* * *
I kept looking at my ring as we walked back to the house. It truly was beautiful and I loved the fact that it had belonged to Caeden’s grandma. I traced the leaf and vine design on the band with my thumb. It fit the fact that as shifters, we spent most of our time outdoors.
“Does anyone know?”
“Know what?” he asked.
“That you were planning to propose to me.”
“No,” he shook his head. “I didn’t tell anybody but… I did ask your father for permission.”
“What?” my jaw dropped.
Caeden blushed. “It didn’t feel right not to ask him,” he shrugged his shoulders.
“When did you ask him?”
“While we were in Germany.”
“Oh,” I said, several things clicking into place. The mysterious conversation that I had not been privy to.
Caeden lifted me over the fallen log; my red ballet flats skimmed the top.
“I didn’t get a chance to tell you that I love this dress,” Caeden fingered the sleeve of it. “Red is definitely your color.”
I blushed and looked down at the red dress with little white birds on it. “Thanks.”
The house came into view and Caeden took my hand. “My mom is gonna freak,” he said.
“Your mom? What about my mom and Gram?”
Caeden laughed. “I’m sure Gram will burst into her ‘no baby’ talk.”
“Oh God, I hope not,” I put my head in my hands. “Especially in front of everyone.”
“Lucinda has no filter,” he grinned, leading me to the front door.
It opened just as Caeden put his hand on the knob. “There you are,” Amy huffed. “Everyone was wondering where you were. This is your party.”
“It’s everyone’s party, mom,” he said, leading me past her and into the family room. “Besides, I needed to talk to Sophie.”
“You talk to Sophie every day,” she followed us.
“Thank you oh wise one.”
Everyone was gathered in the family room, holding drinks, and munching on food.
“Oh my God,” Amy gasped from behind us.
Caeden squeezed my hand and whispered, “I thought it would take her a little longer to notice.”
“You’re engaged!” she screamed and the whole room went quiet. I turned as red as my dress as every pair of eyes in the room turned to me.
My mom dropped her cup on the floor. Thankfully it was empty. “You’re getting married!”
“Caeden decided to put a ring on it!” Evan joined in. He and my teammates started to do the Single Ladies dance.
The pack came over to congratulate us. Bentley’s smile was the biggest of all as he hugged Caeden and then me. “I’m so happy for you guys. You deserve to be happy.”
Charlotte and Christian squealed before they both squeezed me tightly. They then did the same with Caeden, who seemed at a loss as to what to do.
Logan said, “Congratulations.”
And Bryce. Oh, Bryce.
“Does this mean ya’ll are going to be even more grossly in love?”
“Probably,” Caeden laughed.
“Yuck,” Bryce said. “I think I’m going to throw up.”
“There’s a trash can over there,” Caeden pointed to the corner of the room. “Help yourself.”
Bryce rolled his eyes and walked off after Charlotte. I watched him take her hand and kiss her cheek. I was so happy to see those two together.
My dad came up to us, and Caeden’s arm stiffened around my waist. I wondered if he would ever get over his fear of my father.
“Congratulations,” he hugged me, kissed my cheek, and then hugged Caeden. “I can’t wait for you to be a part of the family,” he clapped Caeden on the shoulder. “My daughter couldn’t have found a more perfect mate and I know there’s no one on the planet that could ever love her more than you do.”
Caeden blushed and toed the ground to avoid eye contact. “I really do love her,” he pinched my side, “more than anything.”
“I know,” Dad smiled and squeezed his shoulder. “Your mom has prepared a feast. The food’s in the kitchen… if there’s any left,” he smiled and walked back towards my mother. She had her back to him and he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned back into him and kissed his chin. I hoped that was Caeden and I were that happy eighteen years from now.
“Food?” Caeden tilted his head towards the kitchen.
“I’m starving.”
Caeden led me into the black and white kitchen. Food was everywhere; Amy had really outdone herself. I picked up a mini hotdog and squirted some ketchup and mustard on it before popping it into my mouth.
Caeden hopped up on the counter, shoveling macaroni and cheese into his mouth. I climbed up beside him, careful to keep my legs together.
“I’m sorry about that,” he swallowed.
“About what?” I picked up a mini burger.
“I’m just sorry you were bombarded. I thought it would take everyone a while to notice, if they noticed at all, and we’d be able to announce it later.”
I bumped his shoulder with mine. “I’m happy that everyone knows, and that we were all together.”
“Good point,” he grinned and I leaned over to kiss his dimple.
Gram came into the kitchen, twisting her skirt around. “What was all that screaming about? I had to pee.”
“Thanks for that information Gram,” I laughed, grabbing a napkin to wipe my mouth.
Gram rolled her eyes. “Now what was all that squealing about? You’re mom didn’t get you some sports car did she?” Gram looked at Caeden. “Those things are dangerous.”
“No Lucinda,” Caeden chuckled. “Your granddaughter has agreed to marry me.”
“Oh!” Gram snatched my left hand. “Engaged?” tears formed in her eyes. “You’re both growing up,” she patted my hand before releasing it. She looked between us. “Now just don’t go making me a great-grandma before I’m ready,” she scolded, before turning on her heal and disappearing.
Caeden laughed into my shoulder. “I called it.”
“You did,” I grabbed a cake pop and stuck it in my mouth.
“That looks good,” Caeden said and grabbed the cake pop from my mouth and stuck it in his. He waggled his eyebrows.
“Hey!”
“Come and get it.”
“I don’t think so, mister,” I grabbed another.
Evan and Brody came into the kitchen to get another plate of food.
“You two are getting married, huh?” Evan lifted an eyebrow. “I guess Caeden here couldn’t handle a little competition.” We all laughed.
“So,” Brody said, “are ya’ll going to Beach Week?”
“Nah, I don’t think so,” Caeden shook his head. “It’s a bit too rowdy for us. We have a house at Virginia Beach so I was thinking we might all go there,” he addressed me.
“That would be great. I’d love to go to the beach,” I smiled.
Evan snorted. “It figures Mr. Moneybags would have a beach house. I mean, look at this place.”
“Beach?” Bryce stuck his head in the doorway. “Did someone say beach?”
“Yeah,” Caeden said. “I was thinking we’d all go to the beach house.”
“This isn’t a joke right?” he asked. “Because if it is, you’re really cruel.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“Yes!” Bryce fist-bumped the air. “Charlotte! Babe, wait up! We’re going to the beach!” he called after her.
“Is it just me or is he really excited to go to the beach?” Brody asked.
“That’s Bryce,” Caeden and I said simultaneously and then laughed.
Caeden ran his fingers through his hair and said, “Bryce can build the most epic sandcastles you’ve ever seen.”
Bryce sauntered back into the kitchen. “He’s right, and this year I plan to build a life size castle.”
“Bryce, I think that’s impossible,” Caeden said.
“Wa
tch me, big brother, and when I do you must bow down to my superior marvelousness.”
“I don’t think so,” Caeden said.
Bryce shrugged. “Fine, now bowing. But you’ll still have to admit to my marvelousness.”
“Sure, sure,” Caeden waved his hand.
“Hey guys,” Amy came into the kitchen. “Did ya’ll bring your swimming trunks? I’ve got the outside set up now.”
“We remembered,” Evan said.
“Great,” she clapped her hands together.
“Caeden and Sophie,” she teared up when she looked at us. “I’m so proud of you both. You’ve graduated high school and now you’re getting married. I’m going to cry. Does anyone know where the tissues went?”
“Right here mom,” Bryce pulled out one of those portable packs from his pocket.
“Oh, thank you sweetie,” she took it from him and dabbed the corner of her eyes. “I just have so many emotions.” She ran from the kitchen sniffling.
“Should we go after her?” I asked Caeden.
“Are you kidding? That’ll only make it worse.”
“Hey man,” Brody said, “where can we change into our trunks?”
“Bathroom’s down the hall. Bryce will show you.”
“I will?”
“Yes,” Caeden eyed his younger brother, “you will.”
“This way,” Bryce said.
“I don’t have a bathing suit,” I told Caeden.
“Don’t worry,” Caeden winked. “I’ve got you covered.”
He hopped off the counter and helped me down. He took my hand and led me to his room. He picked a bag off of his bed and tossed it at me. I opened the bag and found several swimsuits in it.
“I got a couple so you’d be able to choose.”
“Thanks,” I dumped the contents out on his bed.
I picked out a multi-colored chevron patterned tankini with black bikini bottoms.
“Darn,” Caeden grinned. “I was hoping you’d pick one of these,” he held a bikini top on the end of his finger.
“I don’t think so, mister. Not with all these guys here.”
“Good point,” he dropped it back on the bed.
I headed into the bathroom to change and Caeden rummaged through the drawers for his trunks.
I lifted my dress over my head and folded it, along with my other clothes, so I could change back into it later. Unless, Caeden decided he wanted to sleep here tonight.
I opened the door a crack and stepped into his room.
Caeden was collapsed onto one of the beanbags. His swim trunks were green with white piping, making him look even more tan. I wondered how much tanner he’d get when we went to the beach.
“Ready?” he jumped up, giving me an amazing glimpse of his perfect chest and abs, coated in a light dusting of hair. The hair grew thicker at his belly button and disappeared into his swim trunks.
Do not hyperventilate.
“Do you have a shirt I can where over this?”
“Yeah, sure,” he opened a drawer and tossed a gray batman shirt at me.
I slipped it over my head and took his hand.
Everyone had disappeared from the downstairs and ventured outside. Caeden opened the French doors leading out back and my jaw dropped.
The pool was crystal clear, surrounded decorative rock to give it a natural vibe, and it even had a waterfall. My eyes ventured upward and took in a swirling slide and even a rope swing. A hot tub was adjacent to the pool. There was a pergola with wispy white netting, an outdoor kitchen, and a TV.
For the party, Amy had music pumping through the speakers, and red, black, and white balloons everywhere, even in the pool. There was more food and a cake in the shape of a Warrior.
“First, your backyard is amazing,” I told Caeden, “and second, if this is how your mom plans a graduation party, I’m giving her free reign for the wedding.”
“Better not do that. We might end up getting married in a spaceship.”
“She-wolf!” Riley called. “Get in this pool before I come get you.”
“I’m coming!”
Caeden let go of my hand and ran at the pool before jumping in the air, doing a flip, and diving gracefully into the water.
“Show off!” Tyler yelled when he came up for air.
Caeden shook his head, sending water everywhere, and sticking his hair up in every direction.
“Come on babe, just jump.”
I tore his shirt off and tossed it on a nearby chair and decided to take his advice and just jump.
Twenty Two.
Two weeks later.
“Babe, are you packed?” Caeden came into my room. Before I could answer he twisted me around to face him and dipped me before planting a kiss on my lips. “Or should I say, fiancé, are you packed?”
I giggled. “Almost.”
He kissed my cheek and let me go. “We leave in five minutes,” he playfully smacked my butt.
I added a few more tank tops and shorts to the bag. Plus a sweatshirt that Caeden had gotten me, just in case the nights and mornings were chilly. I looked around my room, making sure I hadn’t forgotten anything, and couldn’t help but smile when I saw Perry the Panda sitting on my bed.
I looked in my closet and grabbed two dresses just in case we went out anywhere fancy. I grabbed a pair of black sequined flats too and added it all to my bag.
I couldn’t get the bag to zip so I called for Caeden. “Caeden! I need your manly strength!”
He appeared in the doorway. “How can I help you? My name is Caeden and I am at your service,” he kissed my hand.
I laughed. “I can’t get my suitcase closed.”
“Easy peasy,” he zipped it in one swipe. “Are you ready to go now?”
“Yep,” I said, tightening my ponytail and yawning. “I’m glad you’re so awake. I’m ready to go back to bed,” I looked at my bed longingly.
“I have to drive, therefore, I have to be awake.” He grabbed my suitcase off the bed. “Oh and your mom and dad are here.”
I walked out into the living room and found them sitting on the couch. “Hey guys,” I sat down in between them. “Your flight leaves tomorrow right?”
“About that…” dad said.
“What?”
Mom patted my knee. “Your dad and I found a house here and we’ve decided to move back here. With the Grimm’s mostly eliminated we should be fairly safe.”
Caeden came back in and stopped in his tracks, face stricken.
“Are you okay?” I asked him.
He shook his head. “Uh… yeah… fine.” He went into my room and came out with Archie in his arms.
“That’s great news,” I hugged them both. “I’ve missed you guys so much, you have no idea. It’ll be so awesome having you live here.”
“We’re still flying back to Germany to settle everything there before we settle here but we’ve already made a deal on the house so we should be moved in by the end of the month,” dad said.
“This is just so great,” I hugged and kissed them.
“You better get on the road,” mom said. “You want to miss the traffic.”
“I love you guys,” I said and went to say bye to Gram who was furiously cooking scrambled eggs.
“Bye Gram,” I kissed her cheek.
“I love you Sophie, ya’ll be careful.”
“We will.”
“No babies.”
“Gram!”
She smiled and patted my cheek. “Get your cute toosh outta here.”
“Will do,” I said and shook my butt.
She laughed. “Call and let me know you get in safe. Call your parents too.”
“I know,” I said and hugged her. “Love ya Gram.”
I hugged my parents again and grabbed my purse up. “I guess I’ll see you soon.”
Caeden was waiting in the car, Archie sitting on his lap, and poor Murphy in the back.
“Bryce, Charlotte, and Logan are going to drive down later today so we’re g
oing to pick up Bentley and Christian.”
Insider (Outsider Series) Page 24
