After doing my happy dance, I say, "The wedding part is at five so any time before that, and if you can stay until midnight, that'd be awesome."

He pauses and says, "Got it. I'll be there at four to set up. Did you want to know my fee?"

, "Just bring the invoice and we'll pay you tomorrow."

"Good deal, see you tomorrow."

Before he hangs up, I say, "Stoney, you are gonna remember this right?"

He laughs and says, "Probably not, but the note I made will remind me. See you tomorrow."

"You're a lifesaver, thank you so much."

"You're welcome, doll."

I can't believe in a matter of a few minutes we got a photographer and a DJ. Guess it pays to be nice to people.

I call Mom and she says, "h.e.l.lo, my beautiful daughter. We're pulling into your driveway as we speak." I run outside and this crazy rush of happiness engulfs me. Now it's real! Mom, Dads, and Sophia all get out of the car and I feel like a giddy little girl. Mom grabs me in for a hug and says, "I can't believe this is actually happening."

Sophia asks, "Did the dress come yet?"

"Should be here in about an hour."

"Well my dear, are you ready to party tonight?" I give Sophia crazy eyes, Mom raises her hand and says, "I am! The Four Seasons is all ours tonight, ladies." Both Dads look completely clueless, which makes us laugh.

I say, "Don't worry, y'all have a fun night planned too."

My dad says, "I'm good with watching some football and having a couple beers."

"Not tonight Daddy. Y'all are hitting the town."

He sarcastically says, "Oh goody."

We grab the bags and head inside. Both Anthony and Lorenzo come out and greet the family with a hug as if they are part of the family too. I notice Mom extends the hug to each of them a little longer than normal, and I know exactly why.

I show each of them to their rooms and Bo says, "Tell me kiddo, is the hot tub still hot?"

"It sure is. Wanna get in?"

"I'm already ahead of you, kiddo." He comes out of his room after about one minute, swimming trunks on and towel around his arm. "Oh yeah, this is the life!" Within a minute, all of them, including Anthony and Lorenzo follow Bo to the hot tub. I feel like yelling out, what is this, a scene from Coc.o.o.n? I'm smart enough to keep it to myself though, I know this crazy bunch and they'd tackle me, including sweet Sophia.

I hear the gate open, so I hop outside and greet Tanner and Chip.

Chip says, "There's the blushing bride to be. Come here, you beautiful lady." I run up and give him a giant hug. He holds my face and kisses my cheek. He says, "I couldn't be more proud of you. Like I told you in Germany, you're an Angel."

I smile and say, "It's so good to have you here. We've discussed adopting your cousin and Lorenzo.

Chip laughs and says, "I doubt they're in any rush to leave."

Tanner asks, "Where the parents at?"

"They're all in the hot tub."

He raises his eyebrow and says, "Must look like Coc.o.o.n out there."

I bust up and say, "That's exactly what I said in my head!"

We show Chip to his room and he is in awe of this house that used to belong to Don Henley. When we get to the recording studio, Tan looks at me and says, "This is where we'll be doing all kinds of recording, right babe?"

I say, "Absolutely, can't wait." He leans over and steals a kiss. Before we even make it to his room, the front gate starts buzzing. I run downstairs and press the b.u.t.ton.

Brent says, "We're here to see the President."

"Come on in." I run outside and the kids wrap me up in hugs.

Brooke says, "Auntie Dylan, my name is the same as your last name. Did you know that?"

I smile and say, "I sure did, sweetie."

Tucker chimes in with, "Mommy told us tomorrow you'll be a Staff like us."

A huge smile takes over my face and I say, "I sure will." Wow, I'm going to be a Staff. I'm not gonna be a Brooks anymore, which makes me a little sad. Brent must have noticed my concern.

He comes up to me and says, "Don't worry kid, you'll always be a Brooks too. Sure am happy it's you that's going to be my sister-in-law though. Some of the stories I've heard had me a little worried on his taste."

I agree with him and say, "Thanks, Brent, I'm beyond happy to officially be part of your family."

"You've always been part of the family."

Ca.s.sie asks, "So where's Mom and them?"

I snicker and say, "They're all in the hot tub. Y'all should join them."

Ca.s.sie looks at me and says, "That's a hard no."

I snicker and say, "Yeah, that's what I thought as well. Let's go in, I'll show you around."

Brent says, "This place is amazing, I love the musical foliage."

"It's completely amazing and wait until you see the backyard! Oh, the barbecues we'll have." I tell the kids to get their suits on and jump in the hot tub with the grandparents and they run into the house.

I ask Brent, "So where ya taking them tonight?"

He looks at me and says, "Just out for some good ol' boy stuff."

"Fair enough. Don't leave him to drink alone, please."

"I know it's evil but I'm glad that sick b.i.t.c.h is dead, she deserved what she got."

"That and she is in the past now, and I'm happy that she's off this planet too. Let's go find that handsome brother of yours."

"You mean the less handsome brother, right?"

I smile and say, "Oh definitely."

He pushes my head lightly and says, "That didn't sound very convincing." I just smile and keep walking.

I hear Ca.s.sie tell Brent, "Babe, to me you are the most handsome man in the world." I turn my head and catch him giving her a kiss.

I think it's very sweet but I say, "d.a.m.n, y'all can't wait until I show you to your room?"

Brent says, "It was a long drive."

"The room is all yours and the kids are with Grammie and Papa, so have at it." They begin walking double time. When we get inside I just point and tell them which room is theirs because I'm sure they were ready to push me aside and find any available room.

They both look back and say, "See you in a few." I just raise my hand and laugh.

Tanner comes up from behind me and wraps me up against his chest. He says, "Nice having everybody here."

"I kind of wish we were all gonna be together tonight instead of separated."

He smiles and says, "Babe, I was thinking the same thing. It's not bad luck for us to be together the night before we get married. When you are getting dressed, I just won't look. The house is plenty big enough for us to stay away from each other tomorrow. I can cancel the reservations, just give me the word."

"Let me run it by Mom first and get her opinion."

He kisses my cheek and says, "I saw the kids, but where's Brent and Ca.s.sie?"

"They ran to their room to have uninterrupted parent s.e.x."

"Oh, okay."

Chapter 29.

'The memories that made me the man I am today.'

Tanner The buzzer goes off for the front gate and Lyrics runs past me and clicks the b.u.t.ton.

"I'm here to deliver Dylan's dress."

She jumps up and down and yells, "Will you get Mom and tell her it's here? Oh yeah, would you go out back until I tell you it's all clear for you to come out?" I can't help but smile, I love seeing her happy, always have.

"I'm on it." She runs outside. I knock on Mom's door and say, "Ma, it's here."

She opens the door and runs right past me to Sophia's room and yells, "It's here!" All I see is Mom and Sophia running down the hall. I hear Mom yell upstairs, "Ca.s.sie, it's here!" She runs down the stairs and I hear the front door open and slam shut. There's little funnier than a bunch of men with dumbfounded looks on their faces. I sit down with dad in his room and Brent peeks his head in and says, "Bro, I'm not doing that when you put your tux on." We all laugh.

Chip stands at the doorway with total excitement and says, "Oh my G.o.d, her dress is here!" We all die laughing. "What? You guys aren't excited? It's her wedding dress for crying out loud. Huh, I figured everybody gets excited about the dress. Well f.u.c.k it, I'm excited and going to see it!"

I yell as he walks away, "I'm excited too bro."

He yells back, "Whatever."

Been a long time since Brent, Dad, and I sat down together, just us three. I ask Brent, "You sure you okay with hanging out here tonight?"

"Yeah bro, it'll be a blast. The best times I've had have been with all these crazy women."

Dad says, "They sure are crazy, every last one of them, but could you imagine what we'd be without them? Forty years with that beautiful woman and wouldn't you know it, she still surprises me with s.h.i.t she says and does. Crazy, absolutely, but I tell you what, I'd be lost without that Angel. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that both my boys have wives that will do the same as your Mama's done for me. I had the talk with your brother before he married Ca.s.sie and I'm gonna have the talk with you too, son."

I interrupt him and say, "Dad, I know all about the birds and the bees."

"I'm sure you think you do, but this ain't about s.e.x, you nimrod. This is about being a man when it really counts. Now, I know you've known Dylan for most your life and you've loved that sweet girl probably since the day y'all met, but marriage is a whole different game. Being the man means something different each and every day, but it always means showing her that she's the most important person in your world. It means protecting her, loving her even when you want to choke the last breath out of her. Son, it means listening to her dreams and doing whatever it takes to help her achieve them. Sometimes you're gonna have to throw the towel in on an argument and just take one for the team. Of course, I know you and Brent both are great men, but should you ever need us, your Mama and I are always here for you." He shakes my hand and gives me a hug and says, "Proud of you son, love you." I'm absolutely floored. My dad has always been there for us, but Mom's the one that gives these speeches.

"Thanks Dad. For everything, I mean you've been a great role model for us our whole lives. Because of you, I do know that I'll be a successful husband and father. I love you, Pops."

Brent sings, "And I swear."

Dad swats the back of his head and says, "Oh please, when I gave you the talk, I'm pretty sure I saw a tear fall."

"I had something in my eye, geez."

"Yeah, a tear." I look up at the door and there she is, my soon-to-be bride. Her hair drapes over her shoulder and those blue eyes flitter with yellow sparkles. My words are gone and I'm stuck in awe.

Dad smacks my head and says, "Snap out of it, fool."

Like I was in a trance or something, I look at Lyrics and say, "Is the coast clear for us to come out now?"

"It sure is." We all stand up at once and head to the family room. The way she looks right now is possibly the s.e.xiest I've ever seen her. She's in sweat pants, an old concert t-shirt, her hair is up, she has absolutely no make-up on, and she is stunning. She wraps her arm in mine and she looks up and asks, "Would you make a fire please?"

I kiss her forehead and say, "Me man, me make fire."

"Tis why I love you; well one of the many reasons."

Everybody gathers on the living room floor, around the fireplace.

Mom says, "This is the perfect time to share some of our memories."

"Ma, we all know them."

"Wrong son! Anthony and Lorenzo haven't heard them."

Before I can say anything, both guys say, "I want to hear these stories."

"Just remember, y'all asked for it!"