Paper Wedding, Best-Friend Bride

by Sheri WhiteFeather

  “Come on, buddy.” Max spoke gently but firmly to the boy. “If you keep doing that, there won’t be anything left for me to cut.”

  Tokoni had already squished the banana that was in his hand. He could be quite the mischief maker when he wanted to be. Lizzie laughed as Tokoni stuffed a small glob of it into his mouth and ate it.

  “Don’t encourage him,” Max said to her.

  “Sorry. But after my mom was gone, my revolving-door nannies would bring me into the kitchen so I could observe our chefs preparing their masterpieces, except I always had to sit quietly and observe, like the proper little lady that I was.” She glanced at the mess Tokoni was making. “It’s nice to see a kid goofing around.”

  “Okay.” Max smiled at her. “Then you’re forgiven. You, too,” he said to Tokoni. “Only maybe I better get you cleaned up a bit.” Max got up and wet a towel at the sink. He returned and wiped the child’s face and hands.

  Afterward, Tokoni asked Lizzie, “What are ’volving-door nannies?”

  Oh, goodness. She should have known better than to say that. Tokoni was a highly observant boy, picking up on just about everything around him.

  “Nannies look after children, sort of like teachers and nurses. I had lots of them when I was young, so that’s why I said revolving door. They never stayed at my house for very long.”

  “How come?”

  “Because it wasn’t a very fun place to work.”

  “How come?” he asked again. He was prone to do that, to keep asking until he got an answer that satisfied him.

  Lizzie glanced at Max. He was silent, watching her, obviously waiting to see how she was going to handle this.

  “I didn’t smile and laugh all the time, like you do,” she told Tokoni.

  “Were you sad?”

  She wasn’t going to lie. “Sometimes, yes.”

  “’Cause your mommy was gone?”

  Well, there you go. He’d picked up on that, too. “Yes.”

  “Is she gone like my mommy is gone? Is she in heaven?”

  Lizzie turned down the heat on the mixture that she’d been stirring, letting it simmer on its own. Leaning against the counter, she said, “Yes, that’s exactly where my mommy is.” Only she couldn’t tell him that her troubled Southern belle mother had chosen to be there.

  “I don’t ’member my mommy, but Mrs. Losa says that she loved me.”

  Lizzie fought back a glaze of tears. No way was she going to cry in front of this sweet, comforting child. “Losa told us about your mommy, too.”

  “I don’t have any pictures of her. Do you have pictures of your mommy?”

  “Yes, they’re in an album at my house.” Photos that Lizzie rarely looked at anymore.

  He tilted his head. “Was her hair like yours?”

  “No, it was blond. Yellow,” she clarified, “and always all done up.” She made an upswept motion. “She wore fancy clothes and lots of jewels, too.” Lizzie had inherited her mother’s diamonds and pearls. She lowered her hands. “My dad is a ginger, though, like me.”

  “Ginger?”

  “That’s what some people call redheads.”

  Tokoni peeled another banana, neatly this time. “Is Ginger the name of a goodness? I mean a goddess?” he corrected himself, peering at her with his big brown eyes.

  Max was looking at her, too. He stood beside the table with the damp towel still in his hands.

  She replied, “No. Ginger isn’t a goddess. In some places, it’s been used to make fun of redheads. But now lots of redheads are claiming it as their own and making it a good thing. Ginger is a spice that people cook with that gives food a reddish tinge. There was also a character on an old TV show named Ginger who had red hair. I’ve heard that it might have come from her, too, but I’m not sure.”

  “What was she like?” Tokoni asked.

  “She was a movie star who got stranded on an island with some other people when the boat they were on was caught in a storm. It sounds serious, but it was a funny show.”

  Max was smiling now. “The island wasn’t like this one. It was uncharted, meaning that no one knew where it was. They built their own huts and ate lots of coconuts.”

  “We eat lots of coconuts here!” Tokoni got excited.

  Lizzie replied, “Yes, you most certainly do.” Losa’s grandsons tended to the trees. They had a vegetable garden on the property, too. “But if we don’t get back to the pudding we’re making, it’s never going to get done.”

  “We better hurry,” the boy said to Max.

  “You bet.” Max returned to his seat and pretended to cut the bananas really fast.

  Tokoni exaggerated peeling them, too. Then he said, “I wish this wasn’t your last day.”

  “I know. Me, too.” Max cleared his throat. “But we’ll come back and see you again.” He looked at Lizzie. “Won’t we?”

  “Yes, we definitely will.” They couldn’t tell Tokoni that they were going to try to find a family for him in the States. They discussed it with Losa, of course, and she was open to the idea, as long as they understood the challenges associated with it. Lizzie wasn’t expecting it to be easy. But she wanted to stay as positive as she could.

  Immersing herself in her task, she turned away to beat egg yolks in a bowl and add them to the mixture she was cooking. Lots of pudding for lots of kids, she thought. She couldn’t imagine cooking regularly for this crowd.

  “Is your mommy in heaven, too?” Tokoni asked Max suddenly.

  Lizzie spun around. So far, Max had gotten away with not having to tell Tokoni about his childhood. But now he’d been put on the spot. He certainly couldn’t claim that his mean-spirited mother had bypassed heaven and gone straight to hell, even if that was the answer buried deep in his eyes.

  “Yes, she’s gone,” he said.

  “Do you any have pictures of her?”

  “No.” He quickly added, “But I have pictures of my brothers on my phone that I can show you. I have two brothers, and they both have kids. Jake’s daughter is a baby, and Garrett is adopting a little girl who belongs to his fiancée, the woman he’s going to marry.”

  “He’s ’dopting a kid?” Tokoni wiggled in his chair, gratification written all over his face. “He must be a nice guy.”

  “He is. Very nice. Both of my brothers are. After my mom went away, I became a foster kid. I lived in other people’s homes because I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Sort of like the foster children who stay here.”

  Tokoni nodded in understanding.

  Max continued, “And that’s where I met my brothers. Jake lost his parents, too, and Garrett’s mommy was too sick to take care of him. But she got better. Or as well as she could.”

  “Better enough for him to go back to her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you or your other brother ever get ’dopted?”

  “No, neither of us ever did.”

  Max exchanged a glance with Lizzie, and she thought about how he hadn’t wanted to be adopted. Of course he wasn’t about to reveal that to Tokoni.

  “I’m going to get ’dopted,” the boy said. “I know I will.”

  Lizzie smiled, encouraging his dream. “I know you will, too.”

  Tokoni beamed, and her heart swelled, especially when he came over to her and wrapped his arms around her middle, giving her an impromptu hug. She reached down and smoothed his bangs, moving them out of his eyes, and for one crazy, beautiful moment, she believed what Max had said about her was true: that she would make an amazing mom.

  But she shook off the feeling. This wasn’t about her maternal stirrings, no matter how incredible they seemed. This was about uncovering the parents Tokoni was meant to have.

  Five

  Max and Lizzie were home, seated across from each ot
her at a hectic little sandwich shop. They’d both gotten the same thing: turkey and Swiss clubs, side salads and lemonade. She looked tired, he thought. For the time being, he was exhausted, too.

  They’d been back in LA for a month, working nonstop on their goal of finding Tokoni a family, using every resource they could think of. She’d written and posted her original blog article, along with a special feature on Tokoni. She’d also crafted tons of articles as a guest blogger on international adoption sites. Max had created a slew of social media accounts dedicated to their cause, and today, before stopping for this quickie lunch, they’d met with an adoption attorney to give him a packet about the orphanage in case he had any clients who might be interested in a boy Tokoni’s age. This wasn’t the first attorney they’d spoken to nor would it be their last. They had a checklist a mile long.

  “You seem discouraged,” Lizzie said. “But we knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”

  “I’m not discouraged. I’m just—” he searched his befuddled mind for the right word and came up with “—worried.”

  She shifted in her chair. “About what?”

  “The way I feel. How this is affecting me. How it’s draining you. How it’s making zombies out of us.”

  She furrowed her brow. “I’m doing fine.”

  “Are you? Are you really?” The late-afternoon light from a nearby window showcased the pale lavender circles beneath her eyes. “I think it’s taking an emotional toll on you.”

  “So what are you saying? That you want us to slow down?” She frowned directly at him. “Or quit and leave that poor little boy in the orphanage? I can’t do that. It’ll break my heart not to try to give him the family he deserves.”

  “I’m not suggesting that we stop or slow down. I’m—” Once again, he faltered, struggling to say what he meant.

  “You’re what?” She picked at a corner of her sandwich, eating it like a bird.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately. You and me. And how we would be better parents for Tokoni than these strangers we keep searching for. So far, no one else has even taken an interest in him. And even if someone does, are they going to care about him as much as we do?” There. He’d said it. He’d admitted the true reason for his exhaustion. Max wasn’t physically tired. It was his heart that was working overtime.

  “Oh, my God.” She released a jittery breath. “Do you hear what you’re saying?”

  “That I wish we could adopt him? Yes, I’m hearing it.” From his own parched lips. He grabbed his drink and took a swig.

  “It’s impossible. You know Losa would never let us adopt him. We don’t meet his mother’s requirements. We aren’t who she envisioned for him.”

  “I know, but it shouldn’t matter that we’re single. We’d still make the best parents he could ever have.”

  She picked at her food again. “Do you really believe that? Even about me? Am I really the best mom he could have?”

  “Yes, you are. Look what you’re going through to find him a family. There isn’t another woman on earth who’s fighting for his happiness the way you are.” Max still hadn’t taken a bite of his sandwich yet. But he was watching Lizzie, sweet, delicate, ladylike Lizzie, dissect hers.

  “On our last day at the orphanage, when we were making the pudding, I was starting to feel like a mom.” She tore at a slice of tomato. “But I knew better than to focus on it.”

  “It isn’t fair that his mother set such strict requirements. Every other kid in that place is allowed to be adopted by a single parent. And in our case, Tokoni would be getting two single parents, a mom and a dad, who would raise him with as much love and care as he needs.”

  “Except that we would be parenting him from separate households,” she pointed out.

  “There’s nothing wrong with that. Our friendship is stronger than most marriages, anyway.”

  “I agree, completely. But Losa is bound by their laws to follow his mother’s instructions. She couldn’t let us adopt him, even if she wanted to.” Lizzie’s voice rattled. “She already told us how imperative it was for him to be adopted by a married couple.”

  Max made a frustrated rebuttal. “Do you know how many people get divorced and fight over their kids or use them as pawns? What if that happens with Tokoni’s future parents? What if their relationship turns bitter and he gets caught in the cross fire?”

  “That’s out of our control. Or Losa’s or anyone’s. All any of us can do is try to find him the parents his mother wanted him to have and pray for the best. I don’t want to think the worst. It makes me too sad.” She tore at her sandwich again, looking as if she might cry. “I need to believe that everything will work out.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put such a negative spin on it. We’ll just keep going, moving forward to find him a family.” Even if it hurt, he thought. Even if he was convinced that he and Lizzie were the parents Tokoni needed. He went quiet for a moment, collecting his thoughts. “Speaking of adoption, Garrett called me this morning and said that Ivy’s adoption was finalized today.” Ivy was the toddler who belonged to Garrett’s fiancée. The child he’d told Tokoni about. “He’s officially her father now.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m happy for him. But do you think that’s part of the reason you’ve been hit so hard about not being able to adopt Tokoni?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” He hated to think that he was comparing his life to his brother’s. “Garrett and Meagan are having a party to celebrate. A big bash they’re planning for the Saturday after next. Do you want to come with me?”

  “Yes. I’d love to go. I’ve never even met little Ivy.”

  “Then here’s your chance.”

  “I haven’t met Meagan yet, either.”

  Damn, he thought. He should have introduced her to Garrett’s fiancée by now. But at least he was making up for lost time. “I think you’ll like her.”

  “I can’t help being curious about her, especially with her shaky past and how she stole from Garrett. And from you and Jake, too,” she quickly added.

  Max nodded. Meagan had embezzled from the three of them when she worked for their accountant. Her former boyfriend had talked her into committing the crime and then ditched her after she’d gotten caught. Meagan didn’t even know she was pregnant until after she went to prison. “It’s awful to think that she gave birth while she was incarcerated and that the father wanted nothing to do with her or Ivy.”

  Lizzie blew out a sigh. “It’s sort of like what Tokoni’s dad did.”

  “Only he can’t try to come back into the picture.” According to the adoption laws in Nulah, he’d relinquished his parental rights when he abandoned the boy and his mother. Even his name had been removed from the birth certificate. “Ivy’s dad tried to make a claim on her.”

  “He did? When?”

  “Soon after Garrett and Meagan got together. But he wasn’t interested in his daughter. It was money he was after.”

  Lizzie made a tight face. “What a jerk.”

  “Totally. But you know what? Garrett paid him off, anyway. He just wanted to get rid of the guy so he could adopt Ivy.”

  “And now Garrett’s her new daddy.” She softened her expression. “I’m looking forward to the party. Thanks for inviting me to go with you.”

  “It’s going to be a princess theme. Ivy was named after a princess in a children’s book.”

  “Oh, that’s cute.”

  “And just think, a princess theme is right up your alley, with you being a royal goddess and all.”

  She tossed a crumb of bread at him. “Smart aleck.”

  He smiled, trying to stay as upbeat as he possibly could. But that didn’t change how troubled he felt inside or how much he wished that Tokoni could become their son.

  * * *

  The party was being
held in one of the ballrooms at the luxurious beachfront hotel and resort Garrett owned. Lizzie was running a bit late, so she’d told Max that she would meet him there, and by the time she arrived, the festivities were well underway.

  Everyone had the option of donning a complimentary crown. A table at the entrance of the ballroom was filled with them, in all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. Lizzie chose a tiara decorated with green gems because it complemented her emerald gown. The attire was formal. Costumes were encouraged, too. Girls posing as Cinderella, Snow White and the Little Mermaid ran amok. Prince Charming and knights in shining armor were favorites among the boys.

  Games, party favors, face painting, lessons on how to be a prince or a princess. You name it, this party had it. There was a magnificently crafted wooden castle/playhouse for the kids, which was also big enough for the adults. Even the food appeared to be fit for royalty, with a spectacular buffet.

  Lizzie scanned the crowd for Max. She found him near the castle, holding a toy scepter. He wore a black velvet tuxedo with a tailcoat, and his big, bold medieval-style crown sat high atop his head, making a strong statement.

  As she approached him, she noticed that he’d forgone the customary shirt and tie. Instead, he’d paired his tux with a Princess Leia T-shirt. Lizzie smiled to herself. Max was and always would be a Star Wars nerd.

  “Look at you,” she said.

  “And you.” He waved his scepter at her. “Your dress is hot.”

  “This old thing.” She laughed. Along with the long silk gown, she’d draped herself in diamonds. “I see that you found a way to sneak in your favorite princess.” She poked a finger at his T-shirt. “That was clever.”

  “I figured it would work. This is quite the kiddy soiree, isn’t it?”

  “I’ll say. Where’s the newly adopted girl?”

  “In there.” He motioned to the castle.

  “Are you on guard duty?” A wonderfully offbeat king, she thought, behaving like a knight.

  “For now I am. I told her parents that I would hold down the fort so they could grab a bite to eat. They’ll be back from the buffet soon. You should have seen Ivy when she was first announced to her guests, under her new last name. We stood in a receiving line so she could greet us.”