Page 92 of Monstrosity
"These match," Florencia points out a set with subtle engraving. "See? They have the same pattern."
"Like us," Cali adds. "We all match now."
"Yeah," I agree, throat tight. "We do."
We end up with simple platinum bands with a subtle carved pattern—nothing too fancy for my lifestyle, but special enough to mark the occasion.
Davidson boxes everything up, promising to have the wedding bands sized within the week.
"Can we get something too?" Cali asks hopefully. "So we all have special jewelry?"
I'm about to say she doesn't need anything, but Dasha catches my eye and nods slightly.
"What did you have in mind?" I ask.
They drag us to a case with necklaces, pointing out various options before settling on matching heart pendants.
Simple, sweet, perfect for little girls.
"So we're all connected," Florencia explains seriously.
"We're already connected," I remind her, but I'm already nodding to Davidson to add them to our purchase.
Walking out of the store, each girl wearing her new necklace and Dasha admiring her engagement ring in the sunlight, I feel something I haven't felt in years.
Complete. Whole. Like all the broken pieces have finally come together.
"Clubhouse?" I ask. "I want to tell everyone."
"You mean Cali wants to tell everyone," Dasha corrects.
"I won't tell!" Cali protests. "I'll let Daddy do it!"
"Sure you will, baby," I say, knowing full well she'll last maybe thirty seconds.
The ride to the clubhouse is filled with wedding planning courtesy of our two tiny directors.
"We need pink flowers," Cali decides. "And purple ones," Florencia adds. "And white ones to tie them together."
"Where's it going to be?" Florencia asks. "Church? Beach? Here?"
"We haven't decided yet," Dasha tells them. "Where would you like it?"
"Somewhere pretty," Cali says. "With room for dancing. And cake. Lots of cake."
"Multiple cakes," Florencia agrees. "Different flavors so everyone's happy."
"You two have thought about this a lot," Dasha observes.
"We've been waiting for Daddy to ask youforever," Florencia says matter-of-factly. "We had time to plan."
"Forever?" I raise an eyebrow.
"At least a whole year," Cali confirms. "Maybe even two years."
"Or since always," Florencia adds.
The ride to the club passes by in a blur, and man is it busy for a weekday afternoon.
