Honey // A.I (completed)

seven

< June >
< Saturday 5th, 2021 >

{ Ashton }

I was up before Holland this morning, but I stayed lying next to her in bed. It's something I always do if I don't have to work. I stay in bed until she wakes up.

Holland's head was on my chest and she had her arms wrapped around my torso- her blond hair all splayed out. We were going to have to get up soon since we are heading up to go watch her sister play in a soccer tournament this weekend. But first we were looking at another wedding venue.  It was going to be an interesting weekend considering the last time Holland saw them, her sister turned down being the maid of honor or a bridesmaid. I know Holland is still pretty upset about it all.

I checked the time on my phone and knew I had to wake Holland up. I slowly shuffled so that I could pull her on top of me, getting a muffled hum in return,

"We need to get up" I whispered, kissing her head and running my fingers down her back. She nodded and tucked herself up under my chin,

"A few more minutes"

I smiled and held her for a few more until we really needed to get up.

We both slowly climbed out of bed. We got dressed and packed a bag for the weekend,

"We'll run by Starbucks" I yawned as we walked out to the main area of the house,

"Can never say no to that" Holland laughed, grabbing her purse. I tossed our duffle bag on my shoulder and grabbed her Range Rover keys off the rack. Typically we will drive her car up to her parents if we aren't going to the lake. We only drive my truck up when we go to the lake house because it's a gravel drive and I'd rather my truck be messed up than the brand new car we just bought her.

****

After a Starbucks run, we pulled up to the venue. There was hope with this one. Holland and I got out and walked inside, finding a woman waiting for us,

"Holland? Ashton?" She asked,

"That's us" Holland grinned, holding my hand,

"Perfect. I'm Megan. Why don't I show you around"

We nodded and followed behind her and into a big open room with a huge glass window that overlooked the beach in Malibu. In front of the windows was a wedding arch and the room had chairs set up,

"So this is where you'd actually get married. We have two rooms to get ready in and they are pretty large to accommodate everyone" Megan spoke,

"Babe" Holland tugged my arm, "I love this"

"Me too" I smiled,

"Why don't I show you the reception area" Megan nodded. We followed behind her as we headed outside and down a stone path to another beautiful building. We walked in and it was huge. It was very open with many tables and a dance floor by the windows that looked over the water too. It was perfect,

"Ashton, this is the one" Holland spoke,

"It's the one" I confirmed,

"You all are positive?" Megan asked,

"Yeah" we smiled.

She took us to an office and we signed some things before going out to the car.

"We have a place and a date to get married!" Holland cheered as we hopped back in the car. I didn't say anything, instead pulling her to me and kissed her,

"It's official"

****

Since we were running a little late, we went straight to the soccer fields. I parked and we both got out, heading towards field 8 which was where Nikki told us she was playing.

Holland grabbed my hand as we started approaching, seeing her parents and grandparents. Her mom and grandma were sitting in lawn chairs and her dad and grandpa stood,

"Hey you two" her grandma smiled at us,

"Hey. Sorry we were running late" Holland apologized, turning to where she stood in front of me,

"Why were you all late?" her dad asked. I saw Holland take a breath,

"We found our wedding venue" she smiled, and glanced back at me,

"It's amazing. We knew it was it as soon as we walked in" I added. Her grandparents were smiling but her parents were not,

"You need to get married in a church" her dad mumbled, but we both ignored,

"Let's just watch the game" her mom spoke. Holland leaned back against my chest and held my arms that were wrapped around her,

"Where's Nikki?" I questioned, looking out into the field,

"Number 17. The tall blonde with her hair in a bun" Holland laughed,

"So the mini you. Got it"

Holland laughed and we watched as Nikki got the ball, taking on two defenders at once before she shot and scored, making us all cheer.

****

We all went to dinner after. Holland and I pretty much stayed quiet while they all talked, that was until her grandma asked us a question,

"Tell us about this beautiful venue?"

Holland sat her fork down and grabbed my hand under the table,

"It's amazing! Both the wedding hall and reception hall overlook the ocean and have huge windows. It's a wood building but it's so pretty. There's lights everywhere and enough tables and seats for everyone. There's also a little stone path that connects the buildings but it also has a pretty deck view of the ocean too"

"You guys are making good progress. So now you just have to book catering and things like that?" her grandma asked,

"Yeah. And we have to find a cake. I think we've already got everything else handled" I answered. I saw Nikki roll her eyes but I ignored it,

"I'm excited for you two. I'm really happy to have you in the family Ashton" her grandpa smiled,

"I'm not" Nikki mumbled which Holland heard,

"Stop. Not here" Holland warned. Her sister just turned back to her food.

****

With how the day went, Holland and I ended up driving home. Now we were both sitting out on the back deck together, looking over the city's lights.

Holland was curled up in my side and under my arm. We had a blanket pulled over us and our legs tangled underneath,

"I feel like the more of the wedding we plan, the more my parents get mad" Holland sighed, "I just wanted them to be happy for me for once"

"I'm sorry honey" I sighed,

"It's not your fault bub. I should've seen this coming though"

I sighed and kissed her head. Holland's relationship with her parents is weird. Of course she loves them but they haven't always had the best relationship. Basically they made Holland the parent of the house. She did everything and her parents did nothing. She took care of Nikki basically and I think it hurts her that her sister hates her so much because she did so much for her. Her parents also have very different views than her. It got her in a lot of trouble.

Holland left as soon as she could and started to see a little freedom. She didn't have to parent her sister anymore or be her parents therapist. She could be Holland.

When I first met her, she was just a person with high stress. Because she did so much parenting and adulting as a child and teenager, she was just overdoing it as an adult. Everything had to be perfect. She cares so much about people to the point it hurts her. She cares so much that if a tiny thing happens, it crushes her.

"I love you. I'm sorry that things are weird with the wedding and everything"

"Don't apologize honey. It's okay. You'll have the wedding of your dreams. We can deal with the people after. It's our day not theirs" I smiled,

"I can't wait to marry you" Holland hugged me waist,

"I can't wait to marry you too"