The soft embrace of the bed greeted me as I mustered awake. I stretched my arms and squirmed around, stretching my legs and opening my eyes.

The space next to me was empty.

“Sam?”

I got up and looked around and was blown back when I looked to my right by the closets…

“No way. No way!” I cried, stumbling out the bed to see if this was real.

The dress glittered in the soft hues of the sunlight that bounced off the pearls and diamonds that adorned the dress. It was on a golden wired fashion mannequin, the kind without a head and just the bust down to the hips. Every little glint sent a shiver down my spine. The train of the dress was long as hell, but hey, I liked it.

Sam picked this out for me?

When I looked a the dress closer, I saw a vanilla card sticking out of the bust area of the dress. It read…

‘Wendy, honey, I’m at work, but I wanted you to have this for our wedding day. Don’t let me see you in it though. You know what’s said about that! There’s also security out front and in the back. You’re not alone.’

A warmth filled my chest and immediately I knew that I had to tell my Dad.

This wasn’t a fake marriage anymore. It was real. And even though that one point two million had fallen through my hands in a vapor of smoke, I gained something much better.

Something priceless.

Love and protection.

Something I had always looked for but thought I could never find. Ohh, Daddy was going to be so happy I was getting married. And maybe, just maybe I’d be able to walk in and see the old Dad I knew. The less depressed, vibrant one with ideas that could change the earth.

“Let’s see,” I said, walking over to the closet. I had amassed a few nice digs while I was here, and wanted to dress special for today. “It’s going to be warm, so maybe a nice dress.” 

I reached for a peach dress that stopped just below the knees. The color of it reminded me of a perky sort of happiness, much like I was experiencing right own. I freshened myself up in the bathroom and threw on the dress then twirled in the mirror.

‘This has got to be the happiest I’ve seen myself in a while.’

Grabbing my purse, I waltzed to the front door and saw security perched on the side. I waved, and they waved back.

Sam wasted no time on getting reinforcements, huh?

I pointed my keys at the line of four cars that were parked in the garage and watched as the Bentley flashed its lights and honked.

The only thing I needed now was to see my Dad just as happy as I was right now.

***

I walked to the nurse’s desk and waited for her to get off the phone. My heart was pounding in my chest. I had to get to Dad quickly or else I’d end up screaming it up and down the halls like an idiot that I was getting married.

“Hello, Ms. Monroe, may I help you?” the nurse asked, remembering my name.

“Actually, it’s soon to be Mrs. Reign!” I said, showing her the huge ass rock sitting pretty on my finger.

Her eyes grew big and she smiled. “Congratulations!”

“Thanks. I was just here to check on my father and visit him for a few.”

The nurse nodded her head and got up to grab her clipboard. Flipping through a few pages she smiled again and walked from around her desk.

“Follow me, he should be just getting out of group hash.”

“What’s group hash?” I asked her, jogging to keep up with her steady pace.

“Well, it’s a fancy word for therapy. But we get people together to hash out their problems to one another with a therapist present. But actually, the people give each other advice. If it isn’t good advice, the therapist will step in,” he nurse explained.

We stopped at double doors and I saw shadows of people moving behind the frosted glass doors. The doors opened and men and women of various ages spilled out.  The last amongst them was my Dad.

“Dad!” I called out, my arms wide open for a hug.

“Wendy!” he exclaimed, giving me one of his old bear hugs.

The nurse hugged her clipboard and nodded. “I’ll leave you two here for a moment.” She turned to leave and Dad brought me to the little circle of short blue chairs that his group ‘hash’ session took place in.

I looked around the room, it looked cozy. Nothing obtrusive, or medical. Sam was right, this was the perfect atmosphere for Dad to heal in.

We sat down next to each other on the hard small chairs and I winced, trying to squirm around and find a comfortable position.

“Don’t tell me you actually sat on this chair for more than ten minutes,” I teased.

My Dad’s face lit up with a smile as bright as his eyes. His eyes… that used to be so dark and red from drinking, were now beginning to be clear.

I grabbed his hand, inhaling and exhaling. This was big news I had to tell him. My Dad’s warm hands gave me enough courage to get it out.

“Dad, I’m getting married to Sam,” I said in a big hurried hush. A tear or two spilled out of my eyes and I bit my lip to keep myself from wailing in happiness.

“I know!” My Dad said, squeezing my hand. He held it up and looked at the massive sparking rock on my finger. “Look at that. Great quality and with your favorite combination of gems too.” He finished inspecting my ring and laid my hand down.

“You know? How?” I raised my head up, my mouth stuck in a small ‘o’ shape.

“He came to me to ask his approval. I always knew you two would tie the knot someday. Even when you two grew apart.”

Great. The fireworks were coming. I crushed my Dad in a bear hug and my Dad patted my back.

“You’ve always had the grip of a lion, you know that?” my Dad wheezed.

Now where was something else I had to address. The wedding date…

“Before I go, Dad. I wanted to mention about the wedding. I want to wait until you’re ready to come out. I don’t wanna go hindering—”

“Wendy, you’re not hindering a thing!” my Dad argued.

“You don’t understand. This progress you’re making. I’m not gonna get in the way whether you like it or not. So I’m going to wait until you’re ready.”

I pulled myself up off the blue chair and straightened out my dress.

“Always been a stubborn child, haven’t you?” My Dad said, shaking my shoulder.

“That’s my style!” I said, spinning in my dress.

I took my Dad in for another hug. The nurse peaked in and motioned for my Father to join the next activity that was planned.

“See you around, Wendy, be safe!” Dad said, disappearing down the hall with the nurse.

I spun around in my heels and ran outside to the car before I could never bring myself to leave.

‘For every sacrifice there is happiness waiting for you…’