Healing In Love With You

Chapter 20: The Wedding Plan

The excitement of their engagement had turned into a whirlwind of wedding planning, and as Lily sat at the dining table with Gabriel, surrounded by magazines and lists, she felt a mix of exhilaration and anxiety.

"Okay, let's talk about the guest list," Lily said, scanning the papers before her. "How many people do you want to invite?"

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I think we should invite my aunts, uncles, and cousins. They're all really close."

Lily's heart sank a little. "I was thinking more of a smaller gathering—just family and a few close friends. We don't want it to feel too overwhelming."

Gabriel frowned, sensing the tension in the air. "But my family is important to me. I want them to be part of this special day."

"I understand, but I also want it to feel intimate," Lily replied, frustration creeping into her voice. "We can't just invite everyone and hope for the best."

The conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument, each of them expressing their frustrations over how they envisioned their wedding day.

"I'm just trying to include the people who matter to me!" Gabriel raised his voice, and frustration was evident. "This isn't just about you, Lily!"

"Excuse me? I'm trying to consider what feels right for both of us!" she shot back, her cheeks flushed with anger.

After a tense silence, Gabriel shook his head. "Maybe we should take a break from this for a bit. I need some time to think."

Lily felt her heart drop. "You're just going to walk away?"

"I just need some space," he said, turning away to grab his jacket.

As he left, Lily felt a mixture of anger and sadness swirl within her. They had always communicated openly, but this disagreement had uncovered deeper issues about their families and expectations.

Later that evening, Lily found herself sitting on the couch, surrounded by the chaos of wedding planning. Her phone buzzed with a message from Riley, asking if she wanted to get together.

Hey, wanna grab a drink? I could use some girl time.

Lily hesitated but ultimately decided to take Riley up on the offer. Maybe some time away from the apartment would help clear her head.

At the bar, Lily found herself sharing her frustrations with Riley, who listened intently. "It's tough when families get involved," Riley said, taking a sip of her drink. "But you have to remember, it's your day too."

"I know, but I don't want to upset Gabriel," Lily replied, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. "I thought we were on the same page."

"Maybe you just need to communicate better," Riley suggested. "What do you really want?"

"I want to feel like we're making decisions together," Lily admitted, her voice trembling. "But right now, I feel like I'm in this alone."

Riley nodded in understanding. "It's a big step, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Just remember, you love each other. You'll find a way to work through this."

When Lily returned home, she found Gabriel sitting on the couch, looking pensive. She took a deep breath, knowing they needed to talk.

"Hey," she said softly, approaching him. "Can we talk?"

Gabriel looked up, his expression softening. "I've been thinking a lot about what we said earlier."

"Me too," she replied, sitting beside him. "I'm sorry for raising my voice. I didn't mean to put pressure on you."

"I'm sorry too," he said, taking her hand. "I realize how important this is for both of us, and I don't want to make it about my family without considering your feelings."

As they talked, the tension between them began to dissolve. They expressed their dreams for their wedding, balancing the desires of their families with their own visions.

"I want this day to reflect us, not just our families," Lily said, looking into Gabriel's eyes.

"Agreed. Let's compromise," Gabriel suggested. "We can invite our close family and friends, and if they want to celebrate with more people afterward, we can find a way to do that."

Lily felt a wave of relief wash over her. "I'd love that."

As they sealed their agreement with a soft kiss, the passion between them reignited, reminding them that despite the challenges, their love would always find a way to shine through.