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Grandmother appears uncomfortable with the show of emotion, and I want to hug her, but she’s too prickly to accept it. A knock at the door breaks our standstill, and I glance over at it.
Man, I’m popular today.
“I’ll go see who that is. It’s almost time for you to meet your future husband,” she murmurs.
I glance at my feet, realizing I haven’t put on my shoes. I was worried they’d kill my feet, so I wanted to wait for the last possible moment. It looks like it’s time.
Sitting on the chair, I put my heels on as Grandmother answers the door.
“David,” she says cooly. I don’t know what the man did to her, or if she’s just rude to everyone. I can half-see his face from where I’m sitting, and his lips twist into a scowl.
“Agatha, as always, I wish I could say it’s a pleasure, but it’s not,” David mutters.
I think I can safely say there’s definitely animosity between the two of them.
“Can I help you?” Grandmother sneers, and David rolls his eyes.
“I am here to walk the bride down to her future husband—my son. What else would I be doing? You can dislike me, but we are about to be tied together as a family, Aggie. You would do well to remember that.” He grins.
He’s trying to get a rise out of her by being intentionally charming, and I quickly finish fixing the strap on my last shoe. They crisscross up my leg, and the shoes are gold. They’re gorgeous, and another way of thumbing my nose at my grandmother. She has made sure to plan every moment of today, but somehow, little details have escaped her notice.
David is one of them. My grandmother flushes in anger, but the organ begins to play. Standing quickly, I grab the flowers waiting for me.
“I’m ready,” I say softly, walking up to them. “It would be a shame to miss my cue.”
David smirks at me, knowing I’m trying to keep the peace right now.
“Yes, yes. I guess since we don’t have anyone else to walk you, he’ll have to do. Are you sure Jacob can’t?” Grandmother complains.
I don’t know why, but I have this irrational urge to giggle. Holding my lips together, I shake my head.
“He’s already sitting,” David jumps in with a shrug. “I can’t corrupt her just by walking her, Aggie. Stop being so overdramatic.”
Grandmother mutters to herself about him calling her that ridiculous name as she turns and stalks to her seat. Bending over, I hold my hand over my mouth as I laugh.
“Oh, my God,” I sputter. “I thought she was going to have an aneurysm!”
David snickers. “No, that would be much too easy.”
Straightening, my lips twitch. It’s cruel, but my grandmother has done some really terrible things to me since I’ve been here. Poking fun at her over this doesn’t feel too terrible.
“Alright, ready to do this?” I ask with a smile.
David offers his arm, and I slip mine through his. In many ways, he is a carbon copy of Levi. It feels right for him to walk me down the aisle to marry his son.
Walking slowly from the room, we move closer to the Chapel doors. There’s a place for brides to get ready, even though there are rarely weddings performed here anymore. I’m lost in my thoughts, wondering why this is, and before I know it, David and I are at the entrance.
Two of the nuns smile at me as they open the doors, and I swear my chest seizes as I see the huge space. As we take a step forward, I can see the altar, and I stumble.
“Hey, hey, Chastity,” David hisses softly.
I’m trembling as I remember picking up the blade, and thinking about my daughter before I sliced my wrists.
What if I get to that place again? Could I really do that to Levi and the guys?
“Chastity, take a breath before you pass out,” David demands, and I gasp, realizing I was accidentally holding my breath. “One more.”
I take another and David nods.
