The Fake Girlfriend Rules

“Doug called me, he told me what he wanted to do, and I just couldn't miss this.” Her father steps in closer. Lyllian releases me and goes to him. He embraces her with a big hug, kissing her on the top of her head. “I know things aren't perfect between us. I know I made a lot of mistakes, Lyl, but I want to start over. I want us to have a fresh start. Think we can do that?”

She looks up at her dad, her smile full and happy. “I think everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Even me?” he asks.

“Of course. You're my father.”

He hugs her tight, and for the first time I can see our future. I can see us together. I can see babies and the house with the white picket fence. I can see us with gray hair and wrinkles. I can see all of this, and it only makes me love what's to come.

This life, it’s ours.

It always has been.

And it always will be.

Epilogue

Lyllian

Six Months Later

“How you feeling?” my mother asks as she pulls the ties on the back of my dress tight.

“Nervous.” I suck in a breath and hold it as she gives one last tug and ties the ribbon into a big bow on the lower back of my dress. I look back over my shoulder and ask, “Were you nervous on your wedding day to Dad?”

“Oh, of course. I was a train wreck. You know what your grandfather said me that day?”

“What?”

“He said, Gloria, I'm not too old for you to hop on my back and escape. If you're not sure, if you have any doubts, just jump on and we're gone.” My mother laughs as she rests her hands on my shoulders. “I thought about it, but in the end, I married your father anyway.”

“Do you regret it?”

“Not at all.” She answers me with such confidence, it takes me by surprise.

“Really? Even though it ended badly?”

“That marriage gave me you. How could I regret that? You were the most amazing thing to come out of our relationship, that made it all worthwhile.”

I look back in the mirror and smile at her. “I guess there's a silver lining even in the worst of times.”

“You're not having second thoughts, are you?” she asks, arching her brow high.

“Oh no, not at all. I just never thought something that seemed so bad could ever have a bright side.”

“Well, that's something that comes with age. The older you get, the more you're able to look at things in a different light. I don't even hate your father anymore. We weren't meant to be, and that's okay. He's trying to make things right with you now, and that makes me happy.”

There's a knock at the door. I call out, “Come in.”

“Come in? What if I were Doug?” my father says teasingly.

“Hey, Dad, how do I look?” I turn to face him and instantly tears spring up in his eyes.

“Beautiful,” he says with a proud smile. “Just like your mother.”

“Stop it, Roger,” my mother says. But her cheeks are blushing.

“Stop what? I can't compliment the mother of my child?”

“Behave yourself,” she says with a giggle.

“Well, fifteen years hasn't aged you one bit.” He leans in and gives her a light kiss on her cheek. “And you, you do look gorgeous. Doug is going to lose it when he sees you.”

“How's he doing? Have you seen him?”

“He's good. I just left him to come and see you.” My father pulls up the sleeve on his suit and looks at his watch. “It's almost time.”

I inhale a deep breath. “Already?”

“Already,” he says. He comes in closer, reaching out to take my hands. “I want to thank you, Lyllian. Thank you for letting me be here today. It means the world to me to walk you down the aisle.”

“Me too, Dad.”

He kisses me on the forehead. “You ready?” he asks.

“I am.”

My mother passes me my bouquet, and both my parents look at me, then at each other, and smile. I can feel the healing happening between them. They've both pushed past the pain and anger, and have finally let it go.

It's nice. I like seeing them in a room together and they're not arguing. I love watching the way they reminisce about the good times, and are able to focus on those memories that make them happy.

It gives me faith in the future and helps me see that life is meant to have both the good and the bad, but it's the good times we should remember and let live in our hearts.

My mother opens the door, and all three of us walk over to the double doors of the chapel. The music from the organ hits me as we stand outside. My eyes well up with tears, and as I blink, one tear breaks free.