“What does that mean?”
She shrugs. “Just that . . . well, I hope you both are happy.”
“What we did made me happy.”
“Right. For your dad.”
I nod. “Of course.”
Her eyes move to Oliver. “Of course.”
“We have to get these two to bed,” Sean says, trying to adjust Cassandra while also keeping Austin steady. “Congrats, you guys.”
Oliver’s family comes over, bidding us the same well wishes, but his brothers start to make inappropriate jokes, causing him to flip them off. I hug Jessica, Delia, and then Stella, thanking them again for all their help.
We take the time to thank everyone who came but save my father and Linda for last. While she’s normally a nightmare, today she was actually kind. She didn’t wear cream, thank God, and told me how proud she was. It’s hard to hate her when she acts this way.
She gives Oliver a hug first. “You have made us all so happy. We worried when we hadn’t met you before this, but you’re a wonderful person, and we’re so happy you found each other.”
Oliver smiles. “I’m very lucky to know her, and it was a pleasure to meet you all and become part of the family.”
She hooks her arm in my father’s. “Patrick and I couldn’t be more pleased to have you as our son now.”
Dad nods, tears in his eyes. “Family is all that matters in this world.”
“I agree,” Oliver says, placing his hand on my back.
“You sure you have to leave early tomorrow?” I ask my father, not wanting this time to end.
Linda speaks. “We have a long trip, and your father needs to recover from this weekend. It’s imperative we get him home.”
As much as I’d like to argue, she’s probably right. This took a lot out of him. I just wish . . . I wish we could have more time. More laughter and hugs. I wish he could just stay here and we could just pause time so I would never have to lose him.
Oliver’s hand moves up my back, rubbing along my shoulders. I turn to him, feeling his sympathy with each stroke of his hand. It’s as if he’s telling me that it’s okay and he’s here. With tears in my eyes, I nod and step toward my father.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you most, Princess. You and Oliver are perfect for each other, and I can’t tell you how much this has meant to me. To see it with my own eyes, just . . . joy.”
My chest grows tight because he saw what we wanted him to see. Oliver squeezes my shoulders. “Linda, my mother is over there and she mentioned needing to speak with you.”
“She did?”
He nods. “I can’t remember what it was about, but I know it was important.”
“Oh. Of course.”
He gives me a wink and then leads Linda towards his mother.
This man.
I know that couldn’t be easy because Linda doesn’t like to leave my dad and not be privy to the conversation.
However, I’m going to take advantage of this private time I get.
I help my father over to a seating area and take his hand in mine. “I’m sad,” I admit.
“You shouldn’t be sad on your wedding day,” Dad says with a wheeze in his voice.
“I think all brides are a bit emotional.”
“Happy tears, Maren.” He brushes away my tears and then cups my cheek. “I want only happy tears.”
How can I be happy when I know what’s to come? “I am happy, Daddy. Thank you so much for being here and dancing with me,” I tell him.
“Even if it was more like swaying?”
I laugh a little through my tears. “You were never a good dancer.”
“No,” he agrees. “I didn’t have moves.” My father’s hand settles on top of mine, and he closes his eyes for a moment. “I will never forget this day. The way you looked or the smile on your face, and even though my time is limited, this will carry me through.”
I look at our entwined hands, tears falling again as I struggle to control my emotions. “I’m glad that we had this.”
He lifts my chin with his free hand. “I’m glad you have him.”
Oh, Daddy. I don’t. I don’t have him.
I want to tell him, but I keep my lips clamped. This is what’s giving him the strength to let go. I have to remember that.
“I’m glad that you are my father. You taught me to be strong and fight for what matters.”
He smiles a little. “Well, you’re an incredible woman, and if I had any part in that, I am clearly a great father.”
“You most definitely are.”
My father looks over to where Linda and Eveline are chatting. “Walk me to Linda?”
“Sure.”
Arm in arm, my father and I make our way to the lobby. He’ll leave very early in the morning, and I pray I have the chance to visit him in Georgia at least one more time.
When we reach them, Linda is laughing at something. “You have a wonderful son. He’s just the sweetest man,” Linda says with her fake smile and deep accent.
“He is pretty wonderful. All my kids are.”
Oliver’s back is straight and I can sense the tension in him. Inviting his mother was a source of contention among the Parkerson siblings, but he relented. I got to meet her for just a few minutes at the rehearsal before Oliver whisked me away from her.
I place my hand on his back and he relaxes just slightly.
Linda sees us approach and returns her attention to Eveline. “Trust me, you will love going on that cruise. It’s the best trip we ever took. Even if we had to spend a week in the hospital—with no help—when we got back.”
“Thank you so much for the suggestion,” she says. Eveline rests her hand on my forearm. “You look absolutely breathtaking. I’m going to say goodbye to Stella and the boys. I’ll see you in a few days, Oliver?”
He smiles at his mother. “I’ll call when I get back.”
“Good. Travel safe.”
“Are you ready, darling?”
He nods. “I’m ready.”
Linda walks over and kisses my cheek. “Be good, Maren. It would be nice if you both stop by when you’re close to Georgia. I know it might be out of your way, but if you want to see your father before he dies, then—”
“We will do our best to get to you soon,” Oliver says quickly, surprising us all.
Linda looks stunned. “Oh. That’s a nice change. Good. It’ll be great to see you both.”
“Yeah, it really will,” I say, falling a little more for this man who seems to truly care for me.
My father sighs heavily, exhaustion clear on his face. “Go rest, Daddy. I’ll see you in the morning before you leave.”
He kisses my cheek. “I will see you then.”
And with that, Oliver wraps both arms around my waist, allowing me to lean against him as I watch my father walk away, praying I actually get the chance to visit him in Georgia.
Seventeen
OLIVER
Maren and I make our way up to the honeymoon suite, which is the only room in the resort where my brothers and I let Stella have free rein and no budget. It’s the first time I’m going to see it completed.