Contractual Obligations: Closing The Deal *B2*

Chapter 11!

ೋღ♥ღೋ Chapter 11. ೋღ♥ღೋ

The plans were coming together. It would be a quick, small affair. Her mother didn't take the news well, afraid she was moving too fast. she didn't mention the arrangement, or even how they met. she fudged about those pieces of the puzzle, and just said she knew this was right. She couldn't wait for them to meet him.

She left out as many details as she possibly could. He was in business for himself , starting something new. He just left a larger company to strike out on his own. Yes they'd be okay and she supported his choices. No, it would be a small wedding, nothing fancy; and no, Michael wasn't close to his family. His father would be away and his mother had passed, so they won't be there. No, she wasn't sure when his father would be back; he was on a business trip. She left out exactly who they were, not even certain they'd know anyway. It's not like Manhattan news made an impact out in the little suburb she grew up in. Yes, she'd love to see her parents, but no, not if they wanted to talk her out of her decision. She loved Michael, and this was a celebration of that love.

Her mother and father agreed to come out and stand with them, though neither thought it made sense to move so quickly. They'd not even heard of the man and suddenly their daughter wanted to marry him. She tried to talk her into slowing down a bit more, but Natalie changed the topic. When it came down to it, she was going to marry Michael whether her parents chose to show or not.

"Did you tell your brother?"

"Not yet." That was another conversation she wasn't looking forward to. She'd get an exact repeat of this talk all over again. She was an adult, capable of making her own decisions, and about to be married. A grown woman, Dammit, yet she felt like a small child when it came to her family.

"Here's the thing, Mum. We'd love to have you here, but if you're going to bring to the day..."

"Drama?" Her mother laughed. "You're the one marrying someone you barely know, rushing into something, and you're worried i'll bring drama?"

"I'm just saying that i want it to be a special day, something to remember for good reasons, not for stressful reasons. Please promise you'll just be happy for me."

"All i want is for you to be happy, but just because you're happy today, marriage is for life, what do you really know about this man?"

Natalie sighed deeply and then cleared her throat. The tension sat in her shoulders. "I'd love to see you at my wedding, but please, for me, just accept that this is my life, my choice, and i'm happy."

"You're right. You're a grown woman." Her mother conceded with an exaggerated breath, and finally wished her the best. Yes, they'd be there, and yes, she'd keep her feelings to herself if they weren't positive at the time. Not that she could help herself, she just wanted what was best for her daughter.

She didn't even want to hear what her father had to say about it. He'd make his opinion known with one subtle look. Maybe inviting her family wasn't a good idea after all. But this was her wedding. She was getting married. Her family had to be there... and yet she didn't want them to take her special moment and leave her with sullen memories instead.

Natalie gave in to the fact that everyone had family issues, and they should at least be there. Somebody needed to be there besides her and Michael, right? The thought of flying to a tropical island and marrying him quietly on the beach with nobody there sounded okay too, but it wasn't in their budget. Maybe on day they'd honeymoon there, do all of that traditional stuff, but for now with things as they were, her dreams would have to be stifled and shoved in a box.