“As do I.” Mum started to cry and the rest of us joined in, caught up in a beautiful but emotional moment.
“Why’s you all crying?” Gracie asked after a moment, confusion on her face.
“Because we’re happy,” Margot told her, reaching for a tissue.
“Grown-ups are weird,” Gracie said.
“I’m inclined to agree,” Mum said, taking a deep breath. “Well, now that we’ve all had a good cry, time to pack up the dress and have some fun. What shall we do first?”
My thoughts drifted to my father and for the first time in a long time, I realized he wouldn’t be the one to walk me down the aisle. I knew it intellectually, of course, but since there hadn’t been a man in my life since he died, it hadn’t been poignant until now. It was understood that my grandfather would do it, my current annoyance with him notwithstanding, but it wasn’t the same. I tried not to think about all the things my father would miss, but once in a while, it caught up to me.
I couldn’t help but wonder how he would have felt about Dax as a son-in-law. They’d met at the one dads’ trip he’d gone on with Ian and the Sidewinders, and Dad had come home talking about what a great guy Ian’s roommate was, but that had been the only time. Dad had died before the following year’s trip and now Granddad went every year.
“Isla?” Mum was watching my face carefully.
“Sorry.” I managed a little smile. “I was thinking about Dad for a minute, how he’s never going to see me in my wedding dress or…anything.”
And then we all burst out crying again.
Bloody hell.
12
Dax
With almost everyone we knew from Las Vegas here in Edinburgh now, the weekend was busy. Between spending time with old and new friends, sightseeing, and long, sexy nights with Isla, I’d almost forgotten my parents were coming.
I was picking them up at the airport today. I’d wanted Isla to come with me, but she had wedding party things to do with Everly and the other ladies, and that was okay because I wanted to talk to my parents about her first. They knew I’d had feelings for her for a long time, but they didn’t know we’d finally gotten together.
I waved when I saw them, and my mother immediately gave me a huge hug.
“You look good, son,” my father said as we walked toward baggage claim.
“Thanks.”
“I’m starving,” Mom announced. “There was no food on the damn flight.”
I smiled. “We can go get some lunch. Would you like to settle at the house first or eat first?”
“Food,” Mom said emphatically.
“Done.”
We gathered their luggage and put it in Isla’s car, which I’d borrowed to pick them up.
“So, I have news,” I told them once we were on the road. I wasn’t overly confident driving on the left side of the road, but I’d gotten here okay, so I hoped I wouldn’t kill us all.
“Is it a woman?” Mom asked eagerly.
I cut a quick glance at her. “Keep that up, and I won’t tell you!”
She pressed her lips together contritely. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’ll be quiet now.”
We all laughed as I shook my head. “You remember me talking about Ian’s twin sister, Isla?”
“You’re together!” Mom squealed, clapping her hands. “Yes!”
“Dorothy, you said you were going to be quiet,” Dad chirped from the back seat.
She just laughed. “Mind your business, Desmond. Dax, tell us everything.”
I gave them an overview, filling them in on Isla’s grandfather’s matchmaking attempts and her desperate effort to tell them she already had a boyfriend. “And everything kind of took off from there.”
“So when do we get to meet her?” Mom asked in confusion. “Why didn’t you bring her today?”
“There are a ton of wedding things happening and she’s in the wedding party. But you’ll meet her tonight at dinner. Constance has planned a nice evening for everyone.”
“And we get to stay in a castle,” Mom said, sighing dramatically. “I do love your friends, Dax. Now, if you could give me some grandchildren, my life would be perfect.”
I shook my head. “That’s not happening any time soon, Mom. Isla and I both have busy careers, so even if things go perfectly between us, kids are in the distant future.”
Mom looked disappointed. “Damn. I’m never going to be a grandmother.”
I chuckled. “Well, I wouldn’t say never, and I do have a brother who’s capable of providing that for you, but I think it’s safe to say it won’t be this year. Not from me, anyway.”
“Boo,” Dad muttered.
“You two really want grandbabies,” I said, grinning at them.
We all chuckled.
We went to a local place Ian had taken me once and got a nice table by the window, so they could look out onto the busy streets of Edinburgh. I felt bad Isla was missing this, but she would meet my parents tonight, and hopefully the four of us could do something tomorrow during the day so they could really get to know each other.
“You had a good season,” Dad said as we ate. “When does your contract renew?”
“I have one more year,” I told him.
“Do you think you’ll stay in Vegas?” Mom asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I love the guys and the team, but I’m ready for a change. I wouldn’t mind getting traded somewhere back east, maybe New York or Boston.”
Dad made a face, since he didn’t like any of the New England sports teams. “You’d play for Boston?”
“I’ll play for whoever writes me the big check with all the zeroes,” I responded.
Mom eyed me curiously. “You’re restless. How come?”
“I don’t know,” I said softly. Even though I kind of did know. I just didn’t know how to explain it.
“I think you’re lonely,” Mom said firmly. “It’s time you settled down and had a family of your own. I know you’re going to say that’s not it, but look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn’t jump at the
