It’s hours after my conversation with Evans and my head is still spinning. He and I had already agreed long ago that we don’t need a big, fancy wedding in front of a ton of people. A little chapel in Vegas, or even City Hall, will be good enough for us when the time comes. So why is his mother trying to rope us into something we don’t want?
These thoughts keep echoing in my head as I arrive to meet Rosa at a super swanky restaurant in the city called Supper. I brought Alfred in his stroller, but he’s super fussy after being woken up from his nap. Not an auspicious start to the evening.
“Name?” asks a bored host as I walk into the restaurant. He’s in a full suit and tie and the restaurant is all dark wood and ornate artwork. There are flickering candles on all the tables, reflecting soft light onto golden tablecloths. I’ve gotten more comfortable at upscale places since meeting Evans, but this is by far the fanciest place I’ve ever been.
“Ciara Damien” I answered, moving Alfred's stroller slowly with my hand.
“We can put the stroller in the coat room,” he says, barely glancing at me.
“Oh, okay,” I stutter. I hate that this stuffy host making me nervous.
I pull Alfred out of the stroller and lift him to me. Another employee comes and takes the stroller while the host sniffs and says, “Come with me.”
I follow him through a sea of tables just as Alfred breaks out into a wail. Several heads turn and look at me and one woman even scoffs.
“We waited six months for a table here, and of course someone brings their baby.”
I feel a rush of annoyance towards Rosa for choosing this very not kid-friendly place and insisting that I bring Alfred along.
I try to smile as I reach Rosa’s table and she immediately takes Alfred from my arms. “Look at this little man. Is he fussy because of his diet? What have you been feeding him?”
I haven’t even sat down and she’s already criticizing me?
I take my seat and ignore her question, choosing instead to pose one of my own. “Why is it so important to you that me and Evans have a wedding?”
Rosa scoffs at me like I’m a five-year-old.
“I don’t want a wedding Ciara. I want the wedding. The wedding Evans was supposed to have, with five star everything and a write-up in the Times. I want the wedding that the Leonard family deserves. Our family is a brand and to keep that brand relevant, we need this wedding.”
I lean back in my chair and take a sip of water to compose myself.
“With all due respect, don’t I get to have a say in this? I am the bride, after all.” I put down my water glass a little too hard and some of it sloshes onto the tablecloth.
Crap.
The edges of Rosa’s mouth turn down.
“Evans was so devastated by Anne when she left him at the altar. And now he has a chance to put that fully behind him. Would you deny him that chance?” My jaw drops as Rosa speaks this sentence, all while staring at the ceiling and wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. Talk about a drama queen.
I know how much it hurt Evans when Anne left him. Rosa doesn’t even know the terrible decisions he made in the aftermath. But doing a big, take-two wedding won’t help heal Evans.The wedding should be about us—not the past.
I’m trying to think of how to explain this to Rosa when our waiter stops by our table with rolls and butter in a little basket.
“Have either of you had a chance to look at the menu?” I quickly scan all of the entrees trying not to have sticker shock. “Um, can I have spaghetti Bolognese?”
Rosa orders some complicated salad and a glass of expensive sounding wine. Of course.
The waiter scurries off without a backward glance.
“And Evans wasn’t the only one damaged. Leonard's family needs to heal. We all do. So, this wedding is more than just you and my son — it’s about the family. Are you going to tell me you’d prevent that simply because you’re not accustomed to a proper wedding?”
I take a deep breath, deciding to keep my argument simple. “Honestly, Rosa. I feel blindsided. Couldn’t you have come to me first about this? Or discussed this with Evans and I together?”
Rosa gives me a pitying look. “Men don’t care about the wedding planning, that’s the women’s domain.” I remain quiet as Rosa continues to talk about wedding planning.