The best part of Jason’s and my love story? Not only did I find a fiancé but I also received two dedicated future in-laws who made me feel like I had always been a part of their family. Being welcomed with arms wide open was the dream I’d always wished for—to have a family, to be a part of a strong unit, to create traditions we could share with one another. For example, Marie and I still had our weekly coffee dates. I always looked forward to them, too. If I could’ve grown up with a mother, I would’ve dreamed of one like Marie.

“I cannot believe it’s really happening!” Marie squeaked as we stood in her living room while I got my last fitting done for my wedding dress. Every detail of the wedding had been handled by Marie and the wedding planning team she’d hired. She was hands-on in walking me through all the details I didn’t really care about.

All I wanted, all I’d ever wanted was to walk down the aisle and say the only two words that mattered—I do.

I didn’t care about all the ins and outs of the wedding day. I cared about the happily ever after that came afterward.

I smiled at the overzealous Marie. For the past few days, she’d been jumping up and down over the excitement of Saturday. “I can’t believe it either.” I stared in the mirror, feeling every butterfly form as I stared at the white gown custom-designed for me.

Marie and Walter had covered the cost of the gown. They’d covered the cost of the whole ceremony and reception. If it had been up to me and my wallet, I’d have gone down to the courthouse with a dress from a thrift shop.

“I can’t thank you enough for everything you and Walter have done for this wedding, Marie—for me. I don’t deserve all of this.”

She walked over to me as the seamstress finished working on the hem of my dress. Marie placed her palms against my cheeks and smiled that bright smile she always shared with me. “You deserve the world, Aaliyah. You will never understand what you coming into our family has done to my heart. You are nothing less than the light we Rollsfields needed, and soon enough, we’ll share the same last name.”

I fell into her arms and hugged her tightly. When she pulled away from me, I laughed at the tears flooding her eyes. “You can’t start crying yet. We still have to make it to the wedding day.”

She waved a dismissive hand my way. “I think we’ll just have to realize I’m going to be a hot mess that whole weekend. Thank goodness for waterproof makeup and a makeup artist on staff for the entire evening.”

As I gazed at myself in the large mirror in the living room, I took a deep breath. A million emotions rushed through my mind, but only one was sitting at the forefront. And that was the fact that after all these years, I was finally going to be a part of something bigger than me.

I was finally going to have a family.

That alone made me want to tear up, too.

“Hello?” a voice called out, breaking me from my stare. “Mom! Where’s Dad? I’ve been calling him for—”

I shouted as I turned around to see Jason staring at me with a tuxedo in his grip. “Oh my gosh! Get out of here! You can’t see me in the dress before the wedding!” I ordered, darting behind the couch to try to hide.

“You don’t really believe in those silly traditions, do you?” Jason said, brushing his thumb against his nose. “Just get up, Aaliyah. I already saw it.”

“No!” I said, feeling silly for hiding but not wanting him to get another peek at the gown. I wasn’t extremely superstitious or anything, but one thing I did believe in was that it was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding day.

Thankfully, Marie was on the same page as me. “She’s right! What are you doing, Jason? I told you to call before you stopped by.”

“I did. Dad’s and your phones are on silent. Plus, Aaliyah’s went to voicemail. Listen, I’m just here to drop off Dad’s tux for Saturday.”

“Put it in the foyer and then leave. We’ll see you tomorrow for the rehearsal,” Marie told him.

I could almost feel Jason rolling his eyes at the thought of it all. When it came to superstitions, he believed in none of them.

“Whatever. I’m leaving.” He began to walk away and then glanced over his shoulder toward me. “Aaliyah?”

“Yes?”

He smirked widely. “Your ass looks fat in that dress.”

“Take that language elsewhere,” Marie said as she threw a couch pillow at her son, who hurried away, slamming the door behind him.

Marie looked at me as I stood straight, and the warmth of her smile made me grin. “He’s right, you know. You look to die for.”