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As soon as he’s gone, I turn to Dan and ask him to behave. “Ignore Johan, okay?” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “You two are acting like two angry dogs. Knock it off.”
Dan smirks. “Oh, don’t worry. I already made sure that jerk knows you’re my girlfriend.”
I feel a knot form in my stomach. “Seriously, Dan… what did you do to Johan?” I ask, my voice filled with concern. Surely he hasn’t already started trouble while I was off talking to Yara..?
Dan just grins in return. “Nothing, I swear. I just told him the truth. I made sure to send him a quick message before we all arrived so there wouldn’t be any misunderstanding when we all saw each other in person.”
I don’t know what that means, but I can sense that there's more to the story. “You have to know I don’t totally believe you.”
Dan, to my annoyance, just laughs. I trust him and know that he has my best interests at heart, but I can't help but feel a little uneasy about the situation. I just hope that everything will go smoothly tomorrow at the wedding and that our family can come together and put aside any tensions or conflicts for one day to celebrate the happy couple. Using Johan to get Hannah firmly on our side is a good idea, and I don’t want Dan to ruin that for me.
Before I can question him further, I feel a sense of excitement wash over everyone. I turn to look at what everyone else is seeing, and a smile blooms on my face when I see that it’s Roxanne and Andries, finally descending the terrace stairs to join everyone in the garden. After months of planning, drama, heartbreak, and anticipation, my brother Andries and his bride-to-be Roxanne are finally here for their celebration dinner, and then tomorrow is the wedding itself.
I can see Andries holding Roxie’s hand as Oma rushes over to their sides, but my brother looks past our grandmother to another female figure standing off to the side. It’s my mother, a hesitant, sweet smile on her face as she watches her oldest son, and if I’m not mistaken, her eyes are misty, too.
The couple is dressed semi-formally but still make for a stunning duo. Andries wears a pale gray suit with no tie, while Roxanne looks as if she’s been poured into a gorgeous gold silk dress that shimmers in the soft glow of the torches that illuminate the garden.
As they make their way towards the party, I watch as they are greeted by friends and family, each person exclaiming how beautiful they both look. It's clear that everyone is elated to see the happy couple arrive, and knowing that Roxie has gotten over her worries reassures me that everything is going to go smoothly from here on out. Hopefully.
My heart swells with pride as I watch my brother and his soon-to-be wife move through the crowd, their love for each other radiating in every step they take. I feel a little choked up, thinking back to how I almost ruined my chances of sharing this special moment with them and everyone else. I was such a fool to want to split them up. Their devotion to one another is just so clear.
Dan and I move to intercept them, and Dan shakes the hand of his best friend before pulling him into a tight hug, while I embrace Roxie softly, emotion welling in me. “You look so beautiful.”
“So do you,” she tells me, her voice slightly shaking. “Thank you for coming, El. And for… well, everything you’ve done. Knowing that Julia is here has made Andries so happy. I just… thank you.”
Then I’m hugging my brother, just like when we were kids, and the laugh I let out as he pretends to muss my hair is shivery with tears. “I can’t believe it’s almost time!”
“Youcan’t believe it?” Andries barks a laugh. “Imagine how I feel.”
I open my mouth to answer but then hear someone delicately clearing their throat behind us. I turn, seeing my mother looking up at her son with a mix of pride and love in her eyes, and quickly step aside, taking Dan with me so they can have their moment together.
Mom approaches Andries, and I can feel the energy shift around us. Andries’s face lights up as our mother kisses him, and the two embrace tightly. I can see tears welling up in both of their eyes as they hold each other, their love for one another still as strong as ever, despite the separation that they have experienced.
I watch as they talk quietly, Mom holding Andries’s hands in her own. I strain to listen, but I can’t hear what they're saying. Whatever it is, it must be important, as they both look so emotional.
Next, she turns her attention to Roxanne, and my heart skips a beat. I know that they've had their differences in the past, and I'm hoping that they've managed to put them aside for this special day. Roxanne looks stiff, but not upset, which is a good sign.
To my surprise, Mom leans forward and kisses Roxanne as well, before she hugs her. Whatever issues they may have had are now gone and off to the wayside, and it’s almost like the entire crowd here releases a sigh of relief. The tension that was once between them seems to have dissipated totally, and they both look genuinely happy to be in each other’s company. They must have had a heart-to-heart before I arrived.
Watching this emotional moment unfold, I feel a sense of catharsis. It's heartwarming to see two women come together and reconcile their differences in the name of love.
After a few more minutes, we are all invited to take our assigned seats at the table. Once we are all seated and Oma has circled the table to make sure everyone is content and has everything they need, Mom stands up and clears her throat to make a toast before the meal even arrives, as if she’s so excited that she can’t wait a moment longer.
She raises her glass and begins. “To the happy couple, my handsome son Andries and his beautiful bride, Roxanne. May your love continue to grow and flourish for many years to come.” Her eyes are filled with love as she turns in my direction, “I also want to thank my daughter, Elise, for everything she has done for us. She always stood by her loved ones and without her, I never would have been brave enough to be here at the side of two of my beloved children––my real family.” She looks at me with a proud smile and then looking at Oma, she adds, “And a special thank you to my wonderful mother, Margaret, for hosting this beautiful evening and bringing us all together.”
The table cheers while Dan gives me a small squeeze and a kiss on the head. I sniffle and blink away tears, my cheeks flushing red. I did not expect Mom’s toast to include me at all. I can see the real connections everyone around us share as we raise our glasses and toast to the newlyweds, united.
Everyone is having the time of their life, laughing, eating, and drinking, but there’s a noticeable absence. Even after everything, I miss my father, and I think Andries must feel the same way. If only he could be here to celebrate with us, to put aside his differences, and enjoy this special night. But even in his absence, I'm grateful Mom chose to show up. With any luck, Johan will tempt Hannah into arriving tomorrow, too.
As the evening progresses and the meal finishes, we all reconnect with one another under the stars, eager for the marriage of Andries and Roxanne that we all have to look forward to tomorrow.
39
Sebastian
I paceback and forth in my home office, staring at my phone with frustration. It’s been three days since I last saw my wife or even heard her voice, and every time I call her, she doesn’t pick up. I can’t help but feel the hot rush of anger as I’m forced to leave yet another voicemail for her.
Of course, the call doesn’t even ring. Instead, it goes straight to her inbox, and I curse under my breath.
