That Phone Call - 'What If?' Series' Book 2

Chapter 7: A Call For The Bride To Be...

Chapter 7: A Call For The Bride To Be…

{Kat POV}

Manson laughed as my dad stood and followed mom into the kitchen. It had been eight months since Cindy’s accident and he always said he’d seen the monitor go flatline…but something always made me think about what might’ve happened if he’d stayed a little longer…

I felt a tug at my heart as I thought of Cindy again… she was stronger, but apparently not strong enough… I missed my best friend…

I saw Manson kiss Lindsey’s cheek and stand up as the house phone rang loudly.

“I’ll get it!” he announced loudly over his shoulder at my parents.

“Thanks Manson!” I heard dad call back happily from the kitchen.

“No worries.” Manson chuckled quietly.

I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him. “Suck up!”

Manson merely smiled and he picked up the phone. “Hello? Diamondes residence…” I watched as the smile fell from Manson’s face and his face turned ashen; his eyes widening and his voice became low and shaky as he looked me in the eye, he looked as though he were about to go into shock. I saw him swallow as I felt Andy come and wrap his arms about my waist from behind. “Ci… Cindy?!” I felt my jaw drop and the room began to spin slightly as tears filled my eyes; Andy’s arms tightening a little about my waist as Manson held out the phone to me. “I…it’s for you…”

He sounded crushed, his eyes glazed over as I took the phone from him. “H-hello?”

“Oh, Kat…you’ve no idea how good it is to hear your voice!” I gaped as I heard Cindy’s voice. Cindy, my best friend. Cindy, who was meant to be dead! “How are you? Congrats on your engagement by the way hun!”

“Ah…thankyou…” I replied, eyes wide. “Um…how are you? What happened? We thought…” I trailed off. How could I have not gone and checked?!

“Yeah, I heard,” she replied solemnly. “I did die…for about two minutes… I was in a coma for two weeks and when I woke up the doctors discovered I had amnesia…but they weren’t sure if it was temporary…so, my sister, Ash, took me back to London, and, very slowly, things started to come back…” she trailed off. “I’m so sorry, Kat…”

“It’s fine! Not like you could do anything about it!” I laughed hysterically, nearly crying. “How did you find out I was engaged?” I asked and then smiled a little. “Your new book is a smash by the way… I heard they were thinking of adapting it to film…”

“Yeah, they are…” she replied, but she didn’t sound happy. “I only found out coz Andy called Ash…he thought she should know…so, here I am…ringing you to say congratulations and…good luck!” she laughed but I could hear sadness in her voice. “Tell Andy I love him to death for making you so happy…and tell Marilyn…tell him…that I understand…”

“Tell him yourself…” I said with a small smile and heard her breath catch. “At my wedding…”

***

“Well, what was I supposed to say?!” I glared at Manson. “I find out my best friend is alive and had amnesia and, what? You think I wouldn’t invite her to my wedding? Seriously?!”

“I think a little warning would’ve been nice!” he yelled back at me and I balked at him.

“How the fuck am I supposed to warn you that someone you thought was dead would call me?!” I shouted back as I felt Andy’s hand on my shoulder.

“She’s right man,” Andy said calmly. “No one saw this coming.”

“No,” Manson agreed. “Only question now is…” he trailed off and looked out the back window at Lindsey. “What do I do when I see her?”

“You smile, say hello, and tell her you’re glad she’s not dead.” Andy replied, quirking an eyebrow. “I don’t know about you, but… that’s how I’d play it.”

***

I heard the music begin to play and my heart fluttered nervously. I heard my dad say he’d make sure I didn’t fall, but only just… my stomach tightened again as the door began to open…and I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder.

I turned and smiled, my eyes welling with tears. Cindy was standing there, smiling proudly at me. I let go of my dad’s arm and spun to face her fully, enveloping her in a hug as I heard everyone in the church stand and wait for me to round the corner and walk through the doors.

As we pulled out of the hug, Cindy tapped my nose and smiled affectionately. “Knock ‘em dead, honey.”

***

{Andy POV}

Everyone stood and looked towards the back of the church but, for a moment, I couldn’t. My heart was just about jumping out of my chest, and my breathing was nowhere near steady…and that’s when I heard the whispering over the music.

I turned and looked back down the aisle just as Katrina came into view…she was a breath-taking vision in white…my angel. Time stood still as she reached the end of the aisle and looked up at me through her long lashes, a shy smile gracing her face as she came to stand before me.

The rest of the ceremony went by me in a blur; the only thing I could focus on was Katrina. And, finally, as we said our ‘I do’s’, everything came together. We leant in and kissed, our friends and family cheering on and making us smile, laugh and blush as we turned to face them. Images flashed before my eyes. The call, the baby, Katrina, Manson, Cindy…

‘Cindy!’ I thought as we walked back down the aisle to leave the church…she was right there!

I stopped for a moment as she and Katrina hugged, then smiled in shock as she pretty much glomped me. “Congratulations…” she smiled at me and then ushered us out of the church. “There’s a swanky reception waiting for you! Get your butts out of here!”

I laughed and ran with Katrina out to the white car waiting for us; stepping inside and, pulling her to me again, kissed her deeply.

***

{Kat POV}

“Missus Biersack?” I heard a familiar voice and turned, smiling cheekily, to look at Cindy. “Heya hun,” she beamed at me and hugged me warmly. “You look gorgeous!”

“I agree.” I smirked up at Andy as he came up behind me, wrapping his arms about my waist and kissing the sensitive place behind my ear, making me giggle.

“Not half bad yourself either.” Cindy smirked at us both and I blushed. “You caught a good one Kat…” she leant in to whisper the last part. “Keep him.”

“Oh, thanks.” Andy chuckled quietly…but then I felt him tense.

I looked up over Cindy’s head and felt my smile drop a little as she turned to see what Andy and I were staring at. I heard her shaky breath as she looked up into the blank face of none other than… Marilyn Manson…

“Cindy…” he breathed, taking a step forwards, hand outstretched as if he thought she was a hallucination.

Cindy took a half step back from him; just enough for me to see her face had grown pale. “Marilyn…”

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I just couldn't not post this chapter as well tonight!

So sorry for the long wait, but hopefully it was worth it! <3