AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It won’t be a big wedding,” Sean says. “I know that it could be, with all of my connections. But we’ve both agreed that we would rather spend a lot of money on a house, where we can live together for the rest of our lives, than on a one-day event. It’s not about showing off or impressing my business contacts. Not this. We’ve agreed that getting married in front of Candace’s friends and family in a small and modest ceremony is enough.”
“None of your family and friends?” Mom questions, sharp as ever.
Sean looks away for a moment, and I squeeze his hand. “I’m afraid I don’t have any family,” he says. “Not anymore. As for friends, well, my best friend is already going to be there.”
At this, Dad looks suitably abashed. As he should. He’s forgotten, clearly, how close they’ve been in the past. He should know that Sean is the best possible person for the job of looking after his little girl for the rest of her life. They’ve trusted each other so much before.
“And you’re alright with a small wedding, Candace?” Mom asks.
“What? Of course,” I say, laughing a little. “Honestly, the idea of a big wedding freaks me out a little. There would be so much to take care of. This way, we get to celebrate with the people who really matter, without stressing too much. And if we ever get the urge to have a big party in the future, well, I don’t think we’ll need much of an excuse.”
“That’s a mature approach,” Mom nods. “Don’t you think so, Bill?”
“Yes,” Dad says reluctantly. “But don’t you think this is all far too fast?”
“Probably,” Sean says, taking over for me.
I look around and stare at him. “No, I don’t think it is,” I say. “I’m sure. What’s the point in waiting when we’re sure?”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Sean says. “But I know other people will think it’s too fast. From the outside, I can see how it looks. In fact, if someone I knew was planning to get married this quickly after meeting someone, I would advise them against it.”
“Then how are you so confident about doing it yourself?” Dad asks. “If you already know that it isn’t the smart way to go…”
“I didn’t say that,” Sean says, holding up a finger in caution. “I said I know that it looks like it isn’t smart from the outside. But I know this is right. Just like Candace does. It’s something we can feel deep inside ourselves, completely unexplainable to anyone on the outside. But it’s more than real.”
“What about the risks?” Mom asks, sipping delicately from her mug.
I fight the urge to get defensive. It’s a simple question, after all, I need to show her that I’ve thought about the answer – not that I’m still a stubborn teenager kicking back at every objection.
“As far as I’m concerned, the risks are very small,” I say, taking a breath. I don’t even want to think about the possibility that Sean and I might not be together for the rest of our lives, because I feel it deep in my soul that this is for life, but she’s right, and I want to appease my parents. I have to show that I’ve thought about it. That’s real maturity. “If it doesn’t work out, then like you said, I just move home and start over. I’ll have some experience working with Sean, so it’s not like there will be a huge gap in my resume to try to explain later if I need another job. And the risk of a broken heart – well, isn’t that something we all risk when in love.”
“And the other thing to think about is that Candace should actually gain something from this if things go wrong,” Sean says. I turn to see him wearing a self-effacing smile. “The thing is, I’m not going to insist on a prenup. So, if we were to get divorced… I’d lose half of the proceeds of my life’s work. And Candace would gain it.”
I see my Dad’s eyes light up. That obviously appeals to the businessman in him.
“No prenup,” Dad says. “Wow. You really have lost it.”
Sean chuckles, and my dawning horror at his words changes to relief when I realize they’re joking with each other.
Like friends do.
When the interrogation is over, Sean squeezes my hand, our last moments together before he gets up to leave. Mom and Dad have left to do various chores around the house, and it’s just the two of us.
“Looks like they might be convinced,” he says quietly, rubbing his thumb over my ring.
“I think so,” I say, and then break out into a smile so wide it hurts my face. “And it looks like we’re clear to spend the rest of our lives together.”
