chapter 8

"Babes, I wanna lose some weight for the wedding."

That was the worst sound Shawn had heard all week. I could tell, as we gathered to make plans. Dani loudly announced at the breakfast bar that she wanted to slim down for her wedding dress and I watched that man's hand spring forward across the table to instantly comfort and reassure her.

"You don't need that, Dee. You're born to be a bride today. Don't change for our special day --" He protested softly.

"Nah! I gotta tone up. Lose these bingo wings. I'm thinking 40lbs is a good goal."

I flickered a look to Shawn. He seemed like stone.

"Okay babes, whatever makes you feel good."

That man said one thing and did another. His protest left his words and moved to his actions. I swear he was basically feeding her like a child now. Every Sunday at my house, he loaded her up with more gravy than I could fit in a boat. Ploughed her with wine. She protested at first, but my girl loved a party more than anything.

When we went dress shopping, she had added two inches around her backside and belly, not lost them.

"Fuck it then. Just as long as I fit by the wedding day."

She started making these "health shakes" in as meal replacements. The first week was green, but by the second week, the mixture had turned a pinkish-beige.

"Shawn's been making them for me, he knows way more about gym and health stuff anyway."

When I gathered a whiff, I knew that shiz was loaded with sugar. I couldn't prove it, but I swear it was straight cream and protein powder.

A week before their big day, my girl was nervous as hell and stress ate her way out of her wedding dress. We had to add a panel the weekend before they tied the knot.

Dani decided to switch into a "Bridal Sweatsuit" after the wedding. It barely held my baby girl's fat ass. She dropped it on the dancefloor as if it wasn't shaking the glasses at the table. When I look back, I must've reckoned she was nearly 300lbs on her wedding day.

I thought she was big then. That was until I picked her up from the airport after their 100-day honeymoon.

Oh. My. Lawd.