the photographer [c.h.]

twenty-one

2 years later

"Ready?" Leah asked and I nodded, preparing myself to walk down the aisle.

"Alright, let's do this." Peri smiled and I took a deep breath before nodding at the man to open the doors into the chapel.

I made my way down the aisle, trying not to look at the certain man next to Ashton in the front. I looked up as I got closer and Calum was staring at me with a small smile. I shot Ashton a smile and he shakily returned it, practically shaking in his suit. I took my spot next to the other bridesmaids and the wedding march began, everyone standing up.

I smiled, watching Peri walk Leah down the aisle, her white dress trailing behind her. Sophie waved at me from her seat in the front row and I smiled at her, returning my attention to Leah as she got to the front. Ashton took her hands and she passed her bouquet to me. I noticed tears in her eyes, making me tear up. I was so happy for them.

Ashton and Leah have been through a lot together in the last couple of years. They were supposed to get married last year, but something came up. Leah got pregnant. I knew it was bound to happen sometime, but not that soon. They were ecstatic, though. But, after five months, she miscarried. I remember going to their apartment, only to see her in bed, staring at the wall. She was absolutely shattered and refused to talk to anyone.

As for Calum and I, we weren't together anymore. After a year of long distance, it became too much for both of us and we ended on good terms. We just realized that it wasn't going to work when he was two thousand miles away. I haven't seen him since so today was a bit of a shock. He couldn't make it to the rehearsal dinner because his sister was going into labor last night. Turns out it was a false alarm.

"I do." The sight of Leah slipping on Ashton's wedding band broke me from my thoughts and I watched as the preacher pronounced them husband and wife.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Ashton and Leah Irwin." The preacher said and Ashton smiled, leaning down to kiss Leah.

I smiled, cheering along with everyone in the chapel and they pulled away, turning to face the crowd. They walked down the aisle and I looked to my left to see Calum staring at me. Since I was the maid of honor and him the best man, we had to walk together. Here we go. I took a couple steps forward, meeting Calum in the middle, and he held out his arm. I slipping mine through the hole and we began walking down the aisle to the hallway. Once there, I broke out of his hold and went over to hug Leah.

~~~~~

I laughed, twirling Sophie around as some pop song played over the speakers and she giggled, grabbing my hands. After everything that happened, she finally came around and now lives with me in my apartment. I couldn't be happier.

"Hey, Soph, could I steal your mom for a minute?" I looked up to see Calum and Sophie nodded, running to go find Peri. "Hey," He breathed out, shoving his hands in his pockets and I smiled a little.

"Hi." I said quietly. "How have you been?"

"Good, really good now." Calum smiled and I looked down, my cheeks heating up. "Wanna dance?"

I nodded, smiling to myself at the song playing over the speakers. Calum wrapped his arms around my waist and I held onto the back of his neck, letting him move us back and forth. The last time I listened to this song was with Calum.

He had taken me to an Ed Sheeran concert a few months after we got back together and we were in the third row. It was literally a dream come true. When he sang Kiss Me, Calum had held me close to him, singing the lyrics in my ear. It was the first time I told him that I loved him. I remember we went back to his apartment afterwards and had sex for the first time since we had been back together.

"How've you been, K?" Calum asked quietly after a while and I shrugged, knowing why he was asking.

"I have been just fine." I reassured and sent him a small smile, looking back down at my heels.

Six months ago, things got really bad again. I knew I needed to get help, but I was stubborn. Finally, Leah admitted me to a rehab center in Brooklyn. While I was there, I refused any calls or visits from anyone. I was mad that they sent me there without my consent, but I knew it was for the best. When I got out, I immediately went to Leah and she hugged me while I cried about how sorry I was.

"Can we go talk somewhere?" Calum wondered and I nodded, allowing him to grab my hand and lead me outside into the chilly air. He slid off his suit jacket and handed it to me so I put it over my bare shoulders.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked, leaning up against the brick of the reception building.

"I really miss you." Calum breathed out and I took in a long breath, looking up at him. "I've thought a lot about us over the past year and I don't want to be broken up. Please tell me that I'm not crazy." I smiled a little to myself and shook my head.

"I've missed you too, Cal." I said quietly and before I knew it, lips were on mine.

I smiled into the kiss and Calum pulled me closer to him by my hips as I tangled my fingers in the hair on the nape of his neck. Calum held me against his body and I finally pulled away after a minute, not wanting to get too caught up. I bit my lip as he rested his forehead against mine and Calum moved his thumbs back and forth across my dress covered waist.

"Sophie is staying with Alex tonight." I said quietly and he breathed out a laugh, nodding.

"Good,"