Alien in the Family

more from my father.
    “Oh.” He looked a little blank, as though he’d never considered the idea. “Never go to bed angry with each other.”
    “Yes? That’s sort of a bumper sticker by now, Dad. I meant something I couldn’t learn from a quick browse through Cosmo or Maxim .”
    “Oh. Well. Huh.” Dad was clearly out on the high diving board over an empty pool.
    “You know, things you did and do to make sure you and Mom have such a great marriage.”
    “Oh! I gave that advice to Jeff already. Applies to him more than to you.”
    “Share with me anyway.”
    Dad shrugged. “I told him that he just needed to remember three things. First, he doesn’t run your life, and after today, he won’t run his life, either. Second, in any argument, there is your wife’s side and then there is enemy camp; never choose enemy camp in an attempt to be reasonable, because it never works. And third, to remember that a happy wife is a happy life.”
    “Can’t argue with the genius.” I waited. Nothing. “So, any little genius stuff for me? Just asking because Mom was about as hot with the help as you are.”
    Dad laughed. “Kitten, you’re a big girl. You’ve chosen a wonderful man.” He cocked his head at me. “I can suggest one thing.” I nodded. About time. “You had several wonderful men to choose from, and you picked Jeff. When you fight, as I know you do and will, don’t bring up your options, either out loud, in your mind, or in your emotions. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, through good and bad. If you don’t believe you can make that commitment with Jeff, now is the time to run. On the other hand, if you do believe you can, then whatever compatibility you have with the others doesn’t matter, now or in the future.”
    I hugged him. “Thanks, Dad.”
    He patted my back. “Happy to help, if that was a help.”
    “It was.” I was about to say more when there was a knock at the door and Jareen poked her head in. “It’s time.”

CHAPTER 71

    DUE TO THE SHEER SIZE OF OUR WEDDING, we couldn’t actually get married in the wedding chapel. We’d been able to use the dressing rooms and such, but we had to move to the convention area for everything else. So we’d get married in the Islander Ballroom, shout hurray, and walk through the door to the South Pacific Ballroom, where the tables and dance floor were already set up.
    The men left first and led the rest of the guests to the ultimate location. Then Chuckie, not Reader, came to escort the women, a contingent of A-Cs following him to perform cleanup.
    On the plus side, there were no paparazzi. I thought about it. “Who’s doing our wedding pictures and video?”
    “Exactly who you think.”
    “You and James did another exclusive?”
    “Yes. Reader felt we needed the A-C manpower used elsewhere, and I had to agree. The World Weekly News folks do a great job keeping the rest of the vultures away.”
    This seemed true enough. “Are we doing all the standard kinds of photos?”
    “Doubt it. Reader insinuated we didn’t have the time, and after our little fun with the Diplomatic Corps, I’m sure he’s right. Trust me, Oliver will get all the shots you’ll want and more, I’m sure. He’s got a full video team on hand. And we have our own teams working with and watching each of them.”
    “Great.” I didn’t think it was great, and my voice clearly showed so.
    Chuckie sighed. “Reader insisted. I do know when not to pull rank, you know.”
    “Where is James?”
    “He’s in the wedding party, remember? I’m not, so I have this portion of Wedding Control to manage.”
    “You don’t mind?”
    He squeezed my hand. “Not at all. I even have an official title. Bridal Majordomo.”
    I laughed. “Right.”
    “He is right,” Claudia said. “It’s a huge position in the wedding, always assigned to someone close to the bride.”
    Lorraine coughed. “We told you about this. A lot.”
    I vaguely remembered someone mentioning this and thinking then it had been a joke. Ah, well, what a shocker, I was wrong. “Well, then they picked right.”
    Chuckie squeezed my hand again. “Glad you think so. Martini even agreed.”
    “Wow.”
    “The Majordomo cannot be considered as an alternate to the groom,” he said dryly. “That’s also in the rules. The job usually goes to an uncle, sometimes a grandfather, occasionally a brother who somehow isn’t in the wedding party. Your Uncle Mort was gracious enough to say that he felt I was