The Simplicity of How it Could Have Been...

They kept saying the days before your wedding are the most stressful, most mind numbing part of the whole experience. I didn’t believe them at first, until the week before the big day and I was rushing to make preparations. Being the procrastinator I am, I managed to wait until the week before to order the cake.

The invitations were sent out.

Dresses ordered.

Music was put together.

Only one problem left; I don’t want to leave my fiancés side.

“But why do I have to?!” I complained, pouting.

Ian managed to look snarky as he shrugged casually, his arm slung across the back of the couch behind me. His long chestnut hair had been taken in to finally tame its unimaginable curls and left it permanently straight. Brown eyes fixed on my face, a cocky little smile spreading across his pink lips.

“You know I wouldn’t force you to do anything, but you said it yourself; it’s a tradition for you to spend the night with your mom so they can get you ready tomorrow.” He said, quoting me from earlier.

Damn, he’s got a good memory…

A sudden weight beside me caused me to look over at Ian’s twin, the ever calm Evan.

“So, are you nervous?” he asked, smiling softly.

I rolled my eyes playfully, smiling.

“To put it simply; yeah. I’m really nervous, this is a huge step in my life.” I said honestly, blushing as I felt Ian squeeze my shoulder.

I know, Ian too well. Ever since we started dating when I was fifteen; he’s never been nervous about anything. Not even when he met my Dad; at least he never told me if he was. He never seemed to question himself, never sweat under pressure.

But now that he’s about to make one of the biggest commitments of his life, I wonder if he’s hesitant. When I had asked him before as we lay in bed, awake in the early hours of the morning; he’d just scoff as if the question was completely ridiculous. 

Arms came from behind and wrapped around my neck, and I knew immediately who the culprit was, smelling the sweet perfume from her hair.

“Come on! We have to go meet up with your mom at the mall. Say goodbye to your hubby!” Shay exclaimed excitedly.

I groaned, knowing mom is going to complain the whole time we’re there. The woman has always despised the mall; I don’t understand why she let Katerina call the shot on that one.

“Alright! Let me just finish packing my bag, I’m sure she’ll be fine waiting a bit longer.” I huffed, swinging myself up from the couch.

Ian and I had been staying with his parents lately, despite having our own place in Shelby Township; an adorable little condo down the street from the Barnes & Noble where I worked during the week. We liked it better here with everyone else, enjoying the company of the family.

Since moving out, life has been a tad hectic by ourselves. I managed to keep my black Escort after I moved away from my Dad’s, adopting the insurance costs. My job had been covering that and gas pretty well, while my bonds I’d been collecting over the years paid for other things like my online college classes and the rent. Ian managed bringing in money with his guitar lessons he taught outside our home and the shows he did with the band.

But, we’ve been saving and planning for this wedding for years and now it’s finally here; and I can’t seem to wrap my head around it.