Groomless - Part 2 (13 page)

“Not now. I’ll get you one after though,” he said.

“What? What good will a wet wipe do after?”

“You said you needed a drink.”

“Oh. I said that out loud?”

“Hmm. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for them to mic you,” he said, laughing.

“Maybe not.”

“They got some little contest they’re going to spring on you. You have to pick a groom. It’s a contest or some kind of game.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You get to pick three bachelors from the audience. And I’ll be sitting in the front row. You’ll pick me, right?”

“Of course. What if you don’t win?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll win. And it’s not mandatory you play.”

“Is it rigged?”

“No.”

“What if you don’t win?”

“I will. Do you think I’m going to let somebody else marry you?”

I blew out a long breath.

“It’ll be fun.”

I smiled.

“Did you like the photos I emailed you?” he asked.

“No. I looked like shit in high school. Braces, big, bouncy curls. I was fugly before fugly was a word.”

“Aw. I think it’s sweet. People love to see awkward childhood photos, because we’ve all been there. It makes you relatable and endearing.”

“You were never awkward,” I said.

“You have no idea how awkward I was…and still am,” he mused as I was led out onto the set. 

* * *

Before Daddy and I stepped onstage, I heard my voice saying about two sentences about my dad having pancreatic cancer and wanting the father/daughter dance, the studio audience broke out in a round of “Aw,” and I had to blink back tears. It was even harder when I looked over at my dad, who was looking quite dapper in all his stage makeup.

“I can’t believe I let them put this junk on me,” he said, pointing at his eyes that had been touched up with a tiny bit of TV-appropriate cosmetics for men. “I’ve done a lotta crazy things in my life, but I never thought I’d be a cover girl.”

I laughed and squeezed his hand. “It’s only to help with the glare from the cameras, Daddy,” I said. “Besides, I’ve never seen you looking so pretty.”

He shook his head and grinned at me. “I guess that Zack friend of yours would say I’m fabulous, right?”

“Right,” I said, smiling back at him. “My daddy the diva!”

The next thing I knew, music was playing, people were cheering and clapping and I was walking onstage to the embrace of Kelly and Michael. Kelly Ripa was, if possible, tinier and cuter in person than she was on TV. She was just as sweet and bubbly though.

“Please have a seat,” Michael said.

“I saw you on the Superbowl,” my dad said.

Kelly smiled. “I see we have an ultimate sports fan with us today.”

Michael chuckled. “Well, I’ve seen you as well, on the History Channel, in a documentary about some of your escapades. You were a true adventurer.”

“I was born with an unquenchable thirst to travel and see the world,” my dad said.

“Yes,” Michael said. “You’ve done things people can only dream of, and now?”

“Well, I suppose now, all I want is a dance with my daughter at her wedding reception. I don’t think that’s askin’ too much, and it will mean more to me than climbing Mount Everest any day.”

The crowd cheered and clapped, and a few even dobbed hankies at the corners of their moistened eyes.

Grinning, my dad and I took a seat.

“Your story is really quite amazing,” Kelly said, “and it has touched so many people across the country. Such a love story, between a father and daughter! How did you come up with this idea?”

My dad cut in. “I told Julia that one of my biggest regrets will be that I won’t be around to walk her down the aisle or dance with her at her wedding reception. She promised that she will make it happen somehow, and I’ve never been happier!”

“It was really a no-brainer. I mean, I think every girl dreams of that special moment, that dance with her father,” I said. “I already lost my mother to cancer, and…” My voice trailed off as emotion consumed me.

“It’s okay,” Kelly said sweetly. “We know how difficult this is.”

“I just love my dad,” I said. “I am devastated that he won’t be at my real wedding. I know love is nothing to rush into, but I could kick myself for, uh…not meeting Mr. Right yet.” I made sure not to look at Luke when I said it, as they had sneakily seated him in the audience in a darker corner of the studio so he wouldn’t be recognized right away, but I could feel him staring at me, and I squirmed in my chair a little and began nervously bobbing my right wedge shoe up and down at the end of my crossed legs.

“You can’t rush love on my account, honey,” my dad said. “It’ll come when the time is right.”

A tear dripped down my face. “Unfortunately, that might be years from now, when you’re not here anymore. That kills me more than anything.”

My dad gripped my hand. “You know I’ll be there in spirit.”

“I know. You and Mom will both be angels, looking down on me.” I regained my composure and looked at Kelly. “I didn’t want us to miss out on such a special moment, so I saw no harm in doing it now, even if I don’t have a fiancé yet. We can still enjoy that wonderful dance, and I will videotape it and play it back later, when I tie the knot for real someday.”

“So we invited friends and family to the big event,” my dad said. “Everyone is thrilled. It’s going to be one big, beautiful party, attended by all the people I love and adore. Mostly, I’m just grateful that I’ll get that dance with my daughter.”

“So beautiful,” Kelly said.

“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. After all, I’ve lived a great life,” my dad said. “I have no fear of death, and I’m not afraid to talk about my cancer.”

“How did you feel when you received your diagnosis?” Michael asked.

“I was numb and in shock at first,” my dad said, “but I was determined to fight it. I did, for as long as I could. We all did. We never gave up hope, but now that I’ve reached the end of that battle, I see the end of my life as the beginning of something even bigger.”

“Are you talking about Heaven?” Kelly asked.

“Definitely, and I know my wife is waiting up there for me.”

She looked at me. “How do you feel? Beyond all this wedding and reception business, you must really be heartbroken about your father.”

“Of course. I don’t want Dad to leave. I want him to stay and walk me down the aisle, dance at my real wedding, and see his grandbabies someday. Honestly, I’m as angry as I am sad.”

“Angry?” Michael probed.

“Yes. I’m furious at fate. It already took my mother, and now it’s taking my father, the most precious thing in my life, but I’m powerless to stop it.”

“We can scale mountains and do all sorts of things in life, but no one can fight death and win, darling,” my dad said, reaching over to pat my hand. He then turned back to Michael. “I’ve come to accept it. It was a long journey and a difficult process, but I don’t want to spend my last few months being bitter. I’ve had a wonderful life, and I’m thankful for all the things I’ve had a chance to do, for all the amazing things I’ve seen and experienced. I’m feel blessed to have lived as long as I have, especially with all the crazy kind of risks I took.”

“You’ve traveled the globe,” Michael said. “I know we are all different and that there is a vast array of cultures, but what are people generally like?” 

“I’ve encountered amazing people. Not only have they changed my life and my perspective, but many have gone out of their way to help me.”

“So the old saying is true then. We can depend on the kindness of strangers?”

“Absolutely.”

“How would you sum up your life?” Kelly asked. “If you could give everyone one piece of advice, what would it be?”

“Enjoy the show…and don’t wait for the finale to smile!”

Kelly smiled her pretty smile at my father. “Well, you’ve certainly practiced what you’ve preached, and what a show you’ve had!”

“You’re right about that,” my dad agreed.

“About the reception, I heard you’ll be dancing to ‘Daddy’ by Beyoncé. It’s such a touching song, and my heart just swells every time I hear it.”

“I picked it because I think it completely captures the relationship between me and my dad,” I chimed in. “We’re very close, so it’s perfect.”

“This is all so sweet,” Michael said, “but it’s even more inspiring that you are so very brave and courageous. We all admire you.” 

“Thank you,” my dad said.

“We have a surprise for you,” Kelly said.

I smiled. “Really?”

“We heard about your poor pretend groom, Zack. He’s such a sweetheart.”

“You know him?”

“Of course! He’s all the rage in the modeling industry.”

“Yes, and he’s quick to tell everyone about it too,” I joked. “Zack is always a diva.”

“That he is,” Kelly said, smiling at me. “We sent him some flowers, and we’re hoping for a speedy recovery.”

“In fact, we have him on the phone right now,” Michael said. “Hello, Zack. Are you there?”

“I’d be a whole lot better if I wasn’t stuck in a full-body cast. It isn’t exactly flattering my figure. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there today,” Zack said. “I also hate missing out on Julia’s wedding,” he said.

“That’s okay, Zack,” I cut in.

“Girl, you’re such a beautiful girl, and you’ve got it all goin’ on. There are lot of eligible bachelors in New York City. Trust me on that!”

Everyone laughed, including Kelly, Michael, and the audience, and my dad just giggled and looked at the floor, shaking his head.

“Here’s the real surprise,” Kelly said. “As it turns out, your dad and your runaway groom—”

“Girl, I didn’t run nowhere except in front of a bus!” Zack interrupted.

Kelly, never one to lose her composure, just smiled. “Well, the two of them conspired with us to turn this episode into a bit of a, um…game show.”

“A game show?” I asked.

“Yes! Welcome to your own personal version of
Fast-Track Bachelorette
! We’ve filled our audience with some of New York’s finest, most eligible bachelors,” she said, pointing at the crowd.

Blushing, I glanced around and realized some of the seats were occupied by gorgeous guys, as if they’d brought in an entire troupe of Chippendales dancers. “You did what?”

The men began to clap, hoot, and holler as party music strummed and a sign descended, all lit up in neon. 

My cheeks blushed. “Oh gosh. There’s a sign…with, uh, my name on it.”

“Of course there is! This is
your
show, honey,” Kelly said.

I glanced over at my dad, who was cheesing from ear to ear and then burst out in laughter. I tried to look back to where Luke was sitting in the audience, but he was hard to see with the glaring lights in my face. 

“You don’t have to play,” Michael said, “but we’ve got a really nice prize package for you.”

Kelly began to laugh and blush. “Don’t say ‘package,’” she playfully scolded her co-host, then slapped him on the knee.

Rolling his eyes at her, Michael continued, “Once we have a winner, you’ll also get a half-carat diamond wedding ring set from Tiffany’s.”

I leaned back in my chair and placed my hand on my chest, struggling to catch my breath. “That’s really sweet, but it’s all just pretend. What will I do with a wedding set?”

“Wear it, of course!” Kelly squealed. “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, ya know, even in a make-believe wedding!”

“I suppose…” I said.

“That’s just the beginning, dear,” Kelly said. “You can also choose a designer, who will create the wedding gown of your dreams. Not only that, but we’re going to send you on the greatest honeymoon trip, to the beautiful Now Jade Riviera Resort in Mexico.”

“You mean a real vacation?” I asked.

“Sure! Every hardworking girl deserves one,” Kelly said.

I smiled.

“Your childhood sweetheart, Luke Ellison is here. He’s single and ready to win your heart. And he has agreed to play. Well, that’s if you pick him. It’s all up to you, girl.”

As soon as she said it, that dreaded purple dress picture flashed on the screen overhead, and the audience broke out in another chorus of, “Aw!”

“Luke is Donald Trump’s protégé and he also runs that app guru we all saw in Forbes! Ladies and gentleman, Luke Ellison!”

The audience went wild, and Luke sat down beside me, nodding his appreciation to his adoring fans.

“So? Are you going to play or not?” Michael asked with a huge grin. 

I looked at my dad. “Do you really want a stranger to play the role of groom? I thought we already asked—”

“Honey, who in her right mind would turn down a gorgeous gown and all that blue water, white sand, and Mexican sun dancing on her face? And look at all these handsome fellas who are dying to get to know you!” he said, grinning out at the audience. “Can’t say I blame ‘em.”