Here & Now // T. Hall Sequel

Chapter 14

Sadie sat next to me in first class, sipping on wine as we flew across the country. I was definitely worried about being away from Taylor. Not in a "I'm scared he's going to cheat" kind of way, but more like "I'm emotionally unstable right now and I need my bear with me" kind of way.

Before we started the descent into Toronto, I grabbed the Oilers hat out of my bag and pulled my hair into a pony tail.

"Think any of these people know who we are?" I asked her as the plane landed.

"You'd be surprised. But I'm sure they think you still have purple hair."

"Right." I texted Taylor, telling him I would call him after I ate. I wanted to talk to him now, honestly. He is my rock and I honestly feel pathetic.

I only have myself. I am the only one that matters. My family is gone and I know it's normal to feel like this, but he has so much power that I am scared. What do I do if he decides he wants to hurt me again?

We got off the plane, meeting my friends at baggage claim. It was hug, after hug, after hug, after hug.

"Paisley, where's my hug?" I flipped around to see someone that I never thought would come up to go dress shopping with me.

"Grandma!" Okay, I asked her to see if she could make it up, but she definitely lied to me. "I can't believe you're here!"

"A girl cannot try on wedding dresses without her grandmother." Franky told me. I'm not surprised that she was the one to put this together.

I started crying, wishing my mom and sisters were able to be here with us. "Don't cry, Paisley. You're going to have a good time here in Toronto."

"Yeah, you have us. And Mama Hall. You'll get to see Taylor in a couple of nights. It's going to be great." Sadie was right. I had my best friends, my future mother-in-law, and my grandma.

We checked into the hotel, eating at the restaurant downstairs before walking around a little. My dress appointment wasn't until two the next day so getting to bed early wasn't a necessity. Although I did want to be well rested because tomorrow was going to be hell and a half.

It started with brunch. Brunch meant mimosas. I only drank two, making sure I was more than okay when we showed up to the boutique to find a dress. Sadie found it for me, said it was the best in Toronto. Not sure if I needed the best, but I was definitely hoping to get this part done in one try.

"So what are we looking for today?"

"Something simple. With lace. And maybe a bow." I was really helpful, I know.

Trying on clothes was one thing. Trying on something that you would be wearing on arguably one of the biggest days of your life is horrible. Sure, I had some alcohol in my system but not enough to be okay with trying on dresses in front of your friends and family with harsh lighting and mirrors.

"I thought you were going to pick something big and dramatic." I heard someone say through the door.

"Oh, you mean like this?" I stepped out in a ball gown, fit with long sleeves, lace, and a bow. Not to mention a train that was a little ridiculous.

"That's seriously amazing."

"Annabelle, you look gorgeous."

"Yeah, but it's not the one." It was absolutely stunning, but not something I could see myself wearing when I was marrying Taylor. Not even something I could see myself wearing when people thought I would be marrying a future senator.

I went back to the dressing room, trying on one last dress before I would have everyone start picking dresses for me. I stepped into it, not looking in the mirror before I went to show everyone.