Page 113 of To Have and To Hold
“JJ was hopin’ you’d be early,” he said in greeting, opening the backseat to retrieve their jackets, which were tucked safely in garment bags hanging on a hook. “The photographer said he can work with the light, but he’d prefer to get some candids of y’all before the ceremony.”
“We’re at her disposal,” Brantley informed him, waiting for Reese and Tesha before following Baz toward a large tent that had been set up.
As soon as they walked in, someone gasped, and someone else giggled.
Brantley saw his mother instantly put down a glass of champagne so she could hurry over, Cindy right behind her.
Iris’s smile was blinding as she peered up at him. “You made it.”
He laughed. “It wouldn’t be a weddin’ if I didn’t.”
She gently smacked his chest as he was leaning down to hug her.
“Where’s Pop?”
“He’s talkin’ to Pastor Bob. Introducin’ him to Hugh and Mark.”
Brantley looked at Reese and saw the way he shook his head, rolling his eyes. He found it sweetly amusing that Reese seemed almost embarrassed that his mother was in a relationship with two men. Granted, it wasn’t until the other night at dinner that they’d even been aware of how serious that relationship had become. Apparently, Mark wasn’t merely a third when it came to intimate acts anymore. They were venturing into more of a long-term, more permanent thing, and they’d taken the opportunity to ask both Z and Reese if they would give their blessing for Mark to move in with Hugh and Cindy.
Thankfully, Z had been there because Brantley wasn’t sure Reese could’ve said anything. Hell, he’d been on the verge of choking on water when they brought up the subject.
“You both look beautiful,” Brantley told their mothers, accepting a hug from Cindy as well.
“Thank you.” She stepped back and looked at both of them. “Y’all ready to do this?”
“I’ve been ready since the day he asked,” Brantley admitted, smiling at Reese. “But I think he might need a glass of champagne to calm his nerves.”
Reese shook his head. “I’m good.”
“Tell that to your face,” a woman said, appearing a moment later from behind Cindy.
“Jensyn.” Reese’s face lit up. “You made it.”
“Of course I did,” she said, hugging her brother. “You didn’t think I’d miss it, did you?”
Brantley was glad Reese didn’t say a word. He knew Reese had been worried Jensyn would come up with an excuse for why she couldn’t leave California. In all the time he’d been with Reese, he had only seen Jensyn twice, and both times were holidays. She didn’t get to Texas much—by choice.
“Why don’t we get some of the pictures out of the way,” Iris suggested, then looked at Cindy. “I’ll grab Frank and meet y’all where we discussed earlier.”
“I’d like to get some with them puttin’ on their jackets and ties,” JJ called from where she was sitting on the far side of the room. She motioned them over. “Baz said I have to stay off my feet as much as possible.”
“He’s a smart man,” Brantley told her as they made their way over.
“I was thinkin’ mean, but yeah. We can go with smart.” She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
“How’re you feelin’?” he asked.
“Good.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“No, seriously. I am. I’m tired, and it feels like I’m cartin’ around a few hundred extra pounds in the center of my back, but I’ll make it. Only five more weeks to go.”
“Two if we’re lucky,” Baz corrected, looking at Brantley. “Dr. Tinder thinks it’ll be sooner.”
“But we’re gonna hold out,” JJ said, her expression determined.
Brantley figured if anyone could hold off on going into labor by sheer force of will … well, that would be JJ.
