“How do you know?”
“Because...” He swallows hard. “We already dealt with it once. That’s what I wanted to tell you. A few months ago, when I was with your dad in Brussels, talking to him about the wedding, he said...” Cody pauses again, telling me without words that this is something difficult to say. “He said we entered this relationship at different levels, that you never stay interested in anything for long, and that I’m basically saving you from failure. And I know it isn’t fair to you, that he had no right to say that, but he somehow had me worrying that maybe this marriage was something you did out of... convenience or something. That I would end up getting hurt again. And that’s when we had that fight. Remember?”
That fight, he said. I don’t immediately understand, but when I do, my eyes widen.
“Wait, you mean our first fight?”
“Yes.”
I stop walking and turn to face him. “That’s what it was? You distrusted me because of something my dad said?!”
“Yes, and it was stupid. I should never have let it get to me, and I hate myself for it. I wanted to tell you earlier, but it would have ruined the surprise. So I’m telling you now, before the wedding. That way, you can decide if you still want to marry me, and if so, if you want your dad here.”
I blink slowly, unsure of how I feel about it. “Why did you hide it from me?” I ask, even though I think I know the answer.
“I didn’t want to,” Cody says, looking miserable. “But I wanted the cake to be a surprise. I wanted to make you happy and... things got away from me.” He pauses, his jaw clenching and unclenching. “I should have just told you, shouldn’t I?”
“Yes.”
The regret shows on his face. “I’m so sorry, baby. “I never meant to lie about anything. I just wanted to give you something I thought you wanted: your dad at your wedding, showing you he approves of you and our relationship. Which he does; I know he does. It just took him some time.”
“Didn’t you just say he called me a failure you’re saving?”
“Yes, but...” Cody looks more miserable with every second. “I think you proved him wrong in the meantime.”
I let out a deep sigh and think things through. I must say it helps that my dad just said he’s proud of me and seemed sincere. And the truth is... I loved the surprise. I also adore Cody, and I need him in my life. I want to get married to him, and I want my dad here for it. That hasn’t changed. I want to have a nice, drama-free wedding day. That hasn’t gone great so far, but it’s only just started. Maybe we can still turn it around.
“What do you want to do?” Cody asks after I’ve been silent for almost a minute.
I take a step toward him, making up my mind. “I want us to get married. And I want to be happy, and I need you for that. But maybe no more surprises for the upcoming time, okay? I’ve had my share of those.”
“Of course, baby,” Cody says, looking relieved. “I want that too. No more surprises, and no one will come between us. Not your parents... or my brother. None of it matters; not what your father did, not what Brian thinks, not what your mother said, because we’re still getting married. And now we can finally leave all that stuff behind us and focus on what we know about each other. Because no one gets us like we do.”
That’s undoubtedly true, and those words help relax me. I don’t know what it is—my love for him, the fantastic day we have planned, or just how good he is at calming me down—but I want to focus on what’s ahead.
And I do exactly that.
“Yes,” I reply. “That’s what it’ll be from now on: just us.”
He nods. “Just us.”
He grabs my hand, and we continue walking to where we left the photographer. She’s still there, impatiently waiting and pacing, eager to continue her work.
We spend the next hour or so taking more pictures, this time with our families. When my father appears, I feel a wave of disappointment rush through me, but I manage to press it down by picturing my wedding cake and reminding myself of his words: I’m proud of you, son. Ultimately, that’s what matters, not something he said months ago when he was questioning my relationship.
While taking pictures, the photographer proves again that she’ll take no nonsense when my mother and father tell her they don’t want to be in the picture together.
“This isn’t about you,” she tells them in French, her tone cold. “The couple wants you in the picture, so get in the picture.”
That made me laugh, which I tried to hide from my parents. Reluctantly, they did as they were told and deliberately stood on opposite sides of the frame. I’ll accept it. At least they’re not shouting at each other as I feared they would. And now, with the guests present and a beautiful wedding cake delivered to our location, it’s time for the next part of the celebration. Everything’s taken care of, and it feels like I can finally enjoy the most important part of today: the ceremony.
Chapter 39: Luc
Late August in Besançon usually means good weather, though nothing is ever guaranteed. If there had been rain, we would have moved into the farmhouse, our Plan B, but I always dreamed of this moment in the fields. Now, Cody and I are under a sunflower arch, the sun’s golden rays making it look exactly how I’d hoped. Behind us lie wide sunflower fields and a small patch of lavender, adding to the scene.
Around us, fifty guests sit on wooden chairs arranged neatly across the lawn. Among them are my parents, Cody’s family, some colleagues from our places of work, and my model friends, Xavier and Jean, with their partners. Maxime would be among them too... if they weren’t standing beside me as my best person. We made things right last year. They apologized for kicking me out of their apartment, and a lot has happened since then. It makes me happy to have them with me, and they look so beautiful in a soft pink button-up blouse dusted with sparkles, plaid trousers paired with a golden belt, and elegant high heels. Their glistening peach-colored eye shadow matches their blouse, a subtle line of dark eyeliner sharpens their gaze, and the same subtle sparkle graces their cheeks and lips.
When Maxime arrived a few hours ago, they gave me a kiss on each cheek and said, in French, “Congratulations,mon chéri. I can’t say I don’t envy you. Cody’s a keeper.”
