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He has to be here.
He's not.
"Don't worry, I'm here," Da slurs behind me.
The smell of alcohol flares in my nostrils. I spin toward him, upset he's drunk. But what did I expect? He's always intoxicated, high or low from some bet that he's made, and I once again wonder why I wanted him here.
I remind myself he's my da. If I'm walking down the aisle, he should be the one to give me away. Shouldn't he?
The music starts, and everybody disappears. Lauren is my maid of honor. Tynan told me I had to pick someone as our witness, so I picked her. I don't know the others as well, but she's the one I have the most connection with.
Devin escorts her down the aisle, and Da mutters in my ear, "Ya shouldn't be doing this, lass."
I whip my head toward him angrily. "This is your fault. You did this."
He declares, "It was only supposed to be temporary."
"Temporary! What are ya talking about?"
"It was a way to get him out of our house. But don't worry, I'm going to get ya back."
"Get me back? Da, you're talking crazy. There's no getting me back."
He shakes his head. "I'm not crazy. And ya shouldn't go through with this. Let's leave."
"No."
"You're doing something you're going to regret," he declares.
Another round of fury hits me. "You arranged this. You bet me! So don't stand here and do this right now!"
"Everything okay?" Tully's voice booms from behind us, and the faint smell of cigars reaches my nostrils, mixing with my father's alcohol stench. I never liked the smell of cigars, but I'm starting to appreciate it. For some reason, Tully gives me comfort. And I never thought I'd say that.
I swipe at my tears, swallow hard, and turn to reassure him. "Everything's fine, Tully."
His eyes dart to Da. "Seems like there might be some issues here."
"Why don't ya mind your own business?" Da spurts.
"Don't talk to him like that," I warn. Tully may be on my side most of the time, but I know he can hurt my da if he wants to. He's a man of power, and Da's not. Tully deserves and demands respect at all times, and it's not okay for Da to speak to him in a disrespectful tone.
Tully puts his hand on my arm. "It's okay, Maeve. Now, tell me. Are ya sure ya want to marry my son again?"
I gape at him. Why is Tully asking me this in front of my father?
"She doesn't," Da blurts out.
Tully scowls at him. "She can answer the question. Maeve?" He arches his eyebrows.
"Your son's forcing her," Da states.
"He's not," I blurt out before I can even think about any other answer. But Tynan's not forcing me. I have a choice. I've always had a choice, even if I don't like the consequences of either option.
Tully's eyes turn to slits. He stays focused on me. He's no longer a stranger. Neither is Tynan. All these people who were once scary to me, aren't any longer. I've gotten to know them in only a few weeks. Somehow, Tully is more comforting to me than my own da.
I square my shoulders, lift my chin, and reassert, "I'm fine, Tully. Can we get on with this, please?"
He smiles and steps back. He orders Da, "Walk her down the aisle."
