“Why are you more nervous than me?” she teases.
I wince, because I was hoping she hadn’t noticed.
“Can’t I be happy my old Mom is getting married to the guy she loves?” I shrug.
The truth is, I’m nervous about seeing Cameron and hearing what he has to say. He's had all night to think about what I said to him yesterday and to decide whether I'm the person he wants to be with. The problem is, I’m not sure that I’m prepared to hear the answer if it’s no.
“Darcy.”
I look back at Mom and wince. “I'm sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, quit worrying about it. Cameron will be there,” she repeats.
I stare at her confused, as her eyes sparkle. She smiles at me.
“How did you know?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I had my suspicions, but I didn’t know until just then.”
“And you’re okay…I mean if he and I…”
“I'm your Mom. I'm always going to worry about you, but despite the fact that you sometimes act without thinking, I know you’re a smart girl. Cam is a good boy. You could do a lot worse than him,” she reasons.
We pull up outside the park, adjacent to the rose gardens, where the ceremony will be held. I can see the arch and small stage it in the distance, along with the celebrant, and I think Jim and Mack. My stomach churns, because I can’t see Cam there yet.
“Don't worry about it,” Mom’s voice cuts into my thoughts. “You know what he’s like,” Mom smiles reassuringly at me. “He'll be here. I know he and Jim have their problems, but he wouldn't do that to his father.”
This has got to be hard for him with what happened to his Mom.
“He has his reasons for that, you know,” I can’t resist saying. As soon as I do, I regret it.
“What do you mean by that?” Mom asks.
I shake my head, annoyed at myself for saying anything at all.
“I promised I wouldn't tell…”
“Darcy,” Mom says in a stern voice. “What do you know?”
“Today is the day his Mom found out that she was terminal.”
Confusion fills Mom's eyes and then regret.
“you mean we chose the…” she shakes her head. “I had no idea.”
“I don’t think Jim even realizes,” I say quietly. “They weren’t together or anything when she found out.”
“Why wouldn’t he say something?” she asks.
“Because he wanted to handle it. He didn’t want to ruin the day for you guys.”
“So that's why he's been so standoffish towards this wedding?” she asks.
I nod. “It’s a big part of it,” I admit. “I'm sure there's more to it, but I don't know the full story.” I reach for the door handle as I unbuckle my seatbelt. “Anyway, we better get over there before Jim starts to wonder if you're going to turn up,” I tease.
Mom smiles at me. “Thanks, Darc. For all your help and just for being such an amazing daughter.”
I lean over and hug her, tears pricking my eyes, then I get out, and motion for her to hurry up too. She laughs and climbs out, taking my hand when I offer it to her. I snort when she nearly trips over the curb. She gives me a look, which just makes me laugh harder.
“You can barely stand in those heels now. Imagine what you’re going to be like after a couple of drinks at the party,” I tease.
“I'll settle for just making it to the party at all, at this stage,” Mom says.
Both Jim and Mac look up at spot us walking in their direction. The look in Jim's eyes when he sees Mom says it all. There’s no doubt that he’s smitten, and she is too.
“Hey,” Jim murmurs to her when we reach them.
“Hey back at you,” Mom says. She giggles like a teenager when he takes her hand.
Jim looks around. “No Cam,” he frowns.
“I'm sure he's just running late,” Mom offers. “He’ll be here.”
The celebrant glances at her watch and makes a face.
“We can wait a couple more minutes, but then we’ll have to begin, I’m afraid. I have another wedding shortly after yours.”
“It's fine,” Jim says. “Cameron knows what time the wedding starts. I guess it's his choice if he wants to turn up for it, or not.”
I look scan the park, looking for him. At first, I think I’m imagining it when I see him in the distance, jogging toward us, but there’s no mistake.
“There he is,” I say, the words catching in my throat.
He reaches us and smiles at Jim, then at me. I shiver, because I’m finding slightly out of breath and disheveled Cam dressed in a black suit very distracting.
“Sorry, the traffic was bad,” he's mumbles, running his hand through his hair.
He gives his dad an apologetic look.
“I'm just glad you’re here,” Jim admits. He nods at the celebrant, who is motioning for everyone to hurry up.