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She has grown into herself, has taught herself to adapt to her situation. And that’s something I admire about her. I had always been attracted to that soft woman with the infectious smile. But this woman, who isn’t afraid to stand up to me and yet, is pliable when I put my hands on her, I worship her.
“I’m so angry,” I confess. “I want to rip him to pieces with my bare hands.”
Elise is silent for a few seconds before she says, firmly, “Parents are supposed to love you and protect you and be your rock through thick and thin. But we all don’t get so lucky at times, I guess.”
I know she’s thinking about her own parents and I let out a tired sigh. “No, we don’t. But Sophie won’t go through what we went through.”
Elise doesn’t refute me. A quiet smile forms on her face, lighting it up and making it even more beautiful. “No, she won’t.” She shrugs off my hands from her shoulders and grabs my hand. “Now, come on. Everyone’s waiting for you.”
The wedding ceremony is lively, despite the recent events, and Debra makes for a glowing bride. My mother is still shaken and although Grace and Debra have fixed her makeup, she still looks too pale.
She has a six month old in her lap though, who keeps demanding her attention, and this does distract her.
Elise sits next to them throughout the wedding. It’s only when it’s over, does she take Sophie back. But the color in my mother’s face is back and she looks more upbeat.
The reception has more people and with everyone dancing and having a good time, I see Debra shoot Elise a grateful look for not leaving my mother’s side, throughout.
Mom has always had a weak constitution and as she’s getting on in age, she doesn’t handle such shocks so well. She is an active woman but she’s led a hard life.
I have to keep greeting a lot of people but I circle back to Elise in the end. “Mom, how are you holding up?”
My mother looks up and then she smiles, wanly. “I feel like I owe both of my children an apology. I should never have let him into your lives again, or insisted on it.”
“Well, he won’t be coming around again,” I promise her.
She sighs and then glances at where Elise is trying to stop Sophie from chewing the tablecloth, and says, “So, this is Elise. You
’ve chosen a good woman, Lucas.”
My lips curve unintentionally as I see Sophie decide to throw the shrimp on Elise’s plate. Elise just looks exasperated and when she meets my gaze, she rolls her eyes.
“I did, didn’t I?” I murmur.
“The girl is very much in love with you,” my mother says, softly.
My heart skips a beat and I immediately turn to face her. “Did she tell you this?”
My mother chuckles quietly. “It’s quite obvious.”
Hope blooms inside of me, but I know not to take things for granted. Until Elise says so herself, I don’t want to believe it. “I’m taking it slow for her sake. But I love her, Mom. There is nothing I won’t do for her.”
“I know.” Then she nudges me, “Go, sit with her. And bring her around for dinner once in a while. And little Sophie.”
I laugh at her but do as ordered.
Sophie is looking at her mother, unhappily, and Elise is giving her a stern look. “Just because you can throw something, doesn’t mean you absolutely have to.”
Sophie’s response is to grab the small bread roll in the plate and drop it on the ground, all the while maintaining eye contact with her mother.
“I love how you’re determined to treat her like an adult.” I grin. “Let her throw things. I’ll pick them up.”
Elise glares at me. “Stop spoiling her. If you’re this bad now, she’ll have you wrapped around her finger when she’s older. Wait until she starts wanting to date teenage boys. I’d like to see how you handle that.”
I grab a shrimp from her plate and pop it into my mouth, saying cheerfully, “We’ll see if she still wants to date them after I’m done breaking their faces.”
It takes a few minutes for both of us to realize that we’re talking about the future as if it’s a guarantee. While I smile, Elise shifts, uncomfortably, clearly feeling as if she’s crossed a line while I’m just giddy at the fact that at a subconscious level, she’s already imaging the future and I’m in it. Impulsively, I grab her hand. “Come on, dance with me.”
Her face brightens up and I can see she’s ready to jump onto her feet but a quick glance at Sophie has her wincing. “I still have to—”
