Page 96 of Dreams and Reptiles

“Dad? Mom? Can we⁠—”

Mom high-fived Kendall and took me in her arms.

“I’m so happy for you,” she said, wiping her eyes. “You made a handsome groom, although if I would have known you were getting married, I would have insisted on different flowers. Who chooses tulips for a wedding? I would have picked orchids.”

“And it would have been beautiful, but today was perfect.”

She grinned at me. “It sure was.”

I turned to Dad, grateful to have Kendall’s hand in mine. He didn’t let go even as he hugged my mom.

“Dad, this is⁠—”

“Kendall. We spoke earlier. He had good advice for me.”

The two of them shook hands, and I wondered just what my new husband said to my father.

Awkward.

“I know you wanted to talk⁠—”

“Today is not the day for the past. It’s the day to celebrate your future together. Let me just say that I came here because…” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “I coerced my brother to tell me everything. I am ashamed of how I treated you, my son, and I came in hopes that someday you can forgive me. You deserved my support, and I regret that I didn’t give you what you needed during your difficult time.”

There was no way to hold back my tears after the emotional tsunami I’d just experienced, what with my debut wedding falling apart, only to become one of the most beautiful ceremonies I’d ever witnessed that then culminated in my marriage to my person. No one could blame me, and I didn’t care.

“Thank you,” I said to him. Kendall handed me the handkerchief that had held the rings, and I used it to wipe at my eyes. “I appreciate what you’ve said, but I would like to talk to you about it⁠—”

“Later. Today is for celebrating your marriage to a man I can see truly loves you. I’m happy for you both.”

“Thanks, Dad. Thank you for being persistent.”

He gave me a little bow with a knowing smile.

Yeah, I got that from him.

“Thank you,” Kendall said to him. “I hope you’ll consider staying and getting to know some of our friends today. I look forward to speaking to you soon.”

“Thank you for the invitation. I will stay for a bit, and then I’ll call you in a few days and ask for a time to meet that works for you both. I’m here for an extended stay, and I’m assuming the two of you will take some sort of honeymoon?”

“I… Wow. This is the epitome of spontaneous. I don’t know. Husband?”

Kendall beamed. “We’ll have to discuss it, Mr. Warren. After you’ve had something to eat and about a gallon of water. You look like you’re about to drop, baby.”

“Now that you mention it, I could absolutely use some water—and get out of this coat at the very least.”

Mom led Dad away, and I hoped she was doing it because she wanted to, not because she was trying to save me from more awkward moments.

“Dad!”

Shay ran up and hugged Kendall, then she turned to me, and we spun around with the force of her hug.

“I’m going to have so much fun telling people my stepdad is only six years older than me.”

Kendall groaned, and Shay and I cracked up, fist-bumping each other.

“Can we at least hold off on the age jokes for the rest of my wedding day, daughter?”

“Absolutely. And I wanted to tell you, I texted Alberto, and whenever you two want to sneak away for a honeymoon, he and I will handle Chez Warren’s inhabitants. You two need to have some time alone after all you’ve been through.”