“Synthetic, despite age-old horsehair being prepared for me.”
“Thank God for that.”
* * *
Standing next to Keller,right in the entryway of the grand entrance, I try to keep my fidgeting to a minimum as a black SUV pulls up in front of the doors. Theo and Katla are outside, greeting Pala first. I thought it would be appropriate to give them a moment before I’m introduced.
Timmy is enjoying a tour around town with Henrik. Since Henrik isn’t needed at the moment, he offered to take Timmy, and we thought it was a great idea, especially since this family reunion should be kept private.
I can’t remember the last time Theo and Katla said they’d seen Pala or the girls, but I do know it’s been a very long time, so it will be emotional to say the least.
“You good?” Keller asks, stiff as ever next to me with his hands clasped in front of him.
“Fine,” I answer, leaving it at that. I can’t talk to him. I can barely look at him without getting emotional, so keeping quiet while standing next to him is the best I can do.
A day ago, we would probably be holding hands right now, but neither of us even offered. Married in three days and we can’t even hold hands. What the hell has happened to us?
My bottom lip trembles . . .
No, stop thinking about it. Focus. Eyes straight ahead.
Make a good first impression.
Through the doors, I watch an elegant woman step out of the SUV, her hair streaked in gray, her aged face resembling that of my late mother’s.This is what my mother would have looked like if she was still alive.It’s such a blow to the stomach.
Breathe, Lilly, breathe.
Then it also hits me. This woman lost her sister. Has she missed my mom as much as I’ve missed her? Does she have any stories that Katla doesn’t know?
And then her daughters follow them. One with golden blonde hair like me, long, past her shoulders and slender frame, while the other has deep red hair, thick and wavy, like Merida fromBrave. They’re stunningly gorgeous, poised, and as Theo scoops them up into his arms like the loving man he is, I can’t stop the tear that falls down my cheek. Only a few months ago, he was without family surrounding him, and now . . . now it seems like his cup is full.
I swipe away at my cheek as the group walks in, Katla and Pala holding hands, something I love to see since they’ve had such a tumultuous relationship, but I know Katla has been working very hard at repairing it.
I step forward when they reach the entryway and don a wobbly smile.
“My dear,” Pala says as she lets go of Katla’s hand and walks up to me. Hands on my shoulders, her eyes well with tears as she says, “You’re the spitting image of your mother. My God.” And then she cries as she pulls me into a deep, long hug.
A hug that breaks through any wall I might have erected and touches my soul...because it feels so familiar. It feels just like my mom.
My emotions get the better of me as I lean my head into her shoulder, and I grip her tighter, a sob wracking my body. Her hand falls to my head as she lightly strokes my hair.It’s just like hugging Mom.“Shhh,” she coos. “It’s okay.”
I don’t pull away. I simply can’t. This hug seems so...overdue.It feels like my mom has come back from the grave to hold me through her sister with the strength and love that I grew up with. It nearly collapses me to my knees.Oh, Mom, I miss you so, so much.
The fights, the doubts, the anxious thoughts, not to mention the building anger between Keller and me...this is something I would have gone to my mom for. Advice. Support.Unconditional love.And somehow with Pala holding me, comforting me, it almost feels like my mom is right here with me. “Everything will be fine, sweet Lilly. You’re not alone,” Pala whispers, and that just brings more tears. That’sexactlywhat my mom used to say to me. She was my rock. She always made everything better. It highlights that I’ve felt so alone for the past ten years.Until I met Keller. And now that feels so strained.
After a few more seconds, I pull away and wipe at my eyes. “I’m so sorry. I must look like a wreck.”
Pala smiles and wipes her eyes as well. “I knew I should have worn the waterproof mascara. It’s just so hard to get off at the end of the night.”
That makes me chuckle. “My mom would have said the same thing.”
“She would have.” Pala puts her arm around me and turns us toward her daughters. “Lilija, my dear, I want you to meet your cousins. This is Isabella.” The blonde steps forward, and I catch her bright blue eyes right before she envelops me into a hug.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Lilija.” And then she squeezes me tighter and whispers, “You’re so brave.”
Yup, that hits me right in the feels as another wave of tears falls down my cheeks.
“Gosh, I’m sorry.” I go to swipe at them, but Keller steps up and hands me a handkerchief. When I glance up at him, surprised he’d have one, I realize that despite our fight last night, he thought ahead and knew this would be an emotional meeting for me.
