Underground

Chapter 1: Wedding

I love weddings.  I’ve always been the happy person at weddings, rushing up to the happy couple to congratulate them and wish them well in their marriage.  But this time… this time was very different.  This time, it was my mother who was wearing the beautiful, white gown, who walked down the aisle and vowed herself to the smiling groom, Steven (aka my stepfather).

Everyone else at their reception was happy, smiling and dancing and I knew I should’ve been, too, even if it was just for my mother’s sake, but I just couldn’t.  Instead of feeling like I was gaining a family member, I sort of felt like I was losing one.  It had been just me and my mom my entire life; I wasn’t ready to let that go.  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to our random, mother-daughter shopping trips or her being there for absolutely everything I did or being able to curl up in her bed next to her and cry when I was having a bad day…  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to my mom.

“Hey, baby, why aren’t you dancing?” Mom’s arms looped around my shoulders and she kissed my cheek.

I turned to look at her and smiled.  She truly was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.  She had a friendly, youthful face and these bright, clear blue eyes that were so wise and gentle.  She and I had the same wavy, pale blonde hair and straight, petite nose, but she was far prettier than I was.  Even though I’d never met him, when I compared my mother’s face to my own, it was obvious that I had some of my father in me.

“I’m not in the mood for dancing right now.”  I shrugged.

Sighing, she sat next to me.  “You’re my maid of honor.  But more importantly than that, you’re my daughter.  And on top of that, we’re in Italy!  It’s party time, baby!  Come on.”

She pulled me up to my feet and started dancing with me in the middle of the room.  I had to admit, it was kind of fun.  And the place was gorgeous!  Steven and mom both loved Italy and they’d found a uncommon wedding spot and decided to get married out here, in a town I’d never heard of; Volterra.  It was fantastic though, so I understood avoiding overcrowded Rome or Venice.  And the decorations…  Oh, my mother and her unique, fun, crazy décor.  The main wedding color was orange.  I was standing there, my mother’s maid of honor, in a bright orange, silk dress and orange, high-heeled strappy sandals.

The night went on and I attempted to keep my smile on.  I danced with my mother for a while, and then I danced with Steven and many other people throughout the night.  Steven’s son, Josh, asked me to dance a few times, but luckily, I was always whisked away by someone else.  I knew Josh was my step-brother now, but I was thanking God that he was living with his mother and not his father.  He gave me the serious creeps.  I didn’t know him well, but I was very much okay with that.

After dancing for a while, my feet started killing me, so I made my way back to my chair.  I was about to collapse into it when hands clamped on my waist.

“Cassia,” Josh breathed in my ear.  “’Finally free.”

Grimacing, I turned to face him.  “Actually-”

But it was too late; we were already out on the floor again and he was pulling me awkwardly close and staring intently at my face, his green eyes blazing.  His black hair was falling into his face and I tried desperately not to let my horror show.

“You are looking really good tonight, Cassia.”

“Cassia,” I corrected instinctively and then instantly regretted it.

He smiled.  “You’re looking fine, Cassia.”

My jaw dropped.  “I hope you realize that I am your step-sister.”

He laughed out right, pulling me even closer.  “So?  We’re not related in any way.”

“Yeah, except for the fact that our parents are married!”

“And?”

I yanked away from him, disgusted, and booked it back to my seat.  I don’t know how I managed to not fall (or throw up), but I made it to my mother’s side in one piece.  She and Steven were now sitting at their spots at the table, looking like blissful lovebirds until I arrived.  Then they both looked instantly concerned.  I was touched in a strange way; even though I knew Steven had no daughters and I wasn’t his, I couldn’t help but wonder if I might’ve started seeming to be to him.

“What’s going on, baby?”  Mom asked me.

I shook my head.  “I’m really, really tired.  Can I head back to my hotel room and go to sleep?”

“Of course!”  Mom hugged me tightly.  “I love you, Cassia.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Cassia.  Sleep well.”  Steven said kindly, his hazel eyes full of compassion.

“Thank you.  I love you both.”  I beamed.  “Umm, mom, is Christine back in the hotel room yet?”

Christine was my mother’s sister and my aunt and she was sharing my hotel room with me.  I kind of hoped she was still here, enjoying the reception, so that I could have some time alone.

“No, she’s drinking.”  Mom rolled her eyes.  “Go to sleep, baby.  I love you.  Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, mom. ‘Night, Steven.”