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“Someone brought us flowers.” They both stared at the crystal vase filled with two dozen red roses.
“Did you order them, Royce?”
“I should have, but I didn’t.”
On the dining room table, a red vase overflowing with white roses, added to their joy, and in the bedroom, a pink vase with pink roses welcomed them to their room. The warm sweet fragrance of the roses emanated from every room and permeated the air.
“I recognize these two Murano vases. They come from my parents’ bedroom. Mom loved to have flowers around.”
“Lillian must have brought them. There’s a card on this one.” Susan removed the small card and read, “Wishing you happiness today and every day. Love, Steve and Lillian. That is so sweet.” Tomorrow she would call and thank Lillian for her delicate attention and her gifts. She removed her coat and wondered if Royce would give her some privacy to change
“I’ll take my trunks and I’ll go change in the guestroom.” He opened a drawer and gasped, opened another and exclaimed, “What’s the… I can’t find my clothes.” He spun to her with round eyes, “There are only frilly things here.” He pulled another drawer. “Ah a card with my name.Congrats, Royce. Your wife’s clothes are here. Yours are in the other room.Ah that explains it.”
Susan burst out laughing, her eyes shining as she pulled out one cutie nightie after another. “I can tell Mae and Lillian were having fun shopping. Tonight, I’ll wear the blue. Go change. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
She changed into the short silk sheath, the color matching Royce’s eyes, and let her hair float down her back. A knock on the door announced Royce.
“Come in.”
He opened the door, stood in his trunks, staring at her, with a besotted smile on his face.
“How do you manage to be even more beautiful than before?” He lifted her into his arms and carried her to their bed for a long night of love.
The next morning, Royce texted his mother-in-law and step-mother:
I can’t thank you enough for Susan’s pretty nighties. Do what you want for a reception.
While Susan sent them a similar text:
You two are the best moms, with impeccable tastes. Royce loved the blue one, using the pink tonight, and the orange the night after, and… I am okay with a reception and anything you want.
Following in their footsteps, Kasem and Tracy had a quick wedding at City Hall and flew to Bangkok the next day for a formal reception with his family and a honeymoon.
To Susan’s relief, Lillian and her mother had set the reception date three days after the newlyweds had left and saved her the irritation of seeing her ex-fiancé and Royce’s former girlfriend at her happy event.
“Take care of your work and your husband, Lillian and I will take care of the rest,” Mae declared.
“Have fun.” Susan laughed, delighted to follow their advice. Royce had turned into a dream lover, lavishing her with kisses and love every night.
Carole and Lillian spent a whole month shopping for a wedding dress, taking picture and submitting them to Susan who chose three of them to try on and settled on a long gown made of beaded lace, with long sleeves, a deep V-neck, and a plunging illusion lace back. Sophisticated yet romantic, the dress hugged her hips and eased in A-line below the knee with a small train.
“It’s fabulous.” Mae beamed in admiration.
“Absolutely gorgeous with your perfect figure,” Lillian added.
Mae ordered that the dress be delivered to her house, and Susan promised to keep the purchase secret.
Two months later, Susan’s brother and wives, and her two sisters and husbands arrived in Cincinnati to attend their little sister’s wedding reception. They had wisely left their children in the care of their respective grandparents. Steve Winston and Lillian received them in their house.
The day before the reception, Mae invited her children and spouses, and Royce’s parents to a Thai dinner at her house. The women arrived dressed in Thai attire, including Lillian who’d received a blue and black outfit from Carole. Susan donned the white and gold long dress, considered to be Thai wedding attire.
After dinner, Mae declared, “As the oldest male member of the Chen family, my son, Pravat wants to perform a ritual Thai wedding for his sister and her groom. That is if you don’t mind, Royce.”
“Not at all. I’m ready to marry Susan in any nationality and religion you want.” He laughed, quite at ease with his brothers-in-law. “The more the merrier.”
They’d gotten along famously from the first moment they met and discussed business. Pravat offered him a partnership to sell his software in Thailand with his brother Danai acting as a marketing manager.
“You two sit on the sofa next to each other.”
