Surviving (Surrender 2)

He kisses me gently and turns back to finish our breakfast. “You know Dec, I’ve been thinking about the charity I want to donate to. I think I want to pick two. I like the foundation that helps kids like Nate’s sister adjust to normal life outside of high school, and I also want to donate to the cancer society in honor of your mom.”

He looks at me shocked. He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, but shakes his head yes. “I think that’s awesome baby. Set it up. But I prefer not to mention in honor of whom. Nate and I are pretty private about that.”

“You got it.”

While we eat, he fills me in on the stalemate between our lawyers and MCE. Still no forward movement on locating the source, he or she is protected. There haven’t been any new pictures or stories come through, but I am still very unpopular with the Sayge fan base. I try not to think about it and instead concentrate on today. Even though I didn’t expect it, I’m glad Declan and I get to experience a wedding shower together. I don’t care about the gifts at all, but I do want the memories.

*****

“Fucking shit, I think my balls just shrunk. Look at all this.” Declan whispers to me when we walk in my parent’s house.

There are balloons and flowers everywhere, and presents are stacked throughout the living room. A formal tea buffet is set up in the dining room, and tulle is draped around the stairway banisters. The rooms are so feminine that you can’t recognize even my dad’s living room.

“Shhh.”

“Seriously, what happened in here?”

“I think my mom and her assistant, Jenny, went a little crazy.”

“It’s certainly girly.”

I help him take the presents I brought into the living room and then we go to find my mom. She’s in the kitchen with about two dozen other women. Declan grabs my waist and pulls me to him as if to shield him from them.

“Raven! I didn’t hear you get here.”

“Sorry mama, we had our hands full, so we went straight to the living room.”

The room quiets and I realize my girlfriends’ moms have never met Declan before. I do an overall intro and then walk him to the door.

“I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“That’s fine sweetie. You do what you need to do.”

He kisses me gently, and I lean into him holding him close. I don’t want to stop until I hear hissing behind me.

“Seriously you two! Our moms’ are ten feet away. Can’t you hold off for a few hours?” Charlie interrupts.

I put my forehead to his and stare into his eyes.

“I love you.”

“You too babe, three weeks.”

I nod against him and then he lets himself out. I turn around and see as many people as possible crowded behind the kitchen door watching us.

“Hi.” I wave shyly.

*****

“I don’t understand. How did you know?” I cry as I open the place setting of the china I have been admiring since last year.

“Sweetie, Declan called me after your trip to Florida. He was concerned about you not getting your china. He was adamant about you being treated like a bride, and I agreed. He told me what you had been looking at, and I registered you under my name.”

I look around the room at the presents that are similarly wrapped, and I burst into tears.

Kendall’s mom makes it to me first and hugs me tight. “Dear child, did you think we would ever overlook your wedding?” I love her accent!

“No, ma’am, it feels so surreal.” I look around the room at all the women I’ve known forever and smile. “Declan reminded me this morning that we will be married in less than three weeks. He is so happy and now here with y’all, I’m just overwhelmed.”