True Colors

Wedding Day (Part 1)

May 22, 2021

Leila stared in the mirror and her mind flashed back to the day she and Apollo met. She’d been less than a year out of college, with almost no living family members and a job she liked but could never love. Now, she had a whole family behind her. She was only a few hours away from officially becoming part of that family. 

“What are you thinking about?” Jaycee popped up behind her. 

“Nothing. It’s just… I feel like I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life, and it’s finally here.” She bit the inside of her cheek. “I expected to be nervous. Don’t most people feel super nervous before their wedding?” 

“I wouldn’t say everyone gets nervous but a lot of people do. Not you?” 

Leila shook her head. “I’m just ready for it. I feel like I've been ready for it since the day we met.” 

Her best friend grinned. “I'm going to have to ask you to stop right there. Remember, I'm allergic to cuteness, and I don't want to break out in hives today." 

"When are you going to quit doing that?" Leila rolled her eyes. "What if you meet your soulmate today? Then will you stop complaining?" 

Jaycee shrugged. "Probably not." 

“You’re lucky you’re my best friend.”

“You’re lucky I’m your best friend.”

Throwing her hands in the air in mock exasperation, Leila sighed. “I can’t win.” 

“Don’t even try,” Nadia piped up from across the room. “She’s a lost cause.” 

“You don’t have to tell me.” She laughed at Jaycee’s wounded expression. “You brought this on yourself.” 

No doubt they would have continued the playful teasing if it hadn’t been for a knock on the door. Cece just barely cracked the door, making sure whoever it was wouldn’t be able to see Leila. “Oh, hello.” She opened the door a little further. “It’s just Eugene and Amber.” 

“Just your favorite son and granddaughter,” he said.

At the same time, Renee muttered, “Just the best husband in the world and our adorable daughter.”

Everyone in the room held their breath for a moment before laughs broke out. Renee joined her family in doorway. 

“Where’s Layne?” she asked. 

“He’s still sleeping,” her husband explained. “James is watching him right now. She woke up from her nap about ten minutes ago.” 

Renee nodded, taking Amber from his arms. “We should probably start getting her ready anyway.” 

The four year old noticed Leila and her eyes went wide. “Pretty dress,” she cooed. “Mommy, I need a pretty dress.” 

“You have a pretty dress, remember? You get to wear it today,” Renee reassured her. 

“Yay!” 

“You look stunning, Leila.” Eugene smiled warmly. “My brother is a lucky man.” 

Leila tried to thank him, but Jaycee spoke first. “Heck yeah, he’s lucky. She’s way out of–” 

“Patience with you?” The bride teased. Her friend turned around with an expression like a fish out of water. 

“I’m rubbing off on you!” she squealed. “Finally!” 

Leila’s gut reaction was to facepalm, but she didn’t want to ruin her makeup, so she settled for dropping her chin to her chest with a disappointed sigh.