Say Forever(53)

Though shadows fall over her face, she forces a smile. "What do you want, Christina?"

"I want one bridesmaid, tamales, and red velvet cake," I say on a rush of air, punctuating my words, as if I'm trying to make them stick in her memory.

She shakes her head. "But that's nothing."

"I already have everything: a loving mom, adorable brothers, and soon I'll have the perfect husband. That's what I want this wedding to reflect, a celebration of everything good in our lives. We don't need shrimp puffs for that."

She cups my cheek in her hand as her eyes gloss over. "What did I do to deserve a daughter like you?"

Freaking fantastic. Now I'm choked up. I swallow that knot of sorrow in my throat and stiffen my spine as I clasp both her hands in mine and pull her toward me. "You don't have to do this to yourself anymore. You were a baby when you had me. You gave me up to two people whom you believed would love me. And then, after all this time, you found me and invited me to be part of a wonderful, loving family. What you deserve, Mom, is my thanks, for having the courage to give birth to me, and then having the heart to find me again, because I know you had another option. You came at a time when I needed you most. Having you here with me, helping me with my wedding means so much."

Mom looks at me like she's going to say something and then her eyes start gushing like busted faucets. The fog of my mom's guilt settles over my heart like a heavy cloud. I feel bad that she feels bad, and not to sound selfish, but I don't need this kind of stress right now. I can literally feel my heart rate picking up, and even though I've been sitting around most of today, I'm starting to feel winded. This can't be good for the baby.

I muster my most reassuring smile. "Let's not stress about the wedding anymore today, okay?" I infuse extra enthusiasm into my voice, not just for my mom's benefit, but for mine. My stomach churns, leaving me with this queasy feeling like my body's a ship being tossed about in a violent storm. "We will work it out." I pat her hand harder. I remember the text message I received on my way to the bridal shop. "I'm having lunch with Mrs. James in a half hour. Want to come along?"

Even though it's early, she really looks like she could use a drink, or at the very least some shrimp puffs. I've been dying for her to see baby Ty, and I think his sweet little laugh will do just the trick to cheer her up. Besides, I've missed him these past few weeks, and I know he will certainly make me happy. I shift uncomfortably when I realize soon I'll be too preoccupied with my own baby to miss him. I should feel sad at this realization, but I'm not. In fact, for the first time ever, I actually get a warm feeling in my chest. I smile as I settle a hand on my stomach, which has thankfully stopped roiling for the moment. Even though my wedding is totally up in the air right now, I think for the first time in a long time, everything will work itself out.


***


Thankfully, mom isn't crying anymore. She's humming quietly in the passenger seat to Christmas music. Yes, she actually found a station that is still playing Yuletide songs. And though it's a far cry from my favorite country station, I put up with it because it makes her happy. By the end of the ride, I am startled to find myself humming along with her.

I do my best to try not to think about running into Nora or The Cobra as we get out of the car and I hand the valet my keys. I wish Mrs. James had picked a different place to have lunch, just in case Nora is there. I'm not sure I'll be able to refrain from bashing her face in. Then again, some twisted part of me wants to see her, so I can call her out on her two-faced behavior, but I know that won't end well. Confrontations with crazy, old collagen-enhanced women never do.

The more I think about it, the more I suppose it makes sense for Nora to want to ruin my wedding if her goal is to bankrupt her husband's company. I am also guessing those clients she gave us are bogus, which sucks because my mom was hoping Nora could help us jump-start Domingo Designs. Now not only will we need to plan a whole new wedding, we'll need to restart our business from the ground up.

I exhale a pent up breath of relief when my gaze sweeps the parking lot and I don't see Nora's or The Cobra's cars. Although, since they trade up their cars about as often as they change their hair color, that doesn't necessarily mean neither of them are here.

Mrs. James and Tyler are already waiting for us inside.

Tyler is munching on a fry when I introduce my mom to Mrs. James. My heart warms when Ty points a French fry at me and squeals, "Teeny!"

I kiss him on the forehead and pretend to eat the smashed up potato he offers me. I'm having a sense of déjà vu right now. It was just last month I was sitting at almost the exact same table with Jackson and playing the fry game with Ty. I steal a quick glance over my shoulder. I'd ended up having a confrontation with my adoptive mother. I sure hope I don't see her today. Jackson had told me his father would try to get The Cobra kicked out of the club, and I cross my fingers it worked.