The Wedding, Part 2

"And now I present to you, Mrs. and Mrs. Dillard-Watkins as they take to the dance floor for their first dance as wife and wife." The lights dimmed as the spotlight swung on to Jill and Sarah take the floor surrounded by their family and friends. Head Over Boots began playing over the speakers. Some of the guests assumed it was Jill's choice given her background, but those closest to the couple knew better. Sarah glided across the dance floor like the princess Jill made her feel like she was.

As the song ended Jill kissed Sarah sweetly as she dipped her new bride. Sarah wrapped her arms around Jill kissing her back with full ****, forgetting she was surrounded by everyone she knew until they began to applaud. Giggly and more than a little embarrassed she covered her mouth with one hand and waved with the other. Jill laughed and hugged Sarah.

"And now, can I get the father of the brides to come to the dance floor for the father-daughter dance?"

Martin was quick to take Sarah's hand as he lead her away. Jill turned ready to leave the floor when she saw her own father. "Daddy?" Her voice caught in her throat.

"Hey, jillybean."

One month ago

Sarah entered a 'The Dive' bar one night while Jill was busy studying and Jill believed she was doing bridal stuff. Planning a wedding around classes was harder than she had imagined, but that was not why she was in such a disgusting place. Steeling herself she approached the bar, pushing her way past two old drunks. "Have you seen a man named Randal Dillard?"

"Who's asking?"

"It's about his daughter."

The bartender pointed towards the end of the bar where a slovenly man with dirty blonde hair sat fingering the side of a glass pint. "E-excuse me." Sarah stuttered.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Sarah Watkins and-"

"No." Randal started chugging his beer before raising his empty glass for another.

"It's about your daughter. You see we're getting married and, I don't know if you got the invitation but we never received your RSVP."

"Some people would take that as a hint."

"But...she's your daughter."

"I'm aware." He threw a crumpled up five dollar bill on the counter as he picked up his new glass.

Sarah couldn't understand it, he seemed perfectly content with drinking himself away instead of being with his daughter. "You're her father. She wants you there."

Randal looked at Sarah for the first time. "How do you know?"

"Because I love her. When you love someone you just know."

"That's how I know she doesn't. She's tough, a survivor, she doesn't need me. I haven't been that girl's father for five years."

"She is tough that's true, but she's still your little girl, and she definitely wants her father to be there on her big day." Randal reached into his pocket and when he found it empty he stood to leave. Sarah dug into her purse and threw out a twenty. "You can stay here and be a worthless drunk or you can be her father again." She sat on the empty stool next to him. "I'm not leaving here until you make the right choice." Even though she was angry she kept her voice calm.

NOW

Jill nervously took her father's offered hand. Randal smiled as he began to sway with her while Pachelbel canon in D filled the room. And just like that Jill was seven years old again dancing with her daddy in the living room while her mother played the piano. Jill had so many questions but for now, she left them all by the wayside and simply danced with her daddy.

After the dance finished the DJ invited everyone else to get down on the dance floor. "What are you doing here?" She finally asked.

"Your wife invited me. Well, sort of." He chuckled. "She's exceptional that one."

"She really is." She smiled warmly, "I'm glad you came." and hugged Randal.

Sarah suddenly hugged Jill and Randal tightly. "I knew you would love your surprise!"

Once they broke away Sarah introduced Martin to Randal. "Oh, so you're the one who snuck into the ceremony."

"You were at the ceremony?" Jill was aghast.

"Yeah, I didn't think you'd want me to make a scene so I just stood off in the back."

"Of course I did." Jill hugged her father once again.

An hour later the party is in full swing as people crowd the dance floor or others sit at their tables mingling and laughing. Sarah was one such person to giggle uncontrollably as her new wife nibbled on her ear. "You know, I bet that dress is uncomfortable. We should hurry up and get you out of it."

Sarah slapped Jill's chest arm playfully before looking around the busy party.