Page 56 of The Biggest Secret
Take Charge Adam is back in full effect. But this time, I use that name as a positive description, as the protector role he was born into, and not as an authoritarian role where he tries to reign over those around him.
A short while later we are pulling into a mall. I look around, confused as to why we are here. We park around back, and he holds my hand as we walk through a small alleyway that leads to a back door.
“This seems sketchy. Is this where you leave me to be kidnapped?”
“Stop being crazy and come on.”
We open the door and I hear laughter, then Francesca’s voice echoes as she yells at Britt for being dirty. Those two are such trouble.
“Take that off!”
“That’s what she said.”
“Billy, that is not meant for your head. Can’t you guys just behave?” I hear Francesca yelling at Billy now.She sounds a little uptight which is not the norm for her.
“Look! Mom and Dad are here. Let’s get this show on the road.”Adam squeezes my hand and gives me a wink at Billy’s words.
I walk into a full-on bridal extravaganza. “Francesca!” I exclaim “What are we doing here? The boys can’t see you like this!”
She laughs and says, “Oh we’re not here for me. We’re here for you.” My face must reflect the drop of my heart to my stomach. Adam chuckles and leans closer to me saying, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of jumping the line. Not yet anyway.”
I look back to see Farrah and Britt hanging around. Billy, Tom, and Bobby are standing with Jackson.
Francesca explains, “We’re here to pick out bridesmaid dresses. If you would all do me the honor of being in my wedding party.”
All the girls start jumping around excitedly, everyone saying they can’t wait. Francesca is happy and Britt starts to chase the boys out of the bridal shop.
“Don’t worry, we’re not staying for the show. We’re going next-door. There’s a sports bar that we’ll hang out in while you shop for dresses.”
My eyes well with tears as I realize we’re all standing around together, picking out dresses for Francesca’s wedding, and I am beyond overwhelmed, knowing that she wants me to be a part of the biggest day of her life. That this family has still taken hold of me and are not letting me go. They’re not letting Dominic go.
“Come on, don’t get all mushy on me now,” she whispers to me.
I turn and hug her, it’s all I can do. My emotions clog my throat and I can’t get words out. She smiles at me. “He’s different, I see it, I have my brother back.”
“But I?—”
“No, you’re here. That’s all I wanted. Now, tell me you’re not planning on leaving again.”
I shake my head ‘no’ emphatically.
“I believe you, Chelsea. I also believe whatever led you to leave last time, that you believe it was the only choice you felt you had. I understand being backed into a corner and I understand making rash decisions without thinking. When you step back though, and take a look around, you’ll finally see you weren’t running from him, you were running from a bad idea, a bad experience. When that fog clears, you’re going to see you two being together is what’s meant to be. I mean, look what you made?” Her eyes tear up. “You made a perfect little human. How can you ever say that wasn’t meant to be?”
I nod and hug her tight to me again. “Thank you for forgiving me when I still can’t forgive myself.”
She squeezes me tight once more. “Nothing to forgive.” She steps away, grabbing a tissue and handing it to me. “Now start picking out dresses! Tell me what you like. We need to pick colors and sizes and designs. We’re getting this show on the road. I’m not wasting any more time now that we’ve picked a date.”
Like a record scratch, everyone stops what they’re doing and looks to her.
“What do you mean you’ve picked a date? Do you even have a dress? This is all coming way too fast, Francesca. Why am I being kept in the dark?” Britt is trying to be stern, but her excitement bubbles over.
Francesca says, “Don’t hate me, but Mom and I already went wedding dress shopping. It’s here and I’m ready to try it on for you allonce you’ve all decided on colors and dresses. Not a minute before that!”
“Are you pregnant? Is that why you’ve got us rushing around this place like it’s on fire?” Farrah eyes her.
“Farrah! That’s a question I’d expect from Britt!” We all laugh, but I notice she doesn’t answer.
The bridal attendant comes out with a tray of champagne, and we all take a glass and cheers. I see Francesca down hers, so I guess she isn’t pregnant after all.
