by L. J. Swartz
Rian's getting married today. I'm so happy for her and Declan. David talked to Chanel. We are actually going to Paris earlier than planned. Victor is my date today. David had to fly to Paris to try to find us a place to live. Chanel didn't think we'd be willing to move our wedding date for work. She was wrong. We're hitting the JP on Monday then flying to Paris. Two days from now I'll be Mrs. David Voorhees. Sadie Voorhees. It has a ring to it I suppose. "Sade can you grab that for me," Rian asks pointing to her necklace on the table next to me. "Yep," I say as I grab it handing it to her. I'm in a black sheath dress with a red cardigan and patent leather grey pumps. Vance of course is the best man, so Iâm stuck walking with him. Heâs in a white button down, black vest, black pants, and red shoes. I only caught a glimpse of him, but of course he looks incredible. Brittanyâs here somewhere in a hoochie dress. You'd think Vance would get rid of her and move on to something better. I met Rian's parents for the first time last night. Theyâre fabulous. They want to get together in Paris sometime, since they have a home there. I also met Vance and Declan's parents. He wasn't lying. They're pompous assholes. I quite frankly don't know how Vance and Declan turned out to be so charming and nice. "SADE," Rian barks. "Sorry yes," I say looking to her. She gives me a half smile asking, "Are you ok?" I huff asking, "Seriously? Itâs your wedding day and your asking me if I'm ok? Shut up, you look gorgeous," I tell her. She smiles as she practically yells, "I can't believe I'm gonna be Rian Matthews!" I smile and nod at her excitement. Sadie Matthews, now THAT has a nice ring to it. "I'm so happy for you. Thank you for including me this," I tell her with tears in my eyes. She holds her hand up blocking me out of view saying, "No crying. I'm hormonal enough with out your help." I laugh as I wipe my eyes. The wedding planner peaks her head in saying, "I need mother of the bride up front." Sadie's mom kisses her cheek telling her how beautiful she is. I smile at her as she leaves touching my shoulder. "Holy shit this is happening," she says having a mini panic moment. "All you have to do is look in his eyes and walk to the man you love," I tell her. Her eyes rim in tears. "Sorry uh you get to fuck that hot piece of man meat for the rest of your life," I say making her laugh. "Just think Sade. This is gonna be you on Monday, well kind of. You guys gonna have a big wedding in Paris then? That'd be gorgeous," she asks happily. I shrug saying, "Yeah who knows." I'm getting married Monday, to David. "Ok Sadie I need you," the wedding planner tells me as she basically pushes Rian's dad through the door. I laugh then kiss Rian on the cheek before following her out. "Ok Sadie go get um," she tells me. I step into the doorway. There's not a lot of guests. Not that it matters. I look up as I take the first step locking eyes with Vance. He's so handsome. I walk to him holding his gaze thinking about how at one point I thought that this would some day be us. He winks at me as I get to my spot. I shake my head then look up as the music changes. Rian and her dad step into the doorway. I look to Declan. He looks like he's about to pass out, but not in a bad way. Thereâs no way heâs even aware of anyone else in this room. They make their way down the isle slowly. She's breath taking. Her dress is flowy almost dream like. Her dad kisses her cheek placing her hand in Declan's patting him on the back before he goes to sit down next to her mom. I can't help but smile as I look at them looking at each other. Rian is this gorgeous blonde beauty and Declan is this hard tattooed bad boy. They're beautiful. I make the mistake of looking to Vance. He's staring at me. It becomes very hard to breath. I want to look away, but I can't. He holds my gaze. "Sadie," Rian whispers harshly. Her voice snaps me out of it. I look to her. She's handing me her bouquet. "Shit sorry," I whisper as I take it. She gives me a look then turns to Declan. He winks at me over her head then looks back to her. I feel like such an idiot. I make sure to keep my eyes on Declan and Rian avoiding the hot man beyond him. It doesn't seem to take long before the preacher is calling out, "You may now kiss the bride." Declan takes her face in his hands kissing her slowly. Everyone hoots and hollers. Vance whistles in that hot guy way through his fingers. I cheer then hand her back her bouquet. I reach down fixing her dress as the preachers says, "It is my pleasure to announce to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Declan Matthews." I can't help myself I look to Vance. He smiles slowly then winks at me. Declan and Rian walk off down the isle. Vance takes a step toward me. My heart skips. I step up next to him sliding my hand into the crease of his arm. The heat, god the heat is about to make me pass out. I feel light headed. "You look breath taking," he whispers next to my ear as we walk to the back of the church. "Thanks Vance. You look handsome as usual," I tell him looking forward. We get to the back. I let go of him to hug Rian. "Congrats baby," I say to her. She jumps up and down saying, "Thank you." I pull away and hug Declan. He holds me close then whispers, "He still loves you." I pull back giving him a look. Why would he tell me that? He winks at me then turns to Rian lifting her off her feet as he kisses her silly. I look to Vance. Could he still have feelings for me? He smiles stepping toward me. Brittany walks between us wrapping his arms around his neck. I look to the floor then hear, "Sadie." I look to my right where the voice came from. Davidâs standing in the doorway. "Hey baby," I say happily then walk to him wrapping my arms around his neck. "I found us a house Sade. You're gonna love it," he says into my neck. I pull away saying, "That was fast. You just left two days ago." He smiles then kisses my lips quickly. He pulls away saying, "Yeah I know, but seriously babe it's perfect." I shake my head saying, "Can't wait." He steps around me walking to Declan and Rian. Rian squeals when she sees him throwing her arms around his neck. I hear her yell, "David." It's amazing that she accepted him after everything. I look to Vance. Our eyes meet. He has his arm around Brittany as she talks to his dad. He nods at David with a smile on his face. I smile as I look to David and Declan talking. I walk over taking his hand in both of mine. "Hey baby what do you think about Declan and Rian coming to Paris on like a joint honeymoon," he asks happily. I take a breath looking to Rian and Declan. "It sounds amazing, but you two don't have other plans," I ask trying to seem excited. "No we didn't have time to plan one. We're joint honeymooning in Paris," Rian yells. I see Vance's head snap up. "This is gonna be great," David says wrapping his arm around my shoulders. Everyone else is so happy. Why do I feel like I'm on an airplane plummeting to the ground? "What's all the excitement about over here," Vance asks as he walks up to us all holding Brittany's hand. She smiles at me smugly. Yes you dumb bitch you got him by default. If I asked him to run away with me right now, he would. I think as I smile back at her. "We're going with David and Sadie to Paris on a double honeymoon," Rian yells to the ceiling. David and Declan both laugh. I watch Vance's face closely. He looks to me. His smile drops a bit as he says, "So you won't be at work for awhile huh?" David clears his throat saying, "We're moving to Paris, so she actually quit. We're getting married Monday." Vance nods at him. There is so much pain in his eyes as he looks to me saying, "Congratulations." I feel like I may cry. Declan clears his throat saying, "We have a reception to get too people lets go." David leads me out the door. I look over my shoulder at Vance. He hasn't moved. Brittany is clinging to him talking to a man I don't know. Our eyes meet. He takes a step toward me. My heart skips. I look forward again. The sooner Iâm in Paris. The sooner I can forget Vance Matthews.
We get to the reception. I have to sit at the head table. David is seated with some business men he actually knows from coming into the clothing store he works at. I watch as he commands the attention of the entire table. He's amazing at what he does. I feel heat shoot through me as Vance passes by running his finger tips along my back. I look up watching as he makes his way over next to Declan. Rian leans over saying, "Now we just gotta get you married then we're off to Paris." I smile at her holding my glass up. She taps hers to mine. We drink. David stands and walks toward us. "Hey what are you doing," I ask. He smiles leaning over the table placing a kiss to my lips. "They were all going to the bar for drinks, so I came to see you," he says kneeling down in front of the
table. "I'm glad you could come home early to be here with us," I tell him as he looks at me. "Me too baby," he takes my hands in his saying,"You know if anyone had told me a year ago we'd be here together. I would have said I blew it. Thank you for taking me back." He kisses my hands. I feel like such a dick head. I've been pinning over Vance all day. I smile at him as I say, "You proved yourself to me. I did nothing." He chuckles saying, "Oh but you did. You were my motivation. No telling where I'd be if you hadn't left. You opened my eyes Sadie. I can't wait to spend our lives together." I slide my hand from his to touch his face. He turns his head kissing my palm. It makes me think of Vance immediately. I hear one of the guys yell for David. He stands then kisses my forehead before walking back to his table. He's a good man. I could do worse. The D.J announces that we're gonna eat. We get served since we're the wedding party. All the guests go through a buffet. Rian leans over saying, "Get ready." I give her a funny look as the D.J says, "It's time for the bride and groomâs first dance." I watch as Declan leads Rian to the dance floor. He mouths certain words to her as they dance never once taking his eyes off her. They're so in love. I glance in Vance's direction. He's looking at me. I turn my attention back to Rian and Declan. The music changes. Vance stands as the D.J says, "We need the best man and maid of honor out here." So this is what she was warning me about. Vance walks to me holding his hand out to me. I swallow hard bracing myself as I slide my hand into his standing. The heat is unreal. He leads me to the dance floor then pulls me into his arms. I wrap my hands around his neck looking into his eyes. The song playing is not what I expected. The one line says something about wanting you more than you want me. I turn looking to the side. I can't stare into those eyes anymore. He makes me feel things I haven't felt in months. "Sadie look at me, please," he says pleading with me. I look to him. "Don't marry him," he whispers. I'm in shock. I don't know what to say. "Just give me a chance, please. I know I don't deserve you, but I can't stop wanting you. I've been lost without you," he says searching my face. "Oh Vance you're a great actor, but please. You're with Brittany now," I hiss at him. "I'm not with her, Sadie. I mean I am, but I don't belong to her," he tells me. I look to Rian and Declan. They're in their own little bubble. "I'm marrying David, Vance. Then we're moving to Paris," I tell him looking into his eyes. The hurt I see almost brings me to my knees. I don't want to hurt Vance. I never wanted to hurt Vance, but he pushed me away. I moved on. "What if he hits you again? What if thereâs no one there to help you," he asks looking sincerely worried. I huff moving my hands to his chest trying to push him away. I don't need this. "No talk to me," he demands. "What do you want me to say," I ask. He searches my face a few seconds then asks, "Tell me why you turned to him so quickly." I shake my head. I don't want to go there. "Please," he asks. I close my eyes then take a breath. "You didn't want me," I tell him then try again to walk away. He holds me to him. He's really pissing me off. I actually wish David would come save me. I look back at Vance. Whatever here goes. "I was completely head over heels in love with you. I knew you weren't with me, so I chose to fall in love with someone who could return it. There now let me go," I tell him pushing from his arms. I walk off the dance floor. Rian notices and calls out to me. I walk to David's table. He sees me coming. He has a huge smile on his face. It drops when he sees I'm not happy. He stands quickly walking to me asking, "Baby what's wrong?" He takes my face in his hands. I lose it. I burst into tears. He pulls me to him holding me close. I look up at him. This is not fair to him. He changed for me. He has been wonderful. I love him. I do love him, but I'm in love with Vance. "Baby can I do something," he asks bending down to meet my gaze. I touch his face shaking my head. David looks up then hisses, "You." I turn seeing Vance approach us. "You know I'm not an idiot. I know she loves you, but she loves me too. I can give her what you can't. Myself. So leave us be, please," David says to him then leads me toward the doors to the reception hall. We get outside. I take a deep breath. David steps in front of me taking my face in his hands. I look into his eyes. "Sadie if you aren't ready to get married. We don't have to. You can just come to Paris with me. We can see how it goes. I don't want you being unsure baby," he says sweetly. I wrap my arms around his neck whispering, "You're amazing you know that." He pulls me closer whispering, "I know what it's like to lose you. I feel for the guy." I don't know what to say to that, so I say nothing.