Family Wedding Drama (Part 2)

When I first opened my eyes, I didn’t know where I was or what happened, but I saw everyone standing around me—Mom, Dad, Darrin, Owen, Yancey, Christian, Lyndsay, Fabio, Julia, Antonio, Hayden, Winston, and Carol-Ann. Everyone had looks of joy and relief in their eyes, making me wonder if I was dreaming.

“Wh-what happened?” My voice was a little feeble.

Mom only sobbed uncontrollably in response, and Dad said gently, “Honey, you gave us all a good scare. I’m not sure what you remember, but during the reception at the Plaza Ballroom, you were very angry about everything—the whole wedding, the conflict with Julia and the Schroeders, and you said you wanted to ‘disown’ yourself from our family because you always felt second-best to Yancey. Then you took off your corsage, threw it on the floor and walked out of the ballroom, and long story short… You ended up at a bar not too far from the hotel where you drank when you weren’t supposed to, and you got into a serious car accident.”

A few tears ran down his face. “We were so scared, thinking we might have lost you. Sorry to bombard you with this much info; the doctors said your memory might be a little fuzzy once you woke up, so I don’t blame you for not remembering anything that just happened within these past few hours.”

As tears ran down my face, I couldn’t help but to wonder—did everything really happen that way? Did I ruin the wedding by leaving the reception? Apparently, I was a drinker, too? Alcohol was the last thing I’d ever want; I knew it’s bad for my heart. I couldn’t have been that desperate enough to do something so stupid and reckless… Right?

Then it hit me… At the reception, it all started when that bitch Julia rubbed her nose in a place where it didn’t belong by revealing to all our guests that Darrin and I were “sleeping together”—even though it’s really none of her business. It led to Yancey getting mad at me, feeling “betrayed” for keeping my relationship with Darrin a secret when she also kept her relationship with Christian a secret from me until the moment he proposed. Yancey and I also had it out with each other when I expressed feeling like a black sheep compared to her, and I let all our guests know she didn’t even tell me about her relationship with Christian before he proposed.

I remembered Christian storming out after he found out Yancey didn’t immediately tell me about him. The next thing I knew, Julia called Darrin out on telling me everything about their personal family affairs, such as Carol-Ann’s diagnosis and surgery—which Lyndsay eventually found out I knew about, all along. She felt hurt, thinking I prioritized my relationship with Darrin over our friendship, keeping his secrets for him and making her feel like she couldn’t be trusted. I might have said something awful to her, but I didn’t remember.

Darrin and I might’ve had our own moment of drama, too. He tried to tell me to calm down, but I wouldn’t hear it. I didn’t want him to tell me to calm down because I wanted him to know Julia’s responsibility for setting off all the drama. It wasn’t her business to broadcast our relationship, and she only did it to be spiteful because that’s who she was. Yet I’m surprised she and Antonio were here; I thought my presence and our family were “inconveniencing” her. What were the rest of the Schroeders doing here, pretending to care about me?

“Taylar…” Yancey whispered as she came over to hold my hand. A tear ran down her face. “Thank God you’re okay. Do you remember anything at all that just happened today?”

“I…” I cleared my throat. “Yance, I… What happened between us? Did I say something mean?”

“Don’t worry about it.” She smiled, more tears now running down her face. “Just to give you a quick little refresher, you and I had it out in front of everyone. After Julia cruelly revealed that you and Darrin were together, I became so mad, I accused you of being selfish enough to ruin my special day. You and I had our own little war of words, saying you thought Mom and Dad always favored me more than you, and none of us ever supported your career as a hairstylist. I said a bunch of awful things to you, and I’m so sorry. I take back everything I’ve said. I know you may not remember, but you also said Christian and I were financially unprepared for marriage and…”

“Oh, yeah.” I sighed, everything suddenly coming together in my mind. “I feel so embarrassed. I ruined the day for everyone by making such a huge scene. I’d like to apologize, too.” I gave her a small smile.

She gave me a hug, and Christian joined in. “We’re sorry, too,” he said softly. “Yancey and I were able to work things out, and she truly apologizes for keeping our relationship a secret from you. We’re just glad you’re doing fine. You lost a lot of blood, and the doctors said you needed a blood transfusion.” He smiled hopefully.

“You’ll never guess who did it for you, honey.” Mom smiled through her tears.

“Who?” I asked.

Darrin raised his hand. “Your Officer Schroeder to the rescue.”

“Really?” I gasped.

Carol-Ann nodded. “Yes, really. My son and I share the same blood type as you, O-negative. But because of my recent lumpectomy, I wasn’t able to give my blood, which I would’ve loved to do for you,” she said softly as a tear ran down her face. “But Darrin here… He’s a one-of-a-kind hero. He really loves you, and we can all see that now. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save you. That’s true love right there.”

Darrin saved me? I had no idea he and I shared the same blood type! How could this be? He gave me his blood, and I’m still here now… Because of him.

He came over to my left and gave me a little kiss on my cheek. “I told you I’d move Heaven and Earth to save you, Barrenfeld,” he whispered. “I meant it, didn’t I?” I nodded as more tears ran down my face, eternally grateful to this Prince Charming.

“Schroeder…” I said weakly. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, Barrenfeld. You know I’d do it again and again if I had to. I never wanna lose you.”

Everyone took turns hugging me and shaking hands with me, including Julia—the last to give me a hug. She seemed genuinely relieved I was okay.

“I’m sorry, Taylar.” She sat on the chair next to me. “This was all my fault. I was the one who sparked the fire of destruction. I had no right to share with everyone that you and Darrin were sl—in a relationship with each other.” I knew she was about to say “sleeping together”, but “in a relationship” was a better phrase instead. Thank God she avoided saying the wrong thing.

“The reason I said it was an inconvenience… I know it’s a terrible excuse, but I was just a little nervous about this event. I was a little nervous about the wedding ceremony, but we all got through it fine. We shared the same room but in different spaces, so I wasn’t sure how things would turn out for us at the Plaza Ballroom—sharing a physical space with each other. I didn’t mean for you to overhear anything I said. I was just letting it out to Felicia and the others, sort of as a way to ease my nerves.” She held my hand, and for the first time, it felt great to have Julia Schroeder-Nuzzo holding my hand.

She continued. “As for what I said about Yancey… I take it back, too. I kind of saw my 23-year-old self in her—finding the love of her life at that age—and Rocco broke my heart at that age. I didn’t mean to be such a pessimist about it. You’re right about how bitter and jealous I was, which is why I said those awful things I really take back now. You all make great couples—you and Darrin, Yancey and Christian, and most importantly… Antonio and me. We’re all happy couples here today, and that’s all that matters.”

For the first time, I was surprised to see Julia showing some remorse for her actions. It’s rare to see this soft side of her, which gave me no choice but to officially accept her apology. She was just nervous about the event. Yancey getting married at 23 reminded her of her own heartbreak with Rocco at that age—completely understandable.

“It’s okay,” I said to her. “I’m sorry for using your heartbreak secret against you like that. I’d like for us to be friends now, if that’s okay.”

She nodded. “Definitely, Taylar—more than anything. I’d love that too, and I accept your apology.”

We shook hands, and everyone clapped for us, as if it’s the biggest deal in the world that Julia and I were able to finally bury the hatchet.

It felt great to know my accident had brought us all together. Lyndsay gave me a hug lasting for as long as eternity, a teary-eyed Fabio watching us. I’d never seen Fabio cry before, but I knew he’s glad I was doing well.

“So sorry, T.B.,” Lyndsay said softly. “I shouldn’t have pressured you into choosing your relationship with Darrin over our friendship. I had no right to ask you what you two talk about in confidence. Whatever he tells you in confidence, you don’t have to share it with me. It’s your relationship, after all.”

“I know.” I smiled. “And if I said anything cruel, I apologize for that, too.”

“It’s okay.” She grinned. “You just reminded me of what a real loser Chad is.”

“Loser indeed,” Fabio said in agreement, and the three of us chuckled.

“Lynd, you know I always trust you, right?” She nodded in response. “I never meant to make you feel like you couldn’t be trusted with secrets. I know we’d never tell Lola or anyone else outside our circle.”

“I know. I just want you to respect your relationship with Darrin, and whatever he confides in you, you don’t necessarily have to share it with me. I know when I find my own lucky guy someday, I’ll be sure to let him know he has my full trust.”

I had no doubt Lyndsay would find her guy. For now, our friendship mattered more than anything, and she almost lost me. I didn’t want us to lose each other again, even if it’s for a brief moment.

Hayden came to my side, giving Lyndsay and me the chance to apologize to him for having Lola kick him and Darrin out of the salon for their appointment. He and I shook hands, with Lyndsay and I promising to welcome them to the salon, should they ever choose to stop by again.

Mom and Dad apologized for making me feel like I wasn’t “good enough” compared to Yancey, promising to be more supportive by stopping by the salon once in a while. I could see Mom as a supportive customer and I wouldn’t mind giving her a color when she needed one. Dad, on the other hand… He’s thinning a little, even though he and Mom were the same age—mid-50s. So, what could I do about his hair? All that mattered to me most was their support, something I’d always wanted for the longest time since starting my career.

Winston also had the chance to apologize to Yancey and Christian for apparently making their lives at law school “a living hell”, as Yancey had just beautifully described. He said he’s only pushing them because law is a competitive field, and the bar exams are pretty challenging to pass the first time. It’s his way of showing them they could make it in the field, once and for all. I’m glad to know he believed in them all along, and he’s more than okay with them addressing him informally as “Winston” outside of class. In class, it’s “Prof. Schroeder.” That’s the deal.

This was the moment where our families came together. The wedding reception might have been ruined for good and completely disorganized because of all the drama, but in the end, it’s important to everyone that I recover from my injuries. Christian even thanked Darrin for saving my life and making Yancey so happy because “a happy wife equals a happy life”, or so they thought.

Yancey and Christian said their plan to keep up with the mortgage of the house in Milton was to work full-time as waiters. They weren’t sure which restaurant to apply to, but Antonio suddenly suggested they join him where he worked—La Summa Ristorante, located on 30 Fleet Street. He said he’d put in a good word for them to work with him, and they had flexible hours, so it wouldn’t interfere with their classes. The tips were generous enough for them to get through payment for the bills, electricity, food, and all the essentials. It seemed like that problem was solved. Here I was, thinking they were financially unprepared.

Yancey and I made up again, now that she knew my concerns for her and Christian were out of love, and I wasn’t trying to be cruel. I was glad to know they had a plan. I should’ve given her more credit by trusting her instincts, but in the end, everything worked itself out.

Though the wedding day was ruined, it’s still a day of joy and reconciliation for our families. The doctors said I’d have approximately six weeks to recover from my injuries, so I’d be out of work for a while. I’d miss going to the salon and chatting up a storm with Lyndsay, Fabio, Lola, and the others, but I knew Lola would understand; she’d want me to take great care of myself before returning to the salon.

But the most important thing…

Our families were closer now, and that’s the way we wanted it to be, from the very beginning.