Page 125 of Born to Make You Smile

It was comforting to know his mother approved of our union, at least she appeared to. Others came around to offer their well-wishes; however, I noticed his eldest sister, Lorraine, didn’t say much to us, offering a quick congratulations with a tight-lipped smile.

After a wonderful catered meal and dessert, Gavin guided me upstairs and gave me a tour of his childhood bedroom. His room was covered in blue-and-gold-patterned wallpaper, simplistic and tidy. It looked to be untouched since he’d last lived in it. His single bed was still there, complete with navy-blue quilt, white accent pillows, and a gray bunny on top.

“Oh, it's Bunnikins!” he said excitedly. He picked up the bunny, and it flopped in his hands, visibly missing most of its stuffing.

I giggled loudly. “Bunnikins?”

“I used to snuggle with him while my mother read meThe Velveteen Rabbitback in England.”

I smiled, trying to imagine him as a little boy, snuggling in bed with Gran while she read to him. “That’s so sweet.”

There were several photos of him in wood frames on the dresser. One of him standing with his brother and sister by a large window. He looked young, four or five years old. A mop of wavy dark hair on his head. I picked it up to analyze it.

“That was in London. At our old house. The house where I was born.”

“Ahh.” I nodded. “When’s the last time you went back to London?”

He looked up, deep in thought. “I want to say before dental school. I went back after I graduated from McMaster. I used to go just about every summer when I was younger. I can’t wait to take you and the girls.”

“That’d be wonderful.”

With a smile, I fixed his tie. “I’ll meet you downstairs. I just have to use the bathroom.”

When I was done using the toilet, I walked past the primary bedroom. One of the white French doors was ajar. Voices drifted from inside. The low voices of Gavin and Lorraine. I hid myself as I listened to the conversation.

“What kind of bloody midlife crisis stunt is this, Gavin, my dear,” said Lorraine. “You can't be serious. She is far too young for you.”

“She’s almost twenty-four,” Gavin said.

“Come on now! She's Brenda’s age, for Christ’s sake. Can you imagine your niece with someone double her age?”

“I know it’s not conventional. We didn’t plan this, but it happened. We’re madly in love.”

“What could you possibly have in common?” she asked.

“Everything. We’re friends. We have fun together. We make each other laugh.”

She scoffed. “What ever happened to Michelle? She was so good for you. You had to go and give her up. Turn her in for a young tart.”

“She's not a tart, Lorraine,” Gavin said sternly. “Please, don’t call her that. My fiancée’s name is Grace. And I didn't love Michelle. I love Grace. I want Grace to be my wife. She’s my world. Not to mention, she loves the girls like her own, and they love her. Dearly.”

Lorraine let out a deep sigh. “You’ll see, I guess. When this all backfires and your little wifey runs off with half your hard-earned money.”

“Please,” Gavin said with a huff. “She’d never do such a thing.”

“How do you know? She's so young. Surely, she’ll wake up and change her mind one day. Remember. It’s not only your reputation on the line but our family’s as well.”

There was a long pause, then Lorraine added, “What would Judy think of this?”

She kept pushing and pushing. I didn’t doubt Gavin’s love for me, but all the things his sister was saying. To bring up Judy. If I were in Gavin’s place, it would be difficult not to have second thoughts.

“Judy isn't here anymore. My life has changed,” he stated firmly. “I know you’re concerned, but you must trust me. Trust that I know what I’m doing here. Grace and I share something extraordinary. We not only connect in every single way, but her late mother and Judy were best friends, and there’s a unifying bond between us. A true understanding of the soul. She’s the only one who truly gets what I’ve been through.”

Tears brewed in my eyes at his touching words. We did share something extraordinary. I was so thankful for Gavin in my life.

“All right,” Lorraine said, sounding defeated. “Clearly, you are set in your thinking. What else can I say?”

“I don’t need you to say anything. I just want you to support me and my decision to marry this wonderful woman.”

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