CALIFORNIA DREAMS

10.WEDDING PLANNING

LAUREL
"He did it beck. The man i once despised has not only wormed his way into my pants, but also my heart. Im getting married and you arent here. I wish you were cause this means im gonna have to plan my own wedding. I suck at parties, that was always your thing. Im happy beck, as happy as i can be without you. not a day goes by i dont miss you or think about you. So much of you lives within the boys. Jeremiah has your bright beautiful eyes, and big warm smile. He has your optimism, and your energy. I see the most of you in connie though. He has your big heart that just overflows of love, your compassion, your gentleness, your sensitiveness. His love for belly. God beck, youd be so proud" i say to my best friends headstone.

I wipe the tears from my eyes, place my flowers and then leave. I head back to the beach house. I smile when i see all the kids. Can i really call them kids when theyre all 18 and over now? Conrads doing the dishes, belly comes into the house.

"Were playing chicken and nobody wants to lift me up cause im heavy" she tells him. For a moment i see the small girl she used to be.

"Theyre assholes like always. Ill be out in a sec and well take em down" connie tells her so gently. She smiles and leaves. Somethings never change.

Connies always looked out for belly. Shes been his weak spot since day one. "You know out of all the boys i think you held her the most as a baby. You were always so gentle with her, and would hold her for hours. Youd talk about how cute and small she was. You compared her to a caterpillar she was so wiggly" i grab the towel and start drying.

"Is that so?" he smiles his real smile.

"Yep, that girl has had you wrapped around her fingers her whole life. I remember how every time it was her turn to do the dishes as children, somehow you were always helping" i say nostalgic.

"Ive always been weak for her like you said. Itll be that way our whole lives" he replies.

"Now i believe i have people to destroy at a game" he heads out back.

"Have fun!" i call out.

I should ask shayla to help me plan my wedding. Ill bet shed do an amazing job. Im going to ask belly to be my maid of honor, and cleveland wants connie to be his. Victorias due soon at the end of this month. Im happy for john, he is a great father. I know bellys excited to have a younger sibling. It sucks, shell be so far away.

Adams still doing well avoiding alcohol, hes enjoying working again. Hes back to the way he was before. Even better now, beck would be proud of how far hes come. The kids all come inside treking water.

"You guys better clean that up" i give them all a look.

"Yeah sure we will" jeremiah eyes his brother.

"Let me rephrase YOU ALL will help clean it" i give them a harder look.

They change, and all come back with towels. They all walk in a line and clean it up with their feet.

"What time does everyone leave today?" i ask.

"Shayla and i will leave after dinner" steven calls.

"Jeremiah and i will leave then too"

"Belly and i need to leave at like 4 in 5 hours" conrad says.

I get started on making lunch, belly comes and sits on the island. "Hey bean" i smile at her.

"I was sleeping walking again. Conrad found me this time. Can you set up a meeting with doctor hadly?" she sighs.

"Sure i think he does virtual ones. You think maybe the drug triggered the sleep walking?" i ask her.