Chapter Twenty

MADDOX

Despite the tension filled parking lot, the party inside transitions smoothly and everyone is having a great time. It seems the whole town is here and more than half the people here have asked already offered to help any way they can with the rebuild of Cakeology.

I'm sitting at the table with Marigold when I see Jay approach and I jump right up.

"Hey, bro, how are you?" We do that back slap thing and pull each other in for a quick hug.

"I'm doing well. Things are good. Been a bit busy, I'm sorry I haven't stopped by the station."

I shake my head. "No problem. We haven't had an issue since you were down to fix the A/C so it's all good." I step back and put my hand on Marigold's chair. "Jay, I want you to meet Marigold. My girlfriend." My smile is wide and hers matches it. "Goldie, this is a good friend of mine from high school. Jay Parker. He's the local HVAC guy in Magnolia Point and let me say, a life saver down at the station."

Jay chuckles. He's got that same easy going smile and swag about him, like me. "I'm a lifesaver around town, especially in the summer." He shakes her hand. "Hey, I heard about the bakery. When you're ready to run A/C lines, give me a call. I'll make sure I get you at the top of my schedule."

"Thank you. I really appreciate that."

He nods and claps hands with me once more. "I'm going to go grab a second helping before it's gone. I'll catch you guys later."

"You got it. Thanks Jay."

I sit back down next to Marigold and she says, "He seems nice."

"Oh, Jay is the nicest. Nicer than me, even, if you can believe that." I bump her with my shoulder. "I honestly don't know how he's still so nice after he was dumped very publicly by his high school girlfriend in front of the town."

"What happened?"

"I met him in grade school, he lives in a town over in Magnolia Point, but our summer baseball teams played each other, and we became fast friends. We have similar beliefs about the small town. He loves it here and assumed she did, too. But on graduation night, she made it very clear that him working a trade service was not good enough for her. She basically said she wanted bigger and better than him. He was crushed for wanting a simple life by the beach." I shrug. "All it tells me is that she wasn't the one for him."

Tap, tap and a mic screech.

"Hello everyone," My dad's booming voice echoes around the room. Everyone quiets down as he puts his arm around Mom and draws her in close. "Thank you all for coming today. This is exactly what we wanted, to celebrate our thirty years with everyone who's been a part of our lives from the start. Being a kid in Love Beach was fantastic, and getting to stay and raise my own family here is even better. Watching Maddox follow along and join the Love Beach FD has been a dream come true for me. And watching my little girl become a teacher, and love the job, is all a parent can ask for."

My mom takes the mic. "Yes, everything Bill said. We can't thank you all enough for the wonderful memories we've had in Love Beach and look forward to so many more. And now that my daughter is coming back home, it will be even better to have my kids right here with us again. Come on up here, you two."

I glance at Reece who looks nervous about going in front of everyone. Yet I don't think it has anything to do with the crowd. I take her hand and we walk together, hugging both Mom and Dad, while Mom continues speaking. "Reece is moving back home to be a teacher right here in Love Beach. It's not nursing, but it's a job and I'm happy to have my little girl home again."

That's the second time tonight Mom has slammed my sister for her career choice. If this has been happening all along and I was to blind to see it, it's time I speak up. Clearing my throat, I take the mic from Mom.

"Allow me to say a few words?" I turn towards the crowded room. "I'd like to personally thank you all for coming out tonight. It means a great deal to see you all here celebrating with us. Since I was a kid my passion has been fire. I don't think there's anyone here who can doubt that. From wearing my dad's chief hat as a kid to owning my own pair of boots and riding the truck, I loved every part about being able to give back to Love Beach.

"Just like I know my sister loves to give back to every kid that enters her classroom. There's been no greater schooling experience than what we have had here in Love Beach. The teachers have been top notch and I know that is why my sister fell in love with it." I turn to my mom. "Mom, I know you were upset Reece didn't follow along in your career path. I actually was quite upset she chose to leave, too. But seeing her now? Seeing how happy she is. Do you know the school here came looking for her? She wasn't going to stay, Mom. But she made such an impact on the surrounding towns that the district here called for her specifically. I'm fucking proud of her and you should be, too."

Mom tears up and takes Dads hand. I watch as my sister steps close to her and they hug. They murmur to each other, but I continue on.

"Right after high school, I was so caught up in being the best fireman, spending every waking minute learning more and doing more that I've missed a lot along the way." My sister smiles at me. "For starters, I've missed my best friend and my sister falling in love with each other." The crowd murmurs and I hear a few whistles and claps. "Go ahead, you can tell me. I bet you've all seen the signs way before I did."

"Have you been to Beach Brews lately?" Jay calls out from somewhere in the back and I laugh.

"Actually, I have. But I was more interested in the woman sitting next to me than what my sister and her boss were doing." I connect eyes with Marigold and she smiles warmly at me, while Logan, sitting next to her gives me a big thumbs up. "I was so busy trying to be the best at a career that I almost missed out on being my best for those around me.

"My dad told me when I met the one, I'd know. He said it's something that happens so fast, you have no choice but to go with it. He was right. I wasn't ready but the need to jump in with both feet was too strong to avoid." I jump from the stage and continue walking straight to my girl. "Somewhere in between constant fire alarms, icing fights, nosey friends and that lighthouse at Love Pier, I fell in love with the sweetest girl in town. She set my heart on fire and it's something I don't ever want to burn out."

I pull her from her chair and kiss her, probably a bit too inappropriate for the crowd I'm in, but I don't care. I love everything about Marigold and I'm going to make sure everyone knows it.

"You're in love with me?"

"All those words and that's what you heard?"

"Weren't they the most important ones?"

"Yeah, Goldie. They are. Now say it back."

"I love you, too, Mads."