“Really?” I am a bit surprised but only because I’m guessing a lot of people will be here. Normally it’s her and me or River that will visit together. His mom isn’t big on mingling with everyone because I think she still carries some guilt.
Over the last two years, I’ve made small connections with River’s mother through emails and texts. I don’t know what it was, but something inside of me felt a connection of understanding with her. There was a fear that she let drive her, and slowly over time she’s gotten closer and even comes for visits. The more space she put between River’s father, the more she seemed to heal. Not all abuse is physical, and I think River’s father is a creation of his own alcoholic father. It was a chain that’s now been broken.
I did a bit of the same with his father. Sometimes I thought I made progress but other times he’d fall off for a bit. I think when you grow up a certain way, you have to see that things can be done differently. That’s when I think River’s parents realized they didn’t have to stay married. They could go on and find love and be happy. Their lives turned to only power and money because they felt there was nothing else out there anymore. They didn’t think they could have a person who loves you by your side, or even just stand on their own two feet.
“Then we should get down there. I don't want her to feel alone.” I want River’s mom to feel very welcome here.
“You think your mom isn’t all over her?” River smirks. Of course she is. Mom is always drawn to people she can help. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.
I think it would be so hard to watch everyone around you find love and be stuck in a marriage filled with nothing but sorrow and longing for the love you see others have. I could see how bitterness would start to seep into your soul. I wanted to be the person to show her that not everything is as scary as you think it is. River’s mom did something right. She raised three of the most amazing children.
“Right.” I squeeze his hand before he leads me out of the nursery and down the hallway. When we reach the top of the stairs, I look down to see our family, and tears fill my eyes as they all yell, “Surprise!”
River’s hand comes to my chin, turning my head toward him.
“This is you, Mara. You’ve been healing us. My fearless girl is not scared of her heart being hurt.”
“How could I be when I know you’d put the pieces back together?”
“I’ll never let that happen. I vow to keep it whole.”
“Bet?” I smirk.
“You bet your sweet ass, wife of mine.”
If I know anything, it’s that River always wins.
THE END