by Lisa Olsen
“Really, you don’t know how lucky you are,” Daphne sniffed. Uh oh, so much for her good mood… “I hope you make each other happy for the rest of your lives.”
“And into the next.” Oriana nodded solemnly, taking up Daphne’s hand in hers. “Have no fear, your happiness lies within your grasp.”
“Do you really think so?” That was all it took and Daphne’s mood instantly perked up.
“Oh, yes.” Oriana’s face took on a distant cast. “I see it clearly.” Dropping Daphne’s hand, she picked up mine, face clouding in puzzlement. “You are still a jumble to me. Every time I think I catch sight of you, I’m blinded by your shine and I lose you again.”
“That’s alright, I think it’s better that way.” I pulled my hand gently out of her grasp. “The better to keep my watchers guessing.” With my life showing up on so many factions’ radar, I was willing to take a bit of unpredictability if that made it harder for them to manipulate my future.
“I think we’re about as ready as we’re gonna get,” I smiled, changing the subject. “How about I go check on the boys and let them know we’re about ready to start?” Before I could get two steps, the tent flap opened, and my father pushed in, dressed in his Sunday best. Even that early in the day, I could smell a little hair of the dog on him, and his eyes were bloodshot from the effects of the night before.
“Sorry, it’s girls only in here.” I laid a hand on his chest to keep him from coming in any farther.
“I came to escort the beautiful bride down the aisle.” He smiled wide, as if he had a perfect reason to be there. Nevermind that Oriana herself didn’t seem to want or need his participation in the ceremony.
“That’s okay, we planned the ceremony without your help.”
“I’m trying to welcome my new daughter into the family.” His tone grew harder though the smile remained fixed on his face.
“Oriana, do you want him to walk you down the aisle?” I turned to ask her directly.
“I need no assistance in walking.”
“Of course you don’t, honey,” Vic chuckled over her literal interpretation. “I’m offering my services as an escort. It’s a tradition, you know? The father of the bride usually does it, but since yours isn’t here…”
If I worried about her letting him guilt his way into the ceremony, I didn’t need to. Oriana’s delicate features didn’t show the least bit of hesitation in refusing him coldly. “I prefer to meet my beloved alone, as I came into this world.”
“Sorry, she doesn’t need your help, Vic. Why don’t you go take a seat? We’re almost ready to begin.” I pressed on his chest again, pushing him back a half step.
“Let me talk to her, I’ll tell her what’s what.”
“I’m pretty sure she knows what she wants on her own wedding day, and it’s not you. Get used to it, you won’t be walking anyone down the aisle anytime soon.” I smiled sweetly and his eyes narrowed in anger.
“Maybe if you weren’t such a bitch you might find a man to marry you too.”
Oh, no he didn’t… “What does this look like to you?” I thrust my hand under his nose, Adam’s diamond ring still sparkling there. He might not have any intention of marrying me anymore, but I couldn’t bring myself to take it off.
“You’re engaged too?” he blinked, the hostility fading in an instant as another mood swing took hold of him. “Well, that’s wonderful, baby. Who’s the lucky guy?”
“None of your business. I already told you I’m not interested in your participation in the ceremony.”
“You can’t shut me out of your life forever, Mercy. I’m your father.”
“Please, don’t remind me, I’ve been working hard enough to forget that fact for the past sixteen years,” I muttered and his face darkened again.
“I told you not to sass me, girl. Don’t think I won’t…”
“Is there a problem here?” Parker stepped into the tent, a bland smile covering the worry I saw behind his blue eyes, and I was relieved beyond belief to have him there.
Things had been a little strained between us at work since I’d turned down his marriage proposal at the engagement party. Not that I thought Parker wanted a real marriage with me, he was just trying to do the right thing since finding out about the baby, especially with Adam gone. A girl could do a lot worse than a good looking, wealthy guy who wanted to take care of her and her unborn baby by another guy. In the end I couldn’t bring myself to think about marrying someone else, even in name only, while Adam’s ring sat on my finger.
“No problem, my father was just on his way,” I replied, matching his smile. “Actually, maybe you could help him find his seat? Vic, this is Parker, my…” I hovered on the edge of introducing him as my intended, but I couldn’t do that to Parker again, not after making him pretend to be Adam to my mother. “…boss and very good friend.”
Parker’s eyes widened at the realization of who stood between us, but he recovered quickly. “Yeah, I can do that. Matty’s climbing the walls, by the way. Are you girls gonna be ready anytime soon?”
I traded looks with Daphne and Oriana who watched us with rapt attention. “Yes, we’re about ready too.”
“Fantastic.” Parker clapped his hands together with enthusiasm. “Come on, sir, I’ll help you to your seat. The show’s about to start.” From the wince on Vic’s face, I could tell just how much force Parker put into the hand on his arm as he walked him outside the tent.
“I’m sorry about that, guys. My dad is… a little tough to take sometimes.”
“It’s fine, no harm done. Right, Oriana?” Daphne offered a supportive smile, but the witch didn’t acknowledge her comment. Instead her eyes remained fixed on me.
“Cast off your discomfiture, judgment is not yours to dispense. He’s done far worse to himself than you ever could. There is freedom in that.”
It took me a minute to absorb her words. I wanted to be free, but the notion that I could let years of hurt feelings go without the need to punish him was hard to accept. I’m known for holding my grudges, but at the same time, I didn’t want to hang on to all that negativity either. “Thanks, sis, I’ll try to remember that.”
“You called me sister!” Oriana beamed. “Do you truly accept me then, despite the hardship I bring to your life?”
She said bring, not brought. That made me wonder if I didn’t have more trouble in store for me surrounding her disappearance from Raum’s court in the future, but I chose not to dwell on it on her special day. “It’s no more trouble than I get into on my own.” I hugged her carefully, not wanting to muss our hair. “Now come on, let’s get you married before someone else shows up.”
When we emerged from the tent, the groomsmen were lined up outside to meet us. Parker walked with me, and Steve, Matty’s friend, escorted Daphne down the aisle. My mother hit the boombox and Crazytown’s Butterfly filled the air. A strange choice for a wedding by my reckoning, but Matty said he always heard that song in his head whenever he saw Oriana.
“Thanks for helping me with Vic, I wasn’t up for another scene today,” I murmured to Parker as we started down the short aisle between the folding chairs set up before the makeshift altar. Parker looked fantastic in his formalwear, clean shaven for once, his dark blonde hair tamed for the occasion.
“No problem.” He patted my hand on his arm. “Uh oh, some prettyboy’s trying to horn in on my territory.”
Looking out into the small audience, I was surprised to find Remiel sitting next to Parker’s date, Luz. His mouth bent to her ear, whispering something that brought a smile to her lips.
“Oh, sorry about that. I forgot they knew each other.” Fairly well from their body language. I vaguely remembered the resourceful witch mentioning she knew him intimately some time ago.
“You know that guy?” Parker’s frown deepened in direct proportion to the lazy smile that grew on Remy’s face.
“Actually yeah, he’s my date for the wedding.”
“I didn’t realize you we
re dating again.” So soon… I practically heard the unspoken words.
“It’s not a real date, I just didn’t want to face the day alone,” I whispered back, not quite sure what I found in his eyes.
“You’re not alone, Merce.”
“Thanks, boss.” I gave his arm a squeeze before we parted to stand on opposite sides, a wire trellis threaded with flowers framing the altar. Taking my spot on the girls’ side, I smiled at Matty, so unused to seeing him without his scruffy goatee. He looked nervous in his rented tux, out of place with his feet bare, but Oriana insisted he go through the ceremony with bare feet, just like she would. Luckily, she hadn’t insisted on anything like that for the rest of the wedding party, because I didn’t enjoy the prospect of going around barefoot in a public park. Who knew what you’d end up with on the bottom of your feet?
I bit back the instinct to scold Matty to stand up straight, his slouch well pronounced until he caught sight of Oriana and his shoulders lifted as if by an invisible string. If I had any doubts about how long their hasty marriage would last, I forgot them at seeing the simple joy on his face. I’d never seen him so happy about… anything. And Oriana, she glowed from within, or maybe her bright aura obscured my vision. Whatever it was, they were head over heels in love, and it was hard to find fault with that.
The ceremony began with the standard text, and I started to zone out, more watching my brother and his bride than listening to the pastor drone on. The ceremony was pretty generic, no bible passages or songs or anything like the elaborate Catholic ceremonies I remembered from my childhood. Idly I wondered where they’d found the guy? As far as I knew Matty didn’t go to church anymore, and for sure he wasn’t a Roman Catholic priest. Then it was time for the vows, and I snapped to attention again, smiling my encouragement to Matty who looked nervous as he spoke his own vows.
“Oriana… I never knew what love was until I met you. Then… it was like… like I could feel my heart swell up like the Grinch times ten, and I knew we had to be together forever. No matter what. I promise to take care of you and keep you safe by my side, in sickness and in health, for as long as there are stars in the sky.”
How had I never known my brother was such a romantic? His words brought a sigh to the female population, and Oriana was no less affected as she began her vows.
“Matthias,” she touched his cheek gently. “You are the sun and I am the moon. We exist apart, but can never know our true purpose without knowing the perfect harmony of our joining. At this turning of the wheel, we leave the darkness behind in anticipation of the light. So too do we leave loneliness behind in anticipation of love and happiness. I pledge my troth to you, to remain by your side through this life and into the next.”
The exchange of rings came next and within the space of a few minutes they were joined as man and wife to the delight of the crowd who cheered and clapped while the newlyweds shared an enthusiastic kiss. Someone hit the boom box again, and we broke our formation to descend upon the picnic tables crowded with food and gifts.
I checked my mom’s face to see how she took the unorthodox vows, but she was too busy sniffing behind her handkerchief. If she disapproved of any of it, she remained uncharacteristically quiet about it. “That was so beautiful, Merceline,” she sighed as I joined her side. “When you get married you should do something like that. I think writing your own vows is so much more personal, don’t you?”
I bit back the comment about not getting married any time soon that sprang to my lips, offering her a smile. “Yes, I do think they sound more personal that way, I’ll have to remember that when it’s my turn.”
“Don’t worry, baby, I know he’ll come around. He loves you very much.” She patted my cheek comfortingly.
“We’ll see. None of that for today though, this is Matty and Oriana’s day.” I changed the subject and for once she dropped it. I sensed a nervous energy around her, she gabbled on even more than usual. I mean, my mother could always talk, I suppose it’s where I got my gift of gab, but she seemed more frenetic if possible. All at once I caught on to why.
My father.
So far she’d been able to avoid talking to him directly, but her eyes continuously tracked his movement in the crowd. Vic stood near Matty, downing drink after congratulatory drink. For the moment he was jolly, but Mom and I knew how quickly that could change. Every time his voice boomed above the crowd I saw her shoulders flinch, and I hated him for doing that to her, after so many years.
“Mom, are you alright?” I asked softly, drawing her aside.
“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?” I recognized the brittle smile on her lips only too well.
“He can’t hurt you anymore, I promise you.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulders protectively.
“I know.” She tried to brush me off, but at catching my expression shifted her feet uncomfortably. “Your father means well, but you know how he gets.”
“Yes, I know exactly how he gets. Which is why I want you to know I won’t let him hurt you. I’m not a little girl anymore, I can be the one to protect you now.” I owed her that for the years she tried to keep me safe from the brunt of his temper. It didn’t always work, but I knew she had it much worse. My mother fixed me with a watery smile, and I left my arm wrapped around her waist while we circulated through the party.
Wondering where Remiel disappeared to, I spotted him talking to Parker and Luz, Parker looking none too happy about that. I flashed Parker a commiserating shrug, grinning when he rolled his eyes dramatically. Deciding I had to try and corral my date before he charmed Parker’s lady away from under his nose, I steered my mother over to them.
“Hey, Remy, there you are. I want you to meet my mother.”
“Why would I want to meet your mama?” His brows drew together in confusion and I suppressed a smile as Parker looped his arm through Luz’s and led her away without a word.
“Because that’s the polite thing to do when escorting someone to a wedding.”
“Sorry, sweetcheeks, this is the first one of these things I’ve been to in an age.”
“Merceline, this boy is your date?” My mother’s brows rose in surprise. “What about Adam?”
“Adam is still out of town, as you well know, so I thought I’d ask Remy here to stand in for him.” Besides not wanting to go stag, I had other reasons for inviting Remiel. Namely to keep the peace in case Raum decided to make a play for the bride. “Any sign of anything… off, Remy? Or have you been too busy flirting with other people’s dates?” I raised a brow.
“Who else am I supposed to flirt with, everybody here’s already attached,” he muttered in disgust.
“Oh, you two are friends, that’s fine,” my mother eased. “You do have the most attractive friends, Merceline,” she smiled at Remy almost girlishly.
“Well, ain’t you a peach for that.” Remy’s lopsided grin returned. “And if you’ll excuse me for sayin’ so, I can see where your daughter gets her particular allure from,” he added, leaning towards her confidentially (which my mother absolutely ate up).
“Hey, don’t flirt with my mother,” I growled, bothered by it for some reason. It didn’t annoy me when Parker buttered her up, but with Remy it felt somehow… sleazy or something. Maybe because I had the notion he might consider hooking up with her if nothing else panned out at the reception.
“Oh, Mercy.” My mom pushed at my shoulder. “He’s just being friendly.”
“Well, why don’t you go be friendly over there, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for Raum or any of his goons. You never know what he might try to get Oriana back,” I reminded him, and Remy gave a drawn out sigh.
“Yes, ma’am. You save me a dance for later though, y’hear?” He winked at my mom, his drawl lazy as he sauntered away. It probably gave him some kind of sick thrill to tick me off, but I resisted the urge to call him on it. He was doing me a favor after all.
“Who’s Raum?” My mother asked as soon as she stopped undressing Remy with her
eyes.
“He’s Oriana’s ex,” I lied glibly. “He didn’t take it too well when she left him and it’d be just like him to show up and cause a nasty scene.” Instantly sympathetic, she asked me for a description of him, and I went ahead and gave her one. The more eyes on the look out for Raum as a creep the better, as far as I was concerned.
The party stretched on through the afternoon and I stuck by my mom’s side, waving away offers to dance. Not that I needed to stick to her like glue. The party wasn’t so big I couldn’t keep an eye on her, but to tell the truth, my heart wasn’t in it. Maybe the pregnancy had me a little down, but I didn’t feel like smiling and chatting with people, pretending my own wedding was right around the corner whenever someone spotted my engagement ring. So instead, I listened to my mom, or rather I let her talk at me for the most part, not thinking much of it until she gave me a teary hug.
“I had so much fun visiting with you today, Merceline. It’s been too long since we really spent a lot of time together.”
“I know, Mom, and I’m sorry.” I hugged her back, teary myself. “I get so wrapped up in things. Maybe we can…”
“My two favorite girls!” Vic’s voice boomed from behind us and I felt my mother freeze as he wrapped his arms around our shoulders. “This is so great, all of us together again, just like old times.”
“Yep, just like old times.” I shrugged out of his clumsy embrace, drawing my mother up against my side. “I think maybe it’s time to wrap things up though, it’s getting late.” Only about half of the guests remained at the party. Matty and Oriana had already left about a half hour before on their honeymoon to Las Vegas. Daphne had slipped away a while ago with Sam and I was sticking it out until the end, on clean up duty along with my mom.
“I’ll tell you when the party’sh over, girl,” Vic slurred. “I need another drink.”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” my mother replied, her face pinched with worry.
“Don’t tell me my businessh, woman!” His hand came up… I don’t know if it was just to wave in the air, or if he actually intended to hit her, but my mother flinched away regardless, and my hand shot up to catch his fist, halting the motion stone cold. My fingers flexed over his as I fought the urge to bring him to the ground.