I haven’t seen or spoken to my father again. Nor anyone else in my family. No one. Not a cousin or an aunt. I spend hoursevery week talking to my therapist, and I’ve learned a lot about the abuse my father put me through. It’s been hard coming to terms with it, and I’ve struggled.
But every single day, Ren is right here. He knows what I need before I do. I love him. But maybe more surprisingly, he loves me.
“I’m pulling in,” I say and take the last sip of my water, emptying the bottle. “Water is gone.”
“Good. There’s a spot at the front.”
I’m not sure where I am. It’s filled with cars though, and the building looks cool. All decorated with lights and holiday fun.
“Parked.”
“Do you see a woman at the door?”
I nod. She’s kind of dressed like Mrs. Claus, though quite young. “Yep.”
“Felton, listen to me. I love you. And I can’t wait to see you. I’m going to hang up now and you’re going to put your phone on silent and keep it in your pocket. Then you’re going to tell the lady your name and she’s going to take care of the rest.”
“The rest of what?”
“No questions today, love. Just do what I tell you.”
“Okay. Love you too. Hurry home.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
The call ends and I switch my phone to silent before stuffing it in my pocket. I step outside. Unsurprisingly, the air is fucking cold and biting, so I quickly lock my door and rush to the woman.
“Hi. I’m Felton Badcock,” I say in greeting.
She grins and opens the door behind her. “Wonderful. Come in.”
The inside is decorated with hundreds of string lights and there are glittering snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. The floor is covered with the same snow stuff Ren used to decoratehis room last Christmas morning. The kind that we were finding in random places months later.
“Wait here, Mr. Badcock,” the lady tells me and I’m facing two enormous doors—also decorated. They’re festive without being all about Christmas.
I’m left there for several minutes until she returns. “Are you ready?” she asks.
I shrug. “Sure.” I’m not sure what she’s asking if I’m ready for, so how should I know if I’m ready?
She pushes open the doors and I’m staring into a winter wonderland. I’m greeted by white flowers and white trees covered in white lights. There are snowflakes and candles hanging from the ceiling, glittering magically. Plus white flowers and plants everywhere, but more than anything, there’s fake snow coveringeverything.
The room is filled with people who are sitting in rows of pews. There’s nothing religious or even spiritual about the room except the pews. Everyone is in white. As I stare, I recognize faces—our hockey team. My friends from other teams. My breath catches when I spot Ren’s parents and brother in the front.
Then I can’t breathe when I spy Ren at the end of the aisle I’m facing down.
He gestures with his head slightly, telling me to come to him. At first, I’m motionless. Unable to truly process what I’m seeing. What is this? But he told me to come to him, so I do. Slowly because I’m afraid that I’m going to fall on my face in front of everyone.
There are smiles everywhere. Everyone’s watching me. Happily.
Finally, I’m standing in front of Ren and he takes my hands. “Take a breath, Fel,” he murmurs. I suck in air. “How about we get married today?”
I inhale sharply again. I imagined that, right?
His smile climbs. He leans in. “I’m not asking,” he says as he pulls my face to his. Tears sting my eyes. “I’m telling you. You’re marrying me today. And this summer, we’ll have a traditional Chinese wedding with my family. But right now, you’re going to become my husband in exactly seven minutes.”
“Seven minutes?” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I’m feeling rather impatient.”
