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Royce obliged them and pulled Susan into his arms
“On the sofa, not on your lap,” Pravat admonished, and the family burst out laughing. “Better kneel on the rug.”
“Whatever you say.”
They both knelt. Royce wrapped his arm around her, but Danai grabbed his hand and tied it with white thread.
“Hey, no need to do that. I promise I’ll behave.”
Pravat freed his hand, then looped the white thread and used it to link the bride and groom’s heads.
“Your heads are linked but the two circles mean you are allowed to remain independent. Yourdestinies are linked, but your individual identity is retained.”
Royce sobered and watched him place bowls on the floor and pour water over his hands and Susan’s. “This is a sort of blessing we are giving you.”
To Royce’s dismay, Susan remained at her mother’s house for the night.
The next day—the wedding reception day—Lillian arrived around one o’clock and conferred with Carole for a long time. From her old room, Susan could hear them laughing as they got dressed for the reception and wondered what else they’d concocted.
By three o’clock, Susan styled her hair into a round bun adorned with three white roses, and left part of it curling out in a short ponytail. Under the older women’s sharp gaze, she applied her heavy makeup, and then slipped on her high-heeled pumps. Mae and Lillian helped her don the long gown and zippered it in the back.
“What’s next?” Susan sighed, but she’d promised herself she would be very patient during this week and do her best to please Mae and Lillian.
“The limo is here to take us to my house,” Lillian said. “They’re all there waiting for the bride.”
When they arrived at the Winston’s, Pravat opened the limo door for her and held her arm.
“You look so beautiful, Susie. No wonder he adores you.”
Pleased by her brother’s approval, Susan smiled as he walked her up the steps to the open front door and through the hallway to the family room.
“No way.”
The room had been rearranged to resemble a wedding chapel with chairs for the guests on both sides of a middle aisle. At the end, a pastor and Royce, wearing a black tuxedo waited.
“Another wedding?”
“At Mae’s request,” her brother explained. “Mae said that she and Pae have been happy because of a church blessing. She wants you to have the same. Apparently, Lillian agreed.”
“Those two agree on everything.”
“Smile please. People are staring, and Royce’s jaw is sagging.”
The sound of a piano playing a wedding march filled the air. Susan smiled, her eyes fixed on her handsome groom.
Last night, he’d said he would marry her in any nationality and religion they wanted. Her heart swelled with joy. The last two months by his side had filled them both with happiness.
Pravat placed her hand in Royce’s hand.
“You’re incredibly beautiful, sweetheart,” Royce murmured.
“You, too.” She winked at him, and they both laughed.
“I was asked to have a brief ceremony. Royce and Susan would you like to recite your vows?”
“I haven’t prepared anything, but I can assure you all, I love my wife with all my heart and I’m ready to marry her again and again every year.”
The guests applauded.
