Something Great (Sequel to Something Borrowed)

Chapter 27: Do The Right Thing

Life sure has funny timing. Its ironic how I ran to into Michael so soon after my engagement.  He seemed pretty unhappy and I wasn’t the least bit surprised. That was just like him. He wanted me to be happy for him when he became engaged but he can’t be happy for me? That couldn’t be more unfair. I truly didn’t want to talk to Michael but I’m not gonna lie. I enjoyed telling Michael about my engagement. I was genuinely bursting with happiness about it and would tell anyone who would listen. But I got extra satisfaction letting him know. He could finally feel what I once felt.  After all Michael did ask if I was still with Jake. I guess he’s still expecting me to hold out for him.

Seeing Michael made me angry. He hasn’t talked to me in nine months and when he finally sees me he acts as everything is fine between us.  When I saw him I wanted to blow up on him. Let him know how angry I was with him and how he’d made me feel. But I decided to hold my tongue. I’ve been so happy lately and I refused to let him steal my joy. I decided to be nice to him. Too nice. I even invited him to the wedding.  There was a part of me that wanted him to be there but then there was another part of me that didn’t care if he didn’t come. It was something I shouldn’t worry about. Right now I needed to focus on my wedding.

“Are you ready to tell her?” Jake asks as he puts one of his long arms around me. We were currently at my Mother’s place sitting on her sofa while we waited on her to return with refreshments. We decided to make a surprise visit. The plan was to break the news to Mother.  I felt kind of bad for not telling her as soon as it happened. She should have been the first person I told. I decided that it wouldn’t wait any longer.

I smiled as I placed a hand on his knee. “Yes. We’ll tell her right now.” I replied. I was more than positive that my mother would be happy about engagement but there was a part of me that was super nervous for some reason. Jacob smiled at me. “You know I love you, right?” He asked. I grinned. “How could I not know babe?” I replied before leaning in and kissing him. I wasn’t lying when I said we couldn’t keep our hands to ourselves. We were really into each other. So into each other that Jake and I failed to notice that Mother had returned.

“Well you two sure got comfortable.” She declared. We quickly pulled apart and I blushed profusely, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Mother smiled as she placed a platter of cucumber squares on the table in front of us. “Sorry.” Jacob replied sheepishly. “It’s okay, I was young once.” She replied taking a seat in the chair in front of us. “It was really nice of you two to stop by today. Quite the surprise.”  Mom announced. I smiled while grabbing hold of Jacob’s hand. I looked over at him and gave him a slight nod indicating that it was time to break the news. Jake got the hint and took a deep breath before speaking. “Erin and I have something really important to tell you.” He declared. Mom’s eye brow’s rose.  The last time I was with a boyfriend of mine and had told my mother this I was pregnant with Harry. “Really?” She asked. I nodded. “You won’t believe it!” I replied. “You’re pregnant?!?!?” She asked excitedly.  I felt a bit embarrassed. Was that the only good news I was capable of telling my mother??

 Jake shook his head. “No. But it’s equally as good.” He replied. A puzzled expression settled upon Mother’s face. She looked as if she were thinking very hard. After a short while she sighed. “I give up. Just tell me.”  She sighed defetedly. I smiled. “Jacob and I are getting married, Mother!” I exclaimed. My mother nearly jumped out of her seat. “Oh my gosh!! My baby is getting married!! Finally!!” She squealed with delight. I can’t recall a time when my mom was happier. Jacob and I laughed at my mother’s excitement. When she’d calmed down a bit she finally spoke. “This is so exciting! I’ve literally been waiting forever for this day. My prayers have been answered. Looks like you’ve finally found the right guy to settle down with.” Mother spoke proudly. I smiled lovingly at Jacob. “I sure have, Mom.” I replied.

“So when is this wedding?” She asked. “We decided on June.” Jake replied. Mom smiled. “That’s two months away. You’ve got some planning to do young lady.” She declared in a sing-song voice. I smiled. I had more than just plans to make if I wanted this wedding to plan out.

                                                                          *****

After more talk about plans for our wedding, I volunteered to help Mother clean the kitchen and the small pile of dishes she’d used. I really could use some mother-daughter-time. There were a few things that had been bugging me lately and I really needed to get it off my chest and get some advice.

“Your grandmother gave me that platter when your father and I got married.” Mother tells me as I carefully rinse off the aged porcelain platter that had elegant forget-me-nots painted on it. I smiled. “Gran always did have great taste.” I replied. Mother stopped drying a glass and smiled at me. “Erin, I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am for you. This is it, Erin. All this time you’ve sat back and watched other people enjoy their happiness and now you finally get your own. This is your moment, you know? Nobody deserves it more than you.” She declared.  She couldn’t have said it better.

I sighed while gently drying the platter “I’m really happy Mother, but I’m a little concerned about a few things.”I admitted. Mother furrowed her brows. “What’s there to be concerned about? You’re marrying a good guy.” She replied. I sighed. “It’s Brooke. When she got married I promised her she’d be my maid of honor when I finally got married but I never figured we wouldn’t be talking when the time came.” I finished sadly. Mother sighed. “I know Brooke’s mad at me but she’s my sister and I love her and I really want her to be a part of my wedding. I just feel so bad for making our family estranged.” I finished.

Mother sighed drying her hands on the dish towel. “Erin, it’s not your fault. What happened between you and Michael wasn’t intentional and that was years ago.” She assured me. At first I thought Mother was equally as mad at me as Brooke was but she’d proved to be very understanding of at all after sometime. I sighed. “Try telling that to Brooke.” I replied. “Erin, Brooke can’t spend the rest of her life holding a grudge. Whether she likes it or not you’re still her sister.  Sisters should never end their relationship over a man.”  She replied. It still makes me very mad knowing Michael had caused a rift between me and Brooke.

I quickly whipped my hands on the dish towel. “Maybe Jake and I can have a shotgun wedding instead.” I spoke jokingly. Mother smiled faintly. “If you really want Brooke to be a part of your wedding you have to reach out to her. It’s been nine months it’s about time you two reconcile anyway.” She replied. I folded arms across my chest. “I swear, you’re right about everything!!” I exclaimed. Mother laughed. “It’s a part of being a mother. It took you all these years finally admit it. Harry will admit it one day too.” She replied. 

Mom was absolutely right. It would be hard but I knew what I had to do if I wanted my sister back.