Imani rolled her eyes. Other than Garrett Jr., there weren’t going to be any babies in the near future.
All jokes were put aside when Mr. Jones caught Garrett by the arm before he walked out the door. “Remember what we talked about.”
Garrett nodded. “Yes, sir. I can’t honestly say I’ll ever forget.”
“Good.” He patted him on his back, and Garrett’s face relaxed. “As long as we understand each other . . . I know this marriage is a bit unconventional, but I think it’s good she chose you. I hope the two of you are as happy as Felicia has made me all these years, congratulations.” Garrett was more than surprised when Mr. Jones pulled him into a bear hug. He hadn’t received very many of those in his life and was choked up a little by this one.
Garrett cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
The emotionally charged moment didn’t go unnoticed. Everyone could feel it. Good thing Felicia was a master of lightening a mood, her voice rang out. “Where are my hugs? No one is going anywhere until I get mine!” Imani, Garrett, and Garrett Jr. hugged her.
Garrett Jr. enthusiastically waved goodbye.
Mr. Jones stopped him at the door and kneeled low. “I thought you were my new best buddy? Nana Felicia gets a hug, and I get a wave? I have a problem with that!”
Garrett Jr. beamed and threw himself into his arms. Michael hugged him tightly. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
Imani was so grateful that her family didn’t judge her for the quick decision to marry Garrett. They seemed to have accepted it and were fully on board.
After another ten minutes, the Hadley’s were finally walking to their rental car. Garrett was a little quiet. He seemed deep in thought.
Imani couldn’t help but ask. “What’s on your mind? I hope not regrets already.”
“No, not at all. Our marriage will probably turn out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“Then, what were you thinking?”
“Your family, they are not good with goodbyes, are they?”
She laughed. “Not at all. I’ve learned whatever time I need to leave, start saying goodbye a half an hour before that.” Curiosity killed the cat, and it would probably be the death of her too. She wasn’t going to ask but couldn’t help herself. “What did my daddy mean?”
Garrett appeared confused. “About what?”
“When he said remember what we talked about.”
“Oh, that,” Garrett smirked. “Basically, if I hurt you, or turn out to be a serial killer, he would bury me.”
Imani nodded. “Ooohhhh. Okay. That sounds about right.” The corners of her lips turned up a little. “You better listen to the man.”
*****
There was no time for a honeymoon, so the three of them immediately flew back from Atlanta to Chicago.
Garrett had been pre-occupied with the next court date on the trip home, and his head was buried deeply in paperwork. Garrett Jr. still managed to nestle himself into the crook of his father’s side.
“Mr. Hadley, you’ve been reviewing that paperwork for the entire flight and now the drive home. You’re going to give yourself a migraine. Think you can take a break? You can finish your review later.”
“Can’t.” He never even glanced up. “I’m meeting my lawyers at the office in about an hour.”
“An hour?”
“Yeah.”
Imani was surprised and disappointed. Garrett had no idea because he hadn’t bothered to look at her expression. He was completely focused on whatever was in front of him.
Their car pulled up into a driveway of a house Imani didn’t recognize. When the car stopped was when Garrett’s focus finally shifted from the documents in his hands to looking out of the window. “Good, we’re here.”
Perplexed, Imani couldn’t help but ask. “Where exactly is here? I thought you were dropping us off at home before heading to the office?”
Garrett put his papers away and gathered his son up in his arms. “I am.” He whispered into his son’s ear. “Come on buddy.” Garrett Jr. didn’t bother to open his eyes. He just wrapped his little arms around his father’s neck as he hoisted him up into his own.
For the first time since getting into the car at the airport, Garrett glanced over to Imani. “We are home.”
The driver came around to open her door. Slowly, Imani stepped out of the car. Her mouth formed a perfect letter O. She almost couldn’t speak. “T-t-this is not our home.”
“Actually, it is. I know this . . .” He paused as if wanting to make sure he said the right thing. “Arrangement isn’t exactly what you’ve always dreamed of, but I hope my gift makes your decision to marry me go down a little easier.”
Imani spoke as if she hadn’t even heard him. She finally was able to tear her eyes away from the house, and they landed on him. “Garrett, this isn’t a house, it’s a mini-mansion!”
“Mini?” His small smile froze. “If you want a bigger one, we can look for something else.”
She wasn’t sure if he was serious or not. As excited as she’d been, something felt off. Imani hadn’t been given the choice of where they were going to live. Garrett had decided. Shouldn’t husbands and wives agree to a decision this big?
The home was incredible, but he’d done it all on his own, and that didn’t sit well with her. There would come a time to have a conversation about what a marriage partnership should look like but now wasn’t it, especially when the look on his face said he was
