Tied

Chapter 38

A couple of months later Mia found herself watching her family all interacting in Grace and Glenn's new backyard. They had purchased a house in the same subdivision, just several streets away from Grant and Gavin. Angie and Grace had decided that at least once a month everyone had to get together as a "family". The family consisted of all the Masons, Pearsons, including significant others, also Thad and Noah. Everyone that Mia counted as family, yes, she had more contact with her father and other siblings now, but it was still a major work in process.

As the sun began to go down, the games were abandoned, and everyone found a seat on the patio. Everyone was simply enjoying the nice weather and the family atmosphere. Gavin was telling a story that had happened at one of his clubs during the last week and everyone was laughing. Grace and Angie stood up and told everyone they were going to bring out dessert and asked Grant and Glenn to help them. Tim offered, but Grace told him there was no need.

It seemed like they took a long time to get the dessert, but Mia did not think too much about it because Gavin and Jasmine were keeping everyone entertained with weird customer stories. Angie and Glenn returned saying, dessert is coming. Then a couple of minutes later Grace pushed a serving tray out with two icebox cakes on the top level and plates, forks and napkins on the second level. She moved it so it was on the far side of the patio area.

Because she was watching Grace, Mia did not notice Grant in the doorway with Gunner. He released the leash he had on Gunner and said, "Go to Mia." Gunner maneuvered between everyone until he was sitting in front of Mia. When he plopped down in front of her, she immediately reached out to pet him and noticed a sign around his neck that said, "Marry my dad! Please!!!!" When Mia read it, her eyes immediately found Grant's, who was standing behind Gunner.

Dropping to one knee Grant said, "Mia Lynn Taylor will you marry me?" Tears flooded Mia's eyes and she nodded yes, but Grant said, "I need you to use your words." Laughing and crying at the same time Mia said, "Yes, I will marry you." Grant slipped the ring onto her finger and then leaned in and kissed her. Everyone around them was cheering and clapping, but neither Grant nor Mia cared, they just cared about the other at that moment. When they broke the kiss, everyone came over to congratulate them, hugging them both and looking at the ring.

Once the congratulations were done, Grace served the dessert. Both Angie and Grace started asking questions about the wedding, and Mia laughed and said, "I haven't been engaged for half an hour, can we have a little time before the zillion questions are thrown at us? But I will say this, I don't want anything big, just family and friends, so don't go reserving some giant church." Grant nodded in agreement and Angie started telling them about several different venues she had seen over the last couple of years.

When it was time to go, Grant, Mia and Gunner walked home, since it was only a couple of streets away. Matt walked with them because Gavin was going to run by the bars to check on things. When they got to Matt and Gavin's house, Matt hugged them both again and congratulated them again before going inside.

They entered the house through the garage, unleashing Gunner and feeding him before doing anything else. Once Gunner was eating Grant pulled a couple of bottles of water from the fridge and sat down next to Mia at the island and said, "No matter what mom or Angie say, you can do the wedding your way. I would be happy with going to the courthouse and getting married." Mia nodded and said, "I would not be opposed to that, but I think Grace and Angie would revolt. And to be honest, I think I would like a small wedding. I am thinking somewhere between 50 and 100 people, how does that sound to you?"

Grant laughed and said, "I think that would be perfect. Now I would love to get married right away, but I know there will need to be some planning involved." Mia laughed and said, "How about we get married the first weekend of December, that gives a little time but not too much." Grant nodded in agreement and said, "That sounds good to me. It should be cooler but not super cold."