Free My Never: a novella by Renee Swann

we can handle.”
    I
nodded. Losing my best friend and discovering my true love had a seven year old
was enough for me. I had reached my limit.
    Ruby
bounced into the hallway and twirled. “Hey, Moni.”
    “You
look so pretty,” I said.
    “Do
you have your flowers?” said Mum.
    “Yes.”
She tugged the bunch from the table.
    “Good
girl.” Mum signalled to Patrick.
    He
skipped a track on the CD then gave us a thumbs-up. The instrumental version of A Thousand Years trickled through the speakers.
    And
then I couldn’t see anything else but Troy. His handsome face, sparkling eyes.
Gentle smile and white rose pinned to his tux. My pace quickened as I neared.
This was taking far too long.
    “Breathe,”
Mum whispered in my ear.
    I
ignored that and closed the gap between my groom and me.
    He
reached for my hand and touched his lips to it. “Love you.”
    “I
love you, too.”
    Jay
cleared his throat. “If you two lovebirds are done, I’d like to get the
ceremony underway.”
    “Go
ahead,” said Troy.
    Jay cleared his throat again. “ Love is the greatest gift
one can give and receive.” His eyes flicked to us. “It’s irreplaceable. When
two people entrust one another with their hearts, innermost feelings and lives,
their bond strengthens, until they become a whole. This closeness cannot be
measured.” His gaze settled on our families. “We are gathered here today,
because love has found Monique and Troy - again.”
    I returned his smirk.
    Jay winked at me. “And interlaced them together.
We are gathered to rejoice, to recount with one another, that it is love that
leads us to our true destination and to celebrate that Monique and Troy have
finally arrived. ”
    As I stared at Troy, Jay’s voice
became a blur. I couldn’t force myself to concentrate on the words he spoke for
longer than a second.
    Troy
nudged me then reached for my other hand. “ I love you. You are my best friend, my soul mate.
You are everything I dreamt of and more.” His grin widened. “From the moment I met
you, twenty-five years ago, I knew that you were the one. Today, I give myself
to you in marriage. I promise to-”
    “What
is this?” A dirty blonde stepped onto the porch, her eyes hard. “What the fuck
is this?”
    Ruby
dropped her flowers and sprinted over to her. “Mum!”
    I
cut my eyes to Troy. “What’s Lauren doing here?”
    He
shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    Patrick
ambled over to her. “Laur, we’re kinda busy here.”
    “I
can see that.” She grabbed Ruby’s hand. “C’mon, we’re going.”
    “I
wanna stay.” Ruby fought to free her arm.
    “I’d
better speak to her,” said Troy, “I’ll be back.”
    My
eyes tracked him as he marched over to her.
    “It’ll
be fine,” said Jay, “Give him a minute.”
    Mum
offered me a glass.
    I
snatched it then spun, white-hot anger circulating through me. How dare she ruin our wedding? I felt an arm drape over my shoulders. I shook Jay off.
“Don’t touch me.”
    “Hey,
I’m just tryin’ to help.” His face dropped.
    I
sighed and turned to him. “Sorry.” I let him hug me. “It’s just that she really
gets on my nerves, the way she treats him and Ruby.”
    “Feeling’s
mutual.”
    Lauren’s
voice carried over to us. “No, I’m taking her home!”
    “Laur, please ,” said Troy, “I’ll drop her home later.”
    “No.”
She shook her head. “I’m not gonna let her be a flower girl for that whore.”
She gestured towards me.
    “Watch
your mouth,” said Troy.
    “Or
what?” She stepped closer, nose-to-nose.
    Ruby
tugged on Lauren’s arm. “Mummy.”
    Her
features hardened further. “Shut up!”
    I
inched forward. “Hey-”
    “Mummy,
I wanna stay!”
    “Shut
up!” Her arm snapped back.
    Ruby
crumpled to the floor.
    I
lurched forward and shoved Lauren. “Don’t touch her again,” I growled.
    “You’re
not her mother,” she said.
    “No,
but I will be a better one than you will ever be.” I swivelled. “You
okay,