My pregnant sister arrived abruptly with luggage a week before my wedding, saying she had nowhere to go. Bad timing and familial conflict were my first thoughts, but as time went on, I suspected her genuine motivation for moving in was something else. I always imagined the week before my wedding would be amazing, like a movie where the bride glows.
I was overwhelmed by 100 lists, ignored emails, and calls from people who assumed my calendar was theirs. With seven days till the wedding, I was running on coffee and panicking. I adored Daniel.
Neither my phone nor my thoughts stopped buzzing. Have you invited everyone? Mom inquired three times that morning.
“Yes, Mom,” I murmured, reopening the guest list. “What about Mary Wilson?” she said. Scrolled and froze.
Somehow, I missed her. The name made me tense, envisioning the drama if Mom found out during the reception. Daniel’s mother called five minutes later, her voice shrill as she read the budget line by line.
“Do you need this photographer? And that cake? Can’t you find something cheaper?
She asked. “Daniel’s paying for it all, not you,” I softly reminded her, my mouth stiff. She said, “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful,” before hanging up.
I had spreadsheet-induced eye strain by Daniel’s arrival. “I’m exhausted,” I said, scratching my temples. “I feel like I’m failing before it begins.”
“How hard can it be?” Daniel replied.
I replied, “Well, you’re not organizing a single thing.”
He grinned and kissed my forehead. Remember we agreed? I cover everything, you plan.”
“But you don’t seem worried at all,” I said.
“I love you, and I’m sure about my choice,” Daniel whispered. “So why worry?”
I wanted to disagree, but I leaned into him and rested my head on his shoulder, letting his serenity wash over me. Both of us jumped when the doorbell rang.
“Who could that be at this hour?” Daniel asked, checking the clock at about 10 p.m. I said, “I’ll get it,” to the door. Lily stood with two bags and a tote bag under the porch light, her baggy sweatshirt covering her plump belly.
“Lily, you’re pregnant?” I shouted. I had no idea she was dating. She edged by me into the hall.
“I need lodging. Got expelled. You’re my sister, therefore you can’t refuse.”
A look at her baggage.
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