Short Kings Anthem

Part 35

With the wedding planning there were two major things which were a fly in the ointment so to speak. The first was the general fear of saying something and the second was Lauren and Chris having to go to appointments for outfit fittings or having to chat to the venue to check plans over. With the time difference these often landed in the afternoon for Lauren and Chris meaning a couple of times they had to leave the office early or make sure a video was wrapped up on time to do it and they were worried people would notice their sudden absences or excuses. Today was the latter, they were going to pick up the suits for Chris, his dad and Arthur. Lauren parked the car round the corner from Chris's office which of course was shared with a lot of other Youtubers, when she got to the group floor reception there was a girl sitting there Lauren had not seen before. She looked to be quite young, maybe early twenties or even eighteen or nineteen at her youngest, she had very long straight turquoise hair and wore a professional smile.

"Hello, can I help you?" The young girl asked, she seemed a little nervous but very professional and polite none the less.

"Hiya I'm Lauren I'm here to see Chris."

"Do you have an appointment?" The girl asked and Lauren smiled. The other receptionist Penny knew Lauren so used to send her up no problem but obviously this girl was new and didn't know.

"Not exactly, no worries I can just send him a message," Lauren smiled and started typing on her phone. The girl was only doing her job so there was no need to be mad. Lauren stood there somewhat awkwardly for a minute or two until both Cal and Chris came downstairs.

"Intruder!" Cal shouted and Lauren laughed, the place was Cal's really he was the one who managed the offcie space for everyone else.

"Only kidding, Abi this is Lauren just let her up anytime," Cal added and the girl nodded before pushing the button allowing Lauren to go through the barrier, Chris then gave her a sweet kiss.

"Oh you're THAT Lauren," Abi scanned Lauren up and down.

"Lauren Abi is covering for Penny while she's on maternity leave," Cal informed her and Lauren nodded flashing Abi another smile.

"Oh great, nice to meet you," Lauren said Abi just nodded a response.

"Chip wanted to chat about come dine with me quickly. I said we have a few minutes before we need to go," Chris said to Lauren and she nodded.

"What are you love birds doing this evening then?" Cal asked just making conversation. The couple looked at each other briefly before Chris answered.

"Just dinner."

"When are you guys going to start looking at wedding venues, we're all getting inpatient over here!" Cal exclaimed and Lauren and Chris could do nothing else but laugh.

"How long have you two been together?" Abi asked getting up from her chair and perching herself on top of her desk.

"We're actually just about to hit a year, officially aren't we?" Chris said smiling at Lauren.

"Oh my gosh yeah it will be." Lauren forgot that it hadn't been that long but it just felt so right, it felt longer but in a good way.

"Wait you're getting married after a year? You're brave," Abi commented. Chris shrugged.

"When you know you know," He said smiling at Lauren who placed her head on his shoulder. The couple and Cal then started to make their way up to the lifts waving goodbye to Abi as they did so. Once they were firmly on the correct floor Lauren turned to Chris.

"She seems nice,"

"If not a bit flirty," Chris commented knowing exactly what Lauren meant by the she seems nice comment.

"Not her fault, as long as she keeps it professional I don't mind. Plus in a way it's quite nice knowing that someone else fancies your fiance," Lauren smiled.

"Who fancies Chris?" Chip chipped in coming into the room on hearing Chris and Lauren's voices.

"Abi the new receptionist," Cal answered and Chris nodded, his bottom lip poking out slightly in a hmm expression.

"I thought i saw her making goo goo eyes at you, mind you she did the same to Harry when he visited yesterday,"

"That's him never coming here again then," Lauren joked.

"I'm glad you're both here actually, Theo's an arsehole and can't host next week for come dine so I've had to swap you two around alright?!" Chip asked, not like the pair had a choice.

"Wait, what, why?" Chris asked. They had plans to move any wedding stuff to Kelly's in a couple of weeks but that wasn't before next weekend.

"They're coming back from somewhere that morning so while they can film in the evening they won't be around to do prep," Chip explained, Lauren looked worried and Chris looked annoyed.

"Fuck sake Theo," the blonde man grumbled rubbing his hands on his face. "Okay we'll work something out,"

After a few more moments of trying to sort out some filming dates Chris and Lauren left the office, Abi giving a goodbye Chris as they left.

"Worst comes to it we'll have to get a storage locker," Chris suggested as they walked down the road holding hands.

"I could maybe sneak it into my office but a storage locker is probably the safest option," Lauren mused.

The couple stopped talking about the wedding as they were in public, and good thing as some fans came to ask for photos. They picked up the suits, they were a dusty light blue colour with a gold tie to match the gold dresses. They were three piece suits with everyone having a choice of what to wear depending on the weather, yet it was going to be warm but it was also hurricane season so anything could happen. The ceremony would take place on the beach all being well, with a full meal being served later in the resorts ball room and everyone heading back to the beach in the evening for BBQ, music and dancing.

"It feels a bit more real now," Chris said anxiously as he hung the suit up in Lauren's dressing room.

"Not changing your mind are you?" Lauren joked a little.

"Never." Chris smiled at Lauren kissing her cheek, she blushed."It's just all becoming so real now. When you pick up your dress you'll feel the same way."

"I hope you're not trying to get any hints! I mean there aren't any because I still haven't chosen one yet." Despite looking in two shops and trying on multiple dresses she was yet to find the one, and time was starting to tick away.

"Is this just a ruse to throw me off the scent?"

"I wish" I need to find one within the next month ideally to find time for alterations."

"I know this won't calm you down in the slightest but you could wear a bin bag and still be the most beautiful woman in that country," Chris said and she laughed he was right, it didn't calm her down but she appreciated the sentiment.

"I'd get married naked if you got your way," Lauren retorted, Chris had even suggested it once while tipsy.

"It's on the table still that's all I'm saying," Chris said with his hands up Lauren just laughed.

"It would be different but it still has to be a no I'm afraid," Lauren let Chris down who clicked his fingers in a darn gesture.

"Can't blame a man for trying."

"Plus I really don't think you want all of your friends seeing you naked," Lauren added.

"Why what's wrong with me naked?"

"You know I have absolutely no complaints with that." Lauren went to leave the room in order to go and check on the dog but Chris had other ideas and grabbed her arm, pulling her close to him.

"Sure I can't convince you?" he whispered his voice low. Any time he thought about Lauren walking down the aisle to him it made him feel a certain way.

"You can try. The answer is still going to be a no but I'm not going to be adverse to you trying," Lauren said with a smirk.