The Wedding Day: The Groom Disappears

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Setting: It's the day Jack and Ariel have been planning for months. The ceremony has gone off without a hitch, much to everyone's surprise. Ariel looked stunning in her dress, Jack grinned ear-to-ear as she walked down the aisle, and the vows were perfect. Now, it's time for the reception, but as Ariel steps into the beautifully decorated hall, there's just one small problem—Jack is nowhere to be found.

Scene 1: Panic Sets In

Ariel: (standing at the entrance to the reception hall, looking around anxiously) "Where is he? Has anyone seen Jack?"

Her bridesmaids, who had been adjusting their dresses and chatting, immediately start looking around, confused.

Maid of Honor: (frowning) "He was just here a minute ago. Maybe he went to the bathroom?"

Ariel: (growing frustrated) "The bathroom? He's supposed to be giving a toast in five minutes! How could he disappear on our wedding day?"

The guests are starting to file into the hall, and Ariel is doing her best to smile and greet them, though she can feel the anxiety rising. She grabs her phone, frantically calling Jack, but it goes straight to voicemail.

Scene 2: The Search Begins

Maid of Honor: (jokingly, trying to ease Ariel's nerves) "Maybe he's hiding because he's scared of the first dance."

Ariel: (rolling her eyes, but not amused) "If he's hiding because of the dance, I swear I'll—"

Before she can finish, one of the groomsmen rushes over, looking slightly panicked himself.

Groomsman: "We've checked everywhere. The bathrooms, the parking lot, the bar—he's not anywhere in the building."

Ariel's heart skips a beat. This couldn't be happening. Not today.

Ariel: (muttering to herself) "Did he just... leave? Did he really run away on our wedding day?"

Her mind races with all the possible reasons Jack would vanish. Is he having cold feet? Was he overwhelmed? She knew wedding planning had been tough on both of them, but he wouldn't do this to her... would he?

Scene 3: The Mystery Deepens

As Ariel rushes around the hall, trying to keep her composure, the wedding planner approaches her with an apologetic smile.

Wedding Planner: "Everything is ready to go, but, um, we do need the groom."

Ariel: (gritting her teeth, trying to stay calm) "Yes, I know. I'm working on that."

Suddenly, her phone buzzes. A text message from Jack. She quickly opens it:

Jack's Text: "Don't panic. I'll be back soon. Had to take care of something. Love you!"

Ariel stares at the message, utterly baffled. What could possibly be so important that Jack had to vanish during their wedding reception?

Scene 4: The Big Reveal

Just as Ariel is about to lose her patience, the doors to the reception hall swing open, and in walks Jack—carrying an enormous bouquet of flowers and looking sheepish.

Jack: (grinning nervously) "Hey, sorry I'm late."

Ariel storms over to him, half ready to kill him, half relieved that he's alive and in one piece.

Ariel: (whispering angrily) "Where the hell have you been?! I've been panicking for the last 20 minutes!"

Jack: (still smiling nervously) "I know, I know. I'm sorry. But I couldn't resist."

He pulls out a small, crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and hands it to her. Ariel, still fuming, snatches it and reads:

Note: "In honor of our first date, I wanted to surprise you with something special. Remember when you said you loved sunflowers?"

Ariel looks up, confused.

Ariel: "Sunflowers? What does that have to do with—"

Before she can finish, Jack steps aside, revealing that the entire back of the reception hall is now lined with giant sunflower arrangements—her favorite flower, which she had once offhandedly mentioned months ago, but they had agreed to go with roses for the wedding.

Scene 5: Ariel's Reaction

For a moment, Ariel is speechless, torn between frustration and overwhelming emotion. She glances at the sunflowers, the memory of that first date hitting her like a wave. Jack had remembered—despite everything—and had gone out of his way to make this small, yet meaningful, gesture.

Ariel: (trying not to smile but failing) "You disappeared to get me flowers? During our reception?"

Jack: (scratching the back of his head, looking sheepish) "I know it sounds stupid, but I just wanted to make today extra special. You've been working so hard to make everything perfect, and I wanted to surprise you with something you didn't plan for. Something just... us."

Ariel sighs, shaking her head, but there's a smile tugging at her lips now.

Ariel: (softly) "You're impossible, you know that?"

Jack: (grinning) "But you love me for it, right?"

Ariel: (pretending to be stern) "I might have to rethink that after today."

Jack: (laughing, pulling her in for a hug) "Come on, you know you're stuck with me now."

Scene 6: The Toast

With Jack back, and the reception back on track, the evening continues as planned. Jack, with his usual charm, delivers a toast that has everyone laughing, and Ariel even joins him in a playful banter during the speech.

But as the night goes on, Ariel can't help but keep glancing at the sunflowers, thinking about how even in the chaos, Jack had somehow found a way to surprise her in the most unexpected way. And that, she realizes, is why they work. Even when things are a mess, they always manage to find their way back to each other.

Chapter Ends: Despite the hiccup, the reception goes on, filled with laughter, dancing, and love. Ariel and Jack may drive each other crazy, but at the end of the day, they wouldn't have it any other way.

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