Roma and her were dancing.

It was an 80's love ballad that was too on the nose for her tastes.

Roma held her close but his hands didn't stray past her waist. He hummed along with the tune and she could smell the scent of his cologne.

"It's almost time for speeches," he said.

"Hmm." She lifted her head up. "So soon?"

Roma smiled, his golden tooth winking at her. "Out girl is getting married. We have our whole lives to dance."

"A promise?"

He lifted their intwined hands and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "I vow it."

Both of them were seated near the couple. Meera and Ivan held hand under the table as family members got up and gave speeches congratulating the happy couple.

She had dreaded this moment.

Ivan Farewell was a ruthless monster but his love for Meera meant he would never hurt her. Sonica had scars that could last a lifetime. She just hoped Meera would be spared her fate.

Roma finished his speech and passed the mic to her.

Sonica stood up, hitting her glass with her fork.

She felt words escape her.

It was time for the speech. She had packed notecards but felt they couldn't convey everything she wanted to say.

Roma winked at her encouragingly.

"Ladies and gentlewoman, thank you for attending." She looked at Meera who gave her a smile. "When my daughter said she was getting married, I felt as if I had aged several years in just one second. My daughter getting married? How strange?"

Everyone laughed at that. Sonica kept her smile on.

"I have raised my daughter to be strong and compassionate, to always do the right thing, and follow her heart. It's not logical but life never is. Marriage is one of the strangest mysteries in life, a good one of course. There's a saying in India that my parents use to say. To build a marriage and to build a house, both will take effort."

"My darling Meera, I want you to remember that there's more than happily ever afters. There's love and sadness and trials and tribulations. What I'm trying to say... is that you have a wonderful and beautiful life in front of you."

"Ivan, you're a good man. I'm happy that my daughter chose you. You make her happy and that's all I could ever want." Sonica raised her glass signaling a toast. There were tears in her eyes and she had to finish this speech quickly before she started to cry. "To the newly weds."

She was met with polite applause. Meera's eyes sparkled as she reached for her hand.

"Thank you," Meera said.

Sonica could never deny her daughter anything. "For you, my dear. Anything."

"You know," Meera said with a knowing look. "If you and Uncle Roma get married—"

"My darling daughter, please focus on your nuptials."

"I'm just saying."

She rubbed her temple. "I know."

"I'm happy for the both of you."

Ivan met her eyes and gave her a nod. She nodded back.

"You did a good job," Roma said, rubbing her back. "I think that's the most I've ever heard you speak."

"I wished you were her father." Sonica said quietly. "She would've been so much happier."

"I still got a chance to raise her." Roma nodded his head towards the happy couple. "She will always be our little girl. No matter what."

"I'm happy she had us."

"Look at my Passoretta, she's so beautiful. Just like her mother."

"Of course. Our genes are strong."

Sonica laid her head on his shoulders. "I'm tired of traveling. I just want to settle down somewhere."

"Well...I know a nice cabin. Just us for a whole week, no distractions."

"That's sounds lovely." She smiled faintly.

Roma kissed her hand. "I think we can dance to one more song. We have all the time in the world."

"Yes." She smiled, feeling her heart lift out of the depths. "We do."