HEJ, MY LOVE

RUT

The photocall was immediate. The couple wished to avoid the hassle of stepping out after eating. Also, doing so allowed to profit from the adrenaline's peak that heated the bodies during the ceremony and made everyone forget the cold to strike a pose.

"Rut, you came," Joshua said as he noticed her next to Lars.

Klara leaned to whisper in her mother's ear, "who invited her?"

Ms. Potsmann shrugged, "one of your brothers, I guess."

Klara rolled her eyes before joining everyone for the photos.

Rut tried to capture Jonas's attention, but the man's eyes didn't drift in her direction.

Once the photographer had the shots, everyone followed the couple in a procession to the reception hall within the mansion.

Rufus came running to Jonas's feet. The man let down Leone, who immediately hugged the dog and began to tell him what he missed. The other children came to join the boy and began to play, letting the couple take their seats. The smallest hall seemed vast for the little comity of guests.

Ms. Potmann hurried to Sierra and gave her a tenth hug," I'm so happy."

"So am I," Sierra said timidly.

The older lady grabbed Sierra's hand, "I hope you like your rings. I helped Jonas choose."

"Really," Sierra exclaimed, "I absolutely love them. ㅡEm, about the ring exchange. Jonas put two rings on my finger."

Ms. Potsmann's eyes light up, and she turned to look at her son, "Jonas, you didn't tell her."

 Before he could utter a word, the woman spoke, "it's for motherhood. It's tradition to have three bands. I hope Leone won't be alone for long; I can't wait to be a grandmother again."

Jonas leaned over to Sierra, " I can't wait to grant her wish," the man whispered, making Sierra's heart miss a beat. The woman had managed to tame her hormones felt a little break of sweat.

Mr. Potsmann accompanied Sierra to help her pick a ring for Jonas. She hoped Jonas loved his as much as she did hers.

Everyone except the children took a seat. It was the cue for the waiters who began to serve and pour the drinks. Once everyone had their glass filled with champagne, Lars stood up and tapped on his glass with a fork to capture the attention, "When Jonas first showed us Sierra's photo, my reflection was hmm, he'll never make us believe there's nothing between them."

"You were more explicit than that, Ulrich yelled."

Lars smiled, "anyway, this fellow came back from France like a lovesick puppy. There was no saving him. Now I don't believe in fairytales or any other kind of fluff but you two. You guys make me," Lars paused while making his most solemn expression before saying, "want to move to France."

Everyone laughed except Rut, who didn't appreciate Lars's joke that made foreigners the better choice.

"Anyway, I am happy to see my brother in tender and loving arms. Also, I'm thrilled to have Sierra and Leone here with us to stay. I wish you joy happiness. And oh, if you have any single French friends, Sierra, think of your single and lonely brother-in-law."

Lars was not the only toast to the couple, Elsa and Mr. Potsmann all had heartfelt words for the newlyweds between two bites. Conversations and laughter filled the room, and people began to move about. Sierra went to find her friends while other guests kidnaped Jonas.

"Sierra, why didn't you tell us they were all so good-looking," Dima said.

"How old is Lars? May asked.

"He's younger than Jonas. I think we're the same age."

"Great, perfect, give him my number and address, he can Airbnb at my place anytime. The women laughed across the room while the Potsmann siblings were a few seconds away from arguing.

"Klara, why are you making such a fuss? She's a friend of the family."

"Rut is one of Jonas's Exs. Who invites someone Ex to their wedding?"

"Klara, calm down someone might hear you; he's married now anyway. It's no big deal," Elsa interjected.

"Elsa, it's always like this with Lars. Heㅡ."

"Say it, say I make trouble everywhere I go."

"No, it's notㅡ."

Klara stopped, and all followed her gaze, which watched Rut approach Sierra and her friends, "shit."

In the meantime, Rut introduced herself, "hi, congratulations on your wedding. You are one lucky lady."

All stared at the woman. Rut was tall, about one head above Sierra. Strawberry blonde, green eyes with a few freckles sprinkled in the right places, the woman was one of those natural beauties who looked perfect no matter the hour. However, what retained Sierra's attention was her elegance. Rut had the type of postures and manners one observed on the remaining families of European royalty.

One glance was enough to know she was the kind of woman who knew her worth and rarely bowed down to anyone.

"Thank you; I don't think we have been introduced," Sierra pursued.

"I'm Rut Nilsson, an old friend of the family. I used to live across the street from the Portmann. Let's say I was the girl next door," Rut spoke, but her eyes roamed around the room to see if she caught her prey's attention.

"I see; everyone must be happy to have you here," Sierra said. She was friendly. She had no reason to be otherwise.

May nudged Jade, who nodded. Rut was trouble. One didn't need to be Sherlock to whiff that.

"I had to come. It's not every day one's first lovㅡ."

Her words got gobbled by Sierra's scream as Lars scooped her up and went to pose her on a chair in the middle of the room, "oh no, please," she pleaded.

Jonas's mother explained it was tradition for the male guest to kiss the bride on the cheek if ever the groom left the room. For Lars, it was the only way to distract Sierra and stop Rut, who stood with Jade, May, and Dima to watch the ritual.

Unlike Sierra, her friends heard Rut loud and clear. As always, May took it upon herself to put a stop to what they all thought was du grand n'importe quoi [big whatever, French expression meaning it's nonsense].

"So Jonas was was your first love, huh?"

"Yes," she replied. Rut's aura was as massive as the actors she pampered daily on set. Her confidence had Dima blinking.

Jade crossed her arms and gave Rut her most blasé stare while May continued, "well, I hope he won't be your last because my friend there on that chair is the last love Jonas will ever have till death do them apart."

Rut released a crooked smile, "I hope you're right," she said and strutted away.

Jade opened her mouth," Nah, huh, bitch, please. Who does she think she is?"

"Wow, was she serious? Did she really challenge Sierra's marriage?" Dima asked, still stunned by Rut's line.

May nodded even she didn't know what to say. She had noticed Rut's entrance in the glasshouse and how the woman came to sit at the front even though she was late.

"No, we have to warn Sierra about her."

"Jade, she just got married. We can't do that. Oh, look, she's leaving."

They all watched Rut make her way to the exit.