Page 46 of Grumpy Orc Daddy
Rayna nods, her gaze drifting upwards. "Do you think she'll love the stars as much as we do?"
"I think she'll love them even more," I answer, feeling a profound connection to the moment and to the dreams we are weaving together. "Because every time she looks up, she'll remember nights like this, with us."
As the night begins to draw to a close, a deep sense of fulfillment washes over me. Holding Rayna close, I feel the weight of our shared dreams and the promise of the future. My heart is full, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey we are on together. The night air is cool, but the future we're building feels warm and endlessly bright
CHAPTER 29
Rayna
Idon'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?"