Lane

The moment I walked inside, my grandmother almost tackled me. She is actually not much older than my father and always had too much energy. She cried as she cupped my face, then my grandfather patted my back.

"We are so proud of you, Son. Welcome home." He said, then they both hugged on to me.

"Grandma, Grandpa, please meet my wife, Danica." I turned to her. "These are my grandparents, Dale and Emma Seevers."

"It's very nice to meet you." She said, but Grandma pulled her into a hug.

"Welcome to the family." Grandma welcomed her.

"Damn, Son." My grandpa laughed and patted my back again.

"I know," I said agreeing with him. My wife is a hot little number.

Uncle George, Aunt Tabby, and my mom's nieces and nephews all welcomed us home. Aunt Janie's kids are the closest to my age, and I got hugged by them too. It's actually starting to feel like an assault. I introduced everyone to Danica, and she handled it very well.

"Are you ready to see everyone else?" Janie asked. I'm really not, but I don't have much of a choice.

"Sure," I said, and when we walked in, Janie asked for everyone's attention.

"He made it home, but brought with him a very special person. I'd like to introduce for the very first time, Lane and Danica Morgan." She said, and my poor wife's face is blood red. I put my arm around her and kissed her head. She's doing good, and I'm proud of her tonight. Everyone clapped, some whistled, and others chanted my name.

We made our rounds shaking everyone's hands and they all welcomed us home. I saw Megan with a very tall man in the back and I believe it's her husband. Thank God, because I can't deal with that tonight.

I was handed a beer, but of course Danica turned it down and asked for just a water. I introduced her to nearly the whole damn town, and I can see she's getting tired. "Let's have a seat for a while," I said, and she gave me a nod.

"Are you okay?" I asked, and she smiled.

"I'm better than okay. Everyone has been so nice, and it's much better than I expected. Your grandmother asked me to come over and have lunch, your Aunt Janie wants to take me to the diner, then your cousin Allison asked me to have lunch with her, too. I didn't think anyone would like me." She said.

"Everyone is going to love you," I said.

"It's the Megan thing, I figured they would feel weird about it." She said.

"She's been married for years now, so don't worry about that, it's in the past," I said, but saw Megan with her group of friends that haven't budged since we walked in the door. I'm not even sure why she came tonight if she's just going to sit with her little click. She better not turn those women against Danica.

All my old buddies came and sat with us. Clara, Kyle's wife, sat next to Danica and complimented her dress. This is a good start. I would love to see her make some friends.

"I need to use the restroom." She said, and I saw Clara look over at Megan, then look at me, then back to Danica.

"I could go with you if you don't mind some company?" She said.

God, thank you, Clara.

Danica smiled. "Okay, I'll be right back," Danica said, then kissed my cheek before walking away with Clara.

I watched them walk away. "Holy shit, man! Your wife is the hottest thing to hit this hick town." Mark said.

"Yeah, I'm a lucky guy," I said.

I dodged all their questions about my time away and, of course, they circle back to my wife.

"She doesn't drink?" Mica asked.

"Actually, we're expecting," I said.

"Holy shit, congrats man." They all gave me a pat on the back.

"We all get together with the wives on Saturday nights to play cards. You need to bring your wife." Mica said.

"That might not be a bad idea," I said.

"Damn, what about Megan and Ron?" Kyle asked.

"What about them, Ron is a good guy and Megan has moved on, right Lane?" Mica asked.

"Yeah, I mean that's in the past," I said.

Mark shook his head. "That girl has been broken over the years." He said.

"Don't you think he knows that already, dickweed?" Kyle asked.

"I'm just saying there could be problems. Have you seen her yet?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, it's fine," I said hoping someone would change the subject.

The band started playing country music. "Oh, I'm totally getting a dance from your wife." Mica laughed.

"I think we all want a dance." Mark teased.

"Don't wear her down, she's pregnant." I reminded them.

"Enough bragging, man. We already know you tapped that ass." Mica joked, and they all joined in.

"Seriously, how did you land a girl like that one?" Mark asked.

"I guess I was in the right place at the right time," I said.

"I need to go wherever that is, all the good ones are taken around here," Mica said.

I shook my head. "There is only one."

"You asshole." He teased.

I stood when I saw Danica walk back with a smile on her face. "Can I get the first dance before all the men take you away?" I offered her my hand.

"I would love to dance." She said, and I led her out to the dancefloor.

"Lane, I'm having fun. Clara is so nice and offered to take me baby shopping." She said.

"She's always been a great girl. I really would be happy if you made some friends and could be happy here with me." I said as we danced to the music.

She looked up at me. "Don't you realize I'd be happy anywhere with you?" She asked.

I lowered my head and kissed her, I can never get enough of this woman.

I lifted my head and looked down at her, and she looked a little uncomfortable. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't think Megan's friends like me." She said, and I looked up to see them looking at us.

"Ignore them, they just feel bad for her after what she went through," I said.