Trouble in Paradise.

37. Serenade

Chapter 37: Serenade.

"It's a Vera Wang custom made dress." I tell Marcy.

As I sit on this table with my Abuela, my Sobo, my mother, Marcy and my wedding planner, Astrid. I realize how hard it is going to be to plan this wedding. It is now January and we're done with all the Christmas festivities, so it's time to start planning this wedding in full force. My grandparents decided to stay in town until April when the wedding will be taking place.

Or so I thought?

Because now each of these women have a specific idea of how they want my wedding to look like, especially my Abeulita.

"Vera Wang? Don't you think that's too basic?" Marcy asks me.

"Well, it would be basic if it didn't have a turtleneck. I feel like it's edgy and fresh. And the lace and little beads on the dress just tie everything together." Astrid says, holding up the sketch that Vera sent to us.

"I just want you to look beautiful, that's all." Marcy says, shrugging.

"Moving on to food. What are we thinking?" Astrid asks.

"Definitely Mexican cuisine, some Asado de bodas as the main dish and tacos as the side." My Abuela says and I hold my face in my palm.

"Abuela, we can't serve tacos at the wedding." I tell her.

"Why not?" She asks, staring at me.

"Because I'm getting married to an American man and his side of his family is going to be there too. It's not fair that we only serve dishes from our culture." I point out.

"I got married to an American man too, Nieta. And guess what? There were tacos at my wedding." She tells me.

"That's because your wedding was in New Mexico and Grandpa had no choice, but to do what your family wanted." I tell her and she glares at me.

"I think what Valarie is trying to say is, there should be a balance between the two. We can have Mexican, Japanese and American food on the menu. Because I know that my mum here will invite her friends from Japan." My mother says and I nod.

"Let's just say, we'll have an intercontinental menu." Astrid says before she writes it down.

"Good." I say, nodding my head.

"Live band or DJ?" Astrid asks me and I tap my temple, thinking.

"DJ." I tell her.

"Okay, how many guests are you expecting?" Astrid asks.

"It's going to be a small wedding so-" I don't get to finish my sentence as my Sobo cuts me off.

"Pfft, a small wedding?" She says, laughing. "We don't do small weddings, darling. We Asian people are known for our extravagant ceremonies. So, let's just say it's going to be a whole week of celebration." My Sobo says and I stare at her.

"Valarie isn't Asian so..." Astrid says, trailing off.

"She has Asian blood running through her veins. So, she is automatically, by default, Asian." My Sobo tells her.

"I don't really want a huge wedding because I want it to be intimate. Just family and friends. Because if I take your advice and invite the whole world to my wedding, I'm not going to be comfortable. I'll be thinking about getting their approval the entire night." I tell her.

"Honey, whatever you decide is best, we will support you one hundred percent." My mother tells me and I smile at her.

"I also want you guys to feel comfortable too." I tell them.