by V. Vaughn
"I didn't really cast her out. It's not like we won't talk again."
"I'm still new to this wedding stuff, but I'm pretty sure uninviting someone to your wedding, especially your mother, is a big deal."
I let out a sigh of agreement, because hearing what I did put that way does sound bad.
Juliet says, "If she were in this pack, you wouldn't have the option of telling her to leave." She stops the swing and twists to face me. "It's hard to see the good in everyone, but if you're going to be in my pack, you've got to find a way. Take Byron, for example."
I chuckle, and Juliet says, "The guy is funny, it's true. But do you have any idea how much it annoys Roman that he's rarely serious?"
I recall that Byron was one of the guys with Roman and Alex when we all met on vacation at the beginning of the summer. "I thought they were tight."
"They are, because Byron may come across as an idiot, but he's also got Roman's back no matter what. My super-serious mate accepts Byron for his ridiculous ways, just like Byron accepts Roman for being an anal prick sometimes."
"Well, sure. You, Chelsea, Alicia, and me, we take each other the way we are because we're committed to each other as friends. But what about the pack members who let you down? How do you deal with them?"
"First you determine if the individual really did let you down or if you put expectations on them they couldn't meet." Juliet sips her tea and then says, "From where I sit, nothing Rosemary has done is that bad."
I frown as I consider that my mother flirting with Alex's friends might make me uncomfortable, but I suppose it's not horrible. And if the guys had been human, the amount of pot she put in the cake wouldn't have been a big deal, either. I also realize that her spilling red wine was an accident, and it wouldn’t have been impossible for me to have done the same thing. "I guess if I look at each incident on its own, it’s nothing really awful. But the phone call about selling something?"
"Think about it. You said yourself you were convinced she was up to no good, so when you overheard her, you jumped to the worst conclusion. Do you still believe she was going to tell the world about werewolves for money?"
If I'm truthful with myself, the idea of Rosemary selling jewelry or other valuables to pay off a credit card as she explained is a much likelier scenario. It’s also hard to believe she’d ever sell her grandchildren. My mother may be careless in a lot of ways, but I know she loves me, and she would never intentionally try to hurt me. "No,” I admit as I lean over my knees with my shame. “Probably not. My mother isn't a horrible person. Even if she does make me crazy."
Juliet places her hand on my shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Jayden. The fact you can see you overreacted about your mother is a big deal."
I lift up and look at my dear friend. I see nothing but compassion in her eyes, and I grimace. “I’m not real proud of myself right now."
Juliet chuckles. "It’s hard to accept our flaws, but what’s important is that we fix them and move on. Even if it is painful."
"There's still the matter of Alex. He was pretty mad when he said didn't want to change me. What do you think I should do?"
"Prove to him you know what being a family and a pack really means." Ice rattles in Juliet's glass as she finishes her drink.
"Oh! I need to get my mother to come to the wedding."
I pull my phone out of my pocket, but Juliet puts her hand on it to stop me from making a call.
"First you need to forgive and find a way to see the best in Rosemary, because if you don't, nothing is going to change."
I get up and walk over to the railing of the porch as I reflect on the fun we've had over the past few weeks. Dinner was full of laughter, and since Alex and I did the cooking, Rosemary was quick to clean after we ate. It was also nice to have her to talk about the wedding planning details with, because even though Alex would listen, he doesn't care the way Rosemary does. I glance down and notice a chipped nail, and I pick at it as something hits me. None of my wedding plans were about Rosemary, yet she still got excited about the little things that matter to me. And what did I do in return? I questioned her suggestions and motives instead of accepting my mother was trying to help me plan my perfect day.
I shake my head at myself. Rosemary was trying to be the mom she knew I wanted, but I was too hung up on our past to get out of the way of my perceptions and see who Rosemary has become. A charming, funny woman who came here to give me the love and support she thought I deserved on the day I've dreamed about all my life. Shame heats up my face, and my ears burn with it as I let out a groan and look over at Juliet. "I'm such a jerk. Alex has been trying to help me see how great my mom's been, and I've been too foolish to listen." I lift my phone. "I need to fix this. Can I call Rosemary now?"
My dear friend nods, and I give her a big hug.
"Thank you, Juliet. I'm not sure what I'd do without you."
"Lucky you, you're never going to have to find out." She stands up and takes my glass. "Now get out of here and go fix your life. I've got to go to the nail salon and paint my nails the color of papaya whip so Chelsea doesn't have my head. I swear that woman has alpha in her blood."
I gasp dramatically. "Perish that thought, Juliet! Please."
Juliet laughs and then lets out a wolf growl. "She'd have to kill me first."
We both laugh again, and the screen door creaks when I open it for us to go inside. But I have a feeling Juliet, as the alpha's mate, was serious. Just like I know she was when she told me that sending my mother away would never be an option in her pack. It occurs to me that I've been so focused on becoming a Smokey Falls werewolf for the unconditional love and acceptance I’d get that I never considered it goes both ways. I am going to have to accept every single member of this pack for who they are, but first I need to start with my mother.
Fifteen
I try calling Rosemary on my way home, but she doesn't answer, and I leave a voicemail telling her I don't like the way things ended and that I know I overreacted. Then I ask her to call me as soon as she can talk. I hang up, sad about how much I hurt my mother and how she's probably singing to the Eagles as wind blows around her and she tries to heal her heart enough to move on. But my guess is completely wrong, because when I pull in the driveway, I park next to a red Mustang convertible and find my mother sitting on my front stoop with a garment bag and what looks suspiciously like my scrap book under her arm.
She smiles at me as I approach her. "Did you get my message?" I ask.
"I sure did, baby girl. I was at the bridal shop when you called, so I couldn't answer, and then I figured it would be better to talk in person." She stands up. "But first I've got your dress."
My stomach knots up. "Oh."
"Oh?" My mother grins at me like she's got a surprise. "I hope that's not what you say…" The zipper to the bag hums as she tugs it down. "When you see…" She pulls the bag off the dress and holds it up. "This!"
My jaw drops as I let out a gasp of surprise. "Oh my god!" I squeal as I look at the world's most perfect wedding dress. It's the palest shade of pink with a fitted bodice covered in beads. It has a deep V-neck with spaghetti straps, and the skirt is tight through the hips before it flares out at the knees. More vines of beadwork wind their way to the bottom. I reach out slowly, afraid to touch it and have it disappear in a cloud of smoke. "How did—wait. You did this!"
Rosemary nods and squats down to pick up the scrap book she was holding earlier. "I tried to make it exactly like the one in your book. I'm so sorry I tricked you with the red wine like that, but I knew our relationship was too broken for you to let me make your dress, so I figured the next best thing would be to alter one to come close. But getting you to pick the right one wasn't easy! I'm so glad I thought of a plan B."
I shake my head. "That was pretty clever."
She grins. "I know. I can't believe it actually worked. It was trickier getting the time to go work on your dress with you hovering over me all the time."
I take the hanger from
her and drape the dress over my arm as tears fill my eyes. "Rosemary, I can't believe you did this for me." Beadwork tickles my fingers as I slide my hand across the dress. "It's the most beautiful gown I've ever seen. You're amazing."
"Oh hush," she says as she sniffs. I notice her eyes are glassy. "You're going to make me cry."
"Good," I say through my tears, "because then it will be two of us."
"Go try it on."
"Okay." A huge grin covers my face as I push my way inside, and I rush to my room to put the dress on. When I notice my mother isn't with me, I call out, "Get in here! You need to see this!"
I practically rip my shorts off and then struggle to get my shirt over my head as fast as I can and remove my bra.
My mother holds the dress out for me.
I step inside, and it's heavy when I pull it up. Cool silk slithers over my skin, and I let out a little squeal of delight as I wiggle my hips into it. "It feels so luxurious."
I turn so she can zip me up, and I watch in the bedroom mirror. Smoothing my hands over the bodice, I notice how perfectly it's made. "It fits like a glove." I gaze at myself and twist to see the back. "Rosemary." I let out a soft sigh as my throat thickens with the need to cry tears of joy. "It's absolutely perfect."
"You think so? Is it comfortable? Do you need me to—"
I shake my head at her. "I need you to just look at how beautiful you've made me and know that you've made a dream come true. Thank you so much."
Rosemary's smile is bright as her happy tears fall too. "You are the most beautiful bride there ever will be."
I step forward and kiss her on the cheek. And then I say something I haven't said since I was a little girl. "Thanks, Mom."
She lets out a little gasp of shock before she gives me a small smile. "I like the sound of that name, Jayden."
"Good. Because I think it's time I used it again, if you don't mind." I turn to look at myself in the mirror again. "We can't have my children thinking you're my sister and not their grandmother."
My mother lets out a snort of laughter.
"Another thing, Mom. I have no intention of getting married without you there, so we'd best unpack that car before it gets dark." I walk over and turn my back to her so she can unzip me. "You know, it wouldn't be so bad if you decided to stick around for a while. I'm sure we can find you some trouble to get into in Smokey Falls."
"Maybe I will."
I hand her my dress and reach for my clothes. She puts the gown back in the garment bag to hang it in the closet as I get dressed.
When I'm done, I reach out and take my mother's hand. "I need to apologize for how awful I've been to you since you got here. You have changed, and you're everything I could ever need in a mother. I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner."
She squeezes my fingers. "Apology accepted. But I understand why you acted the way you did, Jayden. You endured a lot of years of me being a selfish woman. It's no wonder you didn't believe this leopard had changed her spots."
"Maybe so. But that doesn't excuse the way I acted, and I'm so sorry I accused you of trying to sell the town's secret."
"Oh! That reminds me. Come help me unpack the car, because I've got an errand to run."
"Do you?"
"Yes, and it's a secret I can't tell you yet."
"Not even if I tickle it out of you?"
I reach out toward her, and she runs off as she cries out, "Jayden Rose, don't you dare!"
After we get the car unpacked and my mother leaves on her errand, I go inside and move my dress to the guest room. I'm walking out when Alex gets home. He glances in at the bags on the floor with a questioning look, and I say, "She's back."
He nods with a serious look on his face, and I take a deep breath. "You were right. I've been awful toward my mother, and while I can make excuses for my behavior, the fact remains none of them are good enough." I let out a sigh. "She's my family, and when I stopped to think about it, Rosemary has been really great since she arrived, but I was too blind to see the good since I was only looking for the bad."
Alex takes my arms and gazes down at me intently. I hold my breath as if keeping still will allow him to sense I’m sincere. He nods, lets go of me, and then walks into the kitchen.
I call out, "I'll be right there to help. I want to put fresh sheets on my mom's bed first." I move back into the guest room as I think about his coolness. The fresh scent of clean linens dried on the line fills the room as I put the sheets on the bed. It occurs to me that he might not believe my sudden change in attitude about my mother, and I get it. As Juliet said, I need to prove to Alex that I do understand the importance of family, and the best way to do that is to let Rosemary — Mom — into my life and enjoy her for who she is.
I notice my scrapbook on the bureau and pick it up. The pink cover has hearts and flowers on it, and when I open the book, the faint smell of a floral perfume floats toward me. When I first sprayed it on the pages, it was overpowering. I chuckle at how my mother crinkled her nose and told me that my sense of smell would mature. She was right about that.
I flip through the pages and see the cake I've chosen is almost the same as the one in my scrapbook. I grin at the '90s-style bridesmaid dresses in bright purple with puffy sleeves, and I'm sure my friends are glad I let them pick what they'll wear instead. And then I get to my dress. With my finger, I trace the fashion illustration Rosemary made. Before she got pregnant with me, she had dreamed of being a clothing designer and had taught herself to draw her creations. I remember how she let me color it in with her fancy pencils. My heart swells with the love I feel as I recall the hours she'd sit with me and listen to my plans as they changed over time.
I turn to the final page and find pictures of Paris. My honeymoon. I'd imagined champagne at sidewalk cafes and romantic walks along La Rive Gauche. But since werewolves don't do weddings and Alex is generous enough giving me one, I decided a honeymoon would be an expense neither of us should bear. The books snaps shut when I close it, and I get up to finish making the bed and help Alex with dinner.
I get to the kitchen just in time for my mother to breeze in.
"Oh good," Rosemary says, "I didn't miss dinner."
Her keys clatter on the table by the door, and I stare for a moment before I figure out what's wrong. The sound wasn't one of metal hitting wood, and that's because her keychain now has a plastic fob. Like that of a newer-model car. "Did you get a new car?" I ask.
"Ah." She shrugs. "Well, it's new to me."
I walk over to the front door as Alex comes out of the kitchen to see what's going on. I look out and find a small blue sedan.
Alex peers out the window over my shoulder. "That's a Ford Focus." He looks at my mother with confusion on his face. "What happened to the Mustang?"
She waves her hand. "That old thing? It's such a cop magnet. Those speeding tickets were getting expensive."
I frown at her, because I instantly think she's up to something. My mother wouldn't give up a flashy — I give myself a mental slap, because I realize I'm thinking the worst. My logical side remembers her phone call, and I think she was selling her Mustang to pay off debt. She really has grown up. I say, "That's very practical of you, Mom." I take her arm and walk us toward the kitchen. "How about a drink before dinner? I got some of the lemon vodka Carol loves so much."
"That sounds delightful." Mom glances over her shoulder at Alex. "Don't just stand there with your mouth open, Alex. You'll catch flies." She turns back and winks at me before we both laugh.
Sixteen
"Tomorrow is going to be perfect," Alex says as he comes up behind me while I'm brushing my teeth. Juliet was right. Alex needed more than my words to see I was serious about changing my relationship with my mother, and while it felt like weeks, it was only a few days before we returned to our blissful state of true-mate love.
I spit and smile at him in the mirror as I experience déjà vu. But this time the worry that was heavy on my shoulders before is gone. Once my mother and I go
t settled into our new normal, I filled her in on werewolves. She admitted she'd seen something in the cards but that she wasn't sure what mystical beings lived in Smokey Falls until I told her. Her cards also told her this is where she needs to be, so for now, Rosemary is staying.
"I know tomorrow will be perfect," I say to Alex. "Because even if a freak storm ripped through and made a mess of the field and your mother's gardens, as long as the two of us are with our friends…" I pause and correct myself. "With our family. It's going to be the best day of my life."
“I can’t believe we’re going to Paris. That was an incredibly generous gift from Rosemary.”
My mother’s secret turned out to be that she’d bought us a trip for our honeymoon. Guilt tugs at me over how I treated her, and how I treated Alex. I turn and gaze up at the man I love with all my heart. "Thank you for dealing with your crazy bride-to-be. I know I've been a handful, and I appreciate that you're giving me this wedding even though it's brought out the worst in me."
Alex shakes his head. "That's not how I see it. I think it gave you a chance to truly understand the choice you're making to become a Smokey Falls wolf. And now I'm confident you're making the decision with your eyes wide open." He squirts toothpaste on his brush. "I'm not the only one giving you a wedding. My parents gave us the venue, the guys are paying for the alcohol, and Roman and Juliet took care of the caterer."
"They did? Why?"
Alex talks around foam in his mouth when he asks, "You still don't get it?" He holds up his hand and finishes brushing his teeth before he continues. "The pack is our family, Jayden. Making us happy makes them happy."
"I do get it. It's just hard to believe they're doing so much when I haven't proven myself worthy. But they won't regret it. I'm going to do all I can to follow the example." I reach up on my tiptoes to kiss my mate. When I'm done, I lick my lips and give him a sexy smile. "In fact," I say as I slide my hand into his boxers. "I think I'll start by making one hot firefighter very happy."