Sloane smiled a little, also staring out at the city. She shook her head. “Thank you for telling me that.”
I knew she loved stories of when the two of them were babies, and though there weren’t many, Brielle and I told her what we could. She and Ares still had that obvious bond even with their time apart, and I loved that for them. It was so special and such a blessing to witness.
Sloane sighed. “Are you really going to make me talk about what’s wrong?”
“No, but I’d like it if you did,” I said. I would respect if she wanted to deal with whatever was going on herself, but if I could help, I hope she’d let me.
She sat back. “Everyone inside keeps talking about the wedding. Not the Vegas one, but the one here at home. Mom keeps talking about it, and all the plans, and she wants my opinion on things, and…”
I stayed quiet while she pondered her next thought.
She huffed. “The Vegas wedding was so wonderful. It was just our family and friends.” She faced me. “It was perfect, Dad. It was perfect as is.”
I think I was starting to see what she was getting at now. My head tilted. “I’m getting the feeling you don’t want another wedding. Here at home, I mean?”
She nodded, then shrugged. “It’s just, why mess with something that was so perfect? I mean, you and Mom were there. You also walked me down the aisle, and those memories were just…”
“Perfect.” Theywereperfect, and I was so honored I got to do that. I wasn’t sure I’d get to, since Sloane had been separated from us for a time, so, when I got to, everything felt so full circle. It wasperfect,like she said. I leaned forward. “I can talk to your mom and the others if you’d like. If you don’t want to have another wedding, you don’t have to, and I know your mother. She’d understand if you tell her. She’d support you.”
Sure, Brielle would have loved to do a huge event here. She’d want to celebrate the kids, but not at the expense of our daughter’s happiness.
Sloane gave me a hug just then, a strong one, and I felt like a superhero. I was so glad I got to be that for her.
“Come with me?” she asked, standing up, and I did, too. Her shoulders lifted. “I think I can do it if you’re there.”
I’d do anything for her. Kissing the top of her head, I put an arm around her. We went back inside, and, once we saw her mom, I didn’t let go. I stood by her as she told her mom the truth. She didn’t want the big wedding. She wanted to preserve the memories she had, and did that bum Brielle out a little? Sure, but what would have bummed her out more was Sloane’s unhappiness. Brielle actually said that. I definitely knew my wife.
I knew her heart.
Brielle
“Of course, it’s okay, sweetheart,” I said to my daughter. I squeezed her tight. Sloane just told me she didn’t want to have a big wedding here at home.
I was just happy she was happy.
I told her that, and, when I pulled away, I noticed the grin on my husband’s face. Ramses had let go of Sloane’s hand so I could hug her. He’d been standing by her, supporting her, and I loved that.
I loved him.
His head tilted, and I smiled at him before holding our daughter’s face. Sloane was so lovely, and, though people said she looked like me, I thought she more so acted like her father. She had such a kind heart. I grinned at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
I hugged her again, so grateful to have her in my life. We’d been separated for a while. She’d been separated from our family but hadn’t been since she returned. She may have physically gone places, but her heart and spirit were always here. She’dnever go away again. We were family and could no longer be divided. It didn’t matter if she went off to school or got married.
Her husband, Dorian, came into the circle. He was the son of Ramses’s best friend, December, and was so perfect for our daughter. He’d protect her forever, and we knew that. He was his father’s son. He smiled at Sloane before taking her hand, and I noticed Ares, her twin, was with Dorian. He and Dorian were best friends.
My son had a knowing look about him when he slid between his father and me. I put an arm around him, and he slid a long arm around me. He was so tall, just like his dad.
“I feel like things are good,” Ares said, obviously knowing his sister’s little secret. Of course he did. That was her twin after all.
“The wedding in Vegas was enough,” I told him, rubbing his shoulder, but I stared at Sloane. I winked. “Right, honey?”
“Yeah.” She bit her lip as she grinned so hard.
Dorian squeezed her side. “I told you everything would be fine.”
And that was one of the many reasons why I knew he was perfect for our kid. He stood by her, never overshadowing.
