The Girl Who Always Wins (Soulless 13)

That was all I needed to feel beautiful again.

It wasn’t quite what I imagined.

Not a summer wedding on the beach in the Hamptons.

But it was a late winter wonderland at the Four Seasons. There were white flowers everywhere, mixed with pinecones and a few feathers, glitter like ice, snowflakes. Just beautiful.

It was nice having a mom with all the connections to make it exceptional.

I sat in the chair in the bridal room, resting because it was getting harder to stand and walk. Instead of opting for a veil, I chose a diamond crown that Mom allowed me to borrow from Tiffany’s.

Because my mom knew everybody.

My girls were around me, making sure I had enough of the cheese platter and strawberries. They all had champagne before the party even began, and I had apple cider. It wasn’t what I'd pictured, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Mom sat beside me, her hand on mine. “Nervous?”

I shook my head. “No. Is Atlas?”

“Not at all. He’s been playing video games with your brothers.”

I released a laugh because that wasn’t the least bit surprising.

The door opened, and my dad appeared in a black tuxedo, his jaw shaved, his hands in his pockets. “Can I borrow my daughter for a moment?”

Mom smiled, wearing a beautiful blue gown, looking more stunning than I did. “Come on, girls. Let’s give them a moment.”

They filed out of the room, leaving just the two of us in the bridal suite, the sunlight already fading from the windows.

Dad stood there for a while before he took the seat my mother had vacated. One ankle crossed on the opposite knee, and his arms rested on the armrests of the chair. He got comfortable, just sat there in silence.

“Mom tells me Atlas is playing video games.”

“Some racing game.”

I gave a light chuckle. “At least he’s not nervous.”

“Not in the least.”

“I’m glad you didn’t have the talk with him.”

“I don’t need to.”

I gave a slight smile.

“He loves you, sweetheart.”

“I know he does…”

“He’s a fine young man.”

“Thanks for setting me up with him.”

A suppressed chuckle escaped his lips.

“You have good taste in men.”

“I think I have good taste in people.” He turned his gaze to look at me, his eyes dropping to my stomach. “How are you doing?”

“A little achy and tired. But I’m sure all of that will go away when we head down that aisle.”

He watched my stomach for a while before he met my look. A painful sigh escaped his lips, and he swallowed. The silence lingered, like everything he felt couldn’t be put into words. It was just too hard for him.

It was hard to watch, to see him struggle to convey his emotions. He’d always been decent when it was the two of us, but right now, it was just too hard. My eyes watered, knowing he had so much to say but couldn’t say it. “I know, Dad…”

He watched me, a film of moisture forming over his eyes, building and building.

My hand reached for his.

He interlocked our fingers and stared at our joined hands, breathing a little harder than before. “I’m so proud of you…” He got the words out, but they came with a slight choke, the moisture escaping his eyes.

The only time I’d seen him cry was when Mom was sick. So that made me cry. “I know, Dad.”

He dropped his gaze and took a deep breath, regaining his composure. “You haven’t needed me since…before you even went to college. You’ve always been this smart, capable, independent woman…who doesn’t need anyone but herself. But it’s so hard to let you go now.”

“You aren’t letting me go.”

He squeezed my hand. “Yes, I am. I’ll always be your dad, but…it won’t be the same.”

“It’ll always be the same, Dad.” Tears streamed down my face, ruining my makeup, but I didn’t care.

He shook his head. “It won’t be the same. And it shouldn’t be the same. Your mother and I became partners in life. She became my person…I became hers. That’s how it should be, and I’m so excited for you to experience that kind of love. It’s…the most exhilarating feeling in the world, to make someone family who’s not family. I’m so happy for you. Things were different when Derek got married. When Dex got married. We’re still close, we still see one another all the time, but…they aren’t my children anymore. They’re my friends now. Because they have someone who does for them what I used to. Now it’s your turn.”

I squeezed his hand.

“But it’s good…it’s good.” He swallowed again.

“I know things will be different, but a girl is always going to need her dad. Atlas needs you too. We both need you. And we both know I’m going to need your help raising this little girl who’s already got an attitude worse than mine.”

He smiled, his eyes still wet.