Finally Free - Charlie Gillespie

Chapter Eighty-Seven

Charlie
"You ready?" Owen starts pacing while biting his nails.

"I feel like I'm going to vomit." I chuckle, shaking my head over his answer.

"You'll be fine, Owen. I promise."

Kenedi

"I can't do this. I can't do it. I'm calling off the wedding." I push Sofia away from me and start walking towards the door. Zion steps in front of me with her arms crossed.

"Kenedi, I need you to sit your ass back down so I can finish your hair and your makeup." I shake my head no willing the tears away.

"Sofia, I can't do this."

"Yes, you can." I turn around looking at Zion.

"Move."

"No."

"I don't want to hurt you, but I swear to god, I will be getting through that door one way or another." I feel Sofia's hand on my shoulder and my muscles instantly begin to relax.

"Ken, what is going on?"

"I can't do this." My voice cracks as I slowly turn to face Sofia. She cups my cheeks forcing me to look into her eyes.

"Yes you can. You were so excited for this! Now what's going on?" I stay silent for a few seconds then hesitantly whisper.

"I don't want to choose between you and a guy again."

"Babe, you're not choosing between us."

"I can't do it. Okay? I can't." She sighs pulling me into her chest. I shakily wrap my arms around her waist sobbing into her chest.

"What is we stall the wedding another hour or so and I get Charlie in here so the three of us can talk?" I hesitantly nod not trusting my voice.

She says something to Zion, but I can't understand it. Zion leaves and before I even realize what's happening, Charlie runs into the room panicking more than I've ever seen before.

"Hey, it's okay, sunshine. You're okay." He places his hand on the small of my back making me sob even harder. I can't lose either one of them. Not again.

I'll die before that happens.

"She doesn't want to choose between the two of us." Sofia whispers to Charlie. He sighs and kneels down to my eyesight.

"You aren't having to choose anyone. You chose Sofia and Zion to be your maids of honor. You chose me to be your husband. You chose Sofia to be your sister. Those were all the choices you had to make."

"I can't lose either one of you again. Please don't make me choose." My grip tightens on Sofia. She slowly backs us over to the bed and sits down with me in her lap holding me.

"Kenedi, you won't lose me again. I promise. One of the reasons why I reacted the way I did was because Heer got into my head and said that our relationship was toxic. I believed her, but now I know that isn't true! You're my sister and I am so sorry for all of the pain that I put you through."

I flinch hearing what Heer said. What if Heer is right? What if it would be better if Sofia and I weren't friends? Would that make Sofia happy?

"And before you even think about it, no. Heer was not right."

"But what if she was? What if you'd be happier-"

"I am so much worse without you in my life, Kenedi."

"I don't believe that."

"Without you or Owen, I almost died."

"What?" She sighs pulling out her phone.

"I'd drink every single night. I'd get high every single night. It was...it was just a really bad time, okay?" I nod sniffling. "One night, I got so crossed that I almost walked in front of a car."

She clicks on the video and her face illuminates the screen. She's giggling, slurring her words, stumbling all over the place. Next thing I know, I see the headlights, hear the tires screeching, and Charlie's voice as Sofia gets pulled out of the way.

"If it weren't for Charlie being there at the right time, I probably wouldn't be alive." I slowly look up to her wiping away my tears.

"You did that every night?" She nods smiling sadly. I wipe my nose on the bandage from earlier and hiccup softly. "Well...I didn't do great either."

"Please tell me you didn't drink or get high. I will kick your ass if you did." I laugh lightly shaking my head no.

"I didn't do any of that. I just..." I look at Charlie for help not wanting to say it myself.

"She relapsed and barely ate. She ate enough for the baby to be okay and that was it." Sofia sighs shakily gently running her fingers through my hair.

"Have you eaten today?" I hesitantly shake my head no. "How far along in your pregnancy are you?" I check my mental calendar.

"Like four months now."

"All of this is probably just your hormones and the lack of energy your body has. How about we get you some food and I'll help you finish getting ready for the wedding?"

I hesitantly look between Charlie and Sofia. I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

"How do I know that I'm doing the right thing?" I suck in a harsh breath feeling the baby kick. I immediately grab my stomach.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. I'm calling the hospital. Oh my god."

"Kenedi? Kenedi, what's wrong?" I smile lightly in tears and nod knowing that the baby is trying to tell me that this is the right thing to do.

"I'll take that food now." I shakily move over to the chair and wipe away my tears.

"Really?" Sofia smiles lightly as her eyes start to water. I nod giggling.

"Hi yes my wife - I-I-I don't know! Something's wrong and-" Sofia grabs the phone from him and apologizes to the other person before hanging up. "I'm trying to get help!"

"You're such a dumbass." I nod agreeing with Sofia. "The baby kicked." He slowly looks over at me with glossy eyes.

"H-He kicked?" I bite my lip nodding. He walks over and kneels down before me gently placing his hands on my stomach. The baby gently kicks again.

"I'm not going to enjoy this for the next five months." He laughs at me before kissing my stomach again. "Okay, are you gonna leave soon? I mean, I do have a wedding to get ready for."

He kisses my stomach one more time, kisses my hand, then slowly backs out of the room as Zion closes the door behind him.

"Alright. Let's get this bitch down the aisle!" Sofia and Zion high-five making me laugh.

So, maybe life really isn't that bad. You just have to find the people that make it worth while.