When We Were Young

Two

I had tried to get back to normal, but I kept picturing Jacob's face. I remembered the face he made when he first left me, and then this time. There was a sense of deprivation within each of those moments. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kara, my maid of honor, asked me. I nodded in response, keeping my head low and my gaze at the ground. The wedding party was just about gone from the restaurant. I was waiting outside for Daniel, so we could bid our final goodbyes for the night. Also, because I desperately needed air. "You look like you're going to be sick." 

"I feel fine." I told her sternly, glaring at her. Sighing, I realized how rude it sounded and I shook my head, reaching out to rub her arm. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous for tomorrow." 

Dad asked me the same question. So did Daniel. My response each time was that the nerves were getting to me. In a way, it was true. Seeing Jacob had brought back feelings I didn't know I had suppressed over the years, and knowing that he was back made me start second guessing my decisions. All of them. 

I couldn't wrap my head around it. Jacob was back. Did he come back just for me? Was he visiting his mom? Why would he come back now?

As I was trudging in my thoughts, I saw Daniel exit the restaurant and as soon as he laid eyes on me, his lips spread into a wide, goofy smile. It made me feel safe and warm. 

"It's okay." Kara grinned. "Tomorrow's a big day." Her eyes turned sympathetic as her boyfriend pulled up. Before getting in the car, she pulled me into a tight hug. I didn't realize how bad I needed one. "Everything will be fine." She said softly into my shoulder as I returned her hug. "Tomorrow will be great." 

I sighed as our hug broke. "I hope so." She nodded and show me a smile - a real one this time - as she got into the car. The vehicle quickly sped away and out of site. 

While I watched it disappear, Daniel's arm pulled me close to him. "I don't want to leave you." I snuggled closer to him, placing my arms around him, laying my head on his chest. "It's the first night we've spent apart in ages." His voice whispered in my ear and made me shiver. 

"I know." I pouted, craning my head back to rest my chin on his chest and looking up at him through my eyelashes. "But it's only one night and then we get to go on our honeymoon." The hours couldn't have been going slow enough. 

Daniel rubbed my back, gazing down at me. "Ah, the honeymoon." He smirked, his eyes deepening a shade. "Now you're talking." I laughed at his cheekiness, reaching up on my tiptoes to kiss him, hearing him groan playfully. "Ugh, Emily," he said against my lips, "I don't know if I can make it." 

Abruptly, I broke away from him, watching his eyebrows stitch together. "Sorry babe, but you don't have a choice." 

"At least let me have one more kiss then." His bottom lip protruded, and his hands reached out to grab me. I let him pull me close, allowing for his lips to cradle mine into a soft movement. I always loved when he did this, the caress of his hands on my body combined with the endearment of his lips. I could almost get lost in him. 

But when I close my eyes, it wasn't Daniel's face I saw. 

Jacob's emerald eyes stared at me, and I jumped almost a full foot away from him. I touched the tips of my fingers to my lips, daring to glance at my fiance, whose face was crowded with shock. 

"What was that about?" He asked, taking a step to me. I back away, my eyes flickering up to him and then down at the ground. I began shaking my head. "Emily what's wrong?" He questioned, his words were becoming more meaningful and worrisome. I hadn't paid attention and let his hand touch my arm.