TESS
Roscoe’s call to his parents goes easier than I expected. His parents are delighted and Becky says she already has some ideas for the wedding. How do I know? Because he decided to video chat them right then and there. Then, he tells them about Sarah and her stunt with the press. “Don’t you worry about that, Tess, dear,” Bryson’s voice sounds loud and clear. “Just leave that to us and we’ll take care of it.”
“I’m really sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I know how much you hate the press, and I tried all I could to prevent this from happening.”
“We know, dear. But you should have told us immediately.”
“I’m sorry. I know. Maybe you could have stopped her and not have your name all over the tabloids.” I’m so ashamed I can’t even look at them.
“No, Tess. That is not it at all. You should have told us so that we could protect you and help you.”
I’m dumbfounded and tears start gathering. I try hard not to let them fall, but one still escapes. Bryson is being so understanding and so protective and I can’t help but feel the warmth from everyone around me. My heart is full but I can’t even thank him for his kind words.
“Don’t cry, love. It breaks my heart.” Roscoe gathers me tighter in his arm and kisses my tear away. I look at him and my heart swells even more. These people are amazing. I was so afraid they would judge me and here they are, defending me and trying to protect me with all their might.
“Back to more happy notes. I just wanted all of you to know that I intend to keep my word to Ishida-san, so we will be getting married before the end of the year. I was thinking a Christmas wedding. What do you think?”
We are all shocked to silence.
“Congratulations, son. Glad to see you’re not wasting any time.” My dad is the first to recover and pats him in the back.
“When you know, you know, James. And I have known for a while now, so why wait?”
I’m looking around, still trying to understand if this is really my life right now. I see my dad and Bryson grinning widely, proud as can be.
“But, honey,” Becky finally says, “I told you all the good wedding planners have to be booked at least two years in advance.”
“We don’t need anyone. We have two amazing wedding planners right here. Are you saying that you and Kaye can’t make this happen? We don’t need to worry about venues, we can do it at one of our places, or at the Jolliffes’ if they prefer. Hell, I’ll even do it at City Hall, if need be. All I really need is my amazingly beautiful bride, the people we love, and someone to officiate. Everything else is just filling.”
We decide to have a little get together later that day for our parents to officially meet and so that we can start planning this wedding and Roscoe ends the call.
I don’t even know what to say or how to feel. When I woke up this morning, I wanted to hide my head in the sand and just wait for the next ten years to be done with. Now, I’m the happiest and the most overwhelmed I’ve ever been.
As he puts his phone in his pocket, he doesn’t let go of me. He hasn’t stopped touching me even for a second since I said yes. I think he is afraid I’ll vanish or I’ll change my mind. Fat chance of that.
* * *
Later that day, we all gather at my parents’ house to celebrate the official engagement. It’s not the party I’m sure Becky would love to throw for the occasion, but everyone that matters is here. My dad and Bryson, along with Roscoe and his brothers are all gathered around the barbeque, drinking beers and talking and laughing, and my mom and Becky are head-to-head, planning all the details for the Christmas wedding over glasses of lemonade. Looking around me, I realize life doesn’t get better than this.
“Tess, can we talk to you for a second, please?” Harry and Mitch are looking at me, expectantly.
“Sure. What’s this about?” They are a bit subdued compared to the other times I saw them, so I have no idea what’s going on.
“Can we step over here for a second?” Harry gestures to a quiet corner of the room. I head there and they follow me. As I go, my mind swirls.What could they possibly want?I know what they think of me. Are they here to try and convince me to give up on their brother? Because that’snotgonna happen. I decide offense is the best defense, so I don’t give them a chance to go first. “Look, if you’re here to talk me out of marrying your brother, you are wasting your time.”
They exchange a charged look, and then look at me. I brace myself for what I know is coming. I look them in the eyes and don’t cower. I know I haven’t done anything wrong, so I have nothing to be ashamed of.
“We’re sorry.”What?
I guess my silence and look of utter confusion is enough to prompt them to explain, because Mitch says, “We were wrong about you and we wanted to apologize for making wrong assumptions about the kind of person you are.”
“Yeah,” Harry continues. “Mom and Dad told us what you were willing to sacrifice for our brother and for our family. We should have taken the time to get to know you instead of just judging you by your age and looks.”
I’m still looking at the both of them. Still lost for words.
“Can you find it in you to forgive us? You are gonna be our little sister, after all, and we would love it if we could just move past this. Forgive and forget and all that jazz?” Mitch looks at me with puppy dog eyes and Harry bats his lashes at me and fake-pouts like a little kid, and as if they rehearsed it, both say, “Please, little sis?” at the same time, holding their hands as if in prayer. I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.
“You two are trouble, aren’t you?” I shake my head, smiling.