Where it All Began

Preparation

Maddie's POV
We left this morning to go back home to Indiana. Our wedding is a week from tomorrow and we couldn't be happier! I'm sitting in the truck next to Wes. We are about an hour out I think. I know that as soon as we get there we will be bombarded with hugs and greetings. That's okay though, they're family. I looked over at Wes and smiled. I sat up straight and reached over to grab his hand that was resting on his leg. He smiled and our fingers linked together. So the night before you're staying at your parents house right? Along with the rest of the guys? Yes. And I assume you get to have a very excited Hannah and Megan on your hands? Oh yeah, that should be fun. It'll all be worth it, trust me. I smiled at him and he kissed my hand.
The rest of the half an hour drive was ridden in comfortable silence. When we pulled into the drive I could see Hannah through the window. She jumped straight up and ran out to meet us at the front of the house. When Wes stopped the truck and turned it off Hannah ran off the porch and opened my door and wrapped me in a huge hug. Hey Hannah, you excited?! Yeah!! I can't wait! She pulled away from me and ran around the front of the truck and went to give Wes the same big hug. Hey kiddo! C'mon, let's go inside to see everybody else. Hannah pulled away and dragged Wes inside with her. I was following close behind. When we got inside we all talked as caught up on everything. Shortly after Wes went out back with my dad, brother, and brother in law to go throw a football. I stayed inside with mom and Hannah and my older sister, Jessica, to keep talking. So.... I want to see the dress! I chuckled and told Jessica to help me get it from the truck. I can't believe my little sister is getting married... I'm proud of you, sis. I really am. Thanks Jess. I'm so happy. I can imagine. It's exactly how I felt when me and Ryan got married. Happiest day of my life besides when Jordan and Jacob were born. You'll find out soon enough.. I smiled from ear to ear while we continued to search for my dress. Hey, I found it. I pulled to box out from under a couple blankets and pillows. I can't wait to see it. C'mon, let's go. I'll go tell the guys that they can't come upstairs for a little bit. Thanks. I'll have mom help me start to put it on. I went inside while Jess went out back to warn the guys. Mom, Hannah, come help me? Jess went out back to make sure the guys don't come in. Yeah we're coming. I went upstairs to my old room to start changing out. I took off my boots and set them off to the side. Then I heard mom Jess and Hannah come up the stairs. Okay, Jess and Hannah can you start to try and get it out of the box? It'll take a minute. Yea sure. I got out of my jeans and t-shirt and was able to put my dress on. I had Jess zip it up in the back and was done. That is absolutely beautiful, Maddie.. I smiled and looked in the mirror. Thank you. My friend Marley helped me pick it out. I started looking after my first shift at the house. Took me about a month to finally find one I wanted. So then Marley went with me on our day off to help me get it fitted and everything. She'll be at the wedding actually. So will all the guys from the house, besides chief. Great. You look beautiful Maddie.  I smiled. Alright. I'm ready to get out of this thing before the guys get restless! They all laughed and Jess unzipped my dress. I got back into my other clothes and we all went back downstairs to let the guys come in. Wes came up to me and kissed my forehead. Hey my mom wanted us to run by tonight. Said she had something for us that she wanted to give us as soon as possible. Okay. Wanna head over now? I don't care. We can if you want to. Yeah sure. Let's go. I went over to the counter to grab my phone. We'll be back later. I don't know if we're staying there tonight or not but I'll let you know. Okay. See you guys later. Bye. Wes and I walked out to the truck and drove the 10 minutes to his parents house. When we got there it was the same routine as when we got to my house, Megan ran out the door and wrapped Wes in the biggest hug imaginable, then ran over to me. Megan did the exact same thing Hannah did but this time she dragged me in with Wes close behind us. Look who I found! Hannah yelled as soon as she opened the door. Maddie! Wes! Isaac ran up to us and gave us a hug.
We all talked for at least an hour and a half before his mom brought up what we came here for. Okay. So I was at the jewelry shop the other day getting my ring fixed up, and I saw the most gorgeous necklace for you Maddie, and for Wes, a watch. She handed us the items and my eyes widened. It was absolutely gorgeous. I got up and went to give her a hug. Thank you. It's beautiful. I handed the necklace to Wes and he put it around my neck. Thanks mom. Really. No problem. Take care of this one. She pointed at me and I smiled. Wes wrapped his arm around my shoulder as mine went around his waist. I was tightly secure in his side and couldn't be happier. He leaned down to kiss my hair and wrapped me in a hug. Ready to head back? Yeah. I'm sure if we don't Hannah will be in my dress soon... He laughed and we walked to the kitchen where everybody else was. I think we're going to head out and get back before Hannah decides she wants to wear Maddie's dress. We will come back tomorrow? And then Megan I can give you your dress to try on. Oh, yea. Isaac I've got your stuff too. We gave our last goodbyes for the night and went back out to the truck to head back to my parents house. Do you think we should talk about the whole thing with them tonight? I mean Hannah and Jonah still think they have to walk down together. Yeah we probably should. I yawned and Wes chuckled to himself. C'mere sleepyhead. I smiled and moved to the middle of the truck cab and settled into Wes's side. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and continued to drive.
I woke up 20 minutes later to Wes lightly shaking me attempted to get me to wake up to go inside. My eyes fluttered open. Hey. We're back. Ready to go in? Yea. Let's go. I held onto Wes the whole way in and finally woke up a little more when the light from the house was visible. Damn, that light is bright. Woke you up though didn't it? Haha very funny. I poked him in the ribs and we walked inside. Hey we're back! In the living room! We went to the living room to see everybody sitting on the floor watching a movie. Hey, Hannah? Yeah? You wanna try your dress on? Yes!! Alright well c'mon! Hannah got up from the floor and ran upstairs. Can you run out to the truck and get it babe? It's with the rest of them. Mine's already upstairs. Yeah, I'll have Jess bring it up? Sounds good.
Wes's POV
I went outside to get Hannah's dress from the truck. When I was about to open up the door a car pulled into the drive. It looked awfully familiar so I stood there for a second. Jesse. It was Jesse! I knew he had taken a week off with furlough as well but I didn't know when he would get here. He pulled up next to my truck and jumped out of the car. Wes! Hey man! Thought that was you! Whatcha doin'? Sleeping out in the truck? Very funny. No, I came out to get Hannah's dress for her. I guess I'll get Caitlin's now too? She's with you right?  Yeah. She's passed out. You can get hers too and I'll wake her up. Alright. I'll wait for you and we'll go in together. Sounds good. Jesse went to wake Caitlin and I got the dresses out of the truck. As I got them out Caitlin came over and gave me a hug. Hey kid! How's it goin'? Good. I am so excited! You and me both! We all three walked up to the door. I opened it and started walking in. Hey guys, Look who I found! I could tell I got their attention. Her mom got up and walked towards me. Jesse and Caitlin walked in a second later and smiled. Hey guys! Jesse! Caitlin! They all were surrounded by the door talking and giving welcoming hugs. Hey Jess? Yeah? You mind running these up to Maddie and Hannah? I'll send Caitlin up in a minute so she can put hers on. Yea. No problem. Thanks.
Alright Caitlin. Maddie, Hannah, and your dress are waiting upstairs. She smiled and ran up the stairs to see her cousins and to try her dress on. I had to realize that things were coming together greatly. I can't wait for the wedding.
After all of the dresses were tried in and we were all settled downstairs, Maddie gave me a nod. This meaning that we were going to talk about how things were going to go down at the wedding. Okay guys! We're going to tell you all about how everything is going to go down next week. Considering Hannah and Jonah still think they will be walking together, I think we can clear that up for y'all. Okay so, going after Maddie will be Jesse and Abby. Then Caitlin and Jake. After that will be Jonah and Megan. And then Isaac and Hannah. Our flower girl is my niece Dani. The ring bearer is Jacob. Besides that I think everything else will be done at the wedding. Oh, and we actually made a sign at the back of the seats that says "pick a seat not a side, we're all family". I thought that was really cool so that'll be there too. But I do want all of you guys at the front. Along with Wes's closer family. They were all trying to remember what all we had just said. I looked over at Maddie who was, yet again, yawning. I gave her hand a squeeze and she looked at me. I pulled out my phone and looked at the time. It was 12:34 am. Wow.... Alright. I'm going to bed. I'm wiped out. I think I'll join you. I'm exhausted. We both got up, said our good nights and went up the stairs to her old bedroom. When we got there I closed the door behind me and walked over to the other side of the bed. Maddie had already stripped down to her tank top and underwear. I took my shoes off followed, by my shirt and pants. Now I was in my boxers and I crawled into bed next to an almost asleep Maddie. I wrapped my arm around her waist and we slowly fell asleep in the comfort of her old home.