Page 24 of Forever

“I think we should marry in the States,” she stops her mom mid-question.

I turn sideways and look at her. “Are you sure? I don’t mind us getting married here. We can put everybody on a plane and bring them to Croatia. It’ll be like a destination wedding or whatever that shit’s called.”

“William Josh Price! Do I need to wash your mouth with soap? I think I taught you better than that.”

“Sorry, Ma.” I flash her my apologetic, boyish smile. She shakes her head at me.

Anabel puts her hand on me tightly to draw my attention so I turn back to look at her.

“I’m sure. I don’t have a lot of family. Just my parents, sister, Val, and if she wants to bring her boyfriend.” Bel looks at her mother, nervously nibbling at her lip. “What do you think, Mom?”

Elena watches us for a minute. I think it’s the longest minute of my life.

I get it. She wants her baby to get married here. In her country. In her home. It can’t be easy for them to let Anabel go all the way across the word, but at the same time I know they’d do anything to make her happy. Including letting her go.

I’ll never be able to thank them enough for that. For giving me this amazing, brilliant, beautiful woman to love. All I can do is try to be the best person I can be. To give her everything she needs and wants.

I can see reluctance shine in her eyes, the tight set of her chin, her hands playing with the pen. Slowly, she breathes out and smiles at us. “Of course. It’s your wedding, baby. Whatever makes you happy.”

Her brown-green eyes meet mine, and I mouth, “Thank you”. Which is nothing compared to what she’s doing for me, but her eyes soften, and her smile widens if only for a bit.

“Then it’s set.” Bel’s smile is so big and bright it’s almost blinding. “We’ll have a small, US wedding in June.”

“Not so fast, missy!” Elena chimes again.

“What?”

“That’s just the beginning. Now we have to arrange details. Exact date, although I think we better leave that until Emily gets to the States, where the wedding will happen, guest list, cake, decorations, the dress …”

“Wait!” Anabel raises her hands in the air in surrender. Both woman shut up and look at her.

“Why don’t we give you the list of the people we want to invite and between the two of you, you take care of the rest?”

“What?” Mom’s brows shoot up in surprise.

“You want us to arrange your wedding?” Her mom is surprised all the same.

“Yes. I have to take care of finishing my new book and writing the thesis to graduate on time, and the last thing I need is added stress about the wedding.”

“But … it’s your wedding.” The disappointment in her mother’s voice is as clear as day.

“And it’ll be the most beautiful and romantic day of my life because I’m going to marry the man who is my everything. My family and friends will be there with us. That’s all that matters.”

Our moms share a look but finally nod in agreement.

“We’ll take care of everything.”

“Great!” Anabel claps her hands excitedly. “That leaves me with the internship, writing my new book, my final thesis, and finding the perfect dress. Now, for the guest list.”

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