Close As Strangers

epilogue: part two

The Band Dinner.

The one night every year the guys were "forced" to see each other. While Calum and Michael's bond never broke, Luke and Ashton drifted from them. Of course those two were forced to see each other at my side of the family's gatherings, but other than those rare occasions, they never talked.

"Mommy how does this one look?" Carmella asked, walking into the brightly lit bathroom where I had been doing my make up in.

"Why, you look gorgeous!" I smiled, satisfying the "fashion talk" Carmella had been recently infatuated with.

"Can you do my hair mommy?" She giggled with happiness from my compliment.

"How do you want it done? You want those big curls? Or do you want the simple, yet classy, up do?"

"The curls momma! The curls!" She giggled.

"Alright babe, let me finish my make up and then we'll get right to it. Daddy's getting Alexa and Aiden dressed right?"

"No." She laughed. "Daddy's sleeping."

"He's what?" I asked, hitting my phone for the time which read, 4:34 pm, which meant we were planned to leave in less than twenty minutes. "Luke!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "Get the two kids dressed!"

"They are dressed." Carmella finally added, batting her eyes so I wouldn't get annoyed.

"Okay." I sighed, somewhat annoyed with myself for yelling at Luke so quickly.

I heard a whistle and the lights flickered as I saw Luke in the mirror behind me.

"Mella." Luke mumbled. "Go watch your brother and sister and lock mommy and daddy's room door."

"Why?" She asked softly.

"Daddy's going to take a shower sweetheart."

"Okay." She mumbled, making her way out of our room. Once Luke heard the door shut he made his way to me whispering sweet little nothing's in my ear.

"You're just as beautiful as I remembered." He whispered. "I love you babe."

"I love you too." I laughed, playing with his hair until it looked funny. "Now get ready, we have to go."

"Can I have a kiss first?" He asked, and I granted his desire, causing my red lipstick to leave a stain on his lips. "You think you're funny."

"Aye pal, you asked for the kiss."

"And I don't regret it at all."

It's crazy to think that Luke and I are still together it's been what? Ten years and we haven't gotten annoyed with each other. Surprisingly, he and I were still in a little love bird stage except we just had three kids to join us now. It was great to know I had someone to count on for the rest of my life.

****

"Hi Calum." I smiled, giving him, his wife, and toddler a hug. "How've you guys been?"

"It's great." He chuckled. "What's up man." He smiled, "bro-hugging" Luke. I could tell every year how awkward these band dinners were, but Calum's wife, Jaileen, and I insisted they needed to be held. A few minutes later, Michael and his girlfriend, Arabella, a fan of the boys, arrived as we repeated the same greetings as before. Arabella and I began to set up the projector as the kids screamed and ran around together.

"So you married Luke?"

"Yup." I mumbled. "We've been together for a long ass time."

"Since high school am I right?"