A Reunion

Emma~

This is the best thing that has happened to me since meeting my Orion. Tears are streaming down my face and I try not to let them show too much as the makeup carefully done by Jessica threatens to run along with my tears.

But it’s okay, everything is okay now because my family is here!

When I’d stepped out of the car, I’d instantly noticed the two figures waiting by the entrance and when Owen walked into the light, I actually screamed with joy.

I’d never run so fast in my life as I had when making my way towards him, and I could feel him struggling to keep his balance when my arms were thrown around his neck. Even now, I have to keep squeezing him to convince myself that he’s real and that they are both here.

My father joins us now, wrapping his arms around us both, and I can barely feel my face from smiling so much.

“You’re here!” I chant over and over again, and my father reassures me that it’s still the case each time while squeezing me tighter.

Owen hasn’t even said a word yet, but from the tight grip he’s holding on me, I know that it’s taking all that he has to keep his cool. You’d never think that it’s only been a few weeks of us all being apart, but it’s a record for us and it’s one I have no intention of breaking again.

When the initial shock is over, my father holds me out again at arm’s length so that he can inspect me, and for a second, I worry that he’s heard of my accident. Only I see Owen checking over me as well, and I realize that they’re making sure that I’m all in one piece.

Orion might be the bane of my existence, but he’d never lay a hand on me, and it’s only now that I realize that there are ways and means for him to have gotten around that if that’s what he truly wanted. I’m luckier than I thought, and the relief on both of their faces is obvious.

“How are you both here?” I ask to change the subject, and Owen looks to my father before answering.

“Orion invited us here.” From the tone, it’s clear that he’s holding back the full extent of his thoughts, and it’s nice to see that he’s pacing himself for once.

Wait, Orion invited them?

I turn to him to find him leaning against the bonnet of the car with a grin on his face, only if I’m not mistaken, something like pain is showing in his eyes. I didn’t hurt him when letting go of his hand to run to them, did I?

“Why didn’t you tell me? I wouldn’t have given you such a hard time!” I exclaim over to him, but he merely shrugs his shoulders while coming closer to me to escort us all inside.

“I like winning bets.”

***

The introduction of the party itself is quick and simple. A speaker talks about how we met, lies about us falling in love, then describes the two families joined together as well as a quick mention of the business inherited from my father as my dowry.

It’s a kick in the shin for my family to hear this, I imagine, and I have to grit my teeth through the whole thing. The business being signed over wasn’t exactly a choice, and if they don’t set up something again soon, my whole home will struggle.

At least they’re alive though. That much I can ensure from my sacrifice.

After the formalities, Orion announces that the meal is ready to commence and takes a second to remind everyone of how this is my menu and that they should be grateful that his fiancée made such an effort.

It’s probably a way to try and make me feel guilty for not caring as much when I found out the true purpose of the meal, but instead, I find I can only focus on the pride in his voice as he finishes his speech. I never thought he really cared, and my cheeks can’t help but heat at the thought.

I find myself seated next to Orion when we’re all escorted to the table, and we’re opposite my family when the starters are first brought out. The Arancini looks delicious, and it takes all that I have not to pounce on it like an animal.

“Oh, how I’ve missed your cooking, Emma.” My father says after the first bite, and I beam at him happily.

I keep staring at them both while eating, still unable to believe that this is real before I turn to face Orion with a similar look in my eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I ask again, hoping for a serious answer this time.

“Well—” Orion starts before he’s cut off by my brother answering instead, and I don’t fail to glare at him in warning while he does so.

This is the sort of thing that will get him in trouble sooner or later, and I won’t always be there to pull the marriage card.

“We didn’t know we were coming until yesterday, we’ve had a lot to try and rebuild… and then there was the concern about security.” He explains with a look to Orion, and I color slightly when the realization sinks in.

Of course, they’d be hesitant, my father’s already lost his daughter, and without him and my brother, the family might not survive. I just wish the comment didn’t sting so much.

“Both have been guaranteed to return to their home unharmed,” Orion says in a low voice while glaring at my brother, and I nod my head.

I expected as much. With him putting in so much effort lately to change and build a bridge between us, I doubt he’d dare go against my family, and I’m truly grateful for the olive branch he has offered me by inviting them over here. I just wish this didn’t have to be so hard on them.

“Thank you, Orion. It means a lot to me to get to see them again.” I look up at him with a smile on my face, and I hope it’s enough for him to realize the impact this has truly made.

He’s far from perfect, but he’s getting better. Or at least I hope he is.