As I sit in my sister's den I'm suddenly nervous she won't agree to be my maid of honor. It could be too much pressure, and maybe even rehash unpleasant feelings about her recent divorce.
"Eliza?" I'm taken out of my thoughts by my fiancé Samuel, "You're shaking, what's wrong?" He asks tenderly, placing a hand on my thigh.
"I'm thinking maybe this was a bad idea, she did just get through a messy divorce you know?" I whisper to him.
Samuel looks at me softly, "Lizzie she's your sister, I think you trump the divorce."
As I was about to respond the front door bursts open to reveal my beautiful sister in a stunning floor length gown. "Sorry I'm late you guys, the charity event ran long and my boss insisted we stay present for the entire evening." She kicked her heels off and threw her purse on the kitchen counter as she scurried over to us. "Now come here my love let me see that ring."
I stuck out my left hand stupidly as she gawked at my engagement ring. Her eyes got misty as she looked between Samuel and I.
"Eliza, you are going to be the most beautiful bride!" She embraced me and I sighed in relief.
"Thank you Macy. It's so good to see you. Come sit I want to talk to you about the wedding." I led her over to the couch that sat in her living room. "I have given some thought to who I want with me on our big day and I wanted to come ask you in person..." I took a deep breath, "will you be my maid of honor?"
Macy put her hand over her mouth and tears welled up in her eyes even more than before.
"Oh no Macy I'm sorry! I know it's a lot to ask I just thought you would be the best option since I don't really have any girlfriends and we aren't really close with any of our cousins... and I really don't want to ask Dina or Jenna because they'd make it all about themselves.... but I totally can if it's too much after your-" I stuttered out a whole spew of nonsense just for Macy to cut me off.
"Shut up! Of course I'll be your maid of honor. I didn't think you'd ask since I didn't ask you to be mine! Didn't do me any good, that sham of a wedding and marriage was nothing compared to this... this, you two," she motioned between me and Samuel, "you two are what's real."
I squeezed Samuel's hand and then leaned over to hug Macy. "I'm so glad you said yes. I know you're going to look beautiful," I pulled back and motioned to her dress, "I mean fricken look at you!"
Macy laughed and we hugged again. I don't know why I was so nervous, Macy always pulls through.
~•~•~
"Samuel thank you for this lovely jacket. I can not believe its been three years of our relationship." I said to my fiancé as we headed back to our hotel room.
"Eliza stop thanking me its our anniversary of course I was going to get you something." he replied grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together.
"Sammy, the trip to see my sister was enough of a present. I couldn't thank you enough." I said smiling as I thought about how great my fiancé was.
"Well you had to officially invite her to be a bridesmaid at our wedding in person right? Over the phone just doesn't do it justice." he said semi mocking me and semi serious way. I roll my eyes at him and laugh. By this time we are back to our cheap motel room. Even though Macy offered for us to stay at her house, we opted for this for some much needed alone time. Sam gets out the room key card and sticks it into the slot on the door to open the room. We go inside and he instantly kisses me. I start to laugh and pull away.
"Sam stop it I'm trying to go shower!" I say while he tickles me and kisses my neck and forehead.
"A shower? I could go for a shower. How about we go together. Save some water, you know?" he says while running a hand through my hair. I smirk and pull him closer.
"Save some water huh? Yea I guess I could go for that. It is looking out for the good of the planet after all." Sam laughs and looks at me with his big blue eyes.
"Eliza, I love you so much." he says and although its been years since the first time he said that to me, I still feel the heat rise to my cheeks as I kiss him on the cheek.
"I know you do baby. Now come on, lets go shower." I say pulling him into the bathroom with me.
~•~•~
After a great night of talking about our wedding and "showering" Samuel and I finally went to sleep. It was a peaceful sleep until about 5 in the morning when the sun was just rising that I heard the fire alarm. I shot out of bed and looked for Samuel.
"Samuel?! Sammy! Where are you?" I scream out, as I can't see him anywhere. Our room is already filled with smoke and the source of the fire must have been near our room. I grab my robe and throw it over my naked body. I climb down onto the floor and crawl out of the bedroom to the bathroom door. "Samuel?" I call out again as I cough and choke on the thick smoke filling the room. I see where the smoke is coming from. Its the bathroom. I open the door and am shocked by the scene in front of me. The window in the bathroom is open and a tree branch is poking through. The branch is on fire and so is the shower curtain. I look to see Samuel on the ground pinned under another larger branch. He looks at me with fear in his eyes.
"Eliza go get out. I will be fine!" he says as he tries to push the branch off of him. I look around in hopes of finding something to help him with. Just then the branch Samuel is caught under catches fire. I hear myself screaming for help. The flames make me move back out of the doorway as I hear Samuel scream. I cry out to him as I feel myself become limp and fall to the floor. The smell of the smoke is the last thing I wish I remembered but before I completely black out, I hear my beautiful Sammy calling my name.
