I hope people are enjoying this.
Chapter Thirteen:
"Please be nice," Amy said. "I don't want any fighting at my wedding."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Wright asked. "I respect the fact that you still care about Darla and so do I on some level."
"That's the purpose of this lunch," she said. "To see how well you two can get along."
"There I thought it was to let me have a lunch without napkins being thrown at me by a toddler."
"I can do that if you miss it," Darla said.
Wright looked at her and Darla stared back.
"I missed you," they said at the same time.
"Really?" Darla said.
"Really," Wright said. "You were/are a good friend."
"You just miss not having a second sitter."
"No," she said. "You were a big help during school."
"So were you," Darla said. "You didn't mind me rattling off medical terminology late into the night."
"Stop the love fest you two," Amy said. "Let's order some food."
"You still mad?" Darla asked.
"I always will be, but that won't stop me from caring about you."
"I'm glad," she said.
"Cheers to the trio being back together," Amy said lifting her water glass.
"Cheers," Darla said.
"Cheers," Wright said.
…
"Here comes the bride," Aria sang in the bridal shop. "Here comes the bride!"
She twirled in her pink flower girl dress. Wright, Darla, Amy, and Tom's sister Rene clapped.
"She's adorable," Rene said.
"Thanks," Wright said.
"So, I have a friend who works in the Innocence Project," Rene said. "His name is Nate. Are you looking for a date Chloe?"
"No, I'm going stag," she said.
"What's stag mommy?" Aria asked.
"It means I'm only going with you," she said.
"Are you sure there isn't anyone you want to go with?" Darla asked.
"Spencer and I still talk, but we're not as close as we used to be," Wright said.
"Who's Spencer?" Rene asked.
"My law school tutor," she said. "He's super-busy with his mom who just got diagnosed with dementia."
"That is super-sad," Rene said.
"He gets a lot of support from the team of FBI agents he works with," she said.
"I thought you said he was a law school tutor," Rene said.
"Her tutor only," Amy said.
"It's a long story," Darla said.
"I can see that," Rene said.
…
Aria beamed throughout the ceremony. Wright could hear lots of people going "ooh" over her. She couldn't prouder of her daughter.
After photos, Wright put Aria down for a late nap where some of the other kids were being watched by an aunt.
"She's a doll," the aunt said as they watched her cuddle a stuffed bear.
"Thanks," she said. "She's already growing up too fast."
"That is what they do," she said shaking her head sadly. "They don't stop no matter how badly you want them to."
"I am learning that," she said.
Wright cheered the couple on as they entered the banquet room. Once everyone was settled, it was Wright's turn.
"Tom and Amy's love was written in the stars. Their devotion to each other transcends ordinary definitions of romance. They make each other better. Tom, Amy is a better cook because of you. Amy, Tom's jokes have improved since you first introduced me to him. Love is a gift that needs to be treasured. The love you two share will make the world a better place as it brings joy to the world. I love you both. Here's two a thousand years of happiness!
Everyone cheered. Amy was in tears while Tom rubbed his eyes. Wright was happy and relieved the toast went well.
She mostly people watched throughout the reception. Darla had brought a date, but they didn't seem interested in each other and he ended up dancing with a cousin of Amy's. She took a seat next to Wright.
"You wishing you brought someone as a date?" she asked.
"Do you think it would really work out between us?" Wright asked.
"You two have been dancing around each other for years," Darla said. "Just get together already!"
"If only it were that easy," she said with a sigh.
Wright got up.
"I'm going to get Aria," she said.
"These things were a little more fun when we were younger," Darla said.
"Don't call us old," Wright said. "Thirty-four isn't old."
"My back says otherwise," she said.
Wright laughed. It might be worth having Darla around on a more regular basis.
…
After reading Aria three bedtime stories and thoroughly massaging her feet, Wright logged online. Friends had already emailed her photos of the wedding. She had to admit, she looked good in pink delivering the toast. Skimming the news headlines, one regarding an FBI agent being denied bail over the death of a dual citizen piqued her interest. She wondered if Reid knew the agent as she clicked on the article.
Wright nearly fell out of her chair. It felt as though the air had been pulled out of the apartment as she looked at Reid's mug shot. His eyes looked haunted.
"What happened Spencer?"