Short Kings Anthem

Part 37

As time went on and the day itself was approaching it was getting harder and harder for the couple to keep things to themselves. They had done of course with no slip ups, but with pressures mounting, more stuff to be done and time ticking they were both feeling the stress, but it was effecting Lauren more so than Chris and it was beginning to show.

"Chris I'm going to crack if I see anyone I know I am," Lauren said with her hands either side of her face, there was just six weeks to go now until the big day but that evening Simon was throwing a birthday party and Lauren wasn't keen on going. In fact she had distanced herself quite a bit from everyone over the past few weeks and it hadn't gone unnoticed.

"We don't know that. I don't really want to pressure you to go but people are starting to get really worried about you," Chris explained and it was true. Many people including Lauren's friends had reached out to Chris asking him what was going on and he was just about keeping them at bay but it was getting more difficult with each event.

"I'm worried about me!" Lauren replied her voice increasing a little,she was worried for a different reason, she knew she needed to calm down but couldn't. Her only solace was talking to Chris and the select family members that knew.

"Just come for one hour then we'll leave," Chris pleaded, he knew Lauren could also do with a little bit of fun to take her mind off of everything.

"I dunno," she sighed

"I don't know how much longer I can cover for you, if you don't start to show up people will think you're dead and your channel is all AI." While the second part of the sentence was in a jokey tone the first part was deadly serious, there was only so many times Chris could say she was ill or busy. Lauren looked at Chris and sighed, she could tell he was being serious and he was struggling too, the worry was all over his face.

"I think I can paint a smile on for an hour," Lauren conceded feeling guilty she had left Chris to deal with a lot of this on his own lately and went to her room to go and get ready.

"Where have you been?" Harry shouted when he saw Lauren and Chris walk into the room, he walked over and gave Lauren a hug. She hugged back and couldn't help but smile, she had missed her friends and for the first time in weeks was excited to see them.

"Oh you know, just a bit of self isolation," Lauren replied, it was in a joking tone but it had serious undertones to it. Harry understood and nodded, not pressing it anything further.

"I was beginning to think Chris had killed you and had a lookalike do your videos," Simon joked as he came to greet his guests.

"See she's alive! You can all stop bugging me now," Chris exclaimed and Lauren felt a pang of guilt in her chest. He really was the one holding everything together and she was incredibly grateful for him doing that.

The couple went to get a drink and after agreeing to only staying for one drink to show their faces Lauren soon found herself relaxing and laughing along with her friends. They had been at the party for more than two hours now when the question both Lauren and Chris was dreading was asked.

"So what's the deal with the wedding? You guys have been engaged for a couple of months and at the pace you two were going we would have thought you guys would be married by now," Ethan asked with genuine curiosity.

"We're working on it," Chris replied almost cockily, it was his go to answer and while it did invoke some mystery unfortunately it did also invoke some further questioning.

"That sounds like someone is looking," Ethan teased, Chris just shook his head and shrugged while Lauren kept quiet and looked for someone else to talk to.

"Nothing serious," Chris sensed Lauren's discomfort and grabbed her hand squeezing it tight, she did it back thankful for the gesture.

"I think it's mad we're going on a stag do before any wedding details are released," Ethan commented. The boys had been told there was a holiday with some videos attached as his rouse to get everyone out to the Dominican Republic.

"For the last time it's not a stag do!" Chris wailed, he was more than happy for people to think that though, it was a great distraction from the real reason.

"And for the last time someone will make it into one," Harry chimed in playing his hands on Chris's shoulders as he stood behind him, joining the conversation,

"What are you doing with yourself while the boys away?" Harry asked Lauren who too was grateful this was the avenue the conversation was going down.

"Who knows, the world is my oyster," she replied with a smile.

"So staying at home drinking wine and cuddling your dog," Harry suggested.

"That's probably the sad reality of it yeah," she replied before announcing she was going to get another drink, Chris followed.

"I really appreciate you coming," Chris said as Lauren poured herself a drink before refilling his glass.

"I'm glad I did, it's good to see everyone again."

The couple stayed for one more drink and did some dancing before calling it a night. They had a few drinks but not enough to be drunk, Chris was slightly more tipsy than Lauren but nothing too bad.

As they laid in bed, Lauren snuggled up to Chris and exhaled a contented sigh.

"Thank you again for convincing me to go, I had a really good time," she said.

"It's okay, and we managed to avoid a big disaster," he replied squeezing Lauren tight.

"Yes, I don't know what I was so worked up about," Lauren mused staring up at the ceiling.

"It's part of who you are, I've come to accept your little quirks and no that wasn't a jab about your height."

"Same here, and that was a jab at your little legs," Lauren said cheekily.

"Right come here you," Chris demanded before tickling Lauren's sides causing her to giggle.

"Stop, stop! I surrender," Lauren pleaded, Chris did as asked and they both sat in silence for a few moments, Lauren catching her breath.

"It's crazy to think I'm going to be your wife in a few weeks," Lauren reflected, it truly had been a very odd eighteen months but she was so happy nonetheless.

"I can't wait, it's going to be such a great day once all of the stress has gone and then we can start our married life together," Chris said and Lauren blushed.

"Do you really think it will be much different to now?" Lauren asked. Apart from referring to Chris as her husband rather than her partner or fiance she wasn't sure what else would change.

"I don't know, it obviously means a lot to us otherwise we wouldn't do it especially putting us through the stress we are but I don't know why it's so important. We live together, we have Maple, I'd like to start a family with you regardless it's just symbolic isn't it?" Chris replied quite reflective and thoughtful considering the time of day and the alcohol. Lauren blushed profusely at Chris's mention of having children. It was something she knew she wanted to do, maybe not immediately as her channel was still a top priority for her but every time he mentioned starting a family she wanted to jump on him right there and then.

"You're going to make such a great dad one day," Lauren said and she meant it. She could see Chris as a fully hands on dad, how it should be. He dotes on her and on Maple so she could imagine him being exactly the same with any children, even more so.

"I hope so. With you as their mum I'm going to have a lot to prove," Chris replied.

"Okay you're going to have to stop being so sweet otherwise I will make a baby with you right here right now," Lauren admitted and Chris laughed.

"Not just yet," he said and Lauren nodded.

"I agree, but when you talk about it, it just does things to me." Chris laughed again and kissed the top of Lauren's head.

"Good night soon to be Mrs Dixon," he chuckled.

"Night Mr Dixon," Lauren yawned then snuggled as close as she could before closing her eyes and soon drifting off into a peaceful slumber.