682Everything : 27
.Later
Find Me Here
Speak To Me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That's leading me
To the place where I find peace again.
Katelyn yawned as she sat patiently in front of the mirror, closing her eyes as Laurie worked at her hair, smiling as she curled her hair into loose ringlets. Laurie glanced over her shoulder when she heard the familiar giggles of her two children, watching as Mary attempted to teach them patty cake. Her smile widened when they looked in her direction as if they sensed her stare.
Laurie had been blessed with two twins, Davis and Dustin, both identical and both looking almost exactly like Andy. They had his smiles, his playful greens eyes, and Laurie's black hair. Andy was more than happy to have two boys, afraid that if he had a girl, he would be wrapped around her little finger. They also inherited Andy's energy, which wasn't always a good thing. It was hard to get the two to sleep many nights, for all they wanted to do was run around and their energy never seemed to give out.
She was currently a month pregnant, Laurie warning Andy that number three was their last. Katelyn and Jude highly doubted it, along with their families. They made a bet, Katelyn guessing that they would at least have four, Jude guessing five.
"You seem pretty relaxed," Laurie mumbled teasingly, meeting Katelyn's gaze in the mirror.
"Well," Katelyn exhaled, "I can't let my nerves get the better of me. I'll freak out and start getting cold feet, want to call of the wedding–say a whole lot of crazy things!"
"True. Keep being relaxed because I really don't feel like giving you a 'everything will be okay' talk right before you walk down the isle."
"...Some friend you are!" She shot back, giving her a glare.
"Those talks are always pointless! Now, hold still, I'm almost done. We only have an hour left and you don't even have your dress on or the glitter on your body."
"You and glitter..."
"Glitter looks good! A lot of women wear it for their wedding. I saw it all on Bridezilla's."
Comfortable silence came between them, Katelyn smiling and picking up Davis as he made his way to her, reaching up. She placed him on her lap, letting him stare at her curls before he started to ramble off with some baby blabber, some words understandable. She giggled, returning her gaze to the mirror as he occupied himself with her bulky bracelet on her wrist. She gasped, catching Laurie's attention. "What if he says I don't?!"
She scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous! I think Jude has been waiting for this day ever since you two were children."
Andy hummed along to the radio as he sat comfortably in a chair, dressed in the tuxedo he dreaded to wear. Dressing up wasn't his favorite thing to do in the world. His green eyes drifted over to Chris, watching him fiddle with his camera before looking at Jude with a small frown.
"Quit pacing."
"I can't help it. I need something to calm my nerves—give me gum to chew."
"You know I'm not a big gum chewer."
"Then a cigarette–"
Andy raised a brow, a disapproving look coming to his green eyes. "You smoke?"
"Uh...sometimes. It's not a habit, it just happens when I'm really pissed."
"I'm pretty sure that when it's time to kiss Katelyn, she doesn't want to taste cigarettes..."
He pointed to him. "You're right."
"I usually am." He paused briefly, glancing at the door as it swung open to reveal Matthew. The seventeen-year-old boy sat down next to Andy, leaning back and listening as he opened to continue speaking. "Hey Jude, did you ever hear about that runaway bride? So much money was put into the wedding and then...she vanishes. She ran away–"
"Andy, you're not helping," Jude bit out, stopping to glare at his relaxed best friend.
Andy got up from his seat, giving him a smile as he backed up to the door, "I'll go see if Laurie has some gum." Jude lost his glare as he slipped out of the room, leaving the three alone in silence. Chris smiled lightly, placing his camera down next to him.
"You'll do just fine. Everyone gets nervous."
Jude gave him a glance over his shoulder, "Really?"
"Really."
Matthew chimed in, "Did you?"
"I did. Jude, relax. You'll be fine. Parents are always right. We were all right about you and Katelyn, weren't we?"
"Lucky guess," Jude mumbled, tugging nervously at his tie that his mother tied for him.
"Eh, well, for a moment there, I was sure that you two would marry different people," Matthew said, shifting in his chair. "We kinda all thought that, but you're persistent..."
"Damn right. There was no way I would let her get away," Jude replied, looking to the door as it swung open. He caught the pack of gum tossed him way, opening as he watched Andy hand Dustin to Matthew. "Thanks. Did you see Katelyn?"
"Apparently I can't see her before the wedding either. They all want it to be a surprise. Whatever. I was practically pushed out of the room by the women after getting Dustin. They said he was terrorizing things. He tried putting one of the rings in his mouth too." He gave his best friend a big grin as he made his way over to him, looking at him in the mirror, "Thirty more minutes!" He placed his hands on his shoulders, giving them a comforting squeeze. "Chill, everything will go smoothly. Hey, I bet you'll cry."
Jude rolled his eyes. "Or not."
Andy raised a brow as he stepped away from Jude, slipping his hands in his pockets. "Twenty dollars you cry."
"Andy, I won't cry. Let's be serious."
"Come on! Thirty dollars." He tried his best to impersonate Howie Mandel. "Deal or no deal?"
He gave him a grin, "Deal."
Jude continued his pacing in the hallway, his blue eyes darting up to the front double doors as family members hurried through, late. He smiled slightly as his grandmother gasped at the sight of him, rushing over to him as fast as she could to pull him down for a kiss. She pinched his cheeks after kissing him, absently wiping the red lipstick off of his cheek.
"You look so handsome–oh, your tie is crooked."
After straightening his tie, she hurried to her seat before he could respond. Checking his watch, he raised a brow when he didn't see his best friend anywhere. He pushed the thought aside as a group of his cousins rushed in, gushing over him. He missed the sight of his younger brother getting pulled into one of the rooms, the door slamming shut.
Matthew yanked away from the arm that held onto his, glaring slightly. "Andy, what the hell are you doing?"
He grabbed the younger boy by the shoulders, "Where are the rings?"
"..."
"Well?"
"How am I supposed to know? Davis...or Dustin–one of the monsters are supposed to be carrying out the rings–"
"I know–I searched them both and no rings–"
"Jude is going to kill you," he said dryly.
He shook him, "Help me find them! I don't want to die! I haven't enjoyed all the sex I could possibly have!"
"That's nice to know, Andy, but this isn't my problem! I'm not the best man that has to make sure everything runs smoothly for the groom!"
"You little punk! You're his brother; you're supposed to care about everything going smoothly too. There's ten minutes, don't get smart with me—"
Matthew looked over his shoulder as the door opened, revealing Laurie in her bridesmaid gown. She glared at the two, mainly at her husband. "Why are you two fooling around? We only have ten minutes and here you two are, in a room talking about something that probably isn't that important."
Matthew pulled away from Andy, motioning towards him. "Your bright husband over here can't find the rings. He's trying to make me help him look for them. I don't want to get involved. I'm not dealing with Jude's temper. He's going to flip out the minute he finds out Andy has no idea where the rings are and I'm staying out of it."
Laurie smiled, "Sounds like something he would do. Relax, you two. Mary has the rings. I gave them to her when Dustin continued to try putting them in his mouth. You didn't seriously think I would give them back to him after he tried to eat them, did you?" She moved away from the door, motioning for them to leave the room. "Andy, just go find Mary and get everything situated with Dustin."
Andy stared at her briefly before his shoulders slumped, relaxing completely. "God, I love you. You always make everything better."
"I know. What would you do without me?"
"Masturbate," Matthew cut in dryly, crossing his arms.
Laurie couldn't resist letting her smile widening as she glanced at the crude teenager, Andy sending him a quick glare. Matthew grinned, quickly leaving the room before Andy found something to throw at him. Andy soon followed, wrapping his arm around Laurie as they left the room, glancing down the hall to see Jude still greeting late guests.
"Laurie, let's find a room for ourselves during the reception."
"Ugh, Andy…"
Jude ran a hand through his hair nervously as time counted down, everyone chatting loudly in his or her seats. He knew it was time for him to go stand next to the priest, getting ready to walk in just as his cell phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He could've sworn that he had turned it off, but slipped it out and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"I'm really nervous, are you?"
He relaxed as he heard those words, smiling slightly. "I am."
"What if I trip over my dress?"
"You usually trip over your own two feet, if I do remember all those accidents correctly…"
He knew she was most likely glaring at the phone. "If I trip over anything—"
"Would it be wrong for me to laugh?"
"That'd be very wrong," Katelyn murmured. "How mean could you get? Don't answer that, I already know." A smile came to her lips, "Ready to do this thing?"
"I am. I've been ready for quite some time now."
"How long?"
"A few years," he mumbled, glancing at Andy as he motioned for him to get moving. He motioned for him to wait a moment, "I think it's time for me to get going. I'll see you in a few minutes. I think I'm a little less nervous now after talking to you."
"That makes one of us," she spoke, hanging up before he could respond. He glanced at his cell phone as Andy grabbed his arm, dragging him to where he had to be as he put his cell phone away. He gave him one last comforting pat on his arm before taking his place next to Matthew. As the music started to play, Jude gave Andy a glance who in return, gave him a thumbs up.
"I, Jude, take you, Katelyn, to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity."
Laurie couldn't help but sniff as Jude said his own vows, Andy and Matthew raising a brow. Matthew nudged Andy lightly, both of them stepping closer to each other so they could whisper. "Jude got that from a book or something, didn't he?"
Andy sent him a glance after watching Katelyn break down in tears. "You'd be surprised on what a big softie he is behind his jerkish, prickish exterior."
Jude continued, glancing back at the two, swearing that he heard his name. "I also promise to relinquish the remote whenever you ask and to put the toilet seat down without you asking or telling me to do so."
His last promises caused laughter to erupt from the guests, a large smile coming to Katelyn's face.
Andy rolled his eyes slightly, 'he'll take back that remote crap.'
"I, Katelyn-" Laurie smiled to herself as Katelyn paused her speaking to sniffle, choking on a sob once again. Katelyn swore that she wouldn't get so emotional during her wedding, but she clearly didn't have much self-control. Jude smiled to himself as she blushed lightly, embarrassed to be crying so much in front of numerous people. Her brown eyes dropped to her feet briefly, clearing her throat. Jude reached forward, wiping a tear from her cheek that had escaped with his thumb, distantly hearing sniffling from the seated guests.
Through watering brown eyes, she continued as her eyes lifted back to his, a blush still staining her cheeks. "Take you, Jude, to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. Oh, and I promise to continue making my hot chocolate for you that you love so much."
Jude didn't bother hiding the large smile that came to his lips, his heart skipping a beat. This was it.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
He wasn't sure what else was said, but as soon as he heard: I pronounce thee, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, he did so. Katelyn smiled before their lips met, wrapping her arms around his neck as he placed a hand on her waist. His other hand reached behind him, feeling Andy place money in his hand as everyone clapped and cheered. After slipping the money in his pocket, their lips separated, his hand reaching up to wipe her tears.
You are the strength that keeps me walking.
You are the hope that keeps me trusting.
You are the light to my soul.
You are my purpose...you're everything.
She was finally his.
After several obstacles in their lives, she was his.
He had married the girl he once vowed to hate for his whole life, the girl he almost lost once again.
He watched as she grew into the woman she was today, the woman that let him back into her life and put his past behind her.
Katelyn gave him one last kiss before lacing her fingers with his own, various camera flashes going off. Brown clashed with blue before they headed down the stairs.
Here she was with her childhood nemesis, a man she came to love during her last year of high school.
She was stupid; she was blind.
All that time, all those years, he was right in front of her face.
You calm the storms, and you give me rest.
You hold me in your hands; you won't let me fall.
You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?
As they exited the church, rose petals were tossed at them instead of the traditional rice, both of them heading to the parked limo waiting them.
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?
Andy took a sip of his alcoholic beverage, glancing at the glass after tasting it and shrugging. It was good, but he didn't know what he was drinking. Giving Jude a smile, he tapped glasses with him. "You got lucky on not crying. I bet you were just holding in and broke into tears in the car."
Jude rolled his eyes, his free hand resting in his pocket. "Just because you happened to shed a tear at your wedding—"
"A fly like flew into my eye or something," he interjected, a baffled look coming to his face. Jude smirked, glancing to the dance floor to see Sarah dancing with the twins that were trying to try their best at dancing while laughing hysterically. "Are you really going to put the lid down?"
"I'll try," he grumbled. "She complains about it a lot and I told her there would be some changes when we got married, soo…"
"I don't see what the big deal is."
"Women."
They nodded in unison. Jude got a glimpse of his ex-assistant, Melissa, smiling as she winked at him. He had hired a new assistant once she mentioned wanting to settle down at her age. Currently, she was seven months pregnant, Kevin and herself having a small wedding a year ago. Melissa was worried about Katelyn not accepting them as a couple, but Katelyn gave them her blessing. She wanted her father to be happy once again more than anything.
She was hoping for another sister.
Andy glanced at an African-American woman that passed them, his eyes lingering before Laurie appeared in front of him. He gave her a crooked grin, Jude glancing at them as Andy started to explain himself. 'He'll never change,' Jude thought to himself, amused with how whipped Andy became. 'He's still a good guy,' he added, knowing along with everyone else, Andy would never stray no matter how many girls he flirted with.
Taking a sip of his drink, his eyes searched through the crowd of people, landing on his wife.
She was mingling with the guests, laughing at something Claudia said and tucking a curl behind her ear. She looked down to young Sophie, running a hand through her blonde hair as she spoke several words to her. Sophie giggled, running off and disappearing into the crowd of dancers. She immediately found Andy, grabbing his hand excitedly. He smiled at her, holding Davis in his arms as he spun Sophie around to the music.
Katelyn listened intently to a conversation before her brown eyes drifted, a smile coming to her lips as her eyes locked with Jude's. She quietly excused herself, getting kissed on the cheek by her cousin as he passed her with his girlfriend. Jude kissed her forehead as she neared him, "You look…amazing."
"You don't look to bad yourself," she teased lightly. "Who would've thought that we would get married?"
"I hate you! I hope you…drown or something!" Seven-year-old Jude spat.
"You'll end up a lonely man with…ten cats! And you'll be a hundred pounds overweight with a beer gut like Uncle Charlie!" Katelyn fought back.
"…Go jump off a cliff. Or the garage roof since we don't have cliffs."
"Our parents," he grumbled.
"…Speaking of parents, you know while I was looking at myself in the mirror with this dress on, a part of me wished that my mom could be here to see me. I may have accepted her death, but it still hurts. I even ruined my make-up because I started crying at the fact that she can't be here to see me get married or anything."
"Hey, don't think like that. Your mom was a good woman; therefore she's in a good place. I'm sure she's very happy for you."
"Yeah—I…you're right."
"So, what now, Mrs. Hayes?"
Instantly, she felt giddy being called Mrs. Hayes for the first time. Kissing his jaw lightly, she smiled slightly. "We'll see."
A new chapter was beginning, the last closed shut.
Sooo long. Sap, sap, sappy chapter. It would've been out sooner, but I had a cold for four days and then I had writers block. Not a good combination for a story I'm trying to work on. I made up my mind and yes, one more chapter.
ALSO, oh my, half of the chapter was deleted by my cat Zoe walking on the keyboard. I said, you heffer (i love my cat to death, i do.)! Can't you tell I'm doing something?! Luckily, I discovered the 'undo' button the keyboard. (blush) Also while writing this chapter I encountered a spider. I. Am. Deathly. Afraid. Of. Spiders. It's like this chapter wasn't meant to be typed. So, it was at least as big as a tarantula. Okay, maybe not that big, but it was black and big. I killed it. Yes, I'm a spider killer. Sometimes I feel bad afterwards. I'm getting myself a husband that can kill spiders for me in the future. God forbid I marry someone that is afraid of spiders as well.
I can understand why some readers don't like reading this story because it's so-called predictable, but all I can say is don't read it if it's so predictable? Feh. That's all I can say. I always apologize for grammar and whatnot also, so it'd be nice if you (they know who they are lol) didn't freak out about what's wrong. I suck at grammar. I know. I admit to my problem, haha. I apologize at the end of every chapter too, so forgive me!
I want to thank all who has stuck with this story since the beginning and say that they love it so much. I'm sorry that it's coming to an end. It's sad for me too. I think every writer doesn't like to see their work come to an end, but a story can't last forever! I would also love to respond to reviews, but I have to get ready to go! I still need to take a shower and everything. I received some questions.
Do you have a myspace? Yes, I do. Myspace sucked me in..three years ago? I don't use it as much anymore, just to stay in touch with college friends and some that are still in high school. Also family members. I'm really shy and secretive, so I don't think I'll give it away freely until I become more comfortable. Seriously, haha. I'm so shy...it's kinda ridiculous.
What happened to Zach? Beats me. All we know is that he's out of the picture for good. I'm sure readers are happy about that.
Lyrics: Everything by Lifehouse. Good wedding song.
I'm done rambling. Tell me what you thought.