The Promise

nine

Year 2014 - Spring

Louis' POV

"Dude, you should totally order this one," I look over to Brad who's pointing to a tacky blue suit in the catelog at the shop we're in complete with a top hat and cane.

I laugh. "Yeah, I'm sure El would love it."

Ah, tux fitting day. The wedding is still a long way away, but Eleanor told me it's better to just get this out of the way. She's always been good at getting organized and getting things done- which is one of the main reasons why she's planning almost the whole wedding by herself.

"Hi, what can I do for you today?" a woman in huge heels and a pantsuit emerges from the back of the store.

"Hi, yeah, my fiancé called about getting me fitted for a tux?" I stand from the plush leather chair in the store.

"Yes, yes. Tomlinson?" She says, very businesslike and I find myself suddenly feeling under dressed in my jeans and t shirt.

"Yes ma'am."

"Stand over here," she motions to a pedestal in front of a large mirror and she grabs her measuring tape.

I do as she says and step up. I look at myself in the mirror and can't help but notice how good I look- not in a douchey way- but I mean I look healthy; fulfilled even.

I break my glance from my reflection to the beige wall above the mirror while the woman records my measurements. I still can't believe I'm actually getting married. Like, four years ago I would've laughed in somebody's face had they told me I was getting married. Granted, I probably would've been drunk off my ass, but still.

"Okay, I've got all your measurements. Your fiance already told us which tux to order so you're good to go," The woman pulls me from my trance. "Unless you need one for somebody else in the wedding party? We've done your best man and groomsmen but a lot of grooms get their dads' suits too." She's obviously trying to make another sale, but I could've done without her bringing up my bastard father.

"No, that won't be necessary." I reply, trying my best to smile politely.

"Okay, well, come back anytime!" She walks over to the door, holding it open for the both of us to walk out.

"Thank you," I nod mannerly and Brad follows me out of the store.

"It's still weird that you're getting married," Brad says, walking to the passenger side of my car.

"Yeah, it really is," I reply, getting into the Jeep and starting it up.

"It's also still weird that you're driving this soccer mom piece of shit," he teases.

After I got my job at the firm, I started going a little overboard with the spending and I wanted to get rid of my "kid" stuff and get "adult" stuff. Like the Jeep for example. I had that jeep since I was 17 and finally got rid of it about six months ago when I was twenty-two. I thought it would be mature to start thinking of my future wife and family and stuff. So I traded the Jeep Wrangler in for a Jeep Cherokee. What I didn't realize then, is that forcing adulthood on yourself is not fun at all.

But then I got to thinking, that maybe I wasn't so much trying to be an adult, as I was trying to close the book on past few years: the drinking, the drugs, her.

"Do you wanna come by the apartment and have a beer or something?" I interrupt my own thoughts.

"A beer? Jesus, Louis, it's only 1 PM. What are we? Back in college?" he scoffs. "Meaning absolutely I do," he laughs.

We drive for a few more miles until we reach the large white apartment complex. I pull into the spot marked 2A and turn off the car.

"Hey guys," Eleanor says when we walk into our apartment. She stands from her wedding seating chart diagram and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.