Page 79 of Ardently Yours

“I just wanted all of my girls to end up happy. I wanted you to have a date for the wedding. I know that you’ve always been the hardworking one who knew her own mind and knew what she wanted. I never wanted you to end up working so hard that you forgot to be happy.”

“I know, Mama,” I say.

But she’s not done yet. She holds on to me, saying, “And I still want certain things for you in life. But I’m going to trust God’s timing. And I know that one day, if it’s His will for you, you’ll have a husband, and you’ll bring me some grandbabies.”

I laugh because Mama’s apology means everything. Of course, hearing the rest of her confession brings me a little comfort too. She hasn’t changed too much.

But I think we’ll be okay now because she understands that I have to figure this out on my own. And I really, really hope and pray that God will help us navigate our relationship so it can be less messy and filled with more love.

“And Papa,” I say when Mama steps back, keeping her arm around my back, “I love you and Mama, and both of you inspire me and show me what a committed, loving relationship looks like. You both really do work well together. Thank you both for showing me how to love somebody through the ups and downs and how to support each other.”

Papa says, “It was you girls who helped your mama and me see how important it was to stick together. I have to admit that maybe I let too many things slide over the years. I think your mama and I both want what’s best for you girls, and sometimes it was easier to just not speak up when things were happening or when things were said.”

He glances at Mama, who narrows her eyes at him, but then he wraps an arm around her and another around me, and her expression softens.

“I think it’s time for us to let the girls to find the path that God has for them,” he says, directing that part to Mama, and she nods cheerfully. “And it’s time for our Lizzie to live her life.”

We all hug. We cry a little. We laugh a little too.

Then, despite my protests, they help me carry my groceries inside. Well... Mama fills up the wagon, Papa carries the rest, and I’m ordered to unlock the door and make them lunch. So I do as I’m told, smiling the whole way.

***

Just like old times, we have our favorite romance movies playing, snacks spread across the makeshift table we put together, pizza boxes open, and conversation flowing as we quote movie lines and help each other put on the sage green press-on nails Jane bought, along with matching nail polish for our toes.

Jane picked the next movie, and of course it’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s because she’s obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. And rightfully so.

Nic’s family cat, Chai, wanders into the room. I set a kitty cookie Will made for her a few days ago on the floor. She nibbles at it before curling up nearby, happily watching the movie with us while enjoying her snack. After all, she’s one of the girls when she wants to be.

Nic’s parents pop in to say hi and, mostly, to steal a few slices of pizza before heading to their room for the night. I smile at them as they go, loving to see them back together again after everything they went through. Seeing them makes me think of Nic and Jay and how they got a second chance at love too.

All of this makes me think about Will. I wonder if we’ll even get a real chance at love. But I push that impossible thought away and try to focus on the evening ahead.

“I’ll pin up our hair in the morning,” Jane tells us as she shows us a picture of the Audrey Hepburn-inspired bun for the wedding look tomorrow.

This is the distraction I need, so I lean into the conversation. She and I will have the same hairstyle, and she’s the pro when it comes to that look. She scrolls to another image to show Nic the style she’s doing for her and talks us through the logistics. Nic is going to have a half-up, half-down style with her long, naturally curly hair.

“I brought a new makeup kit, so I’ll be all set to give us all the most exquisite looks for the big day,” I say, since I’m in charge of makeup.

I watched like a million tutorials to get the look right and practiced on my sisters, so I pull up pictures of them as my makeup models and show the looks to the girls once Jane is finished talking about hair. My phone buzzes, and a text from Will flashes across the screen. Nic and Jane, both wearing under-eye masks like me, look comical as they glance over at me.

“You going to respond to that text, Liz?” Jane asks, nibbling on popcorn.

“I think you should,” Nic says, a faint smile on her face. “You wouldn’t want it to be awkward at the wedding tomorrow.”

“How do you know that he’s even still coming?” I ask. “He hasn’t told me anything about the wedding. His dad is in the hospital, so why would he come back?”

I put my phone face down on the floor, looking at Nic. I don’t expect an answer, though. What I don’t say is that I don’t think he will come back because of me. And I fear that I may have ruined his friendship with Jay and the wedding party too.

“He called and talked to Jay,” Nic says slowly. “Will asked if it was okay for him to still come, given the circumstances with you. He told Jay everything. And I know your secret too.”

“You know the truth?”

Jane raises her hand. “I know too. Will talked to Edward and Jay on a three-way call. I was with Edward at the time, and Nic was with Jay, so we overheard everything and kind of got included in the conversation.”

“Great. Well, now my two best friends know that I lied big time.”

“Yes, you lied, and you need to repent. But you also need to stop lying to yourself, Lizzie,” Nic says, her voice knowing and straightforward, which is exactly what I need.