The Issue with Weddings

Untitled Part 3

There was silence as Jack and Gabrielle looked out into the faces of Julia and Saud. Bella looked at one pair and then the other and decided that they would stand there all evening if she didn't get them moving.

"OK, now that everyone is dressed I feel like there is a lot to talk about."

She started to walk into the room and crinkled her nose before stepping back out.

"Not in here. There is a definite aroma now of certain adult activities, so why don't we head back outside so this doesn't interrupt the reception?"

Gabrielle blushed at Bella's statement while Jack just nodded.

"Lead the way Bella."

As they started to follow Bella, Jules spoke up pointing at their clasped hands.

"Don't you guys think that is... is a problem? Gabrielle, what do you think your BOYFRIEND Luke would say about you holding Jack's hand like that? What about your GIRLFRIEND Jaycee Jack?"

Jack chuckled darkly before answering quietly as they were walking down the hall.

"Jules, we just cheated on both of them together. Do you really think that holding hands would even be on the radar after that? The moment we lost control was the moment that any thoughts of being with Jaycee ended. She will never forgive me even if I regretted it with all my heart. I don't blame her either because she would be right. I just did something unthinkable to her."

"Julia, I just cheated on Luke with Jack. Do you know how much this is going to hurt him? I swore to him that it would never happen, I swore that Jack was the past, that he was my future. When he finds out what happened... I just cheated on him with Jack, Jules. I just proved beyond all doubt that I lied to him all these months. The moment he finds out... any semblance of a relationship is over and it is my fault."

Julia looked like she was about to cry as they finally reached the empty yard where the ceremony had been held. The chairs had already been cleaned up so the five people headed up to the gazebo to sit and talk.

"But Gabrielle, what if he never finds out? We are the only ones who know and if we don't tell..."

Gabrielle shook her head. She smiled sadly at Jules as she replied.

"I'd know Jules. I'd know and I can't do that to him. I can't lie to him about this... I can't lie to myself about this. Even if he were to forgive me, I can't forgive myself for doing this to him. I know you like Luke, I did too, but Luke and I are through."

"But you said you loved him Gab."

"I thought I did..."

Gabrielle looked over at Jack.

"I just love someone else more. I can't say this was just a mistake Julia... It was more then that."

"But Gabrielle, after everything how can you..."

Gabrielle swung her head and looked Julia dead in the eye.

"Because deep down it was always Jack. Even when I hurt so much that I needed to search to find a reason to get out of bed in the morning, it was always Jack. I never stopped loving him Julia. I never stopped being in love with him."

Gabrielle looked down and took a deep breath.

"I am not proud of what I did in the last year. I reacted badly when things didn't go the way I wanted. I hurt Jack because I was stubborn and then I lashed out when he was doing what I told him to do. I told him to move on and when he tried I was crushed. We were suppose to come back together. He was suppose to see I was right and come back begging. Instead he stood back up and started moving forward."