One True Love

Chapter 3

Leaving the restaurant, we decided to walk back along the beach, just as we had done the night before. Side by side, Scotty looped his hand with mine, grazing my ring as he did so. Squeezing his hand, I laid my head on his shoulder as we walked.

Once we made it back to the room, I decided to take a quick shower before bed because check out time would come early in the morning.

Stepping out of the shower, I stood there and stared at myself in the mirror for quite some time. Wondering when it would sink in that Scotty actually wanted me by his side for the rest of the life, my head was full of thoughts ranging from the very first time I saw him up until this point. Yes, we had went to school together our entire lives, but by the time I had actually started to really notice him, we were best friends. I could go to him about anything and he would sit and talk with me for hours on end. Not being sure exactly when I started to develop feelings for him, I never thought he would feel the same, so I refrained from saying anything until that night on the beach. When he came back from L.A., he seemed completely different, but in a good way and it made me start crushing on him all over again. That night seemed so far away now, but yet it was just five months ago. Smiling, I slipped on my pajamas and washed my face before making my way towards the bed.

Joining him, I laid my head on his chest as he pulled me tight and continued watching some sports show on ESPN. Running my fingers lightly over his chest, again he squeezed me, and whispered...."Don't get yourself in trouble."

Laughing, I sat up and stared at him, while he had yet to make eye contact with me, obviously enthralled in this T.V. program. Finally, I suppose it got too much because he turned it down and looked towards me....."What baby?," he asked

Smiling, I asked, "So, when do you want to do this?"

Looking confused, he asked, "When do I want to do what?"

Laughing, I pulled away from him, my head falling on one of the pillows, me covering my eyes and shaking my head...."The wedding, McCreery. When do you want to do the wedding?"

Turning off the T.V., he fell back on his pillow, staring at me and twisting my hair with his fingers..."Babe, we just got engaged last night. Are you already thinking about this?"

Smiling, I said, "Babe, I've been thinking about my wedding since I was a little girl. Now that it's reality, there isn't a minute to waste."

Looping my hand with his, he said, "Or maybe you're just ready to be Mrs. Scotty McCreery," he winked.

Hearing those words come from his mouth, those familiar butterflies that I had not felt in so long seemed to return. Honestly, I had never thought that this would happen. Yes, there had been a time or two that I had hoped, but the reality was that I felt it was all just a dream.

Coming out of my thoughts, I gently kissed him, "Yeah, that may be a small part of it," I teased.

Glaring at me, he said, "A small part huh?"

Laughing, I said, "Okay, seriously we need to talk about this."

"Well, okay...Why don't you tell me what you're thinking?"

Propping up on my elbow and looking towards him, I said, "Okay, well first I want to ask you a question, I paused before going on....What do you think about getting married here....on the beach?"

"The beach?," he asked.

Looking away for only a moment and glanced towards the large window, showcasing the perfect view of the beach before looking back at him..."Yes, it just seems that it would be fitting to do so. We were here when we started dating, we were here when we got engaged, and so it only makes sense that we be here when we get married. Don't you think so?"

Laying flat on his pillow, he ran his fingers through his hair, holding them there for a minute, not looking towards me.

"What's wrong?," I asked

Finally turning towards me, he smiled before looking away again and staring at the ceiling and taking a deep sigh, "My mom is going to want us to get married in the church, I know she is."

Trying not to sound too disappointed, I looked off to the side, "Okay, well we can do that."

Obviously not hiding my emotion very well, he turned over and faced me, running his hand under my chin, forcing me to look at him..."Gabi, this is your special day. If you want to get married on the beach, that is exactly what we are going to do."

"Are you sure?," I asked, and then paused..."I mean, this is not just my day, it's yours as well."

Still with a serious tone, he said, "Baby, I've never been more sure. Your main priority is to not worry about anything at all and enjoy being a bride. Can you do that for me?," he asked and then paused,"If you can do that, I can handle the rest, I promise you."

Managing to smile, I said, "I think I can."

He smiled, kissed me and removed his hand from my chin, before falling back on his pillow...."Now, if we are getting married on the beach, I think the spring is too early for all the planning and then June and July are too hot. How about we plan for a year from now? Yes, it will be in the fall, but it will be nice and not too warm."

Smiling, it made my heart happy to see him wanting to be so involved. Most guys would have popped the question and been done, but not Scotty. It really felt as if he wanted to be involved in everything.

Reaching for my phone, I pulled up the calendar app and swiped until I saw September and October of next year. Thinking to myself that October would be the better choice, I mainly focused on that month.

"Okay, what do you think about October 13th of next year?," I asked, before going on..."We both get out for Fall Break on that Thursday the 11th and then it doesn't resume until that Wednesday on the 17th. That was give us time to go on a short honeymoon."

He smiled, "Sounds perfect baby"

Kissing him gently, I turned back towards my phone, and opened up October 13th, 2012 on my calendar. Moving my fingers on my phone, I typed, "Our Wedding Day, the best day of my life!," saving it and placing it on the nightstand beside the bed.

Wrapping his arms around me, he pulled me tight and whispered, "I can't wait," before quickly falling asleep.

As I laid there and listened to him sleep, nervous tension seemed to sweep over me. Planning to leave tomorrow, we were going to head towards Garner and have dinner with Scotty's family. Undoubtedly, his mom would ask if we have discussed wedding details and I would have to be truthful with her. How would she react when we told her that we decided to get married on the beach? Would Scotty tell her before we got there or before she asked? If not, would he stand behind me on our decision or would he give into her wishes? So many questions needed to be answered and as I tossed and turned, I realized that while I was excited to share the news with our families, I was not looking forward to everyone voicing their opinions.