What I Should Have Said

33

Elizabeth focused on touching up her makeup for the party. She was nervous. She had met some of Alex's friends before but this was a party full of his old college friends, their work colleagues, and some of his family. Her family didn't come from a prestigious background like his friends and family did. However, they were polite and openly welcomed her into their circles because although she wasn't one of them, She knew how to play the part so well that they practically viewed and treated her as one of them.

She clipped in her earrings and stared at herself in the mirror. Alex stepped into the room fixing the cufflinks on his shirt cuff. He looked over at Elizabeth who was still sitting in her robe. "Are you going to get dressed?" He asked. "Yeah..." Elizabeth sighed and stood up. She walked over to her dress and carefully took it out of the protective cover.

Elizabeth slipped on her dress and tried to reach behind to zip up herself up. Alex gently moved her hands aside. "I got you covered don't worry." He softly spoke and helped zip her up. He placed his hands on her shoulders and admired her through the mirror. "You look beautiful...and I know everyone is going to love it too." He reassured. She relaxed in his touch and was comforted by his words.

"You're not doing this alone okay? I'll be by your side the entire night if you need me to be." He reassured. "I'm not going to keep you from enjoying your friends Alex." She softly laughed. "I'm not going to leave you alone if you aren't comfortable or enjoying yourself." Alex replied. Elizabeth smiled and gently caressed his cheek, "Tonight is about us right?" Alex nodded, "Then let's enjoy it." Elizabeth smiled.

--

Simon had a car pick Elizabeth and Alex up so they would be set to arrive at the venue in style. The driver pulled up to the front of the venue and got out to open the door. "Ready?" Alex asked. Elizabeth nodded. The driver opened their door, Alex exited first and held his hand out to help Elizabeth out. Elizabeth smiled as she took his hand and looked around. Chrysanthemums were planted along the flower beds at the entrance of the building. "Come on." Alex gently squeezed Elizabeth's hand. She nodded and followed, staring at the flowers as they made their way into the building.

--

"There you are!" Simon shouted as he saw Elizabeth and Alex approach. "Finally here." Alex laughed as he and Simon hugged. "And your beautiful fiancé." Simon smirked as he and Alex looked over at Elizabeth. "It's good to see you again Simon." Elizabeth faintly smiled. "It's good to see you again." Simon said as he took Elizabeth's hand and placed a gentle kiss to it. "You were always a flatterer weren't you?" Elizabeth joked. "What I can't praise beauty when I see it?" Simon laughed.

"Is everyone already here?" Alex asked. "Yeah your parents got here earlier, everyone's just enjoying the festivities and waiting on you two." Simon nodded and led them into the party. "Guess who's finally here!" Simon announced as everyone in the room cheered. Elizabeth tightly held onto Alex's arm and looked around the room full of people and smiled.

Simon took two glasses of champagne from a server's tray and handed them to Elizabeth and Alex, "Celebratory drinks for the happy couple." he winked and grabbed a champagne glass for himself, and made his way toward the small stage. "Can I have your attention please?" He spoke into the microphone. Everyone in the room stopped to pay attention.

"Thank you to all the friends and family who joined us to celebrate..." Simon looked over at Elizabeth and Alex and smiled, "Our beautiful Elizabeth and Alexander."

Elizabeth and Alex exchanged a brief glance and smiled at one another. Alex kept his arm securely around her waist as they focused their attention back on Simon. " I have known Alex since we were young boys, our parents have always been good friends and of course we practically became brothers. When he finally introduced me to his lovely bride-to-be..." Simon slyly smirked as everyone in the room smiled and looked over at Elizabeth.

"I could understand why he fell in love, even I could fall in love with her. I swear she even managed to charm my wife." He joked as everyone in the room laughed. Elizabeth faintly smiled. "But in all seriousness, I love you both and I'm honored to be in your life whether it be as a brother, a friend, or I don't know...maybe a best man? just a little crazy idea." He slightly joked. Alex playfully rolled his eyes and smiled. "But I love you both and I know we all can't wait to see Elizabeth grace us in her beauty when these two finally say I do. Cheers." He lifted his glass and so did everyone in the room as they cheered.

Elizabeth faintly smiled and lifted her glass in a toast. "I'm going to go say hi to some old friends, are you fine if I go or do you want to come along?" Alex asked. "Go, I'll just talk to some guests." Elizabeth replied. He kissed her cheek and walked toward a group of men in nice tailored suits. She watched as they cheered and enveloped him in their group.

"Elizabeth." Alex's mother smiled as she approached with Alex's dad by her side. "Janice, Bill. It's good to see you again." Elizabeth smiled. "You look absolutely radiant." Janice smiled and gave her a brief hug. "Thank you, as do you both." Elizabeth slightly bowed and smiled. "We have to say, we're really happy Alex found you." Bill said as Janice agreed," I don't think I've seen him this happy before. He really loves you."

Elizabeth['s smile slightly fell. "We've all come to love you, you've become such a beautiful addition to our family and we're more than glad to welcome you as our daughter." Bill smiled. " I appreciate it. I really do." Elizabeth faintly smiled, "Will you excuse me a moment?" She dismissed herself. She felt the panic slowly setting in. This was all becoming too real.

She stepped away for a moment to recollect herself and looked around the room full of people in their nice suits and elegant dresses. She felt like a stranger, a poser, some imposter who didn't belong. She scanned the room and her eyes fell toward the bar where Taylor was leaning against the bar with a champagne glass in hand silently watching Elizabeth from the distance.