house building mode. He's so damn secretive too! I haven't had any hints whatsoever. I don't even know where he's building the house. How is it acceptable that I'm not allowed to know where I'm moving?! It's taken everything in me to let Jake be the one to check the bank accounts. If I look, game over. I won't be able to resist finding out everything I can.

As far as the wedding, invitations have been ordered, and they will go out next month. I had to get a passport because Jake says I'll need one, but that's all I know about the honeymoon too. Maybe I should write it in my vows that he isn't allowed to plan surprises like this anymore. Jake and I have to meet with the officiant as well. We're technically going to be married in Chicago, but our wedding will be in the Outer Banks.

Last weekend, I was able to book a florist, so that's out of the way too. According to my planner, the only thing left that I need to do this month is get my bridesmaids some dresses. I love having this woman tell me step-by-step what I need to do. And I really love her doing all the dirty work. It hasn't been completely smooth, but it's been a lot better because of her. With orders from the planner, Kristi, Helen, and I are out shopping for their dress. Once I pick one, I'll send the details to Hannah and Abella so they can get theirs.

“The closer it gets, the more excited I get!” Kristi exclaims as we shuffle through dresses.

“You're telling me. I think I'm more excited about getting the wedding over with, just so I can find out where we're going for our honeymoon.” The girls exchange sneaky glances, so I add, “Wait. Do y'all know where I'm going on my honeymoon?”

They both shrug. They so know!

“What color are we looking for again?” Helen asks, even though she knows darn well what color.

It takes all my willpower to answer her question and force the secrecy of my trip out of my mind. We search for hours, and they try on various dresses before we find one that we all love. It's light blue, and the lower half flows outward. The dress is strapless and stops a little above the knees. There's a wide, white bow around the waist, and it fits Helen and Kristi both amazingly.

“Please tell me that you love it,” Kristi begs.

“It does look great on us both,” Helen adds, obviously in love with the dress as well.

“That's the one.” All of them will wear the same dress, but Helen, as my maid of honor, will have a different bouquet. With that task done, we find a cute little dress for Sophie too. It's been a job trying to coordinate between two states, but it's been happening so far. I absolutely cannot wait for July and our wedding.

Jake has an All-Star game tomorrow and Drake and I are going. With the exception of the one Drake went to earlier this season, we haven't been to any of Jake's games. Jake wanted us to come, so we are. It's hard to say no, especially when he has made an effort to attend some of Drake's games. Plus, I'm ready to see him play.

I say goodbye to the girls and head home. The brothers are spending the day together, so they aren't home when I get there. That's the one thing I'm most proud of Jake. Drake has his brother back and that was more important than anything else. To have lost his parents so young, he doesn't need to lose his brother too. Especially when he's still right here with him. They have days where it's just them and some times, we'll all go out and Drake will bring a friend along too. Lately, it's been a girlfriend.

Fourteen. Little, cute Drake is now a fourteen year old who looks a lot like his older brother. He's been hanging out with a girl and she seems nice enough. It's just hard to believe to think of where Jake and I started to where we are now and how Drake has grown over the years. The thought of him dating isn't a fun one. Jake, of course, doesn't think it's a big deal. I keep an extra eye and ear out just enough to feel good about it, but not enough that I'm too overbearing.

I'm cleaning up a few spare dishes that were in the sink when the boys come in, just a rambling and laughing. Drake sits down at the table, but Jake walks up behind me and kisses my shoulder.

“Hey, Sweetness. Did you have a good day with the girls?”

“Yep. We found them a dress. What did y'all do today?”

Jake rests his hip against the counter next to me, but just smiles. I look over my shoulder at Drake, who is smirking. What in the world?

“You don't want to know.” Jake shakes his head with his sneaky little grin.

“What? Why?” I ask as I rinse the final dish.

“He showed me the progress on the house,” Drake says from behind me, smiling evilly.

“Jake!”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “I needed his help with something. You'll see it soon enough.”

“Whatever.” I wrap my arms around his waist. “I don't even want to know anymore. Who needs a house anyway?”

Jake laughs. “You don't want to know?”

“Nope.”

“Not even a hint?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“You wouldn't give me a hint anyway.”

“You're right and don't even think about asking Drake. He's sworn into secrecy.”

Jake looks too sexy with his I-Know-Something-You-Don't grin, so I kiss him quickly. We go into the living room and discuss tomorrow's plans before time to start supper. It's my boys and me and life is good.