“We never really talked about it.”
Rolling her eyes, she sighed. “Give me his number. I’ll ask him. After all, he is the one who got us that wonderful room. He should be there.”
“I agree,” I spoke and then rattled off his number to her.
Drew calling me and wanting to still be friends meant a lot to me. Maybe someday, once I discovered who I was, we could be more. But for now, friends were what we had to remain, even though I missed him like crazy. I couldn’t use him to fulfill my own needs. It wasn’t fair to him. Truly loving someone before you love yourself wasn’t an option. No exceptions.
“He said he’d love to come.” Kristen grinned.
A small smile crossed my lips. “Good. I’m happy he can make it.”
****
Kristen and my father met later that night. Noah wasn’t thrilled, but he put on a happy face for Kristen because this was what she wanted. I stood there and watched my father cry as he hugged her and the two of them sat down on the couch and talked for a few hours. It made me wonder that if Kristen wasn’t dying, would she have wanted to meet him.
“I have to ask you a question and I don’t want you to get mad at me,” I spoke.
“What?”
“If you weren’t dying, would you have wanted to meet Dad?”
“Yes. I still would have wanted to meet him.”
“Why?” I asked in confusion.
“Because I’m strong enough to know that people make mistakes. There’s not one person on the face of this Earth that hasn’t made a mistake or two in their life. It’s not healthy to hold grudges and my mother always taught me that. Believe it or not, she forgave him a long time ago.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I wish you could have met her. She was the most beautiful person you’d ever meet. She was so full of wisdom and knowledge.”
“No wonder Dad stayed with her for over a year.”
“She told me that she couldn’t hate him because he gave her the most precious gift anyone could ever give someone: me.”
Tears started to fill my eyes. “Didn’t she ever meet anyone else?”
“She dated a lot. But she said no one could ever fill the shoes that were Dad’s.”
I reached over and placed my hand on hers as we both sat there and let the tears fall freely down our cheeks.
****
Drew
Being invited to Kristen and Noah’s wedding thrilled me because then I would get to see Jillian again. Remembering what Liam had said, I called Lia into my office.
“Yes, Drew.” She smiled as she walked in.
“Have a seat. There’s something I would like to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know how to ask you this without sounding like a complete dick.”
She laughed. “Just come out with it.”
“Would you attend a wedding with me on Saturday evening at the Harmonie Club?”
“Is Jillian going to be there?”
Clearing my throat, I spoke, “Yes. She’ll be there.”
“She hasn’t met me yet. So if we walk in together, she may think we’re seeing each other.” Her eye narrowed at me.
“Perhaps.” I folded my hands. “It’s a dick move, I know. You can thank Liam for that.”
She laughed. “I get it. I really do. And yes, I will attend the wedding with you.”
“Really? You don’t think I’m an asshole for doing this?”
“No. I don’t think that at all.”
“Thanks, Lia. Go buy yourself a new dress on me. Put it on the business account and Liam will babysit Gretchen and Gigi for you.” I smiled.
“Really? That’s great because my babysitter is out of town this week and won’t be back until Monday.”
“Consider it done.”
“The girls will be excited. They like Liam and Avery.”
I gave her a smile as she walked out of my office. Picking up my phone, I dialed Liam.
“What’s up, bro?” he answered.
“Lia is going with me to Jillian’s sister’s wedding on Saturday night and you’re babysitting Gretchen and Gigi for her.”
“Dude, I have tickets to the playoffs for that night and Avery is going out with her girlfriends.”
“Looks like you’re going to have to watch the game from home. Your idea, man. Your idea.”
He sighed. “Fine. I just didn’t think you’d do it so soon. I’ll have Sophie come over so she can keep the girls entertained and I can watch the game. Man, you really suck right now.”
I let out a laugh. “Thanks, Liam. I’ll talk to you soon.”
****
Jillian
Cupping my hands over my mouth, tears filled my eyes as I stood and stared at my sister in her wedding dress.
“Stop it. I’m warning you.” Kristen pointed at me.
“You look so beautiful. Oh my God, wait until Noah sees you.”
“You’re not going to disappear, are you?” She grinned.
I laughed. “No. I’m not going anywhere.”
The door opened and my father walked in. Walking over, he kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful, Jillian.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” I smiled.
Reaching over and taking hold of Kristen’s hands, he spoke in a low voice.
“Are you ready, sweetheart?”