Same Time Next Year

Chapter 17 - Year 4

Flashback to Mike's wedding

Noah

I had flown into LA late the night before the wedding, avoiding the rehearsal dinner.  I probably could have made it earlier if I had really wanted to but Mom didn't pressure me, so I didn't.  I was nervous enough about seeing Elle and didn't want to see her first in a setting with so few other people.  At least at the wedding, I would be able to blend in with the other guests.  It's not like I was going to be able to hide from her. I was more worried about being in her face on what I could imagine was already an emotional day for her. No matter how happy Elle may be for Linda and her Dad, I knew a part of her would be thinking a lot about her Mom today.

I spent the night before at my parents and although I drove to the wedding separately from them, my Mom gave me a once over before I left. It was exactly like she always did it when I was young, fixing a piece of hair that didn't want to lay the right direction, straightening my tie, and looking me over once more before finally giving me her smile of approval.  It was a move I would have pulled away from during my teenage years. Now, though, after living away from my mom for so many years, it made me a little nostalgic and I found myself returning her smile.

She paused in front of me, her hands gripping the sides of my arms. "You look so handsome.  I'm so thankful to have everyone together for this."  She seemed so happy it made me feel guiltier for the family times I had skipped out on in the last few years.  I realized how important it was for me to talk to Elle today and apologize for how things went down between us, not only for us, but for our families.

"I'm glad to be here with you guys too." I wanted to apologize for blowing off the holidays this year and promise not to do it again but her eyes had become a little glassy and I was worried the tears would start falling so I didn't say anything more. I knew how she felt about ruining her make up before leaving the house. Besides, even though I had plans to apologize to Elle today, I had no idea how she would react or if she would even accept my apology.  If she didn't, I didn't know what things would be like at the next family event. Instead of saying anything more, I pulled her in for a quick hug and told her I would see her at the wedding.

The ceremony was nice as far as weddings go and Mike and Linda seemed perfect together. Afterwards Lee and I were standing at the bar in the reception hall, our first stop after the ceremony ended.  Once I had my drink, I turned away from the bar and paused, looking around the room, as I had been finding myself doing all day.  It only took a few times for me to realize I was trying to figure out where Elle was in the room.  I had been trying to keep myself from watching her but I couldn't help it, whenever I was in a room with Elle, my eyes were naturally drawn to her. It didn't help that I could recognize her laugh in a room full of people and that I kept hearing it even when I couldn't actually see where she was. It also didn't help that she looked absolutely gorgeous in her bridesmaid dress and every time I did see her, I had a hard time pulling my eyes away.

She and Brad were both part of the wedding party and during the ceremony, when no one could tell who I was watching, I allowed myself to focus on her. Once we were at the reception, I tried to keep my eyes off her but I guess I wasn't doing a very good job.

I had been listening to Lee talk about how much he was looking forward to graduating and being done with college when he stopped mid-sentence and said, "I'm sure she wouldn't mind you stopping by to say hi. You've been watching her all day. You know, she doesn't hate you anymore." I raised my eyebrows, wondering just how much my brother knew about the situation with Elle. Although it felt good to hear him say that Elle didn't hate me, I didn't really like the anymore on the end of that sentence. I hated to think of what she thought of me after our fight. I had a feeling Elle hadn't told him much about it or else Lee would have had a lot more to say to me about it over the last year. Or maybe Lee had learned to keep himself out of our business. Leaned that it was never good for our relationship when he tried to insert himself between me and Elle.