Make Me Yours

Lillie touches her daddy’s face before their dance, and my heart is just bursting. The music starts, and he leads her in a sweet version of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

My dance with Remi was equally magical. We glided around the space, me lost in his eyes to the strains of Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” At the end, he kissed me gently, and I’ve been smoldering ever since.

Now, watching him with his daughter… Everyone’s sniffing.

“You’re making all your guests cry.” Drew is at my elbow, and I put my arm around her waist. She’s bouncing her new baby and smiling.

“You’re just a softie,” I tease. “Lillie picked this song all by herself. It’s when the Blue Fairy brings Jiminy Cricket to life.”

“That girl.” My best friend blinks quickly. “She really is adorable. It’s the second most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen.”

That makes me laugh. “Can you even remember your wedding? I feel like I’ve been in a daze the whole day.”

“You’ll go back and watch the video in a few weeks.”

The song ends, and Remi kneels down to hug Lillie. Everyone claps, and I expect the room to burst into partiers now that the official stuff is out of the way.

I’m surprised when my husband (squee!) motions for the DJ to give him the mic. The opening notes of Kenny Rogers fill the room, and my eyes go wide.

“He is not singing that.” My stomach flips.

My mom hops up and starts dancing, flapping her elbows like a chicken.

Drew is laughing so hard, she’s crying more. “Your mom should not be allowed to dance.”

“No joke!” I shout.

Remi launches into the opening verse of “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” and I can only shake my head and focus on how great his voice sounds. The crowd goes wild with his moves and his singing.

When he finally finishes, begging for God’s sake, that Ruby will please just turn around, I can’t stand it anymore. I squeal at the top of my lungs like all the other females in the room.

The mic is returned to the DJ, and his arms are around my waist as the dancers fill in around us.

“That’s a terrible song for a wedding!” I cry over the noise of K-pop.

“Your mother requested it.” Remi grins, as if he can’t tell my mother no.

My mind drifts to a moment before the ceremony, standing with Ma and looking at my version of “Mother and Sleeping Child.”

“You were always a gifted artist.” She says it as if it’s common knowledge, and not a dream I sat on for twelve years.

“You think so?” I can’t keep the sarcasm out of my tone. “What happened to art being a useless degree?”

She only clucks her tongue. “Art is a risky degree. It takes a lot of luck and a lot of patience.”

“You could’ve said that to me. I was old enough to understand that reality.” It’s times like this when I realize some old scars still ache a little—like a bad knee when a rainstorm is coming.

“It was a different time.” She turns to me

and smiles, arranging my veil, warmth flowing from her eyes. “You are very beautiful, Ruby-ah. Your father would be very proud of you.” Her rare use of the diminutive makes my eyes heat.

“Thank you.” It’s the most I’m able to say.

She nods decisively. “Remington is a good man. He will make a good husband for you.”

I couldn’t agree more…

Now I’m in the arms of my husband, this beautiful man who gave me the courage to change my life.