I'd like to say I woke up on my own from a deep sleep, but it would be a lie. The last few days had been exhausting, they consisted of going with Cara to buy more things for the wedding, looking through her binders with endless lists to make sure we had everything, and lots of sleeping for me. I was exhausted lately and though I was happy to help, with every waking moment I felt even worse.

The excited giggles coming from downstairs were what woke me up. I should've remembered that all of Cara's bridesmaids would come by today, since the wedding was in two days. I groaned and forced myself out of bed.

Before a quick shower, I looked at my reflection in the huge mirror. My roots were coming in and as much as I hated my hair right now, I couldn't bring myself to cut it or do anything to it. I was probably going to dye it again so I could gain back some normality, even if it was only temporary. I could force myself to act like myself, I suppose, but the worst thing I could do was fake it. Everyone would notice anyway.

Truthfully I was excited for the wedding. I hadn't been to such a lavish event in so long. Still, a part of me was green with envy.  Zayn and I had so many plans and though he promised he'd return, every passing day confirmed he wouldn't. I didn't wanna give up, but what could I do? Wait forever? I knew that I would, but would that even matter to him?

After my shower I found some nice jeans Cara had gotten me, along with a gray sweater to keep me warm. I was always really cold, despite the heat always being on in my room. In just fuzzy, pink socks, I exited my room and made my way downstairs, not sure who I'd meet today.

Make an effort to be friendly, don't be all shy and quiet.

"There she is!" Cara ran over to me as I walked down the stairs, giving me her hand so I could walk into the large living area with her.

All over the room - expensive bottles of alcohol, binders, ribbon, pens, champagne flutes. An attractive bunch of women sat on the various couches and on the carpet.

Everyone smiled at me and said their hello's, waiting for Cara to introduce me.

"Okay, girls! This is my sister in law, Anastasia," she beamed, I think already a little tipsy. From left to right, she told me everyone's name, "This is Zoe, Lizzy, Emma, Jordy, and Kendall."

"Hi everyone," I said shyly, kicking myself mentally.

"We've heard so much about you! My father met yours while on business years ago," the woman named Elizabeth said, offering a sympathetic smile.

"Really?" I tried to smile but the mention of my father threw me off.

I wonder if they knew just what had happened and if they'd look at me the same way if they knew who Zayn really was.

Cara must've noticed me tense up, because she offered me a champagne flute and invited me to sit next to her on the white couch.

Lizzy smiled at her phone. "Look at the picture my husband sent me! Isn't she so cute?"

She showed is her phone screen and a beautiful little girl appeared to be covered in spaghetti sauce.

"Is she yours?"

She nodded happily, looking at the picture once more. "Yes, Rose Victoria. Our little angel."

"Are you in New York much?" Zoe asked, tying gold bows together and putting them in a little basket. "Lizzy and her family just moved back."

"Not as much, I've moved here permanently."

She pouted. "Ugh, that sucks. We were all just saying that after the wedding we should all get together. My father's hotel would be a great spot for a girls night!"

"Let's try to survive the wedding first, Zo," Emma chuckled, her presence more maternal and calm. "Where is your mamá?"

"Yeah, Cara, when is your step mom getting here? I'm so excited to see her!" Kendall looked up from her phone to ask.

I felt like someone had hit me in the gut with a sledgehammer.

"Soon, she got caught up at some shop."

My stomach was in knots. "Your mom is coming?"

Of course she was, it was her wedding. How stupid did I look asking that? Cara had basically grown up as her daughter. Did she know about me? Would she even like me as her oldest son's wife?

"Yeah, silly goose," Cara playfully pretended to take my nose, "don't worry, she'll love you."

"Yeah, Stefani is super loving," Lizzy added, "who else thinks Cara's dad is still hot though?"

Jourdan let out a chuckle and playfully hit Lizzy with a nearby pillow. "That's creepy, I met him when I was like 5."

Cara blushed and threw a bow at her friend, while everyone else agreed.

"Shut up about my dad, you guys!"

Kendall took a sip of champagne, "he is really cute! Have you met him, Anastasia?"

I shook my head no and Cara took my hand to show them my wedding band.

"She's off limits, to everyone," Cara said seriously and it was very weird to see her change in demeanor, "so is my dad."

"Wait..." Lizzy put her glass down. "You're Zayn's wife?"

Jourdan and Emma just looked at me, Kendall looked surprised.

"I had a feeling," Zoe said, "how is he these days?"

I gulped, but Cara spoke up before I could. "Can we not talk about him? They've just gotten married and he's away on business."

"Well, that's not very nice of him to do, what a dick," Lizzy mumbled.

Kendall agreed, "Don't be sad, Anastasia. His loss."

"We don't know why he's away, girls, I'm sure she doesn't appreciate us sticking our noses in," Emma reprimanded them.

I nodded, just agreeing and trying not to appear affected by his name being brought up.

I hear heels clinking in the distance and freeze, what good timing. Zayn never spoke about his mom and sister in detail, but he also probably never spoke about me to them, then.

"Ladies," a clear voice greets and I admit I'm afraid of being noticed.

"Stef!" the girls squealed, some looking a bit guilty as they were just talking about Zayn. Everyone gathers around her and I feel like the odd one out. They all hug her and I hear her compliment them, her words sound so genuine.

Cara greets her once the girls have sat down, all of them appearing a lot happier now that she's here.

"Hello, baby," Cara's step-mom greets, engulfing her in a tight embrace.

"I've missed you, mum," Cara tells her, kissing the side of the small woman's face.

The woman, Stefani, comes into my eyesight and I'm taken back. In a very expensive pantsuit and large sunglasses, a blonde woman stands in front of us. She is the most elegant person I've ever seen and when she notices me, I'm afraid she'll think I'm ugly and frumpy in comparison to all the other girls here. She's so polished and put together, I feel out of place. She takes her sunglasses off, revealing loving green eyes, and light makeup that accentuates her already flawless demeanor. No way it's Zayn's mom, she looks so young.

She suddenly takes my hand and hers is so warm, so soft, it clicks in my head that she won't think anything bad of me because she isn't a bad person.

I stand up and she hugs me. It's the warmest, most comforting hug I've ever received. It takes all of my strength to not break down right then and there. She lets me go, but looks into my eyes with so much wisdom in hers.

"You're my little daughter in law, hmm?" Her voice is not condescending, but her tone is much like the one adults use to coo at a child.

It doesn't make me feel awkward though. The rest of the bridesmaids seem to be watching us and wanting her attention, but its focused on me instead.

"You're beautiful, just as my boy said."

"He told you about me?" I dared ask quietly.

She nodded. "Of course, just a few days ago we spoke last and he told me to keep an eye on you," Stefani rubbedy back in an encouraging way, "how about we go to the garden to talk?"

I oblige and she takes my hand again.

"Girls, we're going to step out to the garden. No talk about Zayn while we're gone, I really don't appreciate it and neither does Mrs. Malik."

When she called me that it seemed as if everyone's attention was called individually. It was the first time someone other than Zayn had called me that. Hearing it was heartbreaking and joyful at the same time.

I could see where Zayn got his natural confidence from. His mom walked with the same charm and security, they both knew how to steal the show.

The garden was looking a bit more cheerful and springtime had begun to show it's true colors. Stefani and I sat in the gazebo, overlooking bushes upon bushes of roses that were somehow in bloom.

"How are you?" She asked, her eyes scanning my face.

"I'm okay, how are you?" I respond.

"I'm excited to be here, happy that I finally got to meet you. Though I must admit, there is another reason I wanted to see you."

I frown, but am not alarmed because she appears cheerful. I don't know why I feel so comfortable around her but I decide not to question it.

"I have something for you that Zayn asked me to give you."

My stomach does a flip. Automatically, I wonder what she spoke to Zayn about. Obviously she wanted to know about his whereabouts and wellbeing, but a part of me knew that they had fixed things. It was only right for them to mend their relationship after so many years. I was curious about how he was around her and how close they had been before his biological father left them. He had told me that it had left her totally broken, and in a way I knew what that was like, but she seemed so happy now. Perhaps it had been Cara and her father who had been able to piece together her broken heart.

She reached into her purse for something and my eyes focused on the little box she held in her delicate hands. Oh, god, what is that?

Stefani grabbed my hand and said very seriously, "I know that my son loves you. When we spoke, he made it very clear that this is his first and only marriage," she appeared to get misty eyed, "our relationship has been rocky. He hasn't let me be close to him for many years and though part of that is because of me, we're working on being as we were before. I want you to know that I love you, because you have changed my son in a way no one else has been able to..."

My mother in law gets choked up, but she continues. "He has always tried to take care of everyone... But now he knows that he must take care of you. I don't know what you two have gone through, and maybe at this point it's not important, but I'm very grateful that it hasn't torn you apart from each other. I know you haven't seen him in a while, I've never been a fan of the way he leaves and returns, but I can tell you're in pain due to his absence."

She gives my hand a squeeze and I wipe a tear from my cheek. I bite my lip, begging my emotions not to take over me.

"This belongs to you, I hope you will wear it with as much pride as I wore it before you, and my mother before me."

I take the box from her and she lets my hand go so I can open it.

I gasp when I see the ring sitting perfectly in the box. A large diamond shines proudly, adorned with smaller stones around the band.

There is no way I can take this, a gift like this one is too much even for me. I'm over taken by a mixture of sadness and happiness, and when I look at her I know that I'm it's rightful owner now.

"I-I don't know what to say, it's beautiful."

She grins, "it's a little late, I'm sorry," she chuckles. "But it will look lovely with your wedding band. Will you wear it?"

"Of course," I respond, taking it out of it's place and putting it on immediately.

I want to believe it's destiny. The ring fits perfectly, as if it had been bought just for me. Stefani smiles proudly at it on my hand and I give her a hug, allowing myself to be happy. As she embraces me, all I wish for is Zayn to be here with me. He isn't very vocal with his emotions usually, so I wonder how it would've been if he had given me this ring.