“What?”
“Tae Ashwood. Or Saavedra Ashwood. I haven’t decided yet.”
“And you haven’t gotten dressed yet either. Get over here so Daddy can dress you.” Daddy was a little rougher than he usually was, but I’d been naughty.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“What is going on in that head of yours? Do you want to call off the wedding? If this is how it’s gonna affect you then I don’t want it. I want my happy boy back.”
I burst into tears and Daddy pulled me into his arms. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“Sweetheart, I just don’t get what’s going through your head right now. This morning you were so excited about the wedding and seeing your friends. What happened since then.”
“You.”Sob, “Asked.”Sob. “For my ring.”Sob. “Back.”
“Baby, it’s part of the ceremony. The minister gives us the other’s ring to put on their finger, and we say our special words to each other, sealing the bond between husbands.” Daddy got up and locked the door then sat down and pulled me onto his lap. “Here,” he tugged his binder down. “Drink all you want, they can wait. It’s our day, after all.”
Daddy always knew what I needed, even when I didn’t.
Daddy played with my curly curls and whispered sweet things to me, calming me down while I nursed. “The rings will only be off for a couple of minutes but if doing that makes you this upset, we can skip it. This day is about us, and we do it our way.” Then helaughed. “I can’t believe you just strutted your naked ass in front of our family.”
Now I had the giggles. “Twig and berries too, Daddy.”
“Dear Goddess, yes, twig and berries too. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, Daddy. I just freaked out a little.”
“You freaked out a lot, my love. Do you want to call the wedding off?” Daddy looked super sad when he asked me that. I wanted this just as much as he did and I wasn’t calling it off.
“No, Daddy. I want to marry you, I swear.” Daddy eyed me like I was crazy and I kinda was today. “I’m just all hyped up, I guess.”
“Hmm, you’re something alright. Let’s finish getting dressed and greet our guests with clothes on this time.” More giggles came from me but at least the scary sads were gone and I got to keep my ring on.
Daddy got us ready and before he opened the door I took a couple of deep breaths.
“Just remember, Tae, the only people here you don’t know are the minister though she now knows you a little too well, and the photographer.” Daddy rolled his eyes. “Silly boy, remember who that naked ass belongs to. Come on, let’s go.”
“Much better,” Momma winked and kissed my forehead. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” It was so cute that she and Daddy both called me that.
“Yes, Momma. Sorry about showing you my butt.”
She laughed. “Not the first naked ass I’ve seen and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I see you won the great ring debacle.”
I did win but felt like a fool for the way I acted. “Yeah, it was so dumb.”
“Different things hit different people different ways. Chuck loves you and would never do anything to hurt or upset you. I hope you know that Tae?”
“I do. I’m sorry Momma.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, Tae. You’re allowed to feel how you feel, just maybe next time do it with clothes on. Now, let’s go get you hitched.”
Momma took my hand and walked me outside and I froze. Not out of fear, not because I was overwhelmed, at least, not in a bad way. Daddy and Oscar had transformed our backyard into a beautiful paradise.
Daddy, Oscar, Samian and the minister stood beneath the gorgeous arch Daddy and Oscar made special just for today, or so I thought. White twinkle lights wove through it, and they’d installed it to serve as the entrance to our covered seating area with the big picnic table we ate at sometimes. It was perfect and now it would be there forever. Just like me and Daddy.
As soon as my eyes found Daddy’s, I saw nothing and no one else. If Momma hadn’t walked me to the front, I’d likely still be stuck on the porch staring at him. He was so handsome, even though I’d just seen him it hit me what a truly lucky boy I was.
“Who gives this man away today?” The minister asked.
