The next morning I woke up wrapped in Nick’s arms. We had made love for the first time the night before. It had been romantic and beautiful and passionate. A memory that would never fade. As I lay in the early morning light though I looked at the ring on my finger as it glinted. It was the shine or the size that captured my attention but the emotion behind it. Nick loved me. He loved me so much he wanted me to be his wife, he wanted every moment of whatever time I had left. We would be till death do us part but I would always be his wife long after death had taken me.
“I kinda like the way that looks on your hand.”
I lifted my eyes at the sound of Nick’s voice and smiled. “It’s a perfect fit,” I answered.
“So I guess it wasn’t all a dream, huh?”
“If it was we haven’t woken up yet.”
“You’re really going to marry me?”
“Riley Carter has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?” I said, smiling as I kissed him.
“Sounds almost as beautiful as the woman who will bear it,” he answered, pulling me closer. “Do you want to call your parents, your sister?”
I thought about his question. The last time I had spoken to my parents they were still trapped in the grief of my impending death and Rose couldn’t believe I was acting so foolish on the verge of losing my life. I had a feeling they were not going to act well towards the newest of my engagement but they were my family, the people I loved. I wanted them to know.
“Not till we set a date,” I answered.
“So when do you want to get married?”
I thought about my life, about how much I loved Nick, the time we had, the life we wanted to remember, the dream I use to carry of my wedding.
“Two weeks,” I answered.
“Two weeks? Can we get everything done in two weeks?” he asked, worried.
“We can get enough done to promise each other forever. It’s not about getting things done, Nick. It’s about not wasting our time.”
“Two weeks it is then. You call your family then I’ll call mine. Sound good?”
“Nick, will your family be upset about this?” I asked, suddenly worried about how the Carters would react to a daughter-in-law that was dying.
“It’s possible, but Riley, it’s not about how they will feel. It’s about how we feel. No matter what, its me and you, goldie locks.”
“I love you, sunshine.”
“Love you more.”
Half an hour later I was sitting on the sofa curled up as I dialed my parents’ number.
“Hello.”
“Mom? It’s Riley,” I said at the sound of the voice that had comforted me so much as a child.
“Riley? Oh my God, are you all right?” my mother asked and I heard the fear in her voice.
“Mom, I’m fine. In fact, I am better than fine,” I began but she cut me off.
“Did you find a cure?” she demanded.
“No, Mom. I’ve still got my tumor. It’s not going to go away and I am going to die. You need to accept that,” I said.
“It’s not easy to accept that fact that your child is going to die, Riley,” she defended.
“Well try accepting the fact that she’s getting married in two weeks,” I shot back, frustrated.
“What?”
“I’m getting married, Mom. He’s a wonderful man and he knows about my condition and he accepts it and loves me regardless. Be happy for us,” I begged.
“How long have you known this boy?”
“About two and a half months,” I answered.
“And you are getting married! Riley, how can you do that? You don’t know this boy. What if he’s some crazed killer or something?” she yelled through the phone.
“Mom! Please don’t do this. He’s a wonderful man and he loves me very much. This is going to be the most beautiful day of my life. Please,” I pleaded.
“No, you can’t do this, Riley. You can’t,” she insisted.
“Mom, put Daddy on the phone,” I said, ignoring him.
A moment later my father’s deep voice boomed through the line.
“Riley?”
“Hi, Daddy,” I greeted.
“Are you all right honey?” Oh, here we go again!
“I’m fine, Daddy. I still have my tumor, I haven’t been cured, and I am getting married.”
“You’re what? How long have you known this boy?”
And so it began again. I went through the same argument with my father as I had with my mother with the same outcome. They refused to give me their support or blessing, saying only that I was making a mistake.
An hour later I hung up the phone, heartbroken and exhausted.
“Goldie locks? You okay?” Nick asked, walking into the living room.
“Don’t count on my dad giving me away at the wedding,” I answered.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” he said, taking me into his arms.
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. They wouldn’t even let me talk to Rose. I have to admit I kind of expected it. That’s just the way they are,” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“My turn?” he asked.
“Your turn. Let’s get some Carters at this wedding, sunshine,” I said, sitting up and smiling at him.
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