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At the sound of Todd’s clicks, in bounds my gorgeous miniature Bichon Frise, Lulu. She stops in front of me and bounces up and down.
“Even the dog thinks you all look good,” teases Todd.
Bending down, I pat Lulu. “Who’s a good girl?” She licks my hand. “You’re such a good girl,” I coo at her.
Lulu was a present from Kris, so I wouldn’t feel so lonely while he’s filming all day. She’s horribly spoiled and rules the house, and I wouldn’t have her any other way.
“She’s a good girl who obviously escaped from her room,” says Todd with a disapproving frown.
“We could leave her in here?” I suggest.
Todd shakes his head. “No food, no water, she’d howl the house down.” He picks her up, and Lulu licks his face. “Yuck. Thanks very much, Lulu.” He looks at me. “Okay, I’m going to run and put her back in her room, and then we can get this show on the road.”
Todd might pretend to disapprove of Lulu, but I’ve seen him sneak her treats more than any of my family members at the dinner table. He adores her as much as she does him. He leaves the room, chastising her, and my dad moves to stand in front of me, holding both my hands.
“You ready for this?”
“Yes, Dad. I’ve been waiting for this since I was fifteen years old.”
His eyes drop to the floor. “You know your mother and I love Kris. He’s the other son we never had.” Dad chuckles. “But you, Athena, are ours. We love you and only want your happiness.” He stares into my eyes intently.
“I’m happy, Dad.”
Cocking his head to the side, he searches my face. “You’ve been preoccupied lately. Both your mother and I sensed something wasn’t quite right. If you’re not sure about marrying Kris, it’s okay to hold off for a while.”
My parents have never been helicopter parents, hovering around, trying to keep me safe from the world. They have always let me make my own decisions and allowed me to keep my secrets, even though they knew what had happened to me in New York—the rape and my subsequent hermit lifestyle back home in Boothbay. Mom and Dad let me heal and tell them in my own time. And here I am again, keeping secrets from the people I love.
What would everyone think of me if they knew Kris’ accident was my fault? Keeping him and my family safe is the only thing I think about. I’ve been on edge since the day that horrible man reached out to me at the hospital. Dad is obviously picking up on my nervous tension, but I haven’t seenhimagain, so maybe he’s decided to leave me alone. New York is a long way from LA. Perhaps his reach only extends so far?
Shaking my head, I smile widely at my dad. “Everything is fine, Dad. It’s pre-wedding jitters and being on display in front of the entire world. I love Kris. I’ve loved him my whole life. He’s the best decision I ever made. Where he goes, I follow, and now I’ll officially have him under the law.”
We both laugh.
Dad squints at me. “Aww, honey, he was always yours. Kris just took a little while to realize it.”
He moves to stand beside me, places my hand in the crook of his elbow, and takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“Areyounervous?”
“Hadn’t thought about being on display for the whole world. What if I trip?”
Laughing, I pat his arm. “You’ll be fine.”
“She’s right. No one will be looking at you. They’ll all be looking at the bride,” says Todd.
The photographer takes another picture, and it’s then I remember he’s been in the room the entire time, listening to Dad and me.
He looks at me and says, “I’m paid to be discreet.” He smiles awkwardly and shrugs. “I got some wonderful, intimate photographs of you and your father. You’re going to love them.”
“Did I miss something?” asks Todd as he eyes the photographer suspiciously.
“No, deputy, you didn’t.”
Todd levels a stare at the man and looks him up and down. “I better not have.” He looks at me, winks, and says, “Okay, count to five!”
The photographer and Todd leave the room. Dad counts softly to himself. When he hits five, we take our first step and walk through the house. The house has been decorated in pinks and white, but it’s not until we step outside that I can finally see the transformation of our yard. The pool has flower wreaths floating in it, and there are lights strung between trees with more flowers hanging off them. It really looks like a pink and white wonderland.
Dad guides me along a white carpet, which leads to an arbor where Kris is waiting. He’s facing the view. It’s not until we’re a few steps away that he turns around. His jaw falls open, and his eyes brim with tears.
Dad reaches out and takes Kris’ hand, setting my hand in it, then he places his hand on top and below our joined ones. Dad looks from Kris to me, winks, and turns to sit with Mom, who’s dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
Turning slightly, I pass my bouquet to Todd, then Kris and I face each other, entwining our fingers together.
“You look beautiful,” Kris whispers as his thumbs run across my knuckles.
He’s wearing a gray suit, white shirt, gray vest, and a pink tie the same color as Todd’s suit. His handsome face is tanned, making his blue eyes sparkle a deeper blue.
The celebrant, Miranda, clears her throat, and we both turn to look at her but keep our hands joined. She smiles at us, then looks out at our guests.
“I am duly authorized by law to solemnize marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.” Miranda smiles at us and continues, “Marriage, according to law, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.”
