One Wild Night

Chapter 987: Names And Meanings



Sunday dawned bright and beautiful, filling Lucy with an electric excitement as she moved around the house in a flurry, checking every detail with the careful eye of a hostess who wanted everything to be just right for the impromptu indoor pool party.

Dressed in flowy, cream-colored palazzo pants and a fitted tank top, she looked effortlessly chic yet comfortable, perfect for the cozy afternoon she had planned.

Stepping to the indoor pool area, Lucy watched the caterers set up tables with colorful plates of finger foods and the bartenders arranging an assortment of drinks near the bar. Soft, warm lighting cast a welcoming glow across the room, bouncing off the clear blue water and creating an inviting atmosphere that felt both relaxed and intimate.

She paced lightly around, making sure everything was as it should be, from the lounge chairs perfectly arranged to the brightly colored towels neatly stacked near the edge of the pool.

From behind her, Tom's voice rang out warmly, "You look like a natural, Jewel. The perfect hostess."

She turned and saw him watching her, a tender smile on his face that made her heart skip a beat. She laughed, smoothing her hair back. "I never thought I'd enjoy hosting so much, but here we are! I'm having way too much fun with this for an introvert."

Tom chuckled as he joined her, "You'd never know what you will enjoy or not until you give it a try. Besides, I thought we already established the fact that you're not an introvert in any way."

She grinned, "Okay. An ambivert, then. Let's settle for that. No argument," she said as they stood together, admiring the setting as the final touches were made.

Just then, the faint sound of the buzz from the gate indicating an incoming car broke through the chatter around them. Lucy perked up, glancing toward the entrance. "That's either Lucas and Amy, or maybe Sonia and Bryan?" she mused.

Tom followed her gaze. "Let's go see," he said, reaching out a hand. She took it eagerly, and they walked over in time to see Lucas driving her car into the driveway.

"It's the newly engaged couple!" Lucy squealed, beaming as she let go of Tom's hand and dashed forward to greet them.

The moment Amy got out of the car, Lucy enveloped her in a warm hug, glancing down at the sparkling engagement ring on her finger.

"Congratulations!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement, "You should know, I'm so thrilled to have you as my sister-in-law. It feels like a dream."

Amy smiled, a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "Me too, Lucy. I'm blessed to have Lucas, and you all feel like family already."

"Well, let me see that ring," Lucy said, and Amy grinned, holding up her hand with pride and wiggling her fingers playfully.

Tom watched Lucy with amusement as she admired the ring, and he couldn't help but wonder what she would think about her own ring.

"It's stunning," she laughed, her cheeks glowing as Lucy admired the ring.

"It is. But you're even more stunning. You're glowing, Amy," Lucy said with a wide smile, squeezing her hands.

"It's all thanks to Lucas. It's no coincidence that his name means bringer of light. He's literally my bringer of light," Amy replied, glancing lovingly at Lucas, who was busy getting their bags from the car since they would be spending the holidays at Tom's.

Lucy turned to Lucas, who had turned at the sound of his name and was watching Amy with a gentle smile. "And you're glowing too, Lucas," Lucy said, her eyes twinkling.

Lucas chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "That's because of Amy, my beloved. You know that's the meaning of her name, right?" he said, his voice filled with warmth as he blew Amy a kiss, and she blew him one too.

"Aww. Now we are doing names and their meanings," Lucy said as she watched them, feeling very happy for the development between them.

"So, your name means light too, huh?" Tom asked Lucy with a grin, and she giggled.

"Yeah. I know I flooded your life with light. You can thank me later. And now that we are talking about it, I just realized I don't know what your name means," Lucy said, and Thomas chuckled.

"Take a guess," he said, and she shook her head.

"Beloved?" she asked with a grin and they all laughed.

"Thomas means twin, and I ended up with one," he said with a wink, and Lucy laughed.

"Aww! This all so sweet," Amy said as Lucas joined them.

"Congratulations on your engagement," Tom said, and Amy flashed him a wide smile.

"Thank you, Tom. Thanks for having us," Amy said, and Tom gave her an amused smile as he nodded at her.

"Alright, you two lovebirds, take your bags inside. Amy, once you're settled, come join me at the indoor pool if you're not too busy. We're still getting things set up."

Amy nodded enthusiastically. "I'll be right down. I'm so excited! I can't wait for everyone else to get here," she said as she followed Lucas inside.

As Lucy watched them go, Tom stepped closer to Lucy, an amused look on his face. "Is it just me, or does Amy seem totally relaxed around me now?"

Lucy chuckled, "I noticed. She's more easygoing and chatty now. She even calls you Tom," Lucy said, making Tom laugh.

A short while later, after Lucas and Amy had settled in, they both came down to join Lucy and Tom by the pool area.

Lucy enlisted Tom and Lucas to oversee the arrangement of the movie room where they could all gather for a late-night movie, while she and Amy discussed the list of activities for everyone in the house during the holiday.

While they were still talking, Sonia, who just arrived waddled over to join them, and her face lit up when she saw the engagement ring on Amy's hand as she raised her hand pretending to shield her face from the indoor lights.

Sonia gave a little cheer. "Look at you, flaunting that ring! Go on, Amy, show it off some more," she teased with a wink.

Amy laughed, happily obliging and holding her hand out for Sonia to admire. Sonia clapped her hands, a playful grin on her face. "That's my girl!"

Bryan walked over, giving Lucy a quick hug. "Hey, Lucy! Where's Tom? By the way, Amy, congrats on your engagement," Bryan greeted.

"Thanks," Amy said cheerfully.

"Tom is in the movie room with Amy's fiancé, setting up the movie room for later. You should

go give them a hand," she replied with a wink.

"I see what you did there," Sonia said as they all laughed.

"I will take the bags upstairs and join the guys," Bryan said to Sonia, and kissed her before

walking away.

"Is the movie room a guys thing or is it for everyone?" Sonia asked curiously.

"I was thinking we can have a cozy movie night after the pool fun," Lucy said, and Sonia clapped her hands together with delight.

"Brilliant idea! I like it!"

"I hope you will stay awake long enough to make it through the movie. I know you can't stay awake past nine!" Lucy teased, and Amy giggled while Sonia eyed her with playful

disapproval.

"Says the one who dozes off a few minutes into a movie," Sonia said, crossing her arms with a smirk, and both Amy and Lucy laughed.

"That was in the past, Sony. That Lucy is long gone," Lucy said, and Sonia scoffed as she

waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't care. In fact..." She trailed off, eyeing the tables laden with food and snacks near the pool. "I think I'll go sample a few things."

Lucy and Amy burst out laughing as they watched Sonia make a beeline for the food stand. Sharing a look, they walked over to join her.

"I really hope I don't end up too fat after this baby comes," Sonia said between bites, though she was smiling as she spoke.

Lucy patted her shoulder reassuringly. "You're eating for two! And besides, once the baby comes, you'll burn off the extra weight in no time. I'm sure of that."

"And even if you don't burn it all, I'm sure you'll still be your fine self," Amy added.

Sonia sighed, a playful gleam in her eyes as she chewed. "So, I guess we are all going to be sisters-in-law, huh?" she asked with a grin, and Lucy giggled.

"I guess so. It's nice. I like that we are all related in a way," Lucy said, and Amy giggled. "I'm not sure I thought of that. You're both Jade's sisters-in-law, and both Andy and Candace are her sisters-in-law, and I'm your sister-in-law," Amy said, and they all laughed. While the ladies chatted outside, Tom and Lucas chatted inside the movie room. "So, you decided to get engaged before me?" Tom asked after they had worked for a while, just in time for Bryan, who just walked in to hear them.

Lucas chuckled, "Yeah. I didn't want you to beat me to it and set an unbeatable standard for me. It's bad enough that Amy looks up to you two," Lucas said, and Tom laughed out loud. "Yeah, right. We both know that wasn't the reason you did it. When do you plan to tie the knot then? Any date in mind yet?" Tom asked, and Lucas grinned.

"Want to know if I plan to beat you and Lucy to it?" Lucas asked, and Tom laughed.

"Nah. I think Lucy would want us to do it on your birthday. I'm cool with that," Tom said andn/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Lucas shrugged.

"That wouldn't be a bad idea. Although, I don't think Amy is in haste to get married. So, we will tie the knot when she decides that she is ready," Lucas said, and just then Bryan who had been listening from the doorway spoke.

"Why are you both talking about marriage like Lucy has changed her mind?" Bryan asked as

he walked in, and they both turned to him.

"How long have you been standing there?" Tom asked, and Bryan shrugged.

"Long enough to hear your engagement and marriage discussion," Bryan said and Lucas

exchanged a look with Tom.

"You're lucky it's Bryan. The surprise would have been blown had it been Lucy," Lucas said

and Bryan raised a brow.

"It's true? She changed her mind? You're getting married?" Bryan asked, his voice rising with excitement and both Lucas and Tom chuckled.

"Leroy your voice down. And yes. I'm proposing to her at the Christmas Eve party," Tom said

with a grin, and Bryan slapped Tom's back happily.

"This is great, news, Tom! Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, and Tom shrugged.

"I wanted to surprise everyone," he said, and Bryan nodded. "I'm very surprised already. I take it Sonia isn't aware, right?" He asked, and Tom chuckled.

"Wait, Sonia knows? You mean you told her about your plans?" Bryan asked, and when Tom shrugged, Bryan shook his head, "I'm still amazed at how well she can keep secrets from me. I guess Sonia is always going to be Sonia," he said, feeling both amused by it and resigned to

that aspect of Sonia.

"You should keep it to yourself too. You can't tell mom and dad or Jade about it," Tom

warned, and Bryan made a zip gesture on his lips.

"Your secret is safe with me. I'm really happy for you, Tom. You have no idea how happy I am

to hear this. And I know Mom is going to be over the moon too," Bryan said, and Tom

laughed.

"Yeah. That I'm sure of."