37. Rei
I stood in front of a floor-length mirror in a house that had been rented just for our wedding day and night.
Ambrosia flitted about my dress, perfecting details visible only to their eyes.
Everything else had been done, aside from the final fitting.
My hair was curled and smoothed, hanging in waves down my shoulders.
My makeup, done better than it ever had been—the artist set impossible standards for matching winged eyeliner.
Ambrosia stepped back, taking in their work. “What do you think?”
I looked down at my dress and then studied myself in the mirror. Never in my life did I think I’d have the money for an Ambrosia wedding gown. “The dress is incredible.”
With it being a winter wedding, we both decided a long-sleeved dress would be best; however, I didn’t want to feel frumpy or like I was covering my curves. I wanted to celebrate my body, and Ambrosia was on the same page.
The top was fitted, lace sleeves appliquéd and beaded with a geometric design inspired by the tower we’d be married in front of. From the fitted bodice spilled a full tulle skirt, elements of the geometric design accenting the top gauzy layer.
“Any last-minute tweaks?” Ambrosia asked.
I shook my head instantly. “It’s perfect. I can’t wait to see the line you’re working on.”
They smiled and said, “I can’t wait to see the designs on you. There’s this evening gown with a sweetheart neckline and a killer slit that’s going to look incredible.” Hearing their excitement made me feel a little lighter, if only for a moment.
“Anything you make will be great,” I said. “Thank you so much for helping me feel beautiful today.”
They gave me a brief smile and started packing up their gear. Once all the pins, measuring tapes, needles, and thread were in their pack, they said, “I’ll excuse myself. Congratulations on your wedding day, Rei. You really are a lovely bride.”
I thanked them and gave them a hug, promising to chat more about the fashion line they were designing. Then they said goodbye and walked out the door, leaving me alone in the suite.
I stepped down from the podium and stepped over the plush rug to a chair in the corner of the room.
It was positioned to overlook the quiet street alongside the house, but my gaze was on my phone to see if my parents or brother had gotten in touch.
None of them had spoken to me since the recital, nor RSVP’d for the wedding.
Going to the family group chat, I sent a message.
Rei: Is anyone coming today?
Asking made me feel small, but I couldn’t stand not knowing. Wasn’t my mom supposed to be here, fussing over me (in a good way) for one day of my life? Telling me how beautiful I was? Wishing me all the happiness in the world?
A knock sounded on the door, and for a silly moment, I hoped it was her. Instead, I found Jada peeking through the crack. “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” I said, standing up to greet her.
She pushed the door open, giving me a view of Twyla, who was strapped to her chest in a black baby carrier. It was the perfect accessory to her dark-green bridesmaid’s dress.
“We just got to town,” she said with a smile.
“You’re right on time.” I got up to greet her, but she froze in her tracks, taking me in. “Rei... you look...” Her eyes grew misty. She shook her head, speechless. “Stunning.”
Now my eyes were burning. “Thank you,” I managed, though my voice cracked. I sucked in a breath, blinking fast. “That means a lot. It means a lot that you're here.”
“Oh, babe...” She tilted her head, coming to hug me with her sleeping little girl between us. “I’m your ride or die. So tell me what we do. Ride to this wedding or ride on home.”
I chuckled tearfully and backed up to press at the corners of my eyes. “I’m marrying Quentin today. I don’t want to let him or anyone else down.”
She studied me carefully. “So you told him?”
My chin trembled as I shook my head. Disappointment flashed over Jada’s face for a moment before I held up my hands and continued.
“I didn’t tell him because I’m removing the contract from the wedding, and as soon as this wedding is over, I’m getting Conrad to back off until I can find a way to get him out. ”
“But he doesn’t know you changed your name,” Jada said. “Or that you’re working with a PI. Or that Conrad has it out for him.”
“There are things I don’t know about him too, but we’ll have time to talk about our pasts once this is all behind us. If he wants to leave me, I won’t take his money.” I shook my head. “I just want a chance to explain things without the pressure of this wedding hanging over our heads.”
“It’s not the way I would do things,” she said. “But I can understand.”
I nodded. “I know.”
Her lips twisted into a half smile, then her eyebrows jumped. “I almost forgot. Quentin gave me a gift for you.” She left the room and returned with a square package wrapped in green paper with a silver bow.
I took it from her, studying the wrapping. “Wow. It’s so pretty I almost don’t want to tear it up.”
Jada bounced from one foot to the other, hand slowly rubbing Twyla’s back. She was such a natural with her daughter. “Twyla can help. She got ahold of my hair yesterday and I’m pretty sure I have a bald patch.”
“Ouch,” I winced. “Remind me to keep my hair up around her!”
“Smart,” Jada muttered.
I brought the gift to the California king with soft white bedding and pulled off the bow. Then I put my finger under a fold of paper and tugged. The thick material came apart slowly, revealing a white box. I took off the lid, seeing another small box and then a manila folder.
Eyebrows tugged together, I took out the folder. Peeling back the top flap, I saw a document labeled PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT with a sticky note on top.
I included a five-year contract with Radiant Cleaning. I’m hoping I’ll be working with you much longer than that. -Quentin
My eyes stung as I studied the note. He was saying he believed in me.
“Are you okay?” Jada whispered, still standing far enough away she wouldn’t be able to read the note.
I sniffed. “He added back in the five-year contract with my company.”
She was silent for a moment.
I reached into the box, getting the pen inside. “I’m going to sign it. If he wants to back out of the deal once he knows the full truth, I won’t hold him to it.”
Her shoulders seemed to relax a little. It struck me that Jada was walking the line my parents refused to—letting me make my own mistakes while encouraging me in the direction she felt was right. I loved that she wouldn’t just tell me I was doing great all the time but wouldn’t abandon me either.
Setting down the pen and the agreement, I went to hug her again. “I know I’m marrying Quentin, but I’m so glad you’re the one by my side today.”
She rubbed my back just like she’d done to Twyla moments ago, and damn, it felt good. “I love you, Rei, have from the moment I met you.”
My heart warmed. “I thought love at first sight was just a fairy tale.”
“Whoever said that hasn’t met you.” She looked down at her daughter and brushed her fingers over Twyla’s silken hair. “Or my little girl.”
I smiled tearfully and stepped back to brush away more tears. I’d told the makeup artist I didn’t expect a lot of crying today, and thank God she still went with her waterproof supplies. We were off to a very watery start.
Gently, she said, “Let’s see what else he has for you.”
I went to the gift and took out the smaller box, wondering what could be inside. When I peeled back the wrapping, I found a square velvet box, too big for a ring or necklace. I opened it, finding a yellow sticky note hiding the contents.
This note had Quentin’s real handwriting.
I asked the jeweler to make a clip to match your ring. I know you love a theme. -Quentin
With a small chuckle, I pulled the note aside, revealing an ornately designed claw clip with diamonds and emeralds weaving up the side, an echo of my ring and yet beautiful all on its own.
My lip trembled as I stared at the clip.
Quentin. The strong, silent CFO who seemed so focused on work, who never opened up or even really looked my way, had been seeing me all this time.
Saying “I do” to a practical stranger was scary, objectively a crazy idea, but everything Quentin did made me want to say yes even more.
I held out the clip, showing Jada. “He had a clip made just for me... He noticed.”
She smiled at me, pure happiness in her eyes. It was the kind of expression that I’d never seen from my parents. The one that said I’m happy for you exactly as you are, not with any improvements or changes, and it nearly brought me to my knees.
“I know it’s not the typical way to find your person,” she said, “but I’m so happy you found yours.”
“I really did find my person,” I said softly, and she smiled like she knew exactly what I meant.
As I twisted my hair to put the clip in place, she went to put Twyla in her carrier so we could go to the wedding. To my wedding.
It still didn’t feel real, almost like I was playing dress up, as George drove us to the venue. Police cars blocked off the roads surrounding the tower, flashing lights atop their cars, only letting guests through. Anything was possible when money was no object.
But when the limo arrived at the back entrance to the ceremony space, a dozen or so chairs lined up in two separate sections, it all began to feel very real.
“Good luck,” Jada whispered. She squeezed my arm briefly before getting out of the car, wrapping Twyla in a blanket as she walked down the aisle with Quentin’s brother.
I could hear the music playing over speakers, but once the door was shut, I was alone again. Feeling my breath come quickly, I got out my phone and found a message from my mom.
Mom: Your father and I discussed it further, and we cannot in good conscience come to your wedding.
A marriage is something sacred, a promise between two people and God.
I may not have given birth to you, but I’m your mother.
I’ve known you long enough to tell when you’re up to something that will end poorly.
We’d never met or heard of Quentin before the recital, and we can’t in good faith go to a wedding knowing it can’t possibly be real.
I love you, but I cannot support you in something so reckless and wrong.
When you’re ready to do the right thing and tell me what this is all really about, you know where to find me.
My vision blurred as I stared at the words.
Logically, I understood her skepticism. And she was right, at least in part, that this wedding wasn’t “real.” But I wanted her to be there for me, even if she thought I was making a colossal mistake.
And yet she wasn’t. Neither was my dad.
I’d be walking down the aisle alone.
“You ready, kid?” George asked from the driver’s seat. At my expression, he turned in his seat and whispered, “Say the word and I’ll get you out of here.”
A teary laugh escaped me. “No, but there is something you can do for me...”
“Anything,” he told me, looking like he meant it with his whole heart.
“Will you walk me down the aisle?”
His mouth opened and closed. Finally, his voice was rough with emotion as he said, “I’d be honored.”
He got out of the car and opened the door for me. Once I was out, he extended his elbow for me to hold on to. He smelled like the limo’s leather interior and the hard caramel candies he always sucked on. The scents were comforting in a way that felt like home.
We stepped closer to the curtain separating us from the guests, and I thought of all the ways George had been there for me.
Bringing me food when he knew I forgot to eat.
Worrying over the hours I worked.
Giving advice when I needed it or sharing stories of him and his wife in conversation.
All this time I’d been so focused on what was lacking in my family, I hadn’t appreciated all the people who’d been there for me.
“I know I don’t say it enough, but thank you, George, for everything.”
He leaned his cheek to the top of my head. “It’s been a privilege.”
Elsie approached in black pants, a matching turtleneck and dark-gray blazer, asking, “Are you ready?”
I nodded.
“Wait for the music to change and then walk through.” She swept away, murmuring something into a mouthpiece hanging from her ear.
Soon, the music switched from soft instrumentals to a refreshed version of the wedding march. My heart leapt into my throat as the curtains parted, and I saw Quentin standing at the end of the aisle.