Now

Tuesday

It's been a year since I learned that Ethan was getting married and my poor heart just won't forget him. The wedding is in 10 days, which means that in three days I'm leaving on vacation. I told Mom we were going on a trip to celebrate my one year anniversary of starting my job. Even though my salary is barely into six digits, I'm still living like a college student and am able to save a lot that way. Okay, not completely like a college student, but not as extravagant as I could be living. Because of that I was able to pay for the trip really easily with the money I've saved in the last year. I'm taking her on a two week Caribbean cruise and she is so excited to go. I was able to plan it so we would be gone a for almost a week before the wedding until a week afterward, thus missing the whole spectacle. Well, most of it. There's been hype leading up to it but I can ignore that as work keeps me busy during the day and then Mom is just as interested in ignoring it as I am. She has always ignored news regarding celebrities.

When I got home that night Mom had made dinner already. She loves to cook and I love that she has the time and energy to do that now. She sometimes says how she feels guilty living off my income but I remind her of all the sacrifices she's made to help me get to where I am and she shouldn't feel guilty. I am so happy to be able to make her life easier now. She deserves to take it easy and do things she enjoys.

"Mom, thanks so much for dinner. I love that I don't have to cook when I get home."

"I tried something new today, so I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I'll love it, you haven't made anything I that I haven't liked."

"Sera, you're such a sweet daughter." Mom answered.

"And you're an awesome Mom." I responded. We had this interaction pretty much every day but it never got old.

We sat down and ate the delicious meal Mom had made. She really should have been a chef, and I know a lot of people think their Mom cooks amazing, but it's not just me. Anyone who tries her food thinks it's amazing. Tonight she made Jerk chicken and coconut rice, for some reason she's been making different dishes from the Caribbean lately.

"Mom, this is amazing. I'm sure it won't taste as good when we get it local."

"Sure it will, hon. And only three more days and we'll be on an airplane, four more days and then we'll be on a cruise."

"Can't believe it's that soon, I'm sure before we know it Friday will be here." Friday we were taking a flight to Barbados, where we will start our cruise on Saturday night. Two days and a night and we'd be gone. We were going to miss the biggest wedding of the decade. I'd say century but that would probably be reserved for royalty, although the daughter of one of the richest men in the world and the son of an Earl isn't going to be that far off. Maybe once they're married my heart will finally give up it's Cinderella fantasy. Maybe it will look at another man without wishing it was Ethan. Maybe I'd allow myself to go on more than just a first date with another guy. Two more weeks and I guess I'd have the answers.

Maybe I'll meet some amazing guy on the cruise and will be able to forget about Ethan Maxwell. I do honestly wish him well with his bride to be. Even if he decided to not choose me, he should still have happiness in life. As should I, and I'm going to try to enjoy my trip and move on with my life.