I Hope You Dance

Chapter 7

I felt something touching my face, gentle and barely there. I swatted behind me, hoping Aaron would back off. His nose grazed my jaw before placing a soft kiss on it and I swatted at him again. "Oh honey, come on now." My eyes flew open at the voice, I rolled over as more kisses were placed on my face. "Rooster?" I asked and he chuckled. "Yeah, sweet girl?" My heart soared at the name. "Why are we in bed together?" I looked down and realized I was naked and so was he. He rolled so he was hovering over me, kissing his way across my cheek till he placed s oft kiss on my lips. "I guess last night was too good if you don't remember. But I'll never forget the way you were crying my name." A chill ran up my body, as well as his hands. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, the feeling of his hands on my body was enough to pull a small moan from my throat. 

"Then why don't you remind me." I suggested and he chuckled. "I would pretty girl, but I can't." I furrowed my brows as he kissed down my neck, his hands pulling my knees up by his waist. "Why not?" I asked, sighing as he nipped my neck. "I'm not here." I furrowed my brows and pushed him back, finally getting a good look at him. "You're dreaming, honey." I shook my head and gasped as my chest felt tight. "Yeah, you are. You're dreaming about me because you love me and yet you hurt me." Tears streaked my face. "I was trying to protect you." He smiled down at me. "All I wanted to do was protect you, honey. Now, WAKE UP!" I sat straight up in bed when he screamed at me. I looked at the clock in the hotel room and saw it said two a.m. I leaned back sobbing, I should've known seeing him would trigger more dreams about him. God, I hate myself.

~~~

That night in Virginia seemed to finalize things for Rooster and I. I haven't seen or heard from him in two years, and thankfully I knew I wouldn't see him tonight either. "Okay, I'm panicking!" Laura said fanning herself. "No, no, no!" I said grabbing her hands. "You're about to become a Motley, Laura. We don't panic, we take deep breaths and work through it." She nodded and took a deep breath. "Need a shot?" She nodded and I handed her the shot glass full of tequila. "That's it, we have fifteen minutes before you walk down the aisle. Your dad will be here in a minute, and all will be well." She pulled me into a hug. "You're the best sister I could've gained." I hugged her back. "And so are you, thank you for loving my brother and putting up with his shit." She laughed and hugged me again. "Ladies. Oh, Laura honey you look beautiful." I stepped away as her dad came in. 

I stepped out to give them some privacy. I rushed downstairs to the foyer of the large home on the Seresin ranch. "Have you seen my dad?" Kimberly, Laura and Jake's older sister and Laura's Matron of honor asked. "He's with Laura now." She exhaled loudly. "Thank god, we couldn't find him." I nodded and laughed. "He's with her." I said walking past her to see my mom. "Oh, honey you look beautiful." She said fixing one of the curls that framed my face. Laura and Jameson wanted to get married in the fall, and the Seresin ranch in late October was perfect, and free which was Laura's selling point. The girl can bargain shop and I love it! She even got my bridesmaid dress for over half off, the beautiful wine colored A-line dress was gorgeous, even with the plunging neck line. "Thank you, mama." Suddenly, Hangman came over. "Mrs. Motley, you look beautiful." Mom smiled at Hangman. "Hi, Jake. My, my, you look quite dashing in that suit." He gave her that award winning smile. "Well thank you, are you ready?" She nodded and took his arm as I stepped back. 

The doors to the backyard opened and he walked mom down the aisle, before turning around and coming back. "She didn't get cold feet did she?" Jameson asked as he came over towards me. "No, she got nervous but no backing out. Her dad is about to bring her downstairs so you need to move." He nodded as Laura's mother, Catherine, came over kissing his cheek. I stood to the side as all of us bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up. "Nervous?" Hangman asked and I chuckled. "Not at all." He smirked. "That's right, you've already gotten a wedding, you've been through this." I pursed my lips. "We eloped, he cancelled all the wedding plans." Hangman looked to me but I kept my eyes forward. "Smile, if we ruin your sisters photos she'll have our heads." He smiled as we started down the aisle.