Ever Since New York [H.S]

They Told Me That The End Is Near

Harry refused to tell me anything, except that he would handle it, and that all would be revealed at the right time. Apparently, it all had to do with his plan. I was still somewhat anxious about the conversation I'd overheard between Patrick and Angela, but I trusted Harry; so, I did my best to just carry on as usual.

We were four days out from the wedding now; and I'd finally made everyone understand how important it was to me that we had a rehearsal for the ceremony, so; while it had been on short notice, I was headed to the venue Patrick had decided on now to meet everyone.

I sighed as I pulled up to the venue. Of course, Patrick had chosen somewhere completely opposite to what we'd discussed. We'd talked about an outdoor wedding of some kind; the beach, a botanical garden, something like that. I'd arrived at a tiny, dark church; that in all honesty, looked so run down it might collapse at any given second without warning. Knowing my luck lately, if it was going to come down, it would do so around us. Gritting my teeth, I shut my car door behind me and approached the others. According to what I picked up from the conversation as I approached, Patrick and Jessica had offered to pick up Angela; and of course, my Mother-In-Law-To-Be absolutely loved Jessica. I had to hold back a laugh of disgust as I noticed Patrick's arm around my Maid of Honour. I felt someone's presence behind me and turned to see Harry, who offered me a small, encouraging smile. The celebrant emerged from the building then, and invited us inside.

It was just as I'd suspected; dark, freezing cold, and the hardwood floors were water damaged. I rolled my eyes, and felt someone put a hand on my right shoulder. Glancing in that direction, I realised it was Harry, and I felt relieved to know that at least someone I'd be sharing my wedding with was genuinely concerned for my feelings and wellbeing. The lighting flickered overhead, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from having an outburst. The celebrant was saying something about the heating in here being under maintenance, but I wasn't really paying any attention.

'Jessica and Patrick's mother have gone to change,' Harry had dropped his head so his hair covered my shoulder as he spoke. 'The celebrant is discussing money with Patrick outside. We'll be beginning shortly.'

'Can you fucking believe this?' I hissed. 'It's not even a dress rehearsal,' I added as an afterthought, as Harry moved his head back up, and I heard Patrick's voice reverberating off the brick walls. Someone cleared their throat behind us, and Harry and I turned around.

Jessica stood before us, in a bright red, extremely lowcut dress that was so tight it was as if she'd been sewn into it.

'Tell me how great I look!' She demanded.

I was speechless. What she had on wasn't even appropriate for a wedding, and she hadn't even chosen something in our wedding colours, which was the only thing I'd asked her to do. I sighed heavily, pressing my fingers into my temples.

'All I asked,' I breathed, 'was that you wear blue, or purple. I didn't think that would be too hard, even for you.'

'Patrick liked it!' She sneered. 'It's sexy. Blue and purple are boring!'

'I don't care if you think they're bloody boring!' I snapped. 'They're my wedding colours. You look like you're going clubbing, not attending a wedding. Much less attending as the Maid of Honour!'

'Ivy!' Angela exclaimed. 'You can't say those things to someone, it's not how a lady should carry herself. Least of all in a quaint little church like this.'

'Quaint?!' I repeated in disbelief. 'You - you, of all people, think this is fucking quaint?!' Angela's jaw dropped, but I'd started now, and had no intention of stopping; until Harry closed a hand around my wrist. I knew it was Harry, his fingers were calloused from playing the guitar. I looked over, and I'd never seen him like this. His eyes were blazing like emeralds, his jaw was locked, and there was a vein protruding prominently from his neck.

'Get your hand off my fiancée!' Patrick barked. I rolled my eyes, and Harry's grip on my wrist tightened slightly.

'You are the last man alive who deserves Ivy,' Harry spoke clearly, meeting Patrick's gaze; before turning to Angela. 'Your son is a terrible person,' he spat, 'but I suppose it must run in the family, because so are you.' Angela rose a hand to hear mouth in alarm. Harry turned to Jessica. 'And you; you vile, manipulative, heartless little wench,' his voice had risen considerably by this point. 'You disgust me.'

Patrick looked to Harry. 'If I see you here tomorrow; or at what will be my house by then, afterwards,' he drawled; 'I will call the Police. Get out.' Then he turned to me. 'I told you, you were not to speak to or interact with this man.' His voice was eerily calm. 'And now he's holding you, defending you; acting as if you're worth something? In front of me, no less?' He laughed. 'I specifically forbade you from having any friends,' his eyes were twinkling with malice. 'You know that, sweetheart.' He looked around the room, almost challenging someone to call him out on his behaviour. 'Say goodbye,' he instructed. 'Now.' When Harry headed for the door, Patrick looked at the rest of us and declared the rehearsal was off; and, looking at me, he added that I was lucky he wasn't calling off the whole damned wedding. I wished he would.