“I added that I wanted to start a trust fund for Leia to secure her college education,” Sierra told Willow.
“And I wanted something in there that says if we have a problem between us, we will attend counseling for at least six months before either of us do something drastic like file for divorce,” I explained.
“Can you do that? Force someone to go to counseling?” Lout asked.
“You can force them to go, but you can’t force them to listen,” Marcus answered his brother. “It’s actually a good idea. It will hopefully keep either of them from acting irrationally.”
“I want to add that to our existing contract,” Lout told Marcus.
“I didn’t sign a contract, you goof,” Willow pushed his shoulder. “As if you’d go see a therapist.”
“For you, I would,” Lout pulled her close and kissed her before he sat down in the last available chair and pulled her down onto his lap.
For the next few minutes, Marcus explained the details of the document, giving each of them the highlights before he asked them to witness Sierra and I signing them and then put them in front of Willow and Lout to sign, too.
“In the next few days, the two of them are going to get married and it would be a good idea if the two of you were there to witness that, also,” Marcus explained to his brother and sister-in-law. “It will sort of bring this full circle.”
“Sure,” Lout shrugged. “Just let us know when and where.”
“I want to get everyone together in one place, or at least everyone that can make it, so that they can meet Lexi and Sierra and welcome them to the family.” I stared at Lout and then looked over at Marcus before continuing, “I want her to see who has her back now and know that she’s not alone anymore.”
Lout nodded slowly and smiled his evil grin that I knew meant he was thinking of doing damage to someone somewhere.
“That’s his caveman way of saying, ‘Welcome to the family!’” Willow laughed. “You’ve picked the right bunch - the women in this family can throw a blowout wedding with only a day or two’s planning. We’ve had experience - first with my sister and then with me.”
“I have no idea where to start!” Sierra whispered. “I thought this was going to be in the courthouse with just a few witnesses. I only have a few people I’d like to invite, but I guess Rowdy has enough to fill up the space on my side of the aisle, too.”
“More than enough!” I laughed. “We’re going to take a pre-honeymoon with the kiddos and head to Austin, then we’ll be back for the wedding.”
“How are you going to plan a wedding while you’re on vacation?” Willow asked.
“Kari,” I smiled. “Between her and Sarah along with the other girls, we’ll be set.”
“True,” Lout laughed. “Kari is a force to be reckoned with. Add Sarah to the mix and those two could take over the world.”
“I’ve already sent Kari a text. She and Sarah are both meeting us at Sam and Carlie’s house in just a little bit so that we can iron out the details,” I told the two. “We’ll get word to you about when and where as soon as we know something.”
“You guys go ahead and I’ll have Reagan bring the girls to you there when they’re finished,” Marcus told me. “I need to wrangle those boys of mine and spend some quality Lego time.”
“Thanks for your help, Marcus,” Sierra smiled and stuck her hand out to shake his. He laughed and shocked her by pulling her in for a hug.
“Alright, Cocoa, let’s head to the house before the little ones have Emerald pulling out that hair I worked so hard on yesterday,” Willow smiled and hugged first Sierra and then me. “Welcome to the family, Sierra. I’ll get in touch with you soon and invite you over to a child-free girl night at Mom’s house as soon as you two get settled. You can dish the dirt on this hottie you've got here.”
“Get in the car, perv,” Lout said as he pretended to push Willow away. He shook my hand before he followed his wife to the front door. As he held it open for her, we could hear him say, “We’re going to stop somewhere and have a little alone time before we head back to the minions. I need a little vanilla sweetness.”
“Those two,” Marcus shook his head. “I’ll talk to you guys later on in the week and I’ll take care of all the other details while you’re gone.”
We walked out the front door just as Lout and Willow roared off on their motorcycle and I saw Sierra watch them until they turned at the end of the block.
“They’re both so sweet,” Sierra told me as I opened the door for her. “Your friends are so nice.”
I shut the door and just shook my head as I walked around the truck. I’d have to tell Lout that my wife thought he was sweet. He’d get a good laugh out of that one.
9.
SIERRA
“Do you hear that?” Carlie asked as she leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling on the sunporch of Lisa and Zeke’s house where we were having our first ‘planning meeting’ about the wedding. “It’s so quiet.”
Kari laughed at her as she refilled her shot glass with more tequila.
“The terrible twos are going to kill me,” Carlie moaned.
“The threenager stage is worse,” Lisa complained. “Brighten looked at me the other day and said, ‘Woman, don’t even think about it.’ Kale had to feel some pain with the vibes I was sending his way.”
“He would have just laughed at you and high-fived her behind your back,” Kari told her sister-in- law. “Now, stop bitching and get to drinking. We’ve
