"Twenty minutes is far when you are accustomed to seeing someone every morning." The statement was accompanied by another sniffle.
"It's fifteen minutes if I walk fast."
Her mother smiled. "Not in those shoes."
"I'll not be wearing these shoes tomorrow. In fact, I'll probably never wear them again. They gave me blisters."
"My poor baby." Her mother cupped her cheek. "Take them off on the way home. Ruvon will carry you in." She turned to look at her son-in-law. "Right?"
"Of course."
Her mother held her face in both hands and looked at her with a fierce, quiet pride.
"I can see that you're happy,dokhtaram, and that's all I ever wanted for you."
"I know, Maman."
"Now go. Before I cry even harder." She kissed Arezoo on both cheeks and stepped back.
Yasmin and Parisa moved to brace their sister, holding her by the elbows, and Soraya allowed herself to be held.
Donya came next.
Arezoo had given both her sisters a stern lecture in advance, warning them not to say anything inappropriate at the goodbyes. No teasing jokes about the wedding night, no suggestive winks, and no nudging Ruvon.
She'd promised never to speak to them again if either did any of those things.
Donya had taken the lecture with theatrical solemnity and made a gesture of zipping her lips, which Arezoo hoped had been a real promise and not a ploy.
Donya hugged her hard. "Come home tomorrow and tell Ruvon he can't have you back until after dinner. I need help with my math homework."
"From me?"
"You or Ruvon. I don't care which as long as it's in our house."
Arezoo understood. Her sisters didn't want her out of their lives, and they'd already made room for Ruvon. They were making sure she and Ruvon were clear on that.
"We will be there tomorrow. I promise."
Donya stepped back, and Laleh stepped in with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
"Don't say anything," Arezoo warned.
"I am not about to say anything that's inappropriate."
"Be careful," Arezoo warned.
Laleh hugged her, briefly and tightly, whispered, "You are the most beautiful bride in the world," and stepped back before Arezoo could respond, which was also a promise kept, because if Laleh had stayed any longer, she would not have been able to stop herself.
Azadeh, Jasmine, and the aunts came in waves. Hugs, well-wishes, instructions about visiting tomorrow, declarations about how proud everyone was of her. Cyra produced a single squashed flower petal that had survived in her basket and presented it to Arezoo. "For luck."
"Thank you, sweetie."
"You can keep it forever."
"I will."
Arezoo tucked the petal into her clutch, and Cyra nodded, satisfied that her offering had been properly received.
