by Low, JA
“Yes. Exactly that. I don’t want anything flashy, honestly a barbecue in the backyard with all our family and friends, I’d be happy with that.”
“How about a sophisticated barbecue?” Camryn suggests. I look over at Oscar who’s smiling. “Yes. Perfect.”
“I think we should get married underneath the weeping willow on the side of the dam, where we scattered the ashes. That way your family can be there with us.” I suck in a breath at Oscars’ comment. There’s that pang of reality that hits me every so often, reminding me of all the things my family is missing out on. “The kids would love it, too,” he adds. I reach out and grab his hand in mine, emotion getting to me.
“We can easily do that,” Camryn tells us, giving me a moment to compose myself. “Maybe later on you could show us around and we can get some ideas.” I nod, trying to get the knot in my throat to untie itself. “This is a fantastic start, guys. We can easily put together an elegant, yet simple country celebration. It will be more about making memories than anything else.” That's exactly it.
Not going to admit it out loud but I might be a little excited.
“And what about the dress?” Yvette asks.
“I’ll stop you there ladies. Babe, I don’t want to hear anything about your dress until I see you walking down the aisle or whatever it is you will be walking down,” Oscar tells me. “So I’ll leave you girls to it. I’ve got some things to do out back anyway.” He stands up and kisses my forehead before running away really quickly.
“He’s a real softy under all that gruff, isn’t he?” Camryn muses.
“He’s a giant teddy bear really.” I smile.
Oscar comes back into the room with his hand over his eyes.
“Is it safe?” We all laugh at him.
“Yes,” we call out.
“Good. Didn’t want to see something I shouldn’t. I’m off to pick up the kids.” He rattles the keys in his hands. We say our goodbyes and he is out the door. Camryn and Yvette stare at me in bewilderment.
“What?” I look between them both.
“Domestication looks good on you both.” Camryn smirks “For a couple who didn’t want the traditional life, you two seem to be coping well with it.”
“This wasn’t in our plans at all, but somehow we are fumbling our way through it all and it just works.”
“The man is doing the school run,” Yvette adds.
“I know.” I smile at them. “He’s talking about buying a farm when he gets home.” Camryn chokes on her tea. “I know. He even spent the other night searching through hundreds of homes with the kids until they found one that suited all their needs and then bought it.” Camryn and Yvette look at me with disbelief. “Just like that. The kids think he is a fucking god now.” This makes us chuckle.
“He sounds like a changed man,” Camryn adds.
“Yeah he has. We both have. But I worry.”
“Worry about what?” Yvette questions.
“I worry that maybe one day he is going to wake up and resent this new life.”
“No way. The way that man looks at you, he’s all in,” Camryn tells me.
“I know. I just…I’m overthinking things. Aren’t I?” They both nod their heads at me.
“I don’t think Oscar would be buying a new house, one that is perfect for the kids, if he wasn’t all in,” Camryn reminds me.
“You’re right. I just need to stop worrying.”
“It’s understandable to worry. I mean, Stacey, your world has been turned upside down and things are all happening really quickly. Of course you will be overthinking everything,” Camryn explains to me. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.” She’s right. “And also talk to Oscar. Don’t bottle up your fears, because I know us women like to do that. Don’t be scared to voice any concerns you have to him. He’s a good guy.”
“Thanks guys.” I feel a little lighter.
“Come, show us around. I have so many ideas and I need to see if they will work.” Camryn enthusiastically wiggles in her seat.
We jump into the Ute and I start giving Camryn and Yvette the grand tour of the farm. They are both quiet as we travel along the dusty, dirt line roads, taking it all in.
“What’s that?” Camryn points to an old rusty tin shed.
“That’s the old shearing shed.”
“I want to see it.” I turn the steering wheel of the Ute and head over in that direction. Camryn jumps out of the car and rushes into the shed. She pulls open the rusted doors, which groan at the sudden movement. It’s hot, dusty and stinks of sheep. I can see it on her face; she has found something that has her excited. “This. This is it.” Is she mad?
“This old thing? It looks like it will fall down in the next storm.” Camryn waves her hands at me.
“Have faith, Stace. I promise you when I am done this shed will look like a million bucks.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t think I heard you. Say it again.” Camryn smiles.
“Okay.” I raise my voice.
“Hell yeah,” Camryn squeals, pulling me into her arms and hugging me. “I promise you, Stacey, I will make your family proud.” Damn her. The waterworks start again.
* * *
“We’re home.” Oscar stomps along the veranda, letting us know that we are home. “Can I come in?” he calls out.
“Yes,” we call from the living room; all the dress ideas have been put away.
“What’s going on?” Emma asks, looking at us all huddled around Camryn’s laptop.
“We are organizing your aunt’s wedding,” Camryn tells them.
“I wanna see.” Becca rushes over; Amelia and Emma join her. The girls ohh and ah over the pictures Camryn is showing them.
“What are we going to wear?” Becca asks.
“Well, what would you like to wear?” Becca’s eyes light up.
“Can I wear anything?” She looks over at me.
“Of course you can,” I tell her. She can wear a clown suit if it makes her happy.
“Oh my God. I have so many ideas.” She gushes. The talk turns back to fashion.
“I’m taking the boys over to the other house,” Oscar tells us, leaving us to chat about our dresses.
“What does your dress look like, Stace?” Amelia asks.
“Um, well…it’s not really traditional at all.” The girls’ eyes widen. “But it’s kind of me, I think?” I click on the folder that holds the inspiration for my wedding dress. The gorgeous emerald green velvet, 1940s style, backless dress fills the screen. Everyone is silent for what feels like forever.
“You’re going to look like a princess, Aunt Stacey,” Becca says with awe.
“I was thinking maybe a jewels tone kind of wedding. Maybe you girls might like these dresses.” I pull up the gorgeous rich navy dresses with gold embroiled stars falling across the dress as if they had just fallen from the sky. The spaghetti strapped dress has a full short tulle skirt, which I think will make the girls feel beautiful on the day.
“Are we bridesmaids?” Emma asks.
“Yes, I was thinking Lockie and my friends’ little ones could be the pageboys and flower girls. The little girls could wear the ballerina style tulle skirts with a top and the boys could be in maybe in a dress shirt and pants with little bow ties.” Emma and Becca nod excitedly.
“What will the older bridesmaids wear?” Amelia asks.
“I was thinking of maybe a deep berry colored evening dress or something like that.” Yvette shows Amelia a simple bridesmaid dress.
“Can I wear that?” Amelia asks quietly.
“Of course you can.” Her eyes light up at my answer. “Then I love it all. You are so cool, Stacey.” Amelia surprises me with her compliment.
“This is going to be the bestest wedding ever,” Becca adds. Well I’m glad they are all happy with my choices.
35
Oscar
A month later
Honestly, I can’t believe how much Camryn has achieved in such a small amou
nt of time. Somehow she was able to get the shearing shed back to its former glory. She’s arranged for luxury cabins to be set up all around the farm so that our guests can stay with us, therefore not disrupting the town with the paparazzi that follows us everywhere. Stacey was very strict about using businesses for our wedding, which thankfully Camryn has adhered to. I know this because every time I go into town someone tells me how excited they or their family member is to be working on our wedding. We even told the local paper that they were going to be the only publication allowed to be there on the day. Any photos taken they can offer to other media outlets to purchase. This way the money they receive from it can go back into the community to help the town with things such as drought relief programs, as well as mental health programs for families dealing with the strain of the rising debt from the drought. God, my fiancée is a good woman. Not many people would give the huge amount of money the media want for our wedding to people in need. She is someone really special.
Everyone is running around like crazy today because all our friends and family are arriving. The finishing touches to the cabins are being done, the Dirty Texas jet has touched down in Sydney and they are taking a couple of private planes out to us here in Mudgee. A fleet of cars will bring them to the farm, which should be arriving any moment now. It will be so exciting to catch up with everyone again, especially my family.
“Someone’s here,” Emma squeals, as I notice the first plume of red dust swirl up into the sky.
“Battle stations,” I cry. Because I know everyone has been freaking out.
“Just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Stacey joins me on the back deck, watching the cars pull up the long driveway.
“You’ve all been freaking out all morning.” I place my arms lazily around her shoulders.
“That’s because I want everything to be perfect.” Stacey elbows me in the ribs.
“Babe, it is perfect.” She lets out a frustrated sigh. The rest of the guys join us, Lockie grumbling to get up into my arms. I pick him up and throw him up onto my shoulders which makes him giggle. He loves it up there; my neck and shoulders not so much, the little dude is getting heavy. As the first black shiny car pulls into the driveway, stopping in a cloud of dust, we make our way toward it.
“We made it, thank fuck!” Derrick steps out of the car, stretching his body. “Oh sorry, little ears, forget what Uncle Derrick said.” He rubs his hands on his jeans. “Oh my God, look at you.” Derrick rushes toward Stacey pulling her into his arms. “You look radiant.” He nuzzles her neck.
“I’ve missed you,” Stacey tearily confesses.
“I know, my sugar plum. I’ve missed you to. I hope Ragnar has been looking after you?”
“Ragnar?” Amelia questions me.
“It’s Derrick’s nickname for me. He’s a famous Viking god.” Amelia frowns.
“You’re a Viking?” She looks a little confused. I guess I haven’t really talked that much about where I come from.
“I was born in Germany but my parents are Swedish,” I tell her.
“So you speak other languages?” she enquires.
“Yes. German, Swedish and English. I know a little Norwegian and Danish as it’s close to Swedish.”
“I’ve never heard you speak them.”
“You will when my family arrives. Sometime when we get excited, we slip back into Swedish instead of English.”
“Will you teach me how to speak your languages?” she asks curiously.
“You want to learn them?” I look down at her, giving her my full attention. She nods her head furiously. “Okay. Maybe we can find a language school in LA and we can start teaching you.”
“I’d love that. Thanks.” A smile is beaming on her face. Derrick pulls her away from our conversation just as more cars pull up.
Insane chaos is what I would call this get together. There are tears from both adults and kids. There is a hell of a lot of screaming too. Wave after wave of cars arrive covering everything in red dust.
“You made it.” I see my parents jumping out of their car.
“älskling,” Mom calls out to me. It is Swedish for sweetheart. Tears falling down her cheeks, she pulls me into a huge motherly hug. “I have missed you so much.” My large arms wrap around her too, after everything we have been through since arriving in Australia, this is what I have missed the most. Mom. “You’re looking well, baby.” She gives me the motherly once over.
“It’s been tough, but I think we have come through to the other side.” Dad greets me next. I see Isla with Easton on her hip. Excusing myself I head over to my nephew. It feels like a lifetime since I’ve seen him.
“Hey, little buddy.” I grab him out of Issy’s arms. “Oh my God, you have grown so much.” I nuzzle into his neck, my beard tickling him, making him giggle.
“I think he’s missed you too,” Issy tells me, giving me a welcoming embrace. All of a sudden something hits me in the leg and starts screaming. I look down and see Lockie crying, I hand Easton back to Issy and pick up Lockie.
“Hey, little buddy, what’s the matter?” Tears fall down his chubby cheeks.
“Mine. You’re mine.” He wraps his little arms around my neck. Issy’s eyes soften at the sobs coming from the little guy.
“I’m not going anywhere, little man.” I try and reassure him, but he clings to me even tighter not wanting to let me go. I guess over these past couple of months he has had me all to himself. Stacey and I thought he was too young to realize what happened with his family, but I’m pretty sure now we were wrong.
“Looks like someone is jealous,” Issy whispers to me. I nod my head in agreement. I think I need to find Stacey or Hunter quickly.
“I’ll be back,” I tell my sister and weave my way through the crowd, with a little crying koala clinging to me.
“What’s the matter?” Stacey spies me, reaching her hand out to me as I pass.
“Is Hunter or Amelia around?” She points to them standing to one side playing on their phones. I walk over to where they are and they look up as I arrive.
“What’s the matter?” Hunter asks, noticing Lockie.
“He got super jealous of me holding another baby.”
“Mine.” Lockie almost chokes me as his arms tighten around me. Stacey joins us; she looks at me with concern.
“Hey, buddy.” Hunter holds out his arms to Lockie. “Remember how we said we were having a party for Oscar and Stacey? All these people are here for them. Lockie nods against my chest. “Well, they just want to say hello to some people. Is that okay?” Hunter uses a calming voice when talking to Lockie. Lockie looks up at me and then over to Hunter.
“Hey, Lockie. Did you see there were some kids here for you to play with?” Stacey tells him. His eyes widen, he looks over my shoulder back into the crowd. “Want me to introduce you to Ryder? He likes cars and motorbikes too,” Stacey informs him. He eyes her suspiciously and reluctantly hands himself over to her. He wraps himself tight around her and they disappear back into the crowd.
“Sorry about that guys, I kind of panicked.” I rub my neck.
“Seems he’s really bonded with you,” Hunter tells me.
“Is that healthy?” I ask them. I have no idea about this kind of stuff. Amelia and Hunter shrug. They are just kids themselves, Oscar, how would they know?
“I think he might have been a little overwhelmed, I mean there are heaps of people here. We’re not used to having that many people at our house,” Hunter states. Maybe he’s right. I mean I feel slightly overwhelmed seeing everyone again, my old life and new life reconnecting.
“Is that why you two are over here on your phone?” I stare at them both.
“I don’t know what he’s reason is.” Amelia points to her brother. “But you do realize there are a heap of famous people in our home.” I look out over all the people and realize what it must look like to someone who isn’t used to being around these guys.
“Come on, let me introduce you to everyone then.
”
“No.” Amelia’s answer comes out quickly; her cheeks turn a bright shade of pink.
“Mia is obsessed with Sons of Brooklyn and they are like just there.” Hunter points to the boys who are chatting away.
“Oh.” I look at how embarrassed Amelia is and remember she is a fifteen-year-old girl. I guess her celebrity crushes are standing in her home. Now is the time to adult, Oscar. You’ve got this. “Who’s your favorite?” I ask her.
“Tyler,” Hunter answers for her. Amelia nods quickly, her ears turning pink at the thought of him.
“Would you like to meet him, just one on one first?” She shakes her head no. “Mia, he’s a nice guy.” Can’t believe I am saying that about those little turds.
“Okay,” she whispers. “Just him for the moment.”
“Okay, stay put. I’ll go grab him.” I turn quickly before Amelia decides to run away and probably puke from nerves. I walk over to where the boys are chatting.
“Congratulations, man.” Blake bro hugs me. The rest of the boys follows suit.
“Thanks, guys.” I smile back at them. “Tyler, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Sure man,” he says.
“Okay. Stacey’s niece Amelia is apparently a big Sons of Brooklyn fan.”
“Most of the world is,” Johnny quips. I ignore him.
“And you’re her favorite, Tyler.” I roll my eyes as I say it.
“She’s only human.” He smiles at me cockily.
“She is also only fifteen.” I give him my best authortive stare, which makes him step back.
“Right, okay,” he answers.
“Would you mind coming to say hi to her? She’s a little overwhelmed by everyone here and is hiding out.”
“Of course.” I let out a nervous breath. Tyler follows behind me. I can see Amelia’s eyes go wide as we approach, her face is bright red. Hunter is sniggering beside her and I give him the same stare and he stops immediately.
“Hey, Amelia.” Tyler holds out his hand to her. She doesn’t move. I’ve seen that face before; she’s gone into fan shock. Tyler’s hand falls through the air. “You live in a cool place,” Tyler continues chatting away, used to this level of fandom. “Can you believe this dickhead is going to be your uncle in a couple of days.” I clip him behind the head.
