One True Love

Chapter 16

Putting the letter back in his jacket pocket, he smiled and stood up from the bench. Reaching out his hand, I took it with mine and we began walking back towards the truck. Over the course of our relationship, our love had been tested more than once. All of this drama with the press was just another test that we would eventually pass with flying colors. At the end of the day, we were still getting married and to me that's all that mattered.

Driving back towards Bo's where I had left my car, we didn't talk much. Instead, he held my hand the entire way back, caressing it with his fingers and glancing over at me ever so often. The past two weeks had been amazing between spending his birthday at the beach and spending an entire week together at home. Next week we would have to take midterms and then he would go on tour for the weekend. One would think that over the course of being together five months, I would have gotten use to the fact of him leaving on the weekends, but it was still hard to say goodbye. Still, this is what he loved and because of that I supported him.

Pulling in the parking lot, he shifted his truck in to park and leaned across the seat...."Here we are, do you need me to follow you home or are you going to be okay?"

I laughed, "Scotty, I'm not going to let one magazine article change the way I act on a daily basis. My apartment is only ten minutes away, I'll be fine."

Shrugging his shoulders, he said..."Okay, I just always want you to feel protected. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to you, and it was my fault."

Smiling, I leaned in and kissed him. Barely moving away from his lips, I whispered...."I can take care of myself, now you have other things to worry about like midterms and touring. Besides, this is Garner. Nothing happens here."

Kissing me once more, he pulled away...."Speaking of midterms, we probably need to be at home studying for those, it will be that time before we know it."

I laughed, "Where's the fun in that, McCreery?"

Crossing his arms, he said...."Well, excuse me Miss Dugal but I would like my future nurse to know where certain veins are in my skin if she is going to be poking me with needles."

Laughing, I said, "Hmmm, I suppose you're right."

He smiled, "I know I am. Now, go on but you better text me or call me as soon as you make it home. Understand?"

Reaching for the door handle, I opened it, stepped out, and turned around...."Yes sir, you got it!"

***

Getting in my car, I put the key into the ignition, clicked my seatbelt in and waved goodbye to Scotty, before pulling out of the parking lot and making my way towards the apartment complex.

Within minutes, I pulled in to the parking lot, turned my car off, reached for my bag and began making my way upstairs. Sliding the key in the door, I walked in to see Ashley sitting on the floor in the living room, books scattered in front of her. Midterms were going to make all of us crazy, before this was all over with.

Putting my keys and bag on the table, I made my way towards her...."Hey Ash, what are you doing?"

Acting as if she didn't notice that I had walked in, she clicked her pen shut and looked at me..."Oh hey Gabs, I'm sorry I guess I was just lost in these books. Our Child Lit teacher is requiring us to write a thirty page lesson plan for our mid term. Shoot me now! So anyways, what's up?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Well, apparently the press has found out that Scotty and I are engaged, they wrote a big article about it in People magazine. I guess the good thing is they don't know who I am, at least not yet."

Standing up from the floor, she joined me on the couch and wrapped her arms around me...."Oh my goodness, Gabi, I am so sorry. Are you okay?"

Leaning into her, I said, "Well, I will be. You know, there have a lot of obstacles in mine and Scotty's way over the course of our relationship, this is just another hurdle. Besides, I don't have time to worry about reporters. We have to plan a wedding!"

Crossing her legs underneath her, she said, "That's right, we have so much to talk about. It's almost less than a year away and the only thing I know is it's at the beach. As your Maid of Honor, I demand to know more," she laughed.

Smiling, I ran my hands through my hair...."Well, I have been thinking about colors. I love bright colors, but I know it's in the Fall so we will need Fall colors."

She laughed, "Girl, it's your wedding. Do what you want."

Standing up, I walked in the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water before joining her back in the living room....."Yes, I know that. Well, one thing I'm pretty sure of is that I want dark purple dresses for the girls. You know, that's my favorite color. Besides, we can't really plan anything until I find my dress."

Smiling, she stood up from the couch and reached for my hands...."Are you trying to tell me that you want to go dress shopping this weekend?"

I laughed, "Maybe, I'm itching to get started with all of the planning and I know that's the first step."

Walking away from me, she began gathering her books off the floor...."Consider it done, I'll call and make an appointment ASAP," she said, as she made her way towards her bedroom door.

Sitting on the couch, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Scotty...."Hey baby, I've been home about ten minutes. I was talking to Ashley about wedding details."

Within seconds, he sent a text back...."Thank you for letting me know, I was beginning to get worried. I love you."

Smiling, I stood up from the couch and pulled my Medical Terminology book out of my bag with two highlighters. Sending him a quick text back, I said..."I love you too baby, I'm about to bury my head in my Med Term book, I'll call you later."

***

Making my way into my bedroom, I threw my Child Lit books on my desk chair and plopped myself down on the bed. Deciding I needed a break, I flipped on the TV and tried to find something to watch. There was never anything good on, but I decided to stop on CMT and watch Reba reruns. This show always made me laugh, and I needed that right now before I stressed myself to the max with all these tests I had next week.

Being consumed in the show and listening to Melissa Peterman's antics, I barely heard my phone when it buzzed. Looking down, I was surprised when I saw Scotty's name on my phone. He wasn't one to just text me out of the blue.

Reading the message, it said, "Hey Ash, I need your help. It involves Gabi and wedding details. Can you help me out?"

Sending a quick text back, I typed...."Sure, what is it?"

Within seconds, my phone buzzed again...."Well, let's just say it's a surprise. I can't really go into details right now, but I will tell you soon. Oh and Ash, one more thing....When I do tell you, let's not tell Gabi okay? I want to keep it a surprise, but I'm going to really need your help to pull it off."

I smiled. He was always up to something and I'm sure that's one of the things that she loved about him. He always knew how to keep her on her toes. Typing one more final message, I said, "You got it, Scotty. See you tomorrow."