Lifetime

Ruse

We still had an entire round of treatment to go before the wedding, Valentine's Day falling on the second weekend of the third cycle. Seokjin provided me with his invitation so that I had every detail and could adhere to the dress code. I turned to Faye for dress options and she didn't disappoint, sending me an entire vision board with attached links.

Leading up to the day I was struck with a sense of excitement. I hadn't been to many weddings but loved them. Seeing two people profess their love for each other almost always made me cry and my dad was right, I did need a social outing beyond my weekly interactions with the service workers at the businesses on our block.

On the day of I checked in on my dad first thing, giggling as he swatted my hand away from his forehead. "I feel fine. No way you're getting out of this one."

"Okay, but our agreement still stands. Call or text if you need me to come back for any reason." I urged him, moving to the kitchen and cracking two eggs into a bowl to scramble.

He grunted as he rose from the recliner that he spent most of his time in, reaching into the refrigerator for the jug of orange juice that he drank directly from. "Let me make breakfast. You should be getting ready." He left the carton on the counter, taking the spatula I used and turning the pan handle so that he had more access.

"I'm not leaving until three so I've got plenty of time." I moved on to making toast since he'd taken over the eggs.

He scoffed. "You and your mom spent years kicking me out of the bathroom to get ready. I know what I'm talking about." Metal scraped together as he emptied the pan's contents onto a plate.

The morning news played in the background while we ate and he made small comments about reported crimes between chewing, sitting back in his seat with a pat to his stomach until I finished.

"So how are you feeling about today?" He asked casually, pressing his fingertips together in question.

"It's just a wedding dad. It'll probably be a little awkward since I don't know anyone there. I'm doing this so his mom will stop worrying about him dating." I was direct. I wiped my hands on a napkin and discarded it in my empty plate, standing to collect our dishes.

He lowered the volume on the TV, turning around to face me while we talked. "And you want me to stop worrying about you dating." He added. "Dating him."

"I would like that." I admitted.

"Fine," he ran a hand through his thinning hair, "I'll let it go if you agree to go all in just for today."

I turned around, raising my eyebrows at him. "All in?"

"All in. No pushing down the way you feel, accept whatever the day has for you." He negotiated.

It was a hard ask. I thought about the possibilities for a few minutes before nodding my head in agreement. Seokjin would likely be busy keeping guests entertained and celebrating with his friends. I imagined that I'd sit alone at the back of the crowd during the ceremony, make small talk with whoever was assigned to my table at the reception, and watch everyone else party with old friends. I could come out of the night and move on, accepting everything the day had for me without having to give much at all.

My dad beamed, rubbing his hands together and reclaiming his seat in the living room. "Good, I feel love in the air." He boasted.

"That's because it's Valentine's Day." I called down the short hallway, unable to stop myself from giggling at his enthusiasm.

I wouldn't admit it to my dad, but it did take up until the very last minute for me to get ready. I hadn't shaved my legs since I arrived in Rochester since it was winter and no one was touching them, taking my time to wash my hair, exfoliate and moisturize every inch of my skin.