The Only Exception

Thirty Three

~Lainey~

Pure chaos. From a disgustingly early 6am wakeup when I really really just wanted to stay wrapped up in Spencer, to running around town with him to get everything we needed for the most last minute elopement outside of Vegas. I found a white dress pretty easy, because there wasn't a chance in hell I was getting married in the jeans I'd brought with me because it's late January and who in their common sense would wear a dress in this weather? Flowers, a tiny cake for us to share, and we somehow managed to find a photographer? I don't know. It was like the universe made everything fall into the perfect place for this to have happened today and I wasn't about to argue with the universe. We both deserved this. 

It wasn't even lunch time when we got back to the hotel, wedding rings on our fingers, in some kind of rose tinted newlywed haze. If last night felt like I was dreaming, this feeling right here felt like I had been abducted by aliens. It was other worldly. 

"After you, Mrs. Crawford." Spencer pulled on the door to the hotel lobby and I almost tapped my feet and giggled like a school girl. I didn't. That would honestly be the first embarrassing thing I'd do married and if I can just go 24 hours without doing that, I'd be forever thankful. He put his hand on the small of my back, pushing me through the door gently. It clanged shut behind us, leaving us stood in the lobby with Noah, my dad and a bunch of Spencer's guys turning to stare at us. 

"Where the hell have you two been?!" Spencer pushed us both further into the otherwise empty space. I'm curious as to where the staff and other guests have disappeared off to. A hotel lobby like this one shouldn't be this empty. It feels weird. "We called, text, your rooms empty." 

"Chill out Noah. We're right here." I rolled my eyes. 

"No, Lainey. I won't chill out. You guys were supposed to stay upstairs Spencer. That was the plan." 

"Something came up. It's fine." 

"No it isn't fine." Dad stepped forward, scratches his head. "Someone told your mom they saw you and Spencer together with us all last night and she wasn't at home when they raided. Kenny and Dean's family are dead, all we know is she landed here early hours of this morning." 

It's funny isn't it? How quickly pure bliss can be pulled from underneath you like a rug and it can make your world feel like it's collapsing again. It was supposed to be clear lines. Spence had worked all of this out. I should have known my mother never makes anything simple. 

Chaos seemed to erupt around me. Spencer and Noah rambling quickly and trying to work out what was happening and I was stood in the eye of the hurricane. I physically felt like I was spinning slowly but my head, despite everything and everyone else, was crystal clear. I was too detached from reality for this to mess with me right now. 

She wants me. But she knows if I know Spencer is alive that I won't go quietly. She needs me to fear her and she does that best by hurting those around me. I can't risk losing anyone else. I need to work out what her plan is. Think Lainey. Think. You know her head better than anyone. You can get in it. You can always get into people's heads and think one step ahead. 

"Stop." I turn and pull on Spencer's arm. "Spence." 

"Not now Sunshine. I need to-" 

"I need to do this." He looks down at me for a second before turning back to my dad and then me again. "She has to believe I chose her or everyone's going to get hurt." 

"Lan-" 

"Spence. Do you trust me?" He searched my face. "Because I know I can do this. But I need you to believe that I can too. I need you to trust that I can do this."

"Do what Lainey?" 

"She'll come here. She's most likely already on her way. She'll have worked out where we're staying and be on her way. If we're lucky she doesn't know you guys are here. I can convince her that you guys tried to brainwash me and that I believe her over everyone else and I can do it." 

"Lanes-" I held my hand up to Noah, silencing him. 

"It has to be Noah. Because anyone else and they're going to get hurt. I can't handle watching anyone else hurt anymore. I need to finish it. She won't suspect it." 

"No." 

"Spence-" 

"No Lainey. It's not happening. You're not-" He shook his head, grabbing my face. "I am not losing you again." 

"We don't have a choice Spencer. Either I do this or I lose you forever because she will not make that mistake twice. I can do this and I can do it right. I know I can. I can do this alone." The room fell to silence but Spencer didn't move. "I can do this Spence. I know I can do this."  

"I just got you back." 

"I'll be fine." I grabbed his hands, squeezing tight. "I promise I'll be okay as long as you are but if you're not- I need you to be okay." I pulled myself out of his hold, well aware time wasn't exactly in our hands right now. "Noah, everyone needs to be out of here. Upstairs or wherever. Somewhere safe. Together." 

"Lainey."

"You need to get Dean too. Because there's no point hiding all this from him if his family are already dead. He doesn't deserve this." 

"Lanes-" I turn to look at Noah, my Dad and Spencer stood in a line, staring at me. "You're not doing this alone." 

I looked at each of them slowly, soaking this into my brain because they are exactly why I need to do this. For Spencer and my Dad and Noah and Chelsea and Jason and Amara and Andi and everyone else stood in this room looking at me like I'm sacrificing myself for them to live. 

I spent years believing nobody cared about enough to notice when something was right or wrong. Pushing people out so I could at least stop me from ruining their lives for reasons that don't make sense to me anymore but this time? This time the threat to their lives is very real and to say I was scared about the outcome if I don't get this right was the biggest understatement I could even think about. 

"I have to do this alone." I stared at Spencer. "I know I can do this without anyone getting hurt." 

His chest lifted before pressing his lips tightly together but he nods. He nods and turns around, grabbing Noah and my dad and telling everyone to head up to the room we'd been in last night. He pushes them towards the lift and turns back around, quickly wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face into my neck. 

"No matter what happens Lainey. You're my wife. I love you and I will find you." 

"It's not going to go wrong Spence." 

"I know Sunshine. I know you can do this. But I need you to know." I nod and he pulls back, running back to the lift without looking back. Thankfully. Watching him leave right now hurts enough without watching his face. 

I have to get this right. 

I can not mess this up.