Page 131 of Urgent Vows
"I am glad. Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, of course."
I stand up.
"Can we go to your office? Severu wouldn't let anyone else see it until after you did."
"It's beautiful. Perfect for me." I lead Aria to the room that belongs to me and me alone.
My mother-in-law takes her time admiring the room. "Oh, he's done a wonderful job in here."
We sit down in the chairs in front of my desk.
She takes my hands in hers. "Cara, I owe you an apology."
"No. You've done nothing wrong. You've been nothing but kind to me."
"I wish that were true, but last night…" she shakes her head, her green eyes growing wet. "So much of that was my fault."
"I never said anything."
"You may not have said anything specific about the challenges your hip presents for you, but you told me you don't wear heels. I didn't ask why. I just assumed you would grow used to them. When you told me you preferred Yoga to going for long walks, I laughed. But it wasn't a joke and I think somewhere deep inside I knew it."
"Please, Aria, you can't feel guilty for what I would not say."
"I noticed how drawn you were looking, how strained your smile had become."
I can't deny either. I've been wearing an extra layer of concealer under my eyes to hide the dark circles.
"This is the life that I love," Aria continues. "However, I have ignored the truth that we are different people. Therearesocial engagements you must attend, but far less than I've been dragging you to."
"From now on, I only want to go to those," I say with alacrity. "I trust you to guide me, Aria, but I need to stop trying tobeyou."
"I hope you know Severu doesn't want you to be anyone else."
"What about you?" I ask, unable to hide my worry.
"Oh,cara. I adore you just as you are." She leans forward and hugs me. "Part of the reason I've been dragging you all over the city is because I'm so proud of you I want to show you off."
"That's a kind thing to say."
"I'm not being kind. I'm being truthful. The other reason is entirely selfish. I find such delight in your company."
"I enjoy spending time with you too."
"I hope one day you will see me as your mamma as much as I am to my other children. Until then, know that I consider you my daughter."
I'm so touched, I hug her again. And if we both cry? For once I'm not bothered by my own tears.
We go over our combined social calendar and begin taking items off mine. It is such a relief that I'm grinning by the time we're done.
"That's the smile I miss," Aria says as she stands to go. "Please know that I think you are the perfect wife for my son, which makes you the perfect don's wife."
It's so much like something Severu said that I laugh.
She's smiling when she leaves my office.
For a minute I simply stand there, wallowing in my joy that this space is all mine. Every piece of furniture was chosen with me in mind. It's such a thoughtful and romantic gesture, it leaves me breathless.
