Vivi

Chapter 16

Ivy

Reina's wedding is a black and white theme. Reina never cared much for being the center of attention which is probably why she chose the theme. She doesn't care if anybody else wears white, but Malia and I still decided on a black dress.

"Ahh, you guys look great," Mila says while smiling wide when we enter. She wore a gorgeous white dress that was tight and came just above her knees. It covered one arm and left the other bare along with its shoulder.

"You look amazing Mila, but when don't you," I say smiling at her. She gives me a wide smile before looking behind her at the row.

"I saved you three seats," Mila says showing us the empty seats all the way in front.

Right there's three of us standing here right now... River's behind me. Ever since we left the house I've had to force my eyes away from him. I've never seen River in a suit. He picked an all-black suit. Every other guy here seems to be in the classic tuxedo, but not River. Of course, he had to pick an all-dark and perfectly fitted suit.

"Pick any seat," Mila says when we get to the front.

"You three should sit together. I'll sit here," I say pointing to the seat beside the one in the aisle.

I sit before they answer and Mila pulls Malia into the seat next to hers which leaves the seat to my right for River. Of course, if I didn't know any better I'd say Mila was scheming.

The rows get shorter and shorter the closer you get to the alter, so the back seats are like 10 chairs long but the front one is four seats long. It looks super cool, but only having four seats in the front pushes River to sit in the second row with us so his grandparents and parents can sit in the front.

"Ivy, it's so great to see you." Mrs.Martinez says turning around in her seat once she notices me. The last time I looked this woman in the eyes was at my dad's funeral and seeing her again brings back very unwelcome feelings.

"It's nice to see you too," I say plastering on a smile, trying to hide the sudden wave of sadness I'm feeling.

"Is your mother here?" She asks looking around.

"Oh, she and Dean are at our aunt's wedding in Oregon, actually. We decided that we would split up so a Myles could be at each. She thought I should come to this one since Reina and I are such good friends and Dean is friends with my young aunt's fiance. Unfortunately, my grandparents guilted my mom into going to my aunt's wedding instead of this one."

"Oh, well that is family. I am glad you're here though. You've grown up so much since I last saw you." Since my father died you mean.

"Yeah, you should see Dean he looks completely different," I say.

"I'm sure. Oh, Rick, Ivy is here. We haven't spoken to her for at least ten years." She says as her husband sits down next to her. Jesus, has it really been ten years since he died though?

"Ivy! How are you? How is everything?" Mr. Myles asks. He was my dad's good friend and I've been told I'm a lot like him. That's probably why he can still see the hurt in my eyes when nobody else but my mother can.

"I'm good. I'm about to get my bachelor's and then I'm going for my masters," I say trying to change the subject.

"That's good. I was surprised when River went for his masters. I always thought he got bored of new things very easily, even something like school." He says in a tone that makes me think it has a different meaning. I look over at River and see him with a neutral expression, just staring at his dad.

"So, how have you two been? My mom told me you guys are thinking about moving."

"We've been good too. We haven't made any serious decisions especially since Lily over here doesn't want to go anywhere far since she thinks she's about to have grandchildren very soon." Mr.Martinez says mocking his wife.