Chapter 13: The Next Morning
The morning sun filtered brightly through the large glass windows of the family home, casting warm, golden patches across the hardwood floors of the living room. Milli sat at the kitchen island, sipping a steaming cup of freshly brewed black coffee while wearing a comfortable oversized sweater and pajama pants. The whirlwind of the wedding day was over, replaced by the serene reality of the morning after. James was still upstairs sleeping soundly, exhausted from the emotional and physical marathon of the weekend. The kitchen was quiet, save for the soft bubbling of the coffee maker and the gentle rustle of the morning newspaper lying open on the counter. Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and a moment later, Arthur walked into the kitchen, looking refreshed in a casual cotton button-down shirt and slacks. He poured himself a cup of coffee, leaning against the counter across from his daughter.
"Morning, Mrs. Vance," Arthur said with a warm, teasing smile that Milli hadn't heard in years.
"Morning, dad," Milli replied, smiling back as she took a sip of her coffee. "Did you sleep well?"
"Like a rock for the first time in three years," Arthur admitted, taking a thoughtful sip. "No ghosts keeping me awake, no anxiety about maintaining a fragile illusion. Just peace."
"I'm glad," Milli said softly. "What are your plans for today? James and I fly out for the honeymoon tomorrow morning, but we have today to just decompress."
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"I think I’m going to go through some of your mother’s old photo albums," Arthur said, his voice steady and calm, devoid of the defensive panic he used to exhibit whenever Rosalie’s name was mentioned. "Not to live in the past, but to remember the good parts. To share them with you and James when you get back."
Milli felt a lump rise in her throat, but this time it was purely out of deep, aching gratitude. Her father was finally processing his grief in a healthy way, stepping out from the shadow of loss and into the light of the present. The wedding crisis, as painful as it had been in the moment, had acted as the catalyst for a much-needed emotional awakening. It had forced them to strip away the pretense, confront their deepest fears, and choose authentic connection over comfortable deceit.
