Shatter Me

Good Wishes

I get out of the dress to slip in another just as elegant and white dress. Instead of flowing to the floor and trailing behind me it ended below my knees, and instead of tying around my neck it stayed off my shoulders and flowed down a little below my elbows. A little silver pendant is attached right at the edge where the dress puffs out. My fingers touch over the Valora crest that is a creature, which has the body of a cat, wings and head of an owl, roaring inside a striped shield.

"Do you like the Gryphowl?" I looked to my make-up artist that had started touching up my face, and back down to pendant.

"Is that what that thing is? There's so many creatures non-magical and magical alike, why would they choose one that doesn't exist?" Her scoff had me look at her. She shook her head and pointed a finger at me.

"Just because you are magical you think you know and see every other magical?" Shocked I never even thought beyond my teachings and merely assumed that all that's been seen has been. I smiled a little realizing that Tanner will be getting taught more than what he would have been before.

"I used to." I answered as she put away her kit.

"No more crying. Happy or not. I'm done for the day." I thank her as she leaves and turn to Clarissa that held out two options of shoes for me. The first is another pair of white high heels, and the next is white lace flats. With no hesitation I put on the flats and head out to the reception.

I arrive after thirty minutes happy to see Tanner with Dad. I rush to their side and give Tanner a hug as I picked him up.

"Grandpa says I can have cake!" I give Dad a glance and roll my eyes.

"After you eat supper." My tone resides with one of warning.

"If I eat supper then I can have cake?"

"Yes, sir." I lean over and give Dad a kiss on the cheek and give everyone else a hello. I listen as they give me their advice, congratulations, and how happy they are for me. With Tanner on my hip, I start to greet the unfamiliar faces making sure to start with the Valora head family.

Mr. and Mrs. Valora, dressed elegantly, felt like regular folks, not like the Grand Wizards of the West. Mrs. Valora insisted I called her Mom and Mr. Valora fell in love with Tanner instantly. The time spent was pleasant until my husband arrived.

"Where have you been?" Mr. Valora's tone and attitude immediately changed once Kaleb arrived. Kaleb changed, as well, still in a suit but instead of black it is a charcoal gray with a purple tie.

"I had to wrap up matters with the merchant. He claimed you didn't pay him enough." Kaleb reported back as he made sure his appearance is fine.

"That could have waited. While you made your guests wait your wife has gone around and been the perfect host." I look to Mr. Valora surprised. I have, yet, to greet anyone other than family. I glance to Kaleb noticing his jaw clench before he smiled.

"It's a good thing you found her for me then Father. I would be completely lost without her." He wraps an arm around me and I smile wondering how mad he'll be tonight. Once Kaleb has a few words with his mother, and Mr. Valora promises to watch over Tanner, Kaleb and I greet the other guests and listen to their words of “wisdom”. If only they knew.

The reception flew by quickly leaving me with a few good moments of my son, and family when it came time to say goodbye.

 Taking a deep breath I take in one last memory of my father's scent and give him an extra tight squeeze as we hug. I didn't want him to go. I didn't want to stay. But in the end I still let him go knowing my duty.

"Have a safe trip, Dad. Tell Eris to never leave him." Giving me a quick kiss to my forehead he leaves with promises of emails. I wait until I can no longer see tail lights before going back inside. Melissa walks up to me with a tuckered out Tanner in her arms. I can't stop smiling as I fix his hair.

"Let's go home." I whisper taking him from her and following her out to the car.

"Are you forgetting something?" I look back to see Kaleb and Jareth stepping out of the restaurant.

"Am I?" I ask looking to Jareth.

"Yes. You're forgetting me. Melissa and Jareth will go home with Tanner but you and I will be spending our first night in the hotel." My heart shudders as I realize I had forgotten the honeymoon. My arms slightly tighten around Tanner wishing I could just go with him instead. With a quiet sigh, I hand Tanner back to Melissa and walk over to Kaleb.

"What will we be taking?" The look he gives me makes me want to snap his neck. I am not one to be looked down on.

"The car." His tone brought the words out stringing them until they sounded similar to 'Duh.'.

"And what will my son and our caretakers be riding in?" He looked to me in disbelief, before shrugging, and pushed my button. A growl slips by and I step forward when Jareth steps between us.

"They will take the car and we will take a taxi. Do you understand?" My words slid through clenched teeth and strained lowered tones. I could feel myself losing my balance and tried to calm myself.

On each hand I had my thumb touch my pinky, my ring finger, my middle, and first finger, and back again. A little trick Mother taught me when I socked Gary in the mouth for teasing my cousin Travis.

"Mrs. Valora-"

"Don't you dare talk back to me." My glare and tone aimed right at Jareth as I knew he would try to side with Kaleb. I didn't know what tied them together, other than work, but whatever it was had Jareth doing the impossible for him.

"Jareth, it's fine. We will do as she asks. Besides, I hear a happy wife makes for a happy life." I look to Kaleb in a mixture of disappointment and approval. His childish attitude is let go as he didn't argue with me about letting Tanner take the car. We both knew he could easily have his way.

I woke up Tanner to let him know he'll be staying the night with Melissa and gave him hugs and kisses. I almost regret doing so when Melissa had to take him away in tears. Jareth stayed behind, against my wishes, and waited until Kaleb and I were in the taxi before leaving in a cab himself.