Jared's P.O.V.:
It had been about a month or two since I proposed to Dawson. We were knee deep in appointments with wedding planners and catering sampling. Laiken had started school which opened us up to a lot more time. Most of that time went to our careers, other times it was the wedding or keeping the house clean.
We had met the wedding planner once before today, it wasn't even a meeting, more of a brief check in. The poor girl had been juggling three weddings all in the same week, so she didn't have that much time to spare. She was so flustered I don't think she even asked our names.
Today, though, we would meet her properly. We were going to sit down and put us in the right direction to start the actual, concrete details.
"We have an meeting with Lillian in a couple hours. You can make it, right?" Dawson asks me, adjusting her shirt and running her hands down her stomach. She turns to face me with eyebrows raised and head tilted.
"I'll meet you there. I have to meet with the guys before to finish a song." I finish tying my boots then stand up to meet Dawson at the door of our room. She looks up at me with the same assertive look. My hands jump from my sides and onto her sides, wandering up and down her back, "I'll be there."
Her concern fades and she nods. I pull her closer to me, my hands resting above her ass. She wraps her arms under mine and lays her head above my heart, her breath rhythmically following the beat. I plant my lips on the top of her head and close my eyes as she hugs me tighter. Pulling back, I pat down the hairs my beard pulled out then my hands fall onto her hips.
"I love you." She says, stretching up on her tippy toes to reach my lips.
I meet her in the middle, pecking her, "I love you, too. I'll see you later."
Dawson nods and walks to Laiken's room to get her ready for school. She looks at me over her shoulder before opening Laiken's door, waving me off.
I wink at her and head downstairs, off to the studio.
___
"I have to leave early today, brother." I speak into the mic, pulling the headphones from around my neck and onto my ears.
Shannon tilts his head to the side with a confused look on his face, "Why? Everything okay with the family?"
I nod, "Just a meeting with the wedding planner."
Shannon lets out a enlightened ahh and starts the music again, queuing me to start the verse.
We run through a few minutes of the song and get different takes. Then before I know it its an hour before the meeting.
I hang the headphones on the mic stand and run a hand through my messy hair. Stepping out of the studio, I hit Shannon playfully on the arm and swing on the other side of him, "I'll come in tomorrow, early."
Tomo, who was folded in a chair in the corner, stood up and hugged me. He wished me good luck and to be engaged in the meeting.
"I'll put my two cents in on everything." I smile, hanging out the door. Shannon nods me off and Tomo waves, sending me trotting to my car.
I step in and start the ignition, sitting with the car in park. My stomach tied itself in knots and the blood rushed to my head. I steadied myself with two hands on the wheel, closing my eyes, breathing and hanging my head.
"Maybe I should grab something to eat before the meeting." I mutter to myself. I text Dawson that I'll be a little late to the meeting, but continue without me. I get a response a few seconds later, then put the car in reverse and head home.
I merge onto the highway, keeping alert as best I can. My head was still in the clouds, still unable to really focus my eyes. My chest began to tighten as I white knuckled the steering wheel. I hadn't a clue what was happening, sure it might just be that I had a small breakfast, or it may not be. I wasn't worried, that much, as long as I could see and breathe, I would make it home.
Miles flew by and my exit came up quickly, only a quarter mile more, but my vision was still incredibly blurry. The two yellow lines were now one and it was like the white boundary was invisible.
I didn't want to go to the meeting and not know what I was looking at; it wouldn't be fair. I dialed up Dawson as I started to switch lanes.
"Hi Sweetheart, I got your text, thanks for letting me know." she spoke softly, smiling behind the phone.
"Uh, something's up babe. I don't think I'll be able to come to the meeting."
Her sigh, part disappointment and other concern, came through the speakers, "Ok. What's the matter?"
"I don't know I can't really- shit!"
I yell, slamming my foot on the brakes. It wasn't soon enough as the nose of my car slammed and slid under the bed of a semi-truck.
