Meet the Blakes (11 page)

The next morning, Teri-Lyn laid some aspirin and a glass of Seth’s Morning-after Mixer on the nightstand.

“Wake up sleepy head.” Teri-Lyn ran a hand through his hair. “It’s six-thirty.”

“Can I get fifteen more minutes?” he grumbled.

“No. Serves you right for trying to drink your sons under the table. Is Bo OK?”

“I think so. He said he wasn’t giving in to the liquor, so he elected to stay up all night. So, in other words, he’ll be sleeping during the ceremony.” He let out a big yawn.

“Well, Bonnie can keep an eye on him. Did Wyatt have a good time?”

“I guess so. He was mad that he couldn’t drink. Cal kept serving him Shirley Temples all night. I see you’re wearing my present.” He ran his finger over the seashells.

She smiled. “I can’t believe you went to all that trouble. I love it. I’m going to keep it in the safe.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Next to the diamonds or your emeralds?”

“In between, smarty. It’s beautiful.”

“It broke my heart being away from you all those times.”

“I know. I’m just glad you came to your senses.” She kissed him. “The wedding consultants will be here any minute, so I have to finish getting dressed and get downstairs. You promise not to go back to sleep?”

“I promise. Before you go. I have something for you.” He got out of bed and retrieved a box from a dresser drawer.

“Something else? What have you done now?” She took the box from his hand and pulled on the white ribbon. Inside lay a dozen engraved handkerchiefs. “Mother of the grooms. How sweet.”

“I know this is an emotional day for you, so we’ll never be in short supply.”

* * *

Teri-Lyn knew she was cutting it close, but there was something she had to show the boys before they walked down the aisle. She’d been awfully nostalgic lately and had been looking through the family albums.

Channing gave her a big hug. “Mama, you look beautiful.”

“I don’t want you to wrinkle your clothes.”

“I think it’s worth it.” Tyler lifted her off her feet.

“Put me down.” Teri-Lyn sniffed as she landed on her feet, and then dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. “You both look so handsome.”

 The boys looked at her, the same look of anticipation, joy, and unmitigated fear on their faces. “I found this the other day and I wanted to share it with you.” Teri-Lyn took the picture out of her purse.

Channing looked down at it and grinned. “Oh, my gosh. Where did you find this?”

“In one of the photo albums in the family room.” The photo was of Tyler and Channing, around the ages eight and five, dressed in T-shirts that said
Cowboy in Training
and matching jean shorts. They’d just dug up a mountain of dirt in the backyard with their plastic shovels, standing with their arms around each other’s shoulders, sporting toothy, mischievous smiles.

“I can’t believe we were ever that young.”

“You two were always so close. That’s why it didn’t surprise me that you wanted to have the double ceremony. I know you’re grown up and have your own lives, but when I look at the two of you, to me you’ll always look like this. My two babies.” Tears streamed down her cheeks.

* * *

When the violinists from Isabelle’s orchestra began playing the Wedding March, John Jacob smiled at Michelle and led her down the aisle. Tyler stood at the altar waiting for his bride, and John Jacob could see so much of himself in the boy. He never worried about his son finding love; he knew when Tyler found the person he wanted to spend his life with, he’d know just what to do. And Channing seemed to face his future with Cassidy with an optimism John Jacob envied. His son was determined that nothing was going to stand in his way of having a wonderful life with his love—not even the possibility of her cervical cancer returning.

Finally, he made it to the altar and passed Michelle off to Tyler.

When he took his seat, Teri-Lyn gripped his hand tightly. The wedding party was huge, all of the boys were up standing up for Channing and Tyler, and their women were there for Michelle and Cassidy.

A lump formed in John Jacob’s throat as the reverend began to speak about love and fidelity. Both men looked nervous and excited. He remembered that feeling well on his wedding day.

Tyler was sweating a little and when it came time for him to say his vows, he began to ramble quickly but a quick squeeze of the hand from Michelle settled him down. He asked if he could start again and the guests all laughed, which lightened the mood. He took a deep breath and when he spoke this time, he was eloquent and heart felt. He spoke of how much he always felt like an odd duck until he found Michelle. He said she soothed his soul like a delicious grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. It seemed like an odd thing to say but Michelle began to cry. She got his humor and knew exactly what he meant. She promised to make him grilled cheese sandwiches every day for the rest of their lives.

When it was Channing’s turn to say his vows, he spoke about the fragility of life and how he intended to make every moment count with the woman he loved and that he was grateful to have found someone so beautiful on the inside and out. Someone who gave him courage, hope and the optimism that nothing would stand in the way of their happily ever after.

He was thankful every day for meeting Teri-Lyn. Seemed like only yesterday they were bickering about loving each other. But she hung in there and let him build his empire, while she took care of their home. There were no regrets about the way they’d lived their lives. He wanted his boys to have the same happiness and fulfillment as they did.

The reverend pronounced both couples man and wife, both Tyler and Channing didn’t waste any time taking their brides into their arms for a smoking-hot kiss. It wasn’t until the nephews starting yelling “yuck” did they come up for air. As they made their way back down the aisle, John Jacob held Teri-Lyn close as she cried tears of joy.

Teri-Lyn watched Morgan play with the flowers in the centerpiece on the table when she normally would have been trying to keep up with the boys. Even when they were helping Michelle and Cassidy get ready this morning, she got the sense that Morgan had something on her mind.

“What’s going on with you? You’ve been moping around for days.” Teri-Lyn put her arm around Morgan.

“Have I? I thought I’d been putting up a very good front.” Morgan laughed.

“You have, but I know you too well. Seth’s been acting different too.”

“I was just thinking of how much all of our lives have changed.”

“Change is inevitable. Are you still worrying about Seth retiring?”

“No, I was just thinking about what a different person he was when we met. He ate, slept, and breathed football, and he had such a glamorous life. His love life was the subject of international news.”

“I used to worry about him so much back then. Now look at him.” She motioned to Seth who was helping the boys eat a mini pig in a blanket from the kid’s catering table.

“You know what he did last weekend? He helped the boys paint their play room.” She smiled.

“Love changes people. He knew he had to be the best version of himself if he were going to be a good husband and father. You’ve transformed all of our lives, and we have you to thank for all of that.”

“Me?”

“You and Seth meeting was the ripple effect that kicked all of this love blossoming on the ranch. Tate and Isabelle would never have met in your kitchen, and he would never have realized he needed the love of a good woman in his life. J.J. says that romance novel you gave him to read made him think deeply about happiness and what he wanted in life, and that led him to Sam. Michelle wouldn’t have met Tyler and they wouldn’t have done that crazy dance that led to them finally getting together. And C.J. wouldn’t have gone chasing after Cassidy if he didn’t have all those talks with Isabelle on the ranch. We touch each other’s lives in subtle, significant ways we’re not always aware of at the time.”

Morgan smiled. “I’m about to change all of our lives again.”

“How so?”

“What are my two favorite ladies talking about?” Seth appeared with a big smile.

“Morgan’s life-changing news.” Teri-Lyn raised an eyebrow. “You two have something you want to tell me?”

* * *

John Jacob searched the crowd for his wife, hoping she was somewhere relaxing. She’d been doing a good job today, only crying twice before she left the house and she only had the sniffles during the ceremony. It was a perfect day for a wedding on the ranch, and he was proud of Tyler and Channing, who looked handsome and debonair in their wedding garb, taking the final step to love. He and Teri-Lyn had raised fine men who had made excellent choices in life partners. Michelle balanced out Tyler’s impulsiveness, but her equally free spirit made for a nice combination of two people who didn’t take life so seriously but loved each other deeply. Cassidy and C.J. loved to have stimulating debates, but they also were learning to have more fun and live in the now. They’d planted a lovely garden in the back of their new home and were content passing the time watching it grow and loving each other.

Seeing Bo Sr. with Bonnie brought back so many fond memories of their youth. Their renewed commitment was no surprise to Bubba, Corbett, or Wyatt, but they all agreed to give them some space and let them do as they pleased. They’d always had an unconventional relationship and it seemed to work for them. Besides, Bubba was too busy building a life with Summer. She was beautiful, but just as geeky as he was, and it was sweet to see. Bubba had been talking to Jared about house designs, and he knew it was only a matter of time before construction started up on that ridge he loved. He was pretty sure Bo wouldn’t wait too long to make Summer his wife.

The family was getting bigger. Wyatt announced that he would be transferring to the same school as Avery and would be spending his time between Bo Sr.’s cabin and Bubba’s condo when he wasn’t going home for visits. He saw Teri-Lyn talking to Seth and Morgan and she had a pretty big smile on her face, so he thought he’d go see what was happening. There were only two things that could make his wife smile that wide. Maybe those two finally told her their secret.

“It’s a great day for this family.” He drawled as he slipped his arms around Teri-Lyn’s waist. “Did you two tell your mama the good news yet?”

Seth pulled Morgan closer. “What are you talking about, Daddy?”

“No, they’re playing this one close to the vest.” Teri-Lyn laughed.

John Jacob put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. “Just spill the beans so we can get on with the celebrating.”

“If,” Morgan squeaked, “there was something to celebrate. I wouldn’t want to do it now. Michelle and Cassidy deserve to have their day totally devoted to them.”

“That’s not how we do things in this family. Shame on you for not saying anything all week.” Teri-Lyn pinched Morgan’s cheek.

“How did you know?” Morgan mumbled.

“You couldn’t hide that wonderful glow if you tried. But the tip off was the boys have been uncharacteristically well-behaved all week.” Teri-Lyn giggled.

“Seth told them they had to be good because I wasn’t feeling well. I hope they’re happy about the baby.” Morgan put her hand to her throat.

“They’ll be fine. Jake handled having not one but two new siblings at the same time remarkably. And the boys were excited to have two new cousins,” Seth replied.

“Come on sweetheart. Let’s make our speech.” John Jacob winked and led her onto the stage. He whispered something to the singer who adjusted the microphone and handed it to him. He started to speak, but he couldn’t resist giving her a smoking hot kiss. It wasn’t until Tate and J.J. started whistling that they pulled apart. “You ready?”

“Ready.” She smiled.

John Jacob put the mic up to his mouth and cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention. “I’d like to thank you all for coming out today for such a glorious occasion. It’s a rare day when a man gets to see two of his sons married on the same day, to two beautiful women who are very welcome additions to this family. I see a great many wonderful things in store for this family for years to come.”

The crowd applauded. John Jacob handed the microphone to Teri-Lyn.

“And one of those things is another announcement we’d like to make today. I know they thought they were keeping it a secret, but my Seth and Morgan have been keeping a delightful surprise under wraps so they wouldn’t overshadow the newlyweds’ special day. But I reminded them that it’s the Blake way to celebrate all the blessings in our lives. Seth and Morgan are expecting another baby.” Teri-Lyn beamed and gave the microphone back to John Jacob.

The crowd went wild again.

“I get first dibs on the baby’s football contract,” T.K. yelled out.

“We’ve been blessed to have five happy, handsome, inquisitive grandsons and I am delighted to be expecting another one.” John Jacob laughed as Seth and Morgan shared a kiss.

Morgan broke the kiss and turned to John Jacob. “How about a girl?”

“What?” John Jacob replied.

“Would you be delighted to have a baby girl?” Seth bellowed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Teri-Lyn clasped her hands together.

“Are you sure?” John Jacob stammered.

Seth grinned. “We have a copy of the ultrasound to prove it.”

“I’d say that would be absolutely magnificent,” John Jacob replied into the microphone. “Looks like we’re expecting a baby girl this time around.”

The family gathered around for hugs and congratulations. Morgan tried to launch into a speech about the Blake men not going bananas over a little girl, but Seth silenced her with another kiss. He knew she meant well, but as soon as the words ‘baby girl’ left their lips, the men in the family were sending telepathic messages to each other. They’d be meeting soon to strategize about how to keep the little lady safe, and if that meant building a few walls or cracking a few heads, so be it.

John Jacob handed the microphone back to the singer and swept a tearful Teri-Lyn onto the dance floor. He reached into his pocket and gave her a handkerchief.