I sat in the small shop trying to ignore the masses of amazing shoes. My mom had –of course- tagged along. In fact it had been her idea to go on this little field trip in the first place. It had been a week since Father D had finally regained consciousness. Unfortunately, the police questing meant I hadn't been able to see him yet. Something about interfering with their investigations. Not that there was all that much to investigate. Hadn't it been an accident? I mean, the kid hadn't even known Father D, and even if he had: why would he want to kill the guy?

I resolutely decided to put my wondering thoughts to the back of my mind as my mom rushed up to me with a zillion shoes beneath her arms. I watched as the ground disappeared as she dropped the hundreds of bright boxes on the floor in front of me. I smiled as she let out a long sigh. Whatever her original problems with my getting married were, she sure was trying to put them all behind her. She seemed to be in her element shopping for possible wedding clothes. I had already decided on Gina and Cee-Cee as my bridesmaids. Not that they knew it yet. I hadn't gotten around to calling them up. I guess I should, seeing as they're my two best friends. But what with the evil spirits trying to suffocate me and Father D almost dying on me, I'd kind of forgotten.

Maybe now Father D was on the mend I would get a chance to actually enjoy my engagement. I mean, it would be nice if my biggest worry was having the right wine in the reception. Not how long I have to live.

But I guess things are destined to always go wrong for me. Even the happiest time of my life is going to be wrecked by my mediator calling.

"Oh Suzie, aren't these beautiful?" my mom asked happily. I looked up at the pair of baby-pink stilettos she was holding up to me. I smiled. I could already see the glazed look crossing her face. At least she had her shoes picked out. I hadn't even started yet.

"Why don't you get them?" I asked cheerfully. I was determined to enjoy this experience. I'd deliberately chosen a shop on the high-street so that I didn't get zoned out from shop overload.

"I think I just might……" she began, before looking at the price tag and gasping, "Oh no, I can't spend that much on shoes. Not when I have the wedding to think about."

I raised my eyebrows at that and looked at her questioningly.

"I beg your pardon?" I prompted, startling her back from her babbling about how much she couldn't buy her dream shoes. She looked at me in confusion.

"The wedding. Andy and I have decided to pay for it. It's tradition for the brides' family to pay."

I wasn't prepared to take that as her reason though. I knew her way too well. There was a hidden explanation for this massive sacrifice. Except for the fact I was her only daughter. She averted my eyes as I cocked my head in the direction of the shoes.

"Well, I'd say you have plenty left for the shoes, seeing as we're paying for the wedding ourselves." I replied shrewdly. It immediately sparked a reaction.

"No. Absolutely not. I will not have you wasting your college funds. Andy and I have talked this through. We want to pay." She told me firmly.

I looked at her like she had gone mad for a moment. I was pretty sure she had gone mad. I was so not letting her spend thousands on my own wedding.

"No way mom. That's your retirement funds. Jesse and I will find a way. I'll take out a student loan or work some shifts down at Pebble Beach again. I'm sure Caitlin could help me out. Her and Jake being married and everything."

I was aware of the fact that I was babbling, but I couldn't help it. I mean, my mom –whom less than two weeks ago hadn't wanted me to get married so young- was trying to give me her pension money! I didn't know what to say. I felt tears spring to my eyes. It meant so much to me that she was prepared to do this.

"Suzie I'm serious. Andy agrees with me. The news-station pays good money. I can easily afford your wedding and a decent retirement plan. Think of it as an early wedding present."

"If you have so much, then how come you can't afford the shoes you want?" I pressed.

She sighed.

"You are my only daughter Susannah. And no matter what problems you've faced in the past, you are in fact a very bright young woman. I just want the best for you. Please let me do this one thing for your future."

I regarded her with tears in my eyes, trying desperately to keep them from falling. She looked pretty choked up herself to be honest. I gave her a watery smile.

"Okay, I'll let you do this. But on one condition." I choked out.

"Now, listen Susannah. I won't take no for an answer on this…………"

"You let me and Jesse pay you back when we've both got our work sorted out. Everything."

"Suzie, I don't want your money." She said as a tear dropped down onto her cheek. I wiped it away with my finger.

"And I don't want yours. But I'm prepared to compromise on this." I laughed. She nodded her agreement as I took the shoes from her. I checked the price tag before looking up at her again.

"Plus I'm buying you these." I said, waving them in front of her face.

I could tell she wanted to protest but I wouldn't take no for an answer. Instead I walked straight up to the cashier. Noticing my own dream pair on the way.

White, open toed 2 inch heels. They had straps that wrapped around your ankle, decorated with tiny pink roses. They seriously were amazingly beautiful.

I heard my mom step up beside me to admire my find. She laughed as she picked one up and smiled at me approvingly.

"I take it as these are the ones?" she asked admiring them at arms length. I nodded and put both pairs on the counter without checking the price. I didn't want to talk myself out of buying them.

"Yep. They're the ones alright." I replied, giving her a hug.

A/N: Okely dokely!

I decided that I had to remember that Suze was on a schedule. What with the wedding and everything. So, she has no time for continually ghost-busting dark forces.

I mean, she needs a dress yet!

(I am aware the chapter sucked, but it needed to be done.)

This chappy was hard. Me having a limited amount of shoe knowledge and everything. I'm not a big shoe person. I'm addicted to buying bags. Shoes are WAY too much effort to try on.

Okay, so I'm babbling. Sorry!

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