Chapter 28 To-Do Lists, Game Shows, and Skeptical Fathers-In-Law
To-Do Lists, Game Shows, and Skeptical Fathers-In-Law
Vivian
WEDDING TO-DO LIST
Assemble Gift Bags for Guests — flip-flops, sunscreen, mints, aloe vera gel, lip balm, fans, plantain chips and bottled water
Mani/Pedi/Facial — with the moms and Paige
Give rings to Ben
Finalize ceremony
Write vows
Meet with event planner at resort to finalize details, double check rain plan, etc.
Call cake and flower vendors to confirm orders and delivery
Hair and makeup trial (resort spa)
Wardrobe check — dress, sandals, accessories, undergarments
AIRPORT RUNS
Frank — Monday at 4 p.m.
Vivian’s mom — Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Dominic’s dad — Thursday at 3 p.m.
Kevin, Angela, and family — Friday at 4 p.m.
The last few days have been an absolute blur of checking off lists and recording and posting videos, all while also trying to show my mom the island a little and fit in some sexy time with Ben (which is becoming increasingly difficult).
Mom arrived two days ago, is staying at the resort, and so far, she’s loving Santa Valentina.
In fact, it’s done something to her that I’ve never seen before.
She’s turned into this super-relaxed, chilled out version of Natalie Whitlock.
She says yes to every boozy, fruity drink that’s offered to her (including at the spa for our mani/pedi/facials yesterday).
She’s quick to laugh, keeps using words like ‘phenomenal,’ ‘glorious,’ and ‘dreamy,’ and best of all, she and Jo have hit it off like they’re long-lost sisters instead of strangers.
Honestly, things could not be going better.
Other than some pre-wedding jitters, and a slight feeling of nausea (likely caused by the fact that my dad and Tube Top will be arriving tomorrow), I’m doing okay as far as brides having rushed, fake weddings go.
That damn guilt is still following me around, as is the nagging voice telling me this might be the mistake of a lifetime, but I’ve managed to keep myself so busy that I’m able to ignore them both.
Everything is falling into place. Oh, and I’m a little nervous about meeting Ben and Dom’s dad, Roman, for the first time.
Ben, Henry, and Dom are picking him up at the airport right now, and we’re going to have a big barbecue, then Roman and Jo will check into the resort for the next few nights.
Right now, my mom, Jo, Paige and I are preparing the gift bags for the guests, which won’t take long because we’re only having twenty people—our immediate families, a few of Dominic’s cast members, Paige and Mac, and a few of Dominic’s aunts and uncles who live here.
All the items in the gift bags are from brand sponsors of mine, and I already recorded a video showcasing each item while I put them into the custom beach bags that Loewe provided for the big event.
My mom and Jo are both regaling us with stories about their own weddings—all the funny things that went wrong, which I could actually do without at the moment, because they’re making me nervous.
Jo takes one of the small organza bags and starts to add a bottle of sunscreen and a lip balm to it.
“Oh, and you wouldn’t believe what happened at the reception!
My mother-in-law—may she rest in peace—insisted on us having a chocolate fountain.
Well, it wasn’t in our budget, so she got my father-in-law—may he rest in peace—to make one out of an old crockpot and some plastic containers stacked on top of each other.
This is before we knew that plastic was toxic.
Anyway, long story short, it caught fire, melted the plastic, and stunk up the hall so badly, we had to finish the party outside.
She was so disappointed. For years, she kept saying, ‘I never even had one lick of that chocolate. And it smelled so good before the fire broke out.’”
Everyone laughs at the story and Jo smiles at the memory then gives me a serious look. “But don’t you worry. Your chocolate fountain will be just fine.”
“Thanks,” I say, tying a bow around an organza bag with some twine. “I was worried there for a minute.”
She glances up at the clock, then says, “The boys should be back any minute!”
My stomach tenses a little, but I smile as if I’m super excited to meet her husband.
“You’ll love Roman,” Jo says. “He’s a lot like Ben.”
What is that supposed to mean? Does she know something I don’t think she knows? My face heats up and I keep my gaze on what I’m doing, hoping my cheeks aren’t too red. “I’m sure I will.”
“Everyone says Dominic is just like me and Ben is just like his dad,” she says. “Dominic and I are yes people. Our gut reaction is to say yes to everything so we can get the most out of life.” Glancing at me, she says, “I’d say you’re a yes person too, Vivian.”
My mom, who is writing the guest names on tags in her big, loopy writing, says, “I agree. When Vivian was a toddler—not quite two yet—we were at the playground. She stood watching an older girl who was working her way up to the top of a little climbing wall. After a few minutes, she said, ‘I do it.’ And she did. She was as fiercely independent and determined then as she is now.”
“What an amazing quality in a person,” Jo says.
“Now, as to my husband and my eldest son—they’re no people.
Their kneejerk reaction is to say no to everything.
This may sound like a bad thing, but it’s not.
It means they’re cautious, so when they eventually come around to a yes, it’s usually the right decision, and they avoid a whole lot of trouble by not jumping into the bad ideas.
” She has a sip of water, then adds, “I’m telling you this for two reasons.
The first one is because having two yes people in a relationship can be trouble, so I hope you and Dominic will figure out some sort of system for saying no to things when needed.
My second reason is because Roman isn’t exactly on board about this whole thing.
He might act a lot like Ben did at the beginning, but it won’t take long for him to come around and realize what a gift you’re giving our son. ”
For a split second, I think she’s talking about Ben. Then I remember Dominic and I are the ones about to embark on a journey together. I offer her a small smile, and say, “Thanks, Jo. I appreciate the heads up.”
“You’re most welcome, my dear girl,” she answers, patting me on the hand, and at the same time, giving me a view of the beautiful vintage ring I could be wearing. “I’m just glad we get to keep you as part of the family, even if it isn’t in a traditional way.”
I adjust my stupid, heavy ring, feeling suddenly like it might suffocate me, which I know logically is ridiculous because it’s on my finger and not around my neck.
But honestly, it’s that bad, and I can’t help but entertain a fleeting thought that this awful thing might be the perfect metaphor for what we’re doing.
Two Hours Later
Well, so far so good. Roman hasn’t said anything too disparaging about our upcoming nuptials.
He’s been pretty polite so far, in that same way Ben was at the beginning.
Slightly formal, like there’s a wall up between us, but it won’t be too hard to tear it down.
Ben looks a lot like his dad too—they have the same tall, muscular frame, and the same dark hair, although Roman’s is lightened with a blend of grays.
We’re outside on the deck for a getting-to-know-each-other family barbecue that Jo planned.
Mac arrived after work, and he, Dominic, and Paige are currently down in the yard playing a game of bean bag toss with Henry (who is in his glory to have so many adults to dote on him).
Ben is barbecuing a brisket and some corn on the cob while the moms are inside whipping up salad, baked potatoes, and some baked beans.
They shooed me out of the kitchen, insisting that I go sit on the deck to get off my feet since I’m the bride.
So now, I’m on a lounge chair, staring out at the view, sipping a Corona with Dom and Ben’s dad.
I’m doing my best to enjoy the moment, only I can’t help but feel worried that any minute now, Roman is going to ‘tell me how he really feels.’ “What a stunning view,” I tell him, watching a sailboat go by in the distance.
He nods. “Best on the planet, and I’ve been nearly everywhere.”
I ask him about his travels and their volunteer work, which seems to relax him a little. He’s clearly a man who loves what he does. “You know, I never would’ve gone in the first place if it weren’t for Jo. She’s a real go-getter, that one. Never could sit still.”
“Who? Mom?” Ben asks, pulling a face. “That doesn’t sound like her at all.”
Roman chuckles, then says, “I’ve been on the boys for years to find someone like their mom—someone who will make sure they get out and live.” He scratches at his scruffy salt and pepper beard. “I guess, in a strange way, Dom has done that. Not what I had in mind for him though.”
I glance at Ben with a ‘help me’ look, and he says, “You know, Dad, it took me a while to get used to the idea too. I mean, I was hoping Dom would find the right guy, and he still could. But for now, this whole thing makes sense for both of them.”
Roman squints at him. “Does it?”
“It does. Vivian is going to be good for him.”
Turning to me, Roman says, “And what’s in it for you, Vivian?
I mean, I get you needed someone fast and willing, but a beautiful girl like you shouldn’t have had any trouble finding a real husband.
In fact, I can think of at least a dozen guys I know who would’ve jumped at the chance. So what stopped you?”
The temptation to tell him it’s none of his business comes on strong, and I have to fight it while I think of a more diplomatic answer. The truth is, I need everyone in Dominic’s life to go along with this, or the entire thing is going to blow up in my face.
Ben tenses his jaw, then says, “Dad, come on. That’s not a question you ask someone.”