“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To the rehearsal dinner,” he said, straightening his collar.
“You can’t go!” I snapped.
He turned to me.
His voice was calm, but his eyes were firm. “My only daughter is getting married, and I’m not missing it.”
Then, he walked out the door.
I stood there, staring at the empty space he left behind. My chest felt tight.
Finally, I gave in.
I found myself outside the restaurant, watching through the window. Kira and Marcus moved through the guests, glowing, smiling, happy.
A familiar voice spoke beside me. “You couldn’t sit at home either, huh?”
I turned.
Betty stood next to me, arms crossed.
“I’ve been trying to catch them to apologize,” she admitted. “But they’re too busy.”
I sighed. “We should wait.
No need to ruin their evening now.”
Betty exhaled sharply. “But we have to apologize. I want to be allowed to see my future grandson.”
I crossed my arms.
“Granddaughter. In our family, girls are always born first.”
Betty scoffed. “Not in ours.
It’s always boys.”
For the first time in weeks, I laughed. We were already arguing over grandchildren who didn’t even exist yet.
I looked at her. She looked at me.
“Oh, we’re going to have a rough time together, mother-in-law,” I said, shaking my head.
“Tell me about it,” Betty muttered.
Then, she sighed, watching Kira and Marcus.
“But as long as they’re happy, that’s all that matters.”
I nodded, my eyes fixed on my daughter. She looked happier than ever.
