This Life I Lead

Chapter 28

"It's officially the new year." Jeanette sipped her mimosa. "When are you planning the wedding? Or are you just moving your prior plans to April?"

Marcy shook her head. "It's going to be a nice ceremony with a big blowout reception."

"Well if you want help, I did plan my own wedding." Rose said.

"No thank you."

"Be nice." Judy chided. "Let us help you."

"No."

"You don't want our help?" Jeanette demanded.

"No."

"Well!"

"I want your help." Mercedes leaned on the table. "I'm going to hire a party planner for the reception but I need help planning the actual ceremony."

"We can totally help." Judy smiled.

"This is going to cost me a pretty penny, isn't it?" Marcus asked.

"No, Daddy!" Mercedes assured him. "We're going to be very economical."

"That's my girl. I'm glad I started putting money up for you girls' big days. You should have about three million each."

"I know nothing about weddings and I know that's too much." Marc shook his head.

"My little girls are only getting married once so I want them to have whatever they want."

"Thank you, Daddy!" Mercedes and Marcy beamed at him.

"You're welcome, girls. Have you and Sonny picked a day, Princess?"

Mercedes frowned. "No, Daddy. We just figured sometime this year."

"Before or after the twins are born?"

Mercedes blinked. "I have no idea."

"Who do you want to design your dress?" Laura asked.

"Ms. Vera." Mercedes knew that much.

"I already called her about my dress." Marcy said.

"You did? What are you thinking?"

"I don't know. Strapless?"

"It'll be warm when you get married. Should we get married when it's warm?"

Mike shrugged. "Whatever you want."

"Don't give in so soon!" Marc threw up his hands.

"Happy wife, happy life." Michael nodded. "Remember that, Trey."

"I'm not letting some woman lead me around by the nose."

"You'd rather it was a man?" Marcy asked innocently.

Marc narrowed his eyes. "You need a spanking."

She stuck her bottom lip out.

"It's not her fault you're lying to yourself." Mal came to her rescue.

"How am I lying to myself?!" Marc demanded.

"Laura leads you around by the nose." Mike stabbed at food on his plate.

Laura burned almost as bad as Marc. "She does not!"

"Of course she does." Mike wasn't even paying attention to the conversation, let alone his big brother getting angry.

"If she said she wanted to be together, you'd hurt yourself accepting." Mal added.

"That is not true!" Marc yelled.