Meet the Blakes (12 page)

“Isn’t this such a wonderful day?” She sniffed.

“Yes, it is.” He held her close as they swayed to the music.

“You know what a little girl means? Braiding hair and tea parties and ballet recitals and—” Teri-Lyn couldn’t go on.

“And all the things you missed while raising a rough and tumble bunch of boys.”

“You I know I love my boys.”

“Of course you do. But there’s something about a little girl that makes your heart melt. I feel it every time Avery comes for a visit, and I was thrilled when she settled on a college in Texas.”

Teri-Lyn beamed. “Me too. I shared some ideas about how I wanted to do her room here and she was so excited. I know she’ll be in the dorm, but she can come by whenever she needs a break or if she doesn’t feel like going home to Philadelphia.”

“Let’s go tell our children how proud we are of them.” He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

“OK.”

Michelle was inspecting the catering table with her chef’s eye, so he thought it was an excellent time to get her mind off work.

“Can I have a dance with the beautiful master chef?”

Michelle smiled at him. “It would be my pleasure.”

John Jacob twirled Michelle onto the dance floor to the upbeat tune. “Tyler’s grown so much since he met you. I was always proud of him, but he finally found someone who gets him. He finally feels like he’s not living in someone’s shadow and he’s enjoying his own life.”

“Isn’t it wonderful when two odd ducks find each other?” She crinkled her nose.

“I wouldn’t say odd ducks. I’d say two really unique people who were determined to live their lives on their own terms.”

“It was so nice of you to do all the things a dad would for his daughter for her wedding. Since I’ve met Morgan and this family, I’ve never felt alone.”

“Michelle, you are my daughter.”

Tears streamed down Michelle’s cheeks and she began to hiccup.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He handed her a handkerchief. He was prepared for this, so he had one in his pocket for every woman in the family. He dabbed at her cheeks so he wouldn’t ruin her makeup.

“I’m happy.” She let out a hoarse laugh. “My parents would have loved Tyler. And they would have loved you and Teri-Lyn too.”

“We’re here for the two of you every step of the way.”

“Thanks.” She looked past him. “I think C.J. stopped kissing Cassie long enough to talk to her parents. If you want to get a dance in with her, now’s the perfect time.”

Michelle stepped off the dance floor and into Morgan’s arms. They started crying again.

John Jacob approached Cassidy, who was standing at a table talking to some of the guests. “Cassie Blake, may I have this dance?”

“I’d love to.”

John Jacob was back on the dance floor with his other new daughter-in-law. “Are you having a good time, darlin’?”

“The best. My mom and I had a really long talk the other night, and she apologized for so many things. It seems she always felt I was the strongest of her kids and she thought that I didn’t need that much looking after.” She bit her lip.

“Maybe she was right. It took incredible courage and stubbornness to face your cancer diagnosis and treatment alone.” He gave her a knowing look.

“I guess I was so accustomed to handling things myself, I didn’t realize how much easier it could have been to rely on someone.”

“C.J. wants to be your support system, and he may drive you crazy at times, but he loves you and just wants you to know you’re never alone.”

“You raised a kind, generous, loving man, and I am grateful to have him in my life.”

John Jacob smiled. “And thanks to you he knows what love is.”

He gave Cassie’s hand to her father when he approached and left the dance floor in search of his grandsons, who were sitting at a table together snacking on overflowing plates of appetizers from the kids’ food table. The adults may have been eating fancy things, but the boys had mini burgers, pigs in a blanket, tacos, fresh fruit, veggies, and applesauce. He laughed to himself, thinking it was probably Jake’s idea that they feed themselves. Matt and Jack were secured in highchairs while Connor and Colby ate seated in the big chairs. Seeing them together always made his heart so full of joy, he thought it would burst. He remembered the day he and Teri-Lyn broke the news to the boys about Channing.

* * *

“Boys, your mama and I are having another baby. You’re going to have another baby brother soon.” John Jacob smiled.

“Or you could have a baby sister.” She jabbed John Jacob in the ribs.

J.J. threw his football in the air. “Nice. I’ll have another one following me around.”

“A sister? Yuck,” Ty countered.

“I guess you’ll be needing my room,” Tate said.

“Does that mean we’ll have to wear clothes all the time?” Seth grumbled.

John Jacob listened for a few moments at the boys bickering, but he’d had enough. Teri-Lyn looked disappointed at all the questions that sounded like the baby would be an inconvenience to her brood. It was a happy occasion and they should all start acting like it.

“All right.” He whistled. “Listen, nothing’s going to change. J.J., the new baby will probably take to you just like the rest of your brothers. That’s not a bad thing. Ty, girls like to do more things than play with dolls and dress up. You might be surprised, the little one may like some of the same things you do. Tate, I’d sooner tear this home down than ever tell you that you had to give up your room. You are a part of this family forever. Seth, putting on a shirt every now and again isn’t a crime.”

Teri-Lyn smiled. “Boys, each time this family gets bigger, we always adjust. We love each other and have fun together, I’m sure there’s room in your heart for one more person. Loving family is the Blake motto, and the new baby is going to need a lot of love and guidance from his or her big brothers that already know the ropes about the world.”

“I suppose it would be nice,” J.J. said.

“If it’s a girl, I guess I could put a T-shirt every now and again,” Seth replied.

“The baby could always bunk with me like Bubba does when he stays over.” Tate smiled.

It was Tyler’s turn. He would be affected the most since the baby would be closer to his age. The family looked at him, waiting for a response.

John Jacob bent down so he was eye-level with his youngest son. “Ty, you won’t be the baby any more. You’d be a big brother and the baby would probably want to follow you around a lot. I hope you don’t mind.”

Tyler gave him a wide smile, showcasing his missing tooth. “OK, Daddy.”

The boys went back to playing while he and Teri-Lyn went into the kitchen. Teri-Lyn opened the cupboards and starting clearing things out.

“That went better than expected,” she said as she reached for the bag of cookies she kept on the top shelf, out of the reach of the boys.

“Yes, it did. What are you doing?” He took the cookies down and popped one in his mouth.

“Getting rid of fattening foods. I love those cookies, but if I’m going to have another baby, I don’t want to balloon up.” She went over to the kitchen table and took a seat.

John Jacob got a couple of glasses and a plate down from the cabinet and plated the cookies, then he went over to the fridge and got the milk. He poured two tall glasses.

“Open.” He put a cookie to her lips.

“I love chocolate chip cookies,” she said after taking a bite.

“I know.” He kissed her lips.

“I love you.” She put her arms around his neck.

He laughed. “I know that too.”

“We’re having another baby.”

“He or she will be just as rambunctious as the rest of them.”

“Grandpa!”

“Hey, boys. Mind if I join you?”

Jake smiled. “Have a seat, Grandpa.”

“Are you all celebrating the big news? There’s going to be another member of the family.” He took a bite out of a mini pig in a blanket.

“Yeah, but this one’s gonna be a girl.” Jake made a face and looked at Gabby on the dance floor, who was dancing with her dad, Patton.

“It will be different, but a lot of fun too.” He gave Matt and Jack a mini burger to munch on.

“Girls like to kiss and play with your hair,” Jake said in disgust. The boys nodded in agreement.

“Your new baby sister may want to do some things you may not like, but I bet she’s also going to be tough. You get to teach her about the world and protect her, just like you do for each other. She’ll need your help.”

“She will?”

“Sure, she will. And I bet she may even like some of the things you like too.”

“Will she like Rowdy?” Jake asked.

“Are you kidding? I haven’t met one person who didn’t like Rowdy. He’s loyal and he likes to play fetch a lot and he’s a good listener.”

“Will she want to play cars?” Connor asked.

“I guarantee it.”

“What about coloring?” Colby chimed in.

“I bet she’d liked that. I’ll make sure we get some extra art supplies for her too.”

Their frowns were gone and they’d started eating again. The boys looked like they were warming up to the idea.

“So how about we give her a big Blake welcome when she gets here. She’ll need her brothers and her cousins to look out for her.”

“OK.”

“Boys, believe it or not, one day you’re not going to mind having a girl around. As a matter of fact, you might even like it.” John Jacob wiped Jack’s mouth clean with a napkin.

“Eww.” They all shook their heads in response.

There was a time when all of his boys had reacted the same way. The thought of loving any female except their mama was a foreign concept. But as he looked around the sprawling reception area, his boys were laughing and dancing and having long meaningful conversations with the women they loved. And all of that love enabled him to sit at the table munching appetizers with the next generation in the family. Life was damn good.

Teri-Lyn approached. “How are my babies doing?”

“Hi, Grandma!”

“Hey, Grandma.” John Jacob pulled her onto his lap and gave her a smooch. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel great.”

“How about we give the kids the night off and take the boys? We can get a campfire going in the backyard and roast some marshmallows.”

“That’s the best offer I’ve had all day.”

* * *

Teri-Lyn woke up invigorated and not just because she and John Jacob fooled around in their tent after the boys were all asleep. The ranch was abuzz with the news that a new baby girl was on the way. The idea of seeing her granddaughter every day filled her with joy.

She paraded the boys up the stairs to get cleaned up after breakfast. She was fine with the camping last night, but she wanted them in the house for a good meal at the table. There were a few more events from her wedding plan going on around the ranch before Tyler, Michelle, Channing, and Cassidy left for their honeymoons. Teri-Lyn was sad to see things come to an end, but she was very happy to get some rest. She and John Jacob planned to cuddle in bed uninterrupted for the next few days when the grandbabies went back to their parents.

“Did I tell I could still fit into my wedding dress?”

“I knew that. You haven’t gained an ounce since the day we met.”

“Well I wasn’t doing it for your benefit. Chasing after all those boys kept me in shape.”

He chuckled. “There was that too.”

“So what were you and the boys talking about last night? I saw you huddled in the corner.”

“We were just discussing tightening security and other preparations that need to be made in anticipation for our new bundle of joy.”

“Here we go.” She put her hand on her hip. “It’s bad enough you all cornered poor Wyatt and scared the life out of him.”

“We did no such thing. We simply explained to him that while he’s attending the same school as Avery, he’s there to look out for her and nothing else.”

“He’s smitten with Avery. You used to look at me that way when we were in high school. So let’s not scare them completely away from each other.”

“They have a long road ahead of them. After they get their educations, who knows?” John Jacob sighed. “I’m sorry your matchmaking plans for Autumn and Jared didn’t work out. Who knew he threw his back out that bad playing football.”

She smiled. “Don’t count me out yet. The stars still have a chance to align. I have a good feeling about those two.”

“Like the good feeling you had about me?”

“I don’t aim shotguns at just anybody.” She bit back another smile.

“Those were some fun times. That buckshot got me to thinking about my future.”

“A sane person would have headed for the hills. Thank goodness you’re a crazy, stubborn man who knows a good thing when he sees it.” She hugged him.

“I had no choice in the matter. I was head over heels in love with you.” He pulled her into his arms. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. We’ve done some good work together. Our boys are continuing our legacy. The Blakes will be around for many years to come.” Teri-Lyn got up on her toes and kissed him.

The burst of rambunctious noise sounding like rhinos coming down the stairs meant the boys had finished cleaning up.

“Sound familiar? I can’t believe we have a house full of rug rats again.” He laughed and kissed her on the forehead.

“The boys always did know how to break up a tender moment, and they seem to have passed that knowledge down to their sons.” She held him tighter.

“You remember that time Ty and C.J. walked in on us?”

“And you told them you were giving me a big hug? And then Seth and Tate explained to him what we were really doing. And Bo went and got the encyclopedia to look up sexual intercourse. And J.J. was mortified because they were asking him all those questions.”

“I think we’ll leave the birds and the bees to the parents and stick with the spoiling.”

“Deal.”

John Jacob ran a hand through his hair. “Seth asked me when I was going to put the boys on the work roster. I told him they had plenty of time for that. Seth insists he was Jake’s age when he started mucking out the stalls.”

“Are you getting soft in your twilight years?” Teri-Lyn mused.