Invisible String

73

Natalie's POV

"Here's this last one for you babe." Alex says as she hands me a bag. "I hope you like it."

"I love anything you give me." I say with a smile.

We're all spending Christmas separately or whoever each person wanted to but we'll gather for dinner later tonight.

"Hey! It's a cute bear." I say with a smile. "HA! Look Tay the bear has your merch on. That's awesome, thanks Al."

"Um bubs press the button." Taylor whispers, I pick my head up, furrowing my eyebrows. I press the button and I bring the bear closer to my ear.

"Hola mi amor, feliz cumpleaños. Ya sabes que te amo." The voice of my mother, loud and clear.

I bite my lip as it begins trembling, blinking rapidly as I try not to sob, but ultimately fail. I let out a sob as I clutch onto the bear.

"How?"

"I asked Jason for some videos." Alex says.

"I haven't heard her voice in so long."

"You always talk about her and I just hope it helps you to have her close to you." Alex says as she cups my face, I smile as I wipe my tears.

"I love you."

"I hope you both remember we're still here." Taylor says. I peak my head over Alex and I laugh as I see Taylor and Selena.

"Hi."

"You're lucky you're adorable." Taylor says and I smile.

"Let's get ready for dinner girls." Andrea says from the other side of the door.

"Come on." Selena says as she drags Tay out of the room.

"We'll be right there." I say giving them a thumbs up.

I stand up, wrapping my arms around Alex, resting my forehead against hers and I smile.

"Thank you, I really mean that. I love you and I'm so happy that I'm marrying someone as good as you. No one has gone to the extent of trying to find something from my mom."

"Hearing you talk about your mom made me realize how much you'd like something that had a part of your mom." Alex says.

"It's great. I'll take it everywhere with me, especially on tour." I say nodding my head.

"That's cute, I can already see the headlines. Natalie Swift with a teddy bear. Yeah I can see that."

"Come on, let's go get dressed for dinner."

"We did good with Christen and Elizabeth didn't we?" Alex asks and I laugh.

"I hope so, Lizzie wasn't so happy about me dragging her over to meet Christen. They'll definitely be good friends."

"Right." Alex says with a smirk.

"Come on Al, dinner is in a couple hours."

- - - -

"Best friend! merry christmas."

"Hi Tobin, merry christmas." I say as I go over to hug her.

"Woah, you're tall."

I turn around and see a short person one of Alex's best friends. I squint as I bite the inside of my cheek trying to remember her name.

"Squirrel right?" I say.

"Alex told you?"

"She did." I say. "Nice to meet you."

"How tall are you?" Kelley asks.

"I was 5'11 like last year or two, I've grown. I'm 6'2."

"She's taller than Sam? Yeah if Sam ever gets near your she'll probably pass out." Kelley says.

"Oh yeah, Sam, Sammy." I say nodding my head. "She looks so sweet."

"She's a big fan too. All the young little rookies are actually." Kelley says.

"Well maybe I'll go to a game to meet them sometime soon."

"Is she bothering you? She does that a lot." Alex says and I laugh.

"She's okay for now."

"Taylor and Gigi are looking for you." Alex whispers and I nod.

"Excuse me for a second."

I walk over to Taylor and Gigi who are talking with our friends. I pick Gigi up which makes her yelp.

"What's up?"

"You scared us." Taylor says.

"I'm 6'2 you should have seen me." I say as I poke her cheek. "So what's up?"

"Do you think we can go to the reception to test some things out?" Taylor asks.

"Yeah I don't see why not." I say furrowing my eyebrows.

"Great. Oh and Gigi wanted to know if she can give a speech."

"I also don't see why not." I say.

"Great that was it. You having fun?" Taylor asks and I nod my head.

"Lots. I'm with my friends, my soon to be wife and her friends. It's great."

"You're so cute." Gigi squeals as she pinches my cheeks.

"Ow."

"You're so so cute. She's so cute isn't she Tay?"

"Very." Taylor says as she pinches my nose.

"I feel the love." I mumble.

"Hi everyone." I hear Lizzie say.

I turn my head slightly and smile.

"Hi Lizzie." Taylor says.

"Hi Lizzie." I say waving my hand.

"What happened to you?" Lizzie asks.

"Gigi keeps pinching my cheeks." I pout.

"Well that's too bad." Lizzie says as she pats my back. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." I say as I move Gigi's hands off of my face. I walk away from the girls as I walk with Lizzie. "Yes?"

"Christen's great."

"I told you."

"We're friends already."

"Oh.. Well that's nice." I say nodding my head, smiling.

"Definitely, she's funny too."

"But not as funny as me right?" I ask.

"No one could ever be as funny as you babes." Lizzie says and I grin.

"Nice."

"Yes and-."

My mind wanders off as I remember something Alex told me last night.

"Christen's birthday is on the 29th. Don't forget to tell Elizabeth."

"She's great."

"Did you know Christen's birthday is on the 29th? Only a couple days from now."

"I did not know." Lizzie says.

"Yeah Alex told me, just thought I'd let you know, you know?"

"Okay? Yes? You're acting weird." Lizzie says with an awkward laugh. "Are you okay?"

"Great thanks. Come on let's go and enjoy the party with everyone."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yes. You should go and hangout with Christen."

"I think I'll stick with you for a bit." Lizzie says as she grabs onto my arm.

"That works too."