Sunday we left just after breakfast to head to the airport to make the return trip. The private jet was ready and waiting for us. On the flight back we discussed wedding plans, we already had a date and a venue, but we discussed how we wanted the ceremony and such to go. I knew we only had two weeks to plan and execute everything so I also knew that things would be give and take. Although as Mom pointed out, money wasn't going to be a huge issue since my father was going to pay for it. I was a bit afraid that they'd want a huge wedding and I've never wanted that. I know that makes me weird but I've always wanted a simple wedding that communicated the love my husband to be and I shared, not something that was meant to impress people I didn't care about impressing.
Somewhere inside I also knew that my simple wedding idea was because I didn't want Mom to stress about paying for a large wedding. As I became aware of our situation I decided to not burden her with it and let things slip through the years so when I actually got married she wouldn't think I was limiting because of finances but because it's what I wanted. Along the way of convincing Mom I also convinced myself.
By the time we arrived back on land, we'd pretty much made the major decisions. I still needed to go dress shopping, obviously. We were taken back to the mansion after we got off the plane. My father met us at the door and had us shown to different rooms to get ready for dinner. I was surprised that in my room that most of my clothes from my apartment were there.
I got dressed in a plum business suit with a cream shirt and walked out of my room. Mom was waiting for me as I knew she would be since I'd have most likely gotten lost without her help. She was amazing at directions and I'm just not. We had not gotten far when my father came and asked us if our rooms were okay.
"Mine is amazing, I was just curious as to why my clothes are here."
"Oh, I forgot to talk to you about that. I just feel it might be better if you both stay here until after the wedding. You'd be safer here and I think it would be easier to plan everything." He explained.
"I still have to go into work." I protested.
"I know, Adam or Seth will drive you and keep an eye out."
"Mom, how do you feel about this?" I asked, knowing that it might be awkward for her to hang out here all day while I was at work.
"I'll be fine with whatever is decided." She answered diplomatically. Mom usually had more decided opinions about things like this. I wondered if she feared that I'd be pressured into staying and she wouldn't be able to if she said anything about not staying. I hope she knew I'd never let that happen.
"If you're sure." I said tentatively, not sure exactly which parent I was talking to.
"I think it would be for the best. It will be hard enough getting everything out together in the next two weeks without having to do phone calls or extra traveling.
"Tonight we have a few people over for dinner to celebrate your engagement. Lord and Lady Maxwell let us know the good news this morning, it was a little late when Ethan told them last night with the time difference and everything. So there's just a few family and close friends that were able to come last minute. I hope that's okay, we just wanted to celebrate the engagement as soon as possible since the wedding is so soon."
I nodded and we walked to a room near the dining room, at least I'm pretty sure that's where we were by this point. I must have looked confused as to why we were here instead of just going to the dining room.
"You will wait for Ethan to join you so you can enter together." He said. "I will leave you and your mother here to wait for him while I go greet guests."
"Thank you." I said, is that what I should have said? Dad smiled as he left the room.
In a few minutes, Ethan joined us. He was very handsome in a three piece white suit with a blue shirt. If it had been a plum shirt, we'd have looked like we coordinated our wardrobe. I smiled inwardly at the thought. I'm glad he didn't because the blue shirt brought out his eyes.