29. Rayna

CHAPTER 29

Rayna

I don't waste any time throwing myself into wedding planning. My heart flutters every time my ring catches the sunlight that streams through the living room window. It's a very large single solitaire, three carats to my complete surprise. Janta thought it was funny when I almost fainted.

Despite my excitement, I'm quickly overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. From choosing a venue to selecting a dress, the process is both exhilarating and daunting.

"What about that place downtown?" Janta asks after I express my overwhelm. I make a face because I know exactly which one he's talking about.

"No. It's too big, Janta. Too expensive. Besides, I don't even know that many people." Janta chuckles with a look of relief

"Look Rayna, I'm prepared to spend as much as you need to have the wedding you'll love and deserve to have but I'm happy to hear you say you don't want something big."

"I didn't say I don't want something big," I argue. "I said that the venue was too big."

I pause, taking a deep breath to gather my thoughts. The sunlight catches my ring again, sending little shards of light dancing across the walls, a beautiful distraction from the growing tension. Janta's willingness to support my dream wedding touches me deeply, but it's crucial we find a middle ground.

"Janta, I appreciate that so much, you know I do," I start, my tone softening. "It's just that I want our wedding to feel intimate, personal. Maybe we could find something that feels grand but still cozy?"

Janta nods, his eyes thoughtful. "Okay, that makes sense. What about looking for a venue that offers different spaces? Something versatile where we can tailor the size of the space to fit our guest list?"

His suggestion brightens my mood instantly. "That's a brilliant idea!" I exclaim, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders. "We could have different areas for the ceremony, dinner, and dancing. It would feel more personal and still manage to be grand."

"Exactly," Janta agrees, his face lighting up with a smile.

I lean over and give him a quick kiss, grateful for his creativity and understanding.

"And what about the guest list?" Janta asks, pulling out his phone to jot down notes. "We need to make sure it's big enough to include everyone important, but not so big it becomes impersonal."

"That's the next challenge," I say with a laugh. "Let's start with family and our closest friends and see where we go from there. We can adjust as we see the venue spaces."

As we dive into the details, I feel our teamwork knitting us even closer. We're not just planning a wedding; we're building our future, one careful, loving decision at a time. It's overwhelming, yes, but with Janta, it feels like everything will fall perfectly into place.

A few days later, my stomach knots with nervousness as we walk up to my parents' house. Janta, towering and green-skinned, squeezes my hand reassuringly.

"Ready?" he whispers, his tusks curving into a warm smile.

"As I'll ever be," I reply, squeezing back.

As Janta and I step through the door into the bustling warmth of my family's living room, the chatter dips for a moment—eyes wide, smiles tentatively forming. Janta's towering frame and bold green hue are, admittedly, not the everyday sight for my human relatives.

But once the moment has passed, we're immediately engulfed in the boisterous warmth typical of my family gatherings. Mom rushes forward, her eyes wide—not with shock, but with boundless curiosity.

"Rayna, darling! And you must be Janta!" she exclaims. Without hesitation, she pulls him into a hug, barely reaching his chest. Janta gently pats her back, looking slightly bewildered but amused.

Dad's approach is more cautious but still welcoming. He extends a hand, which Janta engulfs with his massive, green one. "Nice to finally meet you, sir," Janta says, his deep voice filling the room.

"You're... taller than you looked in the photos. And very green," Dad observes from behind his glasses, squinting up at Janta as if he might shrink under scrutiny.

Janta chuckles, a deep rumble that seems to set the room at ease. "Camera angles, sir. They can be quite deceiving."

My grandmother, never one to shy away from speaking her mind, pipes up from her armchair, her eyes twinkling. "And those tusks! Are they for eating or just for show?"

Janta grins, showing off his tusks even more. "Mostly for show in these modern times, ma'am."

The room erupts in laughter, the ice finally broken. My sister, always the hostess, jumps in with a tray of appetizers. "Try some of these, Janta! Just be careful, they're not orc-sized bites."

As Janta carefully picks up a tiny canapé, barely visible against his massive fingers, my best friend leans over to whisper loudly, "Bet you never had to worry about him stealing your snacks, huh, Rayna?"

More laughter follows, and as I watch Janta interact with my family—answering questions, sharing stories, even letting my little cousin peek into his mouth to 'see where he puts all the food'—my heart swells. This is more than acceptance; it's the beginning of new friendships, a blending of worlds that I had hoped for but hadn't dared to expect. The love I feel for Janta deepens, matched only by my gratitude for the open hearts surrounding us

The real icebreaker comes courtesy of my five-year-old nephew, Timmy, who circles Janta, eyes huge. "Are you the Hulk?" he finally asks, voice tinged with hopeful awe.

Laughter erupts from everyone, and even Janta chuckles. "Not quite, buddy. But I can do a pretty good Hulk impression if you want."

Timmy nods eagerly, and Janta obliges, flexing and pretending to growl, making Timmy squeal with delight and run around pretending to be a mini-Hulk.

As the evening unfolds, the initial awkwardness melts away under the heat of shared laughter and stories. My family embraces Janta not just as an orc, but as the person who loves me. It's touching and, honestly, a relief. There's love, a lot of laughter, and an overwhelming sense of acceptance—it's all I could have hoped for.

The next day, with the stress of meeting my family behind us, I dive back into the chaos of fabric swatches and guest lists scattered across the living room floor. I'm completely engrossed, holding up two similar swatches to light when I hear a giggle, soft but full of curiosity, and when I look up, there stands Lily, teetering on unsteady legs.

"Janta, look!" I barely breathe the words, my heart thumping wildly.

He turns just in time to see Lily take her first hesitant step, then another, her tiny arms outstretched towards him as if she's been walking all her life. The moment freezes, every worry about table settings and flower arrangements fading into insignificance.

"She's walking!" My voice breaks with emotion as Lily, with a triumphant grin, makes her way into Janta's waiting arms. He scoops her up, spinning her gently, her laughter filling the room like music.

I rush over, tears of joy blurring my vision. Janta looks at me, his eyes shining with pride and love. As I reach them, he leans down and we share a quick, impromptu kiss, our lips meeting in a tender embrace that says everything words cannot. Then, he pulls me into his arms, the three of us a tangled group of hugs and kisses.

"Our baby girl is walking," I whisper against his chest, overwhelmed by the profound simplicity of the moment.

"This is another huge milestone," Janta's deep voice whispers back, kissing the top of my head. "We're doing okay, aren't we?"

"More than okay," I reply, pulling back to look at both of them. "We're a family."

We spend the rest of the evening celebrating Lily's new skill, forgetting all about wedding plans. Instead, we walk back and forth across the room, cheering every shaky step Lily takes. Each little footfall stitches us closer together, weaving stronger bonds of love and unity. It's a simple, perfect night, marking not just a milestone for Lily, but a deepening of our family's connection.

After the excitement of Lily's first steps, the rest of the day passes by in a blur of wedding planning and hovering over our new little walker. I watch Janta gently tuck Lily into bed, her little hands clutching her favorite stuffed dragon, a wave of gratitude washes over me. I lean against the doorway, observing this quiet tableau of our little family, and my heart fills to overflowing.

It seems like just yesterday we were navigating the uncertainty of blending our worlds. Janta, not yet aware of his fathering Lily, and me, moving to a new town with just my suitcase and Lily on my hip. Yet, here we are, a family that has not just survived but is thriving through every challenge thrown our way.

As Janta turns from Lily's bedside and catches my eye, his gaze softens, and he walks over to where I stand. He wraps his arms around me, and I rest my head against his broad chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

"Thinking about our journey?" he whispers, his voice a deep rumble that resonates with warmth.

I nod, squeezing him tighter. "I can't help but feel so incredibly lucky, Janta. Every step, every challenge, has brought us here. To this moment. To a life filled with love and laughter."

He chuckles softly, pulling back slightly so he can look into my eyes. "Rayna, my heart, I've never been more thankful for anything as I am for the day you walked into my life. You and Lily, you're my world."

His words, so simple yet so profound, deepen the well of emotion inside me.

We stand there, in the soft glow of the hallway light, embracing each other. The challenges of the past, the joys of the present, and the promise of the future meld into a single, overwhelming feeling of contentment.

This journey, with its ups and downs, has been beautiful because it's ours, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. My heart swells with love and appreciation for the family we've become, a little unit of love and strength against whatever else may come.