When we entered the small shop, Becky’s engagement ring caught my eyes. It sparkled against the bright light. I’d caught her staring at and admiring it several times in the store. Her attention was more focused on the ring than the beautiful items the shop had displayed. I understood her. I had done that many times when I first got engaged. In fact, I still did it to this day. I couldn’t believe Becky and I had gotten engaged in the same year.
“It’s so peaceful and secluded here,” Becky said when we exited out to the pool. It led us right to a path. “Now I understand why Max wanted to get married here.”
“Maybe Dad and I will stay here a bit longer. I’m really loving this place,” Mom said, linking her arms with mine.
“You should. You don’t get to travel that often.” We walked in silence as we observed the nature around us. The endless path took us past the garden, the fountain, and the sandbox where the children were playing. It made me smile watching them play. A little boy’s parents were helping their son build a fort. Someday, Max and I would be doing the same. When I caught Becky smiling, I wondered if she was thinking the same thought.
“I can’t believe my baby girl is getting married,” Mom said with teary eyes, gazing in the same direction as I was. “You used to be that little. It went by so fast.”
I nodded with a smile because that was all I could do. Tears were already threatening to fall. A part of me felt so sad that I wanted to cry. It just hit me hard that tomorrow would be the last day anyone would call me Jenna Mefferd. It felt like a part of me would disappear, but I couldn’t think of it that way.
“When we were getting married back then, our generation would say that we were losing our daughter, but I would like to think that I’m gaining a son. Max is very lucky to have you, and you’re very lucky to have him. I know that I’m not losing you. Don’t forget that your dad and I are always here for you.”
Mom’s hug and tears made me lose it. As tears ran down my face and I felt my mother’s love, I was a little girl all over again. I was no longer a child, nor a teenager, nor a young adult—though I might have acted like one or the other many times before—I was going to be a wife and a mother. I would not only have one set of parents, but two. I would also have gained a brother-in-law, and hopefully a sister-in-law, soon.
When Mom released me, she wiped my tears like she had many times before when I was a child. “Live your life to the fullest and be happy. I know I sound like a broken record when I say this, but I’m so happy that you were able to get pregnant quickly. I almost gave up. I’m so glad I didn’t. There is no greater joy than raising a child. They give us one of the few precious moments in life. And your dad and I can’t wait to be grandparents.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I sniffed. Soaking in her words, we started walking again. Becky turned to us with a smile. She had walked away to give us space. Her eyes were teary, too.
I looked at my watch. I couldn’t believe it had been a couple of hours. “We need to meet up with our wedding coordinator. She’s going to give us the details of what we need to do tomorrow. Then we can go get ready for dinner.”
“Why are you doing this without Max?” Mom asked worriedly.
“It’s because of our schedule and when Max is able to fly in. It’s really simple. She needs to show Becky and me the room we’ll be coming out from and where we will be standing. Also, where I will meet up with Dad so he can walk me down. It won’t take long.”
“I see.” Mom nodded. “We’d better go get your father.”
“Can’t wait to see everyone,” Becky said. “I just got a text from Nicole and Kate. They’re here, checking in.”
My phone buzzed inside of my back pocket. I pulled it out to see who the caller was. “Max just landed,” I said aloud. Relief washed over me. He had arrived safely, but he still had to drive to the hotel.
We were just about to go to dinner when there was a knock on the door.
“Must be the housekeeper.” Dad opened the door. “Max.” I heard a pause for a second. My dad must have given him a hug. “You’re going to be my son-in-law. Call me Jonathan.”
My heart thumped faster from the sound of his name. Instead of going to him, I hid behind the bedroom door. My mom rushed to the door. “Max, my son-in-law.” She was going to give him a hug for sure. “You can call me Mom or Paige. I don’t care which one. How was the flight?” Mom asked. When I heard the sounds of their footsteps, my heart hammered even faster.