Page 29 of Cade

I watch as all three of them think about my idea for a minute. Even if they don’t go for it, it was considered for more than the nanosecond that Asher’s idea was, so I’m calling it a win no matter what they say.

Hanna looks at me and smiles. “You know, I actually really like that idea. I think we should do it.” I look over at Anna, and she’s nodding as she writes all sorts of ideas for things to go on the potatoes.

Asher doesn’t say anything, but I get a chin lift in acknowledgment. As a man, I know the kind of compliment he just paid me, and that means a lot. Sometimes us men don’t have to say anything to get a message across.

A few more things are decided on as the back door opens and Jackson, Wyatt, Grant, and Mayson all filter into the house. Mayson comes up to the table and gives me and Asher a horrified look. “You’re voluntarily looking at wedding stuff?” Hanna reaches out and smacks his arm, missing his stomach that I know she was going for.

Mayson grins and looks between Hanna and me, and I have a feeling I’m not gonna like what he says. “You know, between Cade here having double vision ‘cause of his concussion and Sis with her near-to-nothing vision, you combine them together, and we got one person with twenty-twenty vision!”

Mayson laughs as if what he just said is fucking hilarious. What he doesn’t notice is Hanna’s hands clenching into fists. She hasn’t shared with her family just how much worse her distance vision has gotten, and I think she’s more sensitive about it than she lets on. I’m not gonna sit here and let her be the butt of a joke, even if Mayson didn’t mean any harm.

I look at him. “That ain’t funny. Not even a little bit.” I know Mayson’s not an asshole in general, but blind to what hurts his sister? Yeah, that he seems to be because he rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, it was. It’s a joke. Don’t need to be so sensitive about shit. Besides, I didn’t say anything that wasn’t bordering on the truth. It’s like when she bumps into the wall walking down the hallway.They haven’t moved her whole life, and she can feel them as she walks, but at least once a day she’s gonna bump into it.”

Hanna’s hands are almost white as she continues tightening her fists. I stand up and lean forward, getting into Mayson’s space. “Enough. That shit ain’t funny, and if you were aware enough to notice, it’s upsetting your sister.” Mayson scoffs like he doesn’t believe me. I’m done. I reach out and grab the front of his shirt and pull him closer to me. My voice deepens and gets calm so he can hear every fucking syllable I say.

“I know you’re not a fucking idiot and I know you’re not a complete asshole, but you’re sure acting like one. Ever think that Hanna might be sensitive about her vision and the fact that she doesn’t have any fucking control over it? So I’m going to say this one time. Do. Not. Pick. On. My. Wife.”

Asher, trying to defuse the situation, pulls Mayson back and tries to correct me. “You mean fiancé.”

I respond before thinking about what I’m saying. “No. I mean, my wife.”

It takes a second of the room being silent for me to realize what I just said. I look down at Hanna, and she’s got tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. She mouths,It’s okay. I love you.

A moment later, the kitchen becomes a scene of chaos and raised voices. I think her entire family asks the same question at almost the same time, so it’s a chorus of…

“What do you mean, wife?”

“Are you married?”

“What the hell is going on?”

I hold my hand up and set my other hand on Hanna’s shoulder. “If you want answers, why doesn’t everyone calm down and listen? We’ll tell you everything.”

Anna, who hasn’t moved from her seat, glances over at Jackson and Wyatt, then back to us. She nods her head and speaks in a tone only a mother can. “Okay. Start talking.”

I tell them about the proposal in Vegas. I don’t tell them the exact words because that’s between Hanna and me, but I tell them about the ring and it being my grandma’s. I tell them how Hanna said yes. I get to the decision to get married, and Hanna speaks up.

“It was my idea to get married in Vegas. Cade didn’t come up with it. I did.” Before Hanna can continue to explain why, Jackson scoffs and sits down directly across from us.

“Please share with the room what you were thinking about getting married without your family, without me or your pops to walk you down the aisle.”

Wyatt doesn’t sit down. He looks at me and at Hanna and shakes his head. “We were supposed to get to walk you down the aisle. You took that chance away from us.” Wyatt doesn’t wait for Hanna to explain anymore, as he walks out of the room, and moments later the back door slams shut. Grant, who’s another brother from their club, looks around and tells us he’ll go after Wyatt.

Asher, who is still standing next to Mayson, attempts to get back to the story. “Okay, so what made you decide to get married in Vegas with just the two of you alone?” Before Hanna can answer her brother, there’s a knock at the door, and I’m pretty sure it’s my parents.

Anna must realize the same thing because she gets up but points to all of us. “You all stay right where you are. I’m gonna get Cara and Mike and bring them in here since they have every right to hear this story as much as we do.”

A minute later, Anna comes back in with Mom and Dad behind her. Mom glares at me, and Dad gives me a look and a slight chin lift. Anna sits back down and pulls out the chair next to her. “Cara, have a seat. We’re about to be told why our childrendecided to get married without usandthen not tell us what they did.”

My hand hasn’t moved from Hanna’s shoulder. I give it a squeeze, and she sighs and straightens her back, taking strength from me but mostly from within herself.

“Lately my eyesight is getting worse, like measurably worse. I have almost no distance sight anymore, and my peripheral vision is pretty much a blur. I haven’t told anyone about it because I was coming to grips with it myself. I suggested getting married in Vegas, on the same day we got engaged, for one main reason. We don’t know how fast I’m going to keep losing my vision. The one thing I wanted, and I know it’s selfish, is that on my wedding day I wanted to be able to look into Cade’s eyes as we said our vows and still be able toseehim. I’m scared that even if we decided on a date in only a couple of months, that might not happen.”

I take over for Hanna as she wipes the tears from her eyes. “That’s why we decided not to say anything, because we still want to do something with our family. We planned on doing the whole ceremony, reception, and everything. The only difference is that we wouldn’t have to sign another marriage certificate. We want you, Jackson, and Wyatt to be able to walk Hanna down the aisle. We want that first dance, all of it. But I’ll be damned if someone makes my wife feel bad about our choice. I love hercompletely and would do it all again in a heartbeat to give her that moment.”

I look over, and both Mom and Anna are crying. I can see Jackson’s eyes are glossy, as are both of her brothers’. Dad looks affected as well.