Chapter 8: Linc - Wedding Prep and Meeting the Family

The following weeks were frantic, but the team was pulling things together for an awesome ceremony and reception. Linc hosted another party for his friends so he would have the opportunity to introduce Steph to his friends. He was particularly anxious to have Steph meet Dany, hoping they would become close. Linc was impressed that Steph saw how important he felt about this, so he watched her go out of her way to befriend Dany. She even asked her to be a bridesmaid along with Steph’s sister and two cousins.

Linc finally got to meet Steph’s parents and her brother and sister. The family seemed overwhelmed with Steph’s good luck in meeting him. Linc could tell how much they loved Steph. At the time, he didn’t know they wondered how she pulled this off.

Steph’s dad pulled him aside to talk.

“Linc, it will be great to have you as part of our family.”

“Thanks, Mr. Picard. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Call me Art, Linc. Or Dad, or whatever you’re comfortable with, but not Mr. Picard. We’re family.

“Well, since my own father is gone, would Dad be okay?”

“I’d love that, Linc. We can see how much you love our Steph, and I know you’ll be good for her. We’ve been worried about her a lot over the years, but I can see the stabilizing impact you’ve had on her.”

Linc wondered what he meant, but set that thought aside for now.

“The Steph I know is very sweet and I think you and your wife did a great job raising her.”

“Thanks, Linc. We are proud of her. Listen, I know you want to pay for the wedding, but that’s the family of the bride’s responsibility. I want to take care of it.”

“Dad, that really generous, but the nature of my family’s expectations would be too heavy a burden to put on you. Please, let us handle it.”

“No, no. That’s not right. This is my honor for my daughter’s happiness.”

Steph’s mom and dad are not wealthy, but solid middle income. Linc knew Art had no idea how much he was unwittingly committing to and was fairly certain it would break his bank account. But he was a proud man, and even with Linc’s social handicaps, he knew he had to protect his father-in-law’s pride.

“Dad, she’s lucky to have a family like yours. Tell you what, since I know the degree of pomp and circumstance my family will expect, can we agree to split the cost?”

Art hemmed and hawed. “I don’t know, Linc. It doesn’t seem right. But if that’s what you want, I guess it’s okay.”