CHAPTER 16

My legs dangled off the edge of the pool. My jeans were rolled up to my knees, the warm, relaxing pool water enveloping my feet and ankles, caressing my calves. Galilea sunbathed on a float that looked like a lawn chair. She offered to lend me a bathing suit, but I didn’t feel like swimming. Nyx and Eileen sipped on margaritas at a table behind me. I watched as Alezzander, Dr. Gunn, and David huddled around the grill on the other side of the pool. David glanced over his shoulder at me and smiled. He turned around when Alezzander patted his back, then swung an arm over his shoulder. Dr. Gunn said something to Alezzander and handed him a beer. They all laughed. I didn’t have Alezzander pegged as a beer-drinking kind of guy. It was strange to see Alezzander so laid back. And grilling burgers. So…human.

“Isis, I’m going inside to get us another round of margaritas,” Eileen said. “Would you like a cold drink? It’s scorching out here.”

“Water, please? And thank you.”

Eileen walked to the house. Nyx stood from the patio table and joined me. She raised her flowing, white skirt and dipped her feet in the water.

“I didn’t know it took so many people to light a fire,” I said, looking at the men.

“You noticed too?” Nyx laughed. “I can’t speak for Tobias, but Alezzander and David are out of practice. We haven’t had a family cookout in a long time. About sixty years.” She reached down and touched the water with her hands. “He’s doing this for you, you know?”

“David?” I asked.

“No, Alezzander,” she said. “He’s cooking the hamburgers you asked for.”

“Oh. Yes, I know.” I nodded. “I’m a little thrown off by it.”

“He’s not as rigid as you think. It takes him time to warm up to people.” She dried her hand on her skirt. “It’s a bad time to bring this up, but I need to get it off my chest. Alezzander never liked Olympia. Neither did I. Not one bit. It was hard for Alezzander to ask David to agree to marry her. I objected. We fought over the issue, as a matter of fact.” She glanced over to her son and husband. “David was so miserable, and Alezzander knew it.” She returned to gaze to me “Do you know hard it is to see your child carrying a broken heart? You will someday. It’s a part of life. Anyway, last night, Alezzander told me he was relieved David and you had reconciled. He said he didn’t want you to hate him.”

“I don’t hate him,” I said. “To be honest, I thought he hated me.”

“Now you know different, right?”

“I thought you hated me, too.”

“No.” She rubbed my forearm and gave it a tight squeeze before withdrawing her hand. “I was upset. But then, I thought about your motives, and I think—no, I’m positive—I would’ve done the same if I were in your shoes.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “Alezzander has his flaws, but I love him dearly, and would do anything for him.”

“Thank you—for understanding.” I said. “My mom told me you kept in touch after David and I broke up, which surprised me.”

“Yes, well, I was worried for you, for your change, for David. And after all, Claire is my friend. I can talk to her so much easier than I can talk to people I’ve known my entire life. It’s hard to find real friends, Isis; you don’t let them go when you find them.”

“Yeah,” I said, glancing at Galilea. “I know what you mean.”

“Eileen is taking an awful long time with those drinks.” Nyx fanned herself. “She might need help. I’m going to check on her.”

“Should I go, too?”

“No. I’m sure Eileen and I can manage,” she said. She nodded at the men. “You can make sure those three don’t catch on fire, though.”

“Okay.” I smiled.

Nyx walked away, and I glanced at Galilea floating in the pool. The float had made its way closer to me. I couldn’t tell if her eyes were closed under her dark sunglasses. I didn’t want to disturb her.

I turned in the direction of the outdoor kitchen. After twenty minutes of failed attempts, the men had a fire going. Alezzander and Dr. Gunn were sitting on barstools, talking. David’s elbows were poised on the high counter, listening to them. He glanced over at me, turned, and said something to the doctor and Alezzander, then circled the pool. He rolled up his pants and sat down at my side.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hey.”

David leaned in and kissed me chastely on the lips. It was weird how I still felt butterflies in my stomach when he was near me.

“Get a room!” Galilea splashed water on us.

“Mind your own business, nosey.” I kicked water in her direction.

David pushed Galilea and the float with his foot.

“Awe.” Galilea pouted as she drifted away from us.

“So what’s happening over yonder in menfolk’s territory?” I asked David. I glanced in the direction of the grill and caught Alezzander staring at us. He quickly looked away.

“Let’s see…” David squinted as if in deep thought. “There’s been recipe swapping and gossiping about the neighbors.”

“Oh, really?” I smiled.

Somehow, he seemed cuter when he was trying to be funny. I wondered what he’d look like when he grew older. Should I have even been thinking so far ahead?

“Yes, really,” he said. “And we also braided each other’s hair and exfoliated our elbows.”

“You’re a bad liar.” I giggled.

“You have the sweetest laugh.” David put his arms around me. “Do you want to hear what really happened?” I nodded. “My father asked me to text an invitation to your mother. She replied saying she’d head over as soon as she left work.”

“That’s a first. Is there a reason he invited her?”

“I’m asking myself the same thing.” He lifted my chin with the tip of his fingers. “Why do you have that confused look on your face?”

“Because I am. Your dad is being social. Not just social, but nice. He’s exchanged maybe a dozen words with my mom the few times they were in the same room, and today, out of the blue, he asks her to come over to eat grilled burgers. Burgers he’s cooking—for me? I don’t understand this at all. Is it because now he knows who I am and what I’m supposed to do, he feels obligated to be nicer to me?” I glanced at Alezzander, who was poking the fire with a stick. “Because that’s not fair.”

“Maybe,” David said, “he’s attempting to be a good father-in-law.”

Or maybe he was playing nice for his son’s sake. I didn’t even know if Alezzander liked Claire or vice versa.

The weight of someone’s stare on me made me uneasy. I turned to view the grill area and saw Alezzander looking at me. He waved. I waved back. Smiled to be polite.

“Why is he acting so weird?” I asked in a whisper.

“He’s just trying to make you feel welcome into our family. He’s doesn’t do warm and fuzzy too well.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I think you’re reading too much into it.”

“Probably,” I said. “It’s just… My entire life feels so odd right now. I can’t wrap my head around any of this.” I closed my eyes for a moment. “Last night, my mom let you sleep over with me. Today, your dad is drinking beer and flipping burgers. What’s happening to them?”

“The same thing that’s happening to us,” David said. “Our parents are growing up.”

“Speaking of parents…” I looked past David to the house’s sliding doors. “My mom is here.”

Claire was holding a margarita in one hand and waving to everyone with the other. David and I waved back at her. Nyx hooked her arm with Claire’s, and they walked across the backyard. Eileen followed behind them with a tray.

“Mom, you’re working tomorrow. Do you really think you should be drinking?” I asked Claire as she took a seat at the patio table.

“Gah! Who are you—my mother?”

“Just watching out for you. And aren’t you driving?”

“For your information, it’s lemonade.”

“Claire,” Alezzander said, a few steps away from the table. He kissed both of Claire’s cheeks. “Nice to see you again. I’m so glad you were able to join us. Dinner is almost ready. I hope you like hamburgers.”

“I love burgers,” Claire said. “And thanks so much for the invitation. I wasn’t expecting to see Nyx or you. David told me you had to be somewhere?”

“We were supposed to leave today, but…” Alezzander kept the small talk going.

“This is freaking me out,” I whispered into David’s ear. “It’s like the Twilight Zone, but with stranger characters.”

“What’s this about?” Galilea said, climbing out of the pool.

“Alezzander invited my mom to come over,” I said. “Yeah, you heard right.”

Galilea raised her brows at me. She turned her attention to the conversation at the table.

“…and I see you’ve met Eileen,” Alezzander said. “This is her husband, Dr. Tobias Gunn.”

Uh-oh. I hoped Dr. Gunn knew how to lie and lie well. I wished I’d thought about warning him of her natural gift to make people spill the beans. The heat index seemed to rise ten degrees around me instantly, but I knew it was just my nerves.

“Oh, hello.” Claire stretched her hand out to the scientist. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Gunn.”

“No need for formalities. I’m just Tobias,” Gunn said. “It’s a pleasure, Claire.”

“Dr. Gunn is our private physician,” Alezzander said.

“He’s the doctor I told you about—the one who’s overseeing Isis’s pregnancy,” David added, helping me to my feet.

“Oh, the gynecologist?” Claire asked.

“No. I’m a scientist,” Gunn said. “A geneticist, to be exact.”

“And you also deliver babies?” Claire looked at him quizzically.

Oh no… Lie, Gunn! Lie!

“Well,” Gunn scratched his head, “in medical school I had some—”

“Yes.” Galilea slapped Dr. Gunn on the back. He griped. “Dr. G. does all the baby delivering and prenatal-ish stuff. He has several specialties. Don’t you, Doc?”

From across the table, Nyx noted the wide-eyed stare I was giving her. She gave me a nonchalant nod and elbowed Alezzander.

“I…Yes,” Gunn said. “As a matter of fact, I do, but—”

“Tobias, we’d better get back to that grill,” Alezzander said to Dr. Gunn. “Burgers aren’t very tasty if they’re burned to a crisp.”

“Right you are,” Dr. Gunn said. “Excuse us.”

Either from confusion, suspicion, or something else, Claire’s brow furrowed as the men walked away to the other side of the pool. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but I knew her enough to know she’d be asking questions. Questions to answers I’d have to be quick to make up.

Claire turned her attention to me. I felt my stomach contract. As she was about to say something, Nyx asked Claire how things were going at the office. I breathed a sigh of relief. I crossed my fingers, wishing for her to forget about the topic. David and I stepped off to the side, away from hearing range, and motioned Galilea over.

“You didn’t tell the doctors my mom didn’t know about any of this?” I asked Galilea in almost a whisper.

“I thought they knew.” She looked at David “Why didn’t you tell them?”

“I thought you had told them,” he said. “They do live with you.”

“David,” Alezzander called out. He lifted a tray with fully assembled hamburgers for us to see from across the pool. “A little help?”

David hurried to the other side of the yard to help his dad. I took a chair next to Claire. Galilea slipped into a loose sundress and flip-flops and joined us. It wasn’t long before Dr. Gunn, Alezzander, and David were at the table. Everyone dove into the mound of hamburgers, including me. I held my burger in front of my face.

You can do this. Take a bite. Swallow. Keep it down.

“Eat.” Claire elbowed me.

I took a small bite of the burger. It was delicious. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed the taste. Maybe Dr. Gunn was right. Maybe I could eat again. I swallowed. Took another bite. My stomach tensed.

Oh no.

I felt my stomach relax. I sighed.

“Enjoying your food?” Dr. Gunn caught my eye.

“Very much,” I said. “These burgers, they’re great. Thank you, Alezzander.”

“Most welcome.” Alezzander reached for the ketchup bottle. “So, Isis, David, what plans have you discussed for your wedding?”

I’d avoided the subject on purpose. But now even Alezzander seemed to be pressing it.

“Mmm…mmm.” Galilea raised her hand. She swallowed her food. “Shotgun on being maid of honor.”

“I don’t think shotguns are allowed on that one,” Eileen said. “It’s up to the bride.”

“Actually,” I set down my burger, “I don’t—”

“A garden wedding would be beautiful.” Claire sipped her lemonade.

“Unless it rains,” Nyx said. “We’d need a backup plan.”

“I take it back.” Claire smacked her arm. “A garden wedding isn’t a good idea.” She swatted away a mosquito buzzing around her ear. “I hate these blood-sucking bugs.”

“I’d prefer a beach wedding,” Galilea said. “At sunset. All the guests wear white. Imagine how stunning the pictures would be, Isis.”

“I don’t know.” I scratched an itch on my neck. “I was thinking along the lines of something more private. You know, the family, a few friends.” I looked at David. “What do you think?”

“If an intimate celebration is what’ll make you happy, then I agree.”

“Honey,” Claire put her hand on mine, “if you’re choosing a simple wedding to spare me the expense…”

“Oh no, Mrs. Martin.” David pushed away his plate. “I know traditionally the bride’s family would take care of many of the expenses, but I can’t let you pay for our wedding.”

“Well, I happen to like old-school traditions,” Claire said. “And what if I want to pay?”

“Then I’ll have to put my foot down.” Alezzander wiped his mouth with a paper napkin. “It’s the father of the bride who used to pay for the wedding, if I remember correctly. But since Isis’s father is…well…absent, then it’s not possible. However, in our culture, the father of the groom is responsible for the expenses.” He looked at Nyx. “Isn’t that right, dear?”

“Yes,” Nyx said. “But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can always stray from tradition.”

“Thank you.” Claire raised her glass at Nyx.

“I appreciate the offer from both of you, but I can pay for my—our wedding,” David said.

“With what? Your allowance?” Claire frowned at him. “David, please…”

Galilea snorted. I lowered my head and hid my smile from my mom. She had no idea David had his own money.

“We’ll split the expense,” Nyx said. “Claire will pay one part, and we’ll pay the rest.”

“Now that sounds like a plan.” Claire picked up her plate and burger. “Is it okay if we move the party indoors? If I donate any more blood to these insects, I’m going to pass out.”

“I second that,” Eileen said, picking up her drink and plate. “I thought Texas-sized mosquitos were a myth.”

Claire led the way to the back door, and we followed after her.

I’d eaten a third of the burger without incident, but I decided not to push my luck. I set my leftovers on the kitchen counter and covered the plate with a napkin. I didn’t want Claire fussing over how little I’d eaten. I headed to the living room, David following behind me.

“Hey, where do you two think you’re going?” Claire lowered her burger. “We’re not done discussing the preparations.”

“Mom, there’s no need to discuss anything. I just want us to go to the courthouse, get married, and have a couple of pizzas at home.” Nyx and Claire glanced at each other, and then back at me. “You don’t like the plan?”

“P-pizza?” Galilea scoffed. “You can’t eat pizza on your wedding day.” She turned to Nyx and Claire. “Tell her she can’t.”

“Galilea, they get to choose how to celebrate, not us. I think you’re forgetting it’s their wedding,” Eileen said.

“Exactly.” Galilea waved a hand. “It’s a wedding, not a six-year-old’s birthday party.”

“She has a point. I mean, pizza?” Claire scrunched her nose at me. “Really?”

“So, okay, fine. No pizza.” I looked at David. “Maybe we should talk about this later. Just you and me?”

David nodded.

“We’ll get back to you,” I said to Claire.

“Don’t take too long,” she said as I turned to leave the kitchen.

In the living room, I plopped down on a bulky seat. David sat on the arm of the chair. I should’ve felt happy that everyone was so supportive of David and me. Instead, I was irritated they were so focused on us. I didn’t have time to be thinking about a wedding. Not now. And I didn’t want to add to the plate piled high with the rest of the problems in my life.

“Why didn’t you finish your food?” he asked. “Are you feeling ill?”

“Yeah. I mean, no, I’m fine,” I told him. “The burgers were good. Great, actually. I didn’t want to press my luck, is all.”

“If you get sick, you can always blame it on morning sickness.”

“I know, but if I can avoid it…”

“True. I’d rather you keep in what little you eat, than nothing at all.” He traced the lines on the palm of my hand with a finger. “So, about this wedding, why don’t you want to celebrate it?”

“I never said I didn’t want to celebrate. I don’t want to make it into a big deal, which is different.”

“Well, it’s a big deal to our parents. And it’s an even bigger deal to me.”

I noted the change in tone in David’s voice and looked up at him. I didn’t know how to decipher the look on his face. Was he upset or hurt? Maybe both.

“That came out wrong. I didn’t mean it wasn’t a big deal. It’s a big deal to me too. I meant I don’t want a big, fancy event—a formal ceremony, a huge reception. People I don’t know…”

“So you don’t want to wear the white dress, dance our first dance, eat wedding cake?”

“I do. I want those things. But I…it’s…” I sighed. “It’s hard.”

“What is?” he asked. I looked down at our clasped hands. He lifted my face. “Tell me what’s upsetting you. Otherwise, I can’t fix it.”

The hard truth was he couldn’t fix this. No one could.

“David, I don’t have a…” A ball formed in my throat. “My dad died, so he can’t walk me down the aisle. I won’t have,” I sniffed, “a father-daughter dance.” I wiped the tears away from my eyes. “You know, I used to practice dancing with him when I was a kid? And he used to tell me he would dread the day he’d have to walk me down the aisle. But he’s no longer here to do it. And I need him, now. Not just for this, but for so many things.”

“Isis.” David wiped the moisture on my cheek with his thumb. “It’s all right, love.” He put his arms around me. “I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. We don’t have to have a formal ceremony. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If you don’t want a fancy celebration, then we’ll keep it simple. All I want is to see you happy.”

“What about our parents?” I mumbled into his chest. “They won’t like it.”

“They’ll have to deal with it.” He took my face in both his hands. “If on our wedding day all you want to do is eat pizza, we’ll eat pizza. Okay? I happen to like pizza.”

“I don’t actually want to eat that on our wedding day.” I half cried, half laughed. “I only said it because I panicked, and it was the first thing I thought of.”

“I’m glad to hear it because the idea of pizza pies at a wedding feast,” he made a face, “wasn’t appealing to me, either.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I told you; I just want you to be happy.” He rose from the side of the chair and leaned into me, a hand on either of the chair’s arms. He whispered, “We could always elope.”

I thought about it for a moment. I shook my head. “There’s a matter of demons hunting me. We’re safer here.”

“Well, so much for romance.” He sighed. “So what can I do to make you happy?”

“There’s one thing I can think of,” I said. “I don’t want to organize this wedding.”

“Consider it done.” He crouched, sitting back on his heels in front of me. “We’ll hire an events planner and tell them to keep it as simple as you want it to be.”

“Really? And you’d be okay with that—with letting someone else do the planning?”

He nodded. “It’ll be like a surprise for us both.”

“Sometimes I think you love me too much.”

“Well, you’re wrong,” he said. He lifted my hand and kissed it. “I love you more than too much. And my objective is to convince you of it.”

My heart.

“You already have,” I said.