Cassie
I stepped up to my parents’ door with a lump in my throat. It felt like I’d been away much longer than just a few weeks. No, it felt like it had been years since I’d walked out that door and away from the secure life that had once been my normal. What was normal anymore? The question haunted me as I reached out to press the doorbell.
As if it had been waiting on cue, the door swung open. My mother’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled me into a hug so tight I thought I might suffocate. I hugged her back fiercely, taking all the comfort I could from the gesture. I’d learned not to take things for granted. There might not be another chance to say or do something, after all.
“Mom,” I whispered.
The woman finally let go of me and wiped her tears away.
“Oh, Cassie. We were so worried!”
My father chimed in his agreement from where he stood behind her.
“We certainly did. You gave us quite the scare.”
He walked over and put his arm around my shoulders. The firm squeeze he gave me made me smile. He’d never been an overly affectionate man and the gesture meant a lot coming from him.
Pearl came swiftly padding down the hallway and threw her arms around me, practically knocking our parents out of the way. Dad chuckled as I hugged Pearl back. Holding a grudge against the girl was simply not worth it, and practically impossible with Pearl sobbing on my shoulder.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I said softly to her.
She nodded as she stepped back, wiping tears from her cheeks.
“I thought you hadn’t forgiven me. I thought you wouldn’t ever come home.”
“Well,” I said softly. “I’m not back home to stay. I have moved on, and I actually have something to tell you guys.”
We all walked into the living room, where my mother and father sat down next to each other while exchanging worried looks. I smiled at them. Pearl nudged me with her elbow.
“You always were the drama queen.”
“Ha,” I said softly and gave Pearl a smile. “I guess you’re right.”
I cleared my throat.
“I don’t know what all Pearl has told you, but I got into some trouble. Got kidnapped and things got very scary. That’s really all I want to say about it.”
Mom wiped tears away and nodded.
“We understand you not wanting to talk right away.”
“Thanks,” I said with appreciation. “There’s something else you should know.” I walked over and sat down next to my mother. “I know you’ve been worried about me since long before all of this happened. I just want you to know that you don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m okay.”
“Is that what you wanted to tell us?” Dad asked curiously.
“No,” I said and laughed. “I actually… I wanted to invite you and Mom – and even Pearl – to my wedding.”
Mom’s mouth fell open.
“Wedding?” She looked around at my father and Pearl. “What wedding?”
Pearl shrugged.
“First I’ve heard about it,” she grinned. “Does it have to do with that delicious boyfriend of yours?”
I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Let’s keep the MY part in mind there, Pearl.”
“Just teasing,” Pearl said with a smile.
Dad shushed Pearl. “Let her talk, Pearly.”
My sister pouted a bit at being silenced but didn’t look that put-out.
“Well, Pearl is right. It is about Mason. You see, Mason is the reason I’m standing here now. He helped me, saved me.”
I gave Mom a smile.
“Mom, please don’t look so worried. I know that in the past I’ve been a bit idealistic and naïve. But believe me when I say that I’m not that person anymore. I love Mason, and he loves me.”
Mom frowned.
“It’s not that I think ill of him – or you, Cassie. I just don’t know the man.”
“I know,” I said sadly, then grinned. “But you’ll have years to get to know him. Please, say you’ll come to the wedding. It’s just going to be a small thing at the house. I’ll give you directions. I’d really love it if Dad could give me away.”
Dad smiled and reached over to give my hand a squeeze.
“Of course, I will. I do expect to have a long talk with this young man of yours, though.”
“I bet Mason will adore every second of it,” I laughed.
It took some doing to escape my parents’ clutches. But once I’d convinced them I wasn’t going to disappear, they reluctantly let me leave. Armed with directions to the house, the date and time of the wedding, along with phone numbers for both Mason and myself, my parents felt confident they could find me should I fail to show up again.
I couldn’t blame them for their anxiety. But, by the time I got in my car, I was exhausted with all the emotion.
Despite my fatigue, I headed straight to the bridal shop, where I’d promised to meet Liz. When I arrive, she was waiting for me.
“Sorry I’m late. My parents were a bit clingy.”
“Figured,” Liz waved off my concern. “Come on, let’s go find a dress that’ll knock Mr. Bartell’s socks off.”
She looped her arm through mine and I let her drag me along with her into the bridal store.
It was overwhelming. The wedding was being rushed because Mason was set to be busy for the foreseeable future with the remnants of the Cartel.
The gowns all around me were ruffled and showed a level of girly that I didn’t think I was up to. I looked around the bridal shop warily.
“Is there anything that doesn’t have frills?”
“What about that little number?” Liz pointed across the shop.
My eyes followed her finger and landed on a simple, delicate slip of a dress.
My mouth formed an “O” as I walked over to it. The fabric felt silky under my fingers, so light and delicate.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“It sure is,” Liz said in admiration.
A lady came over.
“Can I help you ladies find something?”
I smiled over at Liz, then answered the woman with a shake of my head.
“Nope. I think we just found it.”