Debbie smiled, watching her father's reflection in the mirror. He was a strong man, carrying burdens that would have crushed others, yet standing tall beside her. She knew about the loans he'd taken out for this wedding, piling more debt onto what they already owed. He'd done it all for her, despite the worries etched into his every feature.
Debbie had tried to convince him to stop the wedding, to just let it go, but he'd reassured her, told her that it was for the best, that everything would be fine. It was Diane, her sister, who later whispered the truth—that her partner's family had pressured their father into arranging the wedding to avoid any scandal. They didn't want rumors spreading, didn't want their son's reputation tarnished by whispers about an "irresponsible" college affair.
She wanted to confront them all, her partner, his family—but she held back. She knew her father wouldn't like it; his quiet, steadfast nature meant he avoided conflict at all costs, no matter the price. So she remained silent, biting back her anger for his sake.
Her thoughts scattered as her father's gentle voice broke through the quiet. "You know," he murmured, smoothing her hair with steady hands, "you look just like your mother on our wedding day."
Debbie looked up, meeting his eyes in the mirror. His gaze softened, a small smile playing on his lips as he seemed to slip back into the past. "She wasn't wearing anything like this, of course, but when she walked down the aisle… she was the most beautiful woman in the world."
He paused, his eyes closing, as if savoring that memory. And then, his voice took on a sadness that caught Debbie off guard, as though the years had weighed down every word. "But… I failed her. I wasn't strong enough, wasn't the man I needed to be. That's probably why she left…"
The raw pain in his voice broke something in Debbie. Tears welled up, and she whispered, "I'm sorry, Dad. I… I feel like it's my fault she left. If I hadn't… if I hadn't gotten pregnant…"
Her father walked in front of her, his eyes brimming with understanding. He pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped her tears. "No, no, sweetie," he said softly, his voice soothing. "It was never your fault. None of it was anyone's fault. Your mother didn't leave because she didn't love us. She just… needed time to think. That's all."
He cupped her face, his own gray eyes filled with the same love and care that had always been there. "And don't think for a second that I regret having Jenny in our lives. She's a blessing, Deb. You know, she's got those same gray eyes—our family's eyes."
She managed a small smile, taking comfort in his words. It wasn't an easy comfort, but it was something.
Debbie let the memory fade, coming back to the present as she felt Diane's hand gently shaking her shoulder.
"You okay, Deb?" Diane asked, concern flickering across her face. "You seemed to zone out there for a bit."
Debbie nodded. "I'm okay, just… remembering a few things." She ran her fingers along the wedding dress's delicate lace and looked up at Diane. "When are you going to wear this dress, Diane? I mean, it's the same size as yours, so it should fit you perfectly. Dad would be over the moon if you wore it. You know, he was the one who picked it out, thinking maybe you'd wear it someday too."
Diane sighed, trailing her fingers over the fabric, tracing the small pearls stitched into the bodice. "I don't know, Deb," she admitted softly. "It's not just about time. It's more that… I haven't found anyone who measures up to what I want. To who I want."
Debbie looked at her sister curiously, waiting for Diane to continue. Diane glanced down at the dress again, her fingers still tracing its details as she searched for the right words.
"It's hard to explain, but… I want someone who has the strength, the steadiness, that Dad has. Someone who can be that rock when things get tough, who stands firm no matter what life throws at them. Dad is like… this big tree. He's weathered so much, and yet he's still standing. It's like we can lean on him, trust him, no matter what. And… I haven't found anyone who even comes close to that. Not here, at least."
Her voice softened, and her eyes grew distant, as if looking into the future she'd dreamed of. "He's had so many storms thrown at him. Mom leaving, raising us on his own, paying for Jenny's birth… and he never complains. He just shoulders it all, quietly, for us. I guess I've been waiting for someone who could be that steady, that kind. I can't imagine being with someone who wouldn't have my back the way Dad does."
Debbie reached out and took Diane's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "That's a pretty high standard, you know."
Diane smiled a little. "I know. Maybe that's why I'm still single," she said with a quiet laugh. "But Dad showed us what real strength and love look like. He taught us to hold out for someone who's worth it. I guess I'd rather be alone than settle for less than that."
Debbie nodded, understanding completely. The two sisters sat together in silence for a moment, each caught in their own thoughts, each feeling the weight and the comfort of their father's unwavering presence in their lives.