Page 56 of Doing It for Love

“I was thinking we could put red flowers in it,” I say. “Maybe some jewels to make it look like snowflakes?”

“That would be pretty, too.” She takes one last glance at the wall before easing on the couch and patting her leg. I instantly plop my butt on the cushion and lay my head in her lap, squeezing her knee.

“Have you picked a hall?” she asks. “We want to make sure it’s available for the weekend you want.”

“On top of it. Put down a deposit and nearly wiped my savings clean.”

“Completely clean? Or it’s just not as big as you’d like it?”

I wrinkle my nose at her, and she starts stroking my hair. “I’m worried we won’t have enough. I looked online and the average wedding costs are—”

“Do you think that you’re paying for the entire wedding?”

“Well, yeah. I didn’t want to assume…”

“Your father and I have been saving for your wedding since you were a baby. We could’ve used moretime,” she teases, tugging on my earlobe. I wiggle away from her. “But here’s what I want you and Landon to worry about.”

She brings up her fingers, and I know she’s going into planning mode. Something I definitely picked up from her. I sit up and get ready to make a new wedding budget plan.

“Your honeymoon.”

I wait for her to tick off more, but she doesn’t. “And…?”

She pulls me back to her lap with a laugh. “And nothing.”

“So the hall?”

“We’ll pay for the rest of it.”

“The cake? The reception? The food? What about decorations? My bouquet? Invitations?”

“Yes, all of that.”

I twist so I’m looking right up at her. “My…my dress?”

She tucks a blond lock behind my ear and nods.

“Mom,” I say, letting my eyes fall closed. “That’s so expensive. I can’t let you and Dad…”

“Well, we’re hoping Landon’s family will take care of the flowers and tuxes. Do you think they’re in a position to help out?”

What did she just ask? I’m temporarily thoughtless as warmth cocoons me in a sense of relief and love and such overwhelming gratitude that I’m left completely speechless. I’m trying to think, trying to figure out what else there is that I need to save up for. Theresa is paying for her dress. Landon’s already paid off the ring on my hand—he piggy-banked that cash for a year without me knowing. Kudos for him being able to keep that a secret—and now the hall, the reception…all of it…how can my parents take care of all of it?

“Lizzie?”

“This isn’t going to bankrupt you, is it?”

She laughs. “No. We’re doing this sensibly, okay? I need you to be mindful of our budget. You won’t get everything on that Pinterest board of yours, and we can’t buy everything for you on New York’s prices, but I promise we’ll make this a good day for you and Lando—oof!”

My arms swing around Mom’s shoulders, and I know I’m squeezing too hard, but I can’t stop myself. The reality of Landon’s cut-back hours, my minimum-wage job, our overworking and paycheck-to-paycheck way of living hits me hard, and I realize that there is no way I could’ve afforded this on my own, and Mom and Dad are offering me a wedding.

There is something to be said about chanting.

“Thank you,” I say, knowing the words do not do my feelings justice. Mom taps on my shoulders to get me to ease up, and when I do she lets out a long breath like the ability to breathe has finally returned.

“After your shift tomorrow we’ll shop. Dresses, cakes, decorations, invitations, you name it.”

“I’ve already found the perfect dress,” I say, settling back in her lap. “I’m waiting for it to go on sale.”

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