Chapter 17 #3
“Let them enjoy their fantasy. I’ve got a few of my own, too,” I tell her, remembering my earlier plans to lean her over the dining table in this dress. “They’ll talk either way.”
“Except for your dad,” Violet answers, biting her lip. My flirtiness drops away as she says, “The way he was with my family . . . it was damn near hostile.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I swear it’s not about them, though. It’s me,” I try to explain. But Violet looks unconvinced.
“Baby girl, mind if I cut in?” Maria asks her daughter. “You know, for some practice for the reception?”
“Of course, Mom,” Violet says. “I think I need a drink, anyway.”
Maria and I start to dance, and as we do, she gives me a smile. “You’re doing pretty well, amico.”
“Friends now, are we?” I tease. “Should I start calling you Madre?”
“Only if you want my high heel in your butt,” Maria says with a laugh. “But seriously . . . I’m no fool, Ross. I can see your father doesn’t approve. I got that look a lot of times after I got pregnant, people thinking they could judge me when they couldn’t.”
These Russo women are killing me tonight with their perceptiveness.
I repeat the same thing I just told Violet. “It’s not about you or Violet. It’s about me. Dad doesn’t think I’m good enough for her, not the other way around.”
It’s hard to say, and probably a stupid thing to say to your future-mother-in-law, but it seems fitting to tell her the truth about this, if nothing else.
Maria purses her lips, looking at me in surprise, and then her eyes glance over to where my dad and mom are swaying on the floor.
When she looks back at me, I feel like a guilty man about to hear his sentence from the harshest judge in the county.
“I had my doubts. It was so fast, and I remember her rants about that ‘annoying boy’. But I see the way you look at Violet and the way she looks at you. For her to find love and be happy is all I’ve ever wanted for my daughter, Ross.
And I believe you are the right man for her.
It’s all going to be okay. Eventually, he will see what I do. ”
“Thanks, Maria.”
The dance ends, and Maria steps back, punching me in the chest and grinning. “But that’s for calling her Chicken Legs for all those years.”
There’s a tapping at the microphone, and I look up to see Mom and Dad at the main podium with the lieutenant governor’s wife, Delilah, who’s the MC tonight.
“I hate to interrupt the dancing, folks,” she says, grinning the newscasters’ smile that got her on cable news commentary quite a lot in her pre-lady-who-lunches days, “but I just had such amazing news.”
“I think we should have a seat,” Maria says, looking around at the clearing floor, and I nod. We head back to the table where Violet’s already waiting, and I sit down next to her, taking her hand and holding it on my thigh.
“As most of you know, this is Morgan and Kimberly Andrews,” Delilah continues, “our hosts tonight. But in addition to offering their lovely manor for tonight’s festivities, Morgan just approached me and said he’s making a hundred-thousand-dollar donation to the Gala Fund!”
The applause is huge, and even I’m shocked enough to clap as people rise to their feet for a standing ovation and Dad is passed the microphone.
“Thank you, Delilah,” Dad says, his most professional smile on his face.
“Honestly, I spent all night feeling the need to say thank you. This organization does such great work for our community, and I’m so proud to be a part of that. ”
His eyes find mine in the crowd. “Can I let you in on a secret confession as well?” Delilah nods like a bobblehead, and I swear she leans forward far enough that she’s in danger of faceplanting.
Dad takes Mom’s hand and she smiles. “I had an ulterior motive for wanting the microphone for a moment tonight. You see, my oldest child, my only son, recently got engaged, and their timeline didn’t allow for the usual engagement announcements, wedding showers, and whatnot.
So . . . surprise, multi-purpose party! Seriously, though, we just wanted to brag for a moment. ”
The applause sounds out again, smaller this time, but interested eyes turn to me and Violet before going back to Dad.
What is he doing? Why is he calling me out like this?
“We weren’t sure he was ever going to grow up,” Dad says lightly, and chuckles sprinkle through the garden.
“But the power of a good woman is a miraculous thing. Welcome to the family, Violet. He’s your problem now.
” Dad raises his glass with a big smile, and everyone cheers, thinking the toast is meant to be a silly roast between a loving father and son.
I don’t realize how hard I’m clenching Violet’s hand until she lays her other hand over mine and taps me. I let her hand go abruptly, and we pick up our glasses, saluting with fake smiles, and then drink. Violet takes a small sip. I toss the whole thing back in one go, even though it’s champagne.
“You okay?” she asks quietly.
“Yeah, just unexpected,” I say in the understatement of the century. “I’m not sure what his play is with that, but there’s a reason. There’s always a reason.”
Delilah takes the microphone back and raises her glass our way. “Congratulations, Ross and Violet.”
Looking back over the audience, she confides, “Kimberly spilled the beans to me about the upcoming nuptials and the quick timeline, and I felt called to help you two have the wedding day of your dreams. As many of you know, I’m the chairperson for the City Philharmonic, who have played so beautifully this evening.
” She holds up a hand, gesturing to the group of strings players off to the side of the dining area, and everyone claps politely.
“So I called in a favor or two, and my husband, John, and I would like to offer a wedding gift to the bride and groom. We’ve secured a strings ensemble to play at your wedding.
” Delilah is so pleased with herself that she grins hugely, so big and open-mouthed that I can see her back teeth.
The crowd gasps, and I can sense Violet’s jerk of response.
What? Oh, shit, that’s so nice, but so overwhelmingly not needed. And what are we talking, here? Like a small quartet or the whole string section of the City Philharmonic?
But Delilah’s not done. “I also talked to my friends at KMBP.” She pauses dramatically to let everyone remember her days on the daily news. “And they offered a crew to do your videography. Personal, of course, not for the news.”
“Seriously? A news crew following us around all day?” Violet sounds as horrified as I feel.
But somehow, I stand and pull her up beside me, a fake smile plastered on my face because I’ve been trained my whole life for weird shit like this and know that mission one is to save face gracefully.
I squeeze Violet’s hand until she smiles too.
“My goodness, Delilah. That is so generous.” I want to refuse it.
Fuck, how can I get out of this? One look at Dad tells me the bottom line on the situation and I straighten my spine.
“Thank you so much. We’d be delighted to accept. ”