Page 106 of Second Time Around

Jenna felt a lump in her throat and worried she might cry too.

Luckily, Beck breezed into the living room and took over, greeting his family members in turn. Then he slipped his arm around Jenna and tucked her into his side, like he knew she needed his support.

“There’s food and drinks in the kitchen. Help yourselves,” Beck said.

Jim and Maggie went off, but Barb stayed back.

“Sorry for being so emotional,” she said, directing her apology to Jenna. “Ever since…”

“It’s okay,” Jenna said, reaching out and grasping Barb’s hand in hers. It felt slender, although Barb was starting to regain some weight, and her hair was growing back in. Soon she’d be due for another haircut, and Jenna took that as a positive sign.

“I always believed you and my son should be together, and I couldn’t be happier,” Barb said.

Jenna smiled, and then Barb let go and took a deep breath. “Now, I need to go and congratulate your sister.” Then she swept out of the room to join the others in the kitchen.

“Sorry about that,” Beck said, gathering her in his arms.

Since they were alone, Jenna slipped her arms around his neck and gave him a brief kiss. She’d worn heels for the occasion, so it was easier to reach him, but she was already plotting when she could slip them off and put on her Converses.

“No apology necessary. I’m happy your family likes me.”

“Likes you? I believe my mom’s exact words were, ‘Thank God! I never cared for that Cassie woman.’”

Jenna burst out laughing. She entertained the idea of dragging him off to another room and kissing him properly, but she decided that might be a bit too risky.

Sure enough, their respite was interrupted when Nick called out, “Can we have everyone move into the living room, please? Stacy and I have an announcement to make.”

Jenna disentangled herself from Beck, and he gave her a questioning look.

“I have no idea what this is about,” she said right before everyone filed into the room.

Nick and Stacy wove through the crowd and stood in front of everyone. Jenna tried to catch her sister’s eye, but she kept her gaze pinned on Nick, who began to speak.

“First of all, Stacy and I would like to thank you all for coming tonight and sharing this special occasion with us.”

“Hear, hear,” said Hudson, holding up his beer.

Some of the guests raised their glasses and clapped.

“Sadly, my parents weren’t able to make it because my dad is suffering from health problems…”

He took a deep breath, but before he could continue, Stacy clutched his arm and said, “I’ll finish.”

Nick looked surprised and grateful as she took over.

“Rather than asking Nick’s parents to come to Michigan for our wedding, we’ve decided to take our wedding to them.”

The guests began tittering, and the noise volume rose until she started speaking again.

“So, for those of you who can, we’d love to have you join us in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May fifteenth.”

Nick leaned over and kissed her cheek, which made her blush, and then everyone began to talk at once.

“Is it a beach wedding?”

“That’s only seven months from now. Is that enough time to plan?”

“Destination weddings are all the rage. What happened to getting married at city hall?” This from Stacy and Jenna’s grandfather.