Between the Sun and the Stars

All Too Well

It was September and we were in my home town for Stephanie and David's wedding. Hunter was spending some time with Sutton and my parents while I went out for the bachelorette party. Stephanie wanted to go for dinner and dancing at a place we used to go to when we were in school. We had a lot of fun, but I felt like the odd person out. I was married, but I also had a baby. It was weird being in my hometown and not having people recognize me. It was also kind of relieving. 

I got back to my parents house at one am, and found my spot next to a sleepy Hunter. Half asleep, he kissed me and rolled over. The next day I had a throbbing headache and woke up to Sutton screaming. "Baby girl," I got up to try and soothe her with no avail. I looked at the time, it was seven am. My mom was already up, and her screams woke Hunter up as well. 

"What's wrong?" 

"I have no idea, she's never been like this." I opened her mouth, it didn't look like she was teething. "Maybe she has an ear infection. The walk in clinic opens in an hour." I warmed up a bottle for her and laid in bed trying to keep her comfortable. Hunter and I hauled her into the walk in clinic and low and behold, she had a small ear infection. We got drops and brought her back to my parents.

"That was like, the worst cry ever." I laid her down in the play pen and began making breakfast. 

"Yeah, poor girl." Hunter sat down with a mug of coffee. "How was last night?"

"Meh, it was what it was." I cut some fruit up and placed in a bowl in front of Hunter.

"I've seen you, you can cut up a dance floor."

"I just don't feel like I fit in. I'm different." I began cleaning up the cutting board and knife. "Some of the other girls just couldn't stop asking me questions - like we were there to celebrate Steph. It was hard to be normal."

"You grew up first, your life happened at a different speed and it went in a different direction. It's okay." He stood up and wrapped his arms around me, "You need a shower and coffee. You smell like tequila." I turned around, laughing.

"I don't think I had tequila."

"Eat, then shower. She seems okay right now." 

Later that week, we were at the golf club doing the rehearsal dinner. My parents were watching Sutton as she continued to battle the ear infection. "Mrs. Hayes, I need you over here", the pastor directed me to stand with a particular groomsmen as we practiced walking down the aisle. Hunt sat back in the audience, looking sharp in his dress clothes. I opted for the black pants Christian let me keep after the Teen Choice awards with a white dress top. 

"I love your pants," my friend and fellow bridesmaid Sarah said, "they're so cute. They look like the ones you wore on that award show"

"Yeah, thanks, I was allowed to keep them. They are just as comfy as they are cute."

We ran through the rehearsal and dinner was served indoors over looking the golf course. A few speeches were given from the maid of honour, Stephanie's sister and the groom's brother. Afterward, the music was playing and we had some time to dance and mingle. I saw some friends and old classmates from high school, and didn't realize how many people Stephanie kept in touch with. "There's a lot of people here," Hunter said quietly as we swayed to a slower song, "like, two hundred easy."

"Yeah, I didn't realize how many people she was inviting." We shrugged it off and continued dancing. The music quieted down as we heard the groom, David's voice come over the mic.

"Hello everyone, we just wanted to thank you again for coming out, Stephanie and I appreciate your love and support. I don't know if anyone knew, but we have some stars among us," I felt my cheeks turn instantly red and I swallowed hard, "Jenna, Hunter, come on up here." Hunter held my hand as the crowd parted like the red sea. I looked at Steph like WTF, and she just shrugged. "I know you and Steph have been through a lot, and you've been an important part of her life. Would you do us the honour of playing a song for us?"

Stunned, all I could do was nod. Like what? On the spot?

"Hey everyone, I'm Jenna. I've been friends with Steph for well over ten years, we went to high school and college together. She's been a big part of my life from school to when my baby girl was born and everything in between." I paused and saw Hunter was sitting at the piano bench and he nodded toward me. I nodded back and his fingers graced the keys, Wanted, I walked toward the bench and we sang the song together. The guests applauded and Stephanie was in tears while David ad a really smug expression. I pretended to check my phone and told Stephanie we had to go because of Sutton's ear infection. She hugged us and David extended a hand with out saying a word. 

"What the actual hell was that?" Hunter shouted, smacking the steering wheel. "Like talk about being used and sprung up on!" His voice was stronger than I'd ever heard.

"That was not okay." I said, My cheeks were red and I could feel my eyes welling up. "You were right, something is up with that guy." My voice didn't exceed a whisper.

He glanced over, saw my eyes welling up, "Oh babe, sorry. Sorry for yelling. I didn't mean to."

I shook my head, "It's not you." 

Hunter reached for my hand, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I'm just annoyed with that guy, I don't feel good about Steph marrying him."

"It's not you and it's not me. We can only worry about ourselves. Just wear a brave face for the wedding and in a few days we will be going back home." By the time we arrived back at my parents, I had three missed calls from Stephanie and a text message apologizing that David surprised her and if she wanted me to sing she would've asked. I didn't even know what to say because it wasn't okay, but I didn't want to cause friction. I replied, "We just like to have a heads up, we don't like to perform on a whim like that- we would've made it more special if we could prepare."

"That's a good response," Hunter read my text, turning his attention to read the instructions on Suttons's medication bottle, "did your parents give this to her before bed?"

I nodded, "Yes don't worry. She gets them again in the morning."

A few days had passed and it was the day of Steph and David's wedding. We opted to keep Sutton at home as she was just over the ear infection, and I had a busy morning helping Steph get ready. Hunter hung back at my parents until the ceremony at three pm but I was up at the crack of dawn to get to the hair salon, and go back to Steph's condo to get dressed with the other girls. We all looked amazing in our dresses, Steph looked gorgeous in her princess style ball gown. "You look like a real Cinderella," I smiled, my eyes almost watering, "I am so happy for you."

"Thank you Jenna." She stood up tall as her mom placed a necklace on her and we got ready for pictures. By two, we were at the golf club and the skies were slightly over cast but the air was still warm. I texted Hunter to let him know that guests were welcome to arrive any time after 2:30. Stephanie pulled me aside from the other girls, "I just wanted to apologize again for the other night. I really didn't know that David was going to spring that on you two. It won't happen again." 

"You didn't know- that's okay. It was just we felt unprepared you know." She nodded and we went back over to the group to get ready to walk down the aisle. Hunter arrived, I saw him drive up in my dads black truck. The groom and men arrived, taking their places at the lawn and by the entryway doors to walk with the bridesmaids. We walked two by two down the grassy path toward the lattice altar that looked over the course. We stood in our places as the music changed, Stephanie was walked down the aisle by her mother, who then handed her to David. The ceremony was simple and went by really quick. Guests were ushered to a different area for drinks and lawn games while we went in the opposite direction for pictures. Hunter caught my eye and winked, going with the crowd.

Pictures were done and the seating took place under a big white canopy tent with twinkly lights. Stephanie and David sat at their own table while the wedding party sat at two different tables with their significant others and families. We heard a few speeches, and spent the rest of the night dancing away. It was close to one am before Hunter and I crashed into bed, looking forward to going home to our own bed.