by Tia Wylder
“How could you?” He blurted, tears springing to his eyes once more. Danielle tilted her head, crossing her arms over her chest. She appeared only vaguely interested in him.
“What are you on about? What took you so long here to get here? I swear to god, people died in the time it took you to arrive.”
His eyes widened at her inexplicable good humor. He had to fight the desire to strike his sister, feeling sheer hatred for the first time in his life. He parted his lips to speak, but Danielle seemed unaware of his grief fueled rage, turning her back on him and slipping back to the fountain.
“Don’t you walk away from me,” he shouted, disrupting the peace of the meditation garden. Danielle glanced over her shoulder, quirking a curious brow.
"Jeez Daniel. For someone who's girlfriend just came out of a coma, you are cranky," the woman mused aloud.
“And loud,” the woman in the wheelchair groaned, resting her head in her palm. He thought to curse the both, but then the actual contents of Danielle’s previous statement processed in his brain. His eyes widened, and he realized all too slowly that the voice of the wheelchair bound woman was strikingly familiar.
“... T-Tiffany?” He inquired weakly, and Danielle rolled her eyes, reaching to turn the wheelchair so the two could face each other. Tiffany’s expression was weak, but she looked thrilled to see Daniel just the same. She offered him a gentle smile, and his breath caught in his throat. He lurched forward, dropping to his knees in front of her and grabbing her by the hand.
“You’re alive,” he managed weakly, tears dripping down his cheeks once more.
“Just barely.” Tiffany winked, reaching out to caress his cheek.
He could feel something cool and metallic touch his cheek, and his stomach twisted into knots when he realized she was still wearing her engagement ring. Did she know? Had she heard him?
Resting his hand atop hers, he met her gaze with some trepidation. She drew her lip between her teeth, looking as adorable as ever. His heart twinged almost painfully in his chest, and he wondered how he had ever questioned his adoration for this perfectly flawed woman. She drew her hand away, looking at the ring with a pensive expression. Daniel felt his sister’s eyes upon them and glanced towards her, jerking his head in the opposite direction. Taking the hint, she slipped away to give the two a moment of privacy.
“This seems to be taking the charade a bit far,” Tiffany mused softly. Daniel’s mouth fell agape, and he sputtered to explain himself. However, her melodic laughter was swift to cut him off. “I’m teasing, Danny. I heard you. I heard… everything. I just didn’t know how to wake up. I didn’t know if I ever would. I was… so afraid,” she paused, reaching up to wipe a tear away.
“I was scared too. So scared,” he admitted, reaching up to gently trace his finger along the small scar above her eyebrow. She closed her eyes, her body quaking as she silently wept.
"I was certain that I would die alone, in that darkness. Your voice was the one thing that brought me comfort. I felt like I was losing touch, but today… today something just clicked. I can't explain it, but it was like coming to a light at the tunnel. I was afraid to go towards the light, but it was so beautiful. But then, I felt myself drawn in another direction. I heard… what sounded like you," she explained. "That's when I opened my eyes. The doctors said my stats were fluctuating before I opened my eyes, and Danielle said she was sure they were going to lose me. I didn't care about that. I cared about not being able to see you again," she smiled weakly.
“But the text Danielle sent me, it just said ‘SOS’. I’m assuming she sent it when your stats began to fall, but why didn’t she send another text to let me know you were okay? I almost got myself killed driving here,” he blurted, glaring toward his sister.
“She sent out a text, but it kept bouncing back. The reception here is awful, and as much as she wanted to make sure you got her message, she told me that her place was making sure I was safe,” Tiffany paused, laughing softly. Daniel’s anger abated, replaced with an overwhelming sense of joy. He took Tiffany’s hands in his own, feeling himself tremble from the adrenaline he had spent. She tilted her head curiously, looking as if there was very much something she would like to say. However, it seemed as much as she wanted to say it, she was also afraid.
“What’s on your mind, Tiff? You can tell me anything,” he murmured soothingly, drawing her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckle, just above where the ring sat. She hesitated, her body continuing to shake with soft cries.
“I’m so selfish. I should be happy enough to be alive, I should be happy that you’re even here with me. But… I must ask, Daniel. Did you mean it? Did you mean what you said to me when I was… gone from this world?” She inquired shakily. He drew his lip between his teeth, hesitating for the slightest of moments. It was obvious she took his hesitation as a bad sign, and tears spilled down her cheeks. He reached out, taking the ring off her finger and considering it for a long moment. Her cries became more desperate as the ring was slipped off her hand, and Danielle stormed over, looking entirely prepared to rip her brother’s head off.
“Wait. Wait, Tiffany, honey,” he sputtered, taking her by the hand. She gripped his hand tightly, trying to calm her sobs. “I just…,” he paused, turning the ring in his hand. “I want to do this right. Not when you’re asleep and can’t answer,” he continued. He shifted so that he was on one knee, presenting the ring as grandly as he was able. Tiffany’s eyes widened in simultaneous relief and shock, and tears spilled down her cheeks anew. Daniel could only hope they were tears of joy. He wanted to soothe her tears, to calm her down. The doctor inside him told him this was likely too much stimulation considering her condition. However, as he’d found himself learning in the months previous, he was a rather selfish individual. He needed an answer as much as Tiffany needed to give it.
“Daniel, you don’t have to-,” she began, but he held up a hand to silence her. He inhaled shakily, having to steel his nerves now that she was conscious and her eyes were watching his every move.
“Tiffany. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and could ever hope to meet. Both inside and out, you shine with a radiance that someone like me could only hope to someday reach. I know we started this whole thing out on an… awkward platform,” he paused as she giggled softly. He smiled gently before continuing. “I also know that meeting you has made me the happiest I’ve been in a long time. I want to spend the rest of my days with you. I want to wake in the morning and make you pancakes for once, I want to play princesses with you and my daughter. More than anything, I want you to be my Queen. I want you… to be my wife. Will you marry me?”
Tiffany stared at him for a long moment, mouth agape. For a brief and terrifying moment, he was sure she would say no. After all, it was very much what he felt he deserved. He was by no means deserving of her tenderness, her affection, her love. It was his fault she had nearly died, and truth be told, he wouldn’t blame her for never wanting to see him again. However, she shakily extended her hand, drawing in a breath before speaking.
“Yes, Daniel. I’ve loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you. If not for your constant presence at my side and at my heart, I know… I know I wouldn’t be here now. Of course I’ll marry you,” she murmured. Relief washed over Daniel, as well as a pure joy unlike any he had felt before. He slipped the ring on her finger, rising to his feet so that he could properly kiss her. Tiffany wrapped her arms around her neck, drawing herself to her feet so that they could properly lock lips. He had to support much of her weight, but it was something he could find himself getting used to as he lost himself to the tenderness of her embrace. Her lips parted, and her tongue darted out to brush against his own. He gasped into the kiss, tangling a hand in her hair and kissing her as passionately as he could manage.
“Hey, hey, tone it down. We got kids here!” Danielle announced loudly with a sly smile Daniel drew away from Tiffany, blushing.
“Miss Tiffany! Miss Tiffany! You’re
alive, oh thank God,” Amanda squealed as she rushed towards the two of them, she wrapped her arms around their legs, and Daniel quickly shifted to lift her on his hip. Tiffany fell back into the wheelchair with a thud, and father and daughter stared at her through wide and apologetic eyes.
“Come here girl, in my lap,” Tiffany murmured, reaching out to Amanda. “I don’t trust myself not to get weak in the knees if your father keeps up his charms, anyway,” she grinned, gathering the young girl in her arms. Amanda peppered sloppy kisses along Tiffany’s pudgy cheeks, tears of happiness spilling down the young girl’s cheeks. Daniel watched the scene with warmth in his heart, jolting as a hand clapped down on his shoulder.
“Looks like you did the right thing,” Melody mused aloud, offering her ex-husband a wry smile. He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
“What can I say? She’s a good influence on me,” he murmured. Melody huffed melodramatically, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Oh, and I wasn’t?” She squawked. He looked taken aback, sputtering out excuses and apologies as quickly as his mind could formulate. Melody tossed her head back, cackling obnoxiously as he stared at her through wide eyes. “Aw, hell, Danny. Learn to take a joke. Get in there with your girls, I wanna snap a picture,” she ordered, drawing her cellphone out of her pocket. Daniel considered her with a quirked brow, and she offered him a gentle smile. “You have a right to move on with your life, Danny. You don’t have to be unhappy forever. Now get in there before I change my mind and take off with your girlfriend for myself,” she teased, winking at the flushed expression on his face. He rolled his eyes, but rushed over to where Tiffany and Amanda sat, gathering both up in his arms. Tiffany rested against his side, and Amanda rested on his opposite hip. The three of them waited for their cue, smiling cheesily for the camera.
"Say Cheese!" Melody called out, smiling with happiness that Daniel had not seen in some years. He felt his smile growing warmer, and he gave either girl at his side a squeeze.
“Cheese!”
Chapter Nine
“Definitely use that one. It’s one of my favorite pictures of us,” Daniel mused, looking over Tiffany’s shoulder. She smiled up at him, rolling her eyes.
“You’ve said that about every picture. How many pictures do you want in the slideshow? We want to keep the reception short, after all,” she murmured, leaning back in the computer chair. He hummed to himself, rubbing her shoulders in a soothing manner. She groaned graciously, closing her eyes and pressing into his touch.
“You two keep that up, and the thing is gonna get all off track! I can’t believe you waited until the day of the wedding to make the slideshow,” Melody griped, stepping forward and burning the picture she had taken some months prior to the DVD. “Move,” she bossed brusquely, and Tiffany leveled her with a playful glare before rising out of the chair and letting the other woman take over. “Go be lovebirds elsewhere. I’ll get this wrapped up before the reception,” Melody called, tapping the keyboard as she made photo and video selections. The two soon-to-be newlyweds exchanged a grin, and though they didn’t say as much, Daniel knew they were both grateful to get an escape from that accursed slideshow. They slipped out of Daniel’s study, slipping downstairs where Troy and Amanda were playing on their tablets.
“Troy, where’s your mom?” Daniel inquired curiously, and his nephew looked up at him with an exasperated expression.
“Uncle Daniel, I swear, she’s been driving me crazy with this wedding stuff. You’d think it was her own wedding,” he groused. Daniel snorted, and Amanda gave her cousin a slight shove.
“You just don’t understand what it’s like for a lady to get married. It’s supposed to be like, a fairy tale,” the young girl announced, only for her older cousin to roll his eyes in irritation.
“Fairy tales aren’t real, Amanda,” he muttered, only to receive a whap upside the head.
“Only because you don’t believe enough, Troy! Now shut up and help me finish these banners,” Mandy grinned playfully at her cousin when he grumbled and worked on their marker doodles again.
“In your cousin’s defense, men generally aren’t as receptive to romance as the fairer sex,” Tiffany mused aloud. Troy huffed, and Daniel looked at her with an exaggerated hurt expression.
“You’re right. Troy hasn’t even noticed the girl at school who has a crush on him,” Amanda sighed. The young boy’s eyes widened, and he scrutinized his cousin for a long moment. Before Tiffany could get immersed in the drama, Daniel ushered her away. She moved grudgingly, obviously eager to hear about what was going on in the world of her favorite children.
“Come on. We need to find Danielle. She’s supposed to be putting the finishing touches on the wedding arch, right?” Daniel murmured, a sensation of dread washing over him. He had been reluctant to leave Danielle and the children in charge of decor in place of a professional, but Tiffany had been insistent. She had been sure it would add a homier touch to the entire event, which was relatively small considering the many people who would have attended if they had been invited. It was Daniel’s insistence that they keep it a small affair, but he was worried that his sister’s tastes would run a bit tackier than Tiffany imagined for her special day. The two meandered down the back hill behind the house, and Daniel’s eyes widened comically upon seeing the arch. As he might have expected, it was decorated with the gaudiest floral arrangements he could have ever imagined.
“Oh my god,” Tiffany muttered, and Daniel rubbed her back soothingly, not wanting her to break down so soon before the wedding. “It’s beautiful!” Tiffany screamed, rushing down to embrace Danielle.
“Hey, hey, easy does it. You know I still worry about you,” Danielle murmured, catching her soon-to-be sister-in-law in her arms. Tiffany giggled, giving Danielle a little peck on the cheek.
“I know, I know, but, wow! I didn’t expect it to turn out so well, especially with Daniel insisting that you have such bad taste,” Tiffany grinned, nudging her fiancé in the ribs. Danielle leveled a glare at her brother, and he raised his hands to placate her.
“Maybe I’m the one with bad taste,” he muttered to appease them.
“You did not just say that on your wedding day,” Melody came blandly from behind him. He jolted, turning to face her with a critical expression.
“I finished the slideshow. Shouldn’t people be arriving soon? You two need to get dressed. Danielle and I will go ahead and load up the decorations and meet you at the venue.” She glanced towards Danielle, smiling slyly. “I like the arch, Danni. It totally screams Tiffany, more than even your brother.”
Danielle huffed, leering at Melody. “You’re just upset that she can actually make him scream.” Daniel stiffened, but Melody simply rolled her eyes, stepping forward to take Danielle by the arm. “H-hey,” Dannielle began, only to be cut short by her ex-sister-in-law.
“Come on, moody. We need to get the place ready for these crazy kids. And besides, I’ve developed more refined tastes since your brother,” Melody hummed, giving Danielle an appraising look. Danielle squeaked, and looked to Daniel for assistance. The man simply shrugged his shoulders, leading Tiffany back towards the house while the women bickered in the background.
“So, what’s the plan? You get your dress, sneak off to the venue while me and the kids get ready?” Daniel inquired in a hum. Tiffany nodded, leaning in to press a kiss to the corner of his lips before drawing away.
“I actually need you to stay in the den with the kids. I’ll sneak out the back and give you a call when it’s safe for you to leave,” she murmured. She hesitated a moment, reaching up to caress his cheek. “Sometimes it’s hard to believe that this is really happening, after all we’ve been through. I wonder if I’ve actually died and gone to heaven,” she murmured. Troy glanced up from his place on the floor, making a face.
“No, Aunt Melody is here, and she’s like… demonic. I don’t think she’d be allowed in heaven,” he muttered, and Amanda screeched indignantly before slapping his sho
ulder.
“Momma isn’t demonic. She’s just… eccentric!” The young girl argued. Tiffany gave Daniel a parting kiss before slipping upstairs to grab her dress. Daniel watched the children bicker back and forth, even as they harmoniously worked together on the decor. It was not dissimilar to the way the entire family dynamic worked together. Organized chaos in a way, he supposed.
He sat on the couch, listening as the back door opened and closed to indicate that Tiffany had snuck away. Taking that as his cue, he rose to his feet, grabbing each of the children by the hand and leading them upstairs. He led Troy to the bathroom, Amanda to her room just opposite the hall, and stepped back to consider them.
“Be careful getting dressed now. Fairy tale or not, Miss Tiffany is really looking forward to a nice family event,” he announced. Troy grumbled, but nodded his head before retreating into the bathroom.
“Of course, daddy,” Amanda announced cheerfully, closing herself in her room. Satisfied, Daniel slipped away to his own bedroom to grab his specially tailored tuxedo. He knew Tiffany would be getting ready at the venue and he would not be allowed to see her until the ceremony. As far as his own attire, however, he supposed it was just as well that he dressed before leaving. They were becoming increasingly pressed, so anything to cut down on the preparations could only be a good thing.
The three emerged from their respective rooms around the same time, and Daniel had to admit that his little family cleaned up rather nicely. With the kids in tow, he slinked downstairs and out the front door. Getting in the car, he examined his reflection in the rearview mirror for a long moment. He only hoped he looked as nicely as he was sure Tiffany dreamed of. He had no time to worry about that now. Next stop, the wedding venue. Then, on to the rest of their lives.
When he arrived outside the venue, the parking lot was already nearly full. He sighed as he realized that Tiffany must have tacked some names on the guest list when he hadn’t been looking. As much as he’d wanted it to be a small affair, he couldn’t find it within him to begrudge his future wife. The kids scrambled out of the backseat, rushing towards the back lawn where the arch was likely being set up. He trailed behind, walking up in time to see Melody and Danielle bickering over the placement of the arch.