2: 2
The words had barely left my mouth when four people came through the hotel doors.
Paddy's parents led the way, with his older brother and the brother's fiancee trailing behind. They'd clearly planned this together.
The woman came forward and reached for my hand. I turned aside and let it drop.
She didn't miss a beat. She swung around and swatted Paddy's arm, all pretend reproach.
"What did you tell her? We'd never do a thing like that. It's all a misunderstanding."
Paddy's mother jumped straight in, face hardening, and started leaning on custom to bring me into line.
"We're not bullying anyone. Around here the rule is that the eldest brother comes first. If the younger one marries before the older one, people talk, and it's bad luck for the family."
Paddy's father nodded along beside her, playing the part of a man looking out for me.
"We actually wanted to push yours back half a year, until after your brother-in-law's is done. But we didn't want everything you'd prepared to go to waste, so we thought we'd combine the day. We're thinking of you two, really."
The older brother split into a grin, all easygoing on the surface, every word soaked in entitlement.
"That's right. You'd only be waiting half a day. We're all family. Don't fuss over the little things."
The woman dug an envelope out of her bag and held it out, her tone as generous as if she were handing down charity.
"We know you put in a lot of effort. Take this five thousand as a subsidy. For the sake of family, cut us some slack."
Paddy was still beside her, grinning wide, chiming in.
"See, I told you. My brother and his wife are generous people. We help them now, and they won't forget it later."
I stood with my arms folded, watching them trade lines back and forth. I didn't take the envelope. I pointed at the wedding photo on the main stage and let out a cold laugh.
"A misunderstanding? I only finalized everything with the hotel at three this afternoon. It's been a few hours, and my photo with Paddy is already down and swapped out, with the workers called in ahead of time. That's your idea of a last-minute misunderstanding?"
"Push it back half a year? The venue date, the gown, all of it was locked in six months ago. You say push, so we push? Are you paying the cancellation penalties?"
"A five-thousand subsidy? I paid forty-eight thousand just to ship the roses. Do you really think my family's money falls out of the sky, or do you just think I'm an easy mark?"
When I finished, all four faces changed. They shot each other a look.
Paddy's mother's expression dropped first, her voice turning heavy.
"What kind of girl are you? So unreasonable. Marriage is a matter between two families. How can it just go however you please?"
She turned and glared at Paddy, scolding him right in front of me.
"This is what her temper's like? You'd better keep her in check from now on."
"And besides, once you marry in you're a Dickerson. Helping your husband's older brother is only what's expected."
Paddy came over and grabbed my arm too, his voice anxious and spineless at once.
"Stop making a scene. Mom and Dad are right here. Give me some face. It's only half a day. It's not like I'm canceling on you. Don't be so petty."
His brother took a step forward too, putting on his big-brother airs.
"That's enough. Don't push it just because you've got a point. We're all going to be family. You think we'd let you lose out?"
The whole family stood around me, every one of them looking at me like I was the one at fault.
As if the mistake were mine. As if I were the one being unreasonable, the one who couldn't see the bigger picture.
A few seconds of silence, and then Paddy's mother's face shifted.
She looked me up and down, the threat plain in her eyes.
"I hear you rich folks care most about your reputation. So let me spell it out for you."
"My son says you're already pregnant. If you call off this wedding, tomorrow the whole family goes to your parents' company and hangs banners out front. We'll make sure everyone knows you're carrying a Dickerson."
"And then my son puts your bedroom photos out there. Who's going to want secondhand goods like you after that?"
She paused, staring straight at me.
"Your parents are business people. Whether they can stand losing that kind of face, you go ahead and weigh it yourself."
