A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors #7)(39)

“I have to disagree, sister. Busty Barb is as hot as they come.” Trevor smiled a hello to Jax and Caroline. “Okay, can we get this show on the road so I can get some action going without fear of getting my ass kicked?”

“Trevor!” her mom scolded with a slight shake of her head. Everyone grinned, even Ms. Nichols who seemed to have relaxed a little.

CHAPTER 17

Jill watched her mom trying her best not to smile as Seth continued to say ass, but then she had to become stern to make him stop. Jill just stood there as Trevor headed toward the house, followed by her mom. She hadn’t been in her home since the day she’d been turned. Trevor stopped at the steps looking back at her.

“Well, are you coming?” Trevor frowned. Seth was still on his back, but silent.

Glancing at Jax and Caroline, she saw that they were staring at her, waiting for her cue. Making her feet move, she followed Trevor up the steps. Her mom had already gone inside. At the door, she paused before going inside.

“Are you okay?” Jax leaned down to whisper to her.

Jill nodded. “Just been a long time since I’ve been welcomed here,” she replied honestly.

Even before she stepped inside, the smells of home hit her hard. Her eyes traveled the room. Overwhelmed with memories, her knees weakened. Nothing had changed. The door they went through led into the kitchen, which was still painted in the same pale yellow. Her gaze automatically went to the white lace curtains that she had always loved. Finally, her eyes met her mother’s, and there was something there other than fear and disdain.

“Jelly Bean!” Her dad walked into the kitchen, his hair a little messy indicating he’d been napping, probably in the same old chair he had since she was a child.

“Hey, Dad!” Jill swallowed the large lump stuck in the back of her throat. She walked over, hugged him tightly, and then smoothed his hair down like she used to do. “You taking care of yourself?”

“Well, you just caught me napping in the middle of the day. I’d say that’s taking care of myself pretty darn good.” He chuckled then looked toward Jax and Caroline.

“Dad, this is Jax Wheeler and Caroline Fitzpatrick,” Jill introduced them, glancing at her mother again, but she had since busied herself with Seth.

“Nice meeting you, Mr. Nichols.” Caroline smiled, taking his hand.

“Call me Chuck.” He shook her hand then Jax’s with a large friendly smile. “Where’s Slade?”

“He’s taking care of some things,” Jill replied, having a hard time looking him in the eyes. She was full of nervous energy making her fidget, and she knew how much her mother hated when she fidgeted. “I needed to talk to you and Mom about something.”

“Well, come on in and have a seat.” Chuck ushered them further into the kitchen. Everyone sat but Trevor and Jax. “Anyone want something to drink? We’ve got water, soda...beer.” That last was directed toward Jax.

“No, thank you,” Jax and Caroline both declined.

All attention turned toward her. Clearing her throat, she looked at her mom before beginning. “I’m supposed to get married in three weeks.” She glanced at her dad who was nodding. Of course he knew; he was walking her down the aisle. “We’ve changed the date to Saturday.”

“This Saturday?” Her father’s eyes opened in surprise.

“Yes, and I don’t want to get married in a church,” Jill replied and then took a deep breath. “I want to get married here, in the woods. In the clearing.” In her special place, she thought, but didn’t say that aloud. “You and Mom will have to do nothing except be here. I’m taking care of everything with the help of friends.”

The room was silent and Jill felt the hope of them saying yes slowly dwindle away.

“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I think that’s a awesome idea. And after they say their ‘I dos’ they can run down the dirt aisle, grab the vine and do a double backflip into the lake to seal the deal.” Trevor’s smile was huge. He winked at Jill.

“Before you answer, I need to tell you it won’t just be me and Slade. There will be five other couples. Vampire and human,” Jill added, then held her breath.

“This is your home, Jill.” Her dad’s voice shook slightly. “Of course you can get married here.”

Jill gave her dad a loving smile, trying her best to hold her tears in. “Thank you, Dad.” Her eyes went to her mom. “But I need Mom to agree also.”

Her mom stood as still as stone staring at Jill. “Are you sick?” Her mother’s voice also shook.

“What?” Her dad’s eyes widened. “Sick? Jill isn’t sick.”

“I saw something on the news saying...” Her mother didn’t finish. Her gaze never faltered as she stared at Jill.

Jill reached over and grabbed her dad’s hand before answering. “Yes, I’m sick.”

Her mom said nothing, just turned, and walked out of the room.

Standing, Jill hugged her dad. “I’m going to be okay, dad.” She leaned down and kissed his shocked face. “Slade is working hard to find out what’s wrong, so please don’t worry.”

“I’m your father,” he replied, kissing her cheek. “I’ll always worry, but I know that young man of yours won’t let anything happen to you.”