The Pieces Left

Chapter 1

Honestly, getting married at 18 was not the plan. At the time, I was broken. It had been almost a year since Jimmy and I broke up and I was willing to fall in love with anyone. I needed to get him out of my mind and off my heart. I met Beckett the fall of my freshman year at UCLA. We sat next to each other in Chemistry 101 and hit it off. He told me I was beautiful and I pictured Jimmy's eyes telling me that. Without any friends, I clung to Beckett too hard. I was alone in California and had nobody. We started to hang out which led to dates which led to a relationship. Jimmy finally quit texting and calling me after I told him I was with someone. I wanted so badly to fly back to New York and knock on his door, but I didn't. After 5 dates, Beckett told me he loved me. I smiled and agreed. And when he proposed 8 months later, I smiled and agreed. Beckett was studying Engineering and came from money. His mother was a nurse and his father owned an oil company in Ohio, where they're from. My mom was crazy about him and encouraged me to settle with him. I once told her that I didn't really love him and she told me to open my eyes and grow up. She insisted I love him. My mom quit working at 30 Rock after I left and now works as a receptionist in a law firm. She said that she couldn't write comedy anymore after everything with Jimmy happened. Kennedy told me that Mom had  started dating again. Soon after, he proposed and of course she said yes. The wedding was beautiful and refreshing. His name is Don and already has 3 kids whom I don't know that well. My mom was very happy, Kennedy was very happy, I wasn't. In the months leading up to my wedding, I was a mess. Between school, work, and Beckett, I was drowning. My mom obsessed over the perfect dress and the perfect venue along with the perfect life she had envisioned for us. She thought I was cured, that Jimmy was merely a passing soul in my life now. What she didn't know was that I was still unhappy. I didn't love Beckett, I didn't want to get married, and I didn't want to let Jimmy go. When the date finally arrived, I tried to convince myself I wanted this. Beckett was so good to me and actually loved me. He could provide for me and support me forever. I looked beautiful that day and felt ugly. When I walked down the isle, Beckett cried. I cried, too but not because I was so happy it was because I couldn't believe how much I was lying to everyone. I invited Jimmy to the wedding and surprisingly he came. He didn't show up till the end though, when the party was going on. We had just cut into the cake and everyone was enjoying the band. Kennedy then came up to me and told me someone was outside. When I walked out, I was in shock. He was in a navy suit and had flowers in hand. I hugged him. I hugged him so hard, it was like I was blowing away and he was the only thing to cling to. "I miss you so much" I said in tears after I hugged him. "Stevie...." he trailed. "No, I really missed you. I still do." I said. We talked for a while and caught up. He told me congratulations and gave me the flowers. "I'm really happy for you. I'm glad you found someone" he said. I frowned and said "I haven't....I don't love him" I said. Jimmy gasped. "Oh my god, Stevie. Don't say that! Please don't tell me you aren't in love with this boy." He said in distress. I hesitated. "God dammit, Stevie. What are you doing? This boy loves you, he is giving the rest of his life to you! Do you realize what you're doing?" He said. "You know what? Fuck you! You have messed me up so much to where....LOOK AT ME. I'M 18 AND MARRYING A GUY I DON'T LOVE" I screamed before I collapsed into tears. I fell to the dirty New York ground in my $7,000 dress  and cried. "Stevie...." I heard Jimmy say. I looked up and saw Beckett standing there. I saw Beckett's heart break in his eyes. "Beckett.....please" I said as I got up. Let's just say that night was not how wedding nights usually go. I convinced Beckett into not breaking up with me. I spent the whole first year of our marriage trying to be the perfect wife for him. After a while, he forgave me. Jimmy didn't call or text me for the whole year. What happened my wedding night is something Beckett and I never talk about.

It's been 5 years since that night. I've dropped out of college and started working. Beckett graduated and has a great job. We live in San Diego and have 2 dogs. Life has been quaint for the past 5 years and Beckett and I are good. We go to dinner parties and grocery shop together every Sunday. Jimmy hasn't tried to reach me since that night, but I pray everyday he will.

"Babe, I got good news" Beckett said when he walked through the door. I looked up from the TV and smiled. "You got the promotion!" I gleamed. He smiled and nodded. "Oh my god! I'm so proud of you!" I said as I got up and hugged him. "I honestly didn't think I'd get it but wow" he said. I smiled and kissed his nose. "I knew you were gonna get it...I love you" I said. Beckett smiled and said "I love you, too". "What's for dinner?" He asked as he sat his bag down. I shrugged and said "I don't know...how about pizza?" "Sounds good!" He replied. "Hey, by the way....I've gotta go out to New York for a conference next week" Beckett shouted  from our bedroom. "Fun! Wish I could go" I said. "You should" Beckett said as he sat down next to on the couch. "Ha, you're funny. It's not like I have a job or anything" I joke. "Take off, its only for 4 days" he said. I shook my head, "I have 2 corporate meetings next week and a wedding to go to....which I was wanting to go to with you" I said. Beckett frowned and said "Too bad and you know I hate weddings". I shifted uncomfortably. "It's okay.....I'll just miss you" I said back. "I'll miss you, too. Next time.." he said. "I'm gonna order the pizza" Beckett said. "Okay" I said back.

Working at the advertising branch of Sephora has it perks. For one, the free samples we get at every meeting or the amazing discounts we get. But, the inconsistency in our management sucks. I sometimes regret dropping out of college but I needed to mend things with Beckett and being in college full time wouldn't help. I work 9-5, 6 days a week at a Sephora office in downtown San Diego. The money is alright, but 5 years ago, I envisioned so much more for the future. I wanted to work for a television company. I wanted to produce TV shows and meet people. I wanted to make a better life for myself. Obviously, that didn't work out.

"Hey Stevie, what car are you and Beckett bringing to the wedding? I need to let the valet service know so they can get your car quicker" Dailee said. I rolled me eyes and said "I'm taking my Honda because Beckett can't go...He's got a conference in New York that weekend". Dailee frowned. "Oh no! Who are you going with then?" She asked. "Just myself" I said plainly. "Okay.....Well, if you need a last minute date, I have a ton of guys! There's a bunch of Tom's friends that are going solo." She said as she left. Dailee works in the same office building as me. All she's talked about for months is her wedding that's on Saturday. It's pretty annoying and upsetting because now I'm going alone. I sighed and stacked my papers before heading back to my cubicle. As I stamped letters, my phone buzzed. I picked it up and saw it was Beckett.
"Hey" I said
"I hope you have your bags packed" Beckett said back.
"What?" I asked puzzled.
"You, me, New York City next week" he said.
"Beckett I told you I can't go" I said.
"I know but I can't return this plane ticket so I guess you have no choice" he said.
"Beckett no! I have meetings" I said.
"Guess you'll have to just not go" he said laughing.
"Why did you do this?" I asked.
"Because I want to have you all to myself for a few days in New York. Is that so bad?" He asked.
I hesitated while chewing on my nail. "I guess not" I said back smiling.