That Wedding (45 page)

Mr. Diamond called Phillip earlier today and asked if we could meet with him after work.

We sit in the big wingback chairs in his study, and Mr. D says to Phillip, "So you know that my job is to protect JJ's financial interests. And as much as I know you two will be together forever, I have to think realistically about that. Every time I make a decision about JJ's finances, I always ask myself what would Paul have done? What would her dad have wanted, and how would Ronnie have felt about it? When I'm not sure what to do, I've consulted with your dad, Phillip, since he and JJ's dad were so close. I want to talk to you about JJ's finances tonight. I want you to understand everything. First off, you know they would've wanted her to have a special wedding and that Jadyn has that budget?"

"Yes, sir," Phillip answers.

"Second of all, I know her parents would have wanted to give you a special wedding gift, so in this envelope is a check made out to both of you."

Phillip grimaces.

Mr. D hands Phillip the envelope. "Phillip, you're going to be getting lots of wedding gifts in the coming month. Each gift is your friends and family's way of helping you get started in your new life together. You're planning on accepting these gifts graciously, am I right?"

Phillip thinks about it. "Yeah, I guess."

"That's what this is," Mr. D says. "A gift. Phillip, I know what you're thinking. You're a man. You're starting a new family with JJ, and you want to love and support her. When Mary and I got married, her parents wanted to give us money for a down payment on our house. I fought her tooth and nail because I didn't want to feel like I owed them anything. I wanted to make it on my own. In some ways, it felt like a slam to me, like they were saying they didn't believe I could support and provide for their daughter. But her father sat down with me and told me that it was a no-strings-attached gift and to please accept it as such. So Phillip, please accept this gift from her parents. It's what they would have wanted. Hopefully, you can use it to find a home that's perfect for you."

He asks Phillip to open the envelope. Phillip's eyes get big when he does. I know the exact amount of the check, but when he shows me, I act surprised.

Phillip says, "Wow."

Mr. Diamond keeps going. "But this is your money as a couple, and it's completely up to you how to spend it. You might do what I think her parents would have wanted and use it to buy your first home. Or, you might decide you want to blow it all on a trip around the world. Maybe you'll decide to reinvest it, to start your own business, or hell, buy matching Ferraris. My point is, Phillip, this is your money together, and you should decide together how to use it."

Phillip is listening very closely to Mr. D, and I have to give it to him. He nailed it.

And in case Phillip hasn't had enough of a mind fuck yet, Mr. D drops this on his plate.

"Thirdly, like I said, it's my job to protect JJ's finances, so I'm going to ask you to sign a prenuptial agreement that will protect the rest of her trust in case either one of you decides to end your marriage."

In other words, in case Phillip decides to dump me or trade me in for a younger model someday.

Phillip has no problem with this. He reads over the document and signs away.

I'm hoping now that he doesn't have access to my money, he will feel okay about using the gift money on our house.

I'm so bad. I haven't even seen the place yet, and I'm already calling it our house.

Okay. Seeds have been planted.

Now, I'm just gonna stand back and watch it grow, or germinate, or take root, or whatever newbie seeds do.

As we're driving home, Phillip says, "So what do you think we should do with this gift?"

I say a little bit pathetically, "Well, I guess just put it in the bank until we can decide what we wanna do with it. I mean, I know you won't wanna spend it on a house, so I guess we'll just reinvest it."

I hate to admit it, but I think I might be coming down with a cold. And even though I'm not feeling great, I still helped Phillip's mom clean up after dinner. I'm ready to sit on the couch and watch football, but when I walk in the room, the guys all hold their empty beer bottles up at me.

A not-so-subtle hint to bring them more.

I purposely sniffle loudly, so Phillip will feel sorry for me, but he doesn't seem to notice. When I walk back into the kitchen, there's an intense conversation going on between Ash and her mom. I really don't wanna get involved. I just wanna go sit down, but I get dragged into the conversation when Mrs. Mac says, "So, JJ, when are you and Phillip going to have children?"

And maybe it's the fact that I don't feel good.

Or maybe it's the fact that I'm not married yet.

Or maybe it's the fact that Phillip and I haven't even discussed it.

Or maybe it's the fact that the idea of me being pregnant is just plain laughable.

I can't help even help it.

I laugh out loud.

Sorry, but I do. Ha!

I even let out a little snort.

She doesn't look very pleased. She says, "I'm serious."

I rub my hand across my temple. Think, Jadyn. Say something noncommittal, but something that will appease her. Or better yet, make her forget about me and babies.

"Um. Gosh. I'd say we'll figure that out after the wedding." She gets a sad look on her face which makes me feel bad, so I add, "But it'll probably be fairly soon."

She smiles at me. It's a touching, heartfelt smile that makes me feel worse.

I'm probably going to hell for lying to my future mother-in-law about her dream grandbabies.

But technically, it's not exactly a lie. I just think her idea of
fairly soon
and mine are quite a few years apart.

I tilt my head at her. "Isn't that a question more appropriate for your already married daughter?"

Let's put some pressure on Ashley for a change. Put her in the hot seat.

Mrs. Mac waves her hand. "I don't think they're even trying. Maybe not even having sex."

"Mom!! We'll have children when we're ready!! And we have sex. I mean, some sex," Ash says.

She looks kinda sad. Like maybe
some
is code word for
not so much
.

"So when will you be ready?" I ask.

"When I decide if I'm going to keep him."

"What?!" I exclaim.

"Oh, I'm just teasing," Ash says.

But the way she's looking at Cooper, who's now sprawled across the couch shoving chips in his mouth, I wonder if maybe she's not.

I wonder if she's glad she got married. I mean, Lori and Danny are happy, but Katie and Eric are having a rough time. And now I wonder if maybe Ashley is having a hard time too. Although, Katie says the best thing about fighting is the makeup sex. She also says sometimes she picks a fight just so they can make up. Sounds a little twisted to me, but it's not my marriage, so I just laugh along.

I look at Cooper. I like Coop. He's a cool, relaxed guy. And Ashley can be pretty overbearing. You'd have to be pretty chill to deal with her. But I hardly ever see them all gooey anymore, like they were when they were dating. Maybe Mrs. Mac is right, and they really aren't doing it.

That's a scary thought.

What if Phillip gets tired of me?

What if someday he doesn't want me anymore?

Phillip's mom keeps discussing babies, and she's going on and on about how lucky the Diamonds are that Danny and Lori are expecting.

I think she's got Grandma envy.

"Just chill, Mom," Ashley says in a snotty voice.

Which is not something you should say to your mom because I can tell Mrs. Mac is about to tell her a thing or two about chilling.

I quickly hold up the beers I just got out of the frig and offer a wry smile, so they'll understand it's imperative that I get back to the family room and deliver them to the menfolk while they're still cold.

I go in the family room and hand them to the guys.

I sniffle again as Phillip pulls me onto his lap. "You're sniffling. You need to see the doctor."

"It's just a cold. I'm fine."

He whispers in my ear. "Did I mention that I'm gonna be the doctor?"

My face instantly feels flush. I whisper back. "In that case, I may need a very thorough examination. We better get home."

Couple's counseling again tonight. I tried to get out of it earlier. I sniffled and told Phillip I might be too sick to go. He said the same thing my parents used to when I wanted to stay home from school on a Friday.
If you're too sick to go, that means you're too sick to go out tonight
.