Waiting for Something (28 page)

             
“Morning ladies.” My dad had started making bacon and pancakes.

             
“Morning dad.” I sat down.

             
“Coffee?” He poured me and Marlie a glass after we nodded our heads.

             
“Thank you.” Marlie took her cup and took a tiny sip.

             
“So are you excited?” My dad grinned at her.

             
“Oh my gosh yes I’m just so ready to marry the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I’ve loved him for so long and I can’t wait to love him for so much longer.” Yes she was sappy but she was also so adorable.

             
“That’s a very well thought out answer.” My dad chuckled a bit.

             
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound sappy.” I saw her blush a bit.

             
“No, very heartfelt.” My dad reassured her.

             
After breakfast I brought her back to my bedroom where I had her gift waiting for her.

             
“What is it?” She held the wrapped gift.

             
“Well open it you goof.” I grinned as she tore the wrapping paper to find a scrapbook of all of our friendships, her, me and Justin’s.

             
“Oh Ali, it’s perfect. Thank you so much. I love you and I don’t know where I’d be without you. You changed my life for the better.” She gave me a tight hug and I started to get tears in my eyes.

             
“Don’t make me cry.” I laughed trying to muffle my tears.

             
“No time to cry we have to get ready.” I checked my phone and sure enough it was 9.

             
The rest of the bridesmaids showed up as did the stylists and as we started getting ready my large house actually became quite hectic. I made sure Marlie was taken care of the entire, whatever she needed I was there so between taking care of her and myself I was little frazzled. I knew I had to tell Jake how I felt I left him last night with no answer and I felt awful for just letting his heart fall like that.

             
“Marlie I’ve got to make a quick phone call.” I stepped out onto my back porch and dialed his number.

             
“Ali Cat?” He sounded relieved.

             
“Jake we need to talk.” I was ready.

             
“I’m, I’m sorry I’m cutting out. Battery dying, I’ll see you at the wedding.” And with that the call dropped.

             
“Sarah what time is it?” I walked back inside and caught her sitting at the table.

             
“It’s a little after two, why? You can’t leave now we have to leave in a half hour.” Her eyes looked frantic.

             
“No don’t worry I’m not going anywhere. Damn it, well I guess it’ll just have to wait.” I walked back into the living room where Jackie stood in last night’s outfit.

             
“It’s not what it looks like, we just stayed up talking.” She saw my facial expression.

             
“Did I say you did anything else?” I laughed.

             
“I gotta get ready, Carter’s already in trouble with his brother.” She took her heels off and ran up the stairs.

             
“The photographer is here to get some pictures.” Sarah let him in.

             
“Alright thanks, Marlie let’s get you in your dress. Girls slip into your dresses as well please.” I shouted out and they all did as they were told.

             
“I’m getting nervous.” Marlie looked at me.

             
“Don’t be, remember what you said this morning.” I held her hand and helped her get into her dress.

             
After the pictures we snapped it was time to head off to the church and Marlie looked absolutely breathtaking. I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride not even in the movies. I helped her get of the car and as I walked by I saw Jake standing with the ring bearer as they were talking up a storm and my heart melted a little.

             
“Ali, pay attention.” Marlie snapped.

             
“Oh sorry.” I opened the door and made sure the coast was clear.

             
“You should go talk to him.” We walked into the church’s cry room.

             
“Talk to whom?” I looked at her.

             
“Don’t play dumb. Go find Jake quick before the ceremony begins.” The other bridesmaids helped rearrange her dress.

             
“No this is your day. It’s about you and Justin.” I watched out the door to make sure Justin wouldn’t see her.

             
“Please just go.” She smiled.

             
“It’ll only be a moment I promise.” I walked outside where Jake was kicking a soccer ball back and forth with the ring bearer.

             
“Jake, hi.” I approached him with a smile.

             
“Ali Cat you look stunning.” His eyes got wide as he looked at me.

             
“Thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself.” I grinned.

             
“I try.” He winked.

             
“So can we talk for a minute?” I suddenly felt nervous.

             
“Jake there you are. I’ve been looking for you.” Some girl with a fake tan and bleach blonde hair came strutting over to him.

             
“Yeah just a second.” He seemed indifferent towards her.

             
“Um you know what forget it. I’ll see you in there.” How could I be so foolish?

             
“Ali, wait, it’s not what it looks like.” He tried stopping me but I didn’t want to hear it. I brushed away some forbidden tears and put a smile on right before I walked in to see that they were about to begin.

             
“How’d it go?” Marlie smiled.

             
“Just the way I thought it would.” My smile didn’t reach my eyes.

             
“We need Alice and Jake now please.” The wedding planner called our attention.

             
“Ali please she’s not with me.” He wrapped his arm around mine.

             
“I don’t want to hear it anymore Jake. I’m done, beyond done. After today us will never be a thought in the world.” I fought back tears that wanted to flood out.

             
“She’s Justin’s cousin, she was ordered to keep an eye on us guys. She’s nobody, I swear.” I believed but I felt so wounded I didn’t even care.

             
After the ‘I dos’ were said and the rest of the photos were taken the reception was on and it was like a giant party. I sat there at the head table watching everyone enjoying themselves, laughing with another, dancing and kissing. It almost made me sick but I had to remember that today was about Marlie and Justin and their happiness was all that mattered to me. I watched Jake talk with my parents and dance with the little girls, it was so precious. Knowing that we were truly over killed me but it was the for the best, we only broke each other’s hearts.

             
“Ali can we talk?” I saw Jake approach the table.

             
“I actually gotta use the restroom.” I got up and watched as he followed.

             
“You can’t avoid me forever.” He followed me all the way to the door before I shut it in his face.

             
“Ali?” I looked up and Sarah was fixing her makeup.

             
“Oh hey.” I straightened up.

             
“Everything okay?” She gave me a funny look.

             
“Oh yeah everythings peachy keen.” She could read my sarcasm.

             
“I’m not getting into this one. We have to go back out there and dance with the groomsmen now just so you know.” Sarah grabbed my hand.

             
“Oh no.” I slouched.

             
“Hey take Jake’s word for once. He’s a good guy and he’s crazy for you. Always has been.” Sarah squeezed my hand.

             
“How do you know?” I looked at her.

             
“Because he looks at you the same way Justin has always looked at Marlie.” Her words made my heart swell.

             
“Really?” I felt my hard exterior begin to soften.

             
“Yes, really. Now let’s get out there.” She smiled and opened the door as we walked out to the floor I made eye contact with Jake and his eyes warmed.

             
“May I have this dance.” His smile was genuine and warm.

             
“Yes you may. I have a secret.” I grabbed his hand and he pulled me in.

             
“What would that be?” We began swaying with the music.

             
“Someone loves me.” I watched his face turn from shock to comfort.

             
“Who might that be?” He smirked.

             
“You.” My cheeks reddened.

             
“You’re correct on that one. Did you know that I have a secret as well?” He whispered in my ear now.

             
“What’s that?” My heartbeat sped and I felt the energy between us that I’ve always felt.

             
“I’ve always loved you, from the moment I met you. I didn’t know it at first but I always did and I promise I’ll love you for the rest of my life.” I felt my knees weaken and my heart melt.

             
“Promise?” I looked at him in the eyes now.

             
“Pinky promise.” He held out his pinky and I pinky promised with him.

             
“So what does this mean now?” I rested my head on his shoulder.

             
“What do you want it to mean?” We continued dancing to the next song.

             
“I want us to work this time.” I still had to think rationally. We continued dancing and once the song was over it was time for the bouquet toss.

             
“Alright all you unmarried ladies head out there on the floor.” The DJ said over the mic.

             
“Ready ladies? 1, 2, 3.” Marlie squealed and tossed the bouquet. I wasn’t even trying but as I watched the bouquet fly through air and land in my hands I couldn’t help but rejoice.

             
“Oh my god. Look.” Sarah tapped my shoulder and pointed behind me.

             
“Alice Burns, ever since the first time you stumbled into my life you’ve always been my light. I’ve loved you forever and I promise I will never stop loving you. I will cherish you forever and I will make it my life sentence to make up for every mistake I’ve ever made. Will you do me the honors and marry me?” Jake was down on one knee and my breath was gone.

             
“Yes.” I whispered barely able to speak between the tears and the gasping for air. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

             
“Good because I wasn’t going to take no for an answer.” He smiled and I swung my arms around in a tight hug.

             
“I love you so much Jake.” I kissed him.

             
“I fucking love you Ali Cat.” His warm eyes washed over me and his soft lips touched mine. I knew that no matter what life through at us we would get through it together. He was my poison and my cure and I was his Ali Cat.