Last weekend Erin came over for a girl’s night and we drank wine and watched some Zac Efron movies. Ben rolled his eyes when we would gush over a shirtless Zac. He could hear us from his little office. Apparently we got so bad he decided to hang out with Dan. Things between him and his best friend have been a little awkward and who can blame him, the situation is definitely a little far left field. As long as Dan sticks to the rules then Ben is fine with everything. He sees how happy Caroline is and how well she has been doing in school.
I have grown so much this year. I thought that about last year as well, but this year was more challenging, to say the least. Ben has been put through the wringer and we came out stronger in the end. Our relationship withstood being apart, more drama, horrific incidences and a tragic loss. But here we are. Coping and smiling.
“Are you alright? You are looking a little pale. Can I get you something?” Erin attentively asks. She hasn’t brought the incident up since I told her that I didn’t want to talk about it, but she knew it was on my mind. It keeps popping up when I least think about it. I place a fake smile on my face and tell her I am fine, she doesn’t believe me, but lets it slide for now.
“So should I wear my hair up…?” Erin gathers up her long red locks and piles them on top of her head, turning it from side to side, “Or down for the wedding?”
I rest my chin on my fist and think about how it would look best with her maid of honor dress, “I say down with loose curls.”
“When do I get to see my dress?” She asks me eagerly. Caroline has been working on the dresses, but I haven’t seen any final pieces yet.
I stand to put in a different Zac movie, “Not sure, I would figure soon. I will call her tonight to find out about our next fitting. Now, what about my hair?” I mimic her motions from before.
Half way through one of the slower Zac movies, Erin turns to me, “Do you know why you lost the baby?” She asks and I feel like I have just been impaled with a blunt knife through my chest. “I know I told you I wouldn’t bring it up, but I think it’d be good for you to talk about it.”
I glare over at her next to me on the sofa. I consider her question and her wanting to help me. This is the hardest part, just talking about it. “The doctor said it was probably a mix of being knocked out physically and chemically and the emotional strain.”
“Did he hit your abdomen?” she asks. I know she isn’t asking to be rude or intrusive.
“I really don’t know. I don’t remember half of it, it’s a big blur.” I unintentionally touch my lower stomach and I see her eyes follow. She bolts over and grabs me up into a big hug.
“I love you Tess, you know that right? One day you will have a beautiful baby boy or girl to spoil and they will have your sweet and sassy attitude and Ben’s charm.”
I giggle through a sob and hug her as tight as I can. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have my Erin.
Just as promised Caroline and I had picked a time for all of us girls to get together for the final fitting. Erin is bouncing with excitement on the way there, she picked me up on the way so I wouldn’t have to drive. Ben told me that he and the guys were headed out to get their tux’s picked out and fitted. I get butterflies just thinking about him in a sleek black tux. He had asked me if I wanted him and the other guys to wear anything specific or color wise. Those are only small details and as long as I have him there waiting for me at the end of the alter, I would be fine if he wore neon green swim trunks with a Fargo hat. Let’s just hope he didn’t take me literally.
We pull into the Mitchells driveway and head on up to the door. Gwen swings it open before I can even ring the doorbell. She grabs in for a big hug, making me gasp for air at first from the force. When she pulls away she pulls me and Erin in by the hand. We follow her into the living room, there I am greeted with Caroline and my Mom and the room is decorated with flowers and balloons. “What is this?” I ask looking around the room.
“Your surprise, wedding shower slash bachelorette party! Erin told us that you weren’t keen on the strip club or bar scene, so we thought a little lunch fitting here would be fun.” Gwen spews, obviously happy with herself.
My mom comes over and gives me a comforting hug, I start to feel tears prickling the corner of my eyes, but I force them back. This is going to be a happy day, not a sad one. I look around the large space and it’s full of pink and blacks, with crystals just like what I want for the wedding. There are fashion busts that are adorned with the bridesmaid’s dresses. I am blown away. They are black and flowy with sheer layers with pink satin ribbon lining the edges. The top is fitted and strapless. I love them. Erin comes sprinting over and she even gasps. “Caroline! These are amazing! So perfect.” I tell her.
“Missy, you have some talent!” Erin sings. She rushes the dress and her hands go all over it. The girl does love her fashion.
“Thank you,” Caroline says with a giggle. She should feel proud of what she has achieved and how far she has come. Her body language is even better, before she was tense and jumpy, but now after everything has come out and she has gotten help she is calm and genuinely happy. “Now, yours Tess…” She has me follow her upstairs into her room where my dress is on another mannequin.
I slowly walk over and stop in front of it. I reach out to touch it to see if it’s actually real. Once my fingers feel the soft fabric I cry and I don’t care how ugly I look. This is my dress. Most brides see themselves in a long white satin gown, not me. Me, it’s a light pink layer dress. Floor length, no train fitted from the sweetheart style top to my waist, then the cascades of vintage looking fabric. Exquisite, but it won’t wear me, I will rock the shit out of this thing!
Everyone stops what they are doing and gasp. My mom comes over and gives me a big hug and pulls out a tissue to wipe her eyes, “This is so you Tess.”
“Oh my God Tess! That is the most amaz-balls dress I have ever seen!” Erin squeals. “Caroline, when I get married will you make my dress too?”
“Really? Sure!” Caroline seem shocked that someone else wants to wear her creations.
I nudge Erin’s shoulder with mine, “Looking to marry my brother?” I wink. She looks away from me and I know something is up, “Erin?”
“I didn’t want to say anything until after the wedding, I don’t like to steal the focus…” I raise an eyebrow at that, making her toss her hands up in the air. “Okay not during your time!”
“Are you engaged?” I asked shocked and eyes wide.
She takes a diamond ring off her right hand and puts it on her left, “I am! We are going to be sisters!”
We both screech so loud that it makes my Mom, Caroline and Gwen cover their ears. I am kind of hurt that James didn’t tell me about his plans to propose, but whatever because she said yes! “I am so happy for the both of you!”
She hugs and kisses me on the cheek and asks me to be her maid of honor and of course I accept. Then she demands that we get back on track with my wedding before any further discussion on her future nuptials.
Gwen has us putting together wedding favors as we sip on spiked pink lemonade, virgin for Caroline and snacking on a bunch of different foods she had made up. I had an idea for a favor while on tour and I texted it to Gwen and she loved it, so she got the supplies to make them. So here we are with about fifty white tiny espresso cups, pour pink wax into them with wicks. And little tags with mine and Ben’s names, wedding date and the saying “You may not be my cup of tea, but you’re my perfect coffee mate.” It’s totally cheesy, but I think it suits Ben and me.
“So, Tess are you excited to see London?” Gwen asks me, while heating up more pink wax.
I am finally feeling excited about the wedding more and more as the afternoon goes on, I haven’t been to celebratory as of late, but now seeing it all come together and knowing Ben can’t wait to be married has got me counting down the days again. “I really am! I have never been overseas, so this is very exciting. Even though I would have married Ben anywhere, but
this is beyond anything I could have wished for.”
We leave for London in a week and we will have a few days there before the actual ceremony. Then after we are heading into the city to stay for a few nights. I can’t wait to be with my Big_Ben by the real Big Ben.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go out and do something tonight?” Erin asks me as we are cleaning up our mess.
I shrug, “I’d really rather not.”
“Are the guys going out tonight?” She asks.
“I don’t know. If they are I know Ben wouldn’t stand for a strip club. We have a mutual respect for that choice. If anything they will go grab a beer I am sure.”
Dan, my Dad and I also asked James to be a groomsman who are meeting me here at the tuxedo shop to get fitted for our tuxes. I am a little early as usual, so I just sit in my car and wait, which I was lucky enough to get at the impound shop after they towed it when I left it at the airport drop off section to get back to Vegas. I know that Tess is going to have a brilliant day at her surprise shower today when Red picked her up.
I am listening to some Offspring’s when Dan comes rolling up on his bike. Parking next to me, I climb out and fist bump him. Things are still a little awkward between us, but we are getting there. Just as long as he keeps his dick in his pants around my baby sister.
He lights a cigarette and takes off his shades. “Hey man.”
“Planning on killing yourself before you can legally date my sister?” I give him a hard time about his smoking. He rolls his eyes and flicks it to the parking lot.
“Are we going in or what?” He asks me, giving me a clipped tone.
“What’s got your knickers in a bunch?” I ask him. If he doesn’t want to really be here and support me today, then he can fuck off. I am not in the fucking mood for assholes right now. I have had my limit for a life time.
“You know I hate suits,” he grumbles.
I can’t help but snort like Tess does at his remark, “Oh well mate, it comes with the territory of best man.” We walk into the shop and I am actually shocked when I see that James is already inside. I suppose I didn’t think much about it, because I don’t even know what the guy drives.
“Hey Ben, Dan.” He waves and quickly puts his hands in his pants pockets. “Ready to suit up?”
Me and Dan just look at one another, not getting why he is smiling when he says it, “Oh come on!” He laughs, “Don’t you guys watch How I Met Your Mother? Barney?”
“That damn purple dinosaur?” Dan asks lost.
James huffs and starts to explain, but gives up when he sees that we really have no clue what he is talking about. My Dad walks in and hugs me and Dan. I introduce him to Tess’s brother they shake hands then Dad just pulls him into a hug anyways. The poor guy tries the same joke with my Dad, but surprisingly he gets it.
I decided on the style of tuxes for me and the guys, pretty basic and classic. Black suites with white shirts, vests and skinny ties for me, Dan and James. Dad insisted on a bowtie.
Dad gets called into the hospital as soon as the tailor is done fitting him. So it is just us three guys left. They keep trying to get me to agree to a strip club, but I keep telling them no and when they ask why I tell them, “Because Tess is all the woman I need to see and I am not complaining.”
James holds his stomach, “Man, you had to go there didn’t you? That’s my little sister!”
Dan and I get a good laugh out of that one. “Pretty sure Red wouldn’t want you looking at other naked women by the way.” Turn it back onto him.
“The rules are that we can look, but not touch. Besides, we will be doing this all over again in the near future and I expect a proper bachelor party.”
I am removing my jacket and I stop, “You and Red are getting married?”
“I asked her the other night and she said yes!” He is a happy dude right now.
I fist bump and hug my future brother-in-law, “Congrats man! You’ll keep your hands full with that one.”
“That’s for sure and thanks.”
“Alright, gentlemen I believe we are all set and I will have your tuxes ready for you in two days, go ahead and get changed and you’re all set.” The tailor informs us. We all head back to the dressing rooms.
I am out of my white dress shirt and unbuttoning my pants when my door swings open and closes just as fast. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Oh come on Ben, don’t you want to at least fuck me one more time before you make the biggest mistake of your life?” Nicole is standing before me in the small mirrored dressing room in nothing but a tan trench coat. She starts to unbutton it and I take hold of her hands and stop her.
I lean in close for her to hear and see me tell her, “You’re lucky I don’t kill you for the shit you have pulled all this time. Not just the past crap, but pulling someone else in and scamming her into doing your dirty work.”
“I just wanted to show you that what you think you have with Tess won’t last. She is making a name for her midget self and she will nail every rock star she works with.”
I can’t contain my anger any further, my hand finds it hold on her neck. I don’t squeeze, but just enough to make her eyes go wide and her breathing to hitch. She needs to know that I am dead serious. “No more.” I tell her.
“Oh, Ben, kinky aren’t we?”
I let her go, I have nothing but feelings of disgust for her and she isn’t worth getting thrown in prison for life for strangling her to death.
I hear a knock on the door, “Hey man, almost ready to head out? I have a pitcher of beer with our names on it.” Dan asks eagerly.
Nicole opens her coat and she is completely naked. I look away as fast as I can, I don’t want to see any other woman. “Yeah, I am almost ready, just have some trash that I need to dispose of.” I lean past Nicole and open the door.
“What the fuck?” Dan snaps, “What the fuck is going on Nicole?”
She answers him, but keeps her gaze on me, “Hey Dan, nice to see you again.” She turns with her coat still open. “Can I help you?”
His eyes travel over her body, “When will you stop?”
I am curious about the same answer that he is looking for. I thought for sure the last time I had to call her out on her shit that this was over. Guess I was wrong. “So?” I urge her on, Dan and I both waiting.
She closes and ties her trench coat back up. She crosses her arms over her chest and gives us a smug look. James comes over, “What’s going on guys?”
Her face lights up when she sees him, “Well hello.”
“Who’s this?” James asks point at her and giving me a pissed look.
I raise my hands, “Not what you think believe me. This is my cheating whore of an ex who keeps trying to get back together with me and in the process has hurt Tess on countless occasions. Nicole, this is James. James is Tess’s big brother.”
“You hurt my sister?” he growls at her.
Her smug look disappears in a flash. “Fine! Fuck you all. I am done. Whatever. Just to let you know I am moving, I will leave you and your pack of astro-glide douche bags to yourselves.” She pushes her way past my groomsmen and stomps out of the shop, hearing the bells ring over the door. The sound of peace.
“How about that beer?” I ask the guys with a gruff.
“Are you ready?” Ben asks while we are waiting at the gate for our flight. We are heading out before everyone else, it gives us a little time to be together and set in to the time zone change. So we are on this flight alone and the others will meet us tonight and in the morning.
The man at the gate counter is starting to let people on the plane by their zones. Obviously first class is called first. Ben stands up, “What are you doing?” I ask him.
“I got us first class seats, future Mrs. Mitchell.” He holds his hand out for me to take and I put mine in his and stand, pressing my front to his I tip my head back and he lays one on me. We hand the man out passes and he scans them, wishing us a good flight and we ar
e heading down the tunnel to our plane.
We are welcomed on the flight by the attendants and the captain. We reach our seats and I am greeted with a bouquet of flowers on my seat. “Did you arrange this?” I ask Ben.
“Of course.” He kisses my hand and allows me into the seat by the window.
We are about half way there and I have just enjoyed sitting here with Ben and talking. We have been sipping on campaign and nibbling on strawberries. I rest my head on his shoulder and nod off for a while. When I wake up I see that he has fallen asleep also. I need to use the restroom, so I stand up and step in front of Ben, who reaches up and lightly taps me on my backside, surprising me and I yelp, making a middle aged gentleman chuckle.
I click my tongue at him, “Mr. Mitchell!”
He laughs and shakes his head, “Couldn’t resist.” I smile and tell him that I’d be right back.
I hate airplane restrooms, they are always too small and honestly the vacuum toilets freak me out. I am just done going pee when I hear a knock on the door, “Occupied.” I announce. Then a knock again. Stand and flatten my skirt down, wash my hands quickly and open the door. Ben pushes me back quick and closes the door. “What are you doing?” I ask, fully aware of his intentions at this point.
“What do you think?” he teases me.
“I think that people are going to know what we are doing in here once we walk out of here together.”
He pushes me up against the small counter where the sink is and gives me his sexy panty dropping smile, so I drop mine. I don’t say a word and I just kick them off. He boosts me up on top of the counter and I quickly undo his pants. I reach in and am pleasantly surprised by his lack of boxers. I smile at him and pull his hard length out. Stroking him, getting him going he rolls his eyes back. I straighten my back and kiss the hollow of his neck, causing him to moan.
Private Affair (The Private Series) Page 21