Breathe Again

A Party for The Ages

"Chris, do you have the presents packed already?" I shout from the kitchen. "Yeah. Just waiting on you." He says walking into the kitchen. "Ok. Lets go." We lock up and begin the drive to the roller rink. All is quiet along the way, I remember last nights conversation with Alaina. I'm very proud of her. I wonder if she has told Derek yet?

An hour later at the rink, the last of the guests show up. I look around for the twins, Elijah is helping Valentina skate. She's a sweet girl, they've been friends for awhile now. Alaina is by the concessions talking to Derek. They hug each other and he kisses her head. She must have told him. She joins Eli and Valentina. Derek rushes over to all us adults. Although I notice none of the other kids parents stayed.

"Did she tell you guys?" He asks and we nod. "So am I the last to know?" I look around and think. "I'm not sure who else she told, but you're probably fourth or fifth in line. There's Eli, Scott, Simon, me and Chris and you. Shit that's sixth. Does it bother you?" I ask him. He shakes his head and waves his hand, "Of course not. Just glad she felt safe enough to come out." Chris's mom and siblings flew down as well as a few of his actor friends. "Chris can you go bring the cakes out?" I ask him and he and Scott head out to grab them.

"Can you believe they are fifteen?" Derek says helping me set out plates and things. "No, it seems like yesterday I was pregnant with them. Derek, do you think my parents would approve of Chris?" I'm sure he hates that I'm asking but he also knows he is the only one who really knew my parents. "Yeah, without a doubt. Your dad would give him a hard time at first but see how happy he makes you and treat him like a son. Your mom would fall in love with him immediately. They'd approve, Maggie, because they would strongly dislike me after everything." 

That's very true though. They would be very disappointed in him, especially Hanna. "Well I wouldn't blame them." I say as I elbow him. He scoffs and rolls his eyes. I'm glad we can be friends even after all that has happened. "Chris's mom is sweet and his sister wasn't what I was expecting. Have you introduced Scott and Simon?" Derek asks. "I have, what were you expecting?" He shrugs, "I don't know honestly. I guess I was hoping his family was gonna be mean or something but they are perfect just like him." He laughs so I know he's being sarcastic.

I see Chris and Scott coming out with the cakes. "Did we really need two cakes?" He asks. "Uh yeah. Alaina wanted chocolate and Elijah wanted vanilla. And no, marble would not have worked." Derek gives the look, like don't push it man. "Hey, can I talk to you a minute?" Chris whispers to me. I nod and we head to a secluded area.

"How would you feel about moving the wedding up a few months?" He asks and I drop the forks. "Why?" I nervously ask trying to not let him see me internally freaking out. "Because, I love Boston in the summer and I have a project coming up in November." I knew something would come up and the date I wanted wouldn't work. "Or we could push it back." I suggest. His face falls and he sighs. 

Chris rubs a hand over his face, "I don't want to argue with you on the twins birthday." He says and begins to walk outside. "I'm not arguing with you. Hell I don't think we've ever had an argument. Come here." I say going after him. We meet just outside the front doors, "Chris." I say and he looks back at me. "Just say it Maggie." I stare at him in confusion not sure of what he wants me to say. "Just say you still love him! That's why you won't move the wedding up and you want to push it back. I love you and I want to marry you. You need to figure out if you feel the same way." I walk towards him and he backs up. 

"Chris, I love you." Is all a manage to say. "I'm leaving with my family tomorrow. Let me know what you really want." He goes back inside to the mens bathroom. I walk towards the door but stop a few feet away and walk back to the dining area. I stop at the table and retrieve the silverware. I take a few deep breaths before heading back to the party. Liv waves me over to the gift table, "Hey, I was gonna... What's wrong?" She asks. She has always been able to tell when I was upset. I just shake my head, I know if I start to tell her I'm going to break down. I don't want to cry on my babies birthday over a guy.