As we ate dinner, Declan was eyeing me across the table and all I could do was look at my sweaty hands. Claire was my best friend and I wouldn't miss her and Nathan's wedding for the world, but I didn't expect them to sit me with Declan. The other guests were trying to chat with us two, but I was too busy pretending that I wasn't there and Declan couldn't keep his eyes off of me, so soon they'd backed up.
Declan broke my heart into pieces and I still hadn't put the back together again, so seeing him all dressed up and handsome as hell was not easy for me. It had been six months and I thought I would have gotten over him because he hadn't contacted me, but obviously I didn't. And he looked at me like he knew that.
I was lost in my own thoughs, when I heard a soft cough aboved my head. "May I?" I raised my head and saw Declan reaching for my hand. I glared at him with a puzzled expression.
"You got some nerve Mr. Attwood" Sam said behind me.
"Hey Sam, wh-"
"No Declan, I'll talk" Sam said so sternly that even I was a little taken back.
"Why. Why is all I have to say to you. Why and how could you make someone that Maya, Claire, Nathan and I love so much cry. I really can't believe you Declan. You know how she makes everyone smile no matter what it takes, even if she has to poke fun at her self, and you throw her to the ground. I'm really dissapointed in you" Sam said, putting his hand on my shoulder and giving it a loving squeeze.
"Sam I can explain, really"
"I'm becoming a very serious Sam right now, and it takes a lot for me to get serious. But really Declan, what has Noelle ever done to you? What does Mindy have that she doesn't have? Can't you see that she makes all of us happier. I really hate seeing her with tears on her face" Declan then pulled Sam to the side, but far enough that I couldn't hear.
I watched Sam throw his hands up in the air, and Declan too. Then Sam's face had an expression of understanding, and they shook hands and made their way over back to me.
Whatever Declan said was a good enough reason.
"Dance with him Nellie" was what Sam whispered in my ear before walking away, back to his wife.
Declan chuckled nervously and led me to the dance floor, where he put his hands in the small of my back, pulling me closer to him. I rested my chin on his shoulder, breathing in his cologne. As I closed my eyes, swaying to the music, for a moment there, we were the only ones, nobody else. In his arms I finally felt complete. Like they've been waiting for me to come home, to come back where I belonged.
Then I remembered Mindy.
I pulled away from our hold and began to walk out the door of the hotel to go outside and get some fresh air. As I reached the front door Declan whispered "Don't leave me" while he grasped my hand, which was trembling like a rabbit.
I then began to cry lightly as I crumpled onto the dark red carpet of the hotel lobby, not caring who saw me.
"Noelle come here" Declan said as he pulled me back up, then to a room where we could be alone. I rested my head on his shoulder as he pulled me close and began to slow dance with me.
"There's no music Declan" I sniffed.
"Doesn't matter" He said with a smile.
We sat in silence, swaying back an forth for a couple of moments before the silence was broken.
"I'm so sorry Noelle. I acted like a jerk and I don't deserve you're forgiveness, but I'd sure as hell need one. I want you, and only you Noelle" He whispered into my ear.
"I don't know what I was thinking to let you go like that. I was to scared of hurting you sooner or later. I'm a single dad with a four year old daughter..not very appealing"
"Declan"
"I love you, Noelle. I love you goddamnit. I don't know why it took me six months to figure this out, but I've never been so sure about anything in my whole life. And I promise you, you'll get your old Declan back. He's right here, standing in front of you, begging for forgiveness" Declan looked at me with eyes filed to the brim with hope and love. I knew that he was telling the truth, but a part of me wouldn't believe it.
"I'm sorry Declan" I said tearing up as I walked out of the room, out of the lobby and out into the pouring rain. At this point I didn't care what part of me got messed up.
Just as the door was swinging closed behind me, I heard a voice call out my name.
"Noelle wait!" Declan was running after me, even out into the rain.
Just as I came to my senses and started to react and walk further away, Declan pulled me close, crashing his lips onto mine, then pressing his forehead to mine.
"I'm so sorry Noelle. For everything. For every little thing"
I shook my head and intergected, "I'm sorry too, I love you too much to ever hate you" his thumbs ran up my cheek to wipe my tears, though they were barely distinguishable from the rain. As slight shiver ran down my spine, Declan took his coat off and put it around me, pulled me close to him.
I placed my hand on his neck, attacking his lips with mine, and he did the same.
I finally got my kiss in the rain, your welcome 16 year old me.
"Your welcome" I heard Claire, Maya, Sam, and Nathan's voice, chuckling from inside the hotel.
