"How do I look?" Reyna questioned as she studied herself in the mirror. She had spent almost two hours getting her hair and makeup done. Her hair had been washed, meticulously straightened, and then curled slightly.
"Honestly? You look beautiful," Nico replied as he stood next to Reyna. He wore a dress shirt and dress pants. At the moment, he was trying to fix his tie. A small smile came to Reyna's face as she walked behind Nico and helped him fix the tie.
"You look handsome as well," Reyna said as she smiled slightly. Reyna had woken up the day before to a phone call from Hylla that said she was going to get married. She just wished her stitches were already removed. At least the makeup covered up the fading bruises.
For being a last-second thing, this didn't feel that last second. Hylla had rented out a small park where the wedding would take place. It was already set up, and Reyna helped them find a caterer. The wedding cake would arrive soon.
"I'm going to check on Hylla," Reyna said as she finished with the tie. "Help me with my dress after?"
"Of course," Nico returned. Reyna stepped out of the room and walked across the hall. She knocked on the door and opened it slightly.
"No peeking!" Hylla called. Reyna rolled her eyes.
"I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to peek," Reyna called back. No response was given. "Coming in."
Reyna pushed open the door slightly and stepped inside. She looked at her sister, and her eyes widened. Hylla looked... perfect. Her black hair had been straightened and looked like silk. The makeup on her face was perfect, and she looked amazing in her white dress. It wasn't anything too fancy, but it looked amazing on her.
"Wow," Reyna began as she walked toward Hylla. "You look amazing."
"You too," Hylla complimented as she looked at Reyna. It seemed like there was a permanent smile on her face.
"Are you nervous?" Reyna asked as she leaned on the table and studied her older sister. Hylla met her eyes.
"Terrified," Hylla admitted. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. "I can't believe I'm really doing this… I'm going to get married!"
"I can't believe you woke up yesterday and decided just suddenly to get married," Reyna commented.
"Yeah. Well, I don't know. I couldn't wait any longer. I was talking about the park and this party hall. They told us that they had an opening today or next month. And, Kinzie said we should just do today."
Reyna smiled slightly. A knock on the door caused her to turn her head. A woman's voice called through the door, "Hylla? Are you doing okay in there, hun?"
"Kinzie's mom," Hylla whispered to Reyna. She turned her head to look at the door. "I am."
"May I come in?" Kinzie's mom asked.
"Of course," Hylla answered. The door opened, and Reyna turned to examine Kinzie's mom. The woman had auburn hair and a bright smile that lit up her brown eyes. It widened upon seeing Reyna.
"You must be Reyna," Kinzie's mom said with a smile.
"Yeah," Reyna began. She made a noise as Kinzie's mom crushed her in a hug. After a moment and a grin from Hylla, Reyna hugged Kinzie's mom back. "It's nice to meet you."
A big smile was given to Reyna, and all she could do was look at Hylla in confusion. She knew that Kinzie and her mom had their relationship fractured when Kinzie was kicked out, but they repaired it sometime after. They were just as close as they used to be.
"You look so beautiful," Kinize's mom began as she looked at Hylla. The beginning of a blush touched Hylla's cheeks. "Do you need anything?"
"I'm perfect," Hylla replied with that beaming smile.
"Let me know if you do," Kinzie's mom offered as she took a step back.
"I will," Hylla promised. As the door closed behind Kinzie's mom, Hylla didn't drop her smile. It was the happiest Reyna had ever seen her look.
"Get that stupid grin off your face," Reyna said with an eye roll. Hylla flipped her off. "I'm really happy for you, Hylla."
Hylla met her eyes, and the look of pure joy on her face almost made Reyna's eyes water. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze. Hylla spoke, "Do you need help putting on your dress?"
"Nico is going to help me," Reyna replied. She rolled her good shoulder and motioned to the bad one. "I still need to take it easy."
"I do appreciate you wearing the dress," Hylla began. Reyna averted her gaze and shrugged. "I know that it makes you uncomfortable."
"Everyone will be focused on you. Not the scar," Reyna said quickly. She felt a bit of nerves twist her gut. Hylla nodded and looked down at her lap. "Hey, keep that stupid smile on your face. You should be happy."
"I am," Hylla said with a sigh. "I just wish that our family was here."
"Our family is here," Reyna retorted as she leaned on the counter next to Hylla. "You and me, together like we always should have been. Your soon to be wife. Not to mention her mom who actually seems to like you. Is she okay?"
Hylla closed her eyes. She quickly nodded, "Yeah. You're right. I shouldn't dwell on those things."
Reyna pulled her sister into a careful hug, making sure not to ruffle her dress or hair. Hylla hugged her back. They pulled away after a few moments. Reyna spoke, "Alright, I'm going to get dressed and then get ready to send you off. I get land for that, right?"
Hylla rolled her eyes. Reyna smirked and left the room. She turned and made her way back into the changing room where Nico was. He had placed her dress out for her. Reyna wordlessly closed the door and took her shirt off.
"Warning next time," Nico complained as he looked back at her. Reyna tossed the shirt at his head. "Hey! This took forever to get perfect."
Reyna ignored him as she slipped off her pants and put on the pantyhose that she had bought just for this occasion. Then, she started to put on the dress. Nico had to help her pull it up and zip up the back. As Reyna adjusted the dress, she saw Nico's gaze flicker to her back.
"That noticeable?" Reyna questioned. Nico stepped away to grab her high heels. Reyna felt herself shifting uncomfortably, already feeling eyes on her back.
"Kind of," Nico admitted after a moment. "I'm sure no one will be focused on it."
Reyna just nodded. The old scar was courtesy of her father and one of his episodes. It was the one reason she didn't wear a dress, since most of them seemed to highlight that scarred piece of flesh on her back. It was another reason she wore tank tops that covered most of, if not all of her torso during her fights.
"You okay?" Nico asked.
"I've got a lot going through my head," Reyna admitted. A sigh left her. "Mostly, I'm happy for Hylla. Really happy for her. She found a great woman."
"And, you're giving them a great honeymoon," Nico added. Reyna smiled and nodded her agreement. She sighed and looked down at her hands.
"I wish our mother was here," Reyna said softly. She averted her gaze. "It sounds stupid."
"It doesn't," Nico denied. Reyna managed a shrug. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not right now," Reyna answered. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I need to focus on making this an amazing day for Hylla and Kinzie. That is the only thing that matters."
Nico nodded his agreement. Reyna opened her eyes and fixed a small amount of hair. She adjusted the dress, and Nico helped her. Reyna spoke, "I'm going to check on Kinzie."
"Don't bust your ass falling in those high heels," Nico teased. Reyna promptly flipped him off before walking out of the room. Down the hall was Kinzie's mom, and she stood in front of a man. The man was slightly hunched, and he held a cane in his right hand.
Silver hair was on his balding head, and there was a small scowl on his face. Kinzie's mom stood in front of him like a guard. Reyna stared for a moment before making her way over. She cleared her throat and spoke, "Is everything okay?"
"I want to see my daughter," the man said. There was a slight slur in his voice. "It's her wedding. Her damn father should be involved!"
"You're drunk," Kinzie's mom replied. The man raised his hand slightly, and Kinzie's mom flinched. Reyna saw red, and she immediately stepped between them.
"Don't make me kick you out," Reyna began. The man, Kinzie's father, opened his mouth. "Don't. Don't say a word. I know you're a piece of shit. This is going to be the happiest day of Kinzie's life. You can be part of it only if you turn around right now and find a seat in the very back."
"I should be the one walking her do-"
"You lost that privilege when you treated her like you did!" Reyna bit back. She felt her hands starting to shake in anger. "The fact that you are here proves that you still have some love for Kinzie. If you really do, don't make a scene. Go to the back of the crowd and watch."
Kinzie's father studied her for a long moment. Reyna met his eyes and didn't waver. He finally broke eye contact and turned away. Kinzie's father spoke in a quiet voice, "Okay."
Reyna heard the door near them open and turned her head to see Nico. She spoke, "My friend here can escort you. Nico, can you show this gentleman to a seat in the back?"
Nico seemed to take in the scene for a moment. His eyes seemed to focus on the shaking of Reyna's hands. And how she was in between the two. Nico nodded his agreement. Kinzie's father started to walk away.
"And if you dare do anything to disrupt the wedding," Reyna began.
"I won't," Kinzie's father promised in a soft voice. "I just want to be here for my daughter."
"Come on," Nico said softly, and he started to lead Kinzie's father away. Reyna moved her fingers to try and stop the shaking in her hand. She turned to look at Kinzie's mother.
"You okay?" Reyna questioned. "I can have him taken out of here if you think he will disrupt the wedding or try to hurt you."
"No," Kinzie's mom answered after a moment. "I just can't believe he actually came. And, thank you."
"Of course," Reyna returned. "Nico and I can handle him if we need to. Why don't you just get Kinzie ready, and I'll get Hylla. The wedding starts soon."
Kinzie's mother nodded and stepped into the room with Kinzie. Reyna caught a glimpse of Kinzie in her beautiful wedding dress, and it made a smile come to her face. This wedding was going to happen, and their family would grow.
Reyna walked toward the room Hylla was in and knocked on the door. She stepped inside and looked at Hylla. Her older sister gave her a look. Reyna spoke, "Are you ready to get married?"