Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Renata
The day after Mike formally proposed, I was working with Vicky on the ceremony details while he went back to work. He’d spoken to his boss about working until the wedding, then taking a week off for our version of a honeymoon. I chuckled to myself at the thought.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, looking through some bridal websites on her laptop. She was between design projects and was working a half-day to help me.
“Thinking about Mike asking off for our ‘honeymoon,’” I said, sipping on my espresso, using my hands as quotes around the word. We’d agreed that with our unconventional marriage, we would wait for a honeymoon, choosing instead to stay home and take it day by day.
“I’d say how strange your wedding night is going to be, but it’s fitting with, well, how you’ve come to be here planning a wedding,” she said, shaking her head and smiling.
“It is strange. But it will be worth waiting for, just like you said, right?” I asked, blushing at the thought.
She snorted and smiled widely. “Very, very worth it.”
I laughed out loud and threw a pillow at her from the sofa. My mind went back to my conversation with Mike about what had happened to him. Seeing his sincere regret, I didn’t let it change how I thought of him. I was grateful for God’s grace in both our lives.
But suddenly, I found my mind went down a path of fear that we’d never share that kind of intimacy if I couldn’t tell him I loved him someday.
Last night, after he proposed again, something was happening between us.
It wasn’t just attraction, but I felt the words coming to the surface.
Luckily, I pushed them back down, knowing they couldn’t be real.
I’d just gotten caught up in the moment, is what I told myself as I watched the ceiling fan circle round and round for hours once I got into bed.
“Tell me what your parents said when you talked with them this morning,” Vicky said, bringing me back to the present.
I blew out a long breath and rubbed my temple. “Oh, you know. The usual. Mama wanted to know if I’d been coerced into this marriage when I was able to speak to her without Mike. Warned me that, even though I seemed happier, this could be the worst mistake of my life.”
“Ouch, Mrs. Lucia. Go for the jugular, why don’t you?” she said, her eyebrows high.
“Che cosa sai davvero di questo americano, Renata?” I said, mimicking my mother.
“What did you tell her?”
“I said, what do you actually know about anyone, really, American or not? There are no guarantees in life or in love. I was just grateful she didn’t come right out and ask if I was in love with him.
But then again, that’s not what’s important to her.
She asked about his career, how much he made, and where we would live.
Oh, and she suggested separate bank accounts.
” I absently spun my cup, lost in thought.
Vicky reached out and rubbed my arm. “Listen, I had my reservations, too, at first. I mean, I love Mike. He’s an amazing guy but, yeah, it was a shock.
Then I listened to what he said and watched him with you.
He’s in love with you, Renata. And the fact that he’s willing to wait for you to feel the same way, certain it’s going to happen? He convinced me.”
I covered my face with my hands and squealed. When I looked at her again, she was laughing, waiting for me to share. “He got down on his knee last night and proposed. Again. Look!” I showed her my ring.
“How in the world did I not see this when I got here an hour ago? And why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, grabbing my hand and turning it over.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” I gushed, tears in my eyes.
“Ren, if I were going to help Mike choose a ring for you, this is exactly what I’d tell him to get. How did he know your style?” she asked in shock, her big eyes wide.
“It’s Grammy’s. She’s been saving it for his wife,” I said, wiping a tear.
“Amica, I keep saying it, but this was meant to be. Oh my gosh, I’ve got goosebumps,” she said, rubbing her arms.
“Me, too, Vicky. When she showed it to me before she was hospitalized, she told me she’d kept it for the woman he would marry. I’d gotten jealous at the thought of it being some mystery woman, but I think she knew it was going to be me.” A laugh bellowed out of me, and Vicky followed.
“Oh, man. I knew Grammy had, let’s just say, special abilities, but this is unbelievable.”
“And I’m just now putting it together. Oh, and also, Mike said he was falling in love with me. Came right out and said it, Vicky.”
Her eyes widened comically, and she made a little sound of excitement. “That’s the most romantic proposal I’ve ever heard. And Miles’ proposal was epic,” she said, shaking her head. “Don’t tell him I said that,” she whispered.
“Never. But, wow. Going from the thought of him proposing to some mystery woman to watching him propose to me. Phew.” I started fanning myself, and we both started laughing again.
“We hate mystery woman,” she snorted.
“Yeah, we do. He’s mine,” I said before thinking. She stopped laughing and looked at me with a saucy expression I’d seen before.
“Seems like your fiancé is not the only one falling.” She tilted her head side to side with a smirk.
I scoffed. “You know how I was raised. I don’t know anything about this.
I’ve dated, but you know I’ve never been in love.
I thought I might have been once or twice, but I was never able to make it work.
What if I never feel that way about Mike?
” I twisted my hands together nervously. She put hers over them to calm me down.
“Hey, you said you believe God is in this, so He will show you. Love is a beautiful thing that just blossoms without you doing anything. Before you know it, he’s all you think about, all you dream about.
You want to be with him, and when you’re not, it’s like a piece of you is missing.
Your feelings may not run as deep as his yet, but it’s obvious they’re there, amica.
I wouldn’t let you go through with this if I didn’t think so. ”
I nodded and changed the subject. “Okay, let’s get back to the dress. I was thinking something simple. We don’t have time to get a traditional gown, so I was thinking of a simple dress that hopefully we don’t need to get altered.”
Knowing me well, she went along with the diversion. “I agree. It’s in Sofia’s backyard, so no need for super fancy. I know you love bold colors, but are you thinking about white?”
I smiled. “Yeah, I think I am. You know, I was never one to have a bridal scrapbook or anything close to that, but ever since he asked me, I could see myself in white. What do you think?”
She nodded resolutely. “If the bride wants white, she’ll get white. And I know just the place to look for it. It has tons of dresses for different occasions. I bet we can find what you’re looking for there.”
“Vicky, I’m getting married,” I said dreamily, letting go of my fears and deciding instead to stay in my little happy bubble for a moment.
Chuckling, she answered, “You are. You’re moving to California and marrying a tall, dark, and handsome man. And you’re going to open a business with me someday and have little curly haired babies who surf and say things like ‘rad and dude.’”
We were both hysterical by that point. When we finally calmed down, I said, “This is what I dreamed of for my life. Laughter, friendship, plans, belonging.”
“I had no idea how lonely and unhappy you were. That’s my fault for missing it. I’m really sorry I haven’t been a good friend.”
I enveloped her hand in mine. “Nope, none of that talk, Victoria Austin. You have no idea what joy it brought me to see you find your happiness. You’ve been the best of friends. The absolute best. And knowing we get to do life together again? That’s more than I could’ve ever hoped for.”
“Then, let’s plan the sweetest backyard wedding San Diego has ever seen, yeah?”
“Let’s do it.”
Despite my objections, Papa wired me money to buy my dress and anything else we needed for the wedding later that day.
He’d sent me a text saying how excited he was to meet Mike and see my new home.
Mama was quiet but answered my calls or texts when I reached out.
I prayed that whatever I said in answer to her concerns would be enough to quell her reservations.
When Vicky left, I headed to the hospital. Grammy had been moved to a regular room and I’d promised Mike to visit her that afternoon.
Just as I was getting out of my car, I got a text from Mike. I smiled when I read it.
Mike: Thinking about you. What are you up to?
Me: Just got to the hospital. Was thinking about you too earlier.
Mike: Oh really?? Good things I hope. Like my handsome face or big muscles. Or maybe my swoony moves.
I laughed loudly, making a woman look up from her own phone with a grimace.
Me: Was thinking about your proposal. Not your face or anything else on you, Mr. Walker.
Mike:
I smiled as I hit the button for the elevator.
Me: About to go in. Call you after.
Mike: Talked to her this morning, but give her a hug. I’ll stop by there before I come to see you. How about Greek food for dinner?
Me: Perfect. See you soon
The elevator pinged at the floor Grammy was now on, and I smiled when I thought about the last time we’d been to the hospital together.
I knew he was purposefully walking close to me, his big hand grazing mine.
I chuckled at how sweet he was. I’d have to be a little bolder and just take him by the hand next time; see how he reacted to some PDA.
That would shock him and take down his cockiness a notch.
I was still smiling when I found Grammy’s room and knocked.
“Come in. Everyone else has been in here,” she said grumpily.
When I stepped in, she picked up the remote and turned off the TV, her frown transforming into a smile.
“Mikey told me you were coming today. Come, sit next to me on the bed,” she said, adjusting her hospital gown.