69

Of course, she smiled, just as JJ reached the dock and stood next to us.
I couldn’t help but grin as I looked up at JJ standing there looking so serious, still wearing his arm bands and the red swimming trunks that were too big for him. Come here, little man, I motioned, taking off his arm bands when he stretched out his arms. Ok, well let’s get these cards out shall we ?
He nodded happily and stepped over to Lily. It’s best with two people, he said. But we can be a team and beat Noah.
Oh, I joked, trying to looked annoyed. So I have to play against both of you ? That’s not really fair, is it ?
JJ grinned and plopped himself down in Lily’s lap, holding the box up so it was right against her face. See, we can beat him, can’t we ?
Sure we can ! She laughed, pulling a face at me as JJ began taking the cards out of the box. He’s not all that smart.
I smiled as I stared at the two of them laughing and trying to sort out the cards. Lily’s arms were around JJ’s bare waist as she split them in to two piles, with JJ trying to help despite messing up when he tried to count how many cards there were. I could see that my little brother was completely enamored of Lily, something that didn’t surprise me in the slightest. After all, she was the kind of girl that anybody could fall in love with. It just so happened that she had chosen me, something which still baffled me as I watched her.
Ready ! JJ said happily, handing me half of the cards, almost dropping them in the process. Me and Lily are so gonna beat you.
Oh really ? I smirked, Well we’ll just see about that. You know I’m the American champion of Top Trumps right ?
I had to fight a smile as JJ looked at me in awe. Really ? He asked, still too young to understand sarcasm. But we’re two people, you can’t beat two !
I can, I nodded as Lily whispered something in to JJ’s ear. But don’t worry, I’ll take it easy on you little man.
You’re not the champion ! He shouted suddenly, folding his arms and glaring at me in that cute way only kids could do. Lily told me. She says you suck at cards.
Cocking an eyebrow, I glanced at Lily and saw her biting her lip, obviously trying to stop the giggling fit that would most probably erupt at any minute. So, I suck huh ?
She just nodded, rolling her bottom lip in to her mouth as I smirked at her. Shaking my head in mock disapproval, I sorted my cards and got my game face on. Sure, I was playing my kid brother and my girlfriend, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t wipe the floor with them !
Hey guys ! Jackie’s voice suddenly boomed from the top of the garden as I layed down the first card on the wooden floor. We’re back. Shopping’s done and Rich is just bringing all my stuff in to the house.
Hey Jackie ! Lily shouted, waving as she made her way down to us.
JJ immediately jumped off of Lily’s lap and sprinted towards Jackie. She lifted him up when he reached her and balanced him on her hip, smiling at him. So what have you guys been doing since we’ve been gone ? She asked him, glancing towards Lily and I as we made our way over.
Noah and Lily took me swimming in the lake, he beamed. And we were playing Top Trumps until you came. Lily was on my team.
Oh, she was on your team, was she ? Jackie said, and I could tell that she was still amazed at how JJ had bonded with Lily so quickly. It really was extraordinary. Well sorry to interrupt guys, but once Rich has unloaded all my stuff, you and dad have to pack your suits and an overnight bag and go with him.
Now ? I mumbled, thinking I was going to be leaving tonight. But
No buts ! Jackie scolded, looking at me like I was stupid. The wedding’s tomorrow and I need time to relax and have some bonding time with mum and Lily before the nerves completely take over.
Do I have to go ? JJ asked, squirming out of her arms and hopping to the floor.
No buddy, Jackie smiled. You’re the only man that gets to stay in this house tonight, only because we like you the best !
Yay ! he grinned happily, before running back up to the house with a satisfied look in his face.
Looks like you better go and get dressed, and pack your stuff together, Lily said, wrapping the towel around her waist. You’ll be leaving soon.
What she said, Jackie nodded, Now go and get ready. You’ll be leaving in ten.
Sighing loudly, I walked back up to the house dejectedly as Jackie and Lily chatted at the bottom of the garden. No doubt about the plans for tonight and their girly activities. On the bright side, I would get to spend some time with my father and Dick, but really I was annoyed at having to leave Lily so early. I was hoping we could have spent some time on our own before I had to leave. We could have taken a drive to a secluded part of the lake, taken a blanket. Lily could have slipped off her…
Hey son, my dads voice said suddenly, startling me from my thoughts. How are you this morning ? Is Lily settling in okay ?
I nodded, trying to regain my composure as the image of Lily wearing absolutely nothing kept running through my mind. Clearing my throat, I ran my hand through my hair and smiled. She’s settling in great. She loves it here. And she’s very fond of JJ.
I can tell, my dad said, still looking as surprised as Jackie had done. You know there’s something special about her. Maybe JJ can see it. I mean I’ve never seen anything like it. I know he’s only seven, but maybe my boy’s just a good judge of character. Like you son.
She is something, I agreed, patting him on the shoulder and walking past, aiming for the stairs. Thanks for making her so welcome. I know you didn’t actually believe me when I said I had really met someone.
Can you blame me ? he responded, frowning at me. You spent your teens picking up every girl you could. I’ll be honest with you son, I was disappointed.
I know, I mumbled, recalling the numerous talks my father had had with me when I was around eighteen. I had been stubborn, and too damn arrogant to listen, something which I still regretted. But maybe that was all meant to happen. So I could meet Lily, and she could change me.
Maybe son, my father smiled, Well whatever happens, you treat that girl right, won’t you.
Dad, that girl is the most important thing in the world to me, I said honestly, noticing the look of understanding on his face. She’s the one I’m meant to be with.
He walked over and patted me on the shoulder. I understand, he said, before stepping towards the front door that was wide open.
You do ? I questioned.
Of course, he smiled kindly. After all, what you’re feeling now, that’s exactly how I felt when I met your mother.
As he stepped out of the door and disappeared from sight, I could hear him chatting with Dick as they unloaded Jackie’s stuff from the car. Smiling to myself, I ran up the stairs and cried out when I crashed straight in to my mum, almost sending her to the floor. I grabbed her arms and kept her upright as she looked up at me with a dazed look on her face.
Sorry mum, I winced, dropping my arms when she seemed to regain her composure. Didn’t see you there.
Well of course you didn’t bloody see me, she scolded, slapping me on the arm. You shouldn’t run up the stairs like that. It’s bad enough I have to tell JJ about three times a day, but you’re twenty-one Noah.
I just stared as she ranted at me, practically without taking a single breath in between. Reaching out, I took hold of her hand and smiled slightly. Just breathe, I said, knowing the importance of tomorrow was getting to her. Everything’s going to be fine. The wedding is going to go off without a problem and tomorrow Jackie is going to be having the best day of her life. So relax, you’re okay !
She released a breath and nodded, trying to calm herself down. You’re right, she sighed. Sorry honey, you know how I get. I start thinking about everything that could go wrong and then that just stresses me out further. It’s just that Jackie has worked so hard on it and I couldn’t bare it if
I leant down and kissed her on the cheek, stopping her mid sentence. Well don’t think about it mum. I smiled. Just have a great time tonight without us men folk around. Now I have to go and get dressed and get my stuff together. If I’m not ready in ten minutes, Jackie will probably whack me in the face with a frying pan or something.
Ok, I’ll see you downstairs to say goodbye, she laughed, before disappearing around the corner.
As I passed JJ’s door, I could hear him watching TV so I carried on and walked in to mine and Lily’s bedroom. We were staying in my childhood room, and every time I stepped in to it, my mind flashed back to all the happy times I had spent there ; sticking tons of glow in the dark stars all over my ceiling (which were still there), playing the guitar as I sat by the window overlooking the lake, putting up all of the movie posters that covered one entire wall. Smiling to myself, I stepped over and grabbed hold of my duffel bag which was under the double bed and I rushed around the room, packing everything I would need. After getting dressed and grabbing my suit, I ran downstairs and out in to the drive way where everyone was talking by the car.
Well it’s about time, college boy, Lily smiled. We’d all thought you got lost up there.
Ha ha ! I said sarcastically, marching up to the car and throwing my stuff in the back. Hey Dick, how’s it going ?